Don’t Be “That Guy” on Your Next Mexican Bass Fishing Trip
We’ve been to Mexico to chase green fish over 20 times and most of the people we’ve run into down there have been great to be around. Some have even become lifelong friends and trusted confidantes. There’s that 5%, though, that can make travel painful.
You might not know that you’re “that guy.” Hell, I might be one of them and this article might turn out to be one of the greatest self-owns in the history of giving advice. No matter what, though, I think that if you’re aware of the following pain points for your fellow travelers, not only will it make their trips better, but it will likely ratchet down your overall stress level on vacation.
Here are a dozen guys (they’re almost always guys, not women) who make our collective skin crawl:
That guy who complains about everything. Nothing’s ever good enough. They did it better at another place, or in years past. He deserves better. He can fix your well-honed process and he’s vocal about it. This is your “all purpose that guy,” and you’ll learn after one conversation to distance yourself from him as much as possible.
That guy who holds everyone up. He’s always late, always dawdling. The van to or from the airport, or to or from the lake, is packed, everyone’s ready to hit the morning bite, and he has to go back for an extra pack of worms…or to take a dump…or to get a sandwich. He never insists that you go ahead without him. On the contrary, he’s happy to inconvenience everyone else because he wasn’t prepared.
That guy who has to be first. This is the opposite of the first category, but just as annoying. He wants to be in the first van every time, sitting in the front seat for easy egress. He wants the first choice of loaner rods and wants his ice cold beer handed to him before anyone else gets served, and the second, too, because he’s really parched. Never considers anyone else’s needs. Don’t be this guy’s partner because you’ll never get any fresh water to attack.
That guy who treats the staff like crap. The staff at most of these lodges, and especially any Anglers Inn properties, hustles all day long (and at night when you’re getting some rest) to make sure that you have the trip of a lifetime. They want you to catch fish. They want you to come back. Don’t treat them like servants. Don’t be rude to them. Don’t be mad that they’re not native English speakers. Show respect face-to-face and in the way you treat the property, and tip generously.
That guy who doesn’t pack correctly. There’s a wealth of information on the internet about what you need to bring on a bass fishing trip to Mexico. You can also learn about the expected weather before you go. There shouldn’t be many, or any, surprises. If you run short on something or accidentally forget something, a fellow traveler will likely be generous with rain gear or tackle (I know I’ve given out hundreds of Senkos over the years), but simply not bringing the right stuff, or bringing crappy gear, is inexcusable.
That guy who doesn’t have a scale and insists that he caught trophy-sized fish. No you can’t eyeball that it weighs 9.56 or 10.22, and if your hand looks like a catcher’s mitt in the pictures we know that you’re holding that fish way out in front of you.
That guy who doesn’t have a camera. It’s the 21st century. Even if you don’t have a traditional camera, you almost certainly have a smartphone which has camera capabilities. Don’t tell us that you caught a bunch of big fish and then lack photographic evidence. Don’t take photos of every bird and every tree and every rock, but none of your alleged trophy fish.
That guy who complains about the boats, or the lack of electronics. Yes, we know that you have five 12” screens on your metalflaked Hydroblaster at home. We know about the power of 250 horses and forward-facing sonar. There are definitely times when they’d help out. Still, stop comparing and complaining. You’re on vacation. The guides know every little ridge and rockpile across the lake. Many of them lived, played and worked here before it was impounded. Trust their judgment, trust the process, and relax a little, Francis.
That guy who can’t stop telling big fish stories. Whether he caught them this week or in a previous lifetime, this dude has caught more double-digits than Doug Hannon, Josh Jones and George Perry combined. He’s the expert on all things big bass and is proud to share it. He doesn’t want to hear about your 8 pound personal best that thrilled you because to him those are “trash fish” or “throwbacks.”
That guy who can’t stop telling lost fish stories. He has a scale, he has a camera, and he also has a trail of tears. This guy loses a monster every session, often without seeing it. “I couldn’t turn it,” he says, noting that he’d locked his drag system down with channel lock pliers and still couldn’t halt the fish. Man, we’ve all lost fish here. Many of them were big. We feel bad for you, son, but you need to stop with the tales of woe.
That guy who drinks too much. Again, it’s your vacation, and alcohol can be part of that. I may or may not have started drinking 7 ounce Pacificos at 6:48am on our last trip to El Salto. But know your limits. Know how you get when you’re buzzed or drunk. If it’s loud and obnoxious, or could be perceived that way, it’s probably best to lay off little bit.
That guy who doesn’t realize how lucky he is to be there. It’s easy to get frustrated at times, whether you’ve lost a fish or never got the big bite you expected. Just realize that most anglers will never get a chance to visit these amazing fisheries or experience the exceptional service. There are no guarantees in fishing, but you need to be thankful for the opportunity. This is the one where I need constant reminding (I’ve made it a daily ritual), and by remaining grateful and present it makes every return a better experience (including for those around me).
Unfortunately, the guys who need this most will likely not read this article, or won’t think it applies to them, but if you recognize yourself in any of these profiles, consider a behavior modification on your next trip. It won’t just make your fellow travelers more comfortable – it’ll make YOU happier.
If you’d like to join us in Mexico, or go on your own, please consider using Hanna as your booking agent. She never charges a penny more than the lodge itself, and will give you personalized service and information that cannot be beat. Email her today to get the details and set up your trip.
