East Cape Bisbee's fishing tournament won by 386-pound blue marlin

Mexico Fishing News, August 9, 2004

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Rod Albright of Buena Vista reported 42 boats fishing for three days in the Bisbee's 5th Annual East Cape Offshore tournament, Aug. 3-7, which was won by the Karma with a 386-pound blue marlin worth about $140,000. Second place went to the Borracho with a 304-pound blue marlin worth about $27,000, Albright said, followed by the On-Site with a 197-pound tuna for $7,000, and El Tio with a 44-pound dorado also worth $7,000.

Albright, who fished in the tournament, said a total of 72 billfish were released, mostly blue marlin, but also including three black marlin, and he complimented the tournament's host hotel, Buena Vista Beach Resort, saying: "I would like to thank all of the staff and the Valdez family for a job well done. We will be back there again next year. The Bisbee family and staff did a great job also!" BISBEE'S TOURNAMENT FISHING.

BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 160 boats fishing during the week with a catch including released fish of: eight blue marlin, 17 striped marlin, 12 sailfish, 26 dorado, 18 tuna, two wahoo, three roosterfish, two shark, eight snapper, one jack crevalle, four amberjack, three bonita, one pompano, two triggerfish, one cabrilla, 20 skipjack, and three needlefish. Hotel boats fished long distances in all directions, due to the Bisbee's East Cape Tournament. EAST CAPE FISHING.

BUENA VISTA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: "Where the h___ was this fish when we needed it?" asked Mark Rayor of the Vista Sea Sport dive service on Sunday, after his boat Jen Wren landed a blue marlin weighing 375 pounds. Rayor, who lost two big fish during the Bisbee's tournament, his skipper Chuy Cota, and Gary Dodak landed the big blue after a fight lasting about an hour.

Rayor said early week diving conditions at Cabo Pulmo were poor due to high swells, but spectacular water returned by Saturday, with 80 degrees at depth and visibility "gin clear." Bull shark to 8 feet long were present on the Cabo Pulmo reef, and other sea life sightings including manta rays, turtles, grouper, snapper, and clouds of reef fish. EAST CAPE BISBEE'S FISHING.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly commented on the relatively slow offshore fishing during the tournament, "Pretty slim pickings for the fleet," Graham said. Small dorado continued to lead the numbers at East Cape, mostly near shore, with a few larger ones farther out. Tuna were far outside, about 40 to 50 miles. On the beaches, larger roosterfish were present from La Ribera to Punta Colorada. East Cape weather was in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 75 to 88 degrees. EAST CAPE FISHING.

LA RIBERA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Russell Fritz of La Ribera commented on the rough seas during the beginning of the Bisbee's tournament at midweek: "The wind is howling, and backing around the compass today. The Bisbee fishermen are earning their 'cast iron' stomachs out there. Earlier, Fritz said he and his 77-year-old friend, Bud Bye of Canyon Lakes fished again with no luck: "Perfect conditions, flat as a lake, but no dorado."

LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Bill Burkett of Los Barriles had so-so action in winds early in the week, but later had a great day in windy conditions, very close to shore, near Punta Pescadero for a catch including released fish of: two wahoo, two sailfish on three hookups, and a small dorado as his boat Fat Cat approached its mooring at Los Barriles. The Fat Cat fished in 83-degree water, and Burkett said his two wahoo were caught on an orange-black Marauder and a skirted head: "And best of all, we were never more than a half-mile off shore all day!" FAT CAT EAST CAPE FISHING.

RANCHO LEONERO, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Barnes-Webb of Rancho Leonero reported lots of blue marlin and sailfish spread throughout the bay and dorado limits on fish averaging 10 pounds caught 1 to 3 miles offshore from Rancho Leonero to the lighthouse. EAST CAPE FISHING.

LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: At Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort, Marisol Verdugo said hotel boats were busy all week, landing football tuna, small dorado, and a few blue marlin and sailfish.

LOS BARRILES, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Earlier, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported on 383 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: 50 blue marlin, 48 striped marlin, 18 sailfish, 606 dorado, 448 yellowfin tuna, and 41 wahoo. EAST CAPE FISHING.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jerry Fukui reported very slow fishing on a hotel cruiser, catching one 10-pound dorado and one roosterfish during two days of fishing at the end of July, despite reading favorable fishing reports from the resort. "It wasn't just us but the whole fleet seemed to have a very difficult time finding anything that would bite," Fukui said. "Every guest I spoke to lamented about how slow the fishing was, with some getting zipped and others fairing a little better than we did, but not much so. Full limits of dorado? Hardly!" SLOW EAST CAPE FISHING.

PUNTA COLORADA, EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Eddie Dalmau of Baja Fishing and Resorts reported a good trip by Mike Ford and Pat Carson of Texas to Hotel Punta Colorada, where they fished with Capt. Carlos for several marlin, dorado, yellowfin tuna, and several roosterfish near the hotel, including one roosterfish that measured 55 inches long and weighed over 60 pounds. EAST CAPE FISHING.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Gerardo Sanchez of KCHTS Sportfishing said fishing during the week improved inside the bay for more yellowtail, bonita, and barracuda, and at Santo Tomas, the action was good on yellowtail and bottom fish. The Don Juan II also fished outside for tuna, but found only yellowtail on kelp paddies. Another boat reported tuna and dorado at the 238 spot.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: At Lily Fleet, Sammy Susarrey said the Amigo fishing with four anglers at the 295 spot area got limits of yellowtail to 15 pounds on kelp paddies, plus four dorado to 20 pounds, in 67.4-degree water. Earlier, both the Amigo and Tamara did well at Punta Santo Tomas. The Amigo scored on 11 yellowtail to 25 pounds right at the point, and also landed large calico bass and many medium barracuda, calling it a day at noon in 63.5-degree water. Susarrey said the recently refurbished Amigo now runs to Punta Santo Tomas in about two hours and 15 minutes.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Sportfishing Center reported on 35 anglers with a catch of: 59 yellowtail, six yellowfin tuna, and five dorado.

PUNTA BANDA, ENSENADA, MEXICO: At Vonny's Fleet, Ivan Villarino said his pangas at the tip of Punta Banda scored on consistent limits of rockcod, lingcod, whitefish, calico bass, sandbass, and mixed bottom fish. Ensenada weather was good, with light afternoon breezes.

PUNTA BANDA, ENSENADA, MEXICO: Richard Arneson of La Mesa also reported yellowtail caught with Capt. Beto of Vonny’s Fleet.

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO SANTO TOMAS, MEXICO: Sam Saenz of Puerto Santo Tomas resort said sea conditions were mostly calm, with heavy currents by the weekend, and some afternoon wind. Bottom fishing continued for full limits on lingcod, whitefish, and rockcod all week, and the surface bite was still on track with almost daily catches of bonita, barracuda, and yellowtail to 25 pounds. PUERTO SANTO TOMAS FISHING.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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CASTRO'S CAMP, ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp said sea conditions were mostly good, with some northwest winds, and water temperatures averaging 66 degrees, as pangas caught more than 100 white seabass and 80 yellowtail in larger sizes during the week, plus many large red rockcod and lingcod.

CASTRO'S CAMP, ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Bill Stout had more details on his late-July trip to Castro’s Camp, saying that in two days his group of four anglers netted eight white seabass of 25 to 37 pounds, seven yellowtail of 15 to 36 pounds, and two 150-quart ice chests of red snapper and lingcod each day. CASTRO’S CAMP FISHING.

CASTRO'S CAMP, ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Chris Kugel of San Diego said he missed the main white seabass bite by going south out of Castro’s Camp, only getting one of three to the boat, while most of the pangas went north and scored on a total of 45 croakers, in good sea conditions with some afternoon chop. Kugel said he fished off Colonet and also landed rockfish, calico bass, lingcod, and sandbass. Kugel said Castro’s Camp is now running the Don Vicente and Dona Ramona, two new 23-foot pangas with 8-foot beams. CASTRO’S CAMP FISHING.

CASTRO'S CAMP, ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Richard Arneson of La Mesa said he also got into the good white seabass run, as his panga caught three of them with Capt. Poncho. “The whites are coming up in the morning to feed on the squid in the area right now and will hit on most light colored Salas 6X Jr. type jigs,” Arneson said, adding that the new Castro’s Camp pangas can fish with four anglers due to their steering stations placed far forward. CASTRO’S CAMP FISHING.

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas said Josef Szigeti of Irvine brought friends Istvan Matus, Peter Matus, and Laszlo Revesz all the way from Hungary to fish for the first time in their lives, out of the Old Mill Hotel with Capt. Hector on the Romey, and on their first day they scored on a 62-pound white seabass and farmed three more big ones, and then limited on sandbass, calico bass, whitefish, and rockcod on their second day. "These guys were really good people," Hillis said. San Quintin weather was hot, up to about 100 degrees, but with water temperatures cooling from 70 degrees, down to about 68. Hillis had 30 boats out for the week, catching limits or near limits of yellowtail, barracuda, and bottom fish. SAN QUINTIN FISHING.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Don Fagan of Ensenada fished two days for good results on yellowtail, lingcod, barracuda and mixed bottom fish the first day with Capt. Jaime Garcia, and a very heavy bottom fish bite on his second day with Capt. David of Pedro’s Pangas. Both days of fishing were about 3 to 6 miles south of the bay, Fagan said, in good conditions to about noon, and then some afternoon wind. SAN QUINTIN FISHING.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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LAGUNA LA BOCANA, MEXICO: Doug Pierson of O’Brien, Ore., reported very good inshore fishing at semi-remote Laguna la Bocana, near Punta Abreojos, and near camp at Campo Rene on Estero de Coyote a few miles east. O’Brien said he blew a couple of trailer tires on the way in, but found good action with Capt. Domingo on swarms of barracuda, large sheephead, bonito, whitefish, a big seabass that got away, and even some surprise saltwater catfish right near the restaurant at Campo Rene. LAGUNA LA BOCANA FISHING.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said San Carlos weather was partly cloudy in the low-80s, with water temperatures of 67 to 78 degrees. Few anglers fished last week, but good action on the fly was found at the entrada for leopard grouper, small yellowtail, and mixed species, and the mangroves produced some corvina. A few sierra were caught at the south end of the bay. MAGDALENA BAY FISHING.

PUERTO LOPEZ MATEOS, MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Diana Hoyt of Mag Bay Outfitters said the Mar Gato out of Puerto Lopez Mateos fished in some wind, in water temperatures of 76 to 78 degrees, last week for bonita and sandbass one day, and three grouper and two yellowfin tuna the following day.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Benjamin Ortega of Solmar Fleet reported on 56 boats, with a catch including released fish of: 11 striped marlin, eight blue marlin, 53 yellowfin tuna, 41 dorado, and 12 skipjack. The top boat for the week was the San Lucas IV, with Capt. Armando Luna and a five-outing catch including released fish of: four striped marlin, 19 dorado, and seven yellowfin tuna. Gino Mangini of Los Angeles caught three blue marlin, releasing two of them, plus a striper on the Solmar II. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 26 Gaviota Fleet boats, with a catch including released fish of: one sailfish, 10 striped marlin, one wahoo, 33 yellowfin tuna, 36 skipjack, and 33 dorado. The Fish Cabo reported on three outings with a catch including released fish of a 475-pound black marlin, one blue marlin, seven dorado, and four yellowfin tuna, and the Juanita VIII reported on four days with a catch of three blue marlin, one sailfish, seven dorado, and 28 yellowfin tuna. Edwards said the fishing was on both the Pacific and Cortez sides, in mostly calm weather in the high-90s, and water temperatures of 83 to 84 degrees. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported on 81 boats for the week, with a catch including released fish of: five striped marlin, two sailfish, 202 yellowfin tuna, 188 dorado, three wahoo, and four boats skunked.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Capt. George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported on three outings with a catch of: seven dorado of 10 to 35 pounds, six yellowfin tuna of 10 pounds, and one wahoo of 55 pounds. Cabo San Lucas weather was mostly cloudy in the high-90s, with water temperatures warming quickly to about 83 degrees in most areas. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported 26 percent of boats landing billfish, and 90 percent scoring on all species combined, as dorado of 22 to 55 pounds and yellowfin tuna of 30 to 70 pounds made up the bulk of the catch. Pisces boats fished in all directions, in some swell on the Pacific side and generally calm conditions on the Cortez side, and water temperatures averaging about 82 degrees. The fleet's catch including released fish was: 160 tuna, 104 dorado, 15 striped marlin, one blue marlin, four sailfish, and three wahoo. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Earlier, Nancy Chaloner of Pisces Fleet reported slower billfish action, and an overall catch rate for all species combined of 86 percent. The catch for the week, including released fish, was: 22 striped marlin, seven blue marlin, and two sailfish, plus dorado and yellowfin tuna. Water temperatures were warmer, as Pisces boats found water as high as 88 degrees just off the lighthouse. CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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LA PLAYITA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas said the La Playita panga fleet found very good to wide-open, nonstop action on yellowfin tuna at La Fortuna, on fish of 8 to 20 pounds, as some pangas caught 10 to 15 fish per morning. At the Gordo Banks, pangueros reported larger tuna of 40 to 80 pounds caught on chunk bait, plus some very large fish lost, and on the bottom, large dog snapper were caught, including a 60 pounder by Luis Solemindad, fishing with Gordo Banks Pangas' Capt. Jesus. San Jose del Cabo weather was good, with water temperatures of 80 to 86 degrees and no tropical storm swell, as blue water came in to within several miles of shore. SAN JOSE DEL CABO FISHING.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Luis Duhart of Palmilla Bay Sportfishing said weather and sea conditions were up-and-down, with rain and thunder, and green water near shore, but boats still did well on lots of tuna of 15 to 40 pounds, plus some dorado to about 15 pounds. Some boats caught about 10 to 15 tuna. SAN JOSE DEL CABO FISHING.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LAS ARENAS, LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said dorado action picked up on the Las Arenas side last week, on fish of 20 to 25 pounds. Wahoo of 30 to 40 pounds were also caught, as his pangas averaged about two to three fish per day. The wahoo were caught south of Isla Cerralvo, and the dorado both south, and north, from Las Cruces to the north end of Isla Cerralvo. Las Arenas weather was good in the mid-90s, with water temperatures of 78 to 82 degrees. LAS ARENAS, LA PAZ FISHING.

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tail Hunter International said fishing was variable on both sides of the hill: "Whether you're fishing the La Paz or the Las Arenas side, there's no consistency. You could troll all day and find nothing, then at the very end find a hot spot with a WFO on dorado." Generally, Roldan said there are more billfish on the La Paz side, and more wahoo on the Las Arenas side, especially around Isla Cerralvo. LA PAZ FISHING.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto reported slow but not hopeless dorado fishing, and good numbers of billfish in the area. Bear and his friends Betsy and Frank Woolrich fished a short three days with Capt. Paulino Martinez for 15 dorado and one sailfish, fishing about 35 to 40 miles northeast of town. Capt. Francisco Martinez caught seven dorado of 15 to 20 pounds in the same general area. Bear said water temperatures outside were 85 to 86 degrees, and most of his fish were caught on a homemade FAD that he checks after it's been in the water for about an hour. LORETO FISHING.

LORETO, MEXICO: Jan Stark of Loreto Shores Villas & R.V. Park said, "The fishing in Loreto is not over yet, but the dorado are too small to be brought in." Residents caught some broomtail grouper of 35 to 40 pounds and some yellowtail, and Stark said water temperatures were very hot, into the 90's. LORETO FISHING.

LORETO, MEXICO: Sal Pilato of San Pedro and his family fished four days with Capt. Roberto Ramon Quintana out of Loreto Shores Villas & RV Park and they blanked on dorado their first day, but got very lucky and limited on dorado after that, fishing out around Punta Baja at the south end of Isla Carmen. Pilato said they fished with live mackerel, catching it themselves one morning: "In about half an hour we had 20 mackerel in our tanks, but it was hard to get them. Not biting good." LORETO FISHING.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said dorado fishing was still very slow: "If you're here for dorado, you may be disappointed, especially if you've fished Loreto before." Most of the dorado caught were on a series of buoys and fish attractors placed about 30 miles northeast of town, but catching a two-fish limit was not easy. "Most boats are trolling live mackerel or squid and bringing in one to two fish per person," Bolles said. Inshore fishing was also generally slow, but billfish, especially sailfish, were plentiful in all directions, and Bolles said some boats reported up to half-a-dozen releases. LORETO FISHING.

LORETO, MEXICO: Rob Smyth of Redding fished three weeks in his 23-foot boat for "no dorado to speak of. All very small dinks." Smyth said sailfish action was very good, and on his best day he released 10 sailfish out of 60 to 70 seen. Marlin fishing was also good between Islas Carmen and Monserate, yellowtail were on the bottom at Punta Almeja, and he caught some good grouper on high spots. But quality dorado were basically absent in water temperatures peaking at 87.2 degrees. LORETO FISHING.

PUERTO ESCONDIDO, LORETO, MEXICO: Ty Miller of El Fuerte Sportfishing at Puerto Escondido said striped marlin were plentiful from Punta Baja at the south end of Isla Carmen to the north end of Isla Monserate, but dorado were few and small: "Most are nursery fish in the 4 to 12-pound range that we don't even think about bringing to gaff." Loreto sea conditions were flat, with water temperatures averaging 85 degrees. LORETO FISHING.

LORETO, MEXICO: At Villas de Loreto, Wendy Wilchynski said guests fishing with Capt. Gregorio or his son, Ramon, had better action last week on pargo, cabrilla, sailfish, marlin, and dorado, fishing north of Isla Coronado, or south near Isla Danzante. Boats were also fishing up to 40 miles out. LORETO FISHING.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Diana Johnson of the Hotel Serenidad said fishing was still slow, although some dorado to about 25 pounds were caught about 15 miles off Punta Concepcion. Mulege weather on Friday was cloudy and windy “and that is not helping,” Johnson said.

MULEGE, MEXICO: At the hotel, fly-in angler Larry Hahn of El Paso said there were 31 airplanes on the Serenidad landing strip for the Saturday Night Pig Roast. “It’s the largest fly-in,” Hahn said. “Many goofy pilots from El Paso.”

MULEGE, MEXICO: Doug Pierson of O'Brien, Ore., had more detail about his recent "Baja Catch" style inshore fishing trip at Mulege, saying that he caught a total of 36 species, and 90 percent of them in water less than 18 feet deep. Near shore water temperatures averaged 86 degrees. Pierson would like to contact anglers interested in another trip in September or October, bluerib@cavenet.com. MULEGE INSHORE FISHING.

BAHIA SAN NICOLAS, MEXICO: Pierson also reported on his visit to Bahia San Nicolas, just south of Bahia Concepcion, where he hired a commercial squid panguero to take him and his son Shawn fishing, and blew the whole day since their "guide" knew nothing about sport fishing. "We squandered an entire day," Pierson said. "Next time a panguero shows up with no tackle, no knife and no gaff I'll stop and wonder..." BAHIA SAN NICOLAS FISHING.

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos said fishing improved some last week, in hot, humid weather, and stable water temperatures of 82 to 85 degrees, as he fished around the island and out at Isla Tortuga for some smaller yellowtail, about 200 feet deep, some smaller dorado of 12 to 26 pounds outside San Marcos, and a surprise sailfish that hit a yellowtail rig for Jose Iturriaga Jr., as they fished on the bottom at Isla Tortuga. The sailfish could not be revived, Kanzler said: "After about a 30-minute battle the fish came boat side, messed up, bleeding and lifeless. Having a 12-ounce sinker and dropper loop didn't help. Tried to revive the fish, but no luck. Just for the record the fish was filleted and eaten, not wasted." SANTA ROSALIA FISHING.

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

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CAMP GECKO, BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Abraham Vazquez of Camp Gecko at Bahia de los Angeles said dorado were caught to the north at Bahia Guadalupe, and yellowtail fishing improved on fish of 15 to 25 pounds caught at Punta Pescador and at Guadalupe. Water temperatures rebounded to 80 to 82 degrees, after dipping to about 77 degrees during the high tidal range phase of the moon. Vazquez said the local bait supply thinned out: "There is very little bait in the area now. Some days up to 3 hours to make bait." L.A. BAY FISHING.

CAMP GECKO, BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Earlier, Vazquez said fishing was generally slower inside the bay, with some medium to small yellowtail caught deep on the reefs, and live bait becoming hard to find in quickly rising water temperatures of 78 to 81 degrees. About 30 miles outside and to the south, very good dorado action on abundant weed paddies was out of practical range of most boats, but some were making the run for basically unlimited catch-and-release of 12 to 25-pound fish. "It almost seems dumb that the limit is two per person per day to keep, but I think they decide the limits in Mexico city, far from the sea, and they go by how pretty the fish are," Vazquez said. The dorado were on a temperature break in water of 82 to 85 degrees. L.A. Bay weather was in the low-90s, with some moderate wind. BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES FISHING.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Bob Murphy of Laguna Hills and his group fished and dived for three days on a Guillermo's super-duper panga with Capt. Jose and found very good volume of smaller yellowtail to 15 pounds, plus cabrilla and grouper, and excellent spear fishing for grouper to 25 pounds, fishing mostly around the north end of Isla Smith and the southwest side of Isla Angel de la Guarda. Murphy's group stayed at Los Vientos where, "Anna and her team prepared our day's catch with style and flavor...We ate like kings...great trip." L.A. Bay water temperatures were at an even 80 degrees, and the weather was in the high-90s with cooling breezes at night. BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES FISHING AND DIVING.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Earlier, Dean Mitchell of San Diego and his group of five anglers fished with Capt. Igor Galvan, finding good action at Punta las Animas for yellowtail limits to 20 pounds, about 200 feet deep on live mackerel, plus white seabass, and huachinango. Mitchell's group also snorkeled the inner islands from their Zodiacs and a tin boat, finding slow fishing for sierra, cabrilla, and 2-pound yellowtail. L.A. Bay weather was perfect in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 80 degrees. L.A. BAY FISHING.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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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 with 26 anglers on Aug. 5, 2004, with a catch of: 118 yellowtail, 86 cabrilla, 91 pargo, one white seabass, five grouper of 24 to 32 pounds, 412 miscellaneous fish, and six dorado. The Erik fished in good weather at La Vibora, Las Animas, Bahia de los Angeles, Punta Final, and Golden Reef, and passengers included anglers from Washington State, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Mississippi, Texas and, California, Kerby said.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Capt. Tony Reyes Jr. of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours reported on a six-day Midriff Islands trip by the panga mothership Tony Reyes, returning to San Felipe on Aug. 6, 2004, with a catch of: 185 yellowtail, 15 to 22 pounds; six grouper, 60 to 65 pounds; one black sea bass, 58 pounds; six dorado, 15 pounds; one white seabass, 45 pounds; 215 cabrilla, 4 to 15 pounds; 125 squid, 10 to 12 pounds; 68 red snapper, 6 to 10 pounds; 25 sheephead, 10 pounds; 200 spotted bay bass; and 109 miscellaneous fish.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Mike Alaniz of Los Angeles had additional details on his trip aboard the panga mothership Jose Andres that returned to San Felipe on July 30, 2004, saying the boat fished with nine anglers and a photographer and assistant, and went no farther south than Isla Partida due to wind. Alaniz said the totoaba release by the Tony Reyes that he witnessed was on the back side of Isla San Luis. SAN FELIPE MOTHERSHIP FISHING.

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Bill Molden of San Carlos said very few anglers fished last week, as the summer doldrums set in, with weather in the mid-90s and water temperatures in the high-80s. Dorado fishing continued slow on small fish, but billfish were present in good numbers, scattered over a wide area. SAN CARLOS FISHING.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MARINA EL CID, MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said 20 Aries Fleet boats out of Marina el Cid had a catch including released fish of: 31 sailfish, 17 yellowfin tuna, 23 dorado, and one roosterfish. Overall angling activity was very light, but inshore pangas still caught easy dorado limits. Mazatlan weather was cloudy in the mid-90s, with calm seas and water temperatures holding at 85 to 86 degrees. MAZATLAN FISHING.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Earlier, Bill Heimpel of Star Fleet said good numbers of sailfish were caught, plus dorado of 15 to 20 pounds, plus a 57 pounder, and yellowfin tuna of 15 to 20 pounds, in a scattered area about 22 miles out. Blue marlin were seen jumping on temperature breaks of 82 to 86 degrees in some areas.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Kim Moore of Charter Dreams said larger blue marlin and yellowfin tuna were caught at El Banco, 55 miles out, and also at Corbetena, 38 miles out. Good numbers of sailfish were caught closer in at Islas Tres Marieta and El Moro. PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Earlier, Kurt Hjort of Esperanza Sportfishing said about 80 percent of offshore boats were hooking larger marlin, but much fewer were landing them. The marlin were about an equal mix of blues and blacks, with only a few stripers. PUERTO VALLARTA MARLIN FISHING.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

ALL ARTICLES, REPORTS AND FISHING INFORMATION FOR IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO

IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Stan Lushinsky of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters said constant rains muddied near shore waters, as Capt. Adolofo Espinoza on the Dos Hermanos reported on three days of inshore fishing, with a combined catch including released fish of: three roosterfish, three yellowtail jacks, 15 needlefish, 11 bonito, and seven tiger grouper. Lushinsky reported blue water had moved out beyond the 10-mile mark. IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING.

IXTAPA—ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said dorado and blue marlin fishing was slow, but boats averaged two to three sailfish per day. Kunze called the inshore bite for roosterfish "fantastic," adding that on inshore jack crevalle, some anglers were releasing up to 50 per day. As an example of the roosterfish action, Kunze said one pelican "lost" about five "hookups" after it became temporarily fouled on a fly line and dragged a popper across the water briefly. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo weather was in the high-80s with thunderstorms and water temperatures of 80 to 89 degrees, and Kunze said blue was only a mile off the beach. IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING.

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JUST MISSED BISBEE'S!--Mark Rayor of Vista Sea Sport (right) missed two big fish during the Bisbee's East Cape tournament on his boat Jen Wren, and then caught this 375-pound blue marlin on Sunday. Photo courtesy Mark Rayor.

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Mark Rayor's 375-pound blue marlin, caught two days after the Bisbee's.

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EAST CAPE ROOSTER GRANDE--Mike Ford of Poetry, Texas, caught this nice 60-pound class pez gallo with Capt. Carlos out of Hotel Punta Colorada. Photo courtesy Eddie Dalmau.

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PUNTA BANDA YELLOWTAIL--Richard Arneson caught this beautiful yellowtail with Capt. Beto of Vonny’s Fleet at Ensenada’s Punta Banda. Photo courtesy Richard Arneson.

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CASTRO'S BIGGIES--Anglers getting in on the catch of larger white seabass, yellowtail, and bottom fish at Castro's Camp south of Ensenada last week included Randy Paras, Alex Kim, Jeff Tsens, and Brent Doi, all of Los Angeles. Photo courtesy Fernando Castro.

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NEW CASTRO’S PANGAS--Castro’s Camp at Erendira is running, the Don Vicente and Dona Ramona, two new 23-foot pangas with 8-foot beams. Photos courtesy Chris Kugel

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GREAT BIG DOGGIE!--Gordo Banks Pangas' Capt. Jesus with a 60-pound dog snapper caught last week by Luis Solemindad. The big pargo hit chunk bait at the Gordo Banks. Photo courtesy Eric Brictson.

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BAJA SUR FOOTBALL--Lloyd Allen (right) and fishing partner Chuck fished on Palmilla Bay Sportfishing's super panga Christine with Capt. Gustavo and caught these tuna and one pargo in the Vinorama-Iman area. Photo courtesy Luis Duhart.

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DORADO LUNCH TIME--Gina Ferialdi of Sierra Madre (right) and her group clowned around with their nice catch of dorado after fishing out of La Paz. They caught their fish between Islas Cerralvo and Epiritu Santo with Tail Hunter International. Photo courtesy Jonathan Roldan.

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LUCKY ON DORADO--Sal and Nick Pilato found these quality dorado in a slow bite with Loreto's Capt. Roberto Ramon Quintana off the south end of Isla Carmen. They fished out of Loreto Shores Villas & RV Park. Photo courtesy Sal Pilato.

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SAILFISH ON THE BOTTOM--This surprise sailfish hit a yellowtail rig on the bottom at Isla Tortuga, near Santa Rosalia, for Jose Iturriaga Jr. (center), his wife Delia, and Bill Connelly of Dallas, as they fished with Isla San Marcos' Mike Kanzler. The sailfish became tangled in the sinker and dropper loop intended for yellowtail and could not be released. Photo courtesy Mike Kanzler.

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L.A. BAY DIVING--Bob Murphy with a couple of nice grouper shot with a Jay Riffe #3 spear gun near Bahia de los Angeles. Murphy's group fished and dived three days on a super panga out of Guillermo's. Photo courtesy Bob Murphy.

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BEAUTY AT LORETO--A gorgeous moment caught in time, a Baja sunrise over Isla Carmen on the morning of July 27, 2004, as seen from Loreto Shores Villas & RV Park. Photo courtesy Sal Pilato.

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.

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