Best Flies for Xcalak Bonefish
Xcalak bonefish offer one of the most rewarding—and technical—sight fishing opportunities you can find with a fly rod. These fish may not be the biggest in the world, but they’re smart, spooky, and thrive in a diverse habitat of shallow beaches, coral edges, and soft-bottomed flats. To consistently fool them, you’ll need more than just a good cast—you’ll need the right flies, properly weighted, and presented with finesse.
In Xcalak, smaller flies in natural shades like tan, cream, olive, and white consistently outperform flashy or oversized patterns. But fly weight is equally important: having a variety of weights allows you to adjust to everything from skinny water with tailing fish to deeper pockets and tidal channels.
Instead of packing a box full of different patterns with the same weight, it’s better to bring a few confidence flies in a range of weights to match the conditions.
With that in mind, let’s break down some of the best bonefish flies to pack for your next trip to Xcalak:
Best Bonefish Flies for Xcalak
Gotcha
One of the all-time classic bonefish flies, the Gotcha is a staple anywhere bonefish swim—including Xcalak. Its simple design mimics shrimp and even small baitfish, two key forage items here. Tie or buy them in sizes 6-8, with light to medium beadchain eyes.
The Gotcha is my go-to confidence pattern for bonefish. I like them in white or tan with a little bit of flash. I’ve tried attention-getting colors like pink and chartreuse, but nothing seems to beat the natural colored patterns.
Spawning Shrimp
When the bonefish key in on shrimp—which happens often in Xcalak’s ecosystem—a Spawning Shrimp pattern is a great choice. The extra “egg sac” bump and splayed legs add realism, and the pattern rides hook point up, which is helpful on grassy bottoms. Tan, pink, and peach tones are productive.
I like spawning shrimps because they add a little bit of natural flare to them. The brightly colored “egg sac” get’s the bonefish’s attention without spooking them.
Squimps
A cross between a shrimp and a squid (hence the name), the Squimp gives off a lot of subtle movement. In Xcalak’s skinny water, Squimps tied with soft materials and light beadchain eyes are perfect for delicate presentations to shallow tailing fish. They land softly and move naturally with just the slightest strip.
Mantis Shrimp
Xcalak has a healthy population of mantis shrimp, and bonefish love them. A Mantis Shrimp pattern, with rubber legs and a buggy profile, can be deadly, especially for bigger fish or when fishing deeper cuts and channels. Go with medium to heavy eyes depending on depth.
I like the Mantis Shrimp as a slightly longer, more slender profile for bonefish in Xcalak. The rubber legs dance in the water when retrieved and give the fish a different look. Usually tied on hooks sizes 4 and 6, the slender but beefy fly is a great option when bonefish want a bigger meal.
During a recent trip to Xcalak, natural looking Mantis Shrimps were the go-to fly. The tan patterning and lightweight design gave a natural presentation that the bones couldn’t resist.
Bonefish Bitters
The Bonefish Bitters pattern is designed to imitate small crabs and other bottom dwellers, which Xcalak bonefish readily eat. It rides hook point up and is especially effective when fish are tailing on harder bottom or mixed coral and grass flats. The bead-like body and stiff legs make it stand out as a realistic, bottom-hugging snack.
I haven’t fished Bonefish Bitters a ton in Xcalak, but for the times where bones are feeling crabby, it’s a great option. Bonefish gladly eat shrimp patterns, but there are areas (usually rockier bottomed spots) where crabs are plentiful and the go-to option for forage. Bonefish Bitters may not be the first fly you reach for, but a handful in sizes 6 and 8 are good to have in your box.
How to Fish Bonefish Flies
Casting
Bonefish in Xcalak are generally forgiving but accurate casts are still necessary. You’ll want quick, accurate presentations, often at 40–60 feet. Leading the fish by 5 feet or so usually will get their attention. Anything further than that, you’ll have to hope their paths cross your fly.
Wind can be a constant factor here, so practice casting into a breeze before your trip. Lead the fish by several feet to allow the fly to settle.
Stripping
Short, slow strips often work best in Xcalak’s waters. Think “shrimp trying to escape but not panicking.” Let the fly sink to the bottom, then bump it along. Watch the fish—if they follow, keep stripping gently. If they lose interest, pause or try a slightly faster strip to trigger a reaction.
It’s common to want to strip the fly extremely quickly, but quick, steady strips are more productive. And, you gotta keep the fly moving! No shrimp in the wild has ever allowed themselves to be eaten, so flies motionless on the bottom will not get eaten. Once the fish sees your shrimp fly, think “get it away from them.” This will mimic a natural fleeing shrimp that bonefish will chase, attack, and eat.
Strip Sets
When it comes to hooking bonefish in Xcalak, the strip set is critical. Unlike trout fishing, where you lift the rod to set the hook, here you want to keep the rod tip down and drive the hook home by pulling the line sharply with your stripping hand. I, along with every angler ever coming from freshwater, had to fight against the instinctual trout set when first fishing for bonefish.
One tip that I found helpful is to keep the tip of your rod in the water until the fish is hooked. That way, there’s no way to trout set and you’ll have to strip set to get a hook up with a fish.
With the “trout set” the fly will pop right out of the fish’s mouth. The key is to stay disciplined: see the eat, feel the tension, and strip hard. It’s also smart to follow through with one or two extra strips after the initial set to ensure the hook is seated. Once you feel that fish take off, then you can clear the line and let the reel do the work.
Bonefish in Xcalak can be subtle eaters, especially in shallow water. Sometimes you’ll see the fish tip down or the line will just go tight—either way, a strong, committed strip set gives you the best shot at staying connected.
Want some more tips on catching bonefish? Check out these 5 you should know!
Conclusion
Fishing for Xcalak bonefish is as much about finesse as it is about fly choice. The fish here reward accuracy, patience, and subtle presentations. With a box full of proven patterns in a range of weights, and a thoughtful approach to casting and stripping, you’ll be well equipped to fool these ghostly fish on the flats.
Above all, enjoy the experience—Xcalak offers a wild, remote feel that’s becoming more and more rare. Whether you’re stalking single tailing fish on the flats or covering a deeper cut, each encounter with a bonefish here is earned—and memorable.
If you’re looking for more tips on catching bonefish (and having a blast doing it), be sure to check out our other articles!
Beginner’s Guide to Xcalak, Mexico
