School-sized dorado swarm around Loreto fishing boats

Mexico Fishing News, July 8, 2002

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LORETO

LORETO, MEXICO: Swarms of medium-sized summer dorado invaded Loreto last week, and boats sneaking out between windy spells scored easy limits off the northeast corner of Isla Carmen and other local areas.

LORETO, MEXICO: DON BEAR reported "8 to 25-pound dorado everywhere" caught by pangueros Paulino and Francisco Martinez over the weekend. "The first stop trolling is the last stop of the day," Bear said. "The fish are schooling all around the panga." Two fly anglers released 20 dorado near Punta Lobos while fishing with Francisco Martinez, and another group of 3 anglers with brother Paulino had limits plus a dozen releases while fishing out of the Hotel Oasis.

LORETO, MEXICO: Arturo Susarrey of ARTURO'S SPORT FISHING said that despite unseasonably cool water temperatures and occasional wind, "we have good news about dorado!" Anglers fishing at Punta Perico, and about 10 miles east of Punta Lobos, were running into intense schooling action on fish of mostly 10 to 30 pounds, plus some to about 40 pounds. Susarrey said bait was in good supply, but he recommended that everyone bring medium-sized feathers in blue-white and green-yellow.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of BAJA BIG FISH COMPANY said Loreto weather was in the high-90s and "there are more fish concentrated off Punta Lobos (northeast tip of Isla Carmen) than we've seen in years. The schools are holding fish all of the same size, so boats are coming back with 'puro grandes' or 'puro chicos' on the same day. The largest fish landed Saturday was 44 pounds--on a flyrod. There are some big ones out there for sure."

Bolles reported "billfish nowhere to be found," but small yellowtail still available off the west side peninsula of Isla Coronado, and larger fish to 40 pounds deep on the bajos of San Bruno and Puerto Almejas.

Some commercial pangueros were still landing fish into the 50-pound range. Bolles said Baja Big Fish Company is offering unusual evening fishing, night handline fishing, and night squid fishing trips this summer, plus "X-fishing," offshore personal pontoon boat fishing with a panga tender boat. She described the unique night fishing trips: "After landing the bait, we'll motor out to Isla Coronado and park over a reef. We'll bait a huge chunk of squid on an 8/0 or 10/0 hook with an 80-pound leader tied to 125 or 150-pound line and go for it. We will be handlining these fish, as we've tried rod and reel and they're just not productive. You'll fish like the locals do and catch dozens of different species."

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ENSENADA

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Albacore action picked up a notch last week as some offshore boats began to score limits or near-limits.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: On July 4, Sergio Susarrey of SERGIO'S ENSENADA SPORTFISHING CENTER reported the Shir Lee with 50 albacore for 12 anglers. On July 5, the Shir Lee with 12 anglers landed 35 albacore and 15 yellowtail, and on July 6 for 14 anglers, 14 albacore and 20 yellowtail. Susarrey said local fishing continued excellent last week for barracuda, bonito, lingcod, bass, and occasional yellowtail.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of LILY FLEET said the Tamara had 18 albacore, and the Amigo had 20 albacore plus 9 yellowtail on July 4, fishing 30 miles from Ensenada on a heading of 230 degrees, in water temperatures averaging 63 degrees. The Lily, fishing with 3 anglers off Punta Banda, caught 4 yellowtail to 15 pounds and 13 calico bass.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Earlier, trailer boaters BARNEY & LANCE PHILLIPS had a so-so day fishing a temperature break "north around the 385 all the way to the 238 and beyond, 64 degrees on the hot side, dropping to 61.5 degrees."

"The fish were on the cool side," Phillips said, "but small, 15 to 18 pounds, and not eager to cooperate. The jig stops were far between, and the fish refused to come to the bait. We talked to a sport fisher on the 295 and he said it was scratchy but the fish were better quality."

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN QUINTIN

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Excellent weather and good bottom fishing continued last week, although the albacore were still eluding local boats.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of PEDRO'S PANGAS said water temperatures were between 59 and 62 degrees, and plenty of anglers were in town, with about 20 boats fishing each day over the weekend. Large lingcod of 20 to 30 pounds were caught, plus limits of red rockfish, and perhaps 1 or 2 yellowtail to about 20 pounds per boat.

As for albacore, Hillis reported nothing local, although "Julio Meza went out again this weekend and ventured as far out as 45 miles, on a 270 heading. He was able to land 7 albacore in the 15-pound range."

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Jim Harer of the OLD MILL HOTEL said San Quintin weather was pleasant with very little wind, and about 10 boats fished over the weekend in addition to the boats entered in the Don Eddie's Landing 4th of July Tournament. All anglers were limiting on bottom fish plus some yellowtail in the 15 to 25-pound range.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Gene Allshouse of SAN QUINTIN SPORTFISHING said that although the bottom fishing is excellent, "The albacore seem to be avoiding us like the plague. The water is just too darn cold. The temperature ranges from 52.7 degrees a mile out to 62 degrees 30 miles out. We need a storm out of Cabo to push the warm currents into our range and turn the bite on."

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAGDALENA BAY

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of BAJA ON THE FLY said San Carlos water temperatures continue to rise, with air temperatures to 76 degrees and water temperatures as high as 72 degrees last week. Yellowfin tuna were located on a 200 to 210-degree heading from the entrada, and in the mangroves there was a "good show on snook to 15 pounds," plus some corvina, and a few halibut on the beaches.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CABO SAN LUCAS

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Offshore fishing was improved but still slow off the tip of Baja California last week, as most Cabo San Lucas fleets concentrated their efforts on the Pacific Side, especially on the Jaime Bank.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of CABO MAGIC reported on 57 boats chartered over a 10-day period with a catch of: 20 striped marlin (19 released), 64 yellowfin tuna, 96 dorado (8 released), 2 wahoo, 1 roosterfish (released), and 6 red snapper.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Mario Bojores of PICANTE FLEET reported on 6 boats chartered Saturday with a catch including released fish of: 3 striped marlin, 6 dorado, and 5 yellowfin tuna.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: SOLMAR FLEET manager Rene Santa Cruz said, "There was only one fishing hole in the Cabo area this week," as virtually all fish caught came from the Jaime Bank. "It is very unusual for almost the entire Cabo fleet to converge on one fishing spot," Santa Cruz said. "The charter boat frenzy centered at Jaime Banks was almost like a fish boil, but without a lot of success." Solmar Fleet boats found unusually cool water temperatures of 65 to 68 degrees. Other fleets reported water temperatures up to about 70 degrees on the Pacific and as high as 75 degrees on the Cortez side.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: At FLY HOOKER SPORT FISHING, Capt. George Landrum said water conditions on the Cortez Side were warming, but clarity was very poor. "On the Sea of Cortez side we've been watching the approach of warm water in the high 70's and low 80's. However it is an off-green color, at times almost pea soup. It is a long run to get out of the pea soup stuff, as long as 35 miles to the southeast."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of PISCES FLEET said 46 percent of boats chartered last week caught marlin, and 80 percent caught either marlin, tuna, or dorado. "It was quite unusual that nearly all of the catches this week were on the Pacific," Ehrenberg said. "The norm for this time of year is off Chileno and Punta Gorda." Pisces Fleet boats caught 1 or 2 dorado to about 40 pounds, plus a scattering of yellowfin tuna. Inshore fishing was much slower last week on roosterfish, yellowtail, and jack crevalle.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of CORTEZ YACHT CHARTERS said GAVIOTA FLEET boats had a combined catch including released fish of: 15 striped marlin, 1 blue marlin, 15 yellowfin tuna, 39 dorado, 1 sierra, and 1 roosterfish. The largest fish caught during the week was the blue marlin, a 254-pounder.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Other combined private and fleet reports, including about 200 boats chartered during the week, showed a catch including released fish of about: 52 striped marlin, 89 yellowfin tuna, and 305 dorado.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN JOSE DEL CABO

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of GORDO BANKS PANGAS said the plague of cold water actually dipped into the 60s last week, although temperatures were reported as high as 76 by the weekend. Patchy green water conditions prevailed out to at least 10 miles from shore. "Overall fishing was still far below normal," Brictson said. "Roosterfish have proved the best bet for getting into some action, although this bite has tapered off. Boats have averaged several fish each trip, with weights ranging from 10 to 40 pounds." Some jack crevalle were being caught on trolled live bait, and some amberjack were hitting iron or drifted bait on the rocky bajos. Yellowfin tuna was slow, and dorado "completely shut down by the cold water" except for a few smaller fish found far offshore.

In addition, Brictson said, "There's been an unusual marine haze hanging around, most likely created by the cooler marine water meeting the warm desert air. This has kept most of the smaller boats from venturing too far offshore. It also made it very difficult for pangueros to use traditional landmarks to triangulate and locate their favorite fishing grounds. We now patiently wait for conditions to stabilize and for the action to improve."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Local angler BOB GRIMES said the navy has been active around San Jose del Cabo, checking permits of both sport fishing and commercial boats. However, Grimes reported continued illegal gill netting being practiced openly by local pangueros, despite enforcement measures, such as the recent confiscation of 6 nets at La Ribera by SAGARPA, which Grimes said was given coverage in the local newspaper El Peninsular. "In spite of the gill netting ban in Bahia de Palmas, there has been a lot of illegal gill netting," Grimes said. "This morning I saw several pangas in front of La Salina, a couple of miles east of La Playa, pulling in gill nets they set last night. They caught several big roosterfish, about 30 pounds, a few sierra, and lots of little roosterfish, toros, etc.

"In addition to the gill netters at Los Frailes and Las Destiladeras, the commercial cooperativa at La Playa is openly gill netting. They try not to let you see the roosterfish they bring in, and quickly load their catch in trucks and drive away, with the illegal species under piles of small perch, croakers, tiny pargo, and miscellaneous small fish. This morning there were at least 3 or 4 pangas with gill nets that returned to the beach in La Playa."

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR EAST CAPE

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Fishing out of Bahia de Palmas continued to be the best in Baja Sur with an excellent roosterfish bite, continued good action on striped marlin and dorado, and even yellowfin tuna finally showing up.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of EAST CAPE SMOKEHOUSE, reporting for combined fleets including the Van Wormer resorts of HOTELS PALMAS DE CORTEZ, PLAYA DEL SOL, PUNTA COLORADA, said 382 boats chartered during the week had a combined catch including released fish of: 31 blue marlin, 360 striped marlin, 13 sailfish, 246 dorado, 258 yellowfin tuna, 9 pargo, 7 wahoo, 22 amberjack, 4 pompano, and 226 roosterfish. East Cape weather was in the high 90s, water temperatures were 74 to 77 degrees, and seas were mostly moderate in light breezes.

The best fishing areas were mostly to the north, around Punta Pescadero, El Cardonal, and up to Isla Cerralvo. To the south, some good catches were also reported from La Ribera to Punta Colorada, about 15 to 20 miles off shore.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At RANCHO LEONERO, John Ireland reported on 50 boats (33 cruisers, 17 super pangas) chartered during the week with a combined catch including released fish of: 3 blue marlin, 53 striped marlin, 66 yellowfin tuna, 15 dorado, 22 roosterfish, 4 amberjack, 9 pargo, and 1 sailfish.

"Despite the erratic weather conditions, the billfishing couldn't be better, with our fleet averaging better than 1 marlin per boat," Ireland said. "The dorado bite has slowed down, but the quality of the fish taken is great, with most fish taken from 40 to 50 pounds, on a mix of lures and live bait."

Ireland said the awesome roosterfish bite continued, on fish to 65 pounds last week, with fish caught off most area beaches. Most of the larger fish are being caught off Los Frailes, he said.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At BAJA ON THE FLY, Gary Graham said, "what has been a banner year just keeps going." Graham said the fantastic action for quality roosterfish continued on fish close enough to the beach for a fly rod. "The only negative is the shortage of sardina. They seem to have been replaced by large schools of mullet. Water temperatures are beginning to warm back up again. It is shaping up to be a barn burner."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Mark Rayor of VISTA SEA SPORT said water temperatures at diving depth to the north were in the low 70s and visibility was 30 to 40 feet, but Cabo Pulmo continued to have "green and cold" conditions.

More fishing reports and information for East Cape, Mexico, can be found in the Mexico Fishing News archives.

La Paz Fishing

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Mino Shiba of MOSQUITO FLEET said boats were averaging 4 to 6 dorado per day, from about 15 to 35 pounds, on live bait and feathers in green-pink or purple. There was also some action at Isla Cerralvo on yellowtail from 15 to 25 pounds, and some scattered yellowfin tuna around the island. Water temperatures in Canal de Cerralvo averaged about 68 to 72 degrees. Some spots have had temperatures as low as 65 degrees, Shiba said. Some roosterfish were caught to about 35 pounds, and pargo and cabrilla were hitting in the rocks.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of TAIL HUNTER INTERNATIONAL rated the fishing as "good some days, and a real pick bite on other days." Roldan reported more dorado on the La Paz side lately, in the current lines between Islas Espiritu Santo and Cerralvo, and south of Rancho Las Cruces. Some tuna were caught around Isla Cerralvo, and amberjack were scattered around. Roldan said the most exciting news of the week was a snap of wahoo around both ends of Isla Cerralvo. Water temperatures were averaging about 75 degrees.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MULEGE

MULEGE, MEXICO: JOHN SEGORIA reported on a trip to fish with Mulege panguero Enrique Mayoral that scored on dorado. "We fished with Enrique and caught a lot of dorado from 12 to 25 pounds just outside of Isla Santa Inez," he said. "After we got back in, we drove over to Santispac and snorkeled. The water at the top was warm but it got very cold just five feet under. The wind blew the sea to whitecaps throughout our stay."

The following day, Segoria fished with Mayoral's son Victor and "stopped fishing after just two hours because we had caught even more dorado than the day before."

Segoria said Mulege weather was very windy outside and he recommended that visiting boaters check with the locals before venturing out until things settle down. "If anyone is looking for two great panga captains," he said, "I strongly suggest they give Victor and Enrique Mayoral a call, 011-52-615-153-0083."

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN FELIPE

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tony Reyes of TONY REYES FISHING TOURS reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on July 5 with a catch of: 480 spotted bass; 105 squid, 20 to 45 pounds; 95 cabrilla, 8 to 13 pounds; 47 red snapper, 8 to 10 pounds; 44 yellowtail, 19 to 28 pounds; 10 white seabass, 20 to 23.5 pounds; 9 sheephead, 8 pounds; 2 broomtail grouper, 10 to 12.5 pounds; 2 grouper, 53 and 59 pounds; 2 grouper released, 23 and 29 pounds; and 9 white seabass released, 6 to 8 pounds.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Gustavo Velez of BAJA SPORTFISHING, INC. reported on a 6-day trip to the Midriff Islands by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe on July 4 with a catch of: 207 yellowtail, half over 12 pounds and half over 30 pounds; 103 cabrilla, 5 to 15 pounds; 1 grouper, 56 pounds; 304 assorted bass; 116 squid, 40 to 60 pounds; 52 red snapper; and 3 white seabass, 18 to 22 pounds. Velez said Midriff weather was windy during the trip, with fog at Isla San Esteban and San Francisquito. He said good numbers of dorado were being reported against the Sonora coast. The Erik's best fishing was at El Suspero, Cardonosa, and Snake Island. With the last day too windy to fish the Golden Reef, the Erik fished the trip at the Enchanted Islands instead.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: On the previous trip by the Erik, ending June 28, Neville Hampton reported that 5 dorado were caught and a sailfish was sighted south of San Francisquito.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Baja angler Wayne Pinkerton reported on local Lower Colorado River action around his B&B BAIT & TACKLE store in Blythe: Bob Rymer with a 6-pound large mouth bass on a shiner minnow, Roy Bradford with a 32-pound flathead on a goldfish, and Marissa Guess with a 28-pound flathead on a night crawler.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Ed Meders of the TITLE COMPANY BOOKSTORE overlooking Bahia San Felipe said he and wife Catalina will be making a couple of used book buying trips to the States over the next several weeks, shopping for about 30,000 books to fill the shelves in their new expanded retail space. "Lots of work ahead," Meders said. "We both want this to be a bookstore folks will look forward to visiting. It may never be a City Lights, but in it's own way, with Catalina at the helm, it will be one very good used bookstore."

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAZATLAN

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of CORTEZ YACHT CHARTERS said ARIES SPORTFISHING FLEET boats out of Marina el Cid are averaging 3 sailfish per day, and 2 boats had 7-sailfish days near the marina. For the week, 21 boats chartered had a catch of: 63 sailfish (57 released), 2 striped marlin (1 released), and 1 dorado. Mazatlan weather was flat calm in the 90s, with water temperatures of about 80 degrees. The best fishing area was about 15 miles from Marina el Cid on a heading of 210 to 270 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Marcos Vargas of VARGAS SPORTFISHING said the Esturion II fished 2 days and caught 2 sailfish and 2 dorado, the Marlin Azul fished 2 days and caught 2 sailfish and 1 dorado, the Esturion fished 1 day and caught 1 sailfish, and the Mako fished 1 day and caught 1 sailfish. Ixtapa weather was hot, about 94 degrees, with no rain or wind, and water temperatures averaging about 88 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze of MAR Y TIERRA SPORTFISHING said most boats are fishing no more than 2 days per week due to the small number of visitors in town. Some yellowfin tuna and dorado were present, and the best fishing area was 5 to 10 miles outside the bay.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Stan Lushinsky of IXTAPA SPORTFISHING CHARTERS said the action has been hit-or-miss, with the most consistent catches being inshore on jacks, bonito, needlefish and some big roosterfish. Top daily counts for the week included Capt. Miguel Alvarez on the El Soltar with 2 sailfish, a 40-pound yellowfin tuna, and a 56-pound dorado, and Capt. Adolfo Espinosa who landed 28 yellowfin tuna and 3 sailfish fish.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the FINTASTIC TOTAL CATCH & RELEASE TOURNAMENT said boats targeting tuna are doing well once the schools are located. "Several fish pushing 100 pounds are on tap for most days," he said. "But some days are simply lockjaw! Some big roosters in the surf."

Fish Photo 1

HUGE 'HOO--Jonathan Roldan of Tail Hunter International reported this enormous wahoo speared by California free diver Bruce Gaudino (shown) at the north end of Isla Cerralvo on July 5. Roldan said the fish was unofficially weighed at 130 pounds and would be submitted for a spear fishing record. "If the record is certified, this would be the fourth world record set by divers using the Cortez Club here in La Paz," Roldan said. Gaudino's guide was Javier Olachea of Cortez Club.