SilverKing et al - recomendations: Cabo and Charlotte Harbor

[SHOWBOAT]

I know Dave will have good advice, but others please feel free to add your .02.

A couple trips planned in the near future.

First is Cabo. Looking for a charter recommendation in close proximity to the new JW Marriot.

Second trip is to Brian Hurley's place on Bookelia Island. It has a slip, so I"ll have the Ranger in the water and only be about 6 miles to BG pass. Any info re: fishing down there would be appreciated. Also looking for an up-scale dinner location and a couple watering holes I can access by boat (Captiva, Sanibell, Pine-Island are all options).

Thanks in advance to the BBF brain-trust.

[Salty Gator]

Can't help w cabo, but I can help w charlotte harbor, usually go down there to visit friends and fish once a year. I'll check w my buddy about guides. I'll get a list of places to drink and dine. Cabbage key and tarpon lodge both come to mind, tweenwater in is a good place to eat lunch and dip in the pool( gets crowded on weekends, sometimes they only let folks staying there use the grill/bar/pool, should be ok during the week). What time of year will you be going?

[silverking]

SG nailed it on the Charlotte Harbor recommendations. I'd add South Seas Plantation on Captiva for high-end dining. The shoreline and coves north and south of Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda (eastern shore) are productive for snook and possibly tarpon. Pine Island Sound backcountry flats are good for both as well. Snook along the beaches from Boca Grande Pass, but I'd avoid the pass itself unless you want to get in the middle of the tarpon circus. It's absolutely insane.

For Cabo, if memory serves the new Marriott is in the hills between San Jose and Cabo San Lucas. You'll need to take a taxi into CSL for fishing.

www/picantesportfishing.com is the top operation with a fleet of boats from 24 to 31 feet. On the higher end, price-wise, but the top skippers for big game. Striped marlin, yellowfin tuna and dorado, plus blues and blacks if you run to the banks.

Here's a super panga source if time is limited or a smaller group:
"SANTI 1"
Email: santisportfishing@yahoo.com.mx
Phone Number: 011-52-1-624-157-1499

“Santi 1” is a 25′ Panga run by one of the very best Panga captains in Cabo San Lucas, Victor Salazar. His reputation is fantastic, and if you want to fish light tackle, fly fish or just do a normal trip, he is more likely to put you on fish than any other Panga captain here. As you can see, this is an outboard powered center console boat. The engine is four stroke so it is quiet and smooth, and has plenty of power. There is a Bimini top for shade and a “porta potty” under the front center deck (not very private, but some people don’t like to hang it over the side”. The fighting chair in the bow is perfect for light tackle, fly fishing or fighting a big fish that you have to follow.

Pangas are $200 for 5 hours, and you can stay longer as long as the captain knows it might happen and you just pay him the extra $50 per hour direct. The price is for the boat for two anglers and includes water and sodas plus the dock fee. You will also need live bait ($30), a license for each person and tip money for the captain.

My buddy Jorge who own Baja Cantina on the harbor also charters his 32 Intrepid. I never got the chance to fish with his skipper, but if the other two don't pan out, let me know and I'll get contact info for you Brian. Either way, the Cantina is a great spot for fresh seafood, homemade guacamole and excellent margaritas. You need to hit Cabo Wabo one night too. Good cover bands and always a fun time but it doesn't get cranked up until later.

[SHOWBOAT]

Thanks Gents!

Cabo is actually work, so logistics aren't really up to me. I've got folks trying to get us set up with Picante Sportfishing on one of their 35 Cabos.

I'll look into the Charlotte Harbor recommendations.

SG-did you get my last PM? I haven't seen any pics from the dog trials or any dates we might be able to go fishing since we missed JT's tourney. Assume you're chasing grouper this weekend. We might try the same. Good luck if you do.

[Salty Gator]

Thanks Gents!

Cabo is actually work, so logistics aren't really up to me. I've got folks trying to get us set up with Picante Sportfishing on one of their 35 Cabos.

I'll look into the Charlotte Harbor recommendations.

SG-did you get my last PM? I haven't seen any pics from the dog trials or any dates we might be able to go fishing since we missed JT's tourney. Assume you're chasing grouper this weekend. We might try the same. Good luck if you do.

Didn't get a pm Brian, I sent you one a few days ago ( just saw there are 3 pm's in my outbox). Dog trials went well. Dogs ran great and I didn't miss any birds

[silverking]

Checked the Picante site before I made my post and it seems they've shuffled the fleet. Largest listed is a 31 Cabo but they may be able to book some of the other private 35s in town. The Baja Cantina 32 Intrepid is a center console with twin Yammies and an enclosed bow. Could probably handle 5-6 of you comfortably. Let me know if you need contact info.

After many seasons I have decided to forgo the Baja coverage totally this year. Too much cross-county travel and cuts into prime fishing time here. Will still be covering 3 Gulf events, Pirate's Cove in NC and waiting to hear back on another Mid-Atlantic invitational tournament. Working on the magazine for the Bermuda series now, so no let up it seems.

[Salty Gator]

Brian, not sure why pms aren't working. But when are you going down, that's important. You didn't say, do you want to hire a guide for a day? Depending on time of year and what to plan to catch, you may be able to do it in your own. Depending on your cast netting ability. If not you could probably sabiki threadfins at the causeway. Everyone down there lives and dies by live bait. All the guides are asking each other where the bait is, not where the fish are. Big pilcherds ( White bait ) are the bait of choice. Threads and pins will work, but not snook and tarpon candy. I've been with buddies that will call the day off at 9:00 cause the bait is to small. I'm sure some fish with artis, but no one I know does. All of these guys had flats boats in high school and have been doing it Since they were kids, and don't listen to a non local when it comes to their back yards. I know you like to throw tw plugs and a snook is the ultimate fish to catch on tw. Huge mouths that will suck a bait in. So you can do that if you don't like the bait idea. I bet I can get one of my buddies to buddy boat and get you in the right spot, particularly if your going when tarpon are in the beach. I got my first there 3 years ago with him. I'm jealous

[big bend gyrene]

Growing up my family had a fishing shack on North Captiva and I'll add X2 on Silverking's scoop regarding dining at South Seas Plantation,targeting coves around Burnt Store Marina, and finding some really fun fishing on the Pine Island area flats.

DEFINITELY also agree on the recommendation to avoid Boca pass unless you just want to experience the bedlam (I once had the itch and only took scratching it a single time to cure it). If you visit during tarpon season and opt to avoid BG pass, you can either hit other nearby passes such as Captiva Pass or cruise along the island outer beaches and find cruising tarpon there as well and have a MUCH easier time navigating after hooking up.

Only other thing I can think to add is that If you've never done it and have the opportunity / desire, night fishing for snook along structure (docks, area bridges, blow-downs) can be an absolute blast.

Good luck and hope you post a report or two with lots of pics after the trips.

[SHOWBOAT]

Thanks guys. Should be a fun trip. I may try live-baiting, but I don't know if I can do it for very long...

Had a couple folks PM and ask if I had spoken with Hurley. We texted and the RTSO is scheduled for 5/20.

Appreciate all the feedback.