Dorado and marlin tease fishing boats at Loreto;

Ixtapa roosterfish wake up after summer storms

Mexico Fishing News, July 30, 2007

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: In the midst of a slow season, Don Bear of Loreto reported some fairly decent dorado action last week as 3 long distance outings by his boat produced a catch of: 18 dorado from small to 30 pounds, and 1 striped marlin.

"Among the local pangueros dorado limits were fairly common," Bear said. "The fish are still located anywhere from 30 to 45 miles from the marina in water of 83 to 85 degrees." Loreto fishing area weather was sunny and cooler than normal, with several days of wind earlier in the week.

Bear said, "On Sunday, I fished with Fabrizio Marangoni and Pasquale, general manager of the Hotel Oasis, on my boat with Capt. Manuel of Arturo’s Sportfishing serving as skipper. We went south on flat seas to within a few miles of Isla Monserrate where we thought we discovered the mother lode when we came upon a line of huge sargasso patches. However, a couple of hours trolling sardines in and around the sargasso yielded only 5 dorado, of which 4 were under keeper size.

"On Thursday, Susan Rapach and Dick Muhl of Timaru, New Zealand, joined me and Capt. Andres Cota Arce on my boat. In spite of the rough seas we went over 35 miles to an area east of Bajo Mercenarios where Susan tagged and released a striped marlin of about 100 pounds, after which another few hours of trolling yielded 5 dorado of keeper size to 30 pounds. All strikes came on trolled mackerel. Sardinas, either trolled or chummed, attracted no attention. The water temperature in the area was 83 degrees.

"Yesterday, Capt. Hector led the three of us in a morning of fruitless trolling at Bajo de Punta Lobos until noon, when we were called into a hot bite by Capt. Francisco Martinez several miles farther east in 85-degree water. After the 5 pangas that were there headed back to Loreto, the bite went crazy. We had fish busting sardines, both hooked and chummed, for the next hour-and-a-half. We left a frenzy of dorado feeding on the sardines emptied from the bait tanks. It was a great couple of hours.

"There was substantial radio chatter yesterday regarding Paulino Martinez' sighting of a tuna school 20 miles east of Punta Lobos. We are hoping to verify its existence tomorrow."

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported continued very slow dorado fishing for his boat Soledad, but slightly improved action for striped marlin last week, with 3 dorado and 3 marlin caught during 3 outings. "The summer dorado fishing for which Loreto is renowned continues to be dismal," Erhardt said, "but the marlin that have been around all summer have started to bite more frequently. The 2 marlin I caught this afternoon turned my week from a bad one to a good one, but most people who fish out of Loreto this time of year want and expect dorado. Those people remain disappointed." Erhardt said that a tail-wrapped striped marlin he caught off Isla Monserrate was revived and released after a fight lasting over half-and-hour. "It swam away none the worse for wear," he said. Loreto water temperatures to the north and south were in the mid-80s, with offshore water clear blue.

LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of the Hotel Oasis said the Loreto fishing area had some clouds and southerly winds during the week but no rain. Another large group of fly fishing anglers visited the hotel and fished on 34 pangas per day in all directions as far as 40 miles for a catch including released fish on fly and conventional gear of about: 10 marlin, 100 assorted bottom fish including cabrilla, triggerfish, pargo, bass, and snappers, and 200 small dorado including 111 dorado on the fly.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company reported continued scattered dorado fishing for mostly peanuts and smaller fish. "We are still encountering schools of little baby dorado with only a few larger ones being seen," Bolles said. "The size you can realistically expect is 5 to 20 pounds." Dorado schools were present in all directions but even farther out large fish were few. "There's always folks who go 30 miles," Bolles said. "Unfortunately the long trip and gallons of fuel won't yield any better fishing." Sardina bait was in good supply at the downtown Loreto marina. Loreto fishing area water temperatures were at 75 to 82 degrees inshore, and 77 to 87 degrees offshore. Other fish species caught included striped and blue marlin, sailfish, roosterfish, skipjack, and bonita. Bolles noted that officials from the Loreto marine park, Pesca, and Profepa were checking for permits at the launch ramp. Park permits and fishing licenses were available at the Baja Big Fish Company downtown store.

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 Ensenada charter pangas had good fishing all week for mixed bottom fish limits, red rockcod, lingcod, barracuda, and lots of bonita for the Vonny's Fleet fish smoker. "This week was very good," Villarino said. "Fishing is getting better by the day and the weather is perfect." Top catches for the week included Brian "Calico" Foley's 19-pound lingcod with Capt. Hector on the panga Vonny III, and Sam and Greg Simonian's load of bonita, assorted bottom fish, and barracuda for the smoker. Ensenada fishing weather at Punta Banda was partly cloudy in the high-70s, with light wind, 2-foot ocean swells, and the water temperature averaging 64 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Capt. Ron Adams reported on an outing by the boat Rude Too out of Ensenada's Marina Coral for 2 first-ever bluefin tuna of 30 and 34 pounds landed by 16-year-olds David McCollum and Austin Puig. The bluefin were caught on a double jig strike on Mexican flag feathers while working porpoise about 35 miles off shore. Also fishing aboard the Rude Too was angler Dan McCollum.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Marina Puerto Salina just north of Ensenada reported official results of its third annual fishing tournament held on June 16, 2007, with 20 boats fishing and the winners, in order: Bottom fish: Luis Gutierrez, halibut, 15.87 pounds; Hill Fisher, lingcod, 13.45 pounds; and Kurt Turgesen, halibut, 11.24 pounds. Surface fish: Willy Reeve, yellowtail, 33.07 pounds; Derek Arneson, yellowtail, 17.86 pounds; and Danny Mun, yellowtail, 11.24 pounds.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Tere Castro of Castro's Camp said 30 boats fished last week off the Baja coast at Erendira, finding very good, windless sea conditions and good counts of larger sized rockcod, lingcod, barracuda, and yellowtail, plus some white seabass. "We've really been getting some big fish of all the types," Castro said. Most Castro's Camp boats fished about 2 miles from the coast in water at 67 degrees.

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Hector Casillas of Azusa, Calif., and his group fished with Capt. Wito out of Castro's Camp, trolling metal spoons and bottom fishing with squid bait for a catch of: 4 barracuda, 2 white seabass, 2 sharks, and 20 bottom fish. "We only kept the big ones," Casillas said. "We trolled about 2 miles south and bottom fished 6 miles northwest." Baja coastal fishing weather was calm "like a lake," with clouds until about midday and 3-foot swells in the afternoon. Fishing with Casillas were Tom Lerma of Whittier, Calif., and Rudy Macias of West Covina, Calif.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Marita Melville of Don Eddie's Landing said San Quintin fishing area weather was sunny and warmer over the weekend and boats were landing a good variety of fish. Capt. Miguel Zamora skippered the boat Glass Cutter for a day with the M&K Marine group for a catch locally and in calm 65-degree water about 14 miles outside the 240 spot of: 1 halibut of 11 pounds, 4 yellowtail to 24 pounds, 1 dorado of 25 pounds, and 3 yellowfin tuna to 20 pounds. "They found a tuna hole but for some reason the tuna have not been biting well," Melville said. Capt. Juan Cook fished 2 days on the charter boat Mona Lisa with Fibbers Fishing Club members Gordon Janz, Dennis Mantei and Stephen Mantei for a catch in 62-degree water at Playa San Ramon of: 16 white seabass to 43 pounds. "Captain Cook said there was a lot of bait and working birds when they went out," Melville said.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported about 25 boats fishing out of San Quintin during the week, with a few boats going outside and landing some albacore, dorado, and larger yellowtail on paddies, and inshore boats finding a mixed bag of calico bass, sandbass, and white seabass both south at El Socorro and north at Playa San Ramon. "San Quintin fishing weather has been hot but absolutely great with no winds to report," Hillis said.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Mike Borden of the boat Fish Magnet out of La Paz reported on a run up the Sea of Cortez to Isla Angel de la Guarda and then around the tip of Baja to fish at Alijos Rocks for 2 days in crystal clear 72-degree water for a fish count including released fish on the Pacific side of about: 40 dorado, 25 yellowfin tuna, 25 wahoo of 39 to 51 pounds and including a 45 pounder speared by Borden, 1 blue marlin, 30 yellowtail to 35 pounds, 2 sharks, and lots of bottom fish. "We made bait, all you wanted, inside Magdalena Bay and then headed to the rocks," Borden said. "Tuna were sparse at Alijos. About 5 miles from the rocks in 285 to 350 feet we had a good bite on larger yellows on the iron and large size smacks. We had the rocks all to ourselves. In addition to wide-open wahoo there were all-you-wanted smaller yellowtail and cabrilla. Only 2 fish were lost to sharks. A perfect weather window made the trip a pleasure." Also fishing aboard the Fish Magnet on the Pacific side were Wayne Higgenbotham, Roger Stockton, and Austin Borden.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Alejandro Rosas of Tijuana reported no albacore or yellowtail caught during a run to the 320 spot out of San Diego by the boat Magu. "All the kelp paddies were dry," Rosas said. "We didn't expect the water temperature would rise to 73 degrees. Because of the change, yellowfin tuna and dorado are beginning to show south of Ensenada."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo reported on a road trip up the Baja Pacific coast for a 6-day visit to semi-remote Scorpion Bay, or San Juanico, northwest of La Purisima. "The commercial Mexican pangas were catching yellowtail, white seabass, and dorado," Lewis said. "Some campers chartered a gringo resident for the same species. The drive is beautiful and the remote location makes it a special place. There were lots of surfers camped at the point and the waves were fun but small. We drove several miles north on the beach and noticed 2 dead turtles, 2 dead seals, and 3 dead dolphin washed up. They must get caught in the gill nets which are commonly used by the commercial guys there. Sadly, we did not see any scorpions."

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said fishing for yellowfin tuna resumed late in the week about 30 miles outside Boca de Soledad as seas off Magdalena Bay settled down after the distant passage of Tropical Storm Dalila brought some wind and rain to the area. Good fishing for dorado was also reported about 10 miles out by Bob Hoyt of Mag Bay Outfitters at Puerto Lopez Mateos. "It was so good they are headed out today with a couple of kayaks loaded on their boat Mar Gato," Graham said. Due to rough weather, no boats reported from outside the San Carlos entrada. Inside the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels, grouper, pargo, and corvina were caught at Devil's Curve. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was clearing in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 64 to 76 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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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: 28 striped marlin, 16 dorado, and 5 yellowfin tuna. "While the fishing and catching at Cabo San Lucas remained pretty good this past week, there was surely a lack of anglers," Edwards said. High boat for the week was the Gaviota XI with Capt. Julian Ruiz scoring 7 striped marlin and 1 blue marlin in 3 outings. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather had some rough conditions later in the week due to Tropical Storm Dalila, with water temperatures of about 72 degrees on the Pacific side and 81 degrees at the Gordo Banks on the Sea of Cortez side. Most boats fished the Jaime Bank, weather permitting, with the best action on caballito live bait.

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: 9 striped marlin, 9 yellowfin tuna of 25 to 35 pounds, and 7 dorado of 25 to 45 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 2 outings during the week, fishing on both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides with a total of 3 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 1 bonito of 4 pounds, 1 dorado of about 30 pounds, and 1 amberjack of about 13 pounds. The Cheer's fished in water temperatures of 74 to 77 degrees close to shore off Hotels Finisterra and Solmar, north to Faro Viejo, and offshore to about 7 miles. The amberjack was caught after a half-hour fight after it hit a trolled live bait close to the arch on light tackle and 15-pound line. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Bruce Barnes, Andrew Barnes, and Jim Lewis.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jorge Narro of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing said 70 percent of fleet charters released marlin during the week, including 5-release days for the boats Andrea, Adrianna, and Bill Collector. A total of 77 billfish were caught and 73 released. Both yellowfin tuna and dorado were landed by 30 percent of boats fishing during the week. Dorado catches were mostly for single fish, but some good action was found for tuna, including a 23-tuna release fishing day for the boat La Brisa. Pisces boats fished both the Pacific and Cortez sides of Cabo.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the previous week ending July 19, 2006, Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported 88 striped marlin caught during the week, with a 100 percent release rate. Seventy-two percent of Pisces charters released striped marlin, with the top trip scored by Ni Modo with 6 releases. "Marlin catches were all over the place this week," Ehrenberg said. "We started out on the Pacific and then gradually moved into the Cortez, with the week closing at Punta Gorda and Destiladeras." A total of 37 percent of charters landed dorado, and just 9 percent caught yellowfin tuna. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was calm except for some wind on the Pacific side, with the water temperature averaging 73 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said the passing of distant Tropical Storm Dalila last week brought some minor weather and a brief port closing to the Cabo San Lucas fishing area. "Delilah for the most part was a nonevent," Landrum said, "but a warning of what might happen during the next several months. The wind combined with swells was enough to convince the Port Captain's office to close the marina to departures at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday. A lot of boats returned very early due to seasick clients." Water temperatures around Cabo San Lucas warmed briefly from the low-70s to a steady 79 degrees immediately after the rough weather, but settled back to the mid-70s again by the end of the week. "The storm came up from the south and pushed warm water with it. At the end of the week the California Current reasserted itself," Landrum said.

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 33 combined La Playita fleet charter pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 55 various pargo, 18 jack crevalle, 22 dorado, 1 wahoo, 11 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 15 yellowfin tuna, 9 hammerhead shark, 26 bonito, 9 cabrilla, and 7 amberjack. The San Jose del Cabo fishing area was affected by the passing of distant Tropical Storm Dalila about 200 miles to the west, with enough rain to cause minor flooding in some areas, choppy sea conditions, and high surf to 10 feet that shut down most panga operations for a day. "The new Puerto Los Cabos jetty held up fine," Brictson said. "It will be interesting to see what happens when a real hurricane strikes this area." Los Cabos fishing waters were clearing and settling at the end of the week, with blue water at 80 degrees found about 15 to 20 miles out.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Species fishing specialist John Snow of San Jose del Cabo reported a very good 8 new species caught or collected during the week while panga fishing out of La Playita Beach, buying live bait from local carnaderos, or visiting the commercial Mexican fishermen at Todos Santos on the Pacific side of Baja. New species for the week included: Cortez barracuda, Pacific snake eel, cocinero jack, giant electric ray, white remora, sicklefin smoothhound shark, razor surgeonfish, and blue tilapia. A total of 47 fish of 23 species were caught or observed, including a 3-foot shark landed on a Sabiki bait rig.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said the East Cape fishing area had a couple of days of grumpy water due to the passing of the year's first tropical storm. "Tropical Storm Dalila departed just in time for the East Cape Bisbee's fishing tournament next week," Graham said. "Everyone has become tightlipped about the current billfish action." Striped marlin fishing was improving and some blue marlin in the 300 and 400-pound range were reported. "The good news for fly fishers is that there are more multiple fish showing up behind the teasers," Graham said. Yellowfin tuna action was generally slower but included a tuna at 145 pounds. Dorado were scattered. On the beaches, Baja On The Fly guide Lance Peterson reported jacks to 5 pounds, breezing schools of small pompano, and small pods of up to about 6 roosterfish. "It's mostly tough to move them, but several days ago I landed one in the 30s," Peterson said. East Cape fishing area weather was settling in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 68 to 85 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 386 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 1,197 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 11 blue marlin, 225 striped marlin, 3 sailfish, 170 dorado, 335 yellowfin tuna, 7 pargo, 13 snapper, 1 wahoo, 7 amberjack, 1 yellowtail, 6 roosterfish, and 1 hammerhead shark. East Cape fishing area weather was calm in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 68 to 86 degrees following rough weather that began on Monday afternoon. "The fishing fell off quite a bit," Moyers said. "Tropical Storm Dalila wasn’t much of anything, but the wind blew a bit and the seas picked up bad in the afternoons. We saw a bunch of green faces on the docks. Unfortunately, the afternoon seas stayed rough through Thursday which explains the fish numbers."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Mark Daugherty of East Cape Guides said marlin action picked up again at the end of the week after wind and swells earlier. "Clients had at least a few shots at quality striped marlin from La Ribera to Punta Arena," Daugherty said. "Dorado were few and far between but a few larger dodos were being caught daily. The tuna situation was long runs and football-size action if you could find them with the porpoise schools." Inshore fishing was tough for a few larger roosterfish and jacks. Sardina baits were still unavailable. East Cape fishing area water temperatures were variable from the low-70s to the low-80s.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Greg George of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort said fishing remained good overall during the week despite some wind from Tropical Storm Dalila, as most boats landed 1 or 2 striped marlin plus some blue marlin to about 250 pounds. "Today I fished and heard 4 American boats say they caught blues 4 to 15 miles off Punta Pescadero," George said. "I have gotten 2 blue marlin this year." Some large dorado to about 60 pounds were also caught. Yellowfin tuna were mostly footballs about 25 miles out. East Cape fishing area weather over the weekend was nice in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 80 to 83 degrees outside.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Van Wormer Resorts reported on 264 East Cape charter fishing boats from Hotels Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with a catch including released fish of: 8 blue marlin, 2 black marlin, 267 striped marlin, 7 sailfish, 182 dorado, 615 yellowfin tuna, 36 roosterfish, 13 wahoo, 6 cabrilla, 59 pargo, 58 triggerfish, 9 mako shark, and 33 amberjack.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista Reported a 5-pound halibut caught as a new species for trolling jointed Rebel lures from his East Cape tin boat. "The fish was caught trolling the Fastrac just off the beach near the Pemex in Los Barriles last week," Eddy said. On Friday, a surface school of bait produced something big for a boat fishing right in front of Hotel Palmas de Cortez. "A huge school of bait was being pursued by a very large pod of upwards of 100 dolphin," Eddy said. "One boat had something on for over 30 minutes. It was quite a spectacle."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Bob Huston of Pasadena, Calif., reported on 3 days of fishing aboard the charter cruiser Agua Dulce out of Rancho Leonero together with Len Pieroni of La Canada, Calif., for a catch including released fish of: 9 yellowfin tuna, 2 dorado, 1 striped marlin, and 1 roosterfish. "The tuna were fairly small," Huston said. "The skipper and deckhands on the Agua Dulce were more than happy to release both the striped marlin and roosterfish, which I only wish was more common."

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez said fishing on the Las Arenas side went into a holding pattern for a couple of days last week as Tropical Storm Dalila on the Pacific side of Baja brought wind and unsettled water conditions, but fishing the 2 days before that was very good for school sized yellowfin tuna, plus dorado, marlin, and wahoo. Fishing rebounded again at the end of the week for the same species. Dorado were caught at San Isidro, wahoo south of Isla Cerralvo, and tuna off Punta Perico. Fishing remained very slow at the north end of Isla Cerralvo and at the 88 Bank outside the island.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of La Paz' Tailhunter International said, "Except for the little bump from storm Dalila, we had some pretty darned good fishing for the most part. At Las Arenas, tuna put on a strong showing with footballs in the 10-pound class and the surprise was that the tuna also bit for our La Paz fleet. It's been ages since we saw tuna anywhere north of the city." Striped marlin and dorado were also caught in good numbers.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Leonard Phillips of Baja Pirates Fleet said dorado fishing picked up for boats on the La Paz side with daily limits common on dorado of 15 to 40 pounds. "Dorado fishing has finally arrived," Phillips said. "Coyote Point and into the slot are producing dorado and skipjacks, with football sized yellowfin tuna being taken near the north end of Cerralvo Island." Striped marlin were also caught between Islas Espiritu Santo and Cerralvo. La Paz fishing area weather was near 100 degrees, with water temperatures in the high-70s.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Syd Lindsay of San Lucas Cove said few anglers were fishing in the Santa Rosalia area. "There are a couple of guys fishing in a tin boat and a few small dorado caught," Lindsay said. "There has been a lot of work on the bridges between here and La Paz and it looks like most of them including the one just south of Santa Rosalia will be ready by September and the wet season. Let's hope so."

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: John Tillander of Henderson, Nev., reported on an 8-day trip to his place at Punta Bufeo south of San Felipe, finding good weather at about 90 degrees, water temperatures at 93 degrees, and some east wind up to 20 knots. Fishing was good for spotted bay bass, "Baja bluegills" or triggerfish, several nice cabrilla and grouper, and a 15-pound pargo landed on 12-pound line. "Nighttime lows were around 85 degrees," Tillander said. "Daytime winds were straight out of the east rather than the northeast."

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: For the previous weekend, Ric Felder of Glendale, Ariz., reported on a good run out of Rocky Point by his boat End Of The Line, fishing with large scampi jigs and live baits in 87-degree water about 100 to 115 feet deep for a catch that included: 5 gulf grouper of 25 to 55 pounds, and 1 spotted cabrilla of 10 pounds. "I made a quick stop a mile out in 30 feet of water to catch spotted bay bass, grunts, and sargo for live bait," Felder said. "The tides were running very light so we drifted one reef and a couple of others nearby. Luckily the wind died down and we had a nice ride back into Rocky Point."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters reported on 2 days of fishing in some rough conditions by 34 boats in the 60th International Billfish Tournament at San Carlos on July 19-22, 2007, with a catch including released fish of: 75 sailfish, 14 marlin, 41 dorado, and 2 wahoo.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 26 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 3 blue marlin under 300 pounds, 3 striped marlin, 19 sailfish, 29 yellowfin tuna to 50 pounds, and "numerous" dorado. "It was another dynamite dorado fishing week with all-you-want catch-and-release fishing every day, except for 1 day with adverse weather," Edwards said. "Even offshore dorado counts have soared. Billfish are actually much better than the average, as many boats are fishing the dorado and not targeting billfish." Mazatlan fishing area weather was at 90 degrees, with some scattered showers, 1 rough day from Tropical Storm Dalila, and the water temperature even at 80 to 81 degrees. Offshore boats fished about 22 to 28 miles west-southwest of Marina El Cid.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Manny Ocaranza of the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Pacifico said he found a cow class yellowfin tuna taped at 349 pounds for angler Ryan Schmid of Florida while fishing with 60-pound line at Roca Corbeteña on July 22, 2007. The big tuna fought for 3.5 hours and was landed 6 miles from where it bit. Schmid's brother Fred Schmid also landed a 210-pound tuna during the outing. Water temperatures were at 84 degrees. "Water clarity is much improved," Ocaranza said. "Water temperatures are at 84 degrees and a good volume of tuna are in the area."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing reported good numbers of yellowfin tuna present off Puerto Vallarta but reluctant to bite as some good action was found for marlin. "Fishing is good, no complaint about it," Osuna said. "We have a lot of marlin action."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Rob Brenchley of Ontario, Canada, reported on 2 days of fishing at Roca Corbeteña on the Marla with Capt. Osuna for a catch including released fish of: lots of yellowfin tuna to 100 pounds, and 2 black marlin of 350 and 450 pounds. "The big tuna are definitely there," Brenchley said. "We didn't find the cows we were looking for but caught lots of yellowfin using fly-lined and kite-fished live baits. The marlin bite was wide-open." Brenchley noted the good service received aboard the Marla by himself, Jack Brenchley, and John Huddle. "Danny Osuna is a first class fisherman," Brenchley said. "Our second marlin was tail-wrapped and Danny and his crew spent the best part of an hour reviving the fish until it finally kicked and sounded!"

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Mark Tamim of Dallas, Texas, said his father Marwan Tamim fished at Roca Corbeteña last week aboard the Marla with Capt. Scott Osuna for good action on a couple of large pargo and 1 yellowfin tuna of about 40 pounds. "He lost another 2 large pargos in the rocks," Tamim said. "They also caught a variety of other fish including bonito and rainbow runners."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing said he fished at Roca Corbeteña 2 days last week on the charter boat Sincuidado, finding good blue water and a catch including released fish of: 1 yellowfin tuna of 80 pounds, 4 sailfish, 1 dog snapper, and 1 blue marlin. Fishing aboard the Sincuidado were anglers Todd Modrzejewski, Matthew Lange, and Mike Lange, with Capt. Pepe and deckhand Fernando. Earlier, Gomez ran out to Roca Corbeteña with his family on his charter super panga Dhamar for a catch of: 1 tuna, 1 pargo, and 1 blue marlin of about 220 pounds landed by his wife. "It was her first marlin," Gomez said. "She worked it really well."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said inshore roosterfish action in calming, post-storm waters picked up sharply last week for 30 to 40-pound fish. "Ixtapa Zihuatanejo boats are each averaging between 7 and 8 roosters a day," Kunze said. "The inshore action for roosters is phenomenal." Charter boats also landed about the same number of jack crevalle between 12 and 16 pounds. Good fishing for jacks and roosterfish was found along all beaches in the Ixtapa fishing area. "It really doesn't matter if you go north or south out of Zihuatanejo Bay," Kunze said. "With most of the fish being taken on surface poppers it is an ideal situation for the fly caster. The same popper with the hook removed makes an excellent teaser to bring the roosterfish to the boat and within fly casting distance." Ixtapa fishing area weather was mostly calm but with some thundershowers, in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 80 to 84 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said fishing improved as Ixtapa area waters settled down after the passing of Tropical Storm Dalila last week. Roosterfish up to 60 pounds lead the inshore counts and good numbers of jack crevalle were also reported. Offshore fishing was fair for sailfish and blue marlin, plus some yellowfin tuna of 20 to 40 pounds. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was mostly cloudy and humid in the low-90s, with calm seas, boats running outside again, and water temperatures even at 84 degrees. "Inshore fishing for roosterfish has been best with live bait, but quite a few were taken on red-white pencil poppers," Edwards 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: 1 sailfish, 7 king mackerel, 2 Spanish mackerel, 14 snappers, 4 blackfin tuna, 7 grouper, and 29 barracuda to 40 pounds. "The giant Atlantic barracuda bite continues to provide some good action," Edwards said. Cancun fishing area weather was humid and partly cloudy in the mid-90s, with easterly winds to 14 knots and the water temperature at 85 degrees.

MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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MEXICO: Syd Lindsay of San Lucas Cove on Baja's Sea of Cortez side made a trip to the Campeche area of Mexico's Atlantic coast and said, "We had some great whole fried fish, snook, pargo, and other fish in Campeche. They get a lot of snook there."

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 2

TOUGH STRIPER--Bill Erhardt of Loreto caught 3 marlin last week including this striper that came to the boat tail-wrapped. It took over half-an-hour to bring the marlin in, unwrap it, and release it, but it was still healthy and swam away to fight again another day. At right, the big hearted striper, still showing color and about to be released. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 3

LORETO DORADO--With this summer's dorado season at Loreto languishing in the doldrums some decent fish were still caught last week. New Zealanders Dick Muhl, left, and Susan Rapach fished with Don Bear on his boat with Capt. Andres Cota Arce, right, for a catch of 5 of these keeper dorado in the 30-pound class about 35 miles east of Bajo Mercenarios on Thursday. PHOTO COURTESY OF DON BEAR.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LINGCOD LUNKER--Ensenada panga fishing by Brian "Calico" Foley on Thursday included this real nice 19-pound lingcod plus a load of red rockcod, salmon grouper, and barracuda while fishing at Punta Banda with Vonny's Fleet's Capt. Hector. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Castro's Camp Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CASTRO'S CROAKERS--Rudy Macias, left, and Tom Lerma fished together with Hector Casillas at Castro's Camp south of Ensenada for good bottom fish action plus these 2 nice white seabass, barracuda, and a couple of sharks. PHOTO COURTESY OF HECTOR CASILLAS.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SAN RAMON CROAKERS--Stephen Mantei's group fished near birds at Playa San Ramon just north of San Quintin with Capt. Juan Cook out of Don Eddie's Landing for a great catch of 16 white seabass to 43 pounds. At right, Captain Cook unloads a good one from the Don Eddie's charter boat Mona Lisa. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARITA MELVILLE.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 3

BIG TOURNAMENT TURNOUT--With top prizes including a Triton boat and a fishing trip to Buena Vista Beach Resort, 239 Mexican and American anglers turned out for this year's fourth annual San Quintin Sportfishing Tournament held on July 21, 2007. Tournament organizer Julio Meza of San Quintin said 87 boats fished this year. The top fish was a 48.83-pound white seabass caught by Estanislao Perez. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIO MEZA.

Baja California Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SPREAD O' SKINNIES--A great catch of wahoo taken by Mike Borden's group fishing aboard his boat Fish Magnet during a 2-day session at Alijos Rocks off the west coast of Baja that also produced yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, and a blue marlin in flat 72-degree water. At right, Borden with a nice wahoo speared at Alijos Rocks. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIKE BORDEN.

Baja California Mexico Fishing Photo 3

FIRST-EVER BLUEFIN--David McCollum and Austin Puig, both 16, scored their first-ever bluefin tuna while fishing out of Ensenada's Marina Coral with McCollum's father Dan McCollum, right, aboard the boat Rude Too with Capt. Ron Adams. The bluefin were found with porpoise about 35 miles out. PHOTO COURTESY OF RON ADAMS.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CABO PANGA DORADO--Bruce Barnes and his son Andrew Barnes at Cabo San Lucas with a dorado caught aboard the local charter super panga Cheer's with Capt. Ramon Druck. They also lost a dorado of about 40 pounds while trolling for marlin about 5 miles out. At right, Jim Lewis with a nice amberjack caught aboard the Cheer's while trolling live bait close to the Cabo San Lucas arch. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Fishing Photo 1

FISHING BEFORE DALILA--Bill Scarbough fished on Monday with Gordo Banks Pangas' Capt. Hector on the charter panga Ginny just before rough weather arrived from distant Tropical Storm Dalila and he caught this nice 50-pound wahoo about 8 miles off San Jose del Cabo on a green-yellow marlin lure. At right, Dalila, the first tropical storm to pass near Baja California this season brings in some nice surf to test the new breakwaters of the recently opened Puerto Los Cabos marina at San Jose del Cabo. "Later on, the locals were surfing here," said Gordo Banks Pangas' Eric Brictson. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

FLY TACKLE ROOSTERFISH--East Cape fly fishing guide Lance Peterson of Baja On The Fly scratched out this nice roosterfish in mixed beach conditions last week after unsettled weather brought to the area by passing Tropical Storm Dalila. PHOTO COURTESY OF GARY GRAHAM.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 2

EAST CAPE DORADO--Harold Smith of Richmond, Calif., landed this nice 60-pound dorado with Mark Daugherty of East Cape Guides aboard the charter boat Valeria during his first-ever trip to Baja's East Cape fishing area. The big bull hit a rigged ballyhoo bait trolled long. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK DAUGHERTY.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 3

ROOSTER RELEASE--Bob Huston with a personal best roosterfish about to be released during a 2-day fishing trip to East Cape's Rancho Leonero. At right, Huston's fishing partner Len Pieroni also got his personal best dorado during the trip, aboard the Rancho Leonero boat Agua Dulce. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOB HUSTON.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 1 La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 2

LAS ARENAS PANGAS--Susie Klein and her family group fished for a week on Tortuga Sportfishing pangas for a great catch of these dorado plus wahoo, tuna, pargo, and marlin. At right, the Klein family on the beach at Las Arenas south of La Paz with marlin that died during the fight. Other billfish caught during the week were released. PHOTOS COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 3

BLUE GOLD--Pretty as it comes. This nice bull dorado was hooked just minutes off the Las Arenas beach south of La Paz by Shawn James of Los Angeles while fishing with Tailhunter International. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MARWAN'S MARLA SNAPPERS--Marwan Tamim of Dallas, Texas, fished aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla for a catch including a couple of these dog snappers and a nice yellowfin tuna with Capt. Scott Osuna. At right, Tamim's yellowfin tuna caught aboard the Marla at Roca Corbeteña. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARK TAMIM.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 1

HEAVY ROCKY GROUPERS--Ric Felder's run out of Rocky Point aboard his boat End Of The Line produced 5 of these gulf grouper to 55 pounds plus a 10-pound spotted cabrilla while fishing in 87-degree water about 115 feet deep. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RIC FELDER.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 3

ROCA CORBETEÑA ACTION--Rob Brenchley of Canada with one of many yellowfin tuna to 100 pounds caught during 2 days of fishing at Puerto Vallarta's Roca Corbeteña aboard the charter boat Marla with Capt. Danny Osuna. Two black marlin of 350 and 450 pounds were also landed. At right a Puerto Vallarta black marlin comes to the surface off Roca Corbeteña during Brenchley's trip. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROB BRENCHLEY.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 5

VALLARTA COW CATCH--This Puerto Vallarta cow class yellowfin tuna was taped at 79 inches long by 59.5 inches girth or a calculated 349.59 pounds for angler Ryan Schmid, left, of Florida while fishing at Roca Corbeteña on July 22, 2007, aboard the charter boat Pacifico with Capt. Manny Ocaranza, center, and Fred Schmid, right. PHOTO COURTESY OF MANNY OCARANZA.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 6

FAMILY PANGA TRIP--Danny Gomez, center, of Puerto Vallarta's charter super panga Dhamar took his family out to Roca Corbeteña last week for a yellowfin tuna and pargo released and this blue marlin of about 220 pounds kept for the table. The blue marlin was landed by Gomez' wife for her first-ever fish of that species. At right, Gomez fished twice last week on the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Sincuidado for sailfish, dog snapper, 1 tuna at 80 pounds, and another blue marlin. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANNY GOMEZ.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Photo 8

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING--The Puerto Vallarta charter boat El Amo with a catch of sailfish and small dorado, with crew, from left, Capt. Chorra, first mate William, and deckhand Nacho. PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN GABRUK.

San Jose del Cabo fish species photo 1

San Jose del Cabo fish species photo 2

BAJA FISH SPECIES--Among last week's fish species collections by John Snow of San Jose del Cabo were: a male phase chameleon wrasse about 6 inches long, top, caught on a sabiki bait rig 300 feet deep, and a Pacific snake eel also caught deep with a sabiki rig as traditional bottom bait fishing was slow. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN SNOW.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES