Mexico - Riviera Maya 2018

Riviera Maya

At the end of august 2018, we went to the Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, just above the city of Playa del Carmen at the Caribean Sea. Fantastic all inclusive resort with jungle surroundings and all kinds of animals around like monkeys, parrots and racoons.

The fishing from the shore in the early morinings around daylight was a disaster. I fished almost every day on the beach with all kinds of lures and got no bites on it at all. It´s also the first resort we've been to where the kitchens of the restaurants wouldn't provide any bait like shrimps and stuff.

In daytime you could see only aquarium size like fish in the water, never seen a bigger fish or fish hunting other fish. So we had to try some boatfishing and booked a charter on the 3rd day for 4 hours with deckhand Alberto and captain Manuel, two older guys so probably experienced. The boat was called "Wahoo", you can see on the left side of the beach. We left at 07,00 am and went trolling for 3 hours, 1 hour bottom fishing with handlines. Though it was a great trip on calm waters, we got 3 strikes but hooked none! The last attack was of a big kingfish and I saw the attack with the fish out of the wave, amazing sight! So we went bottom fishing and we caught a couple of snappers, razorfish and other tropical fish.

At this point our fishing scenario's seemed to be doomed till I met a guy named Jorge Gonzalez from "ScubaLibre" which is from the hotel itself. He told me he knew a couple of real experienced guys, and they arrange the diving tours as well, so they know the hotspots.

So we tried again 2 days before we left, guided by captain Juan and deckhand or as they say "marinero", Arbey. The sea was a little rougher than before, but he told me they know a channel between 2 reefs with a 150 meter depth. It turned out to be a sensational trip with 12 strikes!!!!!

I caught 4 Mahi Mahi, 1 Barracuda and lost a very big Kingfish after an exciting and very long fight, just 1 meter behind the boat. It made a last run for it and he snapped the line!

We had a great time and make sure if you ever go there, you book these two guys, they really know the places to be!!!!

Adios,

Leon