Spring inshore fishing action picks up at East Cape

Mexico Fishing News, April 24, 2006

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly reported improved inshore fishing at East Cape last week as more sardina live bait showed up in the tanks and good-sized roosterfish were caught north of Los Barriles.

"Roosterfish put on a great show at El Cardonal north of Pescadero," Graham said. Pudge Kleinkauf's group of fly anglers from Alaska scored on a big list of species including marlin, yellowfin tuna, dorado, amberjack, bonito, skipjack tuna, sierra, jack crevalle, needlefish, roosterfish, gafftopsail pompano, pargo, and cabrilla. Baja On The Fly anglers Dan Jansen and Jim Hunter took daily yellowfin tuna and dorado honors respectively during the Western Outdoor News Fiesta de Pesca tournament. "They both received enough goodies to fill their already stuffed suitcases," Graham said. East Cape weather was cloudy in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 68 to 77 degrees

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Axel Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 59 boats, with 195 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 24 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 4 dorado, 46 yellowfin tuna, 8 roosterfish, 108 snapper, 14 jack crevalle, 1 amberjack, 14 bonito, 14 ladyfish, 1 pompano, 9 triggerfish, 28 cabrilla, 34 skipjack tuna, and 11 sierra. Fleet boats fished offshore about 20 to 35 miles both north and south.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero said fishing slowed down outside, but inshore action picked up in good bait conditions for a variety of species including black skipjack or barrilete, pargo, sierra, roosterfish, and pompano. Dennis Spike of Coastal Kayak Fishing and his group did well on black skipjack to 20 pounds by jigging chrome deep at the tuna hole off Buena Vista. Roosterfish to 30 pounds were caught on live sardinas at La Ribera. Offshore, billfish were about 10 to 15 miles out and yellowfin tuna bout 20 miles out. "But it's a very erratic bite as the schools move up and down, with some boats scoring big, while other boats in the same area get nothing," Ireland said. East Cape sportfishing area weather was in the mid-80s, with light winds and water temperatures at 71 to 73 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Tadeo Hernandez of Mazatlan's Flota Bibi Fleet fished at East Cape with Capt. Ronnie Verdugo of Martin Verdugo's Beach Resort on the charter super panga Black Marlin for a single 10-pound yellowfin tuna caught during a short outing about 5 miles off Los Barriles. "Enough for a great grilled and sashimi supper," Hernandez said. "There were probably 20 or 25 boats there and you know the first 2 or 3 to arrive take the most advantage! We saw a couple of striped marlin jumping 2 miles offshore, but couldn't hook them."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Ash Pickering of the Vista Sea Sport dive service at Buena Vista said calm waters warmed up to 72 degrees last week, with a few warmer and cooler patches here and there. "The lack of wind has also allowed the visibility to improve to 55 feet out in the premium sites," Pickering said. Sea life sightings included dolphin, green sea turtles, whales, jacks, sea lions, guitarfish, mobula manta ray, and nudibranchs getting into their mating season. "The whales are still here and this week a mother and baby gave us a good show on our way home, breaching and flying within 100 yards of the panga. What a sight!"

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Earlier, Torrance Eddy of Buena Vista fished locally with his daughter Jennifer for slow action on 4 bonito and a couple of porcupine pufferfish, plus a couple of marlin seen, from 1.5 to about 4 miles offshore between Buena Vista and Punta Pescadero. "The catching left something to be desired," Eddy said. "We saw nothing except boats for 2 hours. No porpoises, no tortuga, and no mantas. We also yo-yoed for yellowtail and fished with cut frozen Humboldt squid on the bottom. We also had a hoochie out. A marlin, which was really big, surfaced so close to the boat that I could have gaffed it."

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sammy Susarrey of Lily Fleet said the charter boat Amigo fished south of Ensenada at Punta Cabra over the weekend and loaded up with limits of big lingcod to 13 pounds in calm water at 57 degrees. Heavy bait concentrations were seen in the area. The Tamara fished 8 miles outside Ensenada's Isla Todos Santos for 18 bonito of about 10 pounds, plus 2 yellowtail of 12 pounds, all caught breezing on the surface in 60-degree water in an area with many bait balls.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Emerald Argonza of Matador Sportfishing reported on a Saturday run out of Marina Coral with 4 anglers by the charter boat Matador, fishing south at San Jose reef for a catch of 10 lingcod and 30 red rockcod by noon in 58 to 59-degree water. "We landed our first red snapper within minutes," Argonza said. "We fished in calm seas until noon, but the ride back was a little bit rough. We tried trolling for yellowtail when we got to Punta Banda when we saw some bird activity, but had no luck so we kept going and headed back to the Coral."

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Judy Ostberg of the boat Melody out of Marina Coral reported on a 114-mile outing southwards from Ensenada, with no albacore but a big area of bonito of 8 to 10 pounds found that produced some wide-open action. "We went as far south as the 1000 fathom curve, then back north to the 295 and inner bank," Ostberg said. "We found a large spread area with bonito. Very exciting with triple and quadruple jig strikes." Ensenada offshore water temperatures were at 62.5 to 63.3 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet said his charter pangas fishing at the tip of Punta Banda caught steady bottom fish including many limits all week, plus 1 small white seabass and 1 yellowtail, both caught by Jay Johnson. Anglers fishing for lingcod, red rockcod, whitefish, and olive rockfish on the Vonny I and Vonny III with Capts. Beto and Hector included Johnson, John Ella, John Manning, and Frank Luzzaro. Ensenada fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-60s, with light breezes, ocean swells of 2 to 4 feet, and water temperatures at Punta Banda averaging 59 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Sergio Susarrey of Sergio's Sportfishing Center reported on 17 anglers fishing at midweek aboard the Ensenada local charter boats Shir-Lee and Clipper II, with a catch of: 4 calico bass, 44 rockcod, 18 ocean whitefish, 35 sheephead, and 16 red rockcod. On Saturday other Ensenada fishing boats reported seeing yellowtail but no hookups.

ERENDIRA FISHING REPORTS

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ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Fernando Castro of Castro's Camp reported on 19 boats fishing out of Erendira during the week, including a fully-booked fleet of 10 boats on Saturday, for steady counts on red rockcod, some lingcod, whitefish, and many large squid, plus some large halibut. The water temperature was 56 to 57 degrees in the main fishing area 8 miles from the coast, with clean, clear color. Erendira weather was very windy from the northwest until Tuesday, but calm with clouds for the rest of the week. Heavy concentrations of bait continued in the fishing area.

ERENDIRA, MEXICO: Earlier, Mike Voss and his group of 7 anglers fished 2 days out of Castro's Camp and reported a variety of bottom fish caught about 180 feet deep, 5 to 7 miles northwest of Erendira. Voss said the fishing was slow in choppy seas their first day, but much improved the second day in calmer seas but with some light rain. "The fish were mostly caught on cut squid and plastic jigs," Voss said. "It was a first for the kids. Many fish were caught for a fish taco party. The kids are excited about planning their next trip to another Baja fishing destination, to San Quintin in August."

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported good San Quintin weather on Sunday, with no wind and calm seas. Twelve boats fished during the week, for some limits of large rockcods, plus some lingcod, and 1 cowcod, in 57 to 58-degree water. Commercial fishermen reported halibut at Isla San Martin. Anglers fishing during the week with Capt. Miguel on the Pelicano and Capt. Hector on the Rommy included Ed Keefer and Chris Paurazas of San Diego, and Brett Messina with friends Johnny and Ken from Orange County. "Air temps have been warming up but layered clothing is still recommended for the trip out," Hillis said.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Stan Vath of Oxnard and San Quintin fished with Jim, Paige and Blake Coffey on his boat out of Campo Lorenzo on Thursday for a hot bite on sandbass and a 12.5-pound halibut in 45 feet of water just outside the San Quintin boca, plus a nice catch of mixed bottom fish on a rock pile he found on the way to the 210 spot. "We started off with a nice catch of vermillion rockfish and an assortment of olive rockfish, whitefish, chucklehead, and sculpin," Vath said. "The highlight of the day was the halibut Jim caught on a Krocodile in the midst of a wide-open sandbass bite just as the wind picked up. We went to Jardines Restaurant that night with part of our catch and it was prepared to perfection as usual." San Quintin fishing area weather was calm in the morning with afternoon winds starting about noon.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Steve Barstow of The Sportsmen Pub said he has openings on his U.S.-to-Mexico charter bus fishing run to San Quintin on June 1-5, 2006. The trips include round trip bus transportation from the U.S., refreshments on the bus, 4 nights and 1 dinner, and 3 days of fishing: 800-894-7239, Steve@BajaFishing.org.

BAJA COASTAL FISHING REPORTS

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BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Capt. Juanchys Aguilar of La Bocana on Baja California's semi-remote Pacific coast guided during the week for Lawrance Quigley of the Fishworks outdoor clothing company, fishing on Quigley's 16-foot aluminum boat for good action at the "Glory Hole" lagoon spot mentioned in The Baja Catch for big counts of spotted bay bass, halibut, barracuda and snappers. "The day was windy, though," Aguilar said. "But we had good fishing with his friend Luis Silverio of Punta Abreojos." Crowds were heavy on the beaches for the end of the Semana Santa period. On Thursday, Aguilar fished on his panga Karol with his father Juan Aguilar, Scott Goodman, and his partner, returning to the Glory Hole in good conditions for another high-count day using Scampis and Krocodiles with 8 to 12-pound line. "This week, we also had good fishing offshore at Roca Ballena, but only for calico bass," Aguilar said. Fishing during the week also included a nice halibut caught by Domingo Aguilar with a 5.8-ounce Krocodile cast on 15-pound line about 200 yards south of the La Bocana baseball field.

MAGDALENA BAY FISHING REPORTS

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MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Diana Hoyt of Mag Bay Outfitters at Puerto Lopez Mateos said fishing was inside the mangrove channels last week for good counts of sandbass, 10 grouper, and 1 halibut. At midweek, Mag Bay Outfitters also guided the boat Our Time as it came up the channel from Magdalena City, anchored at Puerto Lopez Mateos, and exited Boca de Soledad on its way north. "No winds for a couple of days after that," Hoyt said.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly said winds kept almost all boats inside Magdalena Bay last week, but some boats reported a few grouper, pargo, and corvina around the mangroves at both San Carlos and Puerto Lopez Mateos. Capt. Enrique Soto reported yellowtail still at the San Carlos entrada. Magdalena Bay area weather was partly cloudy in the low-80s, with water temperatures of 60 to 66 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 41 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo San Lucas charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 48 striped marlin, 7 dorado, 2 wahoo, 1 roosterfish, 1 dog snapper, and 55 yellowfin tuna. "Cabo San Lucas water is warming up and the fishing is warming up, too," Edwards said. "There are now opportunities for multiple billfish everyday. Billfish are everywhere you go, from just a couple miles outside the Cabo Harbor to 25 miles outside." Cabo weather was cloudy for the weekend, with water temperatures of 68 degrees on the Pacific side meeting water of 77 degrees on the Sea of Cortez side at Chileno and the Gordo Banks.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 18 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 24 striped marlin, 2 dorado of 25 to 30 pounds, 1 wahoo of 45 pounds, and 2 yellowfin tuna of 15 to 20 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet reported 84 percent of last week's charters releasing 1 to 6 striped marlin, 10 percent landing yellowfin tuna, 18 percent with dorado (also mahi-mahi or dolphinfish), and some wahoo of 40 to 70 pounds. "We saw very good and consistent catches of striped marlin," Ehrenberg said. "Those boats that did not catch fish were just plain unlucky." Top outings for the week included Andrea with 6 releases and Rebecca with 4 quadruple release days. The best marlin action was concentrated from 3 to 23 miles off the arch. Cabo San Lucas weather was clear and breezy in the afternoons, with water temperatures averaging 70 degrees.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Mike Connolly of Cabo San Lucas and the boat Falcon reported steady, close-by striped marlin fishing. "There are lots of fish showing from 2 miles to 8 miles offshore," Connolly said. "The bite has been good all week from Gray Rock to Red Hill. There is some action outside but no need to burn fuel with the fish right in front." At midweek, the Falcon blanked during an offshore run, but returned later to an area 4 to 6 miles off Destiladeras for 2 marlin out of 15 tailers. "Even groups of 5 to 7 marlin would not bite," Connolly said. "Full of squid no doubt." Wahoo were also caught in the Cabo area last week. "There is a reasonable chance of catching one," Connolly said. "It is no time to be dragging anything behind the boat without wire or cable. There are a few dorado around, but not much in the way of eating fish, just like it has been for months. All marlin, all the time. Get them while you can, I say. To target something else is asking for a shut out."

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Tommy Garcia of Cabo Magic reported a catch including released fish of: 85 striped marlin, 11 yellowfin tuna, 31 dorado, 6 wahoo, 61 sierra, 1 amberjack, 2 roosterfish, and 6 boats skunked.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said striped marlin were concentrated as close as 2 miles from shore on the Cortez side of the arch early in the week and later moved out toward the 95 spot as water temperatures made a smooth transition from the high-60s on the Pacific side to as warm as 77 degrees on the Gordo Banks. "On Saturday I went out and there were plenty of fish to be found just 3 miles off Gray Rock and the Santa Maria Bay area," Landrum said. "We saw at least a dozen tailing marlin in the area." Yellowfin tuna, dorado, and wahoo were scattered and thin on the Cortez side. Inshore, the sierra bite went wide-open along the Pacific side and some yellowtail to about 12 pounds were caught close to the arch.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS), MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 66 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing off San Jose del Cabo, with a catch of: 215 sierra, 12 striped marlin, 4 dorado, 11 wahoo, 480 pargo, 4 roosterfish, 18 amberjack, 12 jack crevalle, 14 pompano, 16 triggerfish, 7 dog snapper, 3 mako shark, 25 cabrilla, and 94 Mexican bonito. "Inshore action was mainly for a combination of pargo and sierra, with the most productive areas being from Punta Gorda to Cabo Real," Brictson said. "Wahoo are starting to show up on the local fishing grounds. The action should only improve with the warming weather conditions. Whale sharks were also sighted on the Gordo Banks. The next couple of months is when these largest of fish species migrate onto the local banks." San Jose del Cabo weather was mostly sunny, with diminishing seasonal north winds and local water temperatures at 65 to 73 degrees.

Brictson also noted the catch of an unusual "mystery fish" from the surf off the north side of the new San Jose del Cabo marina jetty. The fish, somewhat resembling a cross between a catfish and a large puffer, was brownish overall, with small yellow spots on its back and very broad pectoral fins. Brictson said it hit a piece of mullet about 10 a.m. for local angler Freddy Pino of La Playita in 73-degree water about 10 feet deep.

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International said the good Las Arenas side bite for yellowtail, some tuna, cabrilla, and pargo shut down as fish developed lockjaw toward the end of the week, but some anglers moved north to the La Paz side and found great action on roosterfish. "We moved many of our anglers to fish out of La Paz instead," Roldan said. "An incredible roosterfish bite of fish in the 20 to 50-pound class exploded in Pilot's Cove off Isla Espiritu Santo. It went almost wide-open on rooster after rooster. The trick was having the larger baits like caballito." Roland noted a large protest march in La Paz against the Aerocalifornia shutdown. "Several thousand marchers, including the governor and politicians as well as cab drivers, restaurant owners, displaced employees, boat captains and others protested against Aero California's grounding," Roldan said. "They marched several miles to the La Paz Airport bearing banners and crying slogans. Aero Cal says they hope to be up before the end of April."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: David Jones of Fishermen's Fleet said the yellowtail bite at the southwest corner of Isla Cerralvo trailed off last week. "There are a few fish there, but nothing like the last month," Jones said. "Pargo fishing at Punta Perico remains hot. Cabrilla fishing has slowly and steadily improved over the last 3 weeks and is now pretty good along the southeast quadrant of Cerralvo. Billfish sightings were pretty common. A couple of dorado came in this week, nothing very large and they were few and far between."

LA PAZ, MEXICO: Leonard Phillips of Pirate's Fleet said yellowtail action was solid on the La Paz side for boats running north to El Bajo, including a reported 51 pounder for angler Patrick Williams of Arcata and a 42 pounder for Big John Mike Weede of Tacoma. Isla Espiritu Santo produced cabrilla of 8 to 10 pounds and roosterfish on the east side of the island, including a 62 pounder for angler Roland Weede of Tacoma who fished with Capt. Pico. La Paz fishing area weather was in the low-90s, with light breezes and water temperatures of 70 to 72 degrees.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Patty Zapata of Loreto's Hotel Oasis reported steady yellowtail counts around Isla Carmen for the week including outings for 2 yellowtail on Monday, several yellowtail to 36 pounds on Wednesday, and anglers Andrew Anderson of Dana Point and Alan Johnson of San Clemente who caught 7 yellowtail on Friday, plus 3 more on Saturday, and then finished their trip with a sailfish caught on 25-pound spinning tackle. Zapata said the sailfish hit a bigeye bait, nearly spooled Anderson 3 times, and was landed after a fight lasting 1.5 hours with Hotel Oasis' Capt. Poncho Susarrey.

LORETO, MEXICO: Don Bear of Loreto reported on an early week run with Michael Hartmann of San Carlos, fishing on Capt. Paulino Martinez' panga at La Cholla and Punta Lobos on Isla Carmen for 2 yellowtail and 1 pargo mulato. Bait was easy to make at Las Lagrimas. Loreto weather turned windy at midweek and Martinez caught 1 yellowtail on Wednesday in the same area. Fabrizio Maragoni of Nopolo and Thousand Oaks and Federico Murillo of Loreto were skunked the same day, but came back on Friday with 4 yellowtail and 15 huachinango in good conditions at Punta Lobos and on the bottom at La Vaca.

LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company noted the first seasonal report of a sailfish brought into the Loreto marina. "I think this is a good time to notify you of our new policy to not keep any billfish unless they come up dead or are potential IGFA world records," Bolles said. Yellowtail continued to feed and be hooked with live bait on the surface off the north and northeast sides of Isla Carmen at places including Punta Tintorerra, Punta Lobos, and Punta Perico. "We're fishing very close into the shoreline, often a stone's throw away, so when trolling in hopes for cabrilla and pargo a big yellowtail may hit," Bolles said. "We are getting plenty of pargo and cabrilla and a variety of other species." South of Loreto, a few dorado approaching the 20-pound class were caught in water temperatures up to 77 degrees. Sardina live bait, scarce during past weeks, was again available. "Fly anglers have a better chance now to catch yellowtail as now we have the ability to attract them to the boat with live sardinas," Bolles said. "Since late January being able to net sardinas has been an impossibility. First they went out to sea to breed and then when they returned they were too small for the mesh size of the cast nets. This situation has since changed." Loreto water temperatures were at 64 to 78 degrees.

LORETO, MEXICO: Joe Cameron of San Diego and his group in including Kent Littleton, Jeff Cordeiro, and Pete Slunaker camped south of Loreto at Juncalito and fished from a 14-foot aluminum boat several days in a wide area from Isla Catalan north to the east side of Isla Carmen for a catch including 4 yellowtail of 20 to over 30 pounds during one trip to Isla Catalan, an 8-pound yellow snapper, and a small yellowtail, ribera cabrilla, spotted cabrilla to 13 pounds, Mexican hogfish, needlefish, ladyfish, and triggerfish around Juncalito. Cameron said sea conditions were very good each day, with water temperatures in the high-60s and light breezes. "Most boats were fishing Isla Catalan where there was a steady pick on yellows to nearly 40 pounds," Cameron said. "There were no mackerel. We made caballito and another bait similar to Spanish mackerel at a spot on the way to Catalan on the bottom in nearly 300 feet of water! We lost many fish in the rocks using 15 and 20-pound line and we caught at least 13 different species." Cameron said they used The Baja Catch as a guide. "The book was our bible and others camping there mentioned using it as well," he said. Mex 1 was in generally good shape, except for rough spots and Pemex problems at San Ignacio and long gas lines at Santa Rosalia. "There were many cows near the road because of all the green grass. The desert is gorgeous! Many of the cirios are green and many palo verdes, ocotillos and cardon cactus are blooming," Cameron said.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Fly-in angler Ron Grant of Mulege reported good weather in the low-90s with water temperatures holding in the low-70s and fishing a fairly slow. "Water temps are a little warm for yellowtail but not worm enough for dorado," Grant said. "Fishing is a little slow in this transition period, but there is still a variety of fish to fill the box." Mulege beaches were still busy with Easter break crowds and the Hotel Serenidad runway was in good condition, although the hotel's new aviation fuel service had not begun. "Don Johnson has the fuel truck ready but is having problems getting permits to buy aviation fuel. He said that it might be some time before the problem gets resolved," Grant said.

MULEGE, MEXICO: Rick Barber of Mulege reported improving weather and water temperatures in the high-60s with yellowtail action tapering off in all local fishing areas. "The yellowtail seem to have headed south for cooler waters and the dorado have yet to arrive because our waters are still a bit too cool to suit them," Barber said. Mulege guides Capt. Alejandro and Capt. Mateo scored a few yellowtail on live bait fished deep as far south as Punta Teresa and Isla San Ildefonso. Other anglers including Dustin Brown and Marty Robinson caught cabrilla of 5 to 8 pounds to the south and some small yellowtail around Islas Santa Inez. "Marty has been landing his share of cabrilla and a yellowtail or two," Barber said. "Marty can usually be found trolling near Santa Inez."

Barber also noted the fishing methods of commercial fisherman Manuel Diaz Jr., who confirmed the presence of larger cabrilla in Mulege waters. "Manuel uses a net to enclose the fish, usually cabrilla and snapper types," Barber said. "He then goes into the water and spears only the ones he wants and then releases the rest. I can verify that there are plenty of larger cabrilla and snapper around. Try any rocky point or any of the many reefs in the area and you'll probably keep the skunk off the boat. Manuel did suggest using a larger white hoochie-type lure as close to the rocks as you dare. He said that in cloudy water, this squid imitation is a killer. I'll have to agree. It's been working for me. Also working is my standby 6-inch broken-back orange-yellow Rapala, especially when slow-trolled in less that 20 feet of water."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos reported on 2 runs to Isla Tortuga, finding slow yellowtail action on fish of 20 to 22 pounds, plus some cabrilla of 7 to 10 pounds on 1 run, and better results the second day for 3 yellowtail and 8 cabrilla. "Most fish are being caught on live bigeye and mackerel using the sliding sinker rig," Kanzler said. "I'm also getting some of the brown fish on the iron." Anglers fishing on Kanzler's boat included his son Michael, Alan Lewis of the Voodoo Lounge at San Lucas Cove, Jose Antonio Iturriaga, his wife Delia and brother Carlos Iturriaga. Santa Rosalia area weather was excellent in the mid-80s, with light breezes, flat seas, and warming water temperatures of 68 to 71 degrees. Visibility near shore and at Isla San Marcos was cloudy at 10 to 25 feet, and green at about 30 to 35 feet out at Isla Tortuga.

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

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BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Capt. Igor Galvan of Bahia de los Angeles (L.A. Bay) said local fishing was for bottom fish only including whitefish, cabrilla, and cabezon. Galvan said he would run south to Isla la Raza over the weekend to look for yellowtail, but water temperatures looked cool in the area.

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Elijah Hayward of Oceanside and Bahia de los Angeles said his fishing earlier in the month was around Punta Quemado and local islands, and all fish were caught 75 to 100 feet deep. "We had some great fishing for good sized spotted bay bass from kayaks not far from shore in the rocks. Some fat bass ready to spawn," Hayward said. "All our fish were caught and released."

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES, MEXICO: Steve Barstow of The Sportsmen Pub said he has openings on his charter bus fishing run to Bahia de los Angeles on July 1-5, 2006. The trips include round trip bus transportation from the U.S., refreshments on the bus, 4 nights and 1 dinner, and 3 days of fishing. Info: 800-894-7239, Steve@BajaFishing.org.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: At San Felipe, Catalina Meders of the Title Company Bookstore overlooking the bay said the weekend weather was hazy with some clouds and sanitation crews were cleaning up as the last of the big Semana Santa crowds were leaving town. "This year's crowd seemed to be particularly noisy," Meders said, "or maybe my ears have gotten over-sensitized. Everyone is breathing a little easier now that it is almost over. We heard the police and ambulance sirens going constantly throughout the day and night. It almost made me nostalgic for Manhattan."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Fernando Almada of Catch-22 Sportfishing reported on a run by the charter boat Catch-22 Pez Vela on Saturday, fishing in 67 to 71-degree water 22 miles out of San Carlos for limits of early season peanut dorado, plus some nice keepers. "We did good!" Almada said. "No big dorado yet but enough for dinner." Almada said the Catch-22 Pez Vela trolled rigged ballyhoo and soft plastics with anglers Steve Calvert, Alejandro Liogon, and himself, and they saw no other fish during the trip. "We were targeting marlin but did not get lucky on that," he said.

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Tadeo Hernandez of Flota Bibi Fleet said sailfish showed up in good concentration from very close to shore to about 25 miles out and 10 miles north of the Mazatlan lighthouse. Six offshore boats had a catch including released fish of: 2 sailfish, 2 dorado, 1 skipjack tuna, and 1 bonita. "There is an incredible amount of sailfish around, even 3 or 4 miles from shore, but they have been very tricky and not easy to catch," Hernandez said. "They are traveling in schools of a dozen or more. The expectation for next week is very high. These sailfish were the first ones of the year." Seven inshore boats had a catch of mostly limits of red snapper, mojarra, triggerfish, and gulf coney, plus some gulf grouper, popeye catalufa or otojón, burritos, pufferfish, parrotfish, scorpionfish, and 1 flounder.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 20 offshore Aries Fleet boats out of Marina el Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 3 sailfish, 12 striped marlin, 12 dorado, and 9 yellowfin tuna. Seven inshore super pangas had a catch of: 1 baqueta, 2 grouper, 3 conejos, 15 perch, and 73 red snapper. "The spring sailfish are beginning to show," Edwards said. "The span is wider and more fish are being seen everyday." Mazatlan weather was in the high-80s, with water temperatures of 76 degrees inshore and 78 degrees offshore. The best offshore fishing area was 22 to 28 miles southwest of Marina el Cid.

PUERTO VALLARTA FISHING REPORTS

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing reported on a good offshore outing by the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla III, finding 10 dorado of 10 to 20 pounds on a floating fish attractor in flat, 82-degree water about 30 miles northwest of Punta Mita. "We found 2 palapas of palm tree leaves full of dorado and we nailed it," Osuna said. "We found no tuna out there."

Another outing by the Marla III with Capt. Scott found good inshore action for jacks of 10 to 20 pounds plus mixed species along the north shore of Bahia de Banderas. Other catches in the area included sailfish, and roosterfish to 30 pounds. "Offshore fishing is getting better. The water temp is getting higher every day now," Osuna said. "The sailfish took a live mackerel about 12 miles off Punta Mita. We cast the bait right in front of the sailfish's mouth. Thirty minutes to catch and release."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said Abel Cortez of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo reported improved inshore fishing last week including the first roosterfish of the season, landed by the charter boat Dos Hermanos. Offshore, the Burbuja brought in a 230-pound yellowfin tuna, and Illusion had 5 sailfish for 2 outings. A combined 14 fishing days by the Dos Hermanos and Gran Jefe produced a catch of: 2 roosterfish, 21 jack crevalle, 55 bonito, 17 sailfish, 2 sierra, and 1 blue marlin of 220 pounds. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing area weather was sunny in the low-90s.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Paul Phillips of the Fintastic Total Tag & Release Tournament said offshore boats averaged 2 to 3 sailfish per outing, but few anglers were in the area last week. "It appears that fishing will remain steady, as the charts show the cooler water has disappeared," Phillips said. "Roosterfish should be arriving as conditions are right for them to start."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Stan Lushinsky of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters said, "The captains report that warmer currents are moving into the area which will much improve the sailfish and dorado action. The fleet were averaging more than 1 billfish per day. Despite light fishing activity and light angler turnout, the week produced some better than average catches."

HUATULCO FISHING REPORTS

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HUATULCO, MEXICO: Eric Weissman of Explore Fly Fishing reported blue, clean water in the high-80s on shore at his San Agustinillo fishing location near Huatulco. "Many sailfish and dorado being hooked," Weissman said. "Lots of bait is finally showing up so the tuna are still here and big ones too." Inshore fishing produced bait ball action on jacks, jack crevalle, salema, and black skipjack.

CANCUN FISHING REPORTS

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CANCUN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said most trips out of El Cid Carribe at Puerto Morelos near Cancun last week were short familiarity runs for the new resort's agents and staff. A total of 8 outings as short as 1 hour produced a catch including released fish of: 30 dorado, and 7 barracuda. "The best fishing area is right out the front door, almost within casting distance of the beach, about 2 miles," Edwards said. "We are just getting agents and other personnel familiar with the hotel and sportfishing operations." Cancun sportfishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-90s, with water temperatures at 81 degrees.

East Cape Fishing Photo 1

EAST CAPE FIESTA WINNER--Baja On The Fly angler Dan Jansen of Anchorage used fly tackle to land this 16-pound yellowfin tuna last week and win a daily prize in the Western Outdoor News Fiesta de Pesca tournament at East Cape. PHOTO COURTESY OF GARY GRAHAM.

East Cape Fishing Photo 2

CABO PULMO DIVING--A green sea turtle cruised near East Cape's Cabo Pulmo reef with Vista Sea Sports diving guide Ash Pickering last week. "I'm sure he was checking up on me, as when I stopped to take a photo, he stopped and waited for me," Pickering said. PHOTO COURTESY OF ASH PICKERING.

East Cape Fishing Photo 3

EAST CAPE MARLIN--Anglers Edgar Ruiz of La Paz and Gil Cuevas of Ciudad Constitucion fished just a couple of hours last week with Esaul and Felipe Valdez of East Cape's Buena Vista Beach Resort, but that was enough to catch and release this striped marlin off the "slide" area just north of Los Barriles. PHOTO COURTESY OF AXEL VALDEZ.

Ensenada Fishing Photo 1

GOT THE CROAKER TOO--Vonny's Fleet regular Jay Johnson, left, and Capt. Beto Zamora, celebrate Johnson's catch of the only yellowtail landed at Ensenada's Punta Banda last week. Johnson fished several days for bottom fish limits and also scored the week's only white seabass. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Erendira Fishing Photo 1

CASTRO'S CATCH--Fillet table assistant Oscar, left, and angler Sr. Aguilar, with a nice catch out of Castro's Camp at Erendira south of Ensenada that included a big halibut hooked in the main fishing area about 8 miles from the coast. PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNANDO CASTRO.

San Quintin Fishing Photo 1

SAN QUINTIN FLATTIE--Jim Coffey and his family fished out of San Quintin on Stan Vath's boat and they landed this nice 12.5-pound halibut plus a bunch of sandbass in 45 feet of water just outside the mouth of the bay. PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN VATH.

Baja Fishing Photo 1 Baja Fishing Photo 2

AT LA BOCANA--Fishing at the village of La Bocana on Baja's semi-remote Pacific coast last week included a nice halibut caught with a cast Krocodile near the town baseball field by Domingo Aguilar and a boat launch by Less Hill. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JUANCHYS AGUILAR.

San Jose del Cabo Fishing Photo 1

GORDO BANKS WAHOO--Rod Downing, right, fished at San Jose del Cabo's Inner Gordo Bank with Gordo Banks Pangas and hooked this 49-pound wahoo while trolling a skirted leadhead with Capt. Chame Pino. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

La Paz Fishing Photo 1

LA PAZ NORTE--Eleven-year-old Cole Chavira and his dad fished on the La Paz side with Tailhunter International last week, after driving to Baja because of the Aerocalifornia shutdown, and they scored on several 40 to 50-pound fish including this nice amberjack. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN ROLDAN.

Loreto Fishing Photo 1

SPINNING ROD SAILFISH--Loreto's first sailfish of the season was landed on spinning tackle last week, by anglers Andrew Anderson, left, and Alan Johnson, who fished with the Hotel Oasis' Capt. Poncho Susarrey. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY ZAPATA.

Loreto Fishing Photo 2

SOUTH OF LORETO--Joe Cameron and his group camped at Juncalito south of Loreto and fished a wide area in their aluminum boat for a multi-species catch including this beautiful yellow snapper caught in a rocky cove at Isla Carmen. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE CAMERON.

Santa Rosalia Fishing Photo 1

KANZLER'S ISLA--The action wasn't red-hot around Santa Rosalia last week, but anglers fishing with Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos still returned to the landing with a nice catch of yellowtail and cabrilla caught out at Isla Tortuga. In the back row, left to right, are: Jose Antonio Iturriaga and his wife Delia of Santa Rosalia, and Carlos Luis Iturriaga of Durrango and his wife Violeta. In front are the Iturrriaga children Selene and Luis. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

Mike Kanzler Photo 1

THE OTHER MIKE--Well-known Baja yellowtail guru Mike Kanzler of Santa Rosalia's Isla San Marcos got in some R&R recently as he returned briefly to his rock band past during a trip to Los Angeles. Here's Mike, somewhere on Sunset with his old high school flame Maya Dawn Henderson of Sherman Oaks. Unfortunately for Santa Rosalia yellowtail, Mike is back at the isla now and fishing as usual. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE KANZLER.

San Felipe Fishing Photo 1

COLLECTING LIVE TOTOABA--Crew members of the San Felipe panga mothership Jose Andres of Tony Reyes Fishing Tours and the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC) totoaba breeding program at Ensenada collect live brood stock during a trip to the Enchanted Islands area of the northern Sea of Cortez. UABC totoaba program director Conal True said 36 live specimens of the endangered fish were collected under special federal permits for the lab's breeding program. PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHERINE HAMMONTRE, INSITUTO DE INFORMATICA DE SAN FELIPE.

San Felipe Fishing Photo 1

PRECIOUS LOAD--Tanks holding 36 live specimens of endangered totoaba wait aboard the San Felipe panga mothership Jose Andres for transportation to the UABC breeding lab at Ensenada. PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHERINE HAMMONTRE, INSITUTO DE INFORMATICA DE SAN FELIPE.

San Carlos Fishing Photo 1

HERE THEY COME--Alejandro Liogan of Hermosillo hoists an early season dorado caught about 22 miles out of San Carlos, Sonora, on Saturday aboard the charter boat Catch-22 Pez Vela in water temperatures of 67 to 71 degrees. PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNANDO ALMADA.

Mazatlan Fishing Photo 1

MAZATLAN SAILS SHOWING--Early season sailfish are showing up at some Sea of Cortez locations and along Mexico's Pacific coast, including this one caught by anglers Nathan Hanberg, left, and Marcus Conte with Mazatlan's Flota Bibi Fleet. PHOTO COURTESY OF TADEO HERNANDEZ.

Puerto Vallarta Fishing Photo 1

INSHORE AT PUNTA MITA--Alonzo Monk and Alonzo Monk Jr. fished just off Punta Mita north of Puerto Vallarta and they got this 30-pound class roosterfish in 82.5-degree water with Capt. Danny Osuna of the charter boat Marla III. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY OSUNA.

San Jose del Cabo Fishing Photo 2

SAN JOSE MYSTERY FISH--What is it? Local angler Freddy Pino used cut mullet bait to catch this unidentified species from the new San Jose del Cabo jetty last week in about 10 feet of 73-degree water. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

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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