THE MEXICO FISHING REPORTS FOR CABO SAN LUCAS, MAZATLAN, IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO AND PUERTO MORELOS

THE CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT FOR THE GAVIOTA SPORTFISHING FLEET AND FISH CABO FLEET

It appears that the billfish may have filtered around the tip of Cabo San Lucas and started their move into the Sea of Cortez.  At least that was what the fish report for this past week reflected and while it may be an anomaly, (the billfish move doesn't usually start until mid-February) we'll be looking forward to the report for the coming week just to see if the trend proves true.  Overall, the fishing for the week was quite slow and for no apparent reason.  This forced the boats to start looking around on the Sea of Cortez side that reflected a billfish on the 95 Fathom spot and another just above the Gorda Banks.  The other two billfish were taken at Pozo De Cota on the Pacific side.  While not a bonanza by a long shot, it is an indicator that the fish may be on the move.  The overall fish counts for a total of 17 days fished reflected a combined total of 4 billfish released, 4 dorado, 17 yellowfin tuna, 10 skipjack tuna, 1 Sierra and 3 roosterfish.

Cabo Climate:  Partly cloudy days for the early week and then, sunny and clear days from Thursday, with temps that ranged from a cool 52 nights to 80 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions:  The Golden Gate Bank to Cabo Falso on the Pacific side was fairly stable at 69 degrees with the warmest water about 5 miles out to the southwest of the Jaime Bank at 71-72.  From Cabo San Lucas to Los Frailes on the Sea of Cortez side, the temps ranged from 68-70.5 with the cooler waters closer to Cabo.

Best Fishing Area:  No specific area was reported.

Best Lure/Bait:  Billfish taken on presented live baits to billfish seen on the surface.

Live Bait Supply:  Mostly caballitos with a few mackerel in the bait mix.
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THE MAZATLAN FISHING REPORT FOR THE ARIES SPORTFISHING FLEET

Mazatlan was also slow for the offshore fishing this past week and all the surface indicators from the prior week seemed to evaporate for no apparent reason.  It is likely that the fish are now moving in and out of the warmer and cooler waters that were pushed in from the north.  However, this trend may be on the changing mode as the offshore waters that the boats typically fish out to the south and southwest of the Marina El Cid, are pushing warmer waters back into the area.  There is a huge area of 74-75 degree waters being pushed up against the cooler 70-71 degree waters, which may bode well for the coming week.  The overall fish counts for the 11 offshore fishing days reflected 4 stripers and 10 yellowfin tuna.  The inshore fishing was also down for the week and reflected 10 jack crevalle, (aka toro) 11 red snapper, 31 white snappers, 45 perch, 2 grouper, 21 barracuda and 6 Sierra for 7 days fished.

Mazatlan Climate:  Partly cloudy during the early week and changing to sunny & nice days on Thursday, with temps from a cold 43 nights to 79 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions:  Light & variable northerly surface breezes, very little swell and overall, mostly calm waters with temps from 73 inshore and rising to 74-75 offshore.

Best Fishing Area:  No specific area was reported other than to mention the yellowffin tuna were caught running with the porpoise.

Best Lure/Bait:  Rigged baits for the marlin and feathers, hoochies and cedar plugs for the tuna.

Bait Supply:  Good supply of both, live bait and rigged baits available throughout the week.
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THE IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT FOR THE INDEPENDENT SPORTFISHING FLEET

During the early part of the  week, the sailfish were being enormously cooperative and it well for the anglers.  We had a report from our Wyoming client, Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kordus, telling us that they had 10 sailfish releases for their 3 fishing days and added a nice 30 lb. dorado to their catch, too.  However, as the week progressed, the fishing shut off and the sails, (while numerous sleepers were being reported throughout the area)  were refusing to cooperate and were ignoring the  rigged trolling baits.  There was an occasional sailfish landed but a far cry from the weeks before when they were attacking everything  being presented to them.  The water conditions seem to be changing a little everyday and the blue water is moving a little farther offshore with each passing day.  The inshore fishing continues to be strong and the jack crevalle bite for the bigger fish, (15-20 pounders) remains excellent, along with terrific catches on the Sierra, (Spanish mackerel) and bonito.

IZ Climate:  Mostly sunny & clear days with an occasional passing cloud and temps that ranged from 67 nights to 88 daytime highs, (picture perfect weather conditions).

Sea Conditions:  The inshore water temps holding good at 80 degrees and rising to 81-82 in the offshore waters.  Nearly flat-calm seas everywhere this past week and some minor clarity change that seems to have the fish moving a little farther offshore.

Best Fishing Area:  The offshore fishing during the first part of the week was 10-12 miles and has moved offshore to 15-18 miles as the week progressed.

Best Lure/Bait:  Everything was working well in the early week and nothing worked well in the latter part of the week.  While lots of fish being seen, they were just not at all interested in the baits.

Bait Supply:  Excellent bait supply with plenty of live bait and fresh dead baits for all of the boats.
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THE PUERTO MORELOS FISHING REPORT FOR THE MARINA EL CID SPORTFISHING FLEET, (CANCUN TO COZUMEL AREA)

While the sailfish bite slowed up this past week the overall variety increased to a 14 species mixed bag catch for the boats and provided some top notch action for the anglers.  It was one of those weeks when the angler never knew what the next fish might be.  Our report encompassed a total of 29 days fished that reflected 2 sailfish, 9 dorado 8 Spanish mackerel, 15 Atlantic barracuda, 47 bonito, 2 blackfin tuna, 2 king mackerel, 2 wahoo, 6 snapper, 7 amberjack, 2 banana fish, 6 soapfish, 19 grouper and 7 amberjack.

PM Climate:  Partly cloudy but warm and pleasant days with temps that ranged from 65 nights to 83 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions:  Mostly light & variable surface breezes this past week with temps that held right at 80 degrees throughout the area.

Best Bait:  The ever ready and ever lasting ballyhoo continue to be the bait of choice for this unique fishing area.  Bait is used both skirted and unskirted, in the outriggers and down riggers, occasionally cut or slabbed, all depending on the species of fish, (surface or bottom).

Bait Supply:  Always available for this area.
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Larry Edwards
CORTEZ YACHT CHARTERS
619-469-4255
email:  cortezcharters@sbcglobal.net
website:  www.cortezcharters.com