MOTHERSHIP REPORT FOR MIDRIFF
ISLANDS AND SAN FRANCISQUITO

Aug. 14-19, 2005, Tony Reyes, Tony Reyes Fishing Tours, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico Panga Mothership Fishing Report:

Boat: Tony Reyes. Catch: 320 yellowtail up to 25 lbs; 4 grouper, 40, 40, 60, 80 lbs; 1 white seabass, 50 lbs; 23 pargos, 10-12 lbs; 26 broomtail grouper, up to 25 lbs; 55 squid up to 20 lbs; 18 sheephead up to 15 lbs; 15 dorados up to 15 lbs; 223 goldspotted bass; 82 cabrillas up to 12 lbs; 1 tiger shark released; some miscellaneous fish. Areas where we fished were Partida Island, San Lorenzo reef, San Francisquito Bay, Salsipuedes, Raza Island, Refugio, and the Enchanted Islands.

Aug. 14-19, 2005, Angler Report, Tony Reyes Panga Mothership, San Felipe, Fishing Report:

For the fishing trip from San Felipe, Aug. 14-19, 2005:

On day one out of San Felipe, anticipation levels were through the roof and no one was disappointed. We motored south from San Felipe to Isla Partida. At first light, we were on the reef in a wide-open yellowtail bite, with many fish 25 lbs plus. Making bait the night before was insane. The macks were practically jumping in the boat. Two nice grouper were also boated in the midst of the yellowtail bite, a 60 pounder by Joe Ziemann and a 40 by Mike Palhegyi.

Fishing on day two out of San Felipe, further south at San Lorenzo Island, the first panga to the reef was Scotty who instantly hooked up and boated a 50 lb white seabass. More 25 lb yellows and 21 broomtails to 25 lbs were caught. We also caught a few dorado trolling feathers from spot to spot.

In the afternoon we headed across to San Francisquito. Fishing slowed a bit. We were still catching yellowtail, although a little smaller, and we caught more dorado on the troll. That night bait was getting tough, but the giant squid went wide-open around midnight. The big squirters were running 15-25 pounds.

Fishing on day three out of San Felipe, we stayed at San Francisquito. Fishing was slowing considerably, with the full moon coming on strong. We caught a mixed bag of small yellowtail, cabrilla, spotted bass, sheephead, and pargo.

On day four, we turned around and headed back north to Puerto Refugio where grouper was the talk of the day. Numerous grouper were reported with lots of stories about blown up gear and the one that got away. We still managed to boat two of the bruisers, an 80 pounder wrestled in by Herky Stapleton, backed up by a 40 pounder caught by his brother-in-law Vince Foglia.

Last day of fishing, at the Enchanted Islands, fishing was still tough due to the full moon and no bait. However, several boats managed nice catches of cabrilla caught trolling MirrOlures.

The weather for August was absolutely beautiful with calm winds and temperatures in the mid to upper 90s. Thanks to all the Tony Reyes crew. Their service and organization are second to none. I recommend that you bring good quality heavy fishing gear. These fish are tough!

(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.