ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet reported good panga fishing at Ensenada's Punta Banda for steady counts of lingcod, red rockcod, and mixed bottom species, plus a total of 3 yellowtail to 26 pounds. Villarino said anglers landing yellowtail included Liam McCauley of Alaska, who said, "They fight better than salmon, cool!" Other anglers fishing aboard the charter pangas Vonny I and Vonny III with Capts. Beto, Vicente, and Genaro included Rigoberto Lugo, Aoragi Masao, Bogart Felix, Arturo Plascencia, Victor Castro Jr., Victor Castro, and Mario Mejorada, all of Mexicali. Local Ensenada fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the mid-60s, with light winds, ocean swells of 3 to 4 feet, and water temperatures averaging 56 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Stan Pianko of Chula Vista, Calif., fished out of Marina Coral aboard the boat Mel's Diamond with his young son Kevin Pianko and Pete Reynard for a mix of bottom fish and bonita of 8 to 10 pounds found about 13 miles out. "Kevin was waiting to get home and eat some of the bottom fish we caught," Pianko said. Offshore Ensenada fishing conditions were good with light winds. "The nice water made for a great day," Pianko said.

SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported somewhat improved sea conditions off San Quintin during the week with moderate swells and "rollers but no breakers." Fishing results included limits of large rockcods and lingcod at the 240 and 15 spots but no targeted white seabass south at Socorro for Terry Fox's group from Moreno Valley, Calif. "They also tried a little yellowtail in the morning but still couldn't get anything going," Hillis said. "The local commercial fishermen reported large white seabass at Socorro but they didn't have any luck. They should have taken a net!" Anglers fishing with Fox's group out of San Quintin during the week included Jeff Mix, Adrain Cordova, and Rick Villapondo.

MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO: Sportfishing articles, maps, and fishing report archives for Magdalena Bay.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo San Lucas sportfishing charter boats Fish Cabo and Fish Cabo I, with a catch including released fish of: 22 striped marlin, 3 dorado, 22 sierra, and 51 yellowfin tuna. High boat for the fleet was the Gaviota VIII with Capt. Juan Dominguez with 5 striped marlin in 5 outings. "The full moon and ever-changing water temperatures are taking their toll on the fish catching at Cabo San Lucas," Edwards said.

"Current fishing results reflect just under 50 percent success for billfish." Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was sunny in the low-80s, with fluctuating water temperatures of 68 to 71 degrees on both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides. "The best fishing area continued to be the Golden Gate Bank, but patience was the key, with the billfish being taken on live bait either slow trolled or fished deep on the drift," Edwards said. Mackerel live baits plus some caballitos were in good supply.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Durance Lowendick of Marlin Masters Sportfishing said some boats reported double-digit striped marlin action again at the Finger Bank area 50 miles north of Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific side. "Striped marlin are back in force on the Finger Bank," Lowendick said. "One group reported 35 releases on a 10-hour trip. Solid marlin action is also occurring on bait pods about 10 miles north of the Golden Gate seamount." The charter boat Marlin Master released 5 striped marlin on Monday. Dorado remained scarce for Cabo San Lucas sportfishing boats, but Humboldt giant squid and yellowfin tuna of 15 to 35 pounds were caught outside the Jaime Bank. Near shore action was "very solid" for sierra plus schools of jack crevalle and yellowtail on the bottom.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Ramon Druck of the Cabo San Lucas charter sportfishing super panga Cheer's reported on 2 outings during the week with a total of 4 anglers, for a catch including released fish of: 45 sierra of 4 to 8 pounds, more sierra of 6 to 10 pounds, and 1 roosterfish of 5 pounds. The Cheer's fished along the beaches on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas in mostly good sea conditions and water temperatures of about 69 to 70 degrees. Anglers fishing aboard the Cheer's included Dennis Davis and Ryan Williams of Pennsylvania, and David and Jill Stone of Georgia.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Grant Hartman of the Baja Anglers Cabo San Lucas fly fishing guide service reported low winds, air temperatures at 80 degrees, and good fly and light spinning gear action for sierra, jacks, and roosterfish. "The roosterfish are abundant on most days," Hartman said. "They like sunny days. They are generally under 15 pounds, but we have caught a few lately over 30 pounds." Offshore action was steady for marlin but slow on tuna and dorado.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 13 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 3 striped marlin, 1 boat with limits of yellowfin tuna of 20 to 30 pounds, 14 yellowfin tuna of 20 to 30 pounds, 1 dorado of 25 pounds, 1 roosterfish of 20 pounds, and 12 sierra of 8 to 12 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing reported Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather partly cloudy, with continuing offshore winds and chop on the Pacific side and cool water temperatures as low as 64 degrees on the Cortez side. Water temperatures held at 71 degrees on the Pacific side banks. "Striped marlin have continued scarce with the only concentration found at the Golden Gate Bank and not many willing to eat," Landrum said. Overall offshore fishing was scattered for yellowfin tuna and slow for dorado, but inshore boats did well on sierra. "Mexican wahoo, also known as sierra, have been the mainstay of the Cabo San Lucas panga fleet this week with most boats able to get at least a half-dozen or more," Landrum said.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 41 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing out of San Jose del Cabo's Puerto Los Cabos marina, with a catch including released fish of: 265 Mexican bonito, 162 sierra, 42 roosterfish, 15 yellowtail, 2 striped marlin, 3 mako shark, 11 amberjack, 8 cabrilla, and 25 mixed snapper species. "The better fishing this week was found closer to shore. Offshore there wasn't much going on," Brictson said. "The strong current continued to be a problem for anglers trying to drift fish over the rock piles." Commercial Mexican fishermen were looking for scarce pelagic red crab baits to fish for huachinango or true red snapper. San Jose del Cabo fishing area weather was in the high-70s, with hotels reporting good occupancy rates but few tourists fishing. "San Jose del Cabo sportfishing fleets have seen only moderate crowds," Brictson said. "All-around fishing has been below Cabo standards and has not made anglers anxious to get out on the water." San Jose del Cabo fishing area water temperatures were cooling at 62 to 68 degrees, with green water color widespread.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Kerry Murray of British Columbia reported slow conditions for his group during panga outings at San Jose del Cabo with Capt. Tony on the Hooker and Capt. Jesus on the Killer for a few bonito, red snapper, and roosterfish, and 1 sierra. "It was a really slow day for 6 guys all fishing hard," Murray said. A cruiser trip aboard the charter boat Blue Marlin produced no marlin seen at the Golden Gate Bank on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas. "Capt. Luis and his son and deckhand Martin worked very hard but no luck, great crew," Murray said. "We caught 7 sierra at the end of the day, so at least we had some fresh fish to bring home."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: San Jose del Cabo species fishing specialist John Snow reported slow fishing conditions in cool water temperatures and a total of 106 fish of 38 species caught during 4 surf fishing sessions and 4 outings with Capt. Pata on the panga Salome. Unusual fish species caught included the eastern Pacific flagfin, Pacific stargazer, spotback scorpionfish, and an unknown black tilefish.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: John Ireland of Rancho Leonero said the fleet resumed fishing operations after 6 weeks of hotel renovation work and found a good variety of fish including limits of dorado to 25 pounds for 5 boats, yellowtail to 35 pounds, bonito limits, and lots of sierra, pargo, and amberjack, with "literally no fishing pressure" as few boats were sent out in the East Cape area. Hotel boats fished mostly north at Cardonal and Punta Pescadero. "Sierra are abundant and large," Ireland said. "Anglers are taking as many as they want, with mornings and evenings best." East Cape fishing area weather was good, with water temperatures of 67 to 68 degrees.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending Feb. 14, 2008, Chris Moyers of East Cape Smoke House reported generally slow action for local boats, with water temperatures as low as 61 degrees and few anglers on the water. "Slowly but surely, we’ll start to see more and more East Cape fishing boats being put back in the water over the next month or so," Moyers said. "We’re seeing plenty of sierra and also some small roosterfish being landed."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the previous week, Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja fly fishing guide service at East Cape reported water temperatures of 62 to 68 degrees and several days of wind-free fishing conditions for good counts of sierra and some roosterfish, plus some skipjack tuna locally called "white bonita" at 8 to 10 pounds. Yellowtail were caught north towards Isla Cerralvo and La Paz.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Baja fishing old timer George Carter of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., announced his 46th annual group trip and fishing tournament at East Cape's historic Rancho Buena Vista, scheduled this year on July 12-18, 2008, with the travel package including 5 days of cruiser fishing, airfare, room and meals, trophies and prizes, and an awards dinner. The trip will be limited to 21 anglers. Information, gcarter454@yahoo.com, 310-541-8388.

SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Mike Kanzler of Isla San Marcos reported near-perfect weather in the Santa Rosalia fishing area with air temperatures to 77 degrees, calm days, and water temperatures at 59 to a high of 61.5 degrees. Fishing earlier was generally slow, but a run to Punta Azul on Isla Tortuga with Danny Chiquete produced 8 yellowtail of 23 to 31 pounds on weighted baits and butterfly jigs at about 380 feet deep. "It was my first butterfly jig caught yellowtail in home waters," Kanzler said. "I love catching fish on new stuff. Stoked was an understatement. The lure, about 12-plus inches long, looks nothing like anything they eat here except maybe squid. Punta Azul is on the edge of a big seamount and is generally fished by commercial pangas. I've fished the place for years, but really try not to that often due to the depth."

SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: Jon Jen Charters reported the results of the recent Rescate Yellowtail Tournament held at San Carlos with 11 boats and 31 anglers fishing 2 days for a total of 53 yellowtail caught and the largest fish of 33.6 pounds landed by Fernando Almada of Catch-22 Sportfishing. Most fish were caught at Isla San Pedro Nolasco.

MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 35 Aries Fleet offshore charter boats fishing out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: 3 striped marlin, 2 mako shark, and 37 yellowfin tuna. Fifteen inshore pangas had a catch of: 70 baquetas, 44 triggerfish, 71 loras, 5 pargo, 4 corvina, and 1 jack crevalle. "There continues to be difficult catching throughout the Mazatlan fishing area and the best bet is probably inshore fishing for a variety of bottom fish," Edwards said. "The Mazatlan area is certainly in the off-season doldrums as water temperatures change by the day and seem to be falling." Mazatlan fishing area weather was sunny in the low-80s, with mostly calm winds and water temperatures at 66 to 67 degrees inshore and 70 to 71 degrees offshore.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Charter boats at Puerto Vallarta found their best action during the week 40 to 50 miles offshore at Roca Corbeteña and El Banco or even farther out. Danny Osuna of Marla's Sportfishing reported good yellowfin tuna catches for the Puerto Vallarta charter boat Marla about 15 miles west of El Banco. "We had 9 strikes and only landed 4, but they were nice big fish over 100 pounds," Osuna said "There are a lot of school tuna around El Banco and Roca Corbeteña biting on live bait, poppers, and jigs. The red snappers are also taking the jigs really good." Anglers fishing aboard the Marla included Max Dangerfield and Gordon Ghelardi of California who also landed a striped marlin. Marla's Capts. Scott and Alonso Osuna had good offshore weeks on red snapper, amberjack, pompano, tuna, and small grouper. Inshore fishing near Puerto Vallarta was slower in dirty water conditions for some roosterfish, jacks, and sierra. Puerto Vallarta fishing area weather had northwest winds to 15 knots, ocean swells of 3 to 4 feet, and water temperatures averaging 75 degrees.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: For the previous week, 3 inshore and 2 offshore outings by Marla's boats had catches including tuna of 130 and 60 pounds for Cesar Humberto Isassi and his son Eugenio Isassi of Monterrey, Mexico.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Danny Gomez of Dhamar Sportfishing reported on 3 outings by the Puerto Vallarta charter super panga Dhamar, fishing at Islas Marietas with Mark Kerns' group from California, for a catch including released fish of: 18 African pompano, 11 roosterfish, 6 medregales or possible fortune jacks, sierra, bonita, and another California yellowtail caught out of its traditional sportfishing range on the Mexican Pacific coast, this one a 25 pounder. "We fished in the rocks," Gomez said. "There are a lot of fish inshore.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Mark Kerns reported on his group's trip with Dhamar Sportfishing for catches at Islas Marietas including the week's reported yellowtail plus other species. "Danny is an awesome skipper," Kerns said. Another outing aboard the Marla's Sportfishing cruiser Arca de Noe produced pargo, amberjack, and an 80-pound yellowfin tuna at Roca Corbeteña with Capt. Scott Osuna. "Scott worked hard all day for the 1 yellowfin we landed. It was a great trip," Kerns said. Fishing with Kerns were anglers Zach Kerns and Shawn Ebbley.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Sal Campanile of Tuna Time Sportfishing reported offshore action for pelagics at very long runs out of Puerto Vallarta. "Most of the action for us has been 30 to 50 miles west of Roca Corbeteña and 30 to 40 miles northwest of El Banco," Campanile said. "We've been covering over 150 nautical miles on every trip but that's where the blue water is and if you make the run you will score big on tuna, sailfish, dorado, and striped marlin. Fast troll small jet feathers under the little white birds and if you see them sitting on the water troll around them. Put a couple of live baits out in front of the schools of spinner dolphin and start jigging before they get to you to score on beefier tunas up to 150 pounds."

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiters Sportfishing & Tackle said, "We never really have a slow season here in Puerto Vallarta, but for this time of year those looking for action can find all they want if they will just consider some of the other types of fishing available to the vacationing angler here. At Corbeteña and El Banco during the winter, February comes with fish like cubera snapper that will get into the 80-pound range, amberjacks, and rainbow runners. Closer to shore the bottom fishing is wonderful as well with snappers, some seabass, roosterfish, skipjacks, jack crevalle, needlefish, snook, and more."

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters said, "It was a very difficult fishing week at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo as red tide and greenish water took over and moved the blue water to 30-plus miles offshore. There are occasional yellowfin tuna sightings but the fish are unwilling to bite. The sailfish bite has dwindled and marlin activity was limited to a few small stripers." Ixtapa sportfishing Capt. Chiro reported jack crevalle seen 10 miles out. "This is considerably out of the ordinary as those fish are typically close inshore," Edwards said. Ixtapa fishing area weather was mostly calm in the high-80s, with streaky currents and water temperatures ranging from a very cool 73 degrees inshore to about 79 degrees outside the 1,000-fathom curve.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said cool currents pushed blue water out past the 26-mile mark and offshore fishing slowed down for Ixtapa Zihuatanejo boats last week. A 250-pound blue marlin was reported 36 miles out by Capt. Martin on the panga Isamar, but Kunze said, "The next day, Martin went out 40 miles and got skunked." Some boats reported good jack crevalle fishing on birds crashing bait near the beach.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Brady Locke of Port Huron, Mich., reported just 1 dorado caught about 14 miles out during an outing in slow conditions with his wife Nicole Locke aboard the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo charter boat Bacalao II in early February. "The cold water came in and the fish went out. It was a slow week for fishing but we were able to hook this nice-sized dorado early in the morning," Locke said. "We were hearing that it was a pretty slow couple of days for all the boats so we were pretty happy we got the one. There was a tournament going on that week that just about had a shutout."

HUATULCO, MEXICO: Eric Weissman of Explore Fly Fishing reported water temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees at his Huatulco fishing locations near Puerto Escondido and San Agustinillo, with continued heavy plankton, jellyfish, and bait concentrations and colored water near shore. Blue water was about 3 miles out, and fishing within half-a-mile of shore produced yellowfin tuna, black skipjack, salema, jack crevalle, dorado, sailfish, marlin, roosterfish, and sierra. "Yellowfin tuna are very hard to hook up on any tackle some days and then extremely easy on others," Weissman said. "Huge schools of jacks and salema and barrilete are taking surface and subsurface flies. It's a good time to fish."