Dorado flurry for Mulege sportfishing boats

Mexico Fishing News, May 15, 2006

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Rick Barber of Mulege reported a sudden flurry of good dorado action last week in water at about 75 degrees located 15 to 20 miles east of town. "Just about everyone who has gone out this week has limited," Barber said. "As Dale DeReamer put it, head out on a 60 from Mulege until you hit 27 degrees of latitude, then head due east on 090 until you hit 75-degree water.

"According to Mulege sportfishing guide Capt. Alejandro, there are paddies out there and where there are paddies, there are dorado. The first dorado was caught on May 1st and the numbers have been growing exponentially ever since.

"Dale DeReamer, Ralph Frey and his friend Larry went out on Wednesday and boated 6 dodos that weighed 6 to 26 pounds on the scale. Guides Mateo Apodaca, "Gringo" Mexia, and Alejandro Buckovecz have all been scoring 10 to 14 fish per trip for their clients.

"Marty Robinson took Sharon and John Ferrelli and their 2 daughters Geena and Sarah out 18 miles on a 065-degree heading where the girls boated a couple of dorado, a 25-pound bull and a 10-pound hen.

"Ken Wright, owner of the Cuesta Real Hotel in Mulege, made 2 local runs to Islas Santa Inez and scored on yellowtail of 20 to 32 pounds and roosterfish to 45 pounds with anglers James Sherman of Hollywood, and Robin Champlin. On both days, they trolled the large Megabait lures. Ken noted that there was a lot of bait in the water and the live bait fishermen weren't getting any hits but those who were trolling picked up the 'tails.

"On the cabrilla scene, Marty Robison, Dave Landgraf, Gene Lee, 'Kalamity' Jane Brooks and others have been having a lot of success on a reef just north of Isla Santa Inez where they've been boating 8 to 14 cabrilla up to 18 pounds every trip."

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet reported limits or near limits for his pangas fishing at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda for mixed bottom fish, bonito, red rockcod, lingcod, about 2 barracuda per boat, about 1 to 3 giant Humboldt squid per boat, and a 28-pound yellowtail caught Friday by Dave Drumond of Los Angeles. Other anglers fishing on the Vonny I and Vonny III with Capts. Beto and Hector included Kent Brackman and Vince Saint. Ensenada fishing area weather was calm and partly cloudy in the mid-60s, with water temperatures at 60 degrees.

Cruz Zamora Bañaga 1949—2006: The Vonny's Fleet crew and family of Ivan Villarino were saddened this week by the passing of Capt. Cruz Zamora Bañaga, 57, who died on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, after suffering a stroke. Zamora was born in Ensenada on Feb. 24, 1949, and was one of Vonny Fleet's lead captains, usually guiding clients on the Vonny III. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Gloria Alicia Leon, his sons Beto, Esteban, Victor and Hector, daughters, Gloria, Lorena and Gabriela, and many grandchildren. "He will be missed by them and us," said Vonny's Fleet's Ivan Villarino. "I knew Cruz for 38 years, our 'Tio Cruz' as I always called him. He was very well liked and respected by the whole community. Vaya con Dios, Cruz."

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Judy Ostberg of the boat Melody out of Marina Coral reported on an offshore run Friday, fishing out from Ensenada on a heading of 220 degrees and around the 450 spot in clean water between 62.5 and 64.5 degrees for jig strike yellowtail limits, plus a double on bonito including 1 that weighed out at 18 pounds. "The biggest bonito I have ever seen," Ostberg said. "We bought great bait from Gordo's. It was one stop shopping for limits for the 3 of us on bait. All the yellowtail were quality fish between 18 and 20 pounds, with the jackpot at 24 pounds by yours truly. We were just below the 450 at 31.25 and 117.12." Fishing farther southwest found no albacore and water east of 117.09 degrees was reddish-brown.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Fishing the previous weekend, Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog at Marina Coral reported no offshore kelp paddy action in 20 m.p.h. wind around the 238 spot. "We had a tankful of beautiful, perfect mackerel and we found numerous paddies, over 24," Ross said. "We treated each paddy like gold and tossed live mackerel on every one of them. We got our a___ kicked big time, as the wind picked up to above 20. We returned back to Marina Coral skunked." Ross said a few boats fishing the lower 500 spot reported yellowtail on paddies, and a panga reported a marlin seen at the 238 spot.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For 2 fishing days ending May 7, 2006, Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Ensenada Sportfishing Center reported on 64 anglers fishing locally around Islas Todos Santos aboard the charter boats Ensenada Clipper, Shir-Lee, El Cazador, and Clipper II, with a catch of: 2 yellowtail, 202 bonito, 97 barracuda, 25 lingcod, 58 rockcod, and 12 sheephead.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort said local waters were calm all week under overcast skies, bottom fishing was excellent, and some surface action was found. "With no wind, conditions are ideal for fishing," Saenz said. "Two large bonita were caught on Saturday at the Soledad Reef and we saw a lot of bird activity." Anglers fishing out of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort for full limits of lingcod, bonita, and mixed bottom fish included Larry Brug and Reg Whibley of Ventura. The road in from Mex 1 was 75 percent regraded and in good condition.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp reported on 29 boats fishing out of Erendira during the week, going down to 220 to 280 feet for very large red rockcod plus large lingcod and whitefish, and fishing on the surface for lots of bonita and continued giant Humboldt squid. Erendira water temperatures were at 58 to 60 degrees in the main fishing areas 7 to 9 miles from the coast and the water was generally clear except for scattered small patches of red tide plankton. Erendira weather was calm all week, with some clouds but mostly clear. Castro also noted that many fishing reservations are now being made for the coming weeks.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported 11 boats fishing out of San Quintin during the week and the action good for yellowtail and mixed bottom fish. "Plenty of yellowtail finally made a showing on Thursday. All boats went to the island on Saturday and did well on the yellowtail and calico bass," Hillis said. "John Lawton from Los Angeles and Dean Reade from San Diego fished with Capt. Hector on the Rommy on Thursday and Friday. Believe it or not, they got limits or near limits of every fish, sea bass, calico bass, lingcod, rockcod, a couple of bonita, and 2 nice yellowtail of 18 to 20 pounds."

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Kelly Catian of K&M Offshore Sportfishing reported a hot calico bass run to Isla San Martin for catch-and-release surface action on quality fish, plus plenty for tacos. "Calico bass at San Martin were wide-open!" Catian said. "Jigs, plastic, bait...whatever. A lot of big fish." Catian said they also got a couple of yellowtail and lots of bottom fish, but mainly ignored previous yellowtail reports by San Quintin's Capts. Jaime and Lilo to stick with the calicos. "We weren't going to leave wide-open surface action on big calicos for anything," Catian said. A couple of drifts also produced 4 legal halibut, all released. San Quintin fishing area weather was glass flat. Catian said K&M's new Parker boat ran out to the island at 25 to 35 knots while completing the break-in of its new Honda outboard.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin reported on a run 38 miles out on a heading of 220 degrees last week by his boat Santa Monica, finding clear blue water at 61.4 degrees, but no kelp paddies and no albacore. "A shark fisherman caught 2 bluefin tuna on a longline 32 miles out and I heard of people catching albacore 120 miles south of San Diego," Meza said. The Santa Monica stopped at the 6 spot for lings and other boats reported yellowtail at Isla San Martin.

Meza also said construction and renovation of the launch ramp area at the Old Mill complex on the shore of the inner bay is being supported by a 194,000 peso (about $18,000 U.S. dollars) grant from the Baja California state government, plus contributions from boat owners and local businesses. "The new owners of the Old Mill are paying for an additional part of the ramp and the San Quintin fishing club and the Asociacion Estatal de Pesca Deportiva are going to contribute money and machinery to make a long lasting and first class ramp for bigger boats," Meza said. "This ramp is going to be 90 feet long and 34 feet wide. Fifty percent of the project is done. We hope this will be the beginning of more good things for the San Quintin area."

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: The third annual San Quintin fishing tournament has been scheduled for July 22, 2006, Meza said, and part of the entry fees will be used for the ramp area improvement project.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said spring weather was still cool in the high-70s at Magdalena Bay, with water temperatures at 60 to 67 degrees, and fishing yet to take off. "Local weather has been slow to catch up with the rest of Baja," Graham said. Some dorado and yellowfin tuna were seen offshore of the San Carlos entrada, and some small yellowtail, bonito, and a few sierra were under birds at the boca. The mangrove channels produced corvina, spotted bay bass, and a few grouper, plus small halibut on the sandy beaches.

Graham also noted that Baja On The Fly has added new boats and several houses to its base operation at Puerto Lopez Mateos with access to the offshore Magdalena Bay fall fish pileup. "The prime dates in October, November and early December are filling up fast," Graham said, "so don't miss out on the legendary offshore marlin fishing and the opportunity to explore the esteros. This area promises to offer fishing at its finest."

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported a catch including released fish by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo San Lucas charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I of: 64 striped marlin, 2 wahoo, 15 dorado, and 37 yellowfin tuna including a 128 pounder caught by the Fish Cabo I. Billfish were present in good volume but were sometimes slow to bite, Edwards said, as water temperatures showed a big differential from the Pacific side to the Sea of Cortez side. "There was a 14-degree water temperature change from the Golden Gate Bank to the Gorda Banks, ranging from 61 degrees on the Pacific side to 75 degrees at Gorda and beyond," Edwards said. "It was a 'mucho marlin' week in Cabo San Lucas, with billfish being reported in all easterly directions. Skippers were seeing spots of 5 to 10 fish in a group, but getting one to bite was left to the luck of the draw." Cabo San Lucas weather was partly cloudy in the mid-90s, and the best concentration of billfish was around the 1150 spot and the Cabrillo Seamount. Live bait available was mostly caballitos.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 13 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 8 striped marlin, 29 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 25 pounds, 19 dorado of 15 to 35 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported a catch including released fish of: 77 striped marlin, 1 mako shark, 55 yellowfin tuna, 36 dorado, 1 wahoo, 6 roosterfish, 5 cabrilla, 4 skipjack, 5 bonita, and 9 boats skunked.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather in the high-80s, with steady northwest winds of 8 to 15 knots. Water temperatures were at 75 to 80 degrees on the Cortez side, cool and green at the cape at 67 to 70 degrees, and very green and cool up the Pacific side at 60 to 67 degrees, with a gradual transition of temperatures throughout the area. "There was no really defined break between the cool and green water and the warm and blue water," Landrum said.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: The defending team of U.S. anglers Tom Schramm, Scott Segal, and Ray and Charmain Rosher released a record 10 marlin on the final day to win the 2006 Rolex/IGFA Offshore Champions tournament at Cabo San Lucas last week, topping 63 other qualifying teams from the U.S. and 32 other countries in the 4-day event. Teams qualified for the tournament by winning one of 110 sanctioned tournaments held around the world during 2005. A total of 473 marlin were released during 132 boat-days of fishing. Local boats were used by teams on a rotational basis and the top three release boats during the tournament were: Minerva III with Capt. Gilberto Kakogui; Picante Pride with Capt. Antonio Romero; and Hook Up with Capt. Carlos Rodriguez.

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 65 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 290 various pargo species, 8 striped marlin, 14 dorado, 6 yellowfin tuna, 36 sierra, 15 pompano, 11 amberjack, 9 yellowtail, 16 cabrilla, and 12 wahoo. Inshore panga fishing concentrated on pargo and mixed species of 5 to 25 pounds, plus dog snappers that could not be pulled to the boats. "These fish were located in such swallow water and were so powerful that they proved almost impossible to pull away from the rocks before they cut the leaders," Brictson said. "On Wednesday the red crabs were found in mass on the surface near La Fortuna and panga anglers who got into this action will not soon forget seeing the schools of huachinango feeding on the surface as red crab baits were drifted into the frenzy, quality red snapper weighing 8 to 14 pounds." Fishing for marlin, tuna, and dorado offshore of San Jose del Cabo was slow. San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was near perfect in the high-80s, with mostly calm seas and water temperatures of 74 to 76 degrees.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Grimes of San Jose del Cabo reported about 15 boats fishing at the Inner Gordo Bank on Saturday. Grimes caught a wahoo on a trolled Marauder and saw other boats with wahoo plus some small bonito. "Some marine biologists were diving to locate a couple of whale sharks that have been in the area," Grimes said. "Both the divers and the 'pez sapo' were lucky they did not get snagged by all of the Marauders and Rapalas being trolled in this small area. We saw the whale sharks under our panga twice, but they were not on the surface so they were hard to locate." Another 12 to 15 boats were working the area from Punta Gorda to Palmilla, chasing schools of porpoise for tuna and wahoo. "There are a lot of langostilla in the water at the Gordos. There have been a few pargo caught with langostilla and yo-yos recently, but I did not see any caught on this day, although a lot of people tried fishing the bottom when they gave up on the wahoo," Grimes said.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 50 East Cape boats, with 148 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 35 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 22 dorado, 6 yellowfin tuna, 1 roosterfish, 146 snapper, 2 amberjack, 2 bonito, 3 ladyfish, 3 cabrilla, and 6 sierra. "Most of our fleet started going south early in the week," Valdez said, "but since the bait and therefore fish started moving north, by the end of the week most of our fleet was going north. Inshore fishing continues to offer a good variety and excellent quality. There is a lot of bait out there everywhere, but the pangueros are having a hard time getting it. They have been bringing in mackerel and sardine, but it is limited."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Greg George of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort said fleet boats did well on striped marlin last week in waters between Punta Pescadero and the 88 Bank off Isla Cerralvo. "Some of our boats were catching up to 8 a day," George said. "The dorado are also around pretty good in the same area with fish weighed up to 45 pounds." Tuna were scattered, but some were caught to 55 pounds. Inshore fishing was good for cabrilla and snappers, but most boats fished offshore.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero said a very erratic bite of striped marlin and sailfish moved northwards last week and the concentration was from La Ribera to the 88 Bank off Isla Cerralvo. "There are an amazing number of tailers being sighted, but it's a very erratic bite," Ireland said. "On Friday one panga released 3 sails and 2 marlin, while other boats in the same area got nothing. Overall, we're averaging about 1 per boat." The inshore bite continued good for pargo, jacks, pompano, and roosterfish to 35 pounds, as kayak anglers did well in front of the hotel. East Cape weather was calm all week, with southeast breezes from midday and water temperatures at 77 to 80 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Bill Burkett of Los Barriles and the boat Fat Cat said 25 boats competed in the East Cape Anglers fishing club's "Mother's Day" lady angler tournament on Friday and the catch including released fish was: 22 striped marlin, 1 blue marlin, 9 sailfish, 8 dorado, and 2 tuna. All billfish were released except for the blue marlin which came in dead, Burkett said. Club boats fished the 88 Bank area off Isla Cerralvo, about 35 miles north of Los Barriles, in clean 78-degree water. First place was won by Baja Magic, second went to Andele, and in third place was Mikara. "My wife Silvia and I fished the tournament on our boat Fat Cat and we released the first billfish of the tournament but weren't able to maintain the lead for long," Burkett said. "We ended with a marlin and sailfish release and several 'long distance releases' for the day."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said available sardina and mullet baits helped inshore anglers find good action last week. "The bait was spread out instead of in the tight schools we were finding several weeks ago, allowing East Cape beach anglers to encounter good numbers of cruisers in all the usual spots," Graham said. "We've already seen some of the best action in several years. The physical task of modern beach fishing without an ATV can be daunting. If you can't run and cast like a champ, you are out of the game. Not only do you have to be a great fly caster, you have to have plenty of stamina. Needless to say, the guides are in their element. There's nothing in the world of guiding that's more fun for them than teasing roosters! Phil Barker of California and Randy Gibbs of Martha's Vineyard both had multiple hookups on teased roosters." East Cape weather was clear in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 68 to 79 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Earlier, Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista reported several marlin seen but none hooked using artificial lures during a run about 4 to 8 miles out from Los Barriles north to El Cardonal. "We trolled roughly 45 miles," Eddy said. "We saw and tried to catch 8 marlin. One was extraordinarily small. I would not be surprised if it was under 50 pounds. In addition, while we saw lots of other boats, we saw none fought and none boated. The fish seemed to be more interested in our trolling lures in the afternoon."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending May 4, 2006, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 135 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 400 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 162 striped marlin, 18 sailfish, 47 dorado, 27 yellowfin tuna, 18 pargo, and 2 cabrilla. East Cape fishing area weather was mostly calm with some afternoon chop, in the mid-90s, with water temperatures of 70 to 76 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Ash Pickering of the Vista Sea Sport dive service at Buena Vista said bottom temperatures at the Cabo Pulmo coral reef were at 70 to 75 degrees last week in visibility of 30 to 60 feet. "We have had plenty of life to see," Pickering said. "Cabo Pulmo seems to be inundated with snapper and goatfish, as the eggs have well and truly hatched and the young are making their appearances. Nudibranchs have almost finished their mating period, with a few juveniles making their appearances. On the surface, the whales seem to be gone, but the sea lions, mobula manta and dolphins have taken their place as the things to look for on our trips north and south. A few whale sharks have been spotted out in the deeper water, a sure sign of warmer water and better diving to come."

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said La Paz sportfishing area water temperatures climbed toward the 80-degree level last week as the spring plankton bloom burned off and anglers found variety fishing in good weather conditions. "Everything is warming fast down here," Roldan said. "There is still a bit of wind in the mornings, but you couldn't ask for better weather or water. Fishing has been a nice mix of all kinds of stuff. The roosters at Muertos and Espiritu Santo didn't bite as hard as last week, but it seems like every other day they go off with fish in the 20 to 50-pound class. Amberjack near the islands are mixed with some of the largest cabrilla we've had in a while and 10 to 15-pound fat cabrilla are not unusual. Pargo are still frustrating guys in the shallows. Just off Las Arenas and Los Muertos the marlin are stacked up but they're lazy. The pangas are almost running them over before they move, but any day, I bet they go off. Dorado are also starting to move in."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Leonard Phillips of Baja Pirates Fleet reported the first dorado of the season caught by fleet boats as angler Brandon Suvobda of Portland, Ore., landed 2 dorado of 35 to 40 pounds off Punta Coyote last week. Pargo and cabrilla action slowed, but roosterfish stayed steady at Isla Espiritu Santo. "Lots of squid are in the water. The first few stripped marlin were spotted along the north end of Cerralvo Island but we were unable to get them to strike," Phillips said. La Paz side weather was stable at 90 degrees.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: David Jones of Fishermen's Fleet reported mullet snapper, pargo, cabrilla to 14 pounds, and the odd yellowtail to 28 pounds caught by boats on the Las Arenas side last week while fishing at Los Pilis, Punta Perico, and Punta Sur. "Sardines are currently coming from the beaches on the east side of Isla Cerralvo," Jones said. "There are flying fish, bluing water, and good signs outside. Within the next 2 weeks the water will warm enough to just tip the balance and someone will start to take numbers of dorado. It's gonna happen."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Boats fishing the La Paz area reported 2 large commercial seiners illegally taking marlin outside the 88 bank off Isla Cerralvo last week. One observer from the East Cape area said, "The have been sighted by several sport boats discarding the heads and tails of marlin while harvesting their catch. As usual the authorities have not responded. Turns my stomach."

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto reported slower yellowtail action last week, as heavy concentrations of sardina forage fish appeared in local waters. "Yellowtail can still be seen in considerable numbers chowing down on the incredible numbers of sardine schools around Isla Carmen and San Bruno," Bear said. Fishing twice during the week with Capt. Paulino Martinez, Bear's boat scored a count of: 0 yellowtail, 3 dorado, and a large number of bottom fish.

"On Monday we went to the east side of Isla Carmen outside Ensenada Perros," Bear said. " I lost 1 yellowtail and then had no action at all for the next hour. Since other boats in the area were having only very sporadic action, we went 15 miles northeast to look for dorado. We caught 3, all of which were too small to keep."

Another outing to San Bruno on Wednesday produced no yellowtail but lots of bottom fish in 74 to 75-degree water.

Five other trips by Capts. Francisco Martinez, Javier Martinez, and Paulino Martinez had a combined catch of: 9 yellowtail, 21 cabrilla, 4 pinto bass, 20 huachinango, and 1 pargo.

Mackerel bait was abundant at Las Lagrimas and the Carnaderos baitsellers were fishing daily. Water temperatures off Loreto were down slightly at 75 to 77 degrees.

Bear also noted some new usage rules apparently being implemented at Loreto. "A few new arbitrary rules at the marina have me gnashing my teeth," he said. "First, although a panguero in his own panga can net sardinas inside or close to the marina, if that same panguero is on a gringo boat, he is not allowed to do so and must get one of the carnaderos to do the netting. Second, any nonresident gringo under the age of 60 must pay 20 pesos to have the privilege of landing on the beach at Isla Coronado, to help defray the cost of managing the marine park. What management? Mexican citizens are exempt. This is just more evidence of the arbitrariness of government."

LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported steady action during the week for anglers fishing at Ensenada del Perro on the back side of Isla Carmen, Punta Perico, Punta Lobos, and Isla Coronado. Eight outings with Capts. Martin Perpuli, Alfonso Susarrey, Martin Davis, and Francisco Javier Martinez Jr. produced a combined catch of: 1 amberjack of 44 pounds, 23 yellowtail of 22 to 36 pounds, 16 cabrilla of 5 to 9 pounds, and 1 black sea bass of 80 pounds.

LORETO, MEXICO: Earlier, Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company reported dorado schools continuing about 45 miles straight east of town. "It's worth the trip as there are lots of them," Bolles said. "There are also lots of striped marlin and sailfish. We're so busy now, very unusual for May."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos reported perfect, dead flat weather all week in the Santa Rosalia fishing area, with some humidity, air temperatures at 90 degrees, and water temperatures at 72 to 74 degrees between Isla San Marcos and Isla Tortuga. Visibility was still poor at 10 to 15 feet, with green color. A run to Isla Tortuga with Alan Lewis of San Lucas Cove and Kevin Ward of the San Diego charter boat Searcher found a steady mixed yellowtail and cabrilla bite along the island's south shore, for a catch of 11 yellowtail of 20 to 24 pounds and a few cabrilla of 4 to 6 pounds kept for the table.

"A lot of friends came down from the San Diego Anglers club, 6 boats, and they all did extremely well on every day fished," Kanzler said. "Take your pick and choose your weapon. Surface iron or plastic on the cabrilla. Live bait or heavy iron on the yellows. When your boat is in 100 feet of water, it's like pick what side of the boat you want to fish on: cabrilla on one side and yellows the other. Pretty cool."

The Santa Rosalia Pemex station was still partially closed. "The gas station still only two pumps. No one seems to care. If you need gas, 0400 to 0600 is no-line time," Kanzler said.

Few boats were fishing inshore, but fishing was good for anglers including Bob Lindsay, Rick and Wendy out of San Lucas Cove. "They have been tearing it up in a multitude of places," Kanzler said. "Haystack, west light, Lobos Rock, south of the cove, and many more. They have been catching big numbers on all species the likes of cabrilla, barred pargo, yellow snapper, bass, some sierra and a host of others."

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Syd Lindsay of San Lucas Cove fished his refurbished 18-foot panga Peaches 2 around the west shore of Isla San Marcos island with his brother Bob Lindsay and scored on 9 barred pargo and 1 yellow snapper using leadheads and rubber of various colors in 20 to 40 feet of water. "A great new alternative to yellowtail fishing," Lindsay said. "We fished from the west light to the north light. What a ball it was on light tackle! The anchovies were in on the rocks and the birds were diving. The water is alive this time of year with pargo, ladyfish, green jacks, berries, and of course yellowtail. As long as the bait stays here it should be good for light tackle fishing."

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 said L.A. Bay weather heated up into the 90s last week, with just a little west wind at night mostly at the north end of the bay, about 50 percent relative humidity, and local water temperatures warming into the mid-60 degree range. No yellowtail were caught last week, although conditions were promising. "There is a big plankton bloom in the bay and tons of bait fish wherever you look," Vazquez said. "The fishing should be getting great shortly. At the moment there are no yellows, but the groupers are very active and there are a lot of sierra inside the bay. All we need is a little fog and the yellows should move into the area."

Vazquez said work was progressing on renovations at Camp Gecko and the conversion of 9 beach lots and some cabins to be offered for annual rental. "After we are done with the reservations of the 4th of July, if interested contact me," Vazquez said. Information: gecko@starband.net.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Curt Jones of Sea of Cortez Sportfishing reported on a 3 1/2-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Celia Angelina, returning to San Felipe on May 11, 2006, with a catch of: 27 cabrilla to 15 pounds; 13 white seabass to 45 pounds; 9 black sea bass; 19 yellowtail to 23 pounds; 62 pargo; and Humboldt 150 squid used for bait only. The Celia Angelina found perfect weather in the mid-80s with calm seas in the Midriff fishing area.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Andrea Velez of Baja Sportfishing, Inc., reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe with 18 anglers on May 11, 2006, with a catch of: 7 black sea bass to 210 pounds; 42 mixed pargo; 230 cabrilla, 8 white seabass averaging 40 pounds; 17 yellowtail averaging 25 pounds; 3 grouper to 61 pounds; and 487 mixed species fish. "This was a great week," Velez said. "The fishing was great north of Isla Angel de la Guarda, and less so to the south. The Erik fished at Golden Reef, Refugio, Diablo, Vibora, Ensenada Grande, San Luis Gonzaga, and back to Golden Reef."

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tony Reyes of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trip by the panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on May 12, 2006, with a catch of: 39 yellowtail of 16 to 21 pounds; 12 black sea bass of 60 to 85 pounds; 99 cabrilla of 7 to 13 pounds; 80 red snapper of 8 to 12 pounds; 2 broomtail grouper of 14 pounds; 20 sheephead of 7 to 10 pounds; 100 spotted bay bass; and 35 miscellaneous fish.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company overlooking the bay at San Felipe said weekend weather was at 84 degrees and climbing, with 50 percent relative humidity and the water temperature in the bay at 75 degrees. San Felipe was crowded with visitors, most of them on the beach. "On our morning walks we have found a new route to Cantu Beach which is one of the most charming beaches in the area," Meders said. "It's a perfect little cove. The route is kind of treacherous but it's well worth the effort." A new attraction under construction in San Felipe was a bumper boat ride featuring water cannons. "They look like they're going to be lots of fun and very popular," Meders said. "Times they are a-changing."

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Earlier, Tony Reyes Jr. of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trip by the panga mothership Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe on April 30, 2006, with a catch of: 109 cabrilla to 18 pounds; 56 yellowtail to 26 pounds; 2 roosterfish to 60 pounds; 45 ocean whitefish at 3 pounds; 86 spotted bay bass to 2 pounds; 70 Humboldt squid; 56 pargo to 15 pounds, and 15 red snapper or huachinango to 6 pounds.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Art Pina of Tucson and his wife Sandy fished 85 to 127 feet deep 22 miles out of Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco) on a 220-degree heading at midweek with Capt. Jon Kay of Tiburon Charters for a catch of: 3 grouper to 30 pounds, 4 red snapper, and 1 yellowtail of 15 pounds. "We left the marina at 7:30 a.m.," Pina said. "The water was about 72 degrees and it was a beautiful day. We could not find any bait for hours. We saw a boil of bait fish coming our way. After it had passed, millions of scales were visible. We dropped our sabiki rigs and had 4 to 5 greenbacks on each rig. Capt. Jon decided which rock to fish. In a matter of minutes he had us on the fish. Sandy caught the first grouper. The effort Capt. Jon puts into finding fish is awesome. He never quits."

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: For the previous weekend, Shawn Gustafson of Chandler, Ariz., reported on a run to the 51-mile reef south of Rocky Point by his boat Murphy Girl for a catch of: 6 white seabass of 10 to 20 pounds; 4 red snapper of about 16 pounds; 8 goldspotted bass of 6 to 8 pounds; and 1 very large fish broken off. Fishing with his wife Tina, Gustafson left Rocky Point at about 6:30 a.m., made mackerel baits on the surface and 110 feet deep in 70-degree water about 10 miles out, and anchored alone at the 51-mile reef on the high tide about 10:40 a.m.

"We immediately hooked up and landed a 15-pound white seabass," Gustafson said. "I tried rigging up one of the fat mackerels on a heavy pole to try for grouper. We dropped the line and about halfway down it went slack. I reeled in and felt something pulling hard. I tried to set the hook, but it came loose, then bit again, then came loose. What the heck? It was those pesky Humboldt squid! I reeled in slowly and watched as a 3-foot, brown Humboldt squid swam up to the boat and then quickly disappeared. I had to increase the lead weights just to get our baits past the squid.

"Eventually something grabbed the big mackerel on the heavy rig and line zipped out of the reel. I braced myself as it stripped line. I could feel that it was in the rocks. Back and forth went the tug of war. Then it broke off and the line went limp. Damn, my big fish was gone. I reeled in to find the wire on a 250-pound swivel had snapped."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: For the previous weekend, Bob Blair of Fishing San Carlos reported on a short run by the charter boat Andale for 6 small dorado in water at about 70 degrees, and dorado continuing during the week for boats fishing in the San Carlos area. "A lot of dorado are being caught even as I speak," Blair said. "Not too big though. The largest I have heard of is 25 pounds. Mostly peanuts and keeping the 8 pounders and above. Maybe we will have a better year. The last 2 years were some the worst years for dorado that the old timers can remember."

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported Mazatlan offshore boats averaging about 1 billfish per outing, and inshore boats continuing to score heavy counts locally. Twenty-one Aries Fleet offshore boats had a count including released fish of: 19 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 3 yellowfin tuna, and 6 dorado. Five inshore super pangas had a catch of: 82 red snapper or huachinango, 18 barracuda, and 16 jack mackerel. "According to fleet manager Geronimo Cevallos, the main schools of dorado are a little overdue and should be showing up anytime, especially at the buoys," Edwards said. Mazatlan weather was mostly sunny at 90 degrees, with water temperatures at 74 degrees inshore and 78 degrees offshore and blue water in the main offshore fishing area beginning about 20 miles southwest of Marina el Cid. Most offshore fish were hooked on rigged trolling baits.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing said few anglers were at Puerto Vallarta last week, but offshore fishing was good for striped marlin and lots of dorado located about 20 to 30 nautical miles northwest of Punta Mita at the north end of Bahia de Banderas. Anglers Ron and Gary Phillips and Burt Riisager of California all fished on the charter boat Marla II for good results on marlin and "a bunch of dorado" Osuna said. "They are biting artificial lures and live bait. In this area there are a lot of FADs moored and palapas full of dorados." Inshore fishing was slower last week, but sardina schools were returning and bait balls were forming again, Osuna said. Puerto Vallarta weather was mostly calm and flat, with water temperatures at 77 degrees inside Bahia de Banderas and 85 degrees offshore.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament said, "Offshore fishing is decent for 1 to 2 sails a day plus a few tuna, but they are out aways, like 20 to 30 miles. Nothing inshore but green water, and it's ugly."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said the blue water moved out to about 20 miles last week as the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sportfishing fleet averaged about 1 or 2 sailfish per outing. Capt. Santiago on the panga Gitana, fished with John Wilkinson of Michigan on Friday and released 1 sailfish, plus keeping 2 yellowfin tuna of about 30 pounds, both caught 38 miles out at 230 degrees from Zihuatanejo. Two other outings by the Gitana released 3 sailfish and lost a blue marlin. Capt. Adolpho of the panga Dos Hermanos reported very dirty green water inshore as inshore fishing action was very slow. "There have been sightings of a red tide in several of the inshore areas," Kunze said. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo weather was clear in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 78 to 84 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly noted that the months of November through January were peak months for the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo area and some good dates were still available for the coming season.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Stan Lushinsky of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters said 118 boats participated in last week's annual Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo International Billfish Tournament with the top fish caught being: Largest marlin, 264 pounds, landed by Capt. Alberto Anzo aboard the Duquesa; largest sailfish, 116 pounds aboard the Dancing; largest dorado, 42 pounds landed by a team from Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.

Lushinsky said a new 42-foot boat added to the fleet will be named the Gran Jefe, and the super panga with that name will renamed the Gran Jefe I.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 6 outings by the El Cid Caribe fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 1 white marlin, 4 sailfish, 10 dorado, 3 sierra, 5 barracuda, and 1 blackfin tuna. Fleet general manager Mario Anzoategui fished himself and scored 1 white marlin release, 2 sailfish released, and 4 dorado kept for the table. Cancun fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with light breezes and even water temperatures throughout the area of 83 to 84 degrees.

Baja Photo 1

ALONE IN BAJA--Sunset falls over semi-remote Punta Baja near El Rosario during a fishing run down Mex 1 by Tim O'Brien of the Bluefish Bed & Breakfast at Harwich Center, Cape Cod, Mass. Said O'Brien, "We really enjoy the Pacific side as it is a way to escape from the R.V. brigade and get to the real Baja, off the road away from the rest of the world." PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM O'BRIEN.

Ensenada Fishing Photo 1

PUNTA BANDA FISHING--Dave Drumond, left, of Los Angeles went out on the panga Vonny I with Vonny's Fleet's Capt. Beto and caught a nice Ensenada mixed bag of fish including a 28-pound yellowtail, a Humboldt squid, plenty of bonito, and some white seabass. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Cruz Zamora Photo 1

AN ENSENADA FISHERMAN--Vonny Fleet's Capt. Cruz Zamora Bañaga, 1949—2006.

San Quintin ramp Photo 1

NEW SAN QUINTIN RAMP--A Baja California state government grant and local business and sportfishing organization contributions are making improvements possible to the Old Mill launch ramp area on the inner bay at San Quintin. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIO MEZA.

Cabo San Lucas Fishing Photo 1

NICE ONE--Slim Stevens, right, of Las Vegas fished on the Cabo San Lucas charter boat Cabo Magic with Capt. Hector, left, in late April and landed this estimated 50-pound class bull dorado after a fight lasting 45 minutes. PHOTO COURTESY LORI GARCIA.

San Jose del Cabo Fishing Photo 1

SKINNIES ON THE BEACH--Gary Weiss, left, of Santa Monica fished at the Outer Gordo Banks off San Jose del Cabo with Capt. Chame Pino of Gordo Banks Pangas, and they scored on this nice 27-pound yellowtail on a trolled surface lure, plus a 30-pound wahoo shown off by Pino that was also caught on the troll. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

East Cape Fishing Photo 1

BUENA VISTA BEACH--Josh Dickinson, a fly fishing guide for Baja On The Fly, was fishing out of East Cape's Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort last week and found this beautiful roosterfish. PHOTO COURTESY OF AXEL VALDEZ.

La Paz Fishing Photo 1

LA PAZ GOLD--Matt Steele of Boulder, Colo., fished at La Paz last week with Tailhunter International and landed this beautiful dorado with Capt. Victor near the buoys outside Ensenada de los Muertos on the Las Arenas side. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Fishing Photo 2

TALE OF A SAIL--Chris Curran, right, and his two sons, Cruz and Levi landed this played-out sailfish at La Paz with Tailhunter International after it hit another fish being pulled into the panga by 7-year-old Cruz. Said dad, "I knew it would take him sometime to bring the fish to the boat if he didn't lose it first. Forty minutes, several breaches, and an air show later, one tired 7-year-old called color, and a worn out bill fish in the 80 to 100-pound range was at the side of the boat." PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Loreto Fishing Photo 1

LORETO BIGGIE--Bob Kaplan and Gary Paugh fished out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis last week with Capt. Martin Davis, and they scored on yellowtail plus this 80-pound class black sea bass while fishing between Islas Carmen and Coronado. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Santa Rosalia Fishing Photo 1

AT ISLA TORTUGA--Capt. Kevin Ward of the San Diego charter boat Searcher fished with Isla San Marcos' Mike Kanzler at Isla Tortuga off Santa Rosalia and their catch included 11 yellowtail of 20 to 24 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

San Felipe Midriff Islands Fishing Photo 1

GOLDEN REEF BLACK SEA BASS--Curt Jones fished on the San Felipe panga mothership Celia Angelina and caught this big black sea bass at the Golden Reef east of Puertecitos. Jones said the fish was hooked on straight 100-pound mono after it hit a whole squid bait. PHOTO COURTESY OF CURT JONES.

Rocky Point Fishing Photo 1

51-MILE CATCH--Shawn Gustafson with 2 of 6 white seabass and 4 nice red snapper caught on his boat Murphy Girl at the 51-mile reef south of Rocky Point. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHAWN GUSTAFSON.

Puerto Vallarta Fishing Photo 1

OFFSHORE AT PUERTO VALLARTA--Capt. Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing, left, found a nice mixed offshore catch of striped marlin and "a bunch of dorados" for California anglers Ron Phillips, Gary Phillips, and Burt Riisager, while fishing about 25 miles off Punta Mita aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla II. PHOTO COURTESY DANNY OSUNA.

Michael Kanzler of Isla San Marcos Photo 1

THE OTHER MICHAEL--Eight-year-old Michael Kanzler is usually photographed with his dad Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos and a Santa Rosalia area yellowtail or grouper in his capable young hands, but last week dad broke down and bought him a dirt bike in La Paz. Said the elder Michael, "Note all the safety gear I got him." PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES