WOMEN’SOUTDOORSNEWS January 2014
importantly wanted LG to have fun. He didn’t want her
turning green and being sick the entire time. He opted
for a larger boat that would be more stable on the water.
LG and I, of course, wanted to catch the biggest trophy
fish in the sea, but since it was not season for giant
marlin, we opted for anything bigger than what we had
caught in our prior salt-water fishing adventures. With a
few expectations set, we sent Hank on his way to barter
for a Mia & the Little Gal-style fishing trip.
Hank met many people who offered fishing trips along
the marina. Some would include bait, some not. Some
had the fastest boat, some had the safest boat and
others guaranteed the impossible. Then he met a man
who knew a man. Through him, he booked a trip with
Captain Alfredo Ocaranza Zuñiga. This captain is a
native to the area and has guided sport-fishing on his
own boat and others for nearly 40 years. Zuñiga is a 2time champion in the International Tournament of Marlin
and Fish Watches in Port Vallarta. More importantly, we
learned his goal is for his clients to be successful in
catching fi sh.
Alfredo and his first mate met us on the docks before
sun-up. At a balmy 70 degrees, we were happy to not be
bundled up in winter gear and excited to meet this
famous captain. We briefly chatted about what we
wanted to catch and before we knew it, the marina and
other fishing boats were behind us.
We’re off!
I have to add in another angle to this angler story. LG
was extra happy to be going on this trip because her
school science teacher had presented the kids with a
contest for the week. He was going to give awards to the
student(s) that caught the first fish, the most fish, the
largest fish and the smallest fish. LG was off to work on
winning this contest.
With lines in the water, we trolled for bait. (Refer to my
prior statement, when booking a trip, ask if bait is
included.) We wanted to catch as many fish as possible
— from small to large. LG reeled in fish after fish, as she
caught our bait. The first mate looked at us as though we
were insane as we asked to take pictures with each bait
fish that looked possibly smaller than the last. She and I
decided he was probably used to men who only wanted
to reel in record-breaking blue marlin. We giggled each
time she pulled one in and he shook his head.
Before long we were chasing the flocks of sea-going
birds and looking for “real” fish. We watched as we left
other fishing boats in the “wake” and our captain raced
to a feeding area. We could see fish rising around us
and hoped it would not be long.
Then one took the bait. LG was positioned in her chair.
She held the rod tight and heaved and ho-ed as she
reeled in a fish. The fight was on. She pulled and
tugged. She would bring the fish close to the boat and
then her jaw would drop as the fish would take the line
and run. Her determination exploded as she waited,
caught her breath and then began the fight again. Her
little biceps bulged and she snarled and growled as she
worked the fish in. LG kept pulling and tugging until the
first mate finally told her to hold it. He brought the fish
aboard and she grinned from ear to ear. She had caught
her largest fish to date. A 40-pound jack crevasse.
With smiles, high fives and hugs, we went back to work.
Work? Yes. I am calling it work. With all the activities we
do we thought we were in pretty good shape. Good
shape that is until you have to fight a huge fish on your
line. Our biceps burned, legs looked for traction and our
soft hands screamed. That LG is one tough gal!
That beautiful day LG and I reeled in a total of 6 of those
fish. We cheered and the captain, first mate and Hank
laughed at us as we caught our “BIGGEST FISH EVER!”
She ended the day with a total of 12 baitfish, and 4 jack
crevalle; the largest was over 60 pounds. At school she
won 2 of the 4 categories in her school contest, most fish
and biggest fish.
What now?
Now, after burning biceps, excitement and fun, our
bucket lists have grown. We are training for what we
hope will be our next family vacation. We hope it will be
a sport-fishing adventure including a chase of dorado,
tuna and of course, marlin. Our work is never done, and
of course the early bird gets a big fish.
What outdoor adventures would you
like to see covered at The WON. Let us
know! [email protected]
did you
know?
According to a survey by
the National Shooting
Sports Foundation, 37
percent of new target
shooters are
female.
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