BLUE WATER AND GAME FISH WITHIN A MILE OF THE BEACH

Jan. 22, 2005, Ed Kunze, Baja On The Fly, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico Fishing Report:

In fishing at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, 80-degree blue water is less than a mile off the beach, and the game fish have come in with the water. Most Ixtapa Zihuatanejo charter fishing boat captains are working an area from 5 to 8 miles from the entrance to Zihuatanejo Bay, with none going any further than 13 miles.

Fishing boats are averaging about 8 raised sailfish a day. The conventional gear anglers are releasing an average of 4 sailfish a day, with the fly fishermen getting at least one and sometimes two a day.

Several Ixtapa Zihuatanejo boats this week have released 7 sailfish a day. Santiago on the panga Gitana released 7 fish two days running with client Bill Grey of South Carolina. Santiago has, over this last 6 days, released 30 sailfish total.

Baja on the Fly client Derek Fasio hooked and released his first sailfish on the fly, as well as Tom Burns of Boston. Dorado (mahi-mahi) are still scarce at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, and only being taken while trolling sailfish gear. The yellowfin tuna have moved out to the 35 mile mark.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sea water temperatures were 80 to 84 degrees, and the air temperature was 75 to 82 degrees. Conditions: T-Storms.

(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.