2 weeks ago, I was fishing through 16" of Lake Erie ice. 2 days ago, I was fishing the Gulf of Mexico and the only ice in sight was in the cooler keeping the cerveza cold. I took a 1/2 day charter out of El Cid Marina near Puerto Moreales on the Mayan Riviera. I was joined by a couple from Minnesota and a Captain and Mate from Mexico. A second boat with 3 guests and 2 crew fished with us. Each guest paid US $130 for 4 hours fishing on the Gulf aboard a 28' diesel-equipped Bertram and all the beer and pop you could drink. Weather conditions were ideal, with a slow roll coming in off the Gulf.
Heading out of port:
Thumbs up from the Captain:
We started trolling topwater, pulling what I think were ballyhoo, rigged to mimic surfacing baitfish. One of the boats had landed 5 Mahi that morning and our companion boat had one landed after 5 minutes in the afternoon. Hopes for a big game fish were high, but, luck wasn't with us this day as we didn't have a touch on any bait. It was still cool to see the presentation all working in .5 metre swells.
Trolling the swells:
After a couple of hours of trolling we switched to bottom fishing. The crew re-rigged the trolling rods for this and this was not ideal. I did grab the only partially functioning spinning reel on board and used it with some success catching a few 'ground fish' and some roundish purple fish that looked kinda like an overgrown blue gill. We were fishing a 2 hook jig in about 40' which seemed just about the same as Hastings. Honestly, the fishing was tougher this day than up north, but we landed a 1/2 dozen that the crew were anxious to keep. The other boat had a 'cuda smash one of these ground fish as it was coming in for a little extra excitement.
Catch back on shore:
Although my day of fishing wasn't much to write home about, the rest of my first trip to Mexico was great. I and my family stayed at the Grand Bahia Principe Tulum and the food, location and accommodations were top notch. 7 days of nothing but sunshine, warmth and relaxation. Now, @chefboyardee might have some better destinations on his list, but I can highly recommend the Riveria de Maya if you're considering a trip south.
My view each day from pool side:
Looking back at the resort:
Heading out of port:
Thumbs up from the Captain:
We started trolling topwater, pulling what I think were ballyhoo, rigged to mimic surfacing baitfish. One of the boats had landed 5 Mahi that morning and our companion boat had one landed after 5 minutes in the afternoon. Hopes for a big game fish were high, but, luck wasn't with us this day as we didn't have a touch on any bait. It was still cool to see the presentation all working in .5 metre swells.
Trolling the swells:
After a couple of hours of trolling we switched to bottom fishing. The crew re-rigged the trolling rods for this and this was not ideal. I did grab the only partially functioning spinning reel on board and used it with some success catching a few 'ground fish' and some roundish purple fish that looked kinda like an overgrown blue gill. We were fishing a 2 hook jig in about 40' which seemed just about the same as Hastings. Honestly, the fishing was tougher this day than up north, but we landed a 1/2 dozen that the crew were anxious to keep. The other boat had a 'cuda smash one of these ground fish as it was coming in for a little extra excitement.
Catch back on shore:
Although my day of fishing wasn't much to write home about, the rest of my first trip to Mexico was great. I and my family stayed at the Grand Bahia Principe Tulum and the food, location and accommodations were top notch. 7 days of nothing but sunshine, warmth and relaxation. Now, @chefboyardee might have some better destinations on his list, but I can highly recommend the Riveria de Maya if you're considering a trip south.
My view each day from pool side:
Looking back at the resort:
