Sparky jumped
times
before he retired.
Good job, Sparky!
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Billfish and dorado counts jump for Cabo San Lucas fishing charters
Mexico Fishing News, July 5, 2004
CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR CABO SAN LUCAS
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Fishing action took off at the tip of Baja last week, as some boats averaged upwards of two billfish per day, and good numbers of dorado and yellowfin tuna were also caught.
Dannilo Mathews of Cabo Magic reported on 68 boats with a catch including released fish of: one sailfish, two blue marlin, 91 striped marlin, 48 yellowfin tuna, 75 dorado, one wahoo, and one boat skunked. CABO MAGIC CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: At Solmar Fleet, Benjamin Ortega reported a catch including released fish of: 44 striped marlin, four sailfish, 63 yellowfin tuna, 27 dorado, 12 sierra, and eight skipjack. The top boat for the week was the Solmar IV with Capt. Mario Arballo and a five-outing catch of 11 stripers, 12 dorado, and 11 tuna. SOLMAR FLEET CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet said 77 percent of fleet boats scored on billfish, and 95 percent landed all species combined. Ehrenberg also relayed an unconfirmed report of a 500-pound blue marlin: “A couple of guys came by the office and told us they had caught a 500-pound blue marlin, but couldn't remember the name of the boat they were on. A few of our boats have had encounters with blues, but as of yet no solid catches.” Pisces top day of the week was scored by Ni Modo, with seven striped marlin releases. Pisces boats fished 5 to 17 miles off San Jose del Cabo, La Laguna, Red Hill, Chileno, and at the 95 spot, in hot weather, clear skies, calm seas, and water temperatures of 76 to 80 degrees. PISCES FLEET CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Gaviota Fleet had a catch including released fish of: 54 striped marlin, one sailfish, 29 dorado, 90 yellowfin tuna to 267 pounds, and one wahoo. The Fish Cabo had a three-day catch of six stripers and one dorado. The Juanita VIII had a five-outing catch of nine stripers and 12 dorado. Gaviota Fleet fished in all directions, in water temperatures of 75 to 82 degrees. CORTEZ YACHT CHARTERS CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Capt. George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported mostly clear blue water and warmer water temperatures of 77 to 78 degrees on the Pacific banks, and about 80 to 85 degrees everywhere else. Marlin, tuna, and dorado action were all good, with some boats scoring as many as four to six billfish in a day. Inshore fishing was also good, but boats were not concentrating on it: “Most of the inshore fishing was on hold this week as the pelagics showed up so close to the beach that no one wanted to go for roosterfish and jacks when there were dorado, marlin, and tuna right there!” FLY HOOKER SPORTFISHING CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Derek Arneson of San Diego and Armando Rodrigues fished two days on a panga with Capt. Chencho for a catch of four roosterfish to 50 pounds and several dorado to about 30 pounds.
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: AutoExotica-Bisbee's said the Melia San Lucas Resort will host this year’s Bisbee’s Tournaments at Cabo, including the Los Cabos Offshore Tournament on Oct. 15-17, and the Bisbee’s Black & Blue on Oct. 19-23. Buena Vista Beach Resort will host the Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Tournament on Aug. 3-7. BISBEE’S CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING TOURNAMENT INFORMATION.
In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:
ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR ENSENADA
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Gerardo Sanchez of KCHTS Sportfishing said the best action in the bay for the Don Juan II was at the bajo between the north point of Isla Todos Santos and Punta San Miguel, for lots of barracuda, some white seabass and yellowtail, and limits on bottom fish. The Dana Lee reported limits on calico bass and lingcod in front of the Hotel las Rosas. Offshore, Guillermo Gomez of El Dorado reported some albacore and yellowtail near the 238 spot, and the best action at GPS 31.40 and 117.35.
PUNTA BANDA, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino said Vonny’s Fleet pangas at the tip of Punta Banda found steady limits on calico bass, red rockcod, lingcod, and barracuda, in partly cloudy weather in the mid-70s, and water temperatures averaging 62 degrees. Anglers catching limits during the week included Brian Gill and his group, Mike Thomas and his partner, Mark Lawrance, Jene Gallegos, Jay Johnson, Glen Conley of Colton, and Lester Ellet and Joe Rodriguez of Whittier. Villarino noted that calico bass fishing was especially productive, with “too many” 3 to 4 pounders all week long. VONNY'S FLEET ENSENADA FISHING.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sergio Susarrey of Sergio’s Sportfishing Center reported on 135 anglers with a catch of: 234 yellowtail, 56 bonito, 281 barracuda, four calico bass, 75 albacore, 145 lingcod, 239 rockcod, six whitefish, 20 salmon grouper, and 35 red rockcod.
ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Crouch fished on the Kokomo with boat owner John Turnbull, Jim Jenks Sr., Tim Roberts and Eric Duke, for 12 albacore and four yellowtail at the 295 spot. “Albacore were picked up initially on the troll with a small hoochie-style jet head in Mexican flag colors,” Crouch said. “Normally one or two more were caught on sardines after the jig strike. The yellowtail were caught on the 295 on a kelp paddy with bait.”
MARINA CORAL, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross reported good albacore action for his boat Bad Dog out of Marina Coral on Saturday, scoring seven albacore and one bonito in 64.6-degree water at the 295 and double 220 spots with wife Gail Ross, and Juan Lu. Ross said all the albacore were over 20 pounds, and the largest caught was 27 pounds.
Earlier, Ross found hot albacore action with Juan Lu on the Bad Dog, fishing around GPS 31.23 117.20 near the 295 spot in clear blue, 65.3-degree water: “Triple albacore jig strike. Next a five-fish stop in the same area. Then, a double jig strike. That's 23 albacore in less than three hours for the two of us. We released all fish, to our Mexican limits.”
PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS
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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas Resort said sea conditions were good last week, and Punta China continued to produce full limits of lingcod to 10 pounds, rockcod, whitefish, and sheephead. On the surface, calico bass and barracuda were caught, but no yellowtail. Anglers fishing during the week included Denise and Jesus Garcia and their group from the San Diego area, and free diver Bill Gifford from Imperial Beach, who speared sheephead to 12 pounds.
ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS
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CASTRO'S CAMP, ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro’s Camp said 19 boats fished during the week in good weather and clear blue water averaging 62 degrees, for big counts on red rockcod, lingcod, barracuda, 15 yellowtail, and a very good run of 20 white seabass.
CASTRO'S CAMP, ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Dean Connolly of National City recently fished at Castro’s Camp, and noted some facililty upgrades: “That the cabins now have their own bathroom is a great improvement. The roads have also improved.”
SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS
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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro’s Pangas said albacore were scarce last week, but boats loaded up on yellowtail, averaging two or three per rod, between 15 and 25 pounds, plus steady catches of larger bottom fish. Some private boats ran out 35 to 40 miles and did find albacore. San Quintin weather was warm in the 80s, with no wind, and water temperatures averaging 63 degrees.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Steve Barstow of the Sportsmen Pub in Paso Robles reported excellent results with his 18-angler chartered bus trip to San Quintin. Barstow’s group stayed at the Old Milll and fished on six boats from Pedro’s Pangas for over 30 albacore bigger than 25 pounds, plus red rockcod, lingcod, calico bass, and yellowtail. Barstow said he was so happy with the bus concept that he’s checking into doing a trip to Bahia de los Angeles. His next San Quintin run is scheduled for Aug. 14-17, 800-894-7239. SAN QUINTIN CHARTER BUS FISHING.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Capt. Kelly Catian of El Capitan Sportfishing reported several flurries of larger yellowtail, in water temperatures of about 64 to 66 degrees, including a midweek session at the 240 spot when 18 fish averaging 30 pounds were caught. “The big ‘tails were slamming the big salami macks and then freight-training to the bottom to try and bust you off,” Catian said. Catian also confirmed new boat prices of $360 for up the three anglers, and $400 for four or more. SAN QUINTIN YELLOWTAIL FISHING.
SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Julio Meza of San Quintin fished on his boat Santa Monica, trolling live bait at the 240 spot for hot action on yellowtail to 28 pounds, with Daniel, Daniel Jr., and Monica Meza: “It took just a few seconds for the first hook-up. The yellowtail where active.” Meza said water temperatures at the 240 spot averaged 63.9 degrees.
SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN CARLOS
SAN CARLOS, MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said San Carlos weather was partly cloudy in the mid-80s, with water temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees. The entrada produced a few yellowtail early in the week, plus some leopard grouper to about 15 pounds, but wind prevented revisiting the area. In the mangroves, Devil’s Curve anglers caught a few corvina, pompano, and cabrilla.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN JOSE DEL CABO
LA PLAYITA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO—LOS CABOS, MEXICO: Jim Tolbert, author of the forthcoming “Adventure Guide to Baja Sur & Los Cabos,” said last week had the best dorado fishing he’s seen in two years, but “unfortunately, more were boated than released.” Tolbert said record numbers of dorado into the 30 to 50-pound range were caught around the Gordo Banks, including Gary Weis’ one-day catch of over 20 dorado released. On the beaches, a local resident landed an estimated 50-pound snook near the estuary. SAN JOSE DEL CABO DORADO FISHING.
LA PLAYITA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO—LOS CABOS, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas said fishing broke open on a variety of species, with much of the action within one to five miles of shore. Dorado led the fish counts, as some boats scored on as many as 40 per day, and many were released. Brictson said one 500-pound class blue marlin was landed, and a 500-pound class black marlin was also lost by a La Playita panga after a one-hour fight on 50-pound line. Striped marlin were caught as close as two miles from shore. Beach anglers scored on some roosterfish to 50 pounds and some snook to 30 pounds. GORDO BANKS PANGA SAN JOSE DEL CABO FISHING.
LA PLAYITA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO—LOS CABOS, MEXICO: Species fishing specialist John Snow of San Diego continued to report “exceedingly slow” surf and panga fishing, although he did catch 24 species in about a dozen sessions, including two 50-pound class roosterfish. Snow said water temperatures rose 8 degrees during the past three weeks, reaching 80 degrees by Tuesday. But overall conditions were dismal, as Snow said, “I would rate this as the poorest week that I have experienced in five years, topping my experiences just three weeks prior.” JOHN SNOW, SAN JOSE DEL CABO SURF AND PANGA SPECIES FISHING.
EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS
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BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 68 boats with a catch including released fish of: two blue marlin, one black marlin, 30 striped marlin, 11 sailfish, 423 dorado, 51 tuna, eight roosterfish, one shark, one snapper, 10 jack crevalle, one amberjack, 18 bonita, four ladyfish, four pompano, four triggerfish, two cabrilla, 61 skipjack and two needlefish. EAST CAPE FISHING.
LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Martin Verdugo’s Beach Resort, Marisol Verdugo said fishing was very good for dorado, tuna including a 180 pounder on Friday, and blue marlin, which are being mostly released. Two wahoo were also caught, in addition to steady striped marlin.
LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Frank Price of San Diego fished two days on Verdugo’s cruisers for mixed offshore action on dorado and striped marlin, and out of his own tin boat for very hot dorado action, marlin, and a sailfish that jumped so close that it soaked him. “I forgot how much fun a tin boat can be,” Price said. EAST CAPE TIN BOAT FISHING.
RANCHO LEONERO, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Rancho Leonero, John Ireland reported calm weather with afternoon breezes in the low-90s, and water temperatures averaging above 85 degrees. Ireland said all anglers scored limits on marlin and dorado, mostly very close to shore, and yellowfin tuna were schooling farther out. Fleet boats reported a catch including released fish of: 45 striped marlin, 11 blue marlin, and two sailfish, with the blues caught 10 to 15 miles north. Dorado were caught from 300 yards to 4 miles out, and yellowfin tuna were 30 to 50 miles out.
PUNTA COLORADA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Larry Wayne of Irvine and his son Paul fished three days out of Hotel Punta Colorada, for a catch including released fish of: 15 dorado and two roosterfish, plus another three roosterfish and two marlin lost. They fished on the super panga YaYo with Capt. Carlos and a 200-h.p. Yamaha that Wayne said “really sent us flying.” EAST CAPE FISHING OUT OF HOTEL PUNTA COLORADA.
EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Werner Hradecky of San Diego, Jim Penn, Mike Bratton, and Jeff Meeker fished three days on the panga Alexis with Capt. Marco, and on Rod Albright’s boat Bill Collector for a catch including released fish of: nine striped marlin, three blue marlin, two yellowfin tuna to 55 pounds, 20 dorado to 15 pounds, and seven roosterfish to 20 pounds. Some marlin were caught as close as 400 yards off Hotel Palmas de Cortez, and all were released except one that died, Hradecky said. East Cape sea conditions were good, except for one windy day, and water temperatures ranged from 83 degrees in the north, down to 77 degrees at the Punta Arena light. “The whole trip was fantastic,” Hradecky said. “Alexis is owned by Xavier who takes care of us gringos in this one community down by the beach. Most of us use his expertise for one reason or another.”
LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 511 boats from combined fleets including the Van Wormer resorts of Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, and Punta Colorada, with a catch including released fish of: 37 blue marlin, 311 striped marlin, 20 sailfish, 1,137 dorado, 750 yellowfin tuna, and two wahoo. East Cape weather was generally calm, with some windy periods, in the low-100s, and water temperatures of 80 to 89 degrees. EAST CAPE FISHING ROUNDUP.
BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said fly anglers had a spectacular week including tuna and dorado caught within 10 minutes of launch and double-digit counts on the fly. “The blue (marlin) count continues to climb so it is a good time for a shot with the fly if you are patient,” Graham said. Beach action featured plentiful jack crevalle, green jacks, and roosterfish in front of the hotels. EAST CAPE FLY FISHING.
LA RIBERA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Russell Fritz of La Ribera said, “We are having a great summer,” including a 500-pound class blue marlin released at midweek, and tuna about 20 miles out, associated with porpoise schools miles across: “We witnessed a constant show for several hours while catching tuna.” On dorado, Fritz said, “We got three yesterday, and one was 31.5 pounds on a digital scale. That is a ‘Fisherman's 50’ by default, if we hadn’t had the scale.”
BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Mark Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport dive service said the new enforcement program at the Cabo Pulmo Marine Park is run by Profepa. Complaints of fisheries violations may be forwarded to the the Profepa Delegado for Baja Calfornia Sur, Ramon Alvarez Larravri, 011-52-612-122-9794, delegado_bcs@correo.profepa.gob.mx.
RANCHO LEONERO, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jon Schwartz of Carlsbad had additional details about his excellent kayak fishing trip out of Rancho Leonero, supported by Capt. Rene’s panga Ole. Schwartz said he released his kayak marlin “in perfect health” only about 3 miles from shore, in water of almost 90 degrees. The water temperature was about 88 degrees 300 yards from the beach. Schwartz also had some funny stories from Capt. Rene. RANCHO LEONERO KAYAK MARLIN PHOTOS AND CAPT. RENE’S STORIES.
LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Chuck Meredith of Los Barriles took issue with some hotel reports about super hot marlin fishing a few weeks ago, which he said were exaggerated: “The ‘spot’ was actually only 2 boils of bait. Only a few boats got into it. I was there. But it sounded as if everyone down here was fishing them, and all comers coming down would find the same.” EXAGGERATED EAST CAPE MARLIN FISHING REPORT.
LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS
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LAS ARENAS, LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said action on the Las Arenas side was very good, mostly on dorado of 20 to 25 pounds, but with some larger ones of 45 to 53 pounds. Some tuna were caught, but none larger than about 30 pounds. Some striped and blue marlin were also caught, but, “mainly, we’re catching dorado,” Hernandez said. Las Arenas weather was hot, up to about 100 degrees, with warmer water of 76 to 78 degrees at the buoys south of Ensenada de los Muertos. Along shore, roosterfish were very steady in larger sizes, from about 30 pounds up to a maximum of 90 pounds.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Rolden of Tail Hunter International said his Las Arenas side boats found plently of tuna on dolphin outside the 88 spot. “Fish from footballs to full blown gorilla tuna were hooked and most of the larger fish were lost,” Roldan said. Some of the larger tuna caught included four by Corey Fujita’s group, of 20 to 80 pounds, as many anglers lost fish estimated at over 100 pounds, Roldan said. The tuna were located far to the east of Isla Cerralvo: “Our panga skippers were pushing the fuel limits on their boats to get out there and stay out there, with some having to borrow fuel off other pangas in order to get back to the beach!”
On the La Paz side, Roldan said most of the action was on dink dorado, but with a few fish into the 30 to 60-pound range, plus one 70 pounder caught. LA PAZ FISHING.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: James Curtiss of the Cortez Club reported excellent fishing on the La Paz side for Mosquito Fleet boats, including 17 marlin releases near Isla Espiritu Santo, and dorado of 63 and 68 pounds caught off the east side of the island, in water temperatures of 84 to 85 degrees. Curtiss said Cortez Club sent out about 12 boats per day. Wahoo and amberjack to about 60 pounds were plentiful at La Reina, at the north end of Isla Cerralvo.
LA PAZ, MEXICO: Earlier, David Gassman of Truckee reported scratchy fishing conditions for himself, Pat Kralj of Lafayette, Richard Yonemura of Concord, and a group of 12 anglers, on a trip out of Fisherman’s Fleet hosted by Jerry Carr of Alamo. Gassman said, “David Jones' Fisherman's Fleet took good care of us all.” The group found pargo, roosterfish, amberjack, and some offshore dorado, in sometimes windy conditions, as many larger fish were farmed on the reefs. “Save for the blown-out day, bait was plentiful,” Gassman said. “Sardinas, ballyhoo, mullet, and ladyfish were there in abundance.” LA PAZ FISHING.
LORETO FISHING REPORTS
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LORETO, MEXICO: Arturo Susarrey of Arturo’s Sportfishing said Loreto weather was warm and calm, in the high-80s, with some southern breezes in the afternoons. Dorado action on fish to about 20 pounds, with some to about 40 to 45 pounds also in the mix, was very good about 5 miles northeast of Isla Coronado. Small football tuna were caught about 18 miles off Punta Lobos on Isla Carmen, and scattered sailfish were also seen. Yellowtail to about 18 pounds were also available.
LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said she had about two boats per day going out, and plentiful dorado averaging about 20 pounds were close in, about 6 miles north of Isla Coronado: “Limits are easily obtainable. Some captains are finding lots of sargasso, and others are striking out. I think it’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time.” BAJA BIG FISH COMPANY LORETO FISHING.
LORETO, MEXICO: Don Fagan and Oscar and Sergio Guzman of Ensenada got into a wide-open dorado frenzy, as Fagan reported limits on trolled green-pink hoochies and blue-chrome Rapalas, while fishing on the Let’s Go Fishing with Capt. Flavio: “Got into a wide-open dorado frenzy that lasted about an hour, taking limits of nice dorado on live sardines. Tuesday we tried live mackerel, but it was slow, so we tried trolling some hoochies. Boated four fish with hoochies, green and pink, and Mexican flag-type colors, and then nothing for a while. I decided to try a big blue and chrome Rapala, and immediately hooked a nice, 28-pound dorado, and the other guys put on Rapalas and we completed our limits. While we were out we saw one panga with two marlin on at the same time, and one other boat with a sail. I am now a dorado fanatic! Can't remember when I had so much fun catching fish.”
LORETO, MEXICO: Marco Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet at Cabo San Lucas reported on a commercial longline boat apprehended with almost 3,000 pounds of dorado near Loreto. The boat was the Salado I from Guaymas, and had a permit for squid, Ehrenberg said. LORETO LONGLINE BOAT APPREHENSION.
LORETO, MEXICO: At Villas de Loreto, Wendy Wilchynski reported hotel guest catching lots of dorado and other species, including Bubba Peavey, who got his first ever marlin last week.
MULEGE FISHING REPORTS
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MULEGE, MEXICO: Paul Rista of Mulege said fishing was “very sporadic” last week. Mulege water temperatures were 82 to 86 degrees, as some dorado of 10 to 15 pounds, plus a few 25 pounders, were caught on scattered patches of Sargassum weed 20 to 35 miles out in all directions.
MULEGE, MEXICO: Diana Johnson of the Hotel Serenidad said some guests reported more marlin and sailfish than dorado. Near Isla Tortuga to the northeast, the navy was called to investigate a large oil slick in the water: “It had to be a big ship. When there is no wind, you can see it clearly, but if it is windy, it disappears. Already, some dead birds have been found, and this could be very bad for fishing.”
SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS
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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said Santa Rosalia weather was summery in the high-80s, with some humidity, accompanied by southeast winds by midday to about 20 knots. Water temperatures were 81 to 83 degrees in all areas, with super visibility of 60 to 100 feet. Fishing at both Isla San Marcos and Isla Tortuga was good for about three to four yellowtail per day, averaging 22 to 27 pounds, plus steady leopard grouper to 9 pounds, gulf grouper to 35 pounds, and dorado of 12 to 20 pounds located just outside Isla San Marcos and north of Santa Rosalia.
Kanzler noted that yellowtail fishing has transitioned into summer mode, with migratory fish gone, and home guard yellowtail caught at greater depths. Inshore action included some dorado caught within a couple of miles from San Lucas Cove, and good numbers of chihuil sea catfish coming up on the sabiki bait rigs. SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORT.
Kanzler also sent some comments he made recently on an internet message board in which he defended the overall state of fishing in the Sea of Cortez from its critics. MIKE KANZLER ON THE CONDITION OF MEXICO'S FISHERIES.
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES (L.A. BAY) FISHING REPORTS
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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES—L.A. BAY, MEXICO: At Bahia de los Angeles, Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko said excellent yellowtail fishing continued on the nearby reefs, including Coronadito with 25 to 35-pound fish, and Isla Horsehead with 15 pounders. The yellowtail bite inside the bay was knocked out by commercial boats, Vazquez said, but the reefs were still producing yellowtail, leopard grouper, and broomtail grouper on live bait and jigs. Bait was still plentiful at the south end of the bay, but getting scarce near the village. L.A. Bay weather was nice and calm in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 76 to 78 degrees, and no bugs. Dorado were still not present.
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES—L.A. BAY, MEXICO: Paul Whitehead of Corona, his father David Whitehead and Ross Lewis of Riverside, and Tony Davies of Long Beach, stayed at Costa del Sol and fished out of Guillermos for two days, hitting a hot bite on larger yellowtail off the north side of Isla Smith on their first day, and good action on yellowtail, grouper, and sheephead south at Bahia de los Animas on their second day. Whitehead reported yellowtail estimated at up to and estimated 50 pounds, with some wind, and air temperatures of 92 degrees: “We got the big yellows on 50 and 60-pound. Not heavy enough to stop several that ran for the rocks. We used mackerel for all the yellows. The blue and white and chrome iron was great for the grouper but the yellows refused to bite. The weights were estimated by the captain as we had no scale.”
Whitehead added that whales and jumping rays were thick in the area, and extensive road work was in progress up to about 5 miles from the village.
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES—L.A. BAY, MEXICO: Chris Okamoto of San Pedro had an outstanding trip to L.A. Bay with Larry Fukuhara and Mike Lozano, with heavy finback whale sightings and steady fishing action for yellowtail, including one of over 40 pounds that Okamoto said was his personal best so far, plus wide-open release fishing on spotted bay bass. Okamoto said many Humboldt squid were present, including many dead ones on shore, but they didn’t interfere with the fishing. The best yellowtail action was at Punta la Gringa, and off Isla Smith, as Okamoto’s group fished with Capt. Roberto. BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES FISHING.
SAN FRANCISQUITO, MEXICO: John Aman of remote San Francisquito reported yellowtail caught from shore by himself and Dave Phillips: “Great trip! We finally caught yellowtail from the beach! Timing is everything! Four total from the beach.”
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES—L.A. BAY, MEXICO: Jim Howard of Garden Grove, Dan Mueller, Jim Davilla, Robb Kolb, Dave Sawzak and Phill Cecachi, stayed at week at Guillermo’s and fished with Capt. Igor Galvan for three days of action, including a wide-open surface bite of 12 to 20-pound yellowtail, dropper loop yellowtail to 40 pounds, and a final day of fishing a 200-foot deep reef for white seabass to 30 pounds, more yellowtail, and a 60-pound grouper. “Fishing with Igor was killer,” Howard said. “He knows his stuff and his boat is fast and comfortable.” BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES FISHING WITH CAPT. IGOR.
SAN FRANCISQUITO, MEXICO: Stan Woodword of San Francisquito said he found extremely slow fishing with no significant yellowtail caught during four days, but his group did catch the first dorado of the year, about 12 to 14 pounds, on the bajo between El Barril and Punta San Miguel: “The camp pangas got three small ones yesterday, nada this morning.” Woodward said a commercial panguero reported 35 yellowtail caught with squid on the bajo, but, “We were there for two hours in the morning and there were four pangueros anchored up, but I never saw them catch a thing.”
Sealife sightings included a spectacular show of jumping bat rays: “The Nature Channel event of the weekend was a school of maybe 150 bat rays. They swam along shore right in front of the camp. Dozens of them would jump all at once, smack back in the water, and keep on slowly swimming. They did this over and over and over until they were out of sight to the north. Every jump was completely straight ahead. I have spent dozens of years in Baja and have never seen such an amazing sight.”
SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS
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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tony Reyes of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on July 2, 2004, with a catch of: 166 yellowtail, 18 to 47 pounds; eight grouper, 45 to 55 pounds; 16 white seabass, 19 to 26 pounds; 84 cabrilla, 14 to 16.5 pounds; 20 red snapper, 10 to 13 pounds; three broomtail grouper, 14 pounds; 15 sheephead, 6 to 10 pounds; limits of spotted bay bass; two shark, 11 pounds; and 68 miscellaneous fish.
SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Jack Simpson of Mission Viejo reported on a six-day trip by the panga mothership Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe on July 2, 2004, with a catch of: 265 yellowtail, 125 cabrilla, 235 pinto bass, 18 pargo, 135 squid, 15 broomtail grouper, four white seabass to 44 pounds, and many miscellaneus fish. Simpson said the boat fished in excellent weather but bait was hard to make because of heavy concentrations of giant squid, 127 of which were caught in a single night. SAN FELIPE PANGA MOTHERSHIP MIDRIFF ISLANDS FISHING.
SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Dana Kerby of Baja Sportfishing, Inc., reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Erik, returning to San Felipe on July 1, 2004, with a catch of: 258 yellowtail, 362 cabrilla, 21 pargo, two grouper including fish of 26 and 80 pounds, 12 white seabass, 92 giant squid, and 405 miscellaneous fish. Kerby said the Erik fished at San Lorenzo, San Francisquito, Muerto, La Raza, Isla Vibora, Bahia Refugio, Ensenada Grande, San Luis Gonzaga, Salvatierra, Islas Encantadas, and Huerfanito. Charter master for the trip was Sonny Loo of the El Centro area.
SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR SAN CARLOS
SAN CARLOS—GUAYMAS, MEXICO: Bob Blair of Fishing San Carlos said fishing finally improved late last week, as several boats caught yellowfin tuna about 32 to 35 miles out on headings of 240 to 250 degrees. Some dorado were also caught, but not many, and billfish sightings were common on up to 20 or 30 per day.
Blair also send a personal account of a very strange dorado encounter that he said he was “almost sure that it is true.” BOB BLAIR’S DORADO STORY.
SAN CARLOS—GUAYMAS, MEXICO: Bill Molden of San Carlos confirmed the improved action, adding that San Carlos weather was in the mid-90s, with water temperatures in the mid-80s.
SAN CARLOS—GUAYMAS, MEXICO: Earlier, Stuart Burnett of Rocky Point reported on very slow fishing trip to San Carlos, saying, “Overall, the fishing was probably the poorest I’ve ever had in San Carlos at this time of year. But that didn’t stop us from catching a few.” Burnett’s group fished for five days from three boats for just two or three small dorado per day, one sailfish, a few other small fish, and a day knocked out by a heavy, yellow plankton bloom at Isla Tortuga. SLOW SAN CARLOS FISHING AND YELLOW SLIME AT ISLA TORTUGA.
SAN CARLOS—GUAYMAS, MEXICO: Dave Harcourt of Rapid City, S.D., returned from a trip to his condo at San Carlos saying, “the fishing stinks but everything else was the usual Nirvana.” Harcourt reported very slow action and heavy commercial fishing, and also sent a pessimistic analysis of the current state of Mexican fisheries. "MEXICO FISHERIES IN DISARRAY" BY DAVE HARCOURT.
SAN CARLOS—GUAYMAS, MEXICO: Norman Don of Tucson said he found slow fishing, with a few boats catching football tuna. Don said he caught two small tuna 24 miles out on a 190-degree heading, but reported better results by Jason Kuhn on Richochet with a 57.5-pound dorado, and Doc Marlin with six dorado, and a sailfish release for 14-year old Abigail Don, her first ever. Don said most of the fish were caught 30 miles out, heading towards Isla Tortuga.
MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS
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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Tadeo Hernandez of Flota Bibi Fleet said 11 offshore boats had a catch including released fish of: 13 sailfish, four yellowfin tuna, and four skipjack tuna. One bottom fishing charter had good catches of triggerfish, spadefish, red snapper, mojarra, and miscellaneous fish.
MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Aries Fleet boats out of Marina el Cid averaged better than two billfish per day, plus easy catch-and-release limits on dorado all day long. Twenty-seven offshore boats had a catch including released fish of: one striped marlin, 67 sailfish, 29 yellowfin tuna, one wahoo, one roosterfish, and 176 dorado. Inshore pangas reported dorado limits, and one roosterfish. Mazatlan weather was partly cloudy in the mid-90s, and the best fishing was 25 miles southwest of Marina el Cid.
MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Yomahira Aguirre of Aries Fleet said one blue marlin was also caught, the tuna ran to about 75 pounds, and water temperatures averaged 83 degrees. The best bottom fishing was about 15 miles out of the marina.
PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS
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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Kurt Hjort of Esperanza Sportfishing reported good results on species including sailfish and dorado out to Corbetena in 83-degree water, and tuna to 40 pounds inside at Yelapa. Puerto Vallarta weather was hot with evening thunderstorms. PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING.
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS
ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO
IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze of Zihuatanejo reported 80-degree blue water holding about a mile off the beach and boats averaging two to three sailfish per day. Roosterfish action was excellent on about five fish per day going to about 42 pounds. Dorado numbers were improving, but tuna and marlin were scarce.
IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament said some small dorado were showing in fair numbers, and occasional thunderstorms were present but without problems.
IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said inshore fishing was strong as Michael Scott fished a total of three days on the Janeth and Dos Hermanos I for a catch of: 10 roosterfish, 36 red snapper, cabrilla, one pompano, and four needlefish.
IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said Ixtapa weather was humid in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 80 to 89 degrees.
EAST CAPE GALLO--Richard Arneson with a nice roosterfish caught about a quarter mile off Rancho Leonero with Capt. Rene. Photo courtesy Richard Arneson.
KOKOMO CATCH--Steve Crouch and John Turnbull fished about 70 miles south of San Diego on Turnbull’s boat Kokomo for a nice catch of albacore and yellowtail around the 295 spot. Photo courtesy Steve Crouch.
BIG ERENDIRA CROAKER--Tom Parker and his son Elliott of Raleigh, N.C., caught this nice white seabass out of Castro’s Camp at Erendira, just south of Ensenada. Photo courtesy Fernando Castro.
PRETTY CATCH!--Monica Meza, 21, fished with her brother Julio Meza of San Quintin and caught her first yellowtail, a nice 28 pounder. Photo courtesy Julio Meza.
CAUGHT TWO OF ‘EM--John Snow found generally slow fishing at San Jose del Cabo, but Capt. Pata of the panga Salome shows off one of the two big roosterfish they caught out of La Playita. Photo courtesy John Snow.
EAST CAPE HOT DORADO--Russ Fritz with his pal Dave Jeffers with some dorado they caught last week 22 miles out of La Ribera. Photo courtesy Jorge Bergin.
EAST CAPE SUSHI--Jeff Meeker fished with East Cape panga Capt. Marco on the Alexis, and on Rod Albright’s boat Bill Collector for very good action on marlin, dorado, roosterfish, and tuna, including this 45 pounder. Photo courtesy Werner Hradecky.
EAST CAPE BLUE--Blue marlin were seen in good numbers at East Cape last week, including this 275 pounder caught out of Buena Vista Beach Resort by Korean angler Mr. Sung. Photo courtesy Axel Valdez.
MOSQUITO GOLD--Capt. Alejandro Cano of La Paz’ Mosquito Fleet with some happy anglers from Los Angeles and a nice bull dorado caught about 6 miles off Punta Lobos at the north end of Isla Espiritu Santo. Photo courtesy Luis Lopez.
FUN AT LA PAZ--Jonathan Roldan of Tail Hunter International (right) with Greg Leon and his group at Ensenada de los Muertos. Photo courtesy Jonathan Roldan.
KANZLER GROUPER--Bud Neilson of Yorba Linda fished with Isla San Marcos’ Mike Kanzler for this nice 35-pound gulf grouper. Photo courtesy Mike Kanzler.
ABOARD THE TONY REYES--A successful catch during Jack Simpson’s San Felipe panga mothership trip on the Tony Reyes. Photo courtesy Jack Simpson..
A FISHING TRADITION--For more than 50 years, anglers have seen this view as their fishing days have begun at East Cape. Photo courtesy Axel Valdez.
Baja coastal fishing reports and articles.
Ensenada fishing reports and articles.
Puerto Santo Tomas fishing reports and articles.
Erendira fishing reports and articles.
San Quintin fishing reports and articles.
Magdalena Bay fishing reports and articles.
Cabo San Lucas fishing reports and articles.
San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos) fishing reports and articles.
East Cape fishing reports and articles.
La Paz fishing reports and articles.
Loreto fishing reports and articles.
Mulege fishing reports and articles.
Santa Rosalia fishing reports and articles.
Bahia de los Angeles (L.A. Bay) fishing reports and articles.
San Felipe fishing reports and articles.
Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) fishing reports and articles.
San Carlos (Sonora) fishing reports and articles .
Mazatlan fishing reports and articles .
Puerto Vallarta fishing reports and articles.
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing reports and articles.
Huatulco fishing reports and articles.
Cancun fishing reports and articles.
Mexico coastal fishing reports and articles.
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