Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 02/14/19

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

Even with a bit of cooling weather and cooling water, the fleets reported another solid week for Striped Marlin fishing in the Cabo area.  Many boats were still reporting 1-2 fish per day and a few in the 4-6 range.  The Striped Marlin were continuing to spread out from the Pacific side around the corner to the east as they follow the schools of bait. The Dorado counts were down again this past week however.  The Yellowfin Tuna counts were solid although down a bit from the previous 2 weeks.

The Striped Marlin fishing continues to produce positive results overall on the Pacific side with fishing continuing to concentrate around the Lighthouse and out to the Golden Gate and San Jamie Banks.  It appears the seasonal migration has begun to turn the corner following schools of bait into the Sea of Cortez. Stripers were again reported off Palmilla and around the Gordos although the inside fishing was a bit slower than the previous week. The fleets reported solid counts of Striped Marlin with most boats averaging 1-2 fish per day. The Yellowfin were again showing in the 25-30 mile range to the south and southwest and also off the Golden Gate and Gordo banks – the key is to find the pods of Porpoise and you will find the Tuna.  Average size this past week was down averaging in the 15-30 lb range.

Inshore fishing has continued to produce nice catches of schools of Skipjacks with the Sierras and Jacks showing in good 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:  Early February has been  a bit cooler with a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with the future outlook for more of the same with average daytime temps in the low to mid 70’s and evenings in the upper 50’s to low  60’s. The 2 week forecast is for mostly partly cloudy skies with zero chance of rain forecast through the end of February. Winds are expected to pick up in the 8-13 mph range through end of February mostly out of the West and WNW.  Humidity is expected to run in the mid 60’s into early March.

Sea Conditions:  Seas have been relatively calm in the mornings throughout the area with some swells and chop showing up in the afternoons as breezes increase.  Forecast is for more of the same with winds in the 8-13 mph range from the West and WNW.  Sea temps have cooled and stabilized but there are some plumes of cooler water being pushed by the currents. Temps are running from 70-74 on the Pacific side and a bit cooler in the 70-72 range on the inside around the Gordos.

Best Fishing Areas:  The Marlin hot spots have remained primarily to the west and north but decent action was again reported on the inside for the first time this year.  The Lighthouse area was the major hot spot again this past week.  Most of the fish are being found 2-8 miles out from shore.  Large numbers of Stripers are also showing in the Golden gate and San Jamie areas. Success was also reported soaking live baits off Palmilla and the Gordos. The Yellowfin are being found 25-30 miles out to the South and SW near the Herradura, 110, 120, 140 and 160 Spots.  Catches of quality Yellowfin were also coming off the Golden Gate area and some larger Yellowfin were reported around the Gordos.  For those willing to make the longer 50 mile run, the Finger Bank has continued producing up to double digit Striped Marlin counts. Traffic is lighter up there recently as the fish counts closer to home have increased. 

Favorite Baits: Trolled blue/green smoke trail lures along with live Mackerel or live Caballitos were the favorite for the Marlin. Soaking live baits around the Finger Bank and off the Lighthouse area produced successful multiple Striper counts. Trolled feathers and cedar plugs were the ticket for the Yellowfin. Hoochies were by far the preferred and most productive lures for the Sierras. Poppers near the surf were the most successful bait for the Jacks and Roosters.

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

The Yellowfin showed up in good numbers this past week and the Striped Marlin fishing continues to improve with the seasonal migration.  Many of the boats targeted the Yellowfin with less attention paid to the Striped Marlin. Their inshore fishing continued to produce strong results. Tourist activity has been a bit down compared to historical averages but those anglers that went out were generally rewarded with good action.

The offshore boats reported a nice mix of Striped Marlin and Yellowfin.  As the water has cooled, the Sailfish have disappeared the past couple of weeks. The Dorado were also hard to come by this past week.  Quality Yellowfin in 25-50 lb range were a welcome addition this past week. The inshore boats reported great action on the Snappers and continued success on the Sea Bass and Queen Triggers whether on 4 hour or 6 hour trips.

The El Cid fleet fished a total of 17 offshore days and 11 Super Panga inshore trips.  They reported 3 Striped Marlin and 34 good quality Yellowfin Tuna from offshore. Inshore, they reported 147 snappers, 40 sea bass, and 17 Queen Triggerfish and 54 Corvinas.

Mazatlan Climate: The start of February was very pleasant but cooler and the outlook into the end of February is also favorable with mid to upper 70’s daytime and upper 50’s to low 60’s in the evenings. The forecast through the end February is for mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with breezes picking up in the 11-14 mph range primarily out of the West trending toward the WNW toward month end. Humidity is predicted to be in the low 60’s going into early March 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 70-74 degree range resulting in a larger showing of the Striped Marlin but few Sailfish sightings.  They enjoyed mostly calm seas this past week with some afternoon swells. The future outlooks is for relatively calm seas in the mornings with some afternoon swells and chop as the winds pick up going into month end.

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 schools of Tuna are showing up in the 12-15 mile range. 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 independent fleet reported solid Sailfish action again this past week.  The Dorado action was slow but there was a good bite on the Blue Marlin further out. The Yellowfin showed up out at the 30 mile mark. Great warm blue water extends almost all the way to the 100 fathom line at 5-6 miles out.  Fly-fishing and spinning rigs for Jacks and Bonitos inshore has continued to be steady. Rooster action this past week was good as there was cooler green water very near the shore and the Roosters were cruising the breaklines. Good catches of Groupers and Jacks were again reported off the rocks. Nice Sierras were being reported off 100-200 yds off the beach.

The February sailfish action has picked up nicely with fish this past week moving out a bit to the 8-10 mile mark.   Capt. Temo reports quality size Sailfish with many surpassing the 100 lb range. This time of year they see a lot of European tourist who like to challenge the Sailfish with fly fishing which lowers the overall catch rate but most of the boats were raising 4-6 fish per day and boating 2-3 or more on conventional tackle.  The Yellowfin made a showing late in the week 30-35 miles out at the 1000 fathom mark with quality fish up to 150 lbs. The Blue Marlin are being found near the 1000 fathom mark 25-35 miles out. Inshore the Bonito and Skipjacks were a bit harder to find this past week but the Jacks continued to be cooperative. The Roosters made a strong showing cruising the breaklines along a bit of off colored cooler green water very near the shoreline which is a change from the very clear water of January.  Recently there has been a big inflow from the Rio Balsas to the north and that has lead to the cooler greener water close to shore. The White Rocks were a hot spot this past week for the big Jacks. Rooster counts to the south toward Vicente Guerrero were very good although typically not large fish.

IZ Climate:  Early February has reflected 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 through end of February. The outlook heading into the end of February is for more of the same. They are now in their dry season and there is no precipitation projected into late February. Winds are expected to be mild in the 6-9 mph range from the West and WSW. 

Sea Conditions: The offshore water temperature has cooled a bit and is stabilized 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 a bit cooler at 81-82.  The offshore water at the 1000 fathom mark is now clear blue all the way into the 100 fathom mark. 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, Bonito and Jacks. 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 changed staff this past week and we are only reporting for Monday and Tuesday of this week with the port closed Wednesday due to thunderstorms. Due to the weather most trips were opting for ½ day fishing at the very productive shallow reefs. 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 15 trips Monday and Tuesday with many clients opting for ½ day trips to work around the scattered thunderstorms.  The Sailfish are beginning to show up on their seasonal migration.  On only 2 offshore trips, in addition to 1 Sailfish and 1 Wahoo, they reported counts of 1 giant Atlantic Barracuda, 2 King Mackerel, 4 Mahi-Mahi and 26 Bonito. Many first time fishermen opted for shorter ½ day or 6 hour trips mixed between offshore and inshore. The targeted inshore and shallow reef fishing boats tallied 1 Black Grouper, 20 Mutton Snappers, 110 Chack Chi, and 1 Queen Triggerfish.  A total of 146 fish boated for an average of over 9 1/2 fish per trip– there were many happy first time fishermen on ½ day trips.

PM/Cancun Climate:  Occasional brief scattered early morning or late afternoon thunderstorms continue with the seasonal weather pattern.  The extended forecast through early March calls for a mix of sunny to partly cloudy skies to scattered early morning showers with a 20-30% chance of scattered showers on almost daily basis through the end of February.  Daytime temperatures are predicted on a warming trend in the low to mid 80’s and evenings in the low to mid 70’s.  Humidity is expected to be in the mid 70’s. Winds are expected in the 9-15 mph range primarily out of the ESE settling into single digits toward the end of the month.

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 shifted toward their spring pattern and are predicted to be out of the ESE at 9-15 MPH with single digit winds the last week of February.

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