Cabo stripers heavy on Pacific side;

Big black sea bass at Rocky Point

Mexico Fishing News, April 9, 2007

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CABO SAN LUCAS

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jorge Navarro of Pisces Fleet called it an "outstanding week" on marlin at Cabo San Lucas with over 92 percent of Pacific side charters releasing stripers, including 4-release days for the boats Valerie, Falcon, and Gallo, 5-release days for the Falcon and Andrea, a 6-release day for the C-Rod, and an 8-release day for the Swinger.

"In 65 trips, only 5 did not catch marlin and only 2 boats came back with no fish due to seasickness," Navarro said. "Most boats released between 1 and 3 striped marlin." The new Pisces Fleet charter boat Bill Collector also had a 5-release day on 6 marlin landed. Other species were slow, with only 9 percent of charters catching dorado, and 9 percent with tuna. Inshore panga fishing was good for sierra plus a few yellowtail. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was clear, with some wind and swells to about 5 feet at the end of the week.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Mike Connolly of the Cabo San Lucas charter boat Falcon reported 22 striped marlin landed and 16 released in 6 outings last week. "It was remarkable marlin fishing with Capt. Manuel Romero," Connolly said. "He made the correct choices." The Falcon caught most of its fish around the Golden Gate Bank and the Jaime Bank on the Pacific side. "While fishing on Saturday at the Jamie Bank, running on feeders produced a pair of doubles on bait to go along with 3 jig fish," Connolly said. Fishing conditions on the Pacific side turned windy at the end of the week, with water temperatures in the low-70s.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 43 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 64 striped marlin, 7 dorado, and 2 sierra. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with water temperatures holding at 69 degrees at the Jaime Bank on the Pacific side, down to 66 degrees tight around the arch, and up to 73 degrees from the Gordo Banks northward on the Cortez side. Most boats fished the Pacific side. "It was another fish shifting week at Cabo San Lucas," Edwards said. "Sea temperatures and currents continue their spring transitional phase. This week, it was back to the Jaime Bank, although I think it had more to do with the closer run and more fishing time." Mackerel and caballito live bait was in good supply.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of Baja Anglers reported good inshore fishing around Cabo San Lucas for sierra, jack crevalle, and smaller roosterfish under 15 pounds. "Traditionally, May and June are our best months to catch roosterfish over 30 pounds," Hartman said. "Expect to see more roosterfish as we move into the season." Offshore striped marlin action was "surprisingly good" at the Golden Gate and Jamie Banks on the Pacific side, and on the Cortez side off Destiladeras.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 11 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 9 striped marlin, 1 dorado of 30 pounds, and 4 mako shark of 30 to 35 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the previous week, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said, "Striped marlin were still holding on the San Jaime Bank on the Pacific side and around Punta Gorda and the Gordo Banks on the Cortez side. Boats were averaging 2 to 3 marlin per trip. It was surprising considering how much bait was in the area, but the fish were fairly aggressive. This makes 3 weeks in a row with very little change in the fishing."

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 reported good, steady yellowtail action for his charter pangas fishing at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda last week. "The fishing was great," Villarino said. "We had some fabulous days. Not bad." Garry Griffin and a group from Minnesota fished on the panga Vonny I with Capt. Beto on Sunday for 8 yellowtail plus limits of red rockcod. All the yellowtail were caught on Beto's "magic" aluminum surface jigs locally made in Ensenada. Paul Antounian and his son Aren fished with Capt. Hector on the Vonny III for 4 yellowtail to 29 pounds. Four more yellowtail plus bottom fish limits were caught by Ricardo Rosales and his family group from Los Angeles. Ensenada fishing area weather was mostly calm with scattered clouds, in the low-60s, with 3-foot swells and the water temperature averaging 59 degrees at Punta Banda.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog at Ensenada's Marina Coral reported on a run to Isla Todos Santos Norte on Friday, finding yellowtail breezers and barracuda in 57-degree off-colored water for a catch on iron of: 1 yellowtail of 9 pounds, 7 bonita to 8 pounds, 1 small barracuda, and 1 lingcod. "It was reported that the Ensenada party boat Shir-lee caught a dozen or more yellowtail," Ross said. "They were dead in the water using live bait and chumming. By 8 a.m. there were two-dozen Mexican boats fishing that area composed of pangas and 6-pack charter boats." At 9 a.m., the Bad Dog moved to the Banda Bank for limits of vermilion rockfish, perch, bocaccio, and starry rockfish, in green 59-degree water, with strong currents, 2 to 3-foot seas, and wind to 7 knots. Anglers fishing with Ross on the Bad Dog included Gail Ross and Juan Lu.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Jeff Daniels of Ensenada's Campo La Jolla reported very heavy crowds over the Easter weekend. "The campground here is sold out, full," Daniels said. "No room for launching or parking a boat trailer. The chain at the ramp has stayed up all week." Spear fishing divers at Campo La Jolla got a full crate of fish including 2 large sheephead at Tres Hermanos. "They did not spot any yellowtail this trip, but said the water was loaded with all varieties of fish," Daniels said. Daniels also reported on a local outing at the end of March, fishing in locations around Ensenada's Bahia de Todos Santos with Roy Chesley on his panga Pamela III for 2 yellowtail measured at 52 inches long and weighing 40 and 43 pounds, plus 2 small rock fish, 1 small lingcod, and an oddball starfish. "We launched out of Campo La Jolla," Daniels said, trolling a sweet spot in Todos Santos Bay with customized Rapalas. The 2 yellowtail were caught early and about an hour later on a return pass to the same spot. It was definitely my lucky day. I was the only one that caught fish on the boat. The other poles in the water had the same jig, except mine had a little top secret customizing. The water was loaded with bait fish and nothing really was biting except those whoppers." Ensenada water temperatures were at 56 degrees. Also fishing aboard the Pamela II was angler Russell Dickenson.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ERENDIRA

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp reported on 26 boats fishing during the week, in clear 53 to 54-degree water 6 miles out, for large catches of big red rockcod, lingcod, many Humboldt giant squid, and a beginning of bonita. Erendira weather was very good, with no wind. For the previous week, Castro reported on 28 boats fishing out of Erendira for continued good counts of large red rockcod, plus lingcod, large mixed bottom fish, and a return of large Humboldt giant squid. "The fishing remains constant," Castro said. "The water is very clean where we are fishing. The weather was been excellent with no wind." Erendira fishing area water temperatures were at 53 to 56 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN QUINTIN

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported off-and-off winds at San Quintin during Semana Santa. "We had 2 boats out fishing on Friday and Saturday, and 1 boat going out on Sunday," Hillis said. "No yellowtail were reported, but they loaded up on large rockcod and lingcod. We're hoping for better weather this week."

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAGDALENA BAY

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said strong tidal currents again slowed fishing in the Magdalena Bay mangrove esteros last week. "The mangroves yielded so-so action for corvina, spotted bay bass, and a few grouper," Graham said. "There was another big tide and fast current." Fishing the San Carlos entrada was slower for yellowtail, but with consistent action on small halibut on the sandy flats around Punta Belcher at the southeast corner of Isla Magdalena. No offshore reports were received. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was cloudy, with winds at 10 knots, and the water temperature at 65 to 72 degrees.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 53 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 18 African Pompano, 5 halibut, 2 striped marlin, 11 dorado, 7 yellowfin tuna, 112 sierra, 192 pargo, 2 mako shark, 3 hammerhead shark, 46 cabrilla, 9 amberjack, and 18 bonito. "There were a few surprise catches of halibut this week," Brictson said. "The panga fleet caught a handful of them in the 8 to 12-pound range, and surf fishermen had a couple of good days for them. There were several flatties over 20 pounds landed, and a 30-pound fish by a local panguero on a mackerel strip. The hot spot was just north of the new marina." San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was in the mid-80s, with calm seas, big Semana Santa local crowds, and Los Cabos water temperatures averaging 70 degrees. A hot yellowfin tuna bite was found by cruisers 15 to 25 miles off Punta Palmilla and Destiladeras. "Over the weekend San Jose del Cabo cruiser fleets accounted for as many as 30 to 40 yellowfin tuna each of 10 to 15 pounds," Brictson said.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo reported on an outing Friday by his boat Dos Gueros, fishing with his son and 2 other anglers up the coast towards La Fortuna for lots of sierra bitten off on straight line and a final fish count of 4 sierra and 3 small cabrilla. "Dorado and marlin are very rare right now," Lewis said, "and no tuna were caught that I have heard of. Pargo, sierra and miscellaneous bottom fish are the call right now. We still had lots of fun and have some table fare too." Los Cabos fishing water temperatures were at 71 to 74.5 degrees.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Species fishing specialist John Snow of San Jose del Cabo reported on 2 slow surf fishing sessions and 4 outings with Capt. Pata on the panga Salome, for a total of 169 specimens of 36 fish and sea life species caught or collected, including a new species, the sabertooth blenny, plus a multicolor miniature lobster and an animal that looked like a broken-off piece of sea lettuce, but was capable of swimming. "It was a diverse week, with one exceptional day, one good day and two very slow days of panga fishing," Snow said. "We focused on the bottom as no pelagic fish were in residence." San Jose del Cabo coastal fishing weather was warm and calm, with the water temperature averaging 72 degrees.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR EAST CAPE

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 21 boats, with 67 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 5 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, and 35 dorado. "Not a hot one," Valdez said, "but we are looking forward to no more wind! We should start seeing a lot better fishing. We caught the first sailfish of the year, and one of them was very good sized."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 102 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 296 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 55 striped marlin, 12 sailfish, 148 dorado, and 37 yellowfin tuna. East Cape fishing area weather was at 80 degrees, with some afternoon winds and the water temperature at 65 to 74 degrees. Moyers also announced the new East Cape Smoke House website, online fishing report, and fishing report archives at bajapapas.com.

For the previous week, Moyers reported on 65 boats, with 186 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 27 striped marlin, 50 dorado, 82 yellowfin tuna, and 5 roosterfish. East Cape weather was in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 64 to 77 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja fly fishing service called it "one of the nicest Easter weeks I can remember" at East Cape, with sunny skies mixed with clouds, flat seas, calm conditions, air temperatures in the high-80s, and water temperatures of 67 to 76 degrees. Beach fishing produced smaller roosterfish, but deBrown said, "As far as the bigger roosters we were starting to see before last week's wind, they were nowhere to be found." Jack crevalle were cruising the beaches, deBrown said, but were seen daisy chaining in their spawning mode and were not biting. "If you get a fly in and around the school without spooking them a few fish will chase the fly and show interest," deBrown said. Offshore, striped marlin and dorado plus some sailfish were showing from Punta Pescadero to Cabo Pulmo. "This week my client Ron Guerra caught and landed his first marlin on a fly," deBrown said. "Tim Suddith and his son also caught a sailfish, and Doug Atmore and his son both caught some very nice dorado."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Dennis Spike of Coastal Kayak Fishing said his kayakers launching off the beach at Rancho Leonero found cold, green water behind recent winds, but still averaged about 25 fish on their better outings, with the keepers including small snapper, medium cabrilla, pompano, and triggerfish over 3 pounds. "A lot of delicious catches," Spike said. "We're seeing the big pargos and cabrilla on dives and they should start feeding as the water warms and the moon fades each day." Spike was guiding daily at Rancho Leonero through November. "I'm down here full time," he said. "Guests in groups of 3 or more can guide with a mothership anytime on a special kayak package offered by the hotel. I have group trips, and in between, I guide hotel guests. Many come to fish the kayaks and I also assist with their rentals." About 4 to 8 kayak anglers were fishing daily out of Rancho Leonero, Spike said, using spoons, iron, plastic, and frozen squid on a wide variety of species. "I've done great on the 1 to 3-pound snappers using a 2-hook section of a heavy Lucky Joe," Spike said.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported East Cape weather flat and calm for most of Semana Santa with some wind returning on Good Friday. "It has been a while since East Cape had an Easter week with no wind," Graham said. Offshore fishing produced some good striped marlin counts and a few early season sailfish plus some dorado to the north, and yellowfin tuna a long ride south. Good beach fishing conditions produced small roosterfish and ladyfish.

Big schools of jacks continued to be picky biters as they massed in their pre-spawn mode. "Every so often the jacks cruise close to shore and on occasion they will light up and chase a well placed fly," Graham said. "But they are still locked into their milling and daisy chaining behavior, making them tough to catch." East Cape fishing area weather was windy on Saturday, at 90 degrees, with the water temperature at 65 to 74 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Don Anderson of Newport Beach, Calif., reported on 2 outings from Hotel Palmas de Cortez at the end of March, fishing on the charter boats Mahitini and Corona in windy conditions and 74-degree water for a catch including released fish of: 3 striped marlin, and 2 dorado. "The wind made fishing slower for most boats," Anderson said. "Live bait was the trick. There were lots of little tuna straight out 20 miles." About 8 boats were fishing per day out of the hotel.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Steve Gruenwald of Orland, Calif., reported on an outing with East Cape panguero Capt. Victor Garciglia out of La Ribera at the end of March, running out about 25 miles for wide-open, unlimited school-sized yellowfin tuna and a nice dorado with his brother Steve Gruenwald and their father Nash Gruenwald. "We met Victor on the beach at first light to help push his panga into the flat sea in front of La Ribera," Gruenwald said. "After a couple of hours, we got word that there were porpoise and yellowfin further out. There were bendo rods everywhere. Every pass through the mile-wide ball of porpoise produced at least a couple of tuna. Several times we had a quad hookup. I watched my gray bearded dad haul in tuna the likes of which he had never caught in his lifetime." East Cape fishing area weather was mostly windy, with afternoon whitecaps on swells of 4 to 5 feet. "Victor lives in La Ribera, fishes sometimes with Buena Vista, and speaks good English," Gruenwald said. Information: Capt. Victor Garciglia, La Ribera, 011-52-624-130-0080.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport East Cape diving service said calm conditions prevailed during the week but underwater visibility stayed low at 25 to 30 feet, and the at-depth water temperature at Punta Pescadero was still cool at 68 to 70 degrees. "Diving at Pescadero at the beginning of the week was still great despite the poor visibility," Cazaly said. "Lots of yellowtail surgeonfish and burrito grunts were hanging around in schools at around 35 feet." Sea life sightings at Punta Pescadero and the Cabo Pulmo coral reef also included stone scorpionfish, nudibranchs, bigeye jacks, stingrays, and a small sea turtle. "El Bajo and El Cantil were teaming with fish as usual," Cazaly said.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LA PAZ

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported good roosterfish action on quality, 40 to 60-pound gallos during the week at Isla Espiritu Santo, plus larger pargos lost in the rocks, yellowtail, and another early season sailfish. "But the focus this week was on the exotic roosters," Roldan said. "As one of our clients put it, 'If we actually knew how to fish we'd have each caught 10 of them!' Pargo have also taken up residence in La Paz fishing waters, although it's easier to hook them than put them in the boat." La Paz water temperatures were warming in the 70s.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing on the Las Arenas side said few anglers were fishing at La Paz last week. Pangas working in calm water at Ensenada de los Muertos, Punta Arena de la Ventana, and Isla Cerralvo found good action on mixed pargos. Fewer bait fish and slower action was found at the north end of the island as most pangas moved to the south end. La Paz weather was cloudy in the mid-80s at the end of the week. Many tourists were visiting Las Arenas side beaches for the Semana Santa holiday.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LORETO

LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto reported on 3 outings aboard Ken Baker's boat and Fabrizio Maragoni's boat, with Capt. Paulino Martinez driving, for a catch on the north and east sides of Isla Carmen and around Punta Pulpito of: 10 yellowtail, 3 good leopard grouper, and 2 spotted cabrilla. At Isla Carmen, Bear said, "Anywhere from 20 to 30 pangas were in evidence. We fished using flylined live chihuil easily caught at Las Lagrimas." Two other outings by Capts. Alvaro Murillo and Andres Cota produced 13 yellowtail, 3 sheephead, and mixed bottom fish at Punta Lobos and San Bruno. Loreto fishing area weather was "beautifully calm" all week, with water temperatures at 68.5 degrees.

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported slower yellowtail action south of town last week, as 2 outings around Isla Catalana produced a catch of: 4 yellowtail, and about 8 small triggerfish on iron. "The red-hot yellowtail bite around Isla Catalana cooled a bit this week," Erhardt said. "The fish that came into my boat were a little smaller than those since mid-March." On Tuesday, Erhardt trolled for reported marlin and sailfish in 77-degree water north of the island, but had no hits. "But yesterday we saw 2 striped marlin that were brought into the marina at Loreto," Erhardt said. "There are nice seaweed paddies continuing to form throughout the Loreto area, which portends good things for later in the season."

LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported an excellent weather week with some days completely calm. Six pangas per day fished out of the hotel for a total catch of 48 yellowtail of 24 to 27 pounds, 10 cabrilla of 5 to 7 pounds, and an unusual, large thresher shark of 143 pounds that was tail-wrapped and required an hour-and-a-half to land on 50-pound line. Hotel pangas fished at Loreto locations including the north side of Isla Carmen. Yellowtail were present but found not biting at Punta Pulpito. Hotel Oasis captains fishing during the week included: Isidro Mendoza, Martín Perpuli, Tony Davis Castro, Martín Davis Castro, Abel Davis Jr., and "Chacho." Anglers fishing included: Tom, Lynn and Gregor McIver, Ken Parker, Steve Nothern, Jordan Hays, Darel Jiménez, Thomas Jiménez, Warren Van Liew, Ed Beltrán, Art Florez, David Reed, Mary Madge, Ron, Wes, and Eric Csolfer, and Josh Spor.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said seasonal warming water temperatures in the Loreto fishing area were due to bring a surface yellowtail bite followed by summer dorado. "The yellowtail surface bite is just about to take off," Bolles said. "The yellowtail at the surface will spawn and go off their feed. There are several distinct population groups and they don't all go off their feed at once, so you can have a chance to catch them. We are nearing the final wind blows of the season. I expect sea surface temperatures to rise fairly quickly. Floating Sargasso paddies are important to our summer dorado fishery. Submerged boulders along shore are covered with sargasso growth. The next winds will tear this plant off, and it will grow even larger while out at sea." Along shore, roosterfish were still scarce, but pargo, cabrilla, barracuda, sierra, and mixed jacks were present.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SANTA ROSALIA

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said, "Don't get me wrong, we are catching fish here, but it's just on the slower side of things is all." Two outings during the week to fishing locations at Isla San Marcos and Isla Tortuga produced a 35-pound sawtail grouper for "Piojo Loco" Danny Chiquete, and 2 yellowtail on 5 hookups on Friday. At the north end of Isla San Marcos, Kanzler found birds working and yellowtail surface feeding on sardina fry. "No bites!" Kanzler said. "They were swimming right by flylined mackerel. I had time to change 3 colors on surface iron and grind through it, not getting so much as a follow." Kanzler also had a whale watching trip off the north end of the island during the week for a group from Costa Rica, finding good action on dolphin, sperm whales, and a pair of killer whales with 6-foot high dorsal fins. "I've never done one of these trips before," Kanzler said. "I always tell my fishing charters not to look at whales because it costs extra. The orcas broke water 100 meters from the boat, just a mile off the light. I've only seen Orca on 4 other occasions." Santa Rosalia fishing area weather was in the low-80s, with flat seas, some wind at the end of the week, variable water temperatures at 65 to 73 degrees, and visibility at only 5 to 15 feet. "Visibility is poor just about everywhere," Kanzler said. "Tortuga Island was a few feet better."

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Ed Duitsman of Hinkley, Calif., reported on several mid-March outings from the downtown Santa Rosalia launch ramp by his boat Daycare, fishing around Isla San Marcos for a best day's catch of: 2 grouper, 4 barracuda, and 11 yellowtail of 18 to 30 pounds. Other species caught during the trip included leopard grouper, croaker, sierra, stingrays, barracuda, and many Humboldt squid. Duitsman's group stayed on the boat and at the El Morro Hotel in Santa Rosalia. "My brother Van Duitsman brought his 6 kids and I had 2 of my boys, Brian and Cory," Duitsman said. "We used 50-pound line and still got broken off in the rocks if we didn't play it just right. Most of our yellowtail were caught in 30 to 60 feet of water right up close to shore. We would find them with the fish finder and drop live mackerel on them." Duitsman said he was looking for partners for a 6-day Santa Rosalia return trip in April, 760-912-4802.

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: Roger Crenshaw of Chula Vista, Calif., reported on a trip to the San Francisquito resort south of Bahia de los Angeles. "The water is cold, about 58 degrees," Crenshaw said. "However, yellowtail of 15 to 20 pounds are plentiful. Squid to 10 pounds and loads of cabrilla are easily caught." Baja Midriff area weather was at 80 degrees, with no bugs or north winds. "The cabanas seem to be functioning," Crenshaw said, "but there is no refrigeration and no cold beer. You can buy a lunch or dinner of pescado and arroz. There are 2 boats for rent with guide."

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 a 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trip by the Tony Reyes Fishing Tours panga mothership Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe on April 6, 2007, with a limited load of 15 anglers and a catch of: 65 yellowtail to 22 pounds, 50 white seabass, 85 cabrilla to 15 pounds, 25 Humboldt giant squid, 8 red snapper, 6 sheepshead, limits of spotted bass, and 25 miscellaneous and released fish. "The group was sponsored by Okuma Reels, Maui Jim's Sunglasses, and Tsunami Lures with some awesome gear brought on board for anglers to try out," Ward said. "They had great weather but with the full moon, bait was difficult to get. MirrOlures were working well on the troll for the leopard groupers." Baja Midriff fishing water temperatures averaged 60 degrees.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ROCKY POINT

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Ollie Peltier of Rocky Point reported on a run by his boat Dos Borrachos, fishing about 260 feet deep 44 miles out on a heading of 192 degrees for a catch including 5 snappers to 12 pounds, about 30 goldspotted bass to about 6 pounds, and Peltier's first-ever black sea bass, 6 feet 2 inches long with a 55-inch girth, and weighed at the Playa de Oro RV Park at 278 pounds. "I took a calico bass and rigged it on my heavier rod with a trailer hook," Peltier said. "I immediately got hit. After about 30 minutes my line broke. Larry noticed a large amount of bubbles coming to the surface and spotted a huge black sea bass floating near the front of the boat. Once we had it roped, it took all 4 of us to get it in the boat." Rocky Point seas were flat at 65 degrees. Also fishing on the Dos Borrachos were Joseph "Jabie" Heilman, "Buck" Buckley, and Larry "Bubba" Rice.

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Jesse White of Desert Hills, Ariz., reported on 2 runs out of Rocky Point on his boat Just Hammered, fishing in winds locally and out at the 51-mile reef for slow action on 1 halibut of about 6 to 8 pounds caught while making bait and about a dozen goldspotted bass at the reef. Near shore water temperatures were at about 65 degrees. "We drifted a couple of reefs real hard with not much luck," White said. "The drift was fast and the larger live baits never got hit by anything big. We saw a few finback whales and ran into a huge school of porpoise." Also fishing aboard the Just Hammered were boat partner Jeff Boyd and a guest from Rocky Point.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN CARLOS

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters said a couple of San Carlos boats ran south about 50 miles at 180 degrees and reported dorado seen but not caught. Other boats ran across to the Baja side of the Sea of Cortez for good yellowtail action on live mullet. Five boats were fishing on Saturday in 70-degree water. "The water is changing fast right now and rising," Hilderbrand said. San Carlos fishing area weather was good, with some light northwest wind in the afternoons, shifting to the southwest on Saturday. Fishing the previous week was very slow, with just a few goldspotted bass and small yellowtail and grouper caught before winds shut down the action.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAZATLAN

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 29 offshore Aries Fleet boats fishing out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, for a catch including released fish of: 25 striped marlin, and 1 dorado. Nine inshore super panga fishing days produced a catch of: 39 corvina, 2 jack crevalle, 35 pargo, 58 triggerfish, and limits of mojarra. "The water temperatures have been slowly rising for the past couple of weeks and have caused the swordfish to virtually disappear," Edwards said. "No swordfish were seen or baited this week." Mazatlan fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with 10 to 15-knot winds, and water temperatures at 71 degrees inshore and about 75 degrees offshore.

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 Ixtapa fishing area action was slow under the full moon last week, as early April water temperatures held at 80 degrees. "Sea temperatures are unusual for this time of the year," Kunze said. "Normally, early April brings a current of cold green water, pushing the blue water out beyond 40 miles." Inshore action was spotty, with few boats fishing. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was party cloudy in the mid-80s, with water temperatures at 80 to 84 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said, "The full moon coupled with a slight decrease in water temp and blue water beyond 25 miles made for some challenging fishing conditions last week." Offshore boats reported about 2 sailfish per outing, plus some marlin, bonito, and 1 blue marlin of about 200 pounds. Capt. Adolofo of the charter boat Dos Hermanos I reported good jack crevalle fishing inshore, but no roosterfish. "With the passing of the full moon period and more moderate water temperatures, fishing should begin to pick up," Edwards said. "The arrival of the big yellowfin tuna is overdue." Ixtapa fishing area weather was at 90 degrees, with water temperatures at 82 degrees inshore and 83 degrees offshore.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CANCUN

CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 10 charter outings by the El Cid Caribe sportfishing fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 1 sailfish, 6 king mackerel, 7 barracuda, 5 dog snapper, and a few triggerfish. "It was a slow charter week," Edwards said. "While lots of people are at Cancun now for the Easter week, most were looking for the beaches and the golf course." Cancun fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the mid-80s, with moderate easterly winds, light surface chop, and water temperatures warming to 83 degrees.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

PACIFIC SIDE MARLIN--Striped marlin action was good up the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas last week. The Cabo charter boat Falcon scored 22 stripers, releasing 16, in 6 outings with Capt. Manuel Romero. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE CONNOLLY.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 2

DON'T MAKE IT MAD--Fly fishing guide Grant Hartman of Baja Anglers at Cabo San Lucas gets close up and personal with a toothy sea lion during a feeding session on the docks on Friday. "I met this sea lion on the docks," Hartman said. "I started feeding him sierra mackerel by hand, then went to sardinas. He was so gentle, I thought I would feed him by the mouth. I will never look at sea lions the same again." PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT HARTMAN.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ONE YELLOWTAIL MISSING--Actually, Paul Antounian and his son Aren of Van Nuys, Calif., caught 4 nice yellowtail last week while fishing at Ensenada on a Vonny's Fleet panga with Capt. Hector, but 1 fish had to be left out of this photo, due to a possible lack of young arm strength. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 2

GRANDE ENSENADA FORKIES--Jeff Daniels with a pair of Ensenada yellowtail measured at 52 inches long and weighed at 40 and 43 pounds, caught on customized Rapalas while trolling in Bahia de Todos Santos with Roy Chesley on his panga Pamela III. They launched out of Ensenada's Campo La Jolla. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF DANIELS.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CABOS SEMANA SANTA--Willie Osterman and his son, of Moraga, Calif., visited Baja's Los Cabos area during Semana Santa and went panga fishing with Gordo Banks Pangas out of San Jose del Cabo for some great inshore action on cabrilla and yellow snapper. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Fishing Photo 2

TIP OF BAJA FLATTIE--The beach area just north of San Jose del Cabo's new Marina Los Cabos produced an unusual flurry of halibut to about 30 pounds last week. Here's a good one landed along the beach by Gordo Banks Pangas on a live sardina, shown by local fish fillet pro "Ramon." PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Fishing Photo 3

SMALL BUT TOOTHY--A sabertooth blenny, Plagiotremus azaleus, all of 2 inches long, collected in a bait net by San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow, and identified by Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Institute, Panama, with reconfirmation by H.J. Walker, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif. At right, an enlargement of the head, showing the fish's tiny "saber tooth." PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN SNOW.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

EAST CAPE FLY GUIDE--Jeff deBrown, left, of East Cape's The Reel Baja fly fishing service, helps client Ron Guerra celebrate his first-ever marlin on the fly last week. Striped marlin, dorado, and some sailfish were present about 15 miles out from Punta Pescadero in the north to Cabo Pulmo in the south. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF DEBROWN.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 2

LA RIBERA MAHI--Nash Gruenwald, center, and his son Steve Gruenwald, fished out of La Ribera with East Cape's Capt. Victor Garciglia for wide-open schoolie yellowfin tuna plus this beautiful dorado about 25 miles out. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE GRUENWALD.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 3

SPIKE AT LEONERO--Dennis Spike of Coastal Kayak Fishing said he'll be at East Cape's Rancho Leonero through November this year, guiding kayak groups and individuals out of the hotel. Here, a couple of recent catches off the beach and by panga support boat included a nice dorado and barred pargo. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DENNIS SPIKE.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

GALLO NUMERO UNO--Al Yu of Simi Valley, Calif., fished with Tailhunter International at Isla Espiritu Santo north of La Paz last week and scored his first-ever roosterfish. Yu and fishing partner Fred Li of Tarzana, Calif., battled several of these big boys on live bait. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2

BAJA TOUGHIE--Dean Mitchell of San Diego fished on the Las Arenas side south of La Paz on a Tortuga Sportfishing panga for a good catch of mixed species including this hard-hitting barred pargo. Mitchell fished with Tortuga's Capt. Nufo Lucero. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 2

LORETO PRE-SPAWN YELLOWTAIL--Capt. Francisco Munoz of Loreto's Baja Big Fish Company with a pre-spawn female yellowtail caught at nearby Isla Coronado, April 2, 2007, on a surface sardina. Loreto yellowtail were poised to go into up-and-down spring surface action as local populations enter spawn mode during the next few weeks. At right, the egg sacks taken from the fish, ready for spawn at any time. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAM BOLLES.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 3

AT ISLA CATALANA--Will Hendricks with 2 yellowtail caught on iron west of Loreto's Isla Catalana on Friday. Will and his parents David and Sharon Hendricks, visiting Loreto from Michigan, fished 2 days around the island on Bill Erhardt's boat Soledad for a total catch of 4 yellowtail plus many triggerfish that beat the forkies to the jigs. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 4

SPRINGTIME IN LORETO--Early spring yellowtail action was erratic last week as the forkies go into their annual spawning mode. At Loreto's Hotel Oasis, anglers, from left, Jordan Hays, Steve Northern, and Ken Parker found these yellowtail in a biting mood while fishing off the north end of Isla Carmen with Capt. Antonio Davis Castro. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 5

LORETO THRESHER SHARK--An uncommonly seen thresher shark, weighed at 143 pounds, was caught last week out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis during a panga outing off the north end of Isla Carmen with Capt. Isidro Mendoza. Shown with the shark and a nice catch of yellowtail at the hotel are, from left, anglers Eric Wolder, Pary Taylor, Randy Pissot, Bud Haylid, and Gaylor and Jason Willson. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Santa Rosalia Mexico Killler Whale Photo 1

TORTUGA SAWTAIL GROUPER--Danny "Piojo Loco" Chiquete fished in slow conditions at Isla Tortuga off Santa Rosalia with Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos and landed this large 35-pound sawtail grouper. At right, a killer whale with a 6-foot dorsal fin allows Kanzler's boat to approach to within about 20 meters during a whale watching tour for a Costa Rican group off the north end of Isla San Marcos. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Fishing Photo 2

ROSALIA ROCKIN'--With a great catch of Baja yellowtail and a real big barred pargo aboard El Duitsman's boat Daycare out Santa Rosalia in March were his kids, from left, Tim, Ben, Monica and Brian Duitsman. The Daycare scored a trip best day of 11 yellowtail plus other assorted fish during several sessions at Isla San Marcos. PHOTO COURTESY OF ED DUITSMAN.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BIG ROCKY BLACKIE--Ollie Peltier, second from right, fished about 44 miles out of Rocky Point on his boat Dos Borrachos for his first black sea bass, a hefty 278 pounder, plus about 30 goldspotted bass, and 5 snappers. Also fishing on the Dos Borrachos were, from left, Larry "Bubba" Rice, Joseph "Jabie" Heilman, and "Buck" Buckley. PHOTO COURTESY OF OLLIE PELTIER.

Los Cabos Mexico Fish Photo 1

WHAT IS IT?--Difficult to see in this photo, an unidentified creature about an inch long swims over the sea surface. It was collected in the surf by San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow, who said it looked like a small piece of lettuce, but, "It swims!" PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN SNOW.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES