What To Bring:
Equipment & Clothing

Temperatures in the Yucatan can range from 60° to 90°+ Fahrenheit throughout the year, with varying degrees of humidity. Protection from the sun’s rays is extremely important. You can expect some wind and should be prepared in the event it rains. Before you travel, find out your specific airline carrier’s luggage and carry-on restrictions. Each airline has specific restrictions on carry-on luggage. Please be sure and contact your airline directly with any questions you may have. At this time, you are recommended to pack your multi-piece rods in checked luggage, preferably with your clothing. Carrying on your fly rods, reels with line, nippers, scissors, and flies has not been permitted; these items should be kept with your checked baggage to reduce the risk of having to check them at the last minute at the gate.

The following checklists of clothing and equipment should make for an enjoyable trip:

Fishing equipment

  • · Rods & reels
  • · Fly boxes with flies (waterproof boxes keep hooks from rusting)
  • · 2 Small flashlights (stow first light with fishing gear and second light with toiletries), extra batteries
  • · Polarized glasses (2 pair of copper, gray or brown with side shields), cleaner and Croakies or other type of glasses strap
  • · Prescription glasses or reading glasses · Line Dressing/Cleaner
  • · Pliers (rustproof or stainless steel) · Forceps or hemostats (2 pair, one might easily break) · Reel lube/oil
  • · Nippers (2 pair, one with your flats hip pack and the other with you; also one might easily break)
  • · Hook hone or hook file · Nail knot tool or combination-type knot tool (unless you can tie these knots without the aid of a device).
  • · Waterproof tape to protect fingers or other type device for stripping finger protection
  • · Tape measure
  • · Flats hip pack with water bottle holder, to carry fishing essentials, and waterproof bag to protect camera, extra clothing, etc.
  • · Raingear (very lght)
  • · Sunscreen (at least SPF 30, waterproof)
  • · Zinc oxide (good for nose, lips)
  • · Lip balm with sunscreen (highest SPF you can get)
  • · Insect repellent · Packable Camera, extra batteries, lens paper
  • · Small first aid kit; contains Band-Aids, aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, hand cleaner or alcohol pads, tweezers, antibiotic cream, antihistamine, Pepto-Bismol tablets

Clothing

  • · Hat with bill and maybe neck protection (dark underside on hat bill)
  • · Sun Gloves (A great product that protects the back of your hands from sun exposure)
  • · Buffs or Bandanas (always handy for neck protection and ear protection) · Long sleeve shirts (light weight Supplex, nylon or light cotton, in light colors; brands such as Ex Officio, Columbia, Simms or Sage Tech are good choices)
  • · Short sleeve shirts of light weave material (comfortable for traveling or a Cancun stay)
  • · Tee shirts (several) · Long pants for wading (Supplex or nylon, light colored, or light weight cotton)
  • · Shorts (lightweight, you’ll wear these much of the time)
  •  Swimsuit & beach towel
  • · Sandals, flip-flops or camp shoes
  • · Tennis shoes or canvas boat shoes
  • · Deck shoes (no laces, non-skid) if extra foot support is needed when fishing from the casting deck. If you desire a barefoot feel when on the casting deck, light cotton socks can protect the feet from sun exposure.
  • · Flats (wading) boots (not waders) for stalking bonefish and permit. Some beach fishing may require a short hike.
  • · Neoprene socks or lightweight wading socks to wear under flats boots

Other items

  • · Toiletries, including; shampoo, hand lotion, bandages, roll of athletic tape, etc., aspirin, other over-the-counter medications i.e. antacids, antidiarrheal tablets · Prescription medications
  • · Waterproof bag or Oven Zip-Lock Bags (to carry camera & other gear while in the boat), quart-size
  • · Zip-Lock bags
  • · Garbage bags or waterproof bags for laundry, wading boots
  • · Reading glasses
  • · Books/magazines
  • · Travel alarm
  • · Emergency telephone numbers & addresses
  • · Passport and travel documents
  • · Copy of passport (one copy packed in each separate bag)
  • · Airline tickets and itinerary
  • · Pre-trip information, maps of Yucatan, Cancun hotel and lodging host’s phone number
  • · Notebook and pen The above list of suggested clothing & equipment is limited only by one’s personal needs. Please feel free to add or delete as you see fit. Travelers are strongly advised to use soft luggage (e.g. duffel bags), as it is easier to pack & store. Be sure your entire luggage is marked appropriately with luggage tags. Business cards are perfect & can be inserted into most luggage tags; use your business phone, NOT your home phone. Before leaving home, double check that you have a valid passport with you.

And don’t forget…

  • · Extra prescription glasses, reading glasses
  • · Extra prescription medications
  • · Rod repair kit (extra guide or two, tiptop, thread spool, and quick-setting epoxy)
  • · Reel covers
  • · Extra backing
  • · Extra line in each weight you use (if a fish ruins a line on a run & no spares exist, your fishing trip is done)
  • · Extra spools for reels you may need · Snorkeling gear (you may be able to borrow or rent from your lodge)
  • · Needle and clippers
  • · Knot tying guides/booklets
  • · Any fly tying gear you must have on hand
  • · Rod cases/sleeves