CHARTER FISHING BOATS TARGETING INSHORE AND OFFSHORE SPECIES

April 15, 2005, Ed Kunze, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico Fishing Report:

There are about 15 fishing boats a day going out at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. At least 5 of the boats are targeting inshore, with 10 targeting sailfish. Most of the marlin are all off Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sportfishing boat targeting sails, and like Santiago's fish of 575 pounds last week, are being taken on lighter sailfish gear. Both of Santiago's marlin of last week and this week were taken on a 6/0.

If the people targeted marlin, and used the right gear, the ratio would be at least one marlin for every two boat days. That is what my client Chase Smith, fishing on the Vamonos I did this week. He fished two days, hooked two, and leadered one.

Fishing conditions at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo are getting more favorable every day. The blue water is moving back in to just a few miles off the beach and the water temperature is edging into the 80 degree mark. The best results have been the blue marlin this last week. We have now had 11 days in a row where at least 1 nice blue has been boated.

Plus, the inshore fishing at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo for the jack crevalle is still holding up and has provided us a lot of action for both the anglers using light line conventional gear, or the fly rod enthusiasts. Jim Kelsey of 'Frisco Bay area fished with Felipe and I on the panga Yellowfin and took 6 jacks to 25 pounds near the Valentine area.

Chase Smith of New Braunfels, Texas fished with Ruben on the Vamonos I and got a very nice blue marlin. But, they missed a much larger one.

Santiago got another blue this week for his clients on the panga Gitana, plus 4 sailfish the next day. However, most of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo charter fishing boats are only getting between 1 and 2 sails a day.

(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.