Picante Bluewater Sportfishing, Cabo San Lucas

I wouldn't say these guys are "no bueno",but sometimes you just gotta accept that things in Mexico are different than they are in the states. A buddy and I charted a small boat for the day, the captain came late and looked a bit hungover. After messing around a bit, we stopped at the little store before we headed out, and our captain proceeded to buy some zig-zags. He was ripping high the entire trip. He was a bit of a prick too, killed the Marlin we caught and kept it for himself, talked down to us, and made me steer the boat home so he could fillet the Marlin before we got back. He did this so he wouldn't get in trouble. Also wanted a tip, but I remembered that tipping is optional in Mexico. We did catch fish, so he did do his job, but not the best experience though.

Unless you are a die-hard, willing-to-die-fisherman do not use Picante. They took my family on a very, very dangerous ride and my boys who have fished the Gulf, the Atlantic and from Porto Allegre Brazil, were scared to death. They never warned us of the rough surf conditions that day. They never told us the itinerary or covered any safety procedures. They just left the dock and took us 40 miles out from shore in 20+ foot waves with the two fisherman up on the crow's nest and us bouncing around and holding on for dear life. We were left alone for over an hour in that surf. I had to pick up the radio screaming for help when my son became so ill his eyes rolled back in his head. We never dropped a hook in the water, and then they left 4 people, one 10 year old who truly needed medical attention, on the dock and showed us where to walk to get a cab. We returned to the hotel to learn other fishing companies cancelled that day or changed itinerary only to Cortez and not the Pacific because of the dangerous conditions. Picante on the other hand, demonstrated no respect or regard for the safety of their customers.

Been chartering fishing trips in Mexico for 15 years. I've always gone with the lower priced trips. The boats are smaller and slower but everything else has been the same. I usually pay 4 bills or so for the day. This trip I wanted it all. Figured paying $1300 for the day would give me an attentive crew, fluent in english. Not. It was no different than the low budget operations. Except for the coffee and roll we got upon boarding. I know there is a quality outfit in Cabo. In the 6 years I've been going there, I just haven't found it. Get what you pay for...not always.

Fastest to the fish and an experienced, friendly crew. They know where the fish are and will put you right on top of them. 2 days of fishing produced 7 marlin, 6 dorado, 1 sailfish, 1 wahoo, and a mako. The marlin and sailfish were released at the side of the boat.

These guys are the best. Boats and equipment are in very good condition. Crews are experienced and polite. Boats are fatst so you get to where the fish are vey quickly. The rates are at the top end of the scale but it is worth it. Have chartered three times (1 day each) and caught 4 striped marlin the first trip(2004), 5 the second trip(2005) and 4 the third trip(2006)!

You get what you pay for and in the case of Picante, I got more. A great operation and I'll be back. There is no "down" side.