Fish Tale: Big-time sportfishing

fishing fishing

When it comes to sportfishing, Mazatlán is slowly but surely gaining international recognition as a top destination. The last few years have seen a rise in popularity of sportfishing (recreational fishing for pleasure or competition), and fishing enthusiasts from across the globe come to the crisp blue waters of Mazatlán in search of snapper, dorado, wahoo, rooster fish, tuna, sailfish, marlin and swordfish. In fact, Mazatlán is currently rated as the No. 1 spot for swordfish in the world.

With the help of tournaments and the promise of bigger and better marinas, it’s no wonder the “Pearl of the Pacific” is now on par with Cabo and other famous fishing hotspots. Mazatlán’s two main marinas, Marina El Cid and Marina Mazatlán, both have modern and spacious facilities, but it is Marina Mazatlán that’s really raising the bar.

“I remember when the marina at the lighthouse was the only marina in Mazatlán” said Jaime Ruiz, harbormaster at Marina Mazatlán. “John Wayne used to fish here and he’d bring his Hollywood friends. The lighthouse marina had maybe 20 slips.”

In 2004, Marina Mazatlán had a facelift and with new investors, completed Phase One of an impressive revamp. By the end of 2011, MM’s plans will make it Latin America’s largest marina, with a whopping 945 slips, a hotel with all the trimmings and high-end shopping outlets and restaurants.

MM is also the main sponsor for the third annual International Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado and Tuna Tournament, one of Mazatlán’s major sportfishing events, set for June 19-21. But they’re not the only one hosting fishing tournaments this year: El Debate will host its ninth annual Sailfish Tournament, and Marina El Cid will hold its 15th annual Mazatlán Billfish Classic.

This year, Mazatlán was chosen to host the World Cup International Championships, a prestigious event that pits country against country to compete for the honors of best sportfishing team in the world. Every year, the event is held at a different host country, and when Mexico was chosen to host the 2009 event, Mazatlán was the top pick. Three teams will represent Mexico, including Mazatlán’s very own iFish champions.

You need only pick up a Yellow Pages and search under “Fishing” to see the vast selection of fleets, tours, boats for hire and fishing equipment rentals to realize that Mazatlán’s sportfishing industry is expanding at rapid speeds. Such fast growth in any industry can cause problems, though, and the biggest concern here seems to be overfishing.

Both El Cid Marina and Jim’s Sportfishing are leaders and strong supporters of the Catch-and-Release Program.

“The commercial fishing industry is really hurting the eco-system,” said Jim Porter, owner of Jim’s Sportfishing and winner of the 2009 Mazzie Award for Best Sportfishing Company. “Over-fishing and unlawful fishing, as well as netting problems, are a problem here. With good fisheries, and a strong catch-and-release program, we could be No. 1.”

Geronimo Cevallos, harbormaster at El Cid Marina, says careful programs and keeping a “watchful eye on our oceans and territories” will steer Mazatlán into an even brighter fishing future. And, with the addition of more fleets, more technology and newer equipment, he thinks Mazatlán could easily end up as one of the Top 3 sportfishing destinations in the world.

“Mazatlan has a very old tradition of sportfishing, and with Mazatlan gaining in popularity, sportsfishing has to improve,” said Tadeo Hernandez Kelly, manager at Flota Bibi Fleet. “It has to raise its standards in order to meet the increasing demand for quality tours and amenities.”

For tournament information, go to www.igtournaments.com, www.marina-mazatlan.com/marinaevents.htm, www.bibifleet.com/tournaments.html.