Sparky jumped
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Loreto's dorado fishing action gets humongous;
San Quintin white seabass and kelp paddies hot
Mexico Fishing News, August 11, 2008
LORETO FISHING REPORTS
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LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported on 144 charter pangas fishing during the week, with mostly fly fishing anglers, for a catch of: about 3,900 dorado, 3 sailfish, and 2 marlin, all released by fly fishing anglers; and 24 dorado of 20 to 54 pounds landed by conventional tackle anglers.
Loreto fishing area weather was excellent, with water temperatures of 80 to 82 degrees as the center of the dorado action moved a bit farther out to the northeast of Isla Coronado.
"Loreto had plenty of dorado," Zapata said. "Boats fishing this week got an average of 25 to 30 dorado each per day. The baits used have been sardinas.
LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported continued big numbers of dorado caught close to town by Loreto boats, as the dodos were joined by increasing concentrations of actively biting sailfish. Three days of fishing aboard Erhardt's boat Soledad or aboard Don and Diane Lindeleaf's boat Gottafish produced a catch including released fish of: 14 sailfish, 1 marlin, and about 20 dorado to 33 pounds.
Erhardt said, "Schooling dorado north and east of Loreto continue to bend the rods of conventional and fly fishermen who are in town keeping the panga fleet busy. But the more spectacular Loreto fishing action this week was provided by sailfish and occasional marlin that are schooling in the same area and often overlapping the schools of dorado. North of Isla Coronado it was common to see 6 or 8 billfish breaking the surface at the same time while scanning the horizon. In the most intense action, the sails and tails slashing the surface resembled feeding porpoise, while diving birds marked the spot." The week's bite produced many dorado of about 15-pounds, but with many also into the 30-pound class. "The water north of Loreto is clear and blue with only occasional clumps of seaweed," Erhardt said. "I saw no paddies in the 3 days of fishing."
Loreto fishing area water temperatures at midday were in the high 80s.
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 steady Mexico sportfishing limits of mixed bottom fish, bonito, calico bass, lingcod, red rockcod, and yellowtail of firecracker size to 34 pounds for his beach-launched pangas fishing at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda. Anglers fishing aboard the charter pangas Vonny I and Vonny IV during the week included Pam Shier and Kenny Einswerth with 4 yellowtail of 15 to 34 pounds, all on iron, Don Freddette, Jay Johnson of Ensenada, Phillip Alaniz, and Ralph Perez.
Local Ensenada fishing area weather was sunny in the mid-70s, with light winds, ocean swells at 3 feet, and water temperatures at Punta Banda averaging 62 degrees.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Louie Prieto of Ontario, Calif., reported on 2 outings from Ensenada's Maria Coral aboard his boat It's 4 Reels!, fishing locally one day for a variety catch off Punta Banda, and offshore a second day, with Ensenada's Capt. Florentino skippering, for some small dorado plus 8 yellowtail to 30 pounds on kelp paddies, and an 80-pound free-gaffed mako shark.
For local fishing, Prieto said, "Mike at Ensenada bait only had pinhead anchovies so we used fresh frozen squid, plastics, and trolled Rapalas."
For fishing offshore, Prieto said, "We made enough mini-mack and sardine baits in 41 feet of water just off the Ensenada break wall to keep us on fish for most of the day. We started fishing and catching about 6 to 7 miles short of the 238 spot. Most of the kelp paddies were holding yellowtail and or dorado. It wasn’t wide-open but we managed to pull out some nice fish along with a greedy mako shark who took some bites of a yellowtail. Capt. Florentino free-gaffed the 80-pounder and we did all we could to stay away from his sharp teeth."
Also fishing aboard the It's 4 Reels! were Roger Cortez and fishing partner Manny of Ensenada.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the Ensenada sportfishing boat Bad Dog at Marina Coral reported on 3 offshore fishing days for a combined total catch of: 2 blue shark, 2 dorado to 17.5 pounds, one day with dorado limits, 11 yellowtail, 3 yellowfin tuna to 21.5 pounds, and 2 marlin lost on 4 strikes plus another marlin in the pattern.
The marlin action all came on the second day of fishing after a night on the water of about 70 degrees around GPS numbers 31.41 117.01. "At first light we retrieved our sea anchor and began trolling with our early morning pattern in dark colors," Ross said. "At 10 a.m. we received two short marlin bites in a row just inside of the 385 spot in blue 70.9-degree water. At 2:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. we hooked two more marlin, and at 4:45 another marlin appeared in our jigs for a second and then rolled out."
ENSENADA, MEXICO: For the week ending Aug. 3, 2008, Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet at Ensenada reported on a charter outing by the boat Tamara for a catch of 13 dorado averaging 12 pounds plus 2 bluefin tuna at 15 pounds and 1 yellowtail at 15 pounds. The Tamara fished around GPS numbers 31.42 117.06. "We got some fish on kelp paddies and some in open water," Susarrey said. "We used Megabaits and small anchovies. The fish were located about 22 miles out from Marina Coral."
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 sea conditions with light wind last week as boats fishing around Punta Santo Tomas found excellent bottom action and good action on the surface. Anglers fishing on pangas during the week included James Christenson and his group who scored full Mexican sportfishing limits on bonita, barracuda, and yellowtail.
SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS
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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Marita Melville of Don Eddie's Landing said San Quintin fishing area weather was overcast in the mornings and sunny in the afternoons, as boats fishing in water temperatures of 66 to 69 degrees found white seabass south at Socorro, and dorado to 21 pounds plus yellowtail to 33 pounds while working offshore kelp paddies in nearly wind-free conditions. Anglers Rich Rose and Ed Kurzawa fished with Capt. Roman Gonzalez for 5 white seabass to 67 pounds at Socorro. Don Eddie's Landing Capt. Juan Cook went out with John Migeot and Danny Verrier for Mexico fishing limits on yellowtail and dorado on kelp paddies. "One paddy was fully loaded with fish and they were all alone," Melville said. "San Quintin fishing conditions that day were close to perfect."
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: John Migeot of Mission Viejo, Calif., commented on his trip out of Don Eddie's Landing with Capt. Juan Cook and trip partners Danny Verrier and Joe Horvath for a total of about 39 combined yellowtail and dorado caught, and Mexican limits only kept, while fishing in 68.3-degree water. "Once we found the magic paddy, it was wide-open until it was time to go home," Migeot said. "It was flat out stupid. I don't think I've ever caught that many quality fish in one day. We caught as many dorado to 25 pounds and yellowtail to 32 pounds as our arms could handle about 14 miles northwest, right where the water turned blue. San Quintin water conditions were perfect, flat calm and blue. Thanks to Juan Cook and Don Eddie for a great trip."
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said San Quintin fishing area weather was near-perfect, with "no winds to speak of," water temperatures at 60 to 63 degrees, and good kelp paddy action for dorado and yellowtail about 12 to 15 miles off the point. Boats fishing south at Socorro also averaged 2 to 3 white seabass per outing plus Mexico sportfishing limits of sandbass, calico bass, barracuda, and bonita. "Things are really picking up in San Quintin!" Hillis said.
Pedro's Pangas anglers Al and Joe Kern of Apple Valley, Calif., and Joe and Vianey Guzman of Saunas, Calif., fished two days for limits of dorado and yellowtail offshore on their first day plus limits of rockcods and lingcod at the 240 spot on their second day.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Stan Woodward of Manhattan Beach, Calif., reported on 3 days of good fishing by his group with Pedro's Pangas out of San Quintin in very good sea conditions and water temperatures of about 67 degrees for yellowtail to 23 pounds, dorado to 18 pounds, 8 white seabass, dozens of calico bass to 8 pounds, and some quality red rockcod on the bottom. Fishing for white seabass at Tranquilo the second day produced very good action.
"We caught 5 white seabass and lost that many," Woodward said, "all on bait. There were also dozens of calicos and nice reds. The only nuisance were a lot of horse macks but we'd keep a hooked one in the water to attract white sea bass. We probably saw 50 white seabass and ran out of bait early. At the boat yard we saw one of Pedro's pangas plugged with nice yellowfin tuna taken under porpoise at 30 miles."
Woodward noted no problems during the Baja drive to San Quintin and lodging at the Old Mill.
The final day of fishing for Woodward's group was slower but 3 more white seabass plus assorted bottom fish were caught. "The next day conditions changed," Migeot said. "The water cleaned up and birds were nowhere to be seen. Again the sea was flat and skies sunny. The run back to the ramp was dry. It was really a picture perfect end to the trip." Fishing with Woodward were Steve Bergdahl of Ventura, Calif., Doug Coffey of La Mesa, Calif., and Greg Sprague of Ashland, Ore.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Don Dickson of Fallbrook, Calif., reported on his black sea bass caught July 14, 2008, at the mouth of Bahia de San Quintin while fishing from his 16-foot aluminum boat. "I was fishing for halibut, so I had a conventional reel and 15-pound test line," Dickson said. It took one-and-a-half hours of tugging and pulling to get him to gaff, and then I had to tie him to the side of the boat and drag him 9 miles back to the Old Mill launch ramp. It was weighed at 118.8 pounds. I am 72 years old and, having fished all my life, this was a real thrill. When I saw him float, I could not believe my eyes, as it could have been a sand shark or large ray. Tiberon and the gang called me 'Old Man of the Sea' and said this might have been a world record on this test line."
The current IGFA record for black sea bass caught on 16-pound line is 77 pounds 11 ounces.
MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS
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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said just a few boats fishing in rough conditions offshore of Magdalena Bay did well on tuna and dorado plus a few wahoo and marlin. "They were not disappointed," Graham said. Firecracker yellowtail were also found at the San Carlos entrada and also within 6 miles off Boca de Soledad to the north. Fishing inside the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels produced fair pargo action north of Puerto Lopez Mateos, plus a few grouper to 20 pounds and some small sierra at the bocas. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was clear at 90 degrees, with water temperatures of 60 to 76 degrees and winds to 17 knots.
CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS
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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 39 charter outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo San Lucas sportfishing boats Fish Cabo, Fish Cabo I, and Tuna Time, with a catch including released fish of: 1 blue marlin, 18 striped marlin, 4 sailfish, 19 yellowfin tuna, and 28 dorado. "Cabo San Lucas sportfishing boat skippers are reporting lots of billfish but the fish are not cooperative with the biting," Edwards said.
Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was humid and partly cloudy in the high-90s, with water temperatures of 82 to 85 degrees as most boats fished from Cabo Falso on the Pacific side around to the 95 fathom spot. "Live bait was very important for the billfish," Edwards said.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing reported variable fishing for Cabo San Lucas boats as water temperatures climbed to as high as 88 degrees in some spots and boats fished a wide area ranging from the Pacific side Golden Gate bank to Destiladeras on the Cortez side. "Cabo fishing can only be described as inconsistent," Ehrenberg said. "We are having great catches one day, and one day off." Overall, Pisces boats landed and mostly released at total of: 13 sailfish, 9 striped marlin, and 3 blue marlin to 350 pounds.
Dorado and tuna action were sluggish, with 28 percent of Pisces boats landing dorado and just 16 percent with yellowfin tuna. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather had heavy seas and wind on the Cortez side for one day, but was otherwise mostly calm in the high-90s. Pisces boats fished in water temperatures averaging 85 degrees at Cabo San Lucas fishing locations that included the Golden Gate Bank, San Jaime Bank, Cerro Blanco, 95 spot, Faro Viego, San Jose del Cabo, Punta Gorda, Chileno, and Destiladeras.
Ehrenberg also confirmed the report of a blue marlin weighed at 898 pounds that was caught at East Cape by the panga Rude Baby with Capt. Chuy and angler Jim Schubert.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 2 outings during the week with a total of 4 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: several dorado to 20 pounds, 4 skipjack, and 1 sailfish released during the fight. The Cheer's fished outwards to 2 miles on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas in good to rough sea conditions and water temperatures of 74 to 78 degrees. The sailfish was hooked about 4 miles out on a trolled live skipjack bait. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Randall and Nadezda Williams of California, and Roberto Cardozo and Federico Solde of Italy.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 9 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 3 sailfish, 11 dorado of 15 to 25 pounds, and 6 more dorado to 20 pounds.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Durance Lowendick of Marlin Masters Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas reported on an outing by the charter boat Marlin Master VI for a catch of: 2 striped marlin, and 4 dorado to 70 pounds. "Blue marlin are on the feed off Cabo as water temps are all the way up to the 87 and 88-degree range toward the 1150 spot and near the Gordo Banks in the Sea of Cortez," Lowendick said. "We have also been picking up school-sized yellowfin tuna in the 20 to 40-pound range and several wahoo. Near shore, roosterfish in the Migrino area are taking live bait and hitting plugs and we are also getting sierra mackerel and jack crevalle on light tackle and fly."
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the week ending Aug. 3, 2008, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said blue and striped marlin were caught close to the arch. "Cabo boats did not have to go very far to get into action," Landrum said. "The marlin bite has been in a 100-degree arc from off Gray Rock to the lighthouse on the Pacific side at a distance of 3 to 15 miles. Most of the blues were picked up farther out, while the stripers were closer to shore. Sailfish have been closer in as well. There have been a lot more fish seen than have been hooked, however, as most of the striped marlin showed a 'not interested' attitude." Yellowfin tuna were small, scarce, and scattered, but dorado were more numerous. "Almost every Cabo San Lucas boat was able to get at least one of these great fish and a few were able to get 4 of 5," Landrum said.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Cindy Wood of Brownsville, Texas, reported a 300-pound class blue marlin caught by her group at Cabo San Lucas while fishing with Capt. Roberto aboard the charter boat Charli IV. "He put us in the middle of a school of blue marlin within an hour-and-a-half of leaving the marina at Cabo San Lucas," Wood said. "After watching several marlin playing in the waves, we took a hit that nearly took our deck man over the side. The blue marlin looked like the size of a blue Volkswagon bug as it skipped over the waves toward the boat and then headed for the bottom. What a thrill! It took 3 hours and all of us to play and bring our trophy to the boat. The closer he got, the more apparent it was that he wasn't going to fit on the boat. It took 4 of us to tie him on the transom. That was the only hit we had all day, but what fun it was to go back to the marina! The marlin flag was flying. Other boats were following us and waving and yelling. Tourists boats were waving and taking photos. Roberto let us off at the dock and as we headed for the scales, we were showered with congratulations. Thanks to everyone who made this the greatest day of our vacation!"
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 40 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing out of San Jose del Cabo, with a catch including released fish of: 126 dorado, 2 striped marlin, 24 yellowfin tuna, 5 hammerhead shark, 3 sailfish, 216 skipjack, 16 bonito, 29 roosterfish, 9 dog snapper, 7 cabrilla, 18 triggerfish, 7 sierra, and 9 amberjack. Most fleet pangas concentrated their fishing at the Iman Bank, but Brictson said, "The action has been far below normal standards considering the favorable fishing conditions. Peanut-sized dorado and a few football-sized yellowfin tuna were the mainstay of the panga catch this week. Of course at this time of year things can change overnight and this is what we're hoping for." San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was hot and muggy, with persistent strong southern currents that hampered bottom fishing as most boats at the rock piles drifted baits over high spots. "Most of the stories told recently by anglers have been in favor of the fish," Brictson said.
Brictson noted the smaller than usual number of vacationers present in the Los Cabos fishing area. "Tourism is generally slow at San Jose del Cabo during August and September," he said. "This summer it appears that it will be even more slack than usual. Combined factors including the poor economy, high airfares, luggage restrictions, taxi charges, muggy weather, and subpar fish counts are all accountable."
San Jose del Cabo local fishing waters were clearing after some rough tropical weather, with water temperatures at 82 to 88 degrees and blue water within several miles of shore. Plentiful bait available included skipjack, bolito, caballito, mullet, and sardinas.
EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS
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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing confirmed the landing of a very large blue marlin weighed at 898 pounds that was caught 25 miles off East Cape on July 3, 2008, by the panga Rude Baby with angler Jim Schubert of Clovis, Calif., and Capt. Chuy. "We have now been able to confirm and verify the catch," Ehrenberg said. "The tackle was 60-pound test spooled on a Senator 112H reel. The monster fish took a Zuker blood-orange lure with some brown color. The fight lasted three-and-half hours. Jim had to contend with a couple of monsoon type downpours and big swells. He told me the rain sure felt good to cool him off. Capt. Chuy did a good job motoring the Rude Baby and called his brother on a larger boat after the fish was gaffed to take the fish to shore. However, they ended up tying the huge marlin to the side of the panga. It took over 3 hours to get back. This is the largest marlin caught in Baja, to our knowledge, for at least 15 years."
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said 56 boats and 255 anglers fished 3 days last week in the Bisbee’s 9th Annual East Cape Offshore Tournament for so-so results and billfish released including 1 black marlin, 20 striped marlin, 67 blue marlin, and 18 sailfish. "There were 2 qualifying blue marlin, one weighing 306 pounds and one weighing 360 pounds," Graham said. "No qualifying tuna were caught, and 3 dorado over 45 pounds were weighed in."
Inshore fishing at East Cape produced good action for roosterfish of all sizes. "Closer to the beach, the smaller roosters whipped the water to a froth," Graham said.
East Cape fishing area weather was partly cloudy and humid in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 76 to 86 degrees.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending July 31, 2008, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 274 charter boats from combined sportfishing fleets including Hotels Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, Punta Colorada, Buena Vista Beach Resort, Rancho Leonero, and Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort, with 817 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 19 blue marlin, 35 striped marlin, 12 sailfish, 281 dorado, 644 yellowfin tuna, 1 wahoo, 3 pompano, and 6 roosterfish. East Cape sportfishing area weather was in the mid-90s, with water temperatures of 80 to 88 degrees and mostly light winds and smooth sea conditions. "East Cape billfish action was a bit slow, but that may be because most of the billfish were landed during the Bisbee's tournament, which the fish count numbers do not reflect," Moyers said. "The 8 percent overall catch rate only refers to non-tourney boats. There was a lot of blue marlin action between La Ribera and Punta Colorada at about 4 to 6 miles off the Baja coast. My team in the tournament landed 3 blues and lost 2 more."
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Tammy Gaussoin of Rancho Buena Vista had a report from hotel manager Christi Bender for 26 boats fishing during the week and a catch including released fish of: 6 blue marlin, 5 striped marlin, 13 dorado, and 108 yellowfin tuna.
Gaussoin commented on her recent stay at Rancho Buena Vista, saying, "The new owners have done a wonderful job of polishing up the place. Fresh paint, new beds in the majority of the rooms, all new bathroom fixtures with pretty hand-painted ceramic sinks, and new window coverings and bedding. We still have the same cook so the food is just as good as ever. You've probably heard gossip that the hotel is going to be demolished. That is not the truth. They have really shown a lot of love for 'RBV' and it will continue as is, hopefully for the next 56 years."
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Mark Daugherty of East Cape Guides reported local weather in the high-90s, with water temperatures in the low-80s and the cooler water found to the south. "East Cape fishing has been all about the tuna just north of Cabo Pulmo, with some small dorado in the mix," Daugherty said. "There is not much size to speak of, but a few tuna up to 60 pounds and dorado to 40 pounds have been landed over the last few weeks. A few marlin are being landed with most congregating a few miles off Punta Arena down to Cabo Pulmo."
East Cape Guides anglers Mark Paulus and Sean Vazquez of Fullerton, Calif., fished 2 days with their sons Austin and Nathan out of Hotel Punta Colorada on the charter boats Tio Pepe and Marlin Magic for a catch including released fish of: 18 yellowfin tuna, 2 dorado, 1 pompano, and 1 striped marlin.
Other East Cape Guides outings during the week included a trip by East Cape first-timers Robert Chang and Duane Harding of Calgary, Canada, for a catch including released fish of: 12 tuna, 2 striped marlin released, and 1 blue marlin of 350 pounds released.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Bisbee's Tournaments announced the results of the Ninth Annual Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Tournament on July 29-Aug. 2, 2008, with 56 boats and 255 anglers fishing 3 days out of Buena Vista Beach Resort. The winning fish were: Blue marlin , 360 pounds, angler John Martin, boat Wildcatter, $89,535.60; Yellowfin Tuna, no qualifying fish; Dorado, 48.6 pounds, angler Trent Twamley, boat Bull Rider, $37,716.00.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending Aug. 3, 2008, John Ireland of Rancho Leonero reported East Cape fishing area weather as mostly flat in the high-90s, with water temperatures of 79 to 85 degrees, and offshore fishing slower but with a high percentage of blue marlin. "Outside, the billfishing has slowed," Ireland said. "Rancho Leonero anglers actually caught more blue marlin than striped marlin or sailfish. The dorado bite has been consistent. Yellowfin tuna are close to shore, smaller fish in the 5 to 10-pound range." Inshore fishing produced good numbers of 5 to 10-pound roosterfish plus some to 50 and 60 pounds released daily.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport diving service at East Cape said conditions on the Cabo Pulmo coral reef were very good, with water temperatures at depth in the mid-80s and visibility at 80 to 100 feet. "The colors of the reef and all the sea life on it appear even more vibrant than usual, making for some great photo opportunities," Cazaly said. "East Cape dive sites have been littered with leopard grouper hanging around just above the reef." Other sea life sightings included burrito and graybar grunt, panamic porkfish, bigeye jacks, Panamic green morays snaking through the rocks, and schools of resident balloonfish. Cazaly said, "The schooling balloonfish are a permanent feature at East Cape. One client said, 'I've never seen that many balloonfish all in one place before. I didn't even know they schooled like that and I've dived all over the world!' A hawksbill sea turtle was also found nestled in a swim-through during one dive. "It politely posed for a photo before moving on its way," Cazaly said.
LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS
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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said his charter pangas fishing on La Paz' Las Arenas Side found midsummer weather reaching the mid-90s, with some clouds but no rain or wind to hamper anglers. "We continue to catch good numbers of dorado of 25 to 35 pounds in the area around Las Cruces," Hernandez said. "Good quantities of dorado are also at Punta Pescadero. In this area, the dorado are mixed with yellowfin tuna." Tortuga Sportfishing charter pangas running out to the 88 Bank off Isla Cerralvo did not find dorado, but released both blue marlin and sailfish. Fishing near the Baja coast around the Punta Arena de la Ventana lighthouse produced continued good numbers of roosterfish including some big ones.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported variable fishing action for both his La Paz-side and Las Arenas-side charter pangas. "Everyone got fish but it changed from day to day," Roldan said. "For our La Paz panga fleet, the dorado were still north of town mixed with billfish, but on some days they would eat and on others you wouldn't get a sniff. There were definitely more big bull dorado caught this week and a number of dorado over 40 pounds. The bottom line is that there was more fish quality than quantity."
Pangas fishing at El Cardonal south of Las Arenas started the week with big counts of peanut tuna, but the action slowed after a few days. "Five to 10-pound tuna were the norm and the bite was tremendous," Roldan said. "However, by midweek it fizzled, perhaps because of too much boat traffic sitting on the spot. Dorado and roosters were a nice variation from the tuna."
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jack McGuire of Santa Ana, Calif., reported on his group of 4 anglers fishing 5 days aboard 2 Tailhunter International pangas for a catch including released fish on both the La Paz side and the Las Arenas side of: 60 football yellowfin tuna of 8 to 15 pounds, and 20 dorado of 10 to 15 pounds, plus 1 dorado of over 40 pounds. McGuire said light leader and small baits were the keys to hooking the tuna. "The tuna bite was south about 45 minutes from Las Arenas," he said. "Twenty-pound test leaders were a must. No one was getting bites on heavy leaders. The sardinas on the last day were the smallest of all. We had use size #2 hooks. We thought this was going to be a bad day due to the tiny bait, but it was our best day of yellowfin tuna fishing. We released many and kept enough to fill our coolers. A great time was had by all. The service of Tailhunter International and Jonathan Roldan was perfect." La Paz fishing area water temperatures were at 75 to 80 degrees.
MULEGE FISHING REPORTS
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MULEGE, MEXICO: Diana Johnson of Mulege's historic Hotel Serenidad reported hot, very humid summer fishing conditions and local boats catching lots of dorado plus sailfish and marlin during runs northward to Isla San Marcos. "Mulege has had no rain and no wind," Johnson said. "We're hoping to have more fishing people at the hotel during September. On August 29th and 30th, Mulege will have the Governor's Cup fishing tournament. They are going to do it every year. I fished in the tournament last year and it was fun."
MULEGE, MEXICO: Steve Whiteside of San Diego, Calif., reported on his group's Baja trip with a stay at Punta Chivato north of Mulege and generally slow fishing from an inflatable boat in water temperatures of 82 to 83.5 degrees. "We fished almost every day with very limited success," Whiteside said. "The fishing was really slow. We started out fishing southeast of camp 20 to 30 miles. We got skunked except for 2 dorado that we lucked into off of a kelp paddy. The last day, we fished the east side of San Marcos Island to find the best action for the whole trip. We caught 1 dorado, 5 bonita, and 1 red snapper. We used feathers and saw some evidence of bait and birds, but no fish."
Water temperatures at Isla San Marcos were at 84.5 to 85 degrees. Also fishing in Whiteside's group were David Whiteside, Barbara Whiteside, and Hunter Heck.
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES (L.A. BAY) FISHING REPORTS
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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Fred Montiel of Pasadena, Calif., reported on a charter panga fishing trip at Bahia de los Angeles with Capt. Juan of Rafael Cuevas Pangas for a catch with trip partner Miguel Acosta of 9 yellowtail to 12 pounds. "All fish were caught using jigs near Piojo Island in green water at about 82 degrees with smooth seas," Montiel said. "There were lots of bonita and barracuda present also."
A second day on the water produced poor results in rough fishing conditions with swells to 6 feet. "But one panga braved the rough seas and caught 10 yellowtail up to 15 pounds that day," Montiel said.
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Dean Mitchell of San Diego, Calif., said his group's annual trip to Bahia de los Angeles produced catches including a white seabass of about 25 pounds, lots of yellowtail of 8 to 16 pounds inside the bay, larger yellowtail to 20 pounds at Isla la Raza, and a couple of dorado lost at the south end of Isla Angel de la Guarda. Mitchell's group fished with Capt. Martin of Guillermo's and also aboard Sean Farrel's 17-foot boat. "Our Annual L.A. Bay trip was our best ever," Mitchell said. "The dorado are in at the southern tip of De la Guarda! We were out of bait but got a double hookup on jigs when we cast to a huge sargasso patch. Neither of us could set the hooks, though, as the dorado tossed our irons like they were hookless."
Mitchell noted a sighting of multiple whale shark at their summer habitat in plankton rich waters at the southern end of the inner bay. "The best part of the trip was when we finally encountered 8 to 9 whale sharks at the south end of the bay, about a quarter-mile mile off the estuary," Mitchell said. "We'd always heard about them but this time we really looked for them and found the motherlode."
SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS
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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Jon Jen Charters of San Carlos reported desultory fishing results during the week's outings for one skunked trip out to 30 miles, a short day for a couple of small dorado and skipjack, and a marlin and sailfish passing right by the boat during bottom fishing. "A lesson learned. Always keep a line in the water floating while drifting," Jon Jen said. "The rest of the week was very slow for the charter business."
Jon Jen reported 42 boats and 137 anglers fishing out of San Carlos for 3 days in the 61st International Billfish Tournament, for a combined catch of: 17 marlin, 21 sailfish, 39 weighable dorado, and many smaller dorado not weighed.
MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS
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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 16 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats fishing out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 2 striped marlin, 24 sailfish, 1 dorado of over 40 pounds, and 1 mako shark. Seven inshore super pangas had a catch of: 18 dorado, and 3 sailfish. "Dorado counts slowed up a little for Mazatlan boats, but the quality has been getting better," Edwards said. "The sailfish bite is slowly but surely picking up steam, with Mazatlan sportfishing boats now averaging about 1.5 per day." Mazatlan fishing area weather was cloudy in the low-90s, with scattered afternoon and evening rain, mostly calm seas, and water temperatures at 87 degrees inshore and 85 degrees offshore. Aries Fleet offshore boats fished 20 to 28 miles to the southwest of Mazatlan.
MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Tadeo Hernandez of Mazatlan's Flota Bibi Fleet said some blue marlin were present about 15 miles from shore. "We catch a few every year in that range," Hernandez said. "I remember I caught my first one exactly at 16 miles offshore from the lighthouse. The water has been very clear and calm in general." Mazatlan fishing area weather had typical summer hot and calm periods mixed with tropical squall cells. "As usual, every year in Mazatlan the sudden and brief storm systems we call 'toritos' or 'little bulls,' which usually last from 2 to 5 a.m., bring occasional rough seas," Hernandez said. "This is nothing to make people afraid of being on the ocean. We have been able to fish daily. The harbor was closed one day from 6 to 7 a.m. By 7 a.m., the weather was clearing again and we could depart to go fishing."
PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS
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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle at Puerto Vallarta reporter larger yellowfin tuna of 70 to 90 pounds starting to appear at Roca Corbeteña and El Banco. "Yellowfin tuna are finally showing up," Gabruk said. "You’ll also find that the black marlin have finally started to move into the Puerto Vallarta fishing area. This is August and the fishing from here out is only going to get better." Sailfish, jack crevalle, roosterfish, bonito, small dorado, and skipjack were active closer to shore at Islas Marietas, Cabo Corrientes, and Punta Mita. Gabruk also noted the addition of the 36-foot charter boat Wahoo Wacko to the Master Baiters Sportfishing fleet. "Capt. J.J. came from the Playa del Carmen area with impressive credentials as a tournament winning captain who's been around for more than 30 years," Gabruk said..
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS
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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said the Ixtapa fishing fleet was saying inside 6 to 8 miles from the beach and averaging 2 to 3 sailfish per outing plus a few larger dorado on flotsam. "With 80-degree water just a mile off the beach, the fleet is not going out far," Kunze said. "The occasional floating log is still producing large dorado, but that is mostly a matter of being in the right place at the right time." Inshore, Capt. Martin on the charter boat Nautilus reported 6 roosterfish of 35 to 45 pounds, 8 jack crevalle, and 4 very large sierra at about 4 feet long caught while trolling live bait and casting surface poppers at Buena Vista beach. Ixtapa fishing area weather was calm and sunny in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 80 to 84 degrees.
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Capt. Temo Verboonen of the charter boat Secuestro de Amor reported 4 roosterfish, 2 sailfish, and 5 jack crevalle for 1 day of fishing, the boat Dos Hermanos reported 2 sailfish, and the Dos Hermanos I reported 13 sailfish plus 4 jack crevalle. "The fishing has been very good this week," Edwards said. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was mostly cloudy at 90 degrees, with night rains, calm seas, blue water 2 miles out, and water temperatures averaging 87 degrees.
MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS
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MEXICO: Bob Henderson of Las Bocas, on the Mexican mainland coast in Sonora south of Yavaros, reported an unusual tuna caught, something similar to a yellowfin tuna but with an unusual second dorsal fin and color possibly resembling a bluefin tuna, while fishing for dorado in water temperatures of about 85 degrees. "When I got home I checked in my 'The Baja Catch' book, and the yellowfin has a different second dorsal fin than the one I caught," Henderson said. "There was a bluefin tuna farm in the same area where got this fish that was closed a year-and-a-half ago."
ANGLER'S DORADO DREAM--A surreal look at a really hot dorado bite, photographed at Loreto last week from a Hotel Oasis panga by angler Andrew Veit. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.
LORETO ROUNDUP--Mike Erhardt and sister Catherine fished Wednesday in steady action north of Loreto with their father Bill Erhardt on the family boat Soledad for a total catch of 5 sailfish, 1 striped marlin, and 2 dorado including this 33-pound bull. Below, a striped marlin released during the day, after being hooked while swimming amid schooling dorado and sailfish near the San Bruno reef. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.
HEAVY DORADO ACTION--Andrew Veit with a nice 25-pound dorado caught in hectic, cheek-by-jowl panga action 10 miles northeast of Loreto's Isla Coronado with Hotel Oasis Capt. Antonio Davis Castro. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.
NOT BIGEYES--Gail and Steve Ross with a pair of yellowfin tuna at 19.5 and 21.5 pounds caught during a good offshore run out of Ensenada aboard their boat Bad Dog. The yellowfin tuna species identification was confirmed as not bigeye tuna by checking the shapes of the fishes' livers. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ROSS.
ENSENADA BEACH LAUNCH--Pam Shier, left, of Ensenada's Lengueta Arenosa, and Kenny Einswerth, right, fished on a Vonny's Fleet beach-launched panga with Capt. Beto Zamora, center, and caught a good mix of bottom fish, plus 4 nice yellowtail of 15 to 34 pounds, all on the iron. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.
ENSENADA OUTING--Louie Prieto's offshore run out of Ensenada's Marina Coral aboard his boat It's 4 Reels! produced a mixed catch of yellowtail and dorado plus an 80-pound mako shark gaffed after it grabbed onto a hooked fish. Said Prieto, "We did all we could to stay away from his sharp teeth." PHOTO COURTESY OF LOUIE PRIETO.
NICE QUINTIN CROAKERS--Anglers James Lathrop, Peter Lupo, Gervork Lakhoin, Ed Kurzawa, Risc Rose, and Charlie Kelly with a great rack of white seabass to 67 pounds caught out of San Quintin's Don Eddie's Landing with Capt. Roman Gonzalez. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARITA MELVILLE.
SAN QUINTIN WHITE SEABASS--Anglers, from left, Steve Bergdahl, Doug Coffey, and Greg Sprague with 3 of 8 white seabass caught with Pedro's Pangas at San Quintin during 2 runs south to Tranquilo. Also fishing in the group was Stan Woodward. PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN WOODWARD.
WITH CAPTAIN COOK--Danny Verrier, left, and John Migeot, right, after a wide-open session of San Quintin yellowtail and dorado fishing with Capt. Juan Cook, center, of Don Eddie's Landing. Below, Verrier in action. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN MIGEOT AND MARITA MELVILLE.
RECORD-SIZED BLACKIE--Baja aluminum boat angler Don Dickson with a black sea bass weighed at 118.8 pounds caught on 15-pound line while halibut fishing solo at the mouth of Bahia de San Quintin. The current 16-pound line class IGFA record for black sea bass is 77 pounds 11 ounces. PHOTO COURTESY OF DON DICKSON.
CABO HONEYMOON--Newlyweds Jen and Alex Dellabella of Cincinnati, Ohio, fished out of Cabo San Lucas aboard the Cabo Magic charter boat Jalapeño for summer action including yellowfin tuna and striped marlin. PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI GARCIA.
SUMMER AT CABO--Randall Scott's outing aboard the Cabo San Lucas charter panga Cheer's with Capt. Ramon Druck scored on 4 of these school-sized dorado while fishing up to 2 miles off the Pacific side. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.
CABO PANGA VIEW--A sailfish about to be released off the tip of Baja last week during a charter outing by anglers Roberto Cardozo and Federico Solde of Italy with Capt. Ramon Druck aboard the super panga Cheer's. The sailfish hit a live caballito caught during fishing about 3 miles out on the Pacific side. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.
CABO FISHING--Cindy Wood's group from Brownsville, Texas, with a blue marlin caught aboard the charter boat Charli IV with Capt. Roberto. PHOTO COURTESY OF CINDY WOOD.
HAPPY RETURNS--Brad Johnson, left, and his fishing partners from Albany, Ore., fished out of San Jose del Cabo this week with Gordo Banks Pangas, and they returned to the Puerto los Cabos marina after some great action on dorado. They trolled the area of the Iman Bank aboard a 26-foot charter super panga. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.
EAST CAPE LEVIATHAN--A massive blue marlin weighed at 898 pounds is unceremoniously brought to the scales at East Cape. The enormous fish, the largest caught in recent memory in Baja waters, was landed by angler Jim Schubert with Capt. Chuy aboard the panga Rude Baby on July 3, 2008. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACY EHRENBERG.
HEAVY LIFTING--Austin Paulis hefts a striped marlin about to be released during 2 days of fishing with Mark Daugherty's East Cape Guides. Paulis' group also scored on 18 yellowfin tuna, 2 dorado, and a pompano during their trip. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK DAUGHERTY.
BIG BLUE RELEASE--A 350-pound class blue marlin comes in for release during fishing 4 miles off East Cape's Punta Arena by Robert Chang and Duane Harding of Canada. They fished out of Hotel Punta Colorada with Mark Daugherty's East Cape Guides. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK DAUGHERTY.
EAST CAPE DIVING--A hawksbill sea turtle is found hiding in an underwater passageway during an East Cape dive trip by Vista Sea Sport of Buena Vista. Below, concentrations of Panamic porkfish on the Cabo Pulmo coral reef. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KEN SCARBROUGH.
CLOUDY DAY FISHING--Matt Curley of Encino, Calif., fished under cloudy summer skies but good sea conditions for a catch including this nice bull dorado with Tortuga Sportfishing's Capt. Rigo Lucero. Curley also scored on a bunch of yellowfin tuna. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.
LOTS LA PAZ TUNA--Pangas fishing out of La Paz and East Cape last week hooked big numbers of football yellowfin tuna. Showing off their double handfuls of sushi fish are Wally and Jeff Lee of Foster City, Calif., who fished out of Las Arenas with Tailhunter International. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.
TOUGH SLEDDING--David Whiteside, left, and Hunter Heck covered lots of Sea of Cortez water on their inflatable boat during their group's trip to Punta Chivato near Mulege, but fishing was generally slow for a few bonito, 1 red snapper, and 3 dorado like this one caught during several days of effort. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE WHITESIDE.
L.A. BAY WHITE SEABASS--Dean Mitchell's group Baja trip to Bahia de los Angeles produced good action for yellowtail, multiple whale shark sightings at the south end of the bay, some lost dorado at Isla Angel de la Guarda, and this nice 25-pound class white seabass caught while fishing at Soldado. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEAN MITCHELL.
FORKIES AT THE BAY--Miguel Acosta, left, and Fred Montiel got into good yellowtail action for a catch of 9 forkies to 12 pounds hooked on jigs at Isla Piojo with Capt. Juan of Rafael Cuevas Pangas. PHOTO COURTESY OF FRED MONTIEL.
IXTAPA COLOR--A sailfish shows some dorado-like color during an aerial fight off Ixtapa photographed by Capt. Santiago Valdovinos of the charter super panga Gitana. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL PHILLIPS.
MAINLAND MEXICO TUNA--Bob Henderson of Las Bocas, Sonora, south of Yavaros on the Mexican mainland Pacific coast, with a possible yellowfin tuna caught while fishing for dorado in 85-degree water. Henderson questioned the fish's species identification due to differences seen in the shape of the second dorsal fin. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB HENDERSON.
MOODY LORETO SUNRISE--Heavy surf and a cloudy sky at daybreak Thursday last week in Loreto, after a night of lightening and thunderstorms over Isla Carmen, signal rough seas today for boats fishing offshore. PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.
FISHING AT MAZATLAN--Owen Pishna and Brandon Braddy fished out of Mazatlan with their families aboard the Float Bibi Fleet charter boat Paty C. with Capt. Alex for a catch including their first-ever billfish, this sailfish caught about 10 to 15 miles out. PHOTO COURTESY OF TADEO HERNANDEZ.
Baja coastal fishing reports and articles.
Ensenada fishing reports and articles.
Puerto Santo Tomas fishing reports and articles.
Erendira fishing reports and articles.
San Quintin fishing reports and articles.
Magdalena Bay fishing reports and articles.
Cabo San Lucas fishing reports and articles.
San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos) fishing reports and articles.
East Cape fishing reports and articles.
La Paz fishing reports and articles.
Loreto fishing reports and articles.
Mulege fishing reports and articles.
Santa Rosalia fishing reports and articles.
Bahia de los Angeles (L.A. Bay) fishing reports and articles.
San Felipe fishing reports and articles.
Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) fishing reports and articles.
San Carlos (Sonora) fishing reports and articles .
Mazatlan fishing reports and articles .
Puerto Vallarta fishing reports and articles.
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing reports and articles.
Huatulco fishing reports and articles.
Cancun fishing reports and articles.
Mexico coastal fishing reports and articles.
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