Loreto fishing doubles up on dorado and yellowtail

Mexico Fishing News, May 8, 2006

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto reported calm waters and "some of the best fishing of the year" last week as anglers had their choice between hungry yellowtail north along the coast at San Bruno or school-sized dorado at the Punta Lobos bajo about 35 miles northeast of town.

"No one came home with empty fish boxes," Bear said. "It was necessary in the morning to make a choice between the two." Bear fished early Thursday at San Bruno with Capt. Paulino Martinez for 8 yellowtail of 20 to 30 pounds. "We had to launch early because of a low tide, so we were the first of about 15 boats to arrive there," Bear said. "Because the mackerel were lethargic, we had to go to a spot a few miles north of San Bruno to catch negrumos, which turned out to attract strikes almost immediately. Lessons learned: have active bait and arrive early."

On Saturday, Bear fished the Punta Lobos bajo for catch-and-release action on 12 dorado of 5 to 25 pounds after loading up with bait at Las Lagrimas. "Only once did we have a double hookup and we didn't encounter a school of them at any time," Bear said. "Because the water was dead flat, we, meaning Capt. Paulino, could spot puddling dorado from half-a-mile away. There were half-a-dozen pangas in the same area and all of them seemed to be catching fish at one time or another. We saw 4 billfish on the surface, but we didn't bait them."

Loreto water temperatures ranged from 69 to as high as 79 degrees at the Punta Lobos bajo.

"By the way," Bear said, "the Punta Lobos bajo is not anywhere near Punta Lobos. From Loreto, it's about 35 miles out on a 30-degree heading. To locate its western edge visually, the Loreto pangueros line up the pyramid-shaped "picacho," or peak, dead center behind Isla Coronado with a line defined by putting Punta Perico behind Punta Lobos."

Bear also noted that 10 other outings by Loreto sport and commercial pangueros produced a combined catch of: 26 yellowtail, 28 cabrilla, 15 dorado, 12 huachinango, and many triggerfish, including a 9-dorado trip by Capt. Javier Martinez.

"Let's hope the early showing of dorado in good numbers and the high water temperatures are signs that this year will make up for last year's disappointing results," Bear said.

LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported sustained dorado and yellowtail action during the week for anglers fishing at San Bruno, the Punta Lobos bajo, and Isla Catalana, as several outings produced a catch of: 13 yellowtail of 18 to 36 pounds, 9 dorado of 14 to 45 pounds, and 9 cabrilla of 6 to 11 pounds, with Capts. Martín Perpuli, Isidro Mendoza, Francisco Martínez Davis, Servando Davis, Abraham Fernández, and Martín Perpuli.

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported on a run northeast of town by angler Bill Klaser, fishing on his boat with Capt. Andres Cota for a catch including a 44-pound wahoo, Klaser's first ever and the first of the season out of Loreto, Erhardt said. "The wahoo took a slow-trolled mackerel on monofilament leader," Erhardt said. "Bill and Andres also caught a nice 34-pound dorado."

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company reported "decent fishing all around" with yellowtail steady at San Bruno, dorado getting more plentiful and closer to town, bottom fishing good, billfish available, and 4 wahoo caught during the week. "Punta Lobos, Tintorerra and La Cholla all have their share of yellowtail fishing but the action on cabrilla and pargo in these areas is even better," Bolles said. "Four wahoo in total were caught this week near the Bajo de Punta Lobos." Dorado averaged 10 to 20 pounds. Bolles said, "We're looking for temperature breaks and blue water. There is a lot of sargasso coming in close. It is starting to pile up at the malecon."

LORETO, MEXICO: Earlier, Bolles reported Loreto water temperatures at 66 to 76 degrees and yellowtail still feeding on the surface along the northeast side of Isla Carmen. "Yellowtail are feeding off Punta Tintorerra and Punta Perico and all areas in between," Bolles said. "They are also feeding intermittently at San Bruno. Along the shorelines and in the reefs we are getting plenty of pargo, cabrilla, and a variety of other species such as ladyfish, barracuda, triggerfish and giant wrasse. These are caught by slow trolling a live bait or large Rapalas." More dorado were reported last week, Bolles said, "This week the reports have come in more consistently and I can say that the dorado are on their way into our Loreto fishing area. Dan Nelson reported catching and releasing over 30 dorado and keeping 2 when his boat stopped at a set of floating wooden stairs that held hundreds of them, approximately 50 miles offshore. There is lots of sargassum now, starting to pile up at the Loreto malecon and folks report seeing lots of it when flying in here. We're hoping this early appearance of dorado won't pass us by this year so we're planning on setting buoys for them soon. One will go at the Bajo de las Boyas and the other at the 50, or cinquenta, spot off Punta Lobos. These 2 buoys should be set out this week and more are planned."

LORETO, MEXICO: Jose Antonio Sanchez of Tijuana, his wife Oralia, and daughter Delfina fished at midweek out of Loreto on a panga with Capt. Angel of El Dorado Fleet, running to Punta Lobos on Isla Carmen for a limits on triggerfish, tijereta, platano, pinto bass, 2 large cabrilla, and a fish species called taborillo. "Using The Baja Catch fishing style, I caught a pargo near Punta Lobos and also missed a yellowtail," Sanchez said. "I almost caught it near the panga. We tried for yellows but we had no luck because that day they were at San Bruno in the opposite direction." Sanchez and his family also enjoyed the beach at Loreto's downtown malecon and plenty of chocolate clams. "Very delicious and there are a lot of them," Sanchez said. Loreto weather was hot and windless. Anglers fishing at the downtown marina caught halibut with live sardina baits and treble hooks.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet skippered a 54-foot private boat out of Ensenada's Marina Coral on Saturday, fishing offshore between the 450 and lower 500 spots for a 30-pound class bluefin tuna and 10 yellowtail of 10 to 15 pounds on kelp paddies. The bluefin tuna hit a blue-white Salas 6X jig, Susarrey said, and the yellowtail also hit jigs, mostly chrome or blue-white. The water in the area was clear blue at 63.5 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Memo Gomez of El Dorado Sportfishing reported on a Saturday outing with 2 anglers by the charter panga El Dorado, fishing out of Ensenada at Bajo de San Miguel for limits of 4 to 5-pound bonita in water at 58 degrees. "It was fun fishing," Gomez said. "The bottom fishing was good too." Fishing about 120 feet deep produced limits of lingcod, 12 red rockcod, 8 rockfish, and 4 sandbass on large anchovy baits. Another early week local outing by El Dorado with 2 anglers, fishing 270 feet deep at the south point of Isla Todos Santos produced a catch of: 2 lingcod, 15 salmon grouper, 6 red rockcod, and 8 assorted rockfish. Water temperatures at the island were at 60.5 degrees. Another 4-hour outing with 1 angler, fishing 30 to 60 feet deep in 64-degree water at the area called "El Faro," 3.5 miles out of Ensenada, produced a catch of: 8 calico bass, 7 sandbass, 2 lingcod, and 1 scorpionfish.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said winds kept his pangas off the water on Saturday, but the rest of the week was good for steady limits or near limits of mixed bottom fish around the tip of Punta Banda, including lingcod, chuckle heads, assorted rockcods, calico bass, sandbass, and 4 nice halibut landed on Monday when Villarino personally skippered the panga Vonny I for his wife Martha and daughter Vonny. "Vonny is always very lucky," Villarino said. "She hooked 2 halibut and so did Martha. It was a very nice day." Other Ensenada anglers fishing with Capts. Beto and Cruz on the Vonny I and Vonny III included Orlando Lara and Andy Gentile. Ensenada fishing area weather was in the high-70s on Sunday, with light breezes, 3-foot ocean swells, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 59 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Don Fagan of Ensenada, Mike Hino, and his friend Rick fished early in the week aboard the charter boat Top Dog with Capt. John Strickland for wide-open barracuda action about 3 miles off El Mirador in cool water temperatures of 56 to 59 degrees. "We got into an absolutely amazing boil of large barracuda," Fagan said. "We had 3 and 4 fish on for the best part of an hour and picked up some real logs. At one point I think there must have been 50 fish jumping at once. There was a school of porpoises working the bait as well." Fagan said the Top Dog also scored a nice bottom catch of mixed sandbass, calico bass, lingcod, and rockcods.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp reported 23 charter boats fishing out of Erendira during the week and 4 boats scheduled to fish Sunday. Erendira waters continued to have concentrated bait and good results for all anglers, including the first yellowtail of the year caught on Friday, some medium bonita, and some barracuda of good size, plus the usual heavy counts of assorted rockcod and bottom fish. Water conditions were very clear at 58 to 59 degrees in the main fishing area 8 miles from Castro's Camp. Erendira fishing area weather was improving over the weekend after some clouds and moderate afternoon wind during the week.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said San Quintin weather was very good all week, but very few anglers were in the area and few boats fished. Winds picked up on Saturday but were calming again by Sunday morning. Boats fishing out of San Quintin bay found no yellowtail or white seabass during the week, Hillis said, but "all the large rockcod and lingcod they could handle." Good counts of calico bass and sandbass were also found at Isla San Martin and San Ramon beach.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said west winds and rough seas persisted offshore of Magdalena Bay last week but the mangrove channels produced some corvina, pompano, and grouper. The San Carlos entrada was fair for sierra under birds, bonito and a few firecracker yellowtail. The San Carlos bridge had a few corvina and pargo. Magdalena Bay weather was partly cloudy in the high-70s, with water temperatures at 60 to 67 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 28 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 22 striped marlin, 1 wahoo, 7 dorado, and 103 yellowfin tuna. Most of the tuna were found about 12 to 15 miles south of Cabo, Edwards said, "While the fish are not really big, they are excellent action and fun to catch. Most of the fish are running with the porpoise. Lots of billfish are being seen but they have been a little stubborn with the bite this week." Cabo San Lucas weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 72 degrees at the Jaime Bank on the Pacific side and 76 to 77 degrees up the Cortez side.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 8 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 4 striped marlin; 66 yellowfin tuna of 15 to 35 pounds; 4 dorado of 20 to 30 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported slow conditions by Cabo standards, with only 41 percent of charters releasing marlin, 39 percent landing yellowfin tuna, 9 percent with dorado, and 72 percent with all species combined. "It's hard to say exactly why this is," Ehrenberg said. "Conditions are good, the water temperature has been between 72 and 74 degrees, and there is a lot of bait. The Rolex IGFA tournament starts on Monday, so this sounds pretty gloomy. However, today captains reported a big improvement on striped marlin catches, so hopefully Cabo will produce the goods as normal." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was cooler than normal, with rough conditions up the Pacific side. "Weather conditions on the Pacific were terrible, super windy and whitecaps all day," Ehrenberg said.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the week previous week, Ehrenberg reported 55 percent of boats with striped marlin releases, 11 percent landing dorado, only 5 percent with yellowfin tuna, and 79 percent with all species combined. "This week at Cabo San Lucas could only be described as average," Ehrenberg said. "It's hard to say why this was. We had a dark moon and the water temperature is actually quite high at between 70 and 72 degrees. Three striped marlin in one day was considered an excellent catch this week and there were only a couple of boats that achieved this." Inshore pangas scored on a mix of fish including sierra, roosterfish, yellowtail, skipjack and some pompano." Cabo San Lucas weather was clear with some rough seas on the Pacific side and water temperatures off Chileno, Santa Maria, and at the 95 spot averaging about 70 to 72 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said cool, off-color Pacific side water wrapped south of Cabo San Lucas, but water temperatures on Sunday were up to 78 degrees on the Cortez side at the Gordo Banks and Cabrillo Seamount. "Very little fishing has taken place on the Pacific side this past week," Landrum said. "Most of the activity has been concentrated in the warm water areas." Good numbers of striped marlin were in the Cabo area, but they were full of squid and slow to bite. Inshore fishing was good for sierra to 10 pounds and pargo to 15 pounds along the north end of the Cabo San Lucas outer bay but died off at the end of the week as cool, green water moved in from the Pacific side.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported a catch including released fish of: 52 striped marlin, 187 yellowfin tuna, 10 yellowtail, 23 dorado, 2 wahoo, 126 sierra, 4 jack crevalle, 4 amberjack, 2 roosterfish, 16 bonita, 12 skipjack, 2 needlefish, 1 hammerhead shark, and 11 boats skunked. "Pacific side water conditions were rough and tough but very productive," Garcia said. "The Sea of Cortez had calmer conditions but was more hit-or-miss."

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 60 combined La Playita fleet charter pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 195 assorted pargo species, 7 striped marlin, 12 yellowfin tuna, 8 wahoo, 11 dorado, 16 cabrilla, 24 bonito, 28 sierra, 6 pompano, 8 jack crevalle, and 5 amberjack. San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was excellent in the mid-80s, with water temperatures at 74 to 78 degrees as most charter boats in the area fished the area from Cabo San Lucas to the Gordo Banks. Two large yellowfin tuna over 220 pounds were caught by La Playita pangas. "These fish struck trolled bolito and skipjack that were caught closer to shore and then kept alive while motoring out to the Outer Gordo Bank where the tuna were schooling," Brictson said. "The trick was to have tuna tubes, which very few pangas have. Skipjack were scarce on the bank, which made it tough to try the chum and chunk method. These are world class yellowfin that are in very close proximity. They should stay around for a while as long as the commercial tuna boats do not interfere."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Species fishing specialist John Snow of San Jose del Cabo reported on 6 surf fishing sessions and 4 outings at the end of April on the panga Salome with Capt. Pata for a total of 39 species caught or observed in the bait tank, 4 of them new: Eastern Pacific bonefish, spotted round ray, golden snapper, and a still unidentified stargazer. Regular offshore fishing for big game species was slow, with the water temperature in the mid-70s and bait scarce. "It was a slow week overall except for someone interested in fish species collection," Snow said. "The Sea of Cortez had modest signs of life with a sea lion more interested in snoozing than catching fish on Gordo I and a few of the flying, somersaulting mobula’s closer to shore, but generally dead."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo reported some good days for pangas fishing out of La Playita, with several 150-pound class yellowfin tuna brought in, as well as some wahoo and marlin. "The fish are not wide-open but some boats are catching some days and other days nobody is catching," Lewis said. La Playita's annual dorado tournament was scheduled Sunday, June 4, 2006. "The tournament is part of the traditional celebration of the founding of the village and includes bands, food and general party craziness," Lewis said. "The entry fees are low and everyone has a good time." Tournament information: Tomas Cantor, 011-52-624-118-1496.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 68 boats, with 160 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 53 striped marlin, 8 sailfish, 19 dorado, 1 wahoo, 1 roosterfish, 184 snapper, 5 jack crevalle, 2 amberjack, 1 bonito, 6 ladyfish, 1 pompano, 10 triggerfish, 4 cabrilla, 8 skipjack tuna, and 6 sierra. "Fishing was mainly for stripers this week," Valdez said. "Our captains who have fished for a long time are amazed and talk about 30 to 40 sighted per day. But getting them to bite is a different story. Still, each boat is getting an average of 4 to 6 hookups a day. Getting big bait is not always assured. Still, frozen ballyhoo has been enough to get them to bite."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Werner Hradecky of Buena Vista fished 2 days at midweek on his 24-foot boat Sr. Don with Rodney Evraets, running into heavy concentrations of striped marlin 30 miles north and 8 miles east of Isla Cerralvo around the 88 spot. "Marlin were everywhere feeding on squid," Hradecky said. "Sea conditions were perfect and the water temperature around 77 degrees. We saw at least 50 marlin a day." The Sr. Don's catch included 6 marlin released, 1 that died, plus a sailfish on Wednesday."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Buena Vista reported improving action at East Cape as water temperatures rose into the 77 to 79-degree range last week. "It was a better week with much warmer water picking up the bite," Ireland said. "Striped marlin with some sails have moved closer in, concentrated 5 to 10 miles out from La Ribera to the Punta Arena lighthouse, averaging 2 per boat." Boats caught about 1 dorado of 30 to 40 pounds per outing in the same area. Inshore kayakers did well on small pargo and jacks in front of the hotel, and roosterfish to 30 pounds were present from La Ribera southwards. East Cape weather was calm all week in the mid-80s, with lots of mackerel and sardina bait present.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly relayed reports from his East Cape guides Lance Petersen and Josh Dickenson saying, "East Cape fishing conditions have been great over the last week. Warm water and ample supplies of bait have lead to good fishing action both inshore and offshore." Danish angler Gordon P. Henriksen fished offshore northwards toward the 88 bank for a catch including black skipjack, pargo, marlin, and sailfish. "The fish had schools of squid balled up tight on the surface where they fed at will on the helpless cephalopods," Graham said. East Cape fishing area weather was calm in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 68 to 79 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort, Marisol Verdugo said all the hotel cruisers and super pangas were busy last week and marlin action was good. Dorado counts were fair, but included some larger fish to 52 pounds, and bottom fishing was steady for mixed snapper species. Yellowfin tuna were very scattered and scarce.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Leeper, staying at Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort, reported, "Lots of hotel and private boats are fishing, and the only game is marlin, which is surprising as there is lots of bait in the area, including sardine, mackerel and squid. There have been a few scattered dodo, almost no tuna, and lots of stripers. Marlin have been found just about everywhere the boats go, and most boats have had at least 2, with many reporting 6 or more hookups. There is very little in the way of bottom fishing."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Van Wormer Resorts said, "Catch rates for sailfish and especially striped marlin have dramatically improved. There are thousands of striped marlin from the Gordo Banks all the way to Cerralvo Island and the famed 'Ocho-Ocho,' or 88 Reef. Tuna fishing has returned, with action reported 22 to 26 miles offshore from 15 to 65 pounds." Inshore, roosterfish were showing up at La Ribera and Punta Colorada.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Ash Pickering of the Vista Sea Sport dive service at Buena Vista said the week at Cabo Pulmo started off with cold, green water and visibility of only 10 to 15 feet, but diving conditions improved later, with 72 to 75 degrees at a depth of 40 feet, and 50 feet of visibility by the weekend. Sea life sightings on the coral reef included sea lions, sea turtles, jacks, snappers, chubs, grunts, goatfish, and porkfish. "Spring is here and the rays and nudibranchs continue to mate," Pickering said. "The whales seem to be all but gone, but we did sneak a glimpse of a pilot whale."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending April 27, 2006, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 102 charter boats from combined fleets including Hotels Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, Punta Colorada, Buena Vista Beach Resort, Rancho Leonero, and Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort, with 296 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 57 striped marlin, 47 dorado, 15 yellowfin tuna, and 40 pargo. East Cape weather was in the mid-90s, with water temperatures of 68 to 75 degrees. "All counts are low, billfish, dorado as well as yellowfin tuna," Moyers said. "It can't get any worse so we'll look for some better numbers in the near future."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Peter Langstraat of Holland relayed a late-April report on East Cape gill netting from Mark Escalle, saying that enforcement actions earlier this year apparently have reduced inshore commercial fishing activity in the area. "They confiscated one of the 4 pangas as well as 3 gill nets," Escalle said. "They were also fined $5,000. Apparently they are making regular inspections to Punta Arena now and the word is out. There were no pangas on the beach each time we went there to fish and no signs of any recent activity. We will see how long it lasts."

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said roosterfish action on both sides of the hill at La Paz was outstanding last week. "I think I'm going to call this the week of the rooster," Roldan said. "These are all sizable fish in the 20 to 50-pound class and they aren't isolated. There are entire schools coming to the surface and exploding on baits and grabbing air. You can look out and every boat seems to have at least one fish going." On the La Paz side, roosterfish action was centered along the east shore of Isla Espiritu Santo where the jacks were mixed with cabrilla. On the Las Arenas side, the roosterfish were concentrated right at the mouth of Ensenada de los Muertos. "There was an area the size of a small football field literally filled with roosters for a few days," Roldan said. "Even if you weren't hooked up, it was amazing to just watch. The best thing of the week, which made it all the more fun, was 95 percent of all the roosters and jacks were getting released and were coming right back to bite the hooks again!"

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Leonard Phillips of Baja Pirates Fleet said roosterfish action on the La Paz side remained strong at La Salinita and along the eastern side of Isla Espiritu Santo. "Clifford Murphy of Vacaville released 2 gallos estimated to be 65 pounds," Phillips said. Yellowtail fishing slowed down at the north end of the island but pargo and cabrilla remained active. A pair of 20-pound class sierra were landed by Christine Williams of Sacramento. "Later that night the ceviche was amazing," Phillips said. La Paz side weather was warmer in the high-80s, with water temperatures stable at 70 to 74 degrees.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Dos Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing reported very few anglers at La Paz due to the Aerocalifornia shutdown. "We hoping that they resume operations soon," Hernandez said. "They're supposed to start on the 22nd of the month." Fishing on the Las Arenas side was affected by some windy weather last week, but was steady for pargo lisa, or mullet snapper, at Los Piles on Isla Cerralvo, plus some dog snapper and a few dorado. Fishing south along the Baja coast from Ensenada de los Muertos produced a big number of roosterfish and jack crevalle chasing schools of sardina. Commercial fishermen reported a few dorado seen at the offshore buoys, and many striped marlin and sailfish were seen off Punta Perico.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Rick Barber of Mulege reported the season's first local dorado caught on May 1, 2006, in 74-degree water about 10 miles off the "mine" area. "The first dorado was caught by 'Billie-O' from Punta Arena down in the bay," Barber said. "He and his wife caught 1 nice dorado and 3 more the following day. A neighbor who followed them out on the second day also caught a dorado. Billie said that they saw a lot of manta rays and over 30 green sea turtles feeding on jellyfish. Up until Monday, Capt. Alejandro had been reporting lots of flying fish around but no dorado."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos reported Santa Rosalia fishing area weather returning to a typical seasonal pattern, in the mid-80s, with water temperatures steady at 70 to 71 degrees, visibility of less than 10 feet in places, and fishing very good again. "I've come to the conclusion that nowhere in Baja has fishing anything on this place year-round," Kanzler said. "This week saw the return of many annual fisherman taking advantage of the great fishing this place has to offer. Inshore is going off with nice leopard grouper, sierra, bass and lots of firecracker yellows up around the Haystack, west lighthouse, Lobos Rock, and right in front of the San Lucas Cove RV Park. Isla San Marcos is back on track and is kicking out a combo of great weather along with big yellowtail wanting to play. May has always been a great, if not the best month, to take advantage of good weather and big yellowtail." Four runs to the Isla San Marcos bajos produced 17 yellowtail for Kanzler's anglers, with 7 in the 30 to 36-pound class. Another run scored 3 fish of 30 to 36 pounds by 9 a.m. Kanzler fished mainly with mackerel baits on his flyline sliding sinker rigs. "Bait can be found up around the Haystack in about 20 to 35 feet of water," Kanzler said.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Ed Hogan of San Bruno south of San Lucas Cove reported another good yellowtail run to the Isla San Marcos bajos on Sunday, fishing with Bob Bourgeois of Escondido, Calif., for 9 yellowtail of 19 to 26 pounds by 10 a.m. "Making bait was successful at the Haystack in 40 feet of water," Hogan said. "There was a really good yellowtail bite early in the morning. All the fish were caught on live bait in 200 feet of water at the bajo at the north end of Isla San Marcos." Water conditions off Santa Rosalia were calm, with the air at 80 degrees and the water temperature at 68 degrees. "We saw lots of whales and porpoise in the area with good amount of bait and sargasso floating," Hogan said. "It looks like the dorado season is real close." Hogan also noted that a marina and boat launch, plus a new 4-room hotel, are nearing completion at San Bruno: "This might be a great destination for the fisherman that doesn't want to camp."

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Capt. Igor Galvan of the 29-foot charter panga Igor's II said he fished 3 days at the south end of Isla Angel de la Guarda, catching leopard grouper to 17 pounds, and 3 yellowtail of 14 to 16 pounds, with all fish on live bait. Mackerel baits were caught at Isla Cabeza de Caballo and Isla Coronado, and the water temperature at Isla Angel de la Guarda was at 60 to 62 degrees.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko at Bahia de los Angeles said the inner L.A. Bay fishing area produced "no yellows at all," but was steady for local bottom fish, including some grouper starting to show up. Good supplies of bait were available. Bahia de los Angeles weather was sometimes windy from the west in the mid-80s, with water temperatures at 62 to 65 degrees. Local road construction promoted by Fonatur continued on the Punta la Gringa road and the main drag through the village. "Fonatur says this will for sure bring the tourists to town," Vazquez said. The local Pemex station was pumping gas. Camp Gecko was honoring all existing reservations, Vazquez said, but was not accepting new reservations while work is being done on the facilities. "Sorry for the inconvenience, but that is the way it will be for now," Vazquez said.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Fili Espinoza of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on April 28, 2006, with a catch of: 78 yellowtail of 14 to 18 pounds; 9 black sea bass of 50 to 60 pounds; 55 cabrilla of 7 to 12 pounds; 10 red snapper at 12 pounds; 7 broomtail grouper of 8 to 12 pounds; 491 spotted bay bass; 8 sheephead of 6 to 8 pounds; 1 shark at 18 pounds; and 45 miscellaneous species. The Jose Andres reported cool Midriff fishing area water temperatures averaging 57 degrees.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Earlier, Andrea Velez of Baja Sportfishing, Inc., reported that 16 anglers fished on the panga mothership Erik's 6-day run to the Midriff Islands that returned to San Felipe on April 27, 2006.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: At San Felipe, Catalina Meders of the Title Company bookstore overlooking the bay said weekend weather was pleasant and calm at 80 degrees and the water in the bay was "absolutely teal blue" at 78 degrees. San Felipe's annual chile cook-off was held at the Club de Pesca and Meders said, "They had run out of chili by 2 p.m. and for some reason nobody I've talked to remembers who actually won. But people still had a great time." A marathon race was being held Sunday, Meders said, the street vendors were busy, and many visitors were aboard boats on the water: "All's well with our not-so-little fishing village this morning."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Chuck Cook reported on an outing with fellow angler Rene Ulloa, fishing around San Carlos and Guaymas with Capt. Manolo Quiros for limits of rockcod, a few grouper, and 1 yellowtail. "Ten-pound yellowtail were boiling on bait schools near Pedro Nolasco Island," Cook said.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 7 inshore super pangas fishing out of Mazatla's Marina el Cid with a catch of: 340 red snapper, 8 baqueta, 5 grouper, 15 jacks, 10 triggerfish, and 29 conejo. Thirty-two offshore Aries Fleet charter boats had a catch including released fish of: 27 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 4 yellowfin tuna, and 2 dorado. "The inshore super panga action was on fire again, with constant fast action and lots of releases," Edwards said. "The offshore striper action was quite slow early in the week, but picked up considerably." Mazatlan fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 77 degrees inshore and 79 degrees in the main offshore fishing area 23 to 29 miles southwest of Marina el Cid. Offshore catches were mostly with rigged trolling baits.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Judy Ostberg of the boat Melody at Ensenada and her husband Mel Ostberg fished early in the week offshore out of Mazatlan with Capt. Victor and deckhand Juan of Aries Fleet and reported a release of 2 striped marlin and 1 sailfish. "The marlin were estimated by the captain at 150 pounds and the sail at 125," Ostberg said. "There were several marlin hanging at the El Cid Marina."

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Quinonez of PV Marlin Sportfishing reported on 3 offshore runs by the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Lorena, fishing out to about 15 miles past Roca Corbeteña and off Punta Mita for a catch including released fish of: 4 striped marlin, and 10 dorado including a 56 pounder. An inshore outing did well on several small grouper, snappers, 2 large jack crevalle, and mixed bottom fish. "The marlin were pretty thick out there," Quinonez said. "Most boats are ending up with dorado, marlin or sailfish as the water seems to be alive. The water and air are warming up quick so the cows, blues, and blacks should arrive soon." Puerto Vallarta sportfishing area water temperatures were at 75 to 76 degrees with calm seas on most days.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing reported very good inshore fishing for jack crevalle, sierra, pompanos, groupers, skipjack, and a few roosterfish during outings by the charter boat Marla II, fishing in an area about 2 miles north of Punta Mita at the north end of Bahia de Banderas. "This week had great fishing," Osuna said. "There are a lot of bait balls inside at a nice sandy beach about 2 miles north of Punta Mita. The fish are going crazy nailing these bait balls of sardina. They are taking all types of Diamond Jigs and Krocodile spoons, really hot inshore action." The charter boat Marla III fished offshore, finding billfish not hungry, but scoring on 13 dorado of 8 to 18 pounds. Puerto Vallarta fishing area weather was mostly calm with some afternoon breezes and the water temperature at 78 degrees inshore and 82 degrees offshore.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 11 offshore and inshore outings by the charter pangas Janeth, Dos Hermanos I, and Gran Jefe, with a catch including released fish of: 11 sailfish landed and 2 lost, 1 yellowfin tuna, 22 jack crevalle, 48 bonito, 9 jack crevalle, 2 chula, some grouper, and 1 marlin lost. Offshore boats fished from 12 miles outwards. Water temperatures were at 79 degrees inshore and up to 84 degrees offshore.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said unfavorable currents returned to the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area and offshore action slowed down last week as water temperatures dropped 4 or 5 degrees. "We are currently in the second day of our annual sailfish tournament, with about 120 boats fishing," Kunze said. "The boats are averaging about 1 sailfish per day." Capt. Adolpho of the charter panga Dos Hermanos reported inshore action with some sierra and jack crevalle but no roosterfish. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sportfishing area weather was clear in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 78 to 84 degrees.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 9 more very short offshore outings by the El Cid Caribe fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: the fleet's first white marlin, 2 sailfish, 9 dorado, and 2 Atlantic barracuda. Fleet manager Mario Anzoategui said the fishing results were for 4-hour trips with fishing starting only about 2 miles outside the hotel marina. "The fishing results would be better if the anglers were fishing 6 to 8-hour days," Anzoategui said. Cancun fishing area weather was partly cloudy at 90 degrees, with east-southeast winds and water temperatures steady at 82 to 83 degrees.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1

NOT JUST PEANUTS--David Blake's dorado catch out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis last week included some quality fish picked out of the swarms of peanut dorado now gathering northwest of town. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 2

EARLY LORETO WAHOO--Bill Klaser, left, fished northeast of Loreto on May 4, 2006, on his boat with Capt. Andres Cota and caught his first wahoo, a 44 pounder that was also the first local wahoo caught this year according to Loreto's Bill Erhardt. The wahoo took a slow trolled mackerel on monofilament leader. Bill and Andres also caught a nice 34-pound dorado. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 3

LORETO MIXED BAG--Michael Byrd fished out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis at Punta Lobos last week for a nice mixed catch of cabrilla and yellowtail to 29 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Castro's Camp Mexico Fishing Photo 1

HAPPY CASTRO'S CAMPERS--Fishing out of Castro's Camp at Erendira south of Ensenada late last month, this group ran into this very nice halibut in 40 feet of water about a mile from the coast. The flattie hit a Scampi tipped with bait. They fished with Castro's Camp's Capt. Pancho Medina, third from left. PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNANDO CASTRO.

Castro's Camp Mexico Fishing Photo 2

JUREL NUMERO UNO--The year's first yellowtail, or "jurel" in Spanish, at Castro's Camp south of Ensenada was caught last week aboard a boat with anglers Marvin Van Voorst, center, and Jay Perry, right, of Oceanside Senior Anglers. At left is Castro Camp fillet helper, Conrado Castro. PHOTO COURTESY FERNANDO CASTRO.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BROWN-EYED BEAUTY--This unusual, brown-eyed striped marlin came aboard Pisces Fleet's Cabo San Lucas charter boat Valerie in late April for angler Adriane Staggs of Dallas, left. With her is Valerie's Capt. Benito Agundez, center, and deckhand Jorge Agundez. Said Pisces Fleet's Tracy Ehrenberg, "This marlin with brown eyes was the first I've ever seen like this." PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACY EHRENBERG.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Fishing Photo 1

FISHING WITH DAD--Nine-year-old Brian Brictson fished at the Gordo Banks on Saturday with his dad, Eric Brictson of San Jose del Cabo's sportfishing service, Gordo Banks Pangas, and Brian caught this 40-pound wahoo with a trolled purple Yo-Zuri Hydro Mag. They also lost 4 other wahoo, including a 100-pound class fish that broke off after a fight lasting 45 minutes. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

EAST CAPE STRIPERS--Striped marlin concentrations last week around Isla Cerralvo's 88 spot produced about 50 billfish sightings per day for Werner Hradecky's boat Sr. Don, including this one about to be released by Rodney Evraets. PHOTO COURTESY OF WERNER HRADECKY.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 2

SAILFISH TOO--Striped marlin were the main event for East Cape boats last week, but Werner Hradecky also released this sailfish on his boat Sr. Don while fishing the 88 spot off Isla Cerralvo. PHOTO COURTESY OF WERNER HRADECKY.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 3

LOTSA STRIPERS--A striped marlin goes airborne in hot action off Isla Cerralvo last week for Werner Hradecky's boat Sr. Don out of East Cape's Buena Vista. PHOTO COURTESY WERNER HRADECKY.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 4

LOOKDOWN FILLET CHALLENGE--Torrance Eddy of East Cape's Buena Vista likes to fillet his Mexican Lookdowns, but not this one that was given to him by panguero friends. "It was about 2 pounds," Eddy said. "These show up in their catch a handful of times a year. It was caught in the vicinity of Punta Pescadero. It would have tasted better in my opinion if it had been filleted, and while it doesn't look possible, I can do it if the fish is this size." At right is a head-on photo of the fish, showing its strongly compressed body. Eddy said he likes to fry them in garlic oil or butter and seasoned flour. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TORRANCE EDDY.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

WILD LA PAZ ROOSTERS--Glenn Oclassen's 5 roosterfish over 25 pounds, plus 3 big jack crevalle were part of the wild jack action found by anglers fishing with Tailhunter International at La Paz last week. Oclassen released all of his fish, also including a monster bonito weighed at 15.1 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Santa Rosalia Isla San Marcos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

YELLOWTAIL APLENTY--Mike Kanzler anglers scoring good counts of quality yellowtail to about 36 pounds last week at the Isla San Marcos 110 bajo off Santa Rosalia included this family group, from left: Jaime, Jaime Andres, Pily, Andrea, Paula, and Pilar Cruz, all of Chihuahua, Mexico. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

San Bruno Mexico Fishing Photo 1

OUT OF SAN BRUNO--Bob Bourgeois of Escondido fished last week on Ed Hogan's boat out of San Bruno south of Santa Rosalia, and they scored on 9 quality yellowtail of 19 to 26 pounds at the Isla San Marcos bajos by about 10 a.m. PHOTO COURTESY OF ED HOGAN.

Puerto Vallara Mexico Fishing Photo 1

PUNTA MITA CABRILLA--Chrissy Borges fished near shore at Punta Mita north of Puerto Vallarta and landed this nice cabrilla, or leopard grouper, with the help of deckhand Alvino Osuna of the charter boat Marla II. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY OSUNA.

Puerto Vallara Mexico Fishing Photo 2

JUMPIN' JACKS--Diamond Jigs and Krocodiles produced hot surface action for boats fishing schools of jacks north of Puerto Vallarta last week, and Jerry Borges got close-up to this nice jack crevalle with Capt. Danny Osuna of the charter boat Marla II. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY OSUNA.

Baja California Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LORETO DAWN--Tim O'Brien of the Bluefish Bed & Breakfast at Harwich Center, Cape Cod, Mass., camped a few miles north of Loreto on his Baja fishing trip this year and caught this beautiful sunrise photo looking southeast at distant Isla Carmen. "I am a photographer," O'Brien said, "It keeps Baja fresh in the mind." PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM O'BRIEN.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES