A 7 Day adventure, with 4 days of fishing, including a 2 day successful entry in the 2021 Let’s Talk Hookup Fishing Tournament ending 10-10-21 at the East Cape, out of Palmas De Cortez Hotel.
Departure Day 1 Tuesday 10-05-21.
My fantastic wife Sheryl, of 52 years, dropped me off at LAX at 9am for my 11am departure on Delta Airlines to San Jose Del Cabo airport in Baja California.
The flight went as scheduled and an hour after landing, I met Mike McCarthy who had invited me to join him and his good friend Bob in the tournament. Mike and I boarded the shuttle to the hotel. Arrived the hotel around 2pm, just in time for happy hour! Yee ha!
They have a fishermen’s special, similar to a timeshare, which includes a beautiful two-bedroom condo, fully loaded kitchen, and two bathrooms, with ocean view. Also included is their choice of boats, while only paying for the fuel, for every day they spend in the condo. In this case they booked four days of fishing. Bob, who was already here for a week, had previously been fishing three days, with other guests.
Temperatures were in the low 90’s and quite humid.
Tomorrow was a free day with fishing scheduled for Thursday through Sunday. Two days of pre-fishing before the tournament on the weekend.
Had a good dinner at the resort. Standard menu, in which I was disappointed, as they used to have nightly dinner buffets. With each night featuring a different nationality, such as Italian, etc. Their only buffet was for breakfast.
At 9:30 pm called it a night.
Day 2 Wednesday-10-06-21
Mike was up at 5:30 am and quickly brewed some fresh coffee. I was up as soon as I smelled the fresh brew, Bob joined us shortly thereafter. Breakfast was served at 6am and we wandered over a bit later. There was always fresh fruit, Bacon, Sausage, Hash Browns, French Toast, Pancakes, refried beans, Chilaquiles, and Scrambled Eggs, both plain and mixed with ham, bell peppers, etc.
The Pico De Gallo was excellent. And they had other goodies like sour cream, etc. $10 not bad.
Mike spent part of the day rigging up his tackle, which was considerable. Bob and I spent some time in the pool, observing the eye candy. With the big breakfast we skipped lunch.
We met with the fishing staff, selecting our box lunches, and discussing boat options.
Returned to the main dining area for dinner and enjoyed another decent meal.
We watched the Dodgers beat the Cardinals.
It was lights out for me at 10pm.
Day 3 Thursday-10-07-21
Mike was up at 4:30 am and quickly brewed some fresh coffee. I rose at 5am and Bob was soon to rise thereafter. We headed over for breakfast a little before 6am. Finished at 6:20 and returned to our room to gather our gear. Walked to the pier and soon boarded our boat, a 35-footer, The Patron, with twin diesels and a 10 foot beam. Very comfortable.
Captain Jose and crew Jorge. We stopped to pick up five Cabelito and five frozen Ballyhoo. We ran south with most of the rest of the fleet and stopped somewhere about 20 minutes for a bunch of Sardinas. Loaded with bait we ran further south to target Rooster Fish. I had told Mike a Rooster Fish was still on my bucket list and they insisted we spend time to cure that request. How cool?
We ran another half hour or more to our desired starting destination along a beach. After two hours of slow trolling both Cabelito’s and Ballyhoo, I finally got a bite, darn short bit. Put on a new Cabelito and minutes later, fish on! The Rooster Fish left no doubt as it jumped high out of the water. It was not big but put up a valiant fight on 40 pound. Weighed about 15-17 pounds and was quickly released. The crew failed to tell me how sharp their gill plates were, and I paid the price with some serious cuts on my hand. Lots of blood on the deck, but it was mine! Not in the gameplan.
Everyone wanted to get me a bigger one, but I did not want to spend anymore time trolling. Two hours between bites is a bit much. Time to target something else. A few minutes after putting the lures out, a Dorado jumped all over it. Bob quickly reeled it in, a 15-pound Bull.
It was very slow for three more hours when we landed another Dorado, a 10-pound female, reeled in by Mike. Heading toward home we got bit by a Marlin on the Ballyhoo. It was interesting because several other boats were attempting to bait the Marlin and we scooped in and played pirates.
I was up and fought the Marlin to the finish. My stamina was weak, due to heart problems, but I managed to finish this fight on my own. Certainly, happy about that. It was not that big, about 100-110 pounds. Yet, it was a Marlin.
Not a bad start to our fishing program. A Rooster Fish, Two Dorado, and a Marlin. Few boats came in with better results. The normal other fish present at this time was tuna, however none had been caught in quite some time, and it was common knowledge that the Japanese fishing seiners had scooped in and wrapped up the schools, obviously the Mexican officials had been paid off, sad!
Tired and sweating, we docked at 3pm, where we all headed to the shower. I stopped to fix a Margarita. The well air-conditioned Condo was heaven sent. Bob and I headed to the pool and observed all the eye candy, while keeping cool in the refreshing pool water.
Off to dinner. Then watched the Dodgers lose to the Giants, bah humbug!
Early to bed.
Day 4 Friday-10-08-21
Mike was up at 4:30 am again and quickly brewed some fresh coffee. I rose at 5am and Bob was soon to rise thereafter. We headed over for breakfast a little before 6am. Gear was left on the same boat, lessoning our load. Boarded the Patron and did a repeat of bait purchase from yesterday.
We headed to virtually the same area, only further offshore. No trolling for Rooster fish today. Lots of boats in the same area, very slow fishing early and then the weather came up. It began to blow big time. 12-15 and then 18-20. Swells from 2-3 and rising to 4-5 and at times much bigger. At noon, not a single bite. Then the Captain spotted a piece of bull kelp, and you could see the brilliant blue shadows near it.
Both Cabelito’s and Ballyhoo were tossed out. I was first to hook up and it was a very nice sized Dorado. Mike hollered at me and said watch the drag, it was faulty. I fought the big Do Do to within gaff range, but it refused to surrender. The Captain lightened drag and it made a big run. There was virtually no drag as I reeled and gained nothing, adjusted the drag, a bit tight and the hook pulled, darn! It was easily 20+ pounds. Both Mike and Bob hooked Dorado and both came unbuttoned. I hooked up immediately and finally landed a nice Do Do, about 13 pounds.
Bob and Mike each hooked up several times and could not get them to the boat. Finally, Mike landed a Dorado at about 12 pounds. I didn’t get bit again.
It was getting late and really nasty, so we called it a day.
Same afternoon routine, showers, pool, and cocktails.
We walked to a new restaurant nearby. All of us needed a change from the hotel food. Bob ordered Filet Mignon, Mike a huge Cheeseburger, with fries and I had a very tasty fresh catch of the day, like Pargo. Including rice and mixed vegetables. We all left happy campers.
Back to our room after checking in for tournament instructions and our new boat and crew. The Patron was already booked for the tournament. Darn?
Watched the Dodgers win 9-2. Lights out!
Day 5 Saturday-10-09-21
Same routine, coffee, breakfast, and get on board. Our new boat, the Ballyhoo. Captain Martin and crew Fernando. Picked up plenty of bait, not wanting that to be short, as it was tournament time. 17 boats and 55 anglers.
We ran north, other than south to new territory. A number of boats joined us. By 9am, with not a single bite it was white cap city. Conditions continued to get worse. We picked up one lonely Dorado at 8 pounds about 1pm. That was it for us. Nasty weather and slow fishing. Few did much better. Although several boats did well, with both Marlin and Dorado caught.
Same routine for the afternoon and dinner. Watched some college football.
Day 6 Sunday-10-10-21
Same routine, coffee, breakfast, and get on board a bit earlier, as we told the Captain we needed all the advantage we could get, given our poor day yesterday. Well the terrible weather the day before prevented the bait boats from catching. So our only bait was frozen Ballyhoo. Fortunately, we had plenty, as we re-froze leftovers from the previous days. We still bought 10 new.
We ran south to the areas we fished on Thursday and Friday. This was a friendly Tournament, no entry fee, First Place won a four day stay at the resort for next year’s tournament and one free boat day. The biggest Dorado won $500 and the biggest tuna $500. 2nd place received two $75 gift certificates to the tackle store at Fishermen’s Landing. 3rd place two $50 gift certificates.
We told Captain Martin, win either and he would receive a $100 bonus each. His strategy included running far offshore to target tuna and big Dorado. The spread we put out for trolling was impressive, as both the boat and Mike, Bob brought all kinds of wicked good lures.
We struck out big time, and although the weather had improved greatly from Saturday, the afternoon brought 12-15 knot winds, with at least less swells at 2-3. Rather than 4-5 with occasional 6-8.
Ironically at 2pm we ended up north of the resort some five miles. It was the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. Yikes, we had a double hookup on Marlin. I fought mine for about 7 minutes and got it close to the boat. I asked Bob who had not fought a Marlin if he wanted to finish the job. He jumped at the opportunity. Little did he know this Marlin was tough and fought like a much larger fish. It took Bob 20 more minutes to land the approximate 150-pound Striped Marlin. He was beat. I laughed as I was not prepared as he was to fight it that long. Mike had long ago leader his fish.
Amazingly while fighting both Marlin a third showed up and Fernando attempted to bait the third Marlin to no success.
We trolled for another hour before calling it a day, at least we figured we didn’t finish last, as an hour before we had only a single 8-pound Dorado to show for two days fishing.
We cleaned up and headed to the rewards ceremony at 6pm. There was another reward for the most Billfish released, I don’t remember the reward amount. Two teams caught three Marlin, so tied. So they drew straws and named a winner. The same team won first place.
Then we were shocked that we were named third place winners, Team Tunaslam! From last to third in a blink of an eye? How cool. That showed us how slow the fishing really was for everyone? A fun tournament and hat’s off to Let’s Talk Hookup for putting on the Tournament. Too cool and many thanks for the invite and privilege to participate.
Off to celebrate!
Day 7 Monday-10-11-21
Travel day. Arrived home at 8pm safely so important. Oh yeah and all of us had to get Covid tested to go home and fortunately all proved negative. A sweat job for sure because what do you do if you go positive?
Mike and Bob so blessed to be invited and share the experience with you, all the thanks I can muster! I sure hope we can share another rail together soon.
Hook up! Cory
Bob with a 15 pound Dorado
The boat Patron, very sweet!
My bucket fish marked off, a 15-17 pound Rooster Fish.
A 100-110 pound striped marlin.
Myself and Mike with Dorado that combined weighed 25 pounds.
A typical sunrise in the East Cape
Bob with a hard fought 150 pound Striped Marlin.
Departure Day 1 Tuesday 10-05-21.
My fantastic wife Sheryl, of 52 years, dropped me off at LAX at 9am for my 11am departure on Delta Airlines to San Jose Del Cabo airport in Baja California.
The flight went as scheduled and an hour after landing, I met Mike McCarthy who had invited me to join him and his good friend Bob in the tournament. Mike and I boarded the shuttle to the hotel. Arrived the hotel around 2pm, just in time for happy hour! Yee ha!
They have a fishermen’s special, similar to a timeshare, which includes a beautiful two-bedroom condo, fully loaded kitchen, and two bathrooms, with ocean view. Also included is their choice of boats, while only paying for the fuel, for every day they spend in the condo. In this case they booked four days of fishing. Bob, who was already here for a week, had previously been fishing three days, with other guests.
Temperatures were in the low 90’s and quite humid.
Tomorrow was a free day with fishing scheduled for Thursday through Sunday. Two days of pre-fishing before the tournament on the weekend.
Had a good dinner at the resort. Standard menu, in which I was disappointed, as they used to have nightly dinner buffets. With each night featuring a different nationality, such as Italian, etc. Their only buffet was for breakfast.
At 9:30 pm called it a night.
Day 2 Wednesday-10-06-21
Mike was up at 5:30 am and quickly brewed some fresh coffee. I was up as soon as I smelled the fresh brew, Bob joined us shortly thereafter. Breakfast was served at 6am and we wandered over a bit later. There was always fresh fruit, Bacon, Sausage, Hash Browns, French Toast, Pancakes, refried beans, Chilaquiles, and Scrambled Eggs, both plain and mixed with ham, bell peppers, etc.
The Pico De Gallo was excellent. And they had other goodies like sour cream, etc. $10 not bad.
Mike spent part of the day rigging up his tackle, which was considerable. Bob and I spent some time in the pool, observing the eye candy. With the big breakfast we skipped lunch.
We met with the fishing staff, selecting our box lunches, and discussing boat options.
Returned to the main dining area for dinner and enjoyed another decent meal.
We watched the Dodgers beat the Cardinals.
It was lights out for me at 10pm.
Day 3 Thursday-10-07-21
Mike was up at 4:30 am and quickly brewed some fresh coffee. I rose at 5am and Bob was soon to rise thereafter. We headed over for breakfast a little before 6am. Finished at 6:20 and returned to our room to gather our gear. Walked to the pier and soon boarded our boat, a 35-footer, The Patron, with twin diesels and a 10 foot beam. Very comfortable.
Captain Jose and crew Jorge. We stopped to pick up five Cabelito and five frozen Ballyhoo. We ran south with most of the rest of the fleet and stopped somewhere about 20 minutes for a bunch of Sardinas. Loaded with bait we ran further south to target Rooster Fish. I had told Mike a Rooster Fish was still on my bucket list and they insisted we spend time to cure that request. How cool?
We ran another half hour or more to our desired starting destination along a beach. After two hours of slow trolling both Cabelito’s and Ballyhoo, I finally got a bite, darn short bit. Put on a new Cabelito and minutes later, fish on! The Rooster Fish left no doubt as it jumped high out of the water. It was not big but put up a valiant fight on 40 pound. Weighed about 15-17 pounds and was quickly released. The crew failed to tell me how sharp their gill plates were, and I paid the price with some serious cuts on my hand. Lots of blood on the deck, but it was mine! Not in the gameplan.
Everyone wanted to get me a bigger one, but I did not want to spend anymore time trolling. Two hours between bites is a bit much. Time to target something else. A few minutes after putting the lures out, a Dorado jumped all over it. Bob quickly reeled it in, a 15-pound Bull.
It was very slow for three more hours when we landed another Dorado, a 10-pound female, reeled in by Mike. Heading toward home we got bit by a Marlin on the Ballyhoo. It was interesting because several other boats were attempting to bait the Marlin and we scooped in and played pirates.
I was up and fought the Marlin to the finish. My stamina was weak, due to heart problems, but I managed to finish this fight on my own. Certainly, happy about that. It was not that big, about 100-110 pounds. Yet, it was a Marlin.
Not a bad start to our fishing program. A Rooster Fish, Two Dorado, and a Marlin. Few boats came in with better results. The normal other fish present at this time was tuna, however none had been caught in quite some time, and it was common knowledge that the Japanese fishing seiners had scooped in and wrapped up the schools, obviously the Mexican officials had been paid off, sad!
Tired and sweating, we docked at 3pm, where we all headed to the shower. I stopped to fix a Margarita. The well air-conditioned Condo was heaven sent. Bob and I headed to the pool and observed all the eye candy, while keeping cool in the refreshing pool water.
Off to dinner. Then watched the Dodgers lose to the Giants, bah humbug!
Early to bed.
Day 4 Friday-10-08-21
Mike was up at 4:30 am again and quickly brewed some fresh coffee. I rose at 5am and Bob was soon to rise thereafter. We headed over for breakfast a little before 6am. Gear was left on the same boat, lessoning our load. Boarded the Patron and did a repeat of bait purchase from yesterday.
We headed to virtually the same area, only further offshore. No trolling for Rooster fish today. Lots of boats in the same area, very slow fishing early and then the weather came up. It began to blow big time. 12-15 and then 18-20. Swells from 2-3 and rising to 4-5 and at times much bigger. At noon, not a single bite. Then the Captain spotted a piece of bull kelp, and you could see the brilliant blue shadows near it.
Both Cabelito’s and Ballyhoo were tossed out. I was first to hook up and it was a very nice sized Dorado. Mike hollered at me and said watch the drag, it was faulty. I fought the big Do Do to within gaff range, but it refused to surrender. The Captain lightened drag and it made a big run. There was virtually no drag as I reeled and gained nothing, adjusted the drag, a bit tight and the hook pulled, darn! It was easily 20+ pounds. Both Mike and Bob hooked Dorado and both came unbuttoned. I hooked up immediately and finally landed a nice Do Do, about 13 pounds.
Bob and Mike each hooked up several times and could not get them to the boat. Finally, Mike landed a Dorado at about 12 pounds. I didn’t get bit again.
It was getting late and really nasty, so we called it a day.
Same afternoon routine, showers, pool, and cocktails.
We walked to a new restaurant nearby. All of us needed a change from the hotel food. Bob ordered Filet Mignon, Mike a huge Cheeseburger, with fries and I had a very tasty fresh catch of the day, like Pargo. Including rice and mixed vegetables. We all left happy campers.
Back to our room after checking in for tournament instructions and our new boat and crew. The Patron was already booked for the tournament. Darn?
Watched the Dodgers win 9-2. Lights out!
Day 5 Saturday-10-09-21
Same routine, coffee, breakfast, and get on board. Our new boat, the Ballyhoo. Captain Martin and crew Fernando. Picked up plenty of bait, not wanting that to be short, as it was tournament time. 17 boats and 55 anglers.
We ran north, other than south to new territory. A number of boats joined us. By 9am, with not a single bite it was white cap city. Conditions continued to get worse. We picked up one lonely Dorado at 8 pounds about 1pm. That was it for us. Nasty weather and slow fishing. Few did much better. Although several boats did well, with both Marlin and Dorado caught.
Same routine for the afternoon and dinner. Watched some college football.
Day 6 Sunday-10-10-21
Same routine, coffee, breakfast, and get on board a bit earlier, as we told the Captain we needed all the advantage we could get, given our poor day yesterday. Well the terrible weather the day before prevented the bait boats from catching. So our only bait was frozen Ballyhoo. Fortunately, we had plenty, as we re-froze leftovers from the previous days. We still bought 10 new.
We ran south to the areas we fished on Thursday and Friday. This was a friendly Tournament, no entry fee, First Place won a four day stay at the resort for next year’s tournament and one free boat day. The biggest Dorado won $500 and the biggest tuna $500. 2nd place received two $75 gift certificates to the tackle store at Fishermen’s Landing. 3rd place two $50 gift certificates.
We told Captain Martin, win either and he would receive a $100 bonus each. His strategy included running far offshore to target tuna and big Dorado. The spread we put out for trolling was impressive, as both the boat and Mike, Bob brought all kinds of wicked good lures.
We struck out big time, and although the weather had improved greatly from Saturday, the afternoon brought 12-15 knot winds, with at least less swells at 2-3. Rather than 4-5 with occasional 6-8.
Ironically at 2pm we ended up north of the resort some five miles. It was the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. Yikes, we had a double hookup on Marlin. I fought mine for about 7 minutes and got it close to the boat. I asked Bob who had not fought a Marlin if he wanted to finish the job. He jumped at the opportunity. Little did he know this Marlin was tough and fought like a much larger fish. It took Bob 20 more minutes to land the approximate 150-pound Striped Marlin. He was beat. I laughed as I was not prepared as he was to fight it that long. Mike had long ago leader his fish.
Amazingly while fighting both Marlin a third showed up and Fernando attempted to bait the third Marlin to no success.
We trolled for another hour before calling it a day, at least we figured we didn’t finish last, as an hour before we had only a single 8-pound Dorado to show for two days fishing.
We cleaned up and headed to the rewards ceremony at 6pm. There was another reward for the most Billfish released, I don’t remember the reward amount. Two teams caught three Marlin, so tied. So they drew straws and named a winner. The same team won first place.
Then we were shocked that we were named third place winners, Team Tunaslam! From last to third in a blink of an eye? How cool. That showed us how slow the fishing really was for everyone? A fun tournament and hat’s off to Let’s Talk Hookup for putting on the Tournament. Too cool and many thanks for the invite and privilege to participate.
Off to celebrate!
Day 7 Monday-10-11-21
Travel day. Arrived home at 8pm safely so important. Oh yeah and all of us had to get Covid tested to go home and fortunately all proved negative. A sweat job for sure because what do you do if you go positive?
Mike and Bob so blessed to be invited and share the experience with you, all the thanks I can muster! I sure hope we can share another rail together soon.
Hook up! Cory
Bob with a 15 pound Dorado
The boat Patron, very sweet!
My bucket fish marked off, a 15-17 pound Rooster Fish.
A 100-110 pound striped marlin.
Myself and Mike with Dorado that combined weighed 25 pounds.
A typical sunrise in the East Cape
Bob with a hard fought 150 pound Striped Marlin.
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