Cabo Sportfishing info?

[Hawgs n Harleys]

Anyone have any good suggestions for fishing charters or other Cabo San Lucas recommendations? First trip to Mexico coming up in April. Thanks- Steve

[skybuster]

I know a local guide-Mike Gray that usually makes a run to Mexico around April. He has been doing it for many years and knows the area very well. I can't remember his phone number off hand, but he works for Lanphere's Marine on TV highway. You may be able to hook up with him if he's going down this year, otherwise he can point you in the right direction.

[skybuster]

Call Mike Gray < non-sponsor phone number not permitted> Tell him Jimmy Fowler sent you.

[ 01-31-2004, 12:15 PM: Message edited by: Pete ]

[Hooker]

Get a hold of Bill Monroe. I think he just returned from Cabo.

[ 01-29-2004, 05:59 AM: Message edited by: Hooker ]

[GasJockey]

Wish I were still down there! Went in Nov. and had an awesome time. A few suggestions: eat breakfast at The Office (tables and chairs are set up on the beach, service is the best, and I still dream about the machakka (sp) burritos), if your needing a little american food eat at Hotel Finnesterra at the bar upstairs (7th floor, happy hour 4-6PM 2 for 1 drinks, bar is set into the cliff face overlooking the ocean), dinner at Ediths is expensive but really really good.

I went out on two charters: Baja Anglers(1) and Pieces Sport Fishing(2). Got both off the internet and was happy w/ both. Baja Anglers is more of a flyfishing/spinning reel operation on small Boston Whaler boats that are on steroids (twin Honda 140's that really fly). They mainly fish along the shores and reefs for smaller game fish (5 - 60lbs.)(the two of us on the boat caught somewhere around 20 fish)

Pieces is an offshore trolling outfit that go for the larger fish(marlin), but hit the smaller fish sometimes. We went on 32ft. boats and was happy with both boats and both skippers. They really worked hard to get us into fish. (one fish on and off the first time, one 200lbs.+ marlin the second time).

Both companys are on the internet and give boat prices. Just do a search for either. Make sure to make reservations now as they book up fast.

Have fun.
Trent

[SPAZZ]

Hey Steve, Make sure you bring back some pix. When are you leaving in april? Give me a call, You know the number. Brian

[Billy Tillamook]

Been in cabo area many times.Actually prefer a town called San jose Del Cabo which is north of San Lucas about 15-20 miles less commercialized and quieter...but thats my preferance.Been out of Cabo with Pisces Fleet and Rafael's Fleet. Go to the marina in Cabo around noon the day before you go out( alot of them come back about noon) and see who and what there catching. You can save money going out in a panga if you don't care about padded seats etc.Have had alot of fun with yellowfin tuna and dorado...send me a P.M. if you want tips on super fun stuff to do,snorkeling etc. I would highly suggest you bring a cooler 40-50 Qt or so and a vacuum sealer if you have one...nothing finer than bringing home 50 lbs. of tuna/dorado Get a hold of me I'll dial ya in! Got room in your luggage for me? Maybe a 500qt cooler would fit me better.

[Hawgs n Harleys]

Thanks for the tips. Pictures for sure. -Steve

[troybuz]

I used ABC Sportfishing Charters. I would not recommend them. I did however find that you can get a 28' Boat, Bait, Licence, Lunch for about $175.00 per person...two person trip. I could not find a better deal. At the Marina, Poncho's Charters had a good reputation, and I spoke to several fishermen that were happy with their trip.
Good Luck.

[north coast kook]

I've always been currious, how does fighting a marlin compare to a big 10-ish foot sturg? Also, do the mexican police hassle you much in Cabo? I've heard lots of horror stories from another board I go to,(surfing), about the cops down there pulling you over or stopping you on the street just to make you pay a "ticket" for some BS. Wonder if it's like that down in Cabo too, these stories were about Baja.
-KooK

[boomer]

H&H, make sure you have your picture taken at the Giggling Marlin and share it here.

[parker]

I went to Cabo in December. Fished with an American owned outfit called The Flyhooker. Owned by Mary and George, and run by a couple of class-act locals. The boat supposedly will fish 6, but I wouldn't go more than 4, and 2 is absolutely perfect! Apparently the mods have stepped in an removed the URL. Whatever. Fire up Google and search for Cabo Flyhooker. Same, same.

I have photos....and a movie....if you have the patience and time to download it.

If you are lucky, or go out far enough, you might find some of these:



My buddy and I each got a marlin. Both in the 165 pound range. M buddy's marilin was hooked in the gills and bled out and died. :depressed: My marlin was tagged and released in great condition. The dead marlin was given away to a local orphanage, as the crew strongly does not believe in killing of the marlins. In talking with George, he said that a gill hooked, bleeding marlin is all but dead.







Marlin fight much harder than sturgeon and are far more acrobatic.

A big tuna will truly put the hurt to you. You start getting past 50 pounds, and you're talking a couple hour fight.

Oh, and here's a 175MB movie of my cabo fishing trip on the flyhooker.

http://steelhead.fish.washington.edu...Cabo_cdrom.mov

Quicktime is required to view the movie.

Feel free to email me with questions.

[ 02-03-2004, 10:42 AM: Message edited by: parker ]

[Billfisher]

As to your earlier question... We had a boat down there when I was a kid. I met the Mexican police several times, and never had a problem. Yes, they shake people down, but they seldom bit the hands that feed them (anymore.) At this juncture, tourism is all they've got. Just use your common sense, as most of us older guys do.
-Doug

P.S. And stay out of the t-bars (remember the common sense?) They are pretty crooked places just waiting for victims.

[north coast kook]

Man, that water is BEAUTIFUL!!! :shocked: :shocked: Nice fish too! I'd still be kinda worried down there. It sounds to me like there's no such thing as a straight cop in that country. Maybe I'm just a pessimist(sp?) though!
-KooK

[Bill Monroe]

H&H, call me at work if you'd like...503-221-8231 or LD at 888-222-8231.

We had a terrific time, but listen to billytillamook...he's got a pretty good line on things, as do the others.

Actually, we were guests of someone with a house in Pedregal, a gated community, so were insulated from the tourism stuff (except my wife's daily trips to shop!!!!).

Also used his 21-footer moored in the basin. There's a launch there if you want to tow yours down. Water was good enough we were out to 32 miles on my last day...overall, caught several sierra mackerel just around the pacific corner (lover's beach on the cortez side and divorce beach on the pacific, but the beach fronts both through a hole in the rocks at the very tip of Baja...). They're 3-10 pounds, full of fight and taste better (if it's possible) than dorado. Also are right on surf's edge...pretty exciting troll.
Striped marlin are moving in now...I lost three, last one after three jumps...
(someone asked how marlin compare with sturgeon? They're in the air as long as sturgeon are underwater. there is no comparison. what's a sturgeon? kind of like comparing a catfish with a summer steelhead...)
brought home about 10 dorado of various sizes...
we did spend one day on a large charter, but I don't know what office (if any) it was from. It was called "Fish Cabo," and I think the office manager guy works right there off the dock. Very good experience.
If you don't take a boat or have access, spend your time with the pangas in San Jose for sure. I didn't do it, but they're all pretty good, I think. An American, Eric something, runs quite a few and the rest are operated by Mexicans. There are good pangas in Cabo, too...

About it for brief...call if you need more info.

Oh, and take along an empty cooler. We just froze it all and I re-wrapped with the food saver when I got home.

[Billy Tillamook]

Hello Hawgs & Harleys, Just checking in again.Don't give the mexican police comments a second thought! No offense to those that mentioned them, but in over 90 days spent in baja over the last 9 years I have never... repeat never even had the slightest contact with them...oh sorry except for them waving at me to go ahead and cross the street. Obviously you don't want to do anything stupid, but don't worry about the policia!I wouldn't hesitate to rent a car if your going to be doing some driving as we have rented one everytime.Just pay attention and try not to drive at night unless you are just driving in town... cows, mules, horses on the roads at night. If you do rent I strongly encourage you to set up the rental in the states thru the 800#...national has been good to us. You will get a better deal that way then if you do it down there. Be sure and have national fax you a confirmation of your reservation with the price listed and have it with you in Baja when you pick up your car.If you don't do anything else you gotta go on the 4-wheel atv trip to the lighthouse...pick the evening trip it is a blast! If you ever want a cool place to stay in San Jose Del Cabo check out the condos called Viva.. small, but kitchen and pool right on the beach. Good prices.. unit #48 I believe is closest to the pool and beach check the web under "Viva Condominiums" or "seaside Management" Feel free and call me Kurt 503-630-3143

[Billy Tillamook]

Me again, Wanted to daydream for a minute about Viva condos and Cabo the website is www.sea-side.com managed by a very cool canadian couple Peter and Marlene

[Hawgs n Harleys]

Wow... [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Thanks, even more and better information than I had expected. I will be sending out some private messages about some of the details in these posts as soon as I get a chance.

Here is our trip plan so far feel free to comment, havent set the reservations yet but plan to soon. We leave Portland Friday evening or Sat. morning April 23rd. Stop in LA. for wifes uncles party Sat afternoon. Take Jack Disneyland on Sunday (2 1/2 years old).

Leave Jack with Grandparents and fly to Cabo on Monday (April 26th). Fly back to LA. to pick up Jack on Friday(30th)and fly home on Sunday.

We are thinking of staying at the Marina Fiesta. Have heard its nice and its right at the marina and close to downtown. I'm hoping to fish 2 days while there maybe one panga day and one larger charter day.

Short stay but will be the first time away from Jack for more than a day.

Don't plan on getting out of control so I don't really think Police will be a big concern. But we will be checking out some of the night life. -Steve

[Bill Monroe]

As for night life, take disposable clothes for the Cabo Wabo, take the wife for a romantic dinner and serenade on the balcony of Margaritaville (I think...it's at the inside corner of the basin)

Guess which one I did...