THINGS TO KNOW
Don't Forget:
Mobile Passport free app for your phone (entry back into the U.S.)
Passports and Airline reservation receipt
Prescriptions/pills packed in "carry-on the plane" luggage.
Fishing license: https://www.sportfishingbcs.gob.mx/
*NEW: JUST BRING YOUR PASSPORT.....NO TOURIST CARD. but, fill out agricultural card.
*COVID vaccination card, good to bring. Never know if they may ask.
Equipment:
Rods: bring 9-12 wt.; I like 10-12 for tuna; and 9-10 for dorado.
Fly lines: Overweight line for rod by 1 or 2 on each rod that casts the larger flies/poppers.
Fly Line types: to bring: Floating, Intermediate and full sink; my favorites are intermediate & floating.
Twisted leaders 30 - 40lb tippet.
Flies: both surface and subsurface: poppers, & crease flies: sardine & minnow imitation, & clousers in size 3.0 heavy duty hooks work; Though, up to 5.0 has worked better on the larger fish we're catching!
TRAVELING:
TSA going down to Mexico will allow rods & reels in carry-on; BUT, coming home...... they "MUST be in your checked luggage!
Flies MUST be stored in checked luggage: going both ways.
Name Tags on "all" luggage...even carry on.
Packing: Use a suitcase large enough for a rod case or check your rod case, when returning; Pack light; no wash machines; but, you can wash by hand and hang on provided lines.
Extra wear: sun hats, sunglasses, extra sunglasses, buff, hospital socks, bug spray (though they have not been a problem), sunscreen, your favorites.
Waterproof Boat Bag AKA dry bag: handy for storing tackle, camera equipment, flies & jacket on the boat. (Large enough to hold your fly boxes, camera, first Aid & jacket)
Rod socks: GREAT for protecting rigged fly rods while on the boat and carrying rods to and from boat.
Finger Guard: Important for finger protection from the saltwater line burn. BE SURE THEY ARE LEATHER.
Tools: Line clippers, pliers, head light, scissors and hook file/sharpener: These are absolutely essential.
Lenses Wipes: Removing water spots, sweat, sunscreen, etc. from sunglasses while out on the water.
Hand Towel: Very useful for cushioning rods during rough boat rides, or hands & face or fish slime.
First Aid Kit: Essential when minor first aid is needed while on the water. Ocean sickness medication: Ginger chews.
At the Cabo airport your "Shuttle driver" holding a sign (Sleeper group or Pat Sleeper) will transport us, as soon as we are all assembled with our luggage. Walk out the front door; across the little road onto the next sidewalk where a driver with a sign is waiting. Our driver Octavio is either the 10th booth or last: call out his name as you get to the 10th booth, please.. They are wearing "pink" shirts. Thank you.
Be sure to tip your airport helpers "at the airport"; AND, DRIVER at the lodge - thank you.
Shuttle: On the ride to the Sea of Cortez, this takes about 2 - 2 3/4 hr... Depending on stops; we will stop if needed for personal needs. We will stop for alcohol and mixes.
Cooks: The Cooks will have dinner ready about 6:00-6:30, nightly,
You will want to start unpacking and setting up your rods right away...you'll be surprised how fast time flies...
Wi-Fi is available "off and on"...not dependable. Wifi password on refrigerator.
Town: Baja California Sur; International airport: SJD: San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico
Electrical plug-ins: Just like the U.S.
Generally, we get up at about 5:00a.m. They will have coffee ready. And, breakfast soon after: fresh fruit, juice, eggs, tortillas, beans, rice: breakfast varies everyday..
Mornings: you'll be served a full breakfast. And, Monica daily makes your lunch for that days' fishing to be eaton on the boat and placed it in an ice chest.
BE SURE TO TAKE "YOUR" ICE CHEST FOR "TWO" TO THE BOAT each morning; check contents: chips, Gatorade, water, fruit, burrito/sandwich; plus 1 sandwich for guide.. Tell cook how many sandwiches or burritos the night before if you want more than (1) one.. They make them early in the morning.. You will receive (1) if you don't say anything.
Daily we leave the lodge watching the sun coming up: while boarding the boats waiting in front of the lodge. Be sure to have "all" fishing gear: rods (set up w/flies & in rod socks) headlight, dry bag, sunglasses, hat, buff, stripping glove, camera, fishing license, sunscreen & ice chest in hand.
Don't Forget:
Mobile Passport free app for your phone (entry back into the U.S.)
Passports and Airline reservation receipt
Prescriptions/pills packed in "carry-on the plane" luggage.
Fishing license: https://www.sportfishingbcs.gob.mx/
*NEW: JUST BRING YOUR PASSPORT.....NO TOURIST CARD. but, fill out agricultural card.
*COVID vaccination card, good to bring. Never know if they may ask.
Equipment:
Rods: bring 9-12 wt.; I like 10-12 for tuna; and 9-10 for dorado.
Fly lines: Overweight line for rod by 1 or 2 on each rod that casts the larger flies/poppers.
Fly Line types: to bring: Floating, Intermediate and full sink; my favorites are intermediate & floating.
Twisted leaders 30 - 40lb tippet.
Flies: both surface and subsurface: poppers, & crease flies: sardine & minnow imitation, & clousers in size 3.0 heavy duty hooks work; Though, up to 5.0 has worked better on the larger fish we're catching!
TRAVELING:
TSA going down to Mexico will allow rods & reels in carry-on; BUT, coming home...... they "MUST be in your checked luggage!
Flies MUST be stored in checked luggage: going both ways.
Name Tags on "all" luggage...even carry on.
Packing: Use a suitcase large enough for a rod case or check your rod case, when returning; Pack light; no wash machines; but, you can wash by hand and hang on provided lines.
Extra wear: sun hats, sunglasses, extra sunglasses, buff, hospital socks, bug spray (though they have not been a problem), sunscreen, your favorites.
Waterproof Boat Bag AKA dry bag: handy for storing tackle, camera equipment, flies & jacket on the boat. (Large enough to hold your fly boxes, camera, first Aid & jacket)
Rod socks: GREAT for protecting rigged fly rods while on the boat and carrying rods to and from boat.
Finger Guard: Important for finger protection from the saltwater line burn. BE SURE THEY ARE LEATHER.
Tools: Line clippers, pliers, head light, scissors and hook file/sharpener: These are absolutely essential.
Lenses Wipes: Removing water spots, sweat, sunscreen, etc. from sunglasses while out on the water.
Hand Towel: Very useful for cushioning rods during rough boat rides, or hands & face or fish slime.
First Aid Kit: Essential when minor first aid is needed while on the water. Ocean sickness medication: Ginger chews.
At the Cabo airport your "Shuttle driver" holding a sign (Sleeper group or Pat Sleeper) will transport us, as soon as we are all assembled with our luggage. Walk out the front door; across the little road onto the next sidewalk where a driver with a sign is waiting. Our driver Octavio is either the 10th booth or last: call out his name as you get to the 10th booth, please.. They are wearing "pink" shirts. Thank you.
Be sure to tip your airport helpers "at the airport"; AND, DRIVER at the lodge - thank you.
Shuttle: On the ride to the Sea of Cortez, this takes about 2 - 2 3/4 hr... Depending on stops; we will stop if needed for personal needs. We will stop for alcohol and mixes.
Cooks: The Cooks will have dinner ready about 6:00-6:30, nightly,
You will want to start unpacking and setting up your rods right away...you'll be surprised how fast time flies...
Wi-Fi is available "off and on"...not dependable. Wifi password on refrigerator.
Town: Baja California Sur; International airport: SJD: San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico
Electrical plug-ins: Just like the U.S.
Generally, we get up at about 5:00a.m. They will have coffee ready. And, breakfast soon after: fresh fruit, juice, eggs, tortillas, beans, rice: breakfast varies everyday..
Mornings: you'll be served a full breakfast. And, Monica daily makes your lunch for that days' fishing to be eaton on the boat and placed it in an ice chest.
BE SURE TO TAKE "YOUR" ICE CHEST FOR "TWO" TO THE BOAT each morning; check contents: chips, Gatorade, water, fruit, burrito/sandwich; plus 1 sandwich for guide.. Tell cook how many sandwiches or burritos the night before if you want more than (1) one.. They make them early in the morning.. You will receive (1) if you don't say anything.
Daily we leave the lodge watching the sun coming up: while boarding the boats waiting in front of the lodge. Be sure to have "all" fishing gear: rods (set up w/flies & in rod socks) headlight, dry bag, sunglasses, hat, buff, stripping glove, camera, fishing license, sunscreen & ice chest in hand.