San Jose del Cabo tuna fishing is close to shore

Mexico Fishing News, October 16, 2006

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: This summer's marathon yellowfin tuna bite at the tip of Baja picked up strongly again last week as Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported 1,425 tuna caught by 96 combined La Playita fleet pangas.

The tuna averaged about 20 pounds, but some fish into the 100-pound class were also landed, on the Pacific side, at the Gordo Banks, and especially about 1 mile out, right in front of the panga launching beach at La Playita.

"This entire fishing week at San Jose del Cabo has been unbelievable," Brictson said. "The biggest numbers are in the area right off La Playita. This has been an unprecedented bite for such close proximity to our panga launching area."

For the week, the 96 pangas reporting had a catch including released fish of: 1,425 yellowfin tuna, 5 striped marlin, 9 wahoo, 98 dorado, 14 sailfish, 6 amberjack, 22 miscellaneous snappers, 15 sierra, and 14 cabrilla.

San Jose del Cabo fishing waters were mostly calm, with very little swell and water temperatures of 86 to 88 degrees. SUPER WIDE-OPEN YELLOWFIN TUNA FOR LA PLAYITA PANGAS.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Grimes of San Jose del Cabo said, "On Thursday I counted over 60 boats fishing the schools of tuna off of La Playita before 9 a.m., with more coming. Some are coming from San Lucas and others from as far away as Los Barriles." Grimes fished Saturday for 8 quick tuna about one-half mile off La Playita.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog at Ensenada's Marina Coral reported on an offshore fishing run Saturday south of the 450 spot for limits of yellowtail, limits of dorado, and 1 skipjack tuna. "The majority of the fish were caught off 2 kelp paddies just south of the spot," Ross said. "One dorado and the skipjack were caught while trolling home." Ensenada offshore water was blue at 68 degrees. Anglers aboard the Bad Dog included Gail Ross and Capt. Juan Lu Cardona-Sepulveda.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Judy Ostberg of the boat Melody at Marina Coral said she fished Saturday for 2 dorado of 20 pounds plus yellowtail limits after being called by Steve Ross' boat Bad Dog. "Steve called us for a wide-open yellowtail bite at 31.22 117.02," Ostberg said. "We ended up with limits of yellowtail between 8 and 10 pounds."

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his beach launched pangas fishing at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda did well all week on bonita and mixed bottom fish including lingcod, red rockcod, chocolates, chuckleheads, and plenty of bonita for the Vonny's Fleet client fish smoker. Anglers fishing with Capts. Beto and Hector on the pangas Vonny I and Vonny III included Mario Rivera, Jay Johnson, and Robert Clucas and his father. Punta Banda weather was mostly cloudy with clearing afternoons, in the high-60s, with calm seas, ocean swells of 3 feet, and water temperatures at 61 to 62 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Ensenada Sportfishing Center reported on 108 anglers fishing early in the week on the charter boats Clipper II, Quest, Cazador, Shir-lee, and Ensenada Clipper, for a catch of: 212 yellowtail, 31 yellowfin tuna, 1 dorado, 130 lingcod, 25 rockcod, and 105 salmon grouper.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp said he had 16 boats fishing at Erendira during the week, for good counts on bottom fish including red rockcod, whitefish, lingcod, and bass. Castro's boats fished in clear water at 63 to 64 degrees, but with some cooler currents of 56 to 57 degrees. Erendira weather was good most of week, with some light sprinkles on Saturday morning that did not prevent boats from fishing.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Sarai Garcia of Don Eddie's Landing said boats fishing at Socorro south of San Quintin on Saturday caught 4 white seabass by about noon. "The number of white seabass has somewhat diminished but they are still at El Socorro, La Pinta, and El Tranquilo," Garcia said. Other Don Eddie's boats fishing out of San Quintin during the week had big numbers of red rockcod, lingcod, whitefish, barracuda, bonita, calico bass, and sandbass at the 180, 6, and 240 fishing spots and at Isla San Martin. "Boats with 4 anglers are coming in with 200 pounds of fish," Garcia said. San Quintin weather was in the mid-70s, with light west winds at 6 to 10 knots in the afternoon and water temperatures at 63 to 64 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Chris Salazar of San Diego and his group fished 2 days out of San Quintin on a 29-foot super panga with Capts. Eddie and Gordo of Bear Garcia's Pangas, missing their targeted white seabass about 6 miles south of the bay, but scoring heavily on red rockcod, sandbass, calico bass, bonita in the 10-pound class, and unlimited log barracuda on the surface. "I can't say enough good things about Garcia's Pangas," Salazar said. "They are very good and nice and courteous. Gordo's mom made us some ceviche on Saturday that was to die for. They also just got a new super panga that Bear Garcia was putting together. Don't hesitate to fish with Garcia's." GOOD MIXED SPECIES FISHING EXPERIENCE WITH GARCIA'S PANGAS.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Juanchys Aguilar of the semi-remote Baja Pacific coast fishing town of La Bocana reported outstanding yellowtail fishing last week for big numbers of yellowtail in medium to very large sizes. On Thursday, anglers Mike Hall, Dan Stank, and Doug Pierson fished on Aguilar's boat Karol for a catch of 39 yellowtail to a top weight of over 50 pounds, caught on live mackerel baits just half-a-mile from La Bocana in only 17 feet of water. "We fished with 40-pound line," Aguilar said. "It is very difficult to fish in this area because the yellowtail get tangled in plants." On Saturday, Aguilar and Pierson returned to the same area for 57 more yellowtail.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Donald Rubi of Duarte, Calif., and his group fished on beach-launched Lee Moreno pangas 2 days out of Camalu on the Baja Pacific coast between Ensenada and San Quintin, for good results on bottom fish about 8 miles out and up to 250 feet deep. Fishing with Lee Moreno Capts. Erick and Raffa, Rubi's 4-angler group caught fish including calico bass, sandbass, "chocolates," rockcod, sheephead, whitefish, bonita, and several miscellaneous species. "The cost was $160 for the panga each day," Rubi said. "We stayed at the Hotel Cueva del Pirata." BOTTOM FISH ACTION WITH LEE MORENO'S PANGAS AT CAMALU.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said good dorado concentrations were reported off Magdalena Bay and fly fishing in the mangrove channels was excellent for pargo, corvina, longjaw leatherjacket, and white seabass. Baja On The Fly guide Lance Petersen said, "Top water fly fishing was unbelievable at points, with violent takes and almost unstoppable runs into the mangroves." Yellowfin tuna were also caught offshore, about 28 miles out of Puerto Lopez Mateos at the north end of the bay, and marlin were reported present but not biting about 45 miles out. DORADO CONCENTRATED OFFSHORE AND MANGROVE FLY FISHING GOING OFF.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 73 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 255 dorado, 50 yellowfin tuna, 3 blue marlin, 3 sailfish, 19 striped marlin, 1 broadbill swordfish, 1 wahoo, and 1 amberjack. Gaviota Fleet's top fish for the week was a blue marlin of 350 pounds landed by the Gaviota VII with Capt. Alberto Garcia. PLENTY OF DORADO FOR GAVIOTA CHARTER BOATS.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 18 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 1 blue marlin of 200 pounds, 3 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 2 wahoo of 30 to 40 pounds, 45 plus several limits of yellowfin tuna of 20 to 30 pounds, and 62 dorado of 15 to 35 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 110 charter boats, with a catch including released fish of: 6 blue marlin, 17 striped marlin, 4 sailfish, 90 yellowfin tuna, 291 dorado, 4 wahoo, 8 roosterfish, 4 skipjack, 10 pargo, and 2 boats with no luck.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter super panga Cheer's reported on 3 outings during the week, fishing 2 half-days and 1 full-day along the coast and up to about 4 miles out on both the Sea of Cortez and Pacific sides, for a catch including released fish of: 2 dorado of 30 to 35 pounds, 4 dorado of 20 to 30 pounds, 7 dorado of 12 to 15 pounds, 6 bonita, 5 barrilete, 8 yellowfin tuna of 8 to 15 pounds, 2 sailfish lost, and 1 striped marlin. The Cheer's fished in water temperatures of about 88 to 89 degrees from Faro Viejo to La Playita.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported water temperatures even at 85 to 86 degrees around the tip of Baja and conditions on the Cortez side of Cabo "almost like a lake most of the time." Striped marlin were still present in good numbers but more blue marlin were being reported.

"There were a lot more blue marlin reported this week," Landrum said, "but that may have been an effect of more boats searching for them with the tournaments coming up and teams getting into practice mode." MORE BLUE MARLIN CAUGHT AS BIG FISHING TOURNAMENT SEASON APPROACHES.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 59 boats, with 179 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 97 yellowfin tuna, 6 blue marlin, 19 striped marlin, 10 sailfish, 103 dorado, 1 wahoo, 1 snapper, 18 bonito, and 6 triggerfish. "Fishing this week was a little slower," Valdez said. "There was plenty of fish. Dorado was everywhere and nowhere. Tuna was found quite far, but it was there for those willing to go."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 364 charter boats from combined fleets including Hotels Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, Punta Colorada, Buena Vista Beach Resort, Rancho Leonero, and Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort, with 1,077 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 80 striped marlin, 21 sailfish, 305 dorado, 544 yellowfin tuna, and 2 wahoo. East Cape fishing area weather was mostly calm in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 83 to 90 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said inshore fly fishing action improved for roosterfish "chasing the hookless teasers right to the boat transom." Beach fishing on sardina schools produced ladyfish, pompano, roosterfish, and jacks. Offshore fishing conditions were slower, with marlin hooked on drifted baits, dorado spread out in singles and doubles, and yellowfin tuna a long boat ride out at Isla Cerralvo to the north or from Cabo Pulmo to Destiladeras to the south.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero said yellowfin tuna moved far south and were caught in spotty action off the Gordo Banks. "It's an iffy bite, with some charter boats limiting out, while others get zip," Ireland said. Marlin and sailfish were about 2 miles off La Ribera, and dorado were up-and-down about 4 miles out between the Punta Arena lighthouse and Cabo Pulmo. "Some boats are taking 3 to 5 fish per day, while others in the same area are getting nothing," Ireland said. TUNA AND DORADO ACTION SPOTTY IN LOWER WATER TEMPERATURES.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Van Wormer Resorts reported on 420 East Cape charter fishing boats from Hotels Palmas De Cortez, Playa Del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with 1,050 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 456 yellowfin tuna, 405 dorado, 92 striped marlin, 8 blue marlin, 14 sailfish, 23 roosterfish, 5 wahoo, 6 sierra, 6 cabrilla, 10 pompano, 30 pargo, 48 bonita, 6 yellowtail, 18 needlefish, 9 triggerfish, and 12 amberjack. Tuna were caught about 40 miles south and the marlin were caught about 3 miles off La Ribera.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista reported a 25-watt radio and 150-quart ice chest added to his beach launched 14-foot tin boat recently, and a test run out to Punta Colorada and back producing a couple of sierra on Jointed Rebel Fastrac lures. "Slowly, I'm turning my 14-foot aluminum skiff into a fishing boat," Eddy said. "My next addition will be a bigger motor which should happen in a week or two." TIN BOAT ADDITIONS AND SIERRA ON REBEL FASTRACS.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Ash Pickering of the Vista Sea Sport East Cape diving service at Buena Vista said water temperatures on the Cabo Pulmo coral reef were "more than pleasant" at 86 degrees at depth, with about 70 feet of visibility. Sea life sightings included large grouper and developing juvenile fish. "The hatchlings from the last few months are growing into spectacular juvenile animals," Pickering said. "The most impressive juvenile spotted this week was the rockmover wrasse, which looks nothing like it's older relatives."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Dan Rothermel of Pennsylvania had a follow-up report about the live rattlesnake found on the water about 4 miles off Punta Arena during an East Cape fishing trip aboard the Rancho Buena Vista charter boat Helena. Said Rothermel of the unusual find, "I wanted to hook it with our gaff and give it a ride to shore. But smarter heads prevailed and we left it there. I didn't want to be the first person in history to die from a rattlesnake bite while marlin fishing."

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said the fishing weather was changing on the Las Arenas side last week, with cooler air temperatures and some wind from the west, as Tortuga moved its pangas from the La Punta Arena de la Ventana launching beach to the seasonally more protected south-facing beach at Ensenada de los Muertos. Good fishing for dorado of 30 to 45 pounds was found off Las Cruces, and smaller dorado of 15 to 25 pounds were at San Isidro to the south. Yellowfin tuna were scattered. PANGAS MOVED TO WINTER LAUNCH BEACH AT ENSENADA DE LOS MUERTOS.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said, "Everyone is going home with fish. We had a little rain this week and the full moon seemed to affect the tuna bite at Las Arenas. However, by the end of the week, the tuna were on a comeback right in front of the lighthouse at Punta Arena de la Ventana, and the dorado never really stopped biting at the southeast corner of Isla Espiritu Santo." Dorado caught on the La Paz side included some 30-plus pound bulls, and a 40 pounder by angler Johnny Ogao on a live bonito bait.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto fished a short panga day Saturday with Capt. Paulino Martinez and reported 8 dorado including 6 keepers hooked on sardina and jurelito baits east of the San Bruno bajo. "Not more than a half-dozen pangas went fishing out of Loreto yesterday," Bear said. "There were also at least that many gringo boats out fishing." DORADO STILL BITING OFF SAN BRUNO BAJO.

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported on 2 days of fishing on his boat with his brother Cliff Erhardt and nephew Morgan Erhardt for a catch including released fish of: 9 dorado, 11 yellowfin tuna, and 11 sailfish. The sailfish concentration north of Loreto at Bajo Mercenarios was spectacular. Erhardt said, "We found the bajo alive with sailfish. There were so many sailfish around the bajo that soon, jumpers, slashers or finners warranted no comment." No other sportfishing boats were in the area. SAILFISH CONCENTRATED AT BAJO MERCENARIOS.

LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported changing fall weather with cooler air temperatures, rainless cloudy days, and some winds from the west and north. Dorado were still biting for hotel pangas, as 8 outings during the week produced a catch including released fish of: 41 dorado, 1 sailfish, and 15 roosterfish to 13 pounds. Offshore pangas fished mostly at the Bajo de las Boyas, about 22 miles out. Anglers fishing with Loreto Capts. Isidro Mendoza, Martín Perpuly, Poncho Susarrey, Martín Davis Castro, Antonio Davis Castro, and Antonio Monzón Jr. included Sam Farish, Edward Largton, Eric Christman, Bill Wolveries, Mike Gatrelo, Jeff Hallock, John and Zach Knoll, Jaime Chávez, Robert Christman, Mike Courty, Patrick Theler, Gary Sortors, and BoBo and Boomer Hamill.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said Loreto's very good summer dorado bite of 2006 was still active on fish averaging about 20 pounds in locations including east of Isla Coronado, San Bruno, Bajo de las Boyas, and Puerto Almejas. "Offshore sea temperatures cool more quickly than along the shorelines," Bolles said. "As the dorado start their southward migration they follow the warm water. This is when we'll be able to catch dorado and sailfish very close to port, usually from mid-October through November." Bolles also noted the death of veteran Loreto sportfishing captain Jesus "El Cuate" Murillo Osuna, who died of complications following a fall on his panga. CAPT. JESUS "EL CUATE" MURILLO.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Anderson of San Lucas Cove reported good overall fishing inshore for cabrilla and larger sizes of sierra, and good action offshore for sailfish and dorado, but with billfish not happening. Yellowtail were in transition and "very scarce and hard to catch this time of year." A Baja California Sur state-sponsored Governor's Cup fishing tournament was held at San Bruno south of Santa Rosalia, with no entry fee and cash prizes of $1,500 to $500 for yellowtail and dorado. Anderson said his wife lost a sure prize winning yellowtail to a sea lion, but the head alone, at 4.5 pounds, scored fourth place in the yellowtail division. "We hope the sea lion gets indigestion over eating a $1,000-a-plate yellowtail dinner," Anderson said. GOVERNOR'S CUP BAJA SUR FISHING TOURNAMENT HELD AT SAN BRUNO.

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Ed Kammer of Gold Beach, Ore., fished on his 14-foot tin boat out of Daggett's Camp at Bahia de los Angeles and found "wide-open small boat fishing" for sierra and some yellowtail, plus a few dorado just outside the inner islands of the bay. Sea conditions were good, with 85-degree water. Facilities at Daggett's Camp were in good order. "The ramp is so-so but we were able to beach launch every day," Kammer said.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Jim Heath of Roseville, Calif., reported on 6 days of fishing at Bahia de los Angeles in the first week of October on his 18-foot aluminum boat for a catch of: 5 dorado, 10 yellowtail, 3 Humboldt giant squid, numerous bass to 5 pounds, triggerfish, and barracuda, a few small grouper, a few wrasse, and miscellaneous species. L.A. Bay weather was mostly flat with water temperatures of 81 to 83 degrees. Heath noted the almost total lack of visitors in town and the concern over recent shooting incidents on Baja's highway Mex 1. "The entire town has completely gone off the deep end with respect to the Raquel Fife killing," Heath said. "Everyone has altered their traveling behavior, even the folks who live in the town." HIGHWAY SAFETY CONCERNS AND FEW VISITORS AT L.A. BAY.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Raymond Yu of Burbank, Calif., reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trip by the panga mothership Tony Reyes, returning to the San Felipe commercial marina with 19 anglers on Oct. 13, 2006, and a catch of: 135 yellowtail, 16 dorado, 275 cabrilla, 25 Humboldt giant squid, 12 red snapper, 3 broomtail, 8 sheephead, 175 spotted bay bass, 40 miscellaneous fish released, 3 golden grouper, and 9 golden grouper released. Yu landed a 42-pound yellowtail to win one of the trip jackpots and Toke Aw and his sister AiSim caught over 150 fish to win the other jackpot. "The cabrilla catch was exceptionally large this year," Yu said. "The yellowtail bite was fantastic."

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of San Felipe's Title Company Bookstore said the early fall weather felt "cool" over the weekend with the midmorning air temperature at 80 degrees and the relative humidity at 35 percent. "People are telling me that they now need blankets while sleeping," Meders said. "Remember those?" Upcoming events at San Felipe included the Golf Classic Tournament on Oct. 20, 2006, and the annual San Felipe Shrimp Festival on Nov. 1-5, 2006. Local rumors included a possible Japanese-managed fish processing plant to be built south of town. GOLF CLASSIC TOURNAMENT, SHRIMP FESTIVAL, AND POSSIBLE NEW FISH PLANT.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: For the previous weekend, Curt Grant of Phoenix and his wife Doris fished out of Rocky Point, Sonora, on their boat Bonus Time, finding sierra and grunt baits in flat 85-degree water near shore, and a 35-pound class gulf grouper plus another lost on a double hookup on Scampis and cut bait about 16 miles out. GULF GROUPER DOUBLE HOOKUP FOR BOAT BONUS TIME.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Steve Calvert of Catch-22 Sportfishing reported the results of the recent Cantina Cup fishing tournament at San Carlos, with 139 anglers fishing 2 days on 34 boats for a catch including released fish of: 142 marlin, 8 sailfish, 34 dorado over 16 pounds, and 2 wahoo. All but 2 billfish were released during the tournament and many dorado were avoided. The top billfish catch was made by the boat D&D with 17 releases.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Matt Blair of Tucson said the winning boat B&B of the Cantina Cup tournament took home more than $15,000 in prize money. "The weekend of Oct. 7-8, 2006, was epic in the long and distinguished fishing history of this Sonoran town," Blair said. "The fishing gods smiled, the weather was fantastic, the water was perfect, and records were broken." SECOND ANNUAL CANTINA CUP FISHING TOURNAMENT REPORT.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Norman Don of Tuscon reported a good day out of San Carlos earlier in the month for his boat Doc Marlin, with a catch including released fish of: a 50-pound class dorado caught by Michael Don, limits of dorado, 2 marlin, and 1 sailfish. Don's boat fished in lumpy, 6-foot seas, about 28 miles out of San Carlos on a heading of about 220 degrees. "We also fished last week's Cantina Cup tournament aboard Lucky Ducks," Don said. "We had at least 1 quad hookup, a triple hookup, and settled on releasing a double hookup on marlin."

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Tadeo Hernandez of Flota Bibi Fleet reported on 9 Mazatlan offshore charter boats and 1 bottom fishing boat, with a catch including released fish of: 1 sailfish, 18 dorado, 1 shark, 40 skipjack tuna and bonita, 6 spotted rose snapper, and 20 "palometas" of 4 to 7 pounds. Offshore boats fished 5 to 25 miles off the lighthouse. Mazatlan weather was cloudy in the low-80s on Saturday, with the water temperature at 80 degrees.

Baja yellowtail guru Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos at Santa Rosalia made a vacation-style trip to Mazatlan with Maya Dawn Henderson and her father Don, and also fished offshore with Capt. Alfonso Jimenez of Pepe's Fleet for a 30-pound class dorado caught on the troll about 30 miles out. "The best part of the trip was having my girlfriend and her dad out to see a little of my world and they were impressed," Kanzler said. "Fishing charter prices at Mazatlan are very fair and even a better deal than most of Baja." MAINLAND MEXICO TRIP BY BAJA'S MIKE KANZLER.

Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Mazatlan offshore fishing boats out of Marina el Cid averaged about 1 billfish per outing. Twenty-four offshore Aries Fleet boats reported a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin, 9 sailfish, and 19 dorado. Ten inshore super pangas scored easy catches for: 21 dorado, 93 pargo, 55 red snapper, 2 permit, 47 pompano, 45 triggerfish, 12 grunts, 15 corvina, and jack crevalle. Mazatlan sportfishing area weather was mostly calm at 90 degrees, with water temperatures of 86 to 88 degrees. INSHORE PANGAS SCORE EASY MIXED FISH SPECIES LIMITS.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Manny Ocaranza of the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Pacifico reported on 9 combined days of fishing at El Banco by the Pacifico, Top Gun, and Chappy One for catches including sailfish, marlin, dorado, and 10 yellowfin tuna of 150 to 375 pounds. The biggest tuna of 375 pounds was weighed on a certified scale, Ocaranza said, after a 45-minute fight by anglers Adam Stein and Dan McBride. BIG 375-POUND YELLOWFIN TUNA AT EL BANCO.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sport Fishing reported a 260-pound yellowfin tuna landed by Bob Retmier of Corona, Calif., while fishing on the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla II at El Banco last week. "We had up to 6 strikes of big tunas per day," Osuna said. "The fish are around and hungry. Tunas, marlin, dorado, sailfish, and pargos are biting the skippies really good." The Marla's charter boat Arca de Noe with Capt. Scott Osuna was chartered by free divers, and the boat Marla III with Capt. Alonso Osuna fished inshore for roosterfish, pargo, and sailfish. Puerto Vallarta offshore fishing waters were mostly calm, with light winds and water temperatures at 88 degrees.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing reported on 2 outings by the Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar during the week, fishing 1 full day at Roca Corbeteña and a half-day locally around Punta Mita for a catch including released fish of: 5 sailfish, 1 jack crevalle, and 1 roosterfish of 68 pounds. Puerto Vallarta offshore water was clear blue with some breeze, but hampered by concentrated dolphin toward the end of the week.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Marisela Hernandez of Puerto Vallarta's Chelita's Sportfishing said the charter boat Chelita was out of the water for maintenance at the end of the week, but 3 early week outings at El Banco produced a catch including released fish of: 1 yellowfin tuna of about 250 pounds, 1 black marlin of about 450 pounds, 1 large black marlin lost, and 1 small yellowfin tuna of about 30 pounds. Puerto Vallarta sportfishing area weather was hot and humid, with offshore water temperatures at 86 to 88 degrees.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: For the previous week, Josh Temple of the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Torture Chamber said 3 yellowfin tuna over 300 pounds were caught by the fleet, and his boat released a combined 11 blue marlin and black marlin, with 4 marlin in the 750-pound class also raised to the baits. "Do not give up too early out there," Temple said. "The afternoon bite has been epic and it's right there in the same water that proved unproductive prior in the day. Stick and stay and make it pay." AFTERNOON OFFSHORE FISHING FOR TUNA AND MARLIN.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said the few Ixtapa Zihuatanej o charter boats fishing offshore were averaging about 2 or 3 sailfish per day. Dorado and yellowfin tuna were not reported. "We have so few sportfishing boats going out, we are not getting much on-the-water information," Kunze said. Inshore fishing was very good for 4 to 6 roosterfish per day, plus sierra, black skipjack, and jack crevalle. INSHORE FISHING GOOD FOR JACKS, ROOSTERFISH, AND MIXED SPECIES.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said the Ixtapa sportfishing boats that got out last week between periods of rough weather did well. "It remains slow on anglers and the weather has been a bit difficult," Edwards said. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo weather was cloudy in the low-90s, with scattered rain showers and water temperatures at 86 to 87 degrees.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said almost no anglers were present in the Cancun vacation area during the week. The El Cid Caribe fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun sent out just 1 boat on a short trip for a catch of 2 barracuda and 1 red snapper. "Fleet manager Mario Anzoategui says it will probably be another 3 to 4 weeks before they see much of an increase in fishing activity," Edwards said. "When the weather starts getting cold in the northeast U.S., the anglers start looking for warm weather destinations." Cancun fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the mid-90s, with light easterly winds and stable water temperatures of 85 to 86 degrees.

MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MEXICO COASTAL AREAS

MEXICO: David Burns of the Restaurant El Manglar in the Atlantic Mexican town of Tecolutla near Veracruz said last week's weather was hot at 100 degrees, with a dead calm ocean and crystal clear water. Local commercial fishermen did exceptionally well with their nets just off the beach for species of snappers, jacks, and croakers called rhonco, arrastrador, jurel, and cojinuda. Commercial shrimp fishing was also very good. "The only slow fishing has been my own surf casting," Burns said. "When the water is calm and clear I don't have much success." A 6-hour surf casting session with Krocodiles produced a half-dozen small snook releases, some beer cans for a neighbor to recycle, and another beach novel read. COMMERCIAL FISHING VERY GOOD BUT BEACH CASTING SLOW AT TECOLUTLA.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Fishing Photo 1

TUNA BLOWOUT--The wild yellowfin tuna action just a mile or two off San Jose del Cabo's La Playita beach was mostly for unlimited 20-pound fish, but here's Gordo Banks Panga's Capt. Chame Pino with a beautiful 93 pounder caught on lucky Friday, Oct. 13, 2006, with angler Pat Walsh at the Outer Gordo Bank. The big tuna hit a trolled bolito bait, and they also caught dorado and more tuna of smaller sizes during the day. At right, a trio of wahoo landed with Gordo Banks Panga's Capt. Chame, left, last week by Michael Brady of Pasadena, Calif., right, and his group, on trolled lures at the Inner Gordo Bank. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MASSIVE RED RUN--Eddie Marquez of Don Eddie's Landing at San Quintin with a big commercial fishing haul of red rockcod caught on Thursday from a spot from about 25 miles northwest of Isla San Martin. PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAI GARCIA.

Baja California Mexico Fishing Photo 1

HEAVY BAJA PACIFIC YELLOWTAIL--Doug Pierson of O'Brien, Ore., with a real big yellowtail caught in only 17 feet of water with Capt. Juanchys Aguilar of La Bocana on the semi-remote Baja Pacific coast north of Punta Abreojos. At right, anglers Mike Hall and Dan Stank help Pierson show off their quality La Bocana yellowtail. Two outings at La Bocana with Capt. Juanchys Aguilar produced a total of 96 yellowtail. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JUANCHYS AGUILAR.

Baja California Mexico Fishing Photo 3

CAMALU PANGA CATCH--Anglers, from left, Donald Rubi, Marco Lopez, and Jim Frontino found good bottom fish action on Lee Moreno's beach launched pangas out of Camalu on the Baja Pacific coast just north of San Quintin. At right, Robert Villar assists pangueros with the beach launch at Camalu. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DONALD RUBI.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CABO CHEER'S--Capt. Ramon Druck, left, of the Cabo San Lucas charter super panga Cheer's with a Cabo client and 1 of 13 dorado of 12 to 30 pounds caught along the coast last week during 3 short outings. Other species caught or hooked during the week included yellowfin tuna, barrilete, sailfish, and striped marlin. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

EAST CAPE TIN BOAT--Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista is getting his 14-foot beach launched boat Reina Maria II ready for East Cape fishing action. Latest additions include a crate mounted VHF radio and a 150-quart ice chest. PHOTO COURTESY OF TORRANCE EDDY.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 2

SHAKY SNAKY SEAS--Dan Rothermel sent another photo of the live rattlesnake, upper right, found by the Rancho Buena Vista charter boat Helena about 4 miles off the beach at East Cape. Rothermel said he thought of capturing the snake for a beach release but wisely reconsidered and let it be. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN ROTHERMEL.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

DORADO BACK ADJUSTMENT--Johnny Ogao, originally from Hawaii and now a chiropractor from Utah, was on his first trip to La Paz last week and got to straighten his back out on a number of big bull dorado including this 40 pounder caught on a bonito live bait with La Paz' Tailhunter International. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2

DAILY DORADO--Mel Shiota's group fished last week at La Paz with Tortuga Sportfishing and got into several days of quality dorado action on the Las Arenas side with Tortuga's Capts. Hugo and Nufo. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LORETO FLY DORADO--Plenty of fall season dorado were still hitting at Loreto last week as fly fishing angler Sam Farish, center, hooked this bull on the fly about 22 miles north of Isla Coronado with guide Edward Largton, left, and Hotel Oasis Capt. Martín Perpuly, right. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 2

SAILFISH NOT SHOWN--Not shown in this photo are the 11 sailfish released north of Loreto on Friday last week by Bill Erhardt's boat, but here are Cliff and Morgan Erhardt with the 11 yellowfin tuna and 3 dorado also caught during the trip. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

San Felipe Mexico Fishing Photo 1

TONY REYES TRIP--Raymond Yu's 42-pound yellowtail won a boat jackpot during last week's Midriff Islands trip by the San Felipe panga mothership Tony Reyes. The 19-angler trip scored on 135 yellowtail plus other fish species. At right, Toke Aw and his sister AiSim with some of the 150-plus fish they caught to win another boat jackpot during the trip. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAYMOND YU.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ROCKY POINT BONUS--Curt Grant and his wife Doris fished on their boat Bonus Time about 16 miles out of Rocky Point and hooked this nice gulf grouper in 85-degree water about 130 feet deep, plus another fish lost on a double hookup. PHOTO COURTESY OF CURT GRANT.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SAN CARLOS BIGGIE--A hunky 50-pound class dorado caught out of San Carlos, Sonora, earlier in the month on the boat Doc Marlin by angler Michael Don. Showing off the big dodo are Don's brother Norman Don, left, and Kevin Maadden. The Doc Marlin released 2 marlin and a sailfish for the day while fishing about 28 miles out of San Carlos and also limited out on dorado. PHOTO COURTESY OF NORMAN DON.

Mazatlan Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MAINLAND MEXICO MIKE--Sea of Cortez yellowtail guru Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos made his first-ever trip to the Mexican mainland last week and landed this nice dorado at Mazatlan during an outing with girlfriend Maya Dawn Henderson and her father Don aboard a Pepe's Fleet charter boat. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1

VALLARTA COW CHEW--Manny Ocaranza, top, of the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Pacifico celebrates a huge cow tuna weighed on a certified scale at 375 pounds after being landed by anglers Adam Stein and Dan McBride, front, last week at El Banco. A 175 pounder was also caught during the day. PHOTO COURTESY OF MANNY OCARANZA.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 2

VALLARTA PANGA CATCH--A nice Puerto Vallarta marlin caught earlier this month aboard the charter super panga Dhamar, visible at right, is hoisted for photos aboard the Marla's Sportfishing cruiser Arca de Noe by anglers, from left, Jerry Patchen, Joe Antersen, and Gaeil Reagen, with Dhamar Capt. Danny Gomez, front. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY GOMEZ.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 3

MARLA II TUNA--Danny Osuna, left, of Marla's Sportfishing, with angler Bob Retmier of Corona, Calif., and a 260-pound yellowfin tuna caught in 88-degree water at Puerto Vallarta's offshore El Banco fishing spot last week aboard the charter boat Marla II. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY OSUNA.

Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ATLANTIC MEXICO COMMERCIALS--Just visible on the dawn horizon at the Mexican Atlantic coast town of Tecolutla near Veracruz, commercial fishing pangas work their nets in favorable sea conditions for excellent catches last week of snappers, jacks, croakers, and small snook. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID BURNS.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES