Fishing playa del carmen (Mexico)
Jigging Amberjack with Roberto Navarro
Fishing in "Playa del Carmen" (Jigging) on the Riviera Maya coast (Mexico). Embedded in a mass tourism and hundreds of tours vendor, an authentic fishing guide was able to adapt to change and shows us fishing in a different angle. Vertical fishing commonly called "jigging," it is practiced in specific locations such as deep zone, drop offs, submerged points. Metal lures are used to catch fishes, called "JIG", we drop the jig to the bottom and back to the surface by jerks, varying the action and speed. The amberjack is a fish who travel between the bottom and the surface, jigs is particularly well adapted to the search for this fish because it allows to explore the water column. The attacks are powerful, fights is intense, the fish caught by jigging are often larger, maybe your next fishing records.
WEAREVER is nicknamed, but the real name is "Roberto Navarro." Jigging is his passion, he has amberjack's fishing in his blood (Seriola dumerili) . Before becoming guide, it was a commercial fisherman in "Playa Del Carmen". He started "Jigging" three years ago and since then he never stopped, he shares his experience with his customers as a guide. Native from Rivera Maya, he knows almost every corner of "Playa del Carmen", the best places for "Jigging" large fish to make jealous of other fishermen, he masters the fundamentals and subtleties of "Jigging" (Tackle, gear, lures, knot , etc ...) Although this technique is new in Mexico, each year, he organizes two JIGGING tournaments in "Playa del Carmen" to promote fishing. The tournament is friendly and is held in end November and January, followed by a "Fiesta" at the end of the day.
At "Playa del Carmen", you will find plenty of fishing boats and guides always willing to take you fishing, they almost practice trolling (Inshore or Deep sea). Playa del carmen area is already overfished by this type of fishing, maybe you will catch some barracuda or simply make a boat ride. Just look at their equipment to see the serious of thier buisness. Fishing for large predators in playa del carmen, i think "JIGGING" is the only way to get success. Fishes rarely came on the shallow area, they remains in depth (100-150 m). As trolling lures, they just pass over thier heads without any reaction (Too much effort). During high season, amberjack are grouped by schools along the drop, it's not uncommon to catch enough fish to ensure a back pain.
You will be on a large "Panga" 25 feet long with a 75 HP 4 stroke engine, a new boat is in order for 2012 season, specialy designed for jigging with higher edges. You board directly from the beach and after few minutes you start JIGGING. At "Playa del Carmen," it's not necessary to go far to pratice "jigging", as the beach disappears into the depths at approximately 300 meters from shore. The drop offs follow the coast from "Playa del Carmen" to "Punta Maroma". The fishing zone is between 100 and 200 meters, Roberto uses a GPS to locate the best fishing spots and he have many marks accumulated during passed years.
During my stay, I had the opportunity to make three fishing trips with Roberto. I learn new things after so many year of fishing. Fights are intense, made for real fishermen. Captured several amberjack from 25 to 39 lb, also groupers, jack, snapper, tuna. Freindly and professional, Roberto is a skilled guide, he knows his job and knows what fishermen looking for. I recommend him without hesitation, it's the PRO at Playa del Carmen.
You can almost fish all year long, except tropical storms period (August-October). The best time for Amberjack in "Playa del Carmen", it's winter. Between November and March when the water is cold, amberjacks are grouped by small school in preparation for the spawn period. The peak is between 15 November and late December. The low season is in summer, but you still catch good specimens even though they are fewer in number. (Example: my trip took place in mid-June this year, the results speak for themselves)
Bring your own equipment & Jigs. You may lose some gear (hang the bottom or barracudas cut), calculate about 3 jigs per fishing day. Also bring enought hooks and swivel.
- JIGGING rod (5 to 7 feets long) - load 15-30lb - made for lure (120 - 230 gr)
- JIGGING reel, drag 15-30lb - capacity: 300-500 yards, ratio 4:1+
- JIG lures 150-230gr, Color: Pink silver, Green-gold, Silver, Orange, red head
- Heavy Jig hooks #7/0 or #9/0 (Number equal to number of jig)
- Heavy swivel ((Number equal to number of jig)
- Braided line 50 lb/test / 300-500 yards (Multi-color braided is the best)
- Fluocarbon leader 60-80 lb/test for 120-150gr jigs
- Nylon leader 130-150 lb/test for 170-300 gr jigs
- Fight belt (mandatory), plier for split rings, hat, sunglass, buff
FOR JIGGING GEAR & TACKLES, visit us on PECHE SUD website. We have travel rods.
Report
Mathieu Laforest said: I just come back from Playa del Carmen. I fish 3 days with Roberto Navaro (wearever) and it was awesome ! He is a really good guy, don't be scare to go with him ! We caught a couple of nice amberjack while jigging in 300 ft of water.
Just came back from PDC for one week jigging with Roberto Navarro and participated to the 5th Jigging tournament in Playa del carmen. That was a great event, lot of big fish, well organized, new fishermen, new friends. Absolutely awesome !
Some pictures of the rest of the week and our night fishing trip for Jack crevalle.
Paul said: We had a fantastic time with you and Tony this morning. Here are a couple pictures to enjoy. Thank You again for everything
Other pictures
Where to stay
Ideally, it's better staying in Playa del Carmen near 1st Avenue and 10th Street. You will be near of departure point and you will have access to all the facilities of Playa del Carmen downtown. (Hotel, restaurant, entertainment). The other option is staying in one of the many resorts of Mayan riviera, for against, you need to take a cab or rent a car to reach PDC. During my trip in June, I was at Mayakoba 10 km from Playa del Carmen, I rented a car and it was very easy to get around, safe road, good indication. The airport car rental was organized and price was fair.
Reservation
For reservation, send an email to Roberto Navarro with your name, your fishing date. During the high season, it's always better reserve in advance. I am in copy of your E-mail, I have access to Roberto's schedul in case you can't reach him.
More information
Different lures weights can be used depending of the current strength and depth. Ideal lures weight varies from 150 to 250 grams (long model). Therefore, leader size will change depending on your jig size. Try to keep the jig most vertical as possible. If you don't touch the bottom with your jig, that's mean your jig is fluttering. Change jig size or lower the leader size, use fluorocabon leader on small jig, big nylon leader on large jig. Remember, more your lure is heavy, more sports will be your fishing.
We used "PR Knot" to connect the braid to the leader; a "Chain knot or clinch knot" to connect lure to the leader. The length of the leader is about ten feet.
Learn more about JIGGING fishing, take on look on Vertical jigging technics
Video
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