FIRST ARIES FLEET BLUE MARLIN OF THE SEASON CAUGHT

June 16, 2006, Larry Edwards, Cortez Yacht Charters, Mazatlan, Marina el Cid, Mexico.

The first blue marlin of the season by Mazatlan's Aries Fleet out of Marina el Cid was taken aboard the charter fishing boat "Aries II" with Capt. Victor Nunez at the helm this week. Anglers Kelly Bower and Cindy Clark of Colorado landed the 550-pounder on a rigged lisa, or mullet, bait 28 miles south of the Marina el Cid, on a conventional, 113H Penn Reel, using 60 pound test line.

The Mazatlan charter boat "Aries VII" also landed a second blue marlin, a 430 pounder, taken by angler Bruce Dees of California.

Overall Aries Fleet offshore catches for 29 fishing days reflected 2 blue marlin, 5 striped marlin (2 released), 6 sailfish (4 released), 12 yellowfin tuna, 2 dorado, and numerous dorado releases. Inshore super pangas had easy limits of dorado and a handful of barracudas for 12 Mazatlan fishing days.

Mazatlan fishing area weather had 72 degree nights to 90 degree daytime highs, and was sunny and warm.

Sea conditions were stable, with water temps at 82 to 83 degrees.

Billfish were scattered about from 22 to 28 miles out, from the south to the southwest of Marina el Cid. Mazatlan dorado catches were also scattered, with the bigger fish being free roamers offshore, but the wide-open bite was still at the buoys. Billfish were best hooked on the rigged baits. Dorado at the buoys were eager to bite on most anything that moved.

(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.