Early season dorado caught in Loreto fishing;

More mahi-mahi found south of San Carlos

Mexico Fishing News, May 7, 2007

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company reported early season dorado arriving in the Loreto fishing area as the spring migration began its movement up the Sea of Cortez.

"We started getting dorado consistently on Thursday," Bolles said. "They were 10 to 15 miles east of Punta Lobos on Isla Carmen and the bite started early. Limits were caught by 10 a.m. Capt. Francisco found them 8 miles east of Punta Lobos. Three fish brought back yesterday were from 15 to 20 pounds. Francisco described only very small amounts of sargasso weed, no large patches.

The dorado are under frigate birds. They were not schooling. Francisco was able to find groups of 3 to 6 dorado and hold them with live sardinas throughout the day. We had a fly angler and his wife aboard and the dorado were definitely keen to eating flies. It's not summer yet as we still have unstable conditions with winds coming from the north again and the warm sea water moving up from the south." Loreto yellowtail fishing shut down a few days before the dorado arrived and reef fishing for pargo and cabrilla was also slower.

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported on a 3-day solo outing to El Bajo north of La Paz last week on his boat Soledad for a sailfish and a dorado caught off Isla Santa Cruz and a striped marlin caught at Las Animas plus several bait-sized barrilete along the way. "El Bajo is about 115 miles from Loreto as the crow flies," Erhardt said. "I logged around 350 miles for the trip. I was hoping to find some marlin around the sea mount and maybe intercept some big bull dorado on the way up from East Cape, but no dice. I did find a concentration of marlin around Las Animas on Wednesday afternoon and had 4 run-outs in about an hour but got none to the boat. The next morning before sunup I hooked one that I got to the boat for a release. Then, they disappeared. I spent both Tuesday and Wednesday nights on the boat at anchor in a little cove at the northeast end of Isla San Jose."

LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of the Hotel Oasis reported on 10 pangas fishing north at Punta Pulpito and San Bruno, with a catch on mackerel and sardina bait of: 8 yellowtail of 10 to 31 pounds, 2 cabrilla averaging 14 pounds, 3 pargo, and 6 triggerfish. Loreto weather over the weekend was calm, with very light breezes. Anglers fishing out of the hotel during the week included: Roberto Kaplan, Gary Paugh, Greg and Cindy Pope, Steve and Casey Nelson, Calcot Reid, and Harry Myers.

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 were again kept off the water most of the week by wind. "Lots of wind," Villarino said, "but we were able to get out on Saturday." The Vonny I, Vonny II, and Vonny III fished off the tip of Punta Banda on Saturday morning with Capts. Beto, Vicente, and Hector for wide-open limits on bonita, red rockcod, Johnny bass, mixed bottom fish, some bass, and a 22-pound yellowtail landed by Chris Malley of San Pedro, Calif. Other anglers fishing with Vonny's Fleet during the week included Sam and Greg Simonian and Don Bussey of Los Angeles. 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 4 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 59 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous week, Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet reported on a local outing by the boat Trobin Robin for 9 yellowtail averaging 12 pounds, limits of bonito at 5 pounds, and limits of red rockcod in the afternoon at the Banda Bank.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Stan Pianko of Chula Vista reported on a trip out of Ensenada's Marina Coral by his boat Mel's Diamond, fishing with Pete Reynard for limits of yellowtail averaging 15 pounds at the north end of Isla Todos Santos on trolled Rapalas. "We had limits by 10:30 a.m., stopped for lunch behind the island, and went back and caught and released 5 more," Pianko said. "The biggest yellowtail was 18 pounds. We took home 10. We had no bait and thought it was going to be a bad day. You never know. It was just one of those great days when everything was right." Local Ensenada fishing water temperatures were at 61.4 degrees.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp reported just a few anglers fishing out of Erendira during the week, for continued good counts of lingcod, red rockcod, and mixed bottom species. Despite winds all week and some weather cancellations, Castro's Camp boats fished daily. "We've got fishing reservations for this week and we hope the weather gives us some help," Castro said. Erendira fishing area water was very clear at 55 to 57 degrees about 7 miles out.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported on 8 boats fishing during the week, for catches of big bonita, limits of large rockcod, and giant Humboldt squid, but still no yellowtail. The San Quintin fishing area was windy until Friday, but calming over the weekend.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Sarai Garcia of Don Eddie's Landing reported cool water still averaging about 61 degrees in the San Quintin fishing area with swells from the west. Don Eddie's Landing was selling building lots to the west of the hotel. "The lots are huge and are connected to the bay and have access to the road of the hotel, water, telephone, and electricity," Garcia said. "They have titles and will have title insurance from a U.S. bank. We only have 9 lots left."

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Robert Rodriguez and his group reported fishing the previous Saturday out of Popotla on the Baja coast south of Tijuana on the panga Boa with commercial fishing Capts. Pepe Martinez and Pepe Martinez Jr. for a sport catch of 20 red rockcod, 12 whitefish, and 14 bocaccio, plus a commercial catch by the 2 captains of 4-dozen crabs. "Pepe and his son are Baja commercial fishermen that are the local fishing experts," Rodriguez said. "Pepe and his family have been commercial fishing for sculpin and crab for years and supply all of the local vendors. Sportfishing pangas are available on a first come basis on the morning of your trip. Pepe prefers not to take appointments and works on a first come basis. They are usually at the launch area at 6 a.m. and will not leave until they have at least 3 customers. They charge a flat $45 per person which is the going rate and they supply the bait and transportation only. They can supply up to 4 pangas."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Derek Arneson of San Diego commented on the very large burrito grunt-like fish reported and photographed the previous week by Juanchys Aguilar of La Bocana on the Baja central Pacific coast. The fish, close to 2 feet in length, was caught in the surf at Punta Abreojos by Tito Gonzales of Rocky Point, Sonora. "I've been told that it would qualify for a world record," Arneson said, and Juanchys told me yesterday that they caught even bigger ones last week!"

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said offshore winds and rough seas kept Magdalena Bay fishing area boats close to shore during the week, but good action for grouper, corvina, and spotted bay bass was found in the mangrove channels north of Puerto Lopez Mateos. "On the surface the corvina put on a show chasing almost any popper that hit the water," Graham said. At the San Carlos entrada, big swells coming in from the open Pacific made it difficult to chase birds working over firecracker yellowtail and small bonito feeding on sardina schools. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 65 to 72 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jorge Navarro of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing reported about 85 percent of charters scoring on all species combined last week, including many 2 to 6-release striped marlin days for the boats Valerie, Falcon, Yahoo, Tracy Ann, La Brisa, Adriana, Ni Modo, and Rebecca. "Striped marlin was pretty much the only species around," Navarro said. Of 96 striped marlin landed, 88 were released. No yellowfin tuna were reported and only 3 dorado were caught by the fleet. Inshore panga fishing was good for sierra and roosterfish. Pisces Fleet boats fished the Cortez side from the Gordo Banks northward in fair conditions and average water temperatures of 68 to 70 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 23 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo San Lucas charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 17 striped marlin, and 1 dorado. "The full moon had a dramatic effect on Cabo San Lucas fishing this week," Edwards said.

"The boats are still seeing huge amounts of billfish, but finding one that wants to eat is frustrating. Look for a regrouping as the moon darkens." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with warming water temperatures of 72 to 76 degrees up the Cortez side. "Summer warm water conditions appear to be moving in early," Edwards said. Most boats fished the Cortez side from the Gordo Banks to Destiladeras.

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 including released fish of: 5 striped marlin, 1 mako shark of 80 pounds, 2 amberjack, and many sierra and mackerel.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 4 outings during the week, fishing on both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides with a total of 7 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 3 bonito of about 3 pounds, 3 skipjack of 4 pounds, 44 sierra of 2 to 4 pounds, 1 nice yellowtail lost to sea lions, 4 yellowtail of 5 to 8 pounds, several yellowtail lost, and 7 roosterfish of 3 to 5 pounds. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Daril Sutliff, Vano Estos, Adolfo Rossi, Scott Elkins, Ron Elkins, Enrique Burns, and Carisa Desposito. The Cheer's fished in local Cabo San Lucas water temperatures of 69 to 71 degrees, in good conditions on the Sea of Cortez coast and around the Cabo arch.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the previous week, Merle Erickson of Chicago reported on 2 outings with Pisces Fleet by his parents Palmer and Junie Erickson of Mesa, Ariz., fishing aboard the charter boat Tracy Ann with Cabo's well known Capt. Julio Castro for 4 striped marlin released each day by 11 a.m. "They said it was insane striped marlin fishing with stripers free jumping around the boat, lots of hookups around them, run and gun fishing, working bait balls, just crazy wide-open Cabo style marlin fishing," Erickson said. "My parents don’t get around too well anymore, which is no surprise at their age, and Pisces Fleet's Tracy Ehrenberg had them picked up at Hotel Mar de Cortez each morning. No one asked for this service. It was just provided by Pisces as a courtesy with no questions asked. Julio took great care of them on the boat, as he always does."

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 62 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 496 assorted pargo, 188 sierra, 126 pompano, 15 amberjack, 8 golden jack, 4 striped marlin, 2 yellowfin tuna, 8 dorado, 36 cabrilla, 18 bonito, 144 triggerfish, and 3 halibut. "The La Playita panga fleets continued to report excellent action on smaller game fish close to shore and on the rock piles," Brictson said. "Most of these fish were in the 3 to 10-pound range, but several were up to 20 pounds and 1 grouper of 65 pounds was also reported. The areas close to shore off El Cardon and La Salina were particularly productive." Some larger roosterfish were also reported. Los Cabos offshore sportfishing boats were working more on the Sea of Cortez side of Cabo San Lucas in variable water temperatures from the low-60s off Cabo San Lucas up to about 75 degrees at the Gordo Banks and Vinorama. "Striped marlin remained the most common species found offshore," Brictson said. "Numbers were down this week due to various factors. Fleets traveled as far north as Los Frailes in search of action. Whale sharks are now starting to appear, particularly around the Gordo Banks. May and June is typically when these monstrous fish migrate through the area, feeding on abundant pelagic red crabs and other crustaceans."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo reported on construction progress at the new Marina los Cabos project. "The La Playita area is such a major construction zone that it is difficult to get over there," Lewis said. "The marina is very close to being open. I would say about 100 yards of a sand berm separates the water of the marina and the ocean. People are saying the opening will be around the beginning of June."

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Greg George of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort said fleet boats were fishing 12 to 23 miles out for good action on yellowfin tuna from footballs to about 40 pounds. "Dorado are fair right now with some very nice 40-pound plus fish coming in," George said. "Marlin have also been biting good with a couple of sails mixed in." Some wahoo were also caught and bottom fishing was "pretty good" for small pargos. East Cape fishing weather area over the weekend was very good, with light breezes in the afternoons, daytime highs in the 80s, and water temperatures at about 75 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said spring season fishing kicked in last week for inshore angler Mike Vogel of Thornton, Colo., who had a great day with fly tackle guide Lance Petersen on smaller roosterfish, black skipjack, and jack crevalle of 14 to 20 pounds. Aboard the panga Victoria with East Cape sportfishing Capt. Victor Garciglia Jr., Vogel fished from Punta Colorada northwards to La Ribera. "An all out feeding frenzy ensued," Graham said. "Mike boated 2 big jacks, 2 hefty black skipjack, and had a number of close encounters and 'long line releases.' Mike’s new Sage 10WT rod gave in under the pressure and broke right above the cork." East Cape offshore boats found action on striped marlin just 8 to 15 miles off La Ribera, plus some yellowfin tuna. East Cape fishing area weather was cloudy at 90 degrees, with water temperatures of 65 to 74 degrees.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said air temperatures on the Las Arenas side south of La Paz were at 90 degrees, with water temperatures at Isla Cerralvo at 72 degrees, and 74 degrees farther out. "The best fishing this week was for pargo lisa," Hernandez said. "There are good numbers of them at the south end of the island where the sardina bait is also located." Tortuga pangas landed good-sized dorado during the week, plus wahoo to 55 pounds. Anglers fishing with Tortuga included John McVay of Valencia, Calif., who landed a 44-pound pargo lisa, dorado, and wahoo with Capt. Rigo Lucero.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported improved spring conditions in the La Paz fishing area last week, with offshore pelagics beginning to bite, decent numbers of wahoo landed, and consistent action on sierra, snappers, cabrilla, and roosterfish. "I think we're finally turning the corner," Roldan said, "especially for our Las Arenas fleet. We got a number of fish hooked up on the pangas including sailfish and striped marlin. South of Isla Cerralvo, dark colored Rapalas produced some nice 35-pound wahoo and at the buoys a few quality dorado were picked up."

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Ron Grant of Crestline, Calif., reported on a fly-in trip to Mulege's Hotel Serenidad, finding very good weather in the high-80s, water temperatures in the low to mid-70s, and the fishing just fair for late yellowtail and dorado still not showing up to replace them. "Most boats are fishing for deep water bass or cabrilla," Grant said. "It's no problem getting a full ice chest. If you are lucky there are a few yellows in the area if you can find them." The landing strip at the Hotel Serenidad was in good condition.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos, getting ready for his 4th annual Yellowtail ShootOut benefit fishing tournament on May 18-20, 2007, said the Santa Rosalia fishing area had water temperatures warming to 71 to 72 degrees in some offshore hotspots around Isla Tortuga. "Dorado in another few weeks," he said. Kanzler fished the island over the previous weekend for a catch of 8 yellowtail and 1 good leopard grouper by 10:30 a.m. on flylined bigeye baits without sinkers. Daniel Lopez also scored 7 yellowtail plus some bottom fish. The entry fee for the Yellowtail ShootOut fishing tournament was $30, with proceeds benefiting Isla San Marcos youth athletics programs. Information: kidjurel@gmail.com, or Alan Lewis at the San Lucas Cove Trailer Park.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Syd Lindsay of San Lucas Cove reported the new Pemex gas station at the Santa Rosalia marina in operation. "Everything I have heard about it is good," Lindsay said.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Alex Velez of Baja Sportfishing and Diving, reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trip by the panga mothership Andrea Lynn, returning to San Felipe on May 3, 2007, with 28 anglers and a catch of: 84 yellowtail of 15 to 25 pounds, 60 cabrilla of 5 to 12 pounds, and 150 assorted fish. Midriff fishing area water temperatures were still cool, averaging about 65 degrees, but the weather was clear. The Andrea Lynn fished near Refugio north of Bahia de los Angeles and at Gonzaga Bay.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of San Felipe's Title Company Bookstore reported weekend weather warming in the high-70s, with many visitors in town as the winter snowbirds were beginning to head north. "Many visitors are planning to spend 3 weeks or more hiking and camping all through the Baja peninsula," Meders said. "Many people have been asking about the new Baja Almanac. It will almost definitely be out and available in October. We have seen some prototype pages and it is larger, easier to read, and absolutely up to date."

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Stuart Burnett of Rocky Point reported on an outing by his boat Constancia on Saturday, April 28, 2007, fishing 16 miles out for a catch of 3 red snapper, 1 white seabass, and many goldspotted bass, and a dramatic rescue of about 8 men pulled from the water after their nearby boat exploded, burned to the waterline, and sank. "I was told that the name of the boat that burned was the Margarita," Burnett said. "We had just finished loading up the bait tank with about 100 live mackerel and we heard a slight 'boom' and looked around and noticed a little poof of smoke coming from a boat about half a mile away. It took us no more than a minute or two to get there. A panga arrived just before us. There were about 8 guys in the water. A couple of them had been blown overboard by the explosion. The boat was now fully engulfed in flames. We put down the ladder and picked up guys. Some had lifejackets, some didn't. A couple of others had made it into the panga. Since I was the largest boat on scene, we gathered the other guys from the panga. I didn't stay around to watch the boat sink. I was overloaded but still able to safely make 30 m.p.h. back into the harbor. The Bomberos met us about a mile or two from the harbor, quickly followed by another boat with EMT's. It's nice to know there is a decent medical response for emergencies like this. It turns out all of the guys worked at the same company in Tucson. The Mexican captain and his mate, as well as his passengers, were all grateful and called us angels. Not really. It was simply the right thing to do."

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Lloyd Robinette of Casa Grande, Ariz., was also fishing in the area on his boat Arca de Noe when the explosion occurred. "Without warning the cruiser blew up sending one fisherman 20 feet into the air and landing 50 feet from the boat," Robinette said. "After all the men were rescued, they transferred to Stewart's boat and he transported them back to the marina. The cruiser burned to the waterline and sank in about 30 minutes." Rocky Point fishing area weather was calm, with the water temperature at 69 degrees. The Arca de Noe's catch for the day included: 35 goldspotted bass to 12 pounds, 6 red snapper to 15 pounds, and 1 whitefish of 10 pounds.

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Mike Auditore of Phoenix, Ariz., reported on a trip out of Rocky Point aboard his boat El Gato Blanco with 4 anglers and a catch about 40 miles south of: 25 red snapper to 15 pounds, 3 white seabass of 10 pounds, 3 whitefish to 8 pounds, and many goldspotted bass to 12 pounds. The following day, Auditore fished on Lloyd Robinette's boat Arca de Noe and was present when another boat in the area blew up and sank. "A boat a mile away seemed to have a smokey engine," Auditore said. "As I watched it, a flash appeared and a lot of smoke came out of the boat. Eight people were in the water. Everybody was okay. We stayed and watched the boat burn down to nothing. It was a surreal scene."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters in San Carlos reported dorado caught on Friday in 73.5-degree water, 26 miles out at 180 degrees, by Capt. Abel Anaya on the charter boat JonJen. "They finally arrived after a couple weeks of wishing," Hilderbrand said. "Some boats headed south on Thursday with reports of small peanuts. Then with the steady south winds blowing the waters started warming. On Friday, within minutes the JonJen caught a small bull, lost 2, and put 2 more in the box. It's our first dorado for the season so now we hope it starts." San Carlos local fishing was also improving for snappers, goldspotted or "calico" bass, whitefish, and mixed bottom species. A boat at Isla San Pedro in 68.7-degree water also got a small dorado on a trolled Rapala while fishing for yellowtail. "It really surprised us," Hilderbrand said. "We ended up getting some hits for yellowtail but no takers, and a box full of snappers and calicos."

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported slower than normal but improving action for Aries Fleet boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid. "Fleet manager Geronimo Cevallos said the fishing was still off from the typical May, but getting better by the day," Edwards said. "The boats averaged a billfish per offshore day and they finally had a good shot at some smaller yellowfin tuna in the 10 to 40-pound range." A scattering of dorado was also reported at the buoys, but no concentrations. Inshore super pangas caught pargo to 15 pounds and 3 roosterfish of about 35 pounds. Mazatlan fishing area weather was mostly cloudy in the mid-80s, with water temperatures averaging 70 degrees inshore and 74 degrees offshore. Fleet boats fished in all directions as the yellowfin tuna were found about 25 miles out.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Daniel Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing said the Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar fished at El Banco during the week for action on sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and one large octopus that came aboard for angler "Bernardo." Puerto Vallarta fishing conditions were improving, Gomez said. The previous week, Gomez worked the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Sin Cuidado during a trip to Roca Corbeteña along with the Dhamar for a combined catch in 80-degree water including released fish of: 1 wahoo, 2 yellowfin tuna, 1 jack crevalle, 1 rainbow runner of 20 pounds, and 3 striped marlin.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said 127 boats were fishing in the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sailfish tournament, averaging about 2 sailfish each killed for the weigh-in on Friday with 2 days yet to fish. "The largest sail weighed today was only 81 pounds," Kunze said. "The largest blue marlin was only 264 pounds. Thank goodness for the full moon, which should slow the action down a bit." Increasing tidal currents moved the blue water out to about the 25-mile mark. Inshore fishing produced jack crevalle and skipjack, but no roosterfish reported. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was clear at 100 degrees, with the water temperature at 80 to 84 degrees. Kunze's client Grant Marohnich fished on the Vamonos III with Capt. Ruben for 2 sailfish and 2 blue marlin released, and 1 sailfish kept that swallowed the hook deep. One of the blue marlin, estimated at between 350 and 400 pounds, was landed only 2 to 3 miles out of Zihuatanejo Bay.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament commented on the current Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sailfish kill tournament. "This tournament is a wholesale slaughter of sailfish, but the true sportfishing captains aren't in on the slaughter and are in fact releasing many fish," Phillips said. "Capt. Adan Valdovinos Olea of the Gitana II is a great example. He caught 5 fish on Friday, knew none would be big enough to win, and tagged and released all of them. Our true sportfishing captains are all following this policy, but this tournament involves commercial pangueros, guys from Mexico City and a host of others."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Earlier, Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht charters reported light fishing activity in the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo area, with captains landing sailfish and marlin, but still no yellowfin tuna. "The tuna have remained a mystery for this season as the bite has not yet developed any consistency," Edwards said. "Captains who fished offshore last week reported a slow-down in activity primarily due to the oncoming full moon. Roosterfish activity remains on again, off again. The bite is likely to pick up steam through May and into June. The upcoming months have historically been very good for sailfish, dorado, tuna, and an occasional huge blue or black marlin." Ixtapa fishing area water temperatures were at 82 degrees inshore and 84 degrees offshore.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 19 El Cid Caribe fleet boats fishing out of Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 1 blue marlin of about 300 pounds on 40-pound line aboard the Pescadora I, 1 white marlin, 2 sailfish, 1 amberjack, 2 jack crevalle, 1 yellowfin tuna, 9 snappers, 4 barracuda, and 34 dorado. Cancun fishing area weather was partly cloudy at 90 degrees, with light winds and chop and the water temperature at 82 degrees.

CANCUN, MEXICO: Robert Rodriguez of Wilmington, Calif., relayed a report from the Cozumel charter boat Albatros for catches of sailfish, barracuda, and white marlin.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 2

LORETO FISHING--John LaForest works on yellowtail and dog snapper at Punta Lobos on the north end of Loreto's Isla Carmen with Capt. Francisco Muñoz of Baja Big Fish Company late last month. Last week, the yellowtail and inshore reef bites slowed down as early season dorado of 15 to 20 pounds were found 8 to 15 miles outside the island. Photos by Jim Cook of Van Nuys, Calif. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAM BOLLES.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 3

LORETO OASIS CATCH--Loreto anglers, from left, Greg and Cindy Pope, and Steve and Casey Nelson, scored a great spring catch of yellowtail to 28 pounds last week while fishing at Punta Pulpito with the Hotel Oasis' Capt. Martin Perpuli. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SATURDAY FORKIE--Winds at Ensenada during the week kept Vonny's Fleet pangas off the water until Saturday morning when Chris Malley of San Pedro, Calif., got out with Capt. Hector on the Vonny III for bottom fish limits, lots of bonita, and this nice yellowtail caught at the tip of Punta Banda. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 2

ENSENADA FISHING--The Ensenada boat Trobin Robin fished out of Marina Coral with Capt. Sammy Susarrey and found a big catch for angler "Bill" of 9 yellowtail averaging 12 pounds plus a big load of bonito and bottom fish. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAMMY SUSARREY.

Baja Mexico Fishing Photo 1

POPOTLA PANGA--Anglers, from left, Ken Case, Joyce Oriondo, and Oscar Oriondo, fished the Baja coast out of Popotla south of Tijuana with Robert Rodriguez and commercial pangueros Pepe Martinez and Pepe Martinez Jr., right, for good results on 20 red rockcod, 12 whitefish, and 14 bocaccio. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT RODRIGUEZ.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

NEAR THE ARCH--Scott and Ron Elkins of Los Angeles fished inshore at Cabo San Lucas last week with Capt. Ramon Druck on the charter panga Cheer's for a busy light tackle morning on 13 sierra and 5 small roosterfish. At center and right, Carisa Desposito's outing on the Cheer's produced 17 of these Cabo sierra plus 2 roosterfish, and Adolfo Rossi of Italy with a yellowtail filleted by the local sea lions. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SPRING JACK ACTION--Inshore action picked up for East Cape fly rod anglers last week. Here's Mike Vogel with a nice jack crevalle caught near La Ribera with Baja On The Fly guide Lance Petersen aboard the charter panga Victoria. Vogel's morning at East Cape was good for a couple of jacks, 2 skipjack, a lot of fish missed and unbuttoned, and an exploded 10WT rod. PHOTO COURTESY OF GARY GRAHAM.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

NICE PARGO LISA--John McVay of Valencia, Calif., scored this real nice pargo lisa or mullet snapper weighed at 44 pounds while fishing the Las Arenas side south of La Paz on a Tortuga Sportfishing panga with Capt. Rigo Lucero. McVay also landed good-sized wahoo and some assorted dorado during the outing. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2

ESPIRITU SANTO CABRILLA--Shawn James of Los Angeles fished at Isla Espiritu Santo north of La Paz earlier in April and landed this nice leopard grouper on a panga with Tailhunter International. He hooked the "cabrilla" on the east side of the island with live bait. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Isla Tortuga Mexico Fishing Photo 1

TORTUGA 'TAILS--Daniel Lopez, left, ran to the south end of Isla Tortuga off Santa Rosalia last week with anglers Antonio Pacheco, center, and Sergio Escobedo for 7 of these yellowtail in the mid-20 pound class while fishing together with the boat of Mike Kanzler from Isla San Marcos. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

San Felipe Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MIDRIFF BOUND--With a sparkling fresh coat of paint for the new season, the San Felipe panga mothership Andrea Lynn leaves the commercial harbor for a 6-day Midriff islands trip on Saturday, April 28, 2007. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX VELEZ.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ALL HANDS RESCUED--In action about 16 miles south of Rocky Point, a charter fishing boat burns and sinks after an explosion that blew at least one angler into the air. About 8 anglers and crew were rescued by a local panga and Stuart Burnett's boat Constancia. PHOTOS COURTESY OF STUART BURNETT.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 3

EXPLOSIVE FISHING ACTION--Lloyd Robinette's trip out of Rocky Point on his boat Arca de Noe produced 6 of these red snapper plus 1 whitefish, a big load of goldspotted bass, and unexpected excitement as local boats rescued the crew and fishermen of a charter boat that exploded, burned, and sank about 16 miles out. At right, Stuart Burnett's boat Constancia and a local panga during the rescue. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LLOYD ROBINETTE.

Mazatlan Mexico Fishing Photo 1

FLOTA BIBI BROADBILL--Jeff Anderson with a prized broadbill swordfish caught out of Mazatlan last month aboard the Flota Bibi Fleet charter boat Norma Patricia with Capt. David and first mate Alex. The swordfish was hooked about 20 miles out and was the only fish caught that day. PHOTO COURTESY OF TADEO HERNANDEZ.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Puerto Vallarta Mexico Octopus Photo 1

OFFSHORE VALLARTA PANGA--Puerto Vallarta charter panga Dhamar deckhand Fernando, left, and angler "Bernardo" of Santa Rosa, Calif., with a beautiful sailfish hooked along with yellowfin tuna and an octopus at the offshore El Banco fishing spot last week with Capt. Danny Gomez. At right, an unusual offshore catch hooked during the Dhamar's trip to El Banco. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANNY GOMEZ.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ZIHUAT JACKS--Inshore anglers at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo are still waiting for the roosterfish to turn on, but some spring action on jack crevalle is being found. Fly angler P.J. D'Amico fished at Puerto Vicente Guerrero last week and landed this jack with Capt. Cali. PHOTO COURTESY OF ED KUNZE.

Sea of Cortez Mexico Marlin Photo 1

SANTA CRUZ SAILFISH--On a 3-day solo round trip by his boat Soledad out of Loreto last week, Bill Erhardt caught this sailfish plus a dorado off Isla Santa Cruz, a striped marlin off Las Animas, and several small barrilete along the way. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES