San Quintin fishing boats catch season's first albacore;

Mixed billfish join Mazatlan dorado daze

Mexico Fishing News, July 9, 2007

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN QUINTIN

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported about 20 boats fishing during the week in calm seas and warm weather for continued good yellowtail and halibut action at Isla San Martin plus San Quintin's first albacore of the season, caught by Richard and Monica Hollo with Pedro's Pangas Capt. Hector "Lilo" Villavicencio aboard their boat on Monday, July 2, 2007.

"Hector said there was a big school of tuna 20 miles off the point on a 260 heading, but he saw a lot of bait in the water and they were not too hungry," Hillis said.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Hollo, of Bloomington, Calif., and his wife Monica fished on their boat a total of 4 days out of San Quintin for good action on yellowtail, halibut, and 1 bluefin tuna, plus the season-first albacore on Monday with Capt. Lilo. "We headed northwest," Hollo said. "In clear blue 64-degree water, I spotted a school of albacore jumping on the surface. After we had gone about a hundred yards, first the Mexican flag got inhaled and then the brown-and-white. We had a 20 and a 28-pound albie." After a slow day of fishing south earlier, Hollo had gotten a tip from Capt. Lilo and also found wide-open yellowtail at Isla San Martin on jigs, nice halibut on bait, and 3 more yellowtail on a lure trolled about 75 feet deep with a downrigger. About one of the halibut caught, Hollo said, "I now understand why they shoot the big ones. He tried to take the boat apart. What a job they do when you pull them from the water, jaws snapping, body slapping, tail smacking."

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Marita Melville of Don Eddie's Landing reported about 60 charter and private boats fishing out of San Quintin during the week, in wide-open conditions for yellowtail and with albacore showing up in the counts. "Boats have been catching albacore on the troll," Melville said. "As the days pass, we are expecting more albacore to be here and ready to be caught." Capt. Jaime Garcia fished at Isla San Martin with his brother Fernando Garcia, who is the bartender at Don Eddie's, and angler Jeff Riolo on the boat Pinta II for 18 yellowtail to 26 pounds plus a few bonita and barracuda. San Quintin fishing area weather was in the low-80s, with light winds and clear blue water at Isla San Martin averaging 64 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Kelly Catian of K&M Offshore Sportfishing said, "The albies are here! We stopped on the 240 and were on after one slow troll pass over the rock. The fish were big." Catian fished on Pete Engle's boat Habanero with Engle, Chris Peirce, and Dave Browner. Another albacore was hooked on a long-trolled swimbait about 18 miles out and good numbers of yellowtail were found on paddies farther out in water temperatures of 68 to 69 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Victor Cruz of Los Angeles reported on a good early July trip to San Quintin's Isla San Martin by friends Jose Navarro, Manny Mendleson, Freddy Jimenez, and Jose Hernandez for a 2-outing catch with Capt. Hector out of Pedro's Pangas of: 21 yellowtail, 1 halibut of 22 pounds, 2 barracuda, calico bass to 5 pounds, and limits of bottom fish including red rockcod and vermilion rockfish.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin said Capt. Hector of Pedro's Pangas beat him to the first albacore of the season this year. Meza, who got San Quintin's first albacore last year, said, "It was not me this year. Good for Lilo. He got his 2 fish 21 miles out of the mouth of the bay." On Tuesday, Capt. Hector reported 3 more albacore caught 17 miles out. "There were other boats following him and catching bluefin tuna and albacore," Meza said, "all on the troll and lots of boils and fish everywhere." For the previous week, Meza fished on his boat Santa Monica with Willie Hedrick on the northeast corner of Isla San Martin for hot release light tackle action on 13 yellowtail using 17-pound line and all artificials. "We fished with no live bait, like true fishermen," Meza said. "We had some doubles, lost some to the sea lions, and some at gaff, and we came back ready for sushi."

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ENSENADA

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Emerald Argonza of Matador Sportfishing reported on 2 offshore runs by the charter boat Matador out of Marina Coral, finding 15 albacore of 25 to 30 pounds the first day, and 1 albacore of 25 pounds, 4 yellowtail to 30 pounds, and 6 bonito the second day. For the first day's fishing off Ensenada, at the 238 and 295 spots in water temperatures of 65 to 66.5 degrees with Alex Gonzalez and his group, Argonza said, "Most of the albacore were caught on the troll using black-and-purple, zucchini, and Mexican flag Zucker feathers, with only 2 caught using anchovies. We also lost 4 fish due to seasickness." On the second day, Capt. David Silva on the boat Azteca also reported 6 albacore and 12 bonito in clean 66-degree water, as the Matador fished the 238, 295, and 450 spots.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of Ensenada's Lily Fleet reported albacore caught during several outings by the charter boat Tamara last week. About 4 fish of 15 to 20 pounds per rod were caught about 37 miles out on a heading of 262 degrees, and on Thursday, 23 albacore were caught in clear blue water at the 238 and 295 spots. Most of the albacore hit purple-black and redhead feathers, plus some on Rapala plugs, in a water temperature of 66.7 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet reported good summer fishing for his beach launched pangas at Punta Banda. Local Ensenada fishing waters produced steady yellowtail of 18 to 23 pounds for most boats, plus 1 white seabass, plenty of bottom fish, Humboldt giant squid, and some bonita and barracuda on the surface. "This week was good fishing," Villarino said. Brian "Calico" Foley scored 4 yellowtail on Wednesday with Capt. Beto on the charter panga Vonny I. Other anglers fishing during the week with Capts. Beto, Hector, and Vicente included John Southworth, Jeri Genkins, and Mike, Jason, and Scott Allinham. Ensenada fishing area weather over the weekend was in the mid-70s, with some morning clouds, light breezes, ocean swells of 2 to 3 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 63 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Villarino said the previous week's action included a 3-yellowtail outing on fish of 15 to 20 pounds by Jay Johnson with Capt. Beto on the panga Vonny I. Brian Foley also limited out on calico bass, lingcod, and rockfish on the Vonny III with Capt. Hector.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO SANTO TOMAS

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas resort reported good fishing all week long, with calm mornings and some mild offshore wind in the afternoons. "Lots of lingcod, whitefish, and rockfish were caught," Saenz said. Anglers Paul Jones and "Charlie" from the San Diego area fished about 1,000 feet from shore on kayaks and landed lingcod into the 15-pound class. Other Puerto Santo Toma s pangas brought in full Mexican limits of bottom fish plus some barracuda. "The surface bite continues to be around but slow," Saenz said. "It brought in bonita and barracuda and 2 white seabass. The white seabass were caught trolling with Rapalas."

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ERENDIRA

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Tere Castro of Castro's Camp south of Ensenada said 31 boats were sent out last week, finding good Baja coastal weather conditions in the main fishing area 7 to 8 miles out and big counts of mixed bottom fish and barracuda, some yellowtail, and 2 white seabass. Erendira fishing area water temperatures averaged 63 degrees.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR BAJA COASTAL AREAS

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Juanchys Aguilar of La Bocana on the Baja central Pacific coast said offshore fishing was slowed by strong red tide conditions last week, but fishing inside Laguna La Bocana produced 6 halibut plus lots of spotted bay bass during an outing by his panga Karol with San Diego anglers Jose and Juvencio Martinez and their wives Carmen and Lolita. "We have a super red tide outside on the Pacific," Aguilar said. "We don't have good fishing out there right now."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Ken Oda of the private long range boat Breezers reported on a good 5-day trip down the Baja coast from June 28, 2007, to July 3, 2007, for limits of 20 to 25-pound albacore at GPS 31.09 117.34, big yellowtail, white seabass, and skiff-caught calico bass to 8 pounds at Isla Cedros, and limits of albacore again on the last day of trip about 4 miles northeast of the first day's bite in action that included kayak-caught albacore by Jimmy Lily, Marc Allegre, and Frank Brenha. "Evidently this area was holding more fish than we thought as the fleet had been here the past 4 days," Oda said. "We again found excellent limit-style albacore fishing and left 'em biting again. I can't wait until August 2nd when we leave on our 12-day Alijos Rocks, Magdalena Bay trip and all points in between."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Brian Conway of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and La Paz reported on a benefit fund raising 2-jet ski cruise down Baja's Sea of Cortez by himself and Terease Van Landuyt, running south along the Baja coast from San Felipe to La Paz in 7 days from May 6, 2007, to May 12, 2007. "A surprise, but fortunately a safe and pleasant one, was the size of the swell when went from San Felipe to Puertecitos," Conway said. "It was about 12 feet but there was little wind and it was just like riding up and down sand dunes. We made 100 to 150 miles each day with stops at Puertecitos, Gonzaga Bay, Bahia de los Angeles, San Francisquito, Santa Rosalia, Loreto, and Puerto Escondido. The ride from Puerto Escondido to San Evaristo was probably the smoothest and very picturesque." Donations for the trip totaling about $1,000 were made to Ciudad de los Ninos y Ninas, an orphanage in La Paz, and Cruz Roja Mexicana by sponsors including the Loreto Bay Club, Playa de La Paz, and Remax del Mar de Cortez.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAGDALENA BAY

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported Magdalena Bay fishing area weather partly cloudy in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 64 to 73 degrees and continued good action at the San Carlos entrada for firecracker yellowtail plus a few sierra and bonita under birds feeding on sardines. Offshore commercial shark fishermen reported a few dorado about 20 miles out. Inside the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels some snook to 10 pounds, pargo, and grouper were caught on flies at Devil's Curve. In the northern channels above Puerto Lopez Mateos, fly fishing produced lots of spotted bay bass down deep and some corvina were also caught on the surface with poppers.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CABO SAN LUCAS

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 19 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 7 striped marlin, 32 dorado, 3 wahoo, and 10 yellowfin tuna. "Cabo San Lucas fishing is still on the difficult side," Edwards said. "It's been a real crap shoot on the fishing location. It seems to change almost on a daily basis." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was sunny in the mid-90s, with southerly winds and variable water temperatures ranging from 64 degrees on the Pacific side and close to shore at Chileno up to 77 degrees at the Gordo Banks. "The boats are searching both sides," Edwards said. "The Golden Gate and Jaime Banks have been the better producers overall."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 55 boats fishing at Cabo San Lucas during the week, with a catch including released fish of: 16 striped marlin, 36 dorado, 4 yellowfin tuna, 6 yellowtail, 1 wahoo, 8 roosterfish, and 1 hammerhead shark.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Marshall Wax of La Paz reported on a fishing cruise north into the Sea of Cortez and south to Cabo San Lucas, finding striped marlin on the northeast corner of Isla San Jose, dorado south of Isla Cerralvo, no roosterfish at Punta Arena de la Ventana, marlin and dorado about 12 miles off East Cape's Punta Arena, good grouper and cabrilla action at Los Frailes, nada at the Gordo Banks, and big dorado plus 2 striped marlin at the Golden Gate Bank on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas. "We found cold water in the high-60s at the cape," Wax said, "and 72-degree water at the Golden Gate."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 15 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 7 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 3 yellowfin tuna of 15 to 25 pounds, 51 dorado of 15 to 45 pounds, 1 wahoo of 60 pounds, and 1 mako shark of 40 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the previous week, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported a few more dorado caught, but generally slow action for all species in very mixed weather and water conditions. "The bite on billfish really dropped off this week," Landrum said. "We had great weather to start the week and then it all turned around. We had swells from the south at 4 to 6 feet and winds that seemed to reach an occasional 20 knots. At the end of the week the green water extended out 40 miles and the cool temperatures stretched up past the Punta Gorda area. There was really no place to hide."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN JOSE DEL CABO

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: 23 striped marlin, 16 dorado, 9 roosterfish, 11 yellowtail, 25 bonito, 17 amberjack, 7 dog snapper, 128 yellow snapper, 32 huachinango or true red snapper, 14 barred pargo, and 18 sierra. Persistent southerly winds returned toward the end of the week and pushed another wave of cool water into the Los Cabos area from the open Pacific side as water temperatures in the San Jose del Cabo fishing area averaged a variable 69 to 79 degrees. "The game fish have been scattered accordingly while searching for their food," Brictson said. Massive schools of mackerel showed up on the Gordo Banks and were jigged up for bait by a few anglers who had wide-open action on slow-trolled yellowtail, amberjack, and huachinango.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Construction on the delayed Puerto Los Cabos marina project continued to disrupt panga operations on La Playita beach. "There were major dredging operations inside the 2 jetties of the marina," Brictson said. "Panga fleets have been enduring very harsh and cramped working conditions as the marina project has entered these final stages. One wonders why these panga fleets were not just given some kind of temporary compensation to close down operations and clear the beach so the heavy machinery could be used more efficiently to rapidly finish this project that is already so far behind schedule. Of critical importance now is the fact that tropical storm season is upon us and it is only a matter of time before the first hurricane develops."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo reported on a charter panga trip out of La Playita beach on Friday, fishing with Capt. Angel on a new super panga out of Caboplaya Sportfishing for 2 dorado of 25 and 30 pounds plus some bottom fish late in the day. "We got lucky," Lewis said. "Conditions have been strange. One day the water seems to be warming and the next is windy, green, and cool. It is spring-like in July. I saw another dorado of about 30 pounds, and 6 or 7 marlin but none would bite. We are right on the edge of breaking out here. The boat was very comfortable and captain Angel was a capable guide."

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR EAST CAPE

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Bill Burkett of East Cape Anglers announced the results of the club's 12th annual July fishing tournament held on July 6, 2007, with 23 East Cape boats fishing and an overall catch including released fish of: 16 striped marlin, all released, 11 dorado, and 3 yellowfin tuna. First place was won by the boat Gotcha' with 3 marlin releases, followed by the Andale and Miyagi with 2 releases each. "Most boats fished to the north from Punta Pescadero to Punta Perico," Burkett said. "Water temperatures are starting to warm again after a cold finger current pushed frigid water up from the cape a couple of weeks ago. Blue Marlin are starting to show again. Several were caught and released in the last few days." East Cape fishing area weather was cool, cloudy, and humid, with afternoon seas to 6 feet and water temperatures at 74 to 77 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Marisol Verdugo of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort said fleet cruisers were busy every day last week and some super pangas also went out for good action on 1 to 3 dorado per day to 50 pounds found 20 to 25 miles out. "Striped marlin fishing has been good also," Verdugo said, "and the boats have also spotted some blue marlin." Smaller sized yellowfin tuna were found on some days. East Cape fishing area weather over the weekend was good, with the water temperature in the main dorado fishing area at about 82 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported continued cool water currents and spotty East Cape fishing action from the beaches outward last week. "Unseasonably cool water plagued the East Cape fishing area again," Graham said, "pushing the best offshore action up into the Sea of Cortez from Punta Pescadero to the 88 Bank. More fish were seen than caught."

Some blue marlin, dorado to 40 pounds, and long-distance yellowfin tuna of football size to over 20 pounds were found by East Cape offshore boats. Inshore boats had good action for mixed pargos and smaller jacks and roosterfish. East Cape beach fly fishing was challenging, mostly for ladyfish caught early and late. "Beach action was best left to the physically fit," Graham said. "Patrolling the beaches on foot in the midday sun and trying to be in the right place at the right time can be tough." East Cape fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with water temperatures mixed at 69 to 84 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 283 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 838 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin, 146 striped marlin, 202 dorado, 590 yellowfin tuna, 14 pargo, 1 wahoo, 1 amberjack, 1 pompano, 3 cabrilla, 34 roosterfish, 1 triggerfish, and 1 mako shark.

East Cape fishing area weather was mostly calm with some afternoon seas, in the mid-90s, with water temperatures of 68 to 84 degrees. Moyers said, "The fishing has been pretty good out in the vicinity of the 88 Bank as that’s where the good water has been." Sardina and mackerel baits were in short supply and some boats were limited to ballyhoo and caballitos. "Some anglers have been able to locate sardines but not so much here in the Los Barriles-Buena Vista area," Moyers said. The 2 blue marlin landed were found about 6 miles off Punta Arena and at the 88 Bank off Isla Cerralvo.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Van Wormer Resorts reported on 246 East Cape charter boats from Hotels Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with a catch including released fish of: 4 blue marlin, 167 striped marlin, 27 sailfish, 225 dorado, 797 yellowfin tuna, 120 roosterfish, 4 wahoo, 19 cabrilla, 93 pargo, 96 triggerfish, and 7 mako shark. Top catches during the week included a 63-pound roosterfish landed by Carl Bailey of Imperial Beach, Calif., at Punta Arena aboard the charter boat Vodka with Capt. Abel and deckhand Pedro.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista reported another good tin boat catch of jack crevalle in relatively slow conditions using the large Mann's Stretch 18+ trolling lure, this time for a 20 pounder hooked about halfway between Rancho Leonero and the San Bartolo pyramids. "I trolled from 200 yards to a mile from the beach off the Pemex station to a little past Rancho Leonero without so much as a bump," Eddy said. "I was pulling a blue Rebel Fastrack 4.5-inch and one of my huge blue-silver Mann's lures. I took a bearing straight toward the pyramids. About halfway across, I took a big strike on the Mann's lure and a bit later boated a toro of about 20 pounds. It seems those toros love those big Mann's lures. My last 3 trips have yielded 4 of them." East Cape fishing area weather was unusually cool, with light and variable winds and a 1-foot chop.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of East Cape's Vista Sea Sport diving service reported water temperatures at the Cabo Pulmo coral reef at 63 degrees with visibility of 20 to 25 feet. Sea life sightings during 2 dive trips included schools of yellow snapper, grouper, Panamic porkfish, green moray eel, Mexican goatfish, and burrito grunt. A dive trip north to Punta Perico found water temperatures at 66 degrees. "I love the swim-throughs at this site," Cazaly said. "They make for an exciting and interesting dive. I always find lots of colorful nudibranchs and there were lots of Pacific creolefish darting around everywhere." Other sea life sightings included amberjack, a Hawksbill sea turtle, dolphin, stone scorpionfish, and green moray eel. "A large green moray allowed me to gently stroke its body to encourage it to come out from its hole so the other divers could take a look," Cazaly said.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LA PAZ

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said his pangas on the Las Arenas side found few fish last week at the north end of Isla Cerralvo but plenty of striped marlin and some dorado of 30 to 40 pounds at the south end of the island and out at the 88 Bank. The buoys closer in produced dorado and some yellowfin tuna of 20 to 30 pounds. "The south point of Isla Cerralvo continues with good activity on different species," Hernandez said. "There are yellowtail, wahoo, amberjack, pompano, and some dorado in the area." La Paz south side weather was in the high-90s, with some winds hampering fishing at times outside the channel.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Leonard Phillips of Baja Pirates Fleet said poor fishing conditions brought on-and-off action to La Paz side boats last week. "Water temps are still low for this time of year," Phillips said. "Bottom fishing around Bonanza Beach and out at El Bajo is steady with nice cabrilla and pargos." Good action for the week included 5 striped marlin released around the north end of Isla Cerralvo by Robert Gregg of Seattle, Wash., and several dorado to 35 pounds landed by Kenneth Phillips of Payette, Idaho, in the gap between the Isla Cerralvo and Isla Espiritu Santo. La Paz fishing area weather was in the 90s.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said fishing was spotty on the La Paz side last week. "There are certainly some great fish to be caught," Roldan said, "but you may only get get one shot at them or they might be picky. Winds, the full moon, and lots of Fourth of July traffic made for some tough fishing this past week." Some multiple hookups on striped marlin were scored on the north side and some blue marlin were also hooked, but dorado were still not biting consistently. On the Las Arenas side to the south, yellowfin tuna were caught and some boats had good luck with wahoo.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo made a trip with his son to the village of La Ventana on the Sea of Cortez shore south of La Paz, camping on the beach and fishing on a commercial panga with Capt. Ramon for no fish caught during a run out to Isla Cerralvo. "I saw some pangas and knocked on a few doors and found a commercial fisherman that agreed to take us out," Lewis said. "The water was cold and green. Actually, the fishing was good, but catching was bad. No fish in the area."

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LORETO

LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto reported on the design of the refurbished downtown marina launch ramp which was put back into service last week after 3 weeks of repair work. After a call to his regular captain Paulino Martinez, Bear said, "Paulino says the new ramp is no great improvement over the old one. Apparently, at low tide, trailer substructure will still scrape the end of the concrete as the trailer tires drop off into mud at the bottom. But at least the bottommost section of concrete hasn't yet broken off, as was the case with the old ramp. I hope to test the ramp myself in the third week of this month."

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MULEGE

MULEGE, MEXICO: Fly-in angler Ron Grant of Crestline, Calif., reported on a week-long trip to the Hotel Serenidad in Mulege, finding hot July weather in the low-100s, cooling to the 80s at night, generally calm seas except for normal afternoon winds mostly from the southwest, and water temperatures ranging from the high-70s to the low-80s. Dorado fishing was good. "No problem getting limits early," Grant said. "Any color feather works fine." The best dorado fishing area was 15 to 25 miles off the lighthouse on headings of 060 to 065 degrees, about 6 to 8 miles off the "mine" landmark on Punta Concepcion. "There is good bottom fishing for various other fish on cut bait," Grant said. "Live bait can be caught just off the lighthouse but there is no real need to take the time as feathers, jigs, and cut bait will fill the sack." Few anglers were fishing in the Mulege area, as most Americans had already left for the summer. The Hotel Serenidad airstrip was in good condition.

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

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Jim Howard of Garden Grove, Calif., reported on 3 days of good late June fishing out of Bahia de los Angeles with Capt. Igor Galvan, chasing birds straight out and dropping bait with 12 ounces or more of weight north of Isla Smith and at a point 37 miles south of the bay for basically unlimited medium yellowtail and up to 9 fish of 25 to 40 pounds or more per day, no targeted white seabass found, and a black sea bass at 65 pounds. Bahia de los Angeles fishing area weather was calm in the low-90s. Staying at Guillermo's Sportfishing Hotel & Restaurant with Howard were anglers Jim Howard, Dan Mueller, Mike Mueller, and Terry Leshore. "The first day we fylined macks and threw jigs," Howard said. "Almost everything that hit the water got bit. Dan caught the jackpot black sea bass."

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN FELIPE

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Alex Velez of Baja Sportfishing and Diving reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trip by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe with 24 anglers on July 5, 2007, with a catch of: 326 yellowtail of 12 to 18 pounds, 213 cabrilla of 8 to 17 pounds, 3 grouper of 52 to 73 pounds, 18 white seabass, 38 pargo, and 212 miscellaneous fish. The Erik fished in good weather and light winds mostly at Isla las Animas, Isla San Esteban, and San Francisquito.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Randy Morishita of Carlsbad, Calif., reported the death on July 3, 2007, of Lupe Lopez, about 82 years old, the proprietor and patriarch of the small settlement and tourist development known as Rancho Percebu, located at Laguna Percebu south of San Felipe. "A great man passed away," Morishita said. "We attended a 47th anniversary just a few months ago and his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, other family, and friends paid tribute to Lupe and his steadfast wife, Amparo. Known by many of the old timers like Tony Reyes as 'Lupe Shel,' a young Lupe pumped gas at the local gas station to help support his family while carving out a living and staking his claim as a fisherman from Sinaloa. I always marveled at his vision. It's no mistake or accident that there is a restaurant and full bar, showers, and bathrooms there in Percebu where once there was only the young Lopez family with 6 children. It is a very sad day for the countless people he touched."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN CARLOS

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters said about 10 charter boats per day were fishing 5 to 15 miles straight out from San Carlos for multiple releases on mixed striped, blue, and some black marlin plus dorado. The charter boat Catch-22 scored on 2 double hookups and some quadruple hookups were also reported. San Carlos fishing area weather was sloppy and windy but fishable, with water temperatures at 85 degrees near shore and 82 degrees in the blue water.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Lalo Munoz of San Carlos reported a first-ever marlin landed aboard his boat Sueltame for angler Ryan Hickie in action about 24 miles out for 2 marlin landed, 1 marlin lost, and 2 dorado landed in water at 83.3 degrees. "On 30-pound test the reel was quickly loosing line and in a panic Ryan locked the drag and, snap, there goes our first marlin of the day," Munoz said. "Ten minutes later same rig goes off and this time Ryan works the drag perfectly for his first marlin." Also fishing board the Sueltame was Bryan Replogle.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Gary Hall of Arizona reported on his first attempt to land a marlin on fly fishing tackle during a trip out of San Carlos. "I was able to hook one nice marlin on Thursday and had him on the rod for a good 2 minutes but the fly line separated from the running line and that was that," Hall said. "The water was a little on the rough side early in the day, but mellowed out later on."

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAZATLAN

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 15 offshore Aries Fleet charter boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 1 black marlin of about 250 pounds, 4 blue marlin to 350 pounds, 19 sailfish, 23 striped marlin, and 43 dorado to 45 pounds. Inshore super pangas continued to have "incredible" unlimited light tackle dorado action. "Mazatlan boats are now producing a variety catch of billfish that averages 3 per boat," Edwards said. "Dorado counts for the super pangas also had no letup in sight. The volume of fish continues to grow at the buoys and provide incredible light tackle and fly fishing action." Mazatlan fishing area weather was mostly calm in the low-90s, with light breezes and water temperatures at 84 to 85 degrees. Offshore boats fished about 21 to 27 miles out of Marina El Cid, from straight west to southwest. "Most of the billfish are coming on rigged trolling baits," Edwards said. "A few on the petrolero lures. Dorado are still biting at whatever moves."

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO VALLARTA

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing reported good numbers of yellowfin tuna to about 75 pounds and pargo coming aboard at El Banco and Roca Corbeteña and some marlin caught outside El Banco and off Cabo Corrientes. "These tunas are chasing flying fish and small bullet skipjacks," Osuna said. "The bullet skippies are really hard to catch, but we found some good schools about a mile outside El Banco and loaded up the tubes and ran back to the pinnacles. The tuna are nailing the bullets real good. We are also skipping caballitos on the kite slow trolled. The water is still green but we are seeing tunas crashing real heavy." Puerto Vallarta fishing area sea conditions were good, with the water temperature at 83 degrees. Anglers fishing during the week included Bobby, Garrett, Linda, and Caroline Jones who fished at El Banco on the charter boat Marla with Capt. Danny Osuna for a catch of 6 yellowfin tuna of 50 to 75 pounds and a nice amberjack.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said offshore boats out of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo averaged about 3 sailfish per outing last week about 12 to 14 miles out and Capt. Adan on the charter panga Gitana II had 1 outing with 4 releases. Blue marlin and yellowfin tuna were still seen about 30 to 32 miles out. "Clean, clear water is at the solitary rock at the entrance to Zihuatanejo Bay," Kunze said. "The trend is on the plus side as we move away from the full moon phase. There are not many boats going out." Inshore, Capt. Santiago on the Gitana released 2 roosterfish of 42 and 45 pounds plus jack crevalle of 14 to 16 pounds. Ixtapa fishing area weather was cloudy in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 80 to 84 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said, "Inshore continues to dominate the fishing at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo." Five inshore fishing days by the charter boats Dos Hermanos and Dos Hermanos I produced a catch including released fish of: 13 roosterfish to 70 pounds including 4 between 50 and 60 pounds, and wide-open jack crevalle in "close to triple-digit" numbers. "Offshore, the blue water is at the 15-mile mark but there has been a lack of activity," Edwards said. "Inshore the red tide is gone and the fishing is wide-open." Ixtapa fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with stable water temperatures of 87 to 88 degrees, calm seas, and westerly breezes of 12 to 14 knots.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CANCUN

CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 12 outings by the El Cid Caribe sportfishing fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 4 barracuda, 7 snappers, 6 dorado, 4 king mackerel, and 3 tuna. "It was a light action week that was slow on anglers," Edwards said. "Summer maintenance is being performed on the boats, getting them ready for the next go-round of incoming anglers." Cancun fishing area weather was humid and partly cloudy in the low-90s, with easterly breezes at 13 knots, and even water temperatures at 85 degrees.

MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MEXICO COASTAL AREAS

MEXICO: Gwen Swanson of Orlando, Fla., reported on a June fishing trip with Blue Water Sportfishing off the Mexican Pacific coast at Acapulco with her husband Mark Swanson for a catch of 2 marlin in the 300 to 500-pound class plus 8 sailfish. "What a rush!" Swanson said. "I just wish they spoke English. The hand gestures are not working too well."

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 1

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 3

FIRST QUINTIN ALBIES--Richard Hollo and Pedro's Pangas Capt. Hector "Lilo" Villavicencio with San Quintin's first albacore of the 2007 season, caught on Monday aboard Hollo's boat in 64-degree water about 21 miles out. Clockwise from top right, Monica Hollo with a nice San Quintin bluefin tuna, and with an Isla San Martin lenguado, ol' Lilo catching his breath, and with a real nice San Quintin summer yellowtail. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RICHARD HOLLO.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 6

SAN QUINTIN SUMMER--Albacore made their summer season appearance in waters close to San Quintin last week. Here's Kelly Catian of San Quintin's K&M Offshore Sportfishing with a longfin caught during action from the 240 spot outwards. At right, Catian with a nice yellowtail landed in wide-open action at Isla San Martin. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KELLY CATIAN.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 8

QUINTIN CLEANUP--Anglers, from left, Freddy Jimenez, Jose Hernandez, Jose Navarro, and Mannie Mendelson fished 2 days out of San Quintin's with Capt. Hector of Pedro's Pangas in early July and loaded the boat at Isla San Martin with yellowtail plus halibut, bass, barracuda, and bottom fish limits. At right, Jose Navarro with a nice Isla San Martin flattie. PHOTOS COURTESY OF VICTOR CRUZ.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 10

ISLA YELLOWTAIL--With a heavy rack of yellowtail caught at San Quintin's Isla San Martin last week aboard the boat Pinta II out of Don Eddie's Landing are, from left, Jeff Riolo, Fernando Garcia, and their guide Capt. Jaime Garcia. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARITA MELVILLE.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 11

LIGHT TACKLE FORKIES--Willie Hedrick fished aboard Julio Meza's boat Santa Monica at Isla San Martin and they got into wide-open catch-and-release yellowtail action for 21 forkies on artificial lures and 17-pound line. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIO MEZA.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

PUNTA BANDA PRIZES--With a nice yellowtail and white seabass caught at Ensenada's Punta Banda on Thursday are John Southworth and Jeri Genkins of Simi Valley, Calif. They fished on the Vonny's Fleet charter panga Vonny II with Capt. Vicente. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Castro's Camp Mexico Fishing Photo 1

GOOD CASTRO'S ACTION--Good fishing continues for anglers south of Ensenada at Castro's Camp. With a great catch of white seabass and halibut are, from left, Joe Marrujo, Darien Marrujo, Capt. Pancho of Castro's Camp, and Erson Marrujo. PHOTO COURTESY TERE CASTRO.

La Bocana, Baja California, Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BOCANA COMMERCIAL FISHING--Mexican commercial fishing catches last week along the Baja Pacific coast near La Bocana included this big halibut caught aboard the panga of Capt. Juanchys Aguilar. It is held up by La Bocana visitor "Señora Dolores" from San Diego, Calif. At right, a nice grouper caught by La Bocana commercial fisherman Martin Zuñiga. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JUANCHYS AGUILAR.

Baja California Coastal Mexico Fishing Photo 1

KAYAK LONGFIN--Jim Lily with a kayak-caught albacore during a cruise down the Baja coast by the private long range boat Breezers. Also scoring paddle boat longfin during a hot session on the Breezers were Marc Allegre and Frank Brenha. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARK KAIHARA.

Baja Mexico Jet Ski Trip Photo 1

LONG JET SKI RIDE--Brian Conway and Terease Van Landuyt rode jet skis down the Sea of Cortez in early May from San Felipe, left, to La Paz, right, in a 7-day trip that raised about $1,000 for Baja charities. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRIAN CONWAY.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

HARD DAY'S WORK--David LaBorde of San Jose del Cabo fished with his family off Cabo San Lucas last week aboard the Cabo Magic charter boat Adrenaline and got a good arm workout from this quality dorado. PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI GARCIA.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CONSTRUCTION ZONE FISHING--Micheal Angeles and his group from Santa Barbara, Calif., got into some good fishing at the Gordo Banks off San Jose del Cabo with Capt. Chame Pino of Gordo Banks Pangas. In the background are the breakwaters of the new Puerto Los Cabos marina project, still under construction as the tropical storm season approaches southern Baja, and still partially blocking the traditional La Playita beach panga launching area. "The marina project is reaching the final stages before the opening of the channel," said Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas. "It will be interesting to see how everything works out when we get struck by the first serious hurricane. It is only a matter of time."

Punta Arena Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BAJA SUR CRUISING--Harrison Wax with a good-sized female dorado caught during a cruise with his father Marshall Wax from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas aboard their boat Good Vibrations. The big dodo hit a black-purple feather off Punta Arena. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARSHALL WAX.

Las Arenas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CERRALVO RAPALA WAHOO--Dave "Splash" Lopez from Canoga Park, Calif., got his first-ever wahoo this week off Isla Cerralvo south of La Paz while trolling a big Rapala on a panga with Tailhunter International. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BAJA RARITY--This rare gulf weakfish, Cynoscion othonopterum, was hooked and released during pier casting with 8-pound line and a Kastmaster spoon last week by Kendall Ramsey of Canoga Park, Calif., who was on a trip to La Paz with Tailhunter International. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Las Arenas Mexico Fishing Photo 2

LAS ARENAS YELLOWTAIL--Tony Ferrel of Oregon fished on a Tortuga Sportfishing charter panga with Capt. Hugo Lucero for a good mixed species catch on the Las Arenas side of La Paz including this big yellowtail, dorado, wahoo, and pompano. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ANOTHER IGOR BIGGIE--Top Bahia de los Angeles fishing guide Capt. Igor Galvan, right, led Dan Mueller and his group to 3 days of steady yellowtail action plus this 65-pound black seabass during a trip in late June. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM HOWARD.

Sea of Cortez Midriff Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MIDRIFF ISLANDS MOTHERSHIP--George Ruble of San Diego celebrates his 53-pound grouper landed at Isla Partida this summer during a trip aboard the San Felipe panga mothership Andrea Lynn. At right, fillet time at anchor somewhere in the Midriff Islands aboard the Andrea Lynn. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALEX VELEZ.

Lupe Lopez of Rancho Percebu Mexico Photo 1

BAJA PATRIARCH--Lupe Lopez of Rancho Percebu south of San Felipe passed away last week. At right, the settlement of Rancho Percebu, built gradually over the decades by the Lopez family on the desert shore of the Sea of Cortez. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RANDY MORISHITA.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MARLIN NUMBER ONE--Ryan Hickie, left, celebrates his first-ever marlin catch with Lalo Munoz, right, of San Carlos, Sonora, aboard Munoz' boat Sueltame. Two marlin on 3 strikes and 2 dorado were landed during fishing about 24 miles out. At right Bryan Replogle with a nice San Carlos dorado caught aboard the Sueltame. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LALO MUNOZ.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SIX-TUNA DAY--The catch on this trip to El Banco aboard the Puerto Vallarta boat Marla with Capt. Danny Osuna last week included 6 yellowfin tuna of 50 to 75 pounds plus an amberjack, for anglers Bobby, Garrett, Linda, and Caroline Jones. At left and right are the Marla's deckhands Alex Ramirez and Alvino Osuna. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY OSUNA.

Tecate Mexico Bass Fishing Photo 1

TECATE POND BASS--Baja saltwater angler Alejandro Rosas of Tijuana has been pulling some big freshwater bass from his private pond near Tecate the past few weeks. Here's another one that hit a bluegill bait and was weighed at almost 14 pounds. "I'm sure at my ranch's pond there's a 20 pounder waiting for me," Rosas said. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEJANDRO ROSAS.

Gulf of Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MEXICO'S OTHER GULF--Baja traveler and angler Tyler Thorsen of Corpus Christi, Texas, has a trip planned to fish at Punta Santa Maria in July, but meanwhile was scheduled to fish last week aboard the Gulf of Mexico charter boat Nyati. "This is what they did over the last weekend," Thorsen said. "Woo Hoo! Or should I say WAHOO!" PHOTO COURTESY OF TYLER THORSEN.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES