Magdalena Bay fall offshore fishing is hot;

Cabo San Lucas marlin do double-digits

Mexico Fishing News, November 24, 2008

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Bill Erhardt of Loreto reported on 6 days of offshore fishing during a 2-week period aboard his trailer boat Soledad out of Puerto Lopez Mateos at Magdalena Bay, with catches including wahoo, striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, and dorado.

"They have all shown up for the party outside Magdalena Bay," Erhardt said. "I fished from about 25 miles north of the Thetis Bank on the Ridge, to Pinnacle Rock about 75 miles south, anchoring overnight 4 nights at either Punta Belcher or Bahia Santa Maria."

Erhardt's boat caught 9 wahoo of 30 to 46 pounds on 2 outings to the northern high spots, and on 3 other runs to the south fished through dorado for 1 marlin landed on 3 strikes. One run to the north was blanked as Erhardt targeted wahoo.

Yellowfin tuna of 20 to 30 pounds were also caught in schools from Boca de Soledad southward. "At times the action was spectacular with crashing yellowfin tuna and a froth of splashing water 2 or 3 feet above the surface, and flocks of diving birds and porpoise joining in the frenzy," Erhardt said. "Limits of tuna were easily caught and I released many.

"There were schools of both dorado and striped marlin feeding on the surface on balls of bait fish. I tried to avoid the dorado and focus on marlin, but the marlin showed little interest in my lures. The wahoo bit around sun-up a couple of days after the full moon."

Erhardt noted very few other boats fishing offshore of Magdalena Bay. "On Saturday north of the Thetis Bank, the only other boat working the high spots was the long range boat First String," he said. "On Sunday, the only other sign of a boat was a sail on the horizon."

Erhardt's boat fished out of Puerto Lopez Mateos during 2 periods of calm weather spaced about a week apart, in clear blue offshore water, with the water temperature in the high-70s.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported very good offshore fly fishing action for clients Sam and Janet Farish of Georgia, who fished 5 days with Baja On The Fly guide Lance Petersen for a release catch of: 11 marlin, 2 wahoo plus 9 more wahoo lost to sea lions, 32 dorado, and 26 yellowfin tuna. The fishing was aboard the Mag Bay Outfitters charter boat Mar Gato with Capt. Sergio Garcia. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 78 to 79 degrees.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his charter pangas fishing at Ensenada found good action during the week for Mexico sportfishing limits of bonita on the surface and lots of bottom fish including sheephead, lingcod, red rockcod, 1 halibut of 8 pounds, 1 yellowtail of 16 pounds, and other mixed species. "Jay Johnson fished with Capt. Beto on the Vonny I and brought back lots of bonita for the smoker," Villarino said. "They were all caught by tossing a purple and blue feather."

Other anglers fishing on Vonny's Fleet pangas during the week included Barry, Adam, Benjamin, and Michelle Wilson, who also scored on bonita for the fish smoker plus bottom fish with Capt. Hector on the Vonny IV, and Brian Foley of Ensenada, who caught the yellowtail and halibut.

Local Ensenada fishing area weather was calm in the mid-70s, with ocean swells at 3 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 60 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the private sportfishing boat Bad Dog at Ensenada's Marina Coral reported on a run south to fish in spectacular bottom fishing conditions for a catch of Mexico fishing limits of blackgill rockfish and vermillion rockfish, limits of lingcod, 1 cow cod, 1 bonito, and 2 "giant" mackerel of about 5 pounds each. Also fishing aboard the Bad Dog were Capt. Juan Lu Felipe Cardona Sepulveda and Ski "Um Bwana" Plikaytis.

Ross said he discovered the spot off Punta Colonet by following a bottom fishing boat on radar that he mistook in darkness and heavy fog for a San Diego party boat heading out for his targeted tuna.

"After chasing him I wound up down 60 miles, off of Punta Colonet, and found him in no more than 100 yards of visibility fishing for deep water rockcod," Ross said.

"We opted to do the same, but being totally unprepared for this, we only had 2 sinkers on board.

"On the first drop, Ski reeled up 2 rare blackgill rockfish that easily weighed 6 pounds each. Then Juan Lu did the same.

"We lost our weights but continued to fish the same spot using heavy jigs for weights. The ocean was as flat as I have ever seen it, just like a chrome pancake with absolutely no swell on it. It was weird flat. There wasn't a drop of wind on it, surreal. Our Berkley Braid line allowed us to sink straight down.

"Both Ski and Juan Lu had limits of blackgill in a short time, raising 3 at a time. They were biting everything we dropped."

"On my first drop, I reeled up a 14.1-pound cowcod, and then I continued to raise limits of blackgills and vermilions, with nothing under 6 pounds each. It was unbelievable.

"This was the most successful deep water fishing trip I have ever had in my 50-plus years of fishing the Pacific Coast. I was sick of eating albacore, tuna and mercury anyway.

"Juan Lu and I are now very expert in working with our radar in socked-in fog following week-after-week of the sky falling down on us and visibility shrinking down to the bow in the dark of early morning and early night."

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Ken Jones of Long Beach, Calif., reported on another Baja fishing run down Mex 1 to Sam Saenz' Puerto Santo Tomas Resort south of Ensenada for an outing with Capt. Marcos and a catch of larger bonito of 8 to 12 pounds, plus mixed calico bass, sculpin, assorted rockfish, large whitefish, and 2 nice cabezon of about 5 pounds.

Baja coastal fishing weather was excellent, in light Santa Ana wind conditions.

"Sam had indicated in the past that the Santa Ana condition is the best weather at Puerto Santo Tomas," Jones said. "True to his word, I was met with temperatures in the high 70s, no wind, no fog, and wonderful conditions on the Pacific.

"Some uni and a batch of mussels from the locals at the extreme full moon low tides produced a delicious weekend."

Jones noted the death of Saenz' brother Paco, who helped run the resort. "Paco passed away in his home in Monterrey, Mexico," Jones said. "He was a perfect host, and when the cervezas flowed and with a little prompting, a great singer and guitar player around the campfire. He will be missed."

The commercial tuna pens at Puerto Santo Tomas were gone, Jones said, and no special problems were encountered during the drive in Baja except for road construction. "Construction continues on Highway 1 south of Puerto Nuevo where the southbound lanes are diverted onto the northbound," he said. "In some places the orange cones separating the lanes are missing. Only a fool would consider it at night."

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported few anglers fishing at San Quintin again last week, but the November yellowfin tuna bite continuing for those boats that did fish. "There is still a great bite on yellowfin tuna at San Quintin," Hillis said. "They are 12 to 15 miles off the point."

Bottom fishing also continued very good. Anglers scoring Mexico fishing limits of yellowfin tuna of 30 to 35 pounds included Oscar Gusman of Ensenada and Raul Osuna of Visalia, Calif., who went out 2 days of Capt. Hector on the charter boat Paloma. They caught tuna limits on their first day of fishing, and rockcods, 4 lingcod, and whitefish on their second day out.

San Quintin fishing area weather was windless and calm, with flat seas and early morning fogs burning off by 8 to 9 a.m.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Les Heil of Baja Bocana Bed & Breakfast, on the central Pacific Baja coast at the village of La Bocana, reported continued excellent action for yellowtail along shore. An outing by local Mexican commercial fisherman Capt. Nacho produced a catch of 125 yellowtail of about 8 pounds by 11 a.m. Two charter sportfishing outings with clients produced a total of 26 yellowfin tuna of over 30 pounds plus some yellowtail.

Heil cautioned anglers fishing with commercial captains at La Bocana to inquire about possible fees for taking fish home that might otherwise be sold.

"I would ask anyone coming to fish at La Bocana to ask the skippers up front about how many of the fish they can keep, Heil said. "Most of the pangas belong to the commercial fishing co-op, and they require fish to sell, or an extra $50 for sport fishing. A lot of people are blindsided when they get back to the beach and find out that a lot of their catch is gone."

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Dana Point, Calif., high school teacher Marv Sherrill announced the publication of his tenth annual Baja Calendar for 2009, with proceeds to benefit his student Baja trip program at Bahia de las Animas, just south of Bahia de los Angeles. This year's calendar, themed "Where Nature Reigns," features 12 main photos and 12 inset photos that celebrate the ecosystem of Baja California. "You can enjoy the ecology of Baja every day of the year," said Sherrill. "The tenth Baja Calendar will hopefully inspire both the novice and experienced traveler to continue their explorations of this fantastic ecosystem." The calendar is priced at $11.95. Information, BajaCalendar.com.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 60 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo, Fish Cabo I, and Tuna Time, with a catch including released fish of: 193 striped marlin, 202 dorado, 4 wahoo, 21 yellowfin tuna, and 1 hammerhead shark.

"The almost unbelievable billfish bonanza at Cabo San Lucas zipped right on through the full moon phase as if it weren't even there," Erhardt said. "It's truly exciting sportfishing when marlin bunch up and chomp on most anything that wiggles in the water."

Top boats for the week included the Gaviota VIII, with Capt. Juan Dominguez and 51 striped marlin landed in 6 outings. Dominguez' boat released all but 2 of the marlin and also landed 29 dorado. "That's an incredible 8.5 billfish per day average," Edwards said.

Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was clear at 90 degrees, with calm sea conditions on both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides. Water temperatures were at 79 degrees on the Golden Gate Bank marlin hotspot, and 82 to 83 degrees on the Cortez side.

Live bait supplies were fair at the downtown Cabo San Lucas marina, but mackerel baits were easily caught at the Golden Gate Bank.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 5 outings during the week with a total of 8 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 44 dorado of 6 to 20 pounds, 1 wahoo of about 10 pounds, 1 black skipjack, 1 skipjack tuna, 1 striped marlin hooked while bottom fishing, and 3 other striped marlin released. The Cheer's fished along the beaches on Cabo's Pacific side and out to 2 miles in water temperatures of 81 to 83 degrees and very good sea conditions. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Robert Peede of Los Angeles, Calif., Mike Wilson and Richard Castle of Seattle, Wash., Gerardo Morales of Mazatlan, Marcos Hernandez of Tijuana, Robert Jenkins, and Mumty and Char Jelden of Oregon.

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: 19 striped marlin, 27 yellowfin tuna of 20 pounds, 41 dorado of 20 to 25 pounds, and 1 thresher shark of 140 pounds. Top outings by the El Budster fleet included an 11-release day for El Budster and a 10-release day for El Budster I. "It was some of the greatest striped marlin fishing we have ever seen," Dillon said.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Durance Lowendick of Marlin Masters Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas reported excellent striped marlin action on the Pacific-side Golden Gate Bank, with double-digit release days scored by the charter boats Marlin Master I, Marlin Master III, Marlin Master VI, Marlin Master VII, and Marlin Master X. "Thousands of striped marlin have moved onto the Golden Gate sea mount," Lowendick said. "Cabo San Lucas area anglers are experiencing some fantastic fishing right now."

A run to the Finger Bank farther north produced 35 marlin releases plus 2 sailfish and 8 dorado of 7 to 50 pounds. "Lots of 25 to 40-pound dorado are also being taken between the Sunset Beach lighthouse and El Migrino by trolling within a mile of the beach," Lowendick said.

Yellowfin tuna of 20 to 50 pounds were caught about 8 miles off the lighthouse and at a location about 5 miles east of the Jaime Bank. "A few larger yellowfin tuna into the 150-pound range were also taken in Cabo fishing waters this week," Lowendick said. "Good water temperatures should result in solid action into the foreseeable future."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the 4-day fishing period ending Nov. 12, 2008, Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas reported a total of 516 striped marlin landed and all but 4 released. "The current striped marlin bite continues to break all Pisces Fleet records," Ehrenberg said. "The marlin action was fast and furious again at the Golden Gate Bank with live bait. Cabo San Lucas bait vendors experienced a shortage toward the end of the week, but most boat crews found it fairly easy to locate and catch bait on the way to the fishing grounds."

Top outings during the week included a 28-marlin release day for the charter boat Spartacus, 27 and 24-release days for the Bill Collector, and 25 releases for El Gallo.

Overall, 84 percent of Pisces charters caught marlin, 32 percent landed dorado of 15 to 30 pounds, and a few tuna and wahoo were also boated.

Pisces boats fished mainly at Pacific side locations including the Golden Gate Bank, El Migrino, and Pozo de Cota. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was clear, sunny and calm, with water temperatures averaging 82 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the week ending Nov. 16, 2008, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas reported dorado and yellowfin tuna scattered, but striped marlin counts continuing very high at the Golden Gate Bank. "The Golden Gate Bank was the site of multiple striped marlin releases for every Cabo boat that fished there," Landrum said. "A bad day was a release of only 5 marlin. Most boats did double-digits."

Live bait for sale was sometimes scarce but there were lots of mackerel available on the Pacific-side banks. "Most Cabo boats were able to get a few baits and then made more once they were at the Golden Gate," Landrum said. "There were plenty of mackerel there. The bait was balled up all across the area. While most boats stayed on the high spot, some of the more successful looked for bait balls away from the crowds."

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 124 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing out of San Jose del Cabo's Puerto Los Cabos marina, with a catch including released fish of: 52 wahoo of 10 to 60 pounds, 336 yellowfin tuna of 15 to 50 pounds, 552 dorado to 10 to 20 pounds, 1 black marlin, 3 striped marlin, 7 sailfish, 14 cabrilla, 38 various snappers, 16 sierra, 28 bonito, and 56 triggerfish. San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was clear in the mid-80s, with light north winds, and water temperatures slightly warmer than seasonable at 79 to 82 degrees.

La Playita pangas fishing from Santa Maria northeastwards to the Iman Bank area targeted tuna, dorado, and wahoo, but with bait fish scarce. "Bait fish congregations are off the Palmilla area, in rocky spots difficult for the commercial bait pangueros to reach in the surf zone," Brictson said. "Caballito baits have been netted at the entrance of the Puerto Los Cabos marina, but sardinas have proved to be the ticket for yellowfin tuna."

Good action for wahoo was found by pangas fishing less than a mile from shore at Punta Gorda and also at the Inner Gordo Bank. Some wahoo were also caught at La Fortuna, El Cardon, and the Iman and San Luis Banks. "These elusive fish struck a variety of baits, including chihuil, skipjack, caballito and even rainbow runner, as well as on the normal array of lures," Brictson said.

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported consistent north winds in the East Cape fishing area, as more charter boats left for calmer waters at Los Cabos. Boats fishing at East Cape found some tuna to over 50 pounds on calmer days, a few scattered billfish, and some dorado on debris. "A floating dead whale produced a serious bite until it either drifted over the horizon or sank," Graham said.

East Cape beach fishing was hampered by wind and waves, but did produce a few early morning sierra, jacks, and smaller roosterfish.

East Cape fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-80s, with winds to 12 knots and water temperatures of 76 to 80 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Plozizka of Salisbury, N.C., reported on 3 days of fishing out of East Cape's Hotel Palmas de Cortez with his wife Cheryl Plozizka, with 2 slow days for just 1 small dorado caught while fishing aboard the panga Rude Baby and the cruiser Mi Pistola, and a third day producing 1 dorado on sliced bread chum, 1 more dorado, and then a hot bite for 15 dorado aboard the cruiser Jack Daniels while fishing far north off Isla Cerralvo.

"The captain ran almost to Cerralvo Island and picked up some live sardinas," Plozizka said. "We then headed east to an offshore location that had a hot dorado bite the day before around some floating debris and a dead floating seal. It was nearly 2-1/2 hours before we wetted lines. Nothing was biting on the troll until Cheryl started chumming chunks of a slice of bread she had left over from lunch. She saw the dorado that hit the lure just as she tossed out the last chunk of bread.

"We were headed for home when the captain got news of a hot dorado bite over a floating wood crate. We arrived at the crate with about 3 other boats all hooked up with dorado. In a very short time we caught 15 dorado using the sardinas we got earlier. I've only been on a couple other wide-open dorado bites like that, and it sure made the trip end on a high note."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport East Cape diving service reported 50 to 70 feet of visibility and bottom water temperatures at 81 degrees at Punta Pescadero and Cerro Verde. Visibility at the Cabo Pulmo corral marine park was at 90 to 100 feet. Vista Sea Sport's Capt. Juan Diego Romero reported sea life sightings including a school of about 80 cownose rays, mobula manta rays, numerous green moray eels, leopard grouper, jewfish, and guitarfish. "Diego said the countless green morays were as thick as his thigh!" Cazaly said.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing reported good fishing weather for his charter pangas on the Las Arenas side south of La Paz, with no wind, calm seas, and air temperatures in the 80s.

Tortuga's pangas continued to fish at the south end of Isla Cerralvo and near the Baja shore at Punta Perico for a catch of smaller dorado, sierra, and assorted smaller pargos.

Some boats ran to the north end of Isla Cerralvo, where fishing on some days produced good-sized yellowfin tuna, but slow action was found on other days.

"Sardina live bait fish were in adequate supply in all of our fishing areas," Hernandez said. "This helped our anglers avoid losing time and start fishing earlier."

Hernandez also noted that information about Tortuga Sportfishing is available online at this newly reorganized website, TortugaLaPaz.com.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported few tourists present at La Paz and few boats fishing. "It's the lull between the end of the fishing season and the beginning of the holidays. This is a great time to be almost the only boat at the fishing holes," he said.

Dorado continued to bite for pangas fishing close to shore at Las Arenas and some Mexico sportfishing limits on fish of 10 to 15 pounds were caught, plus inshore species such as sierra, pargos, and cabrilla. Some wahoo were caught at the south end of Isla Cerralvo.

On the La Paz side, north winds hampered fishing on some days, but boats still caught tuna at the north end of Isla Cerralvo, dorado in the channels, and cabrilla on the reefs.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Loreto's Baja Big Fish Company reported good weather during the mid-November fishing period as boats fished with sardina live baits at El Bajo and Isla Coronado for smaller yellowtail, smaller dorado, mixed snappers, cabrilla, and sierra. "The winds have given us a break most of this week," Bolles said. "Air temperatures have warmed up again, as they usually do in mid-November."

Baja Big Fish Company was running half-day charters to take advantage of the local bite and calmer conditions in the morning hours.

Some larger yellowtail of 30 to 40 pounds were reported but not confirmed in 150 feet of water at Punta Pulpito, and similar catches were reported off Isla Danzante. "My experience would lead me to believe these reports, as we usually see yellowtail biting there in November and December," Bolles said.

Bolles also noted very few tourists and anglers present at Loreto. "Tourism is slow to nonexistent," she said. "Hopefully, it will pick up again pretty soon."

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: For the week ending Nov. 13, 2008, Greg Hovey of Kino Bay Sportfishing, at Kino Bay, Sonora, on the Mexican mainland coast opposite Bahia de los Angeles, reported steady catches of yellowtail of 15 to 25 pounds for boats running to Isla Turner. "The yellowtail are in 100 to 150 feet of water," Hovey said. "The most effective method of fishing has been with medium to heavy irons bounced off the bottom and retrieved quickly."

Kino Bay pangas averaged about 2 to 5 yellowtail per angler, plus some cabrilla and sierra.

Central Sea of Cortez Midriff area fishing weather was in the high-70s, with clear skies, some light winds, mostly flat seas, and the water temperature about 75 degrees.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore at its new expanded location "around the corner" from the bay in downtown San Felipe reported near-perfect weather in the mid-70s, with clear skies for the Baja 1000 race crowds.

"The pre-run starts today and the event runs through Sunday," Meders said. "On Friday is the Annual Snow Bird Festival which will be held on San Felipe's malecon. There will be food, music, prizes...and lots of good will. San Felipe is most anxious that the word be spread that the border zone where there is conflict is far away from here and concerns a very specific section of the population who are involved in drug cartels. We at San Felipe still have our beautiful peaceful beaches and desert, and the friendly townspeople, so please talk about it!"

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Lalo Munoz of Mas Atun Charters at San Carlos announced a special rate of $500 per week plus the cost of fuel and captain for a week's use of his charter boat Suetame. "I am starting a new membership plan for those who would like to fish or dive more than one day and not pay so much for a charter," Munoz said. "You can have my boat at your disposal for a week. For only $500 you can go fishing, diving, or just for a sunset cruise with the family. You just pay for fuel consumed and captain. You will have full use of my tackle and gear." Information, MasAtun.com, 622-226-2112, 622-123-3180.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 26 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats fishing out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 5 blue marlin to 300 pounds, 2 striped marlin, 17 dorado, and 44 sailfish. One inshore cruiser trip had a catch including released fish of: 38 "permit," and 1 red snapper.

Eight inshore super pangas had a catch of: 1 sailfish, 3 dorado, 18 jack crevalle, 10 "permit," 10 snappers, 6 roosterfish, 49 triggerfish, and 56 sierra.

"The full moon did slow Mazatlan fishing a little," Edwards said. "But it was still plenty good enough."

Mazatlan fishing area weather was sunny in the high-80s, with calm seas and water temperatures at 81 degrees inshore and 83 degrees offshore.

Aries Fleet offshore boats fished outwards from about 20 miles west of Mazatlan using live bonito baits for marlin and rigged trolling baits for sailfish.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Tadeo Hernandez of Flota Bibi Fleet at Mazatlan reported cooler weather in the mid-80s, with water temperatures averaging 83 degrees. An outing in the second week of November aboard the charter boat Paty C. with Capt. Alex and crewman Alex Jr. produced a catch of 1 sailfish and 2 dorado of 18 and 37 pounds for anglers Carlo Cerchetto and Rod Burylo.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said a group of anglers from England fished offshore 1 day for a catch including released fish of: 6 sailfish, 4 dorado, 1 small blue marlin, and some very large jack crevalle.

Another day of inshore fishing with tackle as light as 12-pound test produced 6 roosterfish leadered, a 60-pound class roosterfish lost at the boat, several jack crevalle of 15 to 20 pounds, and several black skipjack.

Kunze noted the English anglers' ability to make long casts with their pendulum swings and 12-pound conventional gear.

"They asked me about fishing for roosters and jack crevalle and I told them the best method is casting a surface popper a long ways," Kunze said.

"As it turned out, a couple of them cast for distance in competition. They are hitting 250 yards with 12 pound gear!

"A pendulum swing in a rocking panga cannot happen, but there was no doubt in my mind they would hit a 100-yard cast with no problem."

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

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported good action for dorado and sailfish offshore and jack crevalle inshore. "The full moon hampered Ixtapa fishing early in the week, but all is back to the super bite just prior," Edwards said. "Capt. Temo Verboonen said Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is settling down to the really good fishing that customers want."

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was mostly clear in the low-90s, with calm seas and water temperatures at 80 degrees inshore and 84 degrees offshore, with blue water about 10 miles outside Zihuatanejo bay.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Mike Bulkley of Huntress Sportfishing at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo reported on 2 outings by the charter boat Huntress with Capt. Francisco, with a combined 4 sailfish released for anglers Vernne Victa, Vic Melski, and Alan Beale Jr. of California and Canada, and Michelle Clementi and Jesica Pollmeier, of Ocean City, Md., who fished with their husbands Nick and Ben.

"There is lots of blue water everywhere, so the fish are scattered, but they are mostly on the 12 to 15-mile line," Bulkley said. "There is lots of bait, so the marlin should be showing up."

Magdalena Bay, Mexico fishing photo 1.

Magdalena Bay, Mexico fishing photo 2

Magdalena Bay, Mexico fishing photo 3

MAG BAY FALL SMORGASBORD--Bill Erhardt trailered his boat from Loreto to Puerto Lopez Mateos and fished outside Magdalena Bay for 6 days out of the last 2 weeks for his first Pacific marlin of the year, as well as several wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and dorado. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL ERHARDT.

Ensenada, Mexico fishing photo 1.

ALUMINUM JIGS & DROPPER LOOPS--Barry and Michelle Wilson of Los Angeles, Calif., and their sons Adam, left, and Benjamin went panga fishing with Vonny's Fleet at Ensenada and limited out on bonita using the locally made aluminum surface jigs, and mixed bottom fish including a nice sheephead, with dropper loops and bait. They fished aboard the charter panga Vonny IV with Capt. Hector. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Ensenada, Mexico fishing photo 2

EXCELLENT BOTTOM FISHING--Steve Ross' run from Ensenada to a spot off Punta Colonet to the south produced extraordinary bottom fishing for a catch including this nice cowcod, vermillion rockfish, and the rarely caught blackgill rockfish. On the surface, Ross' boat Bad Dog, also scored a couple of huge mackerel at about 5 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ROSS.

Puerto Santo Tomas, Mexico fishing photo 1.

Puerto Santo Tomas, Mexico fishing photo 2

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS-- Ken Jones with a nice bonito caught during his recent trip down Baja's Highway Mex 1 to fish out of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort south of Ensenada. Below, a nice pair of cabezon caught during panga fishing with the resort's Capt. Marcos. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KEN JONES.

La Bocana, Mexico fishing photo 1.

PACIFIC BAJA TUNA--Big numbers of close-to-shore yellowtail and yellowfin tuna limits close to the Baja Pacific coast town of La Bocana continued to be caught last week by boats fishing out of Les Heil's Baja Bocana Bed & Breakfast. PHOTO COURTESY OF LES HEIL.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico fishing photo 1.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico fishing photo 2

CABO PANGA MARLIN--Action during the week at Cabo San Lucas aboard the charter panga Cheer's included 4 marlin releases, this one by angler Robert Jenkis. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico fishing photo 3

CABO PANGA FISHING--The Cabo San Lucas sportfishing panga Cheer's with Capt. Ramon Druck had a good week of local fishing on the Pacific side, with a total of 44 dorado landed, 4 striped marlin released, and 1 wahoo also landed. This pair of dorado is shown off by Cheer's angler Gerardo Morales of Mazatlan. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMON DRUCK.

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico fishing photo 1

WAHOO AT LOS CABOS--In an active wahoo bite off the tip of Baja last week, Brain Brictson, left, son of Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas, shows off a 47 pounder caught by dad aboard Gordo Banks' new Parker charter boat with Capt. Chame Pino, right. The wahoo hit a trolled chihuil bait, and 3 other wahoo were lost on bait and lure strikes. Ten dorado were also released around a piece of fabric floating in the water. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

East Cape, Mexico fishing photo 1.

BREAD CHUMMED DODO--Cheryl Plozizka hooked this nice dorado during an East Cape fishing trip with her husband John that took them north to Isla Cerralvo aboard the charter boat Jack Daniels out of Hotel Palmas de Cortez. After a couple of days of very slow fishing, Plozizka chummed the dodo to the boat with pieces of bread. A hot session with 15 dorado landed was found during the run home, using more traditional sardina baits. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN PLOZIZKA.

La Paz, Mexico fishing photo 1.

BEAUTIFUL PANGA DAY--In a scene that has been repeated an untold number of times all along the beautiful Sea of Cortez coast of Baja California, a sportfishing panga trolls along shore with a client angler from the U.S., here along the rocky bluff south of La Paz called Punta Perico. "This is where we have been working the last few days," said Tortuga Sportfishing's Gerardo Hernandez. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

La Paz, Mexico fishing photo 2

BIG SQUIRT SALAD ON DECK--Mark Martis, right, of Redondo Beach, Calif., fished at La Paz with Tailhunter International's panga Capt. Victor Geraldo and hooked this very nice-sized Humboldt giant squid off Ensenada de los Muertos. Martis said he was going to slice up the big squirter and make a huge calamari salad with it. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Mazatlan, Mexico fishing photo 1.

MAZATLAN DORADO--Carlo Cherchetto's mid-November offshore fishing trip out of Mazatlan aboard the Flota Bibi Fleet charter boat Paty C. produced a catch of 2 dorado to 37 pounds and 1 sailfish. PHOTO COURTESY OF TADEO HERNANDEZ.

Ixtapa, Mexico fishing photo 1.

IXTAPA SAILS--Michelle Clementi of Ocean City, Md., fished at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo aboard the charter boat Huntress for 2 sailfish released by her group and Capt. Francisco. The Huntress had 2 double release days during the week. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE BULKLEY.

Puerto Santo Tomas, Mexico shrine photo 1.

Puerto Santo Tomas, Mexico shrine photo 2

MADONNA OF THE MARLIN--Ken Jones of Long Beach, Calif., discovered this depiction of the Virgin of Guadalupe with pangas and a leaping marlin and sailfish during his visit to a small shrine at Sam Saenz' Puerto Santo Tomas Resort, near Ensenada. "The painting is in the little chapel that is on Sam's property," Jones said. "Two billfish and pangas on each side of the saint. It is just cool." PHOTOS COURTESY OF KEN JONES.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES