Dreams Realized - The Palometa Club
Written By: Reed Conner
This past February, my dad and I had the incredible opportunity to travel to The Palometa Club in Punta Allen, Mexico, with The Speckled Trout Outfitters. Ever since I began working with the Speckled Trout team, visiting The Palometa Club had been a dream of mine. Each year, when attendees returned, I’d hear stories of elusive permit, giant tarpon, and bonefish galore. There was always talk of the amazing guides and staff, and of course, the unique and delicious food.
Once my spot was secured, I set my sights on convincing my dad to join me. After a few weeks of persistent phone calls urging him to put down his deposit, my mom came through and persuaded him to go. I was thrilled! My dad is the one who taught me how to fly fish, and now we were about to embark on the trip of a lifetime doing something we both love.
We flew into Tulum, Mexico, and hopped into a van sent by The Palometa Club. With a cold cerveza in hand, we drove through Tulum and made our way to the boat ramp, where we boarded pangas for the final leg of our journey. As we arrived in Punta Allen and made our way through the small town to the beach, we finally reached The Palometa Club.
I was awe-struck. The club is a beautiful beach house with an outdoor space that includes a bar, seating area, cornhole, and a rod-rigging station. Inside, it felt more like a home than a resort. The kitchen and dining room created a communal atmosphere where everyone gathered around the same big table for meals. The living room was cozy and featured some awesome merchandise (if you go, bring cash for shopping!). The bedrooms were spacious with large bathrooms, and the staff made the beds and cleaned daily while we were out fishing. The house staff and cooks were top-notch—keeping everything in order, preparing fantastic meals, and always ready to help with anything we needed.
As amazing as the house, food, and beach were, the fishing is where The Palometa Club truly shines. Unlike many other lodges, each boat has two guides: one poling from the back and one on the bow with the angler. That means two sets of eyes scanning for fish. On our second day, my dad and I decided to target permit. After a good warm-up catching bonefish the day before, we felt ready for the challenge.
Our guides, Julio and Louis—brothers who grew up in the area—had eyes like hawks. Not long after arriving at our spot, Julio spotted “nervous water” a few hundred yards out. It turned out to be a school of about 300 happy permit. Dad and Julio jumped into the water and approached the school. With a decent cast, Dad hooked into a permit—but unfortunately, the fish broke off shortly after.
We kept an eye on the school, and now it was my turn. Louis and I got in the water and stalked the school for about ten minutes until we were in position. I casted in front of the school, and after a few strips, I was hooked up. I knew if I could just get the eat, I’d land my first permit—and I did. After a solid fight, we brought it in and breathed a sigh of relief.
Here’s the crazy part: after lunch in the same area, we found the same school of permit again. Dad got a second chance—and this time, he landed one all the way to the boat. That was the highlight of the trip for me. Seeing my dad take a chance on this adventure and then land a permit on his first real attempt was the greatest reward.
The rest of the week was filled with excitement—watching tarpon, snook, more bonefish, and even a curious pelican. Since returning home, I think about that place, that trip, and those people every single week. Spending that time with my dad is something I’ll always cherish. It was a rare and special experience—one that many only dream of.
If you ever get the chance to visit The Palometa Club, take it. You won’t regret it.
