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| Leaving for cozumel, and was wondering if anyone has been there and been out with a charter that they could recommend, or steer us away from a bad experience. Plan on sails, and marlins, also probably try some cuda, mahi-mahi and other species.
Thanks
Troyz |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Go for the full day instead of 1/2. The 1/2 day charters don't get out far enough for the good stuff. Also, get the anti-seasickness patch or dranamine. The seas can get really rough and the waves are coming from all different directions out there. I actually got sea sick on a dive trip out there this year...and I never get sick!
Otherwise you can go tarpon/snook/redfish fishing by going about 1/2 hour south. They'll take you in the backwater areas and I guess that's pretty cool. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | We went out of Puerto Adventuras which is on the main land a bit south of there. we met some nice guys at the marina and aquired a boat for just my wife and I for a half day(5 hours) which was plenty of time. My wife got a huge sailfish(11'er) and I got a sail, a striped marlin, and a Barracuda. We missed a few others. we were fishing within 5 minutes of pulling from the docks, and we caught our fish withing sight of our resort. The billfishing is actually very close to shore along the Tulum Corridor there(Mayan Riviera) as the beautiful beaches you see, give way to water in excess of 800 meters within a mile from shore. we also took our own equipment along to fish from shore, and that was great. Make sure you have good leaders, and plenty of soft plastics lke big Finnesse fish and Slugos, as well as smaller surface baits. Good luck!!! |
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| We went on a cruise and booked with the charter they had listed. Well it sucked they did not have a clue except trolling zombie so we drank all there beer and thats all we caught/. we ended up getting a refund. I would do alot of checking on charter web sites and find a local tackle and bait shop to get some advise. If the trip is cheap it will be.
Keith |
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Posts: 40
Location: Maryland | Troyz when are you going? April and May are the best months for Sailfish and White Marlin as they are migrating thru then. I used to go every year and used a local boat. Nice guy speaks English well and a fair price. If you decide to use the Mexican captions be prepared to do things the Mexican way. I like it but you have to be layed back. Most of the fishing off Cozumel is done by crossing to the mainland side and trolling up and down the coast with dead ballyhoo baits. If you use baits like that you pretty much can't help but catch Mahi Mahi (They call them Dorado in Mexico) You can get a bad day, just like Muskie Fishing but you can have great days. If you want I can give you the Captain's name and Phone number. I have not been for about 6 years so not sure he still charters but he can set you up with someone else I am sure. That way it is a lot less expensive than chartering an American boat. The American boats are more efficient and more comfortable (bigger) but a lot more expensive.
P.S. I think Reef Hog is a little confused. The mexican Rivera is on the Pacific side of Mexico and you do not catch Striped marlin in the carribean nor do the Atlantic sailfish which are the species cought in Cozumel grow to 11 feet. The Pacific ones do though he is right there.
Tulum, however, is just south of Cozumel on the mainland. I agree that anyone fishing there should take dramamine as it can often get to be quite bumpy. However, as in muskie fishing, sails like to bite in rough weather.
Let me know if you want more info. It is really nice to do the fishing trip there. Lots of sea turtles and other wild life. If you troll too close to the reefs you get baracuda and other reef fish. You can take your dorado, or tuna catch or even wahoo sometimes, to a local restaraunt and they will cook it up for you for very inexpensive prices.
Alternatively, I use a professional booking group called Fishing International to book trips to different parts of the world. Planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific side notw. They can set you up with a charter call Chris At 800 950 4242. You can tell him I sent you. |
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Flight out is at 6 am tomorrow, I have located some charters online, waiting to ge there to see the setup, will your guy chris have line on charter on Cozumel? Occording to once site fishing starts picking up for the marlins in march but better in april an may.
Thanks
Troyz |
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Posts: 40
Location: Maryland | He will have some Ideas but no time to book for you. Give him a call he is in Califonia so will still be at work. Enjoy |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I have the name and address of our belhop that hooked us up with our charter too. Great guy and the charter captain really knew his stuff. The Mayan Riviera is on the Carribean, as I stated. we stayed 2 hours south of Cancun and chose our resort to to its close proximity to the marina(5 minute walk) which was great. We stayed there a year ago next week. The sail that my wife caught was estimated at 11' by the 1st mate that day. said it was the biggest in the boat that year. Though I don't doubt you in that they do not grow to those lengths there, it appeared to be close. The fight was awesome(all on video) and the release was cool too. The fish that I got, the 1st mate also said was a striped or white marlin. At any rate, it had vertical stripes on it, not as big of a sail or dorsal on top(more pointed at the front then went down towards the back), and was so much prettier than the sailfish we got. Absolutely gorgeous markings. We trolled with dead baits on top in some very rough seas and as release stated, the rougher it got, the better the fishing was. we also used some of the same dead baits for shore fishing, which our bellhop called 'leesars', and the cudas, and fish in the tuna family(can't remember name but it fought like crazy) all loved it. Crazy, as our guide fished with hand lines and could cast much further than I could with long rods and spinning gear. |
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Posts: 40
Location: Maryland | Reef Hog It had to be either a White Marlin or a blue Marlin the Striped Marlin only frequents the Pacific. Congratulate your wife on the sail. The average Atlantic sail is about 6 or 7 feet and well under 100 pounds as opposed to the Pacific Sail which regularly gets as big as 11 feet and can go 120 to 150 lbs. You are correct, the marlin are quiet beautiful. Also much heavier. The sails are quite slender compared to the marlin. White marlin and Blue Marlin light up during a fight and you can see stripes in the coloring but not like the ones you see in the Striped Marlin in the pacific.
Didn't mean to ruffle your feathers but thought it important for Troyz to know what he would be fishing for.
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Posts: 619
Location: Verona, WI | I just came back from Cozumel and went diving through Scuba Du tours (www.scubadu.com). They also offer charter boat service. Though I did not fish with them, I was impressed with the quality of their scuba operations so it may be worth a shot.
Shane |
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| Troy have a great time in Mexico me amigo. Let us know how you do!  |
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | I have heard from more than one source that you can walk the docks and find a fishing boat that has not been chartered. They are sitting around not making money. It will be WAY cheaper than booking a charter in advance. Remember to barter hard. Talk to several and go with your best hunch. Good Luck. Don't forget your camera! |
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Posts: 40
Location: Maryland | Troyz is gone but for others who may follow, Lobi is correct in most Mexican ports at least you can literally go to the port in the early morning or the day before and find a boat that is not booked for the day and often can barter for the cost. That can work will when fishing is very good.
However, there is a reason that top Muskie guides are booked a year in advance. Same in salt water fishing. If you only have one day or a couple to fish a particular kind of fish it can be a shame to go the inexpensive route and spend your day with someone who is only there to give you a boat ride. I fish saltwater a lot and even in the States you can be very sorry for the wrong boat choice due to lack of skill or interest with the crew or poor tackle. In Mexico it is even more complicated because many of the captains and crew speak little or no English and if you want to do something different or have a problem with what they are doing you may not be able to communicate that problem
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Cozumel Charter Fishing