Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 01/10/19

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

The past week was yet another exceptional week for Striped Marlin fishing. Fishermen enjoyed very productive fishing and, the action was mostly close in. In addition to the Stripers, the New Year’s fisherman also enjoyed good catches of quality Dorado. The Yellowfin Tuna counts were way up for those willing to make the run offshore.

The Striped Marlin fishing continues to produce excellent results overall on the Pacific side with fishing continuing to be productive from the Finger Bank down to Los Arcos.  The fleets reported exceptional counts of Striped Marlin with most boats averaging 2-3 fish per day. The Yellowfin were now showing in the 30-35 mile range to the south and southwest – the key is to find the pods of Porpoise and you will find the Tuna with most averaging in the 15-30lb range.  The Dorado fishing softened a bit but still plenty of Dorado flags flying and plenty of filets! 

Inshore fishing has continued to produce nice catches of smaller Dorado and schools of Skipjacks with the Sierras showing in increasing numbers from Solmar to El Arco. Roosters are showing occasionally in the surf from Solmar around the point at the Lighthouse and also in the Palmilla area.

Cabo Climate:  The early month started with very pleasant weather with a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with the future outlook for average daytime temps in the upper 70’s and evenings in the low 60’s. The good news is the forecast is for mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with very little chance of rain forecast through the end of January. Winds are expected in the gentle 6-9 mph range through end of the month mostly out of the WNW.  Humidity is expected to run in the low to mid 60’s through the end of January.

Sea Conditions:  Seas have been relatively calm in the mornings throughout the area with some swells and chop showing up in the afternoons.  Forecast is for more of the same with winds in the 6-8 mph range from the WNW.  Sea temps are definitely cooling and running from 70-74 (Pacific) with cooling into the 71-74 range on the inside around the Gordos.

Best Fishing Areas:  The hot spots have remained to the west and north.  Good counts of Striped Marlin are showing up around Cabo Falso and the Lighthouse.  Most of the fish are being found 1-4 miles out from shore.  The Yellowfin are being found 30-35 miles out to the SW of the San Jamie Bank near the 180 Spot.  For those willing to make the longer 50 mile run, the Finger Bank has continued producing double digit Striped Marlin counts with a few boats reporting over 20 fish per day. Traffic is light up there competing for the large numbers of migrating Striped Marlin.

Favorite Baits: Trolled blue/green smoke trail lures along with live Mackerel were the favorite for the Marlin. Soaking live baits around the Finger Bank produced successful multiple Striper counts. Drifting live Mackerel around the Lighthouse was also very productive. Everything seemed to work for the Dorado from trolled lures to drifted baits. Hoochies were by far the preferred and most productive lures for the Sierras. Trolled feathers and cedar plugs were the ticket for the Yellowfin.

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-Mirales. 

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

Early January brought more fine fishing weather and a continued showing of the Striped Marlin to go with Sailfish counts for the El Cid fleet in Mazatlan. Inshore fishing continued to be productive.

The offshore boats reported a nice mix of quality Sailfish with most over 40-50 kgs and Striped Marlin. The Dorado count was down a bit this past week.  No significant tuna action was reported. The inshore boats reported good action on Snappers, Sea Bass and Queen Triggers whether on 4 hour or 6 hour trips.

The El Cid fleet fished a total of 24 offshore days and 14 Super Panga trips.  They reported 5 Sailfish, 9 Striped Marlin, and 5 Dorado from offshore. Inshore, they reported 168 mixed snappers, 13 sea bass, 35 Triggers and 2 Permit.

Mazatlan Climate: The Mazatlan climate has been very pleasant in early January and the outlook into the end of January is also favorable – low 80’s daytime and low 60’s in the evenings.  Forecast into late January is for mostly partly cloudy skies with winds in the 8-10 mph range primarily out of the WNW and NW. Humidity will be in the low 60’s going into the end of January for very pleasant fishing conditions. There is no precipitation forecast through the end of the month.

Sea Conditions: The water is seasonally cooling and now in the 71-74 degree range resulting in a larger showing of the Striped Marlin.  They enjoyed mostly calm seas this past week with some afternoon swells. The future outlook is for relatively calm seas with mild breezes predominately from the WNW and NW in the 8-10 mph range.

Best Fishing Area: The offshore bite for the billfish is starting about 10-12 miles out with best results to the west and southwest of the Marina El Cid. The Dorado are showing in good numbers a bit closer to shore. In shore, the Super Pangas are finding success all along the coast especially around the rocks.

Best Bait & Lures:  Freshly caught rigged trolling baits and smoke trail lures produced best results for the billfish. The Dorado seem to be favoring feathers and smaller trolling lures like Doorknobs.

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 fleet reported a very stable week in the billfish action to what has been a great start to the season.  Great warm blue water extends almost all the way to the shore and the fleet is still reporting some really solid fishing both offshore in inshore.  Fly-fishing and spin casting for Jacks and Bonitos inshore has continued to be steady. Rooster action this past week slowed a bit as they are now past their peak season.

The sailfish action stayed steady with fish showing at the 5-7 mile mark.   Capt. Temo reports quality size Sailfish with many surpassing the 100 lb range. This past week the boats were reporting the Sailfish to be a bit finicky. This past week quality Dorado’s to the 20 kg range were plentiful in the mix with most of the pelagic fishing taking place just 10-15 miles out of the marina.  Closer to shore, Dorado schoolies have been easily found around tide lines with floating flotsam. The Yellowfin have been a little harder to find lately and when found, are 30-35 miles out but, when found, are quality fish up to 150 lbs. The Jacks, Bonito, and Skipjacks continued to be cooperative inshore this past week.  Most of the inshore action is taking place 100-200 yds offshore due to the very clear blue water.

IZ Climate:  January has kicked off with their typical winter climate and a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy days. Daily temps are in the mid to upper 80’s and night time temps in the mid to low 70’s with humidity expected to run in the mid 60’s to low 70’s. The outlook heading into the end of January is for more of the same. They are now in their dry season and there is no precipitation projected through the end of January. Winds are expected to be very mild in the 4-7 mph range from the West and WSW. 

Sea Conditions: The offshore water temperature is beginning to cool a bit and is now in the 83-84 degrees range from the 5-6 mile mark at the 100 fathom line all the way out to the 1,000 fathom line at 25-30 miles.  Inshore temperatures are running in the same range to a bit cooler.  The offshore water at the 1000 fathom mark is now clear blue all the way into shore. With breezes in mid single digits, the seas are very calm particularly in the mornings.

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 and Jacks.

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 reported another solid week of fishing when the boats could get out. Their fishing week was interrupted by seasonal thunderstorms which, although not severe, created suspension of fishing due to proximity of lighting for a total of 2 days.  With the post holiday tourist traffic still brisk, the boats were quite busy. The close-in fishing available at Puerto Morelos continues to produce great action both offshore and inshore for our clients, many fishing for the first time on half day or 6 hour trips.

The El Cid fleet fished a total 47 trips the past week.  The offshore targeted boats reported only a single Sailfish this past week after a good Sailfish count the previous week but good counts of 37 giant Atlantic Barracuda, 58 King Mackerel, 30 Mahi-Mahi, 4 Blackfin tuna, and 8 Bonito. Due to the weather many fishermen opted for shorter ½ day or 6 hour trips mixed between offshore and inshore. The targeted shallow reef fishing boats tallied 38 Black Grouper, 51 Mutton Snappers, and 86 Queen Triggerfish.  Still, a total of 313 fish boated for an average of almost 6 3/4 fish per trip– many happy first time fishermen many on ½ day trips.

PM/Cancun Climate:  Occasional brief scattered thunderstorms continue with the seasonal weather pattern.  The 10 extended forecast calls for a mix of sunny to mostly partly cloudy skies to scattered thunderstorms with a 10-50% chance of scattered thunderstorms on almost an every other day daily basis but clearing toward the end of January.  Daytime temperatures are predicted in the low 80’s and evenings now in the mid 60’s.  Humidity is expected to be in the upper 60’s to low 70’s. Winds are expected in the 8-10 mph range out of the East and NE.

Sea Conditions:  Water temperatures in the Cancun-Puerto Morelos-Cozumel area are at their seasonal coolest and are now running in the 78-80 degree range. Seas are running from calm to a bit choppy depending on the weather conditions.   The prevailing winds have lowered a bit and are out of the East and NE at 8-10 MPH and are expected to continue as such through end of January.

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:  Victoria Garcia at the Hotel El Cid Spa & Beach Resort and Marina