Great day on the water with Alejandro. We hooked up with three nice size dorados and some others. He was professional, the boat was clean, and Jose the owner is responsive with his communication. Book with confidence!

Our first trip was planned according to best season to come fishing. We are so happy to have fished with Juan Carlos. He is a professional and a skilled Capitan. He knew what fish were biting without even seeing them , he knew the spots where to go and when the fish were biting. His amazing, he helped us experience La Paz fishing how it’s meant to be experienced. So pleased with him and his boat. Gracias amigo, we will see you next year… counting down the days to experience this again.

Caught two mahi mahi, a bonito, trumpetfish, and needlefish. It was an amazing experience. Stopped by Balandra beach on the way back and had mahi mahi for dinner. 10/10 fun

La Shina offers a fishing experience that may not suit everyone, particularly those with specific expectations or needs for their trip. It’s crucial to communicate your requirements clearly with the captain ahead of time to ensure that he can accommodate them. Additionally, it’s advisable to request a detailed breakdown of any extra costs you might incur on the day of your outing. While my experience was not entirely negative, there were several lessons learned that could have enhanced the overall trip.

Communication with the captain was somewhat average. Although he provided a link for purchasing our own fishing licenses, I would have appreciated receiving this information earlier. The captain’s website indicated that he accepted credit cards, yet when I attempted to pay with mine, he informed me that only cash was accepted as he had forgotten his credit card reader at home. Furthermore, both my father and I felt that the captain was occasionally short with us. For instance, when we asked to use one of his fishing poles for our reel or requested some fishing line to replace our broken leader, his responses were curt and dismissive.

The fishing equipment provided was well-used and could have benefited from an upgrade. Some of the rods were in poor condition, with one missing an eyelet, and the reels and fish finder appeared dated. These details became significant as the trip progressed. However, the essentials were in place: the boat was seaworthy, the engine was strong, and the live well functioned adequately. While the equipment could have been better, it was sufficient for a day on the water.

Overall, the captain’s hands-on approach to fishing was evident throughout our trip. He handled everything from catching bait to setting the hook before passing the rod to us. Despite expressing our experience in both freshwater and saltwater fishing, he continued to take charge of the process. My father and I managed to catch a few fish, and we made the most of our time, particularly enjoying the stunning coastal views of La Paz. If you’re a novice angler seeking a straightforward fishing outing where all you need to do is reel in your catch, this charter may be well-suited for you. However, for more experienced fishermen looking for an engaging and responsive captain, it might be best to consider other options.

Meh. 
If you want the possibility of reeling up a couple big fish without any extra fun, excitement, or adventure, then this charter may be fine for you. But this is, at best, a “reeling” trip, ie. if you get a fish you can reel it up.  Nothing else.

Booking was easy, contact with the owner was smooth, pick up the morning of, fine.
We boarded then took the boat to Tecolote where the captain caught mackerel for bait.  To improve this trip, when the mackerel are biting the way they were that day, let the kids take a turn.  My son would have liked fishing right there as the mackerel were coming up 4 at a time.  We bought sardines from a guy there and luckily were not asked for money (which many charter guests report as a hidden cost from other charter companies, so that was good).  Then we took a long ride out toward the mouth of the bay and the island. 

We did both live bait (slow trolling) and lures (fast trolling), but mostly we just sat there for 8 hours.  The captain of the boat got the gear ready, baited the hooks, cast them out, and if there was a bite, he set the hook.  Once done, he let my son reel in the fish.  Maybe this is exciting for some, and if so, go for it.  But we fish a lot and like the full experience.  We were never offered the opportunity to do anything but sit, and on 3 occasions in 8 hours, reel.  My son caught a shark which we released, a small tuna and a large dorado.  The dorado gave a good fight and my son enjoyed the thrill of the fight.

At the end of the trip the captain filleted the fish and asked us if we wanted any.  We did, as the restaurant at the pier will prepare different dishes for you.  He gave us two small pieces from what I could only guess was a 40 lbs dorado.  When I walked to the restaurant the main guy there said to go get some more fish as the amount we had was not really enough for more than one dish.  I walked back to the boat to ask for two more and the captain gave us two very small tail pieces and kept 8 massive midsection fillets as big as my face for himself.  (This, after giving him a substantial tip.)

Finally at the end, we had to pay the remaining balance.  I noticed on my credit card that I was charged $18 more than I owed.  I reached out to the owner who said the difference was a 5% charge for using my credit card.  I guess it adds up correctly, but those type of things should explicitly explained before booking.  No big deal, but irritating. 

The lunch that was prepared for us by the nearby restaurant was exceptional and reasonably priced for the preparation and service. 

All in all we had a good day, but mostly in spite of the charter service, not because of it.  If you decide to go with this company because of the lower costs compared to most other charters, you will be fine.  But don’t expect much.