Sparky jumped
times
before he retired.
Good job, Sparky!
KING OF THE MOON
A Novel of Baja California
Amazon Kindle Book $2.99
FISH PICTURES
Fish Species From Mexico
MEXICO TRAVEL
FISHING LOCATIONS
MEXICO FISHING
Report Weekly Archives
THE UNFORGETTABLE
SEA OF CORTEZ
Baja's Golden Age
Limited Edition
Second Printing
THE BAJA CATCH
Classic Baja Fishing
Guidebook, More Than
20 Years In Print!
Slugger yellowtail active but few pangas fishing at La Paz;
Puerto Vallarta action is waaay outside
Mexico Fishing News, February 25, 2008
LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LA PAZ
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said pangas on the Las Arenas side south of La Paz had good weather in the 70s last week with improved action for big yellowtail and no north winds, although few anglers were in the area.
Panga captains were going out alone and finding 3 to 6 yellowtail of 25 to 35 pounds on every trip while fishing at Punta Perico and other spots on the south side. "We have enough bait for this fishing," Hernandez said. "We're mostly just fishing for these yellowtail." Top catches for the week also included a 65-pound dog snapper brought in by Tortuga Sportfishing's Capt. Rigo Lucero.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said fishing on the La Paz side was shut down briefly by north winds "but most of our fishing is out of Muertos anyway so it doesn't matter."
Yellowtail on the south side were landed at 20 to 40 pounds and fish counts also included bonito, sierra, cabrilla, pargo, a few roosterfish, and more yellowfin tuna reported by Mexican commercial pangueros. "Some real slugger toad yellowtail were put in the box. The tuna also keep popping up but they are fast movers," Roldan said.
Very large Humboldt giant squid were also seen on the beach around La Ventana. "One of the captains told me some of these squid were in the 70 to 100-pound class," Roldan said. "No swimming!"
In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:
ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ENSENADA
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet reported good panga fishing at Ensenada's Punta Banda for steady counts of lingcod, red rockcod, and mixed bottom species, plus a total of 3 yellowtail to 26 pounds. Villarino said anglers landing yellowtail included Liam McCauley of Alaska, who said, "They fight better than salmon, cool!" Other anglers fishing aboard the charter pangas Vonny I and Vonny III with Capts. Beto, Vicente, and Genaro included Rigoberto Lugo, Aoragi Masao, Bogart Felix, Arturo Plascencia, Victor Castro Jr., Victor Castro, and Mario Mejorada, all of Mexicali. Local Ensenada fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the mid-60s, with light winds, ocean swells of 3 to 4 feet, and water temperatures averaging 56 degrees.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Stan Pianko of Chula Vista, Calif., fished out of Marina Coral aboard the boat Mel's Diamond with his young son Kevin Pianko and Pete Reynard for a mix of bottom fish and bonita of 8 to 10 pounds found about 13 miles out. "Kevin was waiting to get home and eat some of the bottom fish we caught," Pianko said. Offshore Ensenada fishing conditions were good with light winds. "The nice water made for a great day," Pianko said.
PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO SANTO TOMAS
PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Ken Jones of Long Beach, Calif., reported on a Baja fishing run with Brian Smith down Highway Mex 1 to Sam Saenz' Puerto Santo Tomas Resort south of Ensenada, fishing on a charter panga with Capt. Marcos for good results on calico bass, sheephead, sculpin, treefish, ocean whitefish, lingcod, and mixed rockcods. "Fantastic weather greeted us with a fairly calm Pacific and some undertow," Jones said. "We got a slow start to the fishing but with some persistence had a good catch. By noon the seas were flat which made it possible to see a sunfish's fin rising out of the water, a rare sight. Gray whales were also spouting in the distance. Sam and Paco as always were fine hosts and the local hills are alive with color from wild flowers as a result of the recent rains." Jones noted no problems during the Baja drive. "We had no problems with checkpoints or banditos. Just drive during the day and stick to the main roads," he said.
SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN QUINTIN
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported somewhat improved sea conditions off San Quintin during the week with moderate swells and "rollers but no breakers." Fishing results included limits of large rockcods and lingcod at the 240 and 15 spots but no targeted white seabass south at Socorro for Terry Fox's group from Moreno Valley, Calif. "They also tried a little yellowtail in the morning but still couldn't get anything going," Hillis said. "The local commercial fishermen reported large white seabass at Socorro but they didn't have any luck. They should have taken a net!" Anglers fishing with Fox's group out of San Quintin during the week included Jeff Mix, Adrain Cordova, and Rick Villapondo.
BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR BAJA COASTAL AREAS
BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Jose Angel Pacheco of Cedros Outdoor Adventures reported on a group fly-down trip to Isla Cedros with 3 days of charter fishing on Feb. 12-14, 2008, for 6 anglers in good conditions with catches of calico bass, whitefish, sheephead along the kelp beds around the island, and yellowtail to 30 pounds at a spot called Bajo El Raton located between Isla Cedros and Isla Natividad. Pacheco said the group of San Diego anglers including Steve Cox, Gregg Limbach, George Percy, Bruce Kleege, Ted Griffith, and Don Beaumont flew down to the island on a private plane, rather than using Cedros Outdoor Adventures' charter plane service out of Ensenada. "We offer this service too for anyone who wants to fly their own plane," Pacheco said. "Cedros is a great fishing destination and today you can get there fast and stay comfortable." Anglers fished with jigs and cut bait on 22 and 24-foot pangas and stayed at the fishing cooperativa facilities on the island with meals including fish, lobster, and abalone, plus burritos for the boat lunches. Future trips will use the Hotel Zam-Mar and restaurant El Marino at the island village. Cedros Outdoor Adventures trips include monthly dates throughout 2008 or special trips may be arranged. Information, 619-793 5419.
BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Larry Bourne of Santa Fe, N.M., reported snow falling at the Tecate border crossing during his return from a Baja whale watching trip. "By the time I got into the waiting line to go through U.S. customs it was really coming down and the wind was rocking the heavy truck and camper pretty good," Bourne said. "Later, and higher, at 3,800 feet elevation, the road was solidly covered and many cars and pickups had slid off. Interstate 8 was an experience. The west lanes were stopped and backed up solid for miles. I heard later that I-8 was closed eastbound too, right after I passed through."
CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CABO SAN LUCAS
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo San Lucas sportfishing charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 22 striped marlin, 3 dorado, 22 sierra, and 51 yellowfin tuna. High boat for the fleet was the Gaviota VIII with Capt. Juan Dominguez with 5 striped marlin in 5 outings. "The full moon and ever-changing water temperatures are taking their toll on the fish catching at Cabo San Lucas," Edwards said.
"Current fishing results reflect just under 50 percent success for billfish." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was sunny in the low-80s, with fluctuating water temperatures of 68 to 71 degrees on both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides. "The best fishing area continued to be the Golden Gate Bank, but patience was the key, with the billfish being taken on live bait either slow trolled or fished deep on the drift," Edwards said. Mackerel live baits plus some caballitos were in good supply.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Durance Lowendick of Marlin Masters Sportfishing said some boats reported double-digit striped marlin action again at the Finger Bank area 50 miles north of Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific side. "Striped marlin are back in force on the Finger Bank," Lowendick said. "One group reported 35 releases on a 10-hour trip. Solid marlin action is also occurring on bait pods about 10 miles north of the Golden Gate seamount." The charter boat Marlin Master released 5 striped marlin on Monday. Dorado remained scarce for Cabo San Lucas sportfishing boats, but Humboldt giant squid and yellowfin tuna of 15 to 35 pounds were caught outside the Jaime Bank. Near shore action was "very solid" for sierra plus schools of jack crevalle and yellowtail on the bottom.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 2 outings during the week with a total of 4 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 45 sierra of 4 to 8 pounds, more sierra of 6 to 10 pounds, and 1 roosterfish of 5 pounds. The Cheer's fished along the beaches on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas in mostly good sea conditions and water temperatures of about 69 to 70 degrees. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Dennis Davis and Ryan Williams of Pennsylvania, and David and Jill Stone of Georgia.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of the Baja Anglers Cabo San Lucas fly fishing guide service reported low winds, air temperatures at 80 degrees, and good fly and light spinning gear action for sierra, jacks, and roosterfish. "The roosterfish are abundant on most days," Hartman said. "They like sunny days. They are generally under 15 pounds, but we have caught a few lately over 30 pounds." Offshore action was steady for marlin but slow on tuna and dorado.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 13 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 3 striped marlin, 1 boat with limits of yellowfin tuna of 20 to 30 pounds, 14 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 30 pounds, 1 dorado of 25 pounds, 1 roosterfish of 20 pounds, and 12 sierra of 8 to 12 pounds.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather partly cloudy, with continuing offshore winds and chop on the Pacific side and cool water temperatures as low as 64 degrees on the Cortez side. Water temperatures held at 71 degrees on the Pacific side banks. "Striped marlin have continued scarce with the only concentration found at the Golden Gate Bank and not many willing to eat," Landrum said. Overall offshore fishing was scattered for yellowfin tuna and slow for dorado, but inshore boats did well on sierra. "Mexican wahoo, also known as sierra, have been the mainstay of the Cabo San Lucas panga fleet this week with most boats able to get at least a half-dozen or more," Landrum said.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN JOSE DEL CABO
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 41 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing out of San Jose del Cabo's Puerto Los Cabos marina, with a catch including released fish of: 265 Mexican bonito, 162 sierra, 42 roosterfish, 15 yellowtail, 2 striped marlin, 3 mako shark, 11 amberjack, 8 cabrilla, and 25 mixed snapper species. "The better fishing this week was found closer to shore. Offshore there wasn't much going on," Brictson said. "The strong current continued to be a problem for anglers trying to drift fish over the rock piles." Commercial Mexican fishermen were looking for scarce pelagic red crab baits to fish for huachinango or true red snapper. San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was in the high-70s, with hotels reporting good occupancy rates but few tourists fishing. "San Jose del Cabo sportfishing fleets have seen only moderate crowds," Brictson said. "All-around fishing has been below Cabo standards and has not made anglers anxious to get out on the water." San Jose del Cabo fishing area water temperatures were cooling at 62 to 68 degrees, with green water color widespread.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Kerry Murray of British Columbia reported slow conditions for his group during panga outings at San Jose del Cabo with Capt. Tony on the Hooker and Capt. Jesus on the Killer for a few bonito, red snapper, and roosterfish, and 1 sierra. "It was a really slow day for 6 guys all fishing hard," Murray said. A cruiser trip aboard the charter boat Blue Marlin produced no marlin seen at the Golden Gate Bank on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas. "Capt. Luis and his son and deckhand Martin worked very hard but no luck, great crew," Murray said. "We caught 7 sierra at the end of the day, so at least we had some fresh fish to bring home."
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow reported slow fishing conditions in cool water temperatures and a total of 106 fish of 38 species caught during 4 surf fishing sessions and 4 outings with Capt. Pata on the panga Salome. Unusual fish species caught included the eastern Pacific flagfin, Pacific stargazer, spotback scorpionfish, and an unknown black tilefish.
EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR EAST CAPE
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero said the fleet resumed fishing operations after 6 weeks of hotel renovation work and found a good variety of fish including limits of dorado to 25 pounds for 5 boats, yellowtail to 35 pounds, bonito limits, and lots of sierra, pargo, and amberjack, with "literally no fishing pressure" as few boats were sent out in the East Cape area. Hotel boats fished mostly north at Cardonal and Punta Pescadero. "Sierra are abundant and large," Ireland said. "Anglers are taking as many as they want, with mornings and evenings best." East Cape fishing area weather was good, with water temperatures of 67 to 68 degrees.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending Feb. 14, 2008, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported generally slow action for local boats, with water temperatures as low as 61 degrees and few anglers on the water. "Slowly but surely, we’ll start to see more and more East Cape fishing boats being put back in the water over the next month or so," Moyers said. "We’re seeing plenty of sierra and also some small roosterfish being landed."
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the previous week, Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja fly fishing guide service at East Cape reported water temperatures of 62 to 68 degrees and several days of wind-free fishing conditions for good counts of sierra and some roosterfish, plus some skipjack tuna locally called "white bonita" at 8 to 10 pounds. Yellowtail were caught north towards Isla Cerralvo and La Paz.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Baja fishing old timer George Carter of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., announced his 46th annual group trip and fishing tournament at East Cape's historic Rancho Buena Vista, scheduled this year on July 12-18, 2008, with the travel package including 5 days of cruiser fishing, airfare, room and meals, trophies and prizes, and an awards dinner. The trip will be limited to 21 anglers. Information, gcarter454@yahoo.com, 310-541-8388.
LORETO FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LORETO
LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported winter yellowtail action up-and-down for local sportfishing boats but some good catches made 40 miles north at Isla San Ildefonso and locally at Punta Cholla on the northwest corner of Isla Carmen. Erhardt fished at Isla San Ildefonso on Wednesday for 4 yellowtail of 15 to 20 pounds on flylined mackerel and bigeye baits. "After unproductive stops at a couple of bajos along the way I found a lively bite," Erhardt said. "When I arrived at the island around noon there were 12 or 15 boats on the scene including Barry Wilkerson's Rocket, Randy Hammon's Jig's Up, and Rod Dees' Dos D's from Loreto, along with a number of pangas from the Arturo's Sportfishing camp at San Nicolas. I caught 4 fish in 100 to 200 feet of water. Everybody else did about the same or better and many of the small yellowtail were lost in the rocks." At Punta Cholla, Don Alley's boat Jack of Diamonds fished with Alley and Bob Meyer aboard for 5 yellowtail of 22 to 27 pounds on 7 baits. "They resisted the urge to run and gun between the breaking schools and let the fish come to them," Erhardt said. Loreto fishing area weather was in the mid-70s, with more days having lighter winds, and the water temperature at about 64 degrees.
LORETO, MEXICO: Diane Berryhill of Loreto reported on a run to Isla San Ildefonso by Duane Wooten on Bob Moss' boat Second Wind for a catch of 4 yellowtail of 12 to 18 pounds. "Duane made bait at Coronado Island and headed all the way up to San Idelfonso," Berryhill said. "All the yellowtail were caught on surface cast live green mackerels, close in to the island over the reef on the south side." Loreto fishing area weather was very calm and sunny, with the water temperature at 63 degrees. "The fishing conditions were ideal on a morning that started with a beautiful setting full moon in the west," Berryhill said.
SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SANTA ROSALIA
SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos reported near-perfect weather in the Santa Rosalia fishing area with air temperatures to 77 degrees, calm days, and water temperatures at 59 to a high of 61.5 degrees. Fishing earlier was generally slow, but a run to Punta Azul on Isla Tortuga with Danny Chiquete produced 8 yellowtail of 23 to 31 pounds on weighted baits and butterfly jigs at about 380 feet deep. "It was my first butterfly jig caught yellowtail in home waters," Kanzler said. "I love catching fish on new stuff. Stoked was an understatement. The lure, about 12-plus inches long, looks nothing like anything they eat here except maybe squid. Punta Azul is on the edge of a big seamount and is generally fished by commercial pangas. I've fished the place for years, but really try not to that often due to the depth."
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES (L.A. BAY) FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko just south of the village at Bahia de los Angeles said Midriff fishing area weather was in the mid-60s with variable westerly winds sometimes strong and fishing good on the bottom and for yellowtail on the northern reefs. Bahia de los Angeles fishing area water temperatures were at 56 degrees. Gasoline was sometimes not being pumped during periods when the town's new electrical power line was experiencing a service outage.
SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN FELIPE
SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of San Felipe's Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay said northern Baja weather on the Sea of Cortez coast was sunny at 68 degrees as no effects were felt from the series of strong earthquakes occurring near Mexicali to the north. "There have been hundreds of shocks since the first one last Sunday but so far nobody has reported actually feeling anything in San Felipe," Meders said. "There had been a rumor about a possible tsunami but luckily it has remained simply a rumor. I guess the folks up in Mexicali are getting pretty tired of it though." Meders noted an article in the Mexicali newspaper La Voz de la Frontera saying recent U.S. media coverage of crime in northern Baja has been unjustified. "La Voz is reporting that there have been more complaints registered with the police in Southern California than in Baja," Meders said. "The article asks people to calm down and look at the real story, which is that Baja is very safe for tourists. The current epidemic of scare stories about crime in Baja is hurting us very badly and is uncalled-for. It is beginning to be spring and the desert is a glorious sight, and it's a great shame that so many people are missing it."
ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ROCKY POINT
ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Mike Auditore of Phoenix, Ariz., reported no action during a run aboard Stuart Burnett's boat Constancia to the 51-mile reef at Rocky Point, but a good catch of about 30 goldspotted bass to 10 pounds, whitefish to 8 pounds, and 1 white seabass of 30 pounds while fishing another reef about 400 feet deep. "I think the 51-mile reef is fished out for now," Auditore said. "There were 3 other boats out there having the same results as us. I was out on the 51 on my boat 2 weeks prior and had no luck. The last 5 times I have been to the 51 there were at least 4 boats fishing the reef. I will not waste my time going there for some time." An earlier run to the deeper 400-foot reef also produced a 10-pound baqueta for Hap Balmes of Maricopa, Ariz. Rocky Point fishing area weather offshore was calm, with the water temperature in the low-60s.
ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Ric Felder of Glendale, Ariz., reported on a run out of Rocky Point by his boat End of the Line with Bill Favor, Brian Lewis, and Jon Pendrick for a catch on mackerel, sardina, and iron that included white seabass, goldspotted bass, whitefish, red snapper, sheephead, and a yellowtail landed by Favor. "We were filling the fish boxes quickly and having a blast when another boat captained by 'Crazy Charlie' came by and anchored up next to us and joined the fun," Felder said. "The action slowed a little and after checking our position on the GPS, I noticed we had drifted off the prime rock. We reset right over the prime spot and the action was wide-open again. We fished until just after 6 p.m. and then headed back to Cholla Bay on perfectly calm seas with full fish boxes. It doesn't get much better than that!"
SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN CARLOS
SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Jon Jen Charters reported the results of the recent Rescate Yellowtail Tournament held at San Carlos with 11 boats and 31 anglers fishing 2 days for a total of 53 yellowtail caught and the largest fish of 33.6 pounds landed by Fernando Almada of Catch-22 Sportfishing. Most fish were caught at Isla San Pedro Nolasco.
MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAZATLAN
MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 35 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats fishing out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 3 striped marlin, 2 mako shark, and 37 yellowfin tuna. Fifteen inshore pangas had a catch of: 70 baquetas, 44 triggerfish, 71 loras, 5 pargo, 4 corvina, and 1 jack crevalle. "There continues to be difficult catching throughout the Mazatlan fishing area and the best bet is probably inshore fishing for a variety of bottom fish," Edwards said. "The Mazatlan area is certainly in the off-season doldrums as water temperatures change by the day and seem to be falling." Mazatlan fishing area weather was sunny in the low-80s, with mostly calm winds and water temperatures at 66 to 67 degrees inshore and 70 to 71 degrees offshore.
PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO VALLARTA
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Charter boats at Puerto Vallarta found their best action during the week 40 to 50 miles offshore at Roca Corbeteña and El Banco or even farther out. Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing reported good yellowfin tuna catches for the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla about 15 miles west of El Banco. "We had 9 strikes and only landed 4, but they were nice big fish over 100 pounds," Osuna said "There are a lot of school tuna around El Banco and Roca Corbeteña biting on live bait, poppers, and jigs. The red snappers are also taking the jigs really good." Anglers fishing aboard the Marla included Max Dangerfield and Gordon Ghelardi of California who also landed a striped marlin. Marla's Capts. Scott and Alonso Osuna had good offshore weeks on red snapper, amberjack, pompano, tuna, and small grouper. Inshore fishing near Puerto Vallarta was slower in dirty water conditions for some roosterfish, jacks, and sierra. Puerto Vallarta fishing area weather had northwest winds to 15 knots, ocean swells of 3 to 4 feet, and water temperatures averaging 75 degrees.
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: For the previous week, 3 inshore and 2 offshore outings by Marla's boats had catches including tuna of 130 and 60 pounds for Cesar Humberto Isassi and his son Eugenio Isassi of Monterrey, Mexico.
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing reported on 3 outings by the Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar, fishing at Islas Marietas with Mark Kerns' group from California, for a catch including released fish of: 18 African pompano, 11 roosterfish, 6 medregales or possible fortune jacks, sierra, bonita, and another California yellowtail caught out of its traditional sportfishing range on the Mexican Pacific coast, this one a 25 pounder. "We fished in the rocks," Gomez said. "There are a lot of fish inshore.
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Mark Kerns reported on his group's trip with Dhamar Sportfishing for catches at Islas Marietas including the week's reported yellowtail plus other species. "Danny is an awesome skipper," Kerns said. Another outing aboard the Marla's Sportfishing cruiser Arca de Noe produced pargo, amberjack, and an 80-pound yellowfin tuna at Roca Corbeteña with Capt. Scott Osuna. "Scott worked hard all day for the 1 yellowfin we landed. It was a great trip," Kerns said. Fishing with Kerns were anglers Zach Kerns and Shawn Ebbley.
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Sal Campanile of Tuna Time Sportfishing reported offshore action for pelagics at very long runs out of Puerto Vallarta. "Most of the action for us has been 30 to 50 miles west of Roca Corbeteña and 30 to 40 miles northwest of El Banco," Campanile said. "We've been covering over 150 nautical miles on every trip but that's where the blue water is and if you make the run you will score big on tuna, sailfish, dorado, and striped marlin. Fast troll small jet feathers under the little white birds and if you see them sitting on the water troll around them. Put a couple of live baits out in front of the schools of spinner dolphin and start jigging before they get to you to score on beefier tunas up to 150 pounds."
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle said, "We never really have a slow season here in Puerto Vallarta, but for this time of year those looking for action can find all they want if they will just consider some of the other types of fishing available to the vacationing angler here. At Corbeteña and El Banco during the winter, February comes with fish like cubera snapper that will get into the 80-pound range, amberjacks, and rainbow runners. Closer to shore the bottom fishing is wonderful as well with snappers, some seabass, roosterfish, skipjacks, jack crevalle, needlefish, snook, and more."
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said, "It was a very difficult fishing week at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo as red tide and greenish water took over and moved the blue water to 30-plus miles offshore. There are occasional yellowfin tuna sightings but the fish are unwilling to bite. The sailfish bite has dwindled and marlin activity was limited to a few small stripers." Ixtapa sportfishing Capt. Chiro reported jack crevalle seen 10 miles out. "This is considerably out of the ordinary as those fish are typically close inshore," Edwards said. Ixtapa fishing area weather was mostly calm in the high-80s, with streaky currents and water temperatures ranging from a very cool 73 degrees inshore to about 79 degrees outside the 1,000-fathom curve.
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said cool currents pushed blue water out past the 26-mile mark and offshore fishing slowed down for Ixtapa Zihuatanejo boats last week. A 250-pound blue marlin was reported 36 miles out by Capt. Martin on the panga Isamar, but Kunze said, "The next day, Martin went out 40 miles and got skunked." Some boats reported good jack crevalle fishing on birds crashing bait near the beach.
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Brady Locke of Port Huron, Mich., reported just 1 dorado caught about 14 miles out during an outing in slow conditions with his wife Nicole Locke aboard the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo charter boat Bacalao II in early February. "The cold water came in and the fish went out. It was a slow week for fishing but we were able to hook this nice-sized dorado early in the morning," Locke said. "We were hearing that it was a pretty slow couple of days for all the boats so we were pretty happy we got the one. There was a tournament going on that week that just about had a shutout."
HUATULCO FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR HUATULCO
HUATULCO, MEXICO: Eric Weissman of Explore Fly Fishing reported water temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees at his Huatulco fishing locations near Puerto Escondido and San Agustinillo, with continued heavy plankton, jellyfish, and bait concentrations and colored water near shore. Blue water was about 3 miles out, and fishing within half-a-mile of shore produced yellowfin tuna, black skipjack, salema, jack crevalle, dorado, sailfish, marlin, roosterfish, and sierra. "Yellowfin tuna are very hard to hook up on any tackle some days and then extremely easy on others," Weissman said. "Huge schools of jacks and salema and barrilete are taking surface and subsurface flies. It's a good time to fish."
NICE BAJA DOGGIE--Tortuga Sportfishing's Capt. Rigo Lucero shows some pretty good arm strength as he hoists this dog snapper estimated at 65 pounds caught while fishing out of Ensenada de los Muertos south of La Paz. The big doggie hit a sardina bait during panga fishing near Punta Perico. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.
LA PAZ WINTER YELLOWS--Jorge "Campion" Romero fished on a panga with Tailhunter International out of Ensenada de los Muertos south of La Paz for some quality yellowtail action last week. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.
TOUGH CUSTOMER--Tailhunter International's Jonathan Roldan calmly discusses La Paz panga charter prices with a prospective client, possibly named Sasquatch, that he encountered somewhere in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State during his overland run to this year's Seattle sportfishing show. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.
ENSENADA YELLOWTAIL MIXER--Vonny's Fleet panga Capts. Beto and Genaro took this group of Ensenada anglers out to fish at Punta Banda for a great catch of mixed bottom fish and some home guard yellowtail. Coming to Ensenada from Mexicali were anglers, back row from left, Rigoberto Lugo, Aoragi Masao, Bogart Felix, Victor Castro Jr., and Arturo Plascencia, and front row from left, Victor Castro and Mario Mejorada. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.
ENSENADA FISH DINNER--Kevin Pianko fished off Ensenada with his dad Stan Pianko for a mix of bottom fish and bonita about 13 miles out of Marina Coral aboard the boat Mel's Diamond. Said dad, "Kevin was waiting to get home and eat some of the bottom fish we caught." PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN PIANKO.
BAJA ROCKY SHORE--Some nice looking rocky coves along the rugged trails north of Punta Santo Tomas photographed during Ken Jones' trip with Brian Smith of Outlandimages.com to fish at Puerto Santo Tomas Resort. Panga fishing with Capt. Marcos produced calico bass, sheephead, sculpin, treefish, ocean whitefish, lingcod, and mixed rockcods. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIAN SMITH.
FIRST CEDROS RUN--George Percy, Ted Griffith, and Bruce Kleege with some nice Isla Cedros yellowtail caught during the first angler trip organized by Cedros Island Adventures. The company's multi-day fly-down trips with charter flights originating at Ensenada feature same day fishing at the central Baja island as well as ecotouring. Also on the first trip were Don Beaumont, Gregg Limbach, and Steve Cox. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSE ANGEL PACHECO.
MAGDALENA BAY WINTER--The winter whale watching season is in full swing at Magdalena Bay on Baja's Pacific coast as pangas await their clients at Puerto Lopez Mateos. Meanwhile, the town's new paved launch ramp nears completion just a stone's throw from the sportfishing facility of Lopez Sportsman's Lodge, with charters available for the panga Sonia Ann and the offshore twin-hulled cruiser Baja Californian. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF PETERSEN.
LOTSA PANGA SIERRA--The Cabo San Lucas charter panga Cheer's landed about 45 sierra for clients last week, including this pair caught by David and Jill Stone of Georgia who fished with Cheer's Capt. Ramon Druck off Cabo's Pacific side beaches. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.
SAN LUCAS SIERRA--With offshore action sluggish for boats fishing at the south end of Baja last week, sierra picked up the slack near shore. This one was caught on fly tackle by Grant and Gisel Hartman of the Cabo San Lucas fly fishing guide service Baja Anglers. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT HARTMAN.
BAJA WINTER SIERRA--With cooler winter water temperatures taking hold in southern Baja fishing waters, sierra counts improved and big ones showed up like this 9 pounder caught off at San Jose del Cabo by Gordo Banks Pangas Capt. Jesus Pino. The toothy snack hit a live sardina bait off Punta Gorda for angler Dean Carpenter. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.
BAJA SPECIES FISHING--Unusual fish caught or collected recently by San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow have included, from top, the eastern Pacific flagfin, Pacific stargazer, spotback scorpionfish, and a type of black tilefish. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN SNOW.
FINE LORETO DAY--Duane Wooten of Loreto fished north of town at Isla San Ildefonso aboard Bob Moss' boat Second Wind for good winter action that produced 4 of these yellowtail at 12 to 18 pounds on surface live bait. They fished in 63-degree water on a reef close to the south side of the island. PHOTO COURTESY OF DIANE BERRYHILL.
SAN ILDEFONSO YELLOWTAIL--Rod Dees and Bruce Downs fished Wednesday at Isla San Ildefonso north of Loreto on Rod's boat Dos D's and scored on 10 yellowtail of 15 to 20 pounds. Randy Hammon's Jig's Up, Barry Wilkerson's Rocket, and Bill Erhardt's Soledad also made the 40-mile trip from Loreto to join pangas from the Arturo's Sportfishing camp at San Nicolas and others in good action for medium yellowtail. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.
ISLAND BUTTERFLY FISH--Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos off Santa Rosalia ran his boat out to Isla Tortuga and scored his first-ever Baja yellowtail caught on a butterfly jig. The yellowtail was 1 of 8 fish to 31 pounds that hit jigs and bait about 380 feet deep at Punta Azul. Below, Danny "Piojo Loco" Chiquete with more fish from the trip including 1 of 2 baqueta caught. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.
NORTH CORTEZ SHEEPHEAD--Brian Lewis with a beautiful sheephead caught at the north end of the Sea of Cortez off Rocky Point during a fishing run aboard Ric Felder's boat End of the Line. PHOTO COURTESY OF RIC FELDER.
DEEP CORTEZ CROAKER--Mike Auditore with a 30-pound white seabass caught in 400 feet of water during a northern Sea of Cortez run out of Rocky Point aboard Stuart Burnett's boat Constancia. The day's catch also included ocean whitefish and goldspotted bass. Below, a baqueta, also known as gulf coney or rooster hind, caught by Hap Balmes of Maricopa, Ariz., during a Rocky Point outing with Auditore. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIKE AUDITORE.
WAY OUTSIDE TUNA--Gordon Ghelardi, left, and Max Dangerfield landed these nice yellowfin tuna during a long run to about 15 miles west of Puerto Vallarta's offshore El Banco fishing spot aboard the Marla's Sportfishing boat Marla with Capt. Danny Osuna. They also caught a striped marlin in water temperatures averaging 75 degrees. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY OSUNA.
PUERTO VALLARTA ALTERNATIVE--Fishing at Puerto Vallarta is most known for big yellowfin tuna and other pelagic glamor species, but bottom fishing is also good for a tasty variety catch like this bag of pompano and mixed species found at Punta Mita by Capt. Trivi on the Masterbaiter's Sportfishing & Tackle charter boat Reel Ease. "Anywhere you can find structure you're likely to find great tasting fish using Rapalas or silver diamond jigs," said Masterbaiter's Stan Gabruk. PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN GABRUK.
ANOTHER VALLARTA FORKIE--Capt. Danny Gomez, right, of the Puerto Vallarta charter panga Dhamar with another yellowtail caught during the species' unusual southern run along the Mexican Pacific coast this winter. The forkie was landed at Islas Marietas during a trip with Mark Kerns, center, Shawn Ebbley, left, and Zach Kerns.
Some real nice African pompano, amberjack, and roosterfish caught in good winter action aboard the Dhamar by Mark Kerns' group. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANNY GOMEZ.
SLOW DAY DORADO--Brady and Nicole Locke of Michigan got lucky with this nice dorado while fishing in slow offshore conditions at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo aboard the charter boat Bacalao II. The big dodo was the only fish of the day caught during a run about 14 miles out. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRADY LOCKE.
HUATULCO FLY TUNA--Idaho angler Mike Jones fished at Huatulco with Eric Weissman's Explore Fly Fishing guide service and got into good midwinter near shore action for these feisty yellowfin tuna. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC WEISSMAN.
SNOWY BAJA BORDER CROSSING--Larry Bourne's Baja whale watching trip had a surprise ending as he ran into heavy snow while crossing back into the U.S. at Tecate. U.S. Interstate 8 was later closed by the storm. PHOTO COURTESY OF LARRY BOURNE.
Baja coastal fishing reports and articles.
Ensenada fishing reports and articles.
Puerto Santo Tomas fishing reports and articles.
Erendira fishing reports and articles.
San Quintin fishing reports and articles.
Magdalena Bay fishing reports and articles.
Cabo San Lucas fishing reports and articles.
San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos) fishing reports and articles.
East Cape fishing reports and articles.
La Paz fishing reports and articles.
Loreto fishing reports and articles.
Mulege fishing reports and articles.
Santa Rosalia fishing reports and articles.
Bahia de los Angeles (L.A. Bay) fishing reports and articles.
San Felipe fishing reports and articles.
Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) fishing reports and articles.
San Carlos (Sonora) fishing reports and articles .
Mazatlan fishing reports and articles .
Puerto Vallarta fishing reports and articles.
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing reports and articles.
Huatulco fishing reports and articles.
Cancun fishing reports and articles.
Mexico coastal fishing reports and articles.
Mexico Fishing Home Page < Mexico Fishing News Archives < Fishing Report
Copyright ©