Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 01/17/20

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

The full moon didn’t seem to slow the Cabo success with an overall success rate of over 90%.  Overall success was focused on the strong Dorado bite and a rebound in the Yellowfin success. The Striped Marlin bite slowed considerably with only one in 3 boats flying flags. The Dorado bite also slowed a bit although the quality of fish was outstanding. The boats targeting the Yellowfin had increased success with school fish in the 20-40 lb range with some larger Tuna again showing up on the kites in the 100 – 150 lb range. The Dorado counts were down a bit after the New Year but with really nice overall size with lots of 18-20 lbs fish with plenty of fish into the 30-40 lb range. The Wahoo counts were down a bit with most in the 20-30 lb range with a few over 40 lbs reported and again found primarily well offshore.   The inshore fishing was again very productive with some nice counts of Snappers, Groupers, and Sierras as well as some nice Roosterfish.

The prime Marlin activity was again on the Pacific side with the majority of the action in the waters offshore Cabo Falso and the Lighthouse on up to Cerritos and around the Golden Gate.   The Yellowfin reports off the Golden Gate were very favorable and also to the south and southwest.  The majority of the Dorado action was south of the Lighthouse soaking live baits where the Stripers and Dorado were hanging around large schools of mackerel. Action on the inside picked up a bit with some large Yellowfin to 75 lbs reported off the Gordos and some decent action off the 1150. Most of the Dorado were running in the 15-20 lb range with some larger fish in the 30-40 lb range. With cooler water settling in there were very few Blues and Sails reported this past week as the water begins to cool.

The normal seasonal migration of the Striped Marlin from Mag Bay seems to be behind schedule and the few trips to the Finger Bank reported sparse action. Going into late January the Captains expect the majority of the action following the full moon to shift to the inside toward the 1150 and 95 spots.

Inshore fishing was again solid with some really nice catches of Sierras along the west side. Roosters were spotty but showed up again in the surf from Solmar to the Lighthouse and off Palmilla with some reported in the 20-25 lb range.  Some very nice catches of Snappers and Groupers were also reported fishing close to the rocks around El Arco. Large Jacks were available off the rocks from Solmar west.

Our condolences to one of our favorite boats the 43’ Hatteras fish catching machine the FISH CABO who fought a nearly 300 lb Yellowfin off the Golden Gate for nearly 2 hours but lost it boat side before they could reach the leader and gaff it.

Cabo Climate:  Early January was mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with some cool mornings. The future outlook into late January is for a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with average daytime temps in the upper 70’s trending toward lower 70’s by month end and evenings in the mid 60’s trending toward the upper 50’s. The 2 week forecast is mostly clear and steady with a 10% chance of precipitation from the 26^th-28^th. Winds are expected to be in the 6-10 mph range primarily out of the WNW into late January. Humidity is expected to run in the low to mid 60’s.

Sea Conditions:  The seas are expected to be moderate with some larger swells and chop showing up in the afternoons as breezes increase.  Morning seas have, however, have been in the 2’-3’ range. The water temperatures have really stabilized between the Pacific and the inside. The Pacific side sea temps have cooled at year end and are currently running in the 73-74 degree range with mostly clear water with some 75 degree water to the southwest  in the Herradura. The inside is running in the same 73-74 degree range.

Best Fishing Areas:  Most of this past week’s hot spots for Marlin action were on the Pacific side with the action close in from the Lighthouse north to Cerritos and Pozo Cota.  The Yellowfin were primarily reported off to the SW or the South 25-30 miles out and also at the San Jamie and Golden Gate Banks. The kite action off the San Jamie produced some large Yellowfin. The hot spot for the Dorado action was only 4-6 miles off the Lighthouse.  The interior corridor from Los Arcos to Palmilla also produced schoolie Dorado.  Los Arcos to the Lighthouse and Migrino were the choice for inshore fishing with some really nice catches of Sierras coming off Migrino. Rooster action was solid, with some large fish and large Jacks in the surf from El Arco west past Solmar to the Lighthouse.

Favorite Baits: Live Cabilitos or Mackerel was the favorite for the Marlin and Dorado. Cedar plugs and feathers were the favorite for the Yellowfin. The Dorado were hitting trolled lures and feathers and also live or dead fly lined baits once the schools were located.  Hoochies were by far the preferred and most productive lures for the Sierras. Trolled live baits near the surf and large poppers were the most successful bait for Roosters this past week. Dead bait was the ticket for the Snappers and Groupers.

Bait Supply: Live bait is available at the $3.00 per bait upon exit from the harbor. Mackerel, when available, are popular with the captains.

Our local reporters: Captain Roberto Marquez-Castro of the Fish Cabo Fleet and Gaviota Fleet Dock Manager Carlos Pena-Mireles. 

THE MAZATLAN REPORT FOR THE ARIES SPORT FISHING FLEET – MARINA EL CID AND El CID MEGA RESORT, PACIFIC

Our friends at the El Cid Marina in Mazatlan reported much the same weather as Cabo and reported some solid fishing results!  As the water cools a bit, the Striped Marlin are again showing up in larger numbers to mix with the Sailfish that Mazatlan is known for.  The billfish counts were solid with a higher mix of Striped Marlin as the water cools. Their inshore fishing produced excellent results for fishermen on 4 hour or 6 hour trips.

The offshore boats reported a nice mix of Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo and Dorado.  The inshore boats had another solid week and reported good action on Snappers, Sea Bass, Jacks and Triggers.  They reported 3 Sailfish, 22 Striped Marlin 8 Dorado and 11 Wahoo on 22 offshore trips and 112 Snappers, 30 Queen Triggerfish, 141 Sea Bass, 12 Jacks and 1 Rooster on 15 inshore trips.

Mazatlan Climate: Early January showed a normal early winter pattern with warm days and a bit higher winds than normal. The outlook into late January is for afternoons in the low 80’s daytime trending toward upper 70’s by month end and low 60’s in the evenings trending toward upper 50’s. The forecast into late January is for mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. Winds are forecast in the 5-10 mph range primarily out of the NW trending toward the WNW in late January.  Humidity is predicted to be in the mid 60’s.

Sea Conditions: The water is now in the 75 degree range and a bit warmer at 76 degrees well to the southwest. The past week Mazatlan had a mix of mostly calm to choppy seas mixed with some strong afternoon swells and chop with winds in the early to mid teens in the afternoons. The future outlook is for relatively calm seas in the mornings with the winds in the 5-6 mph range and some afternoon swells with 7-8 mph winds.

Best Fishing Area: The offshore bite for the billfish is starting as close as 8- 10 miles out with best results to the west and southwest of the Marina El Cid. The Dorado are being found closer to shore inside the prime bill fishing zone. In shore, the Super Pangas are finding success all along the coast especially around the rocks. The water is very clear from the shore out to the offshore breaks.

Best Bait & Lures:  Freshly caught rigged trolling baits and smoke trail lures produced best results for the billfish. The Tuna are being caught on feathers and cedar plugs.

Bait Supply: Freshly caught baits are readily available from the bait boats

Our Local Reporter: Ms. Kitcia Berenice Ceja-Diaz, the Aries Fleet and Marina El Cid Office Manager and fishing reporter

THE IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT FOR THE INDEPENDENT SPORT FISHING FLEET

The Sailfish bite that Zihuatanejo is known for really heated up this past week!  The independent fleet reported several trips of double digit Sailfish bites!  Some larger Blue Marlin are showing up a bit farther offshore in the blue water. The big Yellowfin (75 lbs +) are available but found farther out beyond the 1000 fathom mark 30-35 miles out for those willing to go the extra distance in the larger boats.   The inshore fishing for Roosters, Chulas and Jacks slowed a bit due to the extremely clear water but continued to be very productive for the large number of fly fishermen and many large fish are showing up to go with solid catches anywhere they could find some stained water.

Capt Temo reported day to day changes to the extremely clear inshore water and Roosters were found anywhere they could find some stained water.  La Saladita, Rancho and Puerto Vicente Guerrero have been reliable for big Roosters. Quality Jacks and Chulas were found around the rocks both to the north and the south. Many of the fishermen are focused on fly fishing during the prime Rooster season.

The offshore action for Sailfish and Dorado this past week was as close as the 8-10 mile mark. Most of the Dorado were found inside the 10 mile mark with many fish in the 20-40 lb range. Large schools of Yellowfin are out 30+ miles out past the 1000 fathom mark with lots of quality fish in the 50—100+ lb range. Blue Marlin were present a bit further offshore from the prime Sailfish bite.

IZ Climate: Zihuatanejo is enjoying their dry season with a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy days with very occasional late afternoon and evening thunderstorms followed by sunny to partly cloudy skies the following morning during the prime fishing time.  The 2 week outlook into late January is for warm temps with mostly sunny and partly cloudy skies with precipitation in the 10% range on only a few days. Daily temps are predicted in the mid to upper 80’s trending toward mid 80’s by month end and night time temps in the mid 70’s trending toward lower 70’s. Humidity expected to run in the mid 60’s into late January. The winds are expected to be very mild in the 3-8 mph range primarily from the WNW shifting to the West by end of January.

Sea Conditions: The offshore water temperature is now in the 84-85 degree range from the 100 fathom line at the 5-6 mile mark all the way out to the 1,000 fathom line at 30-32 miles and beyond.  These temps are ideal for the Blue Marlin and Yellowfin in larger numbers. The offshore clear blue water has recently moved almost to the shoreline with some very deep blue water now out beyond the 1000 fathom mark at 32-35 miles out to 50 miles. Inshore, the water was in the 83-84 degree range and very clear. Finding some spots of off colored water near shore is perfect for the big Roosters.  

Best Baits & Lures:  Rigged trolling baits and smoke trail lures continue to produce for the Billfish and Dorado with most boats preferring a mix of rigged baits for the Billfish and smaller lures and feathers for the Dorado.   Inshore top water poppers are the favorite for the Roosterfish. Cedar plugs and feathers are working best on the Yellowfin when found.

Bait Supply: The bait supply remains good and freshly caught baits are provided gratis with most charters. Live baits are readily available at this time and are $5.00/dozen paid directly to the bait vendors.

Our Local Reporter: Captain Temo Verboonen – owner/operator of the Secuestro de Amor and Macho Banana.

CANCUN/PUERTO MORELOS FISHING REPORT FOR THE EL CID MARINA

 Our friends at the El Cid Marina in Puerto Morelos enjoyed increased tourist activity for the post New Year’s holiday season along with decent weather and solid results – a 100% success rate on 96 trips! With the close-in shallow reef fishing available at Puerto Morelos many clients opt for the 4 hour or 6 hour shallow reef trips with others opting for the 6 hour or 8 hour offshore trips mixed with a few hours on the close in reefs at the end of the day for some fine table fare. Everyone is waiting for the seasonal appearance of the Sailfish in late January.

The billfish are not yet in their early year migration pattern but fishermen enjoyed overall great results on the off shore trips.  The fleet reported 3 Sailfish, 72 Giant Atlantic Barracuda, 13 King Mackerel, 4 Mahi-Mahi, 7 Blackfin Tuna, 101 Bonito, 2 Wahoo and 1 Hammerhead Shark from targeted offshore fishing.   The close in reef fishing reported 176 Chack-Chi (Caribbean Snappers), 112 Mutton Snappers,  31 Black Grouper,  63 Queen Triggerfish, 3 Cabrillas and 1 Jacks.  A total of 203 offshore fish and 392 inshore fish for a total of 595 fish for an average of over6 fish per trip on a total of 96 trips!!

PM/Cancun Climate:  The Yucatan early winter weather pattern typically has very warm days with some early morning to late afternoon scattered thunderstorms as the clouds build coming off the warm water.  The extended forecast into late January is for a mix of partly cloudy skies coupled with scattered occasional early morning and late afternoon showers or isolated afternoon thunderstorms.  Daytime temperatures are predicted in the low 80’s with evenings in the low 70’s.  The forecast is for a 20-40% chance of daily precipitation primarily in the form of late afternoon showers or thunderstorms. (past the fishing hours) Humidity is expected to be in the upper 60’ to low 70’s. Winds are expected to be in the 8-12 mph range primarily out of the ESE.  

Sea Conditions:  Water temperatures in the Cancun-Puerto Morelos-Cozumel area have cooled and are currently running in the 80-81 degree range.  Seas are running from calm to a bit choppy in the afternoons depending on the weather conditions.   The prevailing winds are predicted to be primarily out of the East and ESE.  Anticipate some modest afternoon swells and chop expected with the higher winds in the afternoon.

Best Bait & Lures:  Rigged Ballyhoo, small smoke trail lures were working well for the billfish with feathers also working for the Mahi-Mahi, King Mackerel and Giant Barracuda.  Cut bait is the preferred fare for the reef fishing.

Bait Supply:  The bait supply of locally caught Ballyhoo remains good and are provided gratis with most charters.

Our Local Reporter:  Miss Victoria Garcia at the Hotel El Cid Spa & Beach Resort and Marina