YELLOWFIN TUNA CAUGHT 45 MILES OUT

March 2, 2007, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico, Cortez Yacht Charters, Larry Edwards:

Some exceptional sportfishing catches were reported last week by Ixtapa fishing boats but once again the results were very inconsistent, as one good fishing day was followed by a day with little results.

Steve Leighton and Joe Seta fished aboard the Ixtapa charter boat Esturion III with Captain Juan, committed to a long day, and were rewarded with a sailfish release at 100 pounds, a 180 pound blue marlin, and 8 yellowfin tuna averaging 60 pounds. They found the yellowfin tuna at the 45 mile mark and the anglers began catching them in mid-afternoon.

Captain Chiro on the Zihuatanejo charter fishing boat Bloody Hook pitched a shutout on Monday for angler Mr. Richardson, but then headed in another direction and found a pod of willing sailfish, landing 6 sailfish in one day.

Captain Chiro also reported 4 other sailfish and 1 black marlin landed in 3 other days of fishing.

Captain Annibal on the boat Grande Jefe I reported 3 sailfish and 2 dorado in 3 days of offshore fishing.

Florida angler Don Tracy fished 3 inshore days with Captain Adolfo on the boat Dos Hermanos I for a catch of 28 big Spanish mackerel, 65 yellowtail jacks, 3 grouper and a 25-pound roosterfish taken on a Rapala in the area north of Ixtapa Island.

Captain Luis on the charter boat Grand Jefe II reported a 2 sailfish and 4 shark day for French angler Mr. Charie.

The blue fishing water was reported to be within 10 miles of Zihuatanejo Bay.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo vacation area weather along the coast of Mexico was mostly sunny and warm with air temperatures that ranged from 68 degree nights to 88 degree daytime highs.

Mexican coastal sea conditions were mostly calm throughout the area with stable conditions and water temperatures that ranged from 80 degrees inshore to 83 degrees offshore.

Best fishing starts at about 10 miles offshore and continues outward from there. Rigged baits worked best for the sailfish and Rapalas for the inshore fishing.

March and April have historically been our best months for marlin and big yellowfin tuna.