Midriff yellowtail fishing in summer high gear, blue marlin at Mazatlan

Mexico Fishing News, June 19, 2006

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Panga motherships fishing south out of San Felipe and local anglers at Bahia de los Angeles and San Francisquito found good summer yellowtail action in the Sea of Cortez Midriff Area last week.

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 15, 2006, with a catch of: yellowtail limits to 33 pounds; 46 giant Humboldt squid for bait; 36 pargo; 5 dorado; 86 cabrilla to 24 pounds; 156 spotted bay bass; 2 white seabass; 1 black sea bass, 54 pounds; 3 grouper to 36 pounds; 3 grouper under 25 pounds released; and 215 miscellaneous fish.

"We caught our first dorado of the year on the outside bank of Isla San Esteban," Castellon said. "Mackerel bait was scarce because of so much squid." Midriff Islands weather was mostly calm in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 76 to 78 degrees. Fishing was slow at Isla San Esteban, but good everywhere else.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Kat Hammontré of Sanfelipe.com.mx reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trip by the Tony Reyes Fishing Tours panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on June 16, 2006, with a catch of: 144 yellowtail, 18 to 25 pounds; 244 cabrilla, 16 to 17 pounds; 30 Humboldt squid, 15 to 35 pounds; 67 red snapper (huachinango), 8 to 14 pounds; 2 broomtail grouper, 13 pounds; 5 sheephead, 8 to 11 pounds; 63 spotted bay bass; and 60 miscellaneous fish. Charter master for the trip was Jeff Clary.

Hammontré reported San Felipe weather on Sunday was "mega hot" at 106 degrees. "Someone said the fish are leaping out of the water to cool down," she said.

Earlier, Hammontré reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands trip by the Jose Andres returning to San Felipe on June 9, 2006, with a catch of: 167 yellowtail, 20 to 36 pounds; 1 grouper, 48 pounds; 2 dorado, 18 pounds; 3 white seabass, 18 to 25 pounds; 40 red snapper, 15 to 18 pounds; 2 broomtail grouper, 14 pounds; 5 sheephead, 14 pounds; 80 spotted bay bass; 3 shark, 21 pounds; and 35 miscellaneous fish. Baja fishing veteran Bill Equitz, charter master for the trip, noted that he began fishing on San Felipe panga motherships about 1966 and has fished with Tony Reyes on boats including the old Rudy, Alfredo, Don Chinto, Zaragosa, Felipe Angeles, and Santa Monica. "Our first trip cost $140 per week, including soda and beer," Equitz said. PANGA MOTHERSHIP REPORT AND BAJA FISHING HISTORY.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Andrea Velez of Baja Sportfishing, Inc., said the panga mothership Erik was back in service and departed San Felipe on its scheduled June 17, 2006, trip to the Midriff Islands. The Erik had missed its June 10, 2006, trip while waiting for parts to repair a broken transmission bearing.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay at San Felipe said the weekend weather was still and hot at 95 degrees with 45 percent relative humidity. Many vendors had closed their shops and about the only people moving were either on the beach or realtors prowling the sidewalks. "I guess it's progress of a sort," Meders said. "The only people acting at all energetically are the seemingly unescapable, unstoppable, unabashed, ever-jocular troops of realtors who stride relentlessly through the all but empty streets..." SUMMER TOWN REPORT FROM SAN FELIPE.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Judy Ostberg of the Ensenada boat Melody out of Marina Coral reported on a offshore run Friday with 5 anglers for wide-open limits of 25 yellowtail of 10 to 12 pounds on a single kelp paddy, plus 8 albacore and 1 bluefin tuna in a late bite southwest of the 238 spot. The albacore were found in 69.5-degree water, Ostberg said. Mike Kraus fished the same area on Saturday for 10 albacore including a 32 pounder, 2 yellowtail, 1 bluefin tuna, and 1 yellowfin tuna.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross reported on a run aboard Tom McInally's boat Wide Open for a catch about 10 miles north of the 238 spot of: 4 albacore of 20 to 27 pounds, 2 bluefin tuna of 20 to 27 pounds, 2 yellowtail under 10 pounds, and 2 bonito. All fish were hooked on the troll in blue water of 64 to 66 degrees. ALBACORE, BLUEFIN TUNA, AND YELLOWTAIL AT THE 238 SPOT.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his pangas fishing at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda scored on plenty of bonito and bottom fish plus some yellowtail last week, including 3 yellowtail caught by Jay Johnson who fished with Capt. Beto on the Vonny I. Ensenada weather was party cloudy in the mid-70s, with water temperatures at Punta Banda averaging 61 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet reported Ensenada offshore winds moderating on Thursday after 3 days of rough seas that had boats returning by 10 a.m. to noon. "Today looks like summer," Susarrey said. "Fishing boats around Punta Banda got good sizes of yellowtail on kelp paddies, 20 pounders and a few to 25 pounds. On the outside kelp paddies, Ensenada fishing boats got 10 and 12-pound yellowtail and some boats out of Marina Coral hit albacore at 20 pounds."

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous week, Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Ensenada Sportfishing Center reported on 73 anglers fishing on the charter boats Ensenada Clipper, Shirlee, Cazador, Quest, and Clipper II, with a catch of: 46 yellowtail, 89 bonito, 7 calico bass, 5 sandbass, 8 white seabass, 1 bluefin tuna, 4 albacore, 63 lingcod, 33 rockcod, 11 whitefish, 1 salmon grouper, 2 sheephead, and 5 red rockcod.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort south of Ensenada said charter pangas found excellent bottom fishing during the week but the area was still slow on the surface. "The surface yellowtail bite at Punta Banda still has not come down to Puerto Santo Tomas," Saenz said. Boats fished mostly north of the point around Bahia de Soledad in 90 to 150 feet of water for good counts of lingcod, whitefish, and mixed rockcods.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Gilbert Bautista of Northridge, Calif., reported on 3 days of panga and inflatable raft fishing during an 11-member family trip to Puerto Santo Tomas Resort, fishing mostly with Capt. Marcos for a catch of: 30 brown rockcod, 32 red rockcod, and 11 lingcod. Most of the fishing was around the point and north at Soledad Reef in 50 to 90 feet of water with frozen squid bait and plastics. Puerto Santo Tomas weather was mixed, with some overcast and rain, but sunny and with fishable seas. PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FAMILY FISHING TRIP.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp said he had 29 boats fishing out of Erendira during the week, with heavy counts of red rockcod, lingcod, whitefish, calico bass, and sandbass, but with continued slow action for surface yellowtail, bonito, and barracuda. White seabass were seen all week, but still would not bite. Water temperatures were at 57 to 58 degrees in the main fishing areas off the coast, with clear blue color. Erendira weather was windy but fishable through Wednesday, and calm and sunny the rest of the week.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said the San Quintin sport fishing area had heavy offshore winds early in the week but was calm again over the weekend. Boats getting out during the week reported a good yellowtail bite at Ben's Rock and Isla San Martin, plus the usual bottom fish limits. "The annual San Quintin fishing tournament is currently scheduled for July 22, 2006," Hillis said. "Anglers should make reservations as soon as possible."

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Gene Allshouse of San Quintin Sportfishing said he's launched a new website that will carry fishing reports every Monday and more frequent updates when necessary: Sanquintinsportfishing.org. Allshouse said he's also offering a special 20 percent discount for 2-day fishing trips during 2006 if reservations are made before the end of June.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Betty Baker, Mark Taylor, and Rich Eberhardt fished over a sandy bottom about 4 miles out and at a high spot about 14 miles out with Capt. Lee Moreno on the panga Tataina I last week off Camalu, on the Baja California Pacific coast just north of San Quintin, for a good catch of: 2 white seabass to 30 pounds, 6 yellowtail to 23 pounds, calico bass and sandbass to 4 pounds, 1 halibut at 7 pounds, and a big assortment of bottom fish to 8 pounds. Baja coastal water temperatures were at 64 degrees and Baker said they stayed at the Pirate's Cave motel at Camalu. "Capt. Lee Moreno caught both of the white seabass which were his first of the season," Baker said. "Lee is certainly the guru of seabass." BAJA PACIFIC COAST FISHING AT CAMALU.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported Magdalena Bay offshore sea conditions improving and some dorado (also mahi-mahi or dolphinfish) showing on shark buoys west of the San Carlos entrada. A few firecracker yellowtail were under birds at the entrada. In the mangrove channels, several good sized snook were caught at Devil's Curve, plus several leopard grouper and "all the spotted bay bass you want." Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was clear in the high-70s, with water temperatures at 61 to 66 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 133 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 50 striped marlin, 116 yellowfin tuna, 53 dorado, 9 wahoo, 41 roosterfish, 25 sierra, 2 skipjack, 1 mako shark, and 1 jack crevalle.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jorge Navarro of Pisces Fleet reported 93 percent of the week's Cabo San Lucas charters landing all species combined, 40 percent catching dorado, and only 17 percent with yellowfin tuna. A total of 71 striped marlin were landed, of which 63 were released. With rough seas on the Pacific side, most boats fished on the Sea of Cortez. The best catches were from Chileno to San Jose del Cabo. Cabo San Lucas sportfishing area weather was at 90 degrees, with water temperatures at 66 degrees on the Pacific side and 74 degrees on the Cortez side. CORTEZ SIDE STRIPED MARLIN STEADY AT CABO.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 35 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 30 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 19 dorado, 2 wahoo, and 69 yellowfin tuna. "Much of the fishing is close to Cabo, just 2 to 3 miles out in front of the harbor," Edwards said. "Boats will most likely be moving farther offshore this coming week, but for now it has been a fuel saver and added lots of fishing time." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was sunny at 100 degrees, with cool water from the Pacific side pushing over to the Cortez side, where water temperatures were at 77 to 78 degrees. Billfish were only 2 to 3 miles out, but the yellowfin tuna, mostly 15 to 25 pounds, were concentrated about 15 to 25 miles south of Cabo.

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, 49 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 25 pounds, 9 dorado of 10 to 30 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of Baja Anglers reported good inshore roosterfish volume around Cabo San Lucas, but with the fly fishing action up-and-down for them. "The fishing this June has been unpredictable," Hartman said. "The roosterfish bite is what most folks come to Cabo for in early June and it's something else when it happens. We had 2 slow days and 1 day that we will never forget. They would come in crazy and chase the fly, refusing it more times than not. Brian Hodges, Jim Wynne, and friends did get a few a few to eat." Also scoring on larger roosterfish were anglers Marshall Milsheld and Felipe Gumicio. "On the good days we are teasing over 50 big roosterfish to the boat and on the off days we are lucky to see 4 or 5 roosterfish," Hartman said. "We have seen a few smaller 15-pound fish, but the majority are 30 pounds plus with a few in the 50 to 60-pound range."

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 76 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 11 striped marlin, 220 dorado, 14 yellowfin tuna, 1 wahoo, 5 hammerhead shark, 15 roosterfish, 12 jack crevalle, 11 amberjack, 7 pompano, 12 sierra, 110 yellowtail snapper, 22 dog snapper, 18 cabrilla, and 185 Mexican bonito. San Jose del Cabo fishing action was slowed by a weather front that moved through during the week and lowered local water temperatures from about 83 degrees to about 67 degrees. "You can imagine what this 15-degree drop did to the fish counts," Brictson said. LA PLAYITA PANGA FLEET FISHING.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo reported offshore winds over 20 knots at midweek. "The few boats that braved it didn't catch much," Lewis said. "Seas are up a bit too, but the wind is calmer today. Maybe this weekend will be better."

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 81 East Cape sportfishing charters, with a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin, 29 striped marlin, 4 sailfish, 125 dorado, 221 yellowfin tuna, 1 wahoo, 5 roosterfish, 10 snapper, 3 amberjack, 1 bonito, 5 ladyfish, 1 pompano, 12 triggerfish, 8 skipjack tuna, and 1 sierra. Most boats fished to the south about 25 to 35 miles. "Outside the Cabo Pulmo marine park the bite was quite steady this week," Valdez said.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero reported fewer marlin and sailfish caught as most boats targeted the yellowfin tuna and dorado bite within 2 or 3 miles of the beach from La Ribera south to Los Frailes. Dorado were in mixed sizes from 8 to 45 pounds. Tuna were mostly 10 to 15 pounds, but with some to 90 pounds. Tuna were concentrated off Cabo Pulmo, with many boats taking limits on live sardina bait. Inshore fishing remained good for mixed species. "Kayakers are taking dorado, pargo, pompano and jacks throughout the bay," Ireland said.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 262 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 760 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 3 blue marlin, 111 striped marlin, 2 black marlin, 6 sailfish, 531 dorado, 623 yellowfin tuna, 4 pargo, 20 wahoo, 11 pompano, and 11 roosterfish. GOOD JUNE TUNA AND DORADO FISHING FOR EAST CAPE BOATS.

For the week ending June 8, 2006, Moyers reported on 330 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 977 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 147 striped marlin, 10 sailfish, 227 dorado, 768 yellowfin tuna, 10 pargo, 7 wahoo, 2 amberjack, and 2 pompano. East Cape fishing area weather was mostly calm with some afternoon breezes,\ and water temperatures of 77 to 85 degrees. "We had our first real nice yellowfin tuna bite this year," Moyers said. "Anglers reported action to the south. Most of the action occurred off Cabo Pulmo this week."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported good fly tackle action for yellowfin tuna off Cabo Pulmo. "The Cabo Pulmo tuna bite was the first stop on everyone's East Cape fishing day this week," Graham said. "There were plenty of yellowfin and dorado to satisfy the huge number of boats that stacked up there every morning. With fish busting bait on the surface and biting flies down deep, there were few complaints about the 'combat fishing conditions.'"

East Cape fly fishing was also good on the beaches for ladyfish, jack crevalle, and medium-sized roosterfish. "The roosterfish were tough as usual. The big roosters are definitely around, but they are paired up in spawning mode and not so interested in eating flies," Graham said. East Cape sportfishing area weather was clear in the high-90s, with water temperatures at 74 to 85 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Rob Hixson of La Jolla reported on his 4-boat Father's Day group fishing trip out of Rancho Buena Vista over the weekend. "Rough seas outside, but fun and good coastal fishing," Hixson said. "We saw lots of marlin, but most of the mackerel bait is frozen. No live big baits."

On Saturday, 1 boat went out 35 miles and returned with 1 marlin. Three other boats fished off Cabo Pulmo, scoring 2 first-ever striped marlin for Larry Andrews, 13, and Eric Tarakjian, 12, plus 12 tuna, 7 dorado, 1 jack crevalle, and lots of bonita and needlefish released. East Cape weather was calm, with lots of manta ray jumping and water temperatures at 82 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Earlier, Dennis Tarakjian of La Jolla, fishing with Capt. Tony on the charter boat Christina, had a catch including released fish of: 1 marlin, 3 tuna, 1 dorado, and 2 roosterfish. Three other boats, using live sardina baits, had a combined catch including released fish of: 12 dorado, 1 amberjack, and lots of bonita and needlefish.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Marshall Wax of Pacific Palisades, Calif., fished 3 days out of East Cape's Rancho Leonero last week, for a good catch of about 60 total fish including small yellowfin tuna on soaked sardina baits about 2 miles southeast of Punta Arena, large dorado about 6 miles off Punta Colorada, roosterfish to 35 pounds from the beach to half-a-mile out, and 1 estimated 250-pound blue marlin lost. All fish were released except for a couple of tuna and dorado. "Closer to the beach, and right out from Punta Colorada there were many striped marlin, all willing to bite the lures or the larger baits," Wax said. "There were hundreds of flying fish everywhere. Everyone caught at least 1 of each species, striper, yellowfin tuna, rooster, and dodo." East Cape waters were flat and blue.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort, Marisol Verdugo reported all cruisers and super pangas busy during the week, for very good action on yellowfin tuna, including a fish of 140 pounds caught by John Fase of Los Angeles aboard the charter boat Marisol. "The fishing has been generally good for marlin and very good for tuna," Verdugo said. "Some of the tuna have been up to 70 or 80 pounds. Dorado fishing was just fair, with a few nice ones."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Ash Pickering of the Vista Sea Sport dive service at Buena Vista said East Cape diving conditions were up and down last week as some windy days lowered water temperatures at depth from 82 to 70 degrees, and visibility dropped from 70 feet to about 30 feet. "Now the wind has gone," Pickering said, "and East Cape diving area water visibility has improved a little." Sea life sightings at the Cabo Pulmo coral reef marine park included 5-foot grouper, rays, nudibranchs, snappers, mobula manta rays, and other species. "There have been a couple of whale sharks spotted in the area and even a giant Pacific manta, although were unlucky not to see these on our dive boats last week," Pickering said. DIVING REPORT FROM THE CABO PULMO MARINE PARK.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Russ Fritz of La Ribera reported on an early week outing on his panga Soplado off Cabo Pulmo where a partial yellowfin tuna was boated by Kim McChristian of Granbury, Tex., after being grabbed by a sea lion. "After a 45-minute struggle on 15-pound line, the sea lion helped himself to 20 or 25 pounds of Kim's fish," Fritz said. "We recovered the remains and filleted the tail section." East Cape fishing area weather was in the mid-90s, with 28 percent relative humidity and water temperatures about 78 degrees. "There are plenty of sardina for bait," Fritz said. "In fact the roosterfish are getting fat on the beaches." Large dorado were mixed with school-sized fish in the East Cape sport fishing area in water temperatures ranging from 84.5 degrees just north of La Ribera to 79 degrees off Cabo Pulmo. A 65-pound dorado and a 529-pound blue marlin were also reported by East Cape boats fishing during the week.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista said he had reports of larger dorado over 22 pounds caught with a couple of hundred yards of the beach during the week at Los Barriles and Buena Vista Beach Resort.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported an excellent week of action on both sides of the hill for marlin, sailfish, and dorado. "It was pretty hard not to hook a dorado this week whether you fished Las Arenas or La Paz," Roldan said. "On Friday of this week at Las Arenas, it was almost impossible not to get a hookup on a sailfish or marlin. One boat had 4 billfish going at one time!" On the La Paz side, the best action was at charro bank and off Las Cruces, Roldan said, and on the Las Arenas side, at El Cardonal, Boca del Alamo, and the buoys. La Paz fishing area weather was mostly calm and sunny, and larger pargo and roosterfish were also available near shore.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said Las Arenas side weather was favorable during the week, in the 80s, with good fishing for larger dorado to 30 and 40 pounds and some marlin at the shark buoys south of Boca del Alamo and also off the south end of Isla Cerralvo. Sardina bait was available near the fishing areas, letting anglers get into the action quickly. Fred and Clarisa Benedicto of New York fished 4 days with Capt. Rigo Lucero and caught dorado to 40 pounds, mixed pargos, and jack crevalle. "Variety fishing is good for anglers at Punta Perico and Isla Cerralvo," Hernandez said. Water temperatures around Ensenada de los Muertos and Isla Cerralvo were at 79 to 80 degrees.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Eugene Bernosky of El Sargento reported 8 days of good fishing for dorado to 40 pounds, jacks to 40 pounds, needlefish to 12 pounds, barred pargo to 15 pounds, and some cabrilla to 20 pounds. Bernosky fished along the coast from Punta Gorda to Punta Arena de la Ventana, and also out at Isla Cerralvo. Sardina bait was easy to make around La Ventana, with the best action between El Sargento and Punta Gorda. Many commercial set lines were in the area, Bernosky said, but the fishing was good anyway. "Our best day produced 11 dorado over a 2-hour period, all within 200 yards of the beach," Bernosky said. "It was one of our best fishing trips ever to El Sargento." GOOD FISHING AT EL SARGENTO AND LA VENTANA.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported some larger dorado mixed with smaller fish last week. The biggest dorado of the week was a 57 pounder landed by Tim Tobin with Capt. Martin Perpuli, Zapata said. Other dorado of 46 pounds and 37 pounds were also caught. Six panga outings at Loreto had a combined catch including released fish of: 24 dorado, 10 to 57 pounds; 11 sailfish; 25 yellowfin tuna, 4 to 6 pounds; and 1 marlin. Loreto weather was mostly calm and most of the dorado were caught around bajo de boyas. LARGER DORADO CAUGHT AT LORETO.

LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto said his boat scored on football yellowfin tuna while fishing about 14 miles northeast of Isla Carmen last week in water temperatures of about 81 degrees, but dorado fishing was spotty for most Loreto boats. "At one point we had a triple tuna hookup, providing some interesting deck-dancing," Bear said. "Dorado fishing at Loreto has been hit-or-miss, with some boats being in the right spot at the right time and others striking out." Good dorado catches during the week included 6 dorado to 56 pounds by 10 a.m. for Capt. Paulino Martinez and dorado limits for Capt. Antonio of Arturo's Sportfishing. FOOTBALL TUNA AT LORETO.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company reported dorado of 10 pounds to nearly 50 pounds present at bajo de las boyas north of Isla Coronado, but picky on the bite. Sailfish and striped marlin were mixed with the dorado and some school-sized yellowfin tuna were reported farther out at about 10 to 20 miles. Inshore fishing was still good for yellowtail on the bottom north of Loreto at Punta Pulpito. "It's a 2-hour ride up from Loreto but the yellowtail are in the 30-pound range and limits are obtainable," Bolles said. "They're taking live mackerel with 8 ounces of weight." Cabrilla and pargo were also productive along shore and out at Punta Lobos on Isla Carmen. Live mackerel bait was available at the downtown Loreto marina and giant Humboldt squid were being jigged for bait 2 miles out. Loreto sportfishing area water temperatures were at 74 to 85 degrees. MIXED DORADO AT BAJO DE LAS BOYAS.

LORETO, MEXICO: For the previous week, Fred Fagan of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., reported on 2 days of panga fishing with 3 anglers and Capt. Rigo Davis for a catch of: 1 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, and 3 larger dorado. "Boats returning to the Loreto marina were hit and miss, some with dorado and others not having any luck," Fagan said. "Dorado up to 25 pounds were scattered but would strike trolled mackerel." Loreto fishing waters were calm. The bait supply was good with mackerel available at the marina and squid plentiful on the north side of Isla Coronado. Only a few tourists were in Loreto, with just a few pangas fishing per day.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Diana Johnson of the Hotel Serenidad at Mulege said local fishing was productive last week for good counts of dorado, sailfish, and marlin, some kept for the table. "Marlin is very good and tasty, and you can make it in any number of ways," Johnson said.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos reported Santa Rosalia fishing area weather hot at 90 degrees, with water temperatures at 78 degrees near shore and around the island, and up to 82 degrees in patches offshore. One fishing run to the 110 bajo north of Isla San Marcos produced 5 larger yellowtail, but surprisingly, no dorado, in clear blue water full of weed paddies. "Happens it sometimes," Kanzler said. "There are too many weeds and the dorado really spread out, and there is just not enough time to try every patch of weed." YELLOWTAIL BUT NO DORADO IN GOOD CONDITIONS AT ISLA SAN MARCOS.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Syd Lindsay of San Lucas Cove south of Santa Rosalia reported few tourists at the RV park. "There is only one other couple in the park now," Lindsay said. "We expect some dorado fisherman soon. It's very lonely here in the summer. We have 16 permanent trailers now." The commercial squid fishing season was in full swing but Lindsay said there were only a few boats from other areas. "That when the problems start in the camp when no one is here," He said. "A lot of the nonresident fishermen seem to want to take something with them that they didn't bring." Mex 1 highway repairs were completed north and south of the village of San Bruno. The Santa Rosalia Pemex station was still pumping with only 1 pump and the new station was still under construction. The downtown Mulege Pemex station remained closed, but the station just south of town was open.

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo and his son fished out of Bahia de los Angeles for 1 day with Capt. Igor Galvan for good yellowtail action on the back side of Isla Angel de la Guarda and a catch of: 5 larger yellowtail over 35 pounds, 4 small yellowtail, and 7 cabrilla. "Igor took us to a great spot," Lewis said. "It is a long boat ride, but obviously worth it. I heard the closer locations had lots of firecracker yellowtail, but we were looking for some size." Bahia de los Angeles weather was hot, with water temperatures inside the bay in the mid-70s, and 67 to 68 degrees out at Isla Angel de la Guarda. The larger yellowtail were caught on mackerel bait, and the cabrilla on iron jigs cast to boiler rocks.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Gil Marlin of Sandiegofishing.com fished 3 days out of Casa Diaz at Bahia de los Angeles with Richard Doering of Spokane and guide Jose Rosas, staying inside the bay for a catch of yellowtail limits on fish of 5 to 10 pounds, plus steady mixed bottom fishing for cabrilla to 9 pounds, giant jawfish or "Mexican lingcod," spotted bay bass, sculpin, and lizardfish. "The bite was early and if you were late you were bottom fishing," Marlin said. "Basically got 5 to 10 yellowtail for 2 guys per day and then filled the rest with bottom fish." Bahia de los Angeles weather was calm in the low-90s, with local water temperatures at 68 degrees. The best fishing was at Isla Piojo and the north side of Isla la Ventana. Marlin also compared today's fishing inside Bahia de los Angeles to his first visit there in 1964. "As recently as 8 years ago the expectation of catching a lunker or home guard was always there," he said. "There are few big fish left in the bay. All that's left of any size lives far away or comes in for a couple of months in the summertime." LOCAL FISHING INSIDE BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Roger Crenshaw of Chula Vista returned from a fly-down trip to San Francisquito and reported yellowtail close to the beach "so thick that you can see the schools, and birds aren't even working them." Humboldt squid were crashing the beach in front of the cabañas at night, stranding themselves, and were left piled 2 feet deep in the morning. "The squid are there in the zillions," Crenshaw said. San Francisquito weather was windless, with a strong temperature gradient in the water resulting in 65-degree water to the north and 81-degree water to the south.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Earlier, Jeff Riolo of San Diego fished at Isla Angel de la Guarda with Capt. Guillermo Galvan of Guillermo's at Bahia de los Angeles, for a very good catch of 5 yellowtail of 27.5 to 42 pounds, and a total combined weight of more than 160 pounds, plus about 6 cabrilla of 10 to 15 pounds on the way home. "There were numerous pods of small yellowtail of 8 to 15 pounds on top of the water in all parts of the Bahia de los Angeles fishing area," Riolo said, "but we chose to look for the big guys instead." Mackerel and sardine bait was easy to make inside the bay and the weather was near perfect at about 85 degrees. Riolo noted that the Guillermo's big, 29-foot super pangas are fitted with heads, "It works well for the ladies on the boat." BIG YELLOWTAIL AT ISLA ANGEL DE LA GUARDA WITH GUILLERMO'S.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Molden of San Carlos said the local "bite has left the building." Fishing out of San Carlos was slower for all species last week. "The dorado are small and still very spotty," Molden said. "If you can find some kind of flotsam you'll be in business, but the caveat is that they are 'schoolies' and will for the most part be in the 4 to 8-pound range." Marlin and sailfish action was also slower, but with water temperatures warming at 85 degrees. " Lockjaw is the word," Molden said. "Too much bait, I suspect, is the culprit. It really is early for these water temperatures, more typical for late July. Reports of 85-degree water in the area indicate that we're going to have a mighty warm one this year."

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported Aries Fleet's first 2 blue marlin of the summer season. Twenty-nine offshore outings by Aries Fleet at Marina el Cid produced a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin, 5 striped marlin, 6 sailfish, 12 yellowfin tuna, and 2 dorado plus many releases. Twelve inshore super pangas caught easy dorado limits and some barracuda. The blue marlin were caught by the Mazatlan charter boats Aries II and Aries VII. Mazatlan sportfishing area weather was sunny at 90 degrees, with water temperatures stable at 82 to 83 degrees. ARIES FLEET FIRST BLUE MARLIN OF THE SEASON.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing said very few anglers were at Puerto Vallarta last week. "Very slow for charters on our boats Marla II, Marla II, and Arca de Noe," Osuna said. "But the water temp is really good at 87 degrees, and blue and black marlin are biting at Corbeteña and El Banco, plus pargo, sailfish, dorado, and lots of football tuna. Even the small boats staying inside Bahia de Banderas are doing great on football tuna and a lot of sailfish. We have lots of charters next week."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Myles Lineberger of Vallarta Today said, "This time of year at Puerto Vallarta it gets hot while we wait for the rains. With the rains come the big tuna and marlin along with good inshore fishing. Everything will pick up, so come on rain!" Lineberger also noted the 1,037-pound black marlin caught recently by Capt. Danny Gomez' super panga Dhamar and the low fresh water levels at the nearby bass lake of Cajon de Pena. "The bass are concentrated and holding deeper because of the warmer water temperatures," Lineberger said. "Get those lures down deep and you can find a lot of good size lunker bass." SALTWATER AND FRESHWATER FISHING AT PUERTO VALLARTA.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported few anglers and slow offshore fishing at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, but inshore fishing good to the north and south. The charter boats La Bamba, Bloody Hook, and La Bamba, reporting on a combined total of 10 fishing days, had a catch of: 3 sailfish, 12 yellowfin tuna, 6 shark, 2 dorado, 9 sierra, 16 jacks, 12 roosterfish, 20 bonita, 14 grouper, 1 jack, and 3 needlefish. Ixtapa fishing area weather was cloudy with rain in the high-80s, with water temperatures stable at 85 to 86 degrees. INSHORE FISHING GOOD AT IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said sailfish action was slower, but blue marlin counts held up as about 1 Ixtapa Zihuatanejo charter boat out of 3 got a shot last week. "This is mostly because of the abundance of the black skipjack tuna here," Kunze said. "Plus, the skipjacks are fantastic action for the fly rodder." Five combined outings by the charter pangas Gitana with Capt. Santiago, Dos Hermanos with Capt. Adolpho, and Janeth with Capt. Arturo produced a catch including released fish of: 1 small blue marlin, 32 roosterfish of 20 to 65 pounds, about 10 jack crevalle, and many mixed jacks. Ixtapa fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 78 to 84 degrees. Blue water at 80 degrees was 2 miles off the beach.

HUATULCO FISHING REPORTS

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HUATULCO, MEXICO: Eric Weissman of Explore Fly Fishing reported heavy weather in the Huatulco fishing area that sank several boats at Puerto Angel, but good fishing in between at his San Agustinillo location for roosterfish, sailfish, dorado, yellowfin tuna, and snook, plus marlin and wahoo seen. Huatulco weather was in the low-80s, with thunderstorms and a water temperature of about 82 degrees. Weissman also said his new operation at nearby Puerto Escondido, will have headquarters at the hotel Villas Carizalillo, where sportfishing charter offerings will include "fishing safari trips" between the 2 locations. "From both Puerto Escondido and San Agustinillo, a new coastal fishing safari package utilizing the accommodations of both locations will give fishermen an unprecedented opportunity to experience a wide range of species and waters," Weissman said. NEW FISHING SAFARI AT HUATULCO.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said angler activity at Puerto Morelos near Cancun was "at a near standstill." El Cid Caribe fleet had only 5 charter fishing trips for the week, with a catch including released fish of: 1 sailfish, 10 dorado to 45 pounds, and 2 barracuda. "The summer doldrums have hit the Puerto Morelos area," Edwards said. "Sea conditions were a little bumpier this week, perhaps catching the tail end of the year's first tropical storms that went across Florida." Cancun fishing area weather was hot and humid in the low-90s.

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Fishing Photo 1

WITH CAPT. IGOR--Bob Lewis and his son fished the back side of Isla Angel de la Guarda off Bahia de los Angeles with Capt. Igor Galvan and they scored on 5 large yellowtail plus 4 small ones and 7 cabrilla. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB LEWIS.

Sea of Cortez Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MOTHERSHIP OLD TIMER--Bill "Cuatro" Equitz, here with a nice grouper caught during his recent trip aboard the Tony Reyes Fishing Tours mothership Jose Andres, began fishing San Felipe's Midriff Islands panga motherships in the old Charlie Rucker days of the 1960s. PHOTO COURTESY OF KAT HAMMONTRE.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ENSENADA YELLOWTAIL GURU--Jay Johnson, right, fished last week with Vonny's Fleet's Ensenada yellowtail expert Capt. Beto Zamora, left, and got 3 forkies plus a big haul of bonito and bottom fish at the tip of Punta Banda. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Baja California Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BAJA FISHING AT CAMALU--Capt. Lee Moreno, left, of Camalu on the Baja Pacific coast near San Quintin, took Mark Taylor and Betty Baker panga fishing 4 to 14 miles out for a great catch of yellowtail, white seabass, halibut, calico bass, sandbass, and mixed bottom fish. Rich Eberhardt also fished with the group. PHOTO COURTESY OF BETTY BAKER.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CABO ROOSTER ON THE FLY--Marshall Milsheld fished with fly tackle at Cabo San Lucas with Baja Anglers last week and landed this nice roosterfish with Capt. Arturo. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT HARTMAN.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 3

AT RANCHO LEONERO--Marshall Wax's 3-day visit to East Cape's Rancho Leonero produced good fishing action on smaller tuna, dorado, roosterfish to 35 pounds, and a 250-pound class blue marlin lost. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARSHALL WAX.

East Cape Mexico Diving Photo 1

East Cape Mexico Diving Photo 2

CABO PULMO DIVING--Dive master Ash Pickering, left, of the Vista Sea Sport dive service at East Cape lead divers last week to sea life sightings at the Cabo Pulmo marine park that included close-up encounters with 5-foot long grouper, diamond sting rays, and many other species. Said Pickering of the grouper, "These guys let us drift up nice and close never really taking their eyes off us." PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASH PICKERING.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 5

WHERE'S THE MEAT?--Russ Fritz of La Ribera at East Cape and Kim McChristian of Granbury, Texas, lost about 20 or 25 pounds of sushi fixin's when Kim's yellowfin tuna was grabbed by a sea lion. "We recovered the remains and filleted the tail section," said Fritz. PHOTO COURTESY OF RUSS FRITZ.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SOUTH SIDE DORADO--Fred and Clarisa Benedicto of New York fished with Tortuga Sportfishing's Capt. Rigoberto Lucero last week on the Las Arenas side just south of La Paz for a catch including dorado to 40 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

El Sargento Mexico Fishing Photo 1

EL SARGENTO MIXED BAG--Emma Temaat, Alex Peri, and Lucas Bernosky, fished with Eugene Bernosky out of El Sargento south of La Paz for a great catch of mixed fish species including this dorado hooked 200 meters off the beach, plus jacks, needlefish, barred pargo, and cabrilla. PHOTO COURTESY OF EUGENE BERNOSKY.

Las Arenas La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

FIRST TRIP DORADO--Bill Nelson, left, made his first fishing trip to La Paz and got into dorado including this beauty on the Las Arenas side with Tailhunter International's Capt. Carlos Cota, right. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BIGGIES AT LORETO--Some boats missed finding them last week, but others got into some quality dorado action off Loreto. Here's Tim Tobin's 57 pounder caught 25 miles east of Punta Lobos with the Hotel Oasis' Capt. Martin Perpuli. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SANTA ROSALIA SUMMER YELLOWTAIL--Steve Walker, Barry Bachrach, and Rodney Furguson fished at the 110 bajo off Santa Rosalia and scored on 5 quality yellowtail with Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos. But no dorado were found in the area, Kanzler said, even though the water was clear blue and there were lots of weed patches. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

San Francisquito Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SAN FRANCISQUITO CROAKER--Brant Crenshaw, left, and Sr. Palomino, at San Francisquito on Baja's Sea of Cortez coast south of Bahia de los Angeles, with a beautiful 71-pound white seabass speared by Crenshaw in 40 feet of water about 2 miles south of the San Francisquito resort. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROGER CRENSHAW.

San Francisquito Mexico Photo 1

San Francisquito Mexico Photo 2

AT SAN FRANCISQUITO--The fly-in San Francisquito resort south of Bahia de los Angeles. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROGER CRENSHAW.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1

VALLARTA PANGA GRANDER--This big black marlin, landed aboard Capt. Danny Gomez' Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar by angler Bernard Lagughue on June 5, 2005, was weighed on the dock at 1,037 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF MYLES LINEBERGER.

Huatulco Mexico Fishing Resort Photo 1

Huatulco Mexico Fishing Resort Photo 3

HUATULCO FISHING SAFARI--Eric Weissman of Explore Fly Fishing announced a new "fishing safari" coastal cruise package between his Huatulco area operations at San Agustinillo and the hotel Villas Carizalillo at Puerto Escondido. Here are some scenes of Villas Carizalillo and the surrounding area. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ERIC WEISSMAN.

Sea of Cortez Midriff Mexico Fishing Photo 1

L.A. BAY FISHING--Gil Marlin's Bahia de los Angeles trip with Richard Doering and Casa Diaz guide Jose Rosas produced a good catch of yellowtail and mixed species around Isla Piojo and the north end of Isla la Ventana in the inner bay. PHOTO COURTESY OF GIL MARLIN.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES