Nicer grade of tuna for East Cape sportfishing boats;

Cabo striped marlin action gets hot

Mexico Fishing News, November 3, 2008

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR EAST CAPE

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Marisol Verdugo of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort said fleet boats found good yellowfin tuna action during the week on fish to 60 pounds, and on Sunday a tuna at 200 pounds was landed by 2 anglers from Washington State while fishing about 35 miles to the north.

About 2 to 6 Verdugo's boats fishing daily also had good counts of 1 to 3 sailfish per outing plus about 1 to 4 dorado. East Cape fishing area weather was mostly calm and warm.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported "picture perfect" late October fishing weather at East Cape with sailfish leading the billfish action, plus a few striped marlin, and a very few blue marlin also in the mix. Dorado fishing was good about 5 miles out, and some boats got into quality yellowfin tuna. "Luckier boats caught as many as 5 tuna to 100 pounds," Graham said.

Beach fishing in water clouded by earlier north winds produced some small roosterfish and jacks.

East Cape fishing area weather was in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 76 to 84 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jeff deBrown of The Real Baja fly fishing guide service at East Cape said, "The north winds have started in the typical fall pattern of calm for a few days, wind for a couple of days, and then back to lovely." Beach fishing between winds produced pargo, cabrilla, roosterfish, ladyfish, and sierra in abundant bait concentrations. Medium-sized roosterfish, ladyfish, and jacks were caught inshore, and some improved action for tuna was found offshore. "Most of these tuna are being found with porpoise between 8 and 20 miles out," deBrown said. "Most have been between 20 and 60 pounds."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending Oct. 23, 2008, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 336 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 995 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 5 blue marlin, 18 striped marlin, 121 sailfish, 338 dorado, 246 yellowfin tuna, 10 pargo, 10 wahoo, 5 pompano, 20 roosterfish, and 1 mako shark. East Cape fishing area weather was in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 81 to 87 degrees. "The good news is that East Cape is seeing some real nice sized ahi coming in sporadically," Moyers said. "One amigo last week caught 4 tuna in the 50 to 80-pound class, and one toad came in at about 150 pounds. The real problem with East Cape fishing right now is that the north winds have been blowing pretty consistently over the past couple of weeks and most of the nice tuna are out 30 to 45 miles offshore. East Cape anglers have been getting beat up in their quest for the quality pelagics."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the fishing week ending Oct. 23, 2008, Eddie Dalmau of Van Wormer Resorts reported on 235 East Cape charter fishing boats from Hotels Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with a catch including released fish of: 6 blue marlin, 17 striped marlin, 81 sailfish, 276 dorado, 185 yellowfin tuna, 48 roosterfish, 5 wahoo, 8 cabrilla, 20 pargo, 40 triggerfish, 10 bonita, and 75 squid. East Cape fishing area weather was at 90 degrees, with water temperatures of 76 to 78 degrees. "This week's fishing at East Cape was hampered a bit by north winds," Dalmau said. "Last week the tuna bite was about 45 miles out and this week it moved in to about 25 miles and some nice tuna were reported in the 80-pound range."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Richard Spinner of South Pasadena, Calif., reported on a 10-day stay at East Cape's Hotel Punta Colorada on Oct. 14-24, 2008, finding plentiful sardina bait in weather conditions that were settling after the passage of Hurricane Norbert to the north, lots of Humboldt giant squid also present, and 2 days of fishing producing a mixed bag including 1 striped marlin, 2 pargo, 1 leopard grouper, 1 dorado of 25 pounds, 5 yellowfin tuna of 30 to 45 pounds, 1 larger tuna lost at gaff, and 3 sea turtles released after they began hitting squid baits near Los Frailes.

"Bait was in thick right in front of the hotel," Spinner said. "Fly fishing and casting Rapalas was productive at sunrise, and live bait was the ticket during the day for larger roosters and jacks.

"The second day we headed out to chase the dolphins. We landed a bull dorado by a floating log and saw several sleeping marlin but they weren't interested. After several hours we finally started to get into the yellowfin tuna. The best action was on a trolled tuna clone lure. The fish were in the 30 to 80-pound range, no footballs."

Spinner also noted signs of future development at East Cape. "They had festivities in La Ribera for new marina construction," he said. "Creedence Clearwater Revival provided entertainment. The developers are as busy as bees. Much of the area is closed to the general public."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jack Simpson of Mission Viejo, Calif., reported on a trip to East Cape earlier in the month for slow fishing just before the arrival of Hurricane Norbert. "The fishing was pretty poor," Simpson said. "We only caught 4 small dorado and 1 wahoo in 3 days of fishing."

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ENSENADA

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his beach-launched pangas fishing at the tip of Ensenada's Punta Banda last week scored steady catches of larger lingcod, red rockcod, and mixed bottom fish, plus lots of surface bonito and a home guard 25-pound yellowtail caught on a slow-retrieved aluminum jig. "This was home guard week for Jay Johnson on Monday," Villarino said. "He hooked the 25 pounder and 6 bonito that we brined up for the smoker. We were all hungry for my famous bonito pate on soda crackers!"

On Wednesday, Brian "Calico" Foley of Ensenada fished in good Santa Ana weather conditions for larger lingcod and red rockcod.

Ensenada fishing area local weather was foggy in the mornings in the mid-70s, with calm winds, ocean swells at 2 to 3 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 59 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the Ensenada boat Bad Dog at Marina Coral reported on an offshore run to 60 miles out, with no bottom fish found on ultra-deep drops to over 1,000 feet and a mixed bag of 5 albacore, 4 yellowtail, 3 skipjack tuna, and 1 dorado of 14.6 pounds caught while trolling in 65.8-degree blue water.

"With fog horns blowing, Gail, Juan Lu, and I departed Marina Coral at midnight heading for the 213 fathom spot with lat- longs of 31.48 117.51," Ross said.

"In the dark, we baited our ganions and attached sash weights for the 1,300-foot drop to the bottom.

"Mine had 3-inch Berkley Gulp Squids with a piece of sardine, and Juan Lu had whole sardines. Both rigs had cyalume lights. After waiting 10 minutes we reeled up only to find every bait unmolested.

"At 0700 we began trolling this bank, on approximately 250 degrees at 60 nautical miles from Ensenada. At 0900 we got a double jig strike of 2 yellowtail and we stayed in this area all morning. The first skipjack we ate raw with soy sauce immediately upon it's capture.

"The top producing lure of the day was a 7-Strand Tuna Clone feather in color midnight with a red head, now out of production, in a daisy chain set up with matching front lures and a Moldcraft L'il Bird in front of it all."

Ross also noted no hits at the 1010, 295, and 238 spots, all in 65-degree water.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO SANTO TOMAS

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Tom Hamlin of San Diego reported on a Baja fishing run with Ed Dabrowski down Mex 1 to Sam Saenz' Puerto Santo Tomas Resort south of Ensenada for 2 days of kayak fishing and a catch of Mexican sportfishing limits of mixed rockfish at 2 to 3 pounds, red rockcod to 4 pounds, some lingcod and calico bass, and 7 bonito of 5 to 10 pounds.

"We fished directly off the boat launch at Sam's place on the outside of the kelp beds," Hamlin said. "Sea conditions were good, with a light wind in the morning both days, medium swell, and water temperature at around 62 degrees.

"We fished plastic swim baits tipped with squid off the bottom in 80 to 90 feet of water. Visibility was excellent at 25 to 30 feet. Bonito were frequently breezing right underneath the kayaks."

The bonito were hooked with yo-yoed Tady 45s in blue-white and scrambled egg, both tipped with squid.

Hamlin noted no problems during the drive in Baja and at the Tecate border crossing, and the dirt road off Mex 1 into Puerto Santo Tomas in very good condition. "Sam took good care of us as always," he said. "Another great Baja weekend."

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort reported no wind and a calm ocean during the week as anglers caught full Mexican sportfishing limits of mixed bottom fish species, 2 large sheephead of 20 and 30 pounds, and bonita on the surface within a thousand feet of the launch ramp. Anglers fishing during the week included Tom Conlin and his trip partner who fished from kayaks, a 5-angler group from San Diego's Viejas Casino, and others that fished with Capt. Marcos.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN QUINTIN

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Jorge Rosales of CICESE at Ensenada reported on another trip to monitor sportfishing results at San Quintin, with fish counts taken on Oct. 25, 2008, at the Old Mill for 5 charters by the boats Fanny I, Fanny III, Fanny IV, La Pinta, and Ogre, with 17 anglers bringing in 124 total fish including 47 yellowfin tuna, 3 yellowtail, 13 skipjack, 1 bonito, 1 blue shark, and mixed bottom fish including 38 vermillion rockfish, lingcod, whitefish, sheephead, bocaccio, starry rockfish, Mexican rockfish, and greenstriped rockfish. "As in September, the end of October was characterized by the presence of yellowfin tuna at 12 to 15 miles in a water temperature of 68 to 70 degrees," Rosales said.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Marita Melville, returned from a trip to Cabo San Lucas, reported on fishing out of Don Eddie's Landing for the period ending Oct. 23, 2008, with boats including Capt. Juan Cook's finding some Mexican limits of yellowfin tuna outwards to the 240 spot, plus 1 dorado. San Quintin fishing area weather was mostly calm, with some morning fog, sunny afternoons, and the water temperature at 68.3 degrees.

During one run with anglers Ed Olsen and Warren Weisenburg, and Capt. Cook skippering their boat Mas Tarde, Melville said, "They found some dolphins at 15 miles. They got their first hit right away and they stayed on the dolphins for the rest of the day for the Mexican limits. Tuna continues wide-open at San Quintin. If you like to eat tuna and get all bloody and nasty, then hurry on down."

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR BAJA COASTAL AREAS

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Les Heil of Baja Bocana Bed & Breakfast at Laguna La Bocana on Baja's central Pacific coast reported yellowfin tuna still present, with some catches of more than 15 fish to 30 pounds per boat, plus good numbers of dorado to 25 pounds, all located close to shore. "But it looks like no more wahoo for a while," Heil said. Baja coastal water temperatures were cooler at about 76 degrees. "Another San Diego sportfishing boat was seen in the area, and the word is that La Bocana has the best fishing this year, far better than south at Magdalena Bay."

At a local fishing tournament the previous Saturday, the winning fish were: yellowfin tuna, 32.6 pounds; dorado, 19.6 pounds; and yellowtail, 9.2 pounds. Six wahoo and 1 striped marlin were also caught, as Heil noted the Mexican-style celebration that accompanied the event. "The La Bocana festivities went on for 3 days with a band playing into the early hours of the morning," Heil said. "One night they finished playing at 5:30 in the morning. I'm too old for that stuff."

For the previous week, Heil reported water temperatures averaging 78 degrees, dorado one-half mile from his house, and tuna 1 to 6 miles out. "No need to go further," he said. "Catches have been from couple to 20 fish each trip. Small yellowtail have returned and you can almost get them off the beach. Some commercial fishing pangueros get up to 300 per day on handlines."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Shari Bondy of Baja Bed & Breakfast at Bahia Asuncion said panga outings with Capt. Juan Arce of Arce Bros. Sportfishing continued to produce Mexican sportfishing limits of cabrilla, yellowfin tuna, and some yellowtail, in clear water at 76 degrees. Anglers fishing along the Baja coast at Bahia Asuncion included John Whitaker and his group.

"John flew in from California to catch his first yellowtail on the fly and try for a record cabrilla," Bondy said. "Capt. Juan put him on the fish and he was thrilled. Juan got a fly fishing lesson as well. The guys limited out quickly and did some free diving at Isla San Roque."

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAGDALENA BAY

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported on another trip to Baja's Pacific coast with his trailer boat Soledad, launching at Magdalena Bay's Puerto Lopez Mateos and fishing offshore 2 times at the Thetis Bank and Ridge running northwards for a catch of 4 wahoo to 40 pounds, limits of yellowfin tuna, another wahoo of 48 pounds wrestled from a sea lion, and a couple of small dorado.

"On Thursday I fished on the Thetis Bank with 6 other boats from Loreto," Erhardt said. "I caught 4 wahoo before noon in a much slower bite than has been the case for the past month or so. The other Loreto boats tallied only 1 wahoo by Bill Bassett, fishing for the first time out of Lopez Mateos on his boat Precision with Bob Sipe.

"On Monday I ran first to the Ridge north of the Thetis where there was a long range boat hoisting anchor and heading north, and also a big private sportfisher. After an hour-and-a-half of nothing, I left for the Thetis where a sea lion tried to make a lunch out of my 48-pound 'hoo. On the way back to the boca at Puerto Lopez Mateos, there were large schools of yellowfin from which I easily caught my limit.

"Puerto Lopez Mateos' Capt. Ruben Duran was fishing on the Raptor in the area, mining the tuna along with 2 other small boats out of Bahia Santa Maria. One of the other boats was catching yellowfin on the fly.

"I also caught a couple of small dorado while fishing for tuna and I saw 2 marlin over the 2 days. I tried to entice one of the marlin with a feather to no avail."

Offshore Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was moderate, with some whitecaps, light winds, thunderclouds, and lightning, and water temperatures averaging about 80 degrees.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported good fly fishing tackle action for yellowfin tuna for Mexican limits of tuna to 30 pounds, several broken lines, a broken 12WT flyrod, and a couple of marlin also released by anglers Kurt Ransohoff of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Tom Lorish of Portland, Ore. The 2008 Mexican commercial shrimp fishing season was underway at Magdalena Bay in the mangrove channels, as boats engaged in sportfishing also caught several smaller snook and some cabrilla to 20 pounds. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was mostly clear in the high-80s, with water temperatures at 78 to 85 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CABO SAN LUCAS

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 37 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo, Fish Cabo I, and Tuna Time, with a catch including released fish of: 129 striped marlin, 1 wahoo, 3 sailfish, and 50 dorado.

"The striped marlin bite rages at the Golden Gate Bank," Edwards said. "The only thing limiting the number of releases is the angler's ability to pull."

The top fleet boat for the week was the Gaviota X with Capt. Nicolas Winkler and 20 striped marlin releases in 4 outings.

Edwards noted the lack of yellowfin tuna in the week's fish count. "There was simply no reason to go looking for tuna as they focused on billfish at the bank," he said. "It's that time of year when the Golden Gate just comes alive with billfish."

Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was sunny in the mid-90s, with mostly calm seas and water temperatures averaging 86 to 87 degrees on the Pacific-side Golden Gate Bank, and 84 degrees at the Gordo Banks on the Sea of Cortez side. Most boats fished with live mackerel and caballito baits cast to abundant surface feeding marlin.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of the Baja Anglers fly fishing guide service at Cabo San Lucas reported very good striped marlin action for anglers TJ Nogula and Dean D'anna of Michigan who released 14 striped marlin on 30-pound stand-up tackle with Capt. Alex aboard the charter boat Flying Fish III.

"The marlin fishing is just spectacular," Hartman said. "If you want striped marlin on the fly, get down to Cabo San Lucas now."

Hartman noted striped marlin interfering with trying to make bait during an outing to the Pacific banks that scored a striper on the fly for his wife Gisel. "It's crazy," he said, "almost every time we dropped for bait, we'd hook up a green mackerel and then a marlin or two grabs our bait rig and just snaps us off. Finally we got a few baits up and started fishing."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 16 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 1 blue marlin of 200 pounds, 34 striped marlin, 2 yellowfin tuna of 20 pounds, 2 sailfish, and 62 dorado of 20 to 30 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 3 outings during the week with a total of 6 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 1 sailfish, 28 dorado of 10 to 20 pounds, and 4 wahoo of 12 to 18 pounds. The Cheer's fished on the Pacific and Sea of Cortez side beaches and out to about 2 miles in water temperatures of 85 to 86 degrees and some hot weather with mostly calm sea conditions.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the week ending Oct. 26, 2008, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported good fishing conditions on the Pacific side and excellent striped marlin numbers at the Golden Gate Bank. "We had groups this week that did double-digit fish every day," Landrum said. "If you were in the right place at the right time the marlin fishing was outstanding. Live bait was the key. Finding bait balls was the most important thing."

Landrum noted poor fishing for larger blue and black marlin during the recent Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament.

"The numbers speak for themselves, 141 boats, fishing 3 days, catching 2 fish over 300 pounds means one decent fish per 212 days of effort. The results were dismal unless you were the boat that caught a 313-pound marlin on the last day and took home a check for over $2 million."

Landrum noted lots of dorado present in Cabo San Lucas waters, and good numbers of school-size yellowfin tuna caught, but mostly for tournament bait.

"Sardinas were in great demand in order to catch the small yellowfin tuna and bonita used for live bait on the big fish," Landrum said. "The price went up accordingly. We spent $100 per day for 3 scoops of sardinas. There were more yellowfin tuna caught for bait than between all the charter boats combined. Having 60 boats all tossing out sardinas in a small area tended to concentrate the tuna. Yellowfin tuna to 15 pounds were caught in decent numbers every morning right in the middle of the bait along the drop-off. Farther offshore, lures from 6 to 10 inches in length in darker colors resulted in decent numbers."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the week ending Oct. 22, 2008, Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas reported outstanding action for anglers not fishing in the recent big money tournaments, as 72 percent of Pisces boats had a billfish catch including released fish of: 244 striped marlin, 5 blue marlin, and 12 sailfish. Top outings for the week included 17-striped marlin release days for the charter boats Bill Collector and C Rod.

Sixty-one percent of Pisces boats landed dorado, and 6 percent caught yellowfin tuna. Other catches included 2 wahoo of 27 and 55 pounds, 1 small mako shark, and some roosterfish and skipjack.

Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was calm and sunny, with water temperatures averaging 84 degrees.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN JOSE DEL CABO

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 154 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing out of San Jose del Cabo's Puerto Los Cabos marina, with a catch including released fish of: 788 dorado, 15 wahoo, 189 yellowfin tuna, 11 sailfish, 5 striped marlin, 3 hammerhead shark, 8 dog snapper, 64 true red snapper, and 24 bonito. San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather had some variable winds, with water temperatures at 80 to 85 degrees. Good numbers of tourists and anglers were present at Los Cabos. Abundant dorado were caught by La Playita pangas fishing in all directions. "Weed and debris lines attracted schools of dorado in the 5 to 20-pound range concentrated close to shore," Brictson said. "San Jose del Cabo panga anglers were catching easy Mexico fishing limits and releasing many other fish on virtually all types of lures and baits."

Yellowfin tuna of 10 to 15 pounds were caught off Santa Maria and the Hyatt Hotel but hookups were limited by competition from concentrated skipjack. "The other main spot where yellowfin tuna were found was on the Inner Gordo Bank," Brictson said. "Most of the tuna weighed in the 40 to 60-pound class, although some much larger fish were hooked and lost. This could be good news for the coming WON Tuna Jackpot Tournament."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Carlos Aboyo of San Jose del Cabo reported a nice dog snapper speared near the Puerto Los Cabos marina. "I have been living here for 4 years and spear fishing for the last year," Aboyo said. "Last Friday at 2 p.m. I went spear fishing at the rocks that form the marina at La Playita. It's always full of fish but not always clear. There were a lot of snappers, sierras, and jacks, but this big one got closer. It needed 2 shots and half-an-hour of battle, but in end, it fed 3 families."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: For the 10-day period ending Oct. 24, 2008, San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow reported on 5 panga fishing trips and 6 surf fishing trips, with a total of 159 fish of 60 species caught or observed, but with no new species included. "The two fish of the week were a 53-inch wahoo, and off the beach, a 3-pound Cortez Chub," Snow said. Early fall fishing weather at San Jose del Cabo was hot, with water temperatures at 85 degrees.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LA PAZ

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing reported generally good weather and light winds for his pangas fishing on the Las Arenas side south of La Paz, but with heat lightning at night and some rain ending at dawn over the city. "We've also had some light rain in our fishing areas," Hernandez said, "and the season is changing, with some days producing lots of fish and other days very slow."

Hernandez said pangas running out to the north end of Isla Cerralvo found very few fish. The best action was found close to the Baja shore off Punta Perico and Ensenada de los Muertos, where catches included dorado and some tuna.

Good quantities of Humboldt giant squid and sardina baits were available. "We're hoping that the fishing improves in the next few days," Hernandez said.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LORETO

LORETO, MEXICO: For the week ending Oct. 23, 2008, Don Bear of Loreto reported slower dorado fishing as the summer season came to a close, but one outing on Bear's boat producing 6 dorado to 18 pounds during a 75-mile day in water temperatures of 81 to 82 degrees.

"It looks like the dorado season is winding down at Loreto," Bear said. "There are still dorado around, but it is a pick bite. Very few pangas are going out at Loreto due to the paucity of fishermen and the beginning of winter-like winds. If there are still dorado schools around, they aren't being found due to the small number of 'scouts' exiting the marina.

"On Tuesday outside the Punta Lobos bajo in moderately rough sea conditions we caught 6 dorado on single strikes on sardinas, jurelitos, and dark feathers.

"On one toss of the cast net inside the marina, Capt. Paulino scored more than enough sardines to fill one bait tank, while it required about half-and-hour to fill the other tank with jurelitos about 3 miles straight out from the Loreto marina.

"The wind strengthened as the day progressed. The last two days have been even windier. There is talk of an abundance of small yellowtail at Punta Colorada and at the northwest corner of Isla Coronado, and additional talk of yellowfin tuna southeast of Isla Catalana."

LORETO, MEXICO: Ed Zeranski reported on a mid-October trip to Loreto to fish on a panga 3 days for a catch including yellowtail into the low 20-pound class in a wide-open surface bite. "We maxed out our cooler and fish box 2 days in a row," Zeranski said. "On the third day, we were off Point Lobo but the sea lions showed up so we headed west to one of the rock piles for cabrilla and pargo.

"For the rest of the week we were in the kayaks launching at Juncalito or snorkeling in the same place. Fun days. Thursday was windy so we just hung out. The drive down and back was smooth."

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MULEGE

MULEGE, MEXICO: Rich Heinz of San Diego, Calif., reported on a Baja trip by bus to Mulege for a visit to the Hotel Serenidad Saturday Pig Roast and fishing with local Capt. Jose Luis aboard the super panga Veronica for a catch of 14 large sierra, 2 yellowtail, and 1 dorado.

"John Chambers and I had a great morning," Heinz said. "Jose Luis on his super panga cost $180. We nailed 14 fish in the first hour just minutes north of Mulege, outside Isla Santa Inez. Most fish were caught trolling green-and-yellow or red-and-white feathers, but casting Krocodiles and even trolling jointed, deep-diver Rebels were successful.

"The Mulege fishing season has shifted and bottom fishing should be the focus now, but we opted to troll farther outside for hours. We sighted lots of porpoise, but only had 2 strikes, breaking off a good-sized dodo at the gaff and finally boating one just outside the mouth of the Mulege river. In these upcoming cooler months, the best bet is to let Jose Luis take you to where, in recent years, he's put us on numerous yellowtail and grouper to 45 pounds."

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN FELIPE

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Jeremy Roberts of Upland, Calif., reported on a Baja fishing trip to Gonzaga Bay south of San Felipe by his father Steve Roberts, his uncle Don Roberts, family friend Walt Akin, for a catch aboard their boat Mata Vacas including 1 good-sized grouper and many triggerfish, cabrilla, and sierra at Las Islas Encantadas.

The return trip from Gonzaga Bay to Mex 1 at the Laguna Chapala turnoff caused some problems with the boat trailer.

"The hotel at Puertecitos was closed so they decided to go down to Gonzaga Bay because may dad knew a place to stay there," Roberts said.

"Six hours after leaving Puertecitos they arrived at Gonzaga Bay with only one flat.

"They left Gonzaga Bay and took the shortcut to Mex 1 because they didn't want another 6-hour pounding.

"Unfortunately the road to Mex 1 isn't much better and they broke the leaf springs on the trailer, and the fender started cutting into the tires, and they had to stop and fix a few problems. It took them 3 hours to get to Mex 1 and 23 hours to get back to Upland from Gonzaga Bay.

"We named our boat Mata Vacas because last year my father center-punched a cow on his way to Puertecitos. It killed the cow and $15,000 dollars later the truck looks like new, adventure in Mexico."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN CARLOS

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Jon Jen Charters at San Carlos reported some northwest winds, choppy seas, and fishing up-and-down in variable water conditions. "We had several days when we could not find any blue water," Jon Jen said. "But there are a lot of small dorado. The JonJen got some limits of dorado. Capt. Abel on the JonJen II went out further and got a limit of medium to large dorado and lost a nice billfish. He is seeing a lot of jumpers. We are now changing the season's fishing format, straight out into the skippies or yellowtail ,and then on to jig or cast to whatever is out there, the run and gun approach."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: For the week ending Oct. 23, 2008, Bryan Replogle of San Carlos-Guaymas reported on an outing by the boat Margarita V for a catch including a foul-hooked marlin of about 350 pounds that could not be released. "Unfortunately. it was hooked in the pectoral fin and came in upside down and unrevivable," Replogle said. "It fed many people and will be sitting on my friend's wall as a true taxidermy soon."

A 3-day run to Isla Tortuga produced action on yellowfin tuna of 20 to 25 pounds northeast of the island, a sailfish, a sierra, 2 bonita, triggerfish, jacks, pargo to 10 pounds, and almost 20 dorado. "There are lots of big marlin out there and some getting caught, still some sails, lots of small dorado with some larger bulls, and some reports of large sierra and even yellowtail coming in," Replogle said.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAZATLAN

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 26 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 4 blue marlin to 260 pounds, 1 striped marlin, 17 dorado, 5 sailfish, and 16 yellowfin tuna. Seven inshore super pangas had a catch of: 2 sailfish, 10 cabrilla, 5 yellowfin tuna, 27 triggerfish, 8 jack crevalle, and 6 dorado. "The fishing at Mazatlan continues to be on the slow side for no apparent reason," Edwards said. "The weather and sea conditions are excellent.

Mazatlan fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with calm seas and water temperatures stable at 88 to 89 degrees, as boats searched for fish in all directions.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Tadeo Hernandez of Flota Bibi Fleet at Mazatlan reported hot weather and water temperatures warm at 88 degrees. "Mazatlan weather is 89 degrees and it feels like 97 due to the 60 percent humidity," Hernandez said. Charter boat outings during the week included a run for 8 yellowfin tuna by Capt. Tony Valdes of the boat Mahi Dreamer with anglers Gabriel Anaya and Enrique Castro, both of Mazatlan.

Hernandez noted upcoming fishing tournaments at Mazatlan including the 14th Mazatlan Billfish Classic on Nov. 13-15, 2008, and El Debate's 8th Sailfish Tournament on Nov. 22-23rd, 2008.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO VALLARTA

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Anthony Lionetti of the Puerto Vallarta charter boat El Pescador reported on a 2-day run to El Banco for a catch in calm waters that included 4 yellowfin tuna of over 100 pounds, 4 tuna under 100 pounds, several large snapper, and a couple of dorado. Fishing aboard El Pescador were Capt. Steve Torres, crewmen Mario and Tuna, and anglers Mike Hieshima, Erwin Bucy, Pat Gilhooly, and Anthony Mansour.

"The calm water allowed the vessel to anchor overnight on El Banco," Lionetti said. "The first day out, the fishing was hot, but on the second day the bite shut down a bit earlier, possibly due to a seiner making a set.

"Other Puerto Vallarta fishing boats reported lots of smaller yellowfin tuna of 45 to 80 pounds, but the El Pescador was the only vessel that landed anything larger. Capt. Steve made several drifts free lining goggle-eyes which allowed them to hook the larger class fish. Mike Hieshima put a large squid out on the kite and Erwin Bucy landed the largest yellowfin which taped out to be 74 inches by 48 inches."

Lionetti noted that he has established a website for El Pescador at ElPescadorFishing.blogspot.com.

Bob Huston reported on the Third Annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation "Hook The Cure" Tournament held at Puerto Vallarta on Oct. 23-26, 2008, with 30, 2-angler teams fishing for 2 days in some rough conditions for dorado to 25 pounds, a few sailfish, a few school-sized yellowfin tuna, and 1 large blue marlin, as $450,000 was raised to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported more anglers arriving at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo as the fall fishing season began to get going. "Almost all of November is sold out for most Ixtapa Zihuatanejo super pangas with a group that has begun to arrive from all over the world," Edwards said. "They will be using about 60 super pangas per day for the month."

Ixtapa fishing area weather was favorable in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 87 degree as captains reported 4 to 6 sailfish strikes per day offshore while fishing in blue water beginning at 12 miles out, plus good action for roosterfish inshore.

East Cape, Mexico fishing photo 1

TUNA MAS GRANDE--Anglers Greg Waters and Robert Kirkbride checked in with this 200-pound class yellowfin tuna during fishing at East Cape out of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort. Other East Cape boats scored tuna of 40 to 100 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARISOL VERDUGO.

East Cape, Mexico fishing photo 2

EAST CAPE FLY FISHING--David Schaffert's visit to East Cape produced fly tackle catches of roosterfish, right, and sierra, left, plus cabrilla in action with Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF DEBROWN.

East Cape, Mexico fishing photo 4

EAST CAPE TUNA--Mickey Ghio's trip to East Cape with Richard Spinner found generally slow offshore fishing, but they did run into some nice action for yellowfin tuna of 30 to 45 pounds. Below, Spinner with a jack crevalle caught from the beach. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RICHARD SPINNER.

Ensenada, Mexico fishing photo 1

NICE MIXED BAG--Jay Johnson of Ensenada's Lengueta Arenosa neighborhood landed a nice catch of bonita, mixed bottom fish, and a 25-pound yellowtail while panga fishing at the tip of Punta Banda with Vonny's Fleet's Capt. Beto Zamora. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Ensenada, Mexico fishing photo 2

ENSENADA OFFSHORE DORADO--Gail Ross of the Marina Coral boat Bad Dog hoists a 14.6-pound dorado caught with husband Steve Ross during a run to the 213 spot aboard their boat Bad Dog. The October dodo hit a daisy chain of 7-Strand Tuna Clone feathers in midnight color. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ROSS.

San Quintin, Mexico fishing photo 1

QUINTIN TUNA--San Quintin's good 2008 summer season for yellowfin tuna continued for anglers Warren Weisenburg and Ed Olsen who fished with Capt. Juan Cook, right, out of Don Eddie's Landing. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARITA MELVILLE.

La Bocana, Mexico fishing photo 1

LA BOCANA TOURNAMENT--Les Heil of Baja Bocana Bed & Breakfast said anglers fishing in the recent tournament at La Bocana on Baja's semi-remote Pacific coast had good close-by action on tuna, dorado, 6 wahoo, and a striped marlin. The largest tuna, dorado, and yellowtail caught weighed in at 32.6, 19.6, and 9.2 pounds, respectively. PHOTO COURTESY OF LES HEIL.

Bahia Asuncion, Mexico fishing photo 1

Bahia Asuncion, Mexico fishing photo 2

BAJA FLY FISHING--This group of conventional tackle anglers got into very good action for tuna, yellowtail, and cabrilla after flying into Bahia Asuncion and panga fishing with Arce Bros. Sportfishing out of Baja Bed & Breakfast. Anglers fishing with Capt. Juan Arce, front center, included, left to right in back row, John Whitaker, Stan Woodward, pilot Jerry Feller, and Doug Coffey. Below, John Whittaker, left, and Capt. Juan Arce with a nice Bahia Asuncion calico bass. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHARI BONDY.

Magdalena Bay, Mexico fishing photo 1

CONTESTED THETIS BANK WAHOO--In slowing wahoo action on the Thetis Bank offshore of Magdalena Bay on Monday, Loreto fisherman Bill Erhardt beat a sea lion in a tug-of-war for this 48-pound wahoo. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM LUITHLY.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico fishing photo 1

HOT GOLDEN GATE STRIPERS--Gisel Grant, center, landed this fly tackle striped marlin in very good action at Cabo San Lucas' Pacific side Golden Gate Bank during a trip with husband Grant Hartman, center, of Baja Anglers, and Capt. Alex, left, of the Cabo San Lucas charter boat Flying Fish III. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT HARTMAN.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico fishing photo 2

CABO PANGA WAHOO--This charter fishing trip aboard the panga Cheer's out of Cabo San Lucas last week produced 9 dorado plus 2 of these wahoo in action less than 2 miles from shore. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico fishing photo 1

LIVE BAIT TUNA--Mark Christensen of Santa Rosa, Calif., went fishing at San Jose del Cabo with Capt. Arturo Castillo of Gordo Banks Pangas and caught this nice 45-pound yellowfin tuna while trolling a small live skipjack bait on the Gordo Banks. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico spear fishing photo 1

THREE-FAMILY SNAPPER--Carlos Aboyo of San Jose del Cabo speared this dog snapper close to the breakwater of the new Puerto Los Cabos Marina. The fish was subdued after a fight lasting half-and-hour and Aboyo said, "I fed 3 families with this fish." PHOTO COURTESY OF CARLOS ABOYO.

La Paz, Mexico fishing photo 1

CHINA DORADO CONNECTION--John Gimmie, left, of Shanghai, China Honeywell International fished at La Paz with Tortuga Sportfishing's Capt. Nufo Green and landed this quality dorado. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

San Quintin, Mexico fishing photo 1

QUINTIN FISH SURVEY--A fish count taken by Jorge Rosales' CICESE group at San Quintin last week showed 5 boats coming in with a total of 124 fish led by 47 yellowfin tuna caught 12 to 15 miles out. PHOTO COURTESY OF JORGE ROSALES.

Enchanted Islands, Mexico fishing photo 1

ENCHANTED ISLANDS GROUPER--Steve Roberts with a nice northern Sea of Cortez grouper caught by his brother Don Roberts during fishing at the Enchanted Islands south of San Felipe aboard their boat Mata Vacas. Also fishing on the trip was Walt Akin. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEREMY ROBERTS.

Mazatlan, Mexico fishing photo 1

MAZATLAN TUNA--Eight of these yellowfin tuna were caught at Mazatlan aboard the Flota Bibi Fleet charter boat Mahi Dreamer during fishing about 33 miles out with Capt. Tony Valdes, left, by anglers, Gabriel Anaya, center, and Enrique Castro, both of Mazatlan. PHOTO COURTESY OF TADEO HERNANDEZ.

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico patrol boat photo 1

LOS CABOS ENFORCEMENT--San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow photographed the patrol panga at the new Puerto Los Cabos marina. "Note the 150 h.p. motor," said Snow. "Hard to outrun!" PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN SNOW.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES

Nicer grade of tuna for East Cape sportfishing boats;

Cabo striped marlin action gets hot

Mexico Fishing News, November 3, 2008

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS