Super Pangas -- long range tuna trips up to four people; offshore trips to four people.

Fishing Overview:

The unusually varied marine environment, created by the intersection of the Pacific and the three bays, makes the San Quintin coast an excellent area for surf casting and inshore fishing.  Because the entrance to the two inner bays, Bahia Falsa and Bahia San Quintin (Puerto San Quintin), is blocked by steady surf year-round, the bays are inaccessible to commercial fishing fleets.  This means more game-fish available for casual anglers, who can launch small boats from inside or from the Pacific shore.

In general, San Quintin attracts the same fish species found north to Ensenada - except they're more highly concentrated here.  Flatfish are common in the shallows of the inner bays, bottom-fish in the deeper sections.  The channel near the bay entrance is reportedly good for large halibut; live mackerel is the recommended bait.  Perch and croaker run along the Pacific beaches.  According to several sources, nowhere in their range are croakers as large as the ones typically caught along San Quintin's beaches.  El Socorro, 27 km (17 miles) south of Lázaro Cárdenas, is known for surf fishing and has attracted a small group of devoted gringo anglers who maintain homes there.

Further out in the Pacific, particularly near the south end of volcanic Isla San Martin and at the tip of Cabo San Quintin, yellowtail, yellowfin, white and black sea bass, rock cod, and lingcod are common - in season, of course, and to properly equipped anglers.  Tuna and dorado are occasionally caught.  Isla San Martin features a fish camp and mussel farm; sheltered achorages are possible in two coves, one at either side of a rocky cape at the southwest end of the island.  if you plan to camp on the island, bring all supplies and fresh water needed for your stay.  Sturdy hiking shoes are necessary if you plan to explore San Martin; volcanic rock and cactus thorns will destroy the average pair of sneakers.

The Old Mill, the Old Pier, or Campo Lorenzo can arrange guided fishing trips.  You can rent light fishing tackle at the Hotel La Pinta.

Clamming:

All three bays are well-endowed with clams and mussels.  The easiest and most scenic spot for digging up large pismo clams is Playa Santa Maria, behind Hotel La Pinta.  If you come here at low tide, you'll most likely join a legion of local clam-diggers.  You can use your fingers to dig the huge clams out of the sand, or bring along a mesh bag and pitchfork - available in Lázaro Cárdenas - as the locals do.  A pro threshes the sand at the surf line with a pitchfork, tossing the clams into a bag tied around his waist.  A mesh bag works best because it holds the clams but allows water and sand to drain away.  Remember not to take more clams than you can eat that day, and don't take clams smaller than your hand.