Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa's Catch & Release Sportfishing Fleet
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Adolpho
Just average
The location was the imposing and very dangerous rocky point dividing Playa Linda and the stretch of palm lined beach defined by Playa Pantla and Playa Buena Vista. The swells were moderate, but as they ended their thousands of mile journey by crashing on the rocky shoreline, the spray was reaching heights of 30 feet or more. We were on the panga Dos Hermanos and only a few feet from the back side of the crashing olas. Our quarry was roosterfish.
As a veteran to this stretch of dangerous coast, and the quarry we pursued, we were within a boat length of the exact location, of just two years ago, when I almost had a serious mishap. Martin, on the panga Isamar, and I were fishing with clients when a series of big rollers swept in on us; just as we were setting the hook on a pair of roosters. Almost too late we saw the formed waves looming above us. Martin gunned the engine and the bow of Isamar shot vertical. We went air borne, yet we were out of danger. But, the force of the impact had jarred us so hard, the entire superstructure of the cabin had broken loose.
Today, even though I was keeping a watchful eye towards the mischievous olas, our captain seemed to be not in the least bit worried. My two fly fishing clients, brothers Todd and Scott Hood, wanted to try for roosterfish on the fly rod. Unlike a sailfish, where you can tease them back to the boat several times until you get the sail to take the fly, you only get one shot at a rooster. To be productive, and have a chance at just catching one roosterfish on a fly, I felt we needed one of the best roosterfish captains in the world.
Adolpho Espinosa is only 33 years old, yet has a lifetime of accomplishments in his pursuit of the roosterfish. He has been featured on ESPN, and has had several magazine articles written about him in industry leaders such as Field and Stream and Salt Water Sportsman. Plus, he also has a large French clientele following and has been written up in about every sport fishing magazine in France. Because of Adolpho’s tanned, yet fair skin and blue eyes, his friends have been calling him Alemán (the German) since childhood.
As he guided the Dos Hermanos along, seemly unconcerned and not a worry in the world, I asked him about the waves. He said; “Not to worry. This is my backyard, and I know it very well”. And, he was correct. As the day progressed, I had never seen a captain who could read water as well as he. When it came to finding fish, he is unparalleled. At one point, I observed some bait fish dimpling the water, and a few birds were circling attentive to what was below. Alemán said; “They are here, get ready”! Sure enough, within a few seconds Todd was fighting our first rooster of the day.
As the day progressed Alemán proved that this was no one time fluke of good luck. He repeatedly told us when the fish were there and ready to bite. We ended up with a fantastic fly rod day of 3 roosters and several jack cravalle.
With his reputation of being a world class fisherman for roosterfish, something that has not been brought to light by most magazine articles, is his outstanding blue water abilities. He is very much one of the best here when it comes to sailfish, marlin, tuna and dorado. Alemán is as good as they get, in an area that is loaded with world class fishermen.
Alemán speaks excellent English and has only one fault that I been able to find. His sole fault is he is so good, and has such a great world wide reputation, he is almost always booked solid several months in advance. I continually get a steady stream of clients who want to fish on the Dos Hermanos, yet I must tell them they needed to have booked six months ago. About the only time of the year he is not booked solid is when the tourist arrivals taper off in the summer months and on through the early fall. But, then again, that is the best time for roosters. Did I mention his sense of humor? It is incredible. He loves life and he loves his work.
He now has added a second boat, Dos Hermanos II, he uses for fly fishing clients. Unlike most pangas here, the Dos Hermanos II does not have a lot of obstructions like rod holders and outriggers for snagging fly lines. Alemán is the consummate professional. He will go to great lengths to be sure his boats and equipment are first class, and are exactly what the client needs.
To contact Adolpho (Alemán) Espinosa direct, call his home number 554-4554 after 6:00 in the evenings, or his cellular phone 044-755-559-3796. His panga charters for $210.00 a day for a normal day of blue water fishing and $240.00 a day for roosterfish.
Ed Kunze
edkunze@gmail.com
011-52-755-554-4876