Magdalena Bay fall fish pileup jumps into high gear;

Good blue marlin fishing run at Mazatlan

Mexico Fishing News, November 5, 2007

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said the Magdalena Bay offshore fall fish pileup was in full swing last week as boats found wide-open action from the San Carlos entrada to south of Punta Tosca on mixed striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, dorado, and wahoo.

Anglers Sam and Janet Farish fished out of Puerto Lopez Mateos on the Mag Bay Outfitters charter boat Mar Gato and hooked a wahoo in their first 10 minutes of fishing with Capt. Sergio and Baja On The Fly guide Lance Petersen.

On Saturday, the Mar Gato was headed in to spend the night at Bahia Santa Maria after fishing the Thetis Bank. Graham said, "Bird school after bird school was seen in every direction, but even as you slid on the spot you could never be sure what might be there. Bring plenty of tackle." Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was clear in the high-80s, with moderate winds and the water temperature at 72 to 82 degrees.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Julie Westendorf of Durango, Colo., reported on a Magdalena Bay fishing trip aboard the panga Celida Patricia out of Puerto Lopez Mateos with her husband Bill Westendorf and Capt. Jose Manuel Osuna Lucero for a catch that included a 20-kilo class pargo rojo and 4 small grouper. "I caught the pargo on 50-pound test on a live macarela with lead in about 50 feet of water drifting in the estero," Westendorf said. "Action was generally good on the incoming tide. Jose had a good laugh when the first hookup I had pulled me into the bottom of the boat and just about over the side. We had gone to fish with Ruben Duran but he was booked and hooked us up with Jose. His English is good enough. We enjoyed the fishing with him and would book him again." Contact for Ruben Duran and Jose Osuna: pezlopez@prodigy.net.mx.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Jeff Petersen of Lopez Sportsman's Lodge at Puerto Lopez Mateos said the preferred live shrimp bait was being used by Magdalena Bay anglers during the legal commercial shrimping season from October through January. "The alternative baits to shrimp in the Magdalena Bay mangroves are live lisa, small mojarra, and of course macarela. On the Pacific, alternatives include bonita and bolito as cut bait," Petersen said. "But the reason in general that we use these other baits is when there is no shrimp. The hook used is found in shops and hardware stores in Mexico and is commonly referred to as a Mexican hook. It is not. It is made in Norway and is referred to as an 0/5 anzuelo Noruego." PHOTOS AND ARTICLE ON COLLECTING AND USING LIVE SHRIMP BAITS AT MAGDALENA BAY.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet reported good weather all week in the local Ensenada fishing area and all of his beach launched pangas finding a steady variety of mixed species fish limits at the tip of Punta Banda on lingcod, Johnny bass, red rockcod, mixed rockcods, some larger whitefish, some bonita, and a few sandbass. Top catches for the week included an 18-pound lingcod by Earl Jackson while fishing with Capt. Hector on the charter panga Vonny III. Ensenada fishing area weather was cloudy in the mornings in the mid-60s, with sunny afternoons, light winds, 2-foot ocean swells, and the local water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 59 degrees.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort reported good weather and fishing conditions all week. Several pangas fished about a mile off Punta Santo Tomas for full Mexican fish limits of mixed bottom species topped by an 11-pound lingcod and good results on releasing calico bass at the kelp beds. Anglers fishing during the week included Pete Rampart and his group from San Diego.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Tere Castro of Castro's Camp reported 20 boats fishing during the week off Erendira south of Ensenada for catches including very large rockcods, lingcod, and some bonita and barracuda. Castro's Camp boats fished in 60-degree water about 7 miles off the Baja coast in very good weather. "The weather this week has been really good," Castro said. "The water has been calm and there has not been any wind. We're getting fog in the mornings but when the sun comes up the fog goes away." Castro also noted that fishing reservations were already being requested for dates as late as August 2008. "We've been getting a lot of reservations for next summer already, so hopefully it'll be a great season," Castro said. "One person wanted to fish next summer with our Capt. Pancho, but Pancho was already busy for the dates requested so he had to move his trip to a week later."

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported a 30-pound class black sea bass caught and released inside Bahia de San Quintin and pangas fishing south at Socorro or north at Isla San Martin scoring Mexican limits on a mix of sandbass, calico bass, rockfish, large barracuda, rockcods, sheephead, and "really huge" bonita. No white seabass were reported for the week. San Quintin fishing area weather was cold and overcast in the mornings. Anglers fishing with Capt. Hector on the charter boat Rommy at Pedro's Pangas winter special prices during the week included Doug Jones, Kelly Prischer of San Diego, his brother Bruce from New Mexico, and his daughter Audry Roberts of San Francisco.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: For the previous week, Erik Landesfeind of Long Beach, Calif., recapped his 2 days of fishing at San Quintin out of Pedro's Pangas with his wife Rachel, going out on the Rommy with Capt. Hector for Mexican limits of sandbass, calico bass, barracuda, bonito, rockcod, and a handful of lingcod, but just 1 yellowtail. "Although the fishing was slow for the exotics, we had a great time with Hector," Landesfeind said. "Upon leaving the dock we were greeted with calm seas and heavy fog which didn't burn off the entire day. We checked all of the high spots around Isla San Martin and fished the 6 spot, the 15 spot, Ben's Rock and the Breakers in clean 61-degree water, but never found any yellowtail. We ran south to one of Hector's 'secret spots' and found absolutely wide-open fishing on the jumbo reds, 4 to 8-pound average. Every drop in 400 feet of water resulted in 5 to 7 big reds on the ganion. Saturday morning at El Socorro it was wide-open on big bonito, jumbo barracuda, sandbass, and calico bass. About midmorning I threw the surface iron and took about 2 winds before I got mugged by our only yellowtail of the trip, about 20 pounds."

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Tom Greene of Cedros Adventures reported on a 6-angler group fly-in trip to Isla Cedros off the Baja Pacific coast, fishing with local boats for good results on yellowtail and mixed species. "It was another great trip with everyone catching yellowtail over 35 pounds and a few 45 pounders," Greene said. "The weather was perfect and the guys caught everything including barracuda, bonita, and lots of calicos. They took down some fresh squid, but the iron worked just as well." Anglers on the trip were: Joe Camelo, Tim Johnson, Gerald Galante, Nick De Santo, Jeff Rodriguez, and Duane Broadway. On Cedros Adventure fly-in trips, a maximum of 6 anglers fish half-a-day on Friday and all day on Saturday and Sunday, Green said. Information: cedrosadventures@hotmail.com.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Jim Marsh of San Diego reported on panga fishing out of Punta Baja south of El Rosario with Capt. Cesar Vallodolid for very good action around Isla San Geronimo for a catch by his group of about 30 rockcods, 40 whitefish, and 4 lingcod. "We made 5 stops all on GPS marks saved by Cesar and all within 2 to 4 miles north and west of the island," Marsh said. "We used cut squid for bait on both rockcod rigs and jigs in calm glassy water. Each drop was shallow, 100 to 140 feet, so it was easy to bring them up. No lobos were there to eat our fish. There were lots of kelp patties in the area and live bait was jumping on the way to Isla Geronimo. Cesar charges us $50 per person to fish with him." To reach the Punta Baja fish camp of Vallodolid and his mother Juanita, Marsh said, "Go just past the Pemex in El Rosario and make a right on the dirt road, then follow the riverbed on the left side to the fishing village and ask for Juanita and Cesar. Near the beach you see 12 pangas on the cliff with blue water on three sides. We followed the road to the left and at once saw Juanita in the shade. The pangueros there all work for the cooperativa and fill their coolers each day with fish to take to the processing plant near El Rosario. Cesar arranged to take us out Sunday. We could have stayed there in a room with no water and used the outhouse but chose to return to El Rosario for dinner at Mama Espinosa's and spent the night at the Baja Cactus Hotel which had 4 clean beds for $45 per night." Fishing with Marsh on the trip were Brad Johnston and Michael McGiver of San Diego. Cesar Vallodolid: 011-52-616-165-8819.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Shari Bondy of Baja Bed & Breakfast on the Pacific Baja coast at Bahia Asuncion reported on a near-shore panga trolling trip out of San Roque northwards toward San Pablo that produced about 13 fish in about 2 hours, including yellowtail, calico bass, barracuda, and bonita. "They were having so much fun they didn't really care that it was getting dark," Bondy said. "I was about to organize a search party and an amigo of Juan's had already gone out to look for them. They got some great fish which we quickly made into sashimi and sushi." Commercial panguero divers at Bahia Asuncion were busy with the local seaweed harvest. "It has been nice and calm," Bondy said. "They spread the seaweed out in the sun to dry, turn it, and then bale it up, and the truck takes the bales to Ensenada to be processed into a gelatin type product that has uses as a thickener in jello, sauces, hair products, medicines, etc." The commercial caracol sea snail diving season ended on the last day of October and lobster fishermen continued to haul good numbers of legal-sized lobsters. Bahia Asuncion weather was clear and warm with light breezes from the south and kayak anglers were also doing well.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas said 83 percent of charters released billfish during the week, 52 percent landed dorado of 15 to 45 pounds, and yellowfin tuna catches remained scattered but included a 120 pounder plus 4 more tuna from 10 pounds upward brought in by Martin and Patty Dominski of Colorado aboard the charter boat Mextime. Top outings during the week from the Pacific side Golden Gate Bank northward to the Finger Bank included 8-striped marlin release days for the Tracy Ann and Bill Collector. For the week, a total of 152 striped marlin and 2 sailfish were landed, and all but one fish were released. "The Pacific was the best place to fish, with the Golden Gate Bank being one of the better locations," Ehrenberg said. "The Finger Bank was also going off but at 50 to 55 miles one-way from Cabo San Lucas it was further than most boats cared to venture." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was clear, with 2 to 4-foot seas and water temperatures averaging 83 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of the Baja Anglers fly fishing guide service said striped marlin counts were good on Cabo's Pacific side banks as some boats scored about 5 marlin per day on deep soaked mackerel baits and some were also raised on trolled teasers. "I prefer to catch a few less fish and fish the fun way," Hartman said. "We tease them in to the boat and then use drop backs. It's a lot more fun that way." Good wahoo, dorado, and marlin reports were received from boats fishing about 55 miles north at the Finger Bank. "The place is just good fishing in the fall," Hartman said. "Too bad it’s such a long haul out there from Cabo San Lucas. Most charters will charge you for extra gas and wear and tear on the boat and motors." Inshore catches during the week included plentiful ladyfish, some jack crevalle to over 20 pounds, roosterfish of small to over 15 pounds, and a 50-pound class roosterfish landed on the Pacific side by Jean Moustirats of Redwood City, Calif., using 12-pound bass gear aboard the charter boat Flying Fish II with Capt. Nazario. "That’s a great, unexpected fall catch," Hartman said. "These big roosterfish are common in May and June, but to catch a big one in November is something to remember."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 5 outings during the week, fishing on both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides with a total of 10 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 1 sailfish, 2 yellowfin tuna of 8 to 10 pounds, and 39 dorado of 6 to 25 pounds. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Jesus Montes, Oscar Moreno and Miguel Hernandes of Mexico City, Joseph and Fred Hammerman, Edward Wald, Brian and Kathleen Snodgrass, and Debesa and Isabel Lacambra of Spain. The Cheer's fished with live bait and lures mostly on the Pacific side from the arch out to about 2 miles north and 4 miles off Faro Viejo in water temperatures of 78 to 80 degrees. Local Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was sunny, with some wind at the end of the week. One short fishing session on the Sea of Cortez side produced 1 small skipjack.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said striped marlin turned on again at the Pacific side Golden Gate Bank as Cabo San Lucas boats scored 5 to 8 releases per outing. "Drifting or slow trolling live mackerel and soaking live bait deep with 8-ounce torpedo sinkers worked," Landrum said. "Running in on frigate birds also resulted in a large number of hookups, but brought some tempers flaring as the speeding boats cut through the crowds drifting." Football yellowfin tuna action was wide-open on the Cortez side at the Gordo Banks and Iman Bank and some tuna to 35 pounds were reported on the Pacific side. Dorado to about 40 pounds were plentiful from near the beach out to about 5 miles on both sides of the arch as boats averaged 2 to 5 fish per outing. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was in the low-90s, with light winds and water temperatures even at 80 to 83 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 60 non-Bisbee's Tournament outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 72 striped marlin, 91 dorado, 1 wahoo, 33 yellowfin tuna, and 2 skipjack. "The best non-tournament action continued to come from the Golden Gate Bank area, especially for striped marlin," Edwards said. In the Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin tournament, 166 boats fishing primarily with large baits landed a total of 216 billfish, including 201 billfish released, and the winning 620-pound blue marlin was weighed-in by the boat Angel and the Badman II. A total of $3,838,620 was won in this year's Bisbee's.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 11 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 9 striped marlin, 7 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 25 pounds, and 17 dorado of 20 to 35 pounds.

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 195 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 1,555 yellowfin tuna of 10 to 50 pounds, 610 dorado of 5 to 20 pounds, 7 striped marlin, 6 sailfish, 14 wahoo, 3 roosterfish, 22 cabrilla, 48 various snapper, and 44 sierra. Yellowfin tuna were mostly 10 to 15 pounds, caught while drift fishing from the Gordo Banks to Iman. Roosterfish landings included some larger 50-pound class fish caught offshore at the Iman Bank. "This has become a trend during the fall," Brictson said. "A handful of larger roosters are reported from the offshore banks, some of them while fishing baits off the bottom or on deep water Rapalas." San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was at 90 degrees, with light wind and swell and the water temperature dropping at 80 to 82 degrees.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow reported on a surf fishing session at Km. 21 on Mex 1, beginning at about 5:30 a.m. for a catch including: 5 banded wrasse, 4 sergeant major, 2 longfin croaker, 1 sunset wrasse, 1 Cortez wrasse, and 1 giant hawkfish. "I fish 2 spots each visit," Snow said. "The first was dead, being full of needlefish. The second was full of life. The fish stop eating when the sun comes up so it is important to get there pre-sun." New species for Snow caught during panga fishing with Capt. Pata on the panga Salome included a bigscale goatfish, Pseudupeneus grandisquamis, and giant jawfish, Opistognathus rhomaleus, also officially known as the bigmouth bastard. "This completes my collection of the 2 goatfishes that reside in Mexico," Snow said. "There are 55 goatfishes known globally but only 2 are found in the Eastern Tropical Pacific." For 5 surf fishing sessions and 5 panga outings, Snow's trip produced a total of 187 fish of 48 species caught or observed.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending Oct. 25, 2007, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 304 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 867 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 5 blue marlin, 45 striped marlin, 58 sailfish, 468 dorado, 853 yellowfin tuna, and 2 wahoo. East Cape fishing area weather was in the low-90s, with moderate to strong afternoon winds and water temperatures of 78 to 85 degrees. "The Pete Gray Let’s Talk Hookup Tourney was an absolute blast and a good time was had by all as usual," Moyers said. "The wind settled down nicely on day 2 and the counts were real nice for the Hookup anglers." Yellowfin tuna counts included one 96 pounder as tuna were found south off Cabo Pulmo, La Ribera, Los Cerritos, and the Punta Arena lighthouse, and also north off Punta Pescadero. Tuna were landed by 98 percent of all boats. Dorado were caught mostly to the south.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Brad Meister of La Ribera reported on a good outing for his group aboard the Rancho Leonero charter boat Vigilante for wide-open football tuna and a sailfish released. "After all that, the guys went down on the beach in La Ribera and caught sierra, roosterfish, and jack crevalle in the 82-degree water, having a ball until dark," Meister said. "It doesn't get much better than this time of year in East Cape." Earlier, Meister's group, including Dan Lane, Earny Fistolera, and their sons Scott and Nick, fished out of Cabo San Lucas for 6 dorado and releases on 2 sailfish and a marlin. One day of fishing on Meister's panga Lady Dena produced a couple of small snapper.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported good fishing weather at East Cape and very good inshore action that included double-digit roosterfish, sierra, and ladyfish for anglers Sam and Janet Farish of Atlanta, Ga. Offshore fishing was good for dorado and yellowfin tuna. East Cape fishing area weather was clear at 90 degrees, with light winds and the water temperature at 77 to 85 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Furness of Santa Rosa, Calif., fished the East Cape area 2 days out of Hotel Playa de Sol aboard the charter cruisers Maria II and Alma Rosa III for a catch including released fish in 80-degree water and some fishable wind of: 4 Humboldt giant squid to 65 pounds, more than 10 tuna on flylined sardina baits, 5 dorado to 30 pounds, 3 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, and 1 blue marlin lost after a short hookup. "There was a major concentration of small tuna and dorado near Cabo Pulmo," Furness said. "Billfish were scattered everywhere in relatively small numbers. I missed some sweet Kodak moments with a very impressive group of 3 blue whales that put their flukes straight up in the air a good 20 feet and slid beneath the surface. An interesting twist was rigging the ballyhoo for trolling, sewing a 10/0 hook in the belly, with an inline 3-ounce torpedo sinker 3 feet up the leader. It looked ugly and spun, but did attract fish."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Andy Atchley reported on 2 days of fishing aboard the Hotel Punta Colorada charter boat Tres Amigos with Capt. Jesus and first mate Francisco for a catch including released fish of: 8 yellowfin tuna to 25 pounds, 10 dorado to 20 pounds, and 1 roosterfish of 45 to 50 pounds, and on the Gordo Banks, sierra, jack crevalle, ladyfish, cornetfish, and wavyline grunt. Also fishing aboard the Tres Amigos were Kit Kyburg, John Kovarovic, and Mike O'Keef of Imperial Beach, Calif.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Henry Howard of Westwood Village, Calif., reported on the Animal Lovers of Mexico Association (A.L.M.A.)'s third annual catch-and-release fundraiser, hosted by Buena Vista Beach Resort, with about 60 anglers fishing 2 days, and Howard winning the tournament with 8 sailfish released. East Cape's well-known Capt. Jesus Araiza fished with Howard on the second day of the tournament. "All entry fees go to raise money for A.L.M.A.'s free spaying, neutering and vaccinating program in Los Barriles," Howard said.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said the ongoing Las Arenas side yellowfin tuna and dorado bite was interrupted by wahoo last week as boats off Isla Cerralvo scored multiple hookups and returned with 1 to 4 wahoo each. "Large purple-and-black Rapalas were especially effective," Roldan said. "The tuna are getting bigger, in the 20 to 30-pound class, with schoolie dorado mixed in." La Paz fishing area weather was cooling with variable winds. "The seasons are definitely changing," Roldan said. "However, fishing remains extremely good for our anglers on the Muertos Bay tuna bite that has been going on now for over a month."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing reported good weather and sea conditions on the south side of the hill as his pangas fishing out of the Ensenada de los Muertos south-facing launch spot scored good counts of dorado and yellowfin tuna outside Punta Perico and down the coast to El Alamo. Pangas running out to the south end of Isla Cerralvo also got into good action for wahoo. "This week we had very good wahoo fishing," Hernandez said. "The wahoo were of good size, 45 to 50 pounds, south of the island on Rapalas." Sardina bait for dorado and tuna was in good supply both locally and at Isla Cerravlo.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Michael Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said Santa Rosalia fishing was generally slow last week but the weather was practically perfect at 90 degrees, with low humidity and late afternoon breezes to 5 knots. Water temperatures were cooling at 74 to 77 degrees and visibility following strong currents during the full moon period was below 20 feet. An outing with Alan Lewis of San Lucas Cove produced just 1 yellowtail. "I'd caught 10 yellowtail 2 days before," Kanzler said. "It'll do that right after a good full moon bite. It's the days after a full moon that have slow fishing. Sixteen years of fishing here has made that clear." An inoperative bait well pump turned a trip to Isla Tortuga into an artificial lure trolling day for just 1 dorado of 5 pounds, another dorado lost, and a short strike on a billfish. Inshore fishing was good for the Baja tin boat fleet out of San Lucas Cove.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Anderson of San Bruno reported on a good run to Isla Tortuga early in the week for action including dorado and 7 striped marlin seen in the spread during one 45-minute period. "They were a little picky and played with the bait and we only managed to hook one well enough to bring it to the boat," Anderson said, "but we were entertained with bills slashing at the bait and throwing it completely out of the water. Sometimes that is a good sign when the marlin come right after the cooling starts." Yellowtail fishing on the Isla San Marcos bajos was slower in diminishing currents following the full moon period. "Yellowtail fishing should improve considerably when we get into good tide movements around November 10th to 12th," Anderson said. Santa Rosalia fishing area weather was excellent for small boats and inshore fishing was very good for cabrilla, grouper, sierra, and bonito at Haystack. Water temperatures were at 74 to 76 degrees.

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Tony Davies of Long Beach reported on 2 days of super panga fishing by his group out of Bahia de los Angeles with Capt. Igor Galvan for a catch of: 23 yellowtail to 32 pounds, and about 7 grouper of 3 to 18 pounds. Davies' group fished along the Baja coast and out at Isla Angel de la Guarda. "We filled a large cooler on Igor's boat," Davies said. "We kept 1 small cooler full of fillets and asked Igor to give the rest to the local families which he did." Also fishing were Davies' son Tom Davies of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Newport Beach sportfishing captain Ross Lewis, who hosted the Captain Ross Lewis Yellowtail Shootout out of Guillermo's Sportfishing Hotel & Restaurant. "Tom won the jackpot," Davies said. "Ross hooked to an 18-pound grouper which he managed to keep out of the rocks and land."

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore overlooking Bahia de San Felipe said the weekend weather was beautiful, with blue skies, no wind, the air temperature at 83 degrees, and the relative humidity at 27 percent. "One of those perfect days in our little corner of paradise," Meders said. Meders also noted that a new bus station serving San Felipe opened about a month ago in Mexicali. "It is brand new, spotlessly clean, and very modern and light," Meders said. "The great thing about it is that it is close to the border, so you can in a pinch walk to the western gate. It is located on the right, as you head south at the corner of Mateo Lopez and Calle Mexico. Hard to miss. A large white building with the word "TURISTICO" on the side." Meders said taxis were sporadically on strike and blocking the west gate. "I got a different explanation as to why they are striking from each person I asked, including a policeman and 2 taxi drivers!" Meders said.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 52 Aries Fleet offshore boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 19 blue marlin, 105 dorado, 24 sailfish, 4 yellowfin tuna, and 2 shark. Four inshore super pangas reported limits on pargo and mojarra plus 5 jack crevalle. "This has been the best blue marlin week we have ever reported for Mazatlan," Edwards said. "Most of the fish were in the 200 to 300-pound range." Top catches during the week included a 400-pound class blue marlin landed by Ronnie Shell of Montana while fishing with Capt. David Cabanillas aboard the charter boat Aries IV. Mazatlan fishing area weather was sunny in the high-80s, with mostly calm seas and water temperatures averaging 80 degrees inshore and 83 degrees offshore. Offshore boats fished mostly with rigged mullet baits about 22 to 29 miles south to southwest of Mazatlan.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Bob Huston of Pasadena, Calif., reported $345,000 raised to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as 22 boats competed in the Hook The Cure Fishing Tournament hosted by the BJ's Restaurant Foundation in Puerto Vallarta on Oct. 25-28, 2007. "While the tuna were a no-show," Huston said, "the teams had limit-style fishing for dorado in the 18 to 29-pound range and we had a 100 percent release rate on the billfish." Tournament overall champions were Bob and Joe Lombardo, who qualified for the 2008 IGFA Offshore Championship in Cabo San Lucas. "This is a really fun all-inclusive tournament where many people caught their first dorado and many caught their first billfish," Huston said. "Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs entertained everyone with numerous funny stories surrounding his career and Wade certainly knows how to fish." Billfish released during the tournament included 19 sailfish and 11 marlin. "I was particularly pleased at our 100 percent release rate on all of the billfish, particularly given that we are an IGFA qualifying event," Huston said.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Sal Campanile of Tuna Time Sportfishing said inshore fishing produced roosterfish up to 80 pounds mixed with dorado in 25 feet of water. Offshore boats at Roca Corbeteña and El Banco found improving action for yellowfin tuna to over 250 pounds plus larger dorado. "The big mahi are so big that they are pouncing on 3-pound skipjacks," Campanile said.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Quinonez of PV Marlin Sportfishing reported "more dorado than we have seen in years" including fish in the 30 and 40-pound range found at El Banco by the charter boats Lorena and Sirena. A run by the Sirena on Thursday produced release action on 39 quality dorado for angler Paul Scheremeta. The same day, the Lorena scored a cow class yellowfin tuna measured at 83 inches long "but not too big around" at Roca Corbeteña for angler Cary Marlow after a 2-hour fight. Puerto Vallarta fishing area weather was mostly calm with the water temperature in the low-80s. "We expect to see some really big catches of tuna in the next 3 or 4 weeks," Quinonez said.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle reported on a late-October run to Roca Corbeteña by the charter boat Terminal Blues for catch-and-release action on 25 dorado, 1 sailfish, and a 45-pound roosterfish. "The mahi-mahi were caught trolling goggle eyes rigged with pink skirts just off the nose which worked like magic," Gabruk said. Fishing with Capt. Oscar and first mate Marco on the Terminal Blues were anglers Matt Skinner and his wife Ann.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said very few boats fished during the week out of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. Seven combined days of inshore and offshore fishing aboard the charter boats Dos Hermanos I, Bloody Hook, and a boat out of Casa las Brisas at Puerto Vicente Guerrero produced a catch including released fish of: 2 sailfish, 10 dorado, 6 Spanish mackerel, 60 jack crevalle or yellowtail jack, 12-plus bonito, 4 rainbow runner, 1 amberjack, 1 chula, and 5 roosterfish to 40 pounds. Ixtapa fishing area weather was stabilizing in the low-90s, with improving sea conditions and water temperatures at 82 degrees inshore and 85 degrees offshore.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said Ixtapa fishing boats averaged about 1 to 2 sailfish per day, plus some good counts of larger dorado on a weed line about 12 miles out. Blue water at 82 degrees was just outside the bay as overall fishing action improved following the full moon period. Inshore fishing slowed as water temperatures dropped from 82 to about 76 degrees. A run to Puerto Vicente Guerrero produced just 3 roosterfish follows in tough action. A combined 3 days of offshore fishing by the charter boats Gitana II with Capt. Adan and Don Gordo II with Capt. Poli produced a total of 11 dorado of 25 to 45 pounds. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was calm and cloudy in the high-90s, with water temperatures of 80 to 84 degrees.

MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MEXICO COASTAL AREAS

MEXICO: Burt Wald of Laguna Niguel, Calif., reported on skippering a mid-October cruise from La Paz to Barra de Navidad on the Mexican mainland coast aboard the boat Rudder Chaos and a catch in 85-degree blue water at El Banco off Puerto Vallarta of 6 bull dorado. Fishing aboard the Rudder Chaos were boat owner Dan Rudd, Dan Riggs, and Dick Woodworth.

Magdalena Bay Mexico Snapper Fishing Photo 1

STAYED IN THE BOAT--Julie Westendorf and husband Bill Westendorf fished out of Magdalena Bay's Puerto Lopez Mateos with Capt. Jose Osuna for a catch including 4 small grouper and this nice 40-pound plus snapper. Julie said the guide got a good laugh when the big pargo's strike almost pulled her over the side. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIE WESTENDORF.

Ensenada Mexico Lingcod Fishing Photo 1

ENSENADA PANGA FISHING--Earl Jackson's panga outing at Ensenada with Capt. Hector of Vonny's Fleet produced the usual Mexican limits on mixed bottom fish plus this nice 18-pound lingcod. Jackson fished on the charter panga Vonny III. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

San Quintin Mexico Yellowtail Fishing Photo 1

LIMITS WITH LILO--Erik Landesfeind and his wife Rachel scored Mexican limits of bottom fish, bonito, and barracuda, plus this 20-pound class yellowtail during 2 days of late-October fishing out of San Quintin with Pedro's Pangas Capt. Hector "Lilo" Villavicencio aboard the charter boat Rommy. The Landesfeinds fished the local San Quintin high spots and caught the yellowtail on surface iron south of the bay at Socorro. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIK LANDESFEIND.

Isla Cedros Mexico Fishing Photo 1

Isla Cedros Mexico Fishing Photo 2

Isla Cedros Mexico Fishing Photo 3

BAJA FLY-IN FISHING--Tom Greene's Cedros Adventures group flew down the Baja coast for great yellowtail and mixed Pacific species fishing at Isla Cedros on bait and iron. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOM GREENE.

Bahia Asuncion Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Bahia Asuncion Mexico Seaweed Harvest Photo 1

BAJA "NIGHT" FISHING--Juan Arce Marron, right, of Arce Brothers Sportfishing at Bahia Asuncion brought back a great catch of these yellowtail plus calico bass, bonita, and barracuda during a late afternoon panga session at San Roque that lasted until nightfall. With Arce are angler, from left Mike Buckau and Zac Johnson. At right, bales of dried seaweed harvested at Bahia Asuncion on the Baja central Pacific coast are prepared for the long truck ride up Highway Mex 1 to Ensenada. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHARI BONDY.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Roosterfish Fishing Photo 1

BASS ROD GALLO--Cabo San Lucas angler Jean Moustirats whipped this 50-pound class roosterfish on 12-pound bass gear during an outing on the Pacific side with Grant Hartman's Baja Anglers guide service and Capt. Nasario aboard the Cabo San Lucas charter boat Flying Fish II. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT HARTMAN.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Tuna Fishing Photo 1

CABO TUNA ACTION--This trip out of Cabo San Lucas at the end of October aboard the charter boat Mextime produced this nice 120-pound yellowfin tuna for anglers Martina and Gina Dominski. "Might be good for the Western Outdoor News tuna tournament coming up," said Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACY EHRENBERG.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Dorado or Mahi-Mahi Fishing Photo 1

GOOD DORADO DAY--Kathleen Snodgrass' outing aboard the Cabo San Lucas charter super panga Cheer's with Brian Snodgrass and Capt. Ramon Druck produced good action on the Pacific side for a catch including released fish of 8 dorado of 15 to 20 pounds. The Cheer's fished in 80-degree, early-November water along the beach and out to about 2 miles. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Bigscale Goatfish Photo 1

BIGSCALE GOATFISH--Among the new species caught last week by San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow was this bigscale goatfish, Pseudupeneus grandisquamis, hooked on a sabiki rig just off the La Playita breakwater. Snow's record of fish caught around the tip of Baja now numbers over 300 species. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN SNOW.

Gordo Banks Mexico Roosterfish Photo 1

CABOS OFFSHORE ROOSTER--Kit Kyburg of Imperial Beach, Calif., with a bruiser 50-pound class roosterfish landed at the Gordo Banks off San Jose del Cabo on a live bait and 30-pound line aboard the East Cape charter boat Tres Amigos. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDY ATCHLEY.

East Cape Mexico Sailfish Photo 1 East Cape Mexico Panga Photo 1

SAILFISH RELEASE--Brad Meister of La Ribera about to release an East Cape sailfish aboard the Rancho Leonero charter cruiser Vigilante last week on a day that also produced wide-open football tuna plus beach fishing for roosterfish, sierra, and jack crevalle. At right, beach launching Meister's East Cape panga Lady Dena at La Ribera. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRAD MEISTER.

La Paz Mexico Wahoo Fishing Photo 1

LA PAZ WAHOO--Crissy Teichman of Huntington Beach, Calif., got into last week's good wahoo bite south of La Paz off the south end of Isla Cerralvo. Fishing with her husband Pete Teichman aboard a Tortuga Sportfishing panga with Capt. Jorge Lucero also produced good numbers of dorado and yellowfin tuna. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz Mexico Cabrilla Fishing Photo 1

CERRALVO LUNKER CABRILLA--Angela Farrell of Oceanside, Calif., frequently fishes La Paz with Tailhunter International and always does well. This week, numerous huge cabrilla came ripping out of their holes around Isla Cerralvo and Angela got this one while fishing for tuna with live sardinas. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Isla Tortuga Mexico Sailfish Fishing Photo 1

SANTA ROSALIA STRIPER--Jim Anderson releases 1 of 7 striped marlin that came into the spread of his Moosea boat last week while fishing with his wife Marika at Isla Tortuga in the central Sea of Cortez off Santa Rosalia. Yellowtail fishing on the Isla San Marcos bajos was slower on the approaching quarter moon. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM ANDERSON.

Isla Tortuga Mexico Sailfish Fishing Photo 2

TORTUGA DAYCARE--Ed Duitsman of Hinkley, Calif., with 1 of 2 sailfish released during a couple of runs to Isla Tortuga off the Baja coast at Santa Rosalia by his boat Daycare. Fishing in 80 to 81-degree, late-October water at the island also produced 8 sailfish. PHOTO COURTESY OF ED DUITSMAN.

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Yellowtail Fishing Photo 1

IGOR GALVAN FISHING--Tom Davies with a nice 32-pound yellowtail caught while fishing at Isla Angel de la Guarda out of Bahia de los Angeles with well-known local sportfishing guide Igor Galvan. Davies landed the jackpot fish during the Captain Ross Lewis Yellowtail Shootout held at Guillermo's Sportfishing Hotel & Restaurant. At right, Ross Lewis works to keep a nice 18-pound grouper from rocking him aboard Galvan's boat along the Baja coast at Bahia de los Angeles. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TONY DAVIES.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 1

PUERTO VALLARTA DORADO--A late-October outing to Roca Corbeteña by the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Terminal Blues produced catch-and-release dorado like these plus a roosterfish and a sailfish released. Fishing aboard the Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle charter were, from left, Matt Skinner, Capt. Oscar, Ann Skinner, and first mate Marco. PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN GABRUK.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Tuna Fishing Photo 1

EL BANCO COW--This nice cow-class yellowfin tuna, measured at 83 inches long, was landed after a 2-hour fight at Puerto Vallarta's El Banco high spot last week by angler Cary Marlow, right, while fishing aboard the PV Marlin Sportfishing charter boat Lorena. Also fishing aboard the Lorena was Trevor Marlow, left. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY QUINONEZ.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 2

MEXICO OFFSHORE DORADO--Burt Wald with a real nice dorado that was 1 of 6 bulls caught at the El Banco high spot about 50 miles off Puerto Vallarta as Wald skippered a Sea of Cortez-crossing cruise from La Paz to Barra de Navidad on the Mexican mainland coast by the boat Rudder Chaos. PHOTO COURTESY OF BURT WALD.

Magdalena Bay Mexico Swimming Coyote Photo 1

MAGDALENA BAY COYOTES--Coyotes are often seen on the dry, sandy barrier islands that form Magdalena Bay on the Baja southern Pacific coast. Here's one found swimming in the mangrove channels last week by Jeff Petersen of Lopez Sportsman's Lodge at Puerto Lopez Mateos. "Coyotes are indigenous to the mangroves," Petersen said, "but in 6 years I had never encountered one in the water before. On Monday, we did." PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF PETERSEN.

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