Summer yellowtail sportfishing on a roll at Bahia de los Angeles;

Big rains wash out Ixtapa action

Mexico Fishing News, July 23, 2007

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: Good summer yellowtail action in the Sea of Cortez Midriff area continued for boats fishing out of Bahia de los Angeles during the first 3 weeks of July. Robert Cazares of La Habra, Calif., said he and his family group making its 14th annual trip to Bahia de los Angeles fished 4 days on Capt. Rafael "Rafa" Cuevas pangas for 20 to 30 yellowtail of 15 to 25 pounds per day, plus a few cabrilla, grouper, and white seabass.

The Luna and Cazares families fished in good sea conditions and hot and humid weather at the Piojo, Mancha, Alacran, and Soldado spots, using blue-white and green-yellow jigs and mackerel live bait caught early at the launch ramp. "The electrical lines are almost in town and Mexico Highway 1 is smooth," Cazares said. "Rafa Cuevas is the panga captain in the city!"

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Ruben Daggett of Daggett's Camp at the north end of Bahia de los Angeles said his pangas were fishing around the south end of Isla Angel de la Guarda for steady yellowtail, plus leopard grouper and sheephead.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Steve McGill of Morro Bay, Calif., fished a personal spot out of his place at Camp Gecko aboard his boat 4baja for every-drop yellowtail action using 80-pound tackle on fish to over 30 pounds plus others lost. "I had found a few days prior that this reef was loaded with big yellows and that the pangueros had not found out yet," McGill said. "So we had the reef to ourselves." One yellowtail at 48 pounds nearly pulled McGill into the water. "I was about to get pulled out of the boat," McGill said. "The fish was pulling my boat at 1 m.p.h. against the current. We were still in 180 feet and I knew after looking at my spool that I was in good shape. After about 15 minutes we could see the fish and it was big." Bahia de los Angeles fishing area weather was calm in the high-80s, with the water temperature at 73 degrees.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Tim Moore of Go Baja reported on an early July accompanied trip to Bahia de los Angeles with anglers Dave Shanor, Curt Shanor, Bob Haupoff, and John Owings, staying at Casa del Sol and fishing 3 days with Guillermo's Capt. Martin for hot action their first day on 28 yellowtail of 15 to 28 pounds caught in about 2 hours, plus 3 bonita, 2 snappers, 4 barracuda, lingcod, and lots of cabrilla. Fishing at Isla Angel de la Guarda the second day produced 23 yellowtail under birds. A third day of fishing at Isla Smith produced an octopus, a giant squid, and a full load of yellowtail including a 35 pounder. "By 8:30 they had no more room for fish on board and were back on the beach and drinking Margaritas by 11," Moore said. "Casa del Sol prepared meals of all our catches for us, squid, clams, and fish for $5 a plate including, soup, salad, rice and beans, and tortillas."

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ENSENADA

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet reported wide-open bonita plus a steady pick on yellowtail for his pangas fishing at the tip of Ensenada'S Punta Banda. "Fishing has been very consistent this week," Villarino said. "Ensenada had good fishing and good weather." Lester Ellet of Orange County fished with Capt. Beto 2 days on the charter panga Vonny I for a catch of: lots of bonita for the Vonny's Fleet fish smoker, limits of calico bass, 4 Humboldt giant squid, and 6 yellowtail of 12 to 21 pounds. Other anglers during the week catching about 1 yellowtail per day plus lingcod, red rockcod, squid, and lots of bonita on the Vonny I and Vonny III included Jay Johnson, Cuck Beck, and Bill Koltz. Ensenada fishing area weather over the weekend was partly cloudy in the mid-70s, with light winds, 3-foot ocean swells, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 63 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Stan Pianko of Chula Vista, Calif., reported on a run out of Ensenada's Marina Coral by his boat Mel's Diamond, fishing with Pete Reynard in wind and sloppy water at the upper 500 spot for 6 albacore to 28 pounds, all caught on Mexican flag jet heads on a temperature break between 67.5 and 66.8 degrees, plus the boat's first dorado of the year at 12 pounds, and 8 yellowtail to 30 pounds found at a kelp paddy in a patch of 70-degree water on the way in. "By noon the water was so bad we headed in," Pianko said. "Bad water but great fishing."

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous week, Emerald Argonza of Matador Sportfishing said 3 anglers boated 1 yellowfin tuna of 25 pounds and 8 albacore averaging 25 pounds and including 2 fish at almost 40 pounds aboard the charter boat Matador while fishing in 66.5-degree water around GPS 31.50 117.18 out of Marina Coral. "We also lost a couple of albies at color," Argonza said. "All the fish were caught on the troll using black-purple Zukers and yellow, green, and orange feathers. This might be the last weekend for albacore fishing for us in Ensenada, but now the yellowfin, dorado, and marlin start to show up."

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 weather all week, with morning overcast skies and partially clearing afternoons. Several pangas fished at Puerto Santo Tomas during the week for full Mexican fish limits of lingcod to 15 pounds, mixed bottom species, and red rockcod on the bottom, plus several bonito and barracuda on the surface, but no yellowtail were reported.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ERENDIRA

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Tere Castro of Castro's Camp at Erendira said 25 boats fished during the week in very good weather and no wind. "We have been catching a lot of big fishes, rockcods, lingcod, barracuda, some yellowtail, and we also had some white seabass," Castro said. Water temperatures in the main fishing areas 1.5 to 7 miles off the Baja coast were at 63 degrees.

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: David Sigman and his 3-car Baja caravan stopped in at Castro's Camp and fished with Capt. Victor 5 to 10 miles south of the launch area for a catch of: limits of rockfish, 1 bass, 2 whitefish, 2 barracuda, 7 good-sized lingcod, and 3 sheephead. "Captain Victor was polite and friendly," Sigman said. "We used jigs and frozen squid. The ocean provided enough fish to feed everyone at camp and a cooler full of fish." Earlier, Sigman's group camped on the beach during its fourth annual fishing, surfing, and motorcycle riding trip to San Antonio del Mar on the Baja coast near Colonet. "When you get to Colonet take the dirt road off highway Mex 1 just before the bridge and right after the church and go about 8 miles west out of town," Sigman said. "The beach is quiet, safe and offers a great place for those who are tired of the crowds. You can fish for average sized surf perch using sand crab from just about anywhere on the beach."

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN QUINTIN

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin said 239 anglers fished in this weekend's Fourth Annual San Quintin Sportfishing Tournament. The overall tournament winner was Estanislao Perez with a 49-pound white seabass. Tournament category winners, in order from first to third place, were: Sandbass: Valery Bechwith, Theodore Snellen, and Javier Godinez Garcia. Lingcod: William James Person, William Haward Person, and Jason Ray Person. Yellowtail: William James Person, Richard Thomas, and Barry Brightenburg. Tuna: Ray Thomas McDenan Jr. White seabass: Estanislao Perez, Juan de Dios Dominguez R., and Rafael Macias Velazquez.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said most San Quintin boats fishing after Saturday's tournament headed south for white seabass and yellowtail. Walt Kruzienski and his son Nick from Pennsylvania fished on the charter boat Pelicano for limits of bottom fish and yellowtail plus a white seabass of 45 pounds. "This was Nick's first fishing adventure," Hillis said. "Too bad it wasn't on Saturday. It most likely would have taken a prize."

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR BAJA COASTAL AREAS

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Zac Johnston of San Diego reported on a remote Baja trip with his wife to Bahia Asuncion on the central Pacific coast, fishing with Capt. Juan Arce of Arce Brothers Fishing out of the Baja Bed & Breakfast for good action around Isla San Roque for large yellowtail into the 40-pound range and a 15-pound white seabass, plus easy limits of calico bass of 2 to 4 pounds at Isla Asuncion. "The weather was great with air temperatures in the mid-80s and water temperatures in the low to mid-60s," Johnston said. "I also fished from shore casting white leadheads at San Roque the previous week and caught and released a number of halibut. I hope to get back for the fishing tournament and town festival from August 12th to 15th."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow reported on another exploratory trip to examine the catches of commercial pangueros fishing the open Pacific Baja coast at Todos Santos north of Cabo San Lucas. "Those guys are amazing," Snow said. "Ten pangas and perhaps 1,000 fish and perhaps 60 different species for the day. They do use nets but the tilefish, about 100 caught, only live in 300 feet of water. It took me a full 3 hours to photograph them all." Snow also noted a startling find among the fish obtained from the pangueros. "What they didn't tell me was that one of my selections was a Cortez electric ray," Snow said. "I got a small jolt and reacted at the time, 'What the hell was that?'"

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Alejandro Rosas of Tijuana reported on another failed attempt to move Rene Gonzalez' boat Magu from San Diego to its home port at Ensenada due to "too much fish" caught during the trip, this time 12 albacore of 16 to 28 pounds plus an estimated 50-pound bluefin tuna lost at gaff. The Magu fished out of San Diego at the 371 spot with Rosas, Gonzalez, Dante Laura, and Jaime Mora for all jig albacore and the bluefin tuna hooked on a live sardine. "We never left the 371," Rosas said. "The boat is still at Point Loma. The weather was on the cold side around 69 degrees and the water temperature was 65 to 69 degrees, perfect for albacore. There was some wind so the sea was sloppy all day." Rosas also reported on a run out of Marina La Salina north of Ensenada by his son Alex and his group of novice anglers on Ico Gallego's unnamed boat for about 10 bluefin tuna hookups at the Upper Finger Bank and 1 bluefin landed at close to 60 pounds.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAGDALENA BAY

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said commercial pangueros reported yellowfin tuna estimated in the 100-pound class that were too big to boat with handlines just outside Magdalena Bay's Boca de Soledad at Puerto Lopez Mateos. "Other reports were received for wide-open tuna 30 miles outside the boca," Graham said. Surface yellowtail action continued at the San Carlos entrada and more dorado were seen at the shark buoys to the west. Mag Bay Outfitters at Puerto Lopez Mateos said kayaks are now available for fishing in the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels. "They couldn’t wait for clients to show up to try them out," Graham said, "so they loaded them on their boat Mar Gato and headed up to the esteros for their trial run. The kayaks are a welcome addition." Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 64 to 76 degrees.

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 25 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 41 striped marlin, 3 yellowfin tuna, 2 skipjack, and 18 dorado. "Angler numbers were down," Edwards said, "But there were some very good fishing opportunities as the stripers finally decided to go on the chew." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was in the mid-90s, with good sea conditions and water stability, and water temperatures rising from 72 degrees at the beach up to about 78 degrees 15 miles out. Most boats fished the Cortez side of Cabo about 12 to 14 miles off the coast from Chileno the Punta Palmilla. Caballito live baits were in good supply.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jesus Cota of New Solmar Fleet reported on 10 outings for the week, with a catch including released fish of: 13 striped marlin, and 26 dorado including a 75 pounder.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said, "The California Current brought cool water close to shore and wrapped around the cape so water within 20 miles of the coast was in the low-70s and slightly off color. Anything outside the 1,000-fathom curve on the Cortez side and immediately south was warm and everything else was cool. On Saturday the Cabrillo Seamount was 85 degrees. On Thursday there was a blue marlin of 350 pounds caught at the seamount. As the water warms up the dorado catch continues to improve. In sportfishing, warm water equals dorado."

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: 8 striped marlin, and 14 dorado of 20 to 40 pounds.

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 52 combined La Playita Fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 62 jack crevalle, 13 dorado, 3 yellowfin tuna, 24 striped marlin, 28 skipjack, 34 bonito, 76 various snapper species, 12 amberjack, 4 hammerhead shark, 4 roosterfish, and 17 cabrilla. Cooler southerly winds returned to the San Jose del Cabo fishing area, turning coastal water green again, reducing inshore water temperatures 10 degrees to about 70 degrees at midweek, and scattering sardina bait supplies. "The recent opening of the new Puerto Los Cabos marina has also caused many of the schools of bait fish to move inside where they are not schooling on the surface and are hard to capture by throw net," Brictson said. With inshore water disrupted, most charters returned to offshore fishing and found slow action for tuna and dorado. "There have been more striped marlin than any other species, but at times they were not easy to entice into striking," Brictson said.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo said the Los Cabos fishing area was still struggling with variable southwest winds, mixed water conditions, and water temperatures as cool as 72 degrees close to the beach, but some good roosterfish action was found at Punta Gorda. "My son went out near Punta Gorda with a friend chasing roosters," Lewis said. "They saw huge roosterfish crashing schools of mullet on the beach, snagged a mullet with a treble hook rig, and cast into a feeding frenzy. He was bit right away and coaxed a 30-poundish roosterfish up on the beach to be released. There were a lot of people out there with many big fish caught." An outing by Lewis' boat Dos Gueros produced 7 marlin sighted but none hooked. "Anyway it seems we are in for another patch of cool water and wind," Lewis said. "It's strange weather but it makes for pleasant beach conditions and keeps storms away."

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR EAST CAPE

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 297 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 921 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 5 blue marlin, 149 striped marlin, 20 sailfish, 359 dorado, 756 yellowfin tuna, 4 snapper, 1 wahoo, 5 roosterfish, 1 mako shark, and 1 shortbilled spearfish landed south of Punta Arena. East Cape fishing area weather was in the high-80s, with some heavy afternoon seas and winds. "Bait-wise, we’ve got dead ballyhoo and limited caballito," Moyers said. "The lack of sardinas is likely affecting the fish counts." Moyers noted that in the recent East Cape Dorado Shootout fishing tournament 10 dorado of 50 and 54.1 pounds were weighed, with the boats Jalapeño out of Rancho Buena Vista and Tio Arturo out of Flota Verde tied for high weight at 54.1 pounds.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Van Wormer Resorts reported on 297 East Cape charter fishing boats from Hotels Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with a catch including released fish of: 9 blue marlin, 126 striped marlin, 9 sailfish, 190 dorado, 538 yellowfin tuna, 53 roosterfish, 5 wahoo, 15 cabrilla, 26 pargo, 74 triggerfish, 3 mako shark, and 4 amberjack. "The tuna bite continues to be solid, but there is nothing big to report yet," Dalmau said. "The tuna that have come in are all football size. A handful of blue marlin were also caught this week with the biggest weighing 400 pounds." East Cape fishing area weather was in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 75 to 82 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja fly fishing guide service at East Cape said morning seas were calm all week with cooling afternoon breezes, high air temperatures at about 98 degrees, and water temperatures of 75 to 88 degrees. "Everyone did not seem to mind the breeze as it helped to keep us from feeling the high temperatures and humidity in Baja during mid-July," deBrown said. Beach fishing was slower for a few small roosterfish and jacks as sardina bait fish remained scarce, although some larger fish were present. "If you are willing to put in the effort you got some good shots," deBrown said. Inshore fishing was also quiet and offshore action consisted mainly of football tuna and some improved marlin action plus occasional dorado. "Some of the best marlin action we saw this week was very close to shore between Punta Colorada and La Ribera," deBrown said. "We found good numbers of marlin and a few dorado from 1 to 4 miles off shore."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said football yellowfin tuna continued to dominate East Cape offshore fish counts last week, with good numbers of sluggish striped marlin and sailfish also seen and dorado again disappointing but including some fish into the 50-pound class. A few blue marlin were also reported. "Early in the fishing week, a floating carcass produced the best concentrated dorado action of the season," Graham said, "including limits of smaller dorado and yellowfin tuna." Inshore water temperatures were still down, with sardina bait fish scarce. "The cooler water seems to have caused the sardina to evaporate, leaving us with only with a few larger live baits and dead ballyhoo," Graham said. "It has also slowed the roosterfish bite to a trickle." East Cape fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 75 to 87 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Russell Fritz of La Ribera said honeymooners Jennifer and Sam Williams fished aboard his panga Soplado for a catch including a dorado that was Jennifer's first-ever fish and another dorado caught by Sam that was weighed at 56 pounds 4 ounces. "Too bad for us Sam's fish was caught on Monday, 2 days after the East Cape Dorado Shootout tournament," Fritz said. "Whatever, it was tasty on the grill." Fritz also noted the disappointment of many entrants in the dorado tournament when the rules were changed to allow more than the specified 100 boats to enter. "The promoters changed it to accommodate an additional 31 teams," Fritz said. "One of the tournament rules was that the committee could change any rules, at any time, and that was final. They should hand out the rules in both Spanish and English. Many local Mexican fishermen were insulted by the 'groseros' who thoughtlessly presumed that all people speak English."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Mark Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport East Cape diving service at Buena Vista reported a 485-pound blue marlin landed by his boat Jen Wren on Friday after it hit a dorado pattern lure and died during the fight about 20 miles south of Buena Vista with anglers J.D. Davis of Rossmoor, Calif., and Hank Forhing of Signal Hill, Calif., also aboard. On Wednesday, the Jen Wren also landed a 308-pound blue marlin off El Cardonal. "In 4 days of fishing on the Jen Wren, J. D. and Hank have caught 7 marlin, 2 dorado, and 22 tuna," Rayor said. "The biggest blue was landed by J. D., but Hank also got one over 300 pounds."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Tammy Gaussoin of Rancho Buena Vista reported on 71 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 205 yellowfin tuna, 42 striped marlin, 2 blue marlin, 6 sailfish, 46 dorado, and 2 wahoo. East Cape fishing water temperatures averaged 74 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Ray Frew of Torrance, Calif., reported on George Carter's recent hosted trip to Rancho Buena Vista, with 12 anglers fishing on 4 boats for 5 days for a catch including released fish of about: 24 smaller marlin to about 135 pounds, 20 dorado of 35 to 48 pounds, roosterfish to 55 pounds, and lots of small yellowfin tuna. The boat fishing with Carter, Frew, and Larry Christie won top honors, with Frew named as grand champion and Carter runner up. "Two more blue marlin in the 400-pound range were lost," Carter said. "I believe the blues are now starting to show up."

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LA PAZ

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said his pangas fishing the Las Arenas side of La Paz had variable weather during the week, with daily high air temperatures of 88 to 96 degrees and enough wind some days so pangas were not able to run outside to the better fishing at the 88 Bank. On some days, pangas kept closer to the coast at Boca del Alamo, Punta Perico, and the the south end of Isla Cerralvo. Dorado and yellowfin tuna were caught in these areas at 15 to 25 pounds. Sufficient supplies of mackerel live bait were available at Las Arenas and sardina bait was found at the island. "We're fishing with everything," Hernandez said. "Mackerel, sardinas, and Rapalas of all sizes and colors, but overall the fishing is a little slower than the past few weeks." Marlin were also present throughout the fishing areas and some dorado were caught to 40 pounds.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said La Paz fishing produced school sized dorado for most anglers last week plus a few surprise yellowfin tuna averaging about 10 pounds. "For the most part it was a good fishing week," Roldan said. "We're still behind the curve with colder than normal water and a bit of wind, but dorado season is certainly here and there are some larger fish in the 20 to 50-pound size." Plentiful striped marlin were also more willing to bite during the week.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jim Peterson and his group of 7 anglers fished on 3 pangas for 3 days on both sides of La Paz with Tailhunter International and Peterson reported a combined catch that included 4 tuna of about 7 pounds, 2 dorado at 20 pounds, 1 small pompano, 1 greenjack, and numerous needlefish during a day on the Las Arenas side, plus 2 days of wide-open dorado from peanut size to about 25 pounds, 6 bonita to 8 pounds, some small tuna, and 2 pargo to 20 pounds on the La Paz side around the north end of Isla Cerralvo very close to the La Reinita rock. On the La Paz side, Peterson said, "The boats found a couple of schools of small dorado and we caught and released as many as we wanted. The dorado weren't big, mostly 5 to 10 pounds, but they were plentiful with a spattering of larger bulls. A good time was had by everyone in our group and we were all impressed with Jonathan Roldan's fleet of experienced skippers. Also, Jonathan was very organized and on top of everyones needs. This is the first time we fished with him and we were impressed with his attention to detail. I highly recommend him."

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LORETO

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Currie of Long Beach, Calif., reported on 5 days of overall very slow fishing in cooler than normal water temperatures of about 81 degrees aboard the panga Katy with Capt. Valente Murillo Davis for a combined catch of: 15 yellowtail, and 2 pargo. "I went strictly for yellowtail because the dorado were too small, maybe 6 to 10 pounds with an occasional 20 pounder," Currie said. "I fished north everyday at Coronado Island, San Bruno reef, Punta Mangles, and Puerto Almeja. I also went one day to Punta Pulpito. The yellowtail were caught using live mackerel on the bottom and 6X Jr. jigs. The water depth was 120 to 180 feet." Loreto fishing area weather was humid in the high-90s, with fishable winds on 2 days. Sardina and live mackerel baits were available at the marina. On the slow dorado season so far, Currie said, "The Oasis Hotel where I stayed had a large group of fly fishermen who caught anywhere from 3 to 10 small dorado per boat from 30 to 40 miles offshore. Quite a ways to go for such small fish." Also seen in the hotel panga catches were: 1 black marlin, 1 blue marlin, and 2 sailfish, all between 90 and 140 pounds.

LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported local fishing weather less favorable than expected, with small storms and southerly night winds producing "considerable" seas about 15 miles out in water temperatures of 72 to 75 degrees. "Fishing was slow overall," Zapata said. "Dorado in small sizes were plentiful 10 to 15 miles south of Loreto." During the week, about 24 pangas fished daily with anglers including a large fly fishing group for a combined catch including released fish of about: 200 small dorado, 2 sailfish, 10 marlin, 100 bottom fish, 25 larger roosterfish between 25 and 72 pounds, and assorted triggerfish, bass, and pargo. Anglers Ed Watson and Dick Rancour also fished about 40 miles out for 5 days on an independent panga and reported a catch including released fish of: 2 yellowtail to 25 pounds, 3 cabrilla to 5 pounds, 4 pinto bass caught at Isla Carmen, 16 dorado of 15 to 25 pounds, 1 pargo of 12 pounds, 2 cabrilla of 5 and 6 pounds, and 1 marlin.

LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto said, "The fishing here, it stinks! The water is relatively cold, 79 degrees on Wednesday, southeast winds have made it very tough outside Punta Lobos, and dorado of any size have been scarce. When located, they've been between 40 and 50 miles out. Schools of only very small fish have been located near the south end of Isla Carmen." Capt. Francisco Martinez had fly fishing clients out of the Hotel Oasis on Friday, but turned back due to rough seas and ended up bottom fishing for 1 yellowtail of 30 pounds. Capts. Paulino Martinez and Tito Murillo braved 6 to 7-foot seas to take their fly anglers to Bajo Mercenarios for a combined catch of 1 sailfish lost on fly tackle and 3 marlin caught on gear. Capt. Chacho was skunked on Wednesday. Earlier, Capts. Joselino Murrillo and Francisco Martinez did find good action for dorado to 10 pounds for their fly anglers. "But those are the only good pieces of news I heard all week," Bear said.

Bear also noted that the newly reconstructed Loreto downtown marina launch ramp appears to be better at low tide than the old one. "I launched Wednesday morning at a relatively low tide of -0.1 feet without any difficulty whatsoever," Bear said. "Judging from the amount of bare sand showing in the marina, that would have been impossible with the old ramp."

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported on 2 offshore trips by his boat Soledad, fishing outwards to about 47 miles northeast in some wind and water temperatures to about 87 degrees for a total catch including released fish of: 1 small striped marlin, and 16 or 17 small dorado. "After a promising start, fishing in Loreto has deteriorated to the worst I have seen in the 6 years I have been here," Erhardt said. "In the Loreto Bay tournament, the winning dorado was a 16 pounder. In the Fishin' for the Mission tournament there were over 80 boats entered and only a handful of dorado over 30 pounds were weighed in. At both tournaments many boats came in skunked. In years past when the dorado fishing was slow the billfish often would pick up the slack. Not this year. There are many marlin and a few sailfish around, but they are not concentrated at any particular location and are only biting sporadically. Boats are returning to the Loreto marina with dorado of 5 pounds, or less, and many pangueros are reduced to fishing for triggerfish. On the positive side, some more football sized yellowfin tuna made an appearance during the Fishin' for the Mission tournament and 2 wahoo were caught, one over 50 pounds."

Erhardt said he felt the Fishin' for the Mission tournament would continue next year despite this year's problems when many boats were stopped from fishing because they lacked the required permits. "My guess is that the organizers will be back next year," Erhardt said. "If they do return, I'm sure that more effort will go into informing participants what is required to use the marine park legally. The rules are so seldom enforced that many assume they can be ignored with impunity. A little bit of reaching out to the local authorities would go a long way."

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said the summer's slow dorado action might be due to excess squid in the water rather than a lack of fish. "There are huge amounts of tiny baby dorado," Bolles said. "We're seeing larger ones below these schools. I have a fly angler that released 50 dorado on Saturday from 5 to 30 pounds. The trouble is the dorado are having the time of their lives feeding on the vast amount of squid in the area. Often the dorado are seen puking up squid, they're gorged!" Loreto fishing was showing signs of improvement after a period of unseasonable coolness, with water temperatures at 78 to 87 degrees.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MULEGE

MULEGE, MEXICO: Jody Hawkins of Twin Falls, Idaho, reported 7 small dorado landed Saturday in 84-degree water outside 12 miles on a heading of about 035 degrees. "I started picking up fish about there," Hawkins said. "The best fishing was about 23 miles out. I worked hard." Earlier, Hawkins said his group fished 3 days on his 21-foot boat in sloppy conditions out of Clementine's Bed & Breakfast on the Mulege river for slow action on a few peanut dorado and 1 sailfish on 2 hookups about 16 miles out on a heading of about 040 degrees. About 2 or 3 billfish were seen per day. "Bait was mostly bigeyes southish from the river mouth in 25 to 30 feet of water," Hawkins said. "Some days were very windy and fishing was tough in rough 3 to 4-foot seas. On Friday we did make bait, but we decided to not make the far run out and basically just snorkeled in the presently murky water." Mulege fishing area water temperatures were in the low-80s.

MULEGE, MEXICO: Rick Barber of Mulege said yellowfin tuna action was limited to footballs and dorado about 25 to 35 miles out, "Not in my boat in these winds, thank you!"

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ROCKY POINT

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Art Pina of Tucson, Ariz., reported tough sea conditions the last part of the week and the port of Rocky Point closed until Friday. "When I left, the wind had picked back up to 25 m.p.h.," Pina said. On Tuesday, Pina fished on his 26-foot boat Big Daddy in calm hot weather and 82-degree water 27 miles out on a heading of 160 degrees, and he said a broken leader cost him the biggest fish he's ever hooked. "It was in 165-foot deep water," Pina said. "It was real hot, hard to sit still and fish."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN CARLOS

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Fernando Almada of Catch-22 Sportfishing said his charter boats fishing out of San Carlos including the Suerte and Rubina were releasing several sailfish per day on 8 to 10 fish in the spread, plus a few marlin and nice dorado. San Carlos fishing area weather had morning winds, settling down in the afternoons, with the water temperature in the mid-80s. "For me the hot spot has been the tip of the reef at about 12 miles out on a heading of 210 degrees," Almada said. About 30 to 40 boats per week were fishing out of San Carlos, and about 45 boats were entered in the weekend's 60th International Billfish Tournament.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAZATLAN

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 9 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 5 striped marlin, 4 sailfish, and a couple of larger dorado. Boats fishing at the buoys continued to have unlimited schooling dorado action. "Offshore waters have slowed a little, along with the numbers of anglers," Edwards said, "but easy limit dorado fishing at the buoys continues with all-day catch-and-release endless light tackle and fly fishing entertainment." Mazatlan fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with light surface winds and water temperatures of 85 to 86 degrees. All billfish were taken on rigged baits and the dorado were hitting anything. "I have heard of fish that even bit on grapes and French fries," Edwards said.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO VALLARTA

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Keith Denette reported skippering the boat Martuni which landed a 137.5-pound yellowfin tuna to win the Club de Pesca tournament at Puerto Vallarta on July 13-15, 2007. Also fishing aboard the Martuni were angler Keith Jones and crew Ned Washburn. "The tuna was caught in a spinner porpoise school mixed with tuna of 40 to 135 pounds," Denette said. "With all the pressure at Roca Corbeteña and El Banco I chose to spend the first day picking tuna on the school until we had a possible tournament winner. We also released 4 sailfish and had multiple strikes on striped marlin and sails throughout the day. Fishing day 2 was spent at Roca Corbeteña where we had a small tuna and a release on a black marlin that we chose not to kill. The weather was nice and the tournament was a success. Danny Osuna on the Marla won second place with a tuna of about 75 pounds."

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 torrential rains in the Ixtapa fishing area last week produced a recorded 12 inches falling during one period from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning. "This pushed a lot of weeds, trees, and debris out of the rivers, and it also pushed the blue water out to at least the 20-mile mark," Kunze said. "The captains are complaining that the weed lines are in such abundance it is making trolling difficult." Offshore boats were averaging about 1 to 2 sailfish per day and were seeing some schools of peanut dorado among the floating weeds. Inshore fishing before the rains was good, as Capt. Santiago on the panga Gitana had an outing for 7 roosterfish to 40 pounds. Capt. Adolpho on the panga Dos Hermanos found lots of roosterfish while working with a film crew at Puerto Vicente Guerrero. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather at the end of the week was clear in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 80 to 84 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said, "A storm riddled week hampered fishing as high winds and torrential rains made inshore fishing as difficult as one can imagine. The fishing was extremely difficult. The large surf and muddy water made for a challenging mix. Weather forced an end to fishing most days by mid to late morning." Offshore boats reported more marlin than sailfish and some school sized yellowfin tuna to 30 pounds seen. Ixtapa fishing area water conditions remained rough at the end of the week, with water temperatures at 84 degrees inshore and 86 degrees offshore.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CANCUN

CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 16 outings by the El Cid Caribe sportfishing fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 8 king mackerel, 24 barracuda of mostly 15 to 25 pounds, 3 jack crevalle, 7 yellowfin tuna, 4 snappers, and 1 amberjack. "The giant Atlantic barracuda went on a bite this week as most boats landed one or two and had an opportunity for more," Edwards said. Cancun fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the mid-90s, with prevailing easterly breezes of 8 to 15 knots and the water temperature even at 85 degrees. "Ballyhoo continue to be the bait of choice, usually with a variety of colored skirts," Edwards said.

MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MEXICO COASTAL AREAS

MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Loreto's Baja Big Fish Company commented on the defective Mexican federal website attempt to sell Mexican fishing licenses over the internet and the importance of buying fishing licenses within the state of Baja California Sur, a step that keeps license fees within the state for the FONMAR conservation fund rather than allowing funds to be passed on to the federal government. "Technically PESCA does not want us to do this but since their website is such a fiasco we have no other option, fortunately," Bolles said. "So buy licenses in Baja California Sur and pay at the state office. The money stays in Baja California Sur and goes to the FONMAR fund which is currently being used in the legal battle against Shark Norma 029."

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MAGIC YELLOWTAIL SPOT--Steve McGill at Bahia de los Angeles' Camp Gecko with a 48-pound yellowtail caught aboard his boat 4baja while fishing at a spot passed over by local pangueros that produced fish-a-drop action. At right, McGill's boat 4baja inside the very small enclosed bay at Isla Estanque at the southeast corner of Isla Angel de la Guarda. PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVE MCGILL.

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Fishing Photo 3

FISHING WITH RAFA--Robert Cazares, right, and his family group made their 14th annual trip to Bahia de los Angeles and found very good yellowtail action plus a few cabrilla like this one with Bahia's well known panguero Capt. Rafael "Rafa" Cuevas, left. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT CAZARES.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

STEADY AT ENSENADA--Fishing was consistent for wide-open bonito, a steady pick on yellowtail, and bottom fish limits last week for Vonny's Fleet pangas at Ensenada. Lester Ellet, left, and Vonny's Fleet Capt. Beto Zamora loaded up the Vonny's Fleet smoker with bonita, limited on calico bass, and also got 6 of these yellowtail during 2 days of fishing. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Castro's Camp Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CASTRO'S CROAKER CATCH--White seabass have been showing up for anglers at Castro's Camp south of Ensenada. With a nice rack of croakers caught in mid-July are, from left: Bannelly Urbina, Raymundo Frias, Alberto Urbina, Castro's Camp Capt. Pancho Medina, and fillet table helper Oscar. At right, Castro's Camp Capt. Oscar, left, and angler Rick Woodley with another July white seabass and a nice yellowtail. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TERE CASTRO.

Castro's Camp Mexico Fishing Photo 3

CASTRO'S KIDS--Costa Panagiotou, left, at the Castro's Camp fillet table at Erendira south of Ensenada with a barracuda he caught with Capt. Victor while fishing with David Sigman's group. The catch also included bass, whitefish, lingcod, sheephead, and rockfish limits. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID SIGMAN.

Bahia Asuncion, Baja California, Mexico Fishing Photo 1

PACIFIC SIDE BAJA--Zac Johnston, right, drove into Bahia Asuncion on Baja's central Pacific coast and got into good yellowtail and calico bass action at Isla San Roque and Isla Asuncion with Capt. Juan Arce, left, of Bahia Asuncion's Baja Bed & Breakfast. Beach fishing at San Roque also produced good halibut action. PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAC JOHNSTON.

Magdalena Bay Mexico Kayak Fishing Photo 1

MAGDALENA KAYAK SERVICE--Mag Bay Outfitters at Puerto Lopez Mateos on Baja's Bahia Magdalena just put their new fishing kayaks into service for anglers who would like to get up close and personal in the mangrove channels. PHOTO COURTESY OF GARY GRAHAM.

Baja Coastal Mexico Fishing Photo 1

STUCK IN SAN DIEGO--Returning from a second attempt to move Rene Gonzalez' boat Magu from San Diego to Ensenada that was stopped by fish are, from left, Gonzalez, Jaime Mora, Alejandro Rosas, and Dante Laura. This time the trip was cut short by 12 albacore and a bluefin tuna lost at the 371 spot. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEJANDRO ROSAS.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

FIRST-EVER FISH--Jennifer Williams fished on her honeymoon with brand new husband Sam Williams at East Cape aboard Russ Fritz' panga Soplado and she landed her first-ever fish, a nice Baja dorado. Sam also landed a 56-pound 4-ounce dodo, just a couple of days after the East Cape Dorado Shootout tournament. PHOTO COURTESY OF RUSS FRITZ.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 3

BAJA BLUES ARRIVING--Blue marlin began showing up in bigger numbers at Baja's East Cape area last week as Vista Sea Sport's Mark Rayor, center, hooked into this 485 pounder that died during the fight aboard his boat Jen Wren with anglers J. D. Davis, left, and Hank Forhing, right. At right, a behind the scenes look at how Vista Sea Sport weighs big fish on the beach, here a 308-pound blue marlin caught earlier in the week. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARK RAYOR.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 4

EAST CAPE MAXI-DODOS--Dorado haven't been numerous at East Cape so far this summer, but there have been a respectable number of big bulls in the mix. Here's Ray Frew with a 48 pounder caught during a 5-day trip to Rancho Buena Vista with George Carter's group. PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE CARTER.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LA PAZ SLUGGER--Dan Ferialdi of Pasadena, Calif., landed this huge slugger dorado that bottomed out a 50-pound scale while fishing the south side of La Paz with Tailhunter International. Dan was fishing the buoys outside of Punta Perico near Las Arenas and found several large fish like this under one of the floats. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2

LAS ARENAS DORADO--Daniel Escalera, right, fished on La Paz' Las Arenas side with Tortuga Sportfishing during a week of on-and-off windy conditions and he hooked this nice bull dorado with Capt. Jorge Lucero. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 3 Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LA PAZ TAILHUNTING--Wendy Peterson and her group fished the La Paz area for 3 days with Tailhunter International and caught mixed species and wide-open peanut dorado plus some keepers like this one landed on the north side of the city aboard a panga with Capt. Eddie. At right, Wendy with a nice barred pargo caught at the north end of Isla Cerralvo. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JIM PETERSON.

Mexico Fishing Photo 1 La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 4

BIG LORETO GALLO--Donald and Erin Kennedy fished last week out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis and landed this large roosterfish weighed at 72 pounds on the west side of Isla Carmen with Capt. Servando Davis. At right, Bill Currie with a nice trio of warm water yellowtail caught with the Oasis' Capt. Valente north of Loreto between San Bruno and "La Higuera" or "the fig tree." PHOTOS COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 5

THREE-A-DAY--Bill Currie's 5-day fishing trip to Loreto found overall slow action but still produced a total of 15 yellowtail with Capt. Valente Murillo Davis while fishing spots north of town with live mackerel and jigs on a 90 to 140-foot bottom. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL CURRIE.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SMALL LORETO STRIPER--Bill Erhardt of Loreto caught this spectacular photo of a small striped marlin of 80 to 85 pounds hooked and released on the troll Monday between the Punta Lobos bajo and the canyon east of Loreto aboard his boat Soledad. Two days of fishing last week also yielded 16 or 17 small dorado, none bigger than 15 pounds. Erhardt called it the slowest fishing in June and July that he has seen in 6 years fishing out of Loreto. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Fishing Photo 4

GO BAJA TIME--Bob Haupoff of Ontario, Calif., with a hefty 35-pound yellowtail caught on the last day of a 3-day trip to Bahia de los Angeles with Tim Moore's accompanied Go Baja group. Haupoff fished on a Guillermo's panga with Capt. Martin, rear. PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM MOORE.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SAN CARLOS SAIL SUERTE--Mike Hawking, left, and Craig Collins, of Rio Rico, Ariz., ready to release one of Hawking's 2 first-ever sailfish during steady offshore action last week aboard the San Carlos charter boat Catch-22 Suerte, or "luck" in Spanish. PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNANDO ALMADA.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1

VALLARTA TUNA WINNER--Keith Denette with a 137.5-pound yellowfin tuna that took first place in July's Club de Pesca tournament at Puerto Vallarta. Denette captained the boat Martuni with angler Keith Jones and crewman Ned Washburn. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KEITH DENETTE.

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Fishing Photo 5

YELLOWTAIL CONSISTENCY--July fishing for yellowtail has been very consistent around Bahia de los Angeles this July and Blas Zambrano, left, and his family got into 2 days of good forkie fishin' with Bahia's Capt. Ruben Daggett, right. At right, Sandra Zambrano with a nice yellowtail caught with Capt. Daggett at Isla Angel de la Guarda. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUBEN DAGGETT.

East Cape Mexico Sunrise Photo 1

JULY IN BAJA--A beautiful sunrise over the Sea of Cortez at East Cape. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF DEBROWN.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES