Yellowtail, albacore hitting at Ensenada, and big marlin at Puerto Vallarta

Mexico Fishing News, June 12, 2006

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet reported very good yellowtail action beginning on Thursday for his pangas fishing at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda, plus good counts all week for bonito, calico bass, and bottom fish limits.

Five pangas fishing toward the end of the week turned in a count of 25 yellowtail of 18 to 30 pounds, plus good results on mixed top and bottom species. "This week we had very good fishing," Villarino said. "It turned into a great week for our pangas." Ensenada fishing area weather on Saturday was partly cloudy in the low-70s, with light winds, 3-foot ocean swells, and a water temperature at Punta Banda of 61 degrees. GOOD YELLOWTAIL ACTION AT PUNTA BANDA.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Judy Ostberg of the boat Melody out of Marina Coral reported good action off Ensenada on Saturday for a catch of: 8 albacore of 22 to 28 pounds, 3 on jig strikes and 5 on bait; 1 bluefin tuna of 35 pounds on bait; and 10 yellowtail on kelp paddies. Gordo's at Ensenada had excellent bait. The Melody fished in slightly greenish water at 66.6 degrees. "Mike Krause on the Blackjack went to our numbers and earlier today reported 2 albacore and 3 yellowtail," Ostberg said.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of Lilly Fleet said the charter boat Tamara fished locally on Saturday and caught good sized calico bass, a couple of white seabass of 15 pounds, and 1 halibut of 15 pounds. Private boats reported albacore at the 238 spot. "So far, the Ensenada fishing season is starting very well," Susarrey said. "The ocean today was great, flat and with clean water."

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Ensenada Sportfishing Center reported on 76 anglers fishing aboard the charter boats Shir-Lee Too, Shir-Lee, El Cazador, and Quest, with a catch of: 373 yellowtail, 145 bonito, 42 barracuda, 2 albacore, 20 lingcod, 15 rockcod, and 13 red rockcod.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous weekend, Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog out of Marina Coral reported on his offshore run landing the possible first albacore of the year for San Diego Anglers, a mola mola encounter, three kelp paddy yellowtail, and hot action on bonito during a 18-hour outing off Ensenada. FIRST ALBACORE, MOLA MOLA, YELLOWTAIL OFF ENSENADA.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp said he had 24 boats fishing out of Erendira during the week, for continued good bottom fish catches of red rockcod, whitefish, and lingcod, but with surface action on yellowtail, bonita, and barracuda still a little slow, and white seabass present but still not biting. Erendira weather was calm during the week, with clear water at 62 to 63 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Kelly Catian of K&M Offshore Sportfishing reported on a 30-mile plus run off San Quintin for plenty of kelp paddy yellowtail, but still no yellowfin tuna or albacore found, in water temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees. Fishing closer to San Quintin at Isla San Martin produced good action on yellowtail, barracuda, and bonito. SAN QUINTIN OFFSHORE RUNS.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin fished south of the bay on Saturday on his cousin Paco's boat Mariandrea, looking for white seabass at Arroyo Hondo, but settling for good results on lingcod, red rockcod, whitefish, sandbass, and calico bass. "Good quality fish, big sizes and lots of action on iron jigs and fish traps," Meza said.

Meza also said this year's third annual San Quintin Sportfishing Tournament is set for July 22, 2006, at the Old Mill landing area. Sponsors have donated over $75,000 in merchandise prizes for the event, including a $5,000 trip to East Cape's Buena Vista Beach Resort and a 195 CC Triton boat with 90 h.p. Mercury motor. Fishing categories are for tuna, dorado, yellowtail, white seabass, and sandbass, and entry fees start at $50. Information at: 619-443-0031, villascandelaria@yahoo.com.mx, and fishtraplures@yahoo.com. OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT POSTER.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Marshall Wax of Pacific Palisades reported on a cruise by his boat Good Vibrations from La Paz around the Baja Sur coast, south past East Cape to Cabo San Lucas, finding bottom fishing action for pargo, cabrilla, and triggerfish at Isla Cerralvo, and a catch including released fish during the trip of: 5 striped marlin, 5 keeper dorado, some smaller yellowfin tuna, 1 large jack crevalle, and mixed bottom fish species. "It was a good trip," Wax said. "There are still a lot of sportfishers in the harbor, although they are starting to head home to Southern California." SOUTHERN SEA OF CORTEZ CRUISE REPORT.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Russ Fritz of La Ribera at East Cape noted that Mex 1 was in good shape during his recent drive down the Baja peninsula, with many empty beaches as campers were headed north. Don Johnson was doing fine at the Hotel Serenidad in Mulege. "Don looks great, as does the place, and I for one am happy he has prevailed in his struggle with the ejido." Fritz said.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported continued windy offshore conditions keeping boats close to shore at Magdalena Bay. Mangrove channel action around San Carlos produced small snook, corvina, and a few leopard grouper around Los Barriles and Devil's Curve. At Puerto Lopez Mateos, Tim Linsky, owner of the charter boat Aristokat fished inside the channels for halibut, grouper, and spotted bay bass, plus good surf action on the outside of Isla Magdalena for halibut, corvina, and small snook. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was clear in the high-70s, with water temperatures at 61 to 66 degrees. "Water temperatures are steadily creeping up and once the wind lightens up and the boats can spend some time outside, the action should begin to pick up," Graham said.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 125 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 87 striped marlin, 76 dorado, 54 yellowfin tuna, 9 wahoo, 6 jack crevalle, 14 cabrilla, 1 mako shark, 10 roosterfish, 4 sierra, and 5 boats with no luck.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 11 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, 1 wahoo of 45 pounds, 14 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 25 pounds, 1 mako shark, 2 jack crevalle of 35 pounds, and 7 dorado of 15 to 25 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 43 outings by Gaviota Fleet, and the charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 36 striped marlin, 5 sailfish, 5 shark, 4 wahoo, 19 dorado, and 64 yellowfin tuna. Billfish were concentrated about 2 miles out of the harbor and at the 1150 spot, Edwards said, and the yellowfin tuna were about 15 miles out and mostly 15 to 25 pounds. Cabo San Lucas fishing area water temperatures were very cool on the Pacific side but up to 85 degrees on the Cortez side at Chileno and farther out. CABO FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported Cabo San Lucas weather in the high-90s with plenty of strong wind on the Pacific side. Water temperatures were as low as 64 degrees along the beaches about 8 miles up the Pacific side, but up to 78 degrees a few miles out. "On the Pacific side of the cape the weather has been pretty nasty with the wind and chop so not a lot of boats are working the stuff, but there are fish out there," Landrum said. Dorado action was improving. "Finally the dorado have made it to our area," Landrum said. "Our boat was out yesterday and brought back a pair of fish, both of them over 60 pounds."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported 82 of 86 striped marlin released during the week as 36 percent of charters also landed yellowfin tuna, 33 percent caught dorado, and 96 percent scored on all species combined. Top outings for the week included Valerie with 3 marlin releases and 4 dorado, and Tracy Ann with 3 marlin and a wahoo. Most of the yellowfin tuna were 20 to 35 pounds and the dorado averaged 15 to 30 pounds. Pisces boats fished mostly on the Cortez side of Cabo San Lucas around Punta Gorda, Chileno, Cabeza de Ballena, and at the 95 and 1150 spots.

For the previous week, Ehrenberg reported 82 percent of Pisces Fleet boats releasing billfish including a 5-release day for Ni Modo, 19 percent landing yellowfin tuna, and some boats catching between 6 and 12 dorado toward the end of the week. A total of 101 billfish were landed, including striped marlin, 2 sailfish, and 1 blue marlin, and all but 4 were released.

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 85 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 84 yellowfin tuna, 170 dorado, 8 wahoo, 42 striped marlin, 5 sailfish, 32 roosterfish, 65 yellowtail snapper, 16 dogtooth snapper, 22 sierra, 110 Mexican bonito, and 15 jack crevalle. "Lots of bolito are now moving onto the San Jose del Cabo fishing grounds, attracting larger game fish," Brictson said. "Anglers have been catching bolito on small hoochies and then using them to troll with. Very successful for striped marlin, dorado and a few yellowfin tuna." San Jose del Cabo weather was mostly calm with water temperatures at 82 degrees from Red Hill to Los Frailes, and the best offshore fishing from the 95 spot to Vinorama. LA PLAYITA PANGA FLEET REPORT.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Species fishing specialist John Snow of San Jose del Cabo reported continued slow conditions during 1 surf fishing trip and 4 outings with Capt. Pata of the panga Solome out of La Playita beach, for a total of 21 species caught, none of them new.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero reported close by fishing as marlin, sailfish, dorado, tuna and some wahoo were all caught within 2 or 3 miles of East Cape beaches last week from La Ribera south to Los Frailes. The Leonero fleet's first blue marlin of the season was caught on Friday. Boats averaged 5 dorado in mixed sizes per boat, and "all the tuna you want" of mostly of 10 to 15 pounds. Roosterfish, pompano, and mixed jacks were biting well on the beaches. East Cape weather was in the low-90s, with calm mornings, some afternoon southeast breezes, and water temperatures of 83 to 85 throughout Bahia de Palmas.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Werner Hradecky of San Diego fished 6 days out of East Cape on his boat Bad Company, running 40 miles east of Buena Vista for a catch including released fish of: 9 striped marlin, 3 dorado, and 3 small tuna to 15 pounds. East Cape water was dead flat at 84 degrees. "I also saw some nice 50-pound tuna," Hradecky said, "but couldn't get them to go."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported consistent fly fishing action for yellowfin tuna around the Cabo Pulmo area to the south. "The difference from last year's East Cape fly fishing action is the availability of sardina for chum," Graham said. "Mike Little of Calgary whacked the tuna on the fly all morning with fish to 20 pounds." Inshore fly fishing for roosterfish was slower, but with plenty of large cruisers within casting range. East Cape weather was clear in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 74 to 85 degrees. FLY FISHING FOR TUNA AT EAST CAPE.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista reported very good East Cape charter fleet catches on Wednesday. "Since I have lived here, I have never seen such a day," Eddy said. "Sixty to 70 boats that I can see from my windows returned yesterday festooned with many banners of many colors. Some boats had all 3: tuna, marlin, and dorado. And a boat without any flags was not seen." East Cape fishing area weather was at 90 degrees by 11 a.m., with lows of 75 to 76 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Russ Fritz of La Ribera reported lots of yellowfin tuna at the "tuna hole" plus good counts of striped marlin, sailfish, dorado, and some wahoo caught early. East Cape weather over the weekend was flat calm at 90-degrees plus.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Larry Wayne of Irvine and his son Paul fished out of East Cape's Hotel Playa del Sol for 3 days on the cruiser Jack Daniels with Capt. Nick and deckhand Alberto, and on the super panga Siboney with Capt. Juan, for a catch including released fish of: 17 yellowfin tuna of 15 to 20 pounds, 2 marlin, 2 dorado, 4 smaller roosterfish, and 3 triggerfish. The yellowfin tuna were caught off Cabo Pulmo and the 2 dorado (also mahi-mahi or dolphinfish) were caught inshore between Rancho Leonero and Playa del Sol. "It was a great East Cape trip with really fine boats and crews," Wayne said. "We failed to set hooks on a number of additional roosterfish pickups on the sardinas. The circle hook strategy might have made us connect better." PLAYA DEL SOL FISHING TRIP.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Tim Stemwedel of Univisitlapaz.com fished 2 days out of Hotel Rancho Buena Vista for a catch of: 6 dorado keepers to 45 pounds, 1 marlin released, and 3 wahoo of 25 to 45 pounds, all caught close to shore near Los Frailes. Many yellowfin tuna were available in the area but were passed on in order to focus on wahoo. "There are a lot of boats fishing the Buena Vista area right now," Stemwedel said. "It's hard to believe the growth in the East Cape sportfishing fleet in the last year or two."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Marv Allison of Vallencia, Calif., reported on 3 days of fishing out of Hotel Rancho Buena Vista on the charter boats Irma and Toddy with Manuel and Juan for a catch including released fish of: 3 striped marlin, 2 dorado of 10 to 30 pounds, and 1 wahoo of 60 pounds. Allison fished mostly about 10 miles south of Rancho Buena Vista and said plenty of sardina bait was available, but no mackerel.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Frank Springer of Butte Falls, Ore., said East Cape charter fishing boats put on "the best flag show I have yet to see in this fleet" on Thursday. "It looked like a Mardi Gras parade," Springer said. "All boats were flying their rigging completely full of flags for tuna, marlin, and dorado." Catches included yellowfin tuna mainly of school size but ranging to over 100 pounds, dorado into the 35-pound class, and many boats with 3 to 6 billfish releases.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Steve Krogh of Bonsall, Calif., reported on 16 anglers fishing 4 days aboard 4 boats during an informal East Cape tournament in its third year, for a combined catch including released fish of: 9 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 16 dorado to 72 inches long, and 65 yellowfin tuna of 10 to 20 pounds but including 2 at 60 pounds. East Cape weather was perfect, Krogh said, and the winning anglers were: first place, Craig Howland of Seattle; second place, Craig Van Blokland of Bend, Ore.; and third place, Joey Van Blokland of Bend, Oreg. Krogh's group fished on the boats Awesome, Too Awesome, Senorita Bonita, and the Jen Wren. "Mark Rayor at Vista Sea Sport, who owns the Jen Wren, has perfected the art of customer service," Krogh said. "He has 16 new fans in the East Cape. He really made everything run smooth even though he only had one of the 4 boats we used. Couldn't have done it without him."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Ash Pickering of the Vista Sea Sport dive service at Buena Vista reported water temperatures at depth up to a steady 79 degrees at the Cabo Pulmo coral reef, with visibility near shore at 30 feet and up to 70 feet farther out. Sea life sightings included tiger shark, bull shark, schooling rays, grouper, jacks, snapper, porkfish, and octopus.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the previous period ending June 1, 2006, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 295 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 870 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 132 striped marlin, 10 sailfish, 114 dorado, 235 yellowfin tuna, 10 pargo, and 4 wahoo.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported some south winds during the week, but steady dorado action most days. "Finding the fish was sometimes a problem as all areas were not holding fish," Roldan said, "but if you found them it could go wide-open." The better fishing for dorado was found by La Paz side boats, but Las Arenas boats also scored around Isla Cerralvo and the offshore buoys. "If you wanted more variety, Las Arenas was better for other species such as amberjack, cabrilla, pargo, and a late week run of African pompano," Roldan said.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Frank Springer of Butte Falls, Ore., reported good numbers of dorado caught, to a high of 49 pounds by Lou Cunningham, during the La Paz Classic tournament on June 1-5, 2006. "Decent numbers of fish to 35 pounds were coming from around Isla Cerralvo and the La Paz side," Springer said. "My personal best was a great gallo in the 50 to 60-pound range. What a dandy fish! I caught it off the beach at Punta Arena de la Ventana."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Tim Stemwedel of Univisitlapaz.com noted that airline connections to La Paz were still very difficult due to the continuing Aerocalifornia shutdown. "Los Cabos International Airport is the best bet and best price," he said. "Some of the resorts in La Paz are running shuttles."

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Sumner of Las Vegas fished 4 days together with R.J. Ransom, out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis with Capt. Ismael Murillo, finding beautiful fishing weather, water temperatures at about 80 degrees, and excellent sailfish action. "Possibly the best ever in my 25 years of fishing Loreto," Sumner said. "Sailfish were found in large schools of 6 of 10 fish, all along the current line from San Bruno to Punta Lobos. We landed and released from 6 to 12 sailfish per day. We also had the rare treat of seeing groups of sailfish swimming in a circle with their sails extended, encircling and herding schools of bait fish." One day, Sumner and Ransom also found good action for 7 yellowtail on the surface at Punta Pulpito." LORETO EXCELLENT SAILFISH ACTION.

LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported on 12 pangas fishing mostly around Isla Carmen, with a combined catch including released fish of: 34 dorado to 35 pounds, 14 cabrilla, 10 sailfish, 6 yellowtail of 21 to 33 pounds, 1 hammerhead shark, 1 marlin, 1 grouper, 7 triggerfish, and 1 sheephead. Loreto weather was calm and sunny all week.

LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto reported slower dorado action last week on fish of mostly 5 to 10 pounds, in hot, humid Loreto weather at 100 degrees, and water temperatures of 79 to 83 degrees. Three days of fishing by Bear's boat with Capt. Paulino Martinez produced a catch including released fish of: 9 dorado of 5 to 30 pounds; 3 sailfish; 1 striped marlin; and 2 jack crevalle of 20 to 25 pounds. "The toros were caught inside Punta Tintorera out of a school crashing sardines," Bear said. Mackerel baits were available daily at the Loreto marina and squid was easily caught 3 to 4 miles out. SLOWER DORADO FISHING AT LORETO.

LORETO, MEXICO: Dave McKenzie of San Jose, Calif., fished 5 days out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis with Capt. Martin of the charter panga Atlantis II for good shallow water and offshore action and a catch including released fish of: 2 sailfish, 22 dorado, 50-plus cabrilla, 75-plus mixed snapper species, 50-plus mixed resident species including amberjack and triggerfish, and a first-ever golden grouper, or golden phase leopard grouper. "Dorado and sails were eating like the days of the past," McKenzie said. A hot session of casting swimbaits at the Loreto downtown marina also got into an unusual "frenzy of small dog snapper crushing anything that moved," McKenzie said. "There were hundreds of them. I landed 20-plus fish. Sometimes there would be 3 to 5 fish trying to eat the same bait. They were 2 to 4 pounds each and fought like hell."

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Mike Massey of Posada Concepcion said Harley Harrison fished with guide Capt. Mateo of Mulege on Thursday and scored on 14 dorado plus 1 sailfish, with the keeper dorado all at about 20 pounds.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said he fished nonstop last week and found good yellowtail action at the bajos with brothers Dave, Shane, and Jimmy Sowers of Orange County for 13 yellowtail of 28 to 35 pounds in 4 outings, and with "as many lost as caught." Another run with Baja first-timers Dave and Matt Adcock landed a 45-pound amberjack, plus their first-ever yellowtail and dorado. "They did get a lesson on how strong yellowtail here are!" Kanzler said. Santa Rosalia fishing area weather was hot in the 90s, but with low humidity, and water temperatures were at 77 to 80 degrees. SANTA ROSALIA NONSTOP YELLOWTAIL AND DORADO FISHING.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: John Roe of Laguna Hills, Calif., made a family-style Baja run to camp and fish with his brother and two young sons out of San Lucas Cove, running out to the Isla San Marcos bajos, but only to be smoked by yellowtail without landing any. "We were bit and broken off several times," Roe said. "These fish could pull. We landed zero." Sea life including giant Humboldt squid, whales, and manta rays was present in Craig Channel, but Baja Catch-style trolling with skirted squid hoochies hooked no dorado. Fishing around Isla San Marcos in 74-degree water produced barracuda, needlefish, and red snapper.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: At San Lucas Cove, Syd Lindsay reported that the "American Service of Santa Rosalia" tourist service office has launched a new website: Bajasantarosalia.com. The office is located in downtown Santa Rosalia and provides services for area anglers including Mexican fishing licenses and boat permits, banking, import permits, Mexican driver's licenses, translation, and others. Calle 8 #41, 011-52-615-152-1399, oliviac01@prodigy.net.mx, Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: At the end of the week, J.L. Terry of San Francisquito south of Bahia de los Angeles reported "lots of big yellows" present but difficult to hook because of the volume of bait in the water."

"Thousands of squid are feeding on bait," Terry said. "They charged the beach last night chasing bait. I've never seen so many. It was a real mess in the morning. I have to collect them before they get too ripe." Many birds were working over bait concentrations in the San Francisquito area. Divers brought in white seabass to 68 pounds, grouper to 48 pounds, and large yellowtail. San Francisquito weather was perfect with no wind and no bugs.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Roger Crenshaw of Chula Vista returned from 2 weeks at Punta San Francisquito, reporting "yellowtail as wide-open as I have ever seen it," with the water clear at 67 degrees and "bird boils going from point to point in front of the cabañas."

"These are some of the biggest, healthiest fish that I have experienced in years down there," Crenshaw said. "Size is 34 to 44 pounds, a measured weight, not a guess. The fishing is so good near shore, no one was even going out to fish farther." Divers at San Francisquito also bagged white seabass to 50 pounds.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: For the previous week, Stan Woodward of Manhattan Beach reported on a fly-in trip to San Francisquito, finding the area plugged with bait and birds, but fishing a pick bite for 5 yellowtail of 18 to 30 pounds in 2 days. All the yellowtail were caught on jigs, one at the beach, and the others by casting to birds which were "everywhere all day long," Woodward said. Divers brought in white seabass into the 50-pound class and many Humboldt squid were present. SAN FRANCISQUITO YELLOWTAIL FISHING.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Bob Castellon of Sea of Cortez Sportfishing reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Celia Angelina, returning to San Felipe on June 7, 2006, with a catch of: full yellowtail limits to 43 pounds with many over 30 pounds; 56 cabrilla to 18 pounds; 106 spotted bay bass; 16 pargo, 36 Humboldt squid for bait; 4 grouper to 43 pounds and 3 grouper under 25 pounds released; and 198 miscellaneous fish. Midriff weather was in at 90 degrees, with water temperatures averaging 78 degrees. The charter master for the trip was Tim Riff of Tempe, Ariz. Rick Juckett of Gilbert, Ariz., scored 2 yellowtail over 40 pounds on the same day. "The hot lure continues to be the MirrOlure 111," Castellon said.

For the previous trip returning to San Felipe on June 1, 2006, the Celia Angelina reported a catch of: yellowtail limits; 21 white seabass to 22 pounds; 56 cabrilla; 100 sierra; a 56-pound black sea bass; and limits of spotted bay bass.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Kat Hammontré of Sanfelipe.com.mx reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands trip by the Tony Reyes Fishing Tours panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on June 2, 2006, with a catch of: 84 yellowtail, 15 to 21 pounds; 2 black sea bass, 55 to 61 pounds; 5 pinto bass, 12 to 36 pounds; 6 white seabass, 20 to 27 pounds; 93 cabrilla, 10 to 18 pounds; 64 red snapper, 10 to 14 pounds; 1 broomtail, 18 pounds; and 26 sheephead, 8 to 12 pounds. John Chow charter mastered the trip and the fish count was logged by crewman Fily "Ice Man" Espinoza.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay said San Felipe visitors were beginning to clear out as the weather warmed up for the summer season. On Saturday, the air temperature was 92 degrees with 54 percent relative humidity at 10:20 a.m. Meders said, "Things at San Felipe are definitely slowing down as more and more people leave town for the summer." SAN FELIPE HOT SUMMER WEATHER.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Mike Auditore of Phoenix reported on a run on Lloyd Robinett's boat Arca de Noe out to reefs at about 50 and 53 miles south of Rocky Point for a catch of 6 goldspotted bass, a white seabass of 27 pounds, a damsel bass or "antena" fish in Spanish, and an unidentified "mystery fish" caught 100 feet deep while fishing for bait about 10 miles out. "A very strange looking fish with large wing like pectoral fins and a pufferfish-shaped body," Auditore said. Puerto Penasco fishing area weather was calm, with the water temperature at 79.9 degrees. ROCKY POINT MYSTERY FISH CATCH.

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Ric Felder of Glendale, Ariz., ran is boat End Of The Line to fish several reefs 16 to 23 miles out of Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), for a catch of 3 gulf grouper of 25 to 40 pounds. Felder fished in good sea conditions, 80 to 110 feet deep, using spotted bay bass and grunt baits in 79-degree water.

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: For the previous week, Ollie Peltier of Rocky Point reported on a run by his boat Dos Borrachos to a spot 40 miles out on a heading of 192 degrees, fishing with his son Tim Peltier and brother-in-law Bob Shaw about 265 feet deep in calm, 78-degree water for a catch of: 30 goldspotted bass, 2 leopard grouper of 18 and 20 pounds, 1 halibut of 16 pounds, and a 15-pound giant Humboldt squid that inked Shaw in the face and chest as it was being gaffed. "When Tim and I looked at Bob we began laughing so hard that I had to catch my breath before I could gaff his prize," Peltier said. "Again, the fish and weather gods had smiled on us and provided us with a wonderful day on the Sea of Cortez." ROCKY POINT 40-MILE FISHING RUN.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Molden of San Carlos reported improved billfish catches at the end of week, with fish "being released from all quadrants out of San Carlos" after a period of relatively slow action. Dorado fishing was fairly good, but on mostly small fish. "A few 30 to 40-pound fish have been caught if you can locate a weed patch holding fish," Molden said, "but they are few and far between. This all comes after a couple of weeks of tournaments, the Ladies Memorial Day and the Rescate/Yacht Club, that saw very poor results considering the number of boats and anglers."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Steve Calvert of Catch-22 Sportfishing said all charter boats released marlin or sailfish on Wednesday, and 3 of the 4 boats got limits on dorado. "The billfish are close, with lots of activity from 5 miles to 14 miles out. We fished at 195 degrees," Calvert said. Charter boats fishing during the week included the Catch-22, Catch-22 Pez Vela, Catch-22 Suerte, and Catch-22 Chico, with captains Ricardo, Fernando, Chino, and Ramon, respectively. San Carlos sea conditions were flat, with water temperatures at 86 degrees.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Parks of Phoenix ran his boat No Le Hace from San Carlos to Isla Tortuga and had a catch including released fish of 29 dorado from small to 40 pounds, while fishing with his son Danny Parks, angler Chris, and Capt. Juan de Dios Tirado. Offshore waters were calm and the dorado were caught in 2 areas, about 5 miles from the south end of the island, and about 20 miles out of San Carlos on a heading of 180 degrees.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: For the previous week, Norman Don of Tucson reported good action for the boat Doc Marlin out of San Carlos, fishing 3 days, about 14 miles out on a heading of 180 degrees for a catch including released fish of: 25 dorado, including 6 fish kept over 18 pounds, and 2 sailfish. Don, fishing with Kevin Madden, Dean Houseman, and Michael Don as captain, said they used ballyhoo-lure combos, and had one day with no fish. San Carlos sea conditions were flat for 2 days and very lumpy on the third.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAZATLAN

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported slower action for 21 Aries Fleet charter boats fishing out of Marina El Cid last week, with a catch including released fish of: 9 striped marlin, 5 sailfish, 1 yellowfin tuna, and 12 dorado mostly in the 40-pound class. "I guess it just can't be a continuous hot bite every week," Edwards said. Ten inshore super pangas caught: 73 dorado, 35 red snapper, 40 triggerfish, 4 cabrilla, and a few black skipjack. Mazatlan weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with offshore water temperatures of 82 to 83 degrees. MAZATLAN FISHING SLOWER OFFSHORE.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Dan Shay of Ocean Beach reported on 3 days of fishing out of Mazatlan for a catch including released fish of: 5 dorado of 10 to about 30 pounds caught on 12-pound spinning tackle, a few small snapper, and 2 sailfish released out of 5 hits, including Shay's first ever sailfish. Shay said their dorado were caught while casting Hopkins jigs to buoys. Mazatlan sea conditions were calm all three days.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Bill Heimpel of Star Fleet reported good counts of dorado averaging 20 pounds during the past 2 weeks, plus concentrations of schooling sailfish, and some remaining striped marlin, as water temperatures warmed to 82 degrees.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing at Puerto Vallarta reported a 1,037-pound black marlin caught on his charter super panga Dhamar by Bernard Lagughue of Santa Rosa, Calif., while fishing at Roca Corbeteña on Monday, June 5, 2006. Gomez said the marlin hit a live skipjack bait after they had already fought marlin of 350 and 400 pounds during the day. Lagughue fought the grander for 1.5 hours and it was weighed at the dock. Gomez said, "I have been waiting for this moment for 14 years. It was my first grander, and on a panga, okay?" 1,037-POUND PANGA BLACK MARLIN AT PUERTO VALLARTA.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported big blue marlin and black marlin caught by charters working at Roca Corbeteña during the week, including a near 900-pound black marlin by Ari Levy of Dallas, a 750-pound blue marlin by Keith Kraemer of Clovis, Calif., and a 620-pound black marlin by Danny Cox of Palm Harbor, Fla.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing said his boats ran north to fish in the San Blas sailfish and marlin tournament, had a great time, and did "good," as the Arca de Noe took first place on marlin with Capt. Scott Osuna, the Marla II took third place on sailfish with Capt. Danny Osuna, and the Marla III took fourth and fifth for sailfish with Capt. Alonso Osuna. "Around 45 to 50 boats fished in this tournament," Osuna said. "The charter boats there are only pangas and there are maybe 5."

Marla's Sportfishing boats were doing well at Puerto Vallarta at the end of the week, scoring on 1 marlin over 500 pounds and another over 600 pounds. PUERTO VALLARTA BIG MARLIN.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Merle Ericson of Chicago fished 2 days with Capt. Danny Osuna of the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla II, specifically targeting big blue and black marlin only, and getting three strikes on fish estimated at up to 650 pounds, but missing each time. "I did not catch or release a fish in 2 days, but we focused solely on catching a big billfish," Ericson said. "I thought the fishing was quite good considering our objectives. I was impressed with Danny and recommend him highly. He released 2 marlin over 500 pounds the day before I arrived in Puerto Vallarta." FISHING FOR BIG MARLIN AT PUERTO VALLARTA.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said 10 days of heavy rains and 2 days of port closures hampered fishing last week at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, but some catches were still made, including a 770-pound blue marlin landed by the charter boat La Bamba. "On the bright side, the rains have opened up the rivers and estuaries and moved some feed biomass into the roosterfish areas," Edwards said.

A total of 27 combined outings by the charter boats Dos Hermanos I, Gran Jefe, Secuestro de Amor, Lady, Maramy, Bloody Hook, La Bamba, and Tijereta had a catch of: 17 sailfish, 11 roosterfish, 2 jack crevalle, 42 bonito, 117 sierra, 4 rainbow runner, 20 greenjack, 1 dorado, 1 blue marlin, 10 bigeye jack, and 2 grouper. Ixtapa fishing area weather was humid and hot at 90 degrees, with rough seas and water temperatures holding at about 80 degrees. Blue water was more than 15 miles out and the best roosterfish action was found at Petetlan.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said Ixtapa fishing waters were churned up by weather last week, slowing the action as 12 inches of rain fell during the week, and 5.25 inches were recorded during one 4.5-hour period. "The large influx of fresh water from the rivers has pushed the blue water out to the 8-mile mark and cooled the inshore areas substantially," Kunze said. "Inshore waters have very low visibility. The bright side is the weather map shows this unsettled pattern leaving us next week and we should be able to get back to some decent fishing." Ixtapa Zihuatanejo weather was partly cloudy in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 78 to 84 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Mark Tamim of Dallas fished with Capt. Alex Vargas on the charter panga Esturion, casting pencil poppers in the surf line for excellent action on 15 jacks to the 20-pound class in 3 hours, as winds closed in and stopped fishing. "Jacks have invaded the beaches at Ixtapa," Tamim said. "Unfortunately we were not able to fish more days at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo since there have been very many large weather systems. The jacks far outnumbered the roosterfish. We only were able to lure 1 rooster to the boat, only to have it shy away at the last second. The darting and dashing movements it made behind the popper was a sight I'll never forget." IXTAPA PENCIL POPPER JACK FISHING.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 7 outings of 4 to 8 hours each by the El Cid Caribe resort fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 1 white marlin, 7 dorado, triggerfish, and a couple of dog snapper. Cancun fishing area weather was unsettled at 90 degrees, with scattered rain, bumpy seas, and water temperatures at 83 degrees. Only a few anglers were in the area. PUERTO MORELOS FISHING.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

DINNER AT EIGHT--Ricardo Herrera of San Diego and his wife fished at Ensenada's Punta Banda on the Vonny's Fleet panga Vonny I on Friday and they landed 8 yellowtail of 22 to 30 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Erendira Castro's Camp Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CASTRO'S CATCH--San Pedro anglers, from left, Danny Ilustre, Augie Sanchez, and Baxter Gee fished about 180 feet deep at Erendira south of Ensenada on the Castro's Camp boat Castro I with Capt. Mauricio Torrez for a catch including yellowtail and lingcod. PHOTO COURTESY FERNANDO CASTRO.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 1

QUINTIN OFFSHORE YELLOWTAIL--Paul Spann fished out of San Quintin with Kelly Catian of K&M Offshore Sportfishing and his group scored on plenty of yellowtail to 23 pounds with flylined mackerel on kelp paddies. At right, George Lowell, Jay Henson, and Adam Jadovitz with more quality San Quintin yellowtail caught during an outing with K&M Offshore Sportfishing. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KELLY CATIAN.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CABO GOLDEN BULLS--Two real nice bull dorado were in the mix during the last day of May for Capt. Hector Ayala, left, and first mate Juan Armenta of the Cabo San Lucas charter boat Cabo Magic. PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI GARCIA.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CABRILLA AT HOME--Divers with Vista Sea Sport at East Cape last week got a chance to see leopard grouper, or cabrilla, swimming in schools about 40 feet deep at the Cabo Pulmo corral reef. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASH PICKERING.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 3

DORADO AT EAST CAPE--Werner Hradecky ran his boat Bad Company 40 miles due east of Buena Vista at East Cape and his catch included this 35-pound bull dorado in dead flat, 84-degree water. PHOTO COURTESY OF WERNER HRADECKY.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SOUTH SIDE DORADO--Bill Hsu of Diamond Bar and Mike Smalley of Huntington Beach had a productive 3 days with La Paz' Tailhunter International, taking cabrilla, snapper, pargo, amberjack, and some nice dorado including these 2 caught on the south side of the hill at Las Arenas. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 2

LORETO INSHORE ACTION--Dave McKenzie fished 5 days with Capt. Martin out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis and scored on a great mixed bag of inshore species including 50-plus cabrilla like this one. At right, McKenzie also got into a wild session of casting to young dog snappers right at the Loreto downtown marina, landing over 20 of them. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVE MCKENZIE.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 3

HOT LORETO SAILING--R.J. Ransom with one of over 25 sailfish released at Loreto last week during 4 days with the Hotel Oasis' Capt. Ismael Murillo. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL SUMNER.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 4

LORETO OFFSHORE--Bill, Tanner and Daniel Mathes fished east and south of Loreto's Isla Carmen early in the week for a good catch of dorado and a sailfish out of the Hotel Oasis. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

San Lucas Cove Mexico Fishing Photo 1

OFF SAN LUCAS COVE--Isaiah Zachary Roe, left, Paul Roe, and Nathaniel Joseph Roe, with a spotted bay bass during their family-style, mixed species Baja fishing trip to San Lucas Cove near Santa Rosalia. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN ROE.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Fishing Photo 1

JUNE TALES--Dave, Shane, and Jimmy Sowers of Orange County fished with Isla San Marcos' Mike Kanzler at the famous 110 bajo north of the island for some quality action on 13 summer yellowtail in the 28 to 35-pound range. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

San Francisquito Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BIRD CITY--Birds, squid, bait, and yellowtail came well within casting range at San Francisquito last week. Here, Roger Crenshaw samples the action for surf caught yellowtail. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROGER CRENSHAW.

San Francisquito Mexico Fishing Photo 2

HOT FRANCISQUITO YELLOWS--Roger Crenshaw, right, and his son Brant Crenshaw on Brant's boat Redneck, got into the yellowtail flurry at San Francisquito south of Bahia de los Angeles last week in action including this heavy duty pair of forkies weighed to 44 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROGER CRENSHAW.

Sea of Cortez Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MIDRIFF ISLANDS CABRILLA--A nice haul of leopard grouper, or cabrilla in Spanish, came into the pangas for this group of Arizona firemen, who fished the Midriff Islands on John Chow's charter trip aboard the Tony Reyes Fishing Tours panga mothership Jose Andres out of San Felipe. PHOTO COURTESY KAT HAMMONTRE.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ROCKY POINT RARITIES--Mike Auditore's catch on a run out of Rocky Point by his boat El Gato Blanco recently included a damsel bass, or "antena" fish in Spanish, left, and an unusual "mystery" fish that could not be identified, right. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIKE AUDITORE.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 3

ROCKY POINT GULF GROUPER--Rick Felder, right, ran his boat End of the Line, about 20 miles south of Rocky Point for a great catch of 3 gulf grouper of 25, 40, and 40 pounds, hooked on 6 to 10-inch grunt and spotted bay bass baits. PHOTO COURTESY RIC FELDER.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SAN CARLOS ACTION--Dean Houseman, left, and Norman Don fished out of San Carlos on the boat Doc Marlin last weekend and found good dorado action including this beauty 14 miles out. PHOTO COURTESY OF NORMAN DON.

Mazatlan Mexico Fishing Photo 1

NEW MAZATLAN BOAT--Aries Fleet at Mazatlan's Marina El Cid recently added a new boat, the 36-foot Aries IX, cruising at 18 m.p.h. with up to 9 passengers and Capt. Gilverto Quintero. PHOTO COURTESY OF LARRY EDWARDS.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1

DORADO AT PUNTA MITA--Good dorado action continued at Puerto Vallarta's Punta Mita last week as Carlos Garcia, Domingo Acosta, and Guillermo Arreola of Tepic, Mexico, celebrate a hefty triple hookup 26 miles out aboard the charter boat Marla II. PHOTO COURTESY DANNY OSUNA.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LASSOED IXTAPA BLACK--This black marlin was brought aboard the Ixtapa charter panga Gitana for anglers Tbo and Flora Ott, left, after it came unbuttoned at the boat and the hook wrapped around fish's bill and caught itself again on the leader. At right, the lucky hook. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAUL PHILLIPS.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Mexico Fishing Photo 3

BETWEEN THE RAINS--The rainy season has begun in southern Mexico, but Mark Tamim snuck out at Ixtapa with Capt. Alex Vargas and found excellent action on jack crevalle in the surf line with 6-inch pencil poppers. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK TAMIM.

Rocky Point Puerto Penasco Mexico Fishing Photo 1

GOT INK?--A game Bob Shaw celebrates a hard-won battle after being inked in the face and chest by a Humboldt squid while fishing about 40 miles south of Rocky Point on Ollie Peltier's boat Dos Borrachos. PHOTO COURTESY OF OLLIE PELTIER.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES