by
Tony Peña
Today’s
technology has literally opened the world to adventurous anglers.
We are now witnessing a period when many countries are developing their
sportfishing potential, hoping to attract you, the traveling angler.
Limited only by time, finances and type of fishing experience desired,
its important to plan carefully since so many destinations are available.
Both
experienced and novice anglers regularly depend on professional trip outfitters,
the type that adorn the back pages of fishing publications because these agents
have been to the places they represent and will make recommendations based upon
experience and not just a glossy brochure. Agents
rely greatly on client satisfaction and repeat business and, accordingly, want
to put you in the best possible location. A
good outfitter will assess your abilities, outlook and needs and make
suggestions ranging from cosmopolitan destinations to the more exotic locales
based upon your personal profile. Travel
outfitters are a valuable resource and most do not charge a service fee to you.
Their revenue comes from the operators (e.g. airlines, hotels, charter
boat, etc.) so it usually costs the same whether you book it yourself or go
through an agent. Whether you use an
agent or not some minimal planning will give maximum benefits.
Remember
that peak fishing at your dream locale may not coincide with your personal
vacation schedule. Ideally, its best
to adjust your schedule when the fishing is good or pick another destination
where the fish are still active. “Where
is the best place to fish in the world? Is an often asked question but that’s
like asking a tackle dealer what his best lure is.
There’s no easy answer. It
depends on what you need. That’s
why some angler may return from a fishing trip of a lifetime while another may
be totally dissatisfied even though they went to the same place.
There
are a number of important criteria to consider when selecting a fishing venue.
Safety, convenience, comfort, cost, travel logistics, level of service,
food, quality of facilities, type of fishing, local knowledge and experience,
prevailing sea conditions, weather and clothing, culture, language, and variety
should all be considered. It’s
always warm and sunny someplace in the world.
U.S. snowbirds flock to Cabo San Lucas, Baja, in February but probably
won’t find blue marlin and sailfish even though its balmy.
Head further south to Guatemala or Costa Rica if targeting those species.
Below the equator its mid-summer which increases the possibilities even
more. Sitting in a plane an extra
three hours (for an extra $300) can expand your horizons dramatically.
Once
a country or region is selected, how do you pick a resort?
For adventurous anglers, there are many exotic fish camps scattered
around the globe catering to those individuals who want to experience
“unspoiled” fishing grounds and a feeling of isolated existence.
Chances are you won’t find a concrete marina or Hatteras Yacht waiting
for you, maybe no electricity for part of the day and certainly no Coast Guard
standing by if anything goes wrong but the intangible rewards of a wilderness
trip attract many anglers. If
you’re traveling in a group with diverse interests it may be better to bypass
the remote camp in favor of a modern full service resort or a facility near a
city. Non-anglers can then avail
themselves of nightlife, golf, shopping or other activities that are important
to them. Of course, there are many
resorts in between these two extremes that may be more suitable.
Once
a destination is selected it pays to continue your research. After reading the
standard brochures you will find more details in country guides such as those
published by Lonely Planet, Alive, Prentice Hall Travel and Moon.
The computer internet is another good source.
A language primer is usually contained in the paperbacks but electronic
pocket translators are invaluable. It’s
probably a universal trait that the local people appreciate a visitors effort to
say at least a few words in the host language.
If
at all possible, avoid major holiday travel periods such as Christmas and
Chinese New Year (when in Asia). Airlines
are overbooked, terminals clogged and hotels are filled to capacity.
Be aware of “hidden costs”. Typical
expenses that may not be included in your travel package include airport
departure taxes, fishing permits, ground transfers, service fees (as much as ten
or fifteen percent of a hotel rate), tips, terminal rigs and bait, lunches,
laundry service and upgrading boats or accommodations upon arrival.
It is common in some countries to also add a service charge (not called a
“tip”) to your restaurant bill so check for this practice to avoid
over-tipping. Many countries have
special requirements such as visas, tourist cards and inoculations.
Take insect repellent, sunscreen, hat and all the personal items you
need. Make photocopies of your
passport (photo page) and other important documents in case the originals are
lost or stolen. A passport copy will make it much easier for customs officials
to process your arrival or departure.
Be
careful when exchanging dollars for the local currency.
Exchange rates can vary greatly between U.S. banks or exchange houses,
foreign banks and hotels. Avoid
money-changers on the street - they may tempt you with a favorable rate but may
short-change you or pass counterfeit money.
In some countries, like Panama, the U.S. dollar is used and no exchange
is required. Other countries that
have their own currency, such as Mexico, may just as easily accept or even
prefer dollars. In countries with
high inflation rates, such as Brazil, you will be better off exchanging small
amounts on a weekly basis since the local currency devalues quickly.
Travelers cheques may be safe but foreign hotels often give you a poor
exchange rate for them or will charge you a processing fee.
Also, check beforehand which cheque company is preferred at your
destination. Some travelers cheques
are very difficult to exchange or cash.
Make
sure the boats are designed for the fish you’re after.
I’ve seen anglers stranded for hours on a tidal flat in a lobster skiff
when a flat-bottomed boat could have put them on the bonefish they were seeking.
Boats should also be appropriate for prevailing sea conditions.
A small outboard doesn’t belong on a remote coast with 8-foot seas and
30-knot winds. Charter boats that
work the normally steep seas found on the La Guaira Bank, Venezuela, are large
vessels of at least 35-feet and can take some punishment.
They also have skilled, safety-conscious crews.
In contrast, in places like Zihuatanejo, Mexico where seas are usually
calm, many anglers choose to fish from outboard “pangas” although larger
cruisers are readily available.
Find
out if the boat has basic equipment including navigational aids, rod holders,
head (marine toilet), live baitwells and so on.
I’ve been on some trips where a pocket compass would have helped find
our way back and I’ve installed rod holders on some boats when I was
forewarned by my agent the “bare bone” nature of the boats available.
A good boat is not much without an experienced crew with a good sense of
humor, attitude and local knowledge. Novice
anglers must rely on crews to help with tackle rigging, knots, hooking fish and
other services. Local knowledge is
critical when pursuing tarpon, snook and other species that are sensitive to
changing conditions and may be most responsive to locally-perfected techniques.
Be wary of newly-opened fisheries, they may have new boats but may not
have skippers who know how to put you on the fish.
Experienced anglers have more travel options because they can adapt to
local conditions, apply a variety of fishing techniques and teach the crews a
thing or two.
Cost-conscious
anglers may be tempted to share the expense of a blue-water charter with a
group. Many hotels and charter
services will be happy to add you to a group charter.
There is a downside. If your
heart is set on catching a billfish and you’re sharing a boat with three
companions, the math is not in your favor. I
learned this early on in my college years. Alone
in Mazatlan, Mexico, and with limited pesos, I consented to share a boat with
two other anglers. The first fish
landed was a sailfish. My rotation
was next and a small dorado hit. The
third fish was a blue marlin which ended the days action.
This is what I call “offshore” roulette and you may be better off
paying more for your own charter if you want to improve your chances of catching
an elusive billfish.
Communication
is critical. It’s important to
discuss your fishing style, species to pursue or special needs with the fleet
manager and captain/mate preferably the day before fishing is to begin.
This is especially important if the crew doesn’t speak your language.
It’s the managers job to match the boat and crew to your style as much
as possible. Flyfishing enthusiasts
should be with a crew experienced in teasing fish.
A day set aside for inshore plugging for roosterfish calls for a small,
maneuverable boat instead of the offshore cruiser used for marlin.
The manager can also give specific advice on the best fishing currently
available, crew strengths and weaknesses as well as guidelines for tipping.
In
some areas it is common for mates to tease a fish, set the hook and hand it off
to the client. This is irritating to
some anglers and should be one of the first things to be agreed upon if you want
to hook your own fish. Just assure
the crew that missing a strike or two doesn’t mean your not having fun.
In remote areas catch and release fishing is favored.
If you want to bring fish home special arrangements need to be made,
including a check with local authorities on regulations, availability of ice for
your ice chest and airline restrictions. Some
charter operations sell the days catch, including billfish, and you may have to
pay extra if you want to release fish. If
you want to share a seat on the bridge with the captain its’ generally
advisable to ask for permission before making the climb.
Captains appreciate the gesture. One
note about fly-bridges on cruisers: Some captains separate themselves almost
entirely from the cockpit activity and pursue a fixed regimen from above.
Communications break down and problems sometimes arise.
It may be necessary to switch boats, crews or both.
There should be a focused but congenial, helpful attitude among both
client and crew.
When
you’re sharing a boat it’s important to have a fishing plan worked out in
detail. If you have a chair rotation
or fish rotation agreed to, it’s recommended that you define beforehand what
will cause an angler to lose a turn. A
marlin that is hooked, jumps, takes drag and throws the hook is usually
considered by most anglers as a lost turn even though only a few seconds
elapsed. A fish in the spread or
missed fish wouldn’t mean a lost turn on most boats.
However, there is no maritime manual for such things.
Anglers can work out any system they want.
The important thing is that everyone understands and abides by the
consensus.
The
subject of drag settings or new techniques are sensitive issues with most
deckhands or mates. Anglers should
approach the matter with diplomacy if you have differing views.
For example, I have generally found that most mates set the drag too
tight when trolling lures, in my opinion. I prefer softhead-type lures, which
some foreign crews are unfamiliar with. They
may need to be taught about new techniques applicable to them such as using a
lighter drag setting to allow a fish to turn with the lure before striking with
a heavier drag. However, anglers
should not simply walk around the cockpit pulling drags and resetting them as
you see fit unless you want to stir up some real chaos with the crew.
First, talk to the mate or crew to compare your fishing style with their
fishing style and come to terms with the details that may differ.
One
way to break an impasse that has worked for me is to concede that their style is
better and may even result in more hookups but that you enjoy your style more.
Plus, you won’t hold them accountable for the day’s tally, which
should lower their anxiety level when trying new techniques or lures.
If you follow through with a good tip even after a bad day using your
techniques that will put “money where your mouth is” and help keep the crew
on your side. A compromise that can
also be offered, whether on private or charter boats, is to use your
“unfamiliar” lure or technique in a more limited way by dropping only one
lure back instead of the entire spread. Who
knows? At days end you may have the
crew pleading for your lures and using them on every rod if they prove worthy.
A
source of consternation for some anglers is when the mate is the first one to
the rod, sets the hook and then looks around for someone to hand it to.
If you don’t like this scenario and prefer to set the hook yourself
you’d better make this very clear before the action starts.
Even so, years of conditioned responses to screaming reel clicker noises
may prevent even well-disciplined mates from leaving a rod alone while a
“slow” client finally gets to it.
In
some parts of the world the angler is viewed as nothing more than a glorified
fish-puller by charter crews. This
is especially true when the day’s catch is considered the property of the boat
and is sold when the fish happens to be a high-priced species.
This is when things can get real interesting for the angler.
For example, years ago, charter operators pursuing giant Atlantic bluefin
tuna in the Canadian provinces would not only have mates set the hook but would
add a surcharge to the charter fee if the angler wanted to use 80- pound tackle
instead of the standard 130- pound gear. Going
down to 50- pound was even more costly for the angler because the crew was in
greater risk of losing a money fish. This
is not necessarily a rip off, it’s just another way of doing business that the
angler can either be comfortable with or go elsewhere.
It does illustrate the need to know all the rules beforehand to eliminate
surprises and avoid arguments or a ruined fishing experience.
Some
crews are superstitious. Bananas
brought onboard are bad luck with some crews (some anthropologists trace this
habit to New Guinea tribal warriors avoiding bananas before battle because it
would make them “soft” in combat but opinions vary greatly on this subject).
Crews in Thailand like to celebrate even insignificant catches with big
smiles and gestures - and like to see enthusiasm from the client as well, or
they will think you’re not enjoying yourself.
There are countless cultural practices that need to be acknowledged in
each country.
Tipping
your crew is expected almost universally. A
tip of ten to twenty percent of the charter cost is a good rule of thumb.
Less if the crew is outwardly incompetent, lazy or both and more if
perfection is achieved. Local
currency can be used but some may prefer dollars or even different compensation
such as electronics or equipment. Standard
gifts such as small toys and candy for the children, fishing lures, spare
tackle, pen lights, charts and gloves can be upgraded with walkman radios, mask
and snorkel, compass, calculator/translator and so on to become a more valued
tip than cash.
The
general rule is to find out about cultural differences, avoid social faux pas,
learn some of the language, smile, take a fun-loving attitude and accept the
occasional bad conditions just like you do on the sea back home.
This
is an exciting time for anglers because new air routes and governments around
the world are promoting and making available exotic fishing destination.
However, traveling by air poses some unique challenges as well.
The
biggest concern for anglers when traveling by air is that your tackle arrives
when you do and in one piece. Lost
or damaged equipment is not so bad on the return trip home but is essential that
you have it to fish with upon your arrival.
Using borrowed gear or lodge tackle can take the edge off an otherwise
enjoyable trip. Unfortunately, I
know of no secrets to guarantee that your tackle arrives at your destination
other than as carry-on luggage. With
rod cases and bulky gear this is not possible.
However, to improve your chances I suggest making doubly sure all of your
checked baggage is tagged and labeled correctly at the ticket counter.
Pay close attention and converse with everyone that may play a role in
handling it. Your main concern is
the rod case. Rods are a hassle for
airline employees because they require special handling.
They don’t fit on the conveyor belt behind the ticket agents because of
the turns and will be put aside until a handler can be found.
Before boarding make sure it hasn’t been forgotten.
Even so, once behind the scenes it may be placed in the wrong destination
compartment on the plane or even the wrong plane.
Even
though primary travel may be by large air carrier it is likely that several
intermediate modes will be required. For
example, an airport van or travel rep may greet you and take you to a smaller
regional airport where you board a small plane.
Landing at a dirt strip you then get in another vehicle which takes you
to a small boat or even a dugout canoe for the final leg of the journey.
This is one reason to pack only essentials because too much equipment can
be a burden, or in the worse case, not fit on a small plane or other conveyance.
Always ask about equipment or baggage limitations before you go.
Rod cases may be limited by length restrictions and baggage by weight.
Flights
of more than a few hours can be exhausting.
On long trips I find it beneficial to plan a day or two of relaxation
upon arrival before strenuous high seas fishing otherwise you may prolong jet
lag and fatigue. A little known
contributor to air travel fatigue is the constant noise or hum of the plane.
Cotton or light tissue placed in the ears reduces the noise but allows
you to adjust to fluctuations in cabin pressure. Do not overeat during the
flight or accept ill-timed meals simply because they’re offered.
Dry air quality in planes can dehydrate you so drink plenty of liquids,
especially water.
Take
along a small thermos to make this more convenient.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and sleep as much as possible.
Visit a travel store before leaving and purchase an inflatable, contoured
neck pillow. Airline pillows are
often too small for maximum comfort. Speaking
of comfort, fly first class or business class if possible, it makes a big
difference. Making reservations well
in advance may result in lower air fares.
Since
baggage can get lost I like to avoid putting “all my eggs in one basket” and
divide up the essentials between carry-on and check-thru.
Carry-on items may include a few reels in case the tackle box doesn’t
arrive but the rod case does, and should include medicines, eye care products,
contact lenses, cameras with some film, and travel documents.
Anything that is fragile, difficult to replace or very expensive at your
destination is a candidate for carry-on luggage.
Packing
for a distant fishing trip is an art and I learn something new every time.
What to take and what to leave? How
best to protect equipment? The first
step is to determine what type of fish you will be pursuing and the techniques
that will be used. You can pack
fairly light if you’re going after one species like peacock bass in Venezuela,
but if you want to combine billfishing with inshore plugging you will be adding
to the load. An alternative is to
use the medium to heavy tackle usually provided on charter boats and take only
your favorite light tackle gear.
Regardless
of where you’re going, start making a tackle list weeks before you leave.
This will also serve as a shopping list and you can check off items.
Store all equipment in one location before packing so you don’t leave
anything behind- I find that most anglers carry a tackle box that is too big and
heavy when fishing day charters. An easier way is to leave the large box in your
room as a “supply store” and take a small one to the boat with the essential
lures, pliers, hooks, etc. that you are likely to need for one day.
Shoulder straps for bags and Velcro™ straps for rods really help in
transporting gear. “Downsize”
all equipment and personal items if possible.
You don’t need “family-size” toiletries for one week.
Purchase travel sizes found in most stores or use small plastic
containers and label each accordingly. Files
for hooks and knives, lubricant sprays, pliers, fighting belts and harnesses,
swim fins and many other items are available in smaller, less bulky sizes.
I place delicate items like baitcasting reels in ziplock-type plastic
bags. Seal these with as much air
inside as possible to form a protective cushion.
I use one gallon size empty bags sealed with various amounts of air and
place them between gear and the walls of luggage for more protection.
Take a few easily stored 30 to 40 gallon plastic bags.
They can be used for many purposes including covering camera cases from
wind spray. Cut a hole in the bottom
end for your head and drape the bag over your shoulders for a good make-shift
raincoat. Discard the bags properly
and never put them in the ocean. Sea
turtles feed on jelly-fish and attempt to swallow the lookalike bags and may
die. They are harmful to other sea life as well.
Navigation
charts of the waters you intend to fish can be extremely valuable.
A reliable source is the Map Centre in San Diego at 619-291-3930.
They identify seamounts, reefs and the continental shelf and you will
have a better idea of the fishing opportunities before you leave.
Many of the best fishing areas are in developing countries and the local
captains really appreciate receiving a chart as a gift.
They also like any spare tackle and fishing line you can leave.
I always leave room while packing for bubble gum and small toys for the
children. Walk-man type
radio/cassettes, blank video tapes, small flashlights and other items that are
very expensive in some countries are great for gifts and are often preferred
over currency as tips. When
selecting film take low speed types such as 64 Kodachrome or 100 to 200 print
film. Since high speed film can be
harmed by airport x-ray equipment request manual inspection by security or
customs officials if you choose this type.
Anglers
seeking true excitement and adventure in remote places on the globe will
probably face more problems and risks but those can add to the experience rather
than detract. A prepared traveler
can overcome may types of travel woes and create opportunities out of obstacles.
Remember to always keep in mind what your personal fishing and vacation
fun goals are and plan accordingly. A
good way to “shop” for fishing adventures is to visit the fishing and travel
shows usually held during the winter-spring period in California where you will
find an amazing number of charter and fishing camp operators as well as travel
outfitters to help you select your fishing trip of a lifetime.
PHONE 619-462-7875
FAX 619-435-6009
E-MAIL: tonypena@rovingagnler.com
Roving Angler Copyright © 2000 This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|