ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his pangas were again kept off the water most of the week by wind. "Lots of wind," Villarino said, "but we were able to get out on Saturday." The Vonny I, Vonny II, and Vonny III fished off the tip of Punta Banda on Saturday morning with Capts. Beto, Vicente, and Hector for wide-open limits on bonita, red rockcod, Johnny bass, mixed bottom fish, some bass, and a 22-pound yellowtail landed by Chris Malley of San Pedro, Calif. Other anglers fishing with Vonny's Fleet during the week included Sam and Greg Simonian and Don Bussey of Los Angeles. Ensenada fishing area weather over the weekend was partly cloudy in the mid-60s, with 5 m.p.h. wind, ocean swells of 3 to 4 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 59 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous week, Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet reported on a local outing by the boat Trobin Robin for 9 yellowtail averaging 12 pounds, limits of bonito at 5 pounds, and limits of red rockcod in the afternoon at the Banda Bank.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Stan Pianko of Chula Vista reported on a trip out of Ensenada's Marina Coral by his boat Mel's Diamond, fishing with Pete Reynard for limits of yellowtail averaging 15 pounds at the north end of Isla Todos Santos on trolled Rapalas. "We had limits by 10:30 a.m., stopped for lunch behind the island, and went back and caught and released 5 more," Pianko said. "The biggest yellowtail was 18 pounds. We took home 10. We had no bait and thought it was going to be a bad day. You never know. It was just one of those great days when everything was right." Local Ensenada fishing water temperatures were at 61.4 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported on 8 boats fishing during the week, for catches of big bonita, limits of large rockcod, and giant Humboldt squid, but still no yellowtail. The San Quintin fishing area was windy until Friday, but calming over the weekend.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Sarai Garcia of Don Eddie's Landing reported cool water still averaging about 61 degrees in the San Quintin fishing area with swells from the west. Don Eddie's Landing was selling building lots to the west of the hotel. "The lots are huge and are connected to the bay and have access to the road of the hotel, water, telephone, and electricity," Garcia said. "They have titles and will have title insurance from a U.S. bank. We only have 9 lots left."

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said offshore winds and rough seas kept Magdalena Bay fishing area boats close to shore during the week, but good action for grouper, corvina, and spotted bay bass was found in the mangrove channels north of Puerto Lopez Mateos. "On the surface the corvina put on a show chasing almost any popper that hit the water," Graham said. At the San Carlos entrada, big swells coming in from the open Pacific made it difficult to chase birds working over firecracker yellowtail and small bonito feeding on sardina schools. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 65 to 72 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jorge Navarro of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing reported about 85 percent of charters scoring on all species combined last week, including many 2 to 6-release striped marlin days for the boats Valerie, Falcon, Yahoo, Tracy Ann, La Brisa, Adriana, Ni Modo, and Rebecca. "Striped marlin was pretty much the only species around," Navarro said. Of 96 striped marlin landed, 88 were released. No yellowfin tuna were reported and only 3 dorado were caught by the fleet. Inshore panga fishing was good for sierra and roosterfish. Pisces Fleet boats fished the Cortez side from the Gordo Banks northward in fair conditions and average water temperatures of 68 to 70 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 23 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo San Lucas charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 17 striped marlin, and 1 dorado. "The full moon had a dramatic effect on Cabo San Lucas fishing this week," Edwards said.

"The boats are still seeing huge amounts of billfish, but finding one that wants to eat is frustrating. Look for a regrouping as the moon darkens." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with warming water temperatures of 72 to 76 degrees up the Cortez side. "Summer warm water conditions appear to be moving in early," Edwards said. Most boats fished the Cortez side from the Gordo Banks to Destiladeras.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 10 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, 1 mako shark of 80 pounds, 2 amberjack, and many sierra and mackerel.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 4 outings during the week, fishing on both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides with a total of 7 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 3 bonito of about 3 pounds, 3 skipjack of 4 pounds, 44 sierra of 2 to 4 pounds, 1 nice yellowtail lost to sea lions, 4 yellowtail of 5 to 8 pounds, several yellowtail lost, and 7 roosterfish of 3 to 5 pounds. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Daril Sutliff, Vano Estos, Adolfo Rossi, Scott Elkins, Ron Elkins, Enrique Burns, and Carisa Desposito. The Cheer's fished in local Cabo San Lucas water temperatures of 69 to 71 degrees, in good conditions on the Sea of Cortez coast and around the Cabo arch.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the previous week, Merle Erickson of Chicago reported on 2 outings with Pisces Fleet by his parents Palmer and Junie Erickson of Mesa, Ariz., fishing aboard the charter boat Tracy Ann with Cabo's well known Capt. Julio Castro for 4 striped marlin released each day by 11 a.m. "They said it was insane striped marlin fishing with stripers free jumping around the boat, lots of hookups around them, run and gun fishing, working bait balls, just crazy wide-open Cabo style marlin fishing," Erickson said. "My parents don’t get around too well anymore, which is no surprise at their age, and Pisces Fleet's Tracy Ehrenberg had them picked up at Hotel Mar de Cortez each morning. No one asked for this service. It was just provided by Pisces as a courtesy with no questions asked. Julio took great care of them on the boat, as he always does."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 62 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 496 assorted pargo, 188 sierra, 126 pompano, 15 amberjack, 8 golden jack, 4 striped marlin, 2 yellowfin tuna, 8 dorado, 36 cabrilla, 18 bonito, 144 triggerfish, and 3 halibut. "The La Playita panga fleets continued to report excellent action on smaller game fish close to shore and on the rock piles," Brictson said. "Most of these fish were in the 3 to 10-pound range, but several were up to 20 pounds and 1 grouper of 65 pounds was also reported. The areas close to shore off El Cardon and La Salina were particularly productive." Some larger roosterfish were also reported. Los Cabos offshore sportfishing boats were working more on the Sea of Cortez side of Cabo San Lucas in variable water temperatures from the low-60s off Cabo San Lucas up to about 75 degrees at the Gordo Banks and Vinorama. "Striped marlin remained the most common species found offshore," Brictson said. "Numbers were down this week due to various factors. Fleets traveled as far north as Los Frailes in search of action. Whale sharks are now starting to appear, particularly around the Gordo Banks. May and June is typically when these monstrous fish migrate through the area, feeding on abundant pelagic red crabs and other crustaceans."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo reported on construction progress at the new Marina los Cabos project. "The La Playita area is such a major construction zone that it is difficult to get over there," Lewis said. "The marina is very close to being open. I would say about 100 yards of a sand berm separates the water of the marina and the ocean. People are saying the opening will be around the beginning of June."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Greg George of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort said fleet boats were fishing 12 to 23 miles out for good action on yellowfin tuna from footballs to about 40 pounds. "Dorado are fair right now with some very nice 40-pound plus fish coming in," George said. "Marlin have also been biting good with a couple of sails mixed in." Some wahoo were also caught and bottom fishing was "pretty good" for small pargos. East Cape fishing weather area over the weekend was very good, with light breezes in the afternoons, daytime highs in the 80s, and water temperatures at about 75 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said spring season fishing kicked in last week for inshore angler Mike Vogel of Thornton, Colo., who had a great day with fly tackle guide Lance Petersen on smaller roosterfish, black skipjack, and jack crevalle of 14 to 20 pounds. Aboard the panga Victoria with East Cape sportfishing Capt. Victor Garciglia Jr., Vogel fished from Punta Colorada northwards to La Ribera. "An all out feeding frenzy ensued," Graham said. "Mike boated 2 big jacks, 2 hefty black skipjack, and had a number of close encounters and 'long line releases.' Mike’s new Sage 10WT rod gave in under the pressure and broke right above the cork." East Cape offshore boats found action on striped marlin just 8 to 15 miles off La Ribera, plus some yellowfin tuna. East Cape fishing area weather was cloudy at 90 degrees, with water temperatures of 65 to 74 degrees.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos, getting ready for his 4th annual Yellowtail ShootOut benefit fishing tournament on May 18-20, 2007, said the Santa Rosalia fishing area had water temperatures warming to 71 to 72 degrees in some offshore hotspots around Isla Tortuga. "Dorado in another few weeks," he said. Kanzler fished the island over the previous weekend for a catch of 8 yellowtail and 1 good leopard grouper by 10:30 a.m. on flylined bigeye baits without sinkers. Daniel Lopez also scored 7 yellowtail plus some bottom fish. The entry fee for the Yellowtail ShootOut fishing tournament was $30, with proceeds benefiting Isla San Marcos youth athletics programs. Information: kidjurel@gmail.com, or Alan Lewis at the San Lucas Cove Trailer Park.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Syd Lindsay of San Lucas Cove reported the new Pemex gas station at the Santa Rosalia marina in operation. "Everything I have heard about it is good," Lindsay said.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters in San Carlos reported dorado caught on Friday in 73.5-degree water, 26 miles out at 180 degrees, by Capt. Abel Anaya on the charter boat JonJen. "They finally arrived after a couple weeks of wishing," Hilderbrand said. "Some boats headed south on Thursday with reports of small peanuts. Then with the steady south winds blowing the waters started warming. On Friday, within minutes the JonJen caught a small bull, lost 2, and put 2 more in the box. It's our first dorado for the season so now we hope it starts." San Carlos local fishing was also improving for snappers, goldspotted or "calico" bass, whitefish, and mixed bottom species. A boat at Isla San Pedro in 68.7-degree water also got a small dorado on a trolled Rapala while fishing for yellowtail. "It really surprised us," Hilderbrand said. "We ended up getting some hits for yellowtail but no takers, and a box full of snappers and calicos."

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported slower than normal but improving action for Aries Fleet boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid. "Fleet manager Geronimo Cevallos said the fishing was still off from the typical May, but getting better by the day," Edwards said. "The boats averaged a billfish per offshore day and they finally had a good shot at some smaller yellowfin tuna in the 10 to 40-pound range." A scattering of dorado was also reported at the buoys, but no concentrations. Inshore super pangas caught pargo to 15 pounds and 3 roosterfish of about 35 pounds. Mazatlan fishing area weather was mostly cloudy in the mid-80s, with water temperatures averaging 70 degrees inshore and 74 degrees offshore. Fleet boats fished in all directions as the yellowfin tuna were found about 25 miles out.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Daniel Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing said the Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar fished at El Banco during the week for action on sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and one large octopus that came aboard for angler "Bernardo." Puerto Vallarta fishing conditions were improving, Gomez said. The previous week, Gomez worked the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Sin Cuidado during a trip to Roca Corbeteña along with the Dhamar for a combined catch in 80-degree water including released fish of: 1 wahoo, 2 yellowfin tuna, 1 jack crevalle, 1 rainbow runner of 20 pounds, and 3 striped marlin.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said 127 boats were fishing in the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sailfish tournament, averaging about 2 sailfish each killed for the weigh-in on Friday with 2 days yet to fish. "The largest sail weighed today was only 81 pounds," Kunze said. "The largest blue marlin was only 264 pounds. Thank goodness for the full moon, which should slow the action down a bit." Increasing tidal currents moved the blue water out to about the 25-mile mark. Inshore fishing produced jack crevalle and skipjack, but no roosterfish reported. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was clear at 100 degrees, with the water temperature at 80 to 84 degrees. Kunze's client Grant Marohnich fished on the Vamonos III with Capt. Ruben for 2 sailfish and 2 blue marlin released, and 1 sailfish kept that swallowed the hook deep. One of the blue marlin, estimated at between 350 and 400 pounds, was landed only 2 to 3 miles out of Zihuatanejo Bay.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament commented on the current Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sailfish kill tournament. "This tournament is a wholesale slaughter of sailfish, but the true sportfishing captains aren't in on the slaughter and are in fact releasing many fish," Phillips said. "Capt. Adan Valdovinos Olea of the Gitana II is a great example. He caught 5 fish on Friday, knew none would be big enough to win, and tagged and released all of them. Our true sportfishing captains are all following this policy, but this tournament involves commercial pangueros, guys from Mexico City and a host of others."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Earlier, Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht charters reported light fishing activity in the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo area, with captains landing sailfish and marlin, but still no yellowfin tuna. "The tuna have remained a mystery for this season as the bite has not yet developed any consistency," Edwards said. "Captains who fished offshore last week reported a slow-down in activity primarily due to the oncoming full moon. Roosterfish activity remains on again, off again. The bite is likely to pick up steam through May and into June. The upcoming months have historically been very good for sailfish, dorado, tuna, and an occasional huge blue or black marlin." Ixtapa fishing area water temperatures were at 82 degrees inshore and 84 degrees offshore.

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