FISHING FROM THE SURF AND ROCKY SHORES IN MAZATLÁN
By Earl Durham

Mazatlán is famous for being a year round destin-ation for active offshore and near shore sportfishing, especially for billfish. But, did you know that shore fishing in Mazatlán, from the South ship channel to the sandy white beaches of New Mazatlan North offer a tantilizing smorgasbord of fishing adventures? It’s true — no matter if your quarry is a string of shiner perch, Yellowfin Croaker, Sierra Mackerel, Pargo, Triggerfish, or the more challenging Corbina, Jack Cravelle, and the tackle busting Roosterfish. Warm weather brings large schools of 12-20 inch mullet to the surface waters of the ship channel and other bays in and around Mazatlán. The method for catching these long silvery vegetarians consists of a lightly weighted three barb hook, or three 6/0 hooks melded together with a strip of flattened lead. Stout monofiliment line is tied to the hook, and wrapped around a 10 inch board. The technique is to strip coils of line from the board, and step on the line, as a brake. The weighted hook is then rapidly swung in a circular motion and cast across a milling school of mullet. The line is “jerked” forcefully through the water, and a quick retrieve to snag the mullet. The firm white flesh of the mullet is tasty as an ingredient for Chopino or barbecued. It is also available smoked on Stone Island. Big game fishing might be much closer than you think. Take a stroll along North Beach, where the fishermen beach their pangas and sell fresh caught fish. Commonly, and especially at low tide, you may sight the distinctive, long black flowing dorsal fin of a Roosterfish, as the fish slices swiftly through the shallow surf, chasing baitfish. Although a light to medium action 9½ foot rod and a heavy duty spinning reel filled with l5 # to 30 # monofiliment is recommended for most surf and shore fishing, fishing for the voracious and brawny Roosterfish is a far different matter. Sure, you’ll see fishermen with handlines who follow Roosterfish down the beach as the marauding fish repeatedly slash through schools of sardines or mullet, close to shore, and right up to the beach. However, serious anglers require serious tackle, and a 10-13 foot surf rod, with conventional reel (Penn 500 or better) filled with 40lb monofiliment, a 4oz Weight, a single black barrel swivel, and a free sliding 50lb test live bait leader, is recommended. Most Roosterfish, especially those bruisers in the 50-60 pound class, are caught on live bait, mullet being the bait of choice. (The record Roosterfish
is 114lbs.) It’s best to secure the head of the baitfish to a 2/0 – 4/0 hardened steel Mustad hook (depending on bait size), with some light thread. Bait action is important, so some twitching rod action might help produce a strike. Roosterfish will sometimes hit lures on a fast retrieve, especially lures such as a 3oz chrome Crocodile or medium yellow/green Rapala, as will many other fish, such as Corbina, Halibut, and Sierra. Rocky shores, South of El Faro, Los Pinos Beach, Playa Bruja, Valentinos, and rock jetties will yield a variety of fish, including Pargo, Triggerfish, cravelle, and the vaunted Botete. The favored bait is shrimp (although clams may be more productive) on a two hook rig and a sparkplug for a sinker. Special Notice: If you catch any ugly, fat, green and black mottled pufferfish, DON’T throw them away!! No matter what blasphemy you may have heard about members of the “pufferfish” family, the Botete is a succulent, epicurean delight, very white, non-fishy, firm, and delicious when fried to golden perfection. Not incidently, Botete is served as the regular Friday entrée at The Sports Saloon in the Golden Zone. Oriental seafood gourmets, from San Francisco to Tokyo, generally pay around $100US for a very similar culinary delicacy, all available here for about 1/12th the price. Beach fishing can be both relaxing and eventful, and it’s not always necessary to wait for high tide. The target fish, Croaker (translates to Curbina), pargo, perch, Sierra, and Halibut set their own schedules. It’s a good idea to buy some 2 inch PVC pipe to use for rod holders. Cut one end diagonally to sharpen, and stick it into the sand. The beach at New Mazatlán offers a great opportunity for Croaker fishing. Dig sandcrabs for bait here, as well as at other beaches where they’re available. Light to medium action spinning gear and shiny lures can yield a variety of action. Beaches at river outlets are most productive at high tide. Live bait is preferable, if you can find it, otherwise shrimp, shrimp heads, or clams may be used. If you’re fishing for Sierra or other toothy critters (even Halibut and Triggerfish), it’s often necessary to use a braided metal leader. Fishing for perch with small hooks and cut bait will keep you entertained and busy. It takes a little practice, but there’s real adventure fishing the esteros and channels with a tarraya, the circular throw net. It’s an experience that combines fishing with the thrill of the hunt. In addition to getting plenty of your own baitfish, you’ll catch shrimp, mullet, crabs (jaiba), and turtles. Good Fishing!!

 

 

 

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