ATLANTIC MEXICO SNOOK FISHING TOURNAMENT

Feb. 25, 2007, Restaurant El Manglar, David Burns, Tecolutla, Veracruz, Mexico:

Mexican Atlantic coast fishing in the Tecolutla area has been hot for the better part of two weeks now. Every able bodied man was out in any water worthy boat using line and hook, or one of the many types of nets, in pursuit of the plethora of fish. I don't have any specific numbers to report but anyone I've spoken to flashes a big grin and tells me that the boat was full.

On Monday, while hitchhiking, I did get a ride in the back of a pickup truck that had around 30 blacktipped sharks caught during an overnight fishing foray into the Gulf of Mexico by a couple of Mexican fishermen. They were on their way to the local commercial fishing coop with their catch, that would eventually be shipped for sale to Mexico City, and then after gathering provisions they were heading back out again.

Here are the details of our annual Robalo (Snook) Fishing Tournament:

I should begin by stating that last year's winning fish was a monster that weighed in over eight kilos, or about 18 pounds.

The Tecolutla Sport Fishing Association will host its annual snook tournament on the river Tecolutla from March 15th to March 17th.

The entry fee is $1,500 pesos, or $137 U.S. There are many prizes awarded including a new car which goes to the fisherman who lands the biggest Snook during the three fishing days. You can hire a captain-guide and his boat for $3,000 pesos, or $275 U.S., for the three fishing days. The boats are small and limited to 2 fishermen each, or I can arrange for an individual to fish with a previous tournament champion for $1,500 pesos.

Hotel rooms at Tecolutla are available for $80 pesos, or $7.25 U.S., per night for one person or $150 pesos, $13.70 U.S., for two persons. The rooms are clean and simple, with 2 twin beds, color TV with cable, a ceiling fan, and a private en suite bathroom with hot water.

Of course I recommend eating at our restaurant El Manglar in Tecolutla where delicious fresh food is served for ridiculously low prices. Anyone requiring further information should contact me by email, senorburnsy@hotmail.com, or telephone, 011-52-766-846-0515.

Earlier this week, I fished a remote beach on the other side of the river and Tuesday around 1 p.m. in the afternoon was rewarded with a nice 900-gram (just under two pounds) Pompano.

I was using a 14 foot rod, a Penn 9500SS reel, and my standard top and bottom rig with a 5-ounce pyramid weight and #4 treble hooks baited with dried shrimp.

My fishing buddy Gary, from the north shore of Minnesota, and I caught several other species while fishing but I don't want to talk about the much larger Pompano that unhooked itself early Wednesday morning as she hit the beach. More Pompano reports to follow.

That's it for this week from Teco.