Puerto Vallarta fishing recommendations?

[SlabQuest]

I'm headed back to PV on Monday for 10 days. Any recommendations for good skippers/boats? I wasn't too pleased with the boat/crew the charter office gave us last time. I know that PV is not the greatest fishing destination (the wife likes it). I would be happy with a local trip for dorado and/or sailfish. Don't need the long trip for tuna/marlin.

[ 12-26-2003, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: SlabQuest ]

[Liquid Asset]

Try Kurt at "Esperanza Sportfishing". I can't find his card but we've used Kurt twice down there and he's an excellent skipper. It's been a couple years but I'd imagine he's doing well.

He's the kind of guy that will let you be involved as much as you want. Half way through our first trip we tying rigs and sewing bait...my wife had a blast!

Kurt is from Seattle and will do a little extra work for his Pacific Northwest clients.

Oh, I just found a link that will help you track him down...

http://www.mexonline.com/esperanza.htm

Vaya con Dios!

Liquid

[troybuz]

For a good, honest trip, without all the tourist issues I was pointed to Marla's Sport Fish Boats by a local. The Captains name is Chicano...J. Luis Osuna S. He speaks good english (he's from LA)
Location: Robala 10 La Cruz de Huanacasxtle Nay. Mex
Tel: (91-329) 8-07-04
He took us out for Marlin, had a great boat, a great crew, and knew how to fish. Caught a 350+ Black Marlin.
The cab ride was 45 minutes, to a remote fishing village, hense, the lack of tourist influence.
I have found that that the Marina is just a place to hand money over to who knows who (salesman, dealer, broker)...here, you deal with the boat owner, who is a real fisherman.
Give him a call, it will be worth your time. My next trip will be for Roosters with him.
Take Care and Happy Fishing,
Troy

[jcarufo]

The 45 minute cab ride was probably to a small fishing community North of PV called Punta Mita. There is a small harbor there where all the boats either dock or pull up on the beach. Blue water is usually right outside past the island rather than an hour+ boat ride from the PV marina. Lots of good skippers at fair prices and you can talk to who you will actually fish with. Get a car for the day, fish in the morning and then continue North a little bit more to the towns of Sayulita and San Francisco. The most beautiful beaches and quaint communities you've ever seen. Well worth your time. Enjoy your vacation in the heat of PV.
Tight Lines,
Jean

[tailchaser]

I agree with jcarafo on this one. My good friend actually owns the resort in San Fransisco and is an amazing place to be. The last time the wife and I were there we jumped on the boats at Punta Mita and were snorkeling off the islands in less than 30 minutes. I took a marlin trip out of PV and it was very disheartening. We traveled at 8 knots for 2 hours getting to where we wanted to fish, trolled around for a little while and finally when it was time to go home I was amazed how fast that boat could move! An average of 16-17 knots. To say the least he burned a lot of fishing time on purpose and tried to convince me that the one fish we had on was a marlin, only to get it up to the boat and see it was a monsterous sea turtle tangled up in the line. So he was definitely scrapped for a return trip, but I managed to catch bonita, a rooster, and multiple other fish off the beach at San Fransisco. I would highly advise visiting that area though, it's so nice to get away from the crowds.

tc