Bisbee's Cabo San Lucas fishing tournament winner takes home $3.9 million

Mexico Fishing News, October 30, 2006

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: The weather-shortened 2006 Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament at Cabo San Lucas reported a new total cash payment world record of $4,165,960 last week, topping its own mark of $3.3 million set in 2005.

This year, 183 boats fished just 2 days in the normally 3-day tournament due to the passage of tropical storm Paul off Cabo San Lucas and only 3 qualifying fish were weighed. The top prize money of $3,902,997.50 went to the boat Bad Company 55 for 2 blue marlin of 422 and 361 pounds, and the Retriever took second place and $110,862.50 with a 301-pound blue marlin. BISBEE'S BLACK & BLUE TOURNAMENT SETS NEW WORLD RECORD CASH PAYOUT OF OVER $4.1 MILLION.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of Baja Anglers reported a 257-pound yellowfin tuna caught by angler Michael Contreras aboard the Picante Fleet charter boat Cisco during the first day of the Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament. But, said team captain Hartman, "Bisbee's is purely a marlin tournament and no money was awarded for the tuna. We asked Wayne Bisbee if he would mind weighing the fish." The big tuna, which would have been a good fish for the Western Outdoor News Tuna Tournament at Cabo the following week, was landed on 130-pound standup tackle in 45 minutes.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 39 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 6 blue marlin, 23 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 47 yellowfin tuna, 9 dorado, and 2 roosterfish. Tropical storm Paul brought some wind and rain and the port of Cabo San Lucas was closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. "From a purely weather point of view, Paul wasn't much," Edwards said. "It caused no damage at Cabo San Lucas." STORM PAUL SHORTENS 2006 BISBEE'S BLACK & BLUE TOURNAMENT TO 2 FISHING DAYS.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 10 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch during a weather-shortened week including released fish of: 4 striped marlin, 21 yellowfin tuna of 15 to 100 pounds, 3 dorado of 15 to 30 pounds. Cabo fishing was recovering after the port closure on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Saturday, Dillon said, "Neither the El Budster, El Budster I, or El Budster II caught fish today. All the boats went to different spots. But no fish. Better luck tomorrow."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 67 charter boats, with a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin, 15 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 14 yellowfin tuna, 39 dorado, 1 skipjack, 1 wahoo, 2 roosterfish, and 22 boats with no luck.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his pangas fishing at Punta Banda had good action all week on big lingcod and limits of red rockcod and bonita. On Saturday afternoon, angler Paul Beachly of Los Angeles fished with Capt. Beto on the panga Vonny I and scored on 6 lingcod of 12 to 18 pounds on big white Scampis. Other anglers getting limits during the week on the pangas Vonny I and Vonny III included Jay Johnson, Eileen and Tom Kennedy, and Kathleen and Frank Piedmont from Bayshore, N.Y. Ensenada fishing area weather was mostly sunny in the high-60s, with light winds, ocean swells of 2 to 3 feet, and water temperatures at Punta Banda averaging 63 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet reported on a run south of Ensenada to the Santo Tomas reef Saturday by the charter boat Tamara for limits of red rockcod plus some big bonito. Punta Santo Tomas weather was flat and sunny, with the water temperature at 63 degrees. Gordo's Bait had a good grade of sardines. Local Ensenada boats reported some yellowtail to 12 pounds caught while trolling live sardines and Rapalas off the toll gates at San Miguel.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort reported calm seas and no wind over the weekend. Several pangas fished during the week for full limits of bottom fish including lingcod, whitefish, rockcod, and some calico bass. Some bonita and barracuda were also still present on the surface, plus an occasional yellowtail. No yellowtail were caught over the weekend but commercial pangas were able to net them during the week.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Doug Darrow of Victorville, Calif., reported the rough road leading to the trails and rocky shore fishing spots on the north side of Punta Santo Tomas was blocked early in October and signed, "La Rivera de Santo Tomas, Propiedad Privada, Prop. Martin Valverde Cruz." Darrow said, "The road over to the north side appears to be permanently closed. I was really disappointed not being able to fish there. I only fished from the rocks in front of Sam's place and caught a few bass.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp reported 18 boats fishing out of Erendira during the week, finding very clear water at 66 to 67 degrees and heavy counts of bottom fish of all species, plus bonito and barracuda on the surface. Some white seabass and yellowtail were caught, but the action was slower. Erendira weather was windy from the east on Wednesday, but all boat were able to keep fishing. Some bait was still present along the coast.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Doug Pierson of O'Brien, Ore., reported on a Baja fishing run, with stops at Mulege, Estero de Coyote, and La Bocana where he fished with local Capt. Juanchys Aguilar and landed a huge yellowtail weighed at the commercial cooperativa at 35 kilos, or about 77 pounds. Pierson also landed a snook of about 8 pounds while trolling a Rebel Spoonbill at Estero de Coyote. "I caught the snook exactly where it says “snook” on The Baja Catch map and this is the only place I ever see snook in the estero," Pierson said. The big yellowtail was caught in weedy, 20-foot deep water on the Pacific just north of the boca of La Bocana. SNOOK AND A HUGE YELLOWTAIL AT LA BOCANA AND ESTERO DE COYOTE.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Wayne Neff of San Diego returned from a Baja fishing trip down Mex 1 and reported traffic lane changes at the Tijuana border crossing. "When returning at the Tijuana border crossing, if you take the back way around the Cultural Center and end up in the far 2 right lanes of the crossing, those 2 lanes now merge into 1 lane near the Customs stations," Neff said. "This merge adds 1 hour to crossing the border. When you get into these far lanes there is no way to know this until you are well down near Customs. These 2 lanes used to be better than the 'Gringo Bridge to Nowhere,' but are now worthless."

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported Magdalena Bay fishing area weather clear in the low-80s, with water temperatures at 74 to 84 degrees. Enrique Soto at San Carlos said the entrada had fair action for firecracker yellowtail on the surface and some leopard grouper down below. The offshore marlin bite improved and good numbers of dorado were under buoys about 5 miles outside the entrada. The Magdalena Bay mangrove channels at Devil's Curve and north at Puerto Lopez Mateos produced some corvina, grouper, and pargo.

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 154 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 860 yellowfin tuna, 54 dorado, 2 striped marlin, 11 sailfish, 14 rainbow runner, 3 wahoo, 1 roosterfish, 8 cabrilla, 4 grouper, 16 sierra, 225 skipjack, 24 pargo, 7 pompano, 8 amberjack, and 15 triggerfish. The yellowfin tuna bite slowed down under heavy fishing pressure. "San Jose del Cabo pangueros reported yellowfin tuna coming up and biting early," Brictson said, "but once the cruisers and yachts from Cabo San Lucas arrived, the fishing action quickly vanished." San Jose del Cabo water temperatures were at 84 to 88 degrees. YELLOWFIN TUNA BITE SLOWS FOR LA PLAYITA SPORTFISHING PANGAS.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero said, "It was a tough week for fishing, as tropical storm Paul moved past the area, churning up the sea and leaving dirty water and rough seas in its wake. We had few boat departures, but look for the bite to resume as conditions return to normal."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 60 East Cap e charter fishing boats, with 196 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 7 striped marlin, 3 sailfish, 15 dorado, 76 yellowfin tuna, 83 roosterfish, 57 snapper, 5 jack crevalle, 1 amberjack, 63 bonito, 19 pompano, 15 Humboldt giant squid, 32 cabrilla, and 138 sierra. Fleet boats fished mostly south, from as close as La Ribera all the way to La Playita, a run of over 50 miles. East Cape fishing area weather was affected by tropical storm Paul, with some rain, air temperatures in the mid-90s, and water temperatures at 81 to 84 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Paul Oldaker of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and his group fished 4 days on the Hotel Playa del Sol cruisers Margarita and Dona Regina, finding windy weather and slow fishing around La Ribera and points south to San Jose del Cabo for a catch including released fish of: 5 dorado of 15 to 20 pounds, 1 roosterfish, 2 football tuna, 12 black skipjack, 1 sierra, 1 small sailfish, 1 jack crevalle, 4 triggerfish, and many needlefish. SLOW FISHING SOUTH FROM LA RIBERA TO SAN JOSE DEL CABO.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said rain and wind from tropical storm Paul brought mixed fishing conditions in off-color water along East Cape beaches. "Fly fishing angler Claus Donath of Argentina struggled with the tough conditions," Graham said. "During 2 days he managed to land his first roosterfish on the fly and had some ladyfish action as well." Offshore boats found some billfish, a few dorado, and some yellowfin tuna a long ride south of Los Frailes. East Cape fishing area weather was at 90 degrees, with water temperatures of 74 to 85 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Van Wormer Resorts reported on 322 East Cape charter fishing boats from Hotels Palmas De Cortez, Playa Del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with 870 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 169 yellowfin tuna, 5 blue marlin, 38 striped marlin, 21 sailfish, 72 dorado, 29 roosterfish, 3 wahoo, 5 sierra, 3 cabrilla, 10 pompano, 30 pargo, 78 bonita, 5 needlefish, 43 triggerfish, 40 Humboldt giant squid. The largest blue marlin caught during the week was 320 pounds, and tuna caught off San Jose del Cabo were from 20 o 60 pounds.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the previous week, Werner Hradecky of Buena Vista reported on a run to the southeast corner of Isla Cerralvo by his 28-foot boat Bad Company for a catch in 87-degree water including released fish of: 2 striped marlin on a double hookup, and 1 sailfish. "There was a lot of bait in the area and the birds were working it too," Hradecky said.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan said tropical storm Paul caused concern last week, but wasn't really a problem. "It never materialized after all, but it did bring wind and enough rain to make it mucky and uncomfortable," Roldan said. "We were not able to fish Las Arenas all week, but our boats continued to hammer the dorado north of La Paz in conditions that were unusually difficult at times." Boats fishing at the southeast corner of Isla Espiritu Santo caught dorado to 60 pounds during the week, but Roldan said, "By late week the winds were so strong it was impossible to fish and boats heading out were turned back."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said strong rains on Wednesday cut a good bite short for dorado of 15 to 25 pounds at Las Cruces and south of Isla Cerralvo. Winds later in the week confined Las Arenas side boats to fishing locally at Punta Perico for good counts of sierra plus some small snappers. La Paz fishing area weather at the end of the week was cloudy but without rain at 90 degrees.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of the Hotel Oasis said Loreto had north winds most of the week plus heavy rain on Tuesday from tropical storm Paul. Dorado were still biting well. The hotel sent out only 1 sportfishing panga during the week, for dorado limits to 28 pounds for Jordan and Ken Mellquist, who fished 22 miles north of Isla Coronado with Capt. Francisco Martinez. "They also decided to go for yellowfin tuna 40 miles out of Loreto," Zapata said, "but they were not lucky and ended up with 10 catch-and-release bonita. They had to come back due to north-northeast wind."

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company reported Loreto fishing water temperatures at 77 to 85 degrees, with some wind and rain, but dorado, sailfish, and marlin still available in offshore locations north of town, and some yellowfin tuna reported being hit by commercial fishing boats about 30 miles northeast. Few tourists or anglers were in town. Near shore dorado fishing and resident species fishing was expected to pick up as water temperatures continued to cool. "High shoreline water temperatures in September often put the fish off their bite but by now things are starting to cool off again," Bolles said. WARM WATER OFFSHORE GAME FISH STILL PRESENT AT NORTHERN FISHING LOCATIONS.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Diana Johnson of Mulege's Hotel Serenidad reported very good dorado action during the week, including a run by Gary and Peggy Thomas for 15 dorado of 25 to 30 pounds caught during about 2 hours of fishing. "The fishing weather is changing a little, but is still very nice and we hope it stays like this," Johnson said. The Hotel Serenidad offered a special discount of 15 percent during November for readers of this fishing report. "Please mention this report and you can get 15 percent off rooms at the Serenidad for November," Johnson said.

MULEGE, MEXICO: Fly-in angler Ron Grant of Crestline, Calif., reported Mulege weather mostly calm in the mid-80s with "no problem getting dorado limits" on fish of 10 to 30 pounds, plus some sailfish still around. "Private boaters used to the old channel getting out of the river should pay attention as the channel has changed since the storms," Grant said. "There is still deep water but not in the same locations. Rebuilding and cleanup after the storm is coming along nicely but it will be some time before things return to normal." The Hotel Serenidad airstrip was in good condition.

MULEGE, MEXICO: For the previous week, Bob Frambes of Mulege reported dorado limits for several anglers fishing about 2 miles out with panga Capt. Juan Luis Murillo out of Las Casitas Hotel and Restaurant. "Bonita bait was just outside the lighthouse," Frambes said. "The group launched with Juan Luis at 6:30 a.m. and were home by 12 noon. The fish were cooked that night at Las Casitas." Anglers fishing on the trip included Brandon and Daniel Scroggs, and April, Brendon and Richard Brotzman.

MULEGE, MEXICO: Wayne Neff of San Diego reported on a mid-October fish camping trip to Punta Chivato, fishing 1 day offshore, and then 6 days inshore in windy conditions. "Four miles out it was too rough for almost any boat," Neff said. "The wind blew continuously out of the north straight down the Cortez. But on Friday the 13th I got a nice 30-pound dorado, my first fish of the trip.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Anderson of San Lucas Cove called the week's weather "hardly conducive to fishing" as rain from tropical storm Paul and subsequent winds kept Santa Rosalia area fishing boats off the water. "A couple of anglers managed to catch a few yellowtail while others targeted the last of the dorado," Anderson said. "Neither group had what could be considered epic catches but they did manage a few fish. We are waiting for the yellowtail to start biting while the dorado and billfish start moving south." SOME EARLY YELLOWTAIL AND LATE DORADO CAUGHT DESPITE WIND AND RAIN.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Ed Kammer of Gold Beach, Ore., reported 6 inches of rain from Monday to Tuesday last week in the Santa Rosalia area, with some road closures and the fishing water clouded up. Lots of sierra were caught on jointed lures around Haystack to the north. At the San Lucas Cove RV Park, Kammer said the restrooms were cleaned daily, the dump station was operable, and the showers were hot, all for $8 per day. "I parked my camper 6 feet from the water and launched at my camp site," Kammer said. "After all the years, San Lucas Cove is still hard to beat!"

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos off Santa Rosalia said, "The weather this week has been horrendous." The Santa Rosalia area was pounded for a day-and-a-half by rain from tropical storm Paul followed by winds over 30 knots and the fishing water was still sloppy at the end of the week. On Saturday, Kanzler said, "It looks a little better today, but still not fishable offshore by any means."

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore at San Felipe said the weather Sunday morning was at 90 degrees by 9:30 a.m., with the humidity at 22 percent and some clouds. The annual San Felipe Shrimp Festival was due to begin on Thursday evening, and the road south to Puertecitos was reported to be resurfaced down to about the final 2 miles. RESURFACING OF THE ROAD SOUTH TO PUERTECITOS IS ALMOST COMPLETE.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said the remnants of tropical storm Paul closed the Port of Mazatlan briefly but fishing conditions quickly returned to normal. Thirty-three offshore and inshore charter boats out of Aries Fleet at Marina El Cid had a catch including released fish of: 6 blue marlin of less than 300 pounds, 8 sailfish, 27 dorado, 11 yellowfin tuna, 2 shark, 6 palometa, 34 red snapper, 6 mackerel, and 35 triggerfish. Mazatlan weather was clearing in the high-80s, with some wind and chop, and water temperatures at 85 degrees both inshore and offshore.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing reported a good week for the charter boats Marla II, Marla II, and Arca de Noe, including an 800-plus pound black marlin by the Arca de Noe with Capt. Scott Osuna, dorado, sailfish, pargos, and a good number of yellowfin tuna of 80 to 280 pounds. "Great fishing," Osuna said. "The tunas were biting really good. There are a lot of tuna crashing at Corbeteña and El Banco. The sailfish and dorados are biting from 1 to 4 miles off Punta de Mita for our short 8-hour trips."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Merle Erickson of Chicago and friends Doug Hanna and Ed Maydew fished 3 days on the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla II with Capt. Danny Osuna and first mate Alveno, finding no giant yellowfin tuna at El Banco and Roca Corbeteña, but some very good action on medium fish over 100 pounds, for a catch of: 11 tuna to about 170 pounds, 1 dorado, 1 pargo, and several rainbow runners. "The panga Jennifer caught a 320 pound tuna," Erickson said. "Capt. Danny and Alveno worked their butts off. I can’t say enough about these guys." FISHING HARD FOR TUNA AT CORBETEÑA AND EL BANCO ON THE MARLA II.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Quinonez of PV Marlin reported on 4 outings by the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Lorena, with a catch including released fish of: 3 blue marlin of 350 to 525 pounds, 2 sailfish, 1 yellowfin tuna of 130 pounds, and 10 dorado. "Another good week down here in Puerto Vallarta," Quinonez said. "That big storm missed us and all we got was a little higher than normal seas. We did hear of a couple boats with tuna out at El Banco, but most of the action has been at Corbeteña."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Marisela Hernandez of Chelita Sportfishing reported on 3 outings by the charter boat Chelita, with a catch including released fish of: 2 sailfish, 9 good-sized dorado, 2 small tuna, and 1 large black marlin broken off. "We could have won the sailfish release division of the Hook for the Cure tournament," Hernandez said, "but the participants wanted to fish a little longer and we didn't get back in time."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing said his Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar fished about 7 miles off Islas Marietas with angler Mike Gore of Phoenix for a catch including released fish of: 3 good-sized dorado and 2 sailfish. On another outing at El Banco with anglers Cleff and Dean the Dhamar scored on a dorado of about 30 pounds and 3 yellowfin tuna at 120, 153, and 193 pounds.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Mark Rein reported on 2 outings by his boat Big Kahuna with Capt. Luis Ocaranza for 1 blue marlin taped at 248 pounds off Punta Mita and a 65-pound yellowfin tuna at El Banco. "I really wanted to release it, but the fish came up dead," Rein said. "It taped out at 248 pounds and ended up as many bags of huge white meat filets."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Lois "Twiggy" Quijano of Open Water Fishing reported on an early week offshore run by the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Brisa, fishing in good conditions at Roca Corbeteña with Capt. Jesus "Coco" Quijano for a yellowfin tuna taped at over 200 pounds. "We were on our Bertram 30 with Kirk Paulson and his friends Tim and Lee," Quijano said. "Conditions were fantastic. Loads of bait all around us, boiling all day long. The three guys worked on the tuna. He was hooked in the side of his face which caused a lot more pressure. Finally after 2-1/2 hours we had him on deck." Fishing water temperatures at Roca Corbeteña were at 84 degrees.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: For the previous week, Mark Wills of Temecula and Stan Nowak fished with Capt. Jose on a Puerto Vallarta super panga chartered through Prime Time Adventures for a catch including released fish of: 6 dorado, 1 roosterfish, and 1 sailfish. Wills fished out to about 2 miles along the north shore of the bay and around Punta Mita, in warm, humid weather and flat water.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said offshore fishing at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo was spotty but inshore boats scored well on roosterfish, including the panga Gitana with Capt. Santiago that landed 4 roosterfish to 45 pounds during an outing with angler Klaus Meyer of Texas. "The main action is inshore and along the beaches," Kunze said. Inshore fly fishing anglers did well on black skipjack, smaller jack crevalle, and a few sierra. Offshore boats found 86-degree clear blue water 12 miles out and averaged about 1 to 2 sailfish per day plus a few dorado, but no tuna reported. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was cloudy and rainy in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 78 to 87 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Abel Cortez of Zihuatanejo reported continued so-so fishing with few anglers in the area. The top fish of the week was a 253-pound yellowfin tuna caught by the charter boat Don Gordo. Seven other offshore and inshore outings by the boats Dos Hermanos II, Vamonos III, and Michelle had a catch including released fish of: 3 sailfish, 6 jack crevalle, and 15 bonito. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo weather was in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 82 degrees and inshore waters muddied by rains and river runof.

HUATULCO FISHING REPORTS

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HUATULCO, MEXICO: Eric Weissman of Explore Fly Fishing reported Huatulco fishing area weather at 90 degrees, water temperatures in the high-80s, and conditions "blue and getting bluer, with tons of logs and debris at 4 to 8 miles." "After 8 days of rain, sometimes heavy, skies have been clear for 3 days," Weissman said. "There are evening thunderstorms in the mountains, so the rivers are still pumping debris and such into the ocean." Catches out of Weissman's fishing locations at San Agustinillo and Puerto Escondido included dorado, black skipjack, sailfish, needlefish, mackerel, and some yellowfin tuna. "While the first week of our new season was a little slow because of weather, we have been getting fish every day and it's looking really good now," Weissman said.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported Cancun fishing area weather in the low-90s, with high humidity, scattered showers, light breezes, and inshore and offshore water temperatures stable at 81 to 82 degrees.

MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet at Cabo San Lucas reported another attempt by the Mexican federal government to pass Shark Norma 029, which would permit increased multi-species commercial fishing under bogus shark permits. "Right now we have a big problem," Ehrenberg said early in the week. "The Norma 029 was sneaked past us in the congress and senate and is about to become law. We have a very short period of time to fight this again. The sportfishing union met with our State Secretary of Fisheries for the Mexican state of Baja California Sur this Saturday. Our state government is fully behind us and has the same goal. The Secretary of Tourism for Mexico will be here today and we will approach him and ask for help.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BAAAAD COMPANY--A world record $3,902,997.50 was won by the boat Bad Company 55 last week during the 2006 Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament at Cabo San Lucas. PHOTO COURTESY OF BISBEE'S BLACK & BLUE TOURNAMENTS.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 2

WRONG SPECIES!--It was a beautiful 257-pound yellowfin tuna caught by angler Michael Contreras and weighed by Wayne Bisbee during last week's Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament, but unfortunately the fish didn't win any cash in the all-marlin competition. Too bad it wasn't caught a week later during the Western Outdoor News Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament. Anglers fishing during the first day of the Bisbee's tournament aboard the charter boat Cisco included, from left, team leader Grant Hartman of Cabo Anglers, John Lanz, and first mate Guerro. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT HARTMAN.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LINGCOD LIMITS--Paul Beachly of Los Angeles landed his limit of lingcod to 18 pounds while fishing at Ensenada on Saturday with Capt. Beto Zamora on the Vonny's Fleet panga Vonny I. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Puerto Santo Tomas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

NORTH TRAILS CLOSED--Signs at Punta Santo Tomas just east of the fish camp and Punta Santo Tomas Resort block access to the rough trails leading to the rocky beach fishing spots on the north side of the point. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOUG DARROW.

Baja California Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LA BOCANA MEGATAIL--Doug Pierson, left, and Capt. Juanchys Aguilar of the La Bocana charter panga Karol, with a huge yellowtail weighed at 35 kilos or about 77 pounds on the local commercial cooperativa scale. "According to the old men on the beach this was the largest yellowtail ever taken in the La Bocana area," Pierson said. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOUG PIERSON.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ISLA CERRALVO RELEASE--Rodney Evraets of Denver fished out of East Cape in mid-October aboard Werner Hradecky's boat on Bad Company for a couple of striped marlin released on a double hookup plus a sailfish caught later in the day. PHOTO COURTESY OF WERNER HRADECKY.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MASSIVE BLUE CABEZA--This 60-pound class bull dorado with a nice blue color scheme and an unusually massive head was caught with Tailhunter International last week off La Paz' Isla Espiritu Santo by anglers Jerry Pelton and Mark Logan. "Jerry spent 2-1/2 hours on the fish on 20-pound test," said Tailhunter's Jonathan Roldan. "While Jerry was fighting his fish, Mark caught and released several limits of smaller dorado that insisted on following the trophy." PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2

LAS ARENAS TUNA--Dean Mitchell of San Diego fished on La Paz' Las Arenas side with Tortuga Sportfishing for a good catch of yellowfin tuna with Capt. Hugo Lucero. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LORETO OCTOBER DORADO--Few anglers were present at Loreto last week, but there were still plenty of dorado to be caught, including this 28 pounder by Jordan and Ken Mellquist, who fished for limits out of the Hotel Oasis with Capt. Francisco Martinez. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Mulege Mexico Fishing Photo 1

HOTEL SERENIDAD RAMP--Brandon Scroggs, left, and Brenden Brotzman, fished just a couple of miles off Mulege with Capt. Juan Luis Murillo for quick dorado limits and a return with their group to the Hotel Serenidad launch ramp by noon. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB FRAMBES.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MOOSEA BOAT RELEASE--Jeff Master of Fairbanks, Alaska, and his son Dorran fished out of San Lucas Cove at Santa Rosalia on Jim Anderson's Moosea boat for a good day on sailfish including this release at Isla Tortuga. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM ANDERSON.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 1 La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2 La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 3

SAN CARLOS SEASON--Sea of Cortez billfish action photographed earlier this month by Jeff Derickson aboard the boats Doc Marlin and Lucky Ducks out of San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. PHOTOS COURTESY OF NORMAN DON.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MASSIVE MARLA MARLIN--A huge 800-pound class black marlin is brought aboard the Marla's Sportfishing Puerto Vallarta charter boat Arca de Noe. Shown, from left, at Roca Corbeteña are Capt. Scott Osuna, anglers Robert Casey of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Mark Martin of Yuba City, Calif., and Arca de Noe first mate Alonso Osuna. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY OSUNA.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 2

CORONA HOUR--Taking a break last week after a hard day on the kite aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla II are anglers, from left, Merle Erickson of Chicago, Ed Maydew of Cary, N.C., and Doug Hanna of Dallas. In 2 hours on the kite at Roca Corbeteña, the Marla II hooked up on 4 tuna of 90 to 120-plus pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF MERLE ERICKSON.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 3

CHELITA OFFSHORE--Kawi Gusman Sanches, center, of the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Chelita, with some nice dorado caught together with small yellowfin tuna during a 10-hour trip last weekend. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARISELA HERNANDEZ.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 4

FAST FILLET SERVICE--Capt. Danny Gomez of the Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar with a good-sized dorado that beat the photographer to the fillet table. The Dhamar also scored on tuna to 193 pounds and sailfish during the week. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY GOMEZ.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 5

VALLARTA BREEZE--Capt. Jesus "Coco" Quijano, left, and anglers Kirk Paulson, right, and friends Lee and Tim, with a 200-pound class yellowfin tuna caught at Roca Corbeteña last week by the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Brisa. PHOTO COURTESY OF LOIS "TWIGGY" QUIJANO.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 6

VALLARTA INSHORE CATCH--Mark Wills, left, of Temecula, Calif., and Stan Nowak fished on a Puerto Vallarta super panga with Capt. Jose, center, for a catch of dorado, roosterfish, and sierra at the north side of the bay around Punta Mita. They booked their trip through Prime Time Adventures. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK WILLS.

Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SIERRA SOUTH--Angler Zev Daniels fished with Explore Fly Fishing off the coast of Huatulco on Mexico's southern Pacific coast for a catch of needlefish, small yellowfin tuna, and these nice sierra with Capt. Martin. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC WEISSMAN.