Thought that might grab some attention. I was in Mazatlan for a week and went
out one day chasing the sailfish and Dorado, among other species that were
around. This was my first experience in two areas - Fishing in Mexico and
fishing for sailfish. We booked a trip with a local outfitter for a resonalbe
price, however the boat in the picture was not the boat we took out. First lesson
in Mexico, do everything on site, and don't pay deposits. Anyway, on the way
out the deckhand put out a few squid surface plugs and 20 minutes later one
was ambushed by a Bonito of about 8 pounds. On the way out I saw two schools
busting on the surface in good numbers, but after reading many of the Vineyard
reports, I expected them to dive as our 'tub' motored through them. We picked
up another Bonito a little larger a few miles further, and I was surprised that
they would continue busting the bait right next to the boat when we were trolling
at a pretty good clip. Not much of a fight on a stout Marlin rod with 50-60 lb.
test, but the idea hit home. Had I only known this would be a potential, I would
have packed the wand and chartered one of the smaller boats and a motor man
to chase around the pods of fish that were close to shore. The ocean had some
substantial waves, but nothing that wouldn't be manageable with a 20'+ skiff and
a driver with minimal experience. Anyway, the lines out the back were fairly
close to the boat, and the fish seemed aggressive, however the captain brushed
these off as little and we continued out to find the big ones. By the way the
fighting chairs were merely sturdy plastic kitchen chairs with rubber stops
on the legs. After putting a few more miles behind us, we let out the baits -
a couple 8 inch mullet with their mouths sewn shut - with the outriggers and
trolled two mullet and two squid plugs. Only managed to hookd one Dorado, an
extremely quick fish that sliced across the wake and threw the hook a few moments
later. So the trolling experience was pretty much a bust. On the way back
we picked up two more Bonito in the same general area with the pods still breaking
all around us. From what I hear, El Nino is taking a serious toll on the game
fish that are usually in the area. I expected the Yellowtail to be around in
good numbers, but nary a single one was seen. I don't know if the Bonito could
be expected on an annual basis, but if so, I would definitely put this on my
future list for Fall fishing. After talking to a few of the local outfitters and
trying to describe fly fishing, I only received confused looks and questions
about 'light tackle' so I presume this is not a widely know concept in the
area. Future thought!! Oh yea, the fishing fee does not include the license and
tax, which of course you must pay on arrival, but you never get the license
nor any documentation about the tax. Mexico.