Anyone ever trailer their skiff into Mexico to fish?
1 - 20 of 69 Posts
Joined
·
2,556 Posts
A client of mine towed his CC down the Baja Peninsula. His only problem was not “completely stopping” at a stop sign (according to the police officer that was sitting right next to the sign). Fortunately, he was able to pay the citation directly to the officer in cash (only $25)! Boy was he lucky?😂
Yeah I’d imagine you’d need a lot of “hush” money.
Um, no. I prefer not to be decapitated. 
Seriously, driving a rig pulling a flats boat would just be a giant beacon for trouble. Once you cross that border you are on your own in a land of wolves.
Seriously, driving a rig pulling a flats boat would just be a giant beacon for trouble. Once you cross that border you are on your own in a land of wolves.
Joined
·
745 Posts
Damn
Joined
·
3,126 Posts
I know the word you meant but I think you actually picked the correct word!
When hell freezes over and pigs fly on the same day then maybe.
Yeah I guess it is a pretty ridiculous thought
Joined
·
2,556 Posts
I have a colleague that’s living near Cabo. He lives like a king due to the low costs of everything and has no problems at all. He’s not towing a boat, just fishing out of his kayak! I guess that like the U.S., it depends on where you go?
Yeah I have a bunch of buddies that go over every year. Mexican and white friends. My Mexican buddy has a house and truck there. While they were driving down the highway in Mexico they got pulled over by a truck with cop lights and sirens. It was the cartel. They hopped out with rifles strapped around them and asked him what they were doing. He told them they were going to the bar to have some drinks and food. They sized up my buddy and the passengers to makes sure they weren’t a rival gang. They didn’t do anything other than stop to check them out. One of the passengers was a big white guy. But it made sense to me why they got stopped. 4 door pickup truck with 5 guys inside could look like a threat.
Joined
·
2,556 Posts
I’ve gotten searched by federales (teenage guys with automatic weapons) on the Yucatán. They were searching for drug runners and after seeing the fly rods and other gear, they moved on! It was just a bit ass puckering for a moment or two!😳
Joined
·
19,310 Posts
I’d rather launch in Brownsville and run a boat there.
Joined
·
4,536 Posts
I love Mexico. I have made dozens of trips to Cabo San Lucas, East Cape, La Paz, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and also Cancun/Cozumel/Yucatan for fishing articles and tournament coverage. Like any country, you have to keep your wits about you and not venture into potentially dangerous situations. Is there graft and corruption? Yes. Just like here in the US and other first-world nations. Most of the Mexican people I've encountered are welcoming and friendly, especially if you reciprocate and try to communicate in Spanish. Mine is limited, but they still appreciate the effort.
MS's own @zthomas has written a very comprehensive book about tips for trailer boat fishing in Baja. If you're serious about going, it's worth a read. The Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean don't have many true flats. A smaller center console would probably be a better craft for exploring and fishing.
MS's own @zthomas has written a very comprehensive book about tips for trailer boat fishing in Baja. If you're serious about going, it's worth a read. The Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean don't have many true flats. A smaller center console would probably be a better craft for exploring and fishing.
WellUm, no. I prefer not to be decapitated.
Seriously, driving a rig pulling a flats boat would just be a giant beacon for trouble. Once you cross that border you are on your own in a land of wolves.
At least it would be easy to get back into US🙄
Joined
·
19,310 Posts
No, you would be searched and treated like a suspect because you aren’t an illegal immigrant.
Joined
·
3,126 Posts
And thus its a hard pass for me. The difference there between a butt puckering experience and a deadly one is razor thin. No thanks.
Joined
·
2,556 Posts
Maybe in Texas!🤬
Joined
·
594 Posts
In 2004 - 05, I made 2 trips from Palm Springs, CA to Puertocitos, MX on the Sea of Cortez. On both trips, I'd bought Mexican fishing licenses in advance. At that time, IIRC, I could find addresses of the agencies online, but had to purchase them by snail mail. Internet was still primitive at that time.
1st trip, with the little Gregor 15 ft tin boat, no problem. Found a "resort" on the beach and their kid (13 yr old) used a Wagoneer to launch me off the beach. (tides there are something like 20 ft)
2nd trip soured me. I had the much heavier 16 ft Dustbuster by then and planned on going out to Golden Reef, so brought 2 large gas tanks - 13 & 18 gal. I didn't trust Mexican Pemex gas, so filled them at home. At the border, Mexican customs cop wanted me to pull the tanks and put them off to one side. His attitude was a warning and I didn't refuse, exactly, but knew I'd never see them again, so played very dumb and fussed around and caused quite a bit of yelling until finally an officer came out to see what was going on.
He looked and listened, then said something - harshly - to the agent, and waved me on thru.
When I got to the resort, the kid looked at the heavier boat and didn't want anything to do with it. Went back to a larger, fancier place and met open hostility from the "Grandee Lady" owner, but she did take my money. Pulled over to the launch area with my new Dodge diesel with large camper and walked down to scope things out. Hmmm.....primitive and rough, but do-able.
Came back up to the truck and 2 raggedy-ass men were peering in the windows and trying the doors. When they saw me coming, they took off. I dithered a bit and with a very sour taste in my mouth turned around and went home.
From 2000 - 2008, I made annual trips down to Guerrero Ne gro at the border of Baja Norte & Sur for Whale watching in Scammon's Lagoon. Highly enjoyable and I had a good time, but when it came time for the 2003 trip, I'd only had the big Dodge for a few months. I worked in a luxury hotel at the time and Mexican guys I worked with looked at me in disbelief.
"You're not taking that truck to Mexico ?? They'll kill you for it." Several of them said it. It was a 6 speed diesel 3/4 ton, Pacific Blue - beautiful truck. Finally, they agreed it might be OK, but only if I stayed on the main highways and main streets in town. I would've loved to explore some of the coastal fishing villages, etc., but didn't dare by then. If any of you have seen my stories on F.S. forum, you'll know how I love to explore off the beaten track - that's why I had a 4WD truck.
In several places, I noticed men seeing my truck and stopping to stare and turn to follow me with their eyes. It made my hair stand on end and I "really" paid attention to the cautions I'd been given.
There were several military checkpoints each way, where heavily armed kids would climb into the camper and look around. No comments and no problems, but attitudes made me nervous.
I had no problems, but all that and the constant filth and mess finally turned me off any more trips. I haven't been since 2008 and won't go again.
1st trip, with the little Gregor 15 ft tin boat, no problem. Found a "resort" on the beach and their kid (13 yr old) used a Wagoneer to launch me off the beach. (tides there are something like 20 ft)
2nd trip soured me. I had the much heavier 16 ft Dustbuster by then and planned on going out to Golden Reef, so brought 2 large gas tanks - 13 & 18 gal. I didn't trust Mexican Pemex gas, so filled them at home. At the border, Mexican customs cop wanted me to pull the tanks and put them off to one side. His attitude was a warning and I didn't refuse, exactly, but knew I'd never see them again, so played very dumb and fussed around and caused quite a bit of yelling until finally an officer came out to see what was going on.
He looked and listened, then said something - harshly - to the agent, and waved me on thru.
When I got to the resort, the kid looked at the heavier boat and didn't want anything to do with it. Went back to a larger, fancier place and met open hostility from the "Grandee Lady" owner, but she did take my money. Pulled over to the launch area with my new Dodge diesel with large camper and walked down to scope things out. Hmmm.....primitive and rough, but do-able.
Came back up to the truck and 2 raggedy-ass men were peering in the windows and trying the doors. When they saw me coming, they took off. I dithered a bit and with a very sour taste in my mouth turned around and went home.
From 2000 - 2008, I made annual trips down to Guerrero Ne gro at the border of Baja Norte & Sur for Whale watching in Scammon's Lagoon. Highly enjoyable and I had a good time, but when it came time for the 2003 trip, I'd only had the big Dodge for a few months. I worked in a luxury hotel at the time and Mexican guys I worked with looked at me in disbelief.
"You're not taking that truck to Mexico ?? They'll kill you for it." Several of them said it. It was a 6 speed diesel 3/4 ton, Pacific Blue - beautiful truck. Finally, they agreed it might be OK, but only if I stayed on the main highways and main streets in town. I would've loved to explore some of the coastal fishing villages, etc., but didn't dare by then. If any of you have seen my stories on F.S. forum, you'll know how I love to explore off the beaten track - that's why I had a 4WD truck.
In several places, I noticed men seeing my truck and stopping to stare and turn to follow me with their eyes. It made my hair stand on end and I "really" paid attention to the cautions I'd been given.
There were several military checkpoints each way, where heavily armed kids would climb into the camper and look around. No comments and no problems, but attitudes made me nervous.
I had no problems, but all that and the constant filth and mess finally turned me off any more trips. I haven't been since 2008 and won't go again.
1 - 20 of 69 Posts
