La Paz pangas swimming in fish;

Roosterfish and jacks north of Puerto Vallarta

Mexico Fishing News, April 14, 2008

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: April's strong bite in the southern Sea of Cortez from La Paz southwards intensified last week as quality dorado and more billfish joined hot yellowtail action for boats fishing from El Bajo in the north to La Ribera at East Cape.

At La Paz, Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported even better action for his pangas fishing both north and south of the city. "The ocean blew up this week," Roldan said. "From El Bajo in the north, to the islands, to the outside banks, there are fish everywhere. I counted over 15 species of game fish in our boats. The incredible yellowtail bite just got even better. At El Bajo seamount, the Reina lighthouse, and other spots, 20 to 40-pound fish were crashing on the surface. Forty-pound bull dorado were milling around the pangas with double, triple, and quad hookups. Inshore fishing produced pargo, cabrilla, roosterfish, sierra, bigeye jack, pompano, and jack crevalle at Punta Perico and the Las Arenas lighthouse mixed with huge bonito and skipjack. Big dorado, marlin, and sailfish, not the little early season guys, bit like mad dogs at the 88 spot and the shark buoys. These fish came to the party ready to play. Marlin would battle to get to a simple sardine thrown in the water."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said the La Paz fishing area had warm, windless weather in the 80s, and fishing was good for a wide variety of species including dorado of 20 to 30 pounds caught at the buoys, pargo lisa and pargo perro at Isla Cerralvo, yellowtail at the north end of the island, and lots of sierra at Las Arenas. "We have lots of bait at the south end of Isla Cerralvo and also at Punta Perico," Hernandez said. "The anglers at La Paz right now are having days of good action and lots of fish. We're catching a lot of fish species from Ensenada de los Muertos to the island."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Ross Taylor of McKinleyville, Calif., reported on a week-long sailboat charter out of La Paz, sailing and fishing northward and trolling MirrOlures for 7 fish species caught, topped by a 28-pound yellowtail at Isla San Francisco that hit a blue-mackerel MirrOlure 111MR lure.

"I wouldn't call the fishing red-hot, but for a first trip ever to Baja we also caught 2 sharks on MirrOlures, lots of barracuda, several yellow pargos, triggerfish, hogfish, and cornetfish," Taylor said. "We also had several absolutely jarring takes where we couldn't stop the fish from breaking off on the rocks on 50-pound Spectra line on the Isla San Francisco reef just outside the anchorage. The orange-gold Rebel Fastrac was the number-one hot lure for us. The one species I'm surprised we didn't catch was sierra." Taylor's group also fished at Cabo Pulmo on a 4-hour panga trip for a catch of 2 leopard grouper, 1 red snapper, and lots of bonito. "The current boundaries of the Cabo Pulmo marine preserve are way more extensive than the ones generalized in The Baja Catch," Taylor said. "Many of the places described, like the wreck, are now either 'no fishing' or 'fishing only with local panga captains.' I inquired with several locals and it did vary, but the marine preserve brochure at the dive shop had boundaries that had several 'no fishing' areas shaded in yellow that were inside a much larger red-dashed boundary that was supposedly the limited access area. The red-dashed area started on the beach of Los Frailes and went north for several miles past Cabo Pulmo proper. There were even 'marine preserve' signs along the dirt road next to the beach north of Cabo Pulmo."

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 mixed bonito to 9 pounds, halibut, and bottom fish limits for all pangas fishing during the week at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda. Anglers fishing aboard the Vonny I, Vonny II, and Vonny III with Capts. Beto, Vicente, and Hector included Jay Johnson of Ensenada, Paul Beachley of Los Angeles, Calif., Ed Purcell of Palm Springs, Calif., and a group of 8 firemen from San Francisco, Calif. "They had a ball," Villarino said. Bottom fish species caught during the week included salmon grouper, lingcod, red rockcod, and whitefish. Ensenada fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-60s, with light morning winds, ocean swells of 3 to 4 feet, and water temperatures averaging 57 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog at Ensenada's Marina Coral said annual fishing awards recently presented by San Diego Angler's president Al Schneid at a banquet held at San Diego's Marine Corp. Recruiting Depot included First Place All Around Woman Angler won by his wife Gail Ross for fish caught aboard the Bad Dog in Ensenada waters. A Shimano reel was presented to Gail Ross in recognition of fishing during 2007 that produced the club's first marlin of year and the largest albacore, barracuda, bonito, dorado, marlin, rockfish, yellowfin tuna, and yellowtail.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort south of Ensenada reported good weather and calm seas all week long off Punta Santo Tomas and excellent bottom fishing for lingcod, whitefish, rockcods, sheephead, and some calico bass. "Three pangas went out fishing last weekend and they all came back with full Mexican limits," Saenz said. Kayaks also fished about 500 feet from shore for lingcod on jigs. "The bite was great. They caught over 20 fish in one-and-a-half hours," Saenz said. "Most of the fishing was around the Soledad Reef. No surface fish action was observed." Anglers fishing out of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort during the week included Seth Brown and his family group from Los Angeles, Calif., and Roger Marin and Joe Kelly of Redlands, Calif.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Tere Castro of Castro's Camp at Erendira south of Ensenada reported 17 boats fishing during the week in improving conditions for heavy counts of mixed-size bottom fish to 10 pounds. "This week the fishing was a lot better," Castro said. "There is still a lot of bait in the water. There's been some wind, but it doesn't start until about 2 p.m." Baja coastal fishing water temperatures off Erendira averaged 57 degrees.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said the San Quintin fishing area had some winds during the week and few boats went out. "It was good for surfers and sailing boats," Hillis said. Pedro's Pangas had some anglers out early in the week who caught rockcod and good-sized lingcod. More boats were scheduled to fish in coming weeks, but Hillis said overall tourist traffic on Baja's Highway Mex 1 was still very light. "Going through the Tecate border crossing on Monday, there were only 3 cars in front of me at 10:30 a.m.," Hillis said.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly and Baja Trekker columnist for Western Outdoor News reported Baja coastal fishing weather at Bahia Asuncion on the central Pacific side as sunny in the low-80s, with northeast winds at 10 m.p.h. and the water temperature ranging from 62 to 70 degrees.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Jose Angel Pacheco of Cedros Outdoor Adventures said planned fly-down trips to fish at Isla San Geronimo and the Sacramento Reef off San Quintin would be priced at about $1,300 per person for groups of 6 fishing for 4 days. Trips include van service from San Diego, flights from Ensenada to El Rosario, lodging and meals at the Baja's Best motel in El Rosario, and trips to the fishing grounds on 30-foot, twin-outboard pangas. Information, info@cedrosoutdooradventures.com, 619-793-5419.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported steady winds offshore of Magdalena Bay, most boats staying close to home, and no offshore fishing reports available. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 62 to 70 degrees and winds of 17 to 23 knots offshore.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Jeff Petersen of Lopez Sportsman's Lodge at Puerto Lopez Mateos reported tough early spring fishing conditions inside Magdalena Bay, with water temperatures at 62 degrees and mangrove channel action very slow. "The April weather lion has clearly returned to the mangroves," Petersen said. "Fish are scarce in the estero. The fish packing plant will be closed 2 months until the return of the sardines, as the cycle continues." Lopez Sportsman's Lodge Capts. Gabriel and Chico fished 2 days with anglers Al Jordan and Nick Lampros of Loreto on Jordan's 15-foot boat for a total catch of 1 corvina and some small bass on live mullet baits, including a skunked day at Vuelta del Diablo or Devil's Curve.

However, Petersen said he had also accompanied a commercial fishing run deep into an estero south of town, threading a panga through very shallow water at the bottom of the tide, for a commercial Mexican catch of 210 kilos of 12 fish species, including nice pargo, snook, grouper, halibut, and mullet, all caught by "feeling, searching, catching by hand in and around the root structure of the mangroves." Construction on the new boat launch ramp and pier at Puerto Lopez Mateos was complete. "The primary activity from the pier is developing handlining skills among the town youth, future fishermen of the village," Petersen said.Magdalena Bay.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 37 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 43 striped marlin, 3 dorado, and 232 yellowfin tuna mostly of 10 to 20 pounds. The top boat for the week was the Gaviota VIII with Capt. Juan Dominguez and 9 of 11 striped marlin released plus 23 tuna landed for 4 outings. "Cabo San Lucas fish catching has been almost nonstop for the week," Edwards said. "About the only change has been the increase in billfish that have combined with the yellowfin tuna." Most boats fished south of the arch or on the Cortez side. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was mostly favorable in the low-90s, with some breezy days and water temperatures ranging from 66 degrees at the Pacific side Golden Gate Bank to 74 degrees on the Cortez side. Mackerel and caballito live bait was in good supply.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported 64 percent of charters releasing a total of 61 striped marlin of 62 landed, 22 percent landing dorado, and about 64 percent with up to 23 yellowfin tuna per boat. "We are pleased to report a steady increase on striped marlin," Ehrenberg said. "As we got into the last 2 days covered by this report every boat we sent out had marlin." Pisces boats fished mostly on the Sea of Cortez side from about 25 miles straight south to about Punta Gorda. Cabo San Lucas sportfishing area weather was sunny, with some whitecap conditions on the Pacific side and the water temperature averaging 70 degrees. Most marlin were hooked on live bait.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 5 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 Mexican sportfishing limits of yellowfin tuna at 15 to 20 pounds, and 17 more yellowfin tuna of 15 to 20 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 6 outings during the week with a total of 13 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 39 yellowtail of 2 to 25 pounds, 6 roosterfish of 5 to 6 pounds, more roosterfish of 6 to 7 pounds, 11 large sierra of 6 to 8 pounds, 17 sierra of 2 to 8 pounds, 3 Humboldt giant squid of 20 to 30 pounds, and 23 yellowfin tuna 7 to 13 pounds. The Cheer's fished Cabo's Pacific side beaches with trolled and yo-yoed jigs and live baits, on the Cortez side beaches, and out to 4 miles for tuna in water temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees and mostly good sea conditions but with one morning of strong wind and large swells. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Scott Little, Kurt Markl, John Penny of Canada, Rob Dunaway and Susan Dunaway of Canada, Colleen Roberts and Steven Roberts, Jessie Carte and Shawna Ergbucht, and Brian Stuhr and Alí Sinocek.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of the Baja Anglers Cabo San Lucas fly fishing service reported good spring action for local roosterfish on the fly. "We are catching lots of roosterfish on the fly and light tackle," Hartman said. "It's not uncommon to catch 12 or more roosterfish on the fly in a day's outing. There's a great variety of inshore fish to be caught right now at Cabo San Lucas." Inshore fishing on Baja Anglers outings also produced sierra mackerel, barracuda, and yellowtail.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Mike Connolly of the Pisces Fleet charter boat Falcon reported good striped marlin action during 7 outings in mixed flat and rough sea conditions from 7 to 21 miles southeast of Cabo for a total of 26 stripers released plus 12 small yellowfin tuna. "Virtually all these fish were taken while casting bait to tailers," Connolly said. "Multiple fish groups were common, as many as 6 marlin at a time. We also saw hundreds of marlin that did not bite. With lots of bait near Cabo San Lucas at this time we expect the fish to stick around for a while. There are very large numbers of small tuna near the arch. No porpoise, just put the cedar plugs in most anywhere."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Durance Lowendick of Marlin Masters Sportfishing said, "Action continues to be very solid off Cabo San Lucas with most of our boats encountering 8 to 12 tailing striped marlin in an average 8-hour trip, with 4 to 5 eating the live pitched mackerel." Good concentrations of 15 to 30-pound yellowfin tuna were also present, although dorado remained scattered. Several wahoo in the 40-pound class were landed and Humboldt giant squid continued unlimited just off Medano Beach and around to the Sunset Beach lighthouse. Humpback and California gray whale sightings were down to a few per day as the migration season tapered.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported water temperatures to 75 degrees at the 95 spot on the Cortez side, with some green color and improving counts for striped marlin. "The striped marlin bite has continued to improve," Landrum said. "That may be due to the warmer water. The fish have moved closer to us, which translates into shorter runs."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 55 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing out of San Jose del Cabo's Puerto Los Cabos marina, with a catch including released fish of: 34 striped marlin, 266 Mexican bonito, 74 yellowfin tuna, 7 dorado, 17 yellowtail, 13 amberjack, 34 red snapper, 164 sierra, and 15 roosterfish. Striped marlin and yellowfin tuna were found much closer to shore by the La Playita panga fleets. "Just a few days ago fleets were traveling 20 miles offshore to find marlin and tuna," Brictson said. "But early this week clean blue water moved close to shore from Cabo San Lucas to Chileno and both fish were found in substantial numbers. Mackerel were schooling in this same region and striped marlin were found as close as a mile from shore feeding on the balled up bait. Anglers had the best success casting baits into the feeding marlin." San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was sunny in the high-80s, with water temperatures to about 74 degrees and some swell. Tourism traffic was slower than normal in the Los Cabos area of Baja. "All-around local tourism is substantially lower than normal for this time of year," Brictson said. "All we can do is hope the economy improves soon."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo said his boat Dos Gueros got into the Los Cabos near shore yellowfin tuna action on Tuesday, with 7 tuna of 12 to 15 pounds caught by 11:30 a.m. while fishing 2 to 10 miles off the beach from Fiesta Americana to Cabeza de Ballena. "The docks were buzzing about the yellowfin tuna and I was on it," Lewis said. "All the fish were caught on the troll. They bit everything we put out. Boats around me were getting stopped regularly." San Jose del Cabo local fishing area weather had some wind and whitecapping swells to over 6 feet, with water temperatures at 70 to 71.5 degrees. Lewis said the navy was checking sportfishing paperwork. "They did not ask for a boat permit so it seems reports of those being discontinued are true," he said. "Also, as a reminder, the Puerto Los Cabos marina in San Jose is not a public marina. They will allow ramp usage and may rent slips but only at their discretion. If you break any of their rules or in any way get cross-threaded with them they can refuse you access. If you are a high roller yachtie you should be fine but they are not real tolerant of small boat fishermen. I am trying to keep a low profile but they clearly don't have much patience."

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero reported East Cape fishing area weather clear and flat in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 72 to 75 degrees and a big jump in striped marlin and dorado counts 8 to 10 miles out from the hotel. "The marlin and sailfish have arrived at East Cape," Ireland said. "They are a couple of weeks behind schedule but are making up for lost time with a very strong consistent bite." Ireland said early season dorado also produced Mexican sportfishing limits for all anglers. "The mahi-mahi are getting bigger every week with some bulls taken in the 30 to 50-pound class," Ireland said. Occasional yellowfin tuna found off the Punta Arena lighthouse included a fish of 82 pounds. Inshore, good numbers of small roosterfish, including some fish to 10 pounds, were feeding on schooling sardina. For the previous week, Ireland reported East Cape water temperatures at 71 to 74 degrees, with improving counts for dorado mixed with marlin and sailfish 10 to 15 miles off the Las Arenas lighthouse. Yellowtail were thinning out in warming water temperatures.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported improved offshore action following a 2-day period of wind. "On the outside, skipjack, marlin, and dorado were feeding on squid or anything else that came their way, even flies," Graham said. "There were plenty of multiples." Inshore fishing off East Cape beaches produced a mix of jacks, roosterfish, bonito, and sierra, as a pair of Baja On The Fly clients scored a total of 31 fish in a day.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Marisol Verdugo of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort said hotel cruisers were fishing daily in very good action for dorado of 15 to 35 pounds caught 15 to 20 miles out, plus about 1 to 3 striped marlin per boat found 10 to 12 miles off La Ribera.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of East Cape's Vista Sea Sport diving service reported improved 72-degree water temperatures and 40 to 45 feet of visibility at the Cabo Pulmo coral reef, with sea life sightings including yellowtail surgeonfish, Panamic porkfish, yellow snapper, rays, guitarfish, bass and grouper, moray eels, grunts, and many other species. "One of my newly certified divers commenting on what he had experienced said, 'Unbelievable, who would have thought as we we driving here in the boat that this amazingly beautiful world of color lay beneath us!'" Cazaly said. Humpback whales and jumping mobula manta rays were also in the area.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company reported spring yellowtail action on the surface in the Loreto fishing area still up-and-down as the spawning period approached. "The yellowtail have been a challenge to catch since early March," Bolles said. "The fish are still breezing and are being caught from Isla Catalana to Punta Pulpito but breezing fish are very fickle. It's best to just let the boat drift and wait for the schools to come to you. Right now there is a good amount of bait in the water so we're seeing only those fish at the periphery of the schools go for anything with a hook in it. On examining the egg sacks, our best educated guess is that the spawn should occur during the next full moon phase, April 20th, so the subsequent good yellowtail bite should start in about 3 weeks."

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported on 3 days of fishing south of Loreto around Isla Catalana for a catch in slowing action of 8 yellowtail of 30 to 40 pounds, plus a mako shark that bit through the leader at the boat. "When your smaller yellowtails are around 30 pounds the fishing is pretty good even when the numbers are low," Erhardt said. "The mako was accompanied by another that erupted in a signature flipping jump immediately after I hooked what I thought was a big yellowtail. The jumping shark continued his aerial display for 7 or 8 more jumps as I bought the hooked fish under the boat. When I could see color it was obvious that what I had hooked was no yellowtail. The second mako was standing by under the boat as a tooth of the hooked shark found the 50-pound mono leader and he achieved a self-release."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Jim Anderson of San Bruno reported frustration at the Isla San Marcos bajos as yellowtail were seen feeding on superabundant surface bait but refused to bite. "At this time of the year we have massive schools of bait fish hatching out and the yellowtail go into a feeding mode of 'slurping' these small baits in a leisurely fashion," Anderson said. "They show little, if any, interest in eating 6 to 10-inch mackerel. This turned into the most frustrating fishing I have experienced in a long time as you are able to see big schools of yellowtail up on the surface feeding, with bait jumping and birds feeding, but if you throw a bait in the middle of this activity, you get nothing for the effort. You fish really hard, chase the birds, and at the end of the day the fish box looks a lot like Mother Hubbard's cupboard." Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos fished aboard Anderson's Moosee Boat but was blanked. "I think for this time of the year fishermen will do much better at Tortuga Island and when the wind calms for a day we should have some good action coming from that area," Anderson said. The Isla San Marcos Yellowtail Shootout Tournament was scheduled May 17-18, 2008, with an entry fee of $30 and proceeds to support the church and youth athletic programs on the island. "The captain's meeting is scheduled at my house in San Bruno for May 16th," Anderson said. "Mike Kanzler has put together some great prizes. There are hats and tee-shirts which are awesome. This is a great tournament and goes for a worthy cause so if you can manage to get down here around that time be sure to enter."

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Larry Omen of Bahia de los Angeles said local fishing was hampered by unfavorable winds and weather. "I got out a few times for bottom fish but yellowtail fishing is very spotty," Omen said. Bahia de los Angeles local fishing area water temperatures were still cool at 55 to 56 degrees and yellowtail had not begun their spring movement.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Jim Johnston of Downieville, Calif., reported on fishing at Los Machos on the west side of Isla Angel de la Guarda with trip partner Frank Edwards and local panguero Capt. Joel Prieto for a catch of 5 yellowtail averaging 20 pounds on jigs plus "a pile" of giant jawfish, also called "L.A. Bay lingcod," hooked on strips of Humboldt giant squid bait caught earlier. Bahia de los Angeles water temperatures ranged from 60 degrees near shore to a low of 54 degrees. "We had to wait out the wind but got out," Johnston said. "Joel is a great skipper, grew up on the beach, speaks English moderately, has a good sense of fish, and good boat. We stayed at Campo Archelon run by Antonio Resendiz. It is located 4 miles north of the Bahia de los Angeles downtown and has casitas and palapas, a great place to stay."

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tony Reyes Sr. of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on an early season special 4-day trip by the panga mothership Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe on April 6, 2008, with a catch of: 35 yellowtail of 10 to 15 pounds, 46 cabrilla of 6 to 15 pounds, Mexican sportfishing limits of spotted bay bass, 2 grouper of 40 and 58 pounds, 5 whitefish of 3 pounds, 8 sierra mackerel of 8 to 12 pounds, and some small grouper released. Angler Amy Brown of Temecula, Calif., wrote of the trip, "I had never been deep sea fishing. Words can't describe what an incredible time I had. I came with 8 family members and friends. This is a world class trip. Tony and his crew have a fantastic operation. Every single person on this trip caught an amazing amount of fish. The attention to detail by Tony and his crew is great. The food was incredible and the staterooms are great. Next year we plan on having a whole boat for just our family."

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of San Felipe's Title Company Bookstore reported "once again perfect" weather at the north end of the Sea of Cortez at 78 degrees, with a relative humidity of 30 percent and calm seas following a day of strong wind and blowing dust. "Everyone in San Felipe is looking forward to 'Woofstock' this Saturday at the social salon in the ejido north of town," Meders said. "It will be super if there is an atmosphere similar to the great 60s Woodstock minus the drugs of course. Lots of good music and comedy acts and a silent auction and motorcycle show should make it a super day. The festival is being held to benefit San Felipe Animal Rescue, a marvelous cause."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Jon Jen Charters of San Carlos reported spotty action in wind following a period of calm weather that had boats scoring 6 to 8 yellowtail per outing. "With wind blowing like the dickin's, some boats were only getting to Punta San Antonio," Jon Jen said. "We had boats out 4 of the last 7 days only to see limited success. There was lots of good bottom fishing with boats breaking off a lot of fish." A Catch-22 Sportfishing boat ran 46 miles south of San Carlos but found no action.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 33 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats fishing out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 15 striped marlin, 3 sailfish, 37 dorado, 1 mako shark, and 3 yellowfin tuna. Fifteen inshore super pangas had a catch of: 8 jack crevalle, 3 corvina, 1 big red snapper, 5 cabrilla to 35 pounds, 2 baquetas, 17 pargo averaging 10 pounds, 20 mojarra, 2 conejo, and 8 lengua. "It appears that fishing has finally turned the corner at Mazatlan and picked up considerably this week from where it has been," Edwards said. "Inshore catches reflected a wide variety of fish." Mazatlan fishing area weather was sunny and calm in the high-80s, with light sea breezes and water temperatures at 73 to 74 degrees inshore and 76 to 77 degrees offshore. Offshore boats fished 20 to 30 miles southwest of Mazatlan, mostly with slow-trolled rigged baits.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Kurt Hjort of Esperanza Sportfishing reported improved fishing conditions in still variable April currents and very good inshore action north of Punta Mita found by the charter boat Esperanza for large roosterfish of 30 to 45 pounds, amberjack of 10 to 50 pounds, pompano on vertical jigs and live bait, and jack crevalle hitting Rapalas, live bait, and poppers. "It is still April so the currents play tricks on us at times," Hjort said. "But the inshore bite was insane this week just north of Punta Mita." Boats running offshore to Roca Corbeteña and El Banco reported good numbers of yellowfin tuna of 20 to 40 pounds plus some to 80 pounds. Capt. Danny Gomez of the charter panga Dhamar scored 10 tuna to 50 pounds plus a 40-pound amberjack during a midweek run to El Banco. "Offshore boats are also loading up on amberjack, snappers, and a myriad other structure loving creatures," Hjort said.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: For the previous week, Travis Yaddow of Master Baiter's Sportfishing & Tackle said offshore runs 60 to 70 miles out of Puerto Vallarta produced good numbers of 10 to 35-pound yellowfin tuna, some larger dorado, and occasional striped marlin. "Being that it was such a far run to get into these warmer waters, many opted to fish closer in by the Marietas Islands, El Moro, and the north side of Punta Mita where we had great fishing for the sierra, pompano, jack crevalle, snappers, some good-size roosters, and the list goes on," Yaddow said.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said fluctuating spring currents again moved blue water out past the 20-mile mark and sailfish counts fell off for Ixtapa sportfishing boats. The week's best counts were turned in by Capts. Cheva and Adolofo on the charter boats Dos Hermanos I and Dos Hermanos II, who combined for 10 sailfish during a run out to 40 miles in search of tuna. Other boats averaged about 1 or 2 sailfish per day. Inshore boats reported all-day action for jack crevalle and some small roosterfish at Las Saladitas. "Although this is prime marlin season very few marlin were reported last week," Edwards said. "But yellowfin tuna were reported beyond the 60-mile mark." Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was sunny and calm-to-moderate in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 79 degrees inshore and 82 to 83 degrees at the 20-mile mark.

MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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MEXICO FISHING: Mike Connolly of the Pisces Fleet charter boat Falcon at Cabo San Lucas reported on a very good freshwater bass fishing trip to Lake Baccarac, Sinaloa, Mexico, east of Los Mochis. "The last of April, 4 of us caught 55 bass over 10 pounds in 3 days!" Connolly said. "Many of the bass were way over 10 pounds, 2 were over 15 pounds, and 26 were over 10 pounds on the second day alone. It was a bit over an hour's flight from Cabo San Lucas, then 2-and-a-half hours to the Baccarac Lodge. The bass fishing was unbelievable."

MEXICO FISHING: David Burns of Tecolutla on Mexico's Atlantic coast near Veracruz said local fishing has been slow following last fall's hurricanes, but "things are quickly returning to normal" both from the beach and for king mackerel a short distance offshore. Beach fishing sessions produced pompano, whiting, and croaker, including some "almost every cast" action. "This entire week has seen every commercial and sport fisherman congregated some 20 minutes offshore in fruitful efforts to catch the awesome peto or king mackerel," Burns said. "I went out and hooked up 4 times but lost the first 3 to rusty dull hooks. My fault for borrowing from the wrong guy. As soon as I hooked up with fresh ones I had a nice 4 pounder in the boat. On the day, 3 of us took home 6 of these tasty fighters. Every boat brought home multiple mackerels and the fisherman are pleased that the fish have returned in force." The annual Tecolutla snook tournament in February was won by angler Ricardo Manzana with a snook weighed in at 6.4 kilos. "He can be seen around town driving his new car for the effort," Burns said.

"And this serves as a nice segue into an open invitation to attend this year's Tarpon Tournament being held at Tecolutla on May 1-3, 2008. First prize is a new car and the next 10 runners up win a rod and reel combo. Initiation is $250. I've arranged for hotel rooms at a cost of $20 per night for 1 or 2 occupants. The rooms are simple but comfortable with ensuite bathrooms and cable TV. Of course reasonably priced but delicious meals are available at the El Manglar Restaurant. As far as boat and guide options go, there are several to choose from including simple pangas all the way up to a 27-foot Fourwinds cruiser with galley and head. Sergeant Rock is offering up the Regina del Golfo for $1,500 which includes gear, bait, guide, sandwiches, and beer and pop for the 3 days. You just need to show up with proper attire and sun block. This boat accommodates 3 fisherman comfortably but a fourth can be accommodated if necessary. If that sounds too rich for your blood we can explore less costly options. Ground transportation is available from the airports at either Poza Rica or Veracruz or a guide can you meet you at the border if you're driving down for additional costs. Don't hesitate to contact me with questions by email, senorburnsy@hotmail.com, or by phone at 011-52-766-846-0515, if dialing from the U.S. or Canada. If you have interest in fighting a 150-pound tarpon come on down south of the border for some sportfishing fun."

La Paz Mexico Yellowtail Fishing Photo 1

LA PAZ ON FIRE--Monica Calin of La Paz and Kevin Breehn of San Francisco scored Mexican sportfishing limits on quality yellowtail in the hot panga action at La Paz during this trip to El Bajo north of the city with Tailhunter International. At right, Kevin Breehn with a couple of nice ones caught with Tailhunter. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz Mexico Fishing Photo 3

LOS MUERTOS PANGAS--John More, right, of Orange, Calif., fished on a Tortuga Sportfishing panga out of La Paz' Ensenada de los Muertos with Tortuga Capt. Nufo Green, left, and found good action including quality yellowtail like this one. In the background is the Giggling Marlin restaurant near the panga launch beach at the northeast corner of the bay. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz Mexico Yellowtail Photo 1

LA PAZ WALL-TO-WALL--Jonathan Roldan, front, of La Paz' Tailhunter International helps clients celebrate a great day on dorado and big yellowtail caught in outstanding panga action south of the city out of Ensenada de los Muertos. Showing off part of the catch are Oregon and California anglers, from left, Pete Schuller, Larry Parnell, Patrick Ireton, Jillene Stevens, John Drucker, Bob Handigard, and Stacy Amos. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

San Diego Anglers Fishing Award Photo 1

ENSENADA FISHING LADY--Gail Ross of the Ensenada boat Bad Dog collected a Shimano reel from San Diego Anglers President Al Schneid for her All Around Woman Angler of the Year award during a banquet at San Diego's Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Ross took first place for 2007 with the club's first marlin of the year plus largest albacore, barracuda, bonito, dorado, marlin, rockfish, yellowfin tuna, and yellowtail. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ROSS.

Ensenada Mexico Fishing Photo 1

THREE-PANGA FIREMEN--This group of firemen from San Francisco fished at Ensenada aboard the Vonny's Fleet charter pangas Vonny I, Vonny II, and Vonny IV with Capts. Beto, Hector, and Vicente for limits all around on salmon grouper, lingcod, red rockcod, and ocean whitefish. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Puerto Lopez Mateo Mexico Giant Black Sea Bass Photo 1

MAGDALENA BAY BIGGIE I.D.--Jeff Petersen of Lopez Sportsman's Lodge at Magdalena Bay's Puerto Lopez Mateos provided catch details for this large mero or giant sea bass photo sent by Alberto Tapia Landeros of the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California at Mexicali. According to Lopez Mateos local Gabby, the man in the photo was not the angler, but a visitor to the area. Said Petersen, "The image is common in Lopez, sold in quantity at a concession located at the whale dock. Alejandrina Sandoval of Puerto Lopez Mateos says the fish is a mero. It was taken from the estero of Lopez Mateos, Baja California Sur, in the first week of April, by the Galindo family fishermen. It was caught with a net. Its weight was 300 kilos and length 2.76 meters." PHOTO COURTESY OF ALBERTO TAPIA.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 2

BIG CABO SQUIRT--Mario Borjorges, 5, wisely keeps his distance from this 25-pound class Humboldt giant squid held by Pisces Fleet Sportfishing's Capt. Julio Castro during a Cabo San Lucas outing aboard the charter boat Tracy Ann last week. Mario brought the feisty calamari dinner aboard after a 20-minute fight. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACY EHRENBERG.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Roosterfish Photo 1

CABO FLY ROOSTER--Bill Schoger landed this nice near-shore roosterfish during a Cabo San Lucas fly fishing trip with Capt. Arturo of Baja Anglers aboard the charter boat Flying Fish III. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT HARTMAN.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico Fishing Photo 1

CABO PHOTO DISTRACTION--The photographer, possibly distracted by the attractive scenery, cut off the head of the larger yellowtail in this picture, but Ali Sinocek is shown with the smaller fish, along with Brian Stuhr, during a fishing session aboard the Cabo San Lucas charter panga Cheer's with Capt. Ramon Druck that also produced sierra and a couple of yellowfin tuna. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Tuna Fishing Photo 1

LOS CABOS FOOTBALL--San Jose del Cabo panga Capt. Tony Miranda with a football yellowfin tuna at the new Puerto Los Cabos marina. The fish was one of 20 tuna caught by clients during a Gordo Banks Pangas outing about 3 to 4 miles off Santa Maria. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

San Jose del Cabo Mexico Dorado Fishing Photo 1

CLOSER-IN DORADO--As blue water and pelagic migrators moved closer to the Los Cabos area of Baja last week, Gordo Banks Pangas Capt. Marcelo Gonzalez showed off a 15-pound class dorado taken on a panga-trolled lure off Chileno between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

East Cape Mexico Porpoise Photo 1

East Cape Mexico Diving Photo 1

EAST CAPE SIGHTINGS--Sea life encounters during East Cape dive trips by Vista Sea Sport last week included dozens of coral reef fish species, these bottlenose dolphin photographed by Kristen Everett, and a formation of "flying" manta rays found by Sean Gorman at the Cabo Pulmo Marine Park. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SIMON CAZALY.

Sea of Cortez Mexico Jointed Rebel Lure Fishing Photo 1

BAJA REBEL FISHING--Ross Taylor and his son Zane, 6, show off a nice yellow snapper that hit an orange-gold Jointed Rebel Fastrac lure during a Baja fishing and sailing trip that tested the coast from East Cape to north of La Paz. Said Taylor, "The orange-gold Rebel Fastrac was the number-one hot lure for us." PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSS TAYLOR.

Loreto Mexico Fishing Photo 1

BIG CATALANA YELLOWTAIL--Bill Erhardt of Loreto fished solo south of town in slowing action around Isla Catalana last week on his boat Soledad for 8 yellowtail in 3 trips. This circle hooked, 40-pound class fish was released after a photo op. PHOTO COURTESY OF RON BEITELSPACHER.

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Fishing Photo 1

Bahia de los Angeles Mexico Sunset Photo 1

LOS MACHOS YELLOWTAIL--Jim Johnston, left, and Frank Edwards ran out from Bahia de los Angeles to the Los Machos fishing spot on Isla Angel de la Guarda with local Capt. Joel Prieto for 5 of these yellowtail and a lot of giant jawfish. They stayed at Campo Archelon just north of town. Below, Jay Shuff's photo of the Baja coast near Bahia de los Angeles, looking south toward San Francisquito. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JIM JOHNSTON.

Sea of Cortez Mexico Panga Fishing Photo 1

MIDRIFF MOTHERSHIP PANGAS--In a Baja tradition going back more than half a century, a panga fishes the remote Sea of Cortez Midriff islands during a trip by the San Felipe mothership Tony Reyes. Amy Brown's group from Temecula returned with the boat to San Felipe after an early season 4-day trip last week. PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHERINE HAMMONTRE.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Roosterfish Fishing Photo 1

Puerto Vallarta Mexico African Pompano Fishing Photo 1

HOT VALLARTA ROOSTERS--Tom Davidson and fishing trip partner Kevin of San Francisco had an outstanding 11 big roosterfish day with these 35 to 45 pounders plus another 6 fish lost during a session north of Punta Mita aboard the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Esperanza. Below, Anthony Blindhiem and his group did well aboard the Esperanza on jack crevalle and this tasty African pompano. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KURT HJORT.

Zihuatanejo Mexico Jumping Sailfish Photo 1

FROZEN IN TIME--A spectacular high-speed photo of a dripping Ixtapa Zihuatanejo sailfish taken by Mike Bulkey as the fish leaped from the water during an outing aboard the charter boat Huntress. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL PHILLIPS.

Zihuatanejo Mexico Fishing Photo 1

OUTSIDE ZIHUAT TUNA--Mike Bulkey, right, ran out 30 miles southwest of Zihuatanejo with Capt. Francisco of the charter boat Huntress where these nice yellowfin tuna were found with porpoise. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL PHILLIPS.

Tecolutla Mexico Surf Fishing Photo 1

ATLANTIC MEXICO POMPANO--David Burns of Tecolutla, Mexico, near Veracruz, with a surf-caught pompano. King mackerel, or "peto" were being hooked by boats about 20 minutes out, and the town's annual Tarpon Tournament, with a new car as the grand prize, was scheduled for May 1-3, 2008. Information, senorburnsy@hotmail.com, 011-52-766-846-0515. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID BURNS.

Isla San Roque Mexico Abalone Diving Photo 1

BAJA ABALONE SEASON--A commercial abalone dive boat approaches the rocks of Isla San Roque, near Bahia Asuncion on Baja's central Pacific coast. Said Shari Bondy of Bahia Asuncion's Baja Bed & Breakfast, "They shut the engine down, fire up the air compressor, and the diver gears up and jumps in, with the dive tender looking after his air hose. The boat driver mans the oars to keep them off the rocks. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHARI BONDY.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES