WEATHER BEAUTIFUL BUT FISHING MIXED AT PAPA FERNANDEZ

April 22, 2005, Doug Magee, Papa Fernandez, San Felipe area, Baja California, Mexico Fishing Report:

The weather has been fantastic at Papa Fernandez, with air temperatures in the mid-80's and fishing water temperatures at 73 degrees in the bay. Fishing, now that's a different thing . Everyone is catching fish, just not a lot of fish and not very big fish. Yellowtail were caught while fishing near the islands with Sierra mixed in. The Golden Eyes, or Goldspotted Bass, are still being taken off the bottom. And as usual, Triggerfish and Spotted Bay Bass are there, so you can always eat. But it's work to get them, nice work, if you can get it.

Last week, an estimated 20 pangas arrived here and set up camps at different beaches around Papa Fernandez. They are fishing Baqueta in deep water about 300 feet deep, with about a 40 minute run to their spot. I've been told their spot is a trench. They get a lot of sea snake and have a heck of a time with the Sea Lions. While fishing for Baqueta they have also taken a few big Halibut. They offered to sell one that would go 15 pounds, big for this area of the Sea Of Cortez. As usual they are setting nets in the bay for bait. As the Shrimpers have stopped fishing this area and the supply of shrimp has dried up, this gives the restaurants a source of fresh fish. The good fish they take in the nets are sold to the restaurant.

(See "Mexico Fishing News" online for current fishing reports, photos, weather, and water temperatures from San Felipe and other major Mexican sportfishing areas. Vacation travel articles, fishing maps and seasonal calendars, and fishing related information for San Felipe may be found at Mexfish.com's main San Felipe page.