Magdalena Bay wahoo fishing in consistent fall bite;

Loreto's stellar 2008 dorado season winds down

Mexico Fishing News, October 27, 2008

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported on trailering his boat Soledad across the Baja peninsula to Puerto Lopez Mateos at Magdalena Bay for 2 days of offshore fishing together with 4 other Loreto trailer boats that also made the trip for good action on wahoo to 66 pounds at the Thetis Bank, plus a hot bite for Mexican limits of yellowfin tuna on the way back to port the second day, a few dorado, and a marlin hook-up by 2 anglers fishing aboard the Mag Bay Outfitters charter boat Mar Gato.

Making the trip from Loreto to Magdalena Bay were Barry Wilkerson's boat Rocket, Al Jordan's boat $ea Note, Steve and Rhonda McGavern's boat In and Out, Mike and Rosie Sheffer's boat Crackerjack, and part-time Loreto residents Rod Dees and Rita King who fished with Mag Bay Outfitters.

"On Wednesday the other boats went directly to the Thetis Bank and I went first to an area on the ridge north that has been productive over the past month or so," Erhardt said. "I found slow action, but the boats at the Thetis Bank found hungry wahoo and caught 23 of them by 11 a.m. I joined the party but the bite ended around noon and I registered a skunk for the day, a feat not easily accomplished this time of year on the banks outside Mag Bay.

"After a night at anchor in Bahia Santa Maria, we all returned at first light to fish at the Thetis Bank. The bite was slower and ended earlier but everybody caught some wahoo.

"On the way back to Boca de Soledad there was a large school of yellowfin tuna from which everybody easily caught limits of fish into the 30s. The only other boat in the area was a small private fishing boat. There were no long range boats from the States or commercial seiners wrapping up the yellowfin tuna, but I am sure it is just a matter of time."

Magdalena Bay offshore fishing area weather was calm for 2 days, with surface water temperatures averaging about 82 degrees.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported very good offshore action for dorado, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna found by boats running just a few miles north of Cabo San Lazaro on the Pacific side of Isla Magdalena. Striped marlin continued to be scarce, however. "The marlin seemed to have been scattered by Hurricane Norbert," Graham said.

Few boats fished in the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels, but some snappers, grouper, and cabrilla were caught along the bottom, plus a few sierra and smaller corvina on the surface.

Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was mostly clear in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 78 to 84 degrees.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Ensenada's Vonny's Fleet sportfishing service reported good weather and steady Mexican bottom fish limits or near limits for his pangas at the tip of Punta Banda. Anglers did well while fishing 100 to 250 feet deep with dropper loops and hooks baited with anchovies and squid, and lots of bonita were also caught on the surface with the locally-made aluminum jigs. Anglers scoring on bonito, red rockcod, ocean whitefish, and mixed bottom species with Vonny's Fleet Capts. Beto and Hector included Jaime Medina of San Clemente, Calif., Wess Whitehall of Escondido, Calif., Rafael, Alfredo, and Erick Contreras of San Diego, Calif., and George Chew of Alhambra, Calif.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog at Ensenada's Marina Coral reported on an offshore run through morning fog to about 60 miles out with Gail Ross and Capt. Juan Lu also aboard for a catch on mixed jig-strikes of 6 albacore, 1 yellowfin tuna, and 2 yellowtail.

"We began trolling and found 5 San Diego party boats on the radar which lead me to the Airplane Bank," Ross said. "We travelled south and then back to the area with lat-longs of 32.45 over 117.43.

"We got our first jig strike at noon in 65-degree blue water, wind whipped into 6 to 8-foot seas. Some big waves broke onto our foredeck and whitecaps were all over the place, with whistling wind through the lines.

"We began to get short single jig strikes on small albacore and then a blind double jig strike for 2 yellowtail out of the blue, then a triple jig strike for 2 albacore and a yellowfin tuna at the same time.

"The wind got stronger and the waves got bigger so we departed for a 60-mile run home. Another boat notified me of their distress with fuel delivery and this made for a long night of baby sitting back to the marina. The crew member driving the boat did not know how to read a compass and was on a course to center-punch Todos Santos Island in the dark. One spare fuel filter would have saved their day and a lot of concern."

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported some windy fishing weather at San Quintin during the week, but most days with favorable seas, dense morning fogs, overcast skies to about noon, and the albacore and yellowfin tuna bite continuing for local boats. "There is still a great yellowfin tuna bite, with a few albacore mixed in for a little variety," Hillis said.

Anglers fishing with Pedro's Pangas included John Hollingsead and his son Johnny of Cayucos, Calif., who caught yellowfin tuna and a 40-pound albacore aboard the charter boat Paloma with Capt. Jose Luis. "They do volunteer work for the local hospital in San Quintin so it was great to see them bring in a good haul of fish," Hillis said.

Fishing 3 days with Capt. Hector on the Rommy for good results on yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, mixed rockcods, and a few lingcod and whitefish were anglers Frank Bell, Don Grady, and Gary Filman of Visalia, Calif.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin reported on an outing aboard his boat Santa Monica with Victor Rodriguez for 4 yellowtail of 20 to 25 pounds jigged up on local bajos plus 10 yellowfin tuna to 37 pounds caught about 12 miles out after a call from San Quintin's Capt. Jaime. "We arrived in the area and quickly trolled up a small tuna, then 3 more on live bait, 3 more on the troll, and another 3 larger fish on live bait again," Meza said. San Quintin fishing area weather had some rough conditions, with the water temperature offshore at about 68 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 53 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo, Fish Cabo I, and Tuna Time, with a catch including released fish of: 39 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 2 wahoo, 7 yellowfin tuna, and more than 205 dorado with the exact number of releases unknown.

"My hunch for the lack of tuna caught at Cabo San Lucas this week was because of the close dorado fishing and the attention there," Edwards said. "With the tuna tournament still a ways away, there was no reason to do exploratory trips. By the end of next week, Cabo should begin to see a rise in tuna catches as boats start fishing more in offshore areas.

"Dorado seemed the mainstay of the Cabo fleet, with a 4 fish per day average."

The top billfish outing for the week was by the charter boat Tuna Time, with a 5-marlin release day plus 4 dorado landed at the Golden Gate Bank.

Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was mostly calm in the mid-90s, with water temperatures on the Pacific side banks at about 82 degrees, and up to 85 degrees on the Cortez side.

"The best fishing continues to be for dorado and striped marlin from the arch to the Golden Gate Bank," Edwards said.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic Sportfishing reported on 43 charters, with a catch including released fish of: 3 blue marlin, 37 striped marlin, 8 sailfish, 8 yellowfin tuna, 177 dorado, and 2 wahoo.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 7 outings during the week with a total of 10 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 1 sailfish, 1 yellowfin tuna of 35 pounds, 64 dorado of 12 to 35 pounds, 10 black skipjack, bonito, 1 hammerhead shark of about 80 pounds released. The Cheer's fished with lures and trolled live baits on the Pacific side beaches and out to about 12 miles in water temperatures of about 76 to 87 degrees, some hot weather, and mostly good sea conditions. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included John and William Phillips; David Wade and John Bremner of Seattle, Wash.; Kevin Freeman of San Francisco, Calif.; Ignacio Valdez and Manuel Munoz of Los Angeles, Calif.; Douglas Woloschek and Felipe Godinez of Los Angeles, Calif.; Renee Shattuck of New Jersey; and Miguel Hernandez of Mexico City.

"There's a lot of dorado now," Druck said.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 12 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 2 sailfish, 3 yellowfin tuna of 35 to 40 pounds, 3 striped marlin, and 82 dorado of 20 to 30 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: The Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament was being held at Cabo San Lucas, with 141 boats beginning 3 days of fishing on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, and fishing conditions "steady but slow," with the biggest fish of the day worth over $1.5 million, but no qualifying marlin weighed in by mid-afternoon of the second day.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the week ending Oct. 19, 2008, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas reported striped marlin counts on the Pacific-side Golden Gate Bank down from about 5 or 6 fish per day to about 1 or 2 per day, yellowfin tuna averaging about 20 pounds found among pods of porpoise on the Pacific side, and dorado counts also best up the Pacific side. "Hurricane Norbert put quite a bit of debris into the water," Landrum said, "but the inshore current changed and pushed it to north and west. The best local bite has been 2 to 4 miles off the beach on the Pacific side. Feeding frigate birds were a sure indicator."

Landrum noted just a single qualifying marlin caught during the 3-day Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, a 415-pound black marlin caught at the Gordo Banks that won all the jackpots and over $500,000. About 20 boats were fishing in the Bisbee's Los Cabos Offshore Tournament.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the period ending Oct. 15, 2008, Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas, reported on a short fishing week due to the offshore passage of Hurricane Norbert, with 49 percent of charters releasing billfish, 33 percent landing dorado of 20 to 35 pounds, just 2 boats finding yellowfin tuna, and 95 percent with all species combined. "Thankfully, Norberto left Cabo San Lucas unscathed," Ehrenberg said. "After the port closure for 2 days, bait was very scarce, so for the first couple of days Cabo boats caught more dorado than anything else. As the week progressed, we stared to see marlin become more consistent."

Top Pisces Fleet billfish outings during the week included a 7-release day for the charter boat La Brisa, and a 5-release day for the Valerie. Top dorado catches included a 60-pounder landed by angler Jim August of Portland, Oreg., while fishing aboard the Adriana at the Jaime Bank.

The 2 lonely yellowfin tuna landed during the week were quality fish of 90 and 160 pounds, landed during 2 trips to the Golden Gate Bank by the boat Bottom Line. "Once again, the Bottom Line produced the goods," Ehrenberg said. "We wouldn't be surprised to see the Bottom Line win the WON Tuna Tournament in November."

Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was calm, with water temperatures averaging 85 degrees as most boats fished from El Arco northwards to the Jaime and Golden Gate Banks on the Pacific side.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ehrenberg also noted a report of an 870-pound marlin caught during the recent Bisbee's Los Cabos Offshore Tournament. "This would be the second largest fish ever caught during a tournament at Cabo San Lucas," she said.

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 138 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing out of San Jose del Cabo's Puerto Los Cabos marina, with a catch including released fish of: 566 dorado of 5 to 20 pounds, 404 yellowfin tuna of 15 to 25 pounds, 41 wahoo, 4 sailfish, 26 bonito, 22 cabrilla, 28 sierra, 74 snappers, 12 Humboldt giant squid, and 48 triggerfish.

The Los Cabos fishing area was busy with tourists and the beginning of the peak big-money fall tournament season. "Sportfishing fleets are busy," Brictson said. "Advance reservations are recommended at Los Cabos for the next several weeks."

San Jose del Cabo weather was ideal, with air temperatures in the high-80s, improving water conditions, and water temperatures at 82 to 85 degrees, but with some early fall north winds appearing. "North winds always increase through the winter," Brictson said. "So far, the breeze has not been too strong."

Live sardina bait supplies were becoming thinner, as the best yellowfin tuna action was found by pangas fishing from La Fortuna to the Iman Bank and dorado were mixed in with them. "Most of the dorado have been found in the same spots as the tuna," Brictson said, "so for anglers wishing not to catch tuna and target only dorado, that has been easier said than done."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Yutaka Suganuma of Mission Viejo, Calif., reported on fishing 2 days with Gordo Banks Pangas for a catch including yellowfin tuna to 60 pounds, 1 dog snapper of 30 pounds, 1 large huachinango or true red snapper, several dorado, 1 black marlin that died during the fight, and 1 other black marlin and 1 blue marlin also hooked. "The tuna, marlin, and snapper were all caught on live skipjack baits," Suganuma said.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported East Cape sportfishing boats finding spotty action for smaller dorado and yellowfin tuna with Humboldt giant squid cut bait during the week. "The East Cape fishing conditions are still unsettled and it has been frustrating," Graham said. "It's mostly small fish, with an occasional dorado to 50 pounds and rumors of tuna to 150 pounds."

East Cape billfish were also scattered as fleet boats searched up to 40 miles out, although a 650-pound class black marlin was reported 3 miles off Rancho Leonero. Inshore fishing produced mixed jacks, roosterfish, and some early fall sierra.

East Cape fishing area weather was in the low-90s, with some early fall north winds beginning and water temperatures at 76 to 82 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of East Cape's Vista Sea Sport diving service reported local waters still settling after the passage of dissipating Hurricane Norbert about 150 miles to the north. "As expected, East Cape diving waters haven't yet returned to the gin clear conditions we were experiencing," Cazaly said, "but they seem to be clearing up as the week draws on."

Bottom water temperatures were at 82 degrees, with visibility at 30 to 50 feet, as sea life sightings at Punta Pescadero, Punta Perico, and the Cabo Pulmo coral marine park included sea turtles, stone scorpionfish, large dog snapper, stingrays, bigeye jack, large grouper, and Pacific creolefish. At Cabo Pulmo, Cazaly said, "A huge green turtle was hovering just above the reef and proudly stood her ground as I swam nearer. Lazily she moved away as the group of divers struggled to keep her in sight. She really was majestic." And also at Cabo Pulmo, "Coming up to our safety stop, we were greeted by thousands of Pacific creolefish dancing all around us."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jorge Bergin of La Ribera reported some pompano dorado seen at East Cape, but slow action for his tin boat as a 12-mile inshore run produced just 2 sierra. "I heard the sierra were in," Bergin said. "When I find 'em, they are in trouble because now I have wired up some new improved tubitos for trolling and they are killer."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jeff Schweitzer of Salida, Colo., reported on the estimated 325 to 375-pound blue marlin he released after a 5-hour battle while on an early-October kayak fishing trip at East Cape's Hotel Punta Colorada with Jim Sammon's La Jolla Kayak Fishing.

"Jim Sammons' kayak fishing trips are getting more popular every year, and it is about the only way I want to fish anymore in the Sea of Cortez," Schweitzer said.

"Our group went out with a load of caballito baits and we moved around a few times by loading the kayaks into the pangas. On the third stop, about 2 miles in front of Punta Colorada, I was the first one into the water in a new Prowler Trident 13-foot kayak. Alonso pinned on a fresh caballito bait about 9 inches long onto a 6/0 circle hook with 14 feet of 60-pound fluorocarbon leader.

"After maybe 5 minutes, my drag started buzzing, then briefly stopped. The drag started off again, and I let it go for a very long 6 seconds before throwing the lever into gear. Jim Sammons yelled excitedly, 'there's a giant marlin right in front of you.'

"After peeling 80 yards of line, the marlin leaped clear of the water in the middle of all our boats and kayaks. That's when the pandemonium really hit. Teresa O'Malley later told me that Alonso appeared to say a prayer, and genuflect once or twice, before getting on the radio.

"We were in about 300 feet of water, and I think the fish went to the very bottom and started cruising for Mazatlan. The first 1-1/2 hours of the fight were definitely the hardest for me.

"I think my hands and gut went numb. Jim got into his kayak and started paddling to keep me company and pass me water. Jim grabbed my kayak and made the blue marlin pull us both. Then Jim grabbed the Bohemia and made the blue marlin pull the super panga as well as two kayaks.

"We didn't do this for long, because it felt like a tug-of-war, and I was the rope! I was soaked with sweat, and my attention was narrowly focused on my hands and the reel in my lap; nothing else mattered at this point.

"About the fifth hour, everyone was getting eager for it to end. We now had a 15-mile run back to the hotel. I tightened the drag almost to the maximum, and the fish started to come up. He made one last set of jumps, really close to me. I realized its bill was several feet above my head.

"Finally, I noticed the fish was starting to circle! I was so happy to get the leader to the tip of the rod. Looking down at the majestic creature so close to my kayak was amazing, and it was immense!

"Jim and I broke it off at the leader and called it a success. After shakily loading the kayaks into the Bohemia, we roared back to the hotel. Eight people met me on shore to help me land the kayak in moderate surf, and I really needed the help. They had been following the action on radios.

"I mounted the steps to the bar, and got a standing ovation from the guests gathered around! After lots of tequila shots and beers, we sat down to dinner. I certainly was beaming when Jim Sammons presented me with a marlin kayak flag and a release flag."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending Oct. 17, 2008, John Ireland of East Cape's Rancho Leonero reported so-so fishing in early north winds and water temperatures of 81 to 83 degrees. "The fishing at East Cape was mediocre this week," Ireland said. "As the week progressed the fishing improved."

Some catches were made of striped marlin, dorado, and sailfish in limited numbers early in the week and improving later as yellowfin tuna to 81 pounds were caught under porpoise about 40 to 45 miles out. Boats also averaged about 2 or 3 dorado per day of 5 to 20 pounds, during fishing southwards to Los Frailes.

Top results during the week included 4 outings by anglers Gary Conoway of Anaheim, Calif., and Jos Crosby of Telluride, Colo., for a catch of 7 sailfish released and 2 yellowfin tuna of 40 and 135 pounds.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said his pangas on the Las Arenas side were fishing in dawn air temperatures in the 80s, and with some seasonable north winds beginning in the La Paz area. "In our area, north winds have begun, sometimes making trips to distant fishing locations such as the north tip of Isla Cerralvo a little difficult," Hernandez said. "We have been catching very nice tuna of 30 to 40 pounds out there. We are getting some smaller tuna around Punta Perico and southwards every day, and we are also catching dorado of 15 to 30 pounds."

Tortuga pangas concentrated fishing in nearby areas around Ensenada de los Muertos that were also holding sardina bait fish on days when north winds were blowing.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported good numbers of 10 to 15-pound dorado available for La Paz pangas. "It was a pretty solid week of fishing down here at La Paz," Roldan said. "There were surprisingly few bulls, but they're making up for quality with quantity. There are also still big squid on the chew out of Ensenada de los Muertos, and roosterfish can still be had along the beaches. At midweek, quality 25-pound class tuna showed up in numbers at the north end of Isla Cerralvo. I'm not sure if this will continue, but we're optimistic. It's a bit of a run but well worth it if the tuna continue to hang out there."

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported calm seas, but generally slower fishing for Loreto anglers as Erhardt's boat Soledad fished southwards for 2 days but caught nothing but skipjack, and Bill Klaser's boat also ran south, but caught just 1 wahoo.

"Loreto fishing has not completely ground to a halt but it's close," Erhardt said. "It's a shame because since the turbulence of Hurricane Norbert, the sea has been generally flat and fishing conditions excellent. I went south to Isla San Jose and around Islas Catalana and Santa Cruz, and at Las Animas, and I found no bird or porpoise activity."

Loreto fishing area water temperatures averaged about 83 degrees, with clear blue color and little debris present from the recent storm.

LORETO, MEXICO: Earlier, Steve Willis of Napa, Calif., reported Mexican sportfishing limits of dorado including 1 nice bull during a day of fishing with his wife and Loreto Capt. Jorge about 15 miles east of town. "Bait was hard to come by but we did get some from the bait guys as we left the marina," Willis said. "We fished with bigeye baits and we both got our limits.

"We also spotted a marlin and hooked it twice. It spit my hook after about 15 seconds, then Jorge hooked the marlin and it cut his line with its bill. All in all, it was a great day on the water. Jorge is an excellent pescador."

Loreto fishing area weather was favorable in the high-80s about 4 days after the passage of dissipating Hurricane Norbert, with water temperatures at 80 degrees near shore and 82 degrees farther out. "We were told that the winds that accompanied Norbert were about 40 to 45 m.p.h, but they did get torrential rain," Willis said.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Steve Willis of Napa, Calif., reported on a visit to Mulege during his Baja fishing trip, with a stay at the Oasis RV Park along the river. "They are still cleaning up after Hurricane Julio, which hit in August and flooded the rio," Willis said. "We did not fish at Mulege as the winds were up. The drive down Baja and back was uneventful. There are about 6 military checkpoints along the way and the men at them were courteous and got us through quickly. Gas was 7.1 pesos per liter. I just wished there was a way to get around San Quintin. That area seems like it takes forever to get through."

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko at the south send of Bahia de los Angeles village reported cooler early fall air temperatures in the mid-80s, with clear skies, lower humidity, some northerly and westerly winds, and water temperatures averaging 76 to 77 degrees.

Bahia de los Angeles area fishing was good for yellowtail of 10 to 20 pounds south of the bay at Roca Bernabe. Some yellowtail were also caught north of the bay at Bajo Guadalupe and good numbers of sierra were present inside the bay itself. "Whale sharks are also inside the bay in large numbers," Vazquez said. "It is easy to find them and swim with them." Good numbers of birds and dolphin were also present in the Bahia de los Angeles area. The town was quiet with few tourists around.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Jon Jen Charters of San Carlos reported improving fishing action as high summer water temperatures moderated and outings with Capt. Abel averaged about 1 billfish per day plus steady dorado. "The fishing at San Carlos is turning on now," Jon Jen said. "Water temps are down and the breaks out there make for a lot of bait. We've had lots of charters this week with good results." The San Carlos charter boat Catch-22 and the Jon Jen boats reported on 4 combined outings with a catch including released fish of: 11 dorado, 2 marlin, and 1 sailfish.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 28 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin to 230 pounds, some striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 25 yellowfin tuna, 2 mako shark, and 27 dorado.

Four inshore super pangas had a catch of: 1 sailfish, 14 "burros," 1 mako shark, 2 yellowfin tuna, 1 "permit," 1 snook, and 8 pargo. Edwards commented on the low sailfish counts turned in during the week. "Sailfish have yet to show up in force at Mazatlan this season," he said. "There doesn't appear to be an obvious explanation for it. Overall, Mazatlan fishing has been sporadic the past week as boats are searching in all directions."

Mazatlan fishing area weather was mostly clear in the low-90s, with generally calm seas and water temperatures stable of 86 degrees.

Aries Fleet charter boats fished a wide area from 20 to 30 miles out, using feathers for tuna, rigged and live baits for dorado, and rigged baits for billfish.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Tadeo Hernandez of Flota Bibi Fleet reported a few more tourists arriving and fishing in the Mazatlan area as yellowfin tuna action became more consistent. Mazatlan fishing area weather was humid at 82 degrees, with the water temperature at 87 degrees. Anglers fishing with Flota Bibi Fleet during the week included Victor Icazbalceta, Alejandro Mendoza, Jorge Piñera and Fernando Seade of Durango, Mexico, who landed 6 dorado to 18 pounds aboard the charter boat Paty C. with Capt. Alex and crewman Alex Jr.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Ed Tschernoscha reported on 3 days of fishing at Roca Corbetena on 3 different boats with fish hooked, landed, and lost by his group including: bullet tuna caught for baits, 1 amberjack of 70 pounds, 1 shark of 200 pounds, many yellowfin tuna of 52 to 100 pounds, 1 dorado of 50 pounds, and 1 pargo of 35 pounds. A good session on yellowfin tuna was found under birds on the third day of fishing as several boats hooked up on fish to about 100 pounds. "There was a large log floating on the north side of the rock with 20 to 30 boobies," Tschernoscha said. "I lobbed a bait in and got pulverized by a crashing 100-pound class tuna. Three more boats joined the party. Everyone got bit. The fish count from this one log was in the neighborhood of 50 fish from 30-pound schoolies to fish just under a hundred. Just 2 feet from gaff, my leader wore through and I watched my beautiful fish sink down backwards. As soon as I got another line in the water, I was hooked up again."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle noted the winter tourist season underway at Puerto Vallarta and the best fishing for larger pelagic species located far out on the offshore banks.

"The high tourism season in Puerto Vallarta began on October first," Gabruk said. "Right now fishing charters of less than 8 hours will not see a sailfish or marlin.

Roca Corbetena, 10 hours, or El Banco, 12 hours, are both still alive with fishing action. You've got a better than 85 percent chance of a marlin hookup. Yellowfin tuna are picking up. There aren't too many monsters over 200 pounds, but anything is possible at Puerto Vallarta at this time of year.

What you will see in a 4 to 6-hour fishing tour will be skipjack tuna, dorado chickens, bonito, mackerel, jack crevalle, and an outside possibility of roosterfish, but there are not many roosterfish in the Puerto Vallarta area this year."

"El Morro, Punta Mita, and points north for 8-hour fishing trips have been churning out very nice-sized dorado in the 45 to 60-pound range by casting or trolling. Just look for the birds. "

Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle outings during the week included a run to El Banco by the charter super panga Mi Jenny with Capt. Chema for a catch including 10 dorado of more than 30 pounds on goggle-eye baits.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said, "Angler action at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo continued to be almost nonexistent. Only a few boats fished during the week."

Zihuatanejo Capt. Temo Verboonen reported a few sailfish and dorado caught, plus some marlin to over 250 pounds hooked on live bonito baits trolled deep with downriggers. "There was no inshore fishing, due to high surf rolling through," Edwards said.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was sunny in the low-90s, with calm seas offshore, water temperatures at 85 degrees, and poor water clarity out to 20 miles.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said Ixtapa fishing was slowed by rains that pushed blue water out to 20 miles from shore and muddied inshore fishing areas with heavy river runoff.

"The next week's fishing looks very promising at Ixtapa," Kunze said. "The rainy season is all but over. There wasn't much action this week, with sportfishing boats averaging less than a sailfish a day. A few dorado also showed up in the fish counts. This could develop into a decent bite as current lines become more defined."

Some smaller roosterfish were reported in coastal waters but Kunze said the difficulty of "finding a decent stretch of clean water made for a lot of fishing, and very little catching."

Ixtapa fishing area weather was mostly cloudy in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 80 to 84 degrees.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CANCUN

CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 2 outings by the El Cid Caribe sportfishing fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 2 Atlantic barracuda, 1 sailfish, 2 king mackerel or peto, 1 Spanish mackerel, and 4 mutton snapper. "The two days fished in the past week reflect the diminishing economic times," Edwards said. "While catches were good, the Cancun fishing area is feeling the recession."

Cancun fishing weather was cloudy and humid in the high-80s, with northeast winds at 10 to 15 knots and water temperatures even at 84 degrees.

MEXICO COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MEXICO COASTAL AREAS

MEXICO: Greg Hovey of Kino Bay Sportfishing reported on 6 boats fishing along the Mexican mainland coast out of Kino Bay, Sonora, for good counts of yellowtail of 5 to 15 pounds. "Trolling pink MirrOlures and Rapalas put you on the fish," Hovey said. "Jigging any variety of medium-heavy irons also filled up the fish holds." Anglers also caught cabrilla of 2 to 5 pounds, sierra of 4 to 10 pounds, and some Humboldt giant squid of 10 to 40 pounds. "There were also several whale sightings this weekend," Hovey said.

"Captain Jim Wilson of the newly organized Kino Bay Sportfishing Fleet invites anglers from Arizona to come down to Kino Bay and check out the great fishing and diving. It's an easy 4-hour drive to Kino Bay from Tucson and the fishing, beaches and 'tranquillo' atmosphere make Kino Bay a must-see destination for anglers and vacationers." Information: Toll free from U.S. 866-625-1117, KinoBaySportfishing.com.

Magdalena Bay, Mexico fishing photo 1

Magdalena Bay, Mexico fishing photo 2

SUNRISE ON THE THETIS BANK--Al Jordan of Loreto and Puerto Lopez Mateos makes a pass over the high spot at the Thetis bank off Magdalena Bay at sun-up Thursday aboard his boat $ea Note. Below, 30 minutes later, Capt. Sergio Garcia wrestles aboard a 66-pound wahoo, the largest taken during a 2-day trip out of Puerto Lopez Mateos by 6 boats from Loreto. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Magdalena Bay, Mexico fishing photo 3

THETIS BANK WAHOO--Part time Loreto residents Rod Dees and Rita King fished on the Mag Bay Outfitters charter boat Mar Gato with Capt. Ruben Duran for several wahoo, yellowfin tuna, dorado, and a marlin hook-up during 2 days of great fishing off Magdalena Bay out of Puerto Lopez Mateos last week. PHOTO COURTESY OF BARRY WILKERSON.

Ensenada, Mexico fishing photo 1

MEXICAN FLAG FISHING--Steve Ross and Capt. Juan Lu display some late season albacore and yellowfin tuna caught aboard Ross' Marina Coral sportfisher Bad Dog. The top lure for these fish was a 7-Strand handmade daisy chain in Mexican flag colors. "They kept biting the same lure all the time out of the 7 lures that we trolled," Ross said. "It was amazing." PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ROSS.

San Quintin, Mexico fishing photo 1

SAN QUINTIN TUNA--Victor Rodriguez fished out of San Quintin with Julio Meza aboard Meza's boat Santa Monica for 10 of these yellowfin tuna to 37 pounds plus 4 yellowtail to 25 pounds. The tuna were caught about 17 miles out in 68-degree water. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIO MEZA.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico fishing photo 1

CABO PANGA FISHING--This tasty wahoo-dorado combo came aboard the Cabo San Lucas charter panga Cheer's for anglers Renee Shattuck and Miguel Hernandez, on a day that also produced 11 more dorado and a sailfish with Capt. Ramon Druck. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico fishing photo 2

HAMMERHEAD RELEASE--An 80-pound class hammerhead shark about to be released off Cabo San Lucas' Cabo Falso last week during fishing aboard the charter panga Cheer's with Capt. Ramon Druck. The outing also produced 8 dorado to 35 pounds for anglers David Wade and John Bremner of Seattle, Wash. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico fishing photo 3

CABO DORADO BITE--Bill Goodnight got into Cabo San Lucas' very good local dorado action aboard the charter boat Cabo Magic II. A striped marlin was also released in the day's action. PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI GARCIA.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico fishing photo 4

LOTSA CABO DORADO--Mahi-mahi led the fish counts again last week for Cabo San Lucas sportfishing boats as anglers Ignacio Valdez and Manuel Munoz of Los Angeles, Calif., landed 9 dodos to 10 pounds plus this bonus yellowfin tuna in action aboard the local charter panga Cheer's with Capt. Ramon Druck. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico fishing photo 1

LOS CABOS PANGAS--Yutaka Suganuma of Mission Viejo, Calif., with a nice 30-pound dog snapper caught at San Jose del Cabo during 2 days of fishing with Gordo Banks Pangas. PHOTO COURTESY OF YUTAKA SUGANUMA.

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico fishing photo 2

IMAN BANK WAHOO--Walt Valt of California landed this nice 60-pound wahoo at San Jose del Cabo's Iman Bank while trolling a skirted jet head with Gordo Banks Pangas skipper Arturo Castillo aboard the charter super panga Ginny. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

La Paz, Mexico fishing photo 1

LA PAZ PANGA FISHING--Karen Matthers and her family fished on La Paz' Las Arenas side with Tortuga Sportfishing and landed dorado plus these good-sized yellowfin tuna. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz, Mexico fishing photo 2

La Paz, Mexico fishing photo 3

LA PAZ PANGA FISHING--Regular La Paz anglers, Leroy Freeman and Al Burgess of Kansas hold up a couple of nice dorado caught at La Paz while panga fishing with Tailhunter International out of Ensenada de los Muertos south of the city. Below, Stacy Amos of Los Angeles, Calif., on the beach at Ensenada de los Muertos with one of the Humboldt giant squid now being caught for dorado and tuna bait. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Loreto, Mexico fishing photo 1

LORETO SOUTH REEF WAHOO--Kent Klaser caught his first-ever wahoo on the Isla Catalana south reef on Monday while fishing with his father and part-time Loreto resident Bill Klaser on the family boat Reel Duck. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAM KLASER.

Loreto, Mexico fishing photo 2

LORETO DORADO SEASON--Steve Willis and his wife found Mexico fishing limits of dorado including this nice-sized bull as Loreto's excellent 2008 summer dorado season wound down following the passage of Hurricane Norbert. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE WILLIS.

Mazatlan, Mexico fishing photo 1

DORADO AT MAZATLAN--Anglers, Victor Icazbalceta, Alejandro Mendoza, Jorge Piñera and Fernando Seade, all of Durango, Mexico, landed 6 dorado to 18 pounds during early-October fishing at Mazatlan aboard the Flota Bibi Fleet charter boat Paty C. PHOTO COURTESY OF TADEO HERNANDEZ.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico fishing photo 1

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico fishing photo 2

VALLARTA TUNA MELEE--Ed Tschernoscha's offshore run to Puerto Vallarta's Roca Corbetena found a yellowfin tuna school being pounded by a group of boats, with hookups all-around on tuna into the 100-pound class. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ED TSCHERNOSCHA.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico fishing photo 3

VALLARTA DORADO--Scott LaFramboise, Capt. Chema, and Juli LaFramboise boated 10 dorado to 30 pounds with Puerto Vallarta's Capt. Chema during fishing aboard the Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle charter super panga Mi Jenny. They fished by casting goggle-eye baits into schooling fish at the offshore El Banco high spot. PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN GABRUK.

Kino Bay, Mexico fishing photo 1

KINO BAY CHARTERS--Greg Hovey, right, owner of the newly launched Kino Bay Sportfishing service at Kino Bay, Sonora, along with Capt. Jim Wilson of the charter sportfishing boat El Pato and his wife Lauren, scored these yellowtail on Saturday just north of Deadman's, on the back side of Isla Tiburon. PHOTO COURTESY OF GREG HOVEY.

Puerto Los Cabos, Mexico marina photo 1

LOS CABOS MARINA PROGRESS--Baja's new Puerto Los Cabos marina, shown at sunset during Yutaka Suganuma's recent trip, ended the era of beach-launched pangas at San Jose del Cabo. PHOTO COURTESY OF YUTAKA SUGANUMA.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES