Hurricane Howard skirts Baja Sur sportfishing areas

Mexico Fishing News, September 6, 2004

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: The summer tropical storm season finally arrived at Baja Sur last week as Hurricane Howard passed about 400 miles to the west of Cabo San Lucas, bringing minimal winds but plenty of rain, and knocking out fishing for a few days.

Jim Tolbert of San Jose del Cabo, author of the forthcoming "Adventure Guide to Baja Sur & Los Cabos," said on Friday, "Not much to report here for this week due to Hurricane Howard, no boats out. It is clearing just now." By Sunday, Tolbert said the La Playita panga fleet was still not fishing, and the passing hurricane had caused lots of excitement in the San Jose del Cabo corridor, as only moderate rain fell on the beaches, but runoff from heavy rain over the mountains washed out the new paved road across the San Jose arroyo, as well as other crossings in the area. HURRICANE HOWARD LA PLAYITA ROAD WASHOUT.

LA PLAYITA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas said rough seas caused by the distant hurricane nipped a very promising tuna bite in the bud. "The week started off with excellent fishing," Brictson said. "yellowfin tuna counts skyrocketed." But, "Ocean conditions deteriorated in a hurry on Wednesday and the storm pretty much shut down sportfishing operations for the rest of the week." Brictson said Hurricane Howard brought little wind as it passed far to the west of Cabo San Lucas, but seas were rough, and enough rainfall occurred to cause local street flooding, and keep boats ashore. Just prior to the storm, pangas averaged 12 to 16 tuna of about 15 to 30 pounds per morning, plus some billfish, dorado, and wahoo, and several more large snook, plus a few tripletail to 15 pounds, were caught off the beach near the San Jose del Cabo estuary. SAN JOSE DEL CABO PANGA FLEET FISHING.

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 the Don Juan II found fair action inside the bay on calico bass and medium yellowtail at University Point, and bonita at Punta Banda and Punta San Miguel. Earlier, wind and strong currents were encountered at Punta Santo Tomas, but the Don Juan II caught bottom fish limits, plus calico bass and barracuda. No boats fished offshore last week.

MARINA CORAL, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet reported on Saturday that the Amigo fished south on the San Jose reef for nine white seabass averaging 20 pounds, plus medium barracuda, good-sized calico bass, and "so much" bottom fish. The Amigo fished in 100-foot deep water, 33 miles south of Marina Coral, and 2 miles from the coast. The Tamara fished Saturday outside the 238 bank for three dorado of 20 pounds, and nine 15-pound yellowtail, on kelp paddies, in flat water of 70 degrees.

PUNTA BANDA, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino said his Vonny's Fleet pangas at the tip of Punta Banda caught steady limits of lingcod and bottom fish, and a little better than one yellowtail per angler all week long, plus an 18-pound white seabass on Wednesday. Punta Banda weather was in the high-70s, foggy and cloudy in the mornings, clearing in the afternoons, with ocean swells of 2 to 4 feet and water temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees. VONNY'S FLEET ENSENADA FISHING PHOTOS.

PUNTA BANDA, ENSENADA, MEXICO: W.O.N. Mexico Reports Editor Gene Kira and his group of three other anglers fished with Vonny Fleet's Capt. Beto Zamora on the Vonny I on Wednesday, for a catch including released fish of full limits of lingcod, bonita, rockcod, whitefish, bottom fish, one yellowtail, and one white seabass. They fished the Punta Banda boiler rocks, and birds farther outside, with live mackerel and jigs, in water temperatures averaging slightly above 70 degrees. GREAT ENSENADA FISHING DAY WITH VONNY'S FLEET'S CAPT. BETO.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Sportfishing Center reported on 85 anglers, with a catch of: 107 yellowtail, 49 bonito, 63 barracuda, 23 yellowfin tuna, 64 dorado, 25 lingcod, and 37 rockcod.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Earlier, Craig Miller of Irvine fished off Ensenada on his boat Osprey out of Marina Coral, and found slow going for dorado in 70.2-degree water, one large dorado lost, and a rod holder, rod and reel also lost when a marlin hit a trolled feather and ripped them off the boat. "So, if anyone catches a marlin with a rod and reel attached, it's off the Osprey," Miller said. ENSENADA OFFSHORE FISHING AND MARLIN "RIP-OFF."

More fishing reports and information for Ensenada, Mexico, can be found in the Mexico Fishing News archives.

Puerto Santo Tomas Fishing

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Ken Jones of Long Beach, Bret Hambrick, and Chris Gessel ran down to Sam and Juanita Saenz' Puerto Santo Tomas Resort and were blown out of shore casting, but fished on a panga for a catch of: lingcod, rockfish, three barracuda, one bonito, mackerel, and something large that broke a reel and escaped. Jones said, "Sam was great and the place is just fantastic. Will be going back for sure," and added that he tried some barracuda roe fried with soy sauce and olive oil, "...pretty tasty!" PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING AND BARRACUDA ROE RECIPE REPORT.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's camp said 31 boats fished during the week for a catch of: 73 white seabass, 43 large yellowtail, many bonita, barracuda, and red rockcod, lingcod, cabrilla, calico bass, and bottom fish. Boats fished three to six miles from the coast in depths of 50 to 120 feet, and the weather at Erendira was good, with water temperatures of about 68 degrees. CASTRO'S CAMP FISHING.

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: David Genter of Westminster and his son fished out of Castro's Camp for a good catch of halibut, lingcod, calico bass, cabazon, black sea bass, sandbass, rockfish, and a very large white seabass estimated at over 80 pounds. "This is the biggest fish I've ever caught," Genter said. The croaker was caught with a large Krocodile after a panga run to a spot about 18 miles south of Castro's Camp. BIG WHITE SEABASS FISHING OUT OF CASTRO'S CAMP.

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Syd Lindsay and his wife Olivia of San Lucas Cove visited friends at Punta Cabras, and had a problem with a police speed trap near Erendira. Lindsay said some quick talking by his wife saved him most of a potential $110 fine. "My Mexican wife Olivia went to work on the police and got the fine reduced to $23," Lindsay said. "She just asked them if this was the way they treated visitors in their town, and a bunch of other stuff in Spanish that I didn't understand. She is very outspoken."

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported over the weekend that San Quintin weather and sea conditions were good, despite the passage of distant Hurricane Howard far to the south. Boats fishing on Sunday caught yellowtail and white seabass at Socorro and the 240 spot, and bottom fishing yielded continued large red rockcod and large lingcod. Todd Webster of San Diego caught a 26-pound white seabass at Socorro with Capt. Miguel, and Geoffrey Glassco and Larry Twombley of Riverside fished with Capt. Pato for yellowtail to 20 pounds, and a 40-pound white seabass. SAN QUINTIN FISHING.

CAMALU, MEXICO: Russ Fritz of La Ribera at East Cape made a run north and stopped in at the Cueva del Pirata beach hotel at Camalu: "It was great! Pleasant people, delicious food, very comfortable rooms, and a sunset that was magnificent. I give it three stars at least. A group of four guys from Catalina were at the hotel and preparing to fish for white seabass as I departed in the morning. They said the white seabass bite was on."

PLAYA SAN RAMON, SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Alan Tokunaga of North Hollywood and Tad Hirai of Culver City fished San Ramon beach north of San Quintin for some nice perch to 2.2 pounds. "I fish strictly with grubs in motor oil colors," Tokunaga said. "The high tide was at about 10 o'clock in the morning, and the bite was better on the outgoing tide." Tokunaga fished out of Posada Don Diego.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Earlier, Kelly Catian of El Capitan reported scratchy action on tuna, 25 miles out, and better action on kelp paddy yellowtail and dorado. Closer in, white seabass were caught in good numbers, plus yellowtail at the 240 and 6 spots, and Ben's Rock.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: John Robinson of Ramona fished with Tiburon's Pangas locally and missed his targeted white seabass, but scored on three yellowtail of 15 to 20 pounds, plus three more lost. "Not a great bite," Robinson said. "I told them I wanted white seabass. They discouraged me about the poor bite, so we went out for yellowtail. Five-pound rockcod were easy prey, but not what I was interested in."

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO LOPEZ MATEOS, MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Diana Hoyt of Mag Bay Outfitters at Puerto Lopez Mateos reported offshore water temperatures of 80 to 81 degrees on Sunday, with a wide-open sierra bite and a slow grouper bite outside. In the mangrove channels, sandbass were also wide-open, and some grouper and one snook were caught. With dissipating Hurricane Howard far offshore, Hoyt said, "Second day of rain today. Looks like rain for the next two days."

SAN CARLOS, MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported rough waters outside San Carlos due to the passing of Hurricane Howard, and slower action in the mangrove channels due to large tidal swings. No snook were caught, and a few sierra were present under birds at the entrada. San Carlos weather was in the low-80s, with water temperatures of 67 to 78 degrees. SAN CARLOS, MAGDALENA BAY FISHING.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Capt. George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said Hurricane Howard passed far to the west of Baja Sur, but caused enough rain and wind to close the port for a day, beginning about noon Thursday. Weather was clearing over the weekend, and seas were calming back down, but as of Friday Landrum said, "A few boats tried to stick it out, but almost every one was back in within an hour." Dorado and tuna were generally scattered on school-sized fish, in water temperatures of about 83 degrees. Pre-hurricane billfish counts were generally down, although Landrum said a 700-pound class blue marlin was picked up dead in the water, after a "release" was reported in the area by an American boat. "It appeared that the fish had been tail-wrapped and died during the fight or shortly after release," Landrum said. "At least the fish did not go to waste." CABO FISHING AND 700-POUND DEAD BLUE MARLIN.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on a weather-limited week for Gaviota Fleet, with a 39-outing catch including released fish of: 17 dorado, 11 yellowfin tuna, 20 skipjack tuna, and four sailfish. "This is the first report in many years that we have not reflected a single marlin caught from the fleet," Edwards said. "...The full moon and effects from Hurricane Howard took it's toll on the fishing results." CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 67 boats, with a catch including released fish of: one blue marlin, 15 striped marlin, 14 sailfish, 100 yellowfin tuna, 44 dorado, three wahoo, one mako shark, "bunches" of skipjack, and nine boats skunked.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Benjamin Ortega of Solmar Fleet reported on 64 boats fishing in fairly rough seas, with a catch including released fish of: nine striped marlin, seven blue marlin, 103 yellowfin tuna, 34 skipjack, 35 dorado, and four sailfish. The top boat for the week was the Solmar II with Capt. Javier Abaroa and a four-outing catch including released fish of: six striped marlin, 13 dorado, nine yellowfin tuna, and 21 jacks. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING WITH SOLMAR FLEET.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported 58 percent of boats catching billfish, and 81 percent landing all species combined, with a fleet billfish catch including released fish of: 17 sailfish, four blue marlin, and nine striped marlin. Eighteen percent of boats caught tuna, and nine percent landed dorado, as Pisces Fleet fished mostly on the Cortez side in water temperatures averaging 86 degrees. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Rod Albright of Buena Vista went fishing again right after the passage of Hurricane Howard to the west of Baja, and his boat Bill Collector found a nice 50-pound plus dorado on a storm debris line for Jeff Young of Shimano, plus a 20 pounder for his friend from New York, David Young (no relation). Albright said he also fished between rains on Saturday and landed a marlin for David Young, and then the big dorado in better conditions on Sunday. POST-HURRICANE EAST CAPE FISHING.

BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Rancho Buena Vista, Tami Mouyeos reported on only three boats venturing out during five days of rains, with a catch including released fish of: three sailfish, and one dorado: "Pretty slim pickins!"

BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort said the hotel held a staff fishing tournament last week. The fleet fished mainly for larger marlin offshore, and turned in a 17-outing count including released fish of: five blue marlin, three striped marlin, 11 sailfish, 22 dorado, 24 tuna, two roosterfish, 11 snapper, one jack crevalle, two amberjack, two bonita, two pompano, 11 triggerfish, one cabrilla, and 10 skipjack. Despite rains, East Cape water temperatures held at about 87 degrees. EAST CAPE FISHING.

LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 159 boats from combined fleets including the Van Wormer resorts of Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, and Punta Colorada, fishing before the passing of Hurricane Howard, for a catch including released fish of: two blue marlin, 19 striped marlin, 56 sailfish, 169 dorado, 367 yellowfin tuna, and 10 wahoo. About 35 percent of boats caught dorado, and about 76 percent caught tuna, with many in the 30 to 40-pound class, Moyers said. The 10 wahoo reported were caught south, off La Ribera and Destiladeras. East Cape water temperatures were 82 to 89 degrees. EAST CAPE FISHING.

RANCHO LEONERO, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Roy Baldwin of Rancho Leonero reported wide-open tuna and dorado with limits for all anglers, Baldwin said. The dorado averaged 15 to 25 pounds, schooling off the Punta Arena lighthouse, and the tuna were under porpoise, 10 to 15 straight out from the hotel, Baldwin said. Along the beaches a few roosterfish to 40 pounds were released. EAST CAPE FISHING.

LA RIBERA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Russ Fritz of La Ribera reported on Saturday that the weather was clearing, with some wind and clouds, but the hurricane was basically gone: "We are mostly overcast with a few blue holes to the west. More threatening skies to the east, though, and light sprinkles at the moment. I drove through very heavy showers on Friday morning." EAST CAPE CLEARING WEATHER.

BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Mark Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport dive service at Buena Vista said he sat on the beach for five days, watching hurricane-generated rains: "Thankfully rain was the only effect on the East Cape. The weather forecast is for a beautiful day tomorrow and I'm going diving."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said wind waves and storm surge from Hurricane Howard "chewed up the beaches pretty well" last week, and dirty water caused by the storm slowed the bite on roosterfish and jacks. EAST CAPE FLY FISHING.

LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Don Anderson of Newport Beach fished three days on the Petunia with Capt. Martin Collins out of Palmas de Cortez, and found slow going on his first and last days, but on the middle day scored on: one blue marlin, two striped marlin, two sailfish, and one dorado. Anderson fished about 15 miles off Punta Colorada, in a few rain squalls, but mostly calm conditions, and water temperatures averaging 88 degrees. "For those obsessed with catch-and-release, in three days, every billfish flag I saw had a release flag under it," Anderson said. EAST CAPE FISHING.

LA RIBERA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: George "Jorge" Bergin of La Ribera passed along a personal recommendation for the East Cape boat mechanic shop of Ernesto Mendoza, located on Mex 1 at the north end of Los Barriles, saying Mendoza has computer diagnostic equipment, is certified on Johnson/Evinrude and Yamaha, and "has been helpful, open and honest about everything that's passed between us." Phone 624-141-0752, Ernestoshop_95@hotmail.com. EAST CAPE BOAT SHOP RECOMMENDATION.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LAS ARENAS, LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said small dorado and tuna continued to be caught on the Las Arenas side, despite continuous rains toward the end of the week. Tortuga pangas stayed close to shore during the unfavorable sea conditions, making bait at La Ventana and fishing around the Las Arenas lighthouse, in water temperatures of 78 to 82 degrees. LAS ARENAS, LA PAZ FISHING.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said his boats on both sides of the hill caught tuna of 5 to 25 pounds and dorado of about 10 pounds, fishing in intermittent rain "interrupted by sunshine." Roldan said, "It was kinda funny because the rain was spotty. One boat could be getting drenched and 100 yards away, another boat would be in complete sunshine watching their amigos getting soaked!" LA PAZ FISHING.

SAN ISIDRO, LA PAZ, MEXICO: At San Isidro, south of Ensenada de los Muertos, resident Don Ballentine said he wasn't having any part of the rough sea conditions late last week: "Hurricane Howard is raining here now. The weather has been so unstable that I refuse to go out fishing. Not fun."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Don Anderson of Newport Beach passed through La Paz just before Hurricane Howard went by, and liked what he saw: "Spent one day in La Paz. The newly refurbished malecon is beautiful and almost finished. People may want to spend some more time in this city."

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Jeff Petersen of Loreto reported on Sunday that 104 anglers and 40 boats were participating during the second day of the annual fishing tournament sponsored by the hunting and fishing club of Ciudad Constitucion. "Fishermen from Constitucion, La Paz, Los Cabos, Tijuana, Ensenada, the state of Sonora, and the United States are on the water."

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company reported Loreto weather as cloudy and wet on Saturday, and anglers in the Ciudad Constitucion club tournament coming in with good counts of sailfish and marlin, after wet rides to troll mackerel baits east of Isla Carmen. "I would guess that at least 75 percent of the boats brought in a billfish," Bolles said. Dorado coming from the same area were small, mostly 10 to 15 pounds, with the largest brought in on the tournament's first day at 36 pounds. Live bait was in limited supply. Roosterfish were expected to return to inshore waters following the disruption from distant Hurricane Howard on the Pacific side. LORETO FISHING.

LORETO, MEXICO: Arturo Susarrey of Arturo's Sportfishing said some larger dorado, to 50 pounds, were caught at Punta Perico outside Isla Carmen. "There are not too many, but there is quality," Susarrey said. At Punta Baja, at the south end of the island, pangas caught about four yellowtail of about 18 pounds per boat. LORETO FISHING.

LORETO, MEXICO: At Villas de Loreto, Wendy Wilchynski said Hurricane Howard's rain and wind did not cause really rough seas: "It looks like Howard is subsiding, so things should be looking up soon." On Friday, Todd Moutafian's group from San Francisco fished with Capts. Pancho Alvarez and Manuel Torres for several dorado of about 40 pounds, two marlin, and a sailfish, fishing between Islas Coronado and Carmen.

LORETO, MEXICO: Nacho Davis of the Carnaderos baitsellers' cooperativa said bait fishermen were holding their own nightly tournaments in an effort to catch enough bait for the sportfishing fleet, but "with many changes in the water, the fish have been moving." Davis said boats departing the marina early found bait for sale, and later boats had to look for their own. Mackerel and bigeye were available but not plentiful, and sardinas were abundant at the marina.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Rick Barber of Mulege reported rough weather in the high-100s, and water temperatures in the mid-80s: "Local storms, called tormentas, have kicked up the seas in the area, and it's been pretty hard to get out to enjoy a day of fishing." Some anglers scored on dorado in the 35-pound range, and Bob Carey of Mulege caught a 158-pound sailfish off Punta Concepcion. Inshore, grouper and pargo were caught on the rocky points, and sierra were present in good numbers. The best action was early, before sunrise, Barber said, "If you get on the water by 5 or 5:30 a.m., you can have a full fishing trip by 10:30 or 11 a.m. before it really gets hot." MULEGE FISHING.

MULEGE, MEXICO: Diana Johnson of the Hotel Serenidad reported lots of rain on Friday, and fishing just so-so. Johnson said recent ejido land title claim reports in the Mexican media and on the internet were incomplete and misleading, and that the family fully expected the issue to be resolved in the hotel's favor, just as before. "Unfortunately, some don't have a good translation of what is going on, and that results in bad publicity for the town," Johnson said, adding that an amparo, or restraining order, has been obtained in the hotel's favor.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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ISLA SAN MARCOS, SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said fishing was up and down last week in mixed sea conditions due to the effects of distant Hurricane Howard. Kanzler fished several times during the week, finding good action two days at the north bajo with his deckhand, Daniel "Piojo Loco" Chiquete, on ten deep yellowtail, two dorado to 15 pounds, three bonita, one cabrilla, and a few goldspotted bass and triggerfish. But other outings were slow, with the main highlight of the week being the release of a surprise sailfish in about 19 feet of water off San Bruno after a rain-soaked fight lasting two and a half hours. "Took some photos and one long video, and let that damn fish go," Kanzler said. SANTA ROSALIA FISHING WITH MIKE KANZLER.

ISLA SAN MARCOS, SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Kanzler also confirmed reports that his favorite yellowtail bait rig is a plain hook tied to the end of the line, with an egg sinker allowed to slide right up to the hook. MIKE KANZLER'S "LIVE YO-YO IRON" YELLOWTAIL RIG.

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Ryan Rogers of San Diego, his father Larry Rogers, and his uncle Larry Turk, had a great trip on a Guillermo's super panga, landing 13 species of fish, including grouper, sheephead, one dorado, and yellowtail of 20 to 40 pounds. "There is tons of bait and other life in the area including whales, dolphins, and big skippies," Ryan said. "We even saw a huge shark attack a sea lion right in front of the boat. Like a bass on a buzz bait!" L.A. Bay weather was in the high-90s. BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES FISHING.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: John Robinson of Ramona relayed a report from four friends who fished with Manuel Cortez south of the bay at Las Animas for four yellowtail and many "nuisance cabrilla." Another angler fished 25 miles north of the bay for eight yellowtail, Robinson said. The road to L.A. Bay was paved except for the final five miles. Robinson added that, in an unusual incident, he was "squeezed" for three beers at an Army checkpoint in the area. L.A. BAY FISHING AND ARMY CHECKPOINT INCIDENT.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko corrected an earlier report that the new paving had reached the village, saying that the end of the pavement was about 4 miles out, as of last week: "It could be a problem if people are towing a big boat or a big trailer. I think the confusion is they took out the road all the way to Casa Diaz, but it is definitely not done yet."

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Celia Diaz of the nonprofit Binational Emergency Medical Care Committee (BEMCC) in Chula Vista, 619-425-5080, said many evacuations of injured Americans were made from Mexico last month, including campers who were severely burned in San Felipe and Bahia de los Angeles. Membership in BEMCC is $30 per year, and includes 24-hour per day, collect telephone service for medical evacuations from anywhere in Mexico.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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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 Sept. 3, 2004, with a catch of: 215 yellowtail, 10 to 15 pounds; six grouper, 35 to 130 pounds; 28 dorado, 16 to 18 pounds; 185 cabrilla, 3 to 10 pounds; 80 squid, 15 pounds; 10 red snapper, 15 pounds; three sheephead, 3 to 10 pounds; and 108 miscellaneous fish. During the trip, the Tony Reyes and its pangas also saved a research sailing ship that dragged its anchor at Refugio and nearly foundered on the rocks in high winds. SAN FELIPE TRIP REPORT AND SHIP RESCUE BY CAPT. REYES.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Dana Kerby of Baja Sportfishing, Inc., reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe with 18 anglers on Sept. 2, 2004, with a catch of: 221 yellowtail, including one of 32 pounds; 154 cabrilla; 14 pargo, three dorado; and 10 giant squid. The 32-pound yellowtail was caught at Snake Island by Tom Hickey of Chino, and Kerby reported excellent sea life sightings while snorkeling at Las Animas, including a very rare sighting of a leopard grouper in the process of a color phase change to a golden grouper. SAN FELIPE MOTHERSHIP REPORT.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Stuart Burnett of Tempe, Ariz., fished on his boat Mackerelena out of Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco), and found slow going in very tough, windy conditions about 12 miles out, so he returned to anchor in about 30 feet of water near town and while catching triggerfish and sandbass had a great "Discovery Channel" experience of watching a large school of one-inch bait fish, gradually reduced to near nothingness by a sequence of predators including, in order, sardinas, small mackerel, sierra, and pelicans: "What was a huge school of bait with thousands of fish had been reduced to a small, tight ball of perhaps a couple hundred. We decided to pull anchor and give the remaining few a chance to make a run for it." ROCKY POINT BAIT BALL PREDATION.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Molden of San Carlos said good numbers of sailfish were caught last week in advance of the San Carlos Invitational fishing tournament, but the first day of fishing was postponed on Saturday due to high seas, rain, and low visibility.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said few anglers fished last week, but five Aries Fleet boats out of Marina el Cid did well, with a catch including released fish of: one small blue marlin, seven sailfish, and 39 dorado. Inshore pangas continued to catch limits of dorado. Mazatlan weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 87 to 88 degrees. MAZATLAN FISHING.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Kim Moore of Charter Dreams said the big tuna bite turned hot at El Banco, 55 miles off Puerto Vallarta. Merle Erickson of Chicago was two days into his five-day trip on the Anticipation with Capt. Ed Moore, and by Sunday had already scored on tuna of 192, 197, 180, and 70 pounds, in addition to three dorado. Puerto Vallarta seas were roughened by the distant passing of Hurricane Howard, but were fishable, with water temperatures of 85 to 87 degrees. BIG TUNA FISHING AT PUERTO VALLARTA.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Zev Hendeles of Los Angeles, and Arie and Moise Hendeles, fished with Master Baiters Sportfishing on the High Maintenance for four days, and reported eight tuna of 120 to 320 pounds, including six fish over 200 pounds, all caught at El Banco. PUERTO VALLARTA BIG TUNA FISHING.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Daniel Alanis of Master Baiters Sportfishing said they are back fishing after last year's reorganization, and the High Maintenance was running with new engines and catching fish. Puerto Vallarta water temperatures averaged 89 degrees, with blue color at El Banco and Corbetena.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze of Zihuatanejo said blue, 80-degree water was a mile out, and offshore boats averaged two to three sailfish releases per day, but tuna and dorado remained scarce. Inshore, roosterfish action was phenomenal. Pat Johnson of Tulsa fished on the panga Gringo Loco with Capt. Luis Maciel and ran into an amazing jack bite, ending up with 10 roosterfish of 35 to 45 pounds, about ten more lost, seven jacks of 12 to 15 pounds, and two sierra, returning to the dock by 11 a.m. SUPER HOT ZIHUATANEJO ROOSTERFISH.

IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Kunze also announced an organized protest scheduled on Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, during which local sportfishing industry owners will march on city hall to protest illegal long lining of sailfish around Zihuatanejo. The protest, to include a work stoppage, is backed by the year-old Committee for Sport Fishing, Kunze said, adding that he estimates a minimum of 300 sailfish per week are being killed in local waters. SAILFISH KILL PROTEST.

IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the pioneering all-release format Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament in Zihuatanejo said about the protest march: "Going to be an interesting day on Monday. Been a long six years to get to this point. Makes me proud my dinky little tournament helped start it off."

IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported Ixtapa Zihuatanejo weather as mostly calm, with afternoon thunderstorms, in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 80 to 84 degrees.

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HOTEL STAFF TOURNAMENT--Buena Vista Beach Resort staffers Eva and Claudia fished with their daughters last week at East Cape, as the resort held a tournament for employees and their families. Photo courtesy Axel Valdez.

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HURRICANE HOWARD AT SAN JOSE--Hurricane Howard cut the La Playita road near San Jose del Cabo on Saturday. Photo courtesy Jim Tolbert.

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FIRST WAHOO--Anton Gerschler of Encinitas fished with Gordo Banks Pangas at San Jose del Cabo for his first ever wahoo, with Capt. Niko. Photo courtesy Eric Brictson.

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FULL MEXICAN LIMIT--Jay Johnson of Fontana caught his official limit of five yellowtail with Vonny's Fleet last week at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda. Photo courtesy Ivan Villarino.

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SANTO TOMAS RED--Claudio Ramirez loaded up on red rockcod at Puerto Santo Tomas with KCHTS Sportfishing's Don Juan II out of Ensenada. Photo courtesy Gerardo Sanchez.

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NON-STOP CROAKERS--Getting in on the amazing white seabass action out of Castro's Camp at Erendira, south of Ensenada, last week were Tri Luu, Minh Ta, Quang Khuu, Maurico Torres, and David Nguyen. Photo courtesy Fernando Castro.

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YOUNG AND YOUNG--Jeff Young (left) Regional Sales Manager for Shimano Tackle, Inc., and his friend David Young, not related, from New York City landed these two nice dorado at East Cape on Rod Albright's boat Bill Collector. Photo courtesy Rod Albright.

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EAST CAPE RECOMMENDATION--George Bergin of La Ribera recommended Ernesto Mendoza's certified boat mechanic service, located on Mex 1 at the north end of Los Barriles. Photo courtesy George Bergin..

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WAHOO WISH--John Ames of Valinda said he wanted to catch a tough-to-find wahoo at La Paz with Tailhunter International, and he fooled everybody by catching two of them, plus pargo, tuna, and dorado. Photo courtesy Jonathan Roldan.

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YOUNGEST ENTRANT--Brad Petersen (foreground) of Loreto, 14, was the youngest contestant in last week's tournament of the El Club de Caza, Tiro y Pesca Del Valle De Santa Domingo. Representing the club (left to right, rear) were: Jorge Carballo Castro, Subcoordinador de Pesca; Juan Guillermo Gómez Gómez, Presidente; Luis Carlos Rodriguez Aguiar, Tesorera; and Braulio Ortiz Cano. Photo courtesy Jeff Petersen.

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SHALLOW WATER SAILFISH--Kevin Armenta of Pico Rivera prepares to release a sailfish in 19 feet of water at San Bruno near Santa Rosalia. The sailfish was caught in a torrential downpour as Rojas fished with Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos. Photo courtesy Mike Kanzler.

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GOOD GUILLERMO'S DAY--Larry Turk, Larry Rogers, and Ryan Rogers did real well on yellowtail and 12 other species, fishing on a Guillermo's super panga at L.A. Bay. Photo courtesy Ryan Rogers.

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VALLARTA HOT TUNA--Merle Ericson's (left) first two days on Charter Dreams' Anticipation last week produced tuna of 192, 197, 180, and 70 pounds. Also shown from second left, Capt. Ed Moore, and crewmen Luis Gutierrez and Jorge Rodriguez. 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.

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