San Quintin fishing season opens up for summer;

Sailfish join Loreto dorado fest

Mexico Fishing News, August 4, 2008

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Marita Melville of Don Eddie's Landing reported good action for yellowtail, dorado, yellowfin tuna, halibut, and white seabass as San Quintin fishing waters averaged 65 to 67 degrees, in warm, sunny, summer conditions. "There has also been no swell on the water," Melville said.

"These past few days have been perfect, beautiful days for fishing at San Quintin.

Top outings for the week included a run to Socorro for 10 white seabass to 49 pounds by Capt. Juan Cook, Bill Johnson, and Fernando Garcia, in 67-degree water, using mackerel bait-tipped Krocodile lures.

"The guys only lost 3 white seabass," Melville said. "Every 10 to 15 minutes they were hooking fish."

Other San Quintin fishing trips during the week included Capt. Pancho Berellesa for 6 white seabass to 35 pounds, Capt. Juan Cook for 12 yellowtail to 18 pounds plus 6 dorado, and several outings by the M&K Marine group of 9 boats for good results on dorado, yellowtail, yellowfin tuna, and an 87-pound black sea bass.

"They saw some dolphins and knew right away they would get some fish," Melville said. "Other boats came in with yellowtail, dorado, and a couple of white seabass."

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his charter pangas fishing at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda scored steady Mexican fishing limits of bonita and the usual mix of bottom fish, plus some biggies including halibut of 23 and 47 pounds, a 37-pound yellowtail, and 1 white seabass at 38 pounds.

Angler Jim Davison and his group had limits of mixed species and then hooked their 23-pound halibut near the beach while they were waiting for the Vonny's Fleet trailer to pick them up. Other anglers with Mexican sportfishing limits or near limits caught with Capts. Beto and Hector on the pangas Vonny I and Vonny III included: Mike Sana of Los Angeles, Calif., Benjamin Novelo of Ensenada, Ricardo Rosales of Los Angeles, Ken Watson of San Diego, Calif, Ryan Brown of North Carolina, and Nathan Hooper of Yucca Valley, Calif.

Ensenada fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-70s, with light winds, ocean swells of 2 feet, and water temperatures at Punta Banda averaging 62 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the Ensenada sportfishing boat Bad Dog at Marina Coral reported on a 158-mile offshore day for a catch of 2 albacore and 1 dorado. "We arrived on the 238 spot and put out lines in the dark with 5-foot seas and the wind blowing 10 knots," Ross said. "We found no life in the area, set a course for the 295, and when just about there got a single jig strike on one of the black 7 Strand Tuna Clone feathers in my 5-jig all-black pattern, but this fish spit the jig as he came to the boat.

"Six miles short of the double 220s in 69.9-degree water a dorado grabbed a darkie and it weighed 17.5 pounds.

"At 2 p.m., the infamous Carrot Top Daisy Chain prevailed and a 9.5-pound albacore inhaled the jig next to two seiners fishing at 31.40 117.44 in 68-degree blue water.

"Just outside of the 1010 trench in 67.7-degree water we found the seiner fleet. There were 10 of them. I can't believe they are using all that manpower to set on these small packs of fish, which must be bluefin tuna. Or perhaps I was metering what was left of a large school. All I know is that the fish wouldn't come up to Bad Dog."

"We tried a dozen kelp paddies with no luck at all, and we have still not caught one yellowtail this season under a kelp paddy."

Ross also noted an excellent description of the fish species differences between yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna written by David Itano of the University of Hawaii. BIGEYE VS. YELLOWFIN TUNA.PDF.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the previous week, Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet at Ensenada's Marina Coral reported on a 28-mile offshore run by the charter boat Amigo to fish around the 450 spot with 4 anglers for Mexican sportfishing limits of 12 to 15-pound yellowtail. "Early in the morning, we found a small kelp paddy loaded with yellowtail and got limits," Susarrey said. "We returned early to Marina Coral."

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Jose Angel Pacheco of the Cedros Outdoor Adventures Baja fly-in fishing service reported a good trip to Isla Cedros with 5 anglers for yellowtail to 44 pounds caught around the south end of the island. "The fishing for yellowtail was incredible," Pacheco said. "So many!" Five anglers flown to Isla Cedros from Ensenada and fishing on 2 pangas for 3 days had a catch of: 36 yellowtail, 1 large grouper, 25 calico bass, 10 sheephead, 6 barracuda, and some miscellaneous fish.

"We arrived at Isla Cedros on Friday and went fishing that same afternoon for about 5 hours," Pacheco said. "We went to Bajo San Agustin because of reports of abundant yellowtail. We found out they were true! Dozens were swimming by our pangas and splashing in every direction. In the afternoon we relaxed at the kelp beds and got big calicos.

"The fishing was done with bottom jigs, scampies, and Rapalas, as well as dead bait. The panga drivers took home the fish that we didn’t release."

Baja central Pacific coastal fishing weather at Isla Cedros was sunny and almost windless, with clear water, visibility at more than 40 feet, and the water temperature at about 70 degrees.

Cedros Outdoor Adventures anglers are transported by van from San Diego to Ensenada, where they board aircraft bound for various Baja fishing locations, with lodging and meals provided in addition to fishing. "We have openings for August and September but space is very limited," Pacheco said. "Custom trips are available for other dates or small groups. Information, Cedrosoutdooradventures.com, or ask for Jose at 619-793-5419.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Shari Bondy of Baja Bed & Breakfast at Bahia Asuncion on the central Pacific coast reported abundant halibut in the bay and around the bay, including a first-ever halibut speared at San Roque by Scott Jacobson of Woodlands, Calif. "The ocean is finally warming up at Bahia Asuncion," Bondy said. "There are lots of sardines, water visibility is starting to clear up, and the local Mexican fishermen are diving for caracol and sea cucumber now. Clients panga fishing with Capt. Juan Arce of Arce Bros. Sportfishing caught calico bass, whitefish, spotted bay bass, and mixed species. "The Mexican commercial fishermen at San Hipolito reported 8 tons of yellowtail caught in one day," Bondy said. "The yellowtail had come into about 6 miles off and they were heading north. Maybe next week we'll get the first yellowtail of the season at Bahia Asuncion."

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported improving action offshore of Magdalena Bay that included some good quality dorado weighed during the San Carlos segment of the Baja California Sur statewide Governor's Cup fishing tournament series. Winning fish at San Carlos were: first place, Robert Hoyt, 30.2-pound dorado; second, Marcos Simental, 28.2-pound dorado; third, Jose Mendivil, 27.8 pound dorado; fourth, Sergio Garcia, 26.0-pound dorado; and fifth, Ruben Ruiz Ortiz, 25.8-pound yellowtail. "There were also some reports of marlin and one 40-pound wahoo," Graham said. Fishing inside the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels was slow for a few grouper, pargo, and corvina. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was clear in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 60 to 76 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 31 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo, Fish Cabo I, and Tuna Time, with a catch including released fish of: 14 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 1 wahoo, 5 dorado, and 24 yellowfin tuna. "Fishing at Cabo San Lucas has been relatively slow over the past week or so," Edwards said, "even though the water temperatures are up and the overall fishing conditions appear to be nothing short of excellent. A few blue marlin are appearing in the patterns but very few of them seem eager to bite. The fish were scattered throughout the lower Pacific side of the Baja peninsula." Cabo San Lucas sportfishing area weather was in the high-90s, with light winds and generally good water clarity. Most fish were taken on live caballito baits.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jorge Narro of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas reported relatively slow fishing with a 64 percent success rate for all species combined, but with some blue marlin showing up in the counts. Top outings during the week included the Pisces charter boat Rebecca with a 200-pound blue marlin that could not be released, and the super panga Cabo Playa with a 270 pounder caught less than 10 miles off San Jose del Cabo. "Last week was not the best for billfish," Narro said. "There is lot of bait available, tons of mackerel and caballito and flying fish, and this is making the fish hard to catch. We cast a bait and hit them on the head, but they are feasting all day. It was also a bit slow for yellowfin tuna and dorado for the same reason. When the excess of bait goes away, we will go back to our usual catches." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was mostly calm, with water temperatures of 76 to 83 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 90 charters, with a catch including released fish of: 10 blue marlin, 8 sailfish, 46 striped marlin, 17 yellowfin tuna, 4 mako shark, 68 dorado, 6 wahoo, 1 hammerhead, 6 skipjack, 3 bonito, cabrilla, and a large assortment of pargo, sierra, and roosterfish.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 10 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 6 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 1 small yellowfin tuna, 5 small dorado, 3 other dorado, 3 dorado of 25 to about 55 pounds, and 1 small amberjack.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Durance Lowendick of Marlin Masters Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas reported a 200-plus pound yellowfin tuna landed after a 3-hour fight aboard the charter boat Marlin Master VI. "The yellowfin struck a trolled feather about 22 miles off land's end," Lowendick said "Tunas have been increasing in size over the past several weeks. Striped Marlin action has been fair, but we can also report a significant increase in blue marlin action." The boat Marlin Master I also reported a 60-pound wahoo landed.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the week ending July 27, 2008, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said, "For blue marlin, the water at Cabo San Lucas has reached the perfect temperature and almost every day one of the boats has gotten into some decent blues. Most of the blue marlin so far have been between 150 and 300 pounds." Cabo San Lucas fishing area water temperatures were at 83 to 84 degrees on the Pacific side, 82 to 83 degrees straight south, and 85 to 87 degrees going up the Sea of Cortez side.

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 48 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing out of San Jose del Cabo's Puerto Los Cabos marina, with a catch including released fish of: 98 dorado, 12 yellowfin tuna, 2 blue marlin, 4 sailfish, 6 striped marlin, 11 hammerhead shark, 1 wahoo, 180 skipjack, 13 sierra, 15 amberjack, 46 roosterfish, 9 dog snapper, 17 cabrilla, 15 triggerfish, 33 assorted snappers, and 9 jack crevalle. Los Cabos fishing area weather was settling and clearing, with no tropical disturbances recently and clear blue water at 80 to 85 degrees, as pangas fished in all directions. "San Jose del Cabo fishing improved over the week as conditions stabilized," Brictson said. "As long as the weather holds, we expect more consistent blue water action in the coming weeks. For the past few days one of the better areas to locate bolito baits was near the San Luis Bank and this is where both panga and cruiser charters are trolling for dorado and billfish. More blue marlin and sailfish are appearing. The majority of the blues were in the 150 to 250-pound class but there have been reports of much larger fish seen coming up on the bait spreads."

Strong currents hampered deep bottom fishing, as larger dog snappers moved out to 120 to 140 feet deep and many were lost. "Soaking bolito baits or chumming and chunking with skipjack resulted in some monster hookups although few were conquered," Brictson said.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Lewis of San Jose del Cabo reported on 2 outings aboard his boat Dos Gueros, fishing off the tip of Baja with his son Austin Lewis for a catch including released fish of: 4 dorado of 8 to over 30 pounds, and 6 roosterfish caught in about 15 minutes during a ride back to the marina. "Sardinas are plentiful right now," Lewis said. "The tourist traffic is very slow down here now, so there are not many pangas out. We ran to the Iman bank and only saw one other boat there. Conditions are good right now with warm seas and not much swell. Afternoon breezes have been brisk so it is good to get off the water before 2 p.m. The tuna are not around and that is a puzzle. The word is they are up east around Cabo Pulmo. Maybe they will turn in this direction soon and we can get a shot." Los Cabos fishing area water temperatures were at 83 degrees, with deep blue color.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said East Cape fish catches were led by a few larger dorado and a few larger billfish, all relatively tight to the beach. Fifty-six boats were fishing in the Bisbee's East Cape Offshore Tournament, with fish weighed including a 360.0-pound blue marlin by angler John Martin aboard the boat Wildcatter, and a 47.2-pound dorado by Jeff Marek aboard the Venture. "Football-sized tuna can also be found up north at Isla Cerralvo or down south at Cabo Pulmo," Graham said. "But the better quality tuna are being found farther offshore under the porpoise."

East Cape inshore and beach fishing produced roosterfish and some jack crevalle and pompano. East Cape fishing area weather was mostly clear in the high-90s, with water temperatures of 76 to 86 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending July 24, 2008, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 275 charter boats from combined fleets including Hotels Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, Punta Colorada, Buena Vista Beach Resort, Rancho Leonero, and Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort, with 798 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 12 blue marlin, 80 striped marlin, 31 sailfish, 211 dorado, 435 yellowfin tuna, 4 wahoo, 2 cabrilla, and 3 triggerfish. East Cape fishing area weather was in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 76 to 90 degrees, mostly smooth seas, and light winds to about 11 knots.

"East Cape fishing is still pretty much all about the yellowfin tuna bite although both billfish dorado were a bit better," Moyers said. "The yellowfin tuna bite is keeping us afloat down here at East Cape. Ahi were reported to the north off Punta Pescadero out near the shark buoys, near the 88 Bank, and off Isla Cerralvo. Tuna were also reported to the south off Punta Arena, Cabo Pulmo, and Los Frailes."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport diving service at East Cape reported water temperatures at depth into the low-80s, with visibility at 50 to 70 feet. On a dive trip north at Punta Perico, Cazaly said, "It looked stunning in the clear water, with big boulders, long swim-throughs and interesting rock formations. There is always interesting marine life to be found. Lots of nudibranchs were seen this time, two of which I had not seen before."

Other sea life sightings at Punta Perico and south at the Cabo Pulmo coral reef park included Panamic green moray eels and an 8-foot bull shark. "After about 10 minutes I heard a shout and turned to see one of my divers wide-eyed and pointing excitedly," Cazaly said. "I turned to catch a glimpse of a stocky bull shark, an imposing presence. For the rest of the dive the shark would swim past, checking us out, and then would slowly melt into the background, an awesome creature!"

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending July 24, 2008, Ana Lizeth Velazquez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 41 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin, 11 striped marlin, 7 sailfish, 30 dorado, 96 tuna, 2 grouper to 123 pounds, 22 snappers, 2 amberjack, 2 triggerfish, 5 cabrilla, and 6 skipjack. East Cape fishing area weather was in the high-90s, with water temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees. "East Cape water conditions continue to be almost perfect," Velazquez said. "We started the week with heavy rain for a couple of hours and a lot of humidity for the rest of the week, so it seems to be hotter than it is, but you can cool off in the pool." Buena Vista Beach Resort boats fished out to 40 miles for tuna, and closer for billfish and dorado. Baits available included sardina, caballito, mullet, and halfbeak or ballyhoo.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Marisol Verdugo of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort said fleet boats got good results on football yellowfin tuna while fishing north at El Cardonal and south at the Punta Arena lighthouse. "We also got lots of small dorado, some of them to about 15 pounds," Verdugo said. "There were also some larger dorado but not as many as the small ones. Quite a few blue marlin, striped marlin, and sailfish are being caught-and-released at East Cape. The weather is warm!"

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Furness of Santa Rosa, Calif., reported on 3 days of fishing out of Hotel Playa del Sol with Capt. Martin and first mate Alejandro aboard the charter boat Maria II, for a catch including released fish of: 5 sailfish, and 1 striped marlin. "They were all caught on dead ballyhoo bait, after being switched from the lure in the pattern," Furness said. "We never got a strike from a blue marlin nor a dorado. My buddy wanted only billfish, so we never went after the schoolie tuna." East Cape fishing area weather was warm and calm on 2 days out of 3, with water temperatures at 82 to 86 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending July 28, 2008, John Ireland of Rancho Leonero reported East Cape fishing area weather unseasonably cool in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 80 to 84 degrees, calm seas, and fish counts led by good results on dorado and tuna. "Fishing at East Cape slowed at midweek but really picked up in the last few days," Ireland said. "Smaller, 5 to 20-pound tuna are schooling just outside of Cabo Pulmo Park. Most of these smaller fish are being taken on sardinas. Larger solitary yellowfin tuna to 50 pounds were taken very close to shore, less than a half-a-mile off the lighthouse." Top outings during the week included Gary Barnes-Webb of Rancho Leonero on his panga with Nick Price, for a half-day catch including released fish of: 3 pargo to 20 pounds, 1 roosterfish of 40 pounds, and 1 dorado of 37 pounds.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said the best fishing for school-sized yellowfin tuna during the week was on the south side of the hill out of Las Arenas. "What a turnaround," Roldan said. "This week with the moon on the wane, the La Paz-side dorado were lockjawed and Las Arenas was the hotspot because the tuna made their first sustained bite of the season around Isla Cerralvo, at the 88 Bank, and southwards towards Punta Pescadero. Nice football grade tuna finally showed up and boats were getting their Mexican limits or near-limits."

Dorado were present but not biting well on the Las Arenas side. "There were lots of dorado around," Roldan said. "These were the same guys that bit like crazy during the full moon, but for some reason, they'd swim up to the baits and turn their noses away from it. It was the same with the marlin. However, as the fishing week progressed the dorado bite came on stronger."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said his charter pangas fishing on the Las Arenas side found some periods of complete calm seas, as full summer conditions prevailed and air temperatures averaged about 95 degrees. "For this period, our boats found the best fishing at Las Cruces," Hernandez said. "In that area they caught dorado of 20 to 30 pounds around the buoys. To the south at Boca del Alamo, we caught medium-sized tuna in good numbers, and also some dorado. Along shore around Boca del Alamo we also caught some smaller roosterfish. The bigger roosterfish were caught around the Punta Arena de la Ventana lighthouse."

Sardina baits were in good supply at the south end of Isla Cerralvo.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported continued wide-open dorado action near town as 132 panga outings with mostly fly fishing tackle anglers turned in a fish count including released fish of: 3,632 dorado to 20 to 50 pounds. Loreto fishing area weather continued excellent, with calm seas and water temperatures of 80 to 82 degrees. Most pangas fished the area beginning at about 5 miles northeast of Isla Coronado. Baits available included sardinas and mackerel. "This week, we had two large groups of fly fishing anglers, one departing when the other was arriving," Zapata said. "Both groups totaled 71 fishermen. We also had 13 conventional fishermen."

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto said, "The dorado fishing northeast of Loreto between Islas Coronado and Carmen that is making this a bumper year for local pangueros and bait sellers continued apace this week.

"Clusters of pangas dot the Loreto fishing area, mining schools of hungry fish that are often, but not always, holding around seaweed paddies.

"Conventional and fly fishermen arriving at Loreto to sample some of the best dorado fishing in years are returning to the marina early, tired, and happy.

"But the new development is that, all of a sudden, the sailfish that have been scattered about the area for the last few weeks but generally not very hungry have found their appetites. Concentrations of sailfish can be found slashing bait balls and in these feeding frenzies they will eagerly accept offerings of either natural bait or artificial lures."

An outing by Erhardt's boat Soledad found an afternoon hotspot of mixed dorado and sailfish that produced catch-and-release action for 6 sailfish and 3 dorado. "For five hours in the morning I trolled large feathers at the outer extreme of the area holding dorado, hoping for marlin or big dorado, but found nothing," Erhardt said. "In the afternoon I moved in closer to shore and found schooling sailfish with dorado in their midst. I released 6 sailfish and 2 dorado, and kept one mid-30s bull.

"Ron Beitelspacher and friends on the Sonrisa and the Lindeleafs on the Gottafish joined me for the action along with one private panga. No other boats were in the area all afternoon. Sailfish on light tackle are a nice break from a steady diet of dorado for the past couple of months."

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Currie of Long Beach, Calif., returned from 5 days of fishing out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis with Capt. Valenta Murillo Davis on the charter panga Teresa, for Mexican dorado limits of 2 dorado per angler each day. "The police inspected each boat as they returned," Currie said. "People should not go over the limit. There were problems with an American group the week prior." Currie also noted that Mexican bag limits were apparently not being enforced for other species.

Dorado action was excellent. Currie said, "It was pick-and-choose fishing. I averaged about 10 dorado per day, keeping only the 2 biggest. My biggest dorado was 35 pounds. The average size was 20 pounds."

Bait fish were being sold at the Loreto marina at $25 for 20 baits, all mackerel.

Currie said he was actually at Loreto to target yellowtail. "I mainly went down for yellowtail," he said. "Dorado are too stupid. I caught 5 yellowtail. The biggest was 35 pounds. I used Salas blue-and-white 6X Jr. and mackerel baits on 60-pound test. The 35 pounder was caught on a jig. These yellowtail were located at the San Bruno reef and La Choya about 160 feet down deep."

Loreto fishing area weather was hot and humid, with the water temperature at 82 to 84 degrees and most pangas fishing 2 to 16 miles east of Isla Coronado. "The fishing this summer reminded me of the fishing at Loreto 10 years ago," Currie said. "Lots of dorado there."

During his drive down Baja's Mex 1 Transpeninsular Highway, Currie noted detours in Tijuana due to road construction. "They routed you through downtown," he said. "The road down Mex 1 is in good condition, with plenty of cheap gas at $2.50 a gallon and 7 military checkpoints. We had no problems with the checkpoints, very courteous."

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Baja trailer boater Steve McGill of Morro Bay, Calif., reported on a two-week trip to Bahia de los Angeles with his wife and boat 4Baja for lots of yellowtail of 8 to 20 pounds caught plus some larger fish lost, lots of peanut yellowtail and cabrilla inside the bay at Isla Smith, and a 60-pound class grouper landed to the south at Snake Island off the south end of Isla Angel de la Guarda. Bahia de los Angeles fishing area weather was in the mid-100s, with green water everywhere in the bay and green-blue water outside. Water temperatures were 68 to 78 degrees the first week, quickly warming to 78 to 84 degrees the second week.

"For the first week, it was wide-open surface yellowtail on the iron," McGill said. "For the second week, the yellows went deep with the warming water. White bonita became a pest towards the end. We heard dorado were caught out by Isla Partida and we sighted one at Punta Remedios, but it wasn't interested. The barracuda moved in and we lost a lot of gear to them."

Gasoline was in good supply at Bahia de los Angeles and few tourists were in the area.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tony Reyes Sr. of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a 6-day Midriff islands trip by the panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on July 25, 2008, with a fish count of: 55 yellowtail of 15 to 32 pounds, 2 dorado of 20 pounds, 38 cabrilla of 10 to 13 pounds, 40 squid of 18 to 35 pounds, 21 red snapper of 8 to 14 pounds, 3 sheephead of 8 pounds, 21 spotted bay bass, 2 shark of 17 pounds, and 15 miscellaneous fish.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Dana Kerby of Baja Sportfishing & Diving reported on a 6-day Midriff islands fishing trip by the panga mothership Andrea Lynn, returning to San Felipe on July 24, 2008, with charter master Jim Hill of San Diego, Calif., and 22 anglers, and a catch of: 186 cabrilla and broomtail grouper, 349 yellowtail, 8 dorado, and full Mexican fishing limits of pinto bass and mixed species. The Andrea Lynn fished at Midriff locations including San Francisquito, San Bernabe, Isla Salvatierra, Ensenada Grande, and Bahia San Luis Gonzaga. "Midriff fishing weather was good for this trip," Kerby said. Kerby also noted that the Baja Sportfishing & Diving website domain name ends in .net, not .com. Information, Bajasportfishinginc.net.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bryan Replogle of the San Carlos-Guaymas boat Margarita V reported so-so fishing results during the week. "We went out one day and only passed one big blue marlin," Replogle said. "My friend went out and caught a couple of sailfish, 3 dorado, and lost a nice blue. Another friend loaded up on a huge weed patch off of Isla Tortuga and caught a 52-pound bull dorado the next day. A few tuna and other dorado were caught on a weed patch near Isla San Pedro Nolasco. A few sailfish are coming in at San Carlos. You just have to put the time in and get lucky."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Norman Don of Tucson, Ariz., reported on an outing by the boat Doc Marlin for a catch of school-sized yellowfin tuna found on a weed paddy. "The tasty critters were caught under the largest seaweed paddy that we have seen in years," Don said. "It was found 5 miles south of San Pedro Island."

Another outing in rough sea conditions produced good results nevertheless. "On Saturday, the port captain closed San Carlos at 11:30 a.m., but we were 32 miles out at that time," Don said. "It took 3-and-a-half hours to motor in to port. Doc Marlin caught and released a marlin and 7 dorado that morning."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Jon Jen Charters at San Carlos reported mixed results during the week. "We are going 30 miles and still not finding, but getting the occasional dorado or billfish," Jon Jen said. "A Mexican squall came through, actually a remnant from Dolly, with some heavy winds. The fish are a bit closer and are biting so that's good news." Jon Jen charters crossing the Sea of Cortez to Santa Rosalia on overnight trips did well on larger dorado.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 41 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin, 30 sailfish, 25 yellowfin tuna, 1 mako shark, and 207 dorado. Seven inshore super pangas had a catch of: 25 dorado, 2 shark, and 4 sailfish. "The bite at Mazatlan has steadily improved over the past few weeks," Edwards said. "Offshore fishing produced good catches of dorado, more yellowfin tuna, a few blue marlin, and an improved bite on sailfish. Inshore fishing around the buoys was productive for dorado."

Mazatlan fishing area weather was mostly cloudy at 90 degrees, with mostly calm seas, clear water, and water temperatures of 85 to 87 degrees. Rigged baits were used for both sailfish and dorado.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle at Puerto Vallarta reported on an outing by the charter boat Sirena with Capt. Steve Torres for a catch of 27 yellowfin tuna in the 30-pound class caught at El Banco, about 50 miles out, on trolled goggle-eye baits and petrolero colored lures. "We came across a school of dolphin and the reel started screaming," Gabruk said. "The place to be this week was again El Banco and Roca Corbeteña. Marlin, sailfish and football yellowfin tuna into the 40-pound range have been on tap and hungry. Yellowfin tuna are still running small for this time of year, but boating 20 to 30 of these beauties can make your day. There’s been tons of tree stumps, coconuts, manta rays, and more in the water so most Puerto Vallarta captains will want to wait until about seven in the morning before heading out. Several boats this week have hit things and broken shafts, props, and supports.

"The bigger yellowfin tuna are running a little late this year at Puerto Vallarta. Usually you can expect to see them running in the 200-pound range by now, but with a lack of tropical weather systems pushing them up from South America they have no reason to venture up this way to Puerto Vallarta. This could change at any moment."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said Ixtapa sportfishing boats averaged 3 to 4 sailfish per day landed on 7 to 12 fish raised to the pattern. "Sailfish action has really been on the upswing," Kunze said. "Capt. Martin on the 35-foot Nautilus told me 'mucho pesca.' I feel this is part of our normal annual July mini-migration that is coming a couple of weeks later than usual."

Ixtapa fishing area weather had some tropical downpours bringing up to 5 inches of rain in a 24-hour period that blew out the inshore fishery for roosterfish. "Almost all of the rain came in three different one-hour bursts," Kunze said. "Intense rain like this really gets the rivers flowing and distributes discolored water up and down the coast. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo has had 15.5 inches of rain so far this month so it has been tough finding decent rooster action." Some action on small roosterfish was reported for the Saladita area and jack crevalle were reported plentiful at Troncones.

Ixtapa fishing area water temperatures averaged 82 degrees, with blue water 5 miles out. Air temperatures ranged from 85 to 110 degrees.

San Quintin, Mexico fishing photo 1.

QUINTIN ARMLOAD--Sportfishing Capt. Juan Cook, out of San Quintin's Don Eddie's Landing, has to take a seat while showing off a great catch of white seabass to 49 pounds scored last week with Bill Johnson and Fernando Garcia. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARITA MELVILLE.

San Quintin, Mexico fishing photo 2

BIG GROUP, NICE CATCH--Members of the M&K Marine fishing team celebrate several days of fishing at San Quintin on 9 boats for good results on yellowtail, tuna, dorado, white seabass, and an 87-pound black sea bass. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARITA MELVILLE.

Ensenada, Mexico fishing photo 1

ENSENADA DORADO--Steve Ross' Ensenada boat ran a long offshore trip of 158-miles in overall slow action, but managed a couple of albacore of 9.5 and 13.5 pounds plus this nice dorado in water temperatures of about 68 to 70 degrees. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ROSS.

Ensenada, Mexico fishing photo 2

BIG ENSENADA HALIBUT--This 47-pound halibut was caught while fishing at Ensenada aboard the Vonny's Fleet panga Vonny I with Capt. Beto. Also landing bonito and rockcods during the trip were anglers Mike Sana of Los Angeles, and Benjamin Novelo, shown, of Ensenada. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Ensenada, Mexico fishing photo 3

STILL CROAKING'--Ensenada's huge white seabass bite of the previous week took a breather last week, but Ken Watson still scored on this nice 38 pounder during an outing with Vonny's Fleet's Capt. Vicente Flores aboard the charter panga Vonny III. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Isla Cedros, Mexico fishing photo 1

Isla Cedros, Mexico fishing photo 2

Isla Cedros, Mexico fishing photo 3

ISLA CEDROS FISHING FLIGHT--Cedros Outdoor Adventures recent fly-down charter trip from Ensenada to Isla Cedros off the Baja Pacific coast found good yellowtail action on spots around the south end of the island, plus calico bass and a real nice grouper. Esvin Hernandez is shown with the grouper and yellowtail. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOSE ANGEL PACHECO.

Isla Cedros, Mexico fishing photo 4

CEDROS CALICOS--Marge Orwig having fun with calico bass at the kelp beds south of Isla Cedros during a Baja fly-down fishing charter trip with Cedros Outdoor Adventures. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSE ANGEL PACHECO.

Bahia Asuncion, Mexico fishing photo 1

Bahia Asuncion, Mexico fishing photo 2

Bahia Asuncion, Mexico fishing photo 3

BAJA PACIFIC COAST--With warming summer fishing conditions on the Pacific coast at Bahia Asuncion, spear fishing by Robert, Scott, and Eric Jacobsen at San Roque just north of Bahia Asuncion got good results on abundant halibut. Other anglers at Bahia Asuncion's Baja Bed & Breakfast had catches of cabrilla and mixed species while panga fishing with Capt. Juan Arce of Arce Bros. Sportfishing. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHARI BONDY.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico fishing photo 1

CABO FIRST-EVER SAILFISH--Frankie Joe Lococo of San Diego, Calif., celebrates his first-ever Pacific sailfish, released after this photo was snapped aboard the Cabo San Lucas charter boat Cabo Magic. PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI GARCIA.

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico fishing photo 1

PANGA BLUE MARLIN--This 263-pound blue marlin was caught off San Jose del Cabo this week by Capt. Jimmy Arista of the charter super panga Cabo Playa. Said Gordo Banks Panga's Eric Brictson, "This marlin hit a trolled bolito bait outside the San Luis Bank." PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico fishing photo 2

LOS CABOS FISHING--Austin Lewis fished off San Jose del Cabo with his father Bob Lewis for a 2-day catch topped by this nice 30-pound dorado and a hot near-shore session on roosterfish for 6 gallos caught in about 15 minutes. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB LEWIS.

East Cape, Mexico fishing photo 1

ESAUL'S BIGGIES--Esaul Valdez of East Cape's Buena Vista Beach Resort got real lucky during a fishing trip aboard a private boat with these 2 grouper weighed at 118 and 123 pounds. The fish were caught during a run to the hotel from San Jose del Cabo. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANA LIZETH VELAZQUEZ.

East Cape, Mexico diving photo 1

East Cape, Mexico diving photo 2

EAST CAPE DIVE SIGHTINGS--Dive trips last week by East Cape's Vista Sea Sport diving service featured glimpses of Panamic green moray eels on the bottom and an extended encounter with an 8-foot bull shark that decided to shadow one group of divers at Cabo Pulmo. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SIMON CAZALY.

La Paz, Mexico fishing photo 1

LA PAZ DORADO--Chad Everett of Los Angeles, Calif., on his first trip to La Paz, went fishing north of the city on a Tail Hunter International super panga off Espiritu Santo Island and got this 40-pound class bull dorado on live bait. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

La Paz, Mexico fishing photo 2

LAS ARENAS PANGAS--Carrie, Lynn, Reed, and John Barnes of Santa Clarita, Calif., fished aboard a couple of Tortuga Sportfishing pangas on La Paz' Las Arenas side south of the city for good action on tuna plus these dorado caught with Tortuga Capts. Jorge and Rigo Lucero. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz, Mexico fishing photo 3

LORETO WIDE-OPEN--Pangas fishing out of Loreto's Hotel Oasis got into fantastic dorado action last week in a wide-open bite that produced over 3,000 catch-and-release fish. Shown with a rack of nice keepers are Hotel Oasis anglers, from left, Jim Andrews, Jesse Franco, Mac Treasure, Phil Gangwish, and Bill Lapham. They fished 4 miles east of Isla Coronado with Capt. Francisco Amador. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Loreto, Mexico fishing photo 1

LORETO SAILFISH--Tom McGowan, visiting Loreto from Boise, Idaho, caught his-first ever Pacific sailfish on Wednesday, as well as a number of dorado, while fishing with Ron Beitelspacher on Ron's boat Sonrisa. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Loreto, Mexico fishing photo 2

SAILFISH TURN-ON--One of 6 sailfish caught and released Wednesday afternoon by Loreto resident Bill Erhardt while fishing solo on his boat Soledad north of town in nonstop action. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Bahia de los Angeles, Mexico fishing photo 1

Bahia de los Angeles, Mexico fishing photo 2

BAHIA TRAILER BOATING--Steve McGill and his wife fished in very good yellowtail action at Bahia de los Angeles aboard their Baja trailer boat 4Baja and also landed this nice grouper at Snake Island. PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVE MCGILL.

San Carlos, Mexico fishing photo 1

San Carlos, Mexico fishing photo 2

CORTEZ CROSSING--Trevor Kennedy with a 40-pound class bull dorado caught near Isla Tortuga during a charter crossing of the Sea of Cortez aboard the San Carlos, Sonora, boat Margarita V. Below, a sailfish hooked by Lexi Kennedy. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRYAN REPLOGLE.

San Carlos, Mexico fishing photo 3

SUSHI GRADE CATCH--Michael and Norman Don with a nice catch of football yellowfin tuna caught during an outing from San Carlos, Sonora, aboard their boat Doc Marlin. The tuna were found on a big weed paddy about 5 miles south of Isla San Pedro Nolasco. PHOTO COURTESY OF NORMAN DON.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico fishing photo 1

VALLARTA TUNA RUN--Stan Gabruk of Puerto Vallarta's Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle with a deck load of school-sized yellowfin tuna caught in good action at El Banco aboard the charter boat Sirena with Capt. Steve Torres. Twenty-seven tuna were landed on goggle-eye baits and petrolero lures. PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN GABRUK.

Sea of Cortez, Mexico fishing photo 1

SEA OF CORTEZ--A relaxing end to a charter on the Sea of Cortez by the San Carlos boat Margarita V during a trip that crossed over to the Baja coast at Santa Rosalia and found action for dorado and sailfish at Isla Tortuga. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRYAN REPLOGLE.

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