ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet reported good sea conditions and lots of sun for his pangas fishing at Ensenada last week as anglers continued to catch limits of bottom fish and bonita, plus some yellowtail. Jay Johnson fished 3 days with Capt. Beto Zamora for 2 yellowtail, a 10-pound sheephead, lots of bonita for the Vonny's Fleet fish smoker, and limits of mixed bottom fish. Ensenada fishing weather was sunny over the weekend in the high-60s, with light breezes, ocean swells of 1 to 2 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda at 59 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Greg York of Costa Mesa, Calif., reported details of his early December panga outing with Vonny's Fleet, fishing off Ensenada's Punta Banda with Capt. Beto Zamora and family members Angela York and Peter Dean "Pete" York for some nice lingcod and limits of red rockcod, rockfish, and big bonito. "Beto even thought one of the bonitos was a yellowtail," York said.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin reported on several outings by his boat Santa Monica with sightings of mako shark each trip, and an estimated 300 pounder lost at gaff. "This fish came to the boat following a hooked bonito," Meza said. Fishing last weekend with Paco Pinones and father-in-law Miguel Barba, Meza's boat landed 4 yellowtail of 14 to 16 pounds and lost another yellowtail to sea lions. San Quintin fishing area water temperatures were at 62 degrees, with some days very windy. YELLOWTAIL AND MAKO SHARK FISHING.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said, "San Quintin fishing weather has definitely changed to cooler temperatures." Sunday morning had 2 hours of rain followed by clearing skies and calm seas. Pedro's sent 4 boats fishing out of San Quintin during the week, all for bottom fish limits at the 240 spot including large rockcods and lingcod. One private boat fished at the 15 spot on Saturday afternoon and caught 10 yellowtail of about 18 to 22 pounds.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Kelly Catian of K&M Offshore Sportfishing reported ice-chest filling catches of rockcod and lingcod, plus a good bite on yellowtail of 13 to 18 pounds at Ben's rock using yo-yo iron and live mackerel baits. "We got about 22 total yellowtail plus sheephead and calico bass," Catian said. "We got into yellowtail again at the 15 fathom spot down at 90 feet on the edge of the reef and taking jigs." San Quintin fishing water temperatures were at 64 to 65 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported pleasant Cabo San Lucas weather in the low-80s, with water temperatures at 73 to 76 degrees on the Cortez side, and about 78 degrees on the Pacific side. "Overall, Cabo water temperatures seemed to have dropped several degrees, but they can change at any time," Landrum said. Striped marlin fishing was slower on the Pacific banks as the fish moved southwards toward Cabo San Lucas. "The mass of fish seems to have moved closer to home and there are now fish being caught daily off the lighthouse ledge using deep live bait and drifting across the holding area," Landrum said.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 87 Cabo San Lucas charter boats, with a catch of: 1 blue marlin, 45 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 44 yellowfin tuna, 60 dorado, 4 wahoo, 2 roosterfish, 6 sierra, 4 bonita, 4 cabrilla, 3 pargo, and 3 boats with no luck.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter super panga Cheer's reported on 4 local fishing trips with a total of 6 fly fishing and conventional tackle anglers and a catch including released fish of: 9 dorado, 3 ladyfish, 5 roosterfish, 1 needlefish, 11 sierra, 2 skipjack, and 1 jack crevalle. The Cheer's fished as close as 15 or 20 feet from shore and out to about 3 miles in very calm seas and good weather, with local near shore water temperatures averaging about 81 degrees. LOCAL FLY FISHING ABOARD THE CHARTER SUPER PANGA CHEER'S.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Mike Connolly of the Cabo San Lucas charter boat Falcon said fishing was slow at the Finger Bank. "This year has been a disappointment," Connolly said. "Many Cabo San Lucas fishing boats have returned recently with no marlin at all and few of any other species. It's a long run, 52 miles." Fishing was steadier at the Golden Gate Bank as Cabo boats averaged about 2 striped marlin per day, plus a few dorado and yellowfin tuna into the 30-pound class. Cabo San Lucas fishing area water was in the low-80s, with good sea conditions. MARLIN FISHING SLOW ON THE FINGER BANK.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 9 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 5 striped marlin, 13 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 40 pounds, and 7 dorado of 15 to 45 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 48 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 49 striped marlin, 20 yellowfin tuna, 55 dorado, and 3 wahoo. "The Golden Gate Bank continues to be the hot spot for billfish," Edwards said. "For those that wait it out, the catches have been 1 to 3 per day. We saw no blue marlin this week for the first time in many months, which reflects a change in water conditions for the Cabo San Lucas fishing area." Cabo San Lucas weather was sunny in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 77 to 80 degrees in all directions. Mackerel and caballito live bait was plentiful.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jorge Navarro of Pisces Fleet reported 75 percent of charters releasing billfish, 46 percent landing dorado, and just 11 percent with yellowfin tuna. Striped marlin fishing was up-and-down during the week, but with some outstanding days including the charter boats Ni Modo with 10-releases, Tracy Ann with 6 releases, and El Gallo with 7 releases. Of 129 striped marlin landed, all but 5 were released. "The Golden Gate Bank again was the hot spot with a couple of catches also made on the Sea of Cortez off San Jose del Cabo," Navarro said. Inshore fishing produced some roosterfish, grouper, and small dorado.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Chris Littleton of Medford, Ore., reported a 5-striped marlin release day at the Golden Gate Bank while fishing aboard the Gaviota Fleet charter boat Gaviota VIII with his son Brian Littleton and Gaviota VIII Capt. Juan Dominguez. "We had a great day," Littleton said. "There were about 30 boats on the scene over a large school of mackerel. We soaked baits about 100 feet deep, moving with the school, and had a triple and a double hookup. There was lots of action with boats hooking up right and left. It was sunny and warm with just a light breeze. All in all, a fantastic trip."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 69 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 32 yellowfin tuna, 64 dorado, 7 striped marlin, 185 sierra, 8 sailfish, 28 roosterfish, 190 skipjack, 24 cabrilla, 5 amberjack, 135 triggerfish, 16 pompano, and 82 pargo. San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was at 80 degrees with some north winds bringing green water and slower fishing to the area and the water temperature at 74 to 78 degrees. "The number of fish caught was less than 2 weeks ago," Brictson said, "not unexpected for the annual transition from the fall to winter fishing season." WINTER FISHING CONDITIONS ARRIVING AT LOS CABOS.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said mid-December fishing was still producing dorado and billfish for East Cape boats last week. "On the nice days there is a fair concentration of both dorado and billfish outside Punta Pescadero, which is a good direction if there's a wind line outside," Graham said. "On calm days, the East Cape sportfishing fleet has also found dorado and billfish outside of Rancho Leonero and down to the Punta Arena lighthouse." Humboldt squid were caught just off the hotels and were being used for chum. Inshore sierra were biting early in the morning. East Cape fishing area weather was sunny in the high-70s, with water temperatures of 72 to 78 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending Nov. 30, 2006, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 20 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 58 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 7 striped marlin, 28 dorado, and 20 yellowfin tuna. East Cape weather was windy in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 75 to 83 degrees. "The fishing picked up ever so slightly," Moyers said, "but we're seeing more and more of those pesky north winds. Baitwise, we've got sardinas and limited mackerel."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the previous week, Moyers reported on 50 boats, with 148 anglers, and a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin 2 striped marlin, 14 sailfish, 36 dorado, 80 yellowfin tuna, 12 pargo, 1 wahoo, 35 sierra, 5 pompano, and 28 roosterfish. East Cape fishing area weather was windy in the afternoons, in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 75 to 86 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Beach-launched aluminum boat angler Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista said East Cape north winds were lessening by the weekend. On Saturday, Eddy said, "Within a few hours the weather changed. It was slightly better on Thursday, and great yesterday and today." A short fishing session from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. produced 4 sierra of 22 to 23 inches plus 2 small cabrilla-like fish while trolling 5.5-inch blue-silver and black-silver jointed Rebel Fastracs about half-a-mile offshore from Buena Vista south to Rancho Buena Vista and Piedras Gordas.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Brad Meister reported a windy fishing session for 19 sierra caught out of La Ribera, and also the reappearance of commercial fishing gill nets on East Cape beaches. "Some nets were out right near the beach near Punta Colorada," Meister said. "No bueno. I thought they were banned."

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Anderson of San Lucas Cove just south of Santa Rosalia said yellowtail fishing on the bajos north of Isla San Marcos was good on Saturday after a period of stiff winds and rough water that kept boats ashore for over a week. "The weather has been the absolute pits," Anderson said on Saturday. "Today was the first day that San Marcos Island has been fishable for over a week, but things happened with a real boom. The yellowtail were up on the surface and ready to bite." Anderson's run to the bajos produced 4 yellowtail of 27 to 31 pounds caught on flylined bait and surface iron, plus another 4 yellowtail missed. "It is worth waiting for the wind to stop if you get rewarded with fish like that," Anderson said. "Weather reports predict more wind, so I guess we go through the next cycle and wait on the beach expectantly." Santa Rosalia fishing area water temperatures were at 66.2 degrees. About 15 rigs and 10 boats were staying at the campground. "Business is way off this year," Anderson said. "There are even front row spaces which is very unusual. I think the violence scare is having some effect."

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos returned from a trip north to the U.S., and noted that very strong winds had broken his mooring line and caused minor damage to his boat. "Nothing that can't be fixed," Kanzler said. Santa Rosalia weather was favorable over the weekend, in the high-70s, with water temperatures of 68 to 70 degrees at Isla San Marcos. Yellowtail fishing was inconsistent, as an outing with his son Michael produced just 1 fish of 27 pounds at the 110 bajo. "At least the kid got it," Kanzler said.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Craig Collins of Rio Rico, Ariz., and the boat No Sniveling at San Carlos reported the catch-and-release of a large croaker family fish hooked while shore casting at San Carlos on Saturday night. The fish, weighed at 28 pounds, was tentatively identified as a large orangemouth corvina due to the convex curve of its tail and the orange color of its mouth. It hit a 5-inch chartreuse swim bait on 17-pound line. "All I know is, it is the biggest thing I have ever caught casting from shore!" Collins said.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said about 70 percent of Aries Fleet boats fishing out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid caught marlin last week, mostly stripers but also including a couple of late season blue marlin and arriving cool water sierra. "The hot new fish this week was the sierra, with easy limit fishing for the inshore super pangas," Edwards said. Offshore boats reported a catch including released fish of: 17 sailfish, 2 striped marlin, 2 blue marlin under 300 pounds, 5 dorado to 50 pounds, and 1 mako shark. Twelve inshore super pangas had a catch of: 51 red snapper, 14 triggerfish, and 170 sierra. Mazatlan fishing area weather was partly rainy in the mid-80s, with water temperatures stable at 83 degrees. Offshore boats fished about 25 to 29 miles southwest of Marina El Cid. Inshore boats found the best sierra fishing along the beaches north of the marina.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Josh Temple of Prime Time Adventures said his Puerto Vallarta boats continued to score good offshore catches of big marlin and yellowfin tuna last week. Fishing 6 days with a group of anglers from Thailand produced a catch that included: 2 tuna of 235 and 261 pounds, many more tuna between 150 and 200 pounds, 1 tuna of 175 pounds caught with spinning tackle, 5 blue and black marlin releases in the 500-pound class, many sailfish, and "just enough dorado to keep things interesting." Puerto Vallarta offshore fishing water was deep purple at about 85 degrees. PRIME TIME SPINNING ROD TUNA.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing reported continued good action for his charter boats fishing offshore at El Banco and Roca Corbeteña. "The tunas are nailing any live bait we throw in the water," Osuna said. "We are doing the kite fishing and the tunas are nailing it." Anglers Scott Wickstrom, Terry Woods and John Durke fished on the charter boat Marla III with Osuna at El Banco for a catch of 6 yellowfin tuna and 1 pargo. Capt. Scott Osuna took divers to El Banco and Roca Corbeteña and reported many tuna seen around the pinnacles. Puerto Vallarta fishing area weather was mostly calm, with light breezes from the north and the water temperature at 85 degrees.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Marisela Hernandez of Chelita Sportfishing said the charter boat Chelita was back in the water and fishing again after being pulled for maintenance and upgrades. Two offshore charter trips to Roca Corbeteña produced a catch of: 1 blue marlin released and another lost, 1 yellowfin tuna of about 50 pounds lost at the boat, and 1 dorado of 30-plus pounds. Fishing for large yellowfin tuna on Friday was slow for the Chelita at Roca Corbeteña as the crew tried trolled skipjack baits, cedar plugs with feathers, and caballito baits on the balloon and kite. CHARTER SPORTFISHING BOAT CHELITA BACK IN THE WATER.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Daniel Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing said few anglers fished aboard his charter super panga Dhamar last week, but Puerto Vallarta offshore action continued good for tuna, marlin, and sailfish at Roca Corbeteña. "On Wednesday, we released 1 sailfish, lost a big dorado, and caught a tuna of 89 pounds," Gomez said.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Murry Vaughn of Bend, Ore., fished 4 days off Puerto Vallarta aboard the Marla's Sportfishing charter boats Marla II, Marla III, and Arca de Noe, for a catch including released fish of: 3 sailfish, 2 blue marlin, 3 dorado, several large pargo, and 5 yellowfin tuna hookups on 14 takedowns, including a 170 pounder kept and another tuna estimated at 260 pounds released. Vaugh fished with Marla's captains Danny, Scott, and Alonso Osuna. "You cannot beat fishing with the Osuna's," Vaughn said. "Great folks who are there to get you fish." Puerto Vallarta weather was mostly flat, with water temperatures at 87 degrees. FISHING ON ALL 3 MARLA'S SPORTFISHING BOATS.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said some inshore boats found good fishing on light tackle last week and boats running 15 to 18 miles out of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo were averaging about 2 sailfish per day, plus a few dorado. Eleven mixed offshore and inshore outings by the charter boats Dos Hermanos I, Dos Hermanos II, Secuestro de Amor, and Gran Jefe produced a catch including released fish of: 12 sailfish, 1 dorado, 1 yellowfin tuna, 32 jack crevalle, 11 sierra, 34 bonito, and 2 pompano. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was mostly sunny in the low-90s, with water temperatures stable at 83 to 84 degrees inshore and offshore. "The blue water begins about 12 miles out, and from about 13 to 17 miles out has produced good sailfish catches," Edwards said.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said, "The roosterfish action was hurt by the full moon. The bait fish are scattered. There are still plenty of small jacks and black skipjack in the 2 to 5-pound range." The charter panga Gitana with Capt. Santiago fished 3 days with angler Charles Sterling of Michigan for a catch including released fish of: 6 roosterfish, 2 sailfish, several small jack crevalle, sierra, black skipjack, and a 35-pound dorado.

HUATULCO, MEXICO: Sportfishing articles, maps, and fishing report archives for Huatulco.