Big storm Otis fizzles but still ruffles Baja fishing areas

Mexico Fishing News, October 3, 2005

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Hurricane Otis was downgraded to tropical storm status on Sunday, but not before its passage about 100 miles off the Pacific side of Baja disrupted sportfishing operations for several days.

Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas said La Playita panga fleet launches were shut down from Friday through the weekend by the passage of Otis about 100 miles to the west, as the San Jose del Cabo area received several inches of rainfall, but with only minor flooding. Earlier in the week, the best fishing action continued to be in the Iman Bank area, for yellowfin tuna to 40 pounds, amberjack, snappers, sailfish, and dorado. Brictson reported on 34 combined fleet La Playita pangas, with a storm-shortened week's catch of: six sailfish, 90 yellowfin tuna, three wahoo, 14 amberjack, 10 dog snapper, 18 dorado, 12 grouper, 16 bonito, 22 rainbow runner, and four hammerhead shark. SAN JOSE DEL CABO FISHING REPORT.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Jim Tolbert of La Playita said local panga fishing operations were still halted on Sunday: "Pangas are up high on the beach. All is quiet here with both Palmilla and La Playita fleets out of action due to Otis. There is still high surf today and it is expected to continue for next day or so."

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Emerald Argonza of Matador Sportfishing reported on a run 15 miles west of the 295 spot on Saturday by the Matador with Capt. David Silva and three anglers, for a catch of 21 yellowtail in hot kelp paddy action. Water in the fishing area was deep blue at 67 degrees, and sea conditions were flat for the ride back to Ensenada.

"Fishing at Ensenada did start to pick up quite a bit now for the past week and I do believe it will stay this way for two or three more weeks before it is finally over," Argonza said. ENSENADA FISHING REPORT.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet reported steady bottom fish limits for his pangas at the tip of Punta Banda, on rockcods, lingcod, and calico bass including a 10 pounder for Francisco Espinoza, who fished with Capt. Hector on the Vonny II. Ensenada weather was mostly cloudy in the mid-70s, with 3-foot ocean swells and water temperatures in the fishing area at 62 degrees. ENSENADA FISHING REPORT.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Gerardo Sanchez of KCHTS Sportfishing reported steady local bottom fishing, but slow surface action for some barracuda at Isla Todos Santos. A run to San Jose reef on Saturday found bottom fish limits for two anglers on red rockcod, lingcod to over 20 pounds, sheephead, whitefish, and mixed bottom fish, in flat conditions and a water temperature of 57 degrees. ENSENADA FISHING REPORT.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Earlier, Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Sportfishing Center reported on 88 anglers aboard the Ensenada Clipper, Shir-Lee Too, Shir-Lee, Cazador, Quest, and Clipper II, with a catch of: 77 yellowtail, two bonito, 23 yellowfin tuna, 87 skipjack, 40 lingcod, 112 rockcod, and 30 whitefish.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog at Ensenada's Marina Coral reported on his second local fishing tournament win in as many weeks, this one the Puerto Salina Torneo de Pesca Deportiva at Puerto Salina, 18 miles north of Ensenada. "We met a lot of nice people and had a great time," Ross said. "I really had fun. We all wore our red Bad Dog T-Shirts and looked like the team we are." ENSENADA FISHING TOURNAMENT REPORT.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp reported 24 boats fishing during the week, for steady red rockcod, whitefish, lingcod, and many good-sized calico bass. Castro said, "We are seeing white seabass and yellowtail, but they don't want to eat because we also have a lot of bait in the water." Erendira weather was good all week except for winds on Tuesday. Seas were mostly flat, with clear blue water color and a water temperature of 59 to 60 degrees in the main fishing area 6 miles from the coast.

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Jason Pasto reported on two days of fishing at Erendira, with flat seas and a jammed ice chest of red rockcod, bass, lingcod, whitefish, and sculpin the first day, and rough seas the second day. "We used white iron all of the time...tipped with squid," Pasto said. "...The fish were smaller than the same time last year at Erendira. But we had a terrific trip and caught a great variety of fish." ERENDIRA FISHING REPORT.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported steady yellowtail and lingcod action, but no offshore tuna. "In water 13 to 15 miles off the point, we have a 69 to 70-degree current," Hillis said. "We sent two fishing boats out to check for tuna, but nada, nada." Stan Woodward of Manhattan Beach and Doug Coffey of San Diego fished two days locally for 11 yellowtail to 25 pounds, lingcod, and rockcod. San Quintin weather was in the low-90s, with light winds, and no effects by Sunday from Tropical Storm Otis off the southern coast of Baja. SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORT.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Joe Martin of Santee and his wife Juanita fished at Playa San Ramon north of San Quintin during the previous week with Capt. Bear out of Don Eddie's Landing, for slow action in rough conditions: "We caught lots of sandbass and calicos, but the yellows and white seabass we were targeting gave us the slip..It was a cold, windy and snotty fishing day." SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORT.

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

Baja California Coast Fishing

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Juanchys Aguilar of Laguna la Bocana, on Baja's semi-remote Pacific coast, reported good fishing all week for smaller 8 to 12-pound yellowtail, some medium dorado, wahoo seen under the boats, and two black sea bass of 122 and 160 pounds, fishing at the Gringa bank about 6 miles south of La Bocana. A second boat caught three black sea bass of 140, 180, and 210 pounds. Fishing inside the lagoon with live sardinas, Aguilar reported 17 grouper of 8 to 10 pounds, in 79-degree water only 10 to 11 feet deep. Another boat, fishing with six American anglers, scored on 45 to 50 yellowtail. BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORT.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Michael Holland of Port Ludlow, Wash., offered a cash reward of $2,500 to $5,000 and requested information from Baja California or Mexico coastal areas about his missing yacht, the Golden Rose, a 35-foot, 1982 Cheoy Lee sloop, last reported seen at Marina Coral, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, on Sept. 11, 2005. Holland said the boat may have been taken into Mexico for repainting and sale: "My wife and I drove down to the marina at Hotel Coral the next day but the boat was not there...We think that the reward for information leading to the location and verification of my boat should be $2,500. If that person can also secure or gain possession of the boat then the reward would be $5,000." Contact: michael@olypen.com, 800-755-6164.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said Hurricane Otis was making offshore conditions "pretty grumpy" by the weekend, but earlier action just off the Magdalena Bay coast was excellent for marlin: "Retriever...reported excellent fishing 15 miles outside of Santa Maria Bay including double-digit marlin plus dorado and wahoo." Magdalena Bay weather was cloudy in the mid-80s with some rain and wind, and water temperatures of 70 to 81 degrees. MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORT.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: At Puerto Lopez Mateos, Diana Hoyt of Mag Bay Outfitters said Capt. Ruben Duran caught limits of yellowfin tuna, one black seabass, one wahoo, and one dorado, while fishing 20 miles off Magdalena Bay's Boca de Soledad, in a water temperature of 81 degrees. "Looks like storm Otis might mess some things up. We shall see," Hoyt said.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported the port of Cabo San Lucas still closed on Sunday after the passing of Hurricane Otis on Friday. Cabo sea conditions were still rough, with swells of 8 to 10 feet, and winds of 20 to 30 m.p.h. Before the storm passed, water temperatures were at about 86 degrees on the Pacific side, and 86 to 87 degrees on the Cortez side. "The hot spot for the final day of fishing this week at Cabo San Lucas was on the Pacific side, up on the inside of the Golden Gate Bank and beyond," Landrum said. "The water temperature was right, and there were striped marlin all over the place." CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said the fishing was been good until Hurricane Otis approached Cabo San Lucas. Edwards reported on 51 earlier outings by The Fish Cabo, Fish Cabo I, and Gaviota Fleet, with a catch including released fish of: two blue marlin, 26 striped marlin, eight sailfish, 34 dorado, and five wahoo, and 22 yellowfin tuna. Cabo San Lucas weather was hot and humid with some rain, in the high 90s, with water temperatures of 81 degrees on the Pacific side to 86 degrees at the Gordo Banks. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 34 boats, with a catch including released fish of: one blue marlin, 21 striped marlin, eight sailfish, 25 dorado, 13 yellowfin tuna, seven wahoo, three skipjack, three bonita, and two boats skunked. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of Encinitas reported Cabo San Lucas weather over the weekend as cloudy with some rain, and the seas rough due the passage of Hurricane Otis on the Pacific side. Fishing up on the Cortez side earlier on his boat Dos Gueros, Lewis reported a day's catch of: eight yellowfin tuna, two dorado, and a dozen skipjack. "We fished the Iman bank with many other fishing boats from Los Barriles and Cabo," Lewis said. "The yellowfin tuna bite was slow but steady..." CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported a catch rate of 82 percent for all species combined through Thursday, with 41 percent of boats landing dorado of 10 to 35 pounds, and tuna much slower at 12 percent. Pisces Fleet's billfish catch, including released fish was: 28 striped marlin, 14 sailfish, and seven blue marlin. "Cabo San Lucas fishing this week could be described as average," Ehrenberg said. "We could have done with more blue marlin." CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported the port closed on Sunday, but 12 earlier outings by El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II with a catch including released fish of: four blue marlin, three striped marlin, three sailfish, 10 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 25 pounds, and eight dorado of 25 to 45 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Fishing the previous week on the panga Cheers with Capt. Ramon, 011-52-624-143-0274, Charlie Whitesell of Glendale and Cabo San Lucas said, "...Very rough conditions, with swells up to 8 feet, but it must have been to the liking of the dorado." About a dozen dorado to 35 pounds were released while fishing 5 miles off the lighthouse, in a water temperature of 77 degrees. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Benjamin Ortega of Solmar Fleet said some good action was found during the week. Solmar's top boat was El Torito with Capt. Antonio Romero and a five-outing catch including released fish of: 12 striped marlin, nine blue marlin, 23 yellowfin tuna, eight sailfish, and 19 dorado. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported a few East Cape boats fishing again by Saturday after the passage of Hurricane Otis up Baja's Pacific side, but "judging by the whitecaps on the horizon, it may be a short day for everyone." During the week, Humboldt squid were still found a few miles offshore, and tuna were still caught, but the billfish bite turned tougher. East Cape weather was cloudy in the high-90s, with water temperatures of 80 to 88 degrees. EAST CAPE FLY FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Mark Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport dive service said tours to the Cabo Pulmo corral reef park were only interrupted for two days by the passing of Hurricane Otis: "Hurricane Otis just fizzled...On Friday morning everybody at East Cape was busy pulling boats and getting prepared for the predicted worst. Well, it never came." Earlier, Ash Pickering reported water temperatures on the reef at 86 degrees, with visibility at 80 to 90 feet. EAST CAPE HURRICANE REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chuck Meredith of Los Barriles reported late in the week that local fishing was slow, and hotel boats were running about 45 to 50 miles both north and south to find fish. All hotel boats had been pulled in anticipation of rough conditions from Hurricane Otis. EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the previous week, Chis Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 412 boats from combined fleets including the Van Wormer resorts of Hotel Palmas de Cortez and Playa de Sol, with a catch including released fish of: 41 blue marlin, 57 striped marlin, 75 sailfish, 397 dorado, 942 yellowfin tuna, 41 pargo, and 36 wahoo. East Cape weather was mostly calm, with water temperatures of 81 to 89 degrees. EAST CAPE FISHING REPORT.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said La Paz fishing operations were shut down on Saturday, even though Hurricane Otis only brought "an eeenie bit of rain" to the area and seas remained flat. Boats were launched again on Sunday morning: "...We put out the boats today because it is fishable even though the port captain wanted to close things down again." Before the closure, Las Arenas side fishing continued good for tuna around the lighthouse. Roldan said, "We'll just have to see what La Paz fishing looks like after Otis moves on." LA PAZ FISHING REPORT.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Dos Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing reported no real weather problems from Hurricane Otis on the Las Arenas side, except for clouds and some light rain. Pangas fished close to shore around Punta Arena de la Ventana, due to swells. Earlier, pangas fished at the south end of Isla Cerralvo for a catch including dorado, tuna, pargo colmilludo, marlin, and sailfish. LA PAZ FISHING REPORT.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported yellowfin tuna caught in good-looking water about 20 miles out. "Monday, September 26, I scored on five yellowfin to 26 pounds and also one marlin, one sailfish, two dorado and a bonito," Erhardt said. "That is a pretty good day of solo fishing in Loreto or anyplace." Four trips by Erhardt produced a total of three marlin caught, in water temperatures from the mid-80s to as high as 91 degrees. "Since I have been back I have found the best fishing in Loreto so far this year," Erhardt said. LORETO FISHING REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: Don Ritter of Atascadero and his group of eight anglers fished four days out of Loreto with Rubio's Sportfishing, for a 16 boat-day catch including released fish of: 23 dorado of 10 to 35 pounds, two marlin, and two sailfish. "The best Loreto fishing hole seemed to be an anchored piece of styrofoam located a few miles north of Coronado Island," Ritter said. No floating weeds were seen in the area. Rubio's Sportfishing: 011-53-613-135-0134, rubiosportfishing@hotmail.com. LORETO FISHING REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company reported Loreto water temperatures at 80 to 89 degrees: "For the past couple of weeks with the calm water and heat there's been no shortage of marlin and sailfish...Last week there were a lot of marlin in a small area between Isla Monserrate and Islote de los Lobos." Dorado action continued slow, but a few fish were caught closer to shore: "...Water temperatures are cooler near the shorelines than over the deep water which is why we're finding them there." LORETO FISHING REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto commented on recent reports of "blue tuna" caught in the Mulege area: "Capt. Paulino Martinez and the other pangueros in Loreto use the same words for oceanic skipjack. They are not bluefin tuna. They have bonita-like stripes on one-half of their bodies. Nor are they black skipjack, or barrilete. The meat of the oceanic skipjack is just as tasty grilled as that of yellowfin.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Rick Barber of Mulege reported steady offshore action for yellowfin tuna and dorado about 4 to 6 miles outside Punta Concepcion: "The best fishing directions are to leave Mulegé and head for Punta Concepción. Pass the point close and go another 4 to 6 miles and drop your lures in. Pretty simple." Mulege guide Capt. Mateo fished the area with clients on Friday for five dorado to 28 pounds, three sailfish, and a possible ocean skipjack, locally called "blue tuna." Mulege weather was calm in the low-100s, with water temperatures of 85 degrees inside and 88 degrees outside, and with the anticipation of rough conditions early next week due to the possible passing of Hurricane Otis. MULEGE FISHING REPORT.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos reported Santa Rosalia weather in the mid-90s, with clouds, some light sprinkles, and water temperatures of 82 to 85 degrees. Local fishing had good sierra action around the isla and San Lucas Cove, and there was a slow pick on cabrilla and medium yellowtail on the bajos. A run out to Isla Tortuga on Friday with Walter Cox of Encinitas, Calif., his son Stephen, and friend Garrett Sailer of Seattle, Wash., produced a good catch of leopard grouper of 6 to 10 pounds, two sawtail grouper of 15 to 25 pounds, a 50-pound gulf grouper, and a couple of sailfish releases on the troll. Santa Rosalia weather was changing quickly by Saturday as Hurricane Otis moved closer up the Baja Pacific side. SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORT.

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko at Bahia de los Angeles reported fair fishing down deep for mostly small yellowtail on jigs. Some sierra were present in the bay, and bait was easy to get. The sea lions were no longer a problem while fishing. There were still no whale sharks present. Bahia de los Angeles weather was in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 81 to 84 degrees, and the road was in good condition. BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES FISHING REPORT.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Celia Castellon of Sea of Cortez Sportfishing reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Celia Angelina, returning to San Felipe with biologists and a full load of anglers on Sept. 9, 2005, with a catch of: 139 yellowtail, 81 cabrilla, 150 spotted bay bass, and 150 miscellaneous fish. Also caught at the Enchanted Islands, by special permit for research purposes only, were 24 endangered totoaba, which were photographed and turned over to officials at the dock in San Felipe. Castellon said spots were available on two more trips that will also have special totoaba permits: cvcastellon@aol.com, 626-333-9012.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay reported San Felipe weather hot in the low-100s, with high humidity of about 56 percent. The water temperature in the bay was about 85 degrees and very few visitors were in town, as Hurricane Otis approached Baja's Pacific coast: "Otis has been downgraded...But the Sea of Cortez may cause it to build up again....San Felipe can almost certainly expect some heavy rain storm activity." SAN FELIPE TOWN REPORT.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO), MEXICO: Jon Kay of Tiburon Charters reported his fish count for a trip the previous week with six anglers at the 50-mile bank area: six red snapper, one flounder, six dorado, one skipjack tuna, and 10 goldspotted bass.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Steve Calvert of the boat Catch-22 reported that the large black marlin caught by the San Carlos boat Miss Teton on Sept. 24, 2005, was weighed at 724 pounds, and had a girth of 58.5 inches and a length not including the bill of 14 feet 10 inches. "I saw it with my own eyes," Calvert said. Catch-22 fished two days at the end of the same week for a catch including released fish of: two marlin, two sailfish, and 10 dorado. "On Friday, we had 12 billfish in the spread in 4 hours, but our hooks were rubber," Calvert said.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bob Blair of Fishing San Carlos said the big black marlin was caught about a quarter-mile from his boat Andale: "He was using a Shimano 50 Tiagra and it was spooled at least three times...Capt. Abel Anaya has been on these waters for 40 years and if it hadn't been for him they would not have gotten this fish...These were first-time anglers." SAN CARLOS FISHING REPORT.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said the port of Mazatlan was closed by weather on Friday, and during the week only nine Aries Fleet boats fished out of Marina el Cid, for a catch including released fish of: one blue marlin of 250 pounds, one sailfish, and 24 dorado. "It is the lowest number of boats I have ever reported on for Mazatlan," Edwards said. Mazatlan water temperatures were stable at 88 to 89 degrees. MAZATLAN FISHING REPORT.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Josh Temple of Prime Time Adventures reported improved water color and very good fishing for large yellowfin tuna to well over 200 pounds and black marlin of 400 to 600 pounds, including fishing days on El Pescador with an ESPN television crew, and also a group from Avet Reels, who scored on cow class tuna to 279.7 pounds. "The water is finally blue again and the fishing is just epic," Temple said. "We start tomorrow on a run of 17 days straight." PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORT.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Temple also announced the official rules of the 2004 Cow Town Tuna and Marlin Roundup fishing tournament scheduled at Puerto Vallarta on Oct. 28-29, 2005, with a tournament entry fee of $1,650 per team. Information: hunt4giants.com. PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING TOURNAMENT INFORMATION.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Larry Lionetti reported on his session with Josh Temple and the ESPN film crew on his boat El Pescador, finding rough conditions during the first day of fishing, but then getting one big tuna out of a triple hookup at Roca Corbetena on the second day: "Finally, the fish was gaffed and brought aboard and a sense of success came over everyone, as we knew we got the fish, footage in the can, and the show, which will air in January." PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORT.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing reported on an inshore run to Punta Mita for three roosterfish of 35 pounds plus one 55 pounder. Skippering a 46-foot boat offshore, Gomez said he missed on a large tuna and a black marlin, and settled for two bull dorado on trolled mullet baits. PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORT.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Vath of Oxnard reported on the 313-pound yellowfin tuna caught aboard his boat Tinknocker by “Big Daddy” Don Burnside at Roca Corbetena on Sept. 25, 2005: "I took the measurements several times and it taped 307 pounds conservatively...Later it went 313 pounds on our certified scale...Fishing at Puerto Vallarta has been really tough with even the best boats and skippers blanking some days...The Marla II, Yolaray and Prime Time are all in the hunt daily." Puerto Vallarta sea conditions were up-and-down, with water temperatures at about 88 degrees. PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORT.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Todd Fraser of Santa Cruz fished with Capt. Danny Osuna on the Marla 2 and reported: "I caught two fish over 200 pounds and a bunch in the 40-70 pound range and a 175 pound tuna." Puerto Vallarta sea conditions were flat, with variable water color at 88 to 89 degrees, Fraser said, and most of the fish were caught drifting bait and chunk fishing. PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORT.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Stan Lushinsky of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters reported rough weather, with the port closed four days last week, and small craft advisories on the other three days: "Captain Adolofo's only venture out this week found only one small roosterfish and a handful of bonitos and needlefish." The Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Total Tag & Release tournament was scheduled Nov. 6-9, 2005, as a qualifying event for the ROLEX/IGFA Tournament of Champions at Cabo San Lucas in 2006. IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament said the effects of distant Hurricane Otis hampered offshore and inshore fishing last week: "...Rains produced enough river runoff to muddy up the beach water...Clearing weather and water at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo have hopes high for the upcoming 'Jacks or Better' fly fishing tournament." IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said anglers were arriving for his Jacks or Better roosterfish and jack release tournament scheduled to begin at midweek: "As an IGFA Rolex qualifying tournament, everyone is hoping to win big and participate in the Florida event in 2006." Ixtapa Zihuatanejo weather was partly cloudy in the mid-80s, with water temperatures at 80 to 84 degrees. IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ixtapa Zihuatanejo IGFA Representative and fly fishing guide Ed Kunze proposed an idea for a roosterfish tagging program to follow upon the area's progress on billfish tagging during the past several years: "Ixtapa Zihuatanejo was a killing ground for billfish. But...we are now releasing almost 85 percent of our billfish...Roosterfish...has even a greater risk for recovery than the billfish. Conservation of the species must start very soon." ROOSTERFISH TAGGING PROGRAM PROPOSAL.

HUATULCO FISHING REPORTS

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HUATULCO, MEXICO: Eric Weissman of Explore Fly Fishing reported sea temperatures in the mid-80s at his Huatulco fishing operation at San Augustinillo and yellowfin tuna still in the area: "Daily rains storms should be building the volumes in the river, so October looks like it will be excellent for large inshore predators like jacks, roosters, sierra and tunny, which will concentrate on the powerful river outflows. This outflowing also draws the big boys like sails and dorado to within several hundred meters of shore."

Fish Photo 1

VALLARTA SHOW TIME!--An ESPN television crew tapes a big yellowfin tuna about to come aboard Larry Lionetti's Puerto Vallarta boat El Pescador last week. See Lionetti's report in the Puerto Vallarta section below. Photo courtesy Larry Lionetti.

ENSENADA WIN #2--The crew of Steve and Gail Ross' boat Bad Dog celebrates their second Ensenada fishing tournament win this season, at the Puerto Salina Torneo de Pesca Deportiva at Puerto Salina, 18 miles north of Ensenada. From left, "Marinero" Alex "Jando" Ruiz, Gail Ross, Juan Lu Cardona-Sepulveda, and Steve Ross. Photo courtesy Steve Ross.

BOTTOM FISH LIMITS--Jerry Stussman and his group from Simi Valley caught one yellowtail and limits of bottom fish last week while fishing on a Vonny's Fleet beach launched panga at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda. Photo courtesy Ivan Villarino.

NEW CHARTER BOAT AT SAN QUINTIN--K&M Offshore Sportfishing's new Parker Pilothouse boat has just joined their fleet at San Quintin. Photo courtesy Kelly Catian.

BEFORE OTIS--Before Hurricane Otis shut down fishing for a day last week, Wayne and Sarah Moss had some good tuna fishing with Tailhunter International. But when Sarah dropped some chunk squid off Las Arenas for tuna, she instead hung this big dog snapper being held up by Wayne. The fish was one of several that were caught in only about 20 feet of water. Photo courtesy Jonathan Roldan.

DORADO AT LORETO--Ernie Sites of San Jose, Calif., with a dorado caught on last week north of Colorado Island at Loreto. Photo courtesy Don Ritter.

ISLA TORTUGA FISHING--Stephen Cox, Walter Cox, and Garrett Sailer fished at Isla Tortuga off Santa Rosalia with Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos and they scored on this 50-pound gulf grouper and 25-pound plus sawtail grouper. Photo courtesy Mike Kanzler.

BIGGIE AT SAN CARLOS--A black marlin caught by the boat Miss Teton on Sept. 24, 2005, is weighed on the docks at San Carlos, Sonora, at 724 pounds. Photo courtesy Bob Blair.

SATELLITE TAGGING--Clarke Smith's 600 pound class black marlin, caught Sept. 29, 2005, aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Prime Time, was released with a satellite pop up tag. Photo courtesy Josh Temple.

FIRST 300 POUNDER--"Big Daddy" Don Burnside caught the first 300-pound plus yellowfin tuna for Stan Vath's boat Tinknocker at Puerto Vallarta on Sept. 25, 2005. The fish was weighed at 313 pounds on Vath's certified scale. Photo courtesy Stan Vath.

MARLA 2 FISHING--Todd Fraser (right) with deckhands Alvino and Carlos, and some nice yellowfin tuna caught aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla 2 with Capt. Danny Osuna. Photo courtesy Todd Fraser.

EAST CAPE DOGGIE--A toothy dog snapper caught by James Molina at East Cape poses for a close-up. Photo courtesy Andrew McLaws.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES