Winter Fishing ( salt water)

So who is heading south this winter and where? We have one trip planned for Ixtapa for the end of january. Thinking about making a second trip some where but just not sure of where. Where else is good?

Mike,
I’m heading to Key Largo the first part of Feb.
I’m staying away from Mexico this year. Lots of drug related killing in Cancun. They’re actually offing undecover drug agents. Nasty stuff. Been findng bodies just south of the city.

Lake Toho/Kissimmee Florida over kids Christmas break. Flippin for grass carp!

Puerto Vallarta in Feb. Maybe some fishing involved.

Thats just down the coast from where we are going Putz. Should be some sailfish, marlin, and Durado biteing at that time.

Let me see if I can get a photo up of some fish we have caught.

This is my idea of fair weather fishing in january.

I’ve spent some quality time the last few years fishing the reefs off of Marathon, FL in the Florida Keys. You can’t miss with a chum slick and some fresh shrimp. If you want some more info, please feel free to PM me. I have some info for rentals and such.

Anouther try.

it’s small, but here it is

Thanks slop. Honest it was much bigger than that when we caught it.

I meant the picture was small..not the fish..

my bad

Uh oh. I kinda told Mama this might be a non fishing trip. Then you come up with that picture. Oh well, after 30+ years, she may understand. Can’t be next to that much water and not fish it.

At least take that one day when she wants to go shopping, and charter a boat, or go on a group charter. We all know that most women will need at least one day like that on vacation. Most charter services will do a 1/2 day or something like that. A good captain will definitely put you on some fish.

My wife liked the fishing trip last year. Granted I only got to go one day. She was happy to sit in the sun and watch dolphins swim by. She even enjoyed the survichi. (Raw fish salsa). We have a pretty good deal where we go. It is $250 for a 38′ boat for the day. That includes the captian, 2 first mates, beer, and survichi. We tip well at the end of the day.
You can rent the smaller pengas for less. $150.00 but I like the room on the bigger boat.

Just spent the morning checking the local fishing reports for Ixtapa. I shouldn’t do stuff like this to my self. It looks like the blue water is in close to shore and the fish are bitting. The blue water is a current seam that the fish follow. It sounds like they are fishing with in sight of shore right now insteed of traveling 20 to 30 miles out.
Read a few reports of guys catching 4 to 8 sailfish in a day. Sounds like the rouster fish are on the chew. I havent caught one of these yet but hope to this year. With a little weather change they had early in december they are seeing some large tuna showing up and are hoping to see the black marlin following them. Im hoping to catch a few tuna this year also. No better eating than fresh tuna steaks.
It looked like the weather they had earlyer this month was a rain cloud and a change in the ocean currents. I just couldnt imagine living somewhere where the temp swings only about 30 degrees during a year. It is still in the 80’s there and should remain close to that until. Well this just say it should remain close to that.
Here is a link to the local web site for ixtapa and zihuatanejo for any one else that wants to day dream about fishing in the sun and warm weather again. I am also still on my quest to get info on surf fishing the area.

zihuatanejo.net

Hey Mike when are you going to Zhiau? We are heading down Feb 5. As far as surf fishing, I have seen people catch fish along the board walk and by the beach close to the restaraunts/fish market. I tried to fish from the beach only to break my rod on the first cast. This year I will be packing a 3 piece and a small box of tackle. Also I am bringing down some salt water tackle to trade with the captains.

Mama and I will be in Puerto Vallarta Feb. 5-12. Could you guys tell me how far this Zhiau is from there and if it would be worth a trip over there? Thanks.

Looks like we are going to be there Jan. 26 thru Feb 2. My fishing partner is leaving the day you are flying in.

Putz. Due some searching on the web and Im sure you will come up with some info on fishing where you are going. The most popular fishing is marlin, durado and sailfish. There is most likely a genral peir or marina there. On one of the first days you are down there you might want to find this and look for a captian.It looks to me that you can book a trip on line with a little looking around but you will most likely find more reasonable rates showing up in person. Mid afternoon might be good for this as this is when you can see what they have brought in. Also keep a eye out for the flags the boats have up. They fly flags for released fish. After you find a captian Make sure you settle on price at this time also. You can then set the trip. Might be a day or 2 out.

Anouther way to find a captian is just go to the marina the morning you want to go. Stand around looking like you want to fish and someone should find you.

Alkfish. Do you have a regular captian you go out with? Our captian is Hipolito Hernandez (Pauly) of the Don Gordo. He owns the small restraunt right behind where they set up the coffie/food stand in the morning.

Mike,

2 years ago I went out with Pauly and got my first sail. He has anice set up and is very knowledgeable. Last year I was by myself looking for a captain and found a fellow for $100. We fished out of a panga, and I really enjoyed it. If iwas going out with 2 or 3 people I would take out Pauly again. The main thing I will being doing this year is telling whoever I go out with is that I would like to do small game 1/2 day then big game. It can be a long day just looking for big game.

The rates for the boat out of zehuat. are unreal. $250 for a 38′ boat with a captian and 2 first mates. Cant beat it. This is a top notch fishery also for big game fish.
Has pauly had the mates make servichi for you yet?
Last year he was trying to talk me into buying a boat down there and running it in the winter time. There is something really appealing about this idea. His first boat was baught buy a dentist from St Cloud so that he would have a boat to fish out of when he came down. Pauly is also wanting to come to MN and try some winter fishing. I think he wants his kids to see some snow and ice.

Buddies just left for Zihau. Mexico this morning. 4 more days until its my turn. Anyone else been south lately?