Dorado lead improving bite for Cabo San Lucas sportfishing boats;

San Carlos charters scoring on billfish

Mexico Fishing News, July 16, 2007

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 36 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 117 dorado, 34 striped marlin, 1 mako shark, 1 wahoo, and 18 yellowfin tuna.

"Dorado catches soared this week with most Cabo San Lucas sportfishing boats having an opportunity to land 3 or 4 fish in the 15 to 30-pound range," Edwards said. "Billfish counts have also risen, and even a few tuna came in this week." The best dorado action was on the Pacific side around the Golden Gate Bank and striped marlin fishing was better around the 95 spot. Cabo San Lucas fishing area water conditions were still variable, with fluctuating currents and water temperatures of about 75 to 77 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Thomas Wright of Tucson, Ariz., reported 9 live bait dorado to 70 pounds plus 1 small yellowfin tuna landed aboard the Solmar charter boat El Torito with Capt. Antonio about 28 miles northwest of Cabo San Lucas. Also fishing aboard El Torito were Matt McGrath and Matt Sebree.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jorge Navarro of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing said 75 percent of last week's boats released striped marlin, and good numbers of dorado were also found by some boats, including a 29-dorado release day for Spanish anglers Julio Ribes, Francisco Mira, and Francisco de Prado fishing aboard the charter boat Andrea, and a 29-dorado day for Jeff Smith of Canada aboard the Ni Modo. "Yellowfin was still very slow but some boats managed to catch a few," Navarro said. Cabo San Lucas fishing area water temperatures averaged 72 to 74 degrees as Pisces Fleet boats fished both the Pacific and Cortez sides at the Jaime Bank, 1150 spot, Chileno, and Punta Gorda.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the previous week, Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing reported just 46 percent of charters releasing striped marlin but 61 percent landing between 1 and 20 dorado of 15 to 25 pounds, including released fish. "The slack this week was taken up by dorado," Ehrenberg said. "For the first time this year marlin was surpassed as the most widely caught species." For the week, Pisces boats landed a total of 42 striped marlin, all released. "These catches would be considered good anywhere else in the world, but in Cabo, quite frankly we are spoiled with an incredible marlin fishery," Ehrenberg said. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was cooler than normal for July, with water temperatures averaging 72 degrees, the best marlin action on the Cortez side, and the best dorado counts coming from the Pacific side.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 48 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 70 striped marlin, 33 dorado, 2 yellowfin tuna, 4 yellowtail, and 1 mako shark.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 13 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 13 striped marlin, 13 yellowfin tuna of 40 to 45 pounds, 4 dorado of 25 to 50 pounds, 1 mako shark of 80 pounds, and 1 sierra.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Mike Connolly of the Pisces Fleet charter boat Falcon said Capt. Manuel had a good week, fishing 5 days at the 1150 and 95 spots and about 20 miles south of the arch for a catch including released fish of: 12 striped marlin, 5 yellowfin tuna, and 1 dorado.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Christopher Adams of San Rafael, Calif., reported a small yellowfin tuna of about 6 or 7 pounds and a 30-pound dorado landed during an outing with Capt. Jesus on the Cabo San Lucas charter boat Marina VI. "Fishing conditions were beautiful, calm blue water at about 78 degrees about 4 miles off the lighthouse," Adams said. "The first fish hit while trolling lures through a large school of dolphin. We regained a visual on the dolphin and were back with them in 10 minutes. Bam! The dorado jumped clear out of the water 4 times on the way in. A beautiful fish and a beautiful day and a great dinner!"

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Enrique Godreau of Seattle, Wash., reported very good surf fishing with a yellow-orange jointed Rebel Fastrac as recommended in the Baja fishing guidebook The Baja Catch. "I was surf casting Monday night with spoons, but no luck," Godreau said. "I put on the Rebel and the next 8 casts in a row landed fish. Truly incredible."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the previous week, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said, "Cabo San Lucas is between seasons on billfish. The water is warm enough that the striped marlin are off their feed but still not warm enough to bring in any numbers of blue or black marlin. Most of the fish were found on the boundary between the cool and warm water on the Pacific side of the cape. A swordfish estimated at 250 pounds was reported taken along the green-blue boundary 15 miles to the south of Cabo San Lucas. Dorado were again the fish of the week as it seemed every Cabo San Lucas fishing boat was able to get at least 1 or 2."

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 panga fishing at Ensenada's Punta Banda was wide-open for summer bonita and barracuda, plus about 3 yellowtail per boat except for Tuesday when bonita and barracuda limits were caught, but no yellowtail. "This week was very good fishing," Villarino said. "We have limits for barracuda and bonita, and a few yellowtails. We are smoking fish." Anglers scoring bottom fish and surface limits with Vonny's Fleet's Capts. Hector and Beto during the week included Kevin Lanonette, Rod Lewis and his family, Eileen Kennedy, John and Elliot Mendiola, Rick McEven, and Dora Luz Quiñonez. Local Ensenada fishing weather was cloudy in the mornings in the low-60s, with light winds, 2-foot ocean swells, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 62 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Judy Ostberg of the boat Melody at Marina Coral reported on a run to the upper 500 spot on Saturday for 1 bluefin tuna of 38.3 pounds and 6 albacore of 23 to 28 pounds. Water temperatures were at 67.1 degrees. "The bite was scratchy and the water kinda choppy," Ostberg said. "At the fish cleaning station I talked to another buddy that fished the 238 spot for 3 really nice yellowfin." Also fishing aboard the Melody were Mel Ostberg and Alex Ruiz.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog at Marina Coral reported on an offshore run Saturday to the Hidden Bank, fishing in cobalt blue 66.7-degree water for 8 troll albacore and 2 more on sardines from Gordo's at about GPS 31.59 117.27. "There were numerous seiners in the area," Ross said. "The hot color was carrot top. The majority of the sportfishers were out of the main Ensenada harbor and a few out of Marina Coral." Offshore Ensenada fishing area weather had 10-knot winds and 5 to 6-foot seas.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous Fourth of July weekend Ross reported on 2 offshore albacore trips in 66.6 to 68-degree water just north of the 238 spot for easy limits of 20 to 35-pound fish the first day and 5 albacore plus 3 bonita the second day. "They were all jig fish," Ross said. "We could not get them to go on bait. We did have big sardines that we purchased from Gordo's. On Saturday, Mauricio on the Shir-Lee said one of his passengers was catching all the albacore on a red-and-black feather. We changed, and sure enough, the reds started dominating the carrot tops. They wanted red."

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Toma s Resort said sea conditions were good the previous weekend. "We are doing fine and the summer fishing is approaching peak season," Saenz said.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Joe Branco of Riverside, Calif., reported on a 3-day trip to Puerto Santo Tomas Resort, fishing with Capt. Willy together with Diane Lujan for 2 yellowtail and 4 big sacks of bottom fish including lingcod and whitefish. "We caught the yellows while trolling out and around the reef," Branco said. "The weather was nice and we had a great time."

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Tere Castro of Castro's Camp reported 33 boats fishing off the Baja coast at Erendira during the week, mostly 4 to 5 miles out in water temperatures averaging 62 degrees for continued heavy counts of larger fish this week, including rockcods, lingcod, barracuda, some yellowtail, and 2 white seabass. Baja coastal weather was sunny and mostly calm all week.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported 20 boats fishing out of San Quintin during the week, in calming weather conditions and wide-open action at Isla San Martin for yellowtail, halibut, barracuda, bonito, and calico bass. "Not many boats ran out to the tuna grounds for albacore this week," Hillis said. Anglers landing limits of halibut to 34 pounds and yellowtail to 24 pounds, plus lots of bonito and barracuda during the week included dirt bikers Rich Carlson, Scott Muir, and Rob Flores of San Diego, Calif., Sandy Gomez and Sean Neseashi of Mission Viejo, Calif., Frank Durate and Alex Burton of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Tony Hughes of London, England. "He came all the way from England just to fish with Pedro's Pangas!" Hillis said.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Kelly Catian of K&M Offshore Sportfishing reported on several days of fishing and surf trips out of San Quintin with good catches of yellowtail in 64-degree water on kelp paddies just outside the 240 spot, more big yellowtail at the 6 spot, mixed yellowtail and halibut at Isla San Martin, and some albacore caught offshore aboard the boat Habanero by Capt. Oscar Catian, Pete Engle, Rick Chappy, and Dave Brown.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin reported the San Quintin fishing area's first dorado of the season caught by Capt. Cachora on Saturday, July 8, 2007, while fishing for yellowtail at the 6 spot. "We are having a good year," Meza said. "At San Quintin right now, there are white seabass, yellowtail, some albacore, the first yellowfin tuna, halibut, and the first dorado. Everything is here for the tournament and the weather is nice."

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Meza also reported 2 white seabass to over 50 pounds landed on Friday while fishing with Fish Traps and 20-pound line on his boat Santa Monica with Genaro Lopez right on the edge of the breakers about 18 miles north of the bay. Meza said he fished on birds in calm, clear green water about 35 feet deep, with the water temperature at 58 degrees. "My scale tops out at 50 pounds," Meza said. "I don't know the real weight, but I'm guessing 55 pounds." Another run with anglers Conrrado Gonzalez and Victor Rodriguez produced 4 kelp paddy yellowtail during a tuna trip in 64-degree water about 30 miles out on a heading of 180 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Marita Melville of Don Eddie's Landing reported San Quintin fishing area weather mostly sunny during the week and boats fishing daily for about 8 yellowtail per outing into the solid 25-pound class plus lots of sheephead, rockcod, barracuda, bonita, some halibut, and a 71-pound thresher shark landed with Capt. Juan Cook at Ben's Rock on Friday by San Diego firefighters Dan Olson, Patrick “Mitch” Nicola, Jaime Bravo, and Jorge Castillo. "They had not discovered San Quintin before and were happily surprised of the fishing adventure it has to offer," Melville said. "They said Juan made their trip so much fun. He was patient and just a lot of fun." Ron Tinney and Erin Meister targeted large halibut all week and scored 17 halibut to 27 pounds, rockcod limits to 9 pounds, barracuda, and yellowtail.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Melville said about 23 anglers fished in the Don Eddie's Landing Fourth of July tournament, with first place going to Francisco Zavala for a 26.6-pound yellowtail, second place to Loren Rodriguez for a 24.9-pound yellowtail, and third place to Blanca Lopez with a 24.8-pound yellowtail. "Every boat that went out in the tournament came back with yellowtail and bottom fish," Melville said. "Albacore tuna is also starting to come and a few boats have brought some in. They went trolling for them." Don Eddie's next tournament was scheduled Sept. 2-3, 2007, with a $75 entry fee.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Sal Pilato of San Pedro reported white seabass limits of fish from 30 to 60 pounds caught by his group while fishing with Capt. Lee Moreno off the Baja coast at Camalu last week. "And we caught plenty of bottom fish, lingcod, whitefish, and sandbass," Pilato said. "We also found a new restaurant, Gaston's, right on the beach about 20 minutes from Camalu, operated by Al and Nolo Gaston. The steak and lobster were great." Fishing with Pilato were anglers Herb Galvez, Emeson Holden, and Tom Okamura.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Jay Hammer of the Vagabundo's del Mar Boat & Travel Club reported on a cruise down the Sea of Cortez by 5 trailer boats to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a cruise by 2 club boats from San Felipe to La Paz with 25-h.p. outboard motors in 1957. "This was the beginning of small boat cruising the Cortez," Hammer said. "There is an earlier account about another small boat sponsored by Glaspar who went from Punta Peñasco to Puerto Vallarta, but the details are sketchy." The 5 boats on this year's cruise crossed the border at Calexico on June 22, 2007, and cruised from San Felipe to various points on the Baja coast including Puertecitos, Gonzaga Bay, Isla Angel de la Guarda, Bahia de los Angeles, Santa Rosalia, and La Paz. "The coastal cruise is always an adventure and a challenge as the Sea of Cortez never makes it easy, finding our flaws," Hammer said. "However it remains a wonderful experience for those who dare to tread these wonderful waters in little ships." Boats going on the 5th anniversary cruise included: Hammer Time, Jay Hammer; Black Knight, Ron and Barb Reinhardt; Fish and Chicks, Bob Herdt and crew; Dig Her, Bob and Sharon Graham; Aquaholic, Larry Lammon and family; and No Name, Lou Debottari and crew.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Alejandro Rosas of Tijuana reported good trolled albacore action 20 miles out of San Diego during an aborted run south to Ensenada aboard Rene Gonzalez' boat Magu. "In 15 minutes we had our first albacore strike and by about 1 p.m. we had caught 6 albacore from 20 to 28 pounds," Rosas said. "With Dante Laura our fishing companion, we each caught 2 albacore with the same red colored albacore jig. The water was calm. We decided on leaving the boat in San Diego until next week, or forever. At Ensenada, it seems the commercial industry is getting all the sardines and anchovies in order to feed the bluefin tuna in the Salsipuedes cages. If this continues sportfishing in Ensenada will surely die." Rosas also said a striped marlin was released by another boat fishing near the Magu. "After a jig strike, about 50 feet from our boat another boat makes a jig stop and one of his companions throws a sardine into the water and what do you know? A striped marlin hits it, landed after about 30 minutes and released immediately."

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said warming water temperatures off Magdalena Bay brought more reports of dorado spotted on shark buoys about 20 miles outside the San Carlos entrada. "There were also a few schools of yellowfin tuna outside of Boca de Soledad and quite a few skippies mixed in," Graham said. Some tailing billfish were seen during the afternoons. The San Carlos entrada continued to produce good action for surface yellowtail and bonita feeding on sardines. Inside the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels improving leopard grouper and corvina action filled in for slower snook. "Corvina provided the best surface action above Puerto Lopez Mateos where they could be found feeding near the surface on balls of sardines," Graham said. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was sunny at 90 degrees, with water temperatures of 64 to 75 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 68 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 284 combined snapper species, 27 yellowfin tuna, 18 dorado, 23 striped marlin, 29 amberjack, 24 bonito, 2 halibut, 8 pompano, 22 cabrilla, 2 yellowtail, 26 triggerfish, and 12 sierra. Los Cabos fishing area weather was more humid as the summer tropical storm season approached, with water temperatures at 75 to 78 degrees and blue water about 8 to 12 miles off San Jose del Cabo. Charter pangas fished mostly on rock piles. "Cooler and stirred up inshore waters were not producing much," Brictson said. "Roosterfish action was almost nonexistent. The whole season for these fish has been a disappointment."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Brictson noted the opening of the channel of the new Puerto Los Cabos marina last week. "On July 10th the Puerto Los Cabos Marina channel was finally opened," Brictson said. "This happened by surprise during the middle of the night, with an armada of heavy equipment attacking the last sandbar separating the Sea of Cortez and the marina which will soon be home to some 500 vessels. There is still an incredible amount of work to be done, but the opening of the channel was a big step in the right direction of finally getting this much anticipated project into the operational mode."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo reported on 2 days of fishing around Los Cabos on his boat Dos Gueros for very slow action in greenish 69 to 71-degree water and just 1 cabrilla caught at about 20 pounds. "We launched late Tuesday and ran down to the Gordo banks area," Lewis said. "Conditions were nice with flat seas and light winds. We saw lots of manta's but caught no fish during about 2 hours. We went back out Thursday. The water was 75 degrees at Palmilla but cooled to around 70 degrees the further east we went. We caught the cabrilla but otherwise saw nothing."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Lewis also reported dredging work resumed at the entrance to the newly opened Puerto Los Cabos marina project at La Playita beach at about 4 p.m. Friday afternoon. "When I left after dark, around 9 p.m., they were still scurrying around," Lewis said. "They had several backhoe's taking sand from the opening and filling dump trucks. I predict they will make progress tonight. The new moon high tide was causing a lot of water to rush over the beach berm and looked to be threatening the large generator they have positioned on the beach between the jetties. They are building a berm to keep high tide surge from pushing over and around the jetty base but also moving sand from the entrance making it ever wider. These guys are clever, I will give them that. Water is flowing and there appears to be lots of bait moving in. There could be some good snook fishing around that opening."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Jay Jones of San Diego reported on an outing with his family on Friday aboard the Dream Maker Sportfishing charter boat Guerita II for action including 2 dorado landed to about 25 pounds and 4 marlin baited but not hooked. "We ran about an hour northeast until we found bluish water," Jones said.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Marisol Verdugo of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort said fleet boats were busy every day during the week and they averaged about 2 to 3 dorado per boat at up to 55 pounds. "Big bulls!" Verdugo said. "The fishing for dorado this past week has been very good." Striped marlin were slower but more blue marlin were caught, as well as many school-sized yellowfin tuna.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Russ Fritz of La Ribera said 129 boats fishing at East Cape on Saturday in the third annual Dorado Shootout tournament out of the Van Wormer hotels weighed in 9 dorado over 50 pounds. "Ten to 15 miles off the beach, the water is warm, very deep blue, and the huge dorado have made a strong showing," Fritz said. "This year has been flip-flopping between warm and cold water, wind and calm, and fish and no fish." Water temperatures closer in at La Ribera were in the mid-70s with green color most days as typical winds were from the northeast rather than the more normal southwest. "Bait has been scarce so far, with no mackerel showing yet," Fritz said. Fritz noted some organizational confusion during the tournament. "Some miscommunications could have been prevented by simply printing out the tournament rules in Spanish as well as English," Fritz said. "The Van Wormer family were gracious hosts for the tournament and provided a sumptuous feast in the luxurious Hotel Palmas de Cortez. As always, the staff was warm, efficient, and attentive to the smallest detail."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said inshore boat fishing continued to provide the best action for East Cape fly tackle anglers last week as jacks and mixed size roosterfish were consistent close to shore. "For the beach walkers, though, it seems to be more walking and less casting," Graham said. "Even the ladyfish have been tougher to find recently." In offshore action, good numbers of striped marlin were present but few were biting. "They just haven’t turned on yet," Graham said. Football yellowfin tuna were found about 35 miles out. East Cape fishing area weather was partly cloudy at 100 degrees, with water temperatures at 75 to 86 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jay Jones of San Diego reported on 2 days of driving to East Cape to find better action for his family group staying at Los Cabos for a week, fishing with Capt. Israel Cucuyo for 6 yellowfin tuna of 6 to 10 pounds, 1 jack crevalle, and some skipjacks the first day, and better action the second day for a catch of: 6 small roosterfish, 2 jack crevalle, 2 skipjack, 1 yellowfin tuna, 2 very small dorado, and 1 striped marlin on a trolled sardina. "All the fish except the skipjack were released," Jones said. "The skipjacks were held back to throw to marlin, but no tailers were spotted. All in all, it was a great week for all involved." Fishing with Jones and his sons Jason and Logan were Peter Bushnell, his daughter Raija, and son Andrew.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jorge Bergin of La Ribera reported on 3 outings by his neighbor Bob Grant on Grant's boat Si Mija, fishing about 12 miles off the beach with his grandson Trevor Whitaker of West Hills, Calif., for a daily catch of marlin plus dorado of 45 to 50 pounds. East Cape fishing area weather was pleasant, with afternoon winds of about 8 knots and the water temperature at 82 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista reported a session of good light tackle action for 3 yellowfin tuna of about 5 to 16 pounds caught while trolling jointed Rebel Fastrac lures at the end of a 30-mile day of fishing on Bahia de Palmas with no other fish to show for it. "As often as not the rewards come near the end of the day," Eddy said. "Given that we catch so many fish on the Fastracs, do you think Rebel would entertain a 'Fastrac Plus' lure with heavier hooks and rings?" GOOD TUNA ACTION ON REBEL FASTRACS.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport East Cape diving service reported slightly warmer at depth water temperatures of 68 to 70 degrees at the Cabo Pulmo marine park coral reefs, with visibility at 20 to 25 feet. Sea life sightings at El Cantil and El Bajo included tiger shark, green moray eels, octopus, and zebra moray eels. Mark Rayor of Vista Sea Sport said his boat Jen Wren ran north to La Reyna at Isla Cerralvo and found some spots with excellent diving conditions. "I was excited to find for the first time this year that Tidy Bowl blue water," Rayor said. "We caught our first blue marlin of the season. The reef was loaded with life and could be clearly seen at 60 feet. Our scuba tours will be headed north until conditions clear up at Pulmo."

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said his pangas fishing on the Las Arenas side south of La Paz had full summer conditions last week while searching throughout the area for dorado, amberjack, wahoo, and mixed species. The fishing area north of Isla Cerralvo was not productive, but wahoo and amberjack were concentrated at the south end of the island and some were caught using live bait and Rapalas. Only a few dorado were present last week at the buoys, but dorado of 40 to 56 pounds were caught by pangas running out to the 88 Bank.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said La Paz fishing improved last week for striped marlin, dorado on both sides of the hill, and continued wahoo around the south end of Isla Cerralvo. "La Paz fishing definitely got better this week," Roldan said. "The waters warmed and we lost some of the green currents that hurt us for several weeks. Dorado fishing is still behind the curve of what we normally see, but there was a marked increase as the week went on." Inshore action continued good for mixed pargo, cabrilla, amberjack, and roosterfish. Top catches for the week included an amberjack that bottomed out a 100-pound scale for angler Wes Howard of Los Angeles, Calif. "Wes fought the fish for two-and-a-half hours on 25-pound test line and kept it out of the rocks," Roldan said.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis said the weather on Sunday was windless in the mid-90s with water temperatures warming slightly to 70 to 72 degrees. Dorado fishing was generally very slow for dorado in very small sizes as 70 pangas fished during the week for a catch including: 14 yellowtail, 1 baqueta of 28 pounds, 2 cabrilla at 14 pounds, 1`roosterfish at 48 pounds, about 150 peanut dorado, 1 larger dorado at 54 pounds, and lots of bottom fish including pargo and spotted cabrilla. Yellowtail were caught mainly north at Punta Pulpito and peanut dorado were found about 25 miles south of Loreto.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said Loreto fishing area weather was calm at the end of week after a period of wind and some rain, but water temperatures still had not stabilized for the summer. "The cold current is still very prominent off Loreto and warm water areas are discontinuous," Bolles said. "There is lots of sargasso to the south. Most dorado are under 15 pounds but the largest weighed in yesterday was over 40 pounds caught dozens of miles south of Isla Catalan." Loreto inshore fishing was good for roosterfish of 5 to 20 pounds, cabrilla and pargo to about 10 pounds, and squid right on the beaches. Sailfish and striped marlin were present offshore.

LORETO, MEXICO: On Saturday, Bolles also noted a paperwork snafu for entrants in the Fishin' For The Mission fishing tournament at Loreto. "This morning, the second day of the tournament, Profepa, Pesca, and Loreto marine park officials were checking all boats in line at the launch ramp for boat and personal fishing permits and marine park tickets," Bolles said. "If a boat didn't have all requirements, the driver was told to go on and could not launch. Boats without all permits were told they couldn't fish."

LORETO, MEXICO: Mark Blucker of Costa Mesa, Calif., and La Jolla Camp at Ensenada reported a good bite for 8 dorado and a striped marlin found in blue 82-degree water 12 miles northeast of Isla Catalan during an early July cruise by Dave Ogle's boat Sleeper from La Paz to Loreto and back. "Fishing was slow on the bottom spots," Blucker said. "On Thursday morning, we fueled at Puerto Escondido and ran 20 miles to the blue water past Carmen Island. We had an outstanding bite that went on from noon to 5:30 p.m., our best session of the trip. When it was time to pull in the lines and head for Agua Verde for the evening, we got a double hookup while reeling in the trolling gear, 1 marlin and 1 sailfish. They didn't want us to leave! Agua Verde was the best overnight cove we stayed at. I was very fortunate to get on this trip with Dave. I learned something new every 5 minutes, bait bridling, lure choice, new knots, new spots, etc. This offshore stuff is a lot different from fishing off my skiff in Ensenada. The boat ran great and we never ran out of beer. Paradise!"

LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto said his neighbor Charlie Licha fished on Monday with Capt. Alvaro Murillo and Licha's grandson Mitch between Islas Coronado and Carmen for a catch of 1 thresher shark at 200 pounds, and 8 ocean whitefish, or piernas in Spanish, to about 8 pounds. "They used mackerel on the thresher and squid chunks on the piernas as bait," Bear said. "Charlie fishes the piernas with a ganion of 4 hooks baited with cut squid. The larger ones can put up a reasonable fight. The sea at Loreto was dead calm, but the water temperature is still on the cold side, according to Charlie."

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Marv Perrigo of Mulege said he fished on his boat Dock Holiday about 25 miles out in 82-degree water for a catch including a 22-pound dorado landed by Rob Askine of Fair Oaks, Calif. "It was straight out from the Mulege river using a surface popper," Perrigo said. "Gene Lee and Ralpha Meza of Mulege also scored 2 dorado weighing in at 31 and 26 pounds, caught 30 miles out. The dorado are here in the Mulege fishing area but due to the unusual cool water temperatures in close, a little travel time is involved getting to them." Good numbers of billfish were seen from 10 miles outwards. Perrigo added that tourism in the Mulege area was surprisingly active for July. "There are not many Americans in Mulege right now but the Hotel Serenidad seems to be doing okay, as well as the local restaurants," he said.

MULEGE, MEXICO: Wayne Neff of San Diego reported on 8 days of inshore and offshore family style fishing aboard his red 14-foot aluminum boat Red Tin Tin out of the Hotel Punta Chivato campground for a catch including 1 sailfish, 1 dorado, and about 15 various fish of mostly bass and pargo species. "The kids caught many of the miscellaneous fish," Neff said. "The focus of this trip is not about me." Along on the trip were Neff's wife Susan Neff, their children Rachael and Matthew, and fishing partner Bill Vingoe. "The dorado are late this year and the water cool," Neff said. "There were more billfish in the water than dorado. Fishing at the south end of the Santa Inez Island is productive for the larger bass types and pargo. Most of the other boats on the beach were traveling 20 miles out to find small dorado and good bills. The water was warmer at the 20-mile mark." Wayne noted that the week's hookups also included a 25-pound sea turtle that hit a 9 cm Rapala and was released.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: John Gilkerson of Cypress, Calif., reported on his annual group trip to San Lucas Cove, fishing the Santa Rosalia area for a week ending July 5, 2007, out of his boat A-SALT-WEAPON for generally slow action but a steady pick on about 3 yellowtail per day of 25 to 35 pounds on the Isla San Marcos 110 bajo and off the north side of the island. Also on the trip were Jim Bentley, Jimester Bentley, and Matt Bentley on their boat BATTLEWAGON. Water temperatures were at 72 to 78 degrees on the bajo and up to 81 degrees offshore. "There were very few dorado and they were on the small side ranging from about 6 to 20 pounds," Gilkerson said. "We found plenty of scum lines with small kelp patties and some strange lemon yellow plankton blooms that ran for miles and turned massive areas of water a nasty green-yellow color. The dorado were finicky and spooky. We did not see a single sailfish in the area which is very unusual for this time of year, but did come across a few marlin, a couple of which were briefly hooked." Fishing at Isla Tortuga was very slow in cloudy water at 76 to 78 degrees. Other action during the trip included good bottom fishing at a high spot inside Isla San Marcos and a hot session on Humboldt giant squid to 40 pounds on the 110 bajo. Santa Rosalia fishing area weather had some wind and choppy water, with few bugs around the campground and the daily high about 95 degrees.

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko at the south end of Bahia de los Angeles reported generally good weather in the high-80s, with light southern winds, and the local water temperature at 73 to 74 degrees. Yellowtail fishing was good over local reefs and at Isla Angel de la Guarda for 10 to 20-pound fish, plus some yellowtail over 30 pounds. No dorado were reported yet. Few visitors were in the village, as work on the new main boulevard was on hold and the new power lines were wired more than halfway in from Baja's highway Mex 1.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Mike Jones of Huntersville, N.C., fished aboard the San Felipe panga mothership Erik with his 12-year-old son Ryan Jones and reported Ryan's first-ever yellowtail caught off Bahia de los Angeles on July 1, 2007. "He caught 19 yellowtail up to 24 pounds on the trip," Jones said. "It was his first mothership trip and his first fishing trip in the Sea of Cortez." At total of 3 anglers in Jones' group had a catch with Erik panga Capt. Ramon for the 6-day trip of: 45 yellowtail, 24 cabrilla, 4 pargo, 1 golden grouper released, 2 totoaba released, and 30 miscellaneous fish. Midriff weather had some cold and windy days in the 70s, with water temperatures in the mid-70s. "The food on the Erik was great, and the every mothership should have a bartender like Omar," Jones said.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Ed Duitsman of Hinkley, Calif., picked his trailer boat Daycare up at San Lucas Cove and drove into Bahia de los Angeles for a family fishing trip with his wife Martha Duitsman, her brother Chuck Lehotsky, and 4 Duitsman kids, Holly, John, Brian, and Cory. "Everything was perfect," Duitsman said. "Martha even got her own first yellowtails. Yellowtail were everywhere and we didn't have to go far from the boat ramp. We caught yellowtail on Krocodiles, root beer colored 6-inch shads, and blue Rebel Fastrac lures. We only kept 1 grouper and 1 yellowtail this trip. All the other fish were released." Duitsman's group stayed at Guillermo's Sportfishing Hotel & Restaurant and reported good food and rooms. "Lucy kept the air conditioning on for us all night. My wife is ready to go again!" Duitsman said.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Fly-in angler Roger Crenshaw of Chula Vista, Calif., reported quality yellowtail very tight to the beaches at San Francisquito south of Bahia de los Angeles. "The big yellowtail are boiling right off the beach," Crenshaw said. "You have to back up to cast. I don't know if this is a 4 or 5-year cycle, or the lack of commercial fishing pressure. Iron or live bait does the trick. The bait is so thick in areas that the depth finder is unable to penetrate it." Crenshaw said dorado were reported as far north as Punta San Miguel. "They should be arriving shortly in San Francisquito or off El Barril," he said. "White seabass are also at San Miguel, fished best in the evening or early morning. The islands, Lorenzo, Animas, and Salsipuedes, are hit and miss." Tourist traffic at San Francisquito was slow. "Currently, there are only 2 boats fishing in the San Fran area, one private and one from the resort," Crenshaw said. "No one is driving in. There is just one plane on the ground." Midriff fishing area weather was relatively cool in the low-80s, with some periods of strong south winds.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Dana Allen of Reno, Nev., reported on a Baja Catch-style fish camping run to Gonzaga Bay with Chris Novak of San Jose, Calif., tent camping and fishing on a Zodiak out of the Rancho Grande palapas in extremely hot weather for a catch with trolled Rebel lures averaging about 30 fish per day and including spotted bay bass, small grouper, triggerfish, barracuda, scorpionfish, wrasse, and some hookups that could not be stopped. "Even on the water the heat was outrageous and we both likely suffered from mild heat stroke," Allen said. "We drank 2 gallons of water a day per person the first 2 days." SUPER HOT WEATHER BAJA CATCH-STYLE FISHING TRIP TO GONZAGA BAY.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Fernando Almada of Catch-22 Sportfishing said his boats pounded the same spot all week about 12 to 16 miles out of San Carlos on a heading of 220 degrees for about 2 to 3 sailfish and mixed marlin plus some nice dorado per day. "San Carlos fishing waters have provided great action this week," Almada said. "The wind finally gave us a break this week and we had some great fishing." On Thursday, the charter boat Catch-22 Rubina scored 3 first-ever sailfish for 3 different anglers.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 29 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 4 blue marlin, all under 300 pounds, 3 striped marlin, 12 sailfish, 10 corvina, and 85 dorado. "Dorado action continues at a record pace," Edwards said. "All-you-want everyday. Dorado are stacked up at the buoys and the billfish are primarily in the 23 to 28-mile zone southwest of Marina El Cid." Mazatlan fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with light breezes and the water temperature at 86 degrees inshore and 89 degrees offshore.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing said the Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar ran out to Roca Corbeteña last week, finding clean 84-degree water, lots of medium yellowfin tuna in the area, and 2 tuna of 65 and 80 pounds plus 2 sailfish for angler "Berney" of Santa Rosa, Calif. "These tunas are wide-open, jumping and feeding, so for those anglers that want to come to Puerto Vallarta for them this is the time," Gomez said.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Ali Hussainy of the Bloodydecks.com website announced their second annual Bloodydecks.com Tuna Shootout fishing tournament at Puerto Vallarta on Aug. 17-19, 2007, with tournament headquarters at the Paradise Village Resort and Marina in Nuevo Vallarta and a daily entry fee of $1,000 plus side jackpots. "There will be an even cash payout for Friday's biggest tuna, Saturday's biggest tuna, and the overall biggest fish," Hussainy said. Information: Tunashootout.com, tunashootout@bloodydecks.com.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said 10 to 15-pound yellowfin tuna were providing good light tackle action in addition to about 1 to 2 sailfish per day for boats in the Ixtapa fishing area last week, but with variable weather conditions. "The barometer was bouncing around like a yo-yo," Kunze said. "We only got one day of rain, but we got over 2 inches in 2 hours." Clear blue water at 80 to 84 degrees was about 2 miles out. Inshore boats did well on medium sized jack crevalle of 12 to 16 pounds. "The jacks are giving the fly rodders a great day on the water," Kunze said. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was clear at 100 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said, "Inshore fishing continues to lead the way when the seas permit. The fleet continues to hook and land more marlin than sailfish, very unusual for this time of year." Top offshore outings for the week included a run by the charter boat Bloody Hook for a 280-pound black marlin landed and an estimated 200-pound blue marlin lost. Inshore boats scored on roosterfish and good numbers of jack crevalle, or "yellowtail jacks," as they are called in the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area. Ixtapa fishing area weather had some rough seas during the week, with water temperatures at 83 degrees inshore and 85 degrees offshore.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 10 outings by the El Cid Caribe sportfishing fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 1 white marlin, 1 sailfish, 4 barracuda, 4 king mackerel, 2 grouper, 2 snapper, and 6 dorado. "There's a slowdown on anglers but the fishing and catching at Cancun remains very good for the longer day charters," Edwards said. "There's still a good chance for billfish and the variety remains good." Cancun fishing area weather was humid in the low-90s, with light easterly breezes, and the water temperature even and stable at 85 degrees.

MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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MEXICO: Manuel Gerhardus of Guasave, Sinaloa, reported on a run westward across the Sea of Cortez by his boat Mamanina, fishing to Los Barriles in Baja's East Cape area for a catch of: 1 blue marlin of 480 pounds landed about 50 miles out of his departure point at Las Glorias, Sinaloa, by Raul Gerhardus, 3 dorado to 43 pounds, and 1 small tuna. "The blue marlin hit a petrolero lure and it took 3 hours to land," Gerhardus said. Sea of Cortez water temperatures averaged 80 degrees. Also fishing aboard the Mamanina were Horacio Penuelas, Jorge Gerardus, and Darren Eskridge. At East Cape, Gerhardus' group stayed at Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort.

MEXICO: Baja traveler and angler Tyler Thorsen of Corpus Christi, Texas, reported on his fishing trip aboard the Gulf of Mexico charter boat Nyati, running about 148 miles into the gulf from Port Aransas for a catch by his group of 6 anglers in open water and at oil rigs of about: 7 dorado to 56 pounds, 10 wahoo, 1 large rainbow runner, 4 small amberjack, 4 tilefish, 1 shark, 1 vermilion rockfish, 1 small yellowfin tuna, and 1 small blackfin tuna. "We were mainly trolling all weekend trying for billfish with no luck," Thorsen said. "They did lose a 200-pound blue marlin and caught a sailfish the weekend before we went."

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SPANISH HOT DORADO--Spanish anglers, Julio Ribes, Francisco Mira, and Francisco de Prado fished at Cabo San Lucas last week aboard the Pisces Fleet charter boat Andrea for a great action on dorado including 20 released and a striped marlin also released. PHOTO COURTESY OF JORGE NAVARRO.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 2

CABO JUMPER--Christopher Adams boated this Cabo San Lucas dorado after 4 jumps on its way to the charter boat Marina VI with Capt. Jesus. The day's catch also included a small yellowfin tuna on porpoise about 4 miles out. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER ADAMS.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 3

TORITO DORADO--With a deck load of live bait dorado caught with Capt. Antonio aboard the Solmar Fleet charter boat El Torito at Cabo San Lucas are, from left, Matt McGrath, Matt Sebree, and Thomas Wright with his big bull. PHOTO COURTESY OF THOMAS WRIGHT.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

FAMILY FORKIE FISHIN'--Alexandra and Jordan Lanonette of Newport, Calif., went fishing at Ensenada with their father on a Vonny's Fleet panga and they had a great time with 3 yellowtail and a bunch of bonita. They fished with Capt. Hector on the charter panga Vonny III. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 2

INDEPENDENCE DAY ALBIES--Steve and Gail Ross fished out of Ensenada twice over the Fourth of July holiday for easy albacore limits their first day and 5 more albacore their second day during all-jig fish action just north of the 238 spot. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ROSS.

Puerto Santo Tomas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SANTO TOMAS FORKIES--Diane Lujan and Joe Branco of Riverside, Calif., fished on a Baja panga at Puerto Santo Tomas south of Ensenada for 4 big sacks of bottom fish plus these 2 yellowtail caught while trolling around the Soledad reef. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE BRANCO.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SAN QUINTIN SUMMER--Celebrating a catch of 14 nice San Quintin yellowtail in 2 days last week with Capt. Juan Cook, rear, are Don Eddie's Landing anglers, from left, Vince Davis, Tom Davis, Mitch Davis, and David Rupe. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARITA MELVILLE.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 2

SAN QUINTIN SUMMER--With a great catch of summer yellowtail and albacore from San Quintin last week are, from left, Pete Engle, K&M Offshore Sportfishing Capt. Oscar Catian, Rick Chappy, and Dave Brown. PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLY CATIAN.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 3

OFFSHORE YELLOWTAIL--Julio Meza, right, of San Quintin ran his boat Santa Monica out about 30 miles last week and missed finding tuna with Conrrado Gonzalez, left, and Victor Rodriguez, but they did land these quality yellowtail on an offshore kelp paddy. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIO MEZA.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 4

SAN QUINTIN CROAKERS--Genero Lopez fished just outside the surf north of Bahia de San Quintin aboard Julio Meza's boat Santa Monica and they landed a pair of these 50-pound plus white seabass on Fish Trap lures and 20-pound line. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIO MEZA.

Camalu Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CAMALU CROAKIN'--Sal Pilato's group scored white seabass limits on fish of 30 to 60 pounds last week while panga fishing off the Baja coast with Capt. Lee Moreno of Camalu, just north of San Quintin. From left, are Herb Galvez, Emeson Holden, Tom Okamura, Pilato, and Lee Moreno and his son. Also fishing with Pilato's group were Bob Morris and Larry Akahoshi. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAL PILATO.

Baja Coastal Fishing Photo 1

BACK TO SAN DIEGO--Rene Gonzalez, right, was running his boat Magu back to Ensenada after a couple of weeks in San Diego, but water conditions and albacore fishing were so much better in the north, he decided to return to San Diego for a while longer. Fishing with Gonzalez were, from left, Dante Laura and Alejandro Rosas. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEJANDRO ROSAS.

Puerto Los Cabos Mexico Marina Opening Photo 1

PUERTO LOS CABOS MARINA OPENING--Quietly, in the middle of night last week, the new Puerto Los Cabos marina at San Jose del Cabo was opened to the sea for the first time. "This is the first batch of photos from the grand opening of the marina channel," said Gordo Banks Pangas' Eric Brictson. "They surprised everybody and started the opening in the middle of the night. I guess this way Green Peace would not come and try to halt things." PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

La Ribera Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LA RIBERA TRIPLE HEADER--Trevor Whitaker fished 3 days out of East Cape's La Ribera on his grandfather Bob Grant's boat Si Mija for a marlin plus a 45 to 50-pound dorado like this one each day. They fished about 12 miles out in 82-degree water. PHOTO COURTESY OF JORGE BERGIN.

Sea of Cortez Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MID-CORTEZ BIGGIE--Raul Gerhardus, second from left, landed this 480-pound blue marlin out in the middle of the Sea of Cortez during a crossing from Sinaloa to Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort at East Cape by his cousin Manuel Gerhardus' boat Mamanina. Also aboard were, from left, Darren Eskridge, Jorge Gerhardus, and Horacio Penuelas. At right, a mid-Cortez dorado caught by the Mamanina hits the scale at 43.3 pounds. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANUEL GERHARDUS.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 2

RELIABLE REBELS--Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista trolled his tin boat 30 miles for nada out of East Cape last week but saved the day at the end of the trip as his trolled jointed Rebel Fastrac lures came through with 3 nice yellowfin tuna. PHOTO COURTESY OF TORRANCE EDDY.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LAS ARENAS MIXER--Eric Chen's group scored a nice mixed catch of La Paz amberjack, wahoo, dorado, and marlin last week while fishing on the Las Arenas side of La Paz with Tortuga Sportfishing. They are shown here with Tortuga's Capt. Nufo Lucero left, and Capt. Jorge Lucero, second from right. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2

HUNKY PEZ FUERTE--Wes Howard from Los Angeles, Calif., celebrated his birthday by fishing on La Paz' Las Arenas side with Tailhunter International and he nailed this toad of an amberjack or pez fuerte that bottomed out a 100-pound scale. Wes managed to keep the big jack out of the rocks for over 2 hours on 25-pound line. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Sea of Cortez Mexico Fishing Photo 3 La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 4

CORTEZ CRUISING--Mark Blucker of Costa Mesa, Calif., normally fishes a skiff at his place in Ensenada but he recently caught a Sea of Cortez ride aboard the boat Sleeper for a cruise from La Paz to Loreto and back with good action found on 8 dorado plus a striped marlin north of Isla Catalan. At right, a beautiful Baja sunset at Canal de San Jose near La Paz. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARK BLUCKER.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Mexico Panga Fishing Photo 1

LONELY BULL--About 150 peanut dorado were brought in last week at Loreto by 70 Hotel Oasis pangas, but Steve Desalvo got the only big bull. He fished about 35 miles east of Punta Perico on Isla Carmen with Capt. Francisco Davis Sanchez. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA. At right, in a scene straight out of the novel King of the Moon, a Loreto panga heads out for fishing with glorious Baja sunrise over Isla Carmen. PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL BLACKLEDGE.

Mulege Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MULEGE DORADO--Rob Askine of Fair Oaks, Calif., took this 22-pound dorado on Marv Perrigo's boat Dock Holiday last week about 25 miles straight out from the Mulege river in 82-degree water using a surface popper. Good numbers of billfish were also seen at 10 miles out and beyond. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARV PERRIGO.

Punta Chivato Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Mexico Sea Turle Release Photo 1

BAJA TIN BOATERS--Wayne Neff and his family group had a great time fishing for mixed species out of the Hotel Punta Chivato campground aboard their red painted aluminum "tin boat" Red Tin Tin. At right, Neff releasing a sea turtle that hit a trolled Rapala. PHOTOS COURTESY OF WAYNE NEFF.

San Lucas Cove Mexico Fishing Photo 1

COVE CABRILLA--John Gilkerson of Cypress, Calif., with a nice leopard grouper or cabrilla caught in relatively slow conditions during his annual trip to fish the Santa Rosalia area out of the famous San Lucas Cove campground. Yellowtail action at the Isla San Marcos bajos was averaging about 3 fish per day. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN GILKERSON.

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SHE LIKED IT!--Ed Duitsman and his wife Martha had basically perfect fishing conditions during their family trip to Bahia de los Angeles as Martha got her first yellowtail without having to go far from the ramp at Guillermo's. Duitsman said Martha was "ready to go again!" PHOTO COURTESY OF ED DUITSMAN.

San Francisquito Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ON THE BEACH--Midriff yellowtail were crashing so tight to the beach last week that San Francisquito's Roger Crenshaw said, "You have to back up to cast." Dorado were also reported as far north as Punta San Miguel. At right, Susan Crenshaw at the San Francisquito caleta landing with a couple of typical yellowtail from the current hot shore bite. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROGER CRENSHAW.

Gonzaga Bay Mexico Fish Camping Photo 1

Gonzaga Bay Mexico Fish Camping Photo 5

EXTREME HEAT BAJA FISHING--Dana Allen's July fish camping trip in The Baja Catch-style produced about 30 mixed species fish a day while camping in temperatures well over 100 degrees and trolling Rebel lures from an inflatable boat. Clockwise from upper left: Allen at Gonzaga Bay's Rancho Grande store and Pemex station, a digital thermometer at the store, tent camping on the shore of Gonzaga Bay, fishing partner Chris Novak pushing the boat through the Alfonsina's gap between Bahias Gonzaga and Willard, and Novak looking remarkably cool with a real nice scorpionfish. Allen and Novak were allowed to freeze fish in the Rancho Grande store freezer. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANA ALLEN.

Mexico Panga Mothership Fishing Photo 1

FIRST-EVER FORKIES--Ryan Jones, 12, fished on the San Felipe panga mothership Erik with his father Mike Jones and landed his first-ever yellowtail at Bahia de los Angeles. He ended up with 19 yellowtail for the trip. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE JONES.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

QUICKIE PHOTO OP--Fernando Liogon and "Felix Enrique" of Hermosillo, Sonora, celebrate a first-ever sailfish for Felix with a quick photo before releasing it successfully last week during a charter trip out of San Carlos with Catch-22 Sportfishing. PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNANDO ALMADA.

Loreto Mexico Homeless Dogs Photo 1

HOMELESS IN LORETO--Pikachu and Chamelia, brother and sister, were recently left homeless in Loreto when their master died. Approximately 5 years old, they are neutered and have lived together their entire lives. Lynn Hamman of Loreto says they are loyal and love walks on the beach, and anyone interested in adopting them may contact Misty of Animalandia, animalandiadonations@hotmail.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF LYNN HAMMAN.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

EAST CAPE MARLIN--Raija Bushnell and her family group found fishing at Los Cabos on the slow side so they drove up to East Cape and fished 2 days with Capt. Israel Cucuyo for a catch including this striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, jack crevalle, skipjack, roosterfish, and 2 "very small" dorado. PHOTO COURTESY OF JAY JONES.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES