Fishing in the Deep Blue Sea

Monday Feb 14 Early morning fishing
We arose before dawn today. Jim had arranged to go fishing so we readied ourselves and walked down to Playa Principal where many of the pangas are. Our man, Tellis, was waiting for us and had the back of the boat pulled tight to shore so we could both just step in. A second man assisted him, bringing 4 fishing rods, etc.and quickly we were off.

We took our place mid-ship and they kept to the rear. We travelled south and east from shore and finally could barely see the shoreline, just the Sierra Madres which run the coastline of Mexico.

Once again Jim is so impressed with the panga. It rode so smoothly, taking large, choppy swells in its 'stride'. About an hour out we got our first fish, a beautiful golden coloured dorado. They made sure it was on line and then gave the rod to Jim to reel it in. It didn't take long and really didn't fight much.




Within the next hour Jim pulled in sailfish. A little later they hooked a very big marlin but it got away.It almost took the whole line before they turned the boat back toward it. It dove deep and we never saw it again.

We were also treated to marine life all around us. On the trip out was saw manta rays leap out of the water, flip, and go back in and then on the way back we saw another one flip several times. The underside white of their 'wings' makes them very flashy.

It was fun to see so many flying fish. They are small and really look like little birds as they flap their fins and fly for long distances across the beautiful blue sea. It seemed like when we saw a few then we'd get a strike. We noticed the lures float just at surface and that they must be attracted to the flying fish and thus to the 'flying' lures.

My great delight was to motor along with dolphins. Some were very large and they raced along beside us and right under the boat. I counted 8 right under the nose of the boat as I sat at the bow and enjoyed them. There were several dozen in the area, I'm sure.
They missed another sailfish and then caught another one that Jim brought in.

We were more than 2 hours offshore now so Jim suggested we turn around and head home. They did but they continued to fish... these men are real fishermen and are not going miss an opportunity to keep the lure in the water!












Our final delight was to watch turtles way out at sea. Their shell is shiney brown as it comes out of the water and is distinctive. We must have spotted at least 10, none of them travelling together.







So it was a great day all tolled. We took a nice piece of dorado fillet and the sailfish are quite tough so we didn't want to try those. The fisherman will feed his family for a week on them, so he says. Maybe they'll sell them for big bucks, who knows?

We enjoyed a dorado fillet in our casa. Very delicious, tender white fish. Jim says when they come from Haiwaii they are called mahi mahi. I think this is better!