La Paz yellowtail hefty and hungry;

Winter white seabass fishing at Rocky Point

Mexico Fishing News, March 10, 2008

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported reliable catches of 20 to 40-pound class yellowtail for pangas fishing out of Ensenada de los Muertos on the south side of La Paz.

"You don't have to go far offshore, literally less than 100 yards," Roldan said. "There's some incredibly consistent yellowtail fishing off Punta Perico. The yellowtail are readily eating live bait or jigs. This week our pangas averaged from 2 to 8 yellowtail per boat with many other fish taking anglers to the rocks. Our biggest yellowtail of the week was a 52 pounder." Other species landed by Tailhunter pangas during the past 2 weeks included jack crevalle, bigeye jack, cabrilla, bonito, skipjack, and roosterfish, plus schools of mullet snapper seen. "The pargo lisa schools seem to be early and are getting thicker as they move into La Paz' shallow areas to spawn," Roldan said.

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 reported a good week on mixed bottom fish for his charter pangas fishing the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda and 2 halibut of 10 and 14 pounds landed close in by Jorge Taylor of La Bufadora who hooked his flatties on Krocodiles aboard the Vonny I with Capt. Beto.

"They fished the point and landed some nice lingcods, so they came back in for sandbass and Jorge hung his 14 pounder, so he tried again and got 1 more," Villarino said. Panga anglers landing an assortment of rockcods, lingcod, calico bass, and mixed species also included Steve Campbell and Steve Thomas of San Diego.

Ensenada fishing area weather was partly cloudy, with light winds, ocean swells of 2 to 4 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 57 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog at Ensenada's Marina Coral reported on a run to the Banda Bank for vermilion rockfish to 6 pounds plus mixed bottom species including starry rockfish, bocaccio, lingcod, and perch in 370-foot deep water averaging 57 degrees.

"Most of the fish were hunkered down with Humboldt squid hovering above the rocks. We picked off vermilions one-by-one," Ross said. "We could not avoid snagging one Humboldt, a smaller 30-pounder. We totaled 8 vermilions using combinations of Berkley Gulps with sardine and market squid chunks. Pieces of the Humboldt squid including tentacles did not perform as well."

Trolling Rapalas earlier at the Punta Banda tuna pens produced no fish in green, 56-degree water. Also fishing aboard the Bad Dog were Gail Ross and Juan Lu. Local Ensenada fishing area weather had afternoon winds to 10 knots and swells to 3 feet.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Mark Rosenthal reported on a run aboard his boat out of Puerto Salina north of Ensenada for a catch including bass and a 40-pound class halibut hooked in 40 feet of water near the Salsipuedes tuna pens north of town. "I used a plastic swim bait with squid on the hook," Rosenthal said. "The week before I caught a 25 pounder farther north. The conditions were perfect due to the protection of this small bay, but the trip home was rough due to wind."

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported good weather in the San Quintin fishing area with "no winds to talk about" but very few boats going out. "But those few loaded up on rockcod and lingcod," Hillis said. Capt. Hector of the Pedro's Pangas charter boat Rommy said he saw a school of surface yellowtail working bait at the 240 spot but found no takers on iron. "It's looking promising for a good yellowtail year," Hillis said. San Quintin fishing area weather was cold in the mornings but in the low-70s by about 11 a.m.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Stan Vath of Campo Lorenzo reported on an outing with Campo Lorenzo's Larry Biedebach for easy limits of vermilion rockfish and ocean whitefish in 90-foot deep water at 55.5 degrees. "The new electronics worked awesome and we had no problem limiting out on plastics," Vath said. "We cruised on back and had Jardines cook us up a fresh dinner with our wives. We had a great time at the new restaurant where Oscar of K&M Offshore Sportfishing is serving." Vath noted no problems during the Baja drive south to San Quintin. "We had a good run down," Vath said. "There were no tourists or many vehicles on the roads. It looked like the 1970s. It's a shame the recent problems north of here are hurting our local friends in this area. I just travel in the daytime and feel the same as always. There’s a lot of great people down here and we had a blast as usual. We are back on schedule."

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: For the previous week, Marita Melville of Don Eddie's Landing reported on a guided trip to the 240 spot by local Capt. Juan Cook aboard the boat Reelin Hazard for limits of rockcod, lingcod to 12 pounds, and whitefish, plus 1 cowcod and 1 Humboldt giant squid. "They saw bonita boiling on the bait fish. There were bonita everywhere," Melville said. "The day before they had caught nothing but bonita so they were trying to catch different types of fish." San Quintin fishing area weather was mostly calm, with the water temperature at 55 to 57 degrees. Fishing aboard the Reelin Hazard were anglers Dave Glinn, Rob Chapman, and John Scanlon of the Los Angeles area.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Jim Heath of Pasadena, Calif., reported on a trip to Bahia Asuncion on the Pacific Baja coast with Andy Guzik, getting skunked 1 day aboard their boat Gone Pecan, but also panga fishing with Capt. Juan Arce of Arce Bros. Sportfishing for good action on larger bonita from San Roque northwards about 8 miles. "The day before, Juan had fished the reefs 5 miles south of Isla Asuncion and caught yellowtail but only came in with heads as the sea lions were numerous and hungry," Heath said.

"The next day we fished in our own boat and got skunked, the first time we can remember this ever happening to us. Not even a calico." Coastal Baja fishing weather was partly cloudy in the high-50s with stiff afternoon winds. Heath noted that they stayed in a rustic cabin 7 miles north of Bahia Asuncion that was arranged by Shari Bondy of Baja Bed & Breakfast. "Great accommodations for those who like to camp but don’t want to haul their camping gear down. Shari also has homes in town with full utilities. We spent our first night toasting the full lunar eclipse, awesome on a dark Baja beach."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported central Pacific Baja fishing weather in the mid-70s, with water temperatures of 62 to 70 degrees. Shari Bondy of Baja Bed & Breakfast at Bahia Asuncion said recent local activities included the inauguration of a new sports complex, the start of a 30-kilometer road paving project, and construction on a 42-room hotel and shopping center at the entrance to town. "Many have mixed emotions on this development but I for one will enjoy having a good meal in a new restaurant and finally having a bar in town," Bondy said. "And the kids got a new park to play in too."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Baja traveler and author Graham Mackintosh announced the publication of his latest book, "Marooned with Very Little Beer," which recounts his 2-month sojourn on remote Isla Angel de la Guarda, on the Baja Sea of Cortez coast off Bahia de los Angeles. "It went to the printer today," Mackintosh said. "Naturally, I had quite a few beers to celebrate."

Mackintosh's new book, with 312 pages and over 100 photos including 18 in color, is available at $16.95 including tax and shipping to U.S. addresses, or $22.95 for Canada. Send to, Graham Mackintosh, P.O. Box 1982, Lemon Grove, CA 91946. Mackintosh was scheduled for a slide talk and book signing at the Discover Baja Travel Club, March 27, 2008, 7 p.m., 3089 Clairemont Drive San Diego, CA 92117.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said winter whale watching at Magdalena Bay continued but at a slower pace last week as the California gray whales began departing for their northern summer habitat. Few anglers were fishing in the Magdalena Bay area but some locals caught sierra and small yellowtail under birds at the San Carlos entrada plus some snook, grouper, and corvina at Devil's Curve in the mangrove channels. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was clear in the high-70s, with water temperatures at 66 to 73 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 29 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 261 yellowfin tuna mostly of 10 to 20 pounds, 1 striped marlin, 7 dorado, 16 yellowtail, and 66 sierra. "Offshore yellowfin tuna action continues to set the pace for Cabo San Lucas anglers," Edwards said. "There is an excellent tuna bite continuing 20 to 40 miles south-southwest of Cabo. The main schools of are running with porpoise." Billfish counts were down as Cabo San Lucas sportfishing boats targeted tuna with feathers, Rapalas, iron, and jigs. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was sunny in the low-80s, with variable water temperatures of about 67 to 68 degrees on the Pacific side Golden Gate Banks and the Cortez side Gordo Banks, rising to about 70 degrees outside the 1,000 fathom curve to the southwest. Live bait supplies were plentiful for mackerel and caballito.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of Cabo San Lucas' Baja Anglers fly fishing guide service said inshore fly and spinning tackle action was good for sierra mackerel, jack crevalle, roosterfish, and dog snapper. Offshore, football yellowfin tuna were located on porpoise about 30 miles out but striped marlin and dorado counts were down. "The offshore fishing has been really slow for striped marlin and dorado," Hartman said. "Count yourself lucky if you get one a day with conventional gear."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 17 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 5 striped marlin, 35 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 30 pounds, 8 boats with yellowfin tuna limits at 15 to 25 pounds, and 22 dorado of 20 to 25 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the week ending Feb. 29, 2008, Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported slow billfish action as 21 percent of fleet boats released striped marlin, but 58 percent landed yellowfin tuna or 10 to 25 pounds. "Pisces anglers caught a whopping 725 yellowfin tuna this week," Ehrenberg said. "The better locations were 20 to 25 miles out from the Old Lighthouse and 35 miles straight south of Cabo San Lucas. We are not overly worried by the billfish action. We always have a few weeks, usually around March, when the water gets colder and the fish become indifferent and fussy. Marlin were encountered fairly frequently but getting them to bite was a completely different issue." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was clear with some wind and chop and water temperatures averaging 68 degrees.

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 59 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing out of San Jose del Cabo's Puerto Los Cabos marina, with a catch including released fish of: 425 huachinango or true red snapper of 4 to 12 pounds, 104 Mexican bonito, 21 amberjack, 22 sierra, 3 yellowtail, 13 cabrilla, and 13 roosterfish. Big counts of huachinango were caught on pelagic red crab or langostina baits netted by local pangueros. "The entire Playita fleet, both commercial and sportfishing, were using these red crabs to fish for the prized true Pacific red snapper on various rock piles from the Gordo Banks to Cardon, La Fortuna, and Iman," Brictson said. "Once these huachinango get a taste for red crabs it is hard to catch them on anything else. One of the pangueros received a call early in the week that these elusive crustaceans were being pushed to the surface by giant squid offshore of Chileno. They filled the panga and generously distributed red crabs among the other fishermen at the marina and they were being kept alive in makeshift bait tanks. More often than not the crabs are congregated deep with the fish gorging on them and there is no way to obtain them." San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was clear in the high-70s, with some north winds to 15 m.p.h., surf that made bait netting difficult, and fluctuating water temperatures cooling to about 64 to 68 degrees.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported windy conditions in the high-70s in the East Cape fishing area, with water temperatures at 62 to 68 degrees. "Get out fishing before the sun comes up and chances are you will catch a few sierra," Graham said. "You might also find a few small roosterfish and jacks that are willing." Some boats ran north to the Ensenada de los Muertos area south of La Paz for mossback class yellowtail and good-sized pargo difficult to land over shallow rocks. "Talk about getting rocked. Both of these critters will do so without hesitation," Graham said.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja East Cape fly fishing guide service reported beach water temperatures of 62 to 68 degrees and fish seen but none hooked as an unusual south wind interrupted a fly fishing session with angler Michael Smith of Pennsylvania. "We started out in front of Buena Vista and had a good number of sierra but missed the bite," deBrown said. "In front of Rancho Leonero the wind started to blow strong enough to give us some nice white caps. We decided to make a move north to a slightly more protected spot and had a few more fish chase the fly and teaser but we still could not get a hookup. We then decided to go get a bite at the local taco bar. Michael had his first-ever fish taco and said it was outstanding." East Cape beach fly fishing during a calm period the previous week produced fair to good action for sierra plus some ladyfish, jack crevalle, and small roosterfish.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smokehouse said, "The overall catch was once again mostly white bonita with some yellowtail and sierra sprinkled in. East Cape had some typical north winds and the fishing is still going on to the north for the most part off Punta Pescadero and Punta Perico with ballyhoo and sardinas."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport East Cape Diving service said big numbers of mobula manta rays were seen during a dive trip at Cabo Pulmo. "I have never seen so many rays in one place," Cazaly said. "There must have been over 2,000 rays surrounding the boat. We just switched off the engine, sat back, and enjoyed the show. We looked down and all we could see was a thick blanket of these beautiful creatures, leaping out of the water and clearing the surface by at least a meter. Several of them almost landed on the boat." Diving at El Bajo in 68-degree water also produced sightings of diamond stingrays, guitarfish, batrays, more manta rays, balloonfish, leopard grouper, bumphead parrotfish, an unknown species of nudibranch, and sea lions.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported on 3 runs south to Isla Catalana by his boat Soledad, finding slow yellowtail action for a total 4 fish averaging about 30 pounds. "Fishing was generally slow throughout the Loreto area," Erhardt said. "The exception was one good bite also south of town but closer to shore than where I was fishing. Several fishermen reported catching limits of nice yellowtail." Loreto fishing area weather was moderate on good days, with the surface sea water temperature at about 68 degrees. "Many seaweed paddies formed in the waters around Islas Carmen and Coronado during the week and whales and large schools of porpoise provided entertainment when the fish were not biting," Erhardt said.

LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto said his neighbor Charlie Licha fished at Punta Perico on Isla Carmen with local Capt. Alvaro Murillo for a catch including 3 yellowtail of 20 to 35 pounds. "The yellowtail were on top feeding on small sardines," Bear said. "They caught them on flylined mackerel. Charlie said the fish would come up in one spot for a minute or so, then disappear only to reappear 100 yards away, so a great deal of chasing them down was in order. The weather was beautiful and there were no bait sellers at the marina so he and Alvaro made their own bait at Las Lagrimas."

LORETO, MEXICO: Bob Huston of Pasadena, Calif., reported on a 12-angler group trip to Campo San Nicolas north of Loreto, panga fishing in weather limited conditions that permitted good action just 1 day of 3 scheduled for a catch of 40 yellowtail including a 29-pound 2-ounce fish landed by Jim Ingram of Long Beach and another of 28 pounds 15 ounces caught by Huston. "The first day at the camp we were completely fogged in and could not see or get out to the island," Huston said. "The captains did not want to wander far from shore so they would not lose a visual. Day 2 was very good fishing with a light breeze and many yellowtail hooked and plenty landed. They hit live bait and jigs about evenly. Really a great day of fishing. Thirty-five yellowtail were caught on day 2. We were going to fish out of Loreto on March 4th, but got an early call from Arturo saying don't come as the first 2 boats turned around after just starting to head out. Campo San Nicholas really is a fun place for a group to go. The fishing is great when the weather cooperates and when it doesn't there are worse things in the world than having a few beers with your friends on the beach in Baja."

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company at Loreto reported spotty surface yellowtail action following a good 4-day bite at the north end of Isla Carmen. "Breezing yellowtail are never a sure thing," Bolles said. "For almost 2 full weeks the yellowtail bite has been sketchy at best and it is always a good idea to expect unpredictable weather in March, especially during the beginning of the month."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Anderson of San Bruno south of Santa Rosalia reported good tides and currents but plenty of wind on the Isla San Marcos yellowtail bajos. "Everyone was blown out for several days but did manage to get a couple of good days in with great tide movement for some fantastic yellowtail fishing," Anderson said. "The fish can't decide whether to work the surface or chase individual baits down deep so it pays off to fish both parts of the water column. Yesterday we picked up a fish on a flylined bait at exactly the same time that we picked up a fish deep." Live bait was hard to find, with most boats using Spanish mackerel caught 175 to 285 feet deep. "The best bet is to have a good depth finder tuned up correctly to show small objects in deep water and move until you find concentrations of bait," Anderson said. "The male yellowtail are starting to really load up with sperm and the females are starting to show good growth of eggs, so catch-and-release seems to be a good thing this time of the year. Circle hooks really help with easing catch-and-release as they are typically stuck in the side of the mouth and generally the hook hole is somewhat elongated by the time the fish gets close to the boat."

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Syd Lindsay of San Lucas Cove said the town of Santa Rosalia was slated to have yet another new Pemex gasoline station. "It's only 300 yards north of the good station at the marina, the one that I recommend," Lindsay said. "This new one should be ready to open in a month or so. I don't know how the old station stays in business." The famous El Boleo copper mine at Santa Rosalia was rumored locally to be planning a reopening in about a year, with jobs for 300 workers.

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Jim Heath of Roseville, Calif., reported on 4 days of fishing at Bahia de los Angeles with Andy Guzik aboard their boat Gone Pecan, missing an early yellowtail bite at Isla de la Guarda the first day, and then being kept inside the bay by winds for mixed bottom fishing the next 3 days. At Isla Angel de la Guarda, Heath said, "We got a late start but it was flat calm all the way to the island. We arrived to find the flotilla of early risers, about a dozen boats, filling their fish boxes with yellowtail, but of course as soon as we arrived the bite went off. A few fish were caught using small iron, no bigger than Salas Jrs. Scrambled egg seemed to be the preferred color. Most boats had 1 or 2 fish per rod, the vast majority caught before 9 a.m. There seems to be not much of a bite at Punta Remedios or Guadalupe reef 7 miles north of Smith Island this winter so be prepared for a boat ride across the channel."

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of San Felipe's Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay said northern Cortez Baja weather was in the 70s by midmorning as the town prepared for the Baja 250 race crowds. "The noise level is building daily," Meders said. "There are many motorcyclists in their strange outfits cruising through town and up Route 5. It seems that all the official spring break companies are going to be over on the Pacific side of Baja this year although we may get some of the independents. At least I hope so. There is a new influx of OXXO stores in San Felipe, a brand new one right across the street from the bookstore and another one going up across from the Pemex station as you enter town. Their coffee does happen to be very good. Also, the local grocery stores are nearly all now carrying Orowheat bread! This is a real news item as anyone who lives in Baja full time knows."

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Ric Felder of Glendale, Ariz., reported on an offshore run out of Rocky Point aboard his boat End of the Line with anglers Ken Clever and Bill Favor for good action on white seabass of 14 to almost 40 pounds while dropping live baits on a reef about 40 miles out. "The water was nice and calm and we passed several whales on the way," Felder said. "We arrived at the first planned fishing spot and started making some slow drifts to see if the white seabass were in yet as mid-February to early March is when they show up in great numbers at this spot. They were right on schedule. We began to get doubles on the white seabass several times. Once we ran out of live macks, the bite began to slow way down." Other spots produced good action on goldspotted bass and whitefish on spoons, plus a nice red snapper.

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Shawn Gustafson of Chandler, Ariz., reported on an outing out of Rocky Point on Art Pina's boat Big Daddy, with Gustafson's wife Tina, Sandy Fingers, and 3 dogs also aboard, for very good action at the "Caballo" reef about 10 miles from Isla San Jorge and a catch of: 1 white seabass of 30 pounds, 1 gulf grouper of about 60 pounds, another gulf grouper weighed between 95 and 105 pounds, and 1 more gulf grouper of about 35 pounds. The biggest grouper was landed by Gustafson in water about 165 feet deep at 65 degrees. "I was using a 400-pound mono leader that was scratched up from top to bottom," Gustafson said. "I'm sure it would have broken me off had I been using lighter tackle." On the way out, the Big Daddy made sardine and mackerel bait on a concentration of birds feeding on krill. "We saw hundreds or thousands of sea gulls all flapping their wings along the water surface and poking their heads into it," Gustafson said. "There were millions of tiny 3/4-inch long krill that look like shrimp swimming at the surface. The birds were gorging themselves on them and we soon found out that the mackerel and sardines were also joining in on the feast from below. Using 6-hook sabiki rigs, we immediately started catching mixed groups of both on each drop."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Jon Jen Charters of San Carlos reported 4 yellowtail in the high-20 pound class plus 2 smaller yellowtail landed and 4 broken off during a run to Isla San Pedro Nolasco. San Carlos boats fishing at the island did well early in the mornings in some south wind and swell.

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bryan Replogle of San Carlos reported a good yellowtail run to Isla San Pedro Nolasco with Bob Nagler while fishing aboard the boat Margarita V in nonstop action for 2 hours for a catch of 12 yellowtail of 15 to 28 pounds. "Yellowtail action is heating up in the San Carlos fishing area at Isla San Pedro Nolasco," Replogle said. "After finally making it out after a month of wind and work, my fish counts are catching up. Last week we had catches of 7, 8, and 12 fish. The east side of the island seems to be where the fish are biting. Early morning trolling has produced, with jigging when the birds leave. The fish are feeding on baby squid." Humpback, finback, and killer whales were also feeding on abundant squid in the water. San Carlos fishing area water temperatures were at 53 degrees inshore and 60 degrees at Isla San Pedro Nolasco.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 32 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats fishing out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 124 yellowfin tuna, 2 striped marlin, 4 dorado, 25 skipjack tuna, and 2 jack crevalle. Twelve inshore super pangas had a catch of: 1 striped marlin, 7 yellowfin tuna, 16 pargo, 10 baqueta, 10 triggerfish, 1 lengua, 1 conejo, and 4 barracuda. "The excellent yellowfin tuna bite for Mazatlan fishing boats continued through the early week but slowed up from midweek on," Edwards said. Mazatlan fishing area weather was sunny in the low-80s, with mostly calm seas and water temperatures averaging 68 degrees inshore and 70 degrees offshore. Aries Fleet boats targeted yellowfin tuna with assorted feathers about 20 to 30 miles southwest of Mazatlan.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing reported on an outing with Capt. Alonso Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing for a catch of 15 dorado plus a sailfish released. "We cast live bait to 5 more sailfish and 3 striped marlin but they didn't turn for the bait," Gomez said. "Puerto Vallarta fishing water got warm, 78 degrees north of Punta Mita about 15 to 20 miles."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle said, "March sees an increase in tourism with spring break for Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and then Semana Santa finishes it all off. We always see a little lull in the action before spring break and now it's time for the flood of humanity to once again descend upon Puerto Vallarta. With the arrival of the Spring Break crowd, smaller boats like super pangas have been in demand for those with a smaller budget yet the desire to take a shot at some of our world famous game fishing. Closer inshore fishing has improved to the point were a 4-hour trip right now can produce snapper, small dorado, skipjack tuna, jack crevalle, pompano, bonito, and the list goes on, all smaller fish of course, but those looking for great action will find the bay coming back to life."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said sailfish counts stayed low as Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sportfishing boats averaged about 1 sailfish per outing, plus 2 to 4 dorado of 20 to 35 pounds. "High surf has really shut down the inshore bite," Kunze said. "Most of the Mexicans are blaming the high surf and poor fishing on the eclipse of the full moon we had this week, but I believe the full moon phase was more of the culprit and things will really start picking up again next week."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said blue water retreated again to about 25 miles off the beach, but good numbers of 30 to 40-pound dorado were reported in cool green water only 15 miles out. "It was a real oddity," Edwards said. "Sailfish activity has all but shut down since the arrival of the cooler water temperatures." Capt. Chiro of the charter boat Bloody Hook reported 11 quality dorado in 3 outings, plus a 500-pound class black marlin. Good inshore action for bonito, skipjack tuna, jack crevalle, and a few small roosterfish was reported north at Saladita. Ixtapa fishing area weather was in the mid-80s, with water temperatures at 75 degrees inshore and 79 degrees about 30 miles out.

MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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MEXICO: Joe Kitagawa of Thermal, Calif., reported a jack crevalle caught about 20 miles southwest of Manzanillo on the central Pacific Mexican coast during a trip aboard the boat Dancing Tides. "That's all I caught that day, but the boat caught a few bonita, a tuna, and a dorado," Kitagawa said.

La Paz Mexico Yellowtail Photo 1

LA PAZ YELLOWTAIL BITE--Rob Clark of Santa Rosa, Calif., got into the current winter yellowtail bite close to shore south of La Paz with 2 forkies landed plus another lost while panga fishing with Tailhunter International. In the background are the rocks on the Baja coast at Punta Perico, just minutes from the Ensenada de los Muertos launching beach. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Ensenada Mexico Vermilion Rockfish Photo 1

ENSENADA VERMILIONS--Juan Lu, left, and Steve Ross with a couple of very nice vermillion rockfish caught during a run out of Ensenada's Marina Coral by Ross' boat Bad Dog. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ROSS.

Ensenada Mexico Halibut Fishing Photo 1

LA SALINA BIGGIE--Mark Rosenthal landed this 40-pound class Ensenada area halibut during a run by his boat out of Puerto Salina. The big flattie hit a swim bait in 40 feet of water near the Salsipuedes tuna pens. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK ROSENTHAL.

Ensenada Mexico Halibut Fishing Photo 2

ENSENADA HALIBUT--Vonny's Fleet panga Capt. Beto Zamora, left, guided Jorge Taylor of La Bufadora to a catch of Ensenada area lingcod at Punta Banda plus these nice halibut hooked on Krocodiles on the way back to the beach. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SAN QUINTIN LIMITS--Larry Biedebach, left, of San Quintin's Campo Lorenzo and Stan Vath scored easy limits of vermilion rockfish and ocean whitefish while working electronics in 90-foot deep, 55.5-degree water, with fresh fish dinners served later at the Jardines Restaurant. PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN VATH.

San Quintin Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SAN QUINTIN FISHING--Don Eddie's Landing Capt. Juan Cook, center, guided the boat Reelin Hazard to bottom fish limits at the San Quintin 240 spot for anglers, Dave Glinn, left, Rob Chapman, right, and John Scanlon. The catch included red rockcod, whitefish, lingcod, 1 Humboldt giant squid, and lots of bonito the previous day. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARITA MELVILLE.

Bahia Asuncion Mexico Capt. Juan Arce Photo 1

BAJA PANGA RUN--Capt. Juan Arce of Arce Bros. Sportfishing at Bahia Asuncion pilots his panga northward along the beaches of San Roque during an outing with Jim Heath and Andy Guzik. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM HEATH.

Bahia Asuncion Mexico New Sports Complex Photo 1

CHANGES IN BAJA--The new sports center at the village of Bahia Asuncion on Baja's increasingly less remote central Pacific coast. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHARI BONDY.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fly Fishing Photo 1

CABO SPRING COLORS--Fly fishing at Cabo San Lucas with guide Grant Hartman of Baja Anglers produced this snapper in bright spring spawn colors for Robert Tomes, right, shown with Capt. Nazario of the charter boat Flying Fish III. They hooked the fish on Cabo's Pacific side. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT HARTMAN.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Amberjack Fishing Photo 1

BAJA STRONG FISH--Michael Brady of Pasadena, Calif., with a nice 30-pound class amberjack, also called pez fuerte or "strong fish" in Spanish, taken on a yo-yo jig near La Fortuna at San Jose del Cabo. Brady fished on the Gordo Banks Pangas charter super panga Katie with Capt. Jesus Pino. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

Loreto Mexico Yellowtail Photo 1

Loreto Mexico Foggy Morning Beach Photo 1

HARD WORK REWARDED--Mark Thompson fished in spotty early March conditions at Loreto's Punta Cholla with Baja Big Fish Company and was rewarded with this quality 38-pound yellowtail that hit a live mackerel on the surface. Below, early morning fog and early pre-spring algae washed up on the beach at Loreto. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAM BOLLES.

Loreto Mexico Gulf Grouper Fishing Photo 1

Mexico Circle Hook Fishing Photo 1

CATALANA GULF GROUPER--Linda and Ron Beitelspacher fished during a 3-day trip last week out of Loreto aboard their new boat Sonrisa and on Sunday Ron caught this nice gulf grouper on the reef between Islas Catalana and Santa Cruz. Below, a circle hooked yellowtail caught by Loreto's Bill Erhardt during 3 long runs to Isla Catalana last week for slow action on a total of 4 yellowtail all around 30 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Isla Catalana Mexico Sea Lion Photo 1

DOGGONE LOBO--This sea lion, possibly caught by the camera while making some kind of rude seal gesture, was standing by last week on the high spot of the south reef off Loreto's Isla Catalana waiting for a fisherman to take a little bit too long getting his fish to the boat. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Campo San Nicola Mexico Fishing Photo 1

YELLOWTAIL WEATHER SQUEEZE--Bob Huston, left, Ronny Wilson, and their 12-angler group landed 35 yellowtail in decent weather conditions during the second day of a 3-day fishing trip to Campo San Nicolas north of Loreto. Limited by fog and wind, their other 2 days produced just 5 yellowtail. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB HUSTON.

Graham Mackintosh Book Cover Photo 1

NEW BAJA BOOK--Baja author Graham Mackintosh's new book, Marooned with Very Little Beer, describes his 2-month sojourn on Isla Angel de la Guarda in the Sea of Cortez off Bahia de los Angeles. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAHAM MACKINTOSH.

Rocky Point Mexico Unknown Bass Photo 1

WHAT IS IT?--Looking like a cross between a goldspotted bass, a spotted bay bass, and a pilotfish, this fish was caught by Mike Auditore's boat in the northern Sea of Cortez near Rocky Point in 63-degree water. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE AUDITORE.

Rocky Point Mexico Fishing Photo 1

HEAVY ROCKY BOTTOM--Bottom fishing on a reef near Isla San Jorge at the north end of the Sea of Cortez produced good action for these gulf grouper to 100 pounds plus the 30-pound white seabass on the left for Shawn Gustafson, left, and Art Pina during a trip out of Rocky Point aboard Pina's boat Big Daddy. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHAWN GUSTAFSON.

San Carlos Mexico Fishing Photo 1

SAN CARLOS YELLOWTAIL--Fishing out of San Carlos, Sonora, with Jon Jen Charters produced 4 good yellowtail landed, 4 lost to the rocks, and 2 smaller yellowtail during a run to Isla San Pedro Nolasco. PHOTO COURTESY OF JON JEN CHARTERS.

San Carlos Mexico Yellowtail Fishing Photo 1

SAN CARLOS YELLOWTAIL--The San Carlos boat Margarita V found nonstop yellowtail action at Isla San Pedro Nolasco during this trip with Bob Nagler, shown, and Bryan Replogle. Three trips to the island produced 7, 8, and 12 fish. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRYAN REPLOGLE.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Sailfish Fishing Photo 1

PUNTA MITA FISHING--The Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle charter boat Sirena came in with a sailfish after a run out of Puerto Vallarta to troll goggle-eye baits 15 to 30 miles out from Punta Mita. Fishing aboard the Sirena were Capt. Steve, top left, first mate Freddy, Bryan Samples, Vicky Delmont, and Donna and Jerry Blankenship. PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN GABRUK.

Zihuatanejo Mexico Fish Release Flag Mosaic Photo 1

MEXICO'S CHANGING TIMES--Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament at Zihuatanejo noted the release flag stone mosaic that marks the pier in the bay, scene of many unlimited sailfish kill tournaments in the past. "It shows the effort of the captains to point toward catch-and-release," Phillips said. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL PHILLIPS.

Manzanillo Mexico Fishing Photo 1

LIT UP CREVALLE--Joe Kitagawa caught this jack crevalle showing an unusually distinct pattern of vertical bars during a trip out of Manzanillo on the Mexican Pacific coast aboard the boat Dancing Tides. The toro was hooked about 20 miles out. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE KITAGAWA.

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico False Fish Sign Photo 1

FREAKING DORADO--Andy Guzik freaks out nighttime beach campers with a painted metal dorado sign during a during February yellowtail fishing trip at Bahia de los Angeles with Jim Heath. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM HEATH.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES