Tuna, dorado close to San Quintin; Ixtapa inshore has roosters and jacks

Mexico Fishing News, July 31, 2006

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: As tropical storm Emilia knocked out fishing in most of the Sea of Cortez for a couple of days last week, yellowfin tuna and dorado were reported closer to San Quintin on Baja's Pacific coast.

Sarai Garcia of Don Eddie's Landing said, "Tuna and dorado are here at San Quintin. The spot was 16 miles west of the point." Garcia said a private boat with John Porter and his group landed 5 yellowfin tuna, 1 dorado of 26 pounds, and 25 yellowtail while fishing offshore in 72-degree water. On Saturday, another group caught tuna in the same spot. Local trips were also productive for limits of yellowtail, bonita, barracuda, and continued heavy counts of bottom fish. Garcia also noted that rooms and boats are filling quickly and reservations should be made early for the San Quintin Labor Day fishing tournament. TUNA AND DORADO 16 MILES OUT.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said Capt. Hector at his San Quintin office reported tuna still generally out of reach for most boats, but local fishing excellent. Fifteen Pedro's boats fished last week, all heading south to Socorro for limits of yellowtail, bonita, and barracuda, plus 4 to 6 white seabass between 20 and 40 pounds per boat. San Quintin weather was good, with little or no wind. Pedro's office number in San Quintin: 011-52-616-165-6040.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Emerald Argonza of Matador Sportfishing reported on 3 outings by the Ensenada charter boat Matador with Capt. David Silva, with a total of 11 anglers and a catch of: 30 yellowtail, 5 dorado, and 12 bonito. Most fish were caught with live bait on kelp paddies at the Ensenada 238 and 450 spots. Water temperatures were from 69 to 71.8 degrees. "We also saw 4 marlin jumpers in the same area but did not manage to hook any of them," Argonza said. "A couple of local charter boats in Ensenada did land 2 striped marlin."

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog out of Marina Coral reported on 2 late week runs off Ensenada. On Friday, the Bad Dog landed 8 dorado and 2 yellowtail off kelp paddies, and a 73.12-pound bluefin tuna on the troll. On Saturday, limits of yellowtail, 4 dorado, and 6 yellowfin tuna were caught south off Punta Colnett. All fish were 12 to 15 pounds. "Our friend, Tom on the Wide Open also caught a marlin while fishing on the lower end of the 1140 trench," Ross said. "It was his 12-year-old son Sean's first-ever marlin."

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Joe Cameron of San Diego reported on 3 days of good offshore fishing out of Marina Coral on Sam Cordeiro's boat. Fishing around South Coronado Island, the 238 spot, the Banda Bank, and about 15 miles off Islas Todos Santos, Cameron and Cordeiro scored on 4 dorado and 5 yellowtail their first day, lots of yellowtail their second day, and dorado limits plus some yellowtail their third day, which was done by about 9 a.m. THREE GOOD ENSENADA OFFSHORE RUNS.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his pangas fishing at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda did well every day last week, with steady limits of lingcod, calico bass, bonita, some yellowtail to 25 pounds, and a white seabass of 30 pounds landed on a Vonny's Fleet rental kayak by Don Ryan of Dana Point. Ryan caught the white seabass near the blowhole area on a Scampi tipped with squid. Punta Banda weather over the weekend was partly cloudy in the low-80s, with water temperatures at 65 degrees, light breezes, and 2-foot ocean swells. Anglers fishing on Vonny's Fleet pangas during the week included: Gatter Cohen, Mary Anderson, and Cathy Lander and daughters Danielle and Bridget.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Ensenada Sportfishing Center reported on 28 anglers fishing Tuesday on the charter boats Ensenada Clipper and Shir-lee, with a catch of: 59 yellowtail, 38 bonito, 22 barracuda, 31 calico bass, 2 sandbass, 3 white seabass, 21 dorado, and 2 lingcod.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous weekend, Susarrey reported on 198 anglers fishing aboard the Ensenada Clipper, Shir-lee Too, Shir-lee, Cazador, and Clipper II, with a catch of: 155 yellowtail, 131 bonito, 22 barracuda, 60 calico bass, 6 white seabass, 2 halibut, 6 yellowfin tuna, 4 bluefin tuna, 2 bigeye tuna, 56 dorado, 32 lingcod, 117 rockcod, and 2 salmon grouper.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Joe Ludka of Long Beach, his brother Rick, and Arizona friends Dave and John fished 2 days at Ensenada on the charter boats Top Dog and El Cazador. Running to the Ensenada 238 spot with Capt. John Strickland of the Top Dog, Ludka's group caught some yellowtail and a bull dorado, but missed on other dorado due to a lack of live bait. Fishing locally on the Sergio's Sportfishing Center boat El Cazador with Capt. Lalo and deckhands Ricardo and Jose, Ludka's group found steady action on yellowtail, calico bass, red rockcod, bonito, barracuda, and a few shark at Islas Todos Santos and University Point. "We also ran into Dan Hernandez and ate a fish taco together," Ludka said. "The tacos outside the Ensenada fish market just can’t be beat." TOP DOG AND EL CAZADOR FISHING TRIPS.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Judy Ostberg of the boat Melody out of Ensenada's Marina Coral reported on a family fishing trip Tuesday with 3 grandchildren to GPS numbers 31.39 and 116.55 for a catch of 9 dorado to 16 pounds, plus 17 yellowtail including a 17-pound jackpot fish caught by 14-year-old granddaughter Judy. On Saturday, the Melody fished in 76.5-degree water for limits of dorado but no tuna found during a run 40 miles south of Ensenada.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Jacqueline Cabrales of Mike Richardson's bait barge in Ensenada harbor said that contrary to some reports, the business, Live Bait Ensenada, is alive and well after being reorganized and may be contacted at 011-52-646-171-5641, VHF 72/06, jaquecabs@hotmail.com. "Jacqueline and her 3 friends will be running the receivers and I'll be in the background helping," Richardson said. "They are all bright, enthusiastic and from what I've seen, so far have the determination to make this work." LIVE BAIT ENSENADA BUSINESS REORGANIZATION.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous weekend, Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet reported on 2 outings by the boat Trobin Robin out of Marina Coral fishing at GPS numbers 31.33 177.06 in 74-degree water for a catch of 20 dorado of 15 to 30 pounds, and 31 yellowtail of 15 to 20 pounds. The fish were caught on doubled Zuker feathers and live bait. "We've been making mackerel live bait outside Marina Coral because the water is so warm outside the sardines don't last," Susarrey said. "The sardines die very easily, but the mackerel are excellent."

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous weekend, Louie Prieto of Ontario, Calif., reported on 2 offshore runs by his boat It's 4 Reels out of Marina Coral, finding rough seas at the Ensenada 238 spot the first day and calm conditions the second day at the 475 spot, and 2 hot afternoon kelp paddy bites for a catch of: 28 yellowtail of 5 to 24 pounds, and 2 dorado, but no tuna. "We cruised by some San Diego fleet boats," Prieto said. "They were also looking for the tuna that we never were able to run into for the 2 days we fished." YELLOWTAIL AND DORADO ON KELP PADDIES.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort reported very calm, windless conditions, with humidity high and more surface fish coming into the area. "Altogether we seem to have a tropical type environment," Saenz said. "I wonder if this is a prelude to a possible upcoming El Niño weather cycle." Nine pangas fished the Soledad Reef north of Puerto Santo Tomason Saturday for full limits of bottom fish, bonito, and barracuda, plus a 50-pound white seabass, but only 2 yellowtail. Thresher shark were also striking at the trolled Rapalas.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp said he sent out 35 charter boats during the week for huge action on lots of red rockcod, whitefish, lingcod, many sandbass and calico bass, bonita everywhere, plenty of yellowtail, and white seabass. Heavy concentrations of bait fish continued in the main fishing areas, in water temperatures of 68 to 69 degrees. Erendira fishing area weather was very good all week, with lots of fog but no wind and calm seas. Good catches of white seabass and yellowtail were made south of Castro's Camp in about 150 feet of water.

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Robert Everett of Las Vegas reported a good run to Castro's Camp, fishing in rough morning conditions that flattened out in the afternoon for "3 giant bags of tasty fillets" of mixed bottom fish of 1 to 5 pounds. "Fishing was as typical as always," Everett said, "Fishing with jigs and spoons just off the bottom at depths up to 120 feet." Everett's catch included 1 surface bonito, but none of his targeted white seabass. CASTRO'S CAMP TRIP.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Juanchys Aguilar of La Bocana on the semi-remote Pacific coast of Baja said his summer season's first grouper and yellowtail were caught last week by anglers Domingo Aguilar and Gilberto Osuna Murillo. Two other anglers caught 10 yellowtail of 15 to 20 pounds with charter Capt. Modelo Sandoval, and another angler fishing with Aguilar caught a 23-pound yellowtail and 6 bonito. La Bocana weather was good with no wind and a water temperature of 59 degrees.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said the passage of tropical storm Emilia brought rain and rough offshore seas to the Magdalena Bay fly fishing area, but some good catches were made at the San Carlos entrada including several black sea bass to nearly 100 pounds on conventional tackle and some small white seabass along the north side of the channel. Fishing in the mangrove esteros was slow. Graham noted that local sport fishermen were planning to submit a petition to the government in protest of increased commercial sardine fishing at Magdalena Bay. "A group led by Enrique Soto are demanding a rollback on the extraordinarily high quotas for commercial sardine fishing that are decimating the bay," Graham said. MAGDALENA BAY FLY FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said the port of Cabo San Lucas was closed by 70-mile distant tropical storm Emilia on Tuesday and up to 9 a.m. on Wednesday and "by then a lot of the boats had already canceled their trips." Cabo weather by the weekend was back in the high-90s, with some beach erosion from storm surf and scattered debris in the water. Water temperatures ranged from 74 to 88 degrees in mixed conditions, and the transition to more warm water game fish was taking place. "There are almost as many blue marlin being found as striped marlin," Landrum said. "There have been a few scattered black marlin as well."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Capt. Noe Ramon Druck of the charter super panga Cheer's reported on 2 late-week outings, fishing with a total of 4 anglers for a catch of: 1 marlin of 2 hooked, 3 dorado of 15 to 20 pounds, 2 roosterfish lost, 4 yellowfin tuna of 8 to 10 pounds, 6 bonito, and 2 black skipjack. The Cheer's fished mostly tight to shore on both sides of the arch and made 1 offshore run for the marlin. "This week, the fishing business was very slow," Druck said. "Emilia luckily brought us 3 days of rain and nothing more." CABO CHARTER PANGA FISHING REPORT.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 65 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 1 black marlin, 6 blue marlin, 6 striped marlin, 6 sailfish, 68 yellowfin tuna, 36 dorado, 6 bonita, 9 roosterfish, and 10 boats with no luck.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: In a week shorted by the passage of tropical storm Emilia, 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: 1 blue marlin of 250 pounds, 4 striped marlin, 61 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 60 pounds, and 3 dorado of 20 to 25 pounds. Dillon also noted that the 3 El Budster charter boats have passed the 400 billfish release mark for the season.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 28 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boat Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 4 striped marlin, 36 yellowfin tuna, and 9 dorado. "It was perhaps the slowest striper count of the past several years," Edwards said. "It's the summer tropical storm time and Cabo did catch its share of wind and rain this week." Fishing and angler activity at Cabo San Lucas was very slow due to tropical storm Emilia, 3 days of rough seas, and 2 mornings of port closure. Cabo weather was settling down over the weekend, with water temperatures at 81 to 83 degrees and fishing was still scattered.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet said, "Even without the stormy weather, the fishing at Cabo San Lucas was not that great." Just 15 percent of Pisces sportfishing charters caught billfish, 25 percent landed yellowfin tuna, 18 percent had dorado, and 69 percent caught all species combined. Ehrenberg noted the present cycle of striped marlin continuing to be caught during the warmer summer months. "Years ago we wouldn't even see a striped marlin during the summer months," she said. "Then it changed and they stayed year-round. Now those striped marlin we are seeing are few and small." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was calm over the weekend after the passage of tropical storm Emilia, with water temperatures averaging 82 degrees. SLOW, STORMY WEEK OF FISHING AT CABO.

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 48 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo during a storm-shortened week, with a catch of: 110 yellowfin tuna, 1 blue marlin, 1 wahoo, 3 striped marlin, 34 dorado, 5 sailfish, 135 mixed pargo species, 125 skipjack, and 8 amberjack. Fishing was still scattered with bait scarce at the end of the week. Brictson noted that the relatively small surf caused by tropical storm Emilia came over the new Puerto Los Cabos marina breakwater. "Storm waves were crashing over the top of the unfinished northern jetty and 8 to 10-foot surf was closing out through the jetty entrance," Brictson said. "It makes you wonder what will happen when a powerful hurricane makes direct landfall in this area." LOS CABOS PANGA FISHING AND STORM REPORT.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Species fishing specialist John Snow of San Jose del Cabo said the passage of tropical storm Emilia made for an interesting day of fishing with Capt. Pata on the panga Salome out of La Playita and 3 surf fishing sessions. "A wild week to say the least," Snow said. "La Playita was closed down from Monday due to the chubasco. The beach this morning was loaded with life!" Snow reported about 6 inches of rain during one 24-hour period, but a total of 20 species caught, including 2 new species, a largehead morray eel and a yellowtail surgeonfish. Angler activity was very slow for the week. "Gringo traffic was 'zero' for the Monday through Thursday window due to the chubasco," Snow said. "The fish of the week was the gafftopsail pompano, clearly the most beautiful fish in the ocean."

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero said tropical storm Emilia lowered East Cape sportfishing area water temperatures to 78 to 79 degrees last week, with clear blue seas following offshore, but green water remaining near the beaches. Weekend weather was dead calm in the mornings at about 90 degrees with some afternoon southeast breezes. "We're expecting a jump in the dorado bite with all the debris in the water, but it hasn't started yet," Ireland said on Sunday. "A wide-open striped marlin bite outside is the week's highlight. Tuna have moved further south, and there's a steady pick on dorado. The roosterfish are still biting despite the dirty water."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Marisol Verdugo of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort said fishing was improving on Sunday after the week's stormy weather. Yellowfin tuna of 30 to 40 pounds and dorado to 50 pounds were caught by fleet boats, plus some striped marlin and sailfish. Blue marlin and mako shark were seen. Roosterfish action was just "okay."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Russ Fritz of La Ribera said he didn't fish last week for "good reasons." Tropical storm Emilia brought about 6 inches of rain to East Cape on Tuesday and flooded the arroyos. "Tons of mud carried into the ocean has turned off the fishing," Fritz said. "Cold water pushed by the storm has dropped the water temperatures from 88 to 76 degrees, and colder in some areas." By the weekend, East Cape charter sportfishing boats were finding yellowfin tuna about 40 miles southeast and local commercial pangueros were reporting red snapper about 3 miles off La Ribera.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said tropical storm Emilia's wake brought scattered fishing for a few blue marlin, striped marlin, 1 black marlin reported, a few dorado, and slow fishing for yellowfin tuna to the East Cape area. "The fishing prior to the storm had been less than stellar, with the best action being the tuna 35 to 40 miles down below Las Frailes," Graham said. "The tuna bite shut off and so far the school has not been found again." East Cape waters were clearing at 74 to 87 degrees under cloudy skies by the weekend.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Van Wormer Resorts reported on East Cape charter fishing boats from Hotels Palmas De Cortez, Playa Del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with a catch including released fish of: 12 blue marlin, 102 striped marlin, 29 sailfish, 511 yellowfin tuna, 314 dorado, 61 roosterfish, 5 wahoo, 6 cabrilla, 38 pompano, 38 pargo, 26 triggerfish, 2 mako shark, and 2 hammerhead shark.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Ash Pickering of the Vista Sea Sport diving service said, "The storm gave us an interesting week in the underwater world. The big animals seemed to get advanced warning, and so we had no shark sightings this week." Water temperatures on the Cabo Pulmo coral reef dropped to 70 degrees, with 20 to 30 feet of visibility. Sea life sightings included plenty of reef fish, eels, lobster, nudibranchs, and rays. Pickering said one of his divers commented, "Even the worst day diving in Baja is better than the best day diving in Puget Sound."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista described the rapid approach of tropical storm Emilia to the East Cape sportfishing area on Sunday, July 23, 2006. "About 11 a.m. it was still sunny with a few clouds and nothing more than a light breeze," Eddy said. "By noon, it was cloudy. By 2 or 3 p.m. the wind was gusting to 30 or 40 m.p.h. At about 8 p.m. it started raining with high winds." TROPICAL STORM EMILIA EAST CAPE REPORT.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the previous week, George Carter reported very slow fishing for 5 days during his 44th annual trip to East Cape. "Some of us were blanked 2 days," Carter said. "It was a complete failure as far as fishing. Rancho Buena Vista was great. But the people at the Ranch said this was the worst July in years." VERY SLOW FISHING TRIP TO EAST CAPE.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said tropical storm Emilia knocked out fishing on the Las Arenas side and pangas were returning with just a couple of small dorado. "With the arrival of the storm, fishing in our La Paz area slowed greatly compared to the previous week," Hernandez said. Boats were looking for fish from El Sargento in the north to Punta Pescadero in the south. Bait supplies were good, with cloudy weather cool at 90 degrees, and water temperatures at 86 degrees over the weekend. LAS ARENAS SIDE FISHING.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said tropical storm Emilia put the brakes temporarily on a great dorado bite at La Paz. "We had one of the best dorado bites in the history of mankind happening," Roldan said. "Emilia came and shut it all down with rain and wind for almost 3 days. We had to cancel boats." Roldan noted that the heavy rainfall washed abundant debris into the water, bringing hopes for renewed dorado action as the water settles. "It looks like Emilia washed a lot of stuff into the water that's already starting to shape up in long current lines," Roldan said. "For the dorado, we expect a nice comeback." La Paz sportfishing boats found some marlin and dorado at the end of the week, including a catch of 4 bulls to over 40 pounds by angler Bob Sayre of Chicago. La Paz air temperatures and water temperatures were both at 92 degrees.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of the Hotel Oasis said tropical storm Emilia brought changeable weather and seas to the Loreto sportfishing area, but dorado catches for some boats continued heavy through the week except for Wednesday. A group of 53 fly fishing anglers on 36 pangas fished 5 days during the week and released an average of 200 dorado per day. Twenty-five sailfish were also caught in the main fishing area at the buoys off San Bruno north of Loreto. Water temperatures were at 80 to 83 degrees. GOOD DORADO FLY FISHING AT LORETO.

LORETO, MEXICO: Alejandro Rosas of Tijuana and his group from the Club de Pesca de Baja California fished at San Bruno reef north of Loreto and found super wide-open dorado action on about 50 catch-and-release fish per day. Rosas and his son Alex fished with Capt. Tito Murillo on the panga Mac'can, and Joe de Anda fished on his own boat. Fishing up to 30 miles farther offshore of San Bruno produced some blue marlin sightings, but no dorado. Loreto weather was in the low-90s, with water temperatures at about 82 degrees. WIDE-OPEN DORADO AT SAN BRUNO REEF.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said Loreto's intense dorado action was good up until the rough weather caused by tropical storm Emilia passing up the Pacific side of Baja California. "The bite is still wide-open and limits are taking place all too early," Bolles said earlier. Emilia brought a local "torito" to the Loreto fishing area on Tuesday. "This lasted for just under 1 hour but did not result in any rain," Bolles said. "I canceled all trips out. From what I could see at the marina, roughly 80 to 100 boats were scheduled to go out and I would estimate only half of them actually did."

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Gary Thomas of Escalon, Calif., and his wife Peggy fished for 10 straight days out of Mulege and reported "the best dorado fishing that I have experienced." Thomas said they had catch-and-release action on up to 25 dorado per day, mostly of 16 to 18 pounds, and could have caught many more. The fish were caught in a wide area from Islas Santa Inez south to Punta Santa Teresa. Mulege water temperatures were at 84 to 87 degrees, but Thomas said, "It didn't matter." SUPER GOOD MULEGE DORADO FISHING.

MULEGE, MEXICO: Mike Massey of Mission Viejo relayed a report from Jim Apple at his place at La Posada saying that Mark and Garry Folz fished 8 to 10 miles off Punta Concepcion on a heading of 060 degrees for 6 keeper dorado in 15 minutes and 11 more released in about 1 additional hour. "They went right where I did on my trip," Massey said. "Sounds like it is still great. I'm ready to go back."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said Santa Rosalia area fishing waters were clearing at 80 to 81 degrees offshore, with blue color and 50 feet of visibility, after the rough seas caused by tropical storm Emilia. One fishing run during the week found wide-open dorado action for some first-time student anglers from the COMSA gypsum mining company. "We didn't catch anything over 12 pounds," Kanzler said, "but who cares really when every bait that hits the water gets inhaled, right?" SANTA ROSALIA POST-STORM CONDITIONS.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Andrea Velez of Baja Sportfishing, Inc., reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trip by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe on July 29, 2006, with a weather-reduced catch of: 32 yellowtail, 11 dorado, 13 cabrilla, and 49 miscellaneous fish. "The storm that hit in the Midriff was a strong one," Velez said. "The Erik sought shelter in Gonzaga Bay after about 2 1/2 days of wind that made fishing nearly impossible. But in Gonzaga Bay, our group got to do some fishing and finally caught our first dorados of the season. They knew our captain was doing everything he could to get them to a fishing area with less wind. They also fished at Ensenada Grande."

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tom Ward of the Longfin Tackle Store said both Tony Reyes Fishing Tours panga motherships ran into very difficult weather last week caused by tropical storm Emilia during their Midriff Islands fishing trips. "They had live bait every day to fish with but the winds made it very hard to stay on the spots and catch fish," Ward said. "They fished Partida Island for 2 days, Smith Island 1 day, and Gonzaga Bay for 2 days. Winds were 20 to 35 knots with 3 to 6-foot swells." The panga mothership Tony Reyes returned to San Felipe on July 28, 2006, with charter master David Dang of Valley Village, Calif., and a storm-shortened catch of: 80 yellowtail to 25 pounds; 55 cabrilla to 10 pounds; 35 spotted bay bass; 3 grouper to 77 pounds; 4 pargo, 6 sheephead; and 103 miscellaneous and released fish. The mothership Jose Andres returned the same day with a light load of only 8 anglers and a catch of: 8 yellowtail; 70 cabrilla to 16 pounds; 3 red snapper to 14 pounds; 4 spotted bay bass, 1 shark of 147 pounds; and 52 miscellaneous and released fish.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Curt Grant of Phoenix reported on 2 runs to the 22-mile reef off Rocky Point by his boat Bonus Time. Fishing with Scampis up to 24 ounces in weight, in some wind and swells, Grant and his passengers scored on gulf grouper of 51, 28, 14, and over 65 pounds, with the largest fish reduced in weight by sea lions. Water temperatures off Rocky Point were at 85.6 to 88.6 degrees. GROUPER FISHING AT THE 22-MILE REEF.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Molden of San Carlos said over the weekend, "This week has seen the passing of tropical storm Emilia kicking up 8 to 10 footers. There have been very few boats going out of late so there is not a lot of pressure or information. Water temperatures are in the high 80s."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: For the previous week, Steve Calvert of Catch-22 Sportfishing reported a record 50 boats with 151 anglers fishing for 3 days in this year's 59th annual Ernesto Zaragoza International Billfish Tournament at San Carlos. Caught during the tournament were: 20 marlin released, 18 sailfish released, 32 dorado over minimum weight, and 2 yellowfin tuna. The boat Catch-22 Suerte with angler Jarrod Smith took first place in the open category. The largest dorado was 31.2 pounds, caught by the Day Break.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Lloyd Robinette of Casa Grande, Ariz., said his boat Arca de Noe landed a 29.6-pound dorado to take a $2,200 daily jackpot in the tournament. "Seas were dead calm all day as we chased school after school of dolphin," Robinette said. "At 3 p.m., just as we were bringing lines in, I hooked the dorado. The fish fought for 15 to 20 minutes before being boated. Fishing with me were Paul and Joe Robinette, Hap Balmis, and Capt. Pancho Martinez. Capt. Pancho did a terrific job all 3 days of the tournament displaying his skills in choosing the lures, rigging them with dead ballyhoo, choosing where to fish and how he deployed the lure spread."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Craig Collins of Rio Rico, Ariz., said his boat No Sniveling released 1 marlin during the tournament "but with only 2 of us on the boat, we did not get pictures.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said the port of Mazatlan was closed 3 days due to rough weather. Boats were beginning to fish again on Friday. Aries Fleet at Marina el Cid sent out 15 boats during the week, with a catch including released fish of: 6 sailfish, 3 yellowfin tuna, and 51 dorado. Mazatlan weather was cloudy and humid at 90 degrees, with water temperatures of 81 to 83 degrees.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet at Cabo San Lucas said a Pisces client fishing at Puerto Vallarta caught a possible all tackle record Pacific needlefish, Tylosurus pacificus. "Bob Soukup from Dallas was forced to fish in the bay due to tropical storm Emilia," Ehrenberg said, "but he was pleased to pull in a needlefish that weighed 18 pounds. The current record is 11 pounds 4 ounces caught in Costa Rica."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Myles Lineberger of Puerto Vallarta Today reported on the fishing season so far this summer and on a new IGFA tournament that will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and be a qualifying event for the Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship Tournament. On this year's late yellowfin tuna season, Lineberger said, "The big tuna will be in anytime now. We catch them every year at Puerto Vallarta over 400 pounds but just don’t get them weighed on a certified scale." PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING SEASON REPORT.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said the Ixtapa fishing area had some rough morning seas, but was clearing by about 9 a.m. to let boats out. Anglers running south to Vicente Guerrero did well on roosterfish and jacks. The charter boats Gran Jefe, Bloody Hook, Dos Hermanos II, and Dos Hermanos I reported on a combined 15 fishing days, with a catch of: 14 sailfish, 1 dorado, 58 jack crevalle, 27 bonito, 32 roosterfish, and 2 pompano. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was rough in the mornings and calming in the afternoons, in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 85 to 87 degrees. The best offshore fishing was 10 to 15 miles straight out. Inshore fishing was best south at Vicente Guerrero.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said Ixtapa fishing area water temperatures were at 84 degrees inshore and 87 degrees about 10 miles out, with blue water about 2 miles out. Offshore sportfishing boats averaged about 2 sailfish per day, and yellowfin tuna of about 20 pounds were also caught about 5 miles out. Inshore boats averaged about 4 roosterfish and 6 large jack crevalle per outing.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CANCUN

CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said the El Cid Caribe fleet at Puerto Morelos sent out 17 boats during the week, fishing inshore on the bottom for about 6 fish per outing including mixed snappers; grouper; barracuda; "peto," similar to king mackerel, to 20 pounds; and 3 "toro" shark to 60 pounds. Cancu n sportfishing area weather was cloudy and humid in the mid-90s, with water temperatures stable at 84 to 85 degrees. All fish were caught on the bottom with ballyhoo baits within a few miles of the marina.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CLOSE TO QUINTIN--Yellowfin tuna and dorado were found only 16 miles out of San Quintin last week. Here's a nice catch of tuna on live bait, dorado on a Rapala, and yellowtail on chrome iron by anglers Al Sumaya Jr., John Porter, Tony Tapia, and Raymond Guthrie. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SARAI GARCIA.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 2

ENSENADA GOOD OFFSHORE--Louie and Kay Prieto with some of their dorado and yellowtail catch while fishing the second day of a good 2-day run offshore of Ensenada recently on their boat It's 4 Reels! At right, an Ensenada dorado comes aboard the It's 4 Reels. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOUIE PRIETO.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 4

DORADO AT ENSENADA--Sam Cordeiro fished on his boat off Ensenada with Joe Cameron for 3 days of good action including these dorado pulled out of a kelp paddy plugged with dorado and yellowtail. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE CAMERON.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 5

PUNTA BANDA LIMITS--Gatter Cohen of San Diego fished at Ensenada last week with Vonny Fleet's panga Capt. Beto and his catch included limits of lingcod, calico bass, bonita, and 1 nice yellowtail. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 6

ENSENADA JULY FIRECRACKERS--Joe Ludka, center, his brother Rick, left, and their friends fished out of Ensenada 2 days on the charter boats Top Dog and El Cazador with deckhand Jose, right, for good July action on yellowtail, calico bass, a bull dorado, bonito, barracuda, and mixed bottom fish. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE LUDKA.

Castro's Camp Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ERENDIRA BIGGIES--Good summer fishing has kicked in for yellowtail and white seabass in the cool Pacific waters of Erendira just south of Ensenada, and these anglers scored on a nice haul of quality fish with Capt. Mauricio Torres out of Castro's Camp. Fishing in about 150 feet of water just south of Castro's were anglers, from left: Tony Wiggins, Jeff Cox, Matt Cox, Tim Lange, and Vance Willon. PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNANDO CASTRO.

Baja California Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LA BOCANA SUMMER FISHING--Domingo Aguilar, left, and Gilberto Osuna Murillo with first-of-the-season local grouper and yellowtail caught last week with Capt. Juanchys Aguilar of La Bocana on Baja's semi-remote Pacific coast. PHOTO COURTESY OF JUANCHYS AGUILAR.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CABO CHARTER PANGA--Capt. Noe Ramon Druck's super panga Cheer's.

Los Cabos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

PLAYITA PARGO SURPRISE--Ty Purvis of San Diego caught this 35-pound dogtooth snapper, or pargo perro, while flylining a sardina for tuna on the Iman Bank at San Jose del Cabo with Gordo Banks Pangas' Capt. Tony. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

EMILIA AT EAST CAPE--Tropical storm Emilia knocked out fishing briefly from the tip of Baja California well up into the Sea of Cortez last week. Here's the scene Tuesday looking north at East Cape's Buena Vista. PHOTO COURTESY OF TORRANCE EDDY.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

FIRST BAJA TRIP--Baja first-timer Blake Cook of Utah fished at La Paz with Tailhunter International and hooked this beautiful bull dorado. Here he is, photographed fully dressed, at the Baja nude beach of La Paz' Bahia Balandra. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2

GALS WITH BULLS--Thania Jhonson and Crissy Teichman of Huntington Beach fished several days on the La Paz Las Arenas side with Tortuga Sportfishing last week and their catch included this nice pair of Baja bull dorado. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1

EMILIA NO PROBLEMA--Tropical storm Emilia brought some rough waters to Loreto last week, but anglers out of the Hotel Oasis kept nailing good counts of dorado anyway. Here are Pat Ferguson, left, and Dan Anderson with a nice bull caught Thursday at the San Bruno buoys with the hotel's Capt. Abel Davis Manriquez. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Mulege Mexico Fishing Photo 1

GREAT DORADO DAYS--Mark and Garry Folz take a break from this summer's excellent dorado action on Mark's new boat at Posada Concepcion after nailing unlimited "dorado up the ying-yang" off Punta Conception near Mulege. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE MASSEY.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ROSALIA HOT DORADOS--Anglers Ivan, Fabricio, Iram, and Issac fished off Santa Rosalia last week with Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos and ran into unlimited dorado action "when every bait that hits the water gets inhaled." PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ROCKY GROUPER RUN--Doris Grant, left, fished 2 days last week at the 22-mile reef out of Rocky Point with her husband Curt Grant and Art Pina, right, for a good run of gulf grouper of 14 to over 65 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF CURT GRANT.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

TOURNAMENT $2,200 DORADO--Lloyd Robinette, right, fished out of San Carlos on his boat Arca de Noe with Capt. Pancho Martinez, left, and caught this 29.6-pound dorado good for a $2,200 daily jackpot in this month's Ernesto Zaragoza International Billfish Tournament. The dorado hit a small purple-and-black lure rigged with a dead ballyhoo bait. PHOTO COURTESY OF LLOYD ROBINETTE.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 2

SAN CARLOS TOURNAMENT WINNER--Jarrod Smith, right, landed a 236-pound blue marlin to take first place in the 59th annual Ernesto Zaragoza International Billfish Tournament earlier this month at San Carlos, Sonora, while fishing with Catch-22 Sportfishing's Capt. Fernando Almada, left, on the charter boat Catch-22 Suerte. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE CALVERT.

Baja Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BAJA TAMALE UPGRADE--After many years of selling her famous tamales and other tasty treats out of her van to travelers on Baja California's Highway Mex 1, "La Famosa Carmelita" has now upgraded to a real restaurant. As always, Carmelita can be found at the Jesus Maria Pemex station just north of Guerrero Negro. PHOTO COURTESY OF SYD LINDSAY.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES