Dorado arrive at Mexico's central Sea of Cortez Midriff fishing area

Mexico Fishing News, August 2, 2004

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES (L.A. BAY) FISHING REPORTS

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CAMP GECKO, BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko confirmed earlier reports of dorado in the central Midriff area, saying on late Sunday afternoon that two boats from camp found very hot dorado action, 4 to 5 miles east of Isla Partida, south of L.A. Bay.

"They came back loaded with good dodos, and claim to have released dozens of them," Vazquez said. "They said the dorado were so thick they were piled on top of each other. I think Igor Galvan also went out there and got the same results."

Vazquez said there isn't much bait in the water near the bay, so he wasn't sure how close the dorado would come, or how long they would stay. On Saturday, Vazquez said Galvan's boat fished the same area east of Isla Partida and had catch-and-release action on more than 30 dorado, keeping some of 12 to 25 pounds. "It is still too far for most of the local boats, 32 to 35 miles," Vazquez said, "but it is a good sign that they will get here soon." The dorado were caught in 83 to 84-degree water.

Inside the bay, fishing slowed down in water of about 81 degrees, although heavy concentrations of sea life and fish were present. As several boats left to search the distant Isla Partida area for dorado, Vazquez said, "I will wait until they get to our front yard." BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES DORADO FISHING.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Josh Schwartz and his group fished with Igor Galvan on Friday and Saturday, and on Saturday, Schwartz reported a huge dorado bite, with quadruple hookups and nonstop action for two hours. "We had the first dorado of the season for the boat. The numbers were amazing," Schwartz said. MIDRIFF DORADO BITE.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Gerardo Sanchez of KCHTS Sportfishing said action in the bay was a bit slower for the Don Juan II, on barracuda and calico bass at El Bajo, and the same plus bonita and sandbass at University Point. Outside, Memo Gomez of El Dorado reported two yellowfin tuna to over 35 pounds and seven yellowtail on a kelp paddy near the 238 spot. ENSENADA FISHING.

PUNTA BANDA, ENSENADA, MEXICO: At Vonny's Fleet, Ivan Villarino said his pangas at the tip of Punta Banda caught limits of combined sandbass, calico bass, lingcod, rockcod, and about one white seabass or yellowtail per boat. Punta Banda weather was clear in the afternoons, in the high-70s, with 3 to 4-foot seas and water temperatures averaging 64 degrees. PUNTA BANDA ENSENADA FISHING.

MARINA CORAL, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Barry Stangl of San Clemente fished out of Marina Coral three days on his 21-foot boat and scored on a few kelp paddy yellowtail, but missed finding scattered dorado. Stangl reported most boats returning with one or two dorado and some yellowtail, mostly of 10 to 20 pounds, including some caught by his boat on a paddy about 17 miles southwest of Punta Banda, in 68.5-degree water. "Most of the yellowfin and dorado were caught in 71-degree water," Stangl said. ENSENADA OFFSHORE FISHING.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet said the Amigo and Tamara fished inside the bay for limits of sandbass, calico bass, and two halibut at 15 pounds, but action outside was slow.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Don Fagan of the Ensenada Luhr Jensen plant said his friend Jaime Mattson has been catching halibut to 12 pounds on Krocodiles from shore near the military base: "We went out at daybreak this morning, and right where the north fence of the military base is, Jaime hooked five halibut and a perch." ENSENADA SHORE FISHING.

LA JOLLA CAMP, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Earlier, Mark Blucker of La Jolla Camp reported Punta Banda water temperatures of 69 degrees at the point, and up to 76 degrees inside the bay, with steady fishing for sandbass, barracuda, and about one to two yellowtail per day. Blucker also reported commercial bait boats working close to the beach at La Jolla Camp. LA JOLLA CAMP ENSENADA FISHING.

MARINA CORAL, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross, fishing on his boat Bad Dog out of Marina Coral, reported a 39.9-pound albacore caught by his wife Gail at the 238 spot, in rough seas and 70-degree water. The Bad Dog also got three yellowtail and two more albacore, including a 25 pounder by Ross. "The fish are scattered and congregated in a few spots. They are not plentiful. You have to find them," Ross said. BAD DOG ENSENADA FISHING.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Sportfishing Center reported on 110 anglers with a catch of: 206 yellowtail, 150 bonito, 25 barracuda, two yellowfin tuna, 26 dorado, 17 bluefin tuna, 232 albacore, and 130 lingcod.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort reported good weather and good fishing all week, on the bottom, and on the surface for yellowtail up to 25 pounds. Ryan Johnson of San Diego had a double hookup on a trolled Rapala at Soledad Reef, and then lost the lure when a third fish spooled him. PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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CASTRO'S CAMP, ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp said 14 boats fished during the week, about 3 miles out, in water temperatures averaging 67 degrees, for good catches of bottom fish, barracuda, and especially for a total of 97 white seabass, on live mackerel, Krocodiles, and white-colored jigs. Erendira weather was good. ERENDIRA FISHING.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said 25 boats fished during the week for good catches of yellowtail, lingcod to 20 pounds, red rockcod, sandbass, calico bass, white seabass, and an unusual 8-pound salmon caught by Steve Bushlen of Lakewood, while fishing with Capt. Hector on the Romey. Bud Wright of Long Beach and a group of 22 fished with Capts. Hector, Miguel, Sapo, David, Esteban, and Pato for sandbass limits, some calico and white seabass, and good results on yellowtail to 20 pounds at Isla San Martin. SAN QUINTIN FISHING.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin fished on his boat Santa Monica, 35 miles out on a heading of 220 degrees, and found no fish on the troll, and just one small kelp paddy, with no fish but with a beautiful sea turtle on it, in a water temperature of 66.5 degrees. "We trolled with all kinds and shapes of lures, but nothing," Meza said. Coming back inside, Meza fished in 80 feet of water at El Rosario for white seabass and a 100-pound class thresher shark that hit a blue-white Salas 6X. Also fishing on the Santa Monica were Daniel Meza, Daniela Meza, Elias Meza, and Elias Meza Jr.

CIELITO LINDO, SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Kelly Catian of El Capitan Sportfishing reported very good action south at El Socorrito on lots of white seabass, including a 60 pounder caught by Chris Fuller: "We weighed it once on a 50-pound spring scale which maxed out, so we got a commercial scale and the fish weighed 60.3 pounds. We got about 11 more whites that day up to 30 pounds and lots of sandbass and calicos." Catian also reported thresher shark in the 30 to 40-pound range. SAN QUINTIN FISHING.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said snook were scarce except for a few small ones, but fly anglers in the mangroves scored on leopard grouper to 8 pounds, double-digit corvina, plus yellowtail, broomtail grouper, mojarra, cabrilla, pargo, spotted rose snapper, halibut, lingua, and several other unidentified reef fish. San Carlos weather was in the low-80s, with water temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees. MAGADALENA BAY FISHING.

PUNTA HUGHES, MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Brian Freitag of Mag Bay Tours at Punta Hughes said the water temperature at the offshore Thetis Bank was 75 degrees and lots of dorado and a few marlin were present. Inside, very good action was found on pargo by casting Krocodiles over the reef at the light house. MAGDALENA BAY FISHING.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 91 boats, with a catch including released fish of: three blue marlin, two sailfish, 25 striped marlin, 103 yellowfin tuna, 52 dorado, three wahoo, seven white skipjack, two mako shark, one thresher shark, and 11 boats skunked. Garcia, fishing on the Cabo Magic on July 26, scored on a 180-pound yellowfin tuna. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 30 Gaviota Fleet boats, with a catch including released fish of: 10 striped marlin, two mako shark, six dorado, 40 yellowfin tuna, and one wahoo caught by the Gaviota VII. The Juanita VIII reported on four outings, with a catch including released fish of: three striped marlin, and three dorado. Cabo weather was mostly sunny, in the high 90s, with water temperatures of about 80 degrees at the Jaime Banks on the Pacific side, and 83 degrees on the Cortez side at the Gordo Banks. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Benjamin Ortega of Solmar Fleet reported on 44 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 39 striped marlin, two blue marlin, 36 yellowfin tuna, 11 skipjack, and 24 dorado. The top boat for the week was the San Lucas V with Capt. Benito Peralto, with a seven-outing catch including released fish of: seven striped marlin, 16 dorado, and 11 yellowfin tuna. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jose Ugarteche of Garden Grove said his cousin Yvette Barreto and her husband Justin caught a 9-foot sailfish and a 185-pound yellowfin tuna.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Geri Christman reported a good tuna bite with live bait on porpoise at the 1150 spot on July 17, with Capt. Ernie Casio and her husband Dave, on their boat Reel Dream.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Earlier, Nancy Chaloner of Pisces Fleet reported a catch for the fleet including released fish of: 67 striped marlin, five blue marlin, and seven sailfish, in addition to other species including yellowfin tuna to about 80 pounds, dorado to about 50 pounds, and one wahoo. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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PUNTA PALMILLA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Luis Duhart of Palmilla Bay Sportfishing reported "slow but constant" fishing for boats out of Punta Palmilla. Bait was very hard to come by, and mackerel were bought from Cabo San Lucas. Boats fished Iman, Cabo, and at the Gordo Banks for some tuna and dorado to about 12 pounds, in water temperatures of about 81 degrees. Palmilla Bay announced its new website at www.prodigyweb.net.mx/palmilla. SAN JOSE DEL CABO FISHING.

LA PLAYITA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas said the La Playita panga fleet launched through big tides and 3 to 5-foot swells last week, for slightly improved action on yellowfin tuna and some dorado, and a few blue marlin. Bait was in short supply, so boats were fishing with artificials and doing well on some days: "The fish were striking well on lures some days, actually out-fishing bait, but then there were other days where the fish seemed to only want live bait, hard to figure." San Jose del Cabo weather was clear in the 90s, with water temperatures of 80 to 84 degrees, and most boats were fishing the Gordo Banks or north from Punta Gorda to San Luis. SAN JOSE DEL CABO FISHING.

LOS CABOS, SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Species specialist John Snow said fishing was slow at San Jose del Cabo, and only a few anglers were present. One surf fishing outing at Km. 18 and Km. 21 produced six orangeside triggerfish, one finescale triggerfish, one blue-and-gold snapper, and one chino mero. Snow reported water temperatures at about 83 degrees and a six-hour panga fishing outing also slow for one dorado, one spotted rose snapper, two orangeside triggerfish, and a large school of monster manta rays passing directly under the boat.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 84 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 10 blue marlin, 12 striped marlin, seven sailfish, 151 dorado, 104 tuna including fish of 100 and 180 pounds, two wahoo, three roosterfish, one shark, 47 snapper, two jack crevalle, two amberjack, 10 bonita, two pompano, 10 triggerfish, four cabrilla, 12 skipjack, and 20 needlefish. Most boats fished inside the bay. EAST CAPE FISHING.

BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Tami Mouyeos of Rancho Buena Vista reported on 22 boats with a catch including released fish of: 14 striped marlin; 14 blue marlin; 58 dorado; and 95 tuna. Top fish for the week included blue marlin of 220 pounds for Barry Eldridge, 220 pounds for John Hurthere, and 308 pounds for Mike Lisk, and a 95-pound tuna for Jim Ayers.

BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: On Sunday, Rod Albright of Buena Vista reported, "The fishing has slowed a bit, but there are still blue marlin, striped marlin and sailfish being caught. Some nice dorado too are starting to show again. Plenty of peanut dorado being landed and some good tuna too." Albright reported calm seas at about 85 degrees, and boats preparing for the East Cape Bisbee's tournament, including his Bill Collector: "Wish me luck!"

LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort, Marisol Verdugo said boats were busy during the week in good action for about 50 yellowfin tuna, including five fish of 75 pounds, two of 80 pounds, and two more of 100 and 190 pounds, plus dorado, and some blue marlin.

LA RIBERA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Russell Fritz of La Ribera reported steady action for blue and striped marlin, but tuna "distant and a gamble, with hotel boats traveling as much as 50 miles." Fritz said dorado were mixed, large singles and schoolies in all directions. Landing marlin on Fritz' boat Morning Star were his 77-year-old friend Bud, Sam Williams, Dan Fritz, and Chuck Potter of La Ribera. EAST CAPE FISHING.

RANCHO LEONERO, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero said fishing was spotty with "lots of fish in the water, but very picky on the bite." Ireland said good numbers of blue marlin were around, and three were released on Saturday. The blue marlin were located in two areas, at the 88 bank east of Isla Cerralvo to the north, and off Los Frailes to the south. EAST CAPE FISHING.

RANCHO LEONERO, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Carol Goldman of Salinas said her husband John and friends fished out of Rancho Leonero for a 70-pound tuna, three 40-pound dorado, one wahoo, two striped marlin released by their son, and another blue marlin released.

RANCHO LEONERO, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Fred Green of Rancho Leonero took his sister Pat Magunson of Pleasant Hill out about 500 yards in front of his house in a 12-foot tin boat, where she caught her first two dorado on the fly, plus a needlefish, in about five minutes. "She was heard to yell, 'This is the first time I have ever seen the backing on my reel,'" Green said. "Needless to say, she was a happy camper." EAST CAPE FLY FISHING DORADO.

BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported lots of smaller dorado "within spitting distance of the hotels" and in front of La Ribera. Roosterfish were cruising the beaches but not hitting actively, and Graham said lots of ladyfish and small jacks were also present inshore. EAST CAPE FLY FISHING.

LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Lance Allen reported "less than spectacular" dorado fishing during a 10-day stay at his house in Los Barriles, but he did limit on dorado by 10:30 one morning, fishing with Capt. Alberto Cota on the panga black marlin III out of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort. Allen said he saw blue marlin caught, some to over 300 pounds. His dorado, of 12 to 20 pounds, were caught inshore north of Rancho Leonero. EAST CAPE FISHING.

BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Mark Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport dive service said a whale shark was present at Cabo Pulmo over the weekend, and conditions were outstanding on the reef, with 81-degree water at depth, and 60 to over 100 feet of visibility. "The reefs are jammed with sea life," Rayor said. "Yesterday, I watched two huge grouper chasing a school of burrito grunts. Everywhere we look, there is life."

LA RIBERA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jorge Bergin of La Ribera reported a close call while fishing on his neighbor's 12-foot tin boat about a mile off Punta Colorada. With a 275-pound friend in the front of the boat, he took a wave over the bow and swamped. Luckily, the capsized boat was pulled to shore by a Rancho Leonero cruiser, Bergin said, and all they lost was their tackle. EAST CAPE BOAT SWAMPING.

LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Baja Fishing and Resorts said Dale Brown and his group had a good trip out of Hotel Playa del Sol, fishing five days for a catch including released fish of: six sailfish, one marlin, 20 dorado, six football tuna, and a 150-pound tuna that took Brown two hours to land. The big tuna hit a cedar plug about 35 miles south, after a five-minute troll. EAST CAPE FISHING.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LAS ARENAS, LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said pangas on the Las Arenas side found very slow fishing, with a few dorado to 25 pounds and wahoo to 30-pounds caught, but some pangas actually returning to the beach skunked. On Saturday, the only fish brought in were three wahoo, Hernandez said. Las Arenas weather was excellent but humid in the high-90s, with water temperatures in the fishing areas south of Ensenada de los Muertos at about 80 degrees. Sardina bait was in adequate supply, but the wahoo were caught on purple and green Rapalas.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tail Hunter International said La Paz weather was settling down and the dorado bite was still spotty, but improving: "You could still have a slow day here and there, or even get the goose egg if it was just one of those days, but if you put a couple days on the water you were most likely going home with fish." A few tuna and wahoo were also caught. LA PAZ FISHING.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto said dorado fishing was very slow, but a fairly steady marlin and sailfish bite was available. Bear fished several days with Capt. Paulino Martinez in the broad area north of Islas Coronado and Carmen, about 25 to 35 miles from town, and averaged several billfish strikes plus a couple of dorado per day, in generally calm seas. Other pangas did about the same, plus a few yellowtail at Punta Pulpito. Bait was selling out by about 6 a.m., but mackerel could be caught off the southeast corner of Isla Coronado. LORETO FISHING.

LORETO, MEXICO: Arturo Susarrey of Arturo's Sportfishing said the slow dorado bite definitely improved, and pangas caught an average of three fish each, of about 18 pounds, but including one of 42 pounds. Good numbers of sailfish and marlin were also released, mixed with dorado, off the bajos north of Islas Coronado and Carmen. Boats returning from Puerto Almeja about 25 miles north of town, caught an average of three yellowtail each of about 20 pounds. LORETO FISHING.

LORETO, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly returned from a very slow trip to Loreto for a few dorado and sailfish, jacks to 15 pounds, skipjack to 10 pounds, and two roosterfish of 5 to 8 pounds.

LORETO, MEXICO: At Villas de Loreto, Wendy Wilchynski said Ramon Arce and family and friends from La Paz fished on Saturday and caught two dorado to 15 pounds, plus pargo and cabrilla. About five more dorado were lost.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said most anglers were lucky to get their two-dorado limits at the end of the week, in rough water. The typical catch was about two dorado per boat of 12 to just under 20 pounds. Billfish, including sailfish, striped marlin, and some black marlin, were more numerous than dorado. LORETO FISHING.

LORETO, MEXICO: Larry Parker of Upland said his grandson Zachary Beissel, 10, landed his first ever sailfish, about a mile off Punta Lobos, and his marlin just a day later in the same area. "Both fish swallowed the baits deep, and could not be successfully released, so we returned home with smoked sailfish and marlin fillets," Parker said. "We practice catch and release, whenever possible."

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Fly-in angler Ron Grant of Crestline returned from a very slow fishing trip out of the Hotel Serenidad, finding water temperatures 20 miles out in the high-70s, and some jumping dorado off Punta Concepcion, but very few willing to hit a feather, jig, or cut bait. "The very few dorado that were caught were all small and would normally be released," Grant said. Boats using live bait fared no better. MULEGE FISHING.

MULEGE, MEXICO: Mike Massey of Mission Viejo returned from Mulege after finding fishing "spotty at best. Not a typically good July, for sure."

MULEGE, MEXICO: At the Hotel Serenidad, Diana Johnson said Mulege weather was about 98 degrees during the day, and local dorado fishing was slow. Boats fishing north at Isla San Marcos and south at Isla San Ildefonso caught yellowtail and grouper.

MULEGE, MEXICO: Doug Pierson of O'Brien, Ore., said fishing for "big boys" was grim offshore, but he's been finding great "Baja Catch-style" inshore action for 27 species "including one spotted bay bass at Punta Prieta, near the mouth of the Rio Santa Rosalia, way south of their usual Cortez territory." O'Brien, fishing out of the Brisa del Mar Hotel, also scored on broomtail grouper at Isla Santa Inez, pargo, dog snapper, yellowtail snapper, dorado, and "many other beautiful catches." Said Pierson, "I just sit and watch until the whitecaps disappear and head for the launch ramp with the Margaret Ann, my little 14-foot Gregor."

BAHIA CONCEPCION, MEXICO: Baja old-timer Lou Federico, who built the Hotel Punta Chivato south of Mulege, recalled an unusual sighting of many congregating totoaba during a flight over Bahia Concepcion in about 1960, and the catching of one of them. "Many large groups of very large fish that were formed to look like a huge starfish," Federico said. MULEGE TOTOABA CATCH.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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ISLA SAN MARCOS, SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said fishing was slow around the island, in water temperatures of 82 to 85 degrees, and Santa Rosalia weather in the mid-90s. "I did fish today and wished I didn't. It was a total bust! Never got bumped on the reef other than triggerfish," Kanzler said. "This time of the year really sucks, weather and fishing. I have about one-and-a-half months more to endure, and then it starts to get going again." Inshore fishing around San Lucas Cove was also slow, and Kanzler said Humboldt squid have been beaching themselves on the island. SANTA ROSALIA FISHING.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Dana Kerby of Baja Sportfishing, Inc., reported on a six-day trip by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe on July 29, 2004, with a catch of: 210 yellowtail, mostly of 20 to 30 pounds; 109 cabrilla, 10 pounds or more; 93 pargo; one grouper of 44 pounds; nine white seabass; 62 giant squid; and 309 miscellaneous fish, many released. The Erik fished at Bahia Refugio, Punta Diablo, Vibora, Las Animas and Golden Reef, in humid weather with quite a bit of wind.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tony Reyes of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on July 30, 2004, with a catch of: 120 yellowtail, 20 to 34 pounds; three grouper, 26.4 to 28 pounds; one roosterfish, 14.1 pounds; two dorado, 10 to 12 pounds; 195 cabrilla, 10 to 14 pounds; seven red snapper, 12 to 14 pounds; five broomtail grouper, 14 to 16 pounds; seven sheephead, 8 to 10 pounds; 70 spotted bay bass; and 60 miscellaneous fish.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Capt. Tony Reyes Jr. of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe on July 30 with a catch of: 247 yellowtail, 185 red snapper, 123 cabrilla, 16 broomtail grouper, five dorado, eight grouper, three black sea bass, and miscellaneous golden grouper and small grouper released. TONY REYES FISHING.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Earlier, chartermaster John Chow of Santa Ana reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe on July 9, 2004, with a catch of: 379 yellowtail to 25 pounds; 520 cabrilla to 21 pounds; 18 pargo; eight golden grouper released; nine grouper, 20 to 30 pounds; 10 sheephead; 85 giant squid to 30 pounds, and 45 miscellaneous fish.

GONZAGA BAY, MEXICO: Mike Alaniz of Los Angeles fished on the Jose Andres, and reported the release of a protected totoaba by a panga from the Tony Reyes, which was fishing nearby: "We killed the cabrilla at Bahia Gonzaga. Huge yellowtail backside of the farthest island west of L.A. Bay. Also saw someone bring up a totoaba. What a beautiful fish! They treated and released it with respect and care."

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Stuart Burnett of Tempe, Ariz., relayed a report of plentiful sargassum weed in the Puerto Penasco area, "but the wind was blowing about 40 knots with 8 to 10s crashing on the beach. The seas should be laying down a bit and that sargasso will form up along the current lines. I'm hoping to head down next weekend and go looking for dorado. We had schools of dorado swimming right up to the boat last year in August, which was unusual for Penasco. They weren't huge, mostly peanuts, but it was still a lot of fun on light tackle."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bob Blair of Fishing San Carlos said his grandson, James Tomison of Silver City, N.M., caught a 55-pound dorado, using a dead bait near a floating fuel barrel, 26 miles out of San Carlos on a heading of 180 degrees. Blair said, "The day was a Chamber of Commerce day. Ended with a 180-pound striped marlin and dorado of 55, 35, 24, and 20 pounds, and the sea was absolutely gorgeous."

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Tadeo Hernandez of Flota Bibi Fleet reported on 15 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 14 sailfish to 70 pounds; two dorado; six skipjack tuna; and one yellowfin tuna. Flota Bibi Fleet boats fished 20 to 26 miles off the lighthouse. Mazatlan weather was very hot and humid, in the mid-90s, with rain at night. MAZATLAN FISHING.

MARINA EL CID, MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Aries Fleet boats out of Marina el Cid averaged five sailfish per day, plus a few yellowfin tuna of 20 to 25 pounds, and lots of dorado, including a 65 pounder. Several larger billfish were lost, and one 370-pound blue marlin was landed. Mazatlan weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with water temperatures of about 85 degrees. MAZATLAN FISHING.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Kim Moore of Charter Dreams said there was good offshore action for sailfish at Tres Marietas and El Moro, and several nice blue marlin were caught at El Banco, plus yellowfin tuna in the 150 to 250-pound range. Puerto Vallarta weather was sunny, with water temperatures of 87 to 89 degrees. PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Kurt Hjort of Esperanza Sportfishing said water temperatures were 85 to 88 degrees, and he had reports of marlin of 400 to 600 pounds at El Banco and Corbetena, and also of some huge tuna: "I have heard from a couple of private sportfishers of yellowfin near the 400-pound mark being caught, and this comes from very reliable sources. Puerto Vallarta is very lucky to have the offshore banks in the migration pattern of these giant tunas, and every year, record-size fish are boated here." Inshore, good to excellent roosterfish action was found north of Punta Mita. PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO

IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag and Release Tournament said very few anglers were in town, and the combined fleet was only sending three to five boats out per day: "The August doldrums have set in." Phillips said the few boats fishing caught two to five sailfish per day, some dorado, and sporadic tuna of 20 to 30 pounds, plus a few larger. Inshore, roosterfish action averaged about one per day.

IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Stan Lushinsky of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters said the week saw light angling activity. Fly angler Ted Scott of California fished two days with Capt. Chio on the Llarmarda, and raised 15 sailfish on the fly, landing and releasing one. IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING.

IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported blue water eight miles outside the bay, and the best fishing 12 to 15 miles to the west.

IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said Zihuatanejo weather was humid with thunderstorms, in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 80 to 89 degrees.

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HEFTY LONGFIN--Gail Matsushima-Ross fished on the Bad Dog with husband Steve Ross out of Ensenada's Marina Coral, and caught this 39.9-pound albacore near the 238 spot. Photo courtesy Steve Ross.

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PUNTA BANDA YELLOWS--Richard Arneson of San Diego fished with Vonny's Fleet and caught his limit of rockcod, lingcod and one yellowtail at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda on Saturday morning. Photo courtesy Ivan Villarino.

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MISSED THE DODOS!--Barry Stangl fished for dorado three days out of Ensenada's Marina Coral, and blanked on the dodos, but caught yellowtail of 10 to 20 pounds in 69.5-degree water around the 238 spot. Photo courtesy Barry Stangl.

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CASTRO'S WHITE SEABASS--Hector Tabarez, Alberto Velazco, Javier Velazco, and Armando Maciel, all of South Bay, did super well on a total of 27 white seabass out of Castro's Camp, at Erendira, south of Ensenada. Photo courtesy Fernando Castro.

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SAN QUINTIN THRESHER--Elias Meza fished with his brother Julio of San Quintin, and caught this 100-pound class thresher shark in about 80 feet of water at El Rosario. Photo courtesy Julio Meza.

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HUGE QUINTIN CROAKER--Capt. Kelly Catian (right), and Chris Fuller with a 60.3-pound white seabass caught at El Socorrito, south of San Quintin. Photo courtesy Kelly Catian.

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CABO MAGIC TUNA--Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic, fished on his company's namesake boat and landed this beautiful 180-pound yellowfin tuna last week. Lori Garcia, also aboard, said, "The fish sounded and nearly spooled several times." Photo courtesy Cabo Magic.

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CABO CATCH--Justin Barreto and his wife Yvette fished out of Cabo San Lucas and caught this 185-pound yellowfin tuna and a sailfish. Photo courtesy Jose Ugarteche.

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CABO SUSHI TIME--Geri and Dave Christman caught some nice yellowfin tuna out of Cabo San Lucas on their boat Reel Dream, chasing porpoise with Capt. Ernie Casio. Photo courtesy Geri Christman.

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SAN JOSE DORADO--Paul Hinspeter Jr., shown with mate Pablo, fished with Palmilla Bay Sportfishing and caught two dorado of about 12 pounds in front of the Westin Hotel. They fished on the Alejandra II with Capt. Felipe. Photo courtesy Luis Duhart.

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SAW HER BACKING!--Pat Magunson of Pleasant Hill fished with her brother Fred Green about 500 yards in front of East Cape's Rancho Leonero and landed her first two dorado on the fly. Said her brother, "She was heard to yell, 'This is the first time I have ever seen the backing on my reel!'" Photo courtesy Fred Green.

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TUNA AT EAST CAPE--Dale Brown of Fremont caught this 150-pound class yellowfin tuna out of Hotel Playa del Sol, with Capt. Martin Lucero on the Maria D II. Photo courtesy Dale Brown.

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LA PAZ MAHI--Bob Warden and a nice mahi taken at La Paz with Tail Hunter International. Photo courtesy Jonathan Roldan.

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LORETO CATCH--Bill Aleksandrian of San Diego and Robert Perry of Newport Beach scored on a typical recent catch of smaller dorado and sailfish with Arturo's Sportfishing out of Loreto last week. Photo courtesy Arturo Susarrey.

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FIRST BILLFISH--Zachary Beiseel, 10, fished with granddad Larry Parker at Loreto and caught his first ever sailfish, followed the next day by his first marlin. Both fish died during the fight, and could not be released. Photo courtesy Larry Parker.

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SAN CARLOS DORADO--James Thomison of Silver City, N.M., caught this nice 55-pound dorado with Bob Blair's Fishing San Carlos. Photo courtesy Bob Blair.

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PUERTO VALLARTA COW--Phil Stroebel fished out of Puerto Vallarta on Charter Dreams' A Hooker last week for this pair of tuna at 157 and 258 pounds. Photo courtesy Kim Moore.

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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