Ixtapa Zihuatanejo winter sailfish on the chew

Mexico Fishing News, January 16, 2006

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Stan Lushinsky of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters said, "...Last week was by far the most consistent of the season...led by some wide-open sailfish action."

Offshore charter boats averaged about two sailfish per day, but some catches were much higher, including four to six-fish days for Capts. Candelario, Cheva, and Chiro, and a run of 35 sailfish in six days for angler Mike Visocki on the Dos Hermanos II. IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO SPORTFISHING REPORT.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament said, "What can I say? You want sailfish? They are here and the bite is on. There are still a few marlin hanging around and the tuna are starting to show up. Dorado are patchy. The outlook for next week is fantastic."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze of Zihuatanejo reported the 25-boat charter fleet averaging about 8 to 10 sailfish in the pattern per day, producing two to three hookups per boat on fly tackle, and three to four fish landed on conventional gear. The combined fleet also continued to score about three blue marlin per day. Yellowfin tuna were scattered and wary, and dorado action was sporadic. Capt. Arturo of the charter sportfishing panga Janeth made a 45-mile run south to the Papanoa area and reported two roosterfish of 45 pounds and six jack crevalle of 25 pounds. Kunze's fly tackle client Natale Chiaudani fished two days for hookups on five sailfish and one striped marlin. IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO SPORTFISHING 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.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Memo Chavez of El Dorado Sportfishing reported on two runs to the El Farito bajo located about 2 miles off Marina Coral, with a combined seven anglers, and a catch of: 21 sandbass, 29 calico bass, one good sheephead, and four lingcod. Chavez fished 28 to 45 feet deep in a water temperature of 58.5 degrees. ENSENADA EL FARITO BAJO FISHING REPORT.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet at Ensenada reported excellent bottom fishing and calm weather all week as his beach launched pangas fished the tip of Punta Banda for limits for all anglers on lingcod, red rockcod, sandbass, and whitefish. Anglers fishing during the week included Lester Ellet, Joe Rodriguez, Jay Johnson, Brian Foley and Joan Foley, and Debbie Aslin, who fished with Capts. Beto and Hector on the Vonny I and Vonny II. PUNTA BANDA BOTTOM FISHING REPORT.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort reported good weather until Saturday winds arrived, and good bottom fishing off La Bocana with limits on rockcod, large calico bass, and whitefish. Kayak anglers caught a variety of bottom fish on Saturday, but were stopped by weather conditions on Sunday. PUERTO SANTO TOMAS SPORTFISHING REPORT.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: For the previous week, Saenz reported generally dry weather and the road from Mex 1 in good condition, but few visitors due to rough surf conditions. "We had one lone panga go out fishing this weekend, taking Lars Houske and his son from South Bay," Saenz said. "They came back with 10 fish, which is below the normal catch, due primarily to the ocean turbulence and high swell." The Baja California state government had approved funds to redesign and complete the new launch ramp on the inner bay side of the point: "The new modified design centers around...alleviating the high grade decline...The design change will provide more surface space at the bottom...to allow for turn around space." Completion of the new launch ramp was scheduled for March or April. PUERTO SANTO TOMAS NEW LAUNCH RAMP REPORT.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp reported very calm seas at Erendira and 18 boats fishing during the week for continued catches of red rockcod, lingcod, and whitefish. The water color was clear blue and 58 degrees in the main fishing area 7 miles out of Castro's Camp. "We continue to use...scampis for the red rockcod, whitefish, and barracuda, and jigs of all colors and types," Castro said. "We...see bait in the water, and also we continue to be visited by pelicans." ERENDIRA SPORTFISHING REPORT.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported very few boats fishing out of San Quintin last week, but those few scoring on limits of large red rockcod and lingcod at the 15 and 180 spots. Some hunters were showing up at the bay, and Hillis said information about hunting was available from Jim and Nancy Harer at the Old Mill Hotel. More visitors were anticipated next wek, and Hillis had eight fishing boats reserved for the weekend. SAN QUINTIN SPORTFISHING REPORT.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Earlier, Kelly Catian of K&M Offshore Sportfishing reported warmer water temperatures in the low-60s, but slow yellowtail action outside the bay: "Fishing...has been slow with few anglers even targeting yellowtail but opting for bottom fish...I plan on looking...to see what's going on with the yellowtail...They like to hang around the inside edges of the 15 fathom spot in the winter, usually showing on top once or twice during the day." SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORT.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Donald Rubi of Duarte, Calif., Robert Villar and Marco Lopez drove to Camalu on the Baja coast north of San Quintin and scored heavy catches of salmon grouper, rockcod, sandbass to 7 pounds, calico bass, sheephead, lingcod, whitefish, and a 15-pound yellowtail, with Capt. Lee Moreno on the panga Tania 1. Said Rubi about the trip, during which about 160 fish were caught in two outings: "I cannot tell enough about the expertise, uncanny wit, and Camalu fishing experience that Lee 'Perico' Moreno has to offer...This was one of our greatest fishing ventures." Contact: eliuth85@hotmail.com, 011-52-616-163-0767 and 011-52-616-107-3126. CAMALU FISHING TRIP REPORT.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The fly reported Bahia Magdalena weather as clear in the mid-70s, with water temperatures at 68 to 73 degrees. Continued rough surf conditions prevented boats from exiting the bocas, but fishing in the mangrove channels produced corvina and cabrilla. The 12th annual whale festival was scheduled Jan. 28, 2006. MAGDALENA BAY REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic Sportfishing reported on 111 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 45 striped marlin, three sailfish, 121 yellowfin tuna, two wahoo, 130 sierra, 24 skipjack, 37 dorado, three mako shark, six pargo, and 13 boats skunked. CABO SAN LUCAS SPORTFISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 38 outings by Gaviota Fleet, the Fish Cabo, and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 19 striped marlin, 48 yellowfin tuna, 15 dorado, one wahoo, and one roosterfish. The best fishing was close-in at the Cabo Falso drop-off, Edwards said: "Cabo San Lucas fishing was very difficult...but bounced back quite a bit by the end of the week...The...fish...outside of Chileno seemed to move back to the Cabo Falso drop-off at the old lighthouse area." Cabo weather was in the low-80s, with water temperatures at 74 to 75 degrees. CABO SAN LUCAS SPORTFISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported Cabo weather in the low-80s, with water temperatures of 76 to 78 degrees around the cape, and cooler to the north of Punta Gorda on the Cortez side. More large blue marlin in the 500-pound plus class were reported, but most billfish action was on striped marlin from the lighthouse to the Golden Gate Bank area, as boats scored about two to three releases per outing. Yellowfin tuna and dorado action was for scattered school-sized fish, with some good counts of dorado coming from waters to the south. Inshore, sierra of 4 to 6 pounds and some yellowtail of 12 to 32 pounds were caught. CABO SAN LUCAS SPORTFISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 13 outings by El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 14 striped marlin, 20 yellowfin tuna of 15 to 40 pounds, five dorado of 25 to 30 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported up-and-down fishing during the week, with improved action from Thursday onwards, from 2 to 20 miles off Old Lighthouse. "It seemed we were on a downward trend," Ehrenberg said, "but every boat sent out on Thursday caught at least one marlin and some had up to three, even with full moon looming...As the week progressed we got a current of warmer water near the lighthouse...which may have been a factor in the increased catches." Overall, 56 percent of Pisces boats landed striped marlin or sailfish, 31 percent landed yellowfin tuna, and just 16 percent caught dorado. Cabo weather was partly cloudy in the low-80s, with water temperatures of 70 to 73 degrees. CABO SAN LUCAS SPORTFISHING REPORT.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS), MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 92 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos), with a catch of: 360 yellowfin tuna, 192 dorado, four striped marlin, 36 sierra, 22 pompano, 26 pargo, 14 cabrilla, eight amberjack, 275 bonito, and three yellowtail. Most boats were fishing in protected waters near shore, where water temperatures were warmer at 73 to 74 degrees. Few boats fished northwards of Punta Gordo due to strong currents, winds, and off-colored water in that direction. Brictson also noted the early appearance of pelagic red crabs on the Gordo Banks: "On Saturday commercial pangueros reported red crab activity on the Gordo Banks and caught pargo using them as bait...The first day this happened." SAN JOSE DEL CABO FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero reported generally slower fishing last week, with water temperatures at 68 to 70 degrees, and some wind at midweek, but generally pleasant weather in the mid-80s. Five boats fished during the week, for smaller yellowfin tuna to 25 pounds eight miles off La Ribera, and a couple of dorado to 12 pounds. Inshore fishing was good for sierra and pargo, and kayak anglers did well. EAST CAPE SPORTFISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Leeper, staying at Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort, said his boat was pulled for maintenance, but few boats were fishing due to wind: "I saw only one hotel boat return this week, but it had a limit catch on small dorado and tuna. It's been fairly windy, and we are supposed to have big winds early this week again."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Russ Fritz of La Ribera reported on an outing through the surf with Chuck Potter on Monday, for a catch of: two nice sierra, and three kawakawa. Fritz and Potter trolled hoochies between La Ribera and Rancho Leonero. Of the kawakawa, Fritz said: "I have noticed...the lines above the lateral line are slightly more longitudinal than the ones shown in The Baja Catch...The fish is silvery with a slight blue-white tint...absolutely excellent table fare, and superb sushi. East Cape weather was mostly windy during the week: "We did get beat-up, going up wind to La Ribera...Friday was wind free early, but again, a nasty chop developed by 10 a.m." LA RIBERA SPORTFISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported, "Sporadic north winds at East Cape this week made it necessary to decide each morning between a kickback day or fishing." Early morning sierra action was good, and ladyfish were caught at the mouths of the arroyos. Billfish action slowed, some dorado were still around, and some boats found yellowfin tuna to 80 pounds. East Cape weather was clear in the high-70s, with water temperatures at 69 to 73 degrees. EAST CAPE FLY FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Peter Langstraat of Holland reported on an extended period of inshore fishing out of Hotel Punta Colorada in November and December 2005, with his roosterfish catches including two fish of 49 and 44 inches that hit ladyfish being fought on Rapala lures, and varied results for sierra, jacks, croakers, and ladyfish.

Langstraat also mentioned that gill nets were set out again from Christmas onwards: "The biggest one is at least half-a-mile long. People may send me an email if they see the nets in the water...as often they put them as close as 5 yards of the beach, on the beach, or if they are busy putting the nets in their boats. Contact: petersmish@hotmail.com. EAST CAPE INSHORE FISHING REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Mark Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport dive service at Buena Vista reported cool water temperatures of about 66 degrees but lots of sea life at Punta Pescadero to the north: "The Sea of Cortez...is a little colder than normal for this time at East Cape...Today at Punta Pescadero, divers sighted a huge sea turtle, amberjack, yellowtail, snapper...loads of colorful reef fish...grunts at Cerro Verde so thick you can't see the bottom...With proper thermal protection diving has been loads of fun." EAST CAPE DIVING REPORT.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported some persistent winter season dorado and yellowfin tuna still present on the Las Arenas side: "...They're just unpredictable...There may be no tuna for a few days, then a panga will run into...two to three 30-pound fish...Same for the dorado...just outside of Muertos Bay and towards the buoys, some nice grades of fish can be found." On the La Paz side, boats stayed mostly close to shore for catches of snappers, bonito, and sierra. "Most of the fishing is up tight and against the shoreline," Roldan said. "If you get into the right spot the bite can be pretty thick once you get the fish to go. There is not much blue water fishing...as those north winds can make it choppy." La Paz weather was in the mid-70s, with water temperatures in the low-70s. LA PAZ SPORTFISHING REPORT.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of the Hotel Oasis reported on three outings to La Cholla on the west side of Isla Carmen, with a combined catch of 12 yellowtail to 35 pounds. The anglers included Travis Flippen, Jennifer Flippen, Louie Bischosberger, Yeo Party, and Ted, Albert, Phillip and Bruno Gaizi, all fishing with Loreto Capt. Martin Davis. LORETO SPORTFISHING REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company reported plenty of wind during the week and very slow midweek yellowtail action at La Cholla on the west side of Isla Carmen: "...We got skunked. There were a dozen boats off La Cholla and I think about one fish caught total." Yellowtail were reported north at Punta Pulpito. Loreto weather was calm Sunday morning, but with winds building again: "We expect the next two to three days to be windy." LORETO FISHING REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: Earlier, Bolles reported good yellowtail action, winds permitting, at La Cholla: "...Yellowtail are taking live bait, bigeye and mackerel, or jigged iron from off the bottom about 200 feet deep...Fish sizes are in the low-30 to low-40 pound range and limits are obtainable as long as you pay attention and don't get broken off." Winds kept boats off the water most days during the week. Inshore, first-light sierra and small, midmorning roosterfish were caught at Nopolo. Loreto water temperatures were at 63 to 72 degrees. LORETO SPORTFISHING REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: For the previous week, Thomas Cox of Brawley and his father Larry Cox drove to Loreto and found wide-open yellowtail action north of town at Isla Ildefonso with Capt. Pablo Martinez: "Within two minutes...we were hooked up and the fighting never stopped...We caught 10, 25 to 40-pound yellowtail and broke off eight...Yellowtail were crashing squid on the surface...No matter what size of bait we threw out none went to waste. There was about five other pangas fishing out there...all...were catching fish." Water temperatures at Isla Ildefonso, about 45 miles north of Loreto, were at 65 to 66 degrees. ISLA ILDEFONSO YELLOWTAIL FISHING REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: Wendy Wilchynski of Villas de Loreto said her family wedding party for bride Dallas Dolanz and groom Alann Sluser filled five pangas with Capt. Gregorio and his crews as they fished around Isla Carmen for a yellowtail, a red snapper, some cabrilla, and some boats skunked "but that's fishing!" "They went with Capt. Gregorio and his family," Wilchynski said. "They tried the east side of Isla Carmen, but the wind came up and they had to return...The captains worked hard to get them fish." LORETO SPORTFISHING REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: Mike Sheffer and his wife Rosey reported photographing an oarfish washed up on the beach north of town on Jan. 5, 2006: "...When I got home I Googled it and found out it was an Oarfish...The fish looked as though it had washed up on the beach that same day...It had good color...The mouth and the tail had been chewed on...It looked rather 'eel-like' and not very appetizing." LORETO OARFISH OBSERVATION REPORT.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Gary Black of Huntington Beach reported on several days of fishing out of Mulege on Carlos Roja Benge's boat, from Punta Concepcion and Punta Agua north to Islas Santa Inez and Punta Chivato, in some wind, with water temperatures at about 64 degrees. Fishing around Islas Santa Inez was steady for barracuda, snapper, grouper, pargo, and triggerfish, either on the troll or cut bait on the bottom, and a "secret spot" produced yellowtail of 20 to 25 pounds on jigs outside the islas. "We left them biting and the ride in only took 24 minutes from outside of Isla Santa Ines," Black said. MULEGE FISHING REPORT.

MULEGE, MEXICO: Rick Barber of Mulege reported very good leopard grouper and yellowtail action after winds calmed at midweek. Ken Smith, Marty Robison, John Atkinson and Dudley Young "absolutely nailed the grouper," Barber said, while they fished south from Punta Concepcion for fish to 17.5 pounds. Dustin Brown, Roger Ball and Don Malone fished with trolled MirrOlures at the north end of Isla San Marcos for one dog snapper and seven yellowtail including fish of 25, 27, and 29 pounds, in flat, clear water at 62 degrees. Guides also reported good yellowtail action at Punta Chivato and outside Islas Santa Inez. MULEGE SPORTFISHING REPORT.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Anderson of San Lucas Cove reported improving weather at the end of the week in the Santa Rosalia fishing area, with water temperatures at 58 to 60 degrees, and yellowtail in a heavy surface bite on small squid at the Isla San Marcos bajos. The yellowtail were not hitting baits or lures readily: "They were not interested in live bait or trolled lures...but it was really exciting to watch 20 to 30-pound fish chasing the squid to the surface...Any fisherman would have his heart racing to see these fish exploding all around them..." Inshore fishing out of San Lucas Cove was good on larger spotted bay bass, goldspotted bass, and leopard grouper. John Bogert of Orofino, Idaho, wrapped up his fishing season with a count of 899 fish caught. SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORT.

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Tim Farwell, pilot-guide for Baja Airventures, reported on a fly-in trip to their camp on the shore of Bahia de las Animas, south of Bahia de los Angeles: "We had four days of wind and fished three of them. Once the wind calmed down, we were all over it." Fishing in the bay included cabrilla, bass, rockfish, and two octopus, plus a nice gulf coney, or baqueta, caught 350 feet deep on a Salas 7X by client Dana Sanford of Idaho. Farwell noted that Baja Airventures is giving a 10 percent discount to readers of Mexico Fishing News and Western Outdoor News: "Mention you saw us here and ask for your discount from Tim the Pilot-Eco-Fishing Guide!" Information: bajaairventures.com. BAHIA DE LAS ANIMAS FLY-IN TRIP REPORT.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay at San Felipe reported some wind on Sunday morning and night temperatures down to 52 degrees. San Felipe was "deserted as far as tourists for most of the week." Local news included a change of ownership of the local St. James Infirmary, and the vandalizing and burning of a trailer belonging to the San Felipe Animal Shelter, with the loss of some animals. SAN FELIPE TOWN REPORT.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Fernando Almada of Catch-22 Sportfishing Adventures at San Carlos reported on a maiden outing on Saturday by their boat Catch-22 Suerte, fishing with Gustavo Guerrero and brothers Alejandro and Luis Fernando Liogon for a catch of four yellowtail over 20 pounds, three on the troll and one on a cast Salas jig and light spinning gear that took Almada 35 minutes to land. San Carlos waters were calm at 71 degrees, and bottom fishing was also productive for triggerfish and mojarra. SAN CARLOS SPORTFISHING REPORT.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Earlier, Bill Molden of San Carlos reported generally slow yellowtail fishing: "A five-fish day is outstanding." Yellowtail of 20 to 25 pounds were caught at the north and south ends of Isla San Pedro Nolasco, on jigs and some by trollers, about 100 to 250 feet deep: "...Any shallower and you can't keep them out of the rocks, and any deeper and your arms fall off." Bottom fishing produced mixed species. San Carlos weather had northwest winds, with water temperatures in the mid-60s. SAN CARLOS SPORTFISHING REPORT.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Jim Mori of Sonora, Calif., requested reports of observations of the gulf sierra, Scomberomorus concolor, a fish similar to the common Pacific sierra, Scomberomorus sierra, but lacking the characteristic gold spots on its sides. The gulf sierra, also known as the Monterey Spanish Mackerel, was once common on the U.S. Pacific coast but has become extinct there. A small population survives in the northern reaches of the Sea of Cortez, and Mori requested information on any sightings to aid his research on the fish: lepez@mlode.com. GULF SIERRA REPORT REQUEST.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported Mazatlan offshore boats averaging about two billfish per day, and with two Aries Fleet outings scoring seven-release days. Overall, 34 outings had a catch including released fish of: 70 striped marlin, one dorado, and 1 mako shark. Inshore bottom fishing charters had easy limits on baqueta, pargo, mojarra, triggerfish, cabrilla, snapper, grouper, and jack crevalle. Mazatlan weather was cloudy in the low-80s, with water temperatures stable at 74.5 degrees, and the best offshore fishing was 23 to 27 miles southwest of Marina el Cid. MAZATLAN FISHING REPORT.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing reported Puerto Vallarta water conditions with a 2-foot swell and water temperatures of 79 to 81 degrees. Fishing at Roca Corbeteña produced good action for striped marlin, plus dorado, wahoo, and some yellowfin tuna. The Marla III and Arca de Noe released a combined 13 striped marlin in two outings. The Marla II made three trips to the rock with free divers, who scored on a 90-pound yellowfin tuna, 60-pound pargo, and wahoo of 45 and 90 pounds, and observed "tunas, pargos, amberjacks, snappers, wahoo, sharks, rainbow runners, and all types of bait fish," Osuna said. Visibility at Roca Corbeteña was at 40 feet. A yellowfin tuna of 210 pounds was also caught during the week. PUERTO VALLARTA DIVING AND FISHING REPORT.

Mexico Sportfishing Photo 1

SAILING ON THE FLY--Fly tackle angler Natale Chiaudani of Italy fished with Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sportfishing guide Ed Kunze and hooked this high-jumping sailfish about 14 miles from the mouth of the bay on a heading of 190 degrees. Photo courtesy Ed Kunze.

Mexico Fishing Photo 2

CAMALU CONNECTION--Marco Lopez, Capt. Lee Moreno, and Robert Villar fished with Donald Rubi out of Camalu near San Quintin on Moreno's boat Tania 1 and loaded up on heavy bottom fish counts for two days. Photo courtesy Donald Rubi.

Mexico Sportfishing Photo 3

LA PLAYITA DORAD0--Twelve-year-old Lewis Weis and his father Gary fished with Gordo Banks Pangas Capt. Tony on the charter panga Ginny and caught these winter dorado to 22 pounds off Chileno. Photo courtesy Eric Brictson.

Mexico Fishing Photo 4

FELL FOR A LADYFISH--Peter Langstraat of Holland with a 49-inch roosterfish, estimated to weigh about 36 pounds, that hit a ladyfish being fought on a Rapala near East Cape's Hotel Punta Colorada on Dec. 23, 2005. Langstraat fought the fish for about 40 minutes on 8-pound line. Photo courtesy Peter Langstraat.

Mexico Sportfishing Photo 5

"BANNED" GILL NETS--Commercial pangas were fishing with gill nets again in the East Cape area during December, using nets up to half-a-mile long, and as close as 5 yards from the beach, according to experienced East Cape angler Peter Langstraat of Holland who is reporting them to local authorities. Langstraat asked East Cape visitors witnessing gill nets to report them to him: petersmish@hotmail.com. Photo courtesy Peter Langstraat.

Mexico Sportfishing Photo 6

STILL GOT TUNA--Mary Anne Mussell of Santa Maria, Calif., fished out of La Paz with Tailhunter International and ran into cabrilla to 25 pounds, plus this nice late season yellowfin tuna. In three days of fishing, she and John Mussell scored on dorado, pargo, cabrilla, and tuna. Photo courtesy Jonathan Roldan.

Mexico Fishing Photo 7

WITH CAPT. PABLO--Thomas Cox (left) of Brawley and his father Larry Cox fished north of Loreto with local Capt. Pablo Martinez who put them on wide-open yellowtail action for 10 yellowtail of 25 to 40 pounds: "...The fighting never stopped." Photo courtesy Thomas Cox.

Mexico Fishing Photo 9

Mexico Fishing Photo 10

RARE OARFISH FIND--Mike and Rosey Sheffer of Loreto photographed this oarfish north of town on Jan. 5, 2006, after a tip that the rare fish had washed up on the beach. Sheffer said the oarfish's head and tail had been chewed, but otherwise it was in good condition. Photo courtesy Mike Sheffer.

Mexico Fishing Photo 11

LA CHOLLA YELLOWTAIL--Travis Flippen and his wife Jennifer fished at La Cholla on the west side of Loreto's Isla Carmen with the Hotel Oasis' Capt. Martin Davis and scored on five nice yellowtail plus another three lost. Photo courtesy Patty Zapata.

Mexico Fishing Photo 12

BACK AT THE RIVER--Mulege anglers (from left) Don Malone, Roger Ball, and Dustin Brown returned from Isla San Marcos where they trolled MirroLures at the north end of the island for seven yellowtail, including these fish of 25, 27, and 29 pounds. Photo courtesy Rick Barber.

Mexico Sportfishing Photo 13

LAS ANIMAS BAQUETA--Dana Sanford made a fly-in trip to Baja Airventures' Bahia de las Animas camp with pilot-guide Tim Farwell and scored on this gulf coney, or baqueta, on his second drop with a Salas 7X jig while fishing 350 feet deep "dead center in Las Animas Bay." Photo courtesy Tim Farwell.

Mexico Sportfishing Photo 14

CATCH-22 SUERTE--Gustavo Guerrero, Fernando Almada, Luis Fernando Liogon, and Alejandro Liogon (from left) fished on the San Carlos boat Catch-22 Suerte and scored on a nice haul of yellowtail in the 20-pound class. It was the boat's maiden voyage, Alamada said, and it will join the fleet of San Carlos' new charter operation, Catch-22 Sportfishing Adventures. Photo courtesy Fernando Almada.

Mexico Sportfishing Photo 15

BABY YELLOWTAIL?--Fernando Almada said the San Carlos yellowtail caught on the Catch-22 Suerte were all stuffed with these bait fish, which looked suspiciously like juvenile yellowtail. Photo courtesy Fernando Almada.

Mexico Fishing Photo 16

MONSTER DIVING DAY--While free diving at Roca Corbeteña aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla II, a huge day was had by Doug Jones of San Mateo with a 90-pound yellowfin tuna, John Cheesman with a 90-pound amberjack, and Seamus Callahan with wahoo of 45 and 90 pounds. Photo courtesy Danny Osuna.

Mexico Sportfishing Photo 17

BLUE FIRE--A dorado comes to gaff for the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Arca de Noe of Marla's Sportfishing. Photo courtesy Danny Osuna.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES