Early winds ruffle La Paz fishing waters;

Roosterfish ripping along Ixtapa coast

Mexico Fishing News, October 15, 2007

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said fall season weather arrived on the south side of the hill last week as La Paz pangas fished in cooler air temperatures and north winds that caused 2 days of cancellations.

Fishing on calmer days produced dorado of 20 to 30 pounds and some yellowfin tuna of 15 to 25 pounds at Isla Cerralvo, Punta Perico, and off Ensenada de los Muertos. Giant Humboldt squid also appeared in the counts. "The news this week is the giant squid," Hernandez said. "This bait off Ensenada de los Muertos will probably bring back the big dorado and tuna." Pangas fishing on La Paz' Las Arenas side found plentiful sardina bait in all areas.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said panga fish counts rebounded after the spell of wind early in the week that also caused him some boat cancellations. Fishing was especially good for school-sized yellowfin tuna on the Las Arenas side. "Early limits of 10 to 20-pound fish has been the rule just off the beach between the Las Arenas lighthouse and the mouth of Muertos Bay," Roldan said. "Boats are sometimes returning to the beach completely plugged with tuna and an assortment of dorado and pargo. Early in the week, heavy north winds made fishing uncomfortable at best."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: On the La Paz side, Leonard Phillips of Baja Pirates Fleet said dorado limits of 15 to 40-pound fish were taken along the south and east sides of Isla Espiritu Santo, and yellowfin tuna of 12 to 40 pounds were still showing. "The north wind that was blowing most of the week has stopped," Phillips said. La Paz-side fishing area weather was cooler in the low-90s, with water temperatures into the lower-80s. Some wahoo to 40 pounds were caught in spotty action near Isla Cerralvo.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Mark Rayor of East Cape's Vista Sea Sport diving service won 1 million pesos or about $100,000 last week with a 395-pound blue marlin caught aboard his boat Jen Wren during La Paz' first annual La Paz Gold Cup benefit fishing tournament, also missing a Ford pickup prize by just 5 pounds.

"The tournament was a huge success and went off without a hitch," Rayor said. "Other big money tournament promoters should take a lesson from these guys." Rayor's big marlin was hooked with the Jen Wren's Capt. Chuy Cota driving, southeast of Isla Cerralvo on a bridled live tuna bait and it was landed after a very short fight.

"Within 5 minutes the line was wound to the leader," Rayor said. "Chuy jumped down from the bridge and sank a gaff in the fish, and that was when the real battle began. It took us longer to subdue the fish after it was gaffed than the fight on rod and reel." The tournament was hosted out of the Costa Baja Resort and proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club Balandra's program to aid a local prosthetic clinic, Clínica de Ortesis y Prótesis de La Paz.

Fifteen blue marlin and black marlin over 200 pounds were weighed by about 80 boats fishing for 2 days. "A $50 per pound penalty was imposed for any team weighing a fish under the 200-pound minimum," Rayor said. "What a fantastic idea! We are lucky to have one of the best fisheries in the world and this certainly discourages the killing of short fish. It also raised money for a good cause."

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his beach launched pangas fishing at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda had good weather all week and steady limits of bottom fish including lingcod, Johnny bass or olive rockfish, red rockcod, and some sandbass, plus some bonita on the surface and 1 yellowtail landed on Monday by Jay Johnson with Capt. Beto on the charter panga Vonny I. Local Ensenada fishing area weather was in the mid-70s, with sunny mornings, some afternoon wind to about 7 m.p.h., ocean swells to 3 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 60 degrees. Anglers fishing with Vonny's Fleet Capts. Beto and Hector during the week included Jay Johnson, Brian "Calico" Foley, Kenn Einswerth, Mark Rhea, and Scott Patton.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Erasmo Carrizales of Ensenada Sportfishing Works reported on 2 outings by the charter boat Morgan James for a combined catch of: 4 dorado, 13 skipjack, and about 120 pounds of bottom fish fillets including sheephead, rockcods, and lingcod. "On Tuesday and Wednesday the dorado were still hitting at the 238 and lower 500," Carrizales said, "There is plenty of kelp but no fish in them." Ensenada fishing area offshore water temperatures were steady at 68 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Alejandro Rosas of Tijuana reported on a star-crossed offshore run out of Puerto Salina just north of Ensenada aboard Rene Gonzalez' boat El Mago, fishing around the 302 spot for slow action and just 3 skipjack caught. "We didn't see any kelp or boils," Rosas said. "The worst. The engine stopped. No fuel left. Because of the regulations of Vessel Assist, we were towed all the way back to Point Loma were Rene has another slip. I jumped onto the dock to guide the boat, but luck wasn't with me. I fell head down into the water, swam to the rear of the slip, threw my camera, wallet, car keys, and cell phone to the dock and Rene pulled me out of the water. The only things damaged were my cell phone and pride."

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Tere Castro of Castro's Camp at Erendira south of Ensenada reported 18 boats fishing during the week for good counts of mixed rockcods, barracuda, and whitefish. Baja coastal weather was good all week with no wind. Water temperatures in the main fishing area 7 miles off the Baja coast averaged 60 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Marita Melville of Don Eddie's Landing reported San Quintin water temperatures averaging 53 degrees at El Socorro. Early in the week, Capt. Juan Cook guided a private boat for rockcod and lingcod limits. On Saturday, Capt. Jaime Cervantes fished at El Socorro on the San Quintin charter boat Sofia with anglers Mike May and Cecil Baker of Calipatria, Calif., for limits of rockcod and kelp bass, 1 barracuda, and 1 white seabass of 28 pounds. "When they left in the morning the winds were calm and so was the water," Melville said. "The wind picked up in the late afternoon but not as strong as it was earlier in the week."

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said good bait fish concentrations were found at El Socorro as boats returned with calico bass, sandbass, barracuda, and bonita. San Quintin fishing area weather was cold in the mornings but warming in the afternoons. Boats fishing Sunday morning were heading north to Isla San Martin and trying for yellowtail at the 15 and 240 spots on the way out.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Jeff Petersen of Lopez Sportsman's Lodge at Puerto Lopez Mateos reported on a Magdalena Bay mangrove channel fishing trip by the charter panga Sonia Ann on Thursday for a catch of: 1 small and 1 larger snook, and 16 mixed grouper and pargo colorado. The Sonia Ann fished the mangroves north and south of Santo Domingo. Live shrimp bait was captured the previous day. "Capt. Chico captured live shrimp," Petersen said. "Baits are netted at low tide one day prior, because we may be fishing the high tide on the day following. The Magdalena Bay shrimp come in October and generally are gone the early part of January. These months are ideal for fishing for snook, pargo colorado, and grouper in the mangroves, and pargo and grouper on the Pacific." Information on accommodations and Magdalena Bay sportfishing charters: bajacalifornian.com, jeff@bajacalifornian.com.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said offshore Magdalena Bay weather turned rough early in the week and few boats went out. Larger boats cruising down the Ridge toward Cabo San Lucas reported excellent marlin action south of Punta Tosca. Fishing in the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels around Boca Santo Domingo produced grouper, corvina, and spotted bay bass. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was windy in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 72 to 82 degrees.

For the previous week, Graham said Magdalena Bay mangrove fishing continued very good for grouper, larger corvina on the surface, and several snook. The open Pacific was fished lightly, producing some bull dorado and plentiful small yellowfin tuna. Boats cruising offshore reported 78-degree water temperatures, dorado schools, and a few marlin on the Ridge high spots. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was clear at 90 degrees, with water temperatures of 64 to 78 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 65 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo sportfishing boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 1 black marlin, 1 blue marlin, 1 sailfish, 76 striped marlin, 1 Humboldt giant squid, 3 wahoo, 101 yellowfin tuna, and 366 dorado of mostly 20 to 40 pounds. "The billfish bite developed into full bore action again at the Golden Gate Bank, allowing for some terrific results," Edwards said. The top boat for the week was the Gaviota X, with a 6-day total of: 14 striped marlin, 2 wahoo, 14 tuna, and 40 dorado. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was sunny in the mid-90s, with good sea conditions on both the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez sides, and sea surface water temperatures averaging 85 degrees. "The Golden Gate Bank continues to be the raging billfish hotspot," Edwards said. Live bait available was mostly caballito.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of the Baja Anglers fly fishing guide service at Cabo San Lucas said fly and spinning tackle clients found good action for dorado of 10 to 40 pounds plus striped marlin during the week. First-time saltwater fly fishing angler Joe Lehosky of Pennsylvania fished 2 days and landed 8 dorado and a striped marlin with Capt. Alex on the charter boat Flying Fish II. "Dorado fishing continues very good," Hartman said. "There is plenty of debris if you know where to look, and once you find the trash line, the rest is easy."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jorge Narro of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing reported 77 percent of charters releasing billfish, 82 percent landing dorado, and 26 percent with yellowfin tuna. Billfish landings included 256 striped marlin with 251 released, and 10 blue marlin with 9 released. "Most of the catches were on the Pacific side at the Golden Gate Bank for those clients that just wanted to catch a lot of fish no matter which species," Narro said. "However, we had a couple of anglers that wanted to go strictly for blue and black marlin and unfortunately they came back empty-handed."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Mike Connolly of the Pisces Fleet Sportfishing charter boat Falcon said Capt. Manuel had a good week on the Pacific side of Cabo, releasing 17 striped marlin and 1 blue marlin in 5 outings, and landing 3 wahoo and 23 dorado including some larger fish. "Manuel's best day was Tuesday when he had 2 wahoo, 2 dorado, 5 striped marlin releases, and 1 blue marlin release," Connolly said.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 16 outings by the Cabo San Lucas sportfishing charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 4 blue marlin of 150 to 270 pounds, 12 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 1 wahoo of 40 pounds, 1 yellowfin tuna of 25 pounds, 43 dorado of 20 to 35 pounds, and 2 boats with dorado limits on fish of 25 to 30 pounds.

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 yellowfin tuna of 7 pounds, 26 dorado of 10 to 30 pounds, 3 small skipjack, and 2 sierra. The Cheer's fished mostly on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, trolling live baits and lures outwards to about 8 miles in some wind but generally good sea conditions and local water temperatures of 79 to 80 degrees. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Jon Swenson, Steve August, Chris Hayden, Joe Vaught, Edmond Schuebert, Theresa Schuebert, and Brian Peterson.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was in the high-80s, with offshore northwest winds to about 10 knots and some afternoon chop. Water temperatures close to Cabo San Lucas averaged 85 degrees, with bluer water at 81 to 83 degrees found farther out. Yellowfin tuna from football size to about 50 pounds were scattered in all directions.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 76 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 236 yellowfin tuna of 10 to 15 pounds plus a few to 50 pounds, 92 dorado, 9 striped marlin, 8 sailfish, 2 wahoo, 6 sierra, 5 surgeonfish, 31 cabrilla, 1 roosterfish, 42 pargo, and 6 dog snapper. Los Cabos fishing conditions remained good but fish counts dropped suddenly at the end of the week from about 12 fish per boat to about 2 or 3. "Conditions have not really changed much and the bait supply has been good," Brictson said. "It's hard to say where the fish have gone." Action earlier in the week produced easy tuna limits at the Inner Gordo Bank, but that bite slowed and boats moved to the Iman Bank. One unusual catch made during the week was a 50-pound class roosterfish that hit a sardina trolled offshore at the Iman Bank. "Every season in October we do hear of a handful of roosterfish being taken further offshore," Brictson said. San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was near perfect, with water temperatures at 83 to 86 degrees and just one distant tropical low pressure system located southwest of Manzanillo.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 65 boats, with 210 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 3 blue marlin, 16 striped marlin, 8 sailfish, 128 dorado, 58 tuna, 1 wahoo, 8 roosterfish, 39 snapper, 8 amberjack, 2 bonito, 2 triggerfish, and 100 skipjack tuna. Fleet boats fished north and south, with the best counts coming from outside Cabo Pulmo to the south. East Cape fishing area weather was in the 90s, with some wind and water temperatures at 81 to 85 degrees. "Tuna and dorado were okay, but the wind did slow things down a little," Vazquez said. "Bill fishing continues to be steady, with the exception of the first 3 days of this week."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Van Wormer Resorts reported on 325 East Cape charter fishing boats from Hotels Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with a catch including released fish of: 15 blue marlin, 146 striped marlin 28 sailfish, 520 dorado, 785 yellowfin tuna, 70 roosterfish, 16 wahoo, 18 cabrilla, 120 pargo, 20 ladyfish, 80 triggerfish, 12 pompano, 10 squid, and 10 skipjack. East Cape fishing conditions continued good, with water temperatures of 78 to 86 degrees, despite 3 days of wind.

The East Cape fly fishing guide service, Baja Flyfishing Company, at Hotel Punta Colorada reported an angler with 30 roosterfish released in 1 day. "Mike and John, the owners of Baja Flyfishing Company, did some surf fishing this morning and reported catching pompano, jacks, ladyfish and roosterfish on the beach in front of Punta Colorada," Dalmau said. "They also reported lots of bait right in front of the hotel." Information: bajaflyfish.com.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said the first serious north winds of the season clouded East Cape inshore fishing waters but good fly fishing was still found for roosterfish, jacks to 5 pounds, and ladyfish. "Chartreuse was an effective color in the off-color water," Graham said. Offshore fishing from just a few miles off the beach to 40 miles out produced good counts of striped marlin, a few sailfish and blue marlin, lots of yellowfin tuna including some into the 50-pound class, and consistent dorado on debris close to shore. East Cape fishing area weather at the end of the week was in the mid-90s, with light winds and water temperatures at 77 to 85 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the previous week, Graham reported consistent beach fishing for smaller roosterfish and jacks to 5 pounds. "When you find the sardina in the shallows," Graham said, "you’ll also find ladyfish, pompano, and the odd pargo or cabrilla." Offshore, yellowfin tuna were slower, but billfish including some sailfish and dorado continued strong. "The dorado action could only be rated as 'hot' for the past several weeks," Graham said. East Cape fishing area weather was sunny and calm in the mid-80s, with sea surface water temperatures at 82 to 88 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero said, "Limits of yellowfin tuna for all anglers this week. There are 2 skipjack for every yellowfin landed." Larger tuna to 60 pounds were caught on live bait off Cabo Pulmo, and smaller football tuna were located off La Ribera. "Chumming cut squid has been bringing the fish up," Ireland said. Two or 3 blue marlin were released by the fleet daily in addition to good numbers of striped marlin and sailfish. Dorado were slower as boats averaged 4 to 5 per day off the lighthouse, mostly of 10 to 30 pounds.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Brad Meister of San Clemente, Calif., reported on an outing out of Rancho Leonero with 3 anglers for a catch including 6 yellowfin tuna of 60 pounds, roosterfish, pompano, wahoo, assorted reef fish, and good numbers of dorado. With Meister were Jon Gleason of Get Reel Fishing in San Clemente, Calif., and his father Don Gleason.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja fly fishing service said beach fishing continued productive through some windy conditions, especially at the Las Cuevas arroyo. "This area is where most of the bait pangas are making their bait in the morning," deBrown said. "I would suggest using flies that contain a modest amount of flash with the color combinations a good representation of the bait fish you are trying to match." Inshore fishing was slower during windy conditions, but offshore action included yellowfin tuna mixed with skipjack from La Ribera to Cabo Pulmo, dorado more scattered, and continued strong billfish activity. East Cape fishing area weather was in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 77 to 85 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Beach launched boat angler Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista reported excellent East Cape fishing conditions on Wednesday, but slow trolling action for a catch of a single needlefish. "Wednesday was drop-dead beautiful, and generally speaking all the fish near me celebrated by fasting," Eddy said. "I trolled roughly 20 miles without anything but a needlefish." Fishing later off Hotel Rancho Buena Vista produced a 4-pound barred pargo which was prepared "picata" style for dinner. "The Baja Catch describes this is as a difficult fish to fillet," Eddy said. "However, if you skin and fillet it like you would a triggerfish it's really not that difficult, especially if you avoid trying to cut the 'rebar' ribs. This one was as good as any fish I have ever eaten."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport dive service reported on a run to East Cape diving spots at Los Frailes and the Cabo Pulmo corral reef for sea life sightings that included gobies, Moorish butterfly, Guineafowl puffers, bumphead parrotfish, Panamic porkfish, yellow snapper, golden grouper, green moray eel, and a close encounter with a jewel moray eel. "One of my divers commented afterwards how she stopped and had her nails manicured by a jewel moray!" Cazaly said. Diving conditions at Cabo Pulmo were very good. "It was the best I’ve seen it," Cazaly said. "From the boat we were able to look down and pick out different species of fish swimming around, it was so clear! Underneath it was completely still, with no current whatsoever and we could see everything with clarity."

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of the Hotel Oasis said strong north-northwest winds ruled Loreto fishing waters until midweek with large swells up to 12 feet as boats stayed ashore several days. Seven pangas fished in calmer winds of about 6 m.p.h. at the end of the week for a combined catch including released fish of: 28 yellowfin tuna to 19 pounds, 14 dorado to 23 pounds, 30 dorado released, and 1 marlin lost. Pangas fished both north at Bajo de las Boyas and south at Punta Baja on Isla Carmen. Anglers fishing with Loreto sportfishing Capts. Isidro Mendoza, Martín David Castro, and Francisco Martínez Castro included: Daniel Morris, Joseph Morrison, Aaron and Matt Globerman, Gary Morris, Jeff Globerman, Mike Nielsen,, Sherman Gossett, Steve Pattzer, and Bruce Oldenberg.

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported early north winds shutting down most local fishing during the first half of the week. An outing on Friday aboard Erhardt's boat Soledad with several anglers aboard produced a sailfish missed, 3 dorado of 12 to 15 pounds, and 23 yellowfin tuna including 20 pulled from a single bird school. "I fished with family visiting from Oregon," Erhardt said. "This is the third year running that we have scored on nice yellowfin out of Loreto during their October visit. After the unseasonable early October winds, the water outside is clear and blue and the surface temperature is around 83 degrees."

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Bob Frambes of Playa Frambes Lighthouse Resort said, "The dorado are still in Mulege. Mike Chavez from El Sobrante, Calif., and Michael Heiner, a new resident of Mulege, caught a nice dorado just 3 miles offshore at Punta Concepcion," Frambes said. "They stopped at Playa Frambes on their way home and cooked fish for their entire construction crew." Frambes said the dorado was caught aboard a 16-foot boat while trolling a "secret lure." "Heiner said they left Naranjos Campground at about 7 a.m. and made bait easily right out front," Frambes said. "They said they caught little chickens too. They were everywhere. They also saw several sailfish and marlin."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Anderson of San Lucas Cove said action in the Santa Rosalia fishing area included willing cabrilla, sierra, and spotted bay bass, plus yellowtail in an early fall season bite. "What a strange year weather-wise," Anderson said. "We have had days of north wind blowing like wintertime which has made it cool at night and almost cold in the early mornings. The yellowtail have been biting almost like I would expect in mid to late November. Normally this is the time of the year that we chase marlin, roosterfish, sailfish, and dorado, and then we begin finding yellowtail about mid November. There are a few marlin roaming about and the sailfish and dorado have been present but not what you could consider a wide-open bite." Santa Rosalia fishing area weather was in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 82 to 84 degrees.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tony Reyes of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trips by the panga motherships Jose Andres and Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe on Oct. 12, 2006, with a catch of:

Jose Andres: 63 yellowtail to 14 to 19 pounds, 1 grouper of 75 pounds, 3 dorado of 18 to 24 pounds, 1 white sea bass of 25 pounds, 97 cabrilla of 10 to 16 pounds, 7 squid of 18 to 30 pounds, 4 red snapper of 14 pounds, 6 sheephead of 12 pounds, 214 spotted bay bass, 2 shark of 19 pounds, and 18 miscellaneous fish.

Tony Reyes: 107 yellowtail of 15 to 25 pounds, 188 cabrilla of 6 to 10 pounds, 18 pargo of 6 to 10 pounds, 215 spotted bay bass, 6 dorado of 15 to 25 pounds, 1 black sea bass of 40 pounds, 1 grouper, 28 Humboldt squid of 10 pounds, 9 sheephead of 10 to 15 pounds, 37 whitefish of 4 to 6 pounds, and 2 broomtail of 40 pounds.

The Tony Reyes returned to San Felipe on Sept. 21, 2007, from an earlier trip, with a catch of: 163 yellowtail of 15 to 25 pounds, 139 cabrilla of 6 to 12 pounds, 46 pargo of 6 to 12 pounds, 249 spotted bay bass, 3 dorado of 15 to 25 pounds, 12 sheephead of 6 to 12 pounds, and 49 whitefish of 3 to 6 pounds.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Ken Jones of Long Beach, Calif., reported on a 4-day solo beach camping and fishing trip to the Black Mountain area south of San Felipe, finding some windy conditions, but then very calm water for "The Baja Catch" type fishing that produced spotted bay bass, triggerfish, ribera cabrilla, and corvina. "Howling onshore winds made the first day-and-a-half pretty miserable," Jones said. "One Hail Mary cast into the foaming madness landed me a ribera cabrilla for dinner, but the next day I simply read a good book. Then the winds cleared and it was Lake Cortez. There were tons of bait fish in the water and hundreds of birds working them. The coyotes managed to make only one successful midnight raid and they dragged down to the ocean 3 items, a bag of flour, a chef’s knife, and a bottle of dishwashing liquid. They are not only adventurous cooks but they planned on cleaning up after themselves." Jones reported the road south from San Felipe paved all the way to Puertecitos and continuing farther south. "This may or not be a signal that the rumors of the road being paved all the way to Highway Mex 1 are true this time," he said. "On my final morning a pod of 10 to 12 dolphins worked the shoreline in front of me for 3 hours of splashing, jumping, and whooping it up as they cornered fish less than 15 yards from shore."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Lalo Muñoz of Mas Atun Sportfishing reported on a trip out of Marina Real on Friday by the charter boat Sueltame, fishing in 80-degree water about 16 miles out on a heading of 240 degrees for a catch of: 1 striped marlin injured during the fight and kept, 1 dorado of 20 pounds, and 1 striped marlin released. "Late in the day as we were coming home, 14 miles out, we saw a marlin chasing our trailer lure. He hit it 3 times and finally took the ballyhoo. A successful release," Muñoz said. Fishing aboard the Sueltame were anglers Curtis and Todd Wortanby.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters reported plenty of wind during the recent Cantina Cup tournament, but good action found the second day about 18 miles south of San Carlos for a catch of: 3 marlin, 3 dorado, and 1 sailfish landed out of a late afternoon triple hookup. Water temperatures at the end of the week were cooling in settled weather. "With beautiful weather right now the water is cooling with a lot of breaks in water temps," Hilderbrand said. "The fishing is getting fantastic."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Stuart Burnett of Puerto Peñasco said about 67 billfish were caught in rough weather and all but 1 were released during the Cantina Cup tournament. "The biggest dorado weighed was 38 pounds, and there was only 1 tuna weighed. The tournament was circle hooks-only for all bait," Burnett said. "You find out just how rough it is when you're trying to back down on a fish that's up swell into 5 and 6-foot whitecapping waves and keep watching the outboards submarine completely underwater. Go Yamaha!" Burnett's company, Dulcecita Lures, was a tournament sponsor. "Everyone loved the lures," Burnett said. "Even though our team, Salsa Verde, didn't win big, we at least got on the board with a marlin release and weighable dorado. It was a very fun event!"

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 18 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 1 black marlin, 4 blue marlin, 7 sailfish, and 35 dorado of 20 to 40 pounds. Four inshore super pangas reported 18 dorado and 64 red snapper. "Inshore super panga fishing has slowed a bit after several months of record breaking dorado action at the buoys," Edwards said. The top catch for the week was a 600-pound class black marlin landed by the charter boat Aries I with Capt. Jose Zamora and angler Bruce Lawing of Greenwich, Conn. "That trophy catch would have surely paid big bucks in the Billfish Classic Tournament next month," Edwards said. Mazatlan fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with light winds, good sea conditions, and water temperatures stable at 85 degrees. Offshore boats fished 20 to 30 miles southwest of Mazatlan with rigged and live baits.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Mike Borden of La Paz reported on action at El Banco and Roca Corbeteña by his boat Fish Magnet that included catches on one outing of a 350 to 400-pound blue marlin released and a 335-pound yellowfin tuna landed by Donald Sher. "The tuna was green when we got him up on the swim platform and his kicking broke his tail and a few toes," Borden said. "We left a ton of fish on El Banco. It is time to go fish at Puerto Vallarta and have a shot at a trophy fish like Donald scored." Also fishing aboard the Fish Magnet were Luis Palomino and David Claborn. Roca Corbeteña fishing water was green, but El Banco was clear with lots of action.

"Fishing was slow each day in the morning and picked up with most of the fish caught midday to dark," Borden said. "The big tuna Donald caught lit up on a caballito bait skipped under a kite at about 6 knots. We fished skipjacks most days but the fish were feeding on smaller baits and didn't want the larger ones. Four skipjacks were cut in half by wahoo. There was lots of tuna jumping every evening. I think next week when the big fish stop feeding on the small baits it will go off."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Quinonez of PV Marlin Sportfishing reported on 3 outings by the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Lorena with Capt. Felipe and for a combined catch including released fish of: 2 black marlin of 400 to 732 pounds, 2 blue marlin of 400 to 500 pounds, 1 yellowfin tuna of 180 pounds, and 15 dorado. Anglers fishing aboard the Lorena during the week included: Keith Williams, Joe Sandoval, and Mike Allen. "Fishing is just getting better and better for the big blue and black marlin down here," Quinonez said. "There are plenty of big tuna around, but they are hard to get to bite. We had some big boils on the kite, but not many takers."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiter's Sportfishing & Tackle said about 30 to 35 boats were fishing per day during Puerto Vallarta's fall big fish season. Catches by the charter boat Sirena included a 250-pound blue marlin landed in about 90 minutes plus several dorado to 45 pounds by Rose and Denis Lents with Capt. Steve and first mate Pepe. Other species available included jack crevalle, roosterfish at Islas Marietta and El Morro, and increasing action on cow class tuna over 300 pounds.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Josh Temple of Prime Time Adventures reported recent catches aboard the charter boat Conquistador including a yellowfin tuna of 361.7 pounds landed by the crew of ESPN's "Wanna Go Fishing" program.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Earlier, Jane Norris of Jacksonville, Fla., reported a black marlin taped at 729 pounds landed by Charles Faison of Jacksonville while fishing in mid-September aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Magnifico with Capt. Alonzo and first mate Charlie. "It took 4 hours and 45 minutes to fight the fish and it died on the way up to the boat. It was an amazing day," Norris said. "We had the fish to the boat, but the 3 guys could not lift him, so Capt. Alonzo radioed a yacht that was not too far from us, 2 men boarded our boat, and the 5 of them were able to get the fish on." Other catches during the day included 2 dorado of 10 to 15 pounds, 2 yellowfin tuna of 10 to 15 pounds, 2 bonita to 7 pounds, and 1 wahoo of 45 pounds.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said angling activity continued light during the week and sailfish counts dropped, but inshore roosterfish action was excellent. Sportfishing writer Mary Peachin fished inshore one day with Capt. Adolpho for 13 releases of roosterfish including 2 fish estimated at 75 and 90 pounds. "The action took place at an area we call Casa Blanca," Edwards said. "A combination of top water lures along with live bait was most effective." Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather had some rain at night, but calm conditions during the day, with air temperatures in the low-90s and water temperatures at 87 to 88 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said blue water was about 15 miles out and offshore boats averaged about 1 to 2 sailfish per day. Offshore boats found more blue marlin action including a double for Capt. Santiago on the charter panga Gitana, fewer dorado averaging 20 pounds, and no yellowfin tuna for the past few days. "The tuna have either moved out of the area or further out past the 1,000-fathom line," Kunze said. Roosterfish and jack fishing remained excellent all up and down the coastline. In 2 outings late in week by Capt. Adolpho on the charter panga Dos Hermanos, 1 angler released 34 roosterfish. "Friday was the best day, with 20 roosters released. Incredible," Kunze said.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 11 outings by the El Cid Caribe sportfishing fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 20 Atlantic barracuda, 8 king mackerel, 6 yellowfin tuna, 1 jack crevalle, 4 red snapper, and 4 grouper. "The fishing has been a little bit slower than usual and for no apparent reason," Edwards said. "Water temperatures and clarity have remained good and there is an abundance of ballyhoo bait throughout the Cancun fishing area, which is the mainstay of the feed biomass for most of the area's fish." Cancun fishing area weather was cloudy at 90 degrees, with wind to 12 knots, light surface chop, and the water temperature stable at 82 degrees.

MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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MEXICO: Ed Kunze of Mar Y Tierra Sportfishing in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo announced the completion of his new sportfishing book titled "Fishing, Methods, and Incredible Stories; Fishing the West Coast of Mexico." Publication and sales of the book will be through a Canadian electronic publisher, Kunze said.

La Paz Mexico Tournament Fishing Photo 1

LA PAZ BEAUTIES--With a trio of local beauties assisting him, East Cape's Mark Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport dive service celebrates his $100,000 first place finish in last week's La Paz Gold Cup benefit fishing tournament aboard his boat Jen Wren. Rayor said he was so excited about his winning 395-pound blue marlin that he completely failed to notice who was posing with him for the photos. "My wife says I'm 'a true fisherman,'" he said. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK RAYOR.

La Paz Mexico Tournament Fishing Photo 2

LA PAZ TOURNAMENT--About 80 boats fished in the recent first annual La Paz Gold Cup benefit fishing tournament, won by East Cape's Mark Rayor with a 395-pound blue marlin landed aboard his boat Jen Wren with Capt. Chuy Cota. Proceeds from the tournament were donated through La Paz' Rotary Club Balandra to a local prosthetic clinic. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK RAYOR.

La Paz Mexico Jack Crevale Fishing Photo 1

LIGHT TACKLE JACK--Capt. Nufo Lucero of Tortuga Sportfishing at La Paz shows off a nice jack crevalle caught last week while fishing with clients who used only 20 and 25-pound line. "This was about the biggest size they could land," said Tortuga's Gerardo Hernandez. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz Mexico Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Photo 1

LOTSA LA PAZ TUNA--Mark Stoller shows off a 25-pound yellowfin tuna caught in very good action just outside Ensenada de los Muertos near La Paz during a panga fishing trip with Tailhunter International. Stoller and his group limited on tuna each day they fished. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Ensenada Mexico Yellowtail and Bonito Fishing Photo 1

ENSENADA PANGA GUY--Jay Johnson of Ensenada fishes about weekly with Vonny's Fleet panga Capt. Beto Zamora and if anyone is catching yellowtail around Punta Banda it's usually them. Here's Jay with a nice October forkie and a bonito caught along with bottom fish limits on Monday. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

San Quntin Mexico White Seabass Fishing Photo 1

SAN QUINTIN FISHING--Cecil Baker, left, and Mike May fished in some windy conditions at El Socorro just south of San Quintin with Don Eddie's Landing Capt. Jaime Cervantes for a catch including this nice 28-pound white seabass plus limits of bottom fish. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARITA MELVILLE.

Baja Mexico Boat Towing Photo 1

LONG FISHING DAY--Under a slanting, late afternoon light, Rene Gonzalez' out-of-fuel boat El Mago gets a tow back to San Diego by Vessel Assist after a slow fishing day out of Puerto Salina north of Ensenada for a total of 3 skipjack caught. To end a perfect day, Tijuana angler Alejandro Rosas said he slipped and fell into the water as the boat tied up in San Diego. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEJANDRO ROSAS.

Magdalena Bay Mexico Mangrove Fishing Photo 1 Magdalena Bay Mexico Snook Fishing Photo 1

NEW MAG BAY OPERATION--Panga charter fishing is now being offered at Magdalena Bay's Puerto Lopez Mateos by Jeff Petersen's new Lopez Sportsman's Lodge. Here, Capt. Chico, right, and a friend Sillero test the mangrove channel action aboard the charter super panga Sonia Ann. At right, a nice Puerto Lopez Mateos black snook. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF PETERSEN.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 1

GOOD DORADO DAYS--Dorado action around the Golden Gate Bank north of Cabo San Lucas is concentrated enough for very good fly fishing action. Here's Loe Lehosky with 1 of 8 dorado landed on the fly while fishing with Capt. Alex of Baja Anglers aboard the charter boat Flying Fish II. It was Lehosky's first time fly fishing in saltwater. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT HARTMAN.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 1 Cabo San Lucas Mexico Panga Fishing Photo 1

CABO PANGA DAY--Edmond Schuebert with a nice dorado caught about 3 miles off Cabo San Lucas while fishing with Capt. Ramon Druck aboard the charter super panga Cheer's. At right, the Cheer's trolls away from Cabo San Lucas under a Baja dawn sky. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

East Cape Mexico Tuna Fishing Photo 1

EAST CAPE TUNA--Jon Gleason of Get Reel Fishing in San Clemente, Calif., got into East Cape's great yellowfin tuna bite last week with this nice sushi fish caught during a trip out of Rancho Leonero with his father Don Gleason and Brad Meister. The outing produced good action for 6 tuna over 60 pounds, plus dorado and mixed inshore and offshore species. PHOTO COURTESY OF DON GLEASON.

East Cape Mexico Marlin Fishing Photo 1 East Cape Mexico Tuna Fishing Photo 2

TWO-HOUR BLUE--Cal Preston of San Diego fished out of East Cape's Buena Vista Beach Resort aboard the charter boat Alegria with veteran Capt. Juan Garcia for a catch including this 350-pound class blue marlin landed after a fight lasting 2 hours. The fish died during the fight and was handlined up to the boat. At right, Don Charles of Whittier, Calif., landed this nice 60-pound yellowfin tuna and lost a bigger one at the boat while fishing out of Buena Vista Beach Resort with Capts. Ramon and Teodoro. Charles' fish count including released fish for the day was: 1 striped marlin, 5 dorado, and 2 tuna. PHOTOS COURTESY OF AXEL VALDEZ.

Loreto Mexico Tuna and Dorado Fishing Photo 1

LORETO PANGA ACTION--Anglers, from left, Don, Gary, and Joe Morrison fished on a panga Friday out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis with Capt. Chacho for a nice mixed catch at Bajo de las Boyas north of Isla Coronado of yellowfin tuna and dorado to 17 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Loreto Mexico Tuna Fishing Photo 1

YELLOWFIN IN LORETO--Cliff, Sharon and Morgan Erhardt, visiting Loreto from Oregon, fished Friday with Bill Erhardt on his boat Soledad for 3 dorado and limits of yellowfin tuna to 20 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Mulege Mexico Dorado Photo 1

MULEGE FALL FISHING--Mike Chavez, left, and Michael Heiner fished on their 16-foot boat about 3 miles off Punta Concepcion and saw several marlin and sailfish during their outing. They had their dorado cooked and served at Mulege's Playa Frambes Lighthouse Resort. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB FRAMBES.

San Carlos Mexico Striped Marlin Fishing Photo 1

SAN CARLOS STRIPER--Lalo Muñoz, left, of Mas Atun Sportfishing at San Carlos, Sonora, with anglers Bud Curtis, center, and Todd Wortanby and a foul-hooked striped marlin that could not be released during a trip about 16 miles out aboard the charter boat Sueltame. The day also produced a striped marlin released and a dorado of about 20 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF LALO MUNOZ.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Marlin Fishing Photo 1

VALLARTA MARLIN FISHING--Merle Erickson, top, and Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla first mate Alvino with a 300-pound class black marlin that died during the fight and could not be released. "The black’s eyes were purple and the colors on that fish were amazing," Erickson said. "It was a shame that it died." The trip to Puerto Vallarta's Roca Corbeteña also produced 3 yellowfin tuna of 70, 100, and 120 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF MERLE ERICKSON.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Tuna Fishing Photo 1

HEAVY DUTY TUNA--This 335-pound yellowfin tuna was landed with standup tackle by Donald Sher, left, aboard Mike Borden's boat Fish Magnet during a trip to Puerto Vallarta's El Banco high spot. The big tuna came in hot and broke its tail fins while being landed on the swim step. With Sher are Dave Claborn, center, and Mike Borden. At right, Sher puts the wood to his prize cow class tuna aboard the Fish Magnet. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIKE BORDEN.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Tuna Fishing Photo 3

VALLARTA 170 POUNDER--Joe Webber of Boston brings a 170-pound yellowfin tuna to color during a trip out of Puerto Vallarta aboard the charter boat Marla with Capt. Danny Osuna. With Webber are Merle Erickson, left, and the Marla's first mate Alvino. PHOTO COURTESY OF MERLE ERICKSON.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Marlin Fishing Photo 2

BIG VALLARTA BLACKIE--Charles Faison, second from right, of Jacksonville, Fla., landed this big black marlin taped at 729 pounds during a mid-September run out of Puerto Vallarta aboard the charter boat Magnifico. The marlin died during a fight that lasted over 4 hours. With Faison are, from left, the Magnifico's Capt. Alonzo, Luis Mucino of Bloodhound Charters, and first mate Charlie. PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE NORRIS.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Marlin Fishing Photo 3

VALLARTA BLUE MARLIN--This 250-pound blue marlin was boated in 90 minutes by Rose and Dennis Lents while fishing at Puerto Vallarta on the Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle charter boat Sirena with Capt. Steve, left, and first mate Pepe, right. The day also produced several dorado of about 45 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE GABRUK.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Marlin Fishing Photo 7

BIG VALLARTA BLUE--A foul-hooked Puerto Vallarta black marlin taped at 732 pounds is brought aboard the PV Marlin charter boat Lorena after it died during a fight lasting about an hour. Angler, Keith Williams, left, said, "It was hooked just below the pectoral fin, which caused it to be dragged backwards and drown. I hate killing these fish, but when you down-rig a 10-pound bonita with a big hook in it, the chances are there." At right is the Lorena's Capt. Felipe. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY QUINONEZ.

La Paz Mexico Golden Grouper Photo 1

EL BAJO GOLD--Sean Gorman photographed this golden grouper or golden phase leopard grouper during a dive at El Bajo north of La Paz with the Vista Sea Sport diving service at Buena Vista. PHOTO COURTESY OF SIMON CAZALY.

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