Epic Cabo San Lucas striped marlin fishing continues;

Dorado action is steady for Puerto Vallarta boats

Mexico Fishing News, December 10, 2007

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: This fall's outstanding striped marlin season on the Pacific banks continued last week as Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas reported 80 percent of charters with releases of 1 to 6 striped marlin, and top runs including Bill Collector with a 26-marlin release day at the Finger Bank and Spartacus with 30 releases in the same area.

"Cabo has been blessed with extraordinary striped marlin fishing for over 3 months now and it seems set to continue," Ehrenberg said.

"We have had some people question how so many fish can be caught in one day. In areas like the Finger Bank at this time, the marlin have been so thick it is normal to get a strike every 5 minutes or so. You catch a fish, see another one, cast a bait, and get a hookup. Many of our anglers have lots of experience, taking no more than 5 to 6 minutes to bring a marlin to leader. You do, however, have to be in pretty good shape." All 291 striped marlin caught by Pisces Fleet during the week were released. Eighteen percent of boats caught dorado and 18 percent also landed yellowfin tuna. Ehrenberg also noted the report of a small marlin caught that was described as a "white marlin." "The captain swore that it was, but until we see the photo, we will chalk this up to a small striper or shortbilled spearfish," Ehrenberg said. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was partly cloudy and calm, with water temperatures averaging 74 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the previous week ending Nov. 29, 2007, Ehrenberg reported a sharp drop in the number of anglers vacationing at Cabo San Lucas but continued very good striped marlin counts coming from the Pacific side banks, including an outstanding 30-marlin release day at the Finger Bank for the charter boat La Brisa. "Don Armstrong from Park City, Utah, was fishing alone and did very well to handle so many fish," Ehrenberg said. Boats fishing farther south at the Golden Gate Bank topped out at about 6 releases per day.

Overall, 64 percent of Pisces boats released marlin, 41 percent landed dorado of 15 to 30 pounds, and 22 percent caught yellowfin tuna of 10 to 35 pounds. Inshore fishing at Cabo San Lucas produced yellowtail, sierra, and skipjack, and up to 10 smallish roosterfish per boat. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather had some windy days and rain, with water temperatures averaging 74 degrees as Pisces boats fished both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Mike Connolly of the Pisces Fleet charter boat Falcon said striped marlin was again found to be wide-open at the Finger Bank as the Falcon made just 1 run to the area for 27 stripers released on about 40 hookups by 2 anglers. "The fish are spread over a huge area with dozens of bird schools in every direction," Connolly said. "With the small number of yachts on the bank, the spacing between boats is usually a half-mile or more. It is not unusual to have marlin and bait all around the boat for upwards of 30 minutes at a time. Every well-cast bait is bit. Very exciting fishing." Baja coastal fishing weather at the Finger Bank was calm, with the water temperature at 76 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jonathan Schwartz of Carlsbad, Calif., reported an extraordinary 2-outing kayak fishing trip out of Cabo San Lucas, launching his kayak along with 2 others at the Finger Bank from Durance Lowendick's Marlin Masters charter boat Marlin Master I for a total of 5 striped marlin released by the group plus another 2 released by a boat crewman who jumped in for his first-ever attempt at paddling a kayak. Kayak fishing again south of Cabo the second day Schwartz' catch included wide-open 15-pound yellowfin tuna plus a blue marlin lost after it dragged his kayak sideways for more than half-an-hour. At the Finger Bank, Schwartz said, "From the kayak, trolling live macs, it was just insane, lots of paddling, trying to catch up to the roving masses of life. At one point the 3 of us kayakers had a triple hookup on stripers."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 45 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo San Lucas charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 97 striped marlin, 11 dog snapper, 4 sierra, 1 Humboldt giant squid, 31 yellowfin tuna, and 24 dorado. "I guess it was just the full moon that slowed the billfish down," Edwards said. "But the bite came back with a vengeance on the Golden Gate Bank. Now it is getting better just off Cabo Falso within a few miles of the Cabo San Lucas marinas. Look for this area near Cabo San Lucas to continue to improve as herds of billfish begin to flow around the corner of Baja from the Pacific into the Sea of Cortez." Top outings during the week included the Fish Cabo with 19 striped marlin releases in 2 days. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather had some clouds and rain, air temperatures in the low-80s, and water temperatures averaging 77 degrees. Most offshore boats fished the Pacific side Golden Gate Bank with live baits.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 9 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 27 striped marlin, 4 yellowfin tuna of 15 to 20 pounds, 1 mako shark of 30 pounds, 1 wahoo of 40 pounds, and 3 dorado of 25 to 30 pounds. Dillon noted that Salvador's Sportfishing has adopted a policy of 100 percent billfish releases and no billfish brought on board the boat for prerelease photos. "At no time will billfish be allowed to be brought on our boats to be photographed," Dillon said. "This puts too much added stress on the billfish. The billfish must remain in the water and be released." Dillon also said that Salvador's Sportfishing has reached a billfish release total for 2007 of over 700 fish. "We would like to say 'thanks' to everyone that released a billfish this year, not only on our boat, but on all the other charter boats in Cabo San Lucas," Dillon said.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 4 outings during the week with a total of 9 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 8 yellowtail of 8 to 15 pounds, 2 bonito of 4 to 7 pounds, 2 dorado, 2 dorado lost, 5 skipjack of 2 to 3 pounds, 67 sierra of 3 to 5 pounds, and 3 roosterfish of 6 to 7 pounds. The Cheer's fished close to the beaches on both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides of Cabo San Lucas and out to about 3 miles, and had good action for yellowtail on bait and yo-yo jigs about 100 meters from the arch. Local Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was mostly calm, with some light afternoon winds and water temperatures at 78 to 79 degrees. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Jay Perniciar, John Jessup, Geo Rusinko, Ted Bachelo, William Mamfield, James Retell, Hamish Street, Milt Smyd, and Jim Bolender.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Wayne Bisbee of Bisbee's Black & Blue Tournaments reported the results of the invitational, all-release Bluewater C.U.P. Championship at Cabo San Lucas on Nov. 29 and Dec. 1, 2007, with 7 boats fishing 2 days for a total of 398 striped marlin released. The tournament winning boat was the Wildcatter with 105 releases in 2 days. In second place Tiger Spirit with 97 releases, and Contender took third place with 86 releases.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the week ending Dec. 2, 2007, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said, "The wind did have an effect on the number of Cabo San Lucas boats that fished the Pacific side, but both the Finger Bank and the Golden Gate Bank continued to deliver massive amounts of striped marlin." The Golden Gate Bank produced about 2 to 8 marlin releases per day, Landrum said, and the Finger Banks was into double-digits with boats "hooking into as many fish as they could handle."

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 beach launched Ensenada pangas were kept ashore by big swells and big surf from midweek onwards, but on Monday and Tuesday anglers caught Mexican sportfishing limits of mixed rockcods and lingcod plus bonita for the Vonny's Fleet client fish smoker. "On Tuesday, it started to get a little rough but we still managed to get out," Villarino said. "Brian 'Calico' Foley limited out on reds and lings, so now it's 'Lingcod' Brian.'" Ensenada fishing area weather over the weekend was sunny in the high-60s, with light wind, ocean swells of 3 to 4 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 58 degrees.

For the previous week, Villarino said his telephone and internet connections were temporarily out of service due to storm damage at the boat yard. "A telephone pole fell over in our yard, but we are back now," Villarino said.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the Ensenada boat Bad Dog said videos of his recent super-deep fishing trips for blackgill rockfish have been posted on Youtube.com. "Search for 'black gill rock cod' and they will all come up," Ross said. "They show the 1,500-foot drops. The 2,500-foot drops were not filmed." Ross said the Black Dog was back fishing ultra-deep, with blackcod and thornyhead the targeted species.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Tere Castro of Castro's Camp south of Ensenada reported on 7 boats fishing during the week as rough seas stopped boats from going out toward the weekend. "On Thursday, we had very big waves," Castro said. "On Sunday, it started out like a good day, but we had to come back before 10 because it started to rain." Castro's boats fishing early in the week had good catches of large rockcod and lingcod. Water temperatures in the main fishing area 7 miles off the Baja coast averaged 59 degrees.

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Chris Kugel of Castro's Camp reported few Baja visitors fishing in the Erendira area and no boats fishing for a week in late November at Castro's. "My partners in our house at Castro's went down the day after Thanksgiving and came home a week later," Kugel said. "There were no boats fishing during the whole week. I think our Baja is in for some hard times with the downturn in our economy, the increase in crime against tourists, and the police."

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said very few vacationing anglers were in the San Quintin fishing area during the week as cold, wet weather arrived. "There's not much to report," Hillis said. "Things went from 'slow' to 'stop.' We had no charter boats go out fishing this week." Pedro's Pangas Capt. Hector reported a hard, steady rain on Sunday morning, but no wind. Local San Quintin commercial fishermen were bringing in good catches of large red rockcod and lingcod from the 240 and 15 spots. "We're hoping for better news next week," Hillis said.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Gary Trieschman of Imperial Beach, Calif., reported big breaking seas and no fishing during a Baja run with Ed Hawkes and JC Chess to visit Capt. Lee Moreno at Camalu on Wednesday. "We could see breaking surf across the bay as far as 1 mile out," Trieschman said. "Needless to say, Lee Moreno was not in the mood for launching the skiff through the walls of white water on the cobblestone beach. Instead, we ventured into Camalu, drove the beach to Shipwrecks, and enjoyed several meals at La Pirata."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Juanchys Aguilar of La Bocana on the central Baja Pacific coast said local commercial Mexican fishing boats had good catches of yellowtail, calico bass, and some good-sized grouper during the week. "Every boat got 26 to 30 yellowtail of 20 to 25 pounds and some to 35 pounds," Aguilar said. La Bocana pangas fished around a period of rough seas from Wednesday to Friday. Sardine and mackerel bait was plentiful as boats fished 20 to 30 feet deep in clear water or slow-trolled about 4 miles outside the boca. "This season has been good," Aguilar said. "We got lots of halibut, good numbers of striped marlin, dorado, tuna, grouper, and black sea bass, and we had excellent fishing for yellowtail. Fishing in the estero of Laguna de la Bocana was good for grouper, corvina, halibut, and lots of spotted bay bass, which we catch mostly with Fish Trap plastic lures. That's the best plastic lure for us." Aguilar noted that although many game fish species such as tuna, dorado, marlin, and wahoo were present off the Baja coast at La Bocana, few pangueros fish for them because they make their living fishing commercially. "These fish represent a big expense of fuel," Aguilar said. "Some are reserved for sportfishing and when we do take tourists out for them the fish are often released."

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Jeff Petersen of Lopez Sportsman's Lodge reported on an offshore run to the Thetis Bank aboard the 32-foot twin-hulled charter boat Baja Californian, exiting the north side of Boca de Soledad and running out for slow action producing whitefish and bait at the high spot, plus a look at a pod of slow cruising wahoo that came up to inspect the boat but were preyed upon by sea lions. "Fishing was slow," Petersen said. "From the depths came a pair, then a group of wahoo, just off the boat. In a flash, a pair of huge lobos came from below, one taking the smaller wahoo." Petersen said the south Boca de Soledad exit was questionable as the Baja Californian exited Magdalena Bay. "The sea was building, a result of wind on the Pacific from the northwest last week," he said. Magdalena Bay fishing are predawn air temperatures were at 66 degrees, with the water temperature on the Thetis Bank at 71 degrees. On its return to Puerto Lopez Mateos the Baja Californian was able to use the south entrance of Boca de Soledad.

Petersen also noted that a crane was being readied last week for the installation of landing docks at the new Puerto Lopez Mateos launch ramp now under construction.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Capt. Francisco "Chico" Hernandez of Lopez Sportsman's lodge reported on 3 Magdalena Bay commercial fishing trips out of Puerto Lopez Mateos, fishing with live shrimp baits inshore at Santo Domingo for a combined catch of: 8 robalo or snook of 2 to 4 kilos, 34 pargo of 1 to 3 kilos, 9 corvina of 1 to 5 kilos, 15 parguito calandrio, and 7 paleta of 0.5 to 1 kilos. Jeff Petersen of Lopez Sportsman's Lodge noted that English names were not known for some common fish caught locally at Magdalena Bay. "The parguito calandrio is a Lopez year-round pargo species, never big, with orange and yellow on it," Petersen said. "I know no English name for it. Chico keeps them. They are tasty and there is a commercial market for them. The paleta is another small fish. Again, I do not know an English name. It looks very similar to a snook, very similar, just pint-sized, and it's also of commercial value. There are 2 corvina species in the estero. The platiada, looks the same as a granisa, the former silver and the latter with a little yellow in the tail."

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Ian Elstrom of Ventura, Calif., reported on 2 days of fishing with his wife Veasna Elstrom and Capt. Ruben Duran at Magdalena Bay's Puerto Lopez Mateos for a catch of: 4 football yellowfin tuna, 2 yellowtail of 10 to 15 pounds, many yellowtail of less than 5 pounds, and unlimited bass on the first day, and 5 snook of 10 to 25 pounds, 12 good-sized pargo, and 6 corvina on the second day. Of his second day with Capt. Duran, Elstrom said, "All the fish were caught with live mackerel on the bottom at Ruben's secret spot. We lost half again as many fish to the bottom, but for an hour straight there was at least one rod bent on the boat at all times." The first day of fishing was just outside the Boca de Soledad estuary using cedar plugs, jigs, and live mackerel flylined on the surface, Elstrom said. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather had winds of 10 to 25 knots, with water temperatures at 70 degrees.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: For the previous week, Jeff deBrown of The Real Baja fly fishing guide service at East Cape reported good striped marlin action for clients fishing Pacific offshore waters during his second week of charters at Magdalena Bay. Anglers Bob Landry of Phoenix, Ariz., and Jeremy Cameron of Maine each landed several marlin. "We could not believe all the action we encountered as we had marlin feeding on bait everywhere we looked and not another boat in sight," deBrown said. Magdalena Bay offshore fishing area weather was sunny with enough wind to stop fishing 1 day.

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 53 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 645 yellowfin tuna of 8 to 20 pounds, 62 dorado, 69 yellowtail, 34 sierra, 18 cabrilla, 114 pargo, 16 amberjack, and 44 bonito. San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-70s, with green inshore water at 70 to about 76 degrees. Sardina bait fish were scarce at La Playita and Puerto Los Cabos but available from Punta Palmilla to Chileno. The fall season's hot bite on school-sized yellowfin tuna continued as the fish were found most concentrated at the San Luis Bank and off Punta Gorda. "This bite was exclusively on bait, so it was worthwhile patiently waiting for the sardinas early in the morning," Brictson said. "Pangas averaged anywhere from 6 to 20 fish per boat." Anglers fishing the surf reported good early morning catches of sierra and jacks around schools of sardina bait fish.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO:San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow, with about 300 fish species caught or observed to date in the extraordinarily productive Los Cabos area, described one of his favorite beach casting spots. "I have this one spot," Snow said. "Cast short, longfin croaker. Cast medium right, yellowfin croaker. Cast medium left, banded wrasse. Cast deep left, sunset wrasse and sergeant majors. Cast deep right, Mexican hogfish and orangeside triggerfish. Cast down the middle with a sardine, green jacks and Pacific needlefish. I never have to move my feet and it happens day-in and day-out."

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero reported north winds early in the week, but flatter water after Tuesday as school-sized yellowfin tuna continued to be found in concentration between Cabo Pulmo and Los Frailes. "The tuna are a little bigger this week and there is lots of bait around, both sardine and mackerel," Ireland said. Most tuna were in the 10 to 25-pound range, but some were caught to 40 pounds. "We caught limits for all anglers," Ireland said. "Some anglers released as many as 30." Big concentrations of bait fish were present along East Cape beaches. East Cape fishing area water temperatures were at 74 to 78 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending Nov. 29, 2007, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 44 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 123 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 2 striped marlin, 124 dorado, and 343 yellowfin tuna. East Cape fishing area weather was in the mid-80s, with calm mornings, some moderate afternoon wind and swell, and the water temperature at 75 to 82 degrees. Few anglers were at East Cape during the week as most boats fished near home. "The billfish bite was essentially nonexistent save for a couple of striped marlin reportedly landed to the north off Punta Pescadero," Moyers said. Moyers also noted that East Cape Smoke House was closing for its winter season holiday from Dec. 22 to Jan. 3. "We do welcome a break at the end of the year," Moyers said. "It’s time to recharge the batteries."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport East Cape diving service reported on a run to Cabo Pulmo, with the water temperature at depth averaging 77 degrees, visibility ranging from 45 to 60 feet, and sea life sightings that included a group of over 200 dog snapper, a formation of 84 cownosed rays, yellow snapper, grunts, moray eels, Panamic porkfish, a large variety of mixed reef species, and an enormous school of bigeye jacks that darkened the water. "Everything suddenly went dark and moody," Cazaly said. "The massive school of bigeye jacks was swarming overhead and blocking all the light. We just lay down on the sand, looked up, and enjoyed the show. As we lay there the jacks completely immersed us and at times we could barely see each other for fish."

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said dorado continued to be available for the few anglers fishing at La Paz during the week as the winter season approached. "I think we've finally turned the corner into cooler fishing," Roldan said. "At least half the days have been windy. We're seeing more sierra as the waters cool down." Anglers fishing the south side out of Ensenada de los Muertos continued to catch some yellowfin tuna and wahoo mixed with dorado and roosterfish early in the week.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said southern La Paz fishing waters got some strong north winds early in the week that lowered water temperatures and slowed the action for pangas fishing the Las Arenas side out of Ensenada de los Muertos. At the end of the week, pangas were still looking for good concentrations of yellowfin tuna that had been scattered by the rough weather. Some tuna were caught at the north end of Isla Cerralvo. Good action was found for pargo to 15 pounds and sierra around Punta Perico, and dorado mixed with continued wahoo at the south end of the island. Live bait was available both at Ensenada de los Muertos and Isla Cerralvo.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Leonard Phillips of Baja Pirates Fleet said few boats fished the La Paz side during the week, although dorado action was still very good along the east shore of Isla Espiritu Santo. "Several nice 35-pound dorado were caught," Phillips said, "but northwest winds have limited the action."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: John Gurr of Las Vegas, Nev., fished aboard his 14-foot inflatable boat with Glen Malve out of La Ventana south of La Paz for good action at a spot called "La Bufadora" using 4.5-inch orange-gold Jointed Rebel Fastrac lures for a catch of: 12 sierra, 2 bonito, and 1 pufferfish. Of the orange-gold Rebels, Gurr said, "We killed the fish today at La Ventana with them." La Paz southern fishing area weather was windy with el nortes at midweek after several days of calm seas.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto reported on 2 outings aboard his boat with Capt. Paulino Martinez for disappointing results both days and a total catch of: 3 cabrilla, 1 barracuda, and 1 small hammerhead shark. "On Wednesday we fished around Isla Coronado and on Saturday we went to the bajos of San Bruno," Bear said. "We had zero strikes from yellowtail, which were our primary object. Both days we used jurelito baits, also known as caballitos or ojo grande, that we caught just outside the Loreto marina." Loreto fishing area weather was mostly calm, with the water temperature at 71 to 72 degrees. Fewer than 10 combined Mexican and gringo boats were fishing per day.

LORETO, MEXICO: For the previous week, Bear reported good yellowtail and mixed species action in swelly sea conditions for his neighbor Charlie Licha who fished early in the week at Isla Coronado with Loreto Capt. Alvaro Murillo for a catch of: 3 yellowtail, 1 pargo, 2 cabrilla, 2 barrilete, 6 barracuda, and 5 needlefish. "Windy weather kept them tight to the shoreline of Isla Coronado," Bear said. "Although there were no breaking waves, Charlie said the 3 or 4 other pangas there disappeared behind the huge wind swells." Licha and Murillo fished with live sardina baits netted at the Loreto marina and also lost 4 solid hookups, Bear said.

LORETO, MEXICO: For the previous week, Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said inshore fishing held up in seasonable winds for a mix of roosterfish, cabrilla, pargo, sierra, and barracuda, as yellowtail replaced dorado as the primary targeted species. "There are plenty of yellowtail out there but the weather has held us back," Bolles said. Boats fishing earlier northward at San Bruno and Punta Pulpito found some limits and near-limits of 20 to 30-pound yellowtail before winter-style winds made getting baits deep enough difficult. "The bait of choice has been jurelitos, or baby yellowtail," Bolles said. "They look exactly like the adults except the eye is much larger in proportion to the body. The jurelitos can be netted at the Loreto marina just outside the sardina schools."

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Bill Coffman of Bahia Coyote on the shore of Bahia Concepcion noted that the Mexican environmental protection agency Profepa was inspecting the coastline and notifying beach front property proprietors of back taxes due for building on land reclaimed in the zona federal. "Profepa is writing up notices to everyone who has property on the water," Coffman said. "My case goes clear back to 1975. Remember when we could go down and go fishing with no issues?"

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Anderson of San Bruno reported 2 days of very good yellowtail action on the Isla San Marcos 110 bajo on Wednesday and Thursday, but boats coming in from Santa Rosalia, San Lucas Cove, San Bruno, and Punta Chivato on Friday and Saturday finding nothing to catch. Anderson said his Moosea boat scored Mexican sportfishing limits by 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday and again by 10:30 a.m. on Thursday during an outing with Ed Hogan of San Bruno. "So Friday," Anderson said, "we were all ready for the big day and expected to catch a lot of yellowtail, but I never saw 1 fish caught for the entire day, even though there were some very experienced and knowledgeable fisherman out there. Saturday also turned out to be a complete bust. It seems as if the fish that have populated the 110 reef for almost the last month just simply have moved off to another area." Santa Rosalia fishing area weather was tough and windy early in the week, but flattened out by Wednesday.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Katherine Hammontré of the San Felipe website Sanfelipe.com.mx said recent surprisingly good local fishing included a run about 6 miles out by Donna and Gary Robbins of Modesto, Calif., for a corvina-like fish in the 10-pound class. Hammontré also said Tony Reyes Sr. of the Tony Reyes Fishing Tours panga mothership sportfishing operation at San Felipe was considering a series of shorter trips for sightseeing on the Sea of Cortez by the mothership Jose Andres. "Tony Sr. and Tony Jr. would also like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, and Tony says, 'God bless you all,'" Hammontré said.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Donna Robbins said the boat she fished on was hired out of Pio's Sportfishing. "We saw birds diving into the water and then saw corvina jumping," Robbins said. "The corvina were on top feeding. You could see them very clearly in the water and they were huge. We used sierra for bait. It was incredible to look into the water, drop your line and, wham, fish on. All of us had our lines broken several times and lost our hooks. We hosted a fish fry in camp that night for 25 people."

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the San Felipe Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay said Saturday's weather was cool at 67 degrees with cloudy skies, wind, and scattered rain. "This morning we had a strange little band of rain and high winds which missed the town of San Felipe itself but managed to pretty much ruin the swap meet out at Cachanilla," Meders said. "After waiting for over an hour for things to clear up, many of the vendors gave up and left." Some San Felipe streets were muddy with soft spots following recent rains and road crews were out making repairs. San Felipe's annual Snow Bird Festival had a smaller than expected turnout, but Meders said, "We are looking forward to the Parade of Lights. It's usually very spectacular and the huge vehicles involved seem to appear out of nowhere and then disappear the same way afterwards. I just wish they would advertise a little more aggressively."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: John Hilderbrand of Jon Jen Charters reported generally slow fishing at San Carlos during the week as several boats were skunked and counts of yellowtail at Punta San Antonio included 2 fish for Capt. Abel on the JonJen II and 2 other boats with 5 yellowtail. The boat Trivial Pursuit fished farther north for a catch of grouper, snapper, goldspotted bass, and whitefish. "In general it's a bit slow but the fish are there," Hilderbrand said.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Thierry Venencie of San Carlos reported a catch of 2 yellowtail in the 25-pound class, 4 bonito, and a surprise dorado aboard his boat Pacifico fishing at Isla San Pedro Nolasco in foggy weather and a water temperature of 71 degrees. "It was very foggy. In the beginning we operated with GPS because we couldn't see anything," Venencie said. "We got the dorado with a big dark purple Rapala, the yellowtail with pink fluorescent feathers, and the bonitos with Rapalas. A dorado in December with the water temperature at 71 degrees! Incroyable!"

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 19 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 3 striped marlin, 14 sailfish, 17 dorado, and 37 yellowfin tuna. Seven inshore super pangas had a catch of: 49 sierra, 57 jack crevalle, 1 roosterfish, 19 pargo, and 19 mojarra. "The offshore fleet is seeing a few Pacific striped marlin in the billfish counts, which probably indicates a bit of a water cooling trend across the Sea of Cortez," Edwards said. "Rigged trolling baits were best for the billfish and dorado, feathers for the tuna, and shrimp heads for the bottom fish on the inshore super pangas." Mazatlan fishing area weather was mostly calm in the low-80s, with some swell and water temperatures at 74 degrees inshore and 78 degrees offshore. Offshore boats fished 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 Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar fished offshore 3 times during the week for a catch including released fish of: 24 dorado, and 4 sailfish. One inshore fishing trip produced a catch of 3 nice snappers, 7 jack crevalle, and lots of skipjack and mixed miscellaneous species. Gomez said his son and nephews got his camera wet while fishing recently and he would have a replacement soon.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiter's Sportfishing & Tackle said last week's charters included a run to Roca Corbeteña by the boat Chappy One with Capt. Armondo for a release-action catch of 25 dorado on purple skirted goggle-eye baits slow trolled in mid-afternoon. "Dorado have blanketed the whole area. They’re everywhere and hungry," Gabruk said. "We’re coming into the final months where large yellowfin tuna and black marlin will be available in our waters until next May or so. It’s one of those times of the year where you’ll go through your tricks before you’ll find something that turns their heads. The sailfish have diminished in size, but they’re still plentiful and more importantly, they’re taking the baits."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 13 total fishing trips by Ixtapa sportfishing Capts. Adolofo of the charter boat Dos Hermanos I, Cheva of the Dos Hermanos II, Candelario of the Leydy, Chico of the Llamarda, Martin on the Marfel, and Temo on the Secuestro de Amor, with a combined catch of: 18 sailfish, 7 dorado, some yellowfin tuna of 10 to 15 pounds far offshore, 4 large jack crevalle, and several bonito and sierra. Capt. Adolofo on the Dos Hermanos I fished 2 days inshore for a catch of 4 roosterfish and 2 more lost. Warm blue water at 85 degrees was 10 miles out of Zihuatanejo bay, with cooler water inshore. Ixtapa fishing area weather was calm and sunny in the high-80s.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said currents of clear water at 78 to 80 degrees fluctuated between 5 and 10 miles offshore as Ixtapa charter fishing boats averaged about 3 sailfish per day plus a few dorado toward the end of the week. The charter panga Gitana reported 5 sailfish and 3 dorado of 20 to 40 pounds for 2 outings. Capt. Cheva on the Dos Hermanos II reported on 1 outing for 7 sailfish and 2 dorado of 30 to 40 pounds.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 13 short-day trips by the El Cid Caribe sportfishing fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 1 sailfish, 3 king mackerel, 10 Atlantic barracuda, 6 tuna, and 10 red snapper. "The overall fishing was slower than usual, probably due to the moon phase, and should be improving day-by-day, according to Mario Anzoategui at Marina El Cid," Edwards said. "The very late season sailfish, taken aboard the Don Pete, spiced up the week's fishing activity." Cancun fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with easterly winds to 15 knots and even water temperatures cooler at 80 degrees.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Kayak Marlin Fishing Photo 1

KAYAK MARLIN FISHING--Jonathan Schwartz and 2 other kayak anglers charted the Cabo San Lucas boat Marlin Master II for a long run north to the Finger Bank where they got into extraordinary release action for 5 striped marlin caught by their group plus another 2 released by a crewman trying a kayak out for the first time. at right, Schwartz in the water to revive a marlin for release. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JONATHAN SCHWARTZ.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Sierra Mackerel Fishing Photo 1

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Yellowtail Fishing Photo 1

SIERRA AT CABO--Milt Smyd and Jim Bolender got into last week's good sierra bite at the tip of Cabo San Lucas aboard the local charter panga Cheer's with Capt. Ramon Druck. In 4 outings along Cabo beaches last week the Cheer's scored 67 of the toothy welterweights. Below, Milt and Jim with a couple of nice yellowtail also caught during their trip aboard the Cheer's. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

Ensenada Mexico Lingcod Fishing Photo 1

LINGCOD FOLEY?--Brian Foley of Ensenada's Campo La Joya is known as "Calico Foley" around the Vonny's Fleet boat yard, but is reportedly considering a name change to "Lingcod Foley" after his outing for rockcod limits and lingcod like these last week with Capt. Beto on the charter panga Vonny I. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Magdalena Bay Mexico Fishing Photo 1

MAGDALENA BAY BOUNTY--Veasna Elstrom, left, husband Ian Elstrom, and Capt. Ruben Duran of Magdalena Bay's Puerto Lopez Mateos with a nice mixed catch of snook, corvina, and snappers scored at one of Duran's "secret spots." Another outing just outside the Boca de Soledad entrada produced yellowfin tuna and lots of yellowtail. PHOTO COURTESY OF IAN ELSTROM.

Magdalena Bay Mexico Fishing Photo 2

Magdalena Bay Mexico Fishing Pangas Photo 1

GUIDE & FISH CHEF--Capt. Chico Hernandez of Magdalena Bay's Lopez Sportsman's Lodge with a nice corvina and pargo rojo caught while fishing with live shrimp baits out of Puerto Lopez Mateos. Hernandez is also known as a master chef for his clients' fish catches. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF PETERSEN.

Magdalena Bay Mexico New Launch Ramp Photo 1

MAGDALENA BAY PROGRESS--The new paved launch ramp at Magdalena Bay's Puerto Lopez Mateos is under construction. Last week a crane was being used to install boarding docks at the new facility which is located near the center of the downtown waterfront. At right is the Lopez Sportsman's Lodge charter boat Baja Californian. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF PETERSEN.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Yellowtail Fishing Photo 1

LOS CABOS COOL SEASON--With the approach of winter, sea water temperatures off the tip of Baja were cooling into the mid and lower-70s last week and more yellowtail and sierra showed up in the fish counts. David Brown of California got this nice yellowtail, mixed with yellowfin tuna, at midweek while fishing out of San Jose del Cabo with Gordo Banks Pangas' Capt. Clarin on the charter panga Tina Lee. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

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

LA VENTANA SIERRA--John Gurr's 14-foot inflatable boat trolled orange-gold Rebel Fastrac lures out of La Ventana village south of La Paz for good action on a dozen of these quality sierra with fishing partner Glen Malve. At right, Glen Malve at La Ventana. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN GURR.

La Paz Mexico Wahoo Fishing Photo 1

LA PAZ WAHOO--Leif Dover of Atlanta, Ga., made a quick trip to La Paz and hit tuna, dorado, and this wahoo off the south end of Isla Cerralvo while fishing on a Tailhunter International panga with Capt. Adoflo, seen clowning around behind him. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 3

TORTUGA PANGAS--John McVay of Valencia, Calif., got into a good haul of yellowfin tuna and dorado while fishing the Las Arenas side of La Paz aboard a Tortuga Sportfishing panga with Capt. Rigo Lucero. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

Santa Rosalia Mexico 110 Fishing Bajo Photo 1

THE 110 BAJO--Boats from Santa Rosalia, Punta Chivato, San Bruno, and San Lucas Cove work the famous 110 year-round yellowtail bajo in good December sea conditions during last week's active bite on Wednesday and Thursday. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM ANDERSON.

San Felipe Mexico Corvina Fishing Photo 1

LIKE OLD TIMES--Donna Robbins of the Las Arenas area of San Felipe and her group found excellent nearby panga action recently for big numbers of these corvina just 5 or 6 miles out from town. "All of us had our lines broken several times and lost our hooks," Robbins' said. PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHERINE HAMMONTRE.

San Carlos Mexico Yellowtail Fishing Photo 1 San Carlos Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 1

SAN PEDRO NOLASCO--Thierry Venencie of San Carlos-Guaymas, Sonora, with a nice yellowtail hooked at Isla San Pedro Nolasco aboard his boat Pacifico. Early December fishing with trip partner Gary Miller produced 2 yellowtail, 4 bonito, and a dorado. At right, Gary Miller with a dorado caught off San Carlos aboard the Pacifico in 71-degree water. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THIERRY VENENCIE.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 1

DORADO AT CORBETENA--Anglers Chris and Ernie Coughlin with 3 of 25 dorado hooked in release action last week at Roca Corbeteña with Master Baiter's Sportfishing & Tackle aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Chappy One with first mate Arturo and Capt. Armondo. PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN GABRUK.

Cancun Mexico Barracuda Fishing Photo 1

BARRACUDA DOWN SOUTH--Lee Berard, right, fished the southern Mexican waters at Puerto Aventuras near Cancun recently with Capt. Rocky, left, aboard the Captain Rick's Fishing Charters cruiser Puffin for a catch including this nice Atlantic barracuda. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL PHILLIPS.

Magdalena Bay Mexico Sea Lion Attacking Wahoo Photo 1

Magdalena Bay Mexico Sea Lion Attacking Wahoo Photo 2

Magdalena Bay Mexico Sea Lion Attacking Wahoo Photo 3

THETIS LION ATTACK--Jeff Petersen of Lopez Sportsman's Lodge on Magdalena Bay ran his charter boat Baja Californian out to the Thetis Bank last week, but found slow fishing conditions, as a pod of wahoo near his boat was attacked by sea lions and only catches made were for bait and whitefish. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF PETERSEN.

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