Fishing Licenses:

Get your fishing license before you go. Once you get there some of the operations sell them and some don't. One of the more popular local scams is the Captain will tell you the day license is $14.00 US which he hands to a friend dressed in black in another boat while you're getting bait.

Although you will seldom be asked to produce a fishing license while you're fishing, it is common to be asked to produce it at the airport prior to checking your bags. Anglers dragging around coolers are easy to spot. If you can't produce a license the fine will be exactly $50.00 more than you have on you and you'll end up in a Mexican jail missing your flight.

For information about obtaining your license, click here, or Call the Mexico Department of Fisheries in San Diego at 619-233-6956 for a license application.

Plane Tickets:
America West Airlines
Continental Airlines
American Airlines
Alaska Airlines

We checked internet specials daily for a week or so and found a $200.00 round trip fare at Alaska Airlines. Airport taxes are an additional $73.00. Mexican customs issues you a receipt for the airport tax when you arrive. If you lose the receipt, you will have to shell out another $36.50, US cash only!

By calling in 24 hours before departure, we were able to upgrade to first class for $40.00. This policy varies by airline but is well worth checking into.

Customs and Transfers:

When you arrive, you will go through customs and immigrations, a random red light/green light situation. You press the button and if the light turns green, you and your luggage pass unsearched. If it turns red, be prepared for a short delay.

As you exit customs you have to run a 20 yard gauntlet of time share salesmen all acting like the official Mexican welcome wagon. Once you make it outside you will find the taxis, hotel and car rental shuttles.

Taxi service direct to Cabo San Lucas, about 27 miles, is $80.00 US. It is common practice for the cabbies to tell you the rate is in excess of $200.00. Cab fares to the San Jose del Cabo resort area should be $30.00- $35.00. Around town service runs $5.00 - $10.00 US. Mexican cabs do not have meters. Negotiate cab fares before you get in.

 
Where are you staying?

The area between San Jose Del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas is known as Los Cabos. The 20 miles of coastline between them is solid time shares, resorts, and luxury homes.

San Jose has a couple of "all inclusive" hotels such as the El Presidente where all your transfers, tours, meals, tennis, golf, etc. are included. However, none offer fishing as part of their packages. From the San Jose Hotel Row, downtown is a short cab ride away. La Playita, where the fishing pangas are located, is about 4 miles. If you are only there to fish and don't care about the "big town", there is lodging right there.

At the tip of Baja is Cabo San Lucas, where the most of the "cruisers" are berthed in an expansive new marina. Cabo is the most expensive city in Mexico with hotel and restaurant prices being considerably higher than in San Jose. Expect to spend around $100.00 per night for a room. We chose to stay in Cabo at Viva Cabo, a modern 8 unit hotel right downtown within walking distance of everything. The gated hotel has a huge covered terrace overlooking Blvd. Marina, Cabo's main street.

Renting a car:

Make sure you obtain Mexican auto insurance through your agent before you leave. An incident on the highway without insurance is another way to arrange a tour the local hooskow. You can rent the car without the proof of insurance so beware! You will find better car rental deals on the Internet, so reserve the car before you leave.
Payless Car Rental
Dollar Rent A Car

Boats:

Pangas are 22-24' long open wood fiberglass boats powered by a 75 to 90 horse outboard. Many have bimini tops. The crew is just the skipper. If the sea is calm, they can fish deep water. All of them are capable of landing a 300 pound marlin. They are licensed to carry 4 anglers, but anything over 2 I would consider a crowd. They have no facilities. The panga fishing day is 5 to 6 hours and the going rate is around $125.00 plus bait and tip.

Cruisers start at 30 foot, powered by twin diesels, have a cabin, complete trolling gear, head, and most have limited electronics. The crew consists of a captain and a deckhand. Most of the boats are 31', however, there are charters available up to 50' plus. Even the smaller boats are comfortable for up to six passengers but we saw very few with more than 2 anglers on board. Rates start at just over $300.00, with most boats charging $425.00 and the larger boats up to $1,000.00 for an 8 hour day.

Coyotes and Time Shares

Booking a boat is easy, booking a quality day of fishing is another thing altogether. I'll do my best to explain Mexican harbor dynamics.

The Mexican government requires all commercial sportfishing boats to be crewed by Mexican Nationals. Anyone can own a boat for hire, but it can't leave harbor without a Mexican crew. The best boats keep their crews. You can ask how long a crew has been with the boat but they will all tell you "years".

Everyone books everyone else and expects a 15 percent commission for their work. The free-lancers working the harbor are known as "coyotes". They will get you anything you want but they expect money for everything they do, including giving directions. Coyotes frequently take a 50 percent deposit and tell you to show up at the dock without ever having had made arrangements with the boat. When you show up at the dock, the boat never heard of you and you're out your money, left scrambling to get on the water.

Even if the coyote has actually made a booking, your problems aren't necessarily over. If the crew is paid by the day and 15% of their pay is deducted for the commission. They are not happy campers and you get a short uninspired day. If the crew is on monthly salary, you're in luck, but that is the exception to the rule.

The time share salesmen are everywhere, have storefronts everywhere, and one of their give-a-ways is a day fishing on a cruiser if you take a tour of their operation which usually lasts about half a day. They have special deals with an operator, put as many bodies on the boat as they can, and take them out for a Mexican boat ride. Don't waste your time. The only fish you're going to catch is the one that jumps in the boat!

The best way to book a fishing trip is to make arrangements before you leave home. The best boat is going to be the one your fishing buddy recommended, although this doesn't always work. We had a boat booked and the deckhand was fired and the Captain quit the day before we were booked, and we were without a boat.

All the boats have a storefront, whether it be a table and umbrella on the Mercado, or a full scale tackle shop on the Boulevard. Walk into the store between 3 and 4 PM, when the boats are returning to harbor, and ask if the shop has availability for the day you want to fish. If they do, ask to see the boat and check the tackle. If everything is satisfactory, make your arrangements. We went out with Fly Hookers Sportfishing and Fishaholic Charters.

If the shop doesn't have a boat, or you don't want to book what they have, they will all tell you they can find you another ride. Say thanks but no thanks, remember the commission and walk out the door. Unless there is a tournament going on, with a little work you will find a boat.

Tell them what you want to fish for and take the responsibility if things don't work out. You may prefer to accept long odds on catching a marlin or dorado by trolling rather than loading up on 3 - 4 pound sierras. Also let the crew know if you want them to set the hook or if you would rather do it yourself. Don't forget a 10-15% tip is normal. The crews depend on their tips to make a living. Treat 'em right.

Getting your fish home:

Some landings and some hotels will freeze fish for their guests. We found a shop in Cabo, The Smokehouse at Plaza Las Glorias, who will vacuum pack and freeze for $1.50 US per pound finished weight, or smoke it a pack for $4.50 per pound.

It is a very good idea to bring your own freezer bags because you can't find them down there. The boat owners are always happy if you leave them a box. Pack the frozen fish in your cooler without ice, or the airlines won't accept it. You will have to go to the restroom and empty out the ice. This can cause problems if you are running a little late.

Drinks:

If you order mixed drinks you are just wasting your money. The only ingredient in a Mexican Margarita is lime juice. Stick to beer and straight shots of reposada types of tequila. Don't drink the water! If the Mexican government had intended for you to drink tap water, they wouldn't make beer and tequila so available. Brush your teeth with Cerveza. (The hotels provide bottled water for their guests.)

Drogas:

Sun Block and Aloe sunburn products are much cheaper in the States. Bring along Immodium A-D, and Pepto Bismo just in case Montezuma finds you.

If you walk the side streets where all the small shops are located, you will undoubtedly be offered illegal drugs. The police are constantly running sting operations which make your odds about 1 in 20 of going to jail if you try to make a purchase.

Cuban Cigars:

Enjoy them while your in Mexico. US customs will not let them into the country and the fines start in the hundreds of dollars.

If you keep these few details in mind, your trip to Cabo should be fantastic.