Located 90 miles south of Cancun, Mexico near the small lobstering town of Punta Allen, Grand Slam Lodge is a first-class, boutique-style resort created by fly anglers for fly anglers. Here, bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, and barracuda cruise an endless array of crystal clear flats, mangrove lagoons, channels, and reefs within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Preserve. Pairs of anglers fly fish out of pangas under the watchful eyes of both a senior and junior fly fishing guide, maximizing chances from the boat and while wading. Additionally, Grand Slam offers hard-core anglers and novices alike the region's most luxurious accommodations. A maximum of 24 guests enjoy 12 private villas rooms located on the beach, each with incredible ocean views. With the Caribbean on one side and a calm lagoon on the other, the secluded main lodge sits well out of sight of others. Guests board pangas in the morning at the private dock just steps from their rooms and reach the productive waters of Ascension bay in mere minutes.

Stays of varying lengths are available and can be arranged for those wanting to slip away from the bustle of the northern Yucatan resorts for a few days of quality flats fishing. Non-angling companions can enjoy a picturesque beach, swimming pool, and snorkeling options. In the evenings, hang out in the main dining room with a margarita and tie flies at the complimentary fly tying station. Top-notch guided fly fishing, luxurious modern accommodations, and warm Mexican hospitality make Grand Slam Lodge a Fly Water Travel favorite for seasoned saltwater junkies, first time saltwater anglers, as well as any guests keen on experiencing the Yucatan.

Located within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve in Mexico's Ascension Bay, Grand Slam Lodge is only 90 miles south of Cancun, Mexico. Anglers are offered access to endless crystal-clear flats, mangrove lagoons, channels, and reefs where bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, barracuda, jacks, and sharks swim. Bonefish and permit can be targeted year-round, tarpon season runs from April through October, and snook season is from November through March. The Sian Ka'an Preserve is home to more than 345 species of birds, including over one million wintering migratory song birds. As well the incredible bird life, visitors may witness sea turtles, saltwater crododiles, dolphin, and sting rays.

Anglers access the fishing areas on traditional Mexican pangas with two guides on every boat – one senior guide and one junior guide. While the majority of the fly fishing is done from the boat, there are also some opportunities to wade fish for bonefish and permit. Guests who are interested in getting out of the boat and fishing on foot should be sure to mention to the lodge manager. Also available is a 26-foot center console boat for getting out to the reef and an even larger 29-foot cabin cruiser for deep sea trolling or deep jigging. Blue water trips are available upon specific advanced request.

Grand Slam Fly Fishing Lodge offers guests spacious, air-conditioned beachfront suites with private bathrooms. The rooms feature king size beds, hammocks, flat screen TV's with satellite service, DVD players, iPod docking stations and a fully stocked mini bars. A locking safe, daily room service, personal rod racks and fly fishing magazines are also available. Each private villa contains two separate rooms with luxurious and contemporary interiors.

Guests are served breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in the Kai Restaurant, which is in the main lodge. The menu is an eclectic mix of Mexican and American dishes and also features an extensive international wine list. Daily boxed lunches accompany anglers on fishing days. In the morning, a fantastic self-service sandwich buffet is laid out so you can customize your lunchtime sandwich to your pleasure. Garlic prawns, lobster, steak, fish, ceviche, chicken, and pork dishes are staples for dinner.

Day 1: Arrive Cancun and transfer to lodge

Days 2-7: Full days of guided fishing

Day 8: Depart lodge

Travel Logistics:

Arrival Information: To get to Grand Slam Fly Fishing Lodge you need to make flight arrangements to Cancun, Mexico. All guests need to arrive in Cancun in time to catch the daily transfer from the Cancun International Airport or spend the night before going to the lodge in Cancun.

Getting to the Lodge: A lodge representative will meet you at the Cancun airport and transfer you to the lodge by van. The drive is about 4 ½ hours. A helicopter transfer may also be arranged.

Departure Information: On your departure day you will be driven to the Cancun airport to catch your afternoon flight home.

2023-24 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024:

• 7 night/6 day package: $5,330
• 6 night/5 day package: $4,600
• 5 night/4 day package: $3,870
• 4 night/3 day package: $3,140
• 3 night/2 day package: $2,410

July 1 - September 30:

• 7 night/6 day package: $4,630
• 6 night/5 day package: $4,000
• 5 night/4 day package: $3,370
• 4 night/3 day package: $2,740
• 3 night/2 day package: $2,110

Included: Accommodations and all meals at the lodge, non-alcoholic beverages, guided fishing, fishing licenses, daily housekeeping services, use of lodge amenities and fly-tying station, guest taxes, ground transfers & boat transfers between Cancun and the lodge.

Not Included: Airfare to/from Cancun, accommodations/meals in Cancun if needed, guide & staff gratuities, alcoholic beverages and mini-bar consumption, bottled/canned beverages, laundry service, phone calls & internet service, non-angling activities, park fees and any extra purchases at the lodge.

Species: Bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, jacks, and barracuda

Season: Year-round

Capacity: 22 anglers

Location: Grand Slam Fly Fishing Lodge is located near Punta Allen, Mexico on the north shore of Ascension Bay.

Who is best suited to this destination? Any anglers interested in fly fishing Ascension Bay or keen on targeting a wide range of species. This also great destination for couples or groups with interest other than fishing and those that enjoy nice accommodations.

Where is the lodge? Grand Slam Lodge is located 3.5 hours south of Cancun in the Sian Ka’an Bisophere Reserve on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, near the town of Punta Allen.

How do I get there? Guests fly to Cancun and are transported south to the lodge about 3.5 hours by vehicle and boat.

When should I go? Peak months are March through May. The summer months can also be very good as pressure on Ascension Bay is minimal. Additionally, anglers might get shots at migratory tarpon in the summer. The fall season can be very productive September – November, although a risk of hurricanes is possible.

How will I fish? Anglers fish two per boat in Panga style skiffs. Most guides operate in two person teams with a senior guide on the poling platform and a junior guide on the bow with the client. This provides an extra set of eyes to spot fish, help with line tangles and allow the junior guide and client to jump off the boat to chase fish by foot.

Is there wade fishing? Yes, some wade fishing is available, although most of the fishing is accomplished from the boat. In Ascension Bay, the bottom is often soft but there are certain areas suitable for wading. It’s important to note that good areas for wading tend to be more pressured which can make fishing difficult in these areas.

Where will I fish? The expansive flats, lagoons, channels, and mangrove estuaries of Ascension Bay.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Runs of 15 – 50 minutes are common. It’s important to let management or your guide know if you have a preference for shorter versus longer run times.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Bonefish, permit and tarpon are the main quarries. There are some opportunities for barracuda, snook and jacks as well. It’s best to take what the day gives you with a throw-at-anything-that-moves mentality.

How many fish will I catch? Anytime you land double-digit numbers of bonefish it is a good day. Even one permit for the week is very good and multiple permit is a rarity. Tarpon in the bay can be difficult at times but finding and hooking several fish is not uncommon for a week of fishing.

Will I see other anglers? In the high season, Ascension Bay can be a popular place. It’s a common occurrence to see other guide boats on the bay and sometimes it’s possible that your first pick of flats may not always be available.

What are the guides like? Most of the guides are experienced professionals. They do their best to accommodate anglers and their desires. Sometimes, like at many locations, the guides can be a bit over-passionate so it’s best not to take all of their comments too personally. Some of the guides speak very good English. Most speak only limited English or “fishing English”. The more Spanish you know, the easier it will be to communicate. We can help you request a guide that speaks good English if it is a priority.

What are the physical demands? Physical demands are generally not an issue although having good balance is a benefit when fishing from the boat.

Are there any special skills required? Good casters with a crisp double-haul and the ability to deal with the wind will always benefit when fly fishing in saltwater.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge does have some tackle available for rent, although it’s best to bring your own equipment if possible.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? Currently, my favorite rod for this trip is a Sage Salt 9ft – 9wt. It’s powerful enough to deal with the wind and versatile enough for bonefish, juvenile tarpon or permit.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge? The lodge surroundings are relaxed and casual. Grand Slam is a great hybrid between a resort and a small fishing lodge. The staff is friendly and the central dining/bar/swimming pool areas remain lively in the evenings.

Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? The owner is not on-site but the management team can always be found. Managers are English speaking and always available to help.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Meals are plentiful and consist of a mix of Mexican and continental cuisine.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Guests stay two per room in luxury suites with all the creature comforts of home. Accommodations are the nicest in the regions. They are spacious, air-conditioned and very comfortable with private bathrooms, outdoor decks, flat screen TV’s, and en-suite Jacuzzi tubs. Most rooms have good views of the sea and are within easy walking distance to the fishing skiffs.

Is there internet and/or cell service? Yes, there is satellite internet in the main building at the lodge. Some rooms that are closer to the router will get a signal but most of the time you’ll need to access it in the main lodge. Connection speeds are often slow but are generally suitable for sending email and light-duty browsing. Cell service is not widely available but you may want check with your service provider for coverage maps.

Are there other activities? There are very few extra-curricular activities at Grand Slam. However, the lodge and beach are beautiful and guests that are simply interested in lounging on the beach or relaxing by the pool may be interested. There is no easy access to towns or eco-touring activities.

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? Bugs are generally not a big issue. There are some mosquitoes and sand fleas present. Bringing long sleeves and pants is a good idea, as well as a good bug repellent. We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center For Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.