Mike Lenker: Mexico Offshore Fishing Lodge Report

Mexico Offshore Fishing Lodge for Sailfish, Marlin and Dorado
January 22, 2024

“Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.”

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive, because what the world needs are men who have come alive.”

“The most dangerous man on earth is the man who has reckoned with his own death. All men die; few men ever really live.”

“Adventure, with all its requisite danger and wildness, is a deeply spiritual longing written into the soul of man.”

“There is something else I am after, out here in the wild. I am searching for an even more elusive prey . . . something that can only be found through the help of wilderness. I am looking for my heart.”

All excerpts from “Wild At Heart”
-John Eldredge

I reflected on these ideas as I found myself in a rickety panga boat, of which the shade sail was made of bamboo and an old tarp, fastened together with colored string. The captain of this ship was a man who I had never met, I was in a foreign land, of which I know almost nothing of his language, as it relates to fishing anyway, and before the sun had risen that day, he was taking me out into the abyss of the ocean.

This was the moment, I felt the most free, I had a new taste for this adventure and I was ready to fight every fish in the ocean.

What an insane bucket list trip! My whole life I’ve dreamed of catching so many different kinds of fish, all around the world, but never thinking “that could be me”. Just a dream and an idea I thought would be “neat.”

It’s a whole hell of a lot better than “neat!”

Dorado were certainly on that list for me, but Sailfish and Marlin were the ultimate two at the top of my list, and I was able to knock out all three, and the last day got hooked into each one.

This will forever be a trip to look back on and I’m still in shock and I laugh out loud every time I realize it was real.

Thank you so much Outdoors International and to my aunt and uncle, Jodi and Matt Pember for letting me tag along. Thank you so much to my love Kiersten Verbree for holding things down out here and taking care of Sage.

I’m laughing out loud at myself right now still in disbelief.

I can’t wait to do this again!

Thank you Outdoors International!

It was an amazing steelhead fishing trip! I brought my dad along with me and we slayed the fish. If you guys aren't applying for the OI Draws, you should. They're legit!

Tyler Kirk / OI Draw Winner

I couldn't believe we won!

We won this fully guided, all-inclusive New Zealand red stag hunt in the OI Draw! I highly recommend this hunt, and Outdoors International—fantastic company, amazing meals, and hunts that are second to none.

Brandon Ball / OI Draw Winner

I'm so grateful for the opportunity!

Thank you to Outdoors International, all the PH's and their awesome staff. I made some new friends and will be back to Africa again 100%.

Brye Mangum / OI Draw Winner

My most memorable and rewarding experience.

This was my first guided hunt, and the outfitter was amazing. He was able to keep me motivated and encouraged to hold out for true trophies. I would rate him on an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10! I never thought Africa would be a reality for me. Thank you Outdoors International.

Dason Lasater / OI Draw Winner