The captains of the Barra boat cooperative, Sociedad Cooperativa de Servicios Turísticos (Av. Veracruz 40, tel. 315/354-3792 or 044-315/354-3792), routinely take parties on successful marlin and swordfish hunts for about $28 per hour, including bait and tackle. Ask at their lagoonside office-dock. Alternatively, you can arrange a fishing trip through highly recommended Z Pesca sportfishing (reservations office, Hotel Alondra, no. 8, tel. 315/355-6464, U.S. tel. 949/643-1560, fax 949/643-8825, www.zpesca.com), whose boat dock tackle shop and office are staffed by Captain Chaparro at Tampico 71. Depending on the size of the craft, their fees run from about $200 and up. If the above aren’t available, Sea to Sierra Outdoor Adventures (Av. Veracruz 204, tel. 315/355-5790, www.seatosierra.com) will probably be able to arrange a fishing excursion for you.

Fishing trips will typically net a number of large dorado, albacore, snapper, or other delicious eating fish. Local restaurants will generally cook a banquet for you and your friends if you give them the extra fish caught during such an outing.

If you’d like to enter one of a pair of annual Barra de Navidad International Fishing Tournaments (billfish, tuna, and dorado in Jan. and May; father and son/daughter tournament in Jan.), contact captain Chaparro of Z Pesca (tel. 315/355-6464, U.S. tel. 949/643-1560, fax 949/643-8825, www.zpesca.com, Tampico 71) or the tourist information office.