Mexico is one of the best places in the world for saltwater flats fly fishing. From the northern Yucatan south to Xcalak, there are countless bays, mangroves, and flats where resident and migratory tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook, jacks, barracuda, and more are available to anglers. Add in several world-class fishing lodges and some of the planet's hardest-working guides, and a fly fishing trip to Mexico often pays back in bringing some excellent fish to hand. To make sure your journey of a thousand miles doesn't unravel at the last inch, here are the Six Best Flies for Fly Fishing Mexico's Saltwater Flats.
The Raghead Crab
Having been inspired by the original Merkin crab pattern, the Raghead enhances one of the best flies ever for permit and bonefish when fly fishing in Mexico. The fly casts well in the wind but also can land softly if conditions are calm and fish are spooky. It can be tied with a variety of weighted eyes, so it is very versatile in the varying habitats of Mexico. This fly works great with casting to tailing fish, mudding fish in deeper holes and off reefs, and can also be used tied without weighted eyes if you are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and you experience fish feeding on floating crabs. Whether you are day tripping out of Cancun or exploring the unpressured flats in Espirito Santo Bay, you want to have a selection of Ragheads in your box.
Sili-Leg Gotcha
Created by the innovative and well-traveled angling team of Barry and Cathy Beck, this fly works for bonefish any place they swim. As one of the best saltwater flats flies ever, if you are headed to Mexico for fly fishing, this is a must. Tied with custom, life-like legs and just the right amount of flash, the Beck's created a fly with the best attributes of the Crazy Charlie and a Gotcha. The Sili-Legs pulse and move in the water, but bonefish aren't the only fish that can be caught while fly fishing in Mexico, using this fly: permit, snook, jacks, and snapper all will eat this fly. With a slender, translucent, and stealthy profile similar to the original Gotcha, this fly casts well in all conditions and with long leaders. We especially like this fly for the many bonefish waters around Beh Kay Lodge.
Tarpon Toad
This fly was invented in the Florida Keys by some of the greatest teams in tarpon fly fishing, Greg Merriman and Andy Mill. It didn't take long for the fly to make its way around the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. It is now a regular go-to pattern for tarpon in a variety of conditions. Tied with very lifelike features like a rabbit fur zonker strip tied with the strip side up so it looks very real from a fish rising up to it and eyes that do not weigh down the fly so it doesn't dip when stopped; in fact is lays flat so it mimics a resting baitfish. Tarpon Toads are now tied with many different features, from long tails to short tails to trimmed heads to fluffy heads. Depending on depth and the behavior of the fish, most toads are fished on floating lines. Many fly fishing guides in Mexico like to fish the Tarpon Toad to resident and migratory tarpon that are holding or feeding slowly.
Clouser Minnow
Along with the Deceiver (which is also on this list), the Clouser Minnow is the best fly for the numerous other species of fish when fly fishing in Mexico. This fly is ideal for jacks, snook, and snapper. It can be used for bonefish if it is tied with very lightweight eyes, and some guides may use a Clouser if schools of permit are holding or in deeper water. Clousers are very durable flies, cast well, and are very simple to tie. The eyes are placed on top of the hook, just behind the eye, which creates a jigging motion that goes up and down to imitate an injured baitfish. Mexico fly fishing trips packing lists almost always include a Clouser Minnow.
Flexo Crab
Tied with a translucent body of mesh, the Flexo crab looks like a real crab as it sinks or when being stripped. While this fly may not be the easiest to cast in windy conditions, it sinks fast. The Flexo crab works well when bonefish are in large schools. Cast into the heart of the school, let it sink, and then slowly strip it. The built-in weed guard allows this fly to sink to the bottom but not get snagged up. While this fly can be stripped quickly, because water flows through the body, it is best stripped slowly to avoid it spinning while being retrieved. There are several variations of the Flexo crab, but they all feature the flexo tubing and a see-through body. From Cancun to Xcalak, this is a good pattern to have in your box.
Deceiver (Lefty Kreh version)
Created by the greatest angler of all time, Lefty Kreh, the Deceiver imitates a variety of baitfish. When fly fishing in Mexico, this fly has caught everything from barracuda to permit to tarpon to snook to even sheepshead. When on a fly fishing trip in Mexico, having a rod rigged with a Deceiver is a good idea--you never know when a barracuda or other large species might swim by. Deceivers are relatively easy to cast in all conditions, and when stripped fast, a hungry barracuda often cannot resist. This fly also works well for laid-up tarpon and snook. Most often tied with contrasting colors and long saddle feathers or artificial materials, it pulses in the water. Don't be fooled, but a Deciever is a must when fly fishing in Mexico.
Mexico offers some of the world's best saltwater fly fishing for mixed species. The flats off of the Yucatan Peninsula are one of the best places in the world to target tarpon, permit, and bonefish from one location. Often, other species including barracuda, reef fish, and even offshore species can be caught. Mexican fly-fishing lodges and resorts also offer one of the best values in destination angling. If you are planning a fly fishing trip to Mexico, be sure to have these Six Best Flies for Fly Fishing in Mexico.