Atlántida Inshore and Fly Fishing 

My guide appeared to know little or nothing about fly fishing. Which was fine for me. He didn't have any gear or flies on the boat and didn't know how best to position the boat or give guidance for fly fishing, but once again - that's fine by me. He was very friendly and took me out to a cool outer reef area. I got to tie on my own flies and fish peacefully in whatever fashion I wanted. If you are inexperienced or did not bring gear and flies or expect significant guidance you should have serious discourse about your expectations before booking. If you have gear and flies and at least a rudimentary idea of what to do with them and are happy to go your own thing - they provide a good service getting you out on the water with access to fish at a very reasonable price. They will also setup transportation which was a big help to me.

I was pleasantly surprised to be able to cast to numerous rolling Tarpon in the marina before we headed out to the reef. I brought a 9 wt. and had 30 lb. Test, which was perfect. Hooked 5, landed 2. Saw fish pushing 40-50 lbs. which I would have been ill equipped for. Raphael, our guide, was very nice, but knows nothing about fly fishing. He had a 5 wt. in the boat? He doesn’t know how to land or handle these fish. To my disgust, he gaffed a nice 20 lb. Tarpon right in the gills. Fish was floating belly up 5 minutes later. It happened so quickly that I didn’t have a chance to stop it. A true atrocity. My Spanish is pretty decent and I chewed his ass multiple times for doing this. Hopefully he will never do this again. He obviously had no idea how awesome of a gamefish these are and should be treated with great respect. A week later the vision of him doing this still infuriates me. He gaffed the Cuda and amberjack out on the reef, which I had no problem with. These fish are eaters and I’m sure his family enjoyed them that evening. If possible, I would try to go earlier than 8 AM if you wanna fish poons. They quit rolling about 9:30. Would have been awesome to have more time messing with them. Likely would have jumped many more. Chartreuse toads and clousers were the ticket. Supposedly snook in the marina as well but I never hooked into one. I really had zero expectations for the trip. Figured we’d reef fish and troll, which beats another day by the pool in my opinion. If you are a decent saltwater fly fisherman I would recommend doing this for a morning. Try to go as early as possible and please please please don’t let the guide pick up the gaff. There was a net onboard, but it was best suited for a 2 lb. Fish. To the guides credit he did try to use the net before the gaff- it broke in 1/2, which was pretty comical.

Had an exciting day fly fishing