Justin started in the fly fishing industry in 1997, eventually co-owning a fly shop and outfitting business in Central Oregon. He then moved to Missoula, Montana, to become a producer/screenwriter for outdoor television, traveling extensively and refining his fly fishing techniques. With over 20 years of guiding experience, Justin is a skilled fly tier, competitive caster, and host of The February Room podcast with his wife, Lauren.
LODGING
4 Double Guest Rooms
2 Single Guest Rooms
SPECIES
Permit, Bonefish, Tarpon, Snook, Triggerfish, Barracuda, Jack Crevalle, Various Reef Fish
DATES
March 28 – April 4, 2025
RECOMMENDED FOR…
Adventure-Seekers, Couples, Grand Slam Seeking Anglers
EQUIPMENT
Bring Your Own Gear
Ascension Bay is a premier destination for anglers of all experience levels, offering diverse and exceptional fishing opportunities. Whether you’re new to saltwater fishing or a seasoned pro, you’ll find something to challenge and excite you:
This vibrant fishery is one of the rare places where you can achieve a Caribbean Super Slam, catching tarpon, bonefish, snook, and permit in a single day. Renowned for its world-class permit fishing, Ascension Bay is guided by local experts who have honed their skills in these waters, ensuring you the best possible experience in pursuit of these challenging species.
Throughout your stay, our focus will be on refining and enhancing your saltwater casting skills. This is a unique opportunity to both practice and elevate your abilities in a supportive environment. Each morning, we’ll gather at the old soccer fields for a brief but insightful casting lesson, where we’ll cover essential techniques and provide tips to improve your form.
Afterward, our experienced guides will accompany you on the water, offering personalized instruction as you apply what you’ve learned in real-world fishing scenarios. They’ll work closely with you to fine-tune your casting techniques, ensuring that by the end of your trip, you’ll have gained valuable skills and confidence in your saltwater casting abilities.
Whether you’re looking to master new techniques or simply enjoy the thrill of saltwater fishing, this trip offers the perfect blend of education, adventure, and relaxation.
Constructed in 2009 using indigenous hardwoods, traditional Mexican stucco-style brick, and tiles, the Punta Allen Fishing Club Lodge stands as a testament to local craftsmanship and architectural heritage. Offering six contemporary rooms adorned with Mexican artistic flair and a touch of elegance, guests ascend to the upper level to discover our dining room, bar, and lounge—all sheltered beneath the expansive canopy of a traditional Mayan Palapa, the largest of its kind in the village.
This communal space provides more than just a place to dine and relax; it also features dedicated fly-tying areas, bins stocked with hand-tied flies, and a small gym, adding a unique dimension to guests’ experience. Experience authentic Mexican hospitality through the heartfelt motto, “Mi casa es tu casa” – My home is your home.
At Punta Allen Fishing Club, guests can share their most cherished fishing moments while enjoying fresh cocktails and delicious homemade meals. For those seeking pure relaxation, this lodge boasts comfortable sofas, traditional Mexican hammocks, and a newly installed jacuzzi with fresh water.
Accommodations are designed to cater to every comfort, featuring six rooms equipped with either two single beds or lavish king or queen-sized beds, each with a ceiling fan, air conditioning, storage for clothing and gear, and a private bathroom adorned with Italian-style showers, ensuring 24-hour comfort and convenience.
With a capacity to accommodate up to 12 guests in configurations of four double rooms and two single rooms, our captain suite, with three beds, offers an ideal space for families to create unforgettable memories amidst the natural beauty of Punta Allen and Ascension Bay.
Under the guidance of Pascale Leblanc and Tiziano Rizzotto, who bring extensive experience and knowledge of the fly fishing and hospitality industry worldwide, along with Juan Briceño, the distinguished captain of guides, guests are assured the highest standards of client care. Juan meticulously selects guides based on their reputation, fishing prowess, and professionalism, ensuring an unforgettable fishing experience.
Embark on your fishing adventure aboard specially designed 23-25 ft. pangas, expertly tailored for flats fishing in the shallow waters of Ascension Bay. These pangas feature a wide casting area on the bow and a poling platform at the back, ensuring optimal sight fishing opportunities. Powered by efficient 40-60 hp engines, each boat combines speed with reliability. Comfort is paramount, with each panga equipped with cushioned seating, rod holders, coolers, radio communication, first aid kits, life vests, and tagging tackles for those pursuing grand slam fishing programs.
While we encourage guests to bring their own tackle and flies for a personalized experience, this lodge also provides flies available for purchase. For optimal performance, we recommend using 9ft rods paired with saltwater reels tailored to your target species. Consider line classes: 6/7 for bonefish, 8/9 for permit, snook, and baby tarpon, 9/10 for barracuda, jack, tarpon, or sizable permit, and 11/12 for migratory tarpon during the season (late April to end August). These heavier lines are also suitable for open-sea pursuits such as wahoo, dolphin fish, grouper, and king mackerel. While floating lines are typically used for flats fishing, opportunities for sinking/intermediate lines exist in deeper channels, offering versatility for varied fishing experiences.
Your journey to Punta Allen Fishing Club (2) typically begins at the Cancun International Airport (1), approximately four hours away by car. Alternatively, guests can opt for the newer airport located south of Tulum, which significantly reduces travel time to the lodge. Regardless of your choice, this program offers personalized transport arrangements from the airport to ensure a seamless transition to your fishing retreat.
All transfers are conducted in private vehicles equipped with air conditioning and operated by professional travel transfer companies. For groups of up to 8 people, a van or minibus is typically employed, while larger groups benefit from the use of two vans. The drivers, renowned for their professionalism and reliability, have consistently provided exceptional service over the years.
For guests seeking an alternative to the road journey to Punta Allen, roundtrip boat transfers to and from Tulum are now availble. Upon arrival at the entrance to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, your ground transport will seamlessly connect with guides, facilitating a smooth transition to the boat. Enjoy a leisurely cruise through the scenic mangroves en route to the lodge, although please note that boat transfer availability is contingent upon water/tide levels and prevailing weather conditions. This option incurs an additional cost per person.
For the convenience of US-based customers, we recommend scheduling flights to arrive no later than 3pm and depart no earlier than 2pm, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free travel experience to and from the lodge within the same day of your flights.
LEGEND
(1) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
(2) Tulum Airport
(3) Punta Allen Fishing Club
You will receive a detailed gear list upon booking, but generally:
Bonefish Flies:
Recommended Permit Flies:
Recommended Tarpon and Snook Flies:
It is ideal to have tarpon flies that have Large Dumbbell eyes or other weight for fishing deeper water.
Rods & Reels, Line & Tippet:
Shared Room / Shared Boat: $4,400
Single Room / Single Boat: $6,700
If you’re interested in talking to a consultant or booking this adventure, please complete this form.
