Trip Report: Kay Fly Lodge, Mexico (March 23-30th, 2026)

I had been hearing about the increased amount of migratory tarpon that were being caught in both Espiritu Santo Bay and Ascension Bay, Mexico for years now. Last August I fished in Espiritu and certainly saw and caught quite a few tarpon. But I didn't see much sign of larger migratory fish. It was however at the end of their migratory season. I hooked into one tarpon in ESB that was around 60-70lbs, but as it was mixed in with other smaller fish and I believe it was still a resident. So, with a trip set to Ascension Bay with my friend Jake Nichols at the end of May, and in the middle of migratory tarpon season for them, I had high hopes we were going to find proof positive of these stories. That combined with the legendary Ascension Bay permit fishery, anticipation was high. 

This would be my first visit to Ascension Bay. Arguably one of the most famous flats fishing locations in the Caribbean, its reputation preceded it immensely. Known as a stronghold of bonefish, permit, and tarpon, Ascension Bay has been producing an incredible amount of landed permit for decades. But, as I've been told, it really hasn't been until COVID that the migratory tarpon fishing has really gotten into full swing there. It is unclear to me, after talking with multiple guides and anglers, whether the migratory tarpon in Ascension Bay started to show up more since 2020, or if they simply hadn't dialed in their migratory routes/timing until recently. But, either way, this very productive migratory tarpon scene in Ascension has taken on a reputation all its own. So, mix that in with the existing permit and bonefishing, and you've got quite the recipe for a great week!

We were booked to visit Kay Fly Lodge in Punta Allen. Speaking of rumors, Kay Fly has been on the positive end of many great reports over the years. Quite a few people that I know have fished there with glowing accounts. So, with the anticipation of the fishery and the lodge, I was excited to spend the week in this new location for me. 

To reach Punta Allen, Kay Fly facilitates transportation from Cancun or Tulum. We decided to fly into Tulum, which worked out well. Kay Fly had us picked up at the airport, taken on a short drive to a dock, and then a final panga ride to the lodge. This boat ride is a much better option than taking the extended drive down the bumpy rt15 the entire way to Punta Allen.  

(the famous permit statue in the center of Punta Allen (right))

After arriving, we settled into the lodge, found our rooms, and started to put our gear together for the following morning. You quickly notice all the awards that are shelved inside the main lodge house. Multiple permit trophies are crammed together showcasing head guide and owner José Ucan's success in various permit tournaments. Additionally, other awards are displayed along the walls with owner/manager Lily Bertram's name recognizing her success in tarpon tournaments. Judging by Kay Fly's reputation in the industry, the type of clients they attract, and the quality of guides they attract, you can tell this is a lodge run by serious anglers intended to put the fishing/fishery and community first above all else. 

(getting ready for the first morning)

Weather-wise, our first day was the best. We woke up to sunshine with a slight breeze. The good conditions that day gave us our only full day of legit permit hunting as we had the sunlight to do so. We saw some nice permit, had some shots, had some follows, but weren't able to seal the deal. 

On our first evening after fishing, we watched Lily play in the town's soccer club games. Combined with regular local matches of volleyball and soccer, plus heated competitions of cornhole, we were all very well entertained in the evenings throughout the week. This aspect was a standout feature of Kay Fly. At many lodges you are removed from the real world and separated from the local community. Here I felt as though there was a true symbiotic relationship involving the lodge and the surrounding community. 

(looking down over Punta Allen)

(evenings were spent cheering or trying to beat Lily in cornhole. Bottom photos: Kristin K.)

The second day began the downslide of the good weather. We had bouts of sun, but you could tell a front was soon to arrive. It was on the second day that I was able to hook into my first migratory tarpon of the trip. A small school came across our skiff's port side heading north and I was able to get a cast in front of the lead fish. After a pretty long battle of managing not only the fish but the sargassum that would regularly get wrapped around my line, I got the fish boat-side multiple times. To get rid of the sargassum on the line, wiggling the rod to shake it off is really the only way. As the sargassum piles up on the line, it's very heavy and creates a lot of unwanted pressure and weight on the line. The additional trouble with shaking the line, however, is that you are also shaking the hook and leader which can cause problems on its own. The fish was leadered multiple times but ended up breaking through the 80lb bite tippet and swimming off. Although heartbreaking, it was a good start to the week!

(fighting both the fish and the sargassum (middle))

That evening was when the stormy weather came through and left its mark for the remainder of the week. We had a pretty heavy thunderstorm hit us that night rendering us inside the main lodge (without power for a little bit), playing games, and talking while it blew over. 

(hiding from the storm)

The following day was challenging with the wind and clouds. This would mostly be the case for the rest of the week as well. With limited sunlight and gusty winds, our ability to effectively fish for permit was very hard. So, we decided to spend most of our time and energy on targeting the more viable tarpon game. Certainly not a bad exchange...

(José Ucan doing some sort of high level anti rain dance (left) ~ Jake getting a jump in (middle) ~ scanning for tarpon (right))

With our sights set on tarpon we progressed through the rest of the week with our 11wt in hand. The guides at Kay Fly have really zeroed in on the path(s) of the migratory tarpon and we were effectively able to get shots on them every day for the rest of the week. One thing I learned, and thought to be quite interesting, is with the type of tarpon flies that the guides recommend you use in Ascension Bay.

"The tarpon here don't sip flies like they do in Florida" said José Ucan one evening, "they smash them, so you need a heavier fly that won't get rocketed out of the water when they go for the fly or the fishes mouth when they eat." 

(one of the flies I had success with)

So, for the entire week we fished weighted flies. Dumbbell eyes on basic Stu Apte/traditional style patterns with simple saddle hackle for the tail, and maybe a brush (or similar) for the body material, is all we used. My first tarpon that I hooked (and lost) was taken on a "mango" colored pattern. All of our other fish were hooked on a black or black/purple. 

(Mid week the first tarpon was landed. The bite tippet luckily didn't break on me this time...)

The week progressed with daily reports of either hooked and/or landed tarpon amongst the group. As the conditions were tough anyway, most people in the group had also been essentially solely focused on the tarpon fishing or trying to sneak in some bonefish if they could.

(There's nothing quite like a good skiff lunch! I tried to consume my body weight in those pickled jalapeños (left) -- One of those weighted black flies. They were not choosey (middle) -- Taking advantage of some sunlight to do some scanning (right))

At the end of the week, to my recollection, most everyone had at least hooked into one. Landing a tarpon is tough, so to have most of the group successful with at least getting a hook into one (maybe a jump or two), especially with the conditions we were handed, was definitely a sign of quality fishing and good guides. 

(Kristin K. with a great fish with guide Tino  - photos: Kristin K.)

The last day provided some additional luck. I have found that a lot of times the last day brings something special or unique to the week. On this particular last day, both my skiff partner Jake and I hooked into tarpon. Jake got the first one of the day - a real solid fish that towed us around Ascension Bay some. It was quite the exciting battle! About an hour later he got the fish close to the boat, but unfortunately the hook simply slipped. 

(Jake's last day fish that gave us a small tour of Ascension Bay. Unfortunately lost it at the boat)

Shortly after that I was also able to connect with another fish. After hooked, it was the most amount of under-the-boat runs that I've had with a tarpon. After its first run, it stayed fairly close to the boat going back and forth underneath us. But luckily, we were able to get the tarpon landed.

In the same school with the tarpon I landed that day was a complete unit of a fish. Likely a/the female as she seemed to be trailed by smaller males (which was one of the ones that took the fly). Jake got the eat on video, so we were able to check out the footage afterwards. I've tried to get a good freeze frame to show in this report. Tough to compare, but in the actual video, if you A-B the size of that lead fish to the one that I landed, we were guessing potentially 150+lbs.

So, our week ended on a high note. Having a final day kept busy landing tarpon is never a bad way to go out. Kudos to Kay Fly for showing us a great time!

(What a great group!)

We have a newly scheduled hosted trip to Kay Fly on May 15-22nd 2027. Contact us for more details!!

Written and Photos by: Josh Thelin (unless where noted)