Cabo San Lucas striped marlin swing into the Sea of Cortez;

Sailfish light up at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

Mexico Fishing News, April 30, 2007

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing said 73 percent of last week's charters released striped marlin, including a big 13-release day for the Falcon and a 12-release day for the Yahoo, as the center of the action made its seasonal swing around the tip of Baja and into the Sea of Cortez.

"Cabo San Lucas boats started out on the Pacific side," Ehrenberg said, "but they quickly got the message that fishing was going to be on the Cortez side. We tried the 95 and 1150 spots and then graduated to better catches between the Gordo Banks and Destiladeras." Yellowfin tuna continued to be scarce around Cabo. "Usually at this time of year large schools of football-size tuna sweep through this area but they have been mysteriously absent," Ehrenberg said. Only 3 dorado were caught during the week, all under 20 pounds. Inshore fishing was very good for roosterfish as some pangas released up to 10 gallos in an outing. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was mostly calm, with some afternoon wind chop and the water temperature averaging 69 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ehrenberg also noted the passage of Mexico's Shark Norma 029, with some measures considered detrimental to the fishery scheduled to become effective on May 15, 2009. "Boats classified as medium sized will be allowed to fish as close as 15 miles on the Cortez side with one long line of 1,000 hooks and within 20 miles on the Pacific side with 1,200 hooks each," Ehrenberg said. "This means huge incidental catches of species intended for sportfishing. We ask that these boats, and there are 233 of them registered, not be allowed closer than 50 miles. We ask that you help us by lobbying the government of Mexico. Send your comments to charters@piscessportfishing.com and we will forward them to the appropriate government agencies. Please include your contact details."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 42 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo San Lucas charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 58 striped marlin, 1 yellowfin tuna, 1 mako shark, and 1 dorado. The Fish Cabo released 19 striped marlin in 5 outings, including a 10-release day on Tuesday.

"It was another great week of striper action that again changed from the Pacific side to the Sea of Cortez side of Cabo San Lucas," Edwards said. "It was interesting to watch the movement of the stripers this week, starting at the Golden Gate Bank and moving to Chileno, Cerro Colorado off Palmilla, and then holding at Punta Gorda. Everyday was different until the fish got planted in the Gorda Banks area and became consistent. Live bait action was superb, nearly 100 percent on the drop-backs." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with mostly favorable sea conditions and water temperatures at about 69 degrees on the Pacific side and up to about 75 degrees on the Cortez side.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said, "Most of the striped marlin action moved farther to the northeast as cool, green water pushed the bait around. The best action was within five miles of shore between Santa Maria and San Jose del Cabo. Most of the charter fleet was able to hook into at least a couple of fish per trip. The marlin were averaging 110 pounds with a few larger fish in the 150-pound class."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 59 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 75 striped marlin, 15 dorado, 4 mako shark, and good counts of yellowtail, sierra, jack crevalle, and roosterfish.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Mike Connolly of the Cabo San Lucas charter boat Falcon said striped marlin action was excellent in shifting conditions on the Cortez side. "Marlin fishing shifted to the Outer Gordo Bank area and north to Destiladeras," Connolly said. "Water temperatures ranged from 71 to 76 degrees. Every day was different. There were lots of feeding fish and plenty of tailers when the wind came up. Aboard the Falcon on Monday, we had 2 triple hookups and one quad. The hookup total was 17, with 13 brought to leader for release. On Tuesday, Capt. Manuel was 4 for 5 with dozens of tailers that refused to eat. Wednesday we went 6 for 7. Jig fish were hard to come by. For the three days, we had 29 marlin on the line and hung onto 23 of them for release. Only 2 marlin were jig fish."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 5 outings during the week fishing on both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides for a catch including released fish of: 23 roosterfish of 4 to 5 pounds, 3 yellowtail of 4 to 9 pounds, 21 sierra of 3 to 7 pounds, and 2 black skipjack. Cabo local water temperatures along the Pacific side averaged 70 degrees with very good weather as the Cheer's fished in front Hotels Solmar, Playa Grande and Finisterra. Fishing in front of the Hotel Sheraton on the Cortez side was in water of 70 to 71 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 8 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 8 striped marlin.

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 several days of wind kept his pangas off the water until Thursday when Jay Johnson of Ensenada and Debbie Oslin fished on the Vonny I with Capt. Beto for limits of red rockcod, lingcod, and a 28-pound yellowtail. "Not bad!" Villarino said. "Jay was getting cabin fever!" On Friday and Saturday, the Vonny I and Vonny III both fished with Don Fredette's group for big counts of red rockcod, whitefish, and sheephead to 12 pounds. Ensenada fishing area weather over the weekend was partly cloudy in the mid-60s, with 5 m.p.h. wind, ocean swells of 3 to 5 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 59 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog at Ensenada's Marina Coral reported on a run to north Isla Todos Santos on Saturday with Capt. Juan Lu and Gail Ross aboard for a catch of: 1 yellowtail of 7.5 pounds on a deep mackerel bait, 8 bonito on trolled Rapalas, and 4 lingcod on live mackerel at the north point of the island. Local Ensenada weather was overcast and still, with the water green at 59 to 62 degrees.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: For the previous week, Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort reported daily rough ocean conditions and some showers on Friday. On Saturday, Jesus Garcia of Chula Vista, Calif., and his group fished on 2 pangas for good action on mixed bottom fish including whitefish, lingcod, and rockcods, but no yellowtail caught. "No yellowtail were in sight at Puerto Santo Tomas as compared to last week when several schools were spotted," Saenz said.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Tere Castro of Castro's Camp south of Ensenada reported on 34 boats fishing during the week for continued heavy counts of red rockcod, lingcod, and more Humboldt giant squid. Weather off the Baja coast at Erendira had some cloudy skies but boats fished daily about 7 miles out in very clear, 58-degree water. Castro noted that Castro's Camp would raise charter and cabin prices very slightly on May 1, 2007, after four years without an increase. "The prices of gas and salaries have changed so we're trying to compensate for that," Castro said. Castro's Camp was also offering very deep fishing trips, going from 300 to 800 feet deep, for anglers seeking trophy sized cowcod and red rockcod. Information: Mireya, 011-52-646-176-2897.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported on 9 boats fishing during the week for rockcod, lingcod, and good bass action at Isla San Martin and Playa San Ramon. "More anglers showed up at San Quintin this week," Hillis said. San Quintin weather had calm winds on Sunday.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Juanchys Aguilar of La Bocana on the Baja Pacific coast said he fished inside Laguna la Bocana last week for good results on corvina, spotted bay bass, and some large barracuda at the Glory Hole. Fishing the surf east of Punta Abreojos produced many large corvina and an unknown snapper or grunt-like species. "Here at La Bocana we have had a lot of wind all the month of April," Aguilar said. "Some of May will be the same. We have had very large seas of 10 to 12 feet, and the ocean has been very rough. The water temperature is 57 degrees and it is difficult to get outside. The fishing at the Glory Hole during this period has been very good for small and medium-sized fish. A lot of fun."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Celia Diaz of the Binational Emergency Medical Care Committee (BEMCC) said that recent evacuations of Americans from the coastal areas of Baja included the victims of 3 motorcycle accidents. One rider, seriously injured near San Quintin, was brought back to the U.S. by a Coast Guard helicopter that was guided to its landing by ambulance lights. "The motorcyclist was seriously injured," Diaz said. "He lost feeling in his leg and had internal injuries. The U.S. Coast Guard went to pick him up at the military base in San Quintin The ambulance said they turned the lights on when they heard the helicopter flying over the base. He was transported directly to the helipad at Scripps Hospital La Jolla." The nonprofit BEMCC provides emergency evacuation assistance from Mexico on a $30 tax deductible annual membership basis. Information and 24/7 hotline: 619-425-5080.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said cooling water temperatures offshore of Magdalena Bay have pushed big game fish farther south along the Baja coast. Fishing action at the San Carlos entrada produced continued sierra, yellowtail, and bonito under birds. Inside the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels, Graham said, "Corvina provided the best action along with a few sierra found up above Puerto Lopez Mateos. Grouper, pargo and snook seemed to be among the missing this week." Magdalena Bay weather was clear in the low-80s, with water temperatures at 65 to 72 degrees.

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 67 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 330 combined pargo species, 38 roosterfish, 11 amberjack, 7 island jacks, 27 striped marlin, 16 dorado, 3 mako shark, 2 yellowfin tuna, 62 cabrilla, 55 pompano, 38 surgeonfish, 52 triggerfish, and 144 sierra. "Panga fleets continued to find the most consistent action closer to shore from Palmilla to Cardon for a mix of jacks and bottom fish mostly in the 3 to 8-pound range," Brictson said. "There was great fishing around the Gordo Banks for striped marlin early in the week and almost every charter that targeted them was getting into the action. Then by the end of the week the action switched further north to Destiladeras Bank where the school of bait fish had moved." San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was in the high-80s, with variable winds and clearing water at 70 to 73 degrees.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow reported on 5 surf fishing trips and 4 outings with Capt. Pata on the panga Salome, with 149 fish caught of 23 species. New species of fish and fauna caught or observed during the trip included: spotfin burrfish, pink cardinalfish, a chiton species, orca killer whale, and Panamic porkfish.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 163 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 473 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 110 striped marlin, 52 dorado, 141 yellowfin tuna, 22 pargo, 9 sierra, and 1 mako shark. East Cape fishing area weather was in the high-70s, with some afternoon heavy seas, and the water temperature at 69 to 74 degrees. "Overall East Cape fishing was again very slow," Moyers said. "The good news is that fishing picked up considerably with dorado and yellowfin tuna.

We're on an upward trend going into this coming week. Anglers reported decent striper action mostly to the south and dorado to the north off Punta Pescadero. Yellowfin tuna were straight off Los Barriles and to the south off Punta Arena and Cabo Pulmo."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported good roosterfish and jack crevalle action on East Cape beaches last week before north winds arrived to lower the counts at midweek. "Roosterfish action speeded up," Graham said. "The 8 to 20-pound pez gallo put on a real show, tearing up bait as frigate birds dipped and dived. The north wind made sight fishing tough but bright sun allowed decent fish spotting. In the right spots the jack crevalle were fairly numerous and responding to flies with aggression." Offshore, billfish counts improved as the wind calmed on Thursday and yellowfin tuna were found in pods about 30 miles out. "Hopefully, the action will continue this week if the north wind stays away," Graham said. East Cape fishing area weather was in the low-80s, with water temperatures of 65 to 74 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: East Cape fly fishing guide Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja reported tough beach fishing conditions on Thursday following several days of wind, with a few roosterfish cast to but none biting. "By Thursday, my trip with Scott Turnipseed and his group was challenging as the wind had caused the water to be slightly off color," deBrown said. "With persistence we were able to find a couple of roosterfish, but although we had some great followers we could not entice a roosterfish to eat the fly. Some nice jacks also had a case of lockjaw." Good inshore fishing action between winds included some roosterfish landed by fly angler Dave Waltz and a big rooster lost on 20-pound tippet after a fight lasting over an hour. "After this Dave took his frustrations out on a nice big school of ladyfish and after catching more than he could count he felt a little better," deBrown said. East Cape fishing area weather over the weekend was in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 66 to 77 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport diving service at Buena Vista said strong winds knocked out dive trips during the week except for an outing at Cerro Verde north of Los Barriles. "It is an easy dive site," Cazaly said. "The visibility was good, between 35 and 40 feet, and the temperature at depth was 73 degrees." Sea life sightings included diamond stingray, stone scorpionfish, wrasses, soldierfish, green moray eel, and yellowtail surgeonfish.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported variable winds from north and south during the week in the La Paz fishing area, but boats on the Las Arenas side doing well on sierra tight to the beaches around Ensenada de los Muertos. South side boats also caught mullet snapper at Punta Perico, plus a few yellowtail, roosterfish, and cabrilla. "Basically, we had a lot of fun inshore fishing with plenty of action," Roldan said. "Bonito to 12 pounds also created havoc for our fly fishers who busted a few rods. We are seeing more marlin, but they are not quite ready to eat. We also got some wahoo hits but they wouldn't stick."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said the weather on the Las Arenas side was slightly warmer last week, with less wind overall and the fishing steady for dog snapper of 10 to 15 pounds, some dorado beginning to show up in some areas, and good numbers of striped marlin seen, including some released. "We also have a lot of large sierra now at Punta Perico and at Isla Cerralvo," Hernandez said.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported concentrations of dorado far offshore last week and 12 dorado caught by his boat Soledad. "The dorado are plentiful if you are willing to run out 40 miles," Erhardt said. "They are getting bigger. I fished Sunday and Friday. I trolled feathers for marlin, but got nothing but dorado. There are marlin and sailfish scattered all over the area, but with the abundant natural bait in the water they are not very hungry. Both days I started trolling about 40 miles east of town and worked an area to the east and north. Sunday I caught 5 dorado that averaged around 10 pounds. Friday I caught 7 dorado from peanut size to 20-plus pounds." Loreto fishing area water temperatures were warming to over 80 degrees in calm conditions Sunday and to over 75 degrees in a slight chop Friday. Erhardt also noted the year's abundant growth of sargassum weed. "Even offshore 40 to 50 miles there are many small clumps of seaweed, not large enough to hold fish but just the right size to foul lures," he said.

LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported on 2 pangas fishing during the week for a catch of 3 yellowtail and 1 pargo of 16 pounds at San Basilio north of town with Capt. Martín Perpuli. For the previous week, a group of 16 anglers fished at Ensenada el Perro on the north side of Isla Carmen for 2 days in 8 pangas and a combined catch of 28 yellowtail averaging 28 pounds including 1 of 32 pounds and another of 35 pounds, 2 red snapper of 15 pounds, and 1 cabrilla of 15 pounds. Another panga fished at Punta Lobos for 1 pargo of 15 pounds and 1 yellowtail of 28 pounds. Loreto weather was improved at the end of the week, with sunny skies and a calm sea. Anglers fishing out of the Hotel Oasis during the week included: Dennis and Virginia Akers, Allen and Winnie Bonslett, Ted and Cornelius Colfescu, Ed Pesca, Rick Hudson, John Lange, Don Green, Grant and Eleanor Merrit, Dale White, Chris and Kip Adams, George Williams, Mr. Galinski, Kevin Conway, Bill Banducci, and Ron and Donna Reaves.

LORETO, MEXICO: Diane Berryhill of Sherwood, Ore., said Loreto yellowtail action was steady at the end of the week. On Saturday, Berryhill said, "I saw at least 5 pangas come in today at the Loreto muelle with nice 30-pound plus yellows and I saw some very nice huachinangos as well." On Friday, retired Redding, Calif., fishing guide Bob "Geckoman" Melugin and Loreto charter Capts. Rodrigo and Jose Luis Davis caught a mixed bag of rockfish off Isla Carmen from the panga Libertad. "The fish were taken on sardinas netted just outside the Loreto marina," Berryhill said. "Cabrilla, vieja, pargo and sheephead were found at depths between 100 and 500 feet. Loreto weather was clear at 78 degrees and sunny with 5-knot winds from the southwest." On Saturday, Melugin fished at the San Bruno bajo and landed a 30-pound yellowtail aboard his 22-foot river jet boat. "Bob and his girlfriend Janice are enjoying a month-and-a-half of good weather and excellent fishing," Berryhill said. "They are going out at least 4 times a week throughout April, as weather permits."

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Diana Johnson of Mulege's Hotel Serenidad reported the season's first striped marlin brought in. "It looks like the marlin are here," Johnson said. "It looks like it's going to be a good season."

MULEGE, MEXICO: Roger Pramhus of Coyote Bay south of Mulege fished iron on his panga Pompano about 250 feet deep near Punta Santa Teresa for a catch on rock piles of 4 or 5 pinto bass and a broomtail grouper of about 30 pounds. Mulege inshore fishing area water temperatures were steady at 73 degrees. Pramhus also ran about 15 miles offshore and another 15 miles northeast looking for warmer dorado water but the warmest water found was 73.5 degrees. "It was worth a try, but we knew when to call it a day for the dorado," Pramhus said. "They just don’t live in cold water. We headed back to Mulege, stopping to check out a couple of bird boils, and we tossed some iron to produce a nice bonus catch of plate-sized snappers for lunch."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Ed Hogan of San Bruno south of Santa Rosalia said fishing conditions were improved at the end of the week, with air temperatures in the low-80s, warmer water at 68 to 70 degrees, and calm seas. Hogan fished 4 days with friends from San Diego and found no dorado offshore, but plenty of bottom fish on local reefs, and good results on yellowtail at Isla Tortuga. Three days of fishing at the island produced 29 yellowtail to 30 pounds, 6 cabrilla, 2 pargo, and 2 large sheephead. "Mackerel and bigeye bait has been plentiful just outside the entrance of San Lucas Cove in 25 feet of water," Hogan said. "The fishing at Tortuga was on the bottom at the south end in 200 to 270 feet of water with live mackerel." Fishing with Hogan were: Jim Strappazon, Bob Bourgeois, Phil Davison, and John Logan.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Ed Duitsman of Hinkley, Calif., reported a good fishing session aboard his boat Daycare out of San Lucas Cove with friends Bob Selby and Mike Selby. Duitsman fished Friday and Saturday, sat out Sunday due to winds, and returned to the water on Monday for a best day's catch of 9 yellowtail in water temperatures of about 68 to 70 degrees. "We saw Mike Kanzler in action with the Pro Gear guys at Isla Tortuga," Duitsman said. "They shared some info and gave us some plastic shads and jig heads to try. Within a couple of hours we had leopard grouper, barred pargo, cabrilla, hogfish, triggerfish, barracuda, and 1 clown hawkfish. All of our gift plastics were shredded and chewed off. It was time to go." Duitsman's catch also included a golden grouper, or golden phase leopard grouper, caught about 100 yards from the island in 30 feet of water. "I felt like I won the fishing lottery!" Duitsman said. "I carefully lifted him out of the water, took some pictures, and of course let him go. Special thanks to Mike Kanzler for sharing at Tortuga and for the consistent fish reports. I will be going back in May to try Mike's Yellowtail Tournament."

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos reported erratic, shifting winds in the Santa Rosalia fishing area last week, with daytime air temperatures into the 80s, and dirty water of only 15-foot visibility at 68 to 69 degrees. "Wind from every direction," Kanzler said. "Makes it hard to call when to go or not go." Fishing 2 boats along the outside of the island over the previous weekend, with Capt. Danny "Piojo Loco" Chiquete running the second boat, produced about 20 leopard grouper to over 10 pounds plus about 6 assorted fish species for the Pro Gear fishing group of Randy Kao, Danny Jimenez, Rich Marsell, and Mike Szymczak on Saturday. A very early morning run in the dark to Isla Tortuga in wind on Sunday produced release action for both boats of about 25 live bait and jig yellowtail of 17 to 25 pounds, over 60 leopard grouper of 4 to 12 pounds, and 2 yellow snapper. One boat fished at Isla Tortuga again on Monday for another good session and similar results.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Kanzler's fishing later in the week included hosting a group of VIPs from the COMSA gypsum mining company on Isla San Marcos and Koch Carbon LLC-Georgia Pacific, COMSA's primary gypsum contractor.

Members of the group included: From Koch Carbon LLC Wichita Kansas: Steve Tate, President; Tim Fierbaugh, Vice President; and Greg Haygood, General Director. From Georgia Pacific: Howard Schutte, Vice President Gypsum Division; Charles Raymond, Assistant Vice President; and Bob Shajary, GP Long Beach General Director of Mining. From COMSA Mexico City: Javier A. Alvarez, Vice President; Jose Iturriaga, General Manager; and Gerardo Lopez, Partner Owner; From COMSA Isla San Marcos: Agustin Casanova, General Manger; Carlos Garces, Administration and Relations; Jose Bañuelos, Superintendent Mining; David Santiesteban, Superintendent Maintenance; and Aberto Miranda, Accounting.

Kanzler led the fishing trip to Isla Tortuga aboard COMSA'S 65-foot island supply boat Maria de Pillar.

"We carried live bait in two tanks, 50-gallon barrels, a small rod rack, tons of food and drinks, gas grill on the deck, plus we also had a my 19-foot Whaler, 17-foot Montauk, and an empty panga with a 150-h.p. outboard in case we need to get someone back to the island fast," Kanzler said.

"The Piojo and I woke up at 3 a.m. and snagged up 100-plus baits in front of the loading pier. Piojo in my boat and Daniel Lopez in his also ran to Santa Rosalia to get more bait for their boats.

"After exchanging salutations I proceeded to rig. The Pillar isn't the fastest and took nearly two-and-half hours to run the 21 nautical miles. It didn't take long and rods started going bendo! They weren't yellowtail but bomber cabrilla.

"Aboard our 3 boats, we had lots of fish hooked, caught, and lost for all. Cabrilla were the highlight with Agustin winning the jackpot with a 21.2-pounder. A good yellowtail bite followed. We also had a 40 to 50-pound green sea turtle get hooked on iron and released unharmed.

"We fished Isla San Marcos the same way, but with very poor results. It was fun nonetheless."

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore at San Felipe said the weekend weather was near perfect at 81 degrees, with a slight haze over the mountains and the bay a flat sky blue. San Felipe was busy with vacationers. "Particularly there are people headed for extended trips through Baja, especially down the Sea of Cortez side," Meders said. San Felipe was celebrating "Dia de los Niños" with a large parade. "It involves just about every school child in San Felipe," Meders said "There are thousands of kids here and watching them come over the top of the hill leading to the arches is an astounding experience. They all attend the schools which are on double shifts. It's the most concrete tribute to the dedication and super-work of the school teachers here. My hat is totally off to them."

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Ollie Peltier of Rocky Point reported on a run Saturday aboard Brent Moyer's newly acquired 28-foot Skipjack for a couple of nice grouper caught 26 miles out on a heading of 145 degrees. "What a great fishing machine," Peltier said. "We launched from Puerto Peñasco and went to the 12-mile reef to catch some bait, and then headed to some rocks at 26 miles. Upon arrival we could see quite a few nice arches on Brent's Lowrance. I hooked a decent grouper on a root beer scampi and about 10 minutes later we got another. We headed in at 2 p.m. on smooth, 72-degree water. It shouldn't be too much longer and we should see some skipjack showing up at Rocky Point."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters said, "We had a couple of San Carlos boats go south 35 miles. They saw marlin but had no takers, so we are still a few days away from getting the dorado and marlin here. We have the warm water out 18 miles at 71-plus degrees." Local San Carlos water temperatures were still at 65 to 68 degrees. "We have had 2 days of warm southerly winds so things could change," Hilderbrand said. San Carlos boats were doing well on the bottom with bass and snappers and some yellowtail. Just a few boats were fishing during the week, but Hilderbrand said, "On the weekend there could be 10 working an area. We have Catch-22, Jon Jen, Bob Blair, and Tequila Shiela each with 2 to 3 boats."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Fernando Almada of Catch-22 Sportfishing said, "San Carlos fishing water temperatures keep reaching 72 degrees and then they drop back down again. In a couple of outings we saw several marlin but none came into the spread." Almada fished Saturday at Isla Tortuga aboard Craig Collins' boat No Sniveling for a catch including a couple of good yellowtail on jigs plus a few cabrilla.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 28 offshore Aries Fleet boats fishing out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 7 striped marlin, 4 sailfish, 6 dorado, 5 yellowfin tuna, and 1 mako shark. Eight inshore super pangas had a catch of: mojarra limits, triggerfish limits, 15 conejo, and 1 roosterfish. "The inshore and offshore fishing continues to be difficult at Mazatlan with a reduced number of fishing days for the fleet," Edwards said. Offshore boats fished a wide area without finding any concentrations. Mazatlan fishing area weather was sunny at 90 degrees, with the water temperature at 68 degrees inshore and 74 degrees offshore. Edwards also noted the passing of Mazatlan's Julio Berdegué Asnar of the El Cid Mega Resort on April 21, 2008. Edwards said of the noted biologist, hotelier, and fisheries conservation supporter, "He was one of the great individuals of Mexico and championed environmental protection for the ocean that helped insure fish for the future. It is a huge loss for everyone connected with the sportfishing industry."

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Manny Ocaranza of the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Pacifico reported good action for yellowfin tuna during the week at Roca Corbeteña. In 5 outings, the Pacifico had a catch including released fish of: 40 yellowfin tuna from less than 50 to 160 pounds, 1 amberjack, 3 dorado, 1 blue marlin, 4 striped marlin, 4 more marlin. "Tuesday was madness as we were back at the Rock and we landed 16 tuna with the largest at 160 pounds and we had nonstop action throughout the day," Ocaranza said. " On Saturday the tuna were not that big, all under 50 pounds, but it was fantastic fishing nonetheless." Puerto Vallarta offshore fishing water was warmer at 74 to 77 degrees with much improved clarity.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Josh Temple of Prime Time Adventures and the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Conquistador said last week's offshore action included big concentrations of striped marlin found in an area northwest of Roca Corbeteña. Temple said, "At one point I counted 5 striped marlin in the air around the boat, free jumping, skyrocketing out of the water, and crash landing on bait balls. It was a frenzy of marlin, tuna, porpoise, dorado, frigate birds, boobies, terns, you name it. Packs of fish would shoulder each other through the spread. The last 3 hours before sunset made for some of the most incredible lure fishing moments I've ever witnessed. After a 14-hour day on the water, I can't sleep. I'll be back out there in three-and-a-half more hours."

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 Zihuatanejo blue water fishing turned on for big concentrations of sailfish plus some blue marlin last week, with about 30 percent of boats getting a shot at a blue marlin and each boat releasing about 5 to 6 sailfish per day. "The fishing this week really turned on," Kunze said. "We have averaged at least 5 blues a day for the 18 to 20-boat fleet. This is normal for May, but it is late April and they are a week or so early." Some boats posted double-digit sailfish releases. Capt. Poli on the charter boat Don Gordo II turned in 25 sailfish strikes, including 2 triples, for angler Mike Griffin of Anchorage, Alaska. "Most of the action was within 12 miles of the lighthouse at Zihuatanejo Bay," Kunze said. "Mike said there were porpoise and birds crashing everywhere. There were free jumping sails in every direction. Every boat in the fleet was hooked up. With only 2 rods out, sometimes they did not make more than 50 yards before they were bit again." Inshore fishing improved with some roosterfish and jack crevalle showing up. Capt. Adolpho on the boat Dos Hermanos reported 5 roosterfish in 3 outings. "The roosters are right on schedule and starting to make their migration back," Kunze said. "Offshore, in addition to the arrival of the blue marlin, the big 200-pound plus yellowfin tuna will not be far behind. Most of the tuna and blue marlin action in May will be at less than the 20-mile mark." Ixtapa fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-90s, with water temperatures at 80 to 84 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament said, "It's totally nuts on sailfish. Capt. Santiago tagged 14 on the Gitana and Adan matched him on the Gitana II. Captains quit fishing because they were out of bait. Some captains switched to small Konas. It worked fine. I don't know if the longliners up the coast shut down or where these fish came from, but they are here. It's wide-open, balls to the wall billfishing!"

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said, "Some outstanding numbers of sailfish are being reported. Fishing conditions have dramatically improved over the past week and the blue water has moved to within 10 miles of the bay. With action this hot at the present time, the summer season promises to be very good." Boats fishing a total of 14 offshore days reported a catch including released fish of: 54 sailfish, 1 striped marlin, and 3 dorado. The boat Dos Hermanos I also reported 7 roosterfish in 1 outing. "This has been the first roosterfish activity of the season," Edwards said. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was mostly calm in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 80 degrees inshore and 82 degrees offshore.

HUATULCO FISHING REPORTS

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HUATULCO, MEXICO: Eric Weissman of Explore Fly Fishing reported Huatulco fishing area weather humid in the mid-90s, with some afternoon wind and chop, shoreline swells minimal but increasing, and water temperatures at 80 to 85 degrees on the surface but down to 61 degrees at 15 meters deep. "Pelagics are up on top feeding on large amounts of surface bait, sardines, ohotons, black skipjack, and barjack," Weissman said. "There are lots of sailfish and marlin, small dorado, a few large dorado, and tons of jacks, roosterfish, and sierra, plus large schools of black skipjack, all within 10 miles of shore. At 20 to 30 miles out, yellowfin tuna are still around despite the tuna boat carnage of a month ago. Very few tourists or boats are on the water at Huatulco. It's a good time to come down and fish." Huatulco fishing area water color was turbid inshore and blue and clear green offshore. "June and July look good as we expect ample rain to bust the rivers open and make the snook, roosters, and jacks go mental," Weissman said.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 22 outings by the El Cid Caribe sportfishing fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 2 white marlin, 10 sailfish, 1 sierra, 1 bonito, 9 king mackerel, 16 snappers, 2 grouper, 3 tuna, 2 barracuda, and 49 dorado. "It was another great fish catching week with 10 species and dorado leading the action," Edwards said. Cancun fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with variable tropical winds to 15 knots from the east and water temperatures stable at 81 degrees. El Cid Caribe fleet boats were beginning their fishing days about a mile outside the marina.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

STRIPERS AT CABO--This spring's striped marlin bite at Cabo San Lucas has produced many multiple release days for the charter fleet. Here's Tim McKissick's group about to release a striper about 30 minutes out of the marina aboard the Pisces Fleet charter boat Tracy Ann with Cabo's well-known Capt. Julio Castro. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACY EHRENBERG.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 2

CABO DOUBLE RELEASE--Adam Mainzer of Tampa, Fla., with half of a striped marlin double release aboard the Cabo San Lucas charter boat Cabo Magic earlier this month with crewmen Hector, Rafael, and Angel. PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI GARCIA.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 3

CABO INSHORE FISHING--Jesse Kampeer, Mauren Robb, and Guy Robb fished aboard the Cabo San Lucas charter panga Cheer's last week with Capt. Ramon Druck for 10 roosterfish, 2 black skipjack, and these sierra and 2 yellowtail caught while fishing just north of the arch on the Pacific side. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

PUNTA BANDA RELIABLE--Jay Johnson of Ensenada and Debbie Oslin fished on a panga with Capt. Beto of Ensenada's Vonny's Fleet for the usual limits of mixed bottom fish and another Punta Banda quality yellowtail found by ol' "Capt. Eagle Eyes." PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Baja California Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BAJA CORVINA--Tito Gonzales holds a nice shortfin corvina caught by Martin Aguilar at Punta Abreojos last week. It hit a Krocodile cast from the beach with 15-pound line. PHOTO COURTESY OF JUANCHYS AGUILAR.

Baja California Mexico Fishing Photo 2

WHAT IS IT--If it's a burrito grunt, it's a biggie. Tito Gonzales shows off a hefty grunt or snapper like fish caught from the surf at Punta Abreojos. The local fishermen have no name for this fish, according to Juanchys Aguilar of nearby La Bocana. PHOTO COURTESY OF JUANCHY AGUILAR.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Fishing Photo 1 San Jose del Cabo Mexico Marina Photo 1

PANGA DORADO--Trent McGregor of Boise, Idaho, fished with Gordo Banks Pangas out of San Jose del Cabo's La Playita beach and landed this nice 20-pound class female dorado while trolling a live mackerel bait near the Gordo Banks. At right, progress on the northern jetty last week at the soon to be completed Marina Los Cabos project at La Playita. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

EAST CAPE GALLOS--Spring roosterfish action picked up last week for inshore anglers at East Cape. Here's Doug Booth of Tustin, Calif., with a good one caught with Baja On The Fly guide Lance Petersen off Punta Colorada. PHOTO COURTESY OF GARY GRAHAM.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LAS ARENAS TIBURON--David Nicodemus of San Diego fished last week on the Las Arenas side south of La Paz for a catch including this shark, shown at the panga launching beach at Ensenada de los Muertos. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 3 La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 4

CERRALVO DOGGIE--Cole Chavira, 12, of Encinitas, Calif., fishes at La Paz several times a year with Tailhunter International and he always seems to do well. He got his great cubera snapper, or dog snapper, on iron last week while fishing aboard a Tailhunter panga off Isla Cerralvo. At right, Shawn James of Los Angeles fished with Tailhunter and snagged this cabrilla on bait along the north side of Isla Espiritu Santo. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LORETO YELLOWTAIL MIXER--Bob Phalen and Julie Tolman fished out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis last week with Capt. Martín Perpuli for a catch of mixed species including yellowtail and a 16-pound pargo while fishing at Punta San Basilio north of San Bruno. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 2 Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 3

LORETO PANGA FISHING--Retired Redding, Calif., fishing guide Bob "Geckoman" Melugin and Loreto Capts. Rodrigo, left, and Jose Luis Davis with a mixed bag of rockfish taken off Isla del Carmen on Friday morning aboard the panga Libertad. The catch on sardina baits included cabrilla, vieja, pargo, and sheephead between 100 and 500 feet deep. At right, Melugin with a nice 30-pound class yellowtail landed aboard his boat Geckoman north of town at the San Bruno bajo. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DIANE BERRYHILL.

Mulege Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Mulege Mexico Fishing Photo 2 Mulege Mexico Fishing Photo 3

PUNTA TERESA BROOMTAIL--Anglers, from left, Randall Adam, of Lake Elmo, Minn., Roger Page of Seattle, Wash., and Gary Bendix of Bahia Concepcion and Bend, Ore., fished the Baja coast at Punta Santa Teresa about 20 miles south of Punta Concepcion on Roger Pramhus' boat Pompano for a catch on jigs that included this nice broomtail grouper of about 30 pounds hooked by Bendix on a blue-white jig. At center and right, a spotted rose snapper caught during the outing, and Pramhus' blue-white iron jig. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROGER PRAMHUS.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Fishing Photo 1

GOOD ROSALIA FISHING--With a great catch of yellowtail, yellow snapper, and cabrilla caught at Isla Tortuga with Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos are, from left: Danny Chiquete; Kanzler, kneeling; Randy Kao; Rich Marsell; kneeling in white shirt; Mike Szymczak; and Danny Jimenez, kneeling. They are shown at the boat landing on the west side of Isla San Marcos. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Fishing Photo 2

CORTEZ ROYALTY--Ed Duitsman's recent fishing trip to Santa Rosalia produced good action on yellowtail and this rare golden grouper, or golden phase leopard grouper, called "reina," or queen in Spanish, caught about 100 yards off Isla Tortuga. The fish was released after a quick photo to record the moment. PHOTO COURTESY OF ED DUITSMAN.

San Bruno Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ISLA TORTUGA FORKIES--Ed Hogan of San Bruno south of Santa Rosalia got good results on Isla Tortuga yellowtail for a group of friends from San Diego last week. Fishing with Hogan were, from left: Jim Strappazon, Bob Bourgeois, Phil Davison, and John Logan. PHOTO COURTESY OF ED HOGAN.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Fishing Photo 3

VIP FISHING TOUR--Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos guided a group of VIPs last week hosted by the island's COMSA gypsum mining operation. Anglers landing yellowtail with Kanzler aboard the COMSA 65-foot boat Maria de Pillar included, from left: Howard Schutte, GP Atlanta, Ga.; Steve Tatum, Koch Carbon LLC, Wichita, Kan.; and Javier A, Alvarez, COMSA, Mexico City. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ROCKY POINT GROUPER--Brent Moyer, left, and Ollie Peltier fished a reef 26 miles out of Rocky Point on Saturday aboard Moyer's newly acquired 28-foot Skipjack for a couple of nice gulf grouper caught on Scampis. PHOTO COURTESY OF OLLIE PELTIER.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

NO TORTUGA SNIVELING--Fernando Almada of Catch-22 Sportfishing at San Carlos, Sonora, with one of a couple of quality yellowtail landed along with some cabrilla during a run to Isla Tortuga on Craig Collins' boat No Sniveling. PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNANDO ALMADA.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1

HOT VALLARTA STRIPERS--A striped marlin is brought in for release by deckhand Bopa of the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Conquistador with Capt. Josh Temple during hectic striper action last week found northwest of Roca Corbeteña. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH TEMPLE.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 2

PACIFICO TUNA--The Puerto Vallarta charter boat Pacifico with Capt. Manny Ocaranza found good yellowfin tuna action last week for fish up to 160 pounds during action at Roca Corbeteña. With a pair of nice ones are Pacifico mates Javier, left, and Mitchell Ocaranza. At right a blue marlin comes in for release aboard the Pacifico on Friday. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANNY OCARANZA.

Huatulco Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ULTRA HOT PEANUTS--Capt. Martin of the San Agustinillo fishing area near Huatulco with 1 of about 100 small dorado released in super-hot light tackle action last week with Eric Weissman of Explore Fly Fishing. "We got them on flies and light gear about a mile from the hotel," Weissman said. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC WEISSMAN.

Sea of Cortez Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MID-CORTEZ GOLDIE--Capt. Abel Anaya of Jon Jen Charters at San Carlos, Sonora, hoists a 55-pound dorado caught during a cruise across the lower Sea of Cortez from Mazatlan to Cabo San Lucas. Anaya reported water temperatures of 72 to 74 degrees during the crossing, but just 67 degrees approaching Cabo. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN HILDERBRAND.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES