Flew back into Phoenix yesterday from our Mazatlan trip. Thought I'd post a brief trip update.
First, Mazatlan is absolutely gorgeous right now. Temps in the 80's and very comfortable. All the locals said the weather was odd for right now. Very much like "June Gloom" in California. Lots of humidty and the clouds would form up during the night and blanket the coastline, so it was kind of misty and grey every morning. By mid afternoon, the sun and Pacific breezes would burn it all off, only to repeat again the next day. We even had a brief shower one morning. In fact, after the first day, we turned the air conditioner and just enjoyed the breezes blowing through the room.
The El Cid Marina resort we stayed at was fantastic from every perspective and I'd highly recommend it to anyone wanting to escape for a few days. Our room had just been completely remodeled and was a one bedroom suite, basically a condo, on the 4th floor. Front door opened onto a view of the beach of the Faro hotel (Now closed, due to a strike by the workers against it. A shame, the Faro is one of the oldest and most prestigious hotels in Mazatlan situated on a point that extends into the Pacific. The place is definitely in disarray now and looks like it may be dead for good. Hard to know; didn't really want to talk labor dispute with any of the locals.) Back view off the patio of our room overlooked a huge clean saltwater pool, the channel to the new Mazatlan marina, and the El Cid Marina. After staying here for nearly a week, I understand a little of what some of the Rocky Point condo owners like about their condos. Both the food and service were excellent. All of the staff was super friendly and went out of their way to make sure you were having a good time and any need was met. Even though this is a four-star resort, prices were very reasonable. We had dinner at the resort twice and breakfast once. Great selection, service, and excellent food. We had dinner out in town the other nights. So-so seafood one night, but fantastic steak at La Casa Country two other nights. Marinated skirt steak, cooked medium rare over mesquite coals, so tender it melted in your mouth, served Sinaloa style with a huge poblano chile relleno, beans and rice. We liked it so much we went back a 2nd time!
Fishing - I finally got to meet mi amigo Tadeo Hernandez Kelly in person. We have known each other for many years via the Internet. Tadeo runs the oldest sportfishing fleet in Mazatlan, Floata Bibi. We chartered for 3 days of fishing with Bibi Fleet. Again, excellent service seems to be the keyword in Mazatlan. We were picked up on time (6:00 am) at the hotel every morning, a quick ride along Zona Dorado and the Malecon to the old port area, where the cruise ships dock. Boat was waiting and ready to go. Both captain and mate spoke very good English and were very accomodating. The first day, we caught 4 dorado close in. We released all four because they were small. The rest of the day was a long boatride out to and around the main fishing grounds. The water was bluer than anything I've ever seen in Rocky Point. But fish were scarce to non-existent. We never got a strike the rest of the day. Day 2 was basically a repeat of Day 1. I went through nearly all of the lures I brought with me to test, they all looked and performed great, but nada fish anywhere. We did see plenty of sea turtles and some dolphins here and there, but no other signs of life. The captain put a lot of miles into searching and the mate was quick to change washed out baits running on the outriggers, but just no fish around. Day 3 started off much better. We hooked up and released a beautiful Pacific sailfish, probably about 80-90 lbs. by 9:00 am. We had a good shot at a 2nd sailfish, but didn't quite get it hooked up. Afternoon came and went and no other fish. Overall, disappointing results for 3 solid days of fishing. I expected more and bigger dorado to be around, possibly tuna, too, but other than one other small marlin and sailfish I saw caught on other boats, that was it. Again, the odd weather at play.
Overall, the Bibi Fleet did a great job. The 40 foot boats are old, but well-maintained and very comfortable with lots of shade and a bathroom (must for the wife). I can barely put my boat in the water in Rocky Point for what these guys charge for a full day of fishing. Super prices, virtually 1/2 of what some of the other fleets are charging. I did check with another fleet while I was there. They also offer super pangas and more modern, faster boats, but for trolling, it's very hard to beat the 40 ft. boats.
The atmosphere in the city is good. Only saw one small army truck on one occasion. The city is very safe and everywhere we went, people were very hospitable and glad to see us. I have a few pictures I'll add to this thread as soon as I get a chance.
First, Mazatlan is absolutely gorgeous right now. Temps in the 80's and very comfortable. All the locals said the weather was odd for right now. Very much like "June Gloom" in California. Lots of humidty and the clouds would form up during the night and blanket the coastline, so it was kind of misty and grey every morning. By mid afternoon, the sun and Pacific breezes would burn it all off, only to repeat again the next day. We even had a brief shower one morning. In fact, after the first day, we turned the air conditioner and just enjoyed the breezes blowing through the room.
The El Cid Marina resort we stayed at was fantastic from every perspective and I'd highly recommend it to anyone wanting to escape for a few days. Our room had just been completely remodeled and was a one bedroom suite, basically a condo, on the 4th floor. Front door opened onto a view of the beach of the Faro hotel (Now closed, due to a strike by the workers against it. A shame, the Faro is one of the oldest and most prestigious hotels in Mazatlan situated on a point that extends into the Pacific. The place is definitely in disarray now and looks like it may be dead for good. Hard to know; didn't really want to talk labor dispute with any of the locals.) Back view off the patio of our room overlooked a huge clean saltwater pool, the channel to the new Mazatlan marina, and the El Cid Marina. After staying here for nearly a week, I understand a little of what some of the Rocky Point condo owners like about their condos. Both the food and service were excellent. All of the staff was super friendly and went out of their way to make sure you were having a good time and any need was met. Even though this is a four-star resort, prices were very reasonable. We had dinner at the resort twice and breakfast once. Great selection, service, and excellent food. We had dinner out in town the other nights. So-so seafood one night, but fantastic steak at La Casa Country two other nights. Marinated skirt steak, cooked medium rare over mesquite coals, so tender it melted in your mouth, served Sinaloa style with a huge poblano chile relleno, beans and rice. We liked it so much we went back a 2nd time!
Fishing - I finally got to meet mi amigo Tadeo Hernandez Kelly in person. We have known each other for many years via the Internet. Tadeo runs the oldest sportfishing fleet in Mazatlan, Floata Bibi. We chartered for 3 days of fishing with Bibi Fleet. Again, excellent service seems to be the keyword in Mazatlan. We were picked up on time (6:00 am) at the hotel every morning, a quick ride along Zona Dorado and the Malecon to the old port area, where the cruise ships dock. Boat was waiting and ready to go. Both captain and mate spoke very good English and were very accomodating. The first day, we caught 4 dorado close in. We released all four because they were small. The rest of the day was a long boatride out to and around the main fishing grounds. The water was bluer than anything I've ever seen in Rocky Point. But fish were scarce to non-existent. We never got a strike the rest of the day. Day 2 was basically a repeat of Day 1. I went through nearly all of the lures I brought with me to test, they all looked and performed great, but nada fish anywhere. We did see plenty of sea turtles and some dolphins here and there, but no other signs of life. The captain put a lot of miles into searching and the mate was quick to change washed out baits running on the outriggers, but just no fish around. Day 3 started off much better. We hooked up and released a beautiful Pacific sailfish, probably about 80-90 lbs. by 9:00 am. We had a good shot at a 2nd sailfish, but didn't quite get it hooked up. Afternoon came and went and no other fish. Overall, disappointing results for 3 solid days of fishing. I expected more and bigger dorado to be around, possibly tuna, too, but other than one other small marlin and sailfish I saw caught on other boats, that was it. Again, the odd weather at play.
Overall, the Bibi Fleet did a great job. The 40 foot boats are old, but well-maintained and very comfortable with lots of shade and a bathroom (must for the wife). I can barely put my boat in the water in Rocky Point for what these guys charge for a full day of fishing. Super prices, virtually 1/2 of what some of the other fleets are charging. I did check with another fleet while I was there. They also offer super pangas and more modern, faster boats, but for trolling, it's very hard to beat the 40 ft. boats.
The atmosphere in the city is good. Only saw one small army truck on one occasion. The city is very safe and everywhere we went, people were very hospitable and glad to see us. I have a few pictures I'll add to this thread as soon as I get a chance.
