More Pics Cost: $250 - $500 per day Dates: Year round Duration: Open Location: Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico Not Included: Lunch, gratuities Phone Number: +011-52-755-554-7812 or +011-521-755-111-1302 (cell) Provided: Boat, gas, artificial bait, license, ice, 6 sodas, 6 bottles of water, lures/flies and dead baits Species: Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado, Roosterfish, Yellowfin tuna Website: www.gitanasportfishing.com

Gitana Sportfishing - Zihuatanejo, Mexico

On the Gold Coast of Mexico, about 155 miles northwest of Acapulco, is Zihuatanejo. There is no real down season for sailfish here—you can have a double-digit sailfish day any month of the year.

The Fishing:

This is where the Pacific Ocean gets its name—the water is constantly somewhere between 75 and 86 degrees, and with rare exceptions the boat is rocking gently on a near calm.

During certain seasons, in addition to sailfish - you will mix it up with large yellowfin tuna, blue marlin, trophy size dorado, and the occasional black and striped marlin. You can also go inshore from late spring to Christmas for jumbo-size roosterfish; specimens in the 50-pound plus category are not that rare. If you dream of these things—and especially if you dream of doing it on the fly, read on.

Captain Santiago Valdovinos, Gitana

#3 tag/catch and release captain in the world, 2001–2008

Santiago has a consistent ability to find some of the larger sails that prowl the waters of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. Practicing tag & release for sailfish as religiously as possible, Santiago has been the top tagging/catch and release captain in Mexico for the last eight years (2001–2008).

Santiago is an accomplished fly fishing captain who delivers consistent and spectacular results for his clients.

Captain Adan Valdovinos, Gitana II

#4 tag & release captain in the world, 2006-07

Adan and Santiago work together every day to maximize the fishing success of their clients. Adan like his brother has fish finding instincts second to none in Zihuatanejo, and consistently locates and raises more billfish and dorado than most captains in the fleet. Adan has been the #2 tagging/catch and release captain in Mexico for the last two years (2006–2007).

Adan is one of the top fly fishing captains in the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo fishery.

No Zihuatanejo captains are better at making you succeed, and making sure you enjoy it. Fishing with Santiago and Adan is intense, but you’ll laugh a lot too. It’s the greatest game you ever played.

The Accommodations:

Hotels range from full luxury resorts charging north of $500 per night to simple yet functional accommodations for hardcore fishermen that run one tenth of that price.

Restaurants and bars are literally everywhere, with a range of cuisine spanning from Chinese, Italian and American to traditional Mexican seafood from the local area.

Additional activities:

Zihuatanejo is the real Mexico. Nestled in a natural harbor on the Gold Coast, the city is a spectacular setting for a fishing vacation. With a plethora of beaches, shops, restaurants, and bars the city offers something for almost any taste—this is a destination that accommodates families with children as well as singles.

Rates:

2009–2010 season, (US dollars)

Fly fishing tackle