Spring red crabs and red snapper rising at Los Cabos;

Broadbill swordfish show at Mazatlan

Mexico Fishing News, March 26, 2007

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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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: 415 mixed pargo or snapper species, 4 striped marlin, 18 amberjack, 21 cabrilla, 1 golden grouper, 9 dorado, 15 bonito, 10 surgeonfish, 8 pompano, and 88 sierra. The spring rising of pelagic red crabs to the surface brought good action for snappers.

"Panga fleets took advantage of the season’s first significant run of red crabs, as these migrating pelagic langostias congregated on the surface at the Gordo Banks and around La Fortuna," Brictson said.

"Pangueros were able to gather them in nets and use them as bait for various pargo species, particularly for huachinango or true Pacific red snapper.

At times the huachinango were found right on the surface feeding on the crabs and could be caught by fly lining these small baits. At other times light weights were used to get the baits down about 50 feet."

The San Jose del Cabo fishing area had several days of heavy fog during the week that interfered with the line-of-sight positioning method used by Mexican fishermen. "This particularly affected the panga fleets that rely exclusively on landmarks to position themselves on their favorite fishing areas," Brictson said.

"The fog did not reach inland, with a distinct line stopping exactly on the shoreline." Strong south currents driven by winds dropped water temperatures from 73 degrees to 65 degrees.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet reported few anglers fishing around Punta Banda last week as rough weather peaked on Thursday. "This week was slow," Villarino said.

"Thursday was very rough." The charter pangas Vonny I and Vonny III fished on Friday with Capts. Beto and Hector for a load of mixed bottom fish, calico bass, Humboldt giant squid, and 4 yellowtail. Anglers fishing during the week included Paul Bechely, Victor Gordo, Benny Joseph, and Tom Fransaell. Ensenada fishing area weather on Saturday was overcast in the morning and partly cloudy in the afternoon, in the mid-60s, with light southern breezes, 2 to 3-foot ocean swells, and the water temperature at 59 degrees.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp reported 17 boats fishing during the week in variable sea conditions off the Baja coast including 3 days with rain and wind. Catches in the main fishing area 7 miles out included continued heavy counts of large red rockcod and many large Humboldt squid. Erendira offshore fishing area water was very clear at 57 to 58 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported windy weather during the week at San Quintin, but anglers still doing well on bottom fish at the 15 and 180 spots. "The famous San Quintin winds blew on-and-off like crazy," Hillis said. "But anglers that braved the winds were successful in getting out of the bay and they scored some great catches. We received reports that one private boat brought in a white seabass from the mouth of the bay at approximately 45 pounds. Unfortunately, our boats couldn't duplicate the catch." Capt. Hector fished on the charter boat Rommy with anglers Andy McDuffee, Michael Barton, and Michael Barton Jr. for good counts on mixed rockcods, lingcod, and some Humboldt giant squid.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Donald Rubi of Duarte, Calif., and his group made a Baja fishing run to Camalu north of San Quintin for an "epic bottom fishing adventure" during 2 outings on the charter panga Tania I with Capt. Lee Moreno. Overall, about 180 fish of about 9 species were caught by Moreno's panga, including many red rockcod and ocean whitefish. "After launching from the beach, we traveled out an estimated 16 to 18 miles to fishing grounds that produced lingcod to 11 pounds, red rockcod to 8 pounds, and an assortment of bottom dwellers including Johnny bass, calico bass, whitefish, "chocolates," sheephead, starryeye, and sandbass," Rubi said. "Rob Villar even pulled aboard a large spider crab that chose to chomp on his jig." Baja coastal fishing conditions off Camalu had swells to 6 feet, moderate wind, and a water temperature of 55 degrees. Rubi's group, which also included Marco Lopez, fished with jigs and whole or cut squid. "These fish were not choosy," Rubi said. "They hit everything."

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported Magdalena Bay weather clear in the low-80s, with water temperatures at 65 to 72 degrees and fishing activity slow both offshore and inside. "The few boats fishing offshore found slim pickings from the San Carlos entrada all the way out to the Thetis Bank," Graham said. "The preponderance of bait in the water, mostly squid, may have had a lot to do with it." The San Carlos entrada was slower for firecracker yellowtail and the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels produced a few grouper and pargo, plus good numbers of spotted bay bass in slack water north of Puerto Lopez Mateos.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 38 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo San Lucas charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 41 striped marlin, 4 yellowfin tuna, 6 dorado, and 1 mako shark. Game fish were scattered in all directions around the tip of Baja, with water temperatures ranging from 70.5 degrees along the Pacific side to 72 degrees on the Cortez side at Destiladeras. "The daily changes in the fishing were unbelievable," Edwards said.

"It was easy to start off in the wrong direction on any given morning. Early in the week the fishing was at the Golden Gate Bank to the Jaime Bank, and by the end of the week it was Destiladeras, about a 60-mile span between the 2 areas." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was partly cloudy at 90 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported 51 percent of charters releasing marlin last week, 11 percent landing yellowfin tuna, 8 percent with dorado, and 78 percent with all species combined. Cabo San Lucas fishing waters had some wind and rough seas. "March 22nd was when we had the roughest weather and boats struggled to catch a marlin apiece for those anglers who did not want to turn back," Ehrenberg said. Later in the week, Pisces boats were releasing about 2 to 6 marlin per outing on the Pacific side at the Jaime Bank and on the Cortez side at Destiladeras. Cabo San Lucas water temperatures averaged 69 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 2 outings during the week, fishing on both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides with a total of 3 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 14 sierra of 5 to 7 pounds, 2 jack crevalle of 18 and 20 pounds, 1 striped marlin broken off on 50-pound line, and 1 striped marlin unbuttoned.

Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Steve Scott, Reed Lunear, and Luci Lunear. The Cheer's fished tight to the beach on the Pacific side near Faro Viejo and out to about 8 miles in some wind. "The fishing on the Pacific side Saturday was very interesting and intense," Druck said. "We trolled lures for 1 hour and hooked 2 marlin on green-and-yellow." Cabo San Lucas water temperatures were at 70 to 72 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 7 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 8 striped marlin, and 2 dorado of 25 pounds.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending March 22, 2007, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 58 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 171 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 18 striped marlin, 33 dorado, 133 yellowfin tuna, and 4 roosterfish. East Cape fishing area weather was in the high-80s, with light afternoon winds and chop, and the water temperature at 65 to 78 degrees. "The good news was that we saw some yellowfin tuna come in," Moyers said. "Most of the ahi were 8 to 10 pounds. Most of the tuna action was straight off Los Barriles, 25 to 30 miles, and to the south off Cabo Pulmo and Destiladeras."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the previous week ending March 15, 2007, Moyers reported on 57 boats, with 168 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 21 striped marlin, 115 dorado, and 33 sierra. East Cape weather was in the mid-80s, with water temperatures at 64 to 75 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported small roosterfish, sierra, and a few ladyfish and pompano for East Cape beach anglers, plus some larger jack crevalle seen but not biting. "The larger variety jacks seem to be afflicted with a serious case of lockjaw," Graham said. Offshore fishing included some football tuna to the south, but dorado action was slower. "The transition from winter to spring fishing is in full swing and hopefully it won’t be long before the north winds will only be a fading memory," Graham said. East Cape fishing area weather was clear in the mid-70s, with water temperatures at 62 to 75 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport East Cape diving service said water temperatures at depth on the Cabo Pulmo coral reef were at about 70 degrees, with visibility of about 30 feet and good concentrations of sea life present. "El Bajo has offered up its usual splendors," Cazaly said. "Islote is a perfect sheltered spot." Sea life sightings included yellow snapper, Panamic porkfish, grouper, moray eel, bigeye jacks, barred pargo, blennies, lobsters, nudibranchs, dolphin, and breaching humpback whales.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said, "As good as it was last week, this week the fishing at La Paz was terrible. It was really hard fishing. The winds from the south turned up the waters and made it hard to get bait. Some pargo were showing inshore and a few yellowtail, but there was nothing very encouraging. It's that time of the year. Some days are good and some days not so good."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing reported a good mix of species caught during the week by his pangas on the Las Arenas side, including yellowtail, pargo lisa or mullet snapper, yellowfin tuna, sierra, and cabrilla. Sardina bait was located at the north end of Isla Cerralvo where yellowtail to 45 pounds and tuna to 40 pounds were caught. Mackerel baits were also found at the south end of the island. Cabrilla and snappers were caught near shore around Punta Perico. La Paz fishing area weather was cooler at 62 degrees in the mornings and into the 80s during the afternoons.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Leonard Phillips of Baja Pirates Fleet said larger yellowtail into the 40-pound class were frustrating anglers last week on the La Paz side at El Bajo and La Reina. "This week's ratio is 6 hookups to 1 fish landed," Phillips said. "These mossbacks are inhaling live mackerel baits of 2 to 3 pounds and not stopping." Anglers Carl Belcher and Owen Watson fished with Baja Pirates for yellowtail of 40 and 41 pounds. La Paz fishing area weather was in the high-80s, with warming water temperatures around Isla Espiritu Santo.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported 2 days with heavy fog during the week plus some wind, but pangas still fishing for good results on yellowtail. For 13 panga outings over a 3-day period, 44 yellowtail of 22 to 34 pounds were caught around Isla Carmen. Red snapper and bass to 14 pounds were also caught. Hotel Oasis captains fishing during the week included: Alfonso Susarrey, Martín Perpuly, Ismael Murillo, Isidro Mendoza, and Francisco Martínez Castro. Anglers included: Mike Malloy, John Andreotti, Curt Davison, Bobby Couto, Pete Andreotti, Chris Couto, Jack Stafford, Jeff Cecchin, Dale Deforest, and Jessica Liederbach.

LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto reported on 2 days of panga fishing with Capt. Paulino Martinez, for a catch of 12 yellowtail of 25 to 30 pounds in calm seas at San Bruno after making negrumo baits with difficulty about 3 miles southeast of Las Lagrimas. "There were about 40 pangas and boats there and at San Bruno," Bear said. Very heavy fog on Tuesday kept most boats ashore as Capt. Paulino used GPS to locate bait and the San Bruno Bajo. "Visibility was only about 50 yards," Bear said. "Surprisingly, we had a full bait tank in only 10 minutes. The yellowtail action has been good, but not wide-open." Another 4 outings to San Bruno by Loreto Capts. Francisco Martinez and Alvaro Murillo produced a combined catch of 17 yellowtail.

On Saturday, Bear and Fabrizio Maragoni of Thousand Oaks, Calif., fished again on Capt. Martinez' panga for a catch of 4 yellowtail of about 30 pounds, on 7 strikes and 2 shark cutoffs, while fishing in lively surface action at La Vaca. "After easily loading up on mackerel and negrumos with about 30 other pangas at Las Lagrimas, we went to La Vaca, a high point north and a little west of Punta Lobos at the north end of Isla Carmen," Bear said. "The sea was on the rough side and the drift fast due to a moderate breeze. There were about a dozen other pangas there. Yellowtail were breaking water all over a broad area, feeding on sardinitas prior to spawning. The females that Paulino filleted had full egg sacks. But they were tough to entice into striking, as they were on top for very short periods of time. It was nevertheless exciting, with flocks of seabirds working all around. All but one of our strikes came on flylined bait, while a lone strike came with a 4-ounce sinker above the swivel. The weather was sunny but with breeze and colder temperatures."

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported good fishing for yellowtail and jacks both north and south. "The fishing in Loreto has ranged from good to great," Erhardt said. "From Punta Pulpito in the north to Isla Catalana in the south, individual daily limits for yellowtail and boat tallies in the teens have been common. I fished out of Loreto 5 times in the last 10 days, including twice for limits of yellowtail on the south reef off Isla Catalana and once trolling in vain in 75-degree water for pelagics in the canyon northeast of town." Some reports of marlin caught and sailfish sighted were received. "In the late afternoon, schools of jack crevalle and skipjack compete with yellowtail feeding on abundant bait fish off Punta Baja at the southern tip of Isla Carmen," Erhardt said. "On Monday, returning from a trip south to Isla Santa Cruz and Isla Catalana I encountered a school of toros feeding off Punta Baja and caught 3 of them while trolling a Rapala." Loreto weather was windy again on Thursday after a period of calm seas as Erhardt fished at Isla Catalana with Ryan and Tiffany Moore.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Marv Perrigo of Mulege reported the results of the 2007 Mulege Spring Yellowtail Tournament held on March 18-19, 2007, with the top 3 places going to: first, Marty Robison, yellowtail, 25.10 pounds; second, Larry Chaves, yellowtail, 25.08 pounds; third, Gary Schall, yellowtail, 25.08 pounds; fourth, Raphael Meza, cabrilla, 16.06 pounds. "On Sunday the fishing was good with about 25 yellowtail weighed in at Bart’s," Perrigo said. "Marty Robison from Mulege was on top with a yellowtail caught off San Marcos Island trolling a MirrOlure on flat seas in 68-degree water on Marty’s Boat. On Monday by 8 a.m. a heavy fog rolled in along with rough seas, but most stuck it out nonetheless. The awards banquet was second to none with Bart’s Jungle Jim’s serving 150 dinners of the fish caught during the tournament. A dorado tournament is in the works for late May." Information: mulegefishingtournaments.com.

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Jim Marsh of San Diego, and his sons Jimmy and Douglas, drove to Bahia de los Angeles and fished with Capt. Igor Galvan for a catch of 15 yellowtail of 12 to 18 pounds at Los Machos about halfway up the west side of Isla Angel de la Guarda. "We stayed at Guillermo's Hotel and Igor picked us up at 5:30 a.m.," Marsh said. "From the moment we saw the pink sunrise over the islands it was calm and glassy on the water. The yellow-and-green jigs seemed to work better than blue-and-white. Igor and his deckhand Enrique are truly the expert guides with the sharpest fillet knives in Baja. When Douglas brought a squid to the surface Igor severed the tentacles and ink sack with one slash before bringing the body on board." At Bahia de los Angeles, Marsh said, "The main road in town is being paved and widened to twice the size. The original road is 3 feet higher than the portion being excavated and filled. Be careful at night as cars have been hung up between the two road heights."

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meder's of San Felipe's Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay said the town was very busy with the arrival of spring break crowds. "We are entering the busiest time of the year here in San Felipe," Meders said, "with the Blues and Art Festival coming up next weekend and of course Semana Santa. San Felipe has lots of visitors and lots of work for the town and for the vendors and restaurants." San Felipe weather was cooler, in the low-70s, with some wind. By Saturday morning, a town Cancer Walk to benefit the children of San Felipe stricken with the disease had raised $15,000, with more expected to come. "Now they are holding the auction and also there is traditional regional Mexican dancing," Meders said. "The event is very successful and it is a gorgeous day for it. Later this evening the third annual Folk Festival and Cowboy Poetry Event will take place at the COBACH high school theater. This event is extremely popular."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Parks of Phoenix reported on a mid-March run from San Carlos' Marina Real to Isla Tortuga by his boat No Le Hace for good yellowtail action with his daughter Christy and the boat's Capt. Juan. "We had 12 strikes and landed 7 yellowtail from 20 to 30 pounds," Parks said. "We used steel line with live bait off the south side of the island." Isla Tortuga weather was flat and sunny at about 90 degrees, with the water temperature at 58 to 60 degrees.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters said boats fished out of San Carlos at the end of the week for some limits of goldspotted bass, and earlier for small yellowtail, grouper, and mixed bottom fish. "On Sunday, a few boats went out for few small yellowtail," Hilderbrand said. "Wednesday was a great day for the smaller grouper and reds. The water temperature is still at 67 to 68 degrees. I heard reports of dorado south of us at 180 degrees and 40-plus miles. Everyone is talking about the warm water." For the previous week, the charter boat Jon Jen fished 420 to 435 feet deep for a good catch of mixed bottom fish including 2 grouper.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 34 Aries Fleet offshore boats fishing out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 1 broadbill swordfish, 18 striped marlin, 1 mako shark, 10 yellowfin tuna, and 7 dorado to 60 pounds. Eleven Mazatlan inshore boats caught: 95 triggerfish, 12 loras, 25 mojarra, 57 pargo, and 8 cabrilla. "The charter boat Aries II with Capt. Victor Nunez produced the season's first swordfish at 170 pounds," Edwards said. "The boats are seeing many swordfish but are having trouble getting them to take the baits. The one that was taken was full of squid but just hungry enough to get hooked." Mazatlan fishing area weather was cloudy in the mid-80s, with some light winds and water temperatures at 75 to 76 degrees.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: For the previous week, Tadeo Hernandez of Flota Bibi Fleet reported on 22 offshore boats, with a catch including released fish of: 6 striped marlin, 3 dorado, 4 yellowfin tuna, 4 shark, 30 squid, 13 skipjack tuna, and bonita. Flota Bibi Fleet charter boats fished 5 to 25 miles off Mazatlan. Inshore bottom fishing produced good counts of sierra, skipjack tuna, and jack crevalle on mullet, shrimp head, and squid baits.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Capt. Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing reported on 2 outings by the Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar for a catch of 3 dorado of 30 pounds, and 2 yellowfin tuna of 60 pounds. Water at 78 degrees north of Punta Mita was also producing sailfish and striped marlin.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo blue marlin bite was slower last week, but still productive. "Half of the 15-boat Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fleet is still getting at least a shot at a blue marlin, with an average of about 3 blues a day being hooked by the fleet," Kunze said. Capt. Cheva on the charter boat Dos Hermanos II reported a double on blue marlin at 230 and 300 pounds. Sailfish action averaged about 1 per outing and commercial pangueros found a few yellowfin tuna about 40 miles out. "There are tons of black skipjack tuna," Kunze said. "This is one of the reasons the blue marlin are plentiful. These hard fighting small tuna are providing very good action for fly rodders." Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was calm in the mid-80s, with the water temperature at 80 to 84 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported slower billfish action overall, but a good mix still being caught. "Ixtapa captains are reporting blue marlin and black marlin as well as striped marlin in the daily catch," Edwards said. "Very few sailfish were reported this week as water temperatures continue to fall." Some yellowfin tuna were seen offshore. "The arrival of the yellowfin tuna is right on schedule. The month of April has been the time when the largest tuna arrive," Edwards said. Capt. Adolofo Espinosa fished 4 days at Puerto Vicente Guerrero for a catch including released fish of: 18 yellowtail jack, 4 roosterfish, 6 dorado, and many bonito. Ixtapa fishing area weather was calm in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 78 degrees inshore and 82 degrees offshore.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 17 outings by the El Cid Caribe sportfishing fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 1 bull shark, 1 Atlantic sailfish, 2 blackfin tuna, 3 dorado, 6 barracuda to about 25 pounds, 2 cubera snapper, and 36 king mackerel. "It was another week of variety fishing," Edwards said. "another interesting fishing week from the Caribbean community of Puerto Morelos." Cancun fishing area weather was cloudy in the high-80s, with easterly breezes and the water temperature at 81 to 82 degrees.

Los Cabos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LOS CABOS GOLDIE--Sam Pace fished off San Jose del Cabo with Gordo Banks Pangas' Capt. Tony Miranda and caught a rare golden grouper, also known as the golden cabrilla, or reina in Spanish. The fish is a spectacular golden pigment phase of the common, olive brown leopard grouper. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ENSENADA PANGA ACTION--Ensenada's inshore fishing waters got some wind last week, but the Vonny's Fleet charter pangas Vonny I and Vonny III fished on Friday for a nice mixed catch of yellowtail and Humboldt giant squid, plus bottom fish and calico bass. Fishing with Vonny's Fleet Capts. Beto and Hector were, from left, Paul Bechely, Victor Gordo, Benny Joseph, and Tom Fransaell. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Baja California Mexico Fishing Photo 1

GOOD CAMALU TRIP--Donald Rubi and his group drove down Baja's Highway Mex 1 to Camalu and had 2 days of "epic" bottom fishing action including this nice lingcod and about 8 other species with Capt. Lee Moreno's surf launched panga operation. At right, Capt. Moreno shows off a big Baja crab that hit a jig for Rob Villar. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DONALD RUBI.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CABO JACK CREVALLE--Larger jack crevalle are showing up in the surf around the tip of Baja. Steve Scott of Ventura, Calif., fished tight to the beach last week on the Pacific side with Capt. Ramon Druck of the charter panga Cheer's for this beauty of about 20 pounds plus 8 sierra to 6 pounds. At right, Scott at the Cabo arch with a couple of Baja panga sierra. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LA PAZ VARIETY--Early spring panga fishing on La Paz' Las Arenas side produced a nice mixed bag of yellowtail, yellowfin tuna, and snappers for John McVay and John Cameron of Long Beach, Calif., who fished with Tortuga Sportfishing's Capt. Rigo Lucero, center. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2

WINDY WEEK FORKIE--Early spring winds made fishing tough last week, but some quality fish were caught by pangas north of La Paz. Here's Tailhunter International's Capt. Raul "Papa" Martinez with the smallest of 4 yellowtail caught at Isla Espiritu Santo with angler Dean Huthman. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Jack Crevalle Photo 1

CATALANA YELLOWTAIL--Tiffany and Ryan Moore with 2 of 4 Loreto yellowtail to 33 pounds caught in rough conditions Thursday while fishing with Loreto's Bill Erhardt west of Isla Catalana. At right, one of 3 jack crevalle in the 15-pound class caught by Bill Erhardt while trolling a Rapala Monday afternoon off the south end of Loreto's Isla Carmen. The toros, along with yellowtail and skipjack, were feeding on boiling bait fish under diving birds. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 2

LORETO PANGA OASIS--Panga anglers, from left, Mike Malloy, John Andreotti, and Curt Davison fished at Loreto's Isla Carmen last week for a great catch of yellowtail and bottom fish with Capt. Martín Perpuli of the Hotel Oasis. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Mulege Mexico Fishing Tournament Photo 1

MULEGE WINNER--Marty Robison's 25.10-pound yellowtail caught on a trolled MirrOLure at Isla San Marcos took first place in last week's 2007 Mulege Spring Yellowtail Tournament. A dorado tournament is planned in late May. Information: mulegefishingtournaments.com. Other tournament winners were, from second left: Larry Chaves, yellowtail, 25.08 pounds; third, Gary Schall, yellowtail 25.08 pounds; and fourth, Raphael Meza, cabrilla, 16.06 pounds. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARV PERRIGO.

Isla Angel de la Guarda Mexico Photo 1

BIG ISLAND CALM--Fishing offshore at Bahia de los Angeles' Isla Angel de la Guarda produced 15 yellowtail for Jim Marsh and his group aboard Capt. Igor Galvan's big panga in super-calm Midriff waters. "This photo shows how calm it was all day long," Marsh said. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM MARSH.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 1 San Carlos Mexico Fog Photo 1

SAN CARLOS GROUPER--John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters at San Carlos, Sonora, with a nice grouper caught in local fishing last week by the charter boat John Jen. At right, an unusual sight on the Sea of Cortez, an evening fog bank coming into the San Carlos inner bay, with the air temperature at 80 degrees. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN HILDERBRAND.

Mazatlan Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MAZATLAN FISHING INSHORE--Helmut and Cristoph Harms of Bremen, Germany, fished near shore at Mazatlan in mid-March for a catch including 5 of these jack crevalle. They fished with Capt. Tony on the Flota Bibi Fleet charter boat Mahi Dreamer. PHOTO COURTESY OF TADEO HERNANDEZ.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1

DHAMAR GOLD--Capt. Danny Gomez of the Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar shows off a couple of quality dorado hooked off Punta Mita last week. Fishing in 78-degree water to the north of Puerto Vallarta also produced yellowfin tuna at 60 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY GOMEZ.

Los Cabos Mexico Fish Photo 1

PANGA MIXED CATCH--A nice fillet table of yellow snapper, barred pargo, wahoo, dorado, leopard grouper, and surgeonfish, from late winter action in about 60 feet of water in the productive and varied fishing grounds at the tip of Baja California. "The catch was from off El Cardon," said Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas at San Jose del Cabo. "All these fish were caught on sardinas, except the wahoo, which hit an anchovy casting lure." PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES