BIG YELLOWFIN TUNA BITE FOR ARIES FLEET BOATS FISHING OUT OF MARINA EL CID

Jan. 19, 2007, Larry Edwards, Cortez Yacht Charters, Marina El Cid, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico:

Bigger sized yellowfin tuna showed up in Mazatlan fishing fleet counts late in the week and produced sensational catches of giant yellowfin tuna that ranged from 130 to 240 pounds.

According to Geronimo Cevallos of Marina El Cid, the yellowfin tuna were pretty eager to bite on marlin lures, especially the guacamaya color in orange-yellow-green, the petrolero in red-gray, and of course, live bait.

Mazatlan fishing area tuna are partly with the porpoise but much of the fishing is separated and popping up under the bird schools. I got excited just listening to him talk about it.

Some Mazatlan sportfishing the boats were also reporting marlin being taken in the bird schools, but the focus was definitely on the tuna. On Friday, every Aries Fleet boat had at least a couple of big yellowfin and all had many opportunities.

Overall catches for Mazatlan offshore fishing waters was 12 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 1 dorado and 47 yellowfin tuna of 130 to 240 pounds, all caught in the past 2 days.

The Mazatlan inshore report for 6 fishing days reflected limits of sierra and cochitos, and 1 cubera snapper, a 26 pounder.

Mazatlan vacation area weather was mostly cloudy this week with air temperatures from 53 degree nights to 80 degree daytime highs.

Sea conditions along the Mazatlan area of the Mexican Pacific Ocean coast were fairly calm for most of the week with very light surface winds and sea water temperatures that varied from 71 degrees inshore to 75 degrees offshore. However, Monday and Tuesday were bad weather days that closed the port of Mazatlan.

The best fishing area continues to be out to the southwest at about 25 miles from Marina El Cid.

All billfish were taken on rigged baits. Inshore sierra were taken on pencil poppers, anything shiny, strip baits, etc. If it moved in the water, it seemed to get bit just fine.