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California Spearfishing Talk here about spearfishing on California's Pacific Coast, and post those reports and photos! |
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08-04-2019, 01:34 AM | #61 |
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Big Island
Posts: 5,098
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
This thread is a bit Silly. I never been to Palapas Ventana or met Tim Hatler in person, but I've had 100 gun customers go down there to dive over the years and make some outstanding captures such as FAT 252# Yellowfin, 112# Wahoo, Huge Groupers, Marlin, etc..and I've never heard a bad thing. Maybe the diving was just off when you were there or the fish were deeper, or your timing didn't work out, I often go home empty handed when I'm being selective. It does suck that the engines weren't working well, but sometimes Engine shit happens. I've heard worse stories of engine problems in the history of Spearfishing adventures. Tim Hatler built Palapas as a Spearfishing Resort from scratch. He also runs some very productive Liveaboard trips in Mexico and Panama. He hasn't been in business for 20 years because he's a hack and doesn't show his customers a good time. I've never heard a bad report from either Palapas or Punta Mita from anyone I've spoken with and this includes a Lot of people who had a great time and shot a Heap of fish.
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08-04-2019, 11:04 AM | #62 |
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Location: Long Beach
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
You are absolutely correct....although.....I still have lots of popcorn to use up!
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08-05-2019, 12:24 AM | #63 | |
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Location: Downey, CA
Posts: 893
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
Quote:
Never heard of anyone not having a great time at Palapas Ventana with no heap of fish? Well, now you have Pass the popcorn Bob!
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No sea menso mijo, no sea menso!!!!! Last edited by carrasco; 08-05-2019 at 12:34 AM. |
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08-05-2019, 02:20 PM | #64 |
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Posts: 599
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
Never dove with PV personally but I’ve been a huge fan of their flashers. It absolutely blows my mind you didn’t see any game fish. Like...it’s almost impossible. This was a slow day.....
And as for the broken down pangas, I’d say you got lucky. I’ve been in the nicest pangas. I’ve been in the shittiest. I had a panguero run a ground on a reef with no radio. I’ve been in a panga with fiberglass so thin you could see the water underneath. I’ve been in a top of the line panga that the engine stopped working. At the end of the day, yea you may not have a cooler full of fish, but you got to dive CERRALVO! Take the loss like everyone else has their whole lives and don’t let it discourage you for next time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
08-05-2019, 07:21 PM | #65 |
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Downey, CA
Posts: 893
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
First off, I want to say that I appreciate your message.
But man, our definitions of “good luck” differ tremendously! Except when it comes to fish apparently. That is a great hunt! “It absolutely blows my mind you didn’t see any game fish. Like... it’s almost impossible.” I thought the same thing before going there, otherwise, I would not have gone in the first place. Think about it; You have more big fish in the picture than 11 guys got, over the course of three days on five boats at palapas Ventana. That’s not even hit and miss, that’s miss, miss, miss. That’s on top of the boat issues. I don’t care who you are, there is absolutely no way anyone would be happy about that unless they are damn fools. That’s what I mean by “Palapas Ventana flop.” And, I am not discouraged. My friend and I are already booking our next outing to Puerto Vallarta Mexico.
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No sea menso mijo, no sea menso!!!!! Last edited by carrasco; 08-05-2019 at 07:31 PM. |
08-06-2019, 02:37 PM | #66 |
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In the Sea
Posts: 1,716
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
I agree the TV complaint is stupid....it's Baja.
That said, getting charged if you didn't get to dive because of weather or a boat breakdown is not fair business. Im not mad if an engine breaks down because I get it but dont charge me for a charter that didnt happen. You can't charge the client if they couldn't get in the water.
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08-07-2019, 11:33 AM | #67 | |
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Location: Downey, CA
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
Quote:
We did go in the water, but the breakdowns contributed to our lack of success and were a frustration that should not have happened. Consider just how profitable the resort is and how nonsensical it is to run the operation so lean as to use engines that are less than reliable. All claims of daily upkeep and constant maintenance are nullified when two boats break down in a three day period. Our complaint is as a direct result of the operators being flat-out cheap. I would expect an operation that is that profitable to have new engines on their boats at least every three years. I work hard for my money and highly value my time off- I expect most folks are like minded so reviews like these are important in making an educated decision as to whether to go to a particular resort or pass on it. So far through the thread, there are many people who have had a blast there and only a few that have not. This review of the resort should if anything help the place improve and maybe retire engines that are constantly running at the verge of breakdown.
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No sea menso mijo, no sea menso!!!!! |
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08-09-2019, 07:54 AM | #68 | |
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Location: Montreal
Age: 53
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
Quote:
We had a great time every time we went. Been treated great every time. Saw wahoos on every trip. Also did some great reefs. Tim shot a Marlin right next to me. Marlin was swimming @25' My girlfriend spears with me so she was happy. We also saw sealions and whales. Definitely rent a car so you can drive up there and drive around if needed. |
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08-09-2019, 10:20 AM | #69 |
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Location: Downey, CA
Posts: 893
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
Yup,
Definitely more positive experience from members on this board than bad up to this point. Although that doesn’t ameliorate our frustration with the place or our experience. As stated previously, I would neither visit again, nor recommend Palapas Ventana. Interestingly though, most folks that I have spoken to personally about the place have said that they would not return there either.
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No sea menso mijo, no sea menso!!!!! |
09-26-2019, 08:40 AM | #70 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: San Pedro
Posts: 183
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
The only problem i see here is the owner jumping in the water to spear. big no no!!!! also make sure the boats are working properly i would be pissed too. Carry on
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09-27-2019, 11:20 PM | #71 |
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Camarillo
Posts: 5,965
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
Well Well, I lost my copy of Farmers Almanac so it was good to stop into this thread and learn that "Winter has come early this year"!....
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09-28-2019, 07:06 AM | #72 |
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
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09-29-2019, 09:20 AM | #73 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 106
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
Quote:
Would loooove to go on a trip like this. What time of year do ya usually go? |
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10-22-2019, 03:06 PM | #74 |
Shoot to eat
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ca
Posts: 1,613
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
I don't know why people continue to use PV.
I know 4 Different parties with not good experiences there. I am sure the place can produce, I dove the area and it looks like it could be amazing in the right day and with the right guide. Just go to el Sargento, talk to the guy who owns the seafood place everyone knows, ask him for a panga and VRBO and Airbnb has tons of places to stay at a reasonable price. |
10-22-2019, 04:22 PM | #75 |
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Location: San Diego, Detroit
Age: 29
Posts: 688
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop
Who goes to La Paz and demands a TV? Gotta love Americans.
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