Cabo San Lucas striped marlin cooperate in Rolex/IGFA fishing tourney

Mexico Fishing News, May 23, 2005

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet said last week's Rolex/IGFA World Offshore Championship tournament "may be one of the most productive marlin tournaments ever to have taken place anywhere," as a total of 517 marlin and sailfish were released.

The top Pisces boats in the tournament were Valerie and Ni Modo, both of which scored seven-release days. Overall, 73 percent of Pisces boats caught billfish during the week, and 87 percent landed all species combined, although dorado and tuna were slow at 18 and 7 percent. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: The sixth annual Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship fishing tournament, with 70 qualifying teams from 31 countries competing, was won on Thursday by the Miami Beach Mayor’s Cup team, with eight billfish releases on the final day of the four-day event. Competing teams all fished on rotating local boats, and the captains' competition was won by Capts. Eric Orozco on the Reel Busy, Jesus Romero on the Out Cast, and Jobe Villavicencio of the Ni Modo, in first, second, and third places. ROLEX/IGFA CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING TOURNAMENT REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said striped marlin fishing picked up to about two fish per boat last week. Gaviota Fleet reported on 37 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 72 striped marlin, one sailfish, five dorado, three wahoo and nine yellowfin tuna. The Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I reported on a combined nine outings, with a catch including released fish of: 18 striped marlin, seven dorado, and five yellowfin tuna. Gaviota boats fished mostly north and outside the Gordo Banks in water temperatures of 73 to 77 degrees. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 77 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 41 striped marlin, two sailfish, 67 yellowfin tuna, five yellowtail, 10 dorado, 19 roosterfish, two mako shark, three wahoo, 57 jack crevalle, six skipjack, one pompano, six pargo, three cabrilla, many sierra, and eight boats skunked. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said offshore boats were fishing almost exclusively on the Cortez side due to wind, rough seas, and water temperatures of 63 to 67 degrees on the Pacific side. Marlin action was very good over the 50 and 100-fathom lines off Punta Gorda. The high one-day score in the Rolex/IGFA tournament was for 11 striped marlin releases. Bait was scarce. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 12 outings by El Budster and El Budster I, with a catch including released fish of: four striped marlin, 25 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 60 pounds, 16 dorado of 15 to 20 pounds, one sailfish, seven jack crevalle, and many skipjack.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Picante Fleet reported on 10 late-week boats, with a catch including released fish of: seven striped marlin, six dorado, and 26 yellowfin tuna.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog at Marina Coral fished in thick fog on Saturday between Isla Todos Santos and Punta Banda, and scored on four yellowtail between 18.5 and 24.5 pounds, in water temperatures of 53 to 67.9 degrees. "This type of fishing is not easy," Ross said about the run-and-gun style of chasing the yellowtail on the surface. "They only stay there for a minute at the most, and then they're off and running. You need good eyes to spot these fish as they never return to the same spot again." ENSENADA FISHING REPORT.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet reported slower action for his pangas last week, in mostly cloudy morning weather at the tip of Punta Banda, with 3 to 4-foot ocean swells and water temperatures averaging 60 degrees. Anglers fishing during the week included Fred Belli of Los Angeles with two yellowtail and some calico bass on the Vonny I, Jay Johnson with some nice calico bass on the Vonny I, and Brandon Cota of Riverside with one yellowtail and some calico bass on the Vonny III.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Memo Gomez of El Dorado Sportfishing said he ran south to Santo Tomas with two anglers but returned early due to fog and rough seas. Fishing for about one hour in 58.8-degree water, they caught 15 bottom fish, including salmon grouper, whitefish, rockcod, and lingcod. Earlier, Gomez said he fished south in perfect sea conditions and 62-degree water at the Soledad bank for limits of rockcod, lingcod, salmon grouper, whitefish, and a cow cod of about 7 pounds. ENSENADA FISHING REPORT.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Gerardo Sanchez of KCHTS Sportfishing said he tried fishing for tuna outside last week, but was turned back by rough water and ended up getting bottom fish limits at the Islas Todos Santos bajo on the way back. Other boats reported two to three yellowtail each at Punta Banda. No reports were available from the outer banks. ENSENADA FISHING REPORT.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Earlier, Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Sportfishing Center reported on 14 anglers aboard the Quest and El Cazador, with a catch of: 29 lingcod, 206 rockcod, and 30 whitefish.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Denis Quesnel of Action Lures and Tom Gatch got into the Punta Banda yellowtail bite, when they took a panga out from the Blow Hole area and fished around the lighthouse for six yellowtail of 16 to 25 pounds, four lingcod to 10 pounds, and a good catch of rockcod. Quesnel said they caught everything with his jointed metal jigs in chrome color. Ensenada water was off-color, flat, and 61 degrees. ENSENADA FISHING REPORT.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp said 22 boats fished during the week for steady catches of lingcod, red rockcod, calico bass, whitefish, and sheephead. Sea conditions off Erendira were mostly very good during the week, except for some winds on Friday morning, and some fog and large swells to 7 feet on Saturday. The water temperature was 59 degrees in the main fishing area six miles from the coast.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said he had eight boats fishing during the week, as on-and-off winds caused some cancellations. One boat ran south to El Socorro, but found poor conditions, and most boats fished at the 240 and 15 spots. Anglers with limits of rockcod, sandbass, large barracuda, and sheephead during the week included Mary Sargent, Jesse Mullenix, Andrew McIntire, and Jim and James Nolan, all fishing with Capt. Hector on the Rommy. SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORT.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Sarai Garcia of Don Eddie's Landing said a few boats fished daily last week, and got limits or near-limits of bottom fish, despite rough seas, winds to 20 knots in the evenings, and water temperatures dropping to 59 degrees. Water color was murky around the 180 and 240 spots, but clear south at El Socorro. Among anglers with good catches last week on bocaccio, lingcod, and red rockcod, were Bob Jungkind, Victor Ochoa, and Jeff Slatier of Los Angeles, who fished with Capt. Antonio on the Ana out of Don Eddie's. SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORT.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin had a clarification of last week's announcement of the second San Quintin Sportfishing Tournament to be held July 23, 2005. Meza said all $75,000 worth of prizes in the tournament are merchandise prizes, including the $30,000 boat and the individual prizes for sandbass, white sea bass, yellowtail, dorado, and tuna. No cash prizes will be awarded.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Syd Lindsay of San Lucas Cove drove across the Baja peninsula to Punta Abreojos and Campo Rene on Estero de Coyote, and reported large spotted bay bass to 16 inches in the lagoon, plus a corvina that "Neil Kelly...would have been proud of." Lindsay said Campo Rene was in good condition, with the restaurant open. The access road was smooth pavement for 30 miles, then gravel washboard the rest of the way. BAJA FISHING AND ROAD REPORT.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said tuna to 25 pounds were caught 25 miles offshore and some grouper were reported at the Thetis Bank. Some Humboldt squid were caught at Punta Hughes, and the mangroves produced corvina, pargo, and a few small leopard grouper, but no snook. Magdalena Bay weather was in the mid-70s, with water temperatures at 62 to 71 degrees. MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORT.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on about 85 combined La Playita fleet sportfishing pangas, with a catch including released fish of about: 35 striped marlin, 72 dorado, four wahoo, 170 yellowfin tuna, 18 amberjack, 45 jack crevalle, 275 pargo, 40 pompano, eight roosterfish, 22 sierra, and 12 shark. The yellowfin tuna catch featured a few of the large fish that have been seen at the Gordo Banks in recent weeks, including tuna of 110, 160, and 200 pounds. Brictson recommended 40 to 50-pound fluorocarbon leader because the big tuna were still line shy, as pangas on the banks averaged about two to four smaller tuna of 20 to 30 pounds per outing. San Jose del Cabo weather was in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 70 to 75 degrees. SAN JOSE DEL CABO FISHING REPORT.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Mike Rhoades of Yorba Linda fished four days around the Gordo Banks with La Leona Sportfishing out of Punta Palmilla and reported excellent action for yellowfin tuna, including one in the 200-pound class, and another big one lost, two grouper to 30 pounds, a wahoo of 60 pounds, and a couple of red snapper. "The dorado were not in abundance yet," Rhoades said, "but it is warming up down there so things will probably really heat up in a couple of weeks." SAN JOSE DEL CABO FISHING REPORT.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of Encinitas fished in dead flat seas with Capt. Archie of the Tomas Cantor panga fleet at La Playita and reported a 194-pound yellowfin tuna landed at the inner Gordo Bank after a two-hour fight on 40-pound line. "It was just the two of us on the boat," Lewis said. "We were down to the spool with maybe six or eight turns left four times...My skipper was phenomenal." SAN JOSE DEL CABO FISHING REPORT.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Grimes of San Jose del Cabo reported a 160-pound yellowfin tuna caught at the Inner Gordo Bank by Dave Grimes, Erin Grimes and Tim Gunther. Also caught were an amberjack, a couple of pargo, and a marlin released, plus a 60-pound roosterfish caught by Gunther from a kayak a little east of La Playita. Grimes said, "The gallo took a spoon, which is unusual for big gallos. It gave him quite a ride."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Earlier, species fishing specialist John Snow of San Jose del Cabo reported fairly slow panga fishing at the Gordo Banks with Capt. Pata in the panga Salome, for six ticareta, two red snapper, and 2 dorado, plus a 20-foot whale shark seen that passed about 5 feet beneath the boat. A slow surf fishing session produced two tiny orangeside triggerfish about 5 inches long.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 71 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 84 striped marlin, one sailfish, 54 dorado, 19 tuna, one wahoo, five roosterfish, 10 snapper, three jack crevalle, one amberjack, seven bonita, two ladyfish, six triggerfish, three squid, one cabrilla, and 17 skipjack. With mackerel baits hard to get, boats fished with small jacks, mullet, and "whatever we got our hands on" Valdez said. EAST CAPE FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Bill Burkett of Los Barriles reported on four days of fishing, from the 88 bank south to Vinorama, on his boat Fat Cat, with the best action found on a school of school-sized yellowfin about 12 miles south of the 88, and a three-wahoo run at the south end of Isla Cerralvo. Inshore fishing for roosterfish was slow. Many marlin were seen, but were not hitting: "...There are a great deal of marlin all around the East Cape right now, they are very reluctant to bite. The fish are stuffed with squid and aren't much interested in lures or live bait." EAST CAPE FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto trailered his boat south to El Cardonal and fished six days from Isla Cerralvo south to Cabo Pulmo, and outwards up to 50 miles, scoring a catch of three wahoo to 52 pounds, a striped marlin, and his first dorado of the season, in water temperatures of 76 to 78 degrees. On his long run 50 miles east of El Cardonal, Erhardt said he found blue water and a temperature break to 81 degrees at 42 miles out, but got no hits during 2 hours of trolling. EL CARDONAL, EAST CAPE, MEXICO TRIP FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said tuna showed up last week and there was some roosterfish and dorado action, plus a few pompano found inshore. Mackerel and mullet bait was scarce last week and "no one has seen any sardina to speak of." East Cape weather was in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 71 to 78 degrees. EAST CAPE FLY FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Roy Baldwin of Rancho Leonero said yellowfin tuna were still 40 to 50 miles out, but billfish were only 15 to 20 miles out in a band between Punta Pescadero and Los Frailes, and dorado were closer at 5 miles out. Inshore fishing featured larger roosterfish of 20 to 60 pounds from Rancho Leonero to Las Barracas, plus an estimated 70 pounder landed by hotel manager Gary Barnes-Webb. EAST CAPE FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: The Van Wormer resorts of Palmas de Cortez, Playa de Sol, and Punta Colorado reported good striped marlin fishing off Punta Perico and Punta Pescadero, and far south at the Gordo Banks. Dorado and tuna were spotty. Some boats fishing near shore to the south caught six to eight wahoo in a day. EAST CAPE FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jim Sammons of La Jolla Kayak Fishing led a trip to Hotel Punta Colorada that found slow inshore conditions, due to cool water temperatures and a lack of bait. A few small roosterfish were caught, topped by a 35 pounder by Theresa O'Malley. James Drummondo caught a 30-pound dorado, and Sammons scored on a 25-pound yellowtail. EAST CAPE KAYAK FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jim Nordberg of Winnetka and Dan McGowan fished out of Hotel Punta Colorada for a week and released marlin, roosterfish, pargo, dorado, triggerfish, and tuna, plus a variety of reef fish, and McGowan caught his first roosterfish ever, estimated at over 50 pounds, while trolling a mullet just off the beach south of Cabo Pulmo. "How he kept that big fish out of the rocks I will never know," Nordberg said. "I love the East Cape, and places like Punta Colorada." EAST CAPE FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Ash Pickering of the Vista Sea Sport dive service said the weather was perfect and diving conditions variable at the Cabo Pulmo coral reef, with bottom water temperatures of 71 to 75 degrees and visibility ranging from 40 to 80 feet. Sea life sightings featured enormous schools of bigeye jacks, and hammerhead shark seen in schools. "We had one lucky group with a total of 12 spotted on one dive," Pickering said.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chet Needelman of Newport Beach reported on three days of slow fishing, as fleet boats caught some marlin, wahoo, and dorado offshore, and pargo and triggerfish inshore, but said Needelman, "Fishing should be considered very slow. Nice trip, but no fish for our group." EAST CAPE FISHING REPORT.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Luis Lopez of Mosquito Fleet said three super pangas went out per day for fishing and diving last week, finding cabrilla and pargo of 5 to 8 pounds, and yellowtail of 20 to 35 pounds, and seeing lots of marlin around the 88 bank, but not hooking them. A southern Coromuel wind cooled the evening and morning hours at La Paz, and whale shark were still present in the bay. LA PAZ FISHING AND DIVING REPORT.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International called it "a bit of a pick bite all week" on both sides of the hill, as anglers scored on a wide variety of inshore and offshore species, but nothing wide open. "It seems like we're right on the edge of breaking out," Roldan said, as catches in water temperatures averaging about 79 degrees included marlin, wahoo, many types of snappers, cabrilla, sierra, big roosterfish of 30 to 70 pounds, and a few dorado. LA PAZ FISHING REPORT.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Dos Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said dorado and tuna were slow last week, but the weather improved and a huge amount of bait was available at Isla Cerralvo, where anglers caught a good variety of snappers to 40 pounds, plus cabrilla, roosterfish, some wahoo, and a mix of other species, with Capts. Nufo, Hugo, and Rigo. "Little by little, the water temperature has started to change," Hernandez said, "and with it the fishing will improve in the coming days." LAS ARENAS FISHING REPORT.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Earlier, Carlos Touche of Tucson and his group fished two days on the Las Arenas side with Tortuga Sportfishing, and found good action on pargo, cabrilla, and roosterfish, including Touche's biggest rooster ever, caught off the Las Arenas lighthouse. "The water was boiling with activity and we caught two very large ones," Touche said. "Our guide, Rigo, was extremely careful in hoisting the fish for pictures...We wanted to assure that the fish would not be hurt." LAS ARENAS FISHING REPORT.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Leonard Phillips of Baja Pirates Fleet said some north wind blew early in the week, and boats fished along the shore of Isla Espiritu Santo for limits of pargo and cabrilla. By the end of the week, La Paz side waters were calm in the mid-70s, and boats fished the gap between Islas Espiritu Santo and Cerralvo for dorado to 40 pounds.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Arturo Susarrey of Arturo's Sportfishing said yellowtail action was improved at Islas Carmen and Coronado, with boats averaging about two fish of 15 to 30 pounds. Arturo's caught their first dorado of the season, large fish of 38 to 45 pounds, and marlin and sailfish were also reported. Loreto weather was sunny and calm. LORETO FISHING REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Currie of Long Beach fished four days with Capt. Vallente Davis on the Katy for a catch of: one 35-pound amberjack, cabrilla to 18 pounds, pargo to 15 pounds, and three yellowtail to 20 pounds, caught at Punta Pulpito. "Overall fishing was slow," Currie said. "There was not a lot of bait, but some for sale." LORETO FISHING REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: At Villas de Loreto, Wendy Wilchynski said, "We have had a lot of fishermen this week, but not much to shout about. The fish are hiding. We have covered a lot of ocean, but with few yellowtail, dorado and cabrilla coming in."

LORETO, MEXICO: Jeff Petersen of Loreto fished with the Carnaderos baitsellers at night around Isla Coronado and caught some cabrilla and pargo alisan before the moon rose and stopped the action. Earlier, Petersen found slow fishing for "only lunch" around the island, and also reported his neighbor fishing outside and spotting many dorado, marlin, and sailfish, but catching very little: "No hot water. Lots of bait. The fish haven't been interested in much." LORETO FISHING REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said yellowtail fishing was variable day-to-day, mostly on fish in the mid 20-pound range, and dorado were still far outside, separated from the coast by a band of cooler water: "There is a wide patch of cold water that runs north to south that is separating us from the offshore warm area of blue water where the pelagics are right now. So Loreto has to wait."

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Rick Barber of Mulege reported outstanding fishing for cabrilla and dorado last week, including two large 45-pound bulls. "One may have topped 50 pounds," Barber said, "but I don't have that confirmed yet."

MULEGE, MEXICO: Ildefonso Medina of Tijuana, Armando Valdez, and Gerardo Ramos fished 35 miles out of Mulege with Capt. Mateo "El Navegador" Apodaca and scored on five dorado, plus a surprise wahoo of about 50 pounds, on a green feather. "In 27 years, our guide hadn't caught a fish like that," Medina said. "We recommend Capt. Apocada highly, 011-52-615-153-0785."

MULEGE, MEXICO: Larry Hahn of El Paso said this year's big Texas pilot Saturday Night Pig Roast at the Hotel Serenidad is scheduled for Aug. 6-7, 2005, and 40 planes were already scheduled to fly down for the event. "Most of the planes are from El Paso and west Texas," Hahn said. "It will be a fun get together."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said the island's second annual Yellowtail ShootOut fishing tournament was underway over the weekend, with good size and fish counts, but during the week, he had some outstanding action on sawtail grouper at Isla San Marcos. Fishing daily with various groups in 250 feet of water at the south end of Isla Tortuga, Kanzler said he scored on a total of about 30 grouper to over 30 pounds, plus some yellowtail to 30 pounds. Santa Rosalia weather was in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 75 degrees near the islands and hitting 80 degrees offshore. SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORT.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES (L.A. BAY) FISHING REPORTS

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Pete Hadley of San Juan Capistrano reported slow yellowtail fishing during a trip to Bahia de las Animas and Bahia de los Angeles, in good weather in the low-80s, and water temperatures of 66 to 70 degrees. "I talked to Alfredo Diaz and he had just come in from fishing the Isla Smith area on Friday and his report was the same as mine," Hadley said, "slow for yellowtail and they were all small, no more than about 12 pounds." Hadley added that lines are long at the new gas station in the mornings, as the computers must be restarted daily, so anyone who needs gas early should get it the day before." BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES FISHING REPORT.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko at Bahia de los Angeles reported hot weather in the mid-90s, warming water temperatures hitting 70 degrees, and improving surface yellowtail action around Isla Smith and south around Bahia de las Animas. "The yellowtail are arriving in big schools on the surface," Vazquez said. "More and more every day." BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES FISHING REPORT.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Stan Woodward of Manhattan Beach relayed reports from Beto Lucero at San Francisquito saying both yellowtail and white seabass were present.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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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 19, 2005, with a catch of: 63 yellowtail to 25 pounds; one black sea bass, 60 pounds; two white seabass to 20 pounds; 57 cabrilla to 23 pounds; 54 pargo to 12 pounds; one grouper, 52 pounds; a few giant squid; and full limits of spotted bay bass. Castellon said officials informed him that squid could not be taken home, but could be eaten on board or used as bait. Water temperatures at the south end of the Midriff Islands were cool at 57 to 62 degrees. SAN FELIPE PANGA MOTHERSHIP FISHING REPORT.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Fili Espinoza of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on May 20, 2005, with a catch of: 133 yellowtail, 14-24 pounds; one grouper, 60 pounds; one grouper released, 30 pounds; one black sea bass, 145 pounds; 18 white seabass, 14-25 pounds; 94 cabrilla, 10 to 16 pounds; 40 squid; 20 red snapper, 8 to 12 pounds; two broomtail grouper, 14 pounds; 15 sheephead, 7 to 12 pounds; 85 spotted bay bass; two golden cabrilla released, 14 to 16 pounds; and 104 miscellaneous fish. The average water temperature during the trip was 72.7 degrees.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Ray Alexander of Valley Center reported on an exploratory trip out to the Golden Reef from the Puertecitos area, in good sea conditions: "As we got within two miles of the coordinates, top water activities picked up, lots of birds and a few small boils. We got a glimpse of one whale, not enough to identify. There were several around that could be heard breathing but could not be seen. We didn't catch anything at the reef, but I am sure that will change."

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Dana Kerby of Baja Sportfishing, Inc., reported on a six-day trip by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe on May 19, 2005, with a catch of: 208 yellowtail, 156 cabrilla, 25 pargo, eight white seabass, one black sea bass, and 328 miscellaneous fish released for prepared for dinner. The Erik fished in water temperatures of 71 to 75 degrees at Punta Suspiro, San Esteban, Cardonosa, Salsipuedes, Bahia de los Angeles, Asamblea, and Golden Reef.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Eric Friedrichsen of Carlsbad reported on a spearfishing trip to the Gonzaga Bay area, diving for three days out of Alfonsina's, as he and his companions Brandon Wahlers and Ryan Moore scored on a variety of species, including a barred pargo of 20.12 pounds. GONZAGA BAY SPEARFISHING REPORT.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: At San Felipe, Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay said the weather turned hot and humid, with temperatures on Sunday morning at 88 degrees, and relative humidity at 55 percent. Many visitors were in town as the Memorial Day weekend rush approached. SAN FELIPE TOWN REPORT.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO), MEXICO: Mike Auditore of Phoenix reported on a run in good conditions to the 51 mile reef area for a four-angler catch of: eight snappers over 10 pounds, one yellowtail of 18 pounds, one broomtail grouper of 17 pounds, one white seabass of 15 pounds, and 26 goldspotted bass to 7 pounds. "The yellowtail was the first ever out of Rocky Point for me," Auditore said. "What a great spring!" ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING TRIP REPORT.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO), MEXICO: Shawn Gustafson of Chandler, Ariz., reported on a day of fishing on his boat Murphy Girl with his wife Tina and their two dogs, making bait 13 miles from Rocky Point and then fishing in 73-degree water at the 51 and 52-mile reefs for lots of goldspotted bass, two whitefish, one 10-pound red snapper, one scorpionfish, Humboldt squid, and three white seabass of 10 to 15 pounds. Gustafson said the catch was mainly goldspotted bass until a nearby boat told him to fish while anchored. Species caught by other boats included spotted cabrilla, white seabass, and one yellowtail. ROCKY POINT FISHING REPORT.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO), MEXICO: Earlier, Arthur Pina of Tucson and his group fished with Curtis Grant on his boat Bonus Time, about 48 miles south in 74.5-degree water, for a good catch of six yellowtail to about 20 pounds, numerous goldspotted bass, and a 35-pound cabrilla. ROCKY POINT FISHING TRIP REPORT.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bob Blair of Fishing San Carlos reported fishing early in the week for eight dorado on day and four dorado the following day. "They are a long way out," Blair said, "but think positive, they will get closer."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Peszka of San Carlos fished 30 miles out at midweek for six dorado, trolling next to a long line, and a black marlin on the way back, in 79.8-degree water: "On the way back, we tried to avoid a marlin and sure enough hooked it. After a 30-minute fight we were able to release a 200-pound black marlin."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Over the previous weekend, Steve Calvert of San Carlos, reported a three-day catch of 42 dorado released or kept on his boat Catch-22, and an estimated a total of about 60 boats fishing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Earlier, Manuel Gerhardus of Guasave, Sinaloa, launched his boat Mamanina at Las Glorias, south of Topolobampo, and ran out 40 miles to find 79-degree water and calms seas, plus a 60-pound yellowfin tuna on a cedar plug for Horacio Penuelas.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Fernando Almada of Guaymas, David Walker, and Alejandro Verdugo fished on Almada's boat Fish Stalker around Isla Tortuga for limits of dorado, in good sea conditions and water temperatures of 77 degrees, up to 80 degrees near the island.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said striped marlin fishing picked up strongly toward the end of the week as Aries Fleet boats out of Marina el Cid scored many double releases, a triple, a quadruple, and a six-release day for the Aries II. Local bottom fishing produced easy limits of pargos, grunts, puffers, and triggerfish. Mazatlan weather was calm in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 76 degrees inshore and 78 degrees offshore. MAZATLAN FISHING REPORT.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze of Zihuatanejo reported blue, 80-degree water just off the beach, and offshore boats averaging about three sailfish per day, plus some yellowfin tuna, and continued blue marlin for boats targeting them with heavy tackle. Capt. Leo on a private boat leadered two marlin in a day, and Capt. Indio on the Gran Jefe boated a 400 pounder. Inshore fishing was slow on roosterfish, but productive for jack crevalle. IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament said roosterfish were still scarce, but a few more fish were showing offshore. Gary Stokes of Englewood, Fla., fishing with Capt. Santiago on the Gitana, tagged 3 sailfish and landed 5 football tuna.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Stan Lushinsky of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters said high tides slowed inshore fishing, but boats fishing offshore averaged more than one sailfish per day. One group of five pangas fishing 30 miles south of Zihuatanejo had a combined four-day catch including released fish of: 24 sailfish, five yellowfin tuna, 18 bonito, 34 yellowtail jacks, one blue marlin, and miscellaneous species. IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported Ixtapa Zihuatanejo weather as partly cloudy in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 80 to 84 degrees.

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ROOSTERFISH #1--Dan McGowan trolled a mullet just off the beach south of East Cape's Cabo Pulmo, and scored his first roosterfish ever, a beautiful 50 pounder. Photo courtesy Jim Nordberg.

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BAD DOG YELLOWS--Steve and Gail Ross fished on their boat Bad Dog at Ensenada's Punta Banda with deckhand Alejandro (right) and scored on four nice yellowtail of 18.5 to 24.5 pounds. Photo courtesy Steve Ross.

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MID-CORTEZ TUNA--Horacio Penuelas fished on Manuel Gerhardus boat, about 40 miles out of Las Glorias, south of Topolobampo, and caught this 60-pound yellowfin tuna on a cedar plug. Photo courtesy Manuel Gerhardus.

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EL CARDONAL WAHOO--Bill Erhardt of Loreto trailered his boat south to East Cape's El Cardonal and caught three wahoo, including this 52 pounder, about 10 miles out. Photo courtesy Bill Erhardt.

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LAS ARENAS BIGGIE--Carlos Touche fished on La Paz' Las Arenas side with Tortuga Sportfishing, and released his biggest roosterfish ever, during two days with Capt. Rigo. Photo courtesy Carlos Touche.

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LORETO AMBERJACK--Bill Currie found fishing conditions fairly slow for four days out of Loreto with Capt. Vallente Davis on the Katy, but did catch cabrilla to 18 pounds, pargo to 15 pounds, three yellowtail to 20 pounds, and this nice 35-pound amberjack. Photo courtesy Bill Currie.

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WAHOO AT MULEGE--Ildefonso Medina, Armando Valdez, and Gerardo Ramos fished out of Mulege with Capt. Mateo Apodaca and they caught five dorado, a sailfish, and this big surprise wahoo. Photo courtesy Ildefonso Medina.

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TORTUGA SAWTAILS--The "O.C. Crew" David Sowers, Matt "Bulldog" Alferes and Shane Sowers (left to right) fished at Isla Tortuga with Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos and loaded up on yellowtail and lots of big sawtail grouper. Photo courtesy Mike Kanzler.

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NORTH CORTEZ YELLOWTAIL--Dave Merrill of Mesa, Ariz., fished out of Rocky Point on Mike Auditore's boat El Gato Blanco and they caught a lot of snappers, bass, and grouper, plus this yellowtail that was Auditore's first in more than five years of fishing in the area. Photo courtesy Mike Auditore.

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ISLA TORTUGA GOLD!--Alejandro Verdugo of Guaymas fished out of San Carlos on Fernando Almada's boat and caught his first dorado ever out near Isla Tortuga. Said Almada, "He was shaking with excitement after the fight!" Photo courtesy Fernando Almada.

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KAYAK CAUGHT DORADO--James Drummondo caught a real nice 30-pound class dorado a couple of miles off East Cape's Punta Arena during a trip with La Jolla Kayak Fishing. Photo courtesy Jim Sammons.

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