WINTER SIERRA FISHING TURNS ON FOR INSHORE BOATS

Jan. 5, 2007, Larry Edwards, Cortez Yacht Charters, Marina El Cid, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico:

Charter fishing boats from Aries Fleet at Mazatlan's Marina El Cid are still averaging about 1 billfish per boat day fished in the offshore waters and they rounded off the catch with a few dorado and yellowfin tuna this week.

For those Mazatlan anglers who enjoy the inshore light tackle fishing, the sierra mackerel bite has come alive.

Eleven offshore fishing days produced 10 stripers, 8 dorado, 2 yellowfin tuna and 3 mako sharks.

Four super panga days produced a total of 60 sierra mackerel, one of the world's best fish for ceviche.

Mazatlan weather was mostly sunny and warm during the days, with temperatures from a cool 50 degrees at night to 84 degree daytime highs.

Sea conditions were mostly calm in the Mazatlan fishing vacation area, with some light surface breezes, water temperatures from 73 degrees inshore to 76 degrees offshore, and with a distinct current break at 21 miles out.

Live baits and rigged baits were working best for the billfish. The best offshore fishing area was just past the temperature break at 21 to 22 miles to the southwest of Marina El Cid.

(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.