OFFSHORE SPORTFISHING BOATS AVERAGE 3 BILLFISH PER DAY

Oct. 14, 2005, Larry Edwards, Cortez Yacht Charters, Mazatlan, Mexico Fishing Report:

After a couple of slowish weeks, Mazatlan offshore and inshore fishing action popped open to an excellent bite.

Angler Paul Garman, of Sacramento, Calif., fishing aboard the Mazatlan charter boat "Aries II" with Captain Victor Nunez, released 8 of 9 sailfish for 1 fishing day.

Anglerette Judy Young, Los Angeles, fishing at Mazatlan aboard the "Aries VI", released 4 of 5 sailfish for 1 day.

Anthony Gomez, of Tracy, Calif., caught 1 striper and released 5 sailfish for 1 day, aboard the "Aries VIII", with Captain Carlos Morales.

Even the inshore super pangas got into the sailfish action, with angler Wallace, of Capitola, Calif., releasing 3 sailfish aboard the "Ansuelo I".

Overall catches for 23 Mazatlan boat days by Aries Fleet reflected 3 blue marlin, (1 released at 2-250 lbs.), 1 striper, 68 sailfish (57 released), and 94 dorado.

The inshore pangas had excellent dorado fishing again and the "Ansuelo II" fished an inshore bottom fishing day that produces 4 red snapper, 3 jack mackerel and 6 yellowtail.

Mexico fishing weather at Mazatlan had 71 nights and 89 daytime highs, partly cloudy, humid and occasional rain showers. Sea conditions were calm at the time of this report, with water temperatures stable at 84-85 degrees.

Billfish are generally in a big area at 20 miles southwest of the Marina el Cid and the dorado are just 7 miles from the marina. Ballyhoo and mullet were the best all-round bait for dorado & billfish.

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