Schoolie tuna fishing is wild at San Jose del Cabo;

Ixtapa boats mix marlin and sailfish

Mexico Fishing News, December 3, 2007

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 55 combined La Playita fleet charter pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch including released fish of: 1,020 yellowfin tuna of 10 to 20 pounds, 52 dorado to about 15 pounds, 3 wahoo, 24 sierra, 62 red snapper to 12 pounds, 16 cabrilla, 12 amberjack, and 64 bonito.

"The yellowfin tuna bite has been absolutely wide-open off Palmilla Point, Punta Gorda, La Fortuna, and the Iman Bank," Brictson said. "The tuna were biting so aggressively that other fish species could hardly compete. Anglers could not keep the tuna from striking."

The tuna were hitting best on live sardina baits concentrated at Punta Palmilla, Brictson said, as anglers attempting to target dorado with large strip baits or feathers still caught mostly tuna. San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was sunny and calm in the high-80s, with cooling water temperatures at 74 to 76 degrees. Los Cabos area surf anglers caught sierra to 7 pounds and roosterfish to 15 pounds near concentrations of bait fish. Huachinango or true red snapper fishing picked up on sardinas dropped to the bottom beneath the tuna.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Ed Kammer of Gold Beach, Ore., and San Jose del Cabo reported unlimited yellowfin tuna and 2 dorado landed during a run Tuesday with his daughter Jennifer Kammer aboard Paul Shones' panga Linda Marie. "Jennifer's dorado weighed about 30 pounds," Kammer said. "We caught it about 7 a.m. on a slow-trolled live sardina. This was the type of day you dream about with wide-open tuna action. I had Jennifer baiting her own hook and setting the hook on the strike. The perfect Baja fishing day!"

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Dana Allen of Reno, Nev., reported on an early November fly-down fishing trip with Chris Novak of San Jose, Calif., bringing a 10-foot Zodiac inflatable boat and 2-h.p. Honda outboard on the plane at an extra cost of $132 for baggage and import fees, and fishing out of East Cape aboard the Zodiac. At San Jose del Cabo, Allen and Novak took a panga out of La Playita 2 days for a combined catch at the Iman and Gordo Banks of: 6 dorado, 7 yellowfin tuna, 10 skipjack, and 8 bonito. "We released most of the fish," Allen said. "As an example of how good it was, a bonito came up and hit a bare hook dangling just inches under the surface while we were getting another sardine for it. We were afraid to go to Gordo Banks in a 10-foot boat because the wind is from the north and if power was lost we would drift into the open Pacific."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow reported very good action during 4 surf fishing sessions and 4 outings with Capt. Pata aboard the panga Salome for a total of 99 fish of 40 species caught or observed, including 2 tiny new species about 1 inch long, the angel blenny and the notchfin blenny. San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was cooler at about 80 degrees, with 1 day of strong wind and blue water in the low-80s. Two panga trips were cut short during the week, Snow said, 1 due to wind and the other due to a full fish box. A total of 14 yellowfin tuna and 6 dorado were caught aboard the Salome. "The dorados remain a hoot," Snow said. "The atuns are like going 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali and just plan hard work."

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the Ensenada sportfishing boat Bad Dog at Marina Coral reported on another very deep bottom fishing run the previous weekend, with 3 anglers dropping bait and rubber up to 2,500 feet deep off the Banda Bank for no fish landed, and then a catch of 14 blackgill rockfish to 7.5 pounds at a depth of 1,500 feet. Ross said he missed his targeted blackcod and thornyhead. At 2,500 feet, he said, "It took almost 14 minutes to hit bottom. I got a few bites so I reeled up, which took about 30 minutes. A seal came up and ate whatever was on the line. That was a lot of work ruined by a seal." The Bad Dog fished with Penn 14/0 reels, 5-pound sinkers, and 80-pound Berkley braided line. "The blackcod and thornyheads reside in deeper 2,500-water," Ross said. "The blackgill seem to like the shallower 1,500-foot water." Ensenada fishing area water was green at 57 degrees. "Fishing in this depth takes a lot of strength, perseverance, and a relentless positive mental attitude," Ross said. "You gotta love the sport. The ganion itself is a work of art." Ross said his Furuno 1100 sonar was good at 1,500 feet, okay at 2,500 feet, and "barely hung on" at 3,000 feet.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Tere Castro of Castro's Camp at Erendira reported just 8 boats fishing during the week, with some weather cancellations due to heavy rain on the northern Baja coast. "People still went fishing here," Castro said. "There were still a lot of fish in the water." Boats getting out during the week landed rockcods of 3 to 5 pounds, lingcod to 12 pounds, and several whitefish, calico bass, and barracuda. Water temperatures in the main fishing area about 8 miles off the Baja coast averaged 61 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported rains on Friday in the San Quintin fishing area and very few anglers present. "The weekend was slow," Hillis said. "No tourism in San Quintin. We had only 2 boats out all week." San Quintin fishing area weather was cool but with sea conditions good as boats fished the bottom for rockcods and lingcod. Hillis said Pedro's Pangas is again running its winter special fishing package at $220 per person, for 2 people, including 2 days of fishing, 2 dinners, 2 lunches, and 2 nights of lodging. Information: 888-568-BAJA.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Shari Bondy of Baja Bed & Breakfast at Bahia Asuncion said Baja coastal fishing weather following the Dia de Revolución holiday week was partly cloudy, with some very high winds and rain, and 1 calm day. Fishing water off Bahia Asuncion was clear at about 70 degrees. "Even though it was overcast and full moon, the fishing still is holding strong with lots of yellowtail being caught by local fishermen," Bondy said. Capt. Juan Arce of Arce Bros. Sportfishing took a panga out with hotel guests on Saturday and scored 4 yellowtail, lots of bonito, and a barracuda, despite having to return by 9 a.m. due to wind. Surf fishing at Los Chorros produced the corvina or croaker species called "boca dulce." Bondy said Bahia Asuncion's Dia de Revolución festivities included a competition among traditional Mexican food booths. "The booths have to be traditionally made and the food is all prepared in the traditional way by hand over a cooking fire," Bondy said. "The smells and flavors are spectacular."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Bondy also noted that members of the local fishing cooperativa vigilancia coastal guardians recently reported some army soldiers poaching abalone. "There was a big scandal over it," Bondy said. "The vigilancia went to Guerrero Negro to press charges. Each cooperative patrols 24/7 in trucks along the coast, on foot, and in boats at night to try to curb poaching. It is a dangerous job as the poachers are often well armed and the vigilancia is not. Anglers and surf fishermen should know they will be checked on when camping out or fishing along the coast here. Some folks are alarmed when they pull up thinking they are bandidos. People should know they are just patrols trying to protect their fisheries. All their trucks have antennas. Some trucks have the cooperativa emblem on them but others are just beat up 4x4s. They rotate shifts so there are lots of them.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported fly and conventional anglers scoring very good counts in the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels on snook, snapper, corvina, pargo, halibut, pompano, and grouper. "This mix was caught on fly and live shrimp purchased from the pangueros who used nets to catch shrimp commercially inside the bay," Graham said. Offshore, local pangas reported wide-open striped marlin surface action running northwards from the Finger Bank. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was in the mid-70s, with morning fog and water temperatures at 67 to 75 degrees.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Al Jordan of Loreto reported on a chartered fishing trip aboard the Lopez Sportsman's Lodge 32-foot twin-hull boat Baja Californian, fishing the mangrove channels from Puerto Lopez Mateos about 12 miles northwards to Boca de Santo Domingo for good action on: 12 pargo, 3 grouper, and 1 halibut. "It was our first experience using live shrimp for bait," Jordan said. "Capt. Chico netted the bait the afternoon before to be ready in the morning. At the lodge Chico then prepared his locally famous mesquite grilled fish. It was fabulous. I wish that I had some smaller hooks with me and will try smaller next time. We did have a very productive day."

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 39 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 28 striped marlin, 33 dorado, 1 mako shark, 1 wahoo, and 86 yellowfin tuna. "The bite was down this week," Edwards said. "We still anticipate the nearly always sustained drift bite at Cabo Falso during December. As long as the feed biomass remains plentiful in the area the billfish will return to the location."

Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the mid-80s, with Pacific side cooling water temperatures at 71 degrees at the Finger Bank, 75 degrees at the Golden Gate Bank, and 77 degrees at Cabo Falso. Water temperatures were at 77 degrees on the Sea of Cortez side Gordo Banks. Boats worked billfish mostly at the Golden Gate Bank and found the best concentrations of yellowfin tuna on the Cortez side off Red Hill.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Mike Connolly of the Pisces Fleet charter boat Falcon reported on a run to the Golden Gate Bank on Wednesday for 5 striped marlin released on 7 hookups. "All the fish came on slow-trolled mackerel," Connolly said. "Bait was abundant. There was some frigate bird action sporadically throughout the day but it did not really produce well." The Cabo San Lucas boat Corsario reported 2 wahoo landed on 7 bites while trolling Marauders among marlin at the Finger Bank. Connolly said a good showing of smaller yellowfin tuna at the Cabo San Lucas arch on Tuesday was shut down when seals arrived the following day. "Yo-yoing blue-and-white jigs worked very well," Connolly said. "Then the seals rolled in like wolves. Day 2 was mostly just yellowtail heads."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas sportfishing charter panga Cheer's reported on 2 outings during the week with a total of 4 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 6 yellowfin tuna of 6 to 8 pounds, 5 dorado of 8 to 15 pounds, 1 small needlefish, 11 skipjack of 4 to 6 pounds, 7 roosterfish of 3 to 5 pounds, 38 sierra of 3 to 7 pounds, 1 yellowtail of 8 pounds, 1 snapper of 3 pounds, and several bonita. The Cheer's fished on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas from near shore at the Hotel Finisterra to Faro Viejo out to about 8 miles. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Mike Wilson and Bill Kennedy of San Francisco. Local Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather had calm periods and some strong winds, with water temperatures at 77 to 78 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic Sportfishing reported on 46 charter boats, with a catch including released fish of: 77 striped marlin, 137 yellowfin tuna, 27 dorado, 17 yellowtail, 1 wahoo, 6 pargo, 46 sierra, 6 bonito, 8 roosterfish, and 2 amberjack. The week's striped marlin count included 50 stripers released in 2 outings by the charter boat Cabo Magic with anglers including Garcia, Capts. Hector, Chari, and Piranya, and first mate Charlie.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of the Baja Anglers fly fishing guide service at Cabo San Lucas reported lots of 8 to 20-pound yellowfin tuna on fly and conventional tackle. Fly tackle angler Randy Gibbs of Houston, Texas, fished 3 days for up to 20 tuna on the fly, plus some dorado, and 2 striped marlin. "If he would have landed his dorado his last day, he would have had a Baja offshore fly slam on 2 consecutive days," Hartman said.

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: 17 striped marlin, 41 yellowfin tuna of 15 to 25 pounds, 1 boat with yellowfin tuna limits at 15 to 25 pounds, 8 dorado of 20 to 25 pounds, 1 wahoo of 30 pounds, and 1 mako shark of 30 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the previous week, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported a crowd of Cabo San Lucas fishing boats working the Golden Gate Bank marlin bite. "There were as many as 60 boats at a time on top of the bank and a couple of dozen more just off the edges," Landrum said. "A good day at the Gate resulted in at least 2 striped marlin and some boats were getting 7 or 8."

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said few anglers were in the East Cape fishing area last week, as billfish action dropped off but good concentrations of yellowfin tuna and dorado were found close to shore. "In spite of a couple of days of rain, the tuna and dorado bite was outrageous this week," Graham said. East Cape beach fishing produced small jacks, roosterfish, and sierra feeding on small sardina from Rancho Leonero to La Ribera. East Cape fishing area weather was mostly cloudy in the high-70s, with water temperatures at 75 to 80 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero reported very few anglers at East Cape last week as good yellowfin tuna fishing was found just half-an-hour from the hotel. "We have sent 5 boats out all week," Ireland said. "All anglers are limiting on tuna. Local anglers are taking dorado, sailfish, and marlin, but counts are down as boats are targeting tuna." Sierra and pargo were caught inshore. Yellowfin tuna averaging 15 pounds were concentrated outside the Cabo Pulmo marine park. No boats targeted billfish but Ireland said, "Lots of tailers were spotted a little further offshore, 4 to 10 miles out. We have lots of bait in the area holding the fish." East Cape fishing area weather was clear and flat in the 80s, with 1 day of rain and the water temperature at 76 to 78 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Dana Allen of Reno, Nev., reported on the East Cape portion of his fly-down trip bringing a 10-foot inflatable boat with Chris Novak, fishing 3 days around Punta Pescadero with chunk bait, Krocodiles, skirted squids, and trolled blue-silver Rebel lures in spotty action for a catch of: 1 red snapper, 2 sierra, some double hookups on various needlefish and ladyfish, and some bass. "Then we went snorkeling," Allen said. "Wow! The rocky coves were lousy with sardines. In about 20 feet of water I was encased in a school of maybe 200 jacks 12 to 14 inches long. They were very nervous and twitchy. I was not sure if it was me or something else making them that way, so I decided to get out of the water." Allen noted damage to his 2-h.p. outboard motor during the flight to San Jose del Cabo. "The airline was tough on the outboard, breaking 1 prop blade off and smashing the safety stop switch," he said. "I hot-wired around the safety switch so it would start. It actually worked just fine with the missing blade, but I kept it down to half throttle."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending Nov. 22, 2007, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 65 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 185 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 1 blue marlin, 3 striped marlin, 1 black marlin, 1 sailfish, 89 dorado, 705 yellowfin tuna, and 2 wahoo. East Cape fishing area weather was in the low-90s, with some moderate afternoon seas and water temperatures ranging from 75 to 81 degrees. Yellowfin tuna and dorado were caught mostly southwards from Rancho Leonero to Destiladeras.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the previous week ending Nov. 15, 2007, Moyers reported on 162 boats from the same East Cape sportfishing fleets with a catch including released fish of: 45 striped marlin, 11 sailfish, 140 dorado, 1,382 yellowfin tuna, and 12 wahoo.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: East Cape beach-launched boat angler Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista reported on a run about 1 mile off Rancho Leonero, fishing with 4.5-inch and 5.5-inch Jointed Fastrac Rebel Lures for a catch of: 2 yellowfin tuna of 9 and 16 pounds, 1 dorado of 15 pounds, 1 jack crevalle of 20 pounds, and 2 sierra caught earlier just off Hotel Rancho Buena Vista. "I used the bigger 5.5-inch blue-silver Rebel and it hooked a dorado and 2 tuna," Eddy said. "One advantage it has over its smaller sibling is that its hooks are heavier which facilitates bringing in the fish. Trying to horse a big fish with the 4.5-inch Jointed Rebel can result in loss of the fish due to the hooks straightening. I did not lose any that way yesterday, but that big toro really wore me out because I felt I had to keep a light drag. When the fish are running bigger, we can sometimes use the bigger Rebel lure and get better results." Eddy also noted the unusual catch at East Cape of a chihuil bait fish by panguero Elias Aguilar. Another 2-hour trolling trip at midweek from Buena Vista to Rancho Leonero produced 2 small sierra and a dorado of 10 pounds about 1.5 miles off the beach.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport diving service at East Cape said water temperatures at depth cooled to 73 to 77 degrees last week, with visibility still excellent at 70 to 80 feet. Sea life sightings at Punta Perico and Cerro Verde included masses of yellowtail surgeonfish, green sea turtles, green moray eels, grunts, rays, a hawksbill sea turtle, and fields of garden eels raising their heads on the bottom. "One of my divers described swimming over these garden eels as like mowing a lawn," Cazaly said. "As he soared over the eels they would shrink back into their holes in the sand, giving the impression that he was cutting grass."

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said big counts of yellowfin tuna were scored from Ensenada de los Muertos to Las Arenas as they mixed with roosterfish. Good wahoo fishing was found south of Isla Cerralvo. The La Paz side was steady on dorado and sierra. Anglers fishing on the south side during the week included the Noonan family group from La Jolla, Calif., who scored several days of tuna and dorado limits and then hit the jackpot at Isla Cerralvo with 5 wahoo landed on 9 hookups.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said few anglers visited the La Paz fishing area last week as good action continued through 2 rainy days on Thursday and Friday. Pangas fishing out of Ensenada de los Muertos on Saturday had clear skies again, with very good wahoo counts again found off the south end of Isla Cerralvo. School-sized yellowfin tuna and dorado were caught off Punta Perico, and sierra were concentrated in volume at Las Arenas.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Dean Mitchell of San Diego, Calif., reported on a trip aboard the new Seascape Charters sportfishing boat Sea Fortuna with friends Dean Elmquist, Michael Fraser, and Matthias "Hans Grouper" Gruber, fishing out of La Paz for first-ever wahoo caught by all anglers with Capt. Raul. "We came in late November for wahoo and caught several each day, and we lost a few more," Mitchell said. The wahoo, of about 30 to 70 pounds, were caught close to the north end of Isla Cerralvo and off Punta Sur at the southwest corner is the island. "In my 20-plus years coming down here, this was the best fishing I’ve ever experienced," Mitchell said. "Our captain kept us on the fish and knew where to go. Most of the time we had fantastic spots to ourselves."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Ken Thomas of Loomis, Calif., reported continued good panga fishing out of La Ventana south of La Paz, including a 4-hour dorado bite at Punta Gorda on live sardina baits with Capt. Lalo. Another session with Capt. Yo Yo produced wahoo and yellowfin tuna at the north end of Isla Cerralvo and sierra near the Baja coast with angler Clayton Seward of Oakland, Calif. "We caught sierra until we were tired of catching them," Thomas said. "Fishing remains good when the wind isn't blowing, which it will do now for a couple of months."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Dana Allen of Reno, Nev., on a fly-down Baja fishing trip with a 10-foot inflatable boat, reported on a visit with old-Baja acquaintance Bobby Van Wormer Sr. of East Cape and a story about how Allen, as a youth, became the first-ever person to land a plane at the then brand new La Paz International Airport. "I decided to see someone for the first time in 38 years, Bobby Van Wormer," Allen said. "As a kid I had gone to Hotel Punta Colorado with my family in my dad’s 336 Cessna in 1969. Bobby is a living pioneer of Baja fishing resorts. I recognized him easily even after all those years. I told him a story about how on the way to Punta Colorada we landed at La Paz International. My dad said, "This strip is huge, a good place for your first landing," so I landed the plane. There was not a single plane at the huge airport! There was no one in the control tower that we had been in radio contact with. It was like The Twilight Zone. The only people were a few workmen with puzzled looks on their faces pulling the forms off the very fresh concrete. The airport was not open and the concrete was days old! So by accident I ended up being the first person to ever land a plane at La Paz International Airport and I did it without a license. We immediately got back up in the air, saw a big asphalt strip on the other side of La Paz with airliners, and landed there. No one said anything to us so we got out ASAP after fueling."

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Jeff Petersen of Loreto and Lopez Sportsman's Lodge at Magdalena Bay said the carnaderos pangueros were fishing for bait at night in some rough weather and finding few customers at the downtown Loreto marina. Capt. Gregorio Segoviano of Carnaderos y Pescadores de Loreto said, "No boats will go out tomorrow. We catch maybe 100 baits and sell maybe 20 or 30 at the most. It is slow. Maybe 2 customers or 3 are fishing per day." Boats fishing near shore and close to Islas Carmen and Coronado were catching small dorado, small roosterfish, cabrilla, and pargo. Petersen noted that although Loreto sportfishing activity was very slow, the more popular local restaurants including Mita Gourmet, Domingo's, Stroker's Reef, Pachamama, and Augie's were doing seasonably normal moderate business with patrons from the U.S., Mexico, and some from Europe. "Two folks from Germany were here last week," one proprietor said. "We don't have many fisherman right now."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Ed Hogan of San Bruno reported Santa Rosalia fishing area weather cold and rainy in the mid-60s some days, with water temperatures at 67 degrees and slower yellowtail action at the Isla San Marcos bajos as tidal currents weakened on the quarter moon. On Friday, Hogan snuck out between winds, made easy bait at the Santa Rosalia harbor, and managed 4 yellowtail in the 30-pound class with Art Misaki of Santa Clarita, Calif. "All the fish came on live bait with sliding 6-ounce sinkers at the 110 bajo," Hogan said. "The bite at the bajo was very slow."

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Anderson of San Bruno said on Saturday, "Fishing has been a real battle with wind and weather this week. The fish got lockjaw and refused to bite. This morning there was a fast flurry of activity and the yellowtail on the bajos were active for about 1 hour and after that just shut down again." Inshore fishing in the Santa Rosalia area was very good for bonita, cabrilla, and bass. "Those looking to put some tasty fillets in the cooler should find lots of activity," Anderson said.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Katherine Hammontré of the San Felipe website SanFelipe.com.mx said local panga fishing was good last week for John Chow and his fishing partner Gaylord who did well on corvina aboard a panga about 7 miles out from town. "It was kind of unusual, but true," Hammontré said of the lucky action found in local waters generally depleted by very heavy commercial fishing during the last half-century. "I was supposed to be the lucky recipient of one of the fish, but John Chow said he was too wet and too tired to fillet them." Tony Reyes of the Tony Reyes Fishing Tours panga mothership sportfishing service at San Felipe also confirmed the unusually good local fishing for corvina last week. "It was good, just like before," Reyes said.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore at San Felipe said the town was drying out over the weekend from heavy rains on Friday. "San Felipe was basically closed down and we kept getting power outages," Meders said. "Everyone really appreciated the good soaking. The desert will be absolutely gorgeous in a few days." Meders said the children of San Felipe enjoyed a "snow day" as schools were closed due to the heavy rainfall. "The kids were running through the streets still in their uniforms," Meders said. "Even the bus drivers got in on the wonderful impromptu celebration. After all, how often does it seriously rain here?"

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters at San Carlos said local boats found good action on bonita and some sierra, snapper, goldspotted bass, and whitefish. "With windy and cloudy conditions off San Carlos, we're unable to see any hopes of warm water for dorado and marlin," Hilderbrand said. San Carlos pangas did well on yellowtail at Isla San Pedro Nolasco by dropping squid bait with handlines. "These guys are good fisherman with those handlines," Hilderbrand said. "It's a whole different type of fishing.".

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 20 Aries Fleet offshore charter sportfishing boats working out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 1 blue marlin, 15 sailfish, 5 yellowfin tuna, and 15 dorado including some to 50 pounds. Nine inshore super pangas had a catch of: 34 sierra, 30 pargo, 1 red snapper, 23 lora, 1 baqueta, 2 barracuda, and limits of triggerfish. Mazatlan fishing area weather was mostly cloudy in the high-80s, with good sea conditions and the water temperature averaging 77 degrees inshore and 81 degrees offshore. Offshore boats worked the slow troll with rigged baits about 24 to 30 miles southwest of Mazatlan.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing said the charter super panga Dhamar fished offshore 3 times last week with California clients for very good action on dorado, sailfish, and some blue marlin. "The tunas are there at the rock but they're finicky," Gomez said. Puerto Vallarta fishing area water conditions were clear at 80 degrees. Gomez also noted that the Dhamar was fishing with 2 new 4-stroke outboards and 3 other Puerto Vallarta pangas are now available for charter.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Josh Temple of Prime Time Adventures said mid-November top catches by the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Conquistador included an estimated 900-pound black marlin released by angler Alex Stewart of British Columbia. The Conquistador placed second in this year's 52nd annual Puerto Vallarta Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, and Dorado Tournament, Temple said, with a 90-pound tuna and 350-pound blue marlin caught by angler Steve Shea. "Both fish were caught on live bait 30 miles offshore from Puerto Vallarta," Temple said.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle said last week's offshore charters at Roca Corbeteña and El Banco found action on plentiful sailfish plus black marlin, and yellowfin tuna were present in good numbers but slow to bite as they fed on concentrations of bait in the water. "Yellowfin are out there in big numbers, but nothing, nada, zippo again," Gabruk said early in the week. "The squid, krill shrimp, and tuna crabs are still out there. But several boats the last few days have boated yellowfin tuna in the 150-pound range. The bait needs to be small." Fishing was active near shore from Punta Mita northwards for black marlin, dorado, striped and blue marlin, inshore jacks, and sailfish. "The unusual thing is that there have been black marlin boated less than 20 miles off the point," Gabruk said.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said Ixtapa boats fished in variable conditions in blue water about 12 to 15 miles out of Zihuatanejo bay and averaged about 2 sailfish per outing, plus about 4 blue marlin per day brought in by the combined sportfishing fleet. "Currents have been changing daily," Kunze said. "Going back to the same place you caught fish the day before has not been productive. We are having to locate the fish on a daily basis." The charter pangas Gitana and Gitana II with Capts. Adan and Santiago both released blue marlin during the week. Capt. Adolfo reported 4 roosterfish caught during in inshore run to the north and good action on dorado close to the beach running southwards. Ixtapa fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the mid-90s, with light breezes and water temperatures at 80 to 84 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament said angler Glen Wittur of British Columbia got into some early morning billfish action aboard the charter panga Gitana with Capt. Santiago. "At 6:40 a.m. I was rousted out of bed by a phone call from the panga," Phillips said. "They said Glen was having trouble with his second sailfish. At 7:06 I got another call saying it wasn't a sailfish but a blue marlin. In less than 2 hours from the dock Glen had a sailfish and marlin release to his credit."

Los Cabos Mexico Tuna Fishing Photo 1

LOS CABOS TUNA--School-sized yellowfin tuna action was very good off the tip of Baja California last week from Cabo San Lucas up the Cortez side to East Cape. Mike Wilson, left, and Bill Kennedy hooked this pair of lunch-sized ahi aboard the Cabo charter panga Cheer's with Capt. Ramon Druck. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 1

LOS CABOS EYE-OPENER--Jennifer Kammer shows off her 30-pound class dorado, landed about 7 a.m. off San Jose del Cabo while fishing with her father Ed Kammer aboard Paul Shones' panga Linda Marie. Jennifer's Los Cabos dodo hit a slow-trolled sardina bait. PHOTO COURTESY OF ED KAMMER.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 2

DORADO & TUNA TIME--Chris Novak with a schoolie dorado caught in good action off San Jose del Cabo for yellowfin tuna and mahi during a fly-in trip to Los Cabos together with Dana Allen. They fished 2 days on a panga out of Punta Palmilla and another 3 days on a 10-foot inflatable boat and 2 h.p. outboard motor flown in as excess baggage for $132. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANA ALLEN.

Ensenada Mexico Blackgill Rockfish Fishing Photo 1

FROM WAAAY DOWN DEEP--Steve Ross and his wife Gail Ross have been fishing super deep lately aboard their Ensenada boat Bad Dog, dropping baits up to 2,500 feet deep for fish of unknown species lost, and then finding these uncommonly caught blackgill rockfish in water about 1,500 feet deep off the Banda Bank. So far, none of Ross' targeted blackcod and thornyhead have been located. PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVE ROSS.

Bahia Asuncion Mexico Yellowtail Fishing Photo 1 Bahia Asuncion Mexico Dia de Revolucion Photo 1

GOOD WINDY FISHING--Capt. Juan Arce of Arce Bros. Sportfishing at Bahia Asuncion took this group of California anglers out fishing and scored a good catch of 4 of these yellowtail plus lots of bonito and 1 barracuda despite being chased back to the beach at 9 a.m. by wind. Activities ashore during the group's 4-day trip to Bahia Asuncion's Baja Bed & Breakfast included fossil hunting, horseback riding, and swimming at the beach. At right, some young musicians at the microphone during Bahia Asuncion's recent celebration of Mexico's Dia de Revolución holiday. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHARI BONDY.

Magdalena Bay Mexico Fishing Photo 1 Magdalena Bay Mexico Shrimp Fishing Photo 1

SHRIMP BAIT ACTION--Barbara Jordan and her husband Al Jordan fished with live shrimp baits in the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels aboard the new Lopez Sportsman's Lodge 32-foot charter boat Baja Californian for good action on 12 of these pargo rojo plus grouper and a halibut. Shrimp baits, not permitted to be taken with a Mexican sportfishing license, were caught the previous day by Lopez Sportsman's Lodge licensed panguero Capt. Chico. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF PETERSEN. At right, holding a commercially caught catch of live shrimp baits for fishing in the mangrove channels. PHOTO COURTESY OF AL JORDAN.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Needlefish Photo 1

NEEDLE AT CABO--Fly fishing angler Bill Lynd fished at Cabo San Lucas in mid-November with Capt. Ramon Druck aboard the charter super panga Cheer's and hooked this needlefish or pez aguja, most likely a Pacific needlefish or young Mexican giant needlefish, not found in concentration in waters at the extreme tip of Baja, but common beginning at East Cape going northwards up the Sea of Cortez. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fly Fishing Photo 1

BAJA FLY SLAM--Randy Gibbs, right, scored a "Baja offshore fly fishing slam" of yellowfin tuna, dorado, and this striped marlin released during an outing at Cabo San Lucas on the Baja Anglers charter boat Flying Fish III with Capt. Nazario, left, and Baja Anglers' fly fishing guide Grant Hartman. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT HARTMAN.

Baja Mexico Night Driving Photo 1 Punta Pescadero Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BAJA ROADS--The road leading out of East Cape's Punta Pescadero during a recent Baja trip by Dana Allen and Chris Novak with a flown-in 10-foot inflatable boat. At right, Allen trolling the flown-in Zodiac off East Cape's Punta Pescadero. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANA ALLEN.

Loreto Mexico Chihuil Photo 1

CHILLY WILLY--East Cape panguero Elias Aguilar fished south of Punta Pescadero and caught this chihuil, or Pacific jack mackerel, a fish sometimes called a "Chilly Willy" and not commonly seen in numbers on the Sea of Cortez but prized as a tuna bait off Los Cabos. "The yellow stripe was more pronounced than my photo shows," said East Cape resident Torrance Eddy. PHOTO COURTESY OF TORRANCE EDDY.

La Paz Mexico Wahoo Fishing Photo 1

CERRALVO WAHOO BITE--Dean Mitchell, left, and Mathias "Hans Grouper" Gruber fished out of La Paz aboard the Seascape Charters boat Sea Fortuna for good action at both ends of Isla Cerralvo on wahoo of 30 to 70 pounds that included first-ever wahoo for Mitchell, Gruber, Dean Elmquist, and Michael Fraser. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEAN MITCHELL.

La Paz Mexico Wahoo Fishing Photo 2

WALL-TO-WALL WAHOO--The Noonan family from La Jolla, Calif., fished out of Ensenada de los Muertos on Tailhunter International pangas last week and got into several days of tuna and dorado limits, then ran out to Isla Cerralvo on a friend's boat for 5 wahoo on 9 hookups. The Noonans, from left: Ryley, Greg, Patrick, Conor, Charlie, and Marilyn. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 1

DORADO KEEPER--John Cannon of Long Beach, Calif., fished on a La Paz panga with Tortuga Sportfishing's Capt. Rigo Lucero for good action on wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and dorado including this keeper. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz Mexico Wahoo Fishing Photo 3

WAHOO WITH YO YO--Clayton Seward, left, of Oakland, Calif., fished out of La Ventana south of La Paz with local Capt. Yo Yo and got lucky with this wahoo at the north end of Isla Cerralvo. Also fishing on the panga were Ken Thomas of Loomis, Calif., and his brother Greg. PHOTO COURTESY OF KEN THOMAS.

Mexico Jurelito Bait Fish Photo 1

Mexico Jurelito Bait Fish Photo 2

Mexico Jurelito Bait Fish Photo 3

Mexico Caballito Bait Fish Photo 1

NOT A CABALLITO--A bait fish called "jurelito" in the Loreto area, of unknown scientific name, but differentiated from the bigeye scad baits commonly known as "caballito" or "goggle-eyes" by its single dorsal fin and low secondary anal fin running back continuously to its caudal fin. This jurelito was caught at Loreto by panguero friends of Jeff Petersen. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF PETERSEN. At bottom, a caballito or bigeye scad. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN SNOW.

Santa Rosalia Mexico Yellowtail Photo 1

SAN MARCOS 110 BAJO--Art Misaki fished in relatively slow conditions at Santa Rosalia's Isla San Marcos 110 bajo with Ed Hogan of San Bruno and landed this quality 35-pound yellowtail with a live bait weighted by a 6-ounce sliding sinker. PHOTO COURTESY OF ED HOGAN.

Mexico Angel Blenny Photo 1

TWEENY WEENY SPECIES--The 2 new fish species collected by San Jose del Cabo specialist John Snow last week included this miniscule notchfin blenny, only about an inch long. Snow's other new find for the week was an equally tiny angel blenny. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN SNOW.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Sailfish Photo 1

SAILS AT VALLARTA--Brent Boomer, right, with a first-ever sailfish about to be released last week at Puerto Vallarta's El Morro fishing grounds aboard the Master Baiter's Sportfishing & Tackle charter boat Chikita. The sailfish hit a slow-trolled caballito or goggle-eye bait rigged with a purple skirt. At left is Chikita first mate Jose. PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN GABRUK.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Mexico Sailfish Photo 1 Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Mexico Blue Marlin Photo 1

FIRST SAILFISH RELEASE--Glen Wittur, left, ready to release a beautiful first-ever sailfish caught off Ixtapa aboard the charter super panga Gitana with Capt. Santiago Valdovinos and first mate Francisco, right. Wittur's score for the day also included a blue marlin within 2 hours of leaving the dock at Zihuatanejo. At right, Wittur's blue marlin shows its shoulders to the Gitana. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAUL PHILLIPS.

Ixtapa Mexico Fishing Photo 1

IXTAPA FISHING--Jim Koch, left, and his son Jacob Koch, both of Iowa, fished aboard the Ixtapa charter super panga Gitana on Thursday, released this quality sailfish and landed a first-ever yellowfin tuna for Jacob with Capt. Santiago Valdovinos and the Gitana's first mate Francisco, right. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL PHILLIPS.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Black Marlin Photo 1

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Fishing Tournament Photo 1

VALLARTA MONSTER RELEASE--A huge 900-pound class black marlin is released about 30 miles off Puerto Vallarta by first mate Omar of the Prime Time Adventures charter boat Conquistador. The big marlin was landed by angler Alex Stewart of Canada after a 1-hour fight, with Conquistador Capt. Josh Temple at the helm. Below, the Conquistador, with angler Steve Shea scored place first in the tuna division and second in the marlin division in this year's 52nd annual Puerto Vallarta Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, and Dorado Tournament. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOSH TEMPLE.

Puerto Lopez Mateos Mexico Charter Boat Photo 1

MAGDALENA BAY CHARTER--The 32-foot twin-hulled aluminum charter boat Baja Californian arrives for duty at Magdalena Bay's Puerto Lopez Mateos last week. The Baja Californian is now being chartered for fishing and other water recreational activities offshore and in the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels Jeff Petersen's Lopez Sportsman's Lodge. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF PETERSEN.

Magdalena Bay Mexico Great Egret Photo 1 Magdalena Bay Mexico Black Brant Photo 1

BIRDS OF MAGDALENA BAY--Recent fall outings from Lopez Sportsman's Lodge at Magdalena Bay have offered bird watching opportunities in the famous mangrove channels. At left, a great egret, or garza blanca, takes flight over still waters, and at right a group of black brant, or branta del Pacifico, passes inside the sandy barrier island that forms the bay's main northern channel. "Large irregular flocks are currently wintering in the estuaries," said Lopez Sportsman's Lodge's Jeff Petersen at Puerto Lopez Mateos. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF PETERSEN.

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