Sparky jumped
times
before he retired.
Good job, Sparky!
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Baja dorado fishing action is on fire at East Cape and La Paz
Mexico Fishing News, June 28, 2004
EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR EAST CAPE
EAST CAPE—LOS BARRILES—BUENA VISTA, MEXICO: Dorado counts jumped upwards in warming water from East Cape to La Paz last week, and yellowfin tuna and billfish were also caught in good numbers.
BUENA VISTA, MEXICO: At Buena Vista Beach Resort, Axel Valdez reported on 124 boats with a catch including released fish of: three blue marlin, 38 striped marlin, one sailfish, 558 dorado, 247 tuna, one wahoo, 17 roosterfish, one shark, 11 snapper, 13 jack crevalle, one amberjack, two bonita, 10 ladyfish, two pompano, five triggerfish, eight cabrilla, 67 skipjack, and 15 needlefish. Valdez commented on the high dorado counts: “This week was dorado, dorado, and lots of dorado, close, far, in the middle, they were everywhere.” EAST CAPE SUPER HOT DORADO FISHING.
LOS BARRILES, MEXICO: Marisol Verdugo of Martin Verdugo’s Beach Resort said fishing was very good, especially for dorado which were caught up to 50 and 60 pounds, plus striped marlin, and some tuna. All boats were fishing daily, and one blue marlin was also caught last week.
BUENA VISTA, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported ultra-hot dorado fly action as the Mike Croft group from Seattle released over 100 dorado one day, and came back to double that count the following morning. “Mike and a buddy caught (and released) in excess of 40 dorado one day,” Graham said. East Cape weather was calm in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 70 to 84 degrees. EAST CAPE FLY FISHING FOR DORADO.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 268 boats from combined fleets including the Van Wormer Resorts of Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with a catch including released fish of: four blue marlin, 162 striped marlin, 327 dorado, and 763 yellowfin tuna. East Cape weather was calm in the high-90s, with water temperatures of 77 to 83 degrees. EAST CAPE FISHING.
BUENA VISTA, MEXICO: At Rancho Buena Vista, Tami Mouyeos reported on 44 boats with a catch including released fish of: 32 striped marlin, six sailfish, eight roosterfish, 48 dorado, 158 tuna, and one wahoo.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Rancho Leonero, John Ireland said 315 dorado, 27 roosterfish, 47 striped marlin (all released), nine sailfish, 111 pargo, and 11 blue marlin were caught during the week. Schooling dorado were plentiful close to shore, and Ireland said, “Our kayak fishermen are slaying dorado, with most fish taken on live sardinas.” EAST CAPE FISHING.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jon Schwartz reported a very good East Cape trip out of Rancho Leonero, during which he took underwater photos of a marlin to be released, and fished from a kayak for roosterfish, jack crevalle to 25 pounds, and five dorado on trolled squid. “At one time I had two on with one line wrapped around my paddle and the fish was still taking out line!” Schwartz said.
Over the weekend, Schwartz said, “The dodo bite is WIDE OPEN within a mile of shore. Most are under 25 pounds, with some stray 50 pounders. Lotsa stripers, but they want mullet which isn't always available.” Schwartz said he’s seeing water temperatures near 90 degrees. Some mackerel bait was becoming available.
LOS BARRILES, MEXICO: Bill Burkett of Los Barriles said dorado and marlin fishing was excellent last week for his boat Fat Cat, in water temperatures of 78 to 79 degrees. Fat Cat scored on a couple of 25-pound dorado on each of its last three outings, plus a couple of striped marlin, and Burkett said a friend had a good day on dorado of 45, 52, and 58 pounds. Several blue marlin were also caught daily by East Cape boats, in water temperatures up to about 83 degrees. GOOD EAST CAPE FISHING SEASON.
PALMAS DE CORTEZ, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Harvey Barrish reported results of the Los Amigos Tournament out of Hotel Palmas de Cortez, June 18-20, which he has organized for the past 16 years. This year, 70 anglers on 23 boats fished for three days for a fish count, with all billfish released except one that died, of: 102 striped marlin, four blue marlin, one sailfish, 52 dorado, 205 tuna, including a 208 pounder caught by Eric Wankier, two wahoo, one mako shark, one roosterfish, and one miscellaneous fish. Other top catches included a marlin by 90-year-old Earl Barton of Hemet. LOS AMIGOS EAST CAPE TOURNAMENT RESULTS:
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Rod Albright of Buena Vista fished on his boat Bill Collector with grandsons Edwin Albright, 12, and Calvin Albright 10, of Long Beach, who worked together to land dorado. “We call them the ‘Dorado Duo,’ Albright said, “Fishing is now going full steam, with catches of marlin, dorado and tuna coming in each day.”
BUENA VISTA, MEXICO: Mark Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport dive service said water conditions at Cabo Pulmo were cooler and a little green, but sightings included two whale shark, hammerhead shark, grouper, snapper, and huge amberjack. Rayor said his boat captain, Chuy Cota has received his vigilante credential as part of the local Conanp program: “Anybody who has been warned that they are breaking conservation laws on the East Cape and who persists will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Conanp would like to walk softly, but if need be is ready to confiscate boats and deport foreigners who have been made aware and continue to break the law.”
In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:
ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ERENDIRA
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Gerardo Sanchez of KCHTS Sportfishing reported steady catches of barracuda and bottom fish limits, plus some white seabass to over 20 pounds, and a few yellowtail, inside the bay by the Don Juan II. At the outer banks, Sanchez said the Dorado reported 21 albacore at the 238 spot, and at the end of the week, the fish were located at GPS 31.19 117.13. ENSENADA FISHING.
PUNTA BANDA, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny’s Fleet reported on Sunday afternoon that pangas at the tip of Punta Banda limited on lingcod and calico bass, in patchy fog, with southwest breezes, and water temperatures averaging 61 degrees. Among anglers catching steady bottom fish and a few yellowtail to 25 pounds during the week were Jeff, Jasmine, and Luke Simonian of Huntington Beach, Danny Hayden and his group from Orange, the Mell Higgins family from Chatsworth, and Scout Stewart’s group from San Diego.
OFFSHORE, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Rob Hixon of La Jolla fished with three other anglers on the Prime Time out of Shelter Island with Capt. Chris and deckhands Joe and Grant for four albacore limits on fish of 12 to 28 pounds, by 8:30 a.m., 65 miles south of San Diego, and 23 miles off the Mexican coast. Hixon reported small bait working best, in calm, overcast seas.
MALECON, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sergio Susarrey of Sergio’s Sportfishing Center reported on 307 anglers with a catch of: 132 yellowtail, 181 bonito, 266 barracuda, five white seabass, 222 albacore, 381 lingcod, 496 rockcod, 15 sheephead, and 18 red snapper.
SAN DIEGO–ENSENADA, MEXICO: Earlier, Harry Thompson and Frank Lentz of San Diego cruised south out of Mission Bay to Ensenada with Glen Bowers on his boat The Reel One and found super-hot albacore action, limiting on 15 fish by 7:41 a.m., in dead flat early morning seas, with a stop over at Marina Coral. “It was just a beautiful ride down,” Thompson said. “Something about letting it all hang out in Ensenada after a great day of fishing just put a cap on the day.” ENSENADA ALBACORE FISHING RUN*.
CORONADO ISLANDS, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Joe Martin of Santee made a couple of runs out of San Diego to the Coronado Islands area, finding no albacore, but some calico bass to over 5 pounds and a few other fish, in 66-degree water. On the second day, Martin said he trolled with 371 spot in bumpy, windy conditions and found, “No fish there, no birds, no boats, no paddies, no nada.” SLOW CORONADO ISLANDS FISHING.
LA JOLLA CAMP, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Mark Blucker of Costa Mesa and La Jolla Camp at Punta Banda, and Kim Giberson of Irvine, fished in the bay two days in Blucker’s beach launched boat for some super-hot barracuda action around Punta Banda and a steady pick on bass, but no yellowtail. About the barracuda bite at Punta Banda, Blucker said, “We were surrounded at one point with birds and breaking fish for half a mile in all directions.” Water temperatures at Punta Banda averaged 65 to 66 degrees. ENSENADA FISHING AT PUNTA BANDA.
MARINA CORAL, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross reported no yellowtail, but a nice catch of 13 albacore for himself, wife Gail, and Juan Lu Cardona, fishing on Ross’ boat Bad Dog out of Marina Coral, near the 238 spot. “The water was blue and 63.7 degrees,” Ross said. “A few boats found very good yellowtail fishing under paddies, but Bad Dog only found one paddy all day, and no one was home.”
More fishing reports and information for Ensenada, Mexico, can be found in the Mexico Fishing News archives.
Puerto Santo Tomas Fishing
PUERTO SANTO TOMAS RESORT, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort said overcast conditions prevailed all week long, but with light breezes, very calm water, and red-hot bottom fishing. All pangas scored full limits of whitefish, lingcod, and large rockcod, fishing just southwest of Punta China. Yellowtail were not yet present, but Saenz said mackerel were abundant and there was a good surface bite for barracuda and calico bass. Anglers fishing during the week included Daniel Acevez and his friend from Los Angeles, Jim Tobey and his friend, who fished from kayaks, and a church group of 40 women from the Ensenada area.
ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ERENDIRA
CASTRO'S CAMP, ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro’s Camp said 17 pangas fished during the week for heavy catches of lingcod, red rockcod, two yellowtail, barracuda, and five white seabass. Pangas fished about five miles from the beach, in clear blue water.
SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN QUINTIN
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro’s Pangas said albacore dropped out of sight last week, but fishing was good for bass, yellowtail limits by some boats, and a hot bite of white seabass to 26 pounds found north off Playa San Ramon by Capt. Hector. San Quintin weather was overcast in the low-80s, with water temperatures averaging 63 degrees. PEDRO'S SAN QUINTIN FISHING.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin said the big July 17 tournament is pretty much booked solid now, with over 150 anglers already registered. Sponsorship and tournament information: 011-52-616-162-0222.
Meza said he fished offshore on his boat Santa Monica with his brother David, and scored on large albacore to 43 pounds, in clear but choppy 63.6-degree water, about 15 miles off the point. The fish hit bright trolling heads to 12 inches long, and cedar plugs.
MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAGDALENA BAY
SAN CARLOS, MAGDALENA BAY—MAG BAY—BAHIA MAGDALENA, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said San Carlos weather was calm and partly cloudy in the low-80s, with water temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees. The mangrove channels produced good catches of corvina, pompano, and cabrilla, but not much happened at the entrada or offshore, except for a few deep yellowtail and some skipjack outside. No snook were caught.
CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CABO SAN LUCAS
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 73 boats with a catch including released fish of: 84 striped marlin, 55 yellowfin tuna, 64 dorado, two wahoo, assorted fish including amberjack and roosterfish, and two boats skunked.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported an illegal longline boat confiscated off Punta Gorda last Thursday by marines and Conapesca official, Arturo Morales, after a frantic search by Pisces Fleet found a ride out to the site on a boat provided by Gaviota Fleet. The spectacular, day-long operation was overseen by Pisces Fleet’s Marco Ehrenberg, and the commercial boat was impounded in La Paz. “I don't think they will get away this time,” Tracy Ehrenberg said. “Their permit was to fish for tuna with lures. They had a longline, with a few marlin and a shark on it. When they saw us approaching, they cut the marlin off. It was a very tense, frustrating day yesterday, but the final result was worth it.” The boat, named Michoacan II, was registered in Mexico and had a Japanese crew member on board who was thought to be an adviser. The Pisces boat that called the alarm was the Ni Modo, with Capt. Jobe Villavicenio. CABO SAN LUCAS LONGLINE BOAT CONFISCATION.
On the fishing front, Ehrenberg said billfish action was excellent, with 89 percent of boats releasing marlin, and 95 percent landing all species combined. “The few Cabo San Lucas boats that were skunked were just plain unlucky,” she said. Several boats, including La Brisa, Libre, and Valerie, scored quadruple releases, and some dorado were also caught. Tuna action was slower. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 76 Gaviota Fleet boats with a catch including released fish of: 88 striped marlin, 58 dorado, four wahoo, and six yellowfin tuna. The top boat for the week was the Gaviota II with 13 marlin in seven outings. Gaviota Fleet fished mainly on the Cortez side off Chileno and San Jose del Cabo in water temperatures of 81 to 82 degrees. CABO SAN LUCAS HOT MARLIN FISHING.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Charles Whitesell of Cabo San Lucas, his brother Dean of Palm Springs, and nephew Kurt Diekhoff fished on the charter boat Joanna with Capt. Martin and deckhand Guillermo, for a triple marlin release on about a dozen shots, plus dorado to about 30 pounds. Whitesell said sea conditions were calm in the fishing area about 20 miles off San Jose del Cabo, in water temperatures averaging 78 degrees.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Benjamin Ortega of Solmar Fleet reported on 67 boats with a catch including released fish of: 95 striped marlin, 27 yellowfin tuna, 23 dorado, 22 sierra, 15 skipjack, seven jacks, and four roosterfish. The top fleet boat for the week was the Solmar II with Capt. Javier Abaroa, who scored 12 marlin, nine dorado, four yellowfin tuna, and four jacks, in five outings. SOLMAR CABO SAN LUCAS MARLIN FISHING.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Rick and Ken Cooper of Upland fished three days out of Cabo and reported a catch of three released marlin, seven dorado to 40 pounds, one roosterfish of 47 pounds, three amberjack to 35 pounds, five tuna to 20 pounds, and one jack crevalle. “Those that went for stripers were doing great also,” Arneson said.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Chris Llewellyn of Los Barriles had a great day with roosterfish, jacks and pompano while fishing with a white Ranger lure and pieces of mullet at the Hotel Solmar beach. “I started using pieces of the mullet for bait. Right in the middle of the day with every cast I was catching big jacks!” Llewellyn said. One roosterfish weighed about 45 pounds, and required an hour to land in front of a crowd of hotel guests. SOLMAR CABO SAN LUCAS SURF FISHING.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN JOSE DEL CABO
LA PLAYITA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO—LOS CABOS, MEXICO: Jim Tolbert, author of the forthcoming “Adventure Guide to Baja Sur & Los Cabos,” said San Jose del Cabo had its warmest weather so far this year, as warming water temperatures brought yellowfin tuna, good numbers of dorado, a few wahoo, striped marlin, and a few blue marlin to the La Playita panga fleets. Tolbert commented on last week’s longliner confiscation: “Longliners have been spotted over the past few months in the waters near Los Cabos. Glad to see some action taken!”
LA PLAYITA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO—LOS CABOS, MEXICO: At Gordo Banks Pangas, Eric Brictson said San Jose del Cabo weather was favorable in the 90s, with no tropical storms making launches difficult for the La Playita panga fleet. Overall fishing improved during the week as boats scored on dorado, yellowfin tuna, striped marlin, sailfish, wahoo, sierra, jack crevalle, pargo, and roosterfish, and the main marlin bite moved from Destiladeras to the Chileno and Red Hill areas. SAN JOSE DEL CABO LA PLAYITA PANGA FISHING.
LA PLAYITA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO—LOS CABOS, MEXICO: Species specialist, John Snow of San Diego reported hot weather but very slow fishing during a day with Capt. Pata on the panga Salome out of La Playita, with a catch of: one leopard grouper, one dorado, two porgies, and one triggerfish.
LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS
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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tail Hunter International said “Dorado Disneyland” was officially open at La Paz: “I think there's been more dorado caught in the last week or so than the rest of the year combined!” Roldan said the dorado were caught in many scattered locations, from east of Isla Espirtu Santo, down the coast, and out to the 88 bank east of Isla Cerralvo. LA PAZ DORADO FISHING.
LAS ARENAS, LA PAZ, MEXICO: On the Las Arenas side, Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said fishing was much improved for dorado, tuna, marlin, and amberjack. Dorado to 50 pounds were caught at the 88 bank, and a tuna of more than 180 pounds was also caught by Deanan Kitano and Terry Soloman, fishing with Capt. Rigo Lucero. Las Arenas weather was warm in the high-90s, with water temperatures averaging 76 degrees in the fishing areas.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Frank Springer of Butte Falls, Ore., and his group fished with Fishermen’s Fleet and found very hot action for dorado of 12 to about 45 pounds on the La Paz side. “Schoolies were on EVERY buoy,” Springer said. “With three lines hooked up, you would spend the last pull on your line watching another six or more smaller dorado turning the water into a neon light show around the boat.” Springer also noted that La Paz big roosterfish specialist, Bill Mathias was in residence at Fishermen’s Fleet, and caught five roosterfish over 70 pounds plus a 110 pounder. SUPER HOT LA PAZ DORADO FISHING.
SAN ISIDRO, LA PAZ, MEXICO: Tin boat angler Don Ballentine of San Isidro, just south of Ensenada de los Muertos, landed his dorado limit, plus a 250-pound class blue marlin while fishing solo 17 miles out from his house. The big marlin hit a black-purple artificial, and Ballentine said he got it into the boat by tipping it: “The aluminum tips almost to the water and he slides in. Easier than a big boat.” SOLO BLUE MARLIN FISHING.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Arturo Davis of Black Magic Sportfishing said fishing was good, as dorado were concentrated on weeds just a few miles outside the bay. “Most the fish are on the smaller side, but a few nice 20 to 50-pound fish are mixed in,” Davis said. Tuna were plentiful 15 to 25 miles out, but mostly in small sizes. At El Bajo, Davis said many pargo were boiling around the boats, but not biting. La Paz-side water temperatures were 76 to 80 degrees.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Luis Lopez of the Cortez Club said about 15 Mosquito Fleet pangas and two cruisers per day fished on the La Paz side, finding excellent action from midweek onwards on limits of dorado, plus tuna, striped marlin, sailfish, cabrilla, and pargo. Boats fished about 7 miles off Punta Coyote and east of Isla Espiritu Santo, in water temperatures averaging 82 degrees, and light southern breezes. La Paz weather was hot, to 110 degrees in the afternoons.
LORETO FISHING REPORTS
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PUERTO ESCONDIDO, LORETO, MEXICO: Jeff Petersen of Loreto reported massive destruction during a raging fire that swept through the entire Tripui RV Park at Puerto Escondido on Saturday afternoon, leaving only the restaurant and office building still standing.
Petersen said some injuries were reported. One witness said he heard about 40 propane tank explosions as boats, vehicles, palapas, and other structures caught fire and burned to the ground.
Local reports said the fire started during a barbecue and swept through the entire campground. Said Petersen: “Inside the park, trailer homes and built up structures were primarily shaded by palapa roofs, palm branches nailed to thin wooden cross members in the roof system.
“The day was hot with a west wind that drove the fire immediately into surrounding structures, igniting the fire storm that followed. Residents scattered, some only with the clothes on their backs, others with a handful of papers, little more. One victim was returning to sift through ashes in search of an heirloom ring. Another cried at the loss of a pet. Brick and mortar pillars and columns stood without purpose, blackened. Burnt-out boat trailers stood at entrances, seemingly to each casa, tires and boats vaporized.” JEFF PETERSEN'S FISHING PHOTOS WITH THE LORETO CARNADEROS*.
LORETO, MEXICO: Troy Cline of the Fishin’ for the Mission dorado tournament scheduled July 15-17 said 45 boats were already registered. Onsite registration will be available, and the entry fee is $150 per boat for up to four anglers. Last year’s tournament raised over $6,000 for local charities. Information, 949-291-0952.
LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto relayed a report on Saturday from Capt. Paulino Martinez saying that he and Capts. Chopi Murillo and Javier Martinez guided eight anglers to limits of dorado about 7 miles northwest of Punta Lobos on Isla Carmen, returning to town by 11:30 a.m. The school of 15 pounders was fished with live mackerel by a group led by Irwin Gersh and Steve Spies.
Bear also said that the sportfishing cooperativa has a new email address, loreto_superpangas@msn.com, and may be contacted there for reservations and information.
On Friday and Saturday, Bear reported that Kent, Jerry, Mark, and Ted Baker, with four other anglers, fished in two pangas for early dorado limits plus catch-and-release action, one marlin, and one yellowfin tuna. The dorado of about 10 to 15 pounds, and were caught north of Isla Carmen and east of Isla Coronado.
Several days earlier, Bear himself found slow action for just one dorado, while fishing with Kent Baker of Escondido and Capt. Paulino: “One dorado. No other strikes the whole day! We used live sardines, squid strips and lures.” Loreto water temperatures were 80 to 81 degrees.
LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Sumner of Newport Beach and a group totaling 13 anglers found wild dorado and striped marlin action, plus some surprisingly wide-open yellowtail catches on fish to about 30 pounds during a week-long trip out of Hotel Oasis. Said Sumner, “We found the big school 26 to 27 miles out and little south and east of their usual location for June. More off of Punta Perico than Punta Lobos and about ten miles outside. Marlin and sails were all over the place, including mixed in with the dorado. It's going to be a great bill fish year for Loreto.”
Sumner also reported an unusual family grouping of about 10 sailfish, including full-sized adults, some middle-sized ones, and a couple of juveniles only about 36 inches long. LORETO WIDE OPEN DORADO, BILLFISH, AND YELLOWTAIL FISHING.
LORETO, MEXICO: Nacho Davis of the Carnaderos baitsellers’ cooperativa said all bait boats were working nightly with full crews, bringing in mackerel and jurelito, and their pangueros were napping at the receiver in the early mornings, as they waited for the early boats to arrive at the marina entrance.
MULEGE FISHING REPORTS
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MULEGE, MEXICO: At the Hotel Serenidad, Diana Johnson reported very good weather, but spotty dorado action and few caught.
Paul Rista of Mulege reported: “Not much from Mulege. Hardly any dorado thus far. Several boats go out daily. Some go south. We went north. Nobody had any luck.” Rista said water temperatures 20 miles out were as high as 82.8 degrees, and he was still seeing no sargassum weed.
Jane and Steve Springer of Punta Chivato said dorado action was generally not up to par, but they did well by running north to Isla San Marcos: “We just returned and can tell you that the dorado are in, but according to some longtime folks, not in the ways of past years. We had lots of luck east of San Marcos Island and one day found ‘the’ paddie and had two double hook ups of nice-size bulls.” Water temperatures were 78 to 84 degrees, and some yellowtail were also caught.
SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS
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ISLA SAN MARCOS, SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said Santa Rosalia weather was in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 78 to 79 degrees around the island and inshore, and 80 to 85 degrees outside. Fishing for reliable catches of yellowtail, dorado, and resident cabrilla continued good to excellent, although Kanzler said the cabrilla were holding 150 to 200 feet deep. “At this time of the year I tell people that due to warm and clear water the fish move out deeper where the water temps are cooler,” Kanzler said. Kanzler also paid a tribute to his friend and fishing partner of 13 years, Robert Setron of Oceanside, who passed away last week. SANTA ROSALIA AND ISLA SAN MARCOS FISHING.
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES (L.A. BAY) FISHING REPORTS
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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES—L.A. BAY—MIDRIFF, MEXICO: At Bahia de los Angeles, Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko said intense, very close yellowtail action continued inside the bay, as water temperatures climbed to 76 to 78 degrees, and air temperatures hit the 100-degree mark. “It is so unusual to have the yellowtail inside the bay and so close to shore,” Vazquez said. “I have not seen this in 20 years.” BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES VERY CLOSE YELLOWTAIL FISHING.
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES—L.A. BAY—MIDRIFF, MEXICO: Max Stevens of El Cajon and his group of 18 anglers from the Jamul Tuna Club fished three days out of Guillermo’s at Bahia de los Angeles, for yellowtail limits every day on fish of 10 to 15 pounds. Stevens fished with Capt. Igor, and noted water temperatures of 72 to 74 degrees, as the larger fish were caught at the south end of Isla Angel de la Guarda. “Most of the big schools of little yellows were 4 to 5 miles north of town,” Stevens said. HOT BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES YELLOWTAIL FISHING.
SAN FRANCISQUITO, MIDRIFF, MEXICO: Roger Crenshaw of Chula Vista flew back from San Francisquito Resort reporting hot weather and water temperatures of 78 to 82 degrees, with good action on yellowtail, some white seabass, and very heavy concentrations of Humboldt squid. Crenshaw said many pilot whales were present just off the resort. SAN FRANCISQUITO FISHING AND CONDITIONS.
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES—L.A. BAY—MIDRIFF, MEXICO: Baja veteran Chuck McReynolds of Pasadena shocked his friends when he announced last week that he will no longer keep fish, but will only catch and release from now on. McReynolds said to a friend: “Your dad would turn over in his grave, as would mine, were they to hear that I've taken the pledge. I no longer will murder a fish! Chuck Holbrook also took the pledge, and on his last trip he too released every fish he caught.”
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES—L.A. BAY—MIDRIFF, MEXICO: Mark Baker of Hemet, brother Bob Baker of Carlsbad, and Nicole Venegas of Anza, drove to Bahia de los Angeles and caught daily yellowtail limits with Capt. Pepe out of Casa Diaz. Baker said Casa Diaz has satellite photo service now at 011-52-200-124-9112. Bait was plentiful, and yellowtail of 10 to 20 pounds were caught around Islas Smith, Ventana, and Horsehead. Baker also noted that the road was in good condition and was being worked on, with possible new pavement going all the way to the village. BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES FISHING.
SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN FELIPE
SAN FELIPE—NORTHERN SEA OF CORTEZ: Gustavo Velez of Baja Sportfishing, Inc., reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe on June 24 with a catch of: 216 yellowtail, 225 cabrilla over 8 pounds, 18 red pargo, 17 white seabass, and nine grouper including one over 50 pounds. Velez said the Erik fished at Punta Diablo, Refugio, La Raza, San Bernabe, San Lorenzo, and Ensenada Grande, in warming water temperatures. Velez also commented on the high percentage of yellowtail lost due to tackle that was not up to the job: “The group did not believe that they needed 60 and 100-pound line, so the biggest they caught was about 40 pounds. They lost 50 percent of their catch, but they were happy, and said next year they will pay more attention to the gear we suggest.”
SAN FELIPE—NORTHERN SEA OF CORTEZ: Earlier, Dana Kerby of Baja Sportfishing, Inc., reported that a very special presentation was made to long-time Baja angler Leroy Holley, 84, of Bakersfield, who has been fishing with Gustavo Velez since 1981, and who was rewarded with a plaque and a certificate entitling him to free fishing trips on any Velez boat for the rest of his life: “Talk about a fisherman’s dream. Leroy was on this trip with his grandson, Tim Coston, 40, a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps based at Twenty-Nine Palms.”
Grandson Coston said, “Gramps is the father to eight children, 20 grandchildren, almost twice as many great-grand children, and a couple of great-great grandchildren. He has always been known for his love of fishing.
“Upon his retirement from Southern Pacific Railroad in Bakersfield, one could almost always find him at Lake Isabella fishing. At the age of 84, Gramps makes his own lures and still goes fishing on a regular basis. He is already preparing for next year in San Felipe with Baja Sportfishing at the age of 85. He is the undisputed ‘Guru of Fishing’ in our family and is training his grandchildren to continue his legacy of love for fishing and the lifelong friendship of the fabulous folks at Baja Sportfishing.”
SAN FELIPE—NORTHERN SEA OF CORTEZ: Mike Biedebach of Ventura led a group of 19 anglers on the Erik’s trip returning to San Felipe on June 17 and reported excellent fishing, especially for consistently large cabrilla: “I have never seen cabrilla of this quality and size before. We have caught more cabrilla then we did on this trip, but never as consistently large in ‘grande’ size class.” Large cabrilla caught, in addition to yellowtail and other species, during the trip included fish to 17 pounds, and others averaging more than 10 pounds during some bites. MIDRIFF ISLANDS MOTHERSHIP FISHING FOR LARGE CABRILLA*.
SAN FELIPE—NORTHERN SEA OF CORTEZ: Tony Reyes Sr. of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on June 25 with a catch of: 122 yellowtail, 18 to 34.2 pounds; two grouper, 47 to 55 pounds; one black sea bass, 53 pounds; one dorado, 18 pounds; seven white seabass, 30 to 44 pounds; 305 cabrilla, 10 to 15.8 pounds; 40 squid, 15 to 45 pounds; 15 red snapper, 10 to 15.1 pounds; two broomtail grouper, 8 pounds; 15 sheephead, 9 to 14 pounds; limits of spotted bay bass; and 75 miscellaneous fish.
SAN FELIPE—NORTHERN SEA OF CORTEZ: Capt. Tony Reyes Jr. reported on concurrent trip by the panga mothership Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe with a catch of: 240 yellowtail, 175 cabrilla, 82 pargo, three broomtail grouper, 14 sheephead, five grouper to 40 pounds, 291 spotted bay bass, one shark, two white seabass, and 65 miscellaneous fish. Reyes said the charter master for the trip was Dave Fine of Las Vegas, and the boat fished at La Raza, Salsipuedes, San Esteban, La Vibora, Puerto Refugio, and the Enchanted Islands, in very good weather all week. Anglers fished with live bait on some days, and also with MirrOlures, working best in pink, purple, and fire tiger colors. Reyes said the vacuum packing service is working well, and there were giant squid everywhere, some of which were kept for bait. The largest yellowtail, averaging about 30 pounds, were caught at Snake Island.
SAN FELIPE—NORTHERN SEA OF CORTEZ: Verone Trytten of La Quinta, Calif., and two friends returned from the June 25 trip on the Tony Reyes and Trytten said he found the service on the boat to be excellent: “New bunks, pangas with 50 h.p. Yamahas, knowledgeable guides, hard working crew, excellent food. Tony Reyes Sr. has to be proud of the job Tony Reyes Jr. is doing. All employees responded in a very satisfactory manner to any request. The vacuum packing with a commercial machine was only 35 cents a bag, plus your normal filleting charge. Excellent food package.”
SAN FELIPE—NORTHERN SEA OF CORTEZ: At San Felipe, Ed Meders of the Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay said the weather was beautiful and warm, and the store would be closed until mid-August.
MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAZATLAN
MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Tadeo Hernandez of Flota Bibi Fleet said six offshore boats had a catch including released fish of: eight sailfish, one dorado of 43.5 pounds that hit a skipjack, and two skipjack tuna. Three bottom fishing charters caught two sierra, and good numbers of triggerfish, red snapper, mojarra, and spadefish, fishing at the lighthouse, Black Rock, Sea Lion Rock, and Three Islas. Mazatlan weather was hot and humid, in the mid-90s.
MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said 36 Aries Fleet boats out of Marina el Cid had a catch including released fish of: 75 sailfish, four striped marlin, two blue marlin, and 94 yellowfin tuna to 146 pounds. Inshore pangas scored on 94 dorado, 27 pargo, 15 triggerfish, and lots of sierra. “There was just so much inshore and offshore action that it was difficult for anglers to make a decision on where they wanted to fish,” Edwards said. Mazatlan weather was flat and humid in the mid-90s, with water temperatures of 82 to 83.5 degrees. Aries Fleet boats fished about 20 to 30 miles out from the marina.
PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO VALLARTA
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Kim Moore of Charter Dreams said fishing continued to improve, as football tuna coming in from El Banco were sometimes mixed with fish in the 30 to 50-pound range, despite a commercial purse seiner working the area. “It’s such a shame! But you can still fill your ice chests full!” Moore said. Some large black marlin were also caught at El Banco, and sailfish and dorado were caught from San Francisco to Sayulita. Puerto Vallarta weather was sunny with afternoon tropical thunderstorms, very calm seas, and water temperatures averaging 84 degrees.
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: DJ and Emily Carlton of Huntington Beach reported slow conditions with Capt. Raul Fonseca on The Marlin, as they released one sailfish and a four-foot mako shark, and also caught several bonito, all inside Banderas Bay. “All the action occurred along debris lines from recent rains,” they said.
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO
IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze of Zihuatanejo said 80-degree blue water was one mile off the beach, and sailfish action was very good as boats averaged three or four releases per day. Tuna were present, but moving fast and they were difficult to hook: “When a school is located under the porpoise or birds, they are really fast movers. It is all a boat can do to just keep up with them. Very few of these tuna are being hooked.” Small dorado were holding on debris lines from recent rains, and inshore roosterfish action was outstanding, as Capt. Adolpho on the panga Dos Hermanos scored on nine fish of 30 to 42 pounds in a day.
Very few anglers were in town. Kunze said, “Luis Maciel of the panga Gringo Loco and I were talking yesterday about how many roosters are here, but he also made a very true statement, ‘Now, I just need a client to go get them.’”
IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Capt. Chiro released six of seven sailfish landed in a day, and Oregon angler James Spring fished four days on the panga Dos Hermanos I with Capt. Adolfo for a catch of: nine roosterfish, four bigeye jacks, eight yellowtail jacks, eight bonito, and six needlefish.
IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament said some offshore boats released as many as five sailfish in a day, and a couple of tuna of 120 and 175 pounds were also caught.
IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported Zihuatanejo weather as calm and sunny with afternoon thunderstorms, in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 80 to 89 degrees.
DORADO GRANDSONS—Rod Albright of East Cape fished with grandsons Edward and Calvin Albright of Long Beach, who teamed up to land some nice dorado. Photo courtesy Rod Albright.
BIG FISH, SHORT NOSE—Dad Keith Anderson, and sons Mike, Spencer, and Connor of Biggs, Calif., caught this strange, bill-less 475-pound blue marlin on 40-pound line, on Buena Vista Beach Resort’s La Rivera, with Capt. Carlos, about 5 miles off La Ribera. Photo courtesy Axel Valdez.
ENSENADA FAMILY FISHING—Dad, Jeff Simonian, and kids Jasmine and Luke, all of Huntington Beach, caught limits of lingcod and calico bass at the tip of Punta Banda with Vonny’s Fleet. Photo courtesy Ivan Villarino.
BIG CASTRO CROAKER—Aristeo Curiel and Feliciano Rios of Pomona fished in their own boat with a guide out of Erendira’s Castro’s Camp for this big white seabass. Photo courtesy Fernando Castro.
BIG SAN QUINTIN LONGFIN—Daniel Meza fished on his brother Julio’s boat Santa Monica out of San Quintin for albacore to 43 pounds, 15 miles out, in 63.6-degree water. Photo courtesy Julio Meza.
MIXED CABO BAG—Rick (left) and Ken Cooper of Upland fished at Cabo San Lucas for a mixed catch of dorado, roosterfish, amberjack, tuna, jack crevalle, and three released marlin. Photo courtesy Rick Cooper.
CABO SURF ROOSTER—Chris Llewellyn of Oregon landed this nice roosterfish with a Ranger lure in front of Cabo’s Hotel Solmar, on 20-pound line, after a one-hour fight. Photo courtesy Chris Llewellyn.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO DORADO—Gordo Banks Panga’s Sunday catch out of La Playita included this nice dorado. Photo courtesy Jim Tolbert.
DORADO AT THE 88—Elaine Layne of Seal Beach was outside the 88 bank near La Paz’ Isla Cerralvo with Tail Hunter Internationals popular Capt. Manuel Archangel, when she caught this beautiful dorado on 30-pound test line, after a half-hour battle. Photo courtesy Jonathan Roldan.
TIP ME OVER—Don Ballentine caught this 250-pound class blue marlin while fishing solo about 17 miles off his home at San Isidro, south of La Paz, and he got it aboard by tipping his boat to the side. “The aluminum tips almost to the water and he slides in. Easier than a big boat,” he said. Photo courtesy Don Ballentine.
TRIPUI DISASTER—Loreto’s Tripui RV park after Saturday afternoon’s massive fire, and the column of smoke rising into the sky seen from Loreto. Photos courtesy Jeff Petersen.
FIRST SAILFISH—Jim Gray of New York (right) fished with Loreto’s Capt. Ismael Murillo for his first sailfish. Photo courtesy Bill Sumner.
AT ISLA SAN MARCOS—Al Johnson and his son Dean, both of Newport Beach, fished with San Marcos Mike Kanzler near Santa Rosalia’s Isla San Marcos for some nice yellowtail and sawtail grouper. Photo courtesy Mike Kanzler.
CLOSE-IN YELLOWTAIL—A 15-pound yellowtail bends a rod near Bahia de los Angeles’ Camp Gecko. Abraham Vazquez of the camp said, “In 20 years, I’ve never seen them so close.” Photo courtesy Abraham Vazquez.
SAN FRANCISQUITO WHALE SHOW—Roger Crenshaw of remote San Francisquito said these pilot whales hung around his boat for hours: “They would come up to the boat, lie totally still on the surface and click at us. Really neat.” The resort is in the background, about a quarter-mile away. Photo courtesy Roger Crenshaw.
HOT L.A. BAY YELLOWS—Mark Baker (right) of Hemet, brother Bob Baker of Carlsbad, and Nicole Venegas of Anza, limited on yellowtail daily with Capt. Pepe of Bahia de los Angeles’ Casa Diaz, and Nicole caught the biggest fish of the trip. Photo courtesy Mark Baker.
AT PUERTO VALLARTA—The Bill Gaume family of Arvada, Colo., caught a nice bunch of football tuna on Charter Dreams boat Anticipation. Photo courtesy Kim Moore.
SUPER APPRECIATION GIFT!—Leroy Holley (left), 85, of Bakersfield, has been fishing with Gustavo Velez’ San Felipe motherships since 1981. Recently, Holley was rewarded with a plaque and a certificate entitling him to free fishing trips on any Velez boat for the rest of his life. Photo courtesy Tim Coston.
Baja coastal fishing reports and articles.
Ensenada fishing reports and articles.
Puerto Santo Tomas fishing reports and articles.
Erendira fishing reports and articles.
San Quintin fishing reports and articles.
Magdalena Bay fishing reports and articles.
Cabo San Lucas fishing reports and articles.
San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos) fishing reports and articles.
East Cape fishing reports and articles.
La Paz fishing reports and articles.
Loreto fishing reports and articles.
Mulege fishing reports and articles.
Santa Rosalia fishing reports and articles.
Bahia de los Angeles (L.A. Bay) fishing reports and articles.
San Felipe fishing reports and articles.
Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) fishing reports and articles.
San Carlos (Sonora) fishing reports and articles .
Mazatlan fishing reports and articles .
Puerto Vallarta fishing reports and articles.
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing reports and articles.
Huatulco fishing reports and articles.
Cancun fishing reports and articles.
Mexico coastal fishing reports and articles.
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