BIG SAILFISH NUMBERS RACKED UP BY OFFSHORE FISHING BOATS

Dec. 16, 2005, Ed Kunze, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico Sportfishing Report:

Fishing at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo has picked up considerably this week. I do expect fishing to slow down a bit with the full moon waning, but as of today we have really been enjoying the action.

Conventional gear fisherman Ludo Coenen of Belgium, fished at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo with Martin on the panga Isamar this last 6 days. They caught, tagged, and released 25 sailfish. Their fish were mostly taken at the 25 mile mark, and a 210 degree heading.

Philippe Collin fished two days with Santiago on the panga Gitana. They tagged and released 5 sailfish the first day. Yesterday, because several of us have not had much success on roosters locally, Santiago decided to make the 40 mile run to Papanoa with Philippe. It was a long day, but they released 6 roosterfish averaging 25 to 35 pounds, a 25 pound jack crevalle, and an 8 pound sierra. All the fish were taken on slow trolled live bait.

I guided client, Scott Haynes of Cody, Wyoming, for one day with the fly rod on the Vamonos with Captain Cali. Scott had never used a fly rod in his life, yet caught a sailfish. The first fish teased to the boat very well, and within minutes Scott had logged two firsts.

I also guided fly fishing client Fred Marx on a beach trip today. We hit the beaches up north near Union and Majahua, and south below the airport at Barra Pototsi. We found sardines and birds crashing on every beach. Unfortunately, the larger 14 to 20 pound jacks were not there. We caught a fair number of fish, but nothing of any size. The black skipjack tuna, green jacks, and sierra were all biting well. The Barra had the most fish and the most promising signs the big jacks should be moving in there shortly.

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