Get ready for an epic Creel adventure in paradise. . . .
East Cape of Baja, Ensenada Los Muertos, B.C.S. MX
“BROS WEEK”
A uniquely special, invitation-only Travel Creel Hospitality experience
Designed with each of you in mind, “Bros Week” came out of an open block we decided to bring friends along for rather than run our standard program. Because we want to kick back in Baja, too!
So what makes it different?
Each evening, after we get back from dinner out as a group, we will set out supplies for you to craft your own signature sandwich or lunch item. We provide Yeti lunchboxes and ice packs, you’ll load up on snacks and beverages to your liking. Don’t forget to check the board for the next day’s fishing assignments. Pour yourself a cocktail or crack open a beer and relax on the covered patio or slink down to the pool for a night swim before turning in for the night in your suite, each with a private bathroom.
We will shuttle everyone off to meet the guides each morning, cruising along Ensenada de Muertos to the hectic boat ramp where our renowned head guide Juan Lucero and his family-member crew of guides always get priority. Head out and spend each day catching a variety of bucket-list worthy species.
This information can also be found in the printable planner in the link below, along with detailed gear and packing lists.
TRAVEL INFO
Our beautiful lodge is a villa in La Ventana. The closest major city is La Paz.
La Paz International Airport (LAP) is about an hour from the lodge, Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is 2.5 hours south. Both airports offer regular flights in and out of various US airports, with Cabo providing more options for direct flights and total flights offered. Flying in and out of La Paz often means a layover in Mexico City.
Plan your flights accordingly:
If flying into La Paz: Your flight needs to arrive between 1-4 pm.
If flying into Cabo: Your flight needs to arrive between 10 am - 2 pm.
If flying out of La Paz: Your flight needs to leave before 12 pm.
If flying out of Cabo: Your flight needs to leave after 12 pm.
We are happy to assist you in finding the best flight option, don’t hesitate to email Samantha@travelcreel.com for help. Make sure to fill out the TRAVEL DETAILS once you have your flights booked.
PLEASE BE SURE WE HAVE YOUR CURRENT INFO SAVED IN OUR “CLIENT INTAKE FORM” SO THAT WE CAN NOTE ANY ALLERGIES OR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS!
Documentation
Travelers must have a valid passport that does not expire within 6 months of trip date, must have 2 blank unstamped pages, must not be damaged.
-U.S. Citizens traveling to Mexico for under 180 days are NOT REQUIRED to get a VISA.
NEW INFO!!!!!
- Regardless of your method of travel, you will need to fill out The Mexico FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple, also known as the Mexican Tourist Card)
Your airline may no longer supply the written version of this form. Mexican authorities require that you submit this form electronically.
-I have created an instructional document that contains this info and the link for filling out this form. This Google Doc can be found by clicking HERE.-
We highly recommend you also pre-register for your digital copy of the FMM, as you will submit the form using the instructions outlined in the previous link above, then upon arrival in Mexico, your Tourist Card will be generated. Some airports may ask foryour FMM/FMMD/FMME upon departure, and this account is where you will have a copy of this stored.
Please use this link to find a second Google Doc with the instructions for this account creation outlined for you.
You’ve arrived….
Take a tour of the spacious villa, check out the stairs to the private beach below, spot fish from right in the yard, and get shown to your room. Make yourself at home, we are sharing this space like family. Your shuttle in will have stopped off so you can buy booze on your way in, remember it is BYOB. Pour yourself a refreshing Ranch Water or Margarita and head to your assigned room to freshen up. Dinner is out at a local restaurant around 5-5:30 pm.*
*The price of every group dinner out is already included in the total you paid for your spot. Enjoy yourself and we will take care of the tab! The second night, we usually do dinner in, feel free to jump in wherever and help- that makes it even more fun! The last night we will host a BBQ for the guides and their families to take a load off and enjoy a celebration for all of us together in paradise!
The Fishing
We shuttle the group to the boat ramp each morning, located about a 30 minute drive around Ensenada Los Muertos, The Bay of the Dead. Don’t let the name fool you, it is truly paradise. We will put up an array of breakfast items each morning for you to enjoy, along with freshly brewed coffee.
Fishing is done on pangas with head guide Juan Lucero and his guide team, all are also his family members. Juan and his family have been guiding in the area for years and are regarded as some of the best in all of Mexico! You’ve hit the jackpot with Juan and his crew.
The boat ramp can be chaotic, just don’t stress. This is their daily dance, and there is a hierarchy, which Juan is at the top of. Guide assignments are posted by each evening on the board downstairs. Your partner for the day and you load into your assigned panga, and head out.
Your guide will start by loading your boat up with bait. Live bait and other tactics are used to lure fish and create a feeding frenzy within casting distance.
Bait is not included, please budget 25-50$ per day per person for bait. You will need to bring cash each day to give to your guide to pay for your day’s bait.
Bring your camera! Dolphins, manta rays, whales... the Sea of Cortez is full of life. Your guide will get you into “the zone” and the thrill begins… Roosterfish are the target, but wahoo, dorado, jacks, grouper and even tuna are regularly caught all over the East Cape. As the guide idles the motor down, get ready to fish. Be able to cast far and retrieve your fly with a 2 handed strip… Practice at home in advance.
Fishing each day will last until the wind kicks up in the afternoon or bait is gone, whichever comes first.
Please practice casting before you get to Baja!
Throwing a 10 to 12 wt all day is important to your success on the water. You will need to cast on command and strip your fly extremely fast.
- Mexican Fishing License -
Please purchase your Mexican fishing license prior to the trip.
Head to this link, https://www.mexpermits.com/ and purchase the 1 week license.
If you have questions or need assistance with this please let us know.
- Gear -
Gear, including flies, is your responsibility to bring. None will be provided for you. If you need help picking out gear for the trip
Bring: 10 to 12 weight rods, with large arbor salt water reels, with the lines listed below and 250 yards of backing.
You will need to bring these 2 lines in a weight to match your rod:
-Tropical saltwater intermediate line
-Tropical outbound short sinking line
It is important to make sure you have the correct gear on hand, we are happy to assist you in finding anything you may need, just let us know!
Please see the bottom of our printable trip planner for our full gear list
We have collaborated with our friend at UM_A_MI FLY COMPANY to offer an exclusive collection of Roosterfish flies, approved by our head guide, Juan Lucero.
Click the link below and head to our special order form, before it’s too late!
Orders MUST be placed by April 1st, 2025 in order to be guaranteed for our East Cape trip.
Orders can be shipped to you or to TCH headquarters- where we will load your flies up to be waiting for you to arrive South of the border!
Travel Insurance
TCH Highly recommends travel insurance for all your adventures.
Please reach out to us if you need assistance choosing the best plan for your needs.
- THE EXPERIENCE -
A MORE CASUAL CREEL ADVENTURE
Our East Cape lodge is an expansive 6 bedroom villa on the sparkling Sea of Cortez in the town of La Ventana. Features of the property include private bathrooms in each guestroom, a pool with a swim up bar area that backs up to a gazebo covered patio complete with bathrooms and showers, a hammock and bench swing. The expansive upper porch will hold coolers always filled with ice to keep the booze you bring in nice and cold with plenty of seating options and tables to spread out while you prep your gear for the next day.
There is an adorable little coffee shop right out the front property gate, with tasty treats and a killer
affogato….
Each morning, we will set out an assortment of make-your-own breakfast items. If you want an omelette or eggs, have at it! Fresh fruit, pastries, cereal and of course, COFFEE will all be at your fingertips.
We provide Yeti lunchboxes, each night after we return from our group dinner out, we will lay out all the goodies for you to create your own masterpiece, wrap it up, write your name on it and pop it in the fridge. In the morning you will load it into your lunchbox with an ice pack and any beverages you desire for your fun in the sun. We institute our “Reduce-Single-Use” program, where you will each be assigned one of our insulated TCH Yeti water bottles to refill with filtered water. Sodas and sparkling water are also provided at the lodge. Make sure your ice pack makes it back to the freezer at the end of each day so it is ready to keep your food cold the next!
If you would like to bring beer or booze with you on the boat, it is a good idea to bring a small soft cooler along that you can load up each day.
Most nights, group dinners are held at local restaurants in La Ventana or neighboring El Sargento, we take care of the bill, that’s included in the price of your spot.
Long hours of travel and the first full day of fishing usually catch up with everyone by the second afternoon, so we put together a fun meal in the lodge, served family style. Feel free to jump in and help set the tables, with dishes, mixing cocktails or wherever you are best suited. It helps keep the atmosphere light and fun.
Play by play of each glorious fishing day….
4:30 am- Rise early each morning, come on downstairs and help yourself to a cup of coffee or matte.
5:00am- Make your breakfast, go all out with a breakfast wrap or burrito in a local, freshly made tortilla or keep it simple with fruit and granola or cereal.
5:30am- Grab your lunchbox and load it with snacks from the baskets on the living room coffee table to have on the boat. Head out front to our vehicles and load up your gear and hop in.
5:40am- Sit back and relax for the 30 or so minute ride to the boat ramp, cruising along the beautiful Bahia De Los Muertos.
6:15am- Arrive to meet the guides as they launch the boats and head out. First stop is bait boats, remember your cash to buy bait. Then spend each epic day fishing.
1:30pm- The bait is usually all gone around now, odds are high you have pulled in enough fish to be ready to head in for the day.
2:00pm- Load back into our vehicles to be shuttled back to the lodge. If anyone wants to stop at Lighthouse Beach to walk the sand and go after fish in the waves, we are happy to arrange a pit stop. Otherwise return to the lodge so you can spend the afternoon floating in the pool or chilling on the lodge’s private beach. Wash the sand and saltwater off your gear and chill for a bit.
5:00pm- Most nights, we cruise out to our reservation at a local restaurant, where we start the table off with a few of our favorite appetizers, order cocktails, and enjoy our evenings supporting local businesses.
*Night two is usually a fun, family effort to put out a family-style dinner for us all to enjoy together.
We hold a BBQ the last night for all the guides and their families to come by and hang out. It is our thank-you to our East Cape Creel Crew, and it is a memorable experience for all.*
7:30pm- Land back at the lodge, check the next day’s fishing assignments on the board on the shelf in the living room, help yourself to the spread we will lay out to make your lunch for the next day. Sip another cocktail, or two, on the patio or walking along the beach below.
The best kind of vacation…..
Eat. Sleep. Fish. Repeat.
- Departure -
We will have items up for you to situate yourself a grab-and-go breakfast in time for the shuttle ride we have arranged for you to the airport.
If you flying out of Cabo, book your return flight to take off after 12 pm.
If flying out of La Paz then your flight needs to take off before noon
On your scheduled day of departure, make sure to book your flights accordingly or your shuttle ride may result in an additional fee. Please be sure to tip your shuttle driver to and from the airport in cash.
Almost everyone and everywhere in Baja California Sur will take U.S. dollars as payment, but consider making arrangements prior to your trip to have pesos on hand for local shops, though many will take cards also. The exchange rate can fluctuate and you will be charged fees when paying in U.S. dollars in many places.
If you have made other arrangements, such as extending your stay in La Paz or Cabo, please let us know. We will arrange a shuttle to either airport for you based on the timing outlined above, and the rest is up to you!
- What’s included in Bros Week?-
- 5 nights of accommodations at our gorgeous lodge
- 4 days of epic fishing with the area’s best family of guides
- Lodge stocked with items for you to make your own breakfast and lunch plus snacks galore
- Airport shuttles, if travel is arranged within designated times (see travel info listed above)
- A family-style dinner at the lodge
- The big BBQ where we host our guides and their families
- Non-alcoholic beverages (soda, sparkling water, filtered water to refill your designated insulated water bottle*)
*Insulated TCH/Yeti water bottles are loaned to you for your use during your stay with us in an effort to reduce single use plastic consumption. Return yours at the end of the trip, but we will also have some cups available for purchase as well!
- What’s not included in Bros Week? -
- Airfare and travel expenses
- Booze (Though the first bottle of tequila is on us!)
- Gear, terminal tackle and flies - you will need to bring your own. We are happy to help you get set up prior to the trip, just drop us a line
- Bait (budget $25-50/person/day)
- Fishing license
- Gratuity for guides, lodge staff and airport shuttle drivers
*Gratuity is a personal decision based on your experience with the service you have received.
Cash to bring for gratuity
Guides- $75 to 100/person/day in cash (U.S. dollars), pool your tips with your fishing partner and hand to the guide at the end of each day of fishing.
Airport shuttle drivers- $20-30/person/ride in cash (U.S. dollars)
Lodge staff- While Bros Week is not the full, fancier side of Travel Creel, we do still work hard to supply our signature brand of Hospitality. Tip in cash as you see fit, and we also offer our Cashless Creel Crew link in the departure day email you will receive if you find yourself wanting to tip but low on paper money…
Other Cash to bring
- There is a restaurant at the boat ramp where you may want to have a margarita after your day of fishing!
- You may see a road side stand with a nice sombrero, or other trinkets... let us know if you want to make a stop on the way back to the lodge from fishing or after freshening up before we head to dinner **pesos can come in handy for this**
- Most places will take cards, but it never hurts to have some extra cash handy.