Sparky jumped
times
before he retired.
Good job, Sparky!
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La Paz' Las Arenas fishing area dorado turn it on
Mexico Fishing News, June 7, 2004
LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LA PAZ
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tail Hunter International said his Las Arenas side pangas got limits or near limits on dorado toward the end of the week, with many releases of smaller fish, and the larger fish in the 20 to 40-pound range. Marlin and sailfish were also active, and one boat lost an estimated 100-pound tuna after a two-and-a-half hour fight.
On the La Paz side, yellowtail action was slower, but weeds building up in the channel were making things look good for a dorado upsurge there as well. Divers were swimming with 20 to 35-foot whale sharks in warming, plankton-rich water, Roldan said. TAIL HUNTER FISHING.
LAS ARENAS, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said fishing action turned hot last week on dorado of 30 to 40 pounds at the Las Arenas buoys, and quite a few 20-pound dorado were caught closer in at Punta Perico. Some wahoo to about 40 pounds were also landed, but not many pargos. striped marlin were abundant, Hernandez said. All billfish hooked last week were released. Las Arenas side weather was hot, in the mid-90s, with water temperatures averaging about 76 degrees. Two days were windy, but the rest of the week was beautiful, and conditions were improving daily.
LAS ARENAS, MEXICO: Carlos Touche of Tucson and Larry Powers fished two windy days on the Las Arenas side with Tortuga Sportfishing and scored on four dorado and six pargos their first day, and eight dorado of 10 to 20 pounds on their second day: “We were well satisfied. Our second day of fishing we remained within a kilometer from shore, quit fishing at about 10 a.m.” Touche said about 15 or 20 pangas from all fleets combined were fishing at Isla Cerralvo.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Luis Lopez of the Cortez Club said a fire fighters’ group from Los Angeles fished around Islas Cerralvo and Espiritu Santo for good action on dorado, cabrilla, pargo, lots of bonita, and a striped marlin. About eight Mosquito Fleet boats fished each day around the islas and El Bajo, in water temperatures of 75 to 78 degrees, with sometimes green water conditions. At night, a southern Coromuel-style breeze blew that laid down by morning.
Lopez said diving was good, with sea life sightings including whale shark, different whales, and concentrations of sea lions, in water of 40 to 50-foot visibility
Earlier, Lopez said 20 boats fished at La Reina at the north end of Isla Cerralvo, in good weather and 75 to 80-degree water for good results on yellowtail, roosterfish, cabrilla, pargo, amberjack, marlin, plus the year’s first dorado over 50 pounds.
In an unusual incident, a striped marlin beached itself right in front of La Concha Beach resort in La Paz Bay. The marlin weighed about 120 pounds, and was recovered by La Concha staffers Gonzalo Perez and Dany Pineda, Lopez said.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: With temperature warming, and dorado beginning to show in numbers, Torrance Eddy of La Paz offered some tips on how he keeps caught fish in top condition in his boat, using sea water and ice cubes. FISH KEEPING TIP.
In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:
CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CABO SAN LUCAS
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said 24 Gaviota Fleet boats had a catch including released fish of: 23 striped marlin, two dorado, three yellowfin tuna, and one skipjack. The top boat for the week was the Gaviota IV, with a quadruple release day. GAVIOTA FLEET FISHING.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 38 boats with a catch including released fish of: 23 striped marlin, 37 yellowfin tuna, three dorado, one mako shark released, and eight boats skunked.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Capt. George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said Cabo air temperatures were in the low-90s, and water temperatures ranged from as low as 64 degrees at the Jaime Bank on the Pacific side, to as high as 76 degrees near the Gordo Banks on the Cortez side. Striped marlin were actually spotted in good numbers but stayed reluctant to bite. Tuna and dorado continued scarce, but inshore action was decent on roosterfish to about 30 pounds and good numbers of jack crevalle and dog snapper. FLY HOOKER FISHING.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet said boats released 66 of 69 marlin caught during the week, as some boats sighted up to 18 fish per day, and Ni Modo set the pace with seven releases on each of two fishing days. Overall, 59 percent of Pisces boats caught marlin, and 73 percent landed all species combined. “Actually a nice week for fishing and I believe that we are on the threshold of a fabulous striped marlin bite,” Ehrenberg said. Several of the striped marlin were estimated at over 200 pounds, and a couple were at the 250-pound mark. Dorado and tuna were scattered. Pisces boats fished in all directions, in very cool water temperatures ranging from 69 to 73 degrees. PISCES FLEET FISHING.
More fishing reports and information for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, can be found in the Mexico Fishing News archives.
San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos) Fishing
SAN JOSE DEL CABO—LOS CABOS, MEXICO: Bob Grimes of San Jose del Cabo said 28 boats fished in last week’s sportfishing cooperativa dorado tournament, but only three dorado were caught, although about seven small striped marlin were brought in. Grimes reported some good but scattered local action on roosterfish and pargo, and lots of mullet in the water.
LA PLAYITA, MEXICO: Jim Tolbert of San Jose del Cabo, author of the forthcoming book, The Adventure Guide to Baja California Sur, fished in the cooperativa dorado tournament and confirmed the very slow dorado action, adding that his wife took the cash prize for third largest dorado with a fish of 3.2 pounds. Said Tolbert, “Normally there is no way we would boat a dorado that small but in this competition any dorado can win and sadly enough smaller fish have won in the past.” DORADO TOURNAMENT*.
LA PLAYITA, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas said San Jose del Cabo weather was in the low-90s, with some southern winds, and water temperatures of 69 to 75 degrees. The warmer and clearer blue water was located more than 10 miles out and north of the Gordo Banks. Offshore action was limited to striped marlin which were numerous on the surface, but slow to bite, as they were plugged with squid. The La Playita panga fleets fished mostly closer to shore from Punta Gorda to San Luis for good catches of snappers, including pargo colorado and large dog snappers to 50 pounds. LA PLAYITA FISHING.
LA PLAYITA, MEXICO: Species fishing specialist John Snow of San Diego fished several days in the surf near San Jose del Cabo, and with Capt. Pata in the panga Salome, finding slow conditions, but scoring on 25 species, including a new one preliminarily identified as a type of jack smelt. Snow reported cool air temperatures, wind, and water temperatures very cool in the 72-degree range: “I would rate this as the poorest week that I have experienced in five years.” SPECIES FISHING SURF AND PANGA FISHING.
ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ENSENADA
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet said the Tamara fished with four anglers around GPS numbers 31.31 116.59 and got limits of albacore averaging 20 pounds. Water temperatures around the 238 bank averaged 65.5 degrees, and Susarrey said many boats out of Marina Coral had a great day. Susarrey recommended the transparent Squid Dog lures, which were also very effective when yo-yoed about 100 feet deep at Punta Santo Tomas: “The lingcod hit crazy every time.”
Earlier, Susarrey said the Tamara caught lots of albacore of 15 to 20 pounds, in green, 62-degree water about 25 miles out from Marina Coral. One stop produced 11 albacore for three anglers, and other stops came on triple and quadruple hookups. Kelp paddies in the same area produced yellowtail of 12 to 15 pounds, with the transparent Squid Dogs producing well.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Capt. Gerardo Sanchez of KCHTS Sportfishing said action was steady in the bay on barracuda, very good bottom fishing, and a few yellowtail, for the Don Juan II. An offshore tuna trip produced 10 albacore and one yellowtail near the 238 spot, at GPS numbers 31.38 117.00, in 64.5-degree water. Sanchez said black-and-purple feathers produced best, in cloudy conditions and flat seas.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino said Vonny’s Fleet pangas continued to find rockcod, whitefish, and lingcod limits at the tip of Punta Banda last week. Anglers included Walter Kobler and his group who limited with Capt. Beto on the Vonny I. On Saturday, Johnnie, Donnie and Danny Schnetz from Orange also limited on the Vonny I. Jay Johnson of Ensenada fished on the panga Vonny I with Capt. Beto and on the Vonny III with Capt. Cruz and caught one yellowtail, two whitefish, and a lot of rockcods all on the bottom. Ensenada weather was cloudy and foggy in the mornings, with sunny days in the mid-70s, and water temperatures averaging 62 degrees.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Earlier, Sergio Susarrey of Sergio’s Sportfishing Center reported on seven anglers on the Shir-Lee with a catch of 40 yellowtail and nine albacore.
ISLA SAN BENITO, MEXICO: John Carroll of Chula Vista returned from a multi-day “Baja Adventure” trip on the long range boat Islander, with excellent results on yellowtail at Isla San Benitos, and a hot albacore bite on the way home. Describing the yellowtail action at Isla San Benito, Carroll said, “There were fish crashing all over the place. The hook-to-land ratio was at maybe five-to-one. I have been told that yellows never crash or come out of the water, but after what we saw, I beg to differ.” ISLA SAN BENITO YELLOWTAIL FISHING.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross blanked on yellowtail early in the morning at the Bajo on his boat Bad Dog, but caught two on trolled Rapalas later, plus some bottom fish including sculpin to 3 pounds. BAD DOG ENSENADA FISHING.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Don Fagan of the Luhr Jensen plant in Ensenada, heading down for some fishing at San Quintin, said Luhr Jensen will be donating a big supply of Krocodiles, Stingers, and probably Crippled Herring lures in sponsorship of Julio Meza’s big San Quintin tournament in July.
TIJUANA—ENSENADA, MEXICO: Celia Diaz of the non-profit Binational Emergency Medical Care Committee (BEMCC) in Chula Vista said several Americans were evacuated from the Tijuana-Ensenada corridor last month, including some who were not members. “Eighty percent of the callers were not BEMCC card holders, but we help anyone that calls in for help,” Diaz said. Tax-deductible memberships are $35 per year at 619-425-5080, which is also the BEMCC’s 24-hour hotline for help. BEMCC EVACUATIONS.
ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ERENDIRA
CASTRO'S CAMP, ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro’s Camp said 11 pangas fished during the week, in very clear water, for heavy catches of lingcod and rockcod. “We had a lot of fish during the week,” Castro said. Anglers included Brent Tavernelli of Spring Valley and Bernard Nadon of Tchachapi.
SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS
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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro’s Pangas said eight boats fished during the week for excellent rockcod and lingcod action at the 240 spot. Anglers included Servonda Carrasco and three friends from Fontana who got limits of big reds and lings on the Pelicano with Capt. Miguel. San Quintin weather was warm and mostly calm, with water temperatures averaging 60 degrees. Hillis said repairs on the Old Mill launch ramp were planned for low tide periods during the month.
SAN RAMON—CIELITO LINDO, MEXICO: Alan Tokunaga of North Hollywood surf fished around Camalú and San Quintin’s Playa San Ramón and Cielito Lindo, with mixed results on smallish perch, and also got a surprise when an American stuck on the road made off with his shovel: “Left him with my shovel. Got back. No gringo, no shovel.” SURF FISHING.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: John Gilkerson of Cypress, and Jim and Matt Bentley, fished out of the Old Mill on Gilkerson’s boat A-SALT-WEAPON, getting stuck in windblown sand on the ride in, and finding some tough fishing conditions, but still doing okay on red rockcod, a few nice lingcod, and a cow cod at the 240 spot on their first day, and lots of lingcod of 8 to 12 pounds, in 75 to 200 feet of water at the same spot the following day, plus an unidentified “cabezon-type” of fish with orange-and-brown colors. In deeper water, they ran into a hot lingcod bite of fish to a high of 22 pounds. San Quintin water was a cold 57 degrees. SAN QUINTIN FISHING*.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Lorenzo Biedebach of Camp Lorenzo said he’s been making improvements to his boats, including new motors. Last week, Robin Backer and Julie Parkes of Alta Loma caught limits of sandbass, red rockcod, calico bass, a 22-pound white seabass, and a 16-pound halibut while fishing south of San Quintin at El Socorro. Oscar Santana and his brother Vick of San Diego, and Gerry Goree, Fred Suhr, and Paul Dilger of Campo Lorenzo all loaded up on bottom fish west of Isla San Martin and south at the Rio Hondo area. BIEDEBACH SAN QUINTIN FISHING.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin fished two days with Pedro Sors of the nationally televised fishing show “Cana y Carrete” (Rod and Reel), and they blanked outside on albacore but caught a few small yellowtail on passing kelp paddies, some big bonita at the 240 spot, and lots of calico bass, sandbass, olive rockfish, sculpin, barracuda, lingcod, and some very small white seabass, all off Playa San Ramón.
Meza said San Quintin captains Lilo, Elias, Jaime, Bartolo and Manuel Castaneda caught white seabass of 20 to 40 pounds, about 70 feet deep at San Ramón, on blue-white jigs, plus yellowtail on trolled Rapalas and live bait. A few halibut were caught on the east side of San Martin Island, and more were caught with swim baits at the mouth of the bay.
Meza also released his professionally-done poster for the big July 17 tournament, featuring prizes of $5,500 through $1,500, including a fishing trip to Buena Vista Beach Resort, electronics, rods, reels, and local fishing packages. Meza said more than 100 anglers are already signed up for the tournament. Information: 011-52-616-162-0222, or email clubpescasanquintin@yahoo.com.mx. TOURNAMENT POSTER*.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Earlier, Capt. Kelly Catian of El Capitan Sportfishing reported spearing two good-sized black seabass while free diving at Isla San Martin with his three sons. Two fish weighing 209 and 150 were speared in about 70 feet of water at the outer edge of the kelp, Catian said. At least eight more were seen. BLACK SEA BASS SPEAR FISHING*.
MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS
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SAN CARLOS, MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said most of the local fleet focused on scallops, and little fishing action was reported at the entrada or in the mangroves. Corvina were the best bet throughout the bay, and good numbers of sierra were reported south inside the bay near Punta Tosca. San Carlos weather was partly cloudy in the high-70s, with water temperatures of 64 to 70 degrees.
EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS
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BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Tami Mouyeous at Rancho Buena Vista reported on 30 boats with a catch including released fish of: 16 striped marlin, four sailfish, 28 roosterfish, 17 dorado, 22 tuna, and two wahoo. RBV boats fished in “gorgeous weather,” and water averaging 80 degrees.
BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 66 boats with a catch including released fish of: 33 striped marlin, two sailfish, 42 dorado, 349 tuna, three wahoo, 71 roosterfish, 29 snapper, three jack crevalle, three amberjack, three bonita, three ladyfish, one cabrilla, one skipjack, and one sierra. Valdez said most boats fished south, from La Ribera up to about 40 miles off Los Frailes for tuna.
LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 312 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: one blue marlin, 158 striped marlin, 107 dorado, 821 yellowfin tuna, 18 pargo, and eight wahoo. East Cape weather was in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 72 to 84 degrees. Offshore species were caught from 20 to about 42 miles out, to the north and south. SMOKE HOUSE FISHING.
LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Martin Verdugo’s Beach Resort, Marisol Verdugo said the fleet was busy, as two or three hotel cruisers per day fished during the week, all cruisers fished over the weekend, and about four super pangas per day were also chartered. Boats returned with quite a few tuna, good marlin catches, just a few dorado, and some roosterfish.
LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Randy Dale at Verdugo’s said boats scored on small schools of tuna, 30 to 40 miles east of Los Barriles, hitting well on live bait. One Verdugo boat also got a 55-pound wahoo, and some larger dorado were caught. “Everyone is seeing stripers,” Dale said, plus lots of roosterfish and jack crevalle active on the beaches. Dale added, “Thursday was windy, but the rest of the week was calm, overall, the calmest spring in decades, according to the old-timers.”
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jeff Williams of Costa Mesa took his dad, Ray Williams of Lake Arrowhead, to Rancho Leonero for four days of panga fishing to celebrate dad’s 70th birthday and retirement after a 48-year career as a teacher of outdoor and marine biology. The younger Williams said they enjoyed great weather, and fished in mixed conditions and sometimes green water for some smaller yellowfin tuna outside, plenty of roosterfish on the beaches, and a 35-pound dorado on their last day. “It was a great trip,” Williams said. “Each fish was one dad had never caught and he really got into the rhythm of Baja.” RANCHO LEONERO FISHING.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Bill Burkett of Los Barriles said East Cape action seemed improved last week, with the exception of strong southeast winds on Thursday that slowed things down. More dorado were caught, including some to 50 pounds north at Punta Pescadero. Burkett relayed an unconfirmed report that one boat landed a 250-pound yellowfin tuna on Friday. Burkett fished three days on his boat Fat Cat, catching three striped marlin, two small dorado, a jack crevalle found 5 miles off the coast, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo. FAT CAT EAST CAPE FISHING.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said roosterfish action continued consistent on the beaches. Ken and Amy Potter’s group landed several to 18 pounds and lost some bigger ones on Friday.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Rancho Leonero, John Ireland said, “Lots of fish in the Cortez, but very picky biters outside. The inshore bite remains wide open.” Ireland said big numbers of squid in the area were keeping offshore game fish species full, but roosterfish continued hot along all area beaches on fish to 60 pounds. East Cape weather was excellent all week, in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 78 to 80 degrees, Ireland said. RANCHO LEONERO FISHING.
BUENA VISTA, MEXICO: Mark Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport dive service said water temperatures at Cabo Pulmo were down to 74 degrees, with off-color conditions, but heavy concentrations of sea life were on the reef, including eagle rays, bat rays free swimming moray eels, clouds of reef fish and several sea lions. Whale sharks were also present in unusual numbers, and Rayor said two fishing boats were damaged off La Ribera during the week after colliding with them and had to be towed in with prop and rudder damage. Others whale sharks were seen at Los Frailes. “I don't ever remember so many sightings,” Rayor said. “Also heard they are calling this a La Nina. Maybe that explains the cold green water.”
Rayor also corrected last week’s report about the Topolobampo fishing tournament, saying that the winning boat was not his present 31-foot Jen Wren, but his former boat, a 22 footer also originally named Jen Wren, but renamed Beerman by its new owner Tom Kolasinski. It was Kolasinski who won the Topolobampo Debate Tournament, beating 132 other boats for an 80,000 peso prize and a new VW. Rayor had won the first East Cape Bisbee’s tournament with his original Jen Wren in 2000.
LORETO FISHING REPORTS
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LORETO, MEXICO: Arturo Susarrey of Arturo’s Sportfishing said Loreto weather was sunny and pleasant at about 90 degrees, except for wind from the south on Thursday and Friday afternoon. Yellowtail action was good on fish 18 to 30 pounds north at Punta Pulpito, and some pangas returned with up to 10 yellowtail each. One panga with Capt. Talpa Davis caught two amberjack of 26 and 48 pounds, also at Punta Pulpito. Sailfish and striped marlin were caught 25 miles east of Isla Carmen, and some boats caught nice dorado of 30 to 35 pounds, as singles, east of the island’s Punta Lobos.
LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said Loreto weather was into the summer mode, hot and humid: “I was on my third shower of the day.” The yellowtail season was finally tapering off, as more boats searched far off shore for dorado. But, Bolles said, there are plenty of yellowtail still around, hunkering cool and deep, for those that wish to sweat it out and fish from a breezeless, dead boat for them: “Since it’s so hot, many folks don't want to fish for yellowtail and the other deep water species. So we're seeing less yellowtail.” BIG FISH COMPANY FISHING.
LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto said fishing has been fairly slow for him the past three weeks, but it might be picking up. His last four trips, fishing in his own boat, netted one 10-kilo dorado, but on Friday, he went 10 miles east of Isla Catalan and caught two nice dorado of 25 and 40 pounds, plus his first marlin of the year. Erhardt reported Friday’s water temperatures of 77 degrees at Puerto Escondido, 79 degrees on the west side of Isla Catalan, and 81 degrees east of the island. PRIVATE BOAT OFFSHORE FISHING.
LORETO, MEXICO: Chuck Campbell of Shadow Hills and his wife Judy made their 10th consecutive annual trip to Loreto to fish with Capt. Pedro Mayoral Davis (011-52-113-135-0851), together with friends Ray and Rhea Rader for fun action at Isla Coronado on pinto bass, snapper, whitefish, and black seabass. INDEPENDENT PANGUERO FISHING.
LORETO, MEXICO: Earlier, Roberto Espinosa of Dana Point, his wife Noelle, and their group fished in two pangas with Capt. Ramon Murillo and another panga with Capt. Jorge, for a catch of eight yellowtail of 12 to 40 pounds, two pinto bass, and two nice cabrilla of 11 and 14 pounds. All fish were caught on live mackerel in about 100 feet of water south of Isla Carmen. Espinosa said he also fished Rebel Fastracs along the beach at Isla Coronado and caught four species in eight feet of water, including pufferfish, porcupinefish, scorpionfish, and a light colored grunt.
MULEGE FISHING REPORTS
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MULEGE, MEXICO: Diana Johnson of the Hotel Serenidad said boats caught good numbers of dorado and sailfish, and many whales and dolphin were sighted. “The last four days, there was a dead whale floating about 20 miles out. You should have seen the amount of dorado. Thousands of fish. Also, sailfish.”
SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS
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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: At Isla San Marcos, Mike Kanzler reported that’s he’s about recovered from a cold made worse because he kept fishing anyway. Santa Rosalia weather was humid in the mid-80s with cooler water temperatures of 72 to 74 degrees, and continued excellent yellowtail action was found on strong tidal currents during the big moon period. Kanzler said that, contrary to common opinion, he finds the best yellowtail fishing around the full moons, due to better currents, even though water temperatures are lower, because of increased upwelling, and visibility is also lower. FISHING & MOON/YELLOWTAIL ANALYSIS.
SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Mori of Sonora, Calif., returned from seven weeks at San Lucas Cove saying, “Someone has to do it.” Mori reported the best yellowtail action of the past 12 years, with lots of 30-pound class fish. “Mike Kanzler’s yellowtail shootout was a big success and great fun,” Mori said, ‘even if I could only come up with a 27-pound fish.”
SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Earlier, Randy Peters of Lakewood and Poun Keo of Long Beach fished two days with Kanzler and his partner Danny, at Isla San Marcos for heavy action on eight yellowtail of 18 to 35 pounds on one day, and nine more the day after. Peters said they used 50 and 60-pound line with the drags cranked way up: “Hooking a 30-pound plus fish with practically no drag was a real physical challenge. I felt like a little girl sometimes, but I managed to land seven yellowtail over the two days. ISLA SAN MARCOS FISHING.
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES (L.A. BAY) FISHING REPORTS
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SAN FRANCISQUITO, MEXICO: Roger Crenshaw of Chula Vista returned from several weeks at his San Francisquito home, reporting excellent fishing on plenty of white seabass, Humboldt squid, including one that hit a trolled Rapala, plenty of cabrilla, and yellowtail. Crenshaw reported water temperatures of 67 degrees at San Francisquito, and 72 degrees at El Barril, 10 miles south. Also, a longline commercial boat fishing at least one week, 8 miles off El Barril.
SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS
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GONZAGA BAY, MEXICO: Ruben Tapia of Irwindale and Charles Belnavis of “Team Modelo” took kayaks to Gonzaga Bay and had epic, nonstop light tackle action on inshore species including huge spotted bay bass, triggerfish, corvina, porgy, and an unidentifiable purple fish with baby blue spots. Tapia said conditions were windy, but they fished in protected areas along shore around Alfonsina’s and out of Papa Fernandez on Isla Willard, also meeting up with Mike Alaniz who had brought is boat in. GONZAGA BAY KAYAK FISHING.
SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tony Reyes of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on June 4 with a catch of: 211 yellowtail, 18 to 32 pounds; two pinto bass, 14 pounds; one white seabass, 28 pounds; 148 cabrilla, 10 to 15.4 pounds; 127 red snapper, 10 to 12 pounds; six broomtail grouper; 26 sheephead, 7 pounds; limits of spotted bay bass; and 55 miscellaneous fish.
On May 28, the Jose Andres returned to San Felipe with a catch of: 122 yellowtail, 18 to 28 pounds; three grouper, 45 to 75 pounds; 10 black sea bass, 80 to 390 pounds; 27 white seabass, 25 to 61 pounds; 26 cabrilla, 13 to 16.5 pounds; seven red snapper, 11 pounds; two broomtail grouper, 11 pounds; 19 sheephead, 10 pounds; limits of spotted bay bass; one shark, 14 pounds; and 75 miscellaneous fish.
On May 29, the Tony Reyes Fishing Tours panga mothership Tony Reyes also returned to San Felipe from its maiden trip to the Midriff Islands with a catch of: 215 yellowtail, 10 to 28 pounds; 125 cabrilla, 5 to 15 pounds; 10 red snapper, 2 to 4 pounds; limits of spotted bay bass; two pinto bass (spotted cabrilla), 10 to 25 pounds; 15 sheephead, 6 to 18 pounds; two grouper, 15 to 25 pounds; 185 squid, to 30 pounds; 120 miscellaneous fish; and 280 fish released.
SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Dana Kerby of Baja Sportfishing, Inc., reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe with 23 passengers on June 3 with a catch of: 192 yellowtail, 326 cabrilla of more than 5 pounds, 108 pargo, three white seabass, five grouper of 28 to 42 pounds, 95 giant squid, and 217 miscellaneous fish. Top lures for the trip were the hot pink and mackerel MR111 MirrOlures. The Erik fished at Bahia Refugio, Punta Diablo, San Bernabe, Salvatierra, Isla Vibora, but skipped the Golden Reef on the last day, due to winds.
PAPA FERNANDEZ, MEXICO: Doug Magee of Papa Fernandez at Bahia Willard (Gonzaga Bay), said Mark Edgerton of Papa Fernandez, and Mike, Tim, and Andy Sarjeant had a good catch of grouper on live bait off Isla Willard.
SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay said San Felipe weather was very hot and humid, with hazy skies, and a water temperature in the high-70s. The town emptied out quickly after the Memorial Day rush: “The great exodus after Memorial Day Weekend occurred last Monday, and as always it's an astounding change. On Sunday night there was barely room to turn around in. On Monday night, you could fire a cannon down Mar de Cortez and not have to worry about hitting anyone.” SAN FELIPE TOWN NEWS.
ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS
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ROCKY POINT—PUERTO PENASCO, MEXICO: Jim Davis of Yuma, Ariz., fished on his boat Hammer Time off Isla San Jorge, 26 miles south of Puerto Penasco, for a windy but good catch amid vast shoals of pipefish forage, on sierra, barracuda, spotted bay bass, mixed grunts, and three rare gulf sierra, Scomberomorous concolor, up to 12 pounds. ISLA SAN JORGE FISHING.
ROCKY POINT—PUERTO PENASCO, MEXICO: Jim Mori of Sonora, Calif., noted Davis’ catch of gulf sierra, and offered some notes on the very rare and presumably endangered fish gained from Mexican researchers:
1. They arrive in the shallow bays and inlets of the southern and central Sonora coast in November.
2. By early spring they are centered around Kino Bay.
3. In May and June, gravid females appear in the northern gulf for spawning.
“Okay, so far, but that's when they start to get pounded by the nets,” Mori said. “Wish we could do something to make it easier on them. According to Milt Love at UCSB, there is only one extinct fish species known. There may be another soon. The more people who know the story, the better.”
ROCKY POINT—PUERTO PENASCO, MEXICO: Stuart Burnett of Puerto Penasco said he hasn’t been fishing lately, but his friend Mike Auditore did manage to bring down a telephone line while trailering his T-top boat through town, and got his boat back only after an insurance adjuster straightened things out with the police. “Poor guy,” Burnett said, “it was one of those weekends from hell, and he didn't even get to fish because of the wind!” TRAILERING INCIDENT.
SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS
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SAN CARLOS—GUAYMAS, MEXICO: Bill Molden of San Carlos said the Ladies International Fishing Tournament (L.I.F.T.) was a success, albeit with slower fishing than last year. San Carlos’ vivasancarlos.com website reported a L.I.F.T. total catch of five marlin, one sailfish, and 26 dorado during the event. Over the weekend, Molden said few billfish or dorado were caught on the first day of the Yacht Club/Rescate Tournament.
SAN CARLOS—GUAYMAS, MEXICO: Chris Edmonson of Tucson commented on the L.I.F.T.: “The catch was much thinner this year. The regatta was excellent, however, and San Carlos was still quite comfortable. The water was about 80 degrees.”
Edmonson also reported that Gary Gatha on the Visigoda got tangled in a longline on his return trip from Bahia Concepción and was helped by fishermen to get free after he had to cut the line.
MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS
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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Bill Heimpel of Star Fleet reported on 15 boats with a catch including released fish of: 14 sailfish, seven striped marlin, 18 dorado to 47 pounds, and six yellowfin tuna of 18 to 20 pounds. Star Fleet boats were fishing 15 to 20 miles outside of Mazatlan on headings of 220 to 235 degrees, in water temperatures averaging about 74 degrees. “The rainy season has began, so we should soon be having the arrival of more dorado,” Heimpel said. “Blue marlin have also been spotted.”
MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Aries Fleet boats out of Marina el Cid averaged a little more than one billfish per day, with an overall catch including released fish of: seven striped marlin, 26 sailfish, 11 yellowfin tuna, 121 dorado, and 26 pargo. Most of the dorado and all of the pargo were caught by the panga fleet. Mazatlan weather was showery in the mid-90s, with water temperatures holding at 83 degrees.
MAZATLAN, MEXICO: At Marina el Cid, Yomahira Aguirre said about four cruisers were fishing per day, plus one super panga per day going out for bottom fishing. Offshore boats were running 20 to 25 miles out, to water temperatures of about 80 degrees, and the best offshore lure color was orange-and-green. Sailfish averaged about 90 pounds.
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS
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IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze of Zihuatanejo said 80-degree blue water was only 3 miles off the beach, and fishing was good for most species, although two days were knocked out by passing storms. “The rain season has arrived and within a week, the surrounding area will be green again. This is the time of the year when the blue water and game species come in very close to the beach,” Kunze said.
Boats averaged about two to three sailfish per day, and yellowfin tuna were also caught. Near shore fishing was disrupted by storms and high surf, but some roosterfish and jack crevalle were managed by Capt. Adolfo on the panga Dos Hermanos, 26 miles south of Zihuatanejo.
Kunze said he also guided Mike Bebee of Marin on the Zapatito Gordo with Capt. Cali for a fly tackle catch of six tuna from 18 to 25 pounds. All fish were taken by casting Kunze’s pelagic red crab imitation flies into schools of breaking fish under porpoise and birds.
IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said the local inshore fishery was alive with yellowtail jacks, jack crevalle, bonito, and bigeye, but surprisingly, roosterfish were slow. Offshore, five fishing days by Capts. Adolfo and Cheva had a catch including released fish of: 39 sailfish, 35 yellowfin tuna, four roosterfish, three yellowtail jack, 38 bonito, and seven needlefish. Larry Kent of Buffalo, N.Y., landed an estimated 200-pound blue marlin, and had another estimated 400 pounder eat two baits at the same time and then throw both hooks. IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO FISHING
IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported Zihuatanejo weather as rainy in the mid-80s, with 17 m.p.h. east winds, and water temperatures of 72 to 78 degrees.
BIG 70TH BIRTHDAY--Ray Williams celebrated his 70th birthday by fishing out of East Cape’s Rancho Leonero with his son Jeff, and, among other fish, they caught this nice 35-pound roosterfish on their last day. Photo courtesy Ray Williams. (Thanks, Hans van den Berg, Rotterdam, The Netherlands!)
LA PAZ MARLIN--Doug Murphy, Mac Treasure, and Gary Bowie (left to right), all of Thousand Oaks, with a striped marlin caught with Mosquito Fleet at the north end of Isla Cerralvo. Photo courtesy Luis Lopez.
PUNTA BANDA CATCH--Among the anglers fishing with Vonny’s Fleet at the tip of Ensenada’s Punta Banda last week were Walter Kobler and his group, who fished for bottom fish limits with Capt. Beto on the Vonny I. Photos courtesy Ivan Villarino.
CASTRO’S BOTTOM BONANZA--Brent Tavernelli of Spring Valley and Bernard Nadon of Tchachapi loaded up with rockfish at Castro’s Camp, Erendira, south of Ensenada last week. Photo courtesy Fernando Castro.
SAN QUINTIN 'GATOR--A big lingcod opens wide for a rather disturbing close-up during John Gilkerson’s trip to San Quintin. Photo courtesy John Gilkerson.
BLACK SEABASS SPEAR FISHING--Capt. Kelly Catian of San Quintin’s El Capitan Sportfishing and his sons, with two black seabass of 209 and 150 pounds speared while free diving at Isla San Martin. Photos courtesy Kelly Catian.
AT THE LA PLAYITA DORADO TOURNAMENT FIESTA--Photo courtesy Jim and Judy Tolbert.
AT ISLA CARMEN--Carmen Walton and son Andrew fished with Roberto Espinosa’s group south of Loreto’s Isla Carmen for eight yellowtail to 40 pounds, pinto bass, and cabrilla. Photo courtesy Roberto Espinosa.
SAN MARCOS AMIGOS--Hugh Cobb (left) of Oceanside’s Pacific Coast Bait and Tackle, Dennis Dannat, and Mike Mercado, fished at Isla San Marcos near Santa Rosalia with Mike Kanzler for a nice load of yellowtail. Photo courtesy Mike Kanzler.
WITH SAN MARCOS MIKE--Poun Keo of Long Beach fished with Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos for this nice 36-pound yellowtail. Photo courtesy Randy Peters..
REMOTE CROAKERS--Roger Crenshaw’s group caught these beautiful white seabass out of San Francisquito, in addition to Humboldt squid, cabrilla and yellowtail. Photo courtesy Roger Crenshaw.
FROM ISLA WILLARD--Brothers Mike, Tim and Andy Sarjeant, of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, fished with Mark Edgerton at Isla Willard, Gonzaga Bay, for these nice cabrilla. Photo courtesy Doug Magee.
SAN CARLOS DORADO--Camala Stone, with her 39.2-pound dorado caught in the San Carlos Ladies International Fishing Tournament last week. Photo courtesy Chris Edmonson.
TUNA CRAB FLY--Mike Bebee of Marin (left), with Zihuatanejo’s Capt. Cali, used his guide Ed Kunze’s Pelagic Red Crab imitation fly to land six yellowfin tuna. Photos courtesy Ed Kunze.
IT LANDED ITSELF!--La Concha Beach Resort staffers, Gonzalo Perez (left) and Dany Pineda, with a 120-pound striped marlin that beached itself right in front of the hotel in La Paz. Photo courtesy Luis Lopez.
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.
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