Tony Aguayo (tel. 323/285-0364) and Ricardo “Pato” Murillo (tel. 323/285-1281) are highly recommended to lead big-game deep-sea fishing excursions. Tony’s “office” is the palapa shelter to the left of the little dock at the foot of Calle Juárez near the El Pozo estuary. Both Tony and Pato regularly captain big-boat excursions for tough-fighting marlin, dorado, and sailfish. Their fee will run about $300 for a seven-hour expedition for up to three people, including big boat, tackle, and bait.

On the other hand, a number of other good-eating fish are not so difficult to catch. Check with Tony or other captains, such as Antonio Palmas at the Hotel Garza Canela or one of the owners of the many craft docked by the estuary shoreline at the foot of Juárez. For perhaps $150, they’ll take three or four of you for a lancha outing, which most likely will result in four or five hefty 10-pound snapper, mackerel, tuna, or yellowtail; afterward you can ask your favorite restaurant to cook them for a feast.

During the last few days in May, San Blas hosts its long-running (30-plus years) International Fishing Tournament. The entrance fee runs around $600; prizes vary from automobiles to Mercury outboards and Penn International fishing rods. For more information, contact Tony Aguayo or Pato Murillo, or ask at the local tourist information office, downtown at the Presidencia Municipal.