Reeling in a big fish is a quintessential Mexico holiday experience.

From the rush of the fight to the smell of fresh Spanish Mackerel sizzling on the grill, a day out with Levi and Surf & Fishing Charters is a surefire recipe for an awesome day.

Spending a few hours out at sea is one of the best ways to see the coastline and truly soak in what Puerto Escondido is all about. You’ll be afforded a completely different point of view on famous Puerto beaches like Carrizalillo, Playa Principal and Playa Zicatela and get a close-up look at the local fishing culture.

From the old bait men selling bite sized huachinango to tempt those monster dorados to the tank-free divers plying the rocks for oysters, lobster and other underwater delicacies. It’s just a totally new and different world out there.



The early bird gets the worm…or in this case, the fish!

OK, so this is the one day of your vacation that you’re going to want to set your alarm clock.

Arriving to the beach ready to climb aboard before the fish wake up is the first secret to guaranteeing a big haul.

On our last trip out with Levi we fired up the motor at 6:30 and were quickly rewarded with two rapid fire bites from a Sierra and then a Barrilete.

Two fish in the hull before there was even time to wipe the sleep out of our eyes and we wound up catching about 80% of the day’s catch within the first hour and a half.

Plus, being an early riser means snapping unbelievable photos of the sunrise.

Your Boat and Her Captain

Levi is an exceptional guide and so you’ll definitely want to track him down when you’re ready for a Puerto Escondido fishing trip.

If you’re staying with us at Gecko Rock, just let us know that you’d like to do some fishing while you’re here and we’ll take care of all the details for you in advance.

Levi comes from a long line of fishermen and his family has been making their living out at sea for generations.

In fact, he’s such a talented angler that he got the money to buy his launch, Marissa, from winning a Marlin Tournament in Huatulco.

But it’s not just skill with the rod and reel that make him such a great guy to take a tour with.

Levi is exceptionally friendly and a lot of fun, and he’s a great teacher if you’re new to the sport.

Some guides can get impatient with total newbs, but Levi is always polite and patient…even when you tangle his lines.

The Marissa is a great boat. It is safe & comfortable and provides shade from the warm Mexican sun. The crew takes care of everything for you, from baiting up to bringing an ice-filled cooler to keep your catch fresh.



Deep Sea or Close to Shore? That is the question.

When booking your fishing trip you’ll be asked to choose between deep sea or close to shore fishing. Both options have distinct pros and cons.

With deep sea fishing you’ll be targeting truly enormous fish and there’s no experience in life quite like fighting a Dorado (Mahi Mahi), Pez Vela (sailfish) or Marlin.

However, fishing for billfish offers less of a guarantee and you’ll need to spend a couple hours of your trip heading out and back from the fishing grounds. Then again, you’ll be able to spot sea turtles, dolphins and maybe even a whale along the way.

If you’re interested in catch and release, Levi’s your man.

With close to shore fishing the action starts just as soon as you’re out of the harbor. These trips target Mackerel, Snapper, Skipjack Tuna and Amberjack. If you’re unfamiliar with these fish, the photos from this blog post were taken on a close to shore trip.

The advantage of going close to shore is that there’s a lot more action. You’ll catch more fish and be able to take home most of what comes into the boat. On our trip every member of our group reeled in two or three.

And while most of the sea mammals reside further from the coast, we did see a few dolphins and turtles along with tons of flying manta rays, pelicans and other seabirds.



A Few Helpful Tips to Make Your Mexico Fishing Trip the Best Ever

First and foremost: choose the right style of fishing to suit your group.

When you book, ask Levi what’s biting at the moment (don’t worry, he speaks pretty good English).

Then, decide whether it’s more important to your group to catch more fish or to have a chance at hauling in a billfish.

The size of your group will also factor in to your decision. If you’ve only got 2 or 3 people then you’ll have your hands on a rod most of the day, but with 5 or 6 you’ll need to take turns.

Therefore, a close to shore trip might be better for a larger party.

But whatever you choose, set your expectations accordingly. If you decide to target billfish there’s a possibility you might come back empty handed or only catch one or two.

Bring along sunblock and a hat. As the boat trolls back and forth the shade will shift from side to side on the boat, so you’ll need additional sun protection.

Bottled water and snacks are also a good idea to bring along and if you are prone to sea sickness, take a Dramamine as soon as you wake up in the morning. Avoid coffee and other foods that might irritate your stomach the day of your trip.

How to Book with Surf and Fishing Charters.

Everyone should experience the Oaxacan coast from this angle. It truly is unbelievable and will be the highlight of your trip. Give Levi a call (954 100 9263) or get in touch with him via his website or on facebook.

During the high season (December-February) it’s a good idea to reserve your trip as early as possible. Rates are 500 pesos (US$40) per hour with a minimum of four hours for the boat.

UPDATE: A couple days after this post went up we received an email from another one of Levi’s happy customers. He said “Hey, I know that guy! I was in Puerto in 2014 and went fishing with him and he’s the best captain I know!”

Check out the photos he sent: