La Paz fishing area's dorado and tuna joined by a nice snap of wahoo

Mexico Fishing News, July 20, 2009

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LA PAZ

LA PAZ, MEXICO: For the fishing week ending July 11, 2009, Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reported "the best bite we've seen all season" at La Paz for a mix of yellowfin tuna, dorado, and good action on wahoo. "The wahoo decided to join the party," Roldan said.

"Guys fishing tuna were suddenly getting chomped by wahoo. These fish were not picky. Guys would get bit several times and get one or two to the boat. Several boats took 2 to 4 wahoo at 25 to 50 pounds.

Roldan also reported some spots with dorado action so hot that 2 dorado actually jumped into pangas. "I saw the fish!" Roldan said. "And one guy got hit in the back and the dorado fell back into the water."

Ryan Hershey of Colorado released a large marlin estimated by his captain at 700 pounds.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing reported some cloudy skies over La Paz, with air temperatures in the high-90, and no rain. Tortuga Sportfishing pangas working on the Las Arenas side south of town found good numbers of dorado at 15 to 20 pounds plus yellowfin tuna of the same sizes during fishing at Isla Cerralvo. Some dorado of 40 to 50 pounds were also caught at the buoys.

Some out-of-season yellowtail of about 20 pounds were also found by Tortuga pangas. "This is unusual for the season," Hernandez said. "But with this good fishing every day, one can't predict what will be caught."

Sardina bait fish continued in good supply at Isla Cerralvo. Few anglers were present in La Paz. "The tourists are few, but we're always waiting for them," Hernandez said.

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 reported steady Mexico fishing limits for his charter panga anglers going out to the tip of Punta Banda with Capts. Beto and Hector. The top catch of the week was a 38-pound white seabass boated by Brian Foley of Ensenada's Campo La Joya area, who tossed aluminum jigs and plastics aboard the panga Vonny I with Capt. Beto. "He also got some big calico bass and some bonitas for smoking," Villarino said. "The fishing was good this week. On the bottom, all day long they caught red rockcods and lings. They used squid and anchovy baits on the bottom."

Local Ensenada fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-70s, with light wind, ocean swells to 3 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 60 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the Ensenada boat Bad Dog at Marina Coral reported on a 137-mile offshore fishing day with a catch of 1 bluefin tuna at 15.1 pounds. "Many boats reported a slow day," Ross said. "The bluefin ate a white tuna clone on a daisy chain of white bucktails just outside the 500-fathom curve, a favorite tuna spot for us. The water temp was 69.4 degrees."

Ross noted good numbers of deep albacore seen on the meter during the day.

"We arrived at Armando's Ensenada Live Bait at 0230, loaded the bait tank with lively sardines, and headed for the 238 fathom spot 35 miles from Marina Coral," he said.

"We began trolling the area and metered a large volume of albacore between 500 and 2,000 feet deep. The fish would not come to the surface. The water was blue and 67.22 degrees on my new transducer and gauge.

"I ran to the top of the Animal Basin where they also stayed deep, so I rigged up my electric reel and dropped to as deep as 2,000 feet with a live sardine and a live mackerel on a rockcod ganion for nada until a mako shark ate both baits and ran off.

"The Indian reported one albacore and the Dominator reported 4 albacore and 2 bluefin tuna. We found 3 kelp paddies all day and no one was home on any of them. Albacore are being caught below the 31.00 line and out to 117.25."

Also fishing aboard the Bad Dog were Gail "Kiku" Ross, Juan Lu, and Ski Plikaytus.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN QUINTIN

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Kelly Catian of K&M Offshore Sportfishing at San Quintin reported his fleet's first dorado of the 2009 season, caught in water at 66 to 67 degrees, during an outing with anglers John Clarke and Bill Mills of Huntington Beach, Calif. Inshore fishing at Isla San Martin produced yellowtail, bass, and rockfish.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR BAJA COASTAL AREAS

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Wayne Neff of San Diego reported on conditions found during an overland Baja fishing trip along the Sea of Cortez coast south of Mulege during visits to San Sebastian and San Lucas Cove from June 29-July 13, 2009, with his wife Susan, son Matthew, and a 14-foot tin boat with 15 h.p. motor.

"The road from San Nicolas to San Sebastian is no longer passable due to several washouts from past hurricanes," Neff said.

"I discovered this the hard way by becoming trapped in the desert a mere quarter-mile from the village. The final part of the 'road' had three deep washouts that were impassable.

"We walked to the village of San Sebastian for help and met George Cunningham. He and his caretaker and my son and I rebuilt the washouts by hand. This took four hours and many tools. George drove my rig over these repairs while we held our breath. No margin of error.

"The main road into San Sebastian is at marker 74 and is the best dirt I have ever driven. The fishing was zilch at San Sebastian due to the 72-degree water temperature.

"This cove is not a good spot to bring any RV as the trees are not trimmed to accommodate any high profile vehicles. Water is available at the caretaker’s house, but this is somewhat awkward. Also, the dump is some distance from camp so every time you need to get rid of trash, it is another trip through the trees with more damage to the RV. Plus the back tree campsites get quite hot and bug infested. We were lucky enough to have permission to camp right at the entrance to the beach which has the breeze and less bugs. This whole cove has beautiful homes on it. No trailers anywhere. Everything is spotless thanks to Mr. Cunningham.

"We went next to San Lucas Cove to get into the good fishing. The dorado were big time at the island. All females 10 to 15 pounds. Inshore we caught bass and triggers. The weeds near the reefs are so numerous it almost makes it untrollable. We camped next door to Sid Lindsey and had a great time with he and his wife Olivia.

"At Mulege, the fire at the Serenidad Hotel was a minor kitchen fire. No other damage. The place was full of Mexicans but no gringos.

"At Punta Chivato, the beach is empty. They have no water available and the RV dump is now fenced off. The hotel and resident homes areas are now fenced off with a 10-foot fence with razor wire on top. They have a friendly guard at a gate that you must pass through. The only thing missing at the gate is a machine gun nest. We could have obtained water, I did not want to dump black water into the desert.

"The seiners dumped tons of sardines off shell beach while we were there. They covered the beach. What a stink. Nothing the locals could do."

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAGDALENA BAY

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported summer fishing conditions offshore of Magdalena Bay, with light winds and small yellowfin tuna being caught in good numbers about 4 miles outside the San Carlos entrada and Boca de Soledad near Puerto Lopez Mateos. Fishing inside the Magdalena Bay mangrove channels produced corvina, bass, leopard grouper, and halibut on the sandy flats.

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 extremely slow billfish action for Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo, Fish Cabo I, and Tuna Time. "Billfish counts were down significantly, with the lowest numbers we have reported in more than a year," Edwards said. "Dorado were the fish of the week. It's a very unusual fishing period. The billfish are on the move, perhaps to cooler waters. The odd thing is the lack of blue marlin and black marlin in these warmer waters. Hopefully, that's yet to come."

Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-100s, with water temperatures at 79 degrees inshore and about 84 degrees at the Cortez-side Gordo Banks. "Boats are searching far and wide," Edwards said.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the previous fishing week ending July 9, 2009, Edwards reported on 27 outings by the same fleets, with a catch including released fish of: 14 striped marlin, 23 dorado, 35 yellowfin tuna, and 1 wahoo. Billfish were located straight south and up into the Sea of Cortez, but with no concentrations found. Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was mostly clear in the low-100s, with warm water at 82 to 88 degrees found in all directions. "The billfish have been lethargic and slow to take the baits or follow artificials," Edwards said. "Live bait is working best."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 6 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 striped marlin, 22 yellowfin tuna of 15 to 25 pounds, 1 wahoo of 25 pounds, 1 snapper of 20 pounds, 1 roosterfish of 20 pounds, and 1 hammerhead shark of 30 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the Cabo San Lucas fishing week ending July 12, 2009, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported full summer conditions as air temperatures topped 100 degrees daily and warm water into the mid-80s wrapped around from the Cortez side up to 10 miles up the Pacific side. At the Pacific-side Finger Bank, the water temperature was at 77 degrees. Striped marlin numbers were declining seasonably as water temperatures increased, and more sailfish and blue and black marlin were seen. "Not a lot of them are being brought to the boat," Landrum said, "but that will change as they start gearing up for these fish. Cabo San Lucas fishing was not red hot, but it wasn't dead either. There was just enough action to keep anglers from getting bored."

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 57 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing out of San Jose del Cabo's Puerto Los Cabos marina, with a catch including released fish of: 56 roosterfish, 48 triggerfish, 40 yellow snapper, 29 amberjack, 24 bonito, 24 jack crevalle, 22 huachinango, 18 dog snapper, 15 dorado, 11 yellowfin tuna, 8 hammerhead shark, 8 sierra, 7 pompano, 5 rainbow runner, 3 sailfish, 2 striped marlin, and 1 wahoo.

San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was seasonably hot and humid, with two distant tropical storms developing off the southern Mexican coast and water temperatures at 80 to 86 degrees. Strong currents caused variable water color near the Baja coast. "Overall fishing hasn't been up to summer standards for the Los Cabos area," Brictson said. "The East Cape sportfishing fleets have reported much better action recently. We expect this concentration of fish will gradually move in a southern direction as is our normal seasonal pattern."

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR EAST CAPE

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the East Cape fishing week ending July 9, 2009, Felipe Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 16 boats, with 35 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin, 8 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 33 dorado, 64 yellowfin tuna, 4 roosterfish, 1 shark, 3 bonito, 1 pompano, 2 cabrilla, and 10 skipjack tuna.

East Cape fishing area weather was in the low-100s, with water temperatures of 80 to 86 degrees. Fleet boats fished up to 20 miles from the hotel both north and south.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported fewer than normal numbers of boats fishing at East Cape this season, making it hard to locate the fish. "With fewer boats racing around Bahia de Palmas this season, it is far tougher to find the fish," Graham said. "This season, the East Cape fishing reports seem to contain more hyperbole than usual. I suppose that it’s a sign of economic times. Few anglers were skunked this week at East Cape, but only a few limited out on anything. The touted tuna bite is mostly football-sized.

"The inshore and beach fishing still seem to be the best that East Cape has to offer currently. Last week I saw action ranging from excellent to slow. There were some excellent opportunities for roosterfish, jacks, and even a few barred pargo."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja East Cape fly fishing guide service reported full summer weather conditions and fair offshore fishing for smaller yellowfin tuna and some "decent" dorado action. Beach fishing produced smaller roosterfish plus jack crevalle and many ladyfish. "We have enough fish to make it interesting for the angler throwing flies," deBrown said.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Barry Weber of Valencia, Calif., reported on 2 days of fishing by his group out of East Cape's Hotel Palmas de Cortez for a catch including released fish aboard the charter boat Time Out of: 3 striped marlin, about 8 tuna, and 2 dorado. Also fishing were Weber's grandfather, Don Tschirhart of Simi Valley, son Chris Weber of Valencia, and Esper Petersen of Somis, Calif., who caught a first-ever marlin.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the East Cape fishing week ending July 12, 2009, John Ireland of Rancho Leonero reported clear, flat weather with breezes from the southeast and water temperatures of 83 to 87 degrees. Top fishing results for the week included 2 outings by Richard "Cass" Castaneda and Mike Chavira with Capt. Santos aboard the boat El Guapo for a catch including released fish of: 25 jack crevalle, 4 pompano to 12 pounds, 2 dorado, 2 pargo to 15 pounds, 2 football yellowfin tuna, and 2 roosterfish at 60 and 70 pounds.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR LORETO

LORETO, MEXICO: Alejandro Rosas of Tijuana reported on a trip to Loreto by his group for 2 days of fishing aboard the boat Pepe Lupe, calm weather in the low-90s, water temperatures of about 86 degrees, and steady Mexico fishing limits of dorado from about 15 pounds into the mid-40 pound class. A third day of fishing saw a triple sailfish hookup intentionally cut off due to rapidly approaching rough seas.

On the third day, Rosas said, "We hooked a sailfish and while retrieving, the captain said, 'Lines up! there’s a storm coming. We've got to get to Coronado Island for shelter.

"When Rene and Joe started reeling in their lines with the bait, they get hit by two more sailfish. Now the winds were getting stronger, the waves bigger, and the rain was pouring down. The storm was all around us and Capt. Ramon in three seconds cut the three lines with his knife, and we go to Coronado Island with the waves pounding the boat. After almost four hours we arrived at Loreto all wet and trembling, but alive.

"Immediately, I jumped out of the boat and kissed the ground because we had returned alive."

Rosas had favorable comments about Loreto's renovated Hotel Mision. "The restoration of the hotel is incredible," he said. "The new owner and his wife did all the rebuilding with very good taste, with all the interior decoration and high end finishes. It's a very big investment in probably not the best of times, but let's hope the economy recovers and they have all the success in the world."

Also fishing in Rosas' group were Rene Gonzalez, Curro Jimenez, Joe de Anda, owner of the boat Pepe Lupe, and Pedro Garcia de Leon. About 20 boats per day were launching at the Loreto downtown ramp.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MULEGE

MULEGE, MEXICO: For the Mulege fishing week ending July 12, 2009, Ed Epifani of Punta Chivato reported 4 local boats fishing a combined total of 15 days during the week for catch of about 50 dorado kept and many more released. Most boats fished from Islas Santa Inez to Punta Concepcion. Several larger fish were found between Punta Chivato and Mulege. Billfish were seen in large numbers but not caught, as Epifani described an unusual sighting of concentrated sailfish. "I observed a perfect line of 14 sailfish organized in a social group of some kind," he said. "Astounding, but no bites."

Other catches included a wahoo of about 45 pounds and several small yellowfin tuna found about 10 miles outside Isla Tortuga.

Mulege fishing waters were greenish blue at 86 degrees.

"Clear blue water has not been producing well," Epifani said. "We have the best weed patty formation in years here, probably due to calm wind conditions for patty organization. Patties are forming from the opening of Concepcion Bay to the drop off, and to the north and south.

"The bite was ended yesterday by a 45 m.p.h. chubasco lasting 12 hours. This was our third this season."

Epifani also noted recent commercial fishing activity in the Mulege area, saying, "Enforcement of the no-net fishing zone in Bahia Santa Inez does not appear to be serious. The patrols seem to appear magically when the seiners are unloading in Guaymas.

"Sardineros and helicopter equipped larger mesh seiners have produced huge dead by-catch on the beaches, with huge fly hatches a few days later. One large mesh seiner was observed taking several large billfish."

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

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Ruben Daggett of Camp Daggett at the north end of town reported on a panga run by the charter panga Heidi I to Isla Estanque at the south end of Isla Angel de la Guarda for 7 yellowtail of 18 to 20 pounds plus a 90-pound grouper caught by anglers Pablo, Chris, and Jean Pennington. The trip was guided by Daggett and his son Capt. Enrique Daggett.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko at the south end of Bahia de los Angeles reported hot and humid summer weather in the mid-90s, with clear skies, moderate easterly winds, and water temperatures of 78 to 81 degrees. Good numbers of whale sharks were present inside the bay as anglers caught yellowtail at San Juan reef and grouper near the inner islands.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN CARLOS

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Jon Jen Charters of San Carlos reported very warm water temperatures of 84 to 92 degrees during the week and fishing up-and-down. "The fish have a water temperature avoidance level," Jon Jen said. "I understand the longliners' cables are 10 feet below the surface, with a 10-foot leader, to capture the temperature break."

Outings by the charter boat Jon Jen II with Capt. Abel produced a few dorado, 1 sailfish, and slow action on the bottom for small triggerfish and whitefish.

San Carlos fishing area weather was mostly good, but with one brief spell of winds to 30 knots.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR MAZATLAN

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 30 Aries Fleet boats fishing out of Marina El Cid for a catch including released fish at the shark buoys about 18 miles out of: 227 dorado. Two boats also caught sailfish offshore.

Mazatlan's ongoing summer dorado bite was slightly slower during the period. "Some days were exceptional and others just so-so," Edwards said.

Mazatlan fishing area weather was mostly cloudy in the low-90s, with some humidity, mostly calm seas, and water temperatures stable at 85 to 86 degrees.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: For the previous Mazatlan fishing week ending July 9, 2009, Edwards reported on 18 inshore and 1 offshore Aries Fleet charter boats, with a catch including released fish of unlimited dorado. The single boat running offshore also landed a sailfish.

"The action continues superb at the shark buoys for dorado, producing easy limits and numerous releases," Edwards said. "It's a light tackle and fly fishing dream as the dorado chase almost anything that moves through the water."

Mazatlan fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with near-perfect sea conditions and water temperatures stable at 85 degrees.

Most Aries Fleet boats fished the shark buoys.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR PUERTO VALLARTA

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle at Puerto Vallarta reported very heavy concentrations of flying fish and other bait fish in local waters. "We've seen overly abundant bait in the water," Gabruk said. "This can be a problem since you can't offer anything to the fish that they could be interested in. The bait situation has been like this for more than a week now so they should start thinning out."

Yellowfin tuna were disappointing at Roca Corbeteña and El Banco, but boats fishing Islas Marietas and north of Punta Mita caught dorado of 25 to 40 pounds plus sailfish. Snappers, dorado, snook, and jack crevalle were caught nearer shore inside Bahia de Banderas.

Gabruk noted recent fisheries regulation enforcement at Puerto Vallarta.

"This week the navy started checking individual boats for their documentation," Gabruk said. "Several boats have been stopped from doing business. This is for the good of us all and will only keep things safe for the vacationing enthusiast."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said 84-degree blue water was "right up to the sand" at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, as local sportfishing boats averaged about 3 or 4 sailfish per outing plus some dorado.

"This was under a full moon period," Kunze said. "The fishing should improve more this next week. All this is due to the annual July migration we get of sailfish returning from Central America and heading up towards the Sea of Cortez."

Near shore boats continued to find good counts of roosterfish and jack crevalle.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported very few anglers at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo as dorado were caught and sailfish were found very close to shore. "The billfish are within a couple of miles in front of the bay," Edwards said. Inshore boats continued to catch rainbow runner and good numbers of roosterfish.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CANCUN

CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 7 outings by the El Cid Caribe sportfishing fleet at Puerto Morelos near Cancun, with a catch including released fish of: 1 blue marlin, 5 triggerfish, 4 peto or king mackerel, 1 red snapper, 1 dorado, 2 bonito, and 14 Atlantic barracuda.

Cancun fishing area weather was cloudy in the low-90s, with some humidity, wind to about 15 knots, and water temperatures even at 85 degrees.

Wahoo caught at La Paz

LA PAZ WAHOO GUY--Jorge Romero scored 5 wahoo in 2 hours while fishing with Tailhunter International out of La Paz two weeks ago, and came back last week with 3 more wahoo including this one. "Jorge can't seem to keep the wahoo off him," said Tailhunter's Jonathan Roldan. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Dorado caught at La Paz

LA PAZ PANGA FISHING--Matt Potter, left, and his father Claude of Huntington Beach, Calif., with a nice dorado caught while fishing aboard a Tortuga Sportfishing panga south of La Paz. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

Bluefin tuna caught off Ensenada

BLUEFIN OFF ENSENADA--Gail "Kiku" Ross shows off 15.14-pound bluefin tuna she caught aboard her yacht Bad Dog out of Ensenada's Marina Coral. The tuna ate a white tuna clone feather built on a daisy chain of white bucktails. The location was just outside the 500-fathom curve, 12 miles west southwest of Ensenada's Todos Santos Islands. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ROSS.

White seabass caught at Ensenada

ENSENADA PANGA--Brian Foley of Ensenada got lucky with this 38-pound white seabass while tossing plastics and aluminum jigs aboard the Vonny's Fleet charter panga Vonny I with Capt. Beto. Foley also caught calico bass to 6 pounds and some bonita for the Vonny's Fleet client fish smoker. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

First San Quintin dorado of 2009

FIRST QUINTIN DORADO--K&M Sportfishing at San Quintin scored its first dorado of the 2009 summer season last week with this specimen caught by John Clarke in clear water at 66 to 67 degrees. Also fishing with Capt. Kelly Catian aboard the charter boat Offshore III was Bill Mills. PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLY CATIAN.

Marlin fishing at Cabo San Lucas 1

Marlin fishing at Cabo San Lucas 2

BLACK MARLIN GRADUATION--Mike Hinks, in chair, and fellow Katy, Texas, high school graduate Andrew Coker fished with their group aboard the Cabo San Lucas charter boat Cabo Magic for a first-ever black marlin release at an estimated 300 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI GARCIA.

Surf caught roosterfish at Cabo San Lucas

Surf caught sierra mackerel at Cabo San Lucas

CABO LONG RODDER--Mark Feaster fished the surf at Cabo San Lucas with rods up to 13 feet long for catches of jack crevalle; snappers; sierra, lower photo; and roosterfish, upper photo, estimated at 40 to 60 pounds. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARK FEASTER.

Dog snapper caught at San Jose del Cabo

INNER GORDO BANK--Mary and Dave Laako of Texas fished several days with Gordo Banks Pangas at San Jose del Cabo for good action including this matched pair of dog snappers at about 30-pounds hooked on live bolito baits at the Inner Gordo Bank. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

Mola mola seen at East Cape 1

Mola mola seen at East Cape 2

Mola mola seen at East Cape 3

EAST CAPE RARITY--This mola mola, or ocean sunfish, was spotted off East Cape's Punta Pescadero during a fishing trip by Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja fly fishing service. Said deBrown, "Our captain, who was born and raised in La Ribera, said it was only the second one he had ever seen in his life." PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF DEBROWN.

Dorado caught at Loreto

SUMMER DORADO AT LORETO--Rene Gonzalez with a nice dorado caught in very good action at Loreto during several days of fishing with Alejandro Rosas' group aboard Joe de Anda's boat Pepe Lupe. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEJANDRO ROSAS.

Grouper fishing at Bahia de los Angeles 1

Grouper fishing at Bahia de los Angeles 2

Grouper fishing at Bahia de los Angeles 3

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES--Chris Pennington, top photo, and his group caught this big gulf grouper and some quality yellowtail during a charter panga trip at Bahia de los Angeles out of Daggett's Camp. The run to Isla Estanque was guided by Capt. Enrique Daggett, center photo left, and Capt. Ruben Daggett, center right. In lower photo, Heidi, left, and Jesseth Daggett show off the catch. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ENRIQUE DAGGETT.

Pencil popper roosterfish lure at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

Roosterfish caught at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

POPPIN' ROOSTERS AT ZIHUAT--Angler "Mr. Dan" used red-white pencil poppers for good roosterfish action last week at Zihuatanejo with Capt. Temo Verboonen of the charter boat Secuestro de Amor. Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Capt. Temo has been finding that these lures are working almost as well as live bait this season. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LARRY EDWARDS.

FISH FEAR ME--Chris Weber with the remains of his expertly filleted dorado caught during 2 days of fishing at East Cape by his group out of Hotel Palmas de Cortez. PHOTO COURTESY OF BARRY WEBER.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES