COOLER CURRENTS MIX WITH NEAR SHORE BLUE FISHING WATER

Dec. 11, 2004, Ed Kunze, Baja On The Fly, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico Fishing Report:

The blue water remains close, but it has been influenced by a cooler current. The Ixtapa Zihuatanejo water temperatures have dropped at least 4 degrees and slowed the sailfish bite. At the beginning of the week, we wound up the Baja on the Fly Sails and Tales fly fishing tournament. On the last day (12/6), every boat had hookups, but most fish were lost. Several boats were raising between 6 and 8 fish each, but getting the hook set proved to be another situation.

Towards the end of the week, due to the cooler water, the conventional gear fishermen are now only averaging about 1 or 2 fish per boat per day. The Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sportfishing action will definitely pick up later this week as conditions stabilize and new fish come into the area.

The cooler water has brought in the tuna however, with the big blue marlin never far behind. Some large tuna to 180 pounds have been taken at the 22 mile mark, with a lot of smaller yellowfin in as close as 4-miles off the beach.

The hot roosterfish bite has also been affected by the cooler current. Things have slowed considerably for Adolpho on the “Dos Hermanos” with only 4 roosters caught yesterday (Fri.) That is a considerable reduction when you consider he had one day last week with 18 roosters. However, Adolpho did tell me this morning the huge jacks have moved in, and he is getting several a day from 18 to 25 pounds. Water Temperature 80-84. Air Temperature 77-89.

(See "Mexico Fishing News" online for current fishing reports, photos, weather, and water temperatures from Ixtapa Zihuatanejo and other major Mexican sportfishing areas. Vacation travel articles, fishing maps and seasonal calendars, and fishing related information for Ixtapa Zihuatanejo may be found at Mexfish.com's main Ixtapa Zihuatanejo page.