Los Cabos yellowfin tuna go full-limits, Roosters and jacks steady at Ixtapa

Mexico Fishing News, August 14, 2006

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN JOSE DEL CABO

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Yellowfin tuna sportfishing action broke into the full-limit zone for boats working sardinas on the Los Cabos high spots last week as big counts of fish in the 20 to 30-pound range were landed and bigger tuna were seen.

Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 72 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 780 yellowfin tuna, 68 dorado, 6 striped marlin, 8 sailfish, 28 snapper, 1 wahoo, and 14 amberjack. Wide-open yellowfin tuna dominated the action from La Fortuna to San Luis and Brictson said, "These tuna were not small football-sized fish. The average has been around 25 pounds." Larger tuna were lost as anglers used line of about 30 to 40 pounds to fish sardina baits. "It is hard to fish small sardina baits on too heavy of tackle," Brictson said. "When a big tuna was hooked they did not have much of a chance." San Jose del Cabo weather was mostly calm, with water temperatures at 82 to 85 degrees. GOOD YELLOWFIN TUNA CATCHES FOR LA PLAYITA PANGA FLEET.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Gary and Margie Orwig of San Diego reported a 240-pound yellowfin tuna landed while celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary the first week of August during a fishing trip on the La Playita fleet charter panga Gaviota with Capt. Modesto. The cow-class tuna hit a 2.5-pound bonito bait trolled at the Outer Gordo Bank during a 2-day session that also produced 2 striped marlin, 4 other tuna of 25 to 75 pounds, 4 dorado, and 1 needlefish. San Jose del Cabo fishing area seas were calm at 83 to 85 degrees.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ENSENADA

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his beach launched charter pangas did well all week long fishing at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda for a steady catch of bottom fish limits, lingcod, calico bass, and daily yellowtail for all boats, including full limits on Friday of 18 to 30 pounders for Jay Johnson and Capt. Beto on the panga Vonny I. Ensenada weather over the weekend was partly cloudy in the high-70s, with light breezes, 3-foot ocean swells, and the water temperature at Punta Banda holding at 67 degrees. PANGA YELLOWTAIL FISHING AT PUNTA BANDA.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous week, Villarino said the pangas Vonny I and Vonny II with Capts. Beto and Vicente fished in some wind for steady counts of lingcod, calico bass, mixed bottom fish, bonito, and 2 yellowtail of 20 to 25 pounds caught on Friday by Jim Willoughby and his group from Texas. Ensenada local fishing area weather was cloudy in the mornings, clear in the afternoons, in the mid-70s, with 65-degree water at Punta Banda.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Memo Gomez of El Dorado Sportfishing reported on a run with 4 anglers by the charter super panga El Dorado, fishing for tuna about 25 miles off Ensenada on a heading of 200 degrees for a catch of 32 yellowtail on live sardines, but no tuna found. Gomez fished in water at 69.5 to 71 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Emerald Argonza of Matador Sportfishing reported on a midweek run by the 33-foot charter boat Matador, fishing with Capt. David Silva and 5 anglers around the Ensenada 450 spot for slow action on the troll, but a wide-open bite for 27 kelp paddy yellowtail of 25 to 30 pounds, plus many others lost. Dorado were also seen on kelp, but didn't want to bite. All fish were hooked on sardines, in water temperatures of 67 to 69 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet reported on a run south to Maximino Reef Saturday by the Ensenada charter boat Tamara for a big load of bottom fish and lingcod by noon. The private boat Chavo fished in 73-degree water around the lower 500 spot for a catch of: 4 dorado of 15 pounds, 2 yellowfin tuna of 15 pounds, and 14 yellowtail of 10 to 22 pounds. The Chavo fished mostly with live mackerel bait, but also got some hits on trolled marlin feathers.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Ensenada Sportfishing Center reported on 80 anglers fishing aboard the charter boats Ensenada Clipper, Shir-lee Too, Shir-lee, Cazador, Quest, and Clipper II, with a catch of: 165 yellowtail, 85 bonito, 30 barracuda, 303 sandbass, 3 yellowfin tuna, and 52 dorado.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO SANTO TOMAS

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: For the previous week, Sam Saenz at Puerto Santo Tomas Resort said, "Both bottom and top fishing continues to be great. The surface bite is caliente." Two pangas fished on Sunday for 3 hours and came back loaded with bottom fish plus barracuda, bonita, and 2 yellowtail.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ERENDIRA

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp at Erendira south of Ensenada said fishing action got hot last week both on the bottom and on the surface, for lots of bonito, yellowtail, barracuda, and white seabass, plus the usual kelp and calico bass, whitefish, lingcod, and red rockcod. "Fishing was much better every day," Castro said. "The water temperature was up to 72 degrees close to the coast." Erendira fishing area water was clear blue and very clean, with lots of bait fish present.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN QUINTIN

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said he sent 20 boats out during the week, for many limits of white seabass and yellowtail south at Socorro, plus all the sandbass and barracuda that anglers wanted. "There are a few dorado and a few yellowfin being caught about 15 miles off the point but most anglers are heading south where they are pretty well guaranteed limits. The trip out for tuna or dorado is quite long for 3 or 4 fish," Hillis said. San Quintin fishing area weather was wind-free.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Sarai Garcia of Don Eddie's Landing said good weather and sea conditions continued last week, with air temperatures in the high-80s, some winds to 9 knots from the north and some gusts in the afternoons, ocean swells of 2 to 5 feet, and clean, clear water in the low-70s. Good counts of white seabass were made by sportfishing boats running south to El Tranquilo and at the San Quintin 240 spot, and steady yellowtail were caught at the 240 spot and Isla San Martin. Anglers Daniel Amescua and Tony Llamas fished with Capt. Pancho Berreyesa on the charter boat Panchita for a catch of: 7 white seabass, 2 yellowtail, many barracuda, and some bottom fish. San Quintin hotel rooms and boats were heavily booked, but Garcia said Don Eddie's Landing was holding 7 rooms open for the fishing tournament on Sept. 2, 2006.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Jeff Riolo of San Diego and Don Schuldies fished out of San Quintin 2 days with Capt. Jaime Garcia, for a catch of 8 white seabass including 4 fish of 40 to 46 pounds and 2 fish of 30 pounds the first day at Socorro in green water at 68 degrees. On the second day, Riolo and Schuldies went outside about 12 to 15 miles off San Quintin for 13 dorado hooked on a kelp paddy, plus 4 yellowfin tuna caught on the troll home. The dorado were 10 to 15 pounds, and tuna about 15 pounds. San Quintin offshore fishing water was blue at 70 degrees, with seas calm, and the air temperature at 80 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Mike Steele of San Diego fished off San Quintin on Tuesday with Capt. "Gordo" of Garcia's Pangas for a catch of 12 yellowtail of 15 to 20 pounds, a dorado on the troll, 1 yellowfin tuna hooked within 5 miles of shore, and "all the barries, bonies, and bass you wanted." San Quintin weather had some wind, with clear blue water and lots of bait present.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Kelly Catian of K&M Offshore Sportfishing reported on a run to Isla San Geronimo and the Sacramento Reef area for intense action on calico bass of 5 to 7 pounds, yellowtail, and halibut. "This is an area most boats try and avoid, shallow with breakers all over," Catian said. "But hidden in the kelp that proliferates in this region are some monster bass and lots of them. The place is spooky but if you like fishing the bush, this is as good as it gets." OFFSHORE RUN TO ISLA SAN GERONIMO.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Randy Peters of Lakewood, Calif., and his group fished 2 days with Capt. Oscar Catian of K&M Offshore Sportfishing and got into good action at the San Quintin 15 spot on the first day for a catch of: 14 yellowtail, 10 bonito, and 10 lingcod. The second day at the 240 spot produced a couple of dorado hooked, plenty of yellowtail, and 2 large ones broken off on the rock. "I recommend 50-pound test when fishing at the 240 spot," Peters said. GOOD FISHING AT THE SAN QUINTIN 15 AND 240 SPOTS.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR BAJA COASTAL AREAS

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Juanchys Aguilar of La Bocana on the semi-remote Pacific coast of Baja said good summer fishing action picked up last week. A 195-pound black sea bass was landed and 9 more were lost at the Gringa Bank on 60-pound line on Friday by Martin Aguilar and Salome Aguilar. Yellowtail fishing also improved for local commercial pangueros. On Saturday, 41 yellowtail of 20 to 25 pounds were caught by the boat Tormento. Baja coastal weather had some northwest winds, with water temperatures at 65 to 67 degrees. LA BOCANA YELLOWTAIL AND BLACK SEA BASS CATCHES.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: John Tillander of Henderson, Nev., reported on a 3-day trip by his group aboard the San Diego boat Vagabond for loads of dorado mixed with albacore. "The water was warmer than normal for this time of year," Tillander said. "It was a strange combination since they normally prefer different water temperatures. The largest albacore was 45 pounds and the largest dorado was 35 pounds. We caught some nice yellowtail as well."

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAGDALENA BAY

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said big tuna counts plus some wahoo and dorado were reported around the Thetis Bank by boats out of Puerto Lopez Mateos, and a 37-pound roosterfish was caught in the surf on the outer side of Isla Magdalena. "After hearing rumors for years about big roosters at Magdalena, I finally received a confirmed report," Graham said. Bahía Magdalena sportfishing area weather was partly cloudy at 80 degrees, with water temperatures of 64 to 74 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CABO SAN LUCAS

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 31 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 of 250 pounds, 6 striped marlin, 11 dorado, and 95 yellowfin tuna. "Billfish catches this week were very difficult to come by," Edwards said, "with only about 10 percent of the boats connecting. Many boats were targeting yellowfin tuna." Tuna were centered on porpoise about 10 to 20 miles straight south.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 13 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 1 black marlin of 220 pounds, 2 blue marlin of 200 to 375 pounds, 2 sailfish, 1 wahoo of 45 pounds, 39 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 30 pounds, 1 yellowfin tuna of 100 pounds, 2 dorado of 20 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Noe Ramon Druck of the charter super panga Cheer's reported on 3 inshore outings on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, for catches including roosterfish, and barrilete or black skipjack, plus bonito, several yellowfin tuna, and some dorado during brief runs about 2 to 6 miles out. On Friday, Druck assisted Capt. Jose Martin Ayala on the 31-foot boat Johana, for 1 striped marlin and 4 dorado. Cabo water temperatures were at 80 to 86 degrees. CHEER'S SUPER PANGA TRIPS AT CABO.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 53 Cabo San Lucas charter boats, with a catch including released fish of: 5 striped marlin, 3 blue marlin, 3 sailfish, 73 yellowfin tuna, 36 dorado, 10 roosterfish, 16 skipjack, and 7 boats skunked.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet said 29 percent of her charters caught billfish last week, 46 percent landed yellowfin tuna, 21 percent found dorado, and 78 percent caught all species combined. "There were actually more dorado closer to shore," Ehrenberg said, "proven by the fact that some pangas caught up to 6 in a day. There were not a lot of other fish around. We had one wahoo, a hammerhead shark, and some skipjacks."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather in the mid-90s, with light winds, and water temperatures at 80 to 83 degrees on the Pacific side, and 82 to 85 degrees on the Cortez side. Live bait available was mostly caballito plus a few mackerel, and mullet available for roosterfish. Striped marlin were centered along the 50-fathom line off Cabo, and blue marlin about 20 to 30 miles south. Yellowfin tuna were on the Cortez side around the Iman Bank. Inshore pangas worked local dorado and some roosterfish and pargo.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR EAST CAPE

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said fly tackle angler Woody Spruance of Salt Lake City reported a rare milkfish catch during an East Cape trip with his son Peter. "It was a tarpon-like fish in a large school off the lighthouse near Cabo Pulmo," Spruance said. "We were told it is rarely caught on any tackle." Graham said, "Catching a new species on the fly is always a thrill. It is the first confirmed catch of milkfish on the fly at East Cape that I am aware of. We occasionally see large schools of them on the surface but never could get them to bite." East Cape fly fishing area weather was calm at 90 degrees, with water temperatures of 74 to 87 degrees. Offshore, school-sized dorado moved closer in, the tuna and billfish bite continued down to Los Frailes.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Van Wormer Resorts reported on 334 East Cape charter fishing boats from Hotels Palmas De Cortez, Playa Del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with 933 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 10 blue marlin, 356 striped marlin, 33 sailfish, 2,675 yellowfin tuna, 270 dorado, 17 roosterfish, 1 wahoo, 5 cabrilla, 2 mako shark, and 96 bonitas.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero reported a wide-open yellowfin tuna bite 3 to 4 miles offshore to the south off Cabo Pulmo with "all boats limiting out" on tuna of 20 to 50 pounds. Boats targeting billfish were averaging 2 to 3 striped marlin per day, plus some blue marlin. Inshore fishing was hampered by rain runoff. Dorado were close in, with boats averaging 1 to 2 per day on debris. East Cape fishing area weather was in the mid-90s, with some afternoon southeast breezes, and water temperatures at 83 to 87 degrees. GOOD YELLOWFIN TUNA BITE OFF CABO PULMO.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jim Quinlan of Murrieta, Calif., and his wife Alma fished 2 days on super pangas out of Rancho Leonero. On their first day, Quinlan said they ran south 2 hours to San Jose del Cabo with Capt. Jorge on the super panga Leonero 7 and caught 8 yellowfin tuna of 10 to 20 pounds, a striped marlin, 7 skipjack tuna of 5 to 10 pounds, and a 45-pound dorado landed by Alma. The next day they fished locally south of Rancho Leonero with Capt. Guillermo on the Leonero 8 and had action on striped marlin lost, sailfish, green jack, dorado, and needlefish. "The East Cape boats that fished for tuna did great, easy limits," Quinlan said. "Anyone wanting to catch marlin or tuna can't go wrong right now at the East Cape area. They are thick!" RANCHO LEONERO SUPER PANGA OUTINGS FOR TUNA AND MARLIN.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Furness of Santa Rosa, Calif., reported on 4 days of fishing out of Hotel Palmas de Cortez for a catch of: 10 striped marlin, 25 yellowfin tuna to 35 pounds, and 3 dorado to 25 pounds. "The hot striped marlin bite was from the lighthouse south all the way to Cabo Pulmo," Furness said. "The action ranged from less than a half-mile to 5 miles offshore. The only consistent tuna bite was 2 to 3 miles offshore way south of Pulmo." MARLIN AND TUNA CRUISER RUNS OUT OF PALMAS DE CORTEZ.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Wayne Bisbee reported on the recent Bisbee's East Cape Offshore tournament, with 54 boats and 248 anglers fishing for 3 days out of Buena Vista Beach Resort and a billfish catch of: 32 blue marlin, 128 striped marlin, and 12 sailfish, with about 98 percent released.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Ash Pickering of the Vista Sea Sport dive service at Buena Vista said, "We're finally getting what we've been waiting for all year!" Water temperatures were up to 84 degrees at depth, with visibility up to 80 feet, at the Cabo Pulmo coral reef last week, with mostly smooth seas and currents optimum for drift dives. Sea life sightings in the marine park included grouper to 6 feet, octopus, an unknown species of shark, giant Pacific manta rays, and a whale shark over 50 feet long. "The amount of life is superb, giving us some excellent world class diving," Pickering said.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Earlier, Russ Fritz of La Ribera reported on a good tuna and dorado trip aboard his panga Soplado by his son Dan, daughter-in-law Sonia, and grandson Yoni. "We heard about a hot tuna bite south of Cabo Pulmo, which turned out to be nearer to the Gordo Banks," Fritz said. "They all caught big tuna. Sonya's was over 100 pounds, Dan's about 80, and Yonni's dorado was 37 on the scale." Fritz said Sonya's big tuna gave her a fight before it was landed: "She tried to pass the rod over her head and the tuna chose that time to dive, so it pinned her head to the rail. We were all laughing so hard that for a moment or two, we couldn't move to help." The Soplado fished in flat calm seas at 87 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending Aug. 3, 2006, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 219 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 657 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 3 blue marlin, 140 striped marlin, 5 sailfish, 149 dorado, 407 yellowfin tuna, 5 pargo, 4 wahoo, 1 pompano, and 3 triggerfish. East Cape fishing area weather was mostly calm in the high-90s, with water temperatures of 79 to 89 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Frank Springer of Butte Falls, Ore., reported "lots of 20 to 30-pound tuna from La Ribera south to Punta Gorda, and striped marlin and some dorado out in front of Spa Buena Vista."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Beach launched boat angler Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista said, "Trolling on the way from Rancho Leonero home, I saw dorado jumping all along the way. On a line from Leonero to Los Barriles, I caught one dorado about one-third of the way. Off Leonero, I fished cut bait, pieces of giant squid head, and caught 5 finescale triggerfish, 1 fileskin triggerfish, and 2 or 3 unidentified very small small snapper, dark gray with little white spots."

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LA PAZ

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said his Las Arenas side pangas found slow action last week while fishing a wide area from Boca del Alamo in the south, out past Isla Cerralvo at the 88 Bank, and north of the isla where good dorado action had recently been had. Just a few dorado were found, plus good numbers of striped marlin. The best fishing was for cabrilla and pargo at Los Piles on Isla Cerralvo. Bait supplies were good at the island. SLOW OFFSHORE ACTION IN ALL DIRECTIONS FOR LAS ARENAS PANGAS.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said, "I think those were some of the poorest fishing days of the year." La Paz fishing was slowed by full moon currents and some wind and rain, as water temperatures dropped by 4 to 8 degrees. Fishing conditions were on the upswing again by the weekend, with catches improving for good-sized dorado, striped marlin, and some blue marlin. On the Las Arenas side, mixed species action improved for roosterfish, cabrilla, larger pargo, a few stray summer yellowtail, dorado, and some wahoo. "The recent storms put out some nice lines of brush and trash in the water that had washed down from the hills," Roldan said. "By the end of the week dorado were hanging out under the current lines."

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LORETO

LORETO, MEXICO: Randy Langley of Hesperia, Calif., fished with Loreto's Capt. Pedro Davis, for abundant dorado of 15 to 25 pounds about 9 to 10 miles off Isla Coronado, plus some larger dorado, cabrilla, small yellowtail, and several black sea bass caught south of the island in about 350 feet of water. Other boats in Langley's group had no trouble hooking at least 2 marlin per day. "Pedro knows exactly where to find any particular species," Langley said. "Pedro takes a very large cooler in his boat filled with ice to keep your catch fresh." Langley also noted that Mexican bag limits were being enforced at the Loreto marina, with violating boats fined and some impounded. GOOD DORADO AND BLACK SEA BASS ACTION AROUND ISLA CORONADO.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MULEGE

MULEGE, MEXICO: Charlie Plott of Pasadena and his wife Marianna fished at Mulege on their trailered boat out of the Hotel Serenidad, and Plott said, "Basically, the fishing was fantastic." Dorado of 15 to 30 pounds were so thick off Punta Concepcion that "tossing in a lure and pulling it a few feet would result in a hookup," Plott said. "It might have been the best dorado fishing I have ever seen in the Sea of Cortez after going down once or twice a year for the past 30 years." Mulege fishing conditions were excellent and Plott said very few boats were fishing: "From none to 2, depending on the day. They were only dots on the horizon. The dorado were everywhere and simply thick.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SANTA ROSALIA

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Ed Hogan of San Bruno south of Santa Rosalia reported a rare louvar, Luvarus imperialis, over 5 feet long and weighing over 100 pounds, caught by local panguero Ramon Camacho Nieto on Aug. 10, 2006. The fish, not previously observed in the Sea of Cortez, was caught about 300 meters off San Bruno in 15 feet of water. "By the time I got there they had it filleted so I have the picture of the head and the carcass," Hogan said. "The meat was very white and had great flavor. I got a chance to try a piece of it." Hogan said the local pangueros were very cautious about trying the meat of the never-before-seen fish. "Ramon had a buddy of his eat some of it, and they checked him after 1 hour and he wasn't dead," Hogan said. "After 2 hours, he was still alive. After 3 hours, all the pangueros had louvar tacos!" RARE LOUVAR CAUGHT AT SANTA ROSALIA.

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

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Jeff Riolo of San Diego and Don Schuldies fished 2 days last week with Capt. Guillermo Galvan of Bahia de los Angeles and got into some of the first good dorado action on the season for local boats, with a combined catch of 41 dorado of 15 to 18 pounds plus several bulls to 30 pounds. "On day 2, the dorado bite was wide-open on a temperature break under paddies," Riolo said. "Bait was made in the bay and with Guillermo's new outboard engine on his super panga the travel time to Isla Partida was only about an hour." Bahia de los Angeles weather was calm at 90 degrees, with water temperatures at 83 degrees. GOOD MIDRIFF DORADO RUN AT ISLA PARTIDA.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Mike Steele of San Diego said he made a run down to Bahia de los Angeles, but hit the south end of Isla Angel de la Guarda on a full moon and high tidal flow period, just missing the hot dorado bite of the previous few days. "Capt. Igor Galvan of Bahia de los Angeles had fished that area on Friday for 22 dorado and 11 more on Saturday," Steele said. "By the time we got there the area had been fished out with only 2 taken on Sunday." Steele said Doc Abraham Vasquez of Camp Gecko was predicting the arrival of the main dorado run in about another 10 days." DORADO SHOW PAUSES AT ISLA ANGEL DE LA GUARDA.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Frank Navarro of Poway, Calif., and his group made their annual trip to Bahia de los Angeles in early July, fishing with Sammy's Sportfishing 2 days for yellowtail of 8 to 40 pounds, grouper of 8 to 12 pounds, and cabrilla limits at Isla Smith. Bahia de los Angeles weather was hot at 110 degrees, with water temperatures still cool at 74 to 76 degrees. Navarro's group stayed at the Casa del Sol hotel. "You catch the fish and Victoria will cook it up with rice beans and tortillas," Navarro said. "All you can eat for only 5 bucks, and oh yes, the margaritas are fantastic!" ANNUAL GROUP TRIP TO FISH WITH SAMMY'S SPORTFISHING.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Dave Wallington reported on a 7th annual fishing trip to Bahia de los Angeles by the Dennis L. Toohey Memorial Yellowtail & Golf Tournament group, with 37 anglers fishing for 3 days for slow action on yellowtail of 5 to 15 pounds and a few white seabass of 20 to 30 pounds, plus 1 early season dorado of 18 pounds caught by Mickey Stammer of Irvine, Calif.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN FELIPE

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tom Ward of the Longfin Tackle Store reported on 2, 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trips by the Tony Reyes Fishing Tours panga motherships Jose Andres and Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe on Aug. 11, 2006, with a catch of:

Jose Andres, with 18 anglers and charter master Henry Lisenbee: 28 yellowtail to 24 pounds; 4 grouper to 55 pounds; 93 cabrilla to 19 pounds; 6 dorado to 19 pounds; 208 cabrilla to 22 pounds; 4 red snapper to 21 pounds; 9 bass; and 12 miscellaneous and released fish.

Tony Reyes, with 27 anglers and charter master Clarence Becker: 135 yellowtail to 25 pounds; 298 cabrilla to 14 pounds; 18 dorado to 22 pounds; 3 grouper to 40 pounds; 6 red snapper to 15 pounds; 12 broomtail grouper to 22 pounds; 53 spotted bay bass to 3 pounds; 65 sheephead; and 1 golden cabrilla released.

Midriff water temperatures were at 78 to 82 degrees, with light breezes and plenty of live bait available. The boats fished at Islas San Lorenzo and Salsipuedes for good numbers of cabrilla, and also at San Francisquito.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: John Tillander of Punta Bufeo said the plan to pave the road south from San Felipe was on hold. "That's okay with us," Tillander said. "Bad roads make for good neighbors and right now we don't have security problems at Punta Bufeo." Ralph Strahm of Holtville, Calif., flew into Alfonsina's at Gonzaga Bay and reported weather in the low-90s, with choppy water and slow fishing conditions at Islas Miramar and San Luis. Some new pavement had been placed north of Puertecitos.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ROCKY POINT

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Ric Felder of Glendale, Ariz., fished on his boat End of the Line at several reefs out to about 15 miles from Rocky Point, using spotted bay bass and grunt baits for a steady catch of: 4 leopard grouper of 12 to 18 pounds; 2 pinto bass of 15 and 25 pounds; and 1 barred pargo of 12 pounds. Another boat fishing near Felder scored on a corvina of about 10 pounds and a grouper estimated at 100 to 110 pounds. Felder said a whale shark also got friendly, circling his boat slowly for about half-an-hour, "and no, I did not try to hook it." Rocky Point sea conditions were calm during the run home at about 5:30 p.m. REEF FISHING OFF ROCKY POINT.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN CARLOS

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Molden of San Carlos said about 10 to 15 sportfishing boats were going out per day, finding some quality dorado in generally slow action, plus some sailfish of 75 to 100 pounds. San Carlos fishing area water temperatures were at 86 to 88 degrees. "We have the Labor Day Invitational Billfish Tournament coming up in a few weeks so let's hope for some decent fishing," Molden said.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Fernando Almada of Catch-22 Sportfishing said all boats had some good days last week, but dorado action was "on and off like a light switch." The Catch-22 Suerte and Catch-22 Pez Vela scored on striped marlin, sailfish, and some yellowfin tuna and dorado during about 7 outings in water temperatures of 86 to 87 degrees, fishing mainly about 14 miles out on a heading of 220 degrees.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAZATLAN

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 30 offshore runs by Aries Fleet out of Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 1 blue marlin of 350 pounds caught by the Aries IX, 32 sailfish, 14 dorado, and 61 yellowfin tuna. Thirteen inshore super pangas had a catch of: 69 dorado, and 2 skipjack tuna. Mazatlan fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with calm seas and water temperatures at 81 to 83 degrees. Offshore boats fished 24 to 29 miles off Mazatlan, using slow-trolled rigged baits. MAZATLAN OFFSHORE BOATS AVERAGE 1 BILLFISH PER DAY.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO VALLARTA

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing said offshore conditions were improving at the end of the week after some slower days earlier, with yellowfin tuna of 250, 207, and 275 pounds landed by the Puerto Vallart a charter boats Marla II and Marla III, plus dorado, pargo, and rainbow runner. Puerto Vallarta offshore water was clear blue at 88 degrees over the weekend. "Next week is going to be super fishing," Osuna said. "All the red crabs are gone and these fish are hungry now and they are really nailing the skippies." BIG COW TUNA CAUGHT IN IMPROVING CONDITIONS.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said 82-degree blue water was 2 miles off the beach and the few boats fishing inshore found outstanding action, averaging about 4 roosterfish of 25 to 45 pounds plus about 6 jack crevalle of 14 to 25 pounds per outing. Angler activity was very low in the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sportfishing area, with only 7 to 10 boats going out per day. Offshore action improved for about 2 to 3 sailfish per outing last week. Yellowfin tuna at 20 pounds were present at the 5 to 7-mile mark, and some boats caught several dorado per day into the 20 to 30-pound class. "Monday was my 12-year-old son's birthday," Kunze said. "I told Santiago I only wanted to go out and get a couple of sails on conventional gear for my son. We were back at the pier at 11:10 a.m. We had raised 3 sails and caught 2. On Wednesday, a 6.0 earthquake hit us. The center was only about 50 miles away. For about 24 hours, nothing shuts down the fishing better than a good earthquake." Ixtapa fishing weather was mostly calm, but with thunderstorms, in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 78 to 84 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 18 outings by the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo charter boats Gran Jefe, La Bamba, Don Gordo, Vamanos II, Dos Hermanos, Dos Hermanos II, and Lady, with a catch including released fish of: 3 wahoo, 1 striped marlin, 14 sailfish, 6 yellowfin tuna, 9 dorado, 91 bonito, 2 bigeye jacks, 47 jack crevalle, 22 roosterfish, 17 needlefish, 40 red snapper. Ixtapa fishing area weather was cloudy and humid at 90 degrees, with some days of unfavorable seas early in the week. GOOD MIXED SPECIES ACTION OFFSHORE AND INSHORE.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CANCUN

CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 14 Cancun area fishing days by the El Cid Caribe fleet at Puerto Morelos, with a catch including released fish of: 5 barracuda, 13 red snapper, 1 jack crevalle, and 10 king sierra. Of the 50-pound class Atlantic barracuda caught off Cancun, Edwards said, "Let me tell you, they are big and they are mean looking critters. These fish are nothing at all like the West Coast barracuda." MIXED INSHORE FISHING SPECIES AT PUERTO MORELOS.

CANCUN, MEXICO: Earlier, Robert Rodriguez of Wilmington, Calif., reported on an outing at Cozumel with Capt. Pedro aboard the charter boat Albatros II for a catch of: 1 dorado of 30 pounds, 3 wahoo, 10 blackfin tuna, 6 amberjack, and 5 Atlantic yellowtail. "The fishing was done on the Caribbean side of the island with the water temperature in high 70s," Rodriguez said. "We used a variety of feathers and hard trolling lures. Rodriguez stayed at the Cozumel Palace and fished with Albatros Charters, cozumel-fishing.com, 888-333-4643.

CANCUN, MEXICO: Mark Tikkanen of Sparta, N.J., had a follow-up report on his Cancun flats fly fishing trip with Capt. Rodman Hunter of Cancun Light Tackle & Fly Fishing, saying, "Overall, My son and I enjoyed fishing with him and would do so again. Rodman did a good job getting us shots. In 2 days fishing, we landed 2 nice snook, 4 small barracuda, and 1 large mangrove snapper. We lost 5 tarpon and another snook." CANCUN FLY FISHING GUIDE REPORT FOR RODMAN HUNTER.

Los Cabos Fishing Photo 1

LOS CABOS COW--This 240-pound yellowfin tuna came aboard the La Playita panga Gaviota with Capt. Modesto for Gary and Margie Orwig of San Diego, who were celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary at Los Cabos in the first week of August. PHOTO COURTESY OF GARY ORWIG.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

JAY RIDES AGAIN--The deadly Ensenada panga combo of angler Jay Johnson, shown, and Vonny's Fleet Capt. Beto Zamora did it again last week, as they scored full limits of 18 to 30-pound yellowtail at the tip of Punta Banda on the charter panga Vonny I. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Castro's Camp Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CASTRO'S ON TOP--Surface action caught fire last week at Erendira, south of Ensenada, as Castro's Camp anglers scored on yellowtail, white seabass, bonita, and barracuda, plus the usual heavy counts of bottom species. Here with a great mixed catch are, from left, Castro's Camp Capt. Jorge Arballo, and anglers Jesse, James, Eric, and Bruce Merrill. PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNANDO CASTRO.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 1

FORKIES AT THE 15--Randy Peters hoists a nice San Quintin yellowtail, one of 14 forkies landed by his group at the San Quintin 15 spot with Capt. Oscar Catian of K&M Offshore Sportfishing. PHOTO COURTESY OF RANDY PETERS.

QUINTIN HOT YELLOWS (right)--A nice San Quintin yellowtail, one of 12 forkies caught during an outing with Garcia's Pangas by Mike Steele of San Diego. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE STEELE.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 3

LOTSA QUINTIN CROAKERS--Jeff Riolo, left, Don Schuldies, right, and San Quintin's charter Capt. Jaime Garcia with a great catch of white seabass caught south of the bay at Socorro. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF RIOLO.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 4

QUINTIN WIDE-OPEN--Anglers, Daniel Amescua, left, and Tony Llamas fished last week out of San Quintin's Don Eddie's Landing for a great catch of 7 white seabass, lots of barracuda, bottom fish, and 2 yellowtail with Capt. Pancho Berreyesa on the charter boat Panchita. PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAI GARCIA.

Baja Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BAJA BLACKIE BIGGIE--Capt. Martin Aguilar of La Bocana on Baja's semi-remote Pacific coast with a 195-pound black sea bass landed at the Gringa Bank off Punta Abreojos. Nine more black sea bass were broken off by Aguilar's boat. PHOTO COURTESY OF JUANCHYS AGUILAR.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CABO DORADO--Capt. Ramon Druck, right, and angler Jose Cantu Jr. of Coahuila with a Cabo San Lucas dorado caught last week on the charter super panga Cheer's. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ON LEONERO BEACH--Alma Quinlan and her husband Jim fished out of East Cape's Rancho Leonero, and Alma hooked this beautiful 45-pound dorado on the charter super panga Leonero 7 with Capt. Jorge. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM QUINLAN.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 2

EAST CAPE STRIPERS--Striped marlin action is good now at East Cape, and here's one that came aboard the charter cruiser Maria II for angler Gary Furness about a mile off Cabo Pulmo last week. PHOTO COURTESY OF JASMINE CARON.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

HARD WON DORADO--Offshore fishing around La Paz was real slow last week, but Randy Lyons of Elk Grove, Calif., hung in there and nailed this beautiful dorado just east of Isla Espiritu Santo with Tailhunter International's Capt. Raul "Papa" Martinez. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2

COULDN'T BE RELEASED--Carrie Barnes of Lebec, Calif., fished on La Paz' Las Arenas side and hooked her first-ever striped marlin on a Tortuga Sportfishing fleet panga. The marlin was hooked deep and could not be released. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

Louvar Photo 1 Louvar Photo 2

SEA OF CORTEZ LOUVAR--In a possible extension of its known range in the scientific literature, this louvar, Luvarus imperialis, was reported caught near Santa Rosalia last week by Ed Hogan of San Bruno. The fish was filleted before Hogan could photograph it, but the video image at right shows how big it was. Hogan said the white meat made great tacos. PHOTO COURTESY OF ED HOGAN.

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Fishing Photo 1

EARLY L.A. BAY DORADO--Don Schuldies, shown, and Jeff Riolo fished with Capt. Guillermo Galvan of Bahia de los Angeles last week, and they found some of the first dorado for boats in the area while fishing in the gap between Islas Partida and Angel de la Guarda. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF RIOLO.

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Fishing Photo 2

MIDRIFF SHEEPHEAD--Jim Neumann with a nice sheephead caught out of Bahia de los Angeles at Isla Smith while fishing out of Sammy's Sportfishing on an annual trip with Frank Navarro and his group. PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK NAVARRO.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ROCKY POINT BASSIN'--Ric Felder fished on his boat End of the Line for a great catch of spotted cabrilla, or pinto bass, left, cabrilla or leopard grouper, and a 12-pound barred pargo, not shown, on reefs out to about 15 miles from Rocky Point, Sonora. At right, a whale shark that hung around Felder's boat for about half-an-hour. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RIC FELDER.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

FIRST MARLIN RELEASE--Alex Liogon, right, and Capt. Fernando Almada, get ready to release Liogon's first ever-marlin, while fishing aboard the Catch-22 Sportfishing charter boat Catch-22 Suerte at San Carlos on Wednesday. At right, a small flying fish that landed on the Catch-22 Suerte. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FERNANDO ALMADA.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1

VALLARTA COWS ARRIVING--Marla's Sportfishing called last week "tough" at Puerto Vallarta, but still managed to land 3 yellowfin tuna over 200 pounds, including this 250 pounder caught by the boat Marla III with, from left, Capt. Alonso Osuna, angler Frank Adorno, standing, and Capt. Danny Gomez. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY OSUNA.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ZIHUAT SAIL BIRTHDAY--Kenneth Kunze, right, of Riverside, Calif., released this sailfish about 13 miles off Zihuatanejo while celebrating his 12th birthday on Aug. 7, 2006, with his dad Ed Kunze on the charter panga Gitana with Capt. Santiago. Assisting Kenneth for the release is Gitana deckhand Francisco Castillo. PHOTO COURTESY OF ED KUNZE.

Cozumel Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ATLANTIC SIDE DORADO--Robert Rodriguez, center, fished with Albatros Charters at Cozumel in late July for a great catch of wahoo, blackfin tuna, amberjack, Atlantic yellowtail, and this nice dorado. Behind Rodriguez is Capt. Pedro of the Cozumel charter boat Albatros II. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT RODRIGUEZ.

Cabo Pulmo Mexico Fishing Photo 1

COMMERCIAL FINGERS--A La Paz area commercial panguero gives a friendly wave to a private boat photographing him during a quick trip to hit the fish near East Cape's Cabo Pulmo, the white stretch of beach just above his right shoulder in this photo. The photo was taken at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006, as the man caught a yellow snapper in less than 100 feet of water. The area around Cabo Pulmo is a protected coral reef marine park and all commercial and sport fishing there is illegal.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES