Five university students along Baja California Sur’s East Cape have launched a microenterprise producing handcrafted fly-fishing lures from recycled synthetic materials. The venture, called No Bad Gallos (a play on “roosters,” the English name for the prized roosterfish), grew out of the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS) and now sells its products at Hotel Playa del Sol in Los Barriles. The BCS fishing lures are priced between 149 and 179 pesos ($9 to $11 USD), a fraction of what many imported alternatives cost.
The project started three years ago as a hobby among friends who fished together on weekends. Antonio Verduzco, the team’s fishing guide, said the group gradually learned to tie flies and eventually formalized the operation. “Three years ago, we just went out fishing with friends, and as time passed, we learned and eventually launched a service,” Verduzco said. The five-member team now produces lures designed to mimic the sardines that roosterfish feed on, using synthetic fibers made from recycled plastics.
Los Barriles and the East Cape Roosterfish Economy
Los Barriles sits at the center of one of the most productive sportfishing corridors in the Western Hemisphere. The small town of roughly 4,000 permanent residents swells each winter and spring as anglers arrive to target roosterfish, dorado, yellowfin tuna, and marlin. Fly fishing for roosterfish, in particular, has become a niche pursuit that draws dedicated anglers from the U.S. and Canada willing to pay $400 to $600 per day for guided trips on panga boats.
Roosterfish are a catch-and-release species in most operations along the East Cape. The fish, recognizable by their tall dorsal spines, inhabit shallow sandy beaches and rocky points between Punta Pescadero and Cabo Pulmo. That coastline has attracted a growing number of specialized fly-fishing outfitters over the past decade, turning the area into one of the top roosterfish destinations in the world.
But nearly all the tackle used on those trips comes from outside Mexico. Fly-fishing gear is a specialized market dominated by U.S. manufacturers, and most flies sold in Baja are either tied by individual guides or imported. Verduzco confirmed that sourcing materials remains the team’s biggest obstacle. “Usually, everything is brought from the United States or ordered by mail from China or Japan, which is difficult, so we’re looking for alternative solutions,” he said.
That supply chain gap is exactly what No Bad Gallos is trying to fill. The team produces two products: a single fly designed for shore fishing and a two-piece pack for boat use. Both are tied to imitate the coloring and profile of local baitfish. Alejandro Arce, another team member, described the business as still in its “market introduction stage.”
Recycled Materials and a Local Supply Chain for BCS Fishing Lures
The sustainability angle is more than branding. Fly-fishing lures traditionally use natural materials like feathers, fur, and animal hair, but synthetic alternatives have gained ground in the industry over the past 15 years. Synthetics last longer in saltwater, resist mold, and can be engineered to match specific color patterns. By using recycled plastics as their base material, the No Bad Gallos team is tapping into a broader trend in the outdoor recreation industry toward reducing waste and sourcing locally.
Cabo Pulmo, located just south of the team’s base of operations, is one of Mexico’s most celebrated marine conservation success stories. The national marine park, established in 1995, has seen fish biomass increase by more than 460% after local fishing families voluntarily stopped extracting from the reef. That conservation ethic runs deep along the East Cape, and catch-and-release fly fishing fits the culture better than conventional bait-and-kill methods.
For anglers staying in Los Barriles or fishing the East Cape, the lures offer a locally produced option at a price point well below most imported flies, which typically sell for $4 to $8 each in U.S. shops before shipping costs. A two-pack from No Bad Gallos runs about $11 USD total.
Antonio González, who handles the team’s marketing, said the approach is intentionally low-key. “It is an audience that values the natural and organic. It’s not about flashy advertising, but about creating a sense of closeness,” González said.
The team plans to expand distribution into tackle shops and other communities across Baja California Sur. Felipe López, another member, said the five-year goal includes launching outdoor clothing and additional fishing products. For now, No Bad Gallos sells through Hotel Playa del Sol and its Facebook and Instagram pages. The lures are the first locally manufactured fly-fishing tackle to reach commercial distribution along the East Cape corridor.