Lures for Mexico

[millser]

Getting things organised for my trip to Mexico in May and would appreciate any informaton about the type of lures I should take with me for fishing from the shore.
Would I be better with hard bodied lures such as poppers and plugs or would jelly lures work as well? Will probably take a selection of both but any recomendations as to what type/make/model would be a great help.

thanks in advance

[PanamaJack]

You're going to find that the majority of tropical gamefish are much more aggressive that ours and respond best to lures worked fast.

In terms of Barracuda and you'll spot those slowly cuising I'd either use Tube Lures - never seen them in the UK, but they can be sourced by mail order through the 'States - or Rapala type lures with the lips broken off them. That Here's an illustration of a Tube Lure - http://www.hookuplures.com/hook_lures_offshore_fishing_rigs.htm.

For Jacks I'd suggest surface poppers worked fast. Things like the Yo-Zuri Hydro Tiger or Hydro Popper or Surface Cruiser. But there're a range of other 'cupped' faced lures. They're relatively easy to source in the UK, somewhere like http://www.roxmax.com stock them. Or to see a fuller range look on http://www.basspro.com's site.

If you intend targetting Bonefish with lighter gear it's worth taking some small jigs (3/16oz size) which you can either fish slowly, 'puffing' sand or 'sweeten' with a piece of shrimp or conch.

[millser]

Going to have a go at making some of those tube lures have got some green and red silicone tubing. On another note what sort of breaking strain of wire should I use on my traces when using other lures?

[benhben]

Where abouts in mexico are you going? Im off to Puerto Aventuras in june (On the carribean side). Im just taking my pike and bass lures. Got a bunch of surface lures (Yo zuri mag popper, storm chug bug, heddon Zara spook), shallow diving millow plugs, some deeper divers and some jigs.

Are you bothering to get a licence that your meant to have to fish in mexico or not bothering?

[millser]

Hi benhben going to Cancun middle of May to the start of June have got a couple of multi piece rods to take with me a carp rod for spinning and some bait work and a light beachcaster have ordered some lures from basspro which should do nicely.

I have heard differing reports about fishing licences and still haven't had a definative answer as to whether you need one for fishing from the shore.

[captaincojones]

Hi benhben going to Cancun middle of May to the start of June have got a couple of multi piece rods to take with me a carp rod for spinning and some bait work and a light beachcaster have ordered some lures from basspro which should do nicely.

I have heard differing reports about fishing licences and still haven't had a definative answer as to whether you need one for fishing from the shore.

http://www.vamonosdepesca.com/permisos.htm

heres an answer for you.
according to this fishing sites questions and answers----from the shore you dont need a licence.
from a boat, even if its a rowing boat,you do.
(i speak the language fluently)

[benhben]

Nice one. Most people I have asked never bothered with a licence. How are you transporting your rods miller? Im worried there gonna get stolen or damaged.

[captaincojones]

Nice one. Most people I have asked never bothered with a licence. How are you transporting your rods miller? Im worried there gonna get stolen or damaged.

you would have to be pretty stupid to fly halfway around the world to fish, and then not obey the laws of the country you are visiting.
the site says that licences can be obtained from any period of time,from one day to one year.
it also says IN BIG RED LETTERS that this applies also to foriegners.
shore= no licence.
any kind of boat =licence.
easy really:marinheir

[millser]

http://www.vamonosdepesca.com/permisos.htm

heres an answer for you.
according to this fishing sites questions and answers----from the shore you dont need a licence.
from a boat, even if its a rowing boat,you do.
(i speak the language fluently)

That was what I had heard, thanks for confirming it :clap3:

As for transporting rods mine are going in my suitcase with the sections only being 26" long (did this to Gran Canaria last year), if you are taking longer sectioned rods it would be worth investing in either a proper rod tube or use a section of drainage pipe which you can get end caps for

[captaincojones]

if i can give you a couple of general tips re mexico.
let people know you are english...sounds silly, but many people will think you are american....in many places americans are hated.....english are not.
im assuming you are english,forgive me if you are scotch welsh or irish.
but for the mexicans there exists only "english"!
"soy ingles", no soy americano"
will in many places open doors and give you a much warmer welcome.
the mexicans are in general great people, and if they take to you, will give you there last taco!:fish:

[benhben]

Brilliant. I only plan to do some plugging off the shore. Not really that keen on going on someone elses boat, letting them tackle up, them find the fish and you just reel in. Also they seem to gaff alot of fish which i would not be impressed with. Only problem now is hot to safely get the rods there as i just found they wont fit in the suitcase!

[PanamaJack]

Going to have a go at making some of those tube lures have got some green and red silicone tubing. On another note what sort of breaking strain of wire should I use on my traces when using other lures?

The tube lures I have are all in the 10 to 12” range, designed when fished fast to simulate Needlefish. Something like 60lb B/S flexible wire will be fine for the internal rigging, attaching one treble in the ‘tail’ with the other half way up. Just slide a small – 3/8, 1/2oz – egg sinker on the lures nose and finish off with a small swivel.

Virtually all Barracuda strikes will be from the tail end so I’ve never found the necessity for an additional wire trace. Obviously though if you’re going to use a Rapala-type lure, with the diving vane removed, you’ll need a short, 12 to 18” trace. 30 or 40lb wire will be more than adequate.

As to fishing for the Jacks wire’s not normally necessary. I tend just to tie a short Bimini Twist onto the end of my reel line and then attach that to a short length of heavier mono – I normally fish 12 or 16lb test attached to 30 – via an Albright Knot. It’s up to you what you tie the lure to, but I favour an ‘open loop’ so as not to ‘deaden’ the lure’s action.


How are you transporting your rods millser? Im worried there gonna get stolen or damaged.

First it’s worth checking with the airline you’re flying with to ensure there’re no length restrictions. The only one I’ve ever encountered was an internal flight in Costa Rica in a small aircraft with an under-slung luggage compartment. Some Americans with us had issues with their one piece rods.

There are robust commercial, adjustable length, lockable rod tubes available. I’ve even seen them for sale in charity shops. Alternatively, as suggested, a length of rigid plumbers soil tubing, 4 or 6” with end caps works. The removable one either needs to have some locking device or bound with lots of strong taping.

Watch out though, many years ago on a late flight back into Lisbon from the Azores we had an instance where we assume curious baggage handlers had deliberately dropped a tube on its edge shattering the end cap. Patently though they weren’t interested in its contents – big game rods.

Just some further points:

If you’re transiting through the ‘States their authorities reserve the right to open any checked luggage. It’s worth reading the ‘sticky’ on the Canada & North American forum if that’s the case.

Make sure you ‘pad’ the contents, paying attention to top and bottom especially and tips of rods.

Normally over-sized baggage will be left in a separate area. Find out where that is, there’re not normally any signs! Once in a while though baggage handlers will put it on the moving belts. So make sure someone’s watching for that. Rigid rod tubes don’t negotiate ‘bends’ very well!