MEET THE CREW
FISHING TOURS IN PUERTO VALLARTA
Masters of the sea
Behind every well-executed fishing day, there is more than rods and bait—there are people who read the ocean the way others read a constantly moving market.
At Snook Mafia, our crew is made up of highly trained captains and fishing guides, specialists in popping, jigging, trolling, live bait, and fly fishing, each operating with technical judgment, precision, and situational awareness.
The operation is led by Carlos, with over 25 years of experience in fishing, condition analysis, and decision-making on the water, alongside Adrián, the creative strategist and visual architect behind the Snook Mafia brand, responsible for transforming every expedition into a solid, recognizable narrative.
Nothing is left to chance.
We train talent, build strong teams, and protect every detail. The combination of deep on-the-water experience and clear creative vision is what allows Snook Mafia to operate at a high standard with a strong, consistent identity.
At Snook Mafia, everything converges toward a single goal: ensuring our clients don’t just go fishing, but live a complete, authentic, and memorable experience, guided by responsible fishing as the core philosophy of Snook Mafia—where respect for the ocean is not explained, but practiced, lived, and passed on.
Carlos Sanches
aka “Mr. Snook”
Founder | Captain | Fishing Guide & Fly Fishing Guide
Carlos Sanches, better known as “Mr. Snook,” is the founder of Snook Mafia and the operational heart of the project. With more than 25 years of fishing experience, he has built his career by reading the water, understanding patterns, and making decisions where others hesitate.
A professional captain and fishing guide, Carlos masters all fishing techniques—popping, jigging, trolling, live bait, and fly fishing, with fly fishing being one of his key specialties. His approach goes beyond catching fish: he designs strategic, personalized experiences tailored to each angler’s level, objectives, and expectations.
Carlos leads the crew with a clear philosophy: responsible fishing, applied knowledge, and absolute respect for the sea.
With him at the helm, every trip stops being just a journey and becomes an experience that is lived, learned, and remembered.
ADRÍAN ARREOLA
Co-Founder | Creative Director | Operations & Marketing
Adrián Arreola is the co-founder of Snook Mafia and the creative and operational mind behind the brand. He is responsible for building and protecting the company’s image, as well as leading marketing, reservations, and the administrative coordination that keeps the operation running with precision.
Beyond the office, Adrián is also the primary point of contact for clients, ensuring clear, professional, and close communication from the first interaction to the completion of each experience. On select expeditions, he joins the crew onboard to create content, document the journey, and translate what happens on the water into strong visual stories with a distinct identity.
His role connects strategy, creativity, and execution.
Thanks to this combination, Snook Mafia doesn’t just fish well—it communicates better, organizes better, and delivers well-designed experiences from start to finish.
Arturo Espinoza
aka “Tanke”
Captain | Fishing Guide | Fly Fishing Guide
Arturo Espinoza, better known as “Tanke,” is a captain and fishing guide with over 25 years of experience at sea. His story began from the ground up, working in commercial fishing alongside his father, where he learned discipline, ocean reading, and deep respect for every day on the water.
Today, as a key member of Snook Mafia, Tanke masters all fishing techniques—popping, jigging, trolling, live bait, and fly fishing—bringing a practical, firm, and reliable perspective to every operation.
Beyond guiding, Arturo is the leader of the deck crew and the main operational support to Carlos when it comes to executing decisions at sea. He ensures everything flows smoothly: safety, timing, logistics, and results.
Quiet, effective, and always one step ahead,
Tanke is the kind of captain who doesn’t make noise—he makes things happen.
Diego Encarnación
aka “Tilín”
Captain | Fishing Guide | Fly Fishing Guide
Diego Encarnación, known as “Tilín,” is the youngest member of the crew—but not the least experienced. His journey on the water began early, fishing alongside his father, giving him a strong foundation and a natural respect for the craft.
Today, Diego is a captain and fishing guide, well respected among the captains of Puerto Vallarta and a fundamental part of Snook Mafia. He was trained and developed within the operation, mastering all fishing techniques under Carlos’s direct guidance, earning the respect of both the crew and clients through consistent performance on the water.
He dominates popping, jigging, trolling, live bait, and fly fishing, standing out for his energy, focus, and fast reading of conditions. Tilín represents the perfect balance between tradition and the new generation—ensuring continuity, evolution, and future for the crew.
He doesn’t just guide—
he grows with every tide and pushes the standard forward.
José Luis Plascencia
Logistics & Transportation Manager
José Luis Plascencia, better known as Luis, is responsible for organizing and coordinating fishing trips within Snook Mafia. His role is essential: overseeing operational control for every expedition, ensuring the crew has everything needed, and confirming that each experience is fully aligned before departure.
Luis manages trip organization, serves as second in command, and is Adrián’s primary support in systematizing processes, logistics, and execution. Thanks to his work, operations remain structured, efficient, and seamless—even during complex expeditions.
He also provides personalized transportation services for clients, offering safe, reliable, and punctual transfers. This service can be requested directly, allowing clients to forget about logistics before and after their fishing day.
With Luis handling land operations,
the crew arrives prepared, the client arrives calm, and the experience starts smoothly—before stepping onto the boat.
Building the Future of Snook Mafia
Snook Mafia is also supported by additional deckhands currently in training, developing experience, technique, and judgment to become the next generation of Snook Mafia guides.
We believe in developing talent from within, maintaining high standards, and ensuring the continuity of our philosophy across every generation of the crew.