Any Tips for a Cozumel Fishing Charter?

[The Bill TM]

I am making a last minute trip down to Cozumel with the wife on the 16th-21st. I have never been there and want to charter a boat for a full day trip. I wouldn't be opposed to an open boat trip either. Anyone ever go fishing down there and have some suggestions or tips or even just what to expect?

[frugalfisherman]

There are some scary rip-offs down there. Stick to watching the babes on the beach and fish when you get home.

[joec]

A lot of gimmicks down there. Chartered a boat out of a marina near Playa Del Carmen back in Aug 2011. Was a really long and hot boat ride. Do your research and know exactly what is running that time of year.

[CatchEmUp]

I'll add to the cautionary tales. This is from several years ago, but there's a charter shop right off the main drag. Looks good from the outside, nice paintings of big game fish. I set up a guided trip. I was fly fishing - targeting mainly bonefish and permit on the flats. The guide was just awful - spooked every fish we saw and then HE started fishing with a spinning outfit and hooks into a small 'cuda to prove to me there were fish in the water. Let's just say that we had a few words in spanish and english about what I was paying him to do.

So then he takes me to a 'secret cove' that he says we need to walk to. He beaches the boat and we proceed to embark on a 45 minutes hike to a fishless puddle. Worst experience fishing of my life.

If I were you I'd consider just taking a 8 to 9 foot light spinning outfit and throw metal, topwaters and small swimmers from shore.

[SaltLife1980]

Gotta be careful down there lots of shady boats

["Reef Donkey"]

Was there 10 years ago pd $250 right off the cruise ship caught bunch of mahi, couple cuda and a sailfish...wasn't the most professional boat i've been on lol