La Paz dorado "biting like mad dogs," Cancun flats produce tarpon, snook

Mexico Fishing News, July 17, 2006

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said, "The dorado were biting like mad dogs all week. So much for the full moon thing." Some La Paz anglers were canceling panga days because their ice chests were full and they were burned out after releasing multiple fish

"Most of the bite has been on the La Paz side in a big area from El Bajo down to Las Cruces," Roldan said. "On the Las Arenas side, the first boat to the buoys finds the bull dorado!" La Paz fishing area weather was hot in the low-100s, with water temperatures over 90 degrees.

Roldan also said the Hotel los Arcos in La Paz was scheduled to reopen partially between July 17-19, 2006, after being closed since early June due to a workers' union dispute. "Only the main building will be open," Roldan said. "The cabanas and towers will remain closed but that's still good news for all."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said Las Arenas side weather was mostly calm in the mid-90s, but with some rain and wind on Friday and Saturday that did not stop boats from fishing. Water temperatures were at 81 to 86 degrees at the 88 bank east of Isla Cerralvo where pangas scored good counts on large dorado. Dorado were also caught closer in at the shark buoys, in addition to some marlin, sailfish, and tuna, plus roosterfish inshore. Good quantities of sardina bait and small skipjack were available.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Leonard Phillips of Baja Pirates Fleet said, "The dorado have made their home in La Paz. Bait is plentiful and every piece of Sargassum weed has dorado beneath it." Boats on the La Paz side scored steady counts on quality dorado to a reported 73 pounds landed by angler Rudy Burbank. Gary and Steve Livingston of Cypress, Calif., also got into pargo of 15 to 20 pounds.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Sammy Navarro of Temecula reported on a great catch-and-release action dorado trip for his group and a good experience at La Paz with Tailhunter International, in calm conditions and 90-degree water temperatures. "Dorado in the 30-pound class were caught on a daily basis," Navarro said. "Martin and all the other panga captains with our group were excellent and hard working." GOOD DORADO TRIP.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Andrea Tomba of Desea Adventures said diving conditions continued good on the La Paz side with near 100-foot visibility and water temperatures in the high-80s. Ten-year-old spear fisherman Lucca Perretti shot a 10-pound dorado while free diving. "Maybe that doesn't sound like much," Tomba said, "but when you consider that Lucca shot the fish, fought it himself, and subdued it on his own, as per International Bluewater Spear Fishing Records Committee rules, it is really spectacular!"

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Rowena Argonza of Matador Sportfishing reported on 4 outings out of Marina Coral by the 33-foot charter boat Matador, fishing with a total of 18 anglers at locations including the Ensenada offshore 238 and 450 spots, Punta San Jose, and Soledad reef for good surface and bottom fish action and a combined catch of: 32 yellowtail, 1 bluefin tuna, 3 yellowfin tuna to 25 pounds, 2 dorado, 34 bonito, 13 red snapper, 2 Johnny bass, 6 lingcod including a 30 pounder, and 1 sheephead. Ensenada water temperatures averaged about 66 degrees. MATADOR CHARTER REPORTS.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Memo Gomez of El Dorado Sportfishing reported on a local run Friday with 3 anglers to the El Farito area 3 miles out of Ensenada on a 270-degree heading for a catch in 35 feet of water of: 5 yellowtail, 22 barracuda, 12 calico bass, 33 sandbass, and 8 bonitas. Gomez fished with live sardinas in water at 72 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his pangas at the tip of Punta Banda found good fishing conditions last week, with sunny skies, light breezes, and water temperatures at about 65 degrees. Outings with Capt. Beto on the Vonny I produced steady bottom fish limits for all anglers, including lingcod and rockcods, plus bonitos, calico bass to over 5 pounds, and a nice 28-pound yellowtail caught by anglers Kris Gwizdak and Rich Rose of Los Angeles. Over the weekend, Ensenada weather was sunny in the low-80s.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous weekend, Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Ensenada Sportfishing Center reported on 84 anglers fishing aboard the charter boats Ensenada Clipper, Shirlee, Cazador, Quest, and Clipper II, with a catch of: 72 yellowtail, 432 bonito, 380 barracuda, 280 sandbass, 4 halibut, 2 yellowfin tuna, and 1 bluefin tuna.

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 much improved action on white seabass, plus the usual heavy counts of red rockcod, whitefish, lingcod, calico bass, and sandbass, and a nice bonus of 6 large halibut. Large schools of bait fish were found in all areas in water temperatures of 64 to 66 degrees with clear blue color. Erendira weather was sunny except for some fog in the mornings.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported 15 boats fishing during the week, all with limits or near limits of yellowtail up to 24 pounds, hooked mostly on trolled Rapalas. "The only problem with trolling was that there were 2 or 3 bonita for every yellowtail," Hillis said. Bass fishing was "absolutely wide-open at San Ramon." San Quintin weather over the weekend was hot with light winds from the south.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Sarai Garcia of Don Eddie's Landing reported 30 San Quintin boats fishing during the week, all with good catches of yellowtail and overall limits including bonita, barracuda, and big sandbass and calico bass. A few tuna were reported 35 miles out, but nothing near the bay. On Saturday, Don Eddie's sent out 15 boats, noting that rooms and boats were sold out and reservations should be made well in advance. San Quintin weather was warm in the 80s, with water temperatures of 71 to 73 degrees and some afternoon wind and swells. DON EDDIE'S LANDING REPORT.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Jay Hammer of Riverside, a group leader for this year's Vagabundos del Mar 40th Anniversary small boat cruise down the Sea of Cortez reported on his group's Baja trip, crossing the border at Tijuana on June 24, 2006, cruising south from Bahia de los Angeles, and also trailering to Loreto where they participated in the historic Baja club's 21st annual dorado tournament. "Fishing with Jose Torres Sportfishing, I was lucky enough to catch the largest dorado, 37 pounds, for the first day of competition which featured 65 anglers," Hammer said. "The fishing was the best it had been in years." BAJA SMALL BOAT GROUP CRUISE AND LORETO DORADO TOURNAMENT.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Steve Stevens of El Cajon, Calif., reported on several Baja outings at Mulege, Loreto, and Bahia de los Angeles by him and members of the Jamul Tuna Club. BAJA FISHING TRIPS.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said some quality dorado were caught at the shark buoys off the San Carlos entrada and angler Gary Hoterig reported a good offshore yellowfin tuna bite about 30 miles south of the Thetis Bank. Later in the week, big swells and wind moved into the Magdalena Bay area, keeping most boats inside. Fishing in the Magdalena BaY mangrove channels was difficult due to dirty water caused by big tides. Magdalena Bay fly fishing weather was clear in the low-80s, with water temperatures at 61 to 66 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said stirred up water caused by the distant passing of Pacific hurricanes Bud and Carlotta produced midweek swells of 8 to 10 feet in Cabo waters, but "there was no wind on top of them so it was not too bad." Seas were down to 3 to 6 feet by the weekend.

Overall billfish action dropped off as striped marlin thinned out in warming waters and were slowly being replaced by blue and black marlin. "If I had to hazard a guess, it would be that the billfish success ratio this week ran about 40 percent with most of the fish taken on trolled lures and most of the action happening on the Cortez side," Landrum said.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 33 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo San Lucas charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 1 blue marlin, 9 striped marlin, 12 dorado, 1 wahoo, 1 roosterfish, and 54 yellowfin tuna. "The full moon wreaked havoc on Cabo San Lucas sportfishing this week," Edwards said. "Most of the billfish seemed to have 'gone south.' Charter boats fished from the Pacific side to the Sea of Cortez side and there was no real concentration of fish to be found anywhere." SLOW FULL MOON FISHING.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 120 charter boats, with a catch including released fish of: 4 blue marlin, 30 striped marlin, 87 yellowfin tuna, 61 dorado, 2 wahoo, 38 bonita, 25 roosterfish, 2 jack crevalle, and 17 boats with no luck.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 9 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 1 blue marlin of 180 pounds, 1 striped marlin, 3 dorado of 20 to 35 pounds, and 7 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 25 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jorge Navarro of Pisces Fleet reported 46 percent of charters releasing billfish, 42 percent landing yellowfin tuna, and 16 percent with dorado. Some good scores were made on tuna, including 20 fish of 20 to 30 pounds by the charter boat Cabolero on Wednesday. Pisces boats fished on both sides of the arch, to the Jaime Bank on the Pacific side and Destiladeras on the Cortez side, in some rough conditions with wind and waves from the southeast. Cabo fishing area water temperatures were at 75 to 81 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Mike Connolly of Cabo San Lucas said his neighbor Noel Maltman released 4 roosterfish in the 70-pound class during a single outing near the lighthouse.

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 56 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 1 black marlin, 52 yellowfin tuna, 44 dorado, 4 sailfish, 8 striped marlin, 38 bonito and 84 pargo species. Distant passing hurricanes Bud and Carlotta caused rough surf during the week that interrupted panga launches for a day and caused some damage to the Puerto los Cabos marina project under construction at La Playita. Beach and inshore fishing were slow due to rough surf and muddied waters but snook of 25 to 40 pounds were reported by surf anglers fishing near the marina's south jetty. Near shore water temperatures dropped into the upper-70s during the week but remained in the low-80s offshore. LA PLAYITA FLEET PANGA FISHING.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Brictson reported on beach erosion and launch problems for pangas at La Playita as the new rock jetties of the Puerto los Cabos project were damaged by the relatively mild storm surf caused by hurricanes Bud and Carlotta, which passed about 500 miles south of Baja last week. "Although the surf was only 6 to 8 feet we almost had to haul the boats away by trailer," Brictson said. "My feeling is that they might need to reconsider their plans and add another rock jetty outside of the opening." PUERTO LOS CABOS STORM DAMAGE.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo reported a "strange day" during pretty decent action while fishing with friends Tuesday on his boat Dos Gueros. First, Clayton Silver hooked a 55-pound yellowfin tuna on a trolled bolito while he was untangling his line and the fish was found to be tail hooked. Then a dorado was landed with 2 hoochies in its mouth after hitting 2 lines on the troll. And finally, Silver landed a 90-pound class tuna while using his fingers for drag after his reel fried. "As I said, a strange day," Lewis said. "We fished the Iman and San Luis area with a dozen or so other boats. We had high seas so few boats were out."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Species fishing specialist John Snow of San Jose del Cabo reported on 2 surf fishing outings and 3 days of fishing with Capt. Pata on the panga Salome, with 27 species caught or observed, including one possible new species, a type of mole crab found feeding on the remains of a Sally Lightfoot Crab. We only put a total of 30 fish in the Salome which was a very low count," Snow said. "The water temperature is now into the mid-80s. Wind was a factor on all days as not one but two hurricanes left Acapulco and headed west this week." Snow's catch included 3 yellowfin tuna in the 20 to 25-pound class and 2 other potential 100 pounders.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 90 boats, with 308 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin, 33 striped marlin, 3 sailfish, 87 dorado, 73 yellowfin tuna, 3 roosterfish, 85 snappers, 5 jack crevalle, 1 amberjack, 24 ladyfish, 92 triggerfish, 4 cabrilla, and 1 skipjack tuna. East Cape had some rain coming over from the Pacific side of Baja due to a distant pair of tropical depressions passing off the west coast. Most hotel boats found slightly slower conditions while fishing up to about 45 miles southwards.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort, Marisol Verdugo said marlin fishing at East Cape was good last week, but yellowfin tuna slowed down. A few good-sized dorado were caught, and some roosterfish also, but the main quarry was marlin. East Cape weather was "beautiful" over the weekend.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero reported East Cape sportfishing area weather in the mid-90s, with calm mornings, some afternoon southeast breezes, water temperatures of 86 to 90 degrees, and "our first rain shower of the year" on Friday evening. "While tuna remain mostly outside, along with many more dorado, the striped marlin bite continues unabated," Ireland said. "Striped marlin have moved a bit further out but they are still biting aggressively 5 to 10 miles off the beaches from La Ribera south to Los Frailes." Yellowfin tuna action was erratic and centered about 30 to 40 miles off Cabo Pulmo. Dorado were centered 5 to 10 miles out, from the Punta Arena lighthouse to Cabo Pulmo.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jim Lenthal of Los Frailes reported on a panga run out of Cabo Pulmo, fishing offshore of the Cabo Pulmo marine park for skipjack, yellowfin tuna to 25 pounds, and Lenthal's first ever wahoo which he caught on a flylined sardina bait. Lenthal noted that anglers were observed making bait and also fishing inside the boundaries of the protected marine park. "There is supposed to be no fishing, bait catching, etc., and the area is well posted," Lenthal said. "However, it is basically ignored by everyone." LOS FRAILES TUNA AND CABO PULMO MARINE PARK REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly noted that, Coci, his well-known "fish-spotting" dog passed away last week at the age of 14. "Coci was featured on the cover of several national sportfishing magazines with many articles about his fish-spotting abilities," Graham said. "Coci had a remarkable life prowling Baja beaches with me. We will all miss him!" East Cape fly fishing was slowed by winds during the week, but with good action for ladyfish and pargo inshore, and roosterfish spotted but not in a mood to strike. EAST CAPE FLY FISHING DOG COCI.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Van Wormer Resorts reported on 320 boats from the Van Wormer hotels of Palmas de Cortez, Playa de Sol, and Punta Colorada, with 867 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 16 blue marlin, 170 striped marlin, 30 sailfish, 467 yellowfin tuna, 191 dorado, 111 roosterfish, 11 wahoo, 9 amberjack, 14 cabrilla, 3 pompano, 35 pargo, and 5 snappers. "The winds kicked up this week due to a few storms that have been brewing in the Pacific," Dalmau said. "This made for some tough fishing in the East Cape. Despite the choppy conditions, anglers were still able to bring in a fair amount of fish."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Ash Pickering of the Vista Sea Sport East Cape diving service at Buena Vista said distant Pacific hurricanes Bud and Carlotta stirred up the water on the Cabo Pulmo coral reef, dropping visibility to about 5 to 10 feet in some areas and water temperatures to about 73 degrees at depth. Conditions were normalizing by the weekend and sea life sightings included rays, nudibranchs, moral eels, large gulf grouper, and a variety of schooling fish.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending July 6, 2006, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 352 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 1,045 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 3 blue marlin, 167 striped marlin, 10 sailfish, 86 dorado, 712 yellowfin tuna, 46 pargo, 5 wahoo, 4 pompano, 29 roosterfish, and 1 sierra. East Cape fishing area weather was in the high-90s, calm in the mornings with some afternoon wind chop, with water temperatures at 79 to 89 degrees.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said, "The dorado fishing off Loreto is wide-open right now. If you catch your limit before 8 a.m. and intend to keep fish, you'll need to head to port early to keep it from spoiling, pure and simple. So release the first fish and just keep the trophies! Expect easy limits of dorado from 10 to 50-plus pounds with 30 to 50 pounders not uncommon."

LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of the Hotel Oasis said few anglers visited Loreto last week, but dorado fishing remained strong at the San Bruno reef. Six pangas fishing with Capts. Martín Perpuly, Paulino Martínez, Marcelo Fuerte, Poncho Susarrey, and Isidro Mendoz reported all anglers with limits for a total of 30 dorado of 15 to 41 pounds landed and many more released. Loreto weather was hot and cloudy, with large swells on 2 days and water temperatures of 84 to 88 degrees. HOTEL OASIS DORADO REPORT.

LORETO, MEXICO: For the previous week, Arturo Susarrey of Arturo's Sportfishing said dorado action continued very good, as 90 percent of boats scored limits just north of Isla Coronado. "Most of their catch was on fish from 20 to 35 pounds each," Susarrey said. "There are also many striped marlin and sailfish in the same area." GOOD DORADO SEASON AT LORETO.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Gary Thomas of Tracy, Calif., and his wife Peggy fished 4 days out of Mulege on their 22-foot boat Stingray and reported red-hot dorado action. "We caught 2 to 6 dorado per day and could have caught many more on 2 days but preferred to look for marlin and yellowfin tuna," Thomas said. Most of the dorado were 12 to 16-pound bulls and the largest was about 21 or 22 pounds. Yellowfin tuna were also caught 2 days and some marlin were seen but not hooked. Thomas fished 25 to 35 miles out of Mulege on a heading of about 060 degrees. Water temperatures were at 83 degrees near shore and 85 to 88 degrees farther out.

MULEGE, MEXICO: Wayne Neff of San Diego had a follow-up report on his fish camping trip to Punta Chivato south of Mulege, noting that he fished from his 14-foot aluminum boat out of the Punta Chivato campground for 5 days and had a catch of 11 dorado, 5 bass, and many bass species. "Everything worked fine at the camp," Neff said. "It's still $10 a night. The ramp at the hotel is certainly usable. The hotel is adding a large wing on the south-facing part of the property. There is construction everywhere around the hotel grounds. There is a saint at Punta Chivato named Doc Adams. He patched up one of my daughter's eyes when she got a grain of sand in it that would not come out. He would not accept compensation. He lives in a beach house fronting the airstrip next to the hotel."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Syd Lindsay of San Lucas Cove said things were very quiet last week with few people around and slow dorado fishing. "We have had lots of stiff breezes from the east and the water has been just sloppy," Lindsay said. "The dorado fishing is the worst I have seen in years." There is, however, good fishing at Isla Tortuga for sawtail grouper and cabrilla, and some yellowtail on the north end of Isla San Marcos."

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 fishing early in the week was good for yellowtail down deep at Isla Smith, Isla Piojo, Punta Don Juan, Soldado, and the Guadalupe reef. Most of the yellowtail were of 6 to 12 pounds, and fishing was also good for cabrilla and bass. Vazquez also noted that Camp Gecko is now out of the camping business and has converted over to permanent lot leases. "Please use Archelon or Daggett's Camp," Vazquez said.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Terry Fair of Alpine, Calif., reported on 3 days of fishing by his 2-boat group out of Bahia de los Angeles, finding good action around the inner bay on a panga with Capt. Marcos Blanco and slower action farther south around Isla Angel de la Garda. Fishing in waters plugged with small barracuda, mostly around Isla Horsehead, Fair's panga had catch-and-release action for about: 100 firecracker yellowtail and a single 20 pounder, 6 cabrilla to about 6 pounds, and 12 goldspotted bass. A private boat running to the big island caught about 8 yellowtail of about 9 pounds, plus 12 Humboldt squid to 15 pounds. THREE DAYS AT BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tom Ward of the Longfin Tackle Store reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trip by the Tony Reyes Fishing Tours panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on July 14, 2006, with a catch of: 64 yellowtail to 30 pounds; 224 cabrilla to 14 pounds; 10 red snapper or huachinango to 12 pounds; 5 broomtail grouper to 14 pounds; 6 sheephead to 9 pounds; 37 spotted bay bass; 22 miscellaneous fish; and 78 other fish released. The Jose Andres fished in Midriff water temperatures averaging about 80 degrees. Charter master for the trip was Chris Jones of San Juan Capistrano.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Ollie Peltier of Rocky Point reported on a run by his 24-foot boat to the 51-mile bank that was aborted about 20 miles out due to wind and a 3 to 5-foot chop from the south. During the return trip, 1 small dorado was caught about 22 miles south of Rocky Point and a larger dorado was lost about 20 miles out. "There isn't any doubt that if you can get out, there is some of the best dorado action that Rocky Point has had in recent years," Peltier said. Offshore water temperatures were at 87 degrees. ROUGH WATER DAY OUT OF ROCKY POINT.

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Don Dufek of Flagstaff, Ariz., reported on fishing from inflatable boats and a local panga out of Rocky Point, using Jointed Rebel lures as recommended in The Baja Catch and anchovy baits on the bottom for a nice mixed catch of peanut dorado about 5 to 7 miles out, plus corvina, bass, and triggerfish on a reef 11 miles out on a heading of 282 degrees. "The panguero Martin has two boats, Margarita 1 and 2 at the dirt launching ramp," Dufek said. "He is knowledgeable, English speaking, very helpful, and very reasonable." INFLATABLE BOAT AND PANGA FISHING OUT OF ROCKY POINT.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Molden of San Carlos said dorado and billfish action slowed down last week and the fish were running small. "The word is 'bait,'" Thomas said. "Rigged ballyhoo seems to be the best right now. The fish seem to be farther out, so troll until you find them and flyline bait." San Carlos fishing area weather was "hot" with the water temperature holding at about 88 degrees. Offshore fishing was centered about 35 miles out on headings of 180 to 200 degrees.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 37 offshore runs by Aries Fleet charter boats out of Mazatlan's Marina el Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 1 blue marlin, 2 striped marlin, 12 sailfish, 24 yellowfin tuna, and 95 dorado. The single blue marlin, weighed at 320 pounds, was landed by the charter boat Aries VIII. Most the dorado were caught on the buoys using live bait. Mazatla n sportfishing area weather was mostly calm in the mid-90s, with offshore water temperatures at 85 to 86 degrees. DORADO STILL HITTING AT MAZATLAN.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Tadeo Hernandez of Flota Bibi Fleet said Mazatlan fishing charters slowed down last week. Dorado action was still good but a little slower as boats fished from onshore to about 25 miles out, heading north from the Mazatlan lighthouse. Three offshore trips by Flota Bibi Fleet had a catch of: 3 sailfish. "Even at the buoys, the dorado weren't biting like last week," Hernandez said.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing said angler Rob Hammer landed an estimated 300-pound plus yellowfin tuna aboard the charter boat Marla II after his reel blew up and his rig was replaced during a fight lasting over 3 hours. The reliable Osuna said, "We came in real late and had no time to weigh it, but this fish was definitely over 300, maybe 320 to 330." The big tuna was hooked off Puerto Vallarta at El Banco on a trolled skipjack bait tied with lighter leader after a morning of seeing fish crash but with no hookups. "We switched to smaller leader sizes," Osuna said. "Not longer than 1 minute after we had put the poor bait in the water she got nailed by a big tuna." 300-POUND COW CLASS TUNA AT PUERTO VALLARTA.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said few anglers were in the Ixtapa fishing area, but about 4 or 5 offshore boats per day were averaging 2 to 3 sailfish each. About 2 or 3 inshore boats per day were finding very good action for roosterfish and jack crevalle in waters south of Zihuatanejo. "There were a total of 3 boats fishing the roosters yesterday," Kunze said. "Our Capt. Adolpho continued on south to La Barrita at about 30 miles. It was there we really got into the action. We actually left feeding fish." During one outing Capt. Adolpho of the panga Dos Hermandos scored on 11 large roosterfish plus several large jack crevalle." GOOD ROOSTERFISH ACTION SOUTH OF IXTAPA.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said most offshore charter boats averaged 2 to 4 sailfish per day. The boats Gran Jefe, Dos Hermanos I, Bloody Hook, Marea Azul, and Agua Azul reported on 9 inshore and offshore fishing days, with a catch including released fish of: 20 sailfish, 10 jack crevalle, 12 bonito, 1 rainbow runner, 7 needlefish, and 19 roosterfish. Offshore boats fished about 15 miles straight out and the best inshore areas were at Pantla and Petatlan. Ixtapa fishing area weather was cloudy and humid in the high-90s, with water temperatures at 83 to 84 degrees.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Rodman Hunter of Cancun Light Tackle & Fly Fishing said his offshore season is over for the year, but flats fly fishing is excellent for tarpon and snook, plus permit and bonefish. "I had a client for 3 days fishing the flats with flies," Hunter said. "We managed 112 shots on tarpon in the 20 to 40-pound class, 63 strikes, and 39 boated, 4 permits, 11 bonefish, and 17 snooks. This is my prime time for tarpon and snook." In this season's offshore action from February through June, Hunter said his Cancun fly fishing clients released 312 sailfish, 82 white marlin, and 7 blue marlin. CANCUN FLATS FLY FISHING.

CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported a very short week of offshore fishing at Cancun due to rough seas that had the Puerto Morelos port closed for two days. Eight Cancun area outings by the El Cid Caribe fleet had a catch including released fish of: 1 white marlin, 1 wahoo, 6 barracuda, 7 dog snapper, and some grouper. CANCUN ROUGH SEAS FISHING CONDITIONS.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BIG FISH GUY--Mike Harkins, 14, of Los Angeles has been fishing for years with Tailhunter International at La Paz and always seems to get a big one, according to Tailhunter's Jonathan Roldan. "He always gets a big fish every year," Roldan said. "Here he is again with a nice 30-pound class bull dorado." PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2

HUNTING TAILS--Sammy Navarro had a great trip to La Paz with Tailhunter International that included a lot of dorado lifting, including this nice limit caught off the east side of Isla Espiritu Santo. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAMMY NAVARRO.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 3

GOLDEN SMILE--Cory Hutton of Lake Forest, Calif., and his family fished several days on La Paz' Las Arenas side with Tortuga Sportfishing and they caught all kinds of fish including some nice dorado. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

FISHIN' WITH BETO--Kris Gwizdak of Los Angeles fished on a beach launched panga at Ensenada's Punta Banda with local yellowtail guru Capt. Beto Zamora of Vonny's Fleet and he scored on a nice 28-pound yellowtail plus the usual load of bottom fish. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 2

MATADOR FORKIES--Anglers, from left, Robert Boyd, Robert Boyd Jr., and Herb Knight, all of Palmdale, Calif., fished out of Ensenada's Marina Coral with Matador Sportfishing and ran into a nice catch of yellowtail about 6 miles north of the Ensenada 450 spot. PHOTO COURTESY OF EMERALD ARGONZA.

Erendira Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CURVINAS AT CASTRO'S--White seabass, or "curvina" in Spanish, showed up in good numbers for anglers at Castro's Camp south of Ensenada last week. Here's a nice trio of croakers caught by anglers, from left, Stephanie Armstrong, John Piekaski, and Walt Eckstien with Castro's Camp's Capt. Maricio Torrez, right. PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNANDO CASTRO.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SAN QUINTIN LENGUADO--Krys Gwizdak fished on the San Quintin charter boat Sofia out of Don Eddie's Landing and scored on this nice 29-pound halibut, or "lenguado" in Spanish, with Capt. Pancho Berreyesa. PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAI GARCIA.

Los Cabos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ROCKY LANDING--Relatively mild storm surf from distant hurricanes Bud and Carlotta caused beach erosion and left scattered rocks from the partially damaged rock jetties of the Puerto los Cabos marina construction project at San Jose del Cabo last week. This is the palapa and panga launch at Gordo Banks Pangas were rocks up to 40 pounds left on the beach interfered with launching. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

Los Cabos Mexico Fishing Photo 2

FINGER FOOD--Clayton Silver's nice yellowfin tuna fried his reel during the fight off San Jose del Cabo, but he used his fingers for drag and scored his sushi while fishing with Bob Lewis on his boat Dos Gueros. With Silver are his son Clayton Jr., center, and Lewis' son, Austin Lewis. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB LEWIS.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

A FISH IS A FISH--Miguel and Sixto Santiago of Pleasant Hills, Calif., may have caught just a single football tuna during their East Cape outing with Capt. Marcos on the boat Liliana out of Buena Vista Beach Resort, but they still had a great day of Baja memories. PHOTO COURTESY OF AXEL VALDEZ.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 2

FLY FISHING AMIGO--Coci, the fish-spotting dog of Gary Graham's fly fishing guide service, Baja On The Fly, has called it a season after a 14-year run. PHOTO COURTESY OF GARY GRAHAM.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1

AT THE OASIS--Loreto anglers, from left, Tommy Agosta Jr., Joey Iriberri and Tom Agosta fished last week with the Hotel Oasis' Capt. Paulino Martinez and landed their dorado limits just northeast of Isla Coronado. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 2

MARLIN TOO--It's been a hot season at Loreto this year for dorado, but there are also good numbers of striped marlin and sailfish mixed in. Here's a striper caught by Jim Zacharias, right, who fished in glassy water with Loreto's Capt. Davis. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM ZACHARIAS.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 3

SUMMER GOLD--Steve Stevens got into this summer's excellent Loreto dorado run with limits for 4 days on his boat with local Capt. Andres Cota. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE STEVENS.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 1

WINDY ROCKY DORADO--Les Foss fished out of Rocky Point last week on Ollie Peltier's boat and they were turned back short of the 51-mile reef by south winds, but still scored on this respectable dorado about 22 miles out on the way home. PHOTO COURTESY OF OLLIE PELTIER.

Mazatlan Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MAZATLAN SAILS--The Berhardt family fished out of Mazatlan last week with Flota Bibi Fleet on the charter boat Norma Patricia and landed a pair of sailfish with their crew of David and Alex. PHOTO COURTESY OF TADEO HERNANDEZ.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1

VALLARTA COWS GRAZING--Rob Hammer of Miami with his estimated 300-pound plus yellowfin tuna landed aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla II last week at El Banco. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY OSUNA.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 2

BLUES AT VALLARTA--The Puerto Vallarta charter boat Arca de Noe out of Marla's Sportfishing had good action last week for pargos, tuna, and several blue marlin released, here with Capt. Alonso Osuna. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY OSUNA.

Cancun Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CANCUN FLATS MAN--Inshore and offshore sportfishing guide Rodman Hunter of Cancun Light Tackle & Fly Fishing with a flats-caught tarpon. PHOTO COURTESY OF RODMAN HUNTER.

Panama Fishing Photo 1

FAR FROM BAJA--John Mensik of Phoenix fished the Caribbean coast of Panama this year instead of Baja and found "the fishing was not gangbusters, but the variety was great." Mensik said his hotel in Panama City was $18 for two and he also bought a pangueros' entire load of 23 lobsters for $20. "We ate lobster each night until we left," he said. "I like Mexico, but they need to start to understand competitive pricing." Mensik fished with Lee Glaser, kodiakbocas.com." PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN MENSIK.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES