Permit Fishing at Xflats Lodge: March '26 Trip Report

Permit fishing is one of those things where we can wax endlessly and theorize about what different fly would have worked, or how we should have stripped it, or what could have happened with a different cast? It’s easy to get caught up in the unknowns of such an unpredictable endeavor, but at the end of the day, it really starts by putting yourself in the position for success. Pursuits like these start long before you arrive on the beach or sit down at the vise and this is why we find ourselves continuing to return to Xflats Lodge in Xcalak, Mexico.

Bryce just returned from his latest trip below and broke down a little bit of what it’s like to spend a week at the lodge, chasing the black tailed devil.

How was the fishing for the group this past week?

The crew as a whole had a pretty spectacular week of fishing. Good fishing always enhances the week, but we had an amazing crew, and the people, laughs, and memories are truly what makes these trips so special. We had East winds most of the week, which are always favorable and fortunately the permit were happy. Our first day was a bit gusty, but folks were able to make it happen, and then the rest of the week was pretty mild on the “w” front. Sun was great and while on the last day we had clouds, people still found permit. With the low light conditions some of us decided to focus on tarpon and were rewarded there as well.

What is the approach to a day of permit fishing?

If you leave it up to the guides; they eat, breathe, and live for permit fishing. That’s what they want to do and they take great pride in getting you on permit. Each angler is different and throughout the week, depending on how it rolls, you go through a myriad of emotions and approaches. For those with tunnel vision; you chase those permit all day every day without a break, and hope to be rewarded. Some anglers understandably get tired after a few days of either not having shots or having shots only to get the finger. A morning of bonefish or tarpon is the perfect remedy to get that permit focus back on.

Where did you find fish?

I think everyone had a different experience throughout the week. For me personally, day 1 we were in [Chetumal] bay and saw lots of singles and doubles; all respectable sized permit. Nonetheless, we couldn’t buy a look or even get the slightest inkling that they were interested in a fly. Day 2 found us back in the bay doing a little bit of wade fishing, and it was all schools of dinner plate sized fish. Similar to the day prior but without the singles and doubles. At this point, a couple of the boats started going out oceanside and finding them. They seemed more localized out front, but happy and more willing to chase down flies. With the sargassum out there, we started seeing lots of the floating crabs moving around which is what we’re looking for in order to fish floating crab patterns for surface eats. Overall some fish were caught in the bay, but the oceanside proved to have some fish who were more willing to play.

What flies and tackle were productive/what did the guides like/suggest?

Over the years the fly picks for down there have been pretty consistent. Our most fished fly is the smaller, size #6 and #8 “Raghead 2.0” in white and tan by Umpqua. MFC’s “Crab Ragoon” in a #6 is also a great fly. This was my first trip in which we got fish on commercially tied floating crabs, and the new floater by Rainey’s, the “Floatsam Crab” #4 in tan was the ticket. [All patterns available in store] Overall though, our man Tommy hooked us up with his home-tied flies and that were among the most popular. For tackle, most of us were fishing 10-12’ 16lb. leaders extended out a few more feet with 16lb. fluorocarbon tippet. 9’ 9wt rods are ideal down there, and for those bulkier permit flies a RIO Flats Pro, RIO Permit Taper, or SA Grand Slam were the lines of choice.

For a complete list of our favorite saltwater flats fishing gear, check out our Saltwater Gear Guide

This being your third trip to Xflats, what’s something you learned this time around and what keeps you coming back?

My biggest lesson this trip is whether you’re standing on the bow of a boat staring down your shot at a permit or sitting in the Atlanta airport with your crew spread all over the country finding out your flights been cancelled; take a breath, reset, and move forward with confidence. It’ll all work out in the end.

Like any other permit trip; at times I walked down the dock in the afternoon shaking my head just trying to make sense of the days’ heartbreaks and refusals. Permit fishing is on par with playing the slots, you keep putting your money in and one day whether it’s pull 1 or 1000 you’ll hit that jackpot. It takes time and commitment.

Each of my trips to Xflats get better and better with small improvements at the lodge, the amazing food, and most importantly the staff. They truly make it magical. It’s a fishing lodge and everyone there does their part to make it happen for you especially Tobey and Riley. When it comes to the water, it’s an outstanding fishery but it’s really the continuity and genuineness of the guides that I feel really set this place apart. In all my travels it’s rare to find a guide crew who get along so well with each other which is definitely a key component of the magic here.

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