Matt and Garry talk Playa Blanca

Two of our favorite team members traveled to the very same destination with Angler Adventures this year. While Matt scored a last-minute spot in March, Garry visited Playa Blanca in late May. I sat down with them to talk fish, travel, accommodations, food, and why Playa Blanca should be on everyone's list.

The conversation below has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Matt showing off

 

What drew you to Playa Blanca?

Garry: There were two reasons. The first being my friend fishes in the area quite a bit and has been trying to get another friend and I to do a trip with him. Seeing as The Compleat Angler had just started partnering with Angler Adventures, it seemed like the perfect time to go.

Matt: Sheer luck. Somebody backed out at the last minute and Evan offered me the spot.

 

Some Garry hero shots

Tell us about getting there. 

Garry: You stay overnight at a hotel in Cancún and then a jumper takes you out the next day. 

Matt: The flight into the landing strip is fantastic. The views are great, with the little keys down below and the strip appearing in the nothingness of the jungle. Then there is a boat ride across a little lagoon and then a short truck ride and you’re at casa. With margaritas.

 

Garry:You can hang out, move into your room, wander around, or, as my buddy did, you can go fishing right away on the beach. We saw some schools of permit, some big jacks, and some tarpon cruising the shore.

Matt: You're in this remote fishing paradise, and then you realize there are ruins literally two minutes away. It's a pretty incredible combination. The Chac Mool Mayan ruins are just stunning. I took tons of photographs.

 

What fish were you chasing?

Matt: Tarpon.

Garry:Yep, tarpon. Everyone is there for tarpon. And I hooked a big red snapper in the lagoon. Matt, did you guys fish the lagoons?

Matt: Yes, but we mostly were focused on tarpons. Tarpon brain. And we got a couple of snook.

Garry:The lagoons were super cool. We went to Blue Hole and Casa Lagoon, too. The water is so clear you can see absolutely everything; it’s pretty spectacular. 

 

And now for the most important question: how was the food? What were your favorite dishes?

Matt: The barracuda ceviche, hands down. And the barracuda fritters, the chile rellenos - the whole Mexican Fiesta night was bomb.

Garry:Yeah, the food was pretty amazing. Their meat night was good too, especially the filet.

Matt: The thing is, you can eat barracuda down there without worrying about ciguatera poisoning, which is more common in the Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean. It is delicious and safe to eat here.

 

 

How was the lodge?

Matt: The staff is incredibly cordial, super helpful, very accommodating. They’ll get you anything you want, pretty much any time of day.

Garry:The best thing was they would come to the room at six in the morning, put out a tray, and make coffee for you. 

 

You two traveled in March (Matt) and late May (Garry). How did conditions compare between the two trips?

Garry:Super hot. The breeze helped - we never had issues with bugs.

Matt:I love the heat. Just lovely weather.

Garry:We had some days where it was windy and cloudy, with some rain, so we fished the lagoons.

Matt: We had some afternoon squalls and whatnot - that’s travel fishing. Always bring a raincoat.

 

Matt, we know you had a very short window to prepare for this trip. Tell us about your packing strategies.

Matt: I packed everything three times. I lay everything out, pack my bag, sit on it for a day. Lay it all back out, check my list, pack it all back in. Then I can figure out if I am missing something or if I can fit in any extra items I want. And I use rod tubes that will fit on the bottom of any double duffle. I pack my reels with me in my carry-on because sometimes the lack of pressure can mess up the drag systems. 

Garry: I sort of did the opposite because I have a rod carry-on. I just put the rods into the carry-on and wrap them in towels. My reels went in the checked bag.

Matt:And if you forget something, Mike at the lodge will help you out - no problem.

 

Were there any surprises? 

Matt: The bird watching was spectacular. Did you see the frigate birds?

Garry: Yes. They were so cool. We saw the frigate birds feeding on the baitfish. And we saw the land hermit crab that comes out at night.

Matt: And the iguanas. 

 

Garry:We saw the foxes. And there’s puma there, too. 

Matt:We didn’t see a puma. I was hoping to see one. One thing to know, if you wear Crocs or Croc-style shoes, don’t leave them on your front porch because the foxes will run off with them. 

Garry: Really?

Matt:I was taking photos and Jose was up on the platform pulling, and I looked over and you could see his shoe had a bunch of tooth marks in it. I asked him who ate his shoes and he’s like, “Oh, the fox.” It seems like they take them and go into the woods.

 

Finally, tell us what’s next for you in fly fishing travel.

Garry: A steelhead trip to upstate New York in September. 

Matt: No Name Fly Lodge in Puerto Rico. I am working on planning a hosted trip with Angler Adventures for 2027 - probably March. The travel is an easier lift - all domestic travel / no passport needed. 

 

 

…more to come on Matt’s upcoming trip - stay tuned!

 

...and keep your eye on your Crocs!