Appreciate all the responses and recommendations. Super mellow trip and heavier on the relaxation side of things than the surf froth I'm used to when travelling. One of our party has been working hedge funds in NYC for the last 20 years and had zero interest in paddling out. Felt kind of bad watching him swim to shore from our panga taxis and scramble up the rocky shoreline to watch the rest of us surf in the baking sun while he tended foot cuts, so we focused on some shoreline fishing and more touristy stuff instead.
Did get into some waning south swell in the chest to head high range early in the trip at a couple of new spots for me, and a couple of other spots I hadn't laid eyes on since 2004 or so. Lot of changes have taken place down there in that time frame. Sayulita is an absolute cluster fuck. The saving grace of the crowds was that they were primarily Mexicans enjoying their Independence holiday and mostly families smiling and in good spirits. Still a fair share of the top knotted yoga gringos stereotyping all over the place. Highlights were:
- Making our way into some more secluded coastlines and casting rapalas/camaron bait rigs for pargo and grey barred grunts from rocky outcroppings. Threw most back, but kept a few for some meals at the casita with store bought fresh corn tortillas and beans. Made fresh pico and roasted salsas every day. Lots of fresh camarones for apps as well.
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@BR the Islas Marietas trip was great and fun to play tourist gringos for the day. The snorkeling, swimming into the "secret beach" through the keyhole, and seeing blue footed boobies for the first time in person was super rad. COVID clinic testing/clinics were super easy to navigate and everyone down there was super cool and friendly. 5/7 would bang again.
Only downside is that by going to Mexico, we all died.
Some pics:
San Francisco (San Pancho)
Fresh produce/fruit for breakfast and salsas
Goats because why not
San Pancho lagoon with some Black Crowned Night Herons fishing
Isla Marietas with Blue Footed Boobies roosting
Rufous Bellied Chacalacas. Kind of a cross between a small turkey and quail. Cool birds that always traveled in a packs of 6-10.
Grey Barred Grunt. First time catching these and happy to report they taste as good as they look fried mojarra style