Cabo San Lucas Info request

[Bluefish60657]

All,
This board has been extremely helpful in the past and I am again asking for some guidance. (I searched and found recommendations for Baja on the Fly and Baja Anglers).

I'm heading to Cabo San Lucas in two weeks and I'm looking for as much info as I can get re: guides, locations and flies.

My rough game plan is fish one day offshore and then spend at least one day via panga/inshore fishing and then the rest of the time shore fishing. (I want to fish daybreak each day that I'm not with a guide).

I'm bringing my 9wt w/300gr and flouro leaders and a 7' spinning rod with 20 lb Powerpro, some clousers (yellow/white, chartruse/white, all white, etc.) some surface poppers (bangers, crease flies), some deceivers (in same colors) and some swimming plugs and poppers (rapalas and skitter pops).

Were staying in the Corridor (Fiesta Americana) and will have a car. Would it be worth it to rent an ATV or panga myself? If so, where should I go?? I will definitely hire a guide for two days but my budget does not allow for doing so each and every day and I want to fish as much as possible as I don't think I'll be heading back down there any time soon.

Any other information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

I leave on 1/12 yeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaooooooooooowwwwwwwww!!!

Thanks,
bluefish

[LandlockedinMI]

Went there last winter- I fished w/ Baja Anglers- booked a guide who's name escapes me but he is the only one fishing out of a panga that specializes in fly fishing- he was good and worked very hard - he would throw a hookless surface plug and bring up the sierra (cero or spanish macs) while you threw a chart over white clouser w/ red eyes at them- wire bite tip a must.

Funny thing was we only hooked up while casting into the surf-
If I had to do it again, I'd shore fish only- plenty of places to shore fish- but we hooked up mostly around the corner on the oceanside from the famous lover's point or cove or beach or whatever the hell they call it.

When we were there, there were no sardina's anywhere- we did troll slow troll some larger baits (like goggle eyes). Only fish were sierra- the "official" fly guides out of baja fish a larger 24 ft center console- they did the same thing we did-just farther down the beach.

Save your money and beach fish- you can rent quad runners someplace if you need some range- but again all of our fish came pretty close to the harbour entrance...

[Bluefish60657]

LandLocked,
Thanks for the info. I've been getting some quotes from a few guides and it seems like they want to charge you for every little expense that comes along. I've fished with guides in New Zealand, Australia, Grand Cayman, New York, Florida Keys, etc. and have never seen a guide want to charge me for "flies or leaders used." Usually I'll tip the crew and they'll give me a "lucky" fly or plug as a keepsake but I haven't been asked to pay for stuff in advance before. Maybe b/c it's hard to get gear down there?? In any case, I'm bringing the whole kitchen sink and then some and I'll see if I can barter w/them??? Did you have the same experience??

I'll still probably use a guide one day but the rest of the time I'll do as you suggest be adventurous and go it alone.

The ATV route sounds like a blast and additionally, I'm going to look into renting a panga for a day or two.

What month were you down there?

thanks again,
bluefish

[JAVIDANGLER]

Bluefish,
I was in Cabo a couple years ago and fished only offshore.
However, realize the guides and most of the others down there are literaly "dirt poor". They run primarily on the barter system. Thus any way they have to make a few dollars (American is just as good there as Pesos) they will.

We fished out of the East Cape, the boat captain worked for the resort. He was paid $25 per day, only for the days he had a charter. After taxes he took home $18. So tips and giving them some fish you caught go a long way with them.

Note, offer the captain and or mate soem of the fish you plan to catch, and they usually do all they can to get you into them. Otherwise many "gringos" get a nice boat ride.

Good Luck, Let us know how you make out.