Jigging in Cancun

[shoefish]

Hey all, how is everyone doing? Well I hope. I just thought I'd share a report and some pictures of a recent trip that I made to Cancun Mexico. Historically I have avoided the area for a number of reasons, not least of which is there hasn't been a charter service that understands what us jiggers are looking for.

While I was preparing for a business trip, I decided to do some searches to see what I could come up with on the off chance that someone was starting to jig down there, and that's when I found Kianah Sportfishing (http://www.deepseafishingcancun.com/). I called them up and talked to Alex Ojeda, the owner, and he explained that they have been getting into the jigging game in the last few years, and knew exactly where to go. I booked the trip, packed my gear and was off.

When the day came, I worked my way to the boat and was greeted with smiling faces, loads of gear, and cold cervesas- it was going to be a good day. Shoving off we steamed about 40 minutes or so and we were at the drop. The captain let me know that we were in 350 feet of water, and that we would be in that depth for most of the day. Doing some experimentation, I settled on a ~360g Braid jig on my Synit 450g rod with my Stella 20k, PE6 line, and a 10' section of 80# flouro. With the strong winds and fast currents, this combination allowed me to keep bottom well all day.

Even though it was the end of the slow season (I've since received emails from Alex saying that the winds have shifted and it has really turned on the jig bite), we were able to get on some nice AJs, King Macks, blackfin, and a nice size lemon shark (the shark was on bait on a 50). We shared some laughs, some stories, and at the end of the day we made a load of ceviche at the dock and shared our day's catch.

Should you be down in Cancun and want to get out to do some jigging, give Alex and Kianah a shot- I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Here are the pictures, in no particular order.

Jigstrong!

Shoe

[Sea Draggin]

Thats some good looking ceviche to finish off a pretty day. Looked like lovely conditions out there.

Thanks for the update.

Jim

[SeaBiscuit]

Thanks for the report and excellent pictures Danny. Looks like a fun day on the Caribbean!
SeaBiscuit

[Nauti Natured]

Great report and pics! Thanks!!!

Was that Ceviche made with King Mackerel???

How was it??

[shoefish]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Nauti- the ceviche was made of the king mack and the blackfin, and it was crazy good. Lime, onion, cilantro, tomato, habanero…mmmmm

[Nauti Natured]

Nauti- the ceviche was made of the king mack and the blackfin, and it was crazy good. Lime, onion, cilantro, tomato, habanero…mmmmm

I love it with the Blackfin ... best tasting tuna on the planet if you ask me (ate it last night sashimi ) but never considered using the king mack in it. Sounds great ... Ill have to try it!!!

[CFScheer]

Nice report!

My dad and I have jigged out of Playa del Carmen a bit further south a couple of times with good results...mostly AJs in the 30-60 lb. range with some blackfin, kings, and occasional wahoo mixed in.

In Playa you fish less than a mile off the beach and hiring a panga to take you out to the jigging grounds for a whole day (beer included) only costs about $175, which is pretty sweet.

Apparently November and December are the best months for the AJs.

I'll be down there over Thanksgiving and plan on fishing a bit. Will definitely post up a report afterwards.

[FESS]

Loving those jigging rods...a la California style i think....an ex-boss was using blanks like that (with no foam etc.) back in early 80's and I'd not seen them b4...he said they were a CA ting...who makes 'em and / or who sells 'em on the right coast.
He also had some plug rods (conventional) with guides that were staggered around the blank (en-circling it) so line never ever could hit the blank....anyone make them (u may have to see them to believe it though)

[Wasabi]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Nauti- the ceviche was made of the king mack and the blackfin, and it was crazy good. Lime, onion, cilantro, tomato, habanero…mmmmm

Shoe, we live down in Puerto Aventuras, just south of Playa del Carmen.

We do charters but are usually trolling. We do some bottom fishing to break it up on occasion.

I am curious as to your comment about noone down here knowing how to jig.

I guess I'm confused. I admit to only recently taking much of an interest in bottom fishing myself. With that said, one of my best friends is heavy into jigging. I've tgone out with him and he "jigs" like a son of a gun with no crew input at all.

We want to be able to provide our customers with the best service we can. So, I guess my question is, other than talking the "lingo" what did this guy provide that you weren't finding with others? Was it a question of equipment? If so, then I do understand, otherwise, I always kinda figured jigging was an angler activity. I mean the boat can drift and you don't need a mate till you are ready to gaff.

So, what makes a crew so "jig savvy". I get it with trolling for Marlin. Before, during and after hooking the fish, you are heavily dependant on a knowledgeable crew.

What am I missing ?

Anyway, next time you head this way (and this goes for all members) give us a call.

About the ceviche: We have found that just about any firm fleshed fish does a great job. Some other great choices you may not have heard of: Conch, shrimp, lobster and one of my absolute favorites, calamari.

[CGMate]

It looks like you guys had a fun trip. Did you try jigging on the bottom any? We bottom fished a few days last year and we would always drop a jig on a good mark if we saw one while sailfishing. The amount of grouper and snapper in that area is unbelievable! I never thought I'd say this but by the time we left Mexico I was sick of eating grouper. Next time you go you might want to find someone who knows a little bit about arrowsmith bank. I haven't been there myself but everyone tells me its a jig fishing paradise and its not far from cancun. hopefully we'll get to check it out this year.