Cozumel fishing charter?

[m.engdahl]

Hey guys!
Ive been reading through the posts about fishing in Mexico, and Id like to see if anyone here ever used any of the companies in Cozumel?
I have read a bit about Papa Hogs, and they seem really nice. Does anyone know more?
Also, how hard is it to fish for bonefish and tarpon? Is flyfishing the way to go, or can I go with an ordinary spinning setup? From what I have read I need to be quite a good caster to be able to catch bonefish?
I am a total noob to deep sea fishing, or fishing in the caribbean at all actually, so any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Martin, Sweden

[PanamaJack]

Also, how hard is it to fish for bonefish and tarpon? Is flyfishing the way to go, or can I go with an ordinary spinning setup? From what I have read I need to be quite a good caster to be able to catch bonefish?

Thanks

Martin, Sweden

Um ... a difficult question to answer Martin.

Obviously windy conditions can make it difficult to fly cast as can fish appearing on the 'wrong' side - you're forced to 'back cast' with, assuming you're a right handed caster, the fish on your right. But, providing you're a reasonably competent fly caster it's not difficult. But similarly fishing with light spin gear can be just as exciting.

I guess the biggest challenge is being able to spot fish in that shallow water. So good polarising sunglasses, preferable with side shields, and a long peaked cap with preferably a dark coloured underside to the peak are a must.

But don't always expect to see a fish. That may sound a somewhat stupid statement but fish don't always show up as 'fish'. Sometimes you'll see a fish shape or a tail waving above the surface. But often you'll spot just a shadow on the bottom, a slight ripple on the surface or even puffs of silt. There's an excellent illustration of this currently on the http://www.floridasportsman.com/ home page, a short video clip entitled sight fishing bonefish.

Another observation - try not to rely solely on the guide. They tend to indicate the position of a Bonefish, and they're usually moving, by calling out their estimate of the distance from the boat and it's position relative to the boat, using the clock face. '12 o'clock' is straight ahead, slightly left of that is '11'. But remember, with him being some 4 metres behind you angles appear different - '11' to him may be '10' to you - and many are hopeless at calling distances. So experiment with distances with him calling before you're near fish. And try to get him to qualify the clock face call by saying '11 going towards 10' - something like that.

Now some guides can and do get very excited BUT try not to cast until you can see the fish and determine where you're trying to cast. Always cast in front of the fish, don't move the fly or bait TOWARDS the fish - they expect it to try to escape or remain motionless!

And importantly be stealthy. If they're close try to stay below their cone of vision and keep noise to a minimum whether or a skiff or wading. I've literally caught Bones less than 7 metres from me, with their backs out of the water, whilst wading and less than 9 whilst laying prone on the foredeck of a skiff.

If you get the opportunity though read some of the articles on the 'how to' sections of on-line publications like http://reel-time.com/feature/, or http://floridasportsman.com or Shallow Water Angler that can be accessed from its home page.
Dave

[PanamaJack]

Martin
You might also want to read through the contents of this thread - http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77282. It's got some extra interesting links. And there're a few extra 'bits and pieces' on this thread - http://www.big-game-board.info/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=347. I'd forgotten just how close this fish was when I hook it!
Dave

[m.engdahl]

Thanks for the great reply! I am already realizing I need to skip at least one of my dive trips to go fishing instead, bonefish just seems to be too much fun to miss!:thumbs:
I guess I will have to look around for a good guide, anyone happen to have been to Cozumel?

/Martin

[PanamaJack]

Martin
Several forum members have been there as you can see from this thread - http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75972&highlight=Cozumel. They're not though I suspect regularly looking at posts. As an alternative though you can contact them through the site's Private Message facility. Click on their nom de plume to the left of their post and that will reveal a short menu, PM-ing's one of the options.

There are a couple of guides with web sites - http://www.cozumel.net/fun/fly-fishing/ and http://www.cozumelflyfishing.net/. At least they demonstrate the area - the lagoon - that they fish and, on the home page of the first, there's a short video clip. If nothing else you can hear the breeze they encounter!

Please though, after your trip, post back with a note of your experiences.
Thanks
Dave

[PanamaJack]

Although these two articles specifically refer to the Florida Keys and Miami area you can glean a lot about Bonefish fishing by reading notes about the techniques the author employs.

http://www.johnkumiski.com/jkumiskiFishingBiscayneNPText.htm

http://www.johnkumiski.com/jkumiskiKeyLargoBonefishText.htm
Dave

[m.engdahl]

Would UL equipment be out of the question? Considering the chance of catching other fish like tarpon and permit I guess it would be a tad frail?
Thanks for all the advice Panamajack! I have been reading like a madman, and it seems I will just have to go practice my casting and wait for the trip :)

[bc roller]

i was at playacar mind you , but all of last week there is no way i could have casted a flyrod near the ocean. it would have been way too windy.

[m.engdahl]

Sorry to hear it mate, I read your thread :(
But cheer up, world class fishing at home for you! :) My sister is probably moving to Vancouver next year, so Ill be up there when I get the chance.

[PanamaJack]

Would UL equipment be out of the question? Considering the chance of catching other fish like tarpon and permit I guess it would be a tad frail?


Martin
In terms of spin gear I use a light 7' spin rod rated for 6 to 12lb line and fish it with either 6 or 8lb test. It's the sort of thing I would use for Perch fishing, 1 kilo fish, in the UK. I team that up with a long spooled Daiwa reel which I fish with a relatively light drag. A Bonefish's acceleration is phenomenal!

That area looks essentially a nursery area but in terms of Tarpon and Permit (and Barracuda) I'd step it up to a 12lb test outfit. (By the way Tube Lures work for Barracuda.)

With regard fly gear you'd be looking at a 7 or 8 weight, fast tapered rod and a reel with a very smooth drag capable of holding around 150 to 200 yards of backing. Line-wise in that lagoon I'd use a Tropical Saltwater Forward Taper one. 'Conventional' lines just 'collapse' in that heat.

Dennis' point is very valid. You probably heard the wind whistling in that 'YouTube' video clip. But most times the guide will try to position you so that you're casting with the wind coming from behind you. Otherwise it's an aquired art of attempting to cast 'under the wind', driving the line forward without too heavy a 'splash down'!
Dave
PS Just a last point. Make sure you protect your rods and reels (and particularly the drags) when running at 20 plus knots in a skiff. Also, at the end of the day, screw the drags up tight - to prevent the ingress of water - and thoroughly wash your gear with a fine freshwater spray. (Warm saltwater is incredibly corrosive!) Dry with a chamois leather and then back of the drags.