There are many reasons to choose one season over another for fishing Beh Kay Lodge. Travel dates, time away from work, escaping winter weather, or targeting a specific species may all influence when you decide to visit. No matter the month, weather will always play a major role in shallow-water sight fishing, especially in a fishery where permit are the main focus.
Most days at Beh Kay are built around visual fishing in clear, shallow water. Anglers can expect to search white sand flats, turtle grass meadows, mangrove edges, lagoons, and natural channels throughout Espíritu Santo Bay. When clouds, wind, or rain reduce visibility, guides may shift the approach, working mangrove shorelines, deeper lagoon edges, or backcountry water where fish continue to feed even when sight fishing becomes more difficult.
Permit are the heart of the program, but the fishery offers much more than one situation. Depending on light, tide, wind, and water levels, anglers may encounter tailing fish in skinny water, cruising singles over white sand, schools moving across turtle grass, or fish feeding along mangroves and channels. Bonefish, tarpon, snook, barracuda, jacks, and snapper also add variety throughout the season.
The guides at Beh Kay know that permit fishing demands patience, teamwork, and precision. When conditions are challenging, listening closely to your guide becomes even more important. You may not always see the fish right away, but your guide often will. Following instructions on angle, distance, speed, and fly movement can make the difference between a good shot and a missed opportunity.
WINTER (Feb.)
February marks the beginning of the Beh Kay season and offers a welcome escape from cold northern climates. While occasional cold fronts can move through the Yucatán, sunny days warm the flats quickly, and fishing after a front can be very productive.
Permit can be found feeding on crabs, shrimp, and other small prey across flats, turtle grass, and lagoon edges. Snook may also move into warmer, protected water, while bonefish and other species remain active during stable weather windows.
SPRING (Mar., Apr., & May)
Spring is one of the most reliable periods of the season at Beh Kay. Days are longer, light is stronger, and southeast winds begin to settle into a more consistent pattern. These conditions can create excellent visibility across the flats and give anglers a wide range of permit situations.
Permit are commonly found as singles, doubles, and schools throughout the bay. Some fish will cruise white sand flats, while others feed over turtle grass, along mangrove edges, or inside lagoons and natural channels. Tarpon and snook can also be found in protected backcountry water, and bonefish add steady action between permit shots.
As with all saltwater flats fishing, wind is part of the game. A lightly textured surface can actually help presentation, making the fly land more naturally than it would on glassy water. Accuracy matters. Anglers should be comfortable casting in wind, making quick adjustments, and placing a fly with confidence at forty feet with limited false casts.
Spring is also one of the most popular times to fish the Caribbean flats, so reservations at Beh Kay should be made well in advance.
SUMMER (June, Aug., & Sept.)
Summer can produce some of the most exciting permit fishing of the year. Long days, warm water, and active flats can create excellent feeding windows, especially when conditions remain stable. Beh Kay is closed during July, but June, August, and September can be strong months for anglers focused on permit.
During August and September, permit are often in their post-spawning phase, and many anglers consider this one of the best windows to find fish feeding with confidence. Schools may move across turtle grass, singles can appear on white sand, and fish may push into skinny water when tides and light align.
Summer weather can bring passing rain, clouds, or stronger wind, but these systems are often short-lived. Hurricane season officially runs from June through November, and modern forecasting allows storms to be monitored well in advance. Trip insurance is strongly recommended for summer travel.
FALL (Oct. & Nov.)
Fall is a beautiful time to fish Beh Kay. Air temperatures are comfortable, the flats are often quiet, and the overall pace of the bay can feel relaxed after the busier spring and summer months. When stable weather settles in, the fishing can be excellent.
Permit remain the primary target, with opportunities across white sand, turtle grass, mangrove edges, lagoons, and natural channels. Fish can be found in a variety of situations, from technical shots at singles to schools moving through deeper flats and protected water.
Snook fishing can also be very strong during the fall, especially around mangroves, channels, and protected edges where fish move in search of food. Tarpon, bonefish, barracuda, jacks, and snapper add variety, giving anglers more chances throughout the day when permit are selective.
As always, weather is the key variable. With good light and stable conditions, fall can deliver some of the most rewarding fishing of the Beh Kay season.
