Sportfishing

Zihuatanejo, which grew up on the Mexico Pacific coast largely as a fishing settlement and port, continues to be a fabulous and favorite offshore fishing spot for sailfish as well as for other big and small game fish such as marlin, dorado, rooster fish, tuna and Spanish mackerel. Fly fishing is becoming increasingly popular.

Catch

In February of 2001, Sport Fishing Magazine ranked Ixtapa Zihuatanejo second place in worldwide sailfishing destinations, based on a wide range of factors that included average size, strikes per day, distance from pier to prime fishing spots, use tag and release practices, length of season, boat charter availability and weather and water conditions and weather.

Due to this distinction, the town offers a number of excellent boat charter and equipment providers, with vessels ranging from small pangas to large and luxurious sportfishers. The Zihuatanejo fishing captains are well known for their expertise in taking their clients to the prime fishing spots along our stretch of the Pacific coastline.

Fishing Tournaments

International Fishing Tournament
Takes places in January in Zihuatanejo. Organized by the Club de Pesca Zihuatanejo, A.C. Contact Sr. Crescencio Cortes at +52-755-554-8423

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Total Tag & Release Fishing Tournment
A Total Tag & Release Event usually held in November which includes fly-fishing and conventional tackle in Inshore and Offshore Divisions. Both divisions are qualifying events for the Rolex IGFA Tournament of Champions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT – IXTAPA SPORTFISHING CHARTERS, E-MAIL – ixtsptf(at)epix.net – PHONE IN U.S. – (570) 688-9466

The International Sailfish Tournament, first Friday, Saturday & Sunday of May. For info: (755) 554-2056.

The Fintastic Catch and Release Sportfishing Tournament
Last held on November 20-22, 2003 in Ixtapa – Zihuatanejo, Mexico, over the course of several years this successful Fishing Tournament was highly instrumental in instructing the local population and fishermen in the importance of Tag and Release fishing to preserve the Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo area’s natural fishing resources. It was named one of the top 100 Worldwide Billfish Tournaments by the Billfish Network. If you’d like to know more about this event, please see the Fintastic Tag & Release Billfish Tournament

Fishing Charter and Vacation Services

Bahia La Tortuga Fishing Lodge
The Bahia La Tortuga fishing lodge is located outside of the immediate Ixtapa Zihuatanejo area to the south, in the small village of Puerto Vicente Guerrero, a 45 minute drive from town. It’s a perfect spot to escape the crowds and experience the way old Mexico used to be. The lodge offers all-inclusive fishing and lodging packages in a typical small-town Mexican atmosphere.

Cortez Yacht Charters
Cortez Yacht Charters is one of the oldest and most reputable independent sport fishing companies, offering fishing charters in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Experiencia Mar y Tierra Fishing Charters
A number of excellent boats with experienced captains are for charter from this family-run outfit. You get personalized service and expert guidance for sport fishing and fly fishing.

Ixtapa Mexico Sportfishing Charters – Vamonos Fleet
Captain Jaime Morales and staff, winners of the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Billfish Tournament, provide several different sizes and choices of fishing boat hires and are highly experienced in sport fishing in the area, fly fishing and the practice of catch-and-release.

More Fishing Information and Resources:

• Boat rentals for tournaments and fishing tours, from the Sociedad Cooperativa de Lanchas de Recreo y Pesca Deportiva “Teniente Jose Azueta”. 25, 30 and 42 foot boats. Tel. (755) 554-2056
• Implementos Maritimos de la Costa, Boating and fishing accessories and supplies. Cuauhtemoc 9, Centro, Zihuatanejo, Guerrero. Tel. (755) 544-6719 through 21
• Pesca Deportiva. Fishing rods, gear, tackle and accessories. Bilge pumps, ropes, lines, antennas and other boating needs. Juan N. Alvarez 66 near the pier, Centro, Zihuatanejo. Tel. (755) 544-3651. octavi0(at)prodigy.net.mx

Fishing elsewhere in Mexico

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is only one of many excellent sport fishing destinations in Mexico. Because of the wealth of marine life in Mexican waters, the country’s extensive coastline and inland lakes offer great fishing opportunities for both saltwater and freshwater fishermen. Saltwater sport fishing is popular in many other Pacific coast locations with some of the most notable being Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Los Cabos, and Huatulco. Northern Mexico has a number of fresh water bass fishing lakes that including Lake Guerrero in Tamaulipas, Lake Huites and Baccarac, accessible from Los Mochis, Sinaloa; Lake El Salto out of Mazatlan, and Lake Mateos out of Culiacan.

Catches include Wahoo, Sailfish, Barracuda, Mahi-Mahi (Dorado), Roosterfish, Blue, Black, White and Striped Marlin, Snook, Yellowfin Tuna, Red Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Tarpon, Black and Largemouth Bass.

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