Quality Santa Rosalia yellowtail fishing is steady at Isla San Marcos

Mexico Fishing News, May 17, 2004

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: The reliable yellowtail holes around the north end of Isla San Marcos continued to kick out quality fish last week. Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said the weather was mild, in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 68 to 70 degrees, and water clarity was beginning to improve.

A few miles out, the water was up to 77 degrees, with more than 60 feet of visibility.

“Heard rumors of dorado and stuff out there, but nothing solid,” Kanzler said. Yellowtail fishing at the north end of the isla was very good: “Big yellowtail on the west lighthouse pinnacle. We had six fish of 27 to over 30 pounds on live mackerel.”

Kanzler said he and most of the other boats moved out to the bajo north of the isla at the end of the week, where he and his passengers caught six yellowtail of the same class, and also got rocked with 50 and 60-pound line on two-speed reels. Kanzler said he can be contacted about next week’s Isla San Marcos Yellowtail Shootout by email, kidjurel@mac.com.

Inshore, there were not enough boats fishing to get a read: “I do know the fish are in, but not sure how good the fishing is, and will leave it at that.”

Earlier, David Leer at East Cape said Steve and Rachael Hendricks fished at Isla San Marcos and hooked 11 yellowtail, landing seven between 20 and 40 pounds.

Last week, Mike Kanzler also fished with his longtime friend and fishing mentor, Spencer Abbott of San Dimas, and he described how they met:

“In 1992 when I first arrived at San Lucas Cove, it was early May and the El Nino fishing was slow for everybody. A bunch of us where sitting in the shade, watching a guy launch his boat. The gentleman strolled up and asked how the fishing was, and we all chimed in, ‘dead!’

“The next morning, I heard a boat leave, only one. About 10:30 a.m., a boat returned, with all of us saying it must have been slow. Wrong! The guy pulls up to the cleaning table and unloads a sack of big cabrilla, along with a few big fat yellowtail, the likes of which we hadn't seen the whole four weeks I was there!

“The next day, the cove emptied out, all of us following Spencer Abbott!

“He was fishing the now famous 110! Which just about everybody that's ever fished here since knows!

“Spencer invited me to go fishing with him. He showed me the finer art of using a depth sounder, and dead reckoning landmarks so you can get back on the spot and record new ones. All this was before GPS. I learned more in five hours than I could have in five years that day, and we have become lifelong friends.”

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Gerardo Sanchez of KCHTS Sport Fishing said fishing improved inside the bay on good-sized barracuda and some yellowtail, plus a lot of bass at University Point for the Don Juan II. A 12-pound halibut was caught on a Scampi anchovy bait in 10 feet of water, right off the stern of the Catalina wreck, and a few white seabass were also caught, in warming water temperatures averaging 67 degrees. The Azteca reported some albacore and bluefin near the 295 spot.

Hernandez also said there is new management now at the downtown marina parking area, with improved security and rates ranging from 10 pesos per hour for brief stays, to 100 pesos for 12 or more hours.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino said Vonny’s Fleet pangas scored more yellowtail limits, plus steady action on bottom fish around the tip of Punta Banda, in generally good conditions, with water temperatures at 61 degrees. Scoring on yellowtail and calico bass limits were Jay Johnson and Ed Lizarraga of Chino Hills, with Capt. Beto on the Vonny I. Johnson also fished with Todd Keys and Joe McKinley for one yellowtail plus bottom fish. Limits on lingcod and bottom fish were caught by Orlando and Daniel Lara of Camarillo. Krys Gwizdak of Long Beach caught a good-sized manta ray late in the week.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: At Lily Fleet, Sammy Susarrey said a late-week run to Maximino reef by the Tamara got into a very hot bite of lingcod. “We’ve never seen lingcod so good,” Susarrey said. Also found were eight large schools of large bonito to 10 pounds, in water at 62.4 degrees.

Earlier, Susarrey said trolled live mackerel inside the bay scored on yellowtail to 25 pounds, off the San Miguel toll gate, plus calico bass and sandbass off Baja Mar. Sea conditions were good to the north in 65-degree water, and Mike’s bait barge had good sardines. A private boat out of Marina Coral found slow fishing around the 295 and 238 spots.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Louie Prieto of Hacienda Heights, Kay Ramos, Jerry Dela Paz, Robert Dela Paz, and Ed Shubin fished on the Charro, finding rough conditions outside, but returning to Punta Santo Tomas for more than 20 lingcod from about 3 to 4 pounds, up to 12 pounds, plus a variety of calico bass and bottom fish including red rockfish, olive rockfish, starry rockfish, and sculpin. “We used sardines from Mike Richardson's bait receiver in Ensenada Harbor, Yo Yo Jigs, Fish Traps, Scampis, and I caught a couple of nice lingcod on a Fish Trap with a strip of Dan Hernandez’ Magic Strips. Can't wait to go back when the water warms up a little,” Prieto said.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Joe Martin of Santee, Bev Martin, and Jeff Grennin launched the Martin’s boat Big Eye Candy at Shelter Island, finding slow action at the nine-mile bank, some small yellowtail on paddies at the 302 spot, and then a good bite for 11 yellowtail in 68-degree water at the 371 spot, mostly on sardines, and one other caught by Bev on blue-white iron. “The day started out real rough with a lot of chop and huge swells,” Martin said. “It did finally get nice, but the swell stayed with us. Great day for the first yellowtail trip of the season.”

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Rich Buquet of Escondido led a group of 12 kayakers to a lot of lingcod to 10 pounds, olive rockfish, cabezon, “huge log barracuda,” and calico bass to 5 pounds, 10 ounces, during a trip to Puerto Santo Tomas. Buquet said they fished with large plastics and medium iron, in clear, blue-green, 63-degree water, and windy conditions. “We stayed closer in this time, due to wind,” Buquet said. He also had a very close encounter with whales: “I had a mom and calf circle my kayak, calf coming closer, no more than 6 feet away, mom surfacing and looking at me eye-to-eye, as if to let me know she was watching out for her baby. One blow actually showered the front of my yak. I just sat there in awe.” Buquet said they didn’t find any yellowtail or white seabass, although he was towed up current for five minutes by something that eventually broke off.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro’s Camp said 14 pangas fished during the week for three white seabass, “mucha” barracuda, red rockfish, and lingcod, three bonito, and five yellowtail, in very clear water at 60 to 64 degrees, with some light winds on Monday and Tuesday.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro’s Pangas said several boats fishing during the week scored on limits of rockcod to 7 pounds, large sandbass, and lingcod to 20 pounds, plus two yellowtail of 17 and 20 pounds, caught on blue-silver Rapalas. No boats went out to look for albacore, Hillis said. San Quintin weather was into the 80s by the afternoons, with water temperatures of 60 to 62 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Stan Vath of Campo Lorenzo fished with Lorenzo Biedebach and Jerry Goree for sandbass limits and a lot of rock fish. “Barracuda were everywhere under birds,” Vath said, as he headed out again to look for white seabass.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin said he fished with Capt. Lilo of Pedro’s Pangas on the Rommy, and got a 15-pound yellowtail in choppy, 61.5-degree water, on a fast retrieved green-white jig at the 240 spot. “Lilo caught three more the next day, trolling Rapalas on the west side of San Martin Island,” Meza said. “The weather has been cold and windy.”

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Denis Quesnel of Action Lures said the two American Outdoorsman television shows he taped at San Quintin featuring his lures are about to be shown on Fox channels, including The Men’s Channel, across the country. The first showings were to begin on May 23, and exact schedules are available by checking the listings at www.theamericanoutdoorsman.com.

Quesnel said the programs feature a hot three-day trip out of Don Eddie’s Landing when they caught 52 red rockfish, two yellowtail, 11 lingcod, and 100 sandbass released while trying for white seabass.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Kelly Catian of El Capitan Sportfishing said he made a run to San Martin Island with his kids, Oscar 18, George 14, and Christian 13, and they speared two black seabass in about 70 feet of water just outside the kelp. “We saw at least eight other fish where we were anchored,” Catian said.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: At Puerto Lopez Mateos, Diana Hoyt of Mag Bay Outfitters said their new fully-equipped, 26-foot boat, Mar Gato, has arrived and is ready for operations. The twin-hulled, twin-engine boat will charter for $500 per day, and will be skippered by Capts. Ruben Duran and Rigo Ochoa, Hoyt said. The daily rate includes motel accommodations, and the Mar Gato will fish offshore as well as inside. It is equipped with radar, head, bait tanks, and full electronics.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: At San Carlos, Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said corvina and pompano provided steady action in the mangroves, and some leopard grouper were caught at Devil’s Curve. Snook continued to be scarce, and no reports were available from the entrada. San Carlos weather was calm and partly cloudy in the high-70s, with water temperatures of 64 to 70 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 46 boats with a catch including released fish of: 44 striped marlin, 36 yellowfin tuna, 10 dorado, three skipjack, and five wahoo. The fish of the week was a 130-pound yellowfin tuna caught on the Cabo Marlin II.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Picante Fleet reported on five Thursday boats, with a catch including released fish of: eight striped marlin, three dorado, and five yellowfin tuna.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Capt. George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported on four boats with a catch including released fish of: four striped marlin, two yellowfin tuna to 85 pounds, and one dorado of 25 pounds. Cabo weather was windy in the low-90s, with very cool water temperatures as low as 62 to 66 degrees on the Pacific side, up to 74 degrees on the Cortez side, plus a finger of 77-degree water seen at Punta Gorda. The striped marlin bite slowed, but was still active on temperature breaks in all directions. Yellowfin tuna were generally small and variable, and dorado continued scattered on mostly medium-sized fish. Inshore, cool water slowed the roosterfish action, but good numbers of 15 to 30-pound pargo were caught in the rocks.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet said the striped marlin bite resumed, with some boats scoring quadruple releases again, after a couple of days of very slow fishing. Overall, 59 percent of Pisces boats scored on marlin, and 72 percent landed all species combined. Top days for the week included quadruples by Tracy Ann, and triples for Valerie and Karina. Ruthless managed to release two marlin per day through the slow period, Ehrenberg said. A 400-pound class blue marlin was reported by the Seamint, for Ron Bain of Laguna Niguel, caught on a bleeding mackerel lure, in unusually cool 69-degree water, 12 miles south, near the 95 spot. The fish was landed after two hours on 50-pound line. Tuna and dorado were very slow, and inshore catches included sierra, roosterfish to 25 pounds, yellowtail, snappers, and skipjack. Pisces boats fished mostly on the Cortez side, out to the 95 spot.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said the Fish Cabo had a four-outing catch including released fish of: six striped marlin and 19 yellowfin tuna. The tuna were taken 8 to 10 miles south. The Juanita VIII had six striped marlin releases for three days.

Paul Roos of San Jose del Cabo and a group of fellow passengers on the cruise ship Zaandam grabbed a boat at the Cabo marina dock for a short fishing outing after passing through the Panama Canal: “Had fished one day out of Acapulco, a total blank. Saw one sail on the baits early, then nothing but a greyhounding 400-pound blue marlin chasing a flying fish.

“Entering Cabo San Lucas, saw 100 boats leaving the harbor, around 7 a.m.

“Two shipmates wanted to try again, so I negotiated, in my brilliant Spanglish, for a 24-foot cuddy. Off the dock by 9 a.m. ‘Mucho marlin, senor,’ was the cry on the dock. Out of ten fish baited, only one lit up his stripes, and none took a bait. Sure was nice to get out of the food line and into the chum line, though!”

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Benjamin Ortega of Solmar Fleet reported a catch including released fish of: 54 striped marlin, 34 yellowfin tuna, two dorado, two wahoo, and two skipjack. The top boat for the week was the Solmar IV with Capt. Mario Arballo, with a four-outing catch including released fish of: six striped marlin, seven yellowfin tuna, and two dorado.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Species specialist John Snow of San Diego reported six very slow surf fishing sessions around La Playita, producing a total of only three fish. Three days with Capt. Pata on the panga Salome were also slower than usual, and Snow said other sportfishing pangas found similar action. Snow’s best catch of the week was a very large needlefish that measured 61 inches long. Overall, he caught or observed 33 species, including two new ones, talapia (netted from a local golf course irrigation pond!), and another species that could not be immediately identified. Snow also had an identification for a sea cucumber actually caught on a hook, Holothuria impatiens, and he confirmed that a small, shelled “octopus” collected at the surf line was a paper nautilus, Argonauta argo.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas said water temperature gradients and fishing action were mixed last week. Inshore fishing produced catches of pompano, pargo, sierra, jack crevalle, roosterfish and amberjack, all best caught on sardinas trolled with light tackle. Some roosterfish to over 40 pounds were reported on trolled mullet, and surf anglers caught halibut off the San Jose del Cabo Estuary. Schools of 2 to 6-pound sierra were also found off Red Hill. Yellowfin tuna to about 40 pounds were seen in good numbers at the Gordo Banks, but only a few could be hooked. “There continued to be an abundance of squid, red crabs, and small shrimp on the fishing grounds,” Brictson said, “and this is slowing the bite.”

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 21 boats, with a catch including released fish of: one white marlin, eight striped marlin, two dorado, one wahoo, 12 roosterfish, two snapper, three jack crevalle, one amberjack, one bonita, two ladyfish, one pompano, one cabrilla, 12 skipjack, and two sierra. The fish reported as a white marlin was caught by Bryan Jacobs of Yoakom, Texas, with Capt. Jose on the Vagabundo.

Valez said the hotel fleet fished in all directions. The yellowfin tuna bite reported late in the week, he said, was only good for the first couple of boats on the fish: “If you go out for tuna, be prepared to come back with all the glory, or no flags flying.”

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: IGFA representative Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said he lost a huge jack, possibly a world record, from the beach after it pulled over 350 yards of backing off his fly reel, and was then cut off by a trolling panga:

“The biggest jack I’ve ever hooked! The fish was still pulling hard when a horrible sight came upon me. A panga was trolling tight to the beach and headed straight for me. We waved franticly, but to no avail. He trolled right over my visibly outstretched backing and broke me off. Possible world record class jack crevalle and a new fly line gone. There I sat on the beach, fish everywhere and no fly line. Frustrating to say the least.” Graham said he consoled himself with a 35-pound roosterfish later in the week. Generally, beach action was slower, due to wind and stirred up water, in water temperatures of 72 to 77 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Tami Mouyeos of Rancho Buena Vista reported on 16 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 26 striped marlin, seven sailfish, 15 roosterfish, 12 dorado, two yellowfin tuna, and three pargo.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Lee Wood and a group from Oceanside Senior Anglers, Escondido Senior Anglers, and a branch of the club from Rancho Bernardo, fished three days out of Hotel Punta Colorada: “The weather and seas were the very best you could have ordered, but there were not too many fish to be caught. We did catch and release about a dozen striped marlin.” Wood said the group also caught about 20 medium roosterfish, plus a few dorado to 40 pounds: “Not very exciting, but something.”

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Martin Verdugo’s Beach Resort, Marisol Verdugo said the resort cruisers were busy toward the end of the week, and did well on yellowfin tuna of 40 to 50 pounds, marlin, sailfish, and just a few dorado, but in nice sizes, including a 60 pounder.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Verdugo’s, Randy Dale said he had a great morning on Sunday, right in front of the resort, catching roosterfish to 30 pounds: “They were chasing bait, sardines and five-inch jacks.”

Dale said on Sunday that Verdugo’s boats returned from 45 miles out with yellowfin tuna, mostly medium-sized, but one boat had tuna close to 80 pounds. Radio chatter reported a decent area of marlin found 20 miles straight east of Punta Pescadero. Dorado were “M.I.A.,” Dale said.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Rancho Leonero, John Ireland said boats found a strong striped marlin bite 2 to 6 miles off La Ribera. Tuna were a long ride, about 40 miles, and few boats were fishing them. The wide-open roosterfish bite on fish of 10 to 40 pounds continued off the beaches, with most fish taken on live sardina and caballito. Some snook were mixed in. Top angler for the week was Jennifer Matjcek of Upland, fishing one day on a cruiser and releasing one striped marlin and three roosterfish.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Mark Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport dive service said conditions at Cabo Pulmo have been on and off, as strong currents stirred the water on some days. Water temperatures ranged from 70 to 75 degrees, and the reefs were “overflowing” with very heavy concentrations of sea life, including jacks, rays, snapper, turtles, octopus, and dense clouds of small reef fish.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Earlier, Gary Leeper at Martin Verdugo’s Beach Resort said he saw slightly more dorado caught, and there were a reasonable number of 30 pounders included, plus some in the 40s and 50s. Striped marlin action was still good, and included some fish in the 200-pound class. On Thursday, Leeper said, the Verdugo cruisers found yellowfin tuna again, about 45 miles out: “Ever since, the cruisers are doing very well, with many limits on tuna in the 20 to 60-pound category.” Also in the mix were a couple of small wahoo, and a handful of sailfish. Water temperatures were 76 to 79 degrees, and the weather was generally calm with a few whitecaps.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chuck Meredith of Los Barriles said Saturday was windy from the southeast, and returning boats showed marlin and tuna flags, but only one or two dorado. Boats were fishing in all directions, Meredith said, and although many were skunked, “the Siren call of the sea is overpowering me again, and I go out to sea tomorrow to get a dorado and maybe even a striped marlin.”

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tail Hunter International said last week’s weather was mostly “picture perfect” in the 90s, with water temperatures at 72 to 75 degrees.

On the Las Arenas side, Roldan said the action was slower, with fish present but not in the mood to eat: “Lots of fish, including pargo, billfish, cabrilla, dorado, and signs of tuna, but during a good chunk of the week, the fish just wouldn't go.”

Roldan said the best action by far was on the La Paz side, where boats working at Tecolote, Coyote, La Reyna, and around Isla Espiritu Santo scored on a decent bite of yellowtail.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: On the La Paz side, Arturo Davis of Black Magic Sportfishing said water temperatures warmed to 76 degrees and he found pods of large roosterfish plus yellowtail along the northeast side if Isla Espiritu Santo, and a huge area of skipjack and yellowfin tuna between Los Islotes and El Bajo. The tuna wouldn’t bite, “but they did put on quite a show.” Davis also reported a few dorado at El Bajo, but the water very green.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: On the Las Arenas side, Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Fleet said the fishing was definitely slower last week, in water temperatures averaging 74 degrees at the south end of Isla Cerralvo and 76 degrees at Punta Perico. Las Arenas air temperatures were in the high-80s. Hernandez said his boats were blanking on dorado at the buoys, and they were returning to shore for roosterfish around the lighthouse, and small pargos on the reefs.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Arturo Susarrey of Arturo’s Sportfishing said more captains were reporting dorado, and some were also seeing sailfish and marlin north of Isla Carmen. Bob Roybal and Ed Troutfetter fished with Capt. Gilberto for seven yellowtail of 25 to 35 pounds at Isla Carmen. Loreto weather was nice and sunny, in the mid-80s, but with two days of wind.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said foggy conditions made finding visual marks tricky, but some yellowtail to about 20 pounds were caught about 60 to 80 feet deep by pangas threading their way north to Punta Pulpito. Barracuda were active off the marina breakwater in the early mornings, and small roosterfish and jacks were caught on the beaches. Mackerel and caballito bait was in plentiful supply, and was being sold at the marina by the Carnaderos. On the approaching dorado season, Bolles said, “The dorado are moving in, I promise. It will take about two more weeks before they come in thick enough to consider them ‘just about in.’ Then, their numbers will increase exponentially.”

LORETO, MEXICO: Earlier, Steve Augerot fished with Capt. Poncho out of Juncalito and had a wild day on yellowtail at Isla Catalan: “It was going off. We got 10 yellows, all 35 to 45 pounds. We broke off a dozen or so, and had several taken by sharks. It was very rough, but the bite was so good you didn’t think about the ride home. This was one of my best days of fishing Loreto in years.”

LORETO, MEXICO: Jeff Petersen, scheduled to go on the Aug. 15 Tony Reyes species trip to the Midriff Islands, said he’s practicing deep fishing in the canyons around Islas Coronado and Carmen. “We do fish baqueta at 700 feet and more with hand lines,” Petersen said. Earlier, he reported good cabrilla fishing for several days around Isla Coronado, in water averaging about 70 degrees, and also heavy squid concentrations right in front of town and around the island.

LORETO, MEXICO: At Villas de Loreto, Wendy Wilchynski said the fishing was excellent last week. Victoria and Peter Jensen of Idaho, fished with Capt. Chema on the Lidia at Isla Carmen’s Punta Lobos for lots of yellowtail to 36 pounds.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Dana Kerby of Ensenada reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe on May 13 with a catch of: 217 yellowtail, 453 cabrilla, four black seabass, 15 grouper of about 25 pounds, one leatherback grouper of about 40 pounds, 13 white seabass, 126 pargo, and 500 to 600 miscellaneous fish. Many fish were also released. The Erik fished with 27 anglers at Punta Diablo, Vibora, Salsipuedes, San Bernabe, Salvatierra for bait, San Luis Gonzaga, and the Golden Reef.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: At Papa Fernandez on Punta Willard (Gonzaga Bay), Doug Magee said the water temperature was up to 79 degrees. Some sierra were caught at the Enchanted Islands and at Punta Final to the south, and spotted grouper to 8 pounds at cactus point, plus the usual spotted bay bass, triggerfish, and ribera cabrilla along the beaches. “We’ve only heard of one corvina brought in the last week,” Magee said. “There is bait in the water, but no birds working.” A week earlier, Magee said heavy concentrations of squid were in the area.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: At San Felipe, Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay said the desert was unusually humid over the weekend: “It's 78 degrees, and the humidity is 75 percent! It hasn't been this humid for a long time.” Local water temperatures were 80 to 84 degrees, in somewhat windy conditions with white caps, and the town was quiet: “Next big thing will be Memorial Day, which is still two weeks off.”

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO), MEXICO: Ric Felder of Glendale, Ariz., fished on his boat End of the Line, 20 miles west of Puerto Penasco in 80 feet of water at 75 degrees, using mackerel bait for a catch of: one gulf grouper of 20 pounds, seven leopard grouper of 12 to 20 pounds, one flounder of 8 pounds, and one rose snapper of 3 pounds. Felder also caught shortfin corvina to 3 pounds, and orangemouth corvina of 6 to 12 pounds.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO), MEXICO: Esther Donaldson of Santiago’s Ocean Services said fishing was very good at the 28 mile reef. The Home Run with Capt. Cristobal Vazquez caught cabicucho, pinto bass, jurel or “jack mackerel,” and a 4-foot shark, in 210 feet of water. “We’re in a fishing frenzy down here,” Donaldson said.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Molden of San Carlos said 35 to 45-pound dorado were caught 10 to 20 miles south on headings of 150 to 200 degrees, in water temperatures of about 77 degrees. Striped marlin were seen in large numbers, but would not bite: “Let’s hope for some more favorable weather and the summer southerlies to blow, and all should be right with the world.”

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Aries Fleet boats out of Marina el Cid averaged about 1.5 billfish per outing, plus some scattered yellowfin tuna. Late week action was improving toward two marlin or sailfish per boat. Dorado were coming into range of the super pangas, five of which scored on 33 of them, plus five pargo. Fifteen offshore boats had a catch including released fish of: 10 striped marlin, 16 sailfish, and seven yellowfin tuna. Mazatlan weather was mostly sunny in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 75 degrees at the beach, and 78 to 79 degrees offshore, and most boats were fishing 23 to 27 miles southwest of Marina el Cid.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze of Zihuatanejo said boats averaged one to two sailfish per day, and several blue marlin were being hooked daily by the fleet. Two to 3-pound black skipjack live baits were abundant, and were being used to hook the marlin. Kunze said the Vamonos I with Capt. Ruben took eight marlin during the past two weeks. Yellowfin tuna were absent at least as far as 45 miles out.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Capt. Adolfo Espinosa reported a three-day catch of: seven sailfish, three roosterfish to 55 pounds, one jack crevalle, one chula, and one rainbow runner.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported Zihuatanejo weather as partly cloudy in the mid-90s, with water temperatures of 72 to 78 degrees.

MENTOR AND STUDENT--Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos, with his yellowtail guru, Spencer Abbott, of San Dimas, shown with a nice 25 pounder. Kanzler says he was taught where to catch the big ones by Abbott, when he first arrived at San Lucas Cove 12 years ago. Photos courtesy Mike Kanzler.

Fish Photo 1

This nice 12-pound halibut hit a plastic swim bait for KCHTS Sportfishing of Ensenada, in 10 feet of water, right off the stern end of the derelict ship Catalina. Photo courtesy Gerardo Sanchez.

Fish Photo 1

ENSENADA BOTTOM RUN--Louie Prieto of Hacienda Heights, Kay Ramos, Jerry Dela Paz, Robert Dela Paz, and Ed Shubin fished on the Charro for more than 20 lingcod to 12 pounds at Punta Santo Tomas. Photo courtesy Louie Prieto

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CASTRO’S BOTTOM HAUL--Capt. Oscar, Eduardo Escarpita, Dennis Cook, Brian Cook, Gary Gaddle, Randy Gord, and Jim Hutchison, loaded up at Castro’s camp, south of Ensenada, about 120 feet deep, with Scampis and cut squid. Photo courtesy Fernando Castro.

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CERRALVO CABRILLA--Ted Yu of San Marino scored on this monster leopard grouper at Isla Cerralvo while fishing with La Paz’ Tail Hunter International. Photo courtesy Jonathan Roldan.

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LOTSA LORETO YELLOWTAIL--Victoria and Peter Jensen of Idaho fished out of Villas de Loreto and loaded up on yellowtail to 36 pounds with Capt. Chema on the Lidia. Photo courtesy Wendy Wilchynski.

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CHANGES IN LORETO--Work proceeded last week on a wider sidewalk for the malecon. Photo courtesy Jeff Petersen.

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HOT JUNCALITO JURELES--Steve Augerot had a huge day on yellowtail at Loreto’s Isla Catalan with Capt. Poncho out of Juncalito, scoring on 10 yellowtail of 35 to 45 pounds, plus losing another dozen to the rocks and sharks. Photo courtesy Steve Augerot.

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NOT A YELLOWTAIL--Esther Donaldson of Santiago’s Ocean Services in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) sends this photo of a fish called “jurel” that “looks like a yellowtail, but isn’t. A rare fish for this area.” Donaldson said it was caught during a very hot bite found by the Home Run at the 28 mile reef. Photo courtesy Esther Donaldson.

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NOT A TOTOABA--Ric Felder of Glendale, Ariz., shows off a croaker with a totoaba-like pointed tail, identified as a large orangemouth corvina, that he caught about 20 miles west of Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) on his boat End of the Line. Photo courtesy Ric Felder.

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KINDA CUTE--Krys Gwizdak of Long Beach caught this manta ray at the tip of Ensenada’s Punta Banda while fishing with Capt. Beto of Vonny’s Fleet. Photo courtesy Ivan Villarino.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES

Quality Santa Rosalia yellowtail fishing is steady at Isla San Marcos

Mexico Fishing News, May 17, 2004

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS