Magdalena Bay fall fishing comes to life;

Schoolie dorado hitting at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

Mexico Fishing News, October 29, 2007

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said offshore boats reported wide-open action from Punta Tosca northwards to the Thetis Bank last week. "Magdalena Bay fishing kicked into high gear," Graham said.

"Wahoo, dorado, yellowfin tuna, and double-digit billfish combined with super weather has everyone predicting an action-packed November." Few boats fished inside at the Magdalena Bay mangrove esteros. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was clear at 90 degrees, with winds to 13 knots and water temperatures at 72 to 82 degrees.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto trailered his boat Soledad across the Baja peninsula for 2 days of fishing around and northwards of the Thetis Bank off Magdalena Bay and a catch including released fish of: 2 wahoo to 40 pounds, and 3 striped marlin. Altogether, 3 boats including Erhardt's, the Rocket from Loreto with Barry Wilkerson and Rod Dees, and the Fishwhenican with Mark Gotchall and Doug Mozan of Eugene, Ore., caught 12 wahoo and good numbers of striped marlin during 8 total combined days of fishing. "The winds eased and the fishing lit up on the Thetis Bank this week. After being conspicuous by their absence on more than a dozen trips over the past 2 months, striped marlin arrived in force and came hungry," Erhardt said. "Wahoo that have been around for a month or so are more plentiful and biting more consistently."

The Fishwhenican was guided by Capt. Ruben Duran of Puerto Lopez Mateos. Ehrhardt on his boat and the Rocket anchored overnight at Bahia Santa Maria. "On Thursday I went directly to Thetis Bank as did the Rocket and Fishwhenican," Erhardt said. "Action was slow for wahoo early. My head was turned by the flash and availability of striped marlin feeding singly, in doubles and in schools of up to a dozen, and I released 3 stripers." During winds earlier in the week, the Fishwhenican also caught football yellowfin tuna outside Boca de Soledad. Magdalena Bay offshore fishing water was clear blue at 80 degrees, with heavy concentrations of pelagic red crabs and few local or long range boats in the area.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Brad Petersen relayed a report from his father Jeff Petersen of Lopez Sportsman's Lodge at Puerto Lopez Mateos for 4 days of commercial shrimp bait fishing by the lodge's chief captain, Chico, and a combined total catch of: 490 kilos of grouper, 65 kilos of huachinango, 30 kilos of yellowtail, and 38 kilos of "viaje." Chico fished the open Pacific off Magdalena Bay at spots 3 to 8 miles off the Baja coast in good sea conditions. The Lopez Sportsman's Lodge website was online at bajacalifornian.com.

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 last week's strong Santa Ana winds affected the Ensenada area as wildfires broke out at Maneadero, Esteban Cantu, and other areas on Monday and Tuesday. Vonny's Fleet pangas did fish the rest of the week for good results with Capts. Beto and Hector around the tip of Punta Banda on red rockcod, lingcod, sand bass, some whitefish, and some limits of bonita for the Vonny's Fleet client fish smoker.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort said 8 pangas fished over the weekend for full Mexican fish limits of mixed bottom fish, lingcod, whitefish, and rockcods. "We had a beautiful weekend," Saenz said. "The fishing was great at both Punta China and the Soledad Reef." Local pangas reported no surface fish caught around Puerto Santo Tomas during the week.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Tere Castro of Castro's Camp at Erendira south of Ensenada reported just 14 boats fishing during a week of Santana winds and widespread wildfires in Southern California. "On Monday and Tuesday we were unable to fish due to winds, but after that the water got really calm," Castro said. Fish counts scored by anglers from California and Las Vegas, Nev., included very large rockcods, lingcod, whitefish, calico bass, and on Thursday, big numbers of barracuda. Baja coastal water temperatures averaged 62 degrees in the main fishing area about 8 miles out.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said just a few boats fished at San Quintin during the week. Capt. Hector reported dark clouds but no wind or rain on Sunday. Two days of fishing by angler Erik Landesfiend south at Socorro with Capt. Lilo on the charter boat Rommy produced no targeted white seabass but limits of sandbass, calico bass, large barracuda, and rockfish in shallow water. Over the weekend just 1 yellowtail at 25 pounds was reported.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Don Gleason of Get Reel Fishing at San Clemente, Calif., reported on customers' Baja trips including George Bornheimer who scored dorado limits plus his first 2 wahoo ever to 65 pounds at the Golden Gate Bank north of Cabo San Lucas, and Joe Ballentonio who fished off the Baja coast at East Cape for his first-ever blue marlin release at Cabo Pulmo. "Joe's fish, estimated at 300 pounds, was one of 5 or 6 that attacked the trolling spread almost immediately after putting the lures in the water," Gleason said.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing said 94 percent of fleet boats scored on all fish species combined during the week, including 89 percent releasing billfish, 77 percent landing dorado of 20 to 40 pounds, and 30 percent with yellowfin tuna of 25 to 80 pounds. Billfish catches included 1 black marlin, 8 blue marlin, 151 striped marlin, and 1 sailfish, and but 6 were released.

The top 5 preliminary winners in the 2007 Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament at Cabo San Lucas, with 166 boats fishing 3 days, were: first place, 620-pound blue marlin, Badman II, $737,180; second place, 591-pound black marlin, Missing Lenk, $462,635; third place, 539-pound, blue marlin, Bad Company, $1,423,065; fourth place, 460-pound black marlin, Fortuna, $365,940; fifth place, 372-pound blue marlin, Spartacus at Sea, $426,690. "These payouts are unofficial until the awards ceremony," Ehrenberg said. "The amount won depends on how many optional jackpots were entered by each team. The third day of the Bisbee's was a shocker when a local Mexican from San Jose del Cabo, David Zarate, known as 'El Bico' pulled in with a 620-pound fish and took the top spot." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was clear with some whitecaps and swell and the water temperature averaging 82 degrees. Cabo boats fished a very wide area from as far north as the Finger Bank on the Pacific side, up to Los Frailes on the Sea of Cortez side.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said the best big billfish action during last week's Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament was found either south or on the Pacific side. "The largest fish was 620 pounds was reported to have been caught out toward the Cabrillo Seamount on the Cortez side of the cape," Landrum said. "Most of the reports called in over the radio were of fish caught either in front of the cape or on the Pacific side. On the first day all the qualifying fish were reported on the Pacific side close to shore. I believe the green-colored water close to shore on the Cortez side had a lot of boats fishing the Pacific instead." Landrum noted that although most yellowfin tuna caught were small, some big tuna were reported. "The last day of the Bisbee's tournament had a couple of boats reporting hookups on fish that ended up being large yellowfin tuna," Landrum said. "These fish were either blind strikes or found with a few porpoise around the 95 spot."

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 the Pacific side with a total of 5 anglers for a catch including released fish of: 13 dorado of 7 to 25 pounds. The Cheer's fished along the Pacific beaches to Faro Viejo and outwards to about 9 miles off the Baja coast. Local Cabo San Lucas fishing weather had some light winds and cool mornings, but with mostly calm seas and water temperatures at 79 to 80 degrees. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's during the week included Steve Taylor, Bill Howell, Richard Beck, and Richard Minkoff, all of Texas.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 61 outings during the Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament week by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 57 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 9 wahoo, 66 yellowfin tuna, and 297 dorado. "Overall billfish counts were down this week, as tournament sportfishers focused on black and blue marlin," Edwards said. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was in the mid-90s, with good sea conditions and water temperatures at 83 degrees on the Pacific Side Golden Gate Bank and 81 degrees on the Sea of Cortez side at the Cabrillo Sea Mount. Striped marlin, dorado, and wahoo were concentrated on the Pacific side from El Arco northward.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 11 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 6 striped marlin, 1 yellowfin tuna of 25 pounds, 3 wahoo of 30 pounds, and 65 dorado of 10 to 30 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of the Baja Anglers fly fishing guide service reported decent blue and black marlin action and dorado counts very good, as one trip with 2 fly fishing anglers produced first-ever dorado for each and a total of 15 dorado for the day including released fish. "Striped marlin fishing is still good, but the fish are holding deep off the Golden Gate Bank," Hartman said. "They aren’t too difficult to catch, just drop a mackerel down about 100 feet or so." Some yellowfin tuna of 10 to 50 pounds were available. Inshore fishing produced smaller roosterfish and jack crevalle, and some schools of ladyfish.

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 63 combined La Playita fleet charter pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 405 yellowfin tuna, 98 dorado, 12 rainbow runner, 2 striped marlin, 3 sailfish, 8 wahoo, 18 sierra, 18 cabrilla, 15 dog snapper, and 33 yellow snapper. "The Los Cabos fishing area was overwhelmed with visiting anglers this week as the Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament was being held," Brictson said. "On November 8th and 9th, Western Outdoor News will be sponsoring the annual Tuna Jackpot event with anticipation high for another great tournament." San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather had gusty north winds, greenish water over the Gordo Banks, and water temperatures of 80 to 84 degrees as La Playita pangas scored on tuna of 8 to 15 pounds plus a few tuna of 35 to 80 pounds on the Inner Gordo Bank, the Iman Bank, and closer to shore at Punta Gorda.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo launched his boat Dos Gueros with some delays at the new Puerto Los Cabos marina ramp and fished among about 15 other boats at the Gordo Banks for a catch of: 1 small yellowfin tuna, and 1 small dorado. "The launch process took a while so I did not get out until after 10:30," Lewis said. "The marina is not really operational yet but I was able to talk to enough people to eventually get it done. Being able to launch from here and fish the Gordo within 30 minutes is really nice but they are not set up for a flood of private boaters yet and it may be weeks or months before they are." San Jose del Cabo fishing weather had winds by early afternoon, with the water temperature at 83 degrees.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow reported on an outing Friday with Capt. Pata on the La Playita panga Salome for a catch including released fish with sabiki rigs of 51 fish of 20 species. Fish species caught included: chameleon wrasse, Cortez grunt, dorado, finescale triggerfish, flag cabrilla, giant jawfish, green jack, Latin grunt, longfin salema, Mexican barred pargo, mutton hamlet, orangeside triggerfish, panamic graysby, red goatfish, spottail grunt, spotted bass, and spotted rose snapper. "We launched at about 6:40 a.m. and hung around the entrance to the marina waiting for the bait guys to show up, which they never did," Snow said. "By 7:30 a.m. I was on my fifth sabiki rig, having had the first four totally demolished, with line breakage of up to 30 pounds. At that point I had 23 fish and 8 species in the boat." Snow also noted that with 2 additions to his list this week, he has now documented 316 fish species caught or collected.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero said East Cape fish counts included some yellowfin tuna over 100 pounds and many limits of 10 to 20 pounders, plus consistent striped marlin, sailfish, fewer blue marlin, and dorado limits at 5 to 20 pounds. Humboldt giant squid to over 50 pounds were caught inshore for chum and bait. Yellowfin tuna were concentrated 2 to 3 miles off shore between Punta Colorada and Los Frailes. Hotel fleet boats scored 1 to 5 billfish per day about 10 miles straight out. Inshore fishing produced good counts of roosterfish at 5 to 10 pounds. East Cape fishing area weather had some strong north winds and rough seas at midweek, with water temperatures at 83 to 87 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of the Baja On The Fly guide service said fly fishing action for yellowfin tuna and billfish was very good at East Cape last week. "Yellowfin tuna are on the chew like it’s their last meal," Graham said. "Billfish action was more like June than the last week of October, preventing any kind of breather before a sailfish appeared in the pattern." North winds slowed beach fishing until calmer conditions arrived at the end of the week. East Cape fishing area weather was clear in the low-90s, with winds to 10 knots and water temperatures at 77 to 85 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Brad Meister of La Ribera reported on a run southwards past Punta Arena aboard his panga Lady Dena for a catch of: 1 dorado of about 10 pounds, and 2 dorado of about 20 pounds.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja fly fishing guide service reported good action Saturday as Jeff Mathanson scored a catch including released fish of: 10 yellowfin tuna to 15 pounds, 3 dorado to 15 pounds, about 5 medium roosterfish, and "as many big ladyfish as you could count." East Cape fishing area air temperatures were as low as 58 degrees early in the morning, and in the mid-80s during the afternoons, with water temperatures of 79 degrees in the north and 84 degrees to the south. Tuna were spread in all areas, with mostly footballs locally and larger fish farther southwards.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Earlier in the week, deBrown reported mostly windy conditions. "We have had a north wind for most of the week and fly fishing has been more difficult," deBrown said. For the previous week, deBrown said winds blew on Thursday and brought large swells and very rough sea conditions, but the weekend was flat again. Fly fishing tackle angler Clyde Wilber scored a catch including released fish of: 20 yellowfin tuna and 1 dorado on the fly, and 1 sailfish on conventional gear. "We also were able to free gaff about a 55-pound pargo because it was up on top struggling as it had swallowed a big triggerfish that got stuck in its gullet," deBrown said. Overall East Cape fishing was good, with yellowfin tuna and sailfish found in all areas. East Cape beach fishing between winds produced small roosterfish, jacks, and ladyfish.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Steinman of Malibu, Calif., reported on 3 days of fishing with his son Ryker Steinman aboard the Rancho Leonero charter boat Anzuelo II with Capt. Hector for a catch including released fish in some windy conditions of: 5 dorado, one day with dorado limits, 14 tuna, 1 pargo, and lots of skipjack. "We had a great trip," Steinman said. "The best day was the last on Friday. We caught limits of dorado and 9 tuna for 3 of us. The captain put us on a buoy where it got very intense with all of us hooked up at the same time for a while. We highly recommend Capt. Hector and his first mate Marcos. They are patient, friendly, knowledgeable, and they speak great English."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the previous week ending Oct. 18, 2007, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 379 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 1,064 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 22 blue marlin, 73 striped marlin, 60 sailfish, 439 dorado, 1,220 yellowfin tuna, 23 pargo, 1 snapper, 45 wahoo, 2 amberjack, 3 pompano, 7 cabrilla, 32 roosterfish, 4 sierra, and 12 triggerfish. East Cape fishing area weather was in the mid-90s, with water temperatures of 81 to 87 degrees, mostly calm conditions, and some wind toward the end of the week. "The yellowfin tuna bite absolutely went off this past week," Moyers said. "Anglers had an overall tuna catch rate of 100 percent." Tuna were caught mostly south and close to shore, from 1 to 6 miles off La Ribera, Las Barracas, Las Tachuelas, Cabo Pulmo, Rincon, Iman Bank, Vinorama, and farther south at the Gordo Banks.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport East Cape diving service said water temperatures at depth were at 78 to 85 degrees, with strong currents and visibility at 45 to 50 feet. "At Cabo Pulmo our dive master Juan Diego Romero reported strong currents at El Bajo and Los Morros," Cazaly said. "His divers were drifting along at high speed with their arms spread wide as if they were airplanes swooping through the sky, definitely a happy boat load of divers." Sea life sightings at Cabo Pulmo and north at El Cardonal included thousands of spottail grunt, yellowtail surgeonfish, burrito and graybar grunt, lobsters, moray eels, and corals.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said winds and rough seas pushed La Paz side panga anglers southwards over the hill to Las Arenas again last week where good counts of yellowfin tuna and dorado were found. "Those winds that tore into California early in the week also did a number on La Paz with big waters and lots of chop making it nearly impossible to fish and the port captain closed down the port," Roldan said. "The Las Arenas tuna bite just goes on and on moving now to Punta Perico and the mouth of Muertos Bay." Some yellowfin tuna caught on the Las Arenas side reached the 30-pound class. Roosterfish, pargo, sailfish, and a few wahoo were also caught. Angler Marty Johnson of Atascadero, Calif., fished with Tailhunter's Capt. Eddy on the La Paz side for a light tackle catch that included several uncommon gulf weakfish, Cynoscion othonopterum.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said fishing weather on the Las Arenas side was stabilizing at about 90 degrees after a period of strong north winds. Tortuga pangas caught yellowfin tuna and dorado of 20 to 30 pounds around Punta Perico and the south end of Isla Cerralvo. "We didn't go out any farther because of wind on some days and also because we had sure catches of dorado and tuna closer in," Hernandez said. "We also caught smaller pargos at Punta Perico." Sardina bait fish were available at Las Arenas and Ensenada de los Muertos where good concentrations of Humboldt giant squid were also found farther out.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Leonard Phillips of Baja Pirates Fleet said north winds made fishing on the La Paz side tough during the week. "The winds closed the harbor 3 days," Phillips said. "When we can get out fishing, cabrilla, pargos, and triggerfish are the fare." Dorado were not plentiful but some fish of 15 to 20 pounds were caught. Sardina bait was in good supply but mostly in smaller sizes.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said strong north winds made Loreto fishing waters difficult for 8 of 10 recent days as the dorado season began to ebb. "Dorado populations are thinning out but we're still able to find them along the shorelines where sea surface temperatures are highest," Bolles said. "The winds have made fishing and sea conditions very difficult." Fishing close to shore both north and south of town produced roosterfish of 5 to 20 pounds, dorado of 10 to 20 pounds, sierra of 5 to 8 pounds, cabrilla, pargo, and some billfish, mostly on sardina baits. "The bait of choice is sardina, trolled, cast, or used as chum for the dozens of species of game fish available inshore right now," Bolles said. "Sierra mackerel have made their debut off Isla Coronado, the shorelines opposite the island, and all the way south to the airport. They've been nicely sized so pack your wire leaders." Sardina bait was available daily at the Loreto marina.

LORETO, MEXICO: Lynn Hamman of Loreto reported the rescue of a local 15-foot boat out of Puerto Escondido that had been stranded for 3 days at Isla Monserrate after its motor quit. "They did have water and a little food," Hamman said. "They are fine and back at home here in Loreto." Involved in the rescue were: Dirk Swanson, the Loreto Port Captain and staff, Proteccion Civil and staff, the Municipio of Loreto, Dr. Collins, Alexander Ogilvy, Baja Outpost, Scott Serven, Rich and Ellyn Reitan, Jeanne Reilly, the Loreto airport facility for smaller aircraft, and many other volunteers. "They all worked together to make this a happy ending," Hamman said.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler returned to Isla San Marcos after 5 weeks in the U.S. and reported very good conditions in the Santa Rosalia fishing area over the weekend, with light southeast afternoon breezes, air temperatures to 90 degrees, water temperatures of 76 to 77 degrees, and visibility from less than 20 to about 30 feet. "It's late October and the fishing is what it's supposed to be," Kanzler said. "Offshore waters still have dorado and billfish, a little spotty due to stained green water, as most boats are still able to get 6 to 12 bites by slow trolling live bait and some on artificial lures. Inshore fishing less than 2 miles out is also very good for lots of sierra, bonito, and jacks." The Isla San Marcos yellowtail bajos were wide-open for yellowtail at 150 to 220 feet. An outing to Isla Tortuga produced 10 yellowtail into the high 20-pound range by 10 a.m. "Some iron fish can be caught, but today the 3 boats that fished used dropper loop-rigged live bigeye scads," Kanzler said.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Ed Duitsman of Hinkley, Calif., reported on 2 runs out to Isla Tortuga by his boat Daycare for a catch including released fish of: 8 dorado, and 2 sailfish. Santa Rosalia fishing area weather had some strong winds, with the water temperature offshore at 80 to 81 degrees. On his first run to the island, Duitsman said, "I arrived at the isla and spotted sailfish immediately. We had our first sailfish within 15 minutes and the second by 9:30 a.m. The sailfish were released unharmed using Ed Hogan's circle hooks." After winds became stronger on his second day, Duitsman said, "That's a tough 25-mile ride from Tortuga heading west against north winds and waves." Also fishing aboard the Daycare were Duitsman's father John Duitsman and son Cory Duitsman.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Anderson of San Bruno reported fish counts producing a mix of summer-style dorado, sailfish, and fall yellowtail for his Moosea Boat. "The yellowtail up to 30 pounds have started a major chew at the north end of San Marcos Island," Anderson said. "And on Friday we went to Tortuga Island and had great summer-type fishing with dorado and sailfish." Bait was still difficult to make locally, with the best concentrations found at the Santa Rosalia harbor. "If that fails, the pangueros are throwing cast nets for sardinita in the bay and doing very well," Anderson said.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Earlier, Syd Lindsay of San Lucas Cove reported 3 days of sustained strong winds in the Santa Rosalia fishing area. "The very high winds are the worst I have seen in 15 years here," Lindsay said. "On Sunday a 20-foot panga had to stay at the west light on Isla San Marcos for 2 nights and was taken to the town on the island. Radio contact with several people including Jim Anderson got food and water taken to them by a small trail from the town. All is well now. We should all be aware that this can happen to anyone and carry extra food and warm clothes in our boats."

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Scott Woodward of San Diego, Calif., reported on a 5-day trip with Elueterio Moreno and Dave Szabo to their place 5 miles north of Bahia de los Angeles, fishing between winds for good action on their 20-foot boat at Bajo Guadalupe for yellowtail and bonita on Saturday. "We took advantage of the slack tides and caught 4 yellowtail, 15 to 20 pounds, and over 30 bonita to 15 pounds in just over 2 hours," Woodward said. "All fish were caught on iron, with the yellows hard to reach through the bonita. We released most of the bonita and kept some for canning." Bahia de los Angeles fishing area weather was in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 75 to 77 degrees.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tony Reyes Sr. of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trip by the panga mothership Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe on Oct. 27, 2007, with a catch of: 370 yellowtail of 15 to 40 pounds, 124 cabrilla of 6 to 12 pounds, 4 pargo of 6 to 10 pounds, 169 spotted bay bass of 3 to 6 pounds, 2 grouper of 40 and 44 pounds, 3 sheephead of 6 to 10 pounds, and 12 whitefish of 3 to 6 pounds.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: For the previous week, Reyes reported on a 6-day trip by the Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe on Oct. 19, 2007, with a catch of: 259 yellowtail of 15 to 22 pounds, 127 cabrilla of 6 to 10 pounds, 21 pargos of 6 to 10 pounds, 111 spotted bay bass, 8 dorado of 15 to 20 pounds, 11 sheephead of 6 to 10 pounds, and 25 whitefish.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore at San Felipe reported gorgeous weather over the weekend, with no wind and the morning low tide air temperature at 82 degrees. "There are lots of people strolling the beach," Meders said. "It's one of those perfect San Felipe days." Strong winds the previous week brought power outages as work progressed on widening the Mexicali highway to 4 lanes. "It is now official that the road will be paved heading south through Gonzaga Bay all the way to Mex 1," Meders said. "Also, it seems that there will be at least one casino here in San Felipe. Looking on the bright side, this will create new jobs for the local people and generate more money for the town." The San Felipe 2007 Shrimp Festival was scheduled for Nov. 8-11, 2007, and other local activities included a golf tournament at El Dorado and preparations for the Baja 1000 race.

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Art Pina of Tucson, Ariz., reported on a run out of Rocky Point to the 51-mile reef in flat seas by his boat Big Daddy for a catch by his group that included lots of red snapper, 2 halibut of 20 and 30 pounds, and 1 black sea bass of 98 pounds. "We dropped cut bait and had a triple hook up of red snappers," Pina said. "But the real treat was to see the big dorados that would follow the snappers to the boat, 4 to 5 times larger than the peanut dorado that stayed with us the entire time, 15 to 20 dorado in each bunch. One group of dorado after another kept visiting us for the 2 hours we were there." Rocky Point fishing area water temperatures were at 82 degrees.

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: For the previous weekend, Curtis Grant of Phoenix, Ariz., reported on a run to the 16-mile reef at a heading of 185 degrees out of Rocky Point by his boat Bonus Time for a catch including a nice gulf grouper that topped out a 60-pound scale. "I had a huge hit on the second pass that pulled about half of my braid off before the fish turned," Grant said. "The big grouper fought hard for about 15 minutes and then hit the surface about 25 yards away from a group of juvenile sea lions, but I was too fast and pulled the big guy into the boat before they had a chance." Rocky Point fishing area weather had winds to 15 m.p.h. and seas to 4 feet. Another outing the following day in glassy-flat 82-degree water produced no fish. "I tried 3 different reefs and a lot of trolling but ended up empty-handed after about 10 hours," Grant said. "Didn't really matter. I was still grinning from ear to ear because of the big dude I caught the day before."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Lalo Munoz of Masatun Charters Sportfishing at San Carlos reported on a good outing at and around Isla San Pedro Nolasco on Thursday by the charter boat Sueltame for a catch of: 6 yellowtail to 26 pounds, and 4 dorado. Another trip 3 miles south of the island on Friday scored on a nice bull dorado of 33 pounds, but was star-crossed as unbuttoned fish included: a 25-pound tuna lost at gaff, another tuna lost about 200 yards out, and 4 marlin lost on 8 follows. "We were frustrated but happy we found the spot," Munoz said. "We went for some warm water pushing south according to Terrafin."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Fernando Almada of Catch-22 Sportfishing reported on an outing with Capt. Lalo on the charter boat Sueltame for 3 marlin released and 4 quality dorado. Capt. Gerardo on the charter boat Catch-22 Pez Vela reported 3 marlin released, plus dorado.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters said San Carlos sportfishing boats were finding good marlin and dorado action and good water conditions. "The warm water has returned," Hilderbrand said. "Three days ago the water was 50 to 80 miles away, but yesterday boats were loading up. Conditions can change with a northerly but it's all good fishing right now."

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 26 Aries Fleet offshore boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 3 blue marlin, 9 sailfish, 4 yellowfin tuna, and 35 dorado. Ten inshore super pangas had a catch of: 18 dorado, 57 red snapper, 9 permit, 3 jack crevalle, and 57 roosterfish. "Mazatlan offshore fishing has slowed down a little over the full moon phase," Edwards said. "Inshore super pangas are still having good fishing but now with a variety of fish that is making the day more interesting." Mazatlan fishing area weather was mostly sunny in the low-80s, with calm seas and water temperatures of 82 to 83 degrees. Aries Fleet offshore boats fished mostly with rigged baits 22 to 28 miles southwest of Mazatlan.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Tony Rivera from Minden, Nev., reported on 2 days of Mazatlan fishing aboard the charter boat Aries I with Capt. David and deckhand Julio for a catch including released fish of: 4 sailfish, 4 dorado of 20 to 40 pounds, and 5 yellowfin tuna of 10 to 30 pounds, plus a 500-pound class blue marlin unbuttoned after a fight of about 20 minutes. "Most boats are getting action on large end-of-season dorado and small to medium yellowfin tuna, with about every third boat getting a shot at a trophy blue or black marlin on trolled lures," Rivera said. Rivera and trip partners Dave and Ron Manning of Carson City, Nev., fished in mostly calm seas about 25 miles southwest of Mazatlan.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing said the Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar fished offshore 3 times during the week at Roca Corbeteña for a catch including released fish for anglers from California and Texas of: 2 large yellowfin tuna, 8 dorado, 1 blue marlin, and 2 sailfish. "They were not biting really good, but when the moon phase changes it's going to be wide-open," Gomez said. Puerto Vallarta fishing area offshore water was very blue at 84 degrees from Punta Mita outwards.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: For the previous week, Eric Christensen of Rossmoor, Calif., reported on 2 days of fishing with Capt. Danny Osuna on the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla for a catch at Roca Corbeteña including released fish of: 3 yellowfin tuna of 65, 160, and 260 pounds on kite baits, 2 wahoo of 40 and 60 pounds on a purple Marauder, and 1 dorado of 20 pounds on fly lined bait. "The 260-pound cow tuna showed color after an hour and 10 minutes but was far from finished and fought for 2 more hours," Christensen said. "Danny Osuna and his first mate Alvino provided excellent service and did a great job locating the fish." Also fishing aboard the Marla was Christensen's son Sean Christensen, a doctor in residency at Yale University. Puerto Vallarta fishing area weather was calm at 90 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said blue 84-degree water was just a few miles off the beach and good catches of 8 to 12-pound dorado were made following recent rains. "Late season rains have brought the dorado in numbers," Kunze said. "Near shore, smaller school dorado are biting very well." Offshore boats averaged about 1 sailfish per outing. Top outings during the week included Keith Bell of Pensacola, Fla., who fished with Capt. Ruben on the charter boat Vamonos II for a catch including released fish of: 1 sailfish, and 5 dorado. An inshore fly fishing trip to Puerto Vicente Guerrero produced no roosterfish hooked on 4 follows, but lots of jack crevalle to 5 pounds chasing sardina bait fish. Ixtapa fishing area weather was cloudy in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 80 to 84 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on a combined total 7 offshore outings by the Ixtapa charter boats La Bamba, Marlin Azul, Aloha, Vamonos II, Vamonos III, Duquesa, and Intruzza for a catch including released fish of: 4 sailfish, and 21 dorado. One inshore trip by Capt. Adolofo produced 4 roosterfish to 50 pounds. "Inshore waters are still a bit muddy from the recent rains," Edwards said. "But large numbers of bonito and some jacks are present." Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was rainy during the week and clearing in the low-90s by the weekend, with moderate to rough seas and water temperatures of 85 to 86 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament said top Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sportfishing captains were already heavily booked through the winter fishing season. "Most of the better panga captains in Zihuatanejo are now booked through mid-February," Phillips said. "Every captain with knowledge of fly fishing is booked. A few decent conventional gear captains have a very few days in December and January. With these boats, anglers will need a guide to fly fish. The smaller cruisers to 31 feet are also going fast because the pangas are booked."

Phillips said the following boats and captains may have fishing dates available:

• Angeles, Jose Angel Vasquez, panga, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips. **

• Cabo 35-foot, El Soltar, and 48-foot, Shellback, $650 and $850, Miguel and Lenny Alvarez. *

• Don Gordo II, Poli Hernandez, 38-foot, $365. ***

• Dos Hermanos I, and Dos Hermanos II, pangas, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips, Adolpho and Cheva. *

• Ed Kunze, fly fishing guide, prior to fly fishing only, he was #12 worldwide, 011-521-755-558-2685, 011-52-755-553-7141, edkunze@gmail.com.

• Gaby, Margarito Romero, 31-foot Chris Craft, $350. ***

• Gitana II, Adan Valdovinos, panga, $210, #4 for 2 years, right behind his brother Santiago, may beat him this year! ***

• Gitana, Santiago Valdovinos Olea, panga, $250, twin engine, #3 worldwide for past 6 years total billfish tagged and released, over 250 sailfish per year, Home, 011-52-755-554-7812, cell 011-521-(044)-755-111-1302, gitana@prodigy.net.mx.

• Gringo Loco, $250, twin engine, and Mahi-Mahi, Luis Marcel, 011-521-755-558-3166, 114-2546.

• Intruza and Libertad, 31-34 feet, $425, Chiques Hernandez. ***

• Isamar, Martin Cortez, #1 with NMFS tags for area, panga, $210. ***

• Janeth, Arturo, panga, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips, 011-521-755-111-1007, or***.

• La Bamba, Jose Vargas, 30-foot, $325. *

• Llamarada, Chico Garcia, panga, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips, 755-557-1793.

• Mariana, Refugio "Cuco" Lopez, panga, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips. **

• Oceana, Marcos, panga, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips. *

• Oleaje, Ramon Olea, panga, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips, 011-52-755-554-4311.

• Sea Horse, Fernando Salas, panga, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips. **

• Tequila, Orlando, panga, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips. *

• Tijereta, Fidel Wences, panga, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips. **

• Tres Hermanos, Armando Arciniega, panga, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips. **

• Vamanos fleet, 31-33-foot Bertrams, $365-425, Jaime Morales. ***

• Vargas fleet: Esturion II, 38-foot, Alfredo and Juan; Marlin Azul, 31-foot, Javier; Nautilus, 32-foot, Toro; Duquesa, 42-foot; John Dean, U.S. 843-902-6583, olddog101@hotmail.com, or local, Alfredo, 011-52-755-554-2988, Fax 755-554-4875, Cell 011-521-755-558-1104.

• Zapatito Gordo, Cali or Alejandro, panga, $210 for standard charters, $300 for tuna trips. *

______

* Contact Ed Kunze, 011-521-755-558-2685, 011-52-755-553-7141, edkunze@gmail.com.

** Contact Santiago Valdovinos, Home, 011-52-755-554-7812, cell 011-521-(044)-755-111-1302, gitana@prodigy.net.mx.

*** Contact Ed Kunze or Santiago Valdovinos.

Magdalena Bay Mexico Thetis Bank Fishing Photo 1 Magdalena Bay Mexico Marlin Fishing Photo 1

THETIS TIN BOAT--Mark Gotchall and Doug Mozan of Eugene, Ore., work a double marlin hookup on Baja's Pacific coast Thetis Bank on Thursday as Capt. Ruben Duran of Puerto Lopez Mateos at Magdalena Bay maneuvers Mark's 20-foot Koffler aluminum boat. One of the stripers was lost when tackle failed and the other was boated after a 2-hour fight on 25-pound line. At right, a striped marlin comes to the boat during good Thetis Bank action found off the Baja Pacific coast by Bill Erhardt aboard his boat Soledad. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Mahi Mahi Fishing Photo 1

CABO DORADO AMIGOS--Cabo San Lucas anglers, from left, Steve Taylor, Richard Minkoff, and Richard Beck got into some great dorado action while fishing on Cabo's Pacific side out to about 8 miles aboard the charter super panga Cheer's with Capt. Ramon Druck. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fly Fishing Photo 2

FLY FISHING DORADO--Mike Barton, left, of Springfield, Mass., with one of 15 dorado landed in fly fishing action at Cabo San Lucas with Capt. Alex Reyes, right, of Grant Hartman's Baja Anglers guide service, aboard the charter boat Flying Fish II. Barton fished with trip partner Scott Grazka. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT HARTMAN.

East Cape Mexico Fly Fishing Photo 1

EAST CAPE ON THE FLY--Fly tackle angler Clyde Wilber recently fished at East Cape with Jeff deBrown's The Reel Baja guide service and scored a great mixed species catch that included Wilber's first-ever fly caught dorado, sailfish, and yellowfin tuna. Clyde and deBrown fished aboard the East Cape charter boat Alegria out of Buena Vista Beach Resort. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF DEBROWN.

East Cape Mexico Fishing Photo 1

RANCHO LEONERO DORADO--Ryker Steinman, 13, with his first-ever dorado, caught during an East Cape fishing trip out of Rancho Leonero aboard the charter boat Anzuelo II with Capt. Hector, right. Steinman's 3-days of fishing with his father John Steinman produced action on dorado, yellowfin tuna, pargo, and skipjack. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN STEINMAN.

La Paz Mexico Wahoo Fishing Photo 1

CERRALVO FIRST WAHOO--Charlie McGee, right, and Mitch Chavira, both of Encinitas, Calif., are regular anglers at La Paz and had caught about every game fish species in the area except wahoo, until last week as Charlie got his first-ever wahoo off Isla Cerralvo during a panga trip with Tailhunter International. Mitch still has to wait for another trip. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Squid and Fish Photo 1

SQUID-FISH MIXER--Anglers Rick Beasley, John Delauski, Elzie Jackson, and Daron Schinpf landed Humboldt giant squid used for chum and bait on the Las Arenas side of La Paz last week and also got into good mixed species panga fishing for tuna, dorado, and pargos with Tortuga Sportfishing Capts. Rigo and Jorge Lucero. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Yellowtail Fishing Photo 1

ISLA SAN MARCOS YELLOWTAIL--Jim and Marika Anderson show off a nice Santa Rosalia yellowtail caught north of Isla San Marcos on their Moosea Boat during an outing with Francisco Mesa, right, a boat mechanic and fishing guide at San Lucas village south of Santa Rosalia. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM ANDERSON.

Rocky Point Mexico Grouper Fishing Photo 1

ROCKY POINT GROUPER--Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco) dock assistants Ubet and Miguel help unload a nice 60-pound plus gulf grouper landed at the 51-mile reef by Curtis Grant during an outing by his boat Bonus Time. A repeat run the following day in calm 82-degree water produced no fish. PHOTO COURTESY OF CURTIS GRANT.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 1

ROCKY POINT FISHING--At the downtown marina of Rocky Point, Sonora, a good mixed catch of red snapper, halibut, and 1 black sea bass scored during a trip to the 51-mile reef in flat October sea conditions by Art Pina's boat Big Daddy. PHOTO COURTESY OF ART PINA.

San Carlos Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 2 San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 2

SAN CARLOS DORADO--Lalo Munoz of Masatun Charters Sportfishing at San Carlos, Sonora, with a quality dorado caught during 2 days of good action aboard the charter boat Sueltame for dorado, yellowtail, and marlin. At right, San Carlos angler Jason Henault aboard the Sueltame. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LALO MUNOZ.

Mazatlan Mexico Sailfish Fishing Photo 1 Mazatlan Mexico Marlin Fishing Photo 1 Mazatlan Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 1

MAZATLAN MIXED SPECIES--Ron Manning of Carson City, Nev., with a sailfish caught during a Mazatlan fishing trip aboard the charter boat Aries I that produced sailfish, dorado, yellowfin tuna, and a blue marlin lost. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TONY RIVERA.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Giant Tuna Photo 1 Puerto Vallarta Mexico Wahoo Photo 1

MARLA MOO-MOO--Sean Christensen with a 260-pound cow class yellowfin tuna caught during a run to Roca Corbeteña with his father Eric Christensen aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla with Capt. Danny Osuna and first mate Alvino. The trip produced 3 tuna of 65, 160, and 260 pounds. At right, Eric Christensen with a 60-pound wahoo, one of 2 skinnies also caught during the trip aboard the Marla. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ERIC CHRISTENSEN.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Panga Fishing Photo 1

VALLARTA OFFSHORE PANGA--A good-sized yellowfin tuna comes aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar last week during outings at Roca Corbeteña that produced tuna, dorado, sailfish, and 1 blue marlin. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY GOMEZ.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Mixed Species Fishing Photo 1

(VERY) MIXED SPECIES FISHING--San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snowed scored 51 fish of 20 difference species during his recent session aboard the La Playita panga Salome with Capt. Pata. About a dozen species are shown here ready for cataloging. Snow's list of fish caught mostly around San Jose del Cabo now includes 316 species. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN SNOW.

La Paz Mexico Gulf Weakfish Fishing Photo 1

GULF WEAKFISH--Marty Johnson caught this unusual gulf weakfish, a relative of the corvina and white seabass, while fishing light tackle at La Paz with Tailhunter International's Capt. Eddy. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Rising Full Moon Photo 1

BAJA FULL MOON--The Sea of Cortez at Santa Rosalia, with sailfish and yellowtail biting and fall north winds coming in the afternoon for Jim and Marika Anderson's Moosea Boat out of San Bruno. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM ANDERSON.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES