Sparky jumped
times
before he retired.
Good job, Sparky!
KING OF THE MOON
A Novel of Baja California
Amazon Kindle Book $2.99
FISH PICTURES
Fish Species From Mexico
MEXICO TRAVEL
FISHING LOCATIONS
MEXICO FISHING
Report Weekly Archives
THE UNFORGETTABLE
SEA OF CORTEZ
Baja's Golden Age
Limited Edition
Second Printing
THE BAJA CATCH
Classic Baja Fishing
Guidebook, More Than
20 Years In Print!
Baja dorado are caught in Loreto and Mulege fishing areas
Mexico Fishing News, May 24, 2004
LORETO FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LORETO
LORETO, MEXICO: Several early dorado were caught east of Loreto last week, and a dozen more were caught north of Punta Chivato. Jeff Petersen of Loreto reported that John Wallace and his group fished with Capt. Andres Cota Arce for several dorado, including a 54-pounder, in an area about 48 miles east of town.
Petersen said, “Each year at this time, seems if one goes sufficiently east, you will find them. The Wallace group headed for Catalan, turned north of it, and followed blue water north. Numerous rapid moving groups were sighted. Yesterday, they traveled due east from Loreto 48 miles. Here, again, there were many rapidly moving dorado along the way. They caught two. Andres hooked up a wahoo in the same general area one week ago, but lost it.” Petersen said the Wallace group also caught a striped marlin, and limits of larger yellowtail at Punta Pulpito to the north.
Petersen also fished with the Carnaderos on a deep hole 4 miles northeast of Isla Coronado, using hand lines and rod and reel, to check out what species might be caught. Jose de Jesus Davis caught a baqueta 900 feet deep, using a boned jurelito for bait. Another fish hooked 1,200 feet deep was lost after a 40-minute fight. Some rockcod were also caught, and Petersen said, “Squid were a nuisance, the bottom couple hundred feet.”
LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said 82-degree water was still a little over 20 miles beyond Punta Lobos, “but that patch extends pretty much the length of the Sea of Cortez, from here south. The western edge passes right alongside Isla Catalan, then continues north. It’s huge and it’s headed our way. It will no doubt bring the summer species with it.”
Yellowtail fishing was steady at Isla Ildefonso to the north, mostly on 12 to 20-pound fish feeding 60 to 90 feet deep. At Isla Carmen, the yellowtail were fewer, larger, and deeper, Bolles said. Some were also caught at Isla Coronado, where inshore fishing produced pargo, cabrilla, jacks, and miscellaneous species.
LORETO, MEXICO: Nacho Davis of the Carnaderos baitsellers’ cooperativa said they’ve been fishing each night, with good results on jurelito, macarela, and plenty of sardina, but he said, “Buy bait early. The supply does not always last.”
LORETO, MEXICO: Wendy Wilchynski of Villas de Loreto said steady counts of smaller yellowtail were caught 40 miles north, but nobody in the hotel has caught a dorado yet.
LORETO, MEXICO: Mitchell Rose of Mitch’s Sportfishing said the Helena’s captain, Pablo Martinez and his wife Lidia celebrated the birth of their daughter Maria Guadalupe Martinez Martinez. Responding to inquires, Rose also said that the Helena does indeed have a head, so it is a suitable fishing platform for mixed groups.
LORETO, MEXICO: Steve Augerot of Carpinteria sent the telephone number for Capt. Poncho Romero of Juncalito, who guided him to one of his best ever days on yellowtail two weeks ago: 011-52-613-100-1044. “Once we found Poncho, the trip was a blast,” Augerot said. “I will be going back to Loreto in June.”
In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:
ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ENSENADA
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Gerardo Sanchez of KCHTS Sportfishing said a lot of barracuda and some yellowtail were caught early in the week on Rapalas and jigs, in sometimes windy conditions, and water temperatures averaging 68 degrees. Three yellowtail over 20 pounds were caught between the bajo and San Miguel. On the outer banks, David Silva reported albacore 5 miles inside the 238 spot and some yellowtail on paddies.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: At Vonny’s Fleet, Ivan Villarino said pangas fishing the outcroppings at the tip of Punta Banda scored on barracuda and calico bass limits all week, plus constant sandbass, lingcod, and rockcod. Villarino said Jay Johnson fished with Capt. Beto and also farmed some yellowtail.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ralph Strahm of Holtville said his nephew Joe Andreotti fished with Vonny’s Fleet and missed the yellowtail, but caught lingcod and red rockcod.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet said a private boat scored on 18 mixed yellowtail and albacore to 15 pounds, about 46 miles southwest of Ensenada. Another boat found yellowtail to 20 pounds plus log barracuda around Islas Todos Santos. The Tamara fished at the San Jose reef for calico bass, lingcod, and a few white seabass to 25 pounds, in 63.5-degree water. Susarrey said the Amigo will be finished with renovations in the first week of June, and will be at Marina Coral.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Mark Blucker launched his beach wheel-equipped 17-foot Gregor aluminum boat over the beach at La Jolla Camp with Richard Peltzer of Orange, and they each caught a yellowtail and lots of barracuda, bass, and a large bonita, in bumpy water, around the tip of Punta Banda. Blucker also a dead motor situation while coming in:
“The motor quit one-half mile from the boat ramp at La Jolla. The wind was blowing the wrong way, so we blew 2 miles across the bay to the ONLY place where there were waves, 4-foot rollers, so we jumped in, spun the boat around and took the waves head on, no problemo. Then we rolled onto the beach. It's nice having retractable tricycle landing gear. No spare motor, ineffective canoe paddles, no anchor aboard (have four). Just shows how easy it is to %#@*&-up when you're fishing in familar waters. We would have lost the boat if we hadn't turned it around. A guy came out and said he had seen more than one boat go down there, in 7 feet of water! All we lost was a can of Skoal.”
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Joe and Bev Martin of Santee, their son Kevin Otto, and Jeff Grennin fished the Martin’s boat Big Eye Candy from the 302 to the 371 spots for four limits of yellowtail to 15 pounds, all on fly-lined sardines and iron at kelp paddies. Joe Martin reported very rough water at 66 to 67 degrees, and everybody getting a good spanking on the way home.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Earlier, Sergio Susarrey of Sergio’s Sportfishing Center reported on 88 anglers with a catch of: two yellowtail, three bonito, 168 barracuda, three white seabass, 205 lingcod, 277 rockcod, 42 whitefish, one sheephead, 25 salmon grouper, and 60 red rockfish.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross reported seven yellowtail on a large kelp paddy, in a band of 65-degree water east of the 238, then two more paddies with yellowtail limits on fish to 16.9 pounds, on his boat Bad Dog out of Marina Coral. Ross said the Azteca also reported a yellowfin tuna in a band of warm water 6 miles west of Isla Todos Santos, plus two albacore from the 238 spot.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Joe Lopez of Chula Vista fished out of San Diego Bay over the weekend with his friend Tony on his Boston Whaler: “Really windy. Worked hard and caught a short ling. Also picked up a sandbass on the craziest thing. I got a Scampi leadhead in root beer and put a pink hoochie skirt on it. I covered just the head pink and you could still see the tails flappin’ behind. I never thought it would work, but it did catch a sandbass! “Moved to North Point Loma kelp and hooked up two reds and a calico. It was a slow, windy weekend but at least we got out.”
ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ERENDIRA
ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro’s Camp said 16 pangas fished during the week for five white seabass, and many red rockcod and lingcod, in clear blue water of about 56 degrees, measured 3 miles out. The white seabass were caught about 70 feet deep. Erendira weather was generally mild and calm, with some afternoon wind, and bottom fishing was very productive all week long.
SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN QUINTIN
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Mike Steele of San Diego and a group of 12 anglers held their annual Jose “Bling-Bling” Cinco Fishing Tournament with Capt. Jaime Garcia, 011-52-616-162-2060, and scored on big numbers of quality sandbass, one yellowtail of 16 pounds, and three white seabass to 30 pounds: “Picked up some good-sized mackerel. Headed out to San Martin Island where we started off on some nice sandbass. Moved north, chasing birds up to the San Ramón area in some chilly 57-degree water to pick up unlimited sandbass to 5 pounds on chrome jigs. Unbelievable. Used the live bait on dropper loops, and hit some nice white seabass for incredible fishing. All this in about 2 hours of fishing.” Steele said they all got wet in stiff winds on the return trip from the island, and the road was windy on the drive home.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Don Fagan of the Luhr Jensen plant in Ensenada said they will be sponsoring some prizes for the big San Quintin tournament scheduled July 17: “They anticipate a purse of about ten grand total, so it should be quite the show. Luhr Jensen is going to do some sponsorship and I intend to participate.” Fagan said the Mexican national fishing show, Cana y Carrete, may be taping a program during the tournament.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin said he fished outside again, on Victor Rodriguez’ boat Carolina II, but again missed on finding tuna: “We trolled miles and miles, but the tuna were not there. We ended up with five out of six yellowtail strikes while passing close to kelp paddies.” Meza said water temperatures outside averaged 64 degrees.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Kelly Catian of El Capitan Sportfishing said he landed yellowtail over 30 pounds at the 240 spot, and more yellowtail on trolled mackerel near Isla San Martin, at the 6 spot, and at Ben’s Rock, in clear blue water at 62 to 65 degrees.
MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAGDALENA BAY
MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said only a few anglers fished out of San Carlos last week. Devil’s Curve and Estero los Barriles produced some smaller snook, a few leopard grouper, and lots of spotted bay bass. San Carlos weather was clear in the high-70s, with water temperatures of 64 to 70 degrees.
CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CABO SAN LUCAS
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: The prestigious Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship Tournament, with 66 teams entered from 28 countries, was won by the Texas Women’s Anglers Tournament team of Robin Artecona, and her 10-year old daughter Amalee, husband Edgar, and son Ryan, all of Alvarado, Texas, and Monte Love of Port Aransas, Texas, with 3,500 points, after scoring a quintuple marlin release on the final day of the four-day event.
In total, the winning team released 11 marlin and one sailfish, as teams received 300 points for marlin and swordfish, 100 points for sailfish and spearfish, and points-per-pound for up to two fish per day each of tuna, wahoo, and dorado over 25 pounds.
Other teams in the top ten, in order of finish, were: Tobago Gamefishing Tournament, Charlottesville, Tobago; Nantucket Anglers Club Billfish Tournament, Nantucket, Mass.; Sunshine Coast Sailfish Shootout, Queensland, Australia; Nova Scotia International Tuna Tournament, Nova Scotia, Canada; Sicily Big Game Fishing Club, Sicily, Italy; Firecracker Open Marlin Tournament, Kona, Hawaii; Trofeu Clube Nautico de Tavira, Tavira, Portugal; Rolex/IGFA Offshore Challenge Team 2003, Bermuda; and, Rolex/IGFA Offshore Challenge Team 2002, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported the four-day total catch including released fish, during the tournament, representing about 264 fishing days: 297 striped marlin, one blue marlin; one sailfish, 15 dorado, one tuna, 10 wahoo, and two boats skunked.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 58 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 62 striped marlin, 18 yellowfin tuna, 14 dorado to 55 pounds, two amberjack, one cabrilla, one skipjack, two wahoo, and some yellowtail, roosterfish and sierra caught inshore. Four boats were skunked.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 55 Gaviota Fleet boats, with a catch including released fish of: 46 striped marlin, 12 dorado, and two yellowfin tuna. The top boat for the week was the Gaviota V, with 10 striped marlin for six outings, as most boats concentrated on billfish during the Rolex/IGFA Tournament. The Fish Cabo landed a 130-pound broadbill swordfish at the 95 spot early in the week. Edwards said Gaviota Fleet fished temperature breaks of 66 to 73 degrees close to the arches, and up to 77 to 79 degrees north of the Gordo Banks.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Capt. George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said Cabo weather was mostly sunny and calm in the low-90s, with water temperatures warming into the upper-70s around the Gordo Banks on the Cortez side, but still very cool, as low as the low-60s, in places on the Pacific side.
Landrum reported numbers of marlin holding around Punta Gorda and the Gordo Banks, but slow to bite on both lures and bait: “Not many of the boats want to run 30 miles to get to the fish, only to find that they have lockjaw, so most of the fish caught this week have been produced closer to home.” Yellowfin tuna, dorado, and wahoo were scattered.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Benjamin Ortega of Solmar Fleet reported a catch including released fish of: 34 striped marlin, eight yellowfin tuna, three skipjack, six dorado, three wahoo, and 11 sierra. Jim Childress of Garden Grove scored on three stripers on El Torito, fishing at the Jaime Bank on the Pacific side.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Earlier, Curt Collier of Long Beach and his group had very slow fishing, with three skunks in a row on two different boats.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the U.S. Billfish Foundation announced the creation of a new tax deductible fund that will benefit conservation work by Baja California Sur’s Fundacion para la Conservacion de los Picudos. Donations to the new fund, The Mexican Billfish Conservation Fund, may be made by marking contributions “MBCF.” The Billfish Foundation; 2161 E. Commercial Blvd, 2nd Floor; Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33308; 954-938-0150.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN JOSE DEL CABO
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Gordo Banks Pangas, Eric Brictson said water temperatures were as warm as 76 degrees off Vinorama last week. Striped marlin dominated the offshore action, as only a scattering of dorado, tuna, and wahoo were caught. The catch included, however, a monster 138-pound wahoo reported landed by a San Jose del Cabo resident.
The La Playita panga fleets fished north of Punta Gorda for good numbers of dog snapper of 10 to 20 pounds, plus larger ones lost in the rocks. Also caught were African pompano to 15 pounds, some roosterfish, jack crevalle, amberjack, yellowtail, pargo, cabrilla, and grouper.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Joe Flores of La Mirada relayed a fishing report from his boss, Bob Teran of Hesperia: “He fished one day, Thursday, out of Victor's, Palmilla. Went out on a 31-foot cruiser. Fishing was real, real slow, or dead. They trolled and trolled for tuna, marlin, dorado, and even stopped to see if they could get any red snapper, and got nothing. They finally caught two skipjack. They didn't see anything jumping or swimming out there. The weather was perfect, but no fish. Other boats had nothing. They went twenty miles out.”
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Jim Tolbert of San Jose del Cabo said fishing continued slow for the La Playita panga fleet, although the cruisers were reaching marlin, tuna, and a few dorado. Tolbert noted that the season’s first Eastern Pacific tropical storm, Agatha, was dissipating over the weekend. A local La Playita Dorado Tournament was scheduled during the annual Dia de Marinas festival in the first week of June, and information is available from Tomas Cantor, Jose Antonio Mijares Sportfishing at 011-52-624-148-0469. The tournament this year honors local resident Ricardo Carney, who passed away recently, Tolbert said: “Rick was an avid angler, marine environmentalist, and defender of the sea, always voicing his opinion on longliners and gill netters in his soft-spoken manner. Thanks for all the good times, talks, and education, we will miss you Rick!”
EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR EAST CAPE
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Buena Vista Beach Resort, Axel Valdez reported on 124 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 43 striped marlin, six sailfish, 25 dorado, 215 tuna, three wahoo, 46 roosterfish, one grouper, 35 snapper, five jack crevalle, two amberjack, six bonita, one ladyfish, three pompano, nine triggerfish, 14 cabrilla, four skipjack, and one sierra.
East Cape weather was mostly calm, in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 75 to 78 degrees. Valdez said the tuna were mostly 15 to 30 pounds, but with some 60 pounders mixed in, and they were caught far out. Marlin were not red-hot, but they were consistent off the Punta Arena light, and the dorado were scattered in all directions.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 344 boats from combined fleets including the Van Wormer resorts of Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with a catch including released fish of: 182 striped marlin, 81 dorado, 745 yellowfin tuna, four wahoo, seven cabrilla, and 49 roosterfish. Moyers reported water temperatures of 76 to 82 degrees, and most marlin caught between La Ribera and Punta Colorada. Tuna, mostly school-sized, were caught 40 to 45 miles north, and 20 to 35 miles south. Most of the roosterfish were caught on beaches south to Punta Colorada.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Marisol Verdugo of Martin Verdugo’s Beach Resort said all the hotel’s cruisers fished daily last week, and some super pangas were sent out as well: “They caught a lot of tuna, some nice dorado, and billfish.” Curt Collier of Long Beach reported on good trip to Martin Verdugo’s Beach Resort, including a surprise pufferfish snagged on a MirrOlure 111MR.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Rancho Leonero, John Ireland said, “The tuna have returned in force, the roosterfish bite continues, with striped marlin, dorado, pargo, sailfish, and snook all active this week.” Ireland reported tuna of 20 to 60 pounds, concentrated about 20 miles off the Punta Arena light. Roosterfish were biting from the hotel southwards.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said guide John Dickerson hooked five roosterfish and landed two from the beach, including a 49 incher estimated at 35 to 40 pounds.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jorge Bergin of La Ribera said, “One cruiser got 14 tuna yesterday but wouldn't give anyone the lat and lon. My neighbors, one went out 17 miles, caught three football singles; other guy, went out eight, made circles, zip.” Bergin said inshore anglers caught triggerfish, big African pompano, and lots of pargo in all sizes: “Lots of bait in the water. Maybe the fish are full. It will change.”
Earlier, Bergin reported slow overall action: “Fished inshore in my pangita yesterday with no luck. Watched two cruisers fish for an hour for triggerfish--that's slow, baby. I'll check with some of my buddies who are out there today. All they've had for the last 10 days or so is flat sea boat rides.”
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Dave Stephens of Los Barriles fished on Bill Burkett’s boat Fat Cat, using live ladyfish as an effective bait for roosterfish, as they landed one about 40 pounds and another estimated at 75 pounds or more, plus a jack: “Worked like a charm. The roosters were caught at the second arroyo north of Los Barriles, and the jack in front of Palmas De Cortez. All released. It took about 10 minutes to revive the big one, and two cervezas and 15 minutes to revive Bill.”
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jennifer Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport dive service said husband Mark was fishing in a tournament at Topolobampo. Visibility on the Cabo Pulmo coral reef was less than optimum, she said, but sea life concentrations remained very heavy, in mild currents.
LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LA PAZ
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tail Hunter International said some nice yellowtail of 10 to 40 pounds were hanging out near La Reina at the north end of Isla Cerralvo. “The ticket is heavy line and a lively caballito to get bit,” Roldan said. “Medium iron in scrambled egg or dorado colors are also getting strong stops yo-yoed off the bottom.”
On the Las Arenas side, Roldan said the bite was on a very wide range of species including roosterfish, cabrilla, dog snapper, bonito, dorado, sailfish, large pompano, and even sculpin and a confirmed white seabass caught on the El Bajo sea mount. In three days of fishing, Roldan said his panga caught: two sailfish, too many bonito, four barracuda, ten roosterfish, one small cabrilla, one huge cabrilla, one big amberjack, one small pargo, three yellowtail, two pompano, and one bigeye jack.
La Paz weather was sunny and mild all week, with water temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Betty Hill-Crofoot at La Concha Beach Resort said hotel guest John Mulsow of Auburn, fished on the WICO with Kyle Ramos of La Paz, and Mulsow caught a 49.8-pound dorado off the north end of Isla Cerralvo: “A group of flying fish came right out of the water beside them, with the dorado coming up in a chase to see who could win. Luckily they were all headed right at the outrigger where a blue-and-white feather was waiting, which the dorado could not resist.” Also aboard were Tad Crofoot and Phil Gilson. “Lucky for Tad he had a brand new scale on board, so they were able to get an accurate weight right on the spot,” Hill-Crofoot said. “The perfect ending to a great day on the Baja, when you can go home with a big smile.”
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Arturo Davis of Black Magic Sportfishing said the water was still green on the La Paz side. He was seeing marlin and tuna at El Bajo, but no biters. Some yellowtail were caught at the south end of Isla Cerralvo, and there was 80-degree blue water at the 88 bank east of the island, but slow fishing. “Managed to catch a few dorado at the north end of the island, but didn’t see a whole lot of volume of those either,” Davis said.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: James Curtiss of the Cortez Club said about six to eight Mosquito Fleet pangas fished per day, for a catch including yellowtail of 12 to 20 pounds, black sea bass, snapper, and roosterfish, three sailfish, and one striped marlin. On Sunday, boats fished at La Reina off the north end of Isla Cerralvo, in water temperatures of about 82 degrees. At Isla Espiritu Santo the water temperature was 78 degrees.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: On the Las Arenas side, Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said about 80 percent of the many large pargo lisa and pargo perro hookups were lost on the rocks in close action last week. Many roosterfish of very good size were caught. Offshore, dorado and tuna were scarce off Las Arenas and the north end of Isla Cerralvo. Water temperatures were 74 to 76 degrees at the island and at the buoys. Bait was in adequate supply, and Las Arenas side weather was calm in the mid-90s.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Duane Wentworth of Huntington Beach, and his group of nine anglers had an excellent trip with Tortuga Sportfishing’s Capt. Hugo: “Nothing but good things to say about Gerardo Hernandez and the whole Tortuga operation.”
Wentworth’s wife, Cindy, landed a 60-pound roosterfish and a 45-pound pargo: “Our group caught seven pargos ranging from 20 to 45 pounds. We hooked and lost a bunch more. We trolled live ladyfish for bait. We mostly fished along the cliffs between Bahia de la Muertos and Los Arenas. Good-sized roosterfish were also plentiful at Las Arenas. On our last day of fishing my daughter Kristin Potter caught and released a 200-pound black marlin while fishing with her husband Matt and Capt. Nufo. We spotted numerous marlin but Kristin hooked the only one.”
MULEGE FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MULEGE
MULEGE, MEXICO: Diana Johnson of Mulege’s Hotel Serenidad confirmed that dorado have arrived in the area: “Yesterday, they caught 12 big dorado, the very first. They are beautiful. The dorado are close, by Isla Santa Inez, and to the north.”
SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SANTA ROSALIA
SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said the island was busy with the Yellowtail Shootout fishing tournament at the end of the week, but earlier he caught consistent larger yellowtail all around the north end of the isla, from the lighthouses up to the bajo: “Take your pick, live mackerel fished with a four-ounce sliding sinker about halfway down the water column and hang on.” Kanzler said most of the yellowtail were from 20 to over 30 pounds. About four to six fish per day were caught by anglers, including Pepe Casanova of Longbeach.
Kanzler also relayed reports of dorado caught in the Punta Chivato area to the south: “A few fish to 10 pounds. Harry Oxley and Robin Converse also hooked and got a few jumps before coming unbuttoned on striped marlin. Another week or so, and it should really get going out there.”
Inshore fishing was slow on all species, except for a run on catfish.
Santa Rosalia weather was warm, to about 90 degrees, with light southern winds in the afternoons. Water temperatures were stable around the isla at 75 to 76 degrees, and up to about 80 degrees outside at Isla Tortuga, with visibility at 35 to 60 feet. The Yellowtail Shootout fishing tournament was concluding its final day on Sunday.
Ed Kammer of Gold Beach, Ore., reported an excellent stay at San Lucas Cove, where he fished with Mike Kanzler: “The locals helped us connect with San Marcos Mike and what a great fishing trip we had for big yellowtail. Mike is a genuine nice guy and a real wealth of fishing information. He is willing to share. This will be a ‘must do’ stop when we are passing by this area in the future.”
At San Lucas Cove, Syd Lindsay said Mexican fishing licenses and boat permits are now available at Santa Rosalia, through his wife, Olivia Canul’s office, located at 41 Calle 8, telephone 011-52-615-152-1399. All forms, and even the bank fee payment are handled in about an hour, Lindsay said. The office also provides immigration assistence, banking, translations, customs, and other related services.
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES (L.A. BAY) FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Eileen Kennedy of Ensenada and her husband drove across to Bahia de los Angeles and fished with Capt. Jose out of Guillermo’s: “Chased numerous schools of yellowtail as they drove the bait fish to the surface, much to the delight of the numerous species of birds. We caught eight yellowtail between 8 and 15 pounds, and 20 grouper. It was a great day. We fished inside the bay, mostly south of the island and north at times. The panga cruised all over, chasing the yellowtail. It was truly exciting. My husband who has been fishing since 17 in Baja, he’s now 50, says that this was his best overall experience.”
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: At Bahia de los Angeles, Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko said the weather was excellent in the mid-80s, but with some west winds at night, and yellowtail of about 15 pounds were hitting all over the bay. Some boats returned by 8 a.m. The yellowtail were caught on bait and jigs, and good numbers of leopard grouper were also in the mix.
News spread in the area of the approval of a 518-boat marina directly in front of the village. Vazquez said the news had been published in the official gazette, Diario Oficial, in Mexico City.
SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN FELIPE
SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Bob Castellon of Sea of Cortez Sportfishing reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Celia Angelina, returning to San Felipe on May 21, with a catch of: 256 giant squid, 186 yellowtail, 259 cabrilla, one black sea bass, 18 white seabass, limits of spotted bay bass, and 196 miscellaneous fish. The trip, chartered by Scott Oswald of San Diego, found generally good conditions, but unseasonably cool air temperatures of 68 to 79 degrees, and water temperatures of 62 to 73 degrees.
SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Dana Kerby of Ensenada reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe with 17 passengers on May 20 with a catch of: 192 yellowtail, 205 cabrilla, 43 pargo, four grouper, 35 white seabass, seven red or gray leatherneck grouper, and about 302 miscellaneous fish including squid and spotted bay bass. Boat owner Gustavo Velez accompanied the trip, chartered by Mike Karen, during which the Erik fished at Ensenada Grande, San Bernie, Bahia de los Angeles, Isla Ribera, and the Islas Encantadas. Kerby said, “The wind kicked up quite a bit during the trip, but everyone came back with their ice chests full.”
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 May 25 with a catch of: 181 yellowtail, 18 to 28 pounds; 32 white seabass, 18 to 22 pounds; 22 cabrilla, 8 to 12 pounds; 80 squid, 14 to 35 pounds; nine red snapper, 12 pounds; four broomtail grouper, 9 pounds; 51 sheephead, 6 to 8 pounds; 592 spotted bay bass; one shark; and 74 miscellaneous fish.
On May 21, the Jose Andres returned to San Felipe from an earlier 6-day trip to the Midriff Islands with a catch of: 97 yellowtail, 18 to 34 pounds; 50 white seabass, 18 to 25 pounds; 24 cabrilla, 8 to 11 pounds; 43 squid, 20 to 35 pounds; 83 red snapper, 6 to 10 pounds; one broomtail grouper, 8 pounds; three sheephead, 7 pounds; 264 spotted bay bass; one shark; and 80 miscellaneous fish.
The maiden trip of the company’s new boat, Tony Reyes, will depart San Felipe this week. The two boats are running a season-long yellowtail tournament this year, with the largest yellowtail from each boat winning a free trip for 2005.
SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: At Papa Fernandez on Bahia Willard (Gonzaga Bay) Doug Magee said last week the weather was very windy, and only a “few hardy souls” went out. Some nice grouper to 30 pounds were caught at cactus point, the most southerly point of Isla Willard, and Magee said a 67-inch totoaba was caught at the Islas Encantadas. The fish was initially reported as a white seabass, but Magi said it was definitely an endangered and protected totoaba: “I thought it was too big for a white. This one was weighed in at 85 pounds. I saw a picture. It had a convex tail. Not a white seabass, but a totoaba.”
SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: At San Felipe, Catalina Medders of the Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay said the weather was basically clear and perfect in the low-90s, and down to a comfortable 73 degrees at night: “A day for swimming, exploring the mountains, picnicking on the beach, searching for shells, or just sitting on your front porch feeling sorry for all the people in the world who don't live in places like San Felipe.” The town was quiet, but bracing for the annual Memorial Day onslaught of visitors.
SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN CARLOS
SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Molden of San Carlos said fishing slowed down last week, as billfish were seen but were reluctant to hit, and tuna were absent. Some quality dorado were reported, including a 58 pounder. Boats were searching on headings of 180 degrees to 220 degrees in water temperatures of 78 to 79 degrees.
SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Earlier, Art Myers of Durango, Colo., flew into San Carlos and fished with John Wessman on his boat out of Marina Real, but found very slow action: “Fished only one day, no luck. Rumors abound about dorado, marlin and sailfish, but I never saw any, nor heard any boats on the water braggin’ about any catch whatsoever.” Myers said they fished about 9 miles west of Marina Real in 74-degree water.
SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Vince Radice of the Sonora Sport Center reported a story published in the Hermosillo newspaper, Imparcial, which said that commercial fishermen would be allowed to catch dorado, a species reserved for sport anglers by federal law. The Mexico City office of the federal enforcement agency, Profepa, later declared the story to be false.
MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAZATLAN
MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said 10 Aries Fleet offshore boats had a catch including released fish of: 10 striped marlin, three sailfish, and a few dorado. Inshore boats caught 69 dorado including 15 released, 11 large sierra to 10 pounds, one roosterfish, 18 pargo, and 55 triggerfish.
Mazatlan weather was mild in the low-90s, with inshore water temperatures at 78 degrees, and offshore water at 81 degrees. Offshore boats were fishing 22 to 25 miles southwest of Marina el Cid.
MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Earlier, Tadeo Hernandez of Flota Bibi Fleet said six offshore boats had a catch including released fish of: six sailfish, one striped marlin, and four skipjack tuna.
PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO VALLARTA
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Kim Moore of Charter Dreams said shifting currents brought schools of sailfish close to shore at Sayulita: “The sailfish action has been some of the best we have had in recent memory! Boats are getting three to five hookups a day.” Moore said the water was still off-color at 74 to 76 degrees, but that didn’t slow the sailfish bite. Some sailfish, dorado, wahoo, and some small yellowfin tuna were also caught about 5 to 8 miles north of El Banco, and jack crevalle were active along shore.
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze of Zihuatanejo, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said boats averaged about two sailfish per day, and about one boat in four was getting a shot at marlin. Inshore fishing produced about a bite every five minutes on black skipjack, jack crevalle, and rainbow runner. Zihuatanejo weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 72 to 78 degrees.
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said their Jacks or Better roosterfish fly tournament has been named as a qualifying event for the Rolex/IGFA Inshore Championship Tournament.
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said the main offshore bite was 20 to 23 miles out, and inshore action was increasing. French angler, Dr. Lionel Ferte, fishing aboard the Dos Hermanos I for three days, landed nine roosterfish, 15 yellowtail jacks, 10 chulas, 18 bonito, four needlefish and one dorado.
HERE THEY COME!--With a 21-pound early dorado caught 48 miles east of Loreto is John Wallace, whose group caught several more dorado to 54 pounds while fishing with Capt. Andres Cota Arce. Photo courtesy Jeff Petersen.
LORETO FUN--Fishing for triggerfish at the rocks at Punta Cholla last week were, left to right, Eduardo Romero, Alex Cortez, and Zane Petersen. Photo courtesy Jeff Petersen.
ENSENADA DINNER DATE--Richard Peltzer of Orange, and Mark Blucker of La Jolla Beach Camp fished at Punta Banda from Blucker’s aluminum boat for a nice yellowtail each, barracuda, bass, and one large bonita. Photo courtesy Mark Blucker.
CASTRO’S CROAKERS--With a nice catch of white seabass caught about 70 feet deep out of Castro’s Camp, south of Ensenada, are Capt. Mauricio Torres, and Adan Espinoza and Benjamin Espinoza of San Diego. Photo courtesy Fernando Castro.
SAN QUINTIN WINNER--Eric Walter with his jackpot-winning 30-pound white seabass, during a trip to San Quintin last week with Mike Steele’s group of 12 anglers. They fished with Capt. Jaime Garcia. Photo courtesy Mike Steele.
MAG BAY SPORTFISHER--Now available for charter out of Puerto Lopez Mateos is Mag Bay Outfitter’s twin-engine cat, Mar Gato. Photo courtesy Diana Hoyt.
ROLEX/IGFA WINNERS--The Texas Women’s Anglers Tournament team released five marlin on the final day of competition to take first place in last week’s prestigious Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship Tournament at Cabo San Lucas. Shown from second left are: IGFA President Rob Kramer, and team members Ryan and Edgar (back row), and Amalee and Robin Artecona, all of Alvarado, Texas. Photo courtesy Dannilo Mathews.
HUGE LADYFISH ROOSTER--Bill Burkett used live ladyfish baits on his boat Fat Cat, to catch this 75-pound class roosterfish at the second arroyo north of East Cape’s Los Barriles, plus a 40 pounder caught by Dave Stephens. Photo courtesy Dave Stephens.
BEATING THE ODDS--Dorado were scarce at East Cape last week, but the Petersens of Odessa, Fla., fished with Capt. Jose on the Vagabundo out of Buena Vista Beach Resort for this pair of beauties. Photo courtesy Axel Valdez.
LA PAZ FORKIES--The Dan Fedorka group fished at Isla Cerralvo with Tail Hunter International last week for a nice bunch of yellowtail. Photo courtesy Jonathan Roldan.
CERRALVO GOLD--John Mulsow fished on the WICO at the north end of La Paz’ Isla Cerralvo for this beautiful 49.8-pound dorado last week. Photo courtesy Betty Hill-Crofoot.
VERDUGO’S SURPRISE--Curt Collier of Long Beach was after slightly bigger game when he trolled a big MirrOlure out of East Cape’s Martin Verdugo’s Beach Resort, but he got himself a nice porcupinefish instead. Photo courtesy Curt Collier.
BIG DOG HUGO--Cindy Wentworth of Huntington Beach and her family fished with Tortuga Sportfishing at Las Arenas, La Paz, and Cindy caught this beautiful dog snapper with Tortuga’s well-known Capt. Hugo. Photo courtesy Duane Wentworth.
NEW LORETO ARRIVAL--Capt. Pablo Martinez of the Mitch’s Sportfishing boat Helena, with his new daughter, Maria Guadalupe Martinez Martinez. Photo courtesy Mitchell Rose.
RELIABLE YELLOWTAIL HOLE--Pepe Casanova fished with Mike Kanzler of Santa Rosalia’s Isla San Marcos, for some nice yellowtail to the mid-20s caught at the reliable spots north of the island. Photo courtesy Mike Kanzler.
Baja coastal fishing reports and articles.
Ensenada fishing reports and articles.
Puerto Santo Tomas fishing reports and articles.
Erendira fishing reports and articles.
San Quintin fishing reports and articles.
Magdalena Bay fishing reports and articles.
Cabo San Lucas fishing reports and articles.
San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos) fishing reports and articles.
East Cape fishing reports and articles.
La Paz fishing reports and articles.
Loreto fishing reports and articles.
Mulege fishing reports and articles.
Santa Rosalia fishing reports and articles.
Bahia de los Angeles (L.A. Bay) fishing reports and articles.
San Felipe fishing reports and articles.
Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) fishing reports and articles.
San Carlos (Sonora) fishing reports and articles .
Mazatlan fishing reports and articles .
Puerto Vallarta fishing reports and articles.
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing reports and articles.
Huatulco fishing reports and articles.
Cancun fishing reports and articles.
Mexico coastal fishing reports and articles.
Mexico Fishing Home Page < Mexico Fishing News Archives < Fishing Report
Copyright ©