Los Cabos 2005

Fishing in Los Cabos, October 2005

Well, here we are again a year later....

We're glad to say that not much appeared to have changed in the space of a year - the Puerto Paraiso shopping mall was now full of open shops whereas last year it had really only just started to open it's doors; the Cabo Villas resort was undergoing building works for a new infinity pool, gym, and additional beach front apartments which should be spectacular when completed early in 2006 and this year in 2005 it was the 25th Anniversary of the Bisbee's Blue & Black Marlin Tournament - one of the biggest jackpot tournaments in the World ($3million).

This year we decided to have a couple of extra days fishing to really make the most of it as the trip last year went way too quickly - therefore we had 4 days fishing out on Bad Medicine, the boat owned by Chris Erickson that we went out on last year, and 2 days on Ursula IV from the Ursula Sport-fishing fleet as Bad Medicine was entered into the Bisbee's competition during our second week there and unavailable to us.

Marlin in the water alongside the boat Mike pictured with a blue striped marlin

Fishing was a little slower this year than last year - at the end of each day when the boats came in there weren't nearly so many flags flying indicating the day's catch. Whereas the boats are normally flying numerous different flags showing the number of marlin, tuna, wahoo, dorado etc. there were several boats either flying the skunk (no fish caught!) or no flags. This was generally being blamed on the 'green' water in the area which was as a result of a recent Hurricane in the vicinity but also because of the full moon. The fish tend to feed more at night when there is a full moon and therefore aren't so keen to take live baits during the day. We still managed to catch several blue striped Marlin though (pictured above), along with a few Dorado.

Dolphins alongside the boat A Cabo 40 on its way out to the Pacific

During our second week we went out with skipper, Orlando on Ursula IV. Mike really want to catch a good tuna so we went miles out in the Pacific to try and track them down. The Tuna frequently swim with the dolphins as they all feed on the same small fish. Sure enough, once we found the dolphins, we also found the tuna.

Mike latched into a very nice Tuna which turned out to be a 45lb yellow-fin and that evening's dinner! Later on that day he hooked something bigger...something a lot bigger...something that stripped all of the line off the reel more than a dozen times and still didn't seem to tire. After fighting this fish for an hour and 15 minutes - no exaggerating - it was an hour and a quarter, the fish was finally getting near the top and seemed to be tiring. Unfortunately so was the line on the rod provided by the skipper and just when Mike thought he might be about to see the fish...the line snapped.

You can only image how gutted he felt. It was a hell of a fight and would have been a hell of a fish but it's there to catch again another day - unless of course it was that 300lb tuna that was brought in by another boat the very next day...!

Mike with a Dorado Tara with her Dorado Mike and his 45lb Tuna The one that got away?!

Scenic photos of the sunrise over Medano Bay

A Pelican that decided to have a ride back into Luxury yacht for sale in the marina - the marina rather than swim or fly the new Fire Fox?!

Take a look at our Video Clips page to see footage of Mike catching a Marlin...

During the week of the Bisbee's tournament there is a lot going on down at the marina near the main entrance to the Puerto Paraiso mall. There are lots of stands advertising and selling fishing and boating related products during the day, food and drink stalls, perfume etc. etc. and in the evening there's a huge party that happens every year. This year they out did themselves for the 25th Anniversary and the opening ceremony of the competition the night before felt like the Olympics with a lit torch, huge fire work display and live entertainment including free food and drink - if your hand was empty a Marguerita was put in it!

It just so happens that whilst we were there one afternoon we bumped into Jack Nicholson (The Shining, Wolf, Something's Gotta Give etc.) at 68yrs old and off screen he's starting to look his age but is still highly recognisable. The funny thing was that with the sun glasses, Mike was his almost his spitting image. Even Jack Nicholson himself thought so as he actually walked over to us and the first thing he said as he extended his hand to Mike was:

"Hi Jack, I'm Jack Nicholson - it's just you have a little more hair!"

Jack, Tara & Mike Mike & Jack Mike & Tara out on the town

Overall, we had a thoroughly good time and would still love to go back again - we probably will... Anyone wanting further information about any aspects of fishing in Los Cabos please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. It is also possible for us to arrange a boat and accommodation etc. for anyone interested. Los Cabos is a destination that's suitable for the whole family - there are just so many activities to do it's hard to know where to start! Check out the Los Cabos Guide to give you some better ideas...