Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 02/21/19

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

It seems as though the combination of the full moon and some cooling water temperatures slowed the recent hot marlin bite this past week.  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 sparse again this past week.  The Yellowfin Tuna counts were also 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.  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 also a bit slower than the previous week. The fleets reported solid counts of Striped Marlin with most boats averaging a fish per day with a few still reporting multiple fish for their anglers. 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 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:  Mid 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 mid 70’s and evenings in the low 60’s. The 2 week forecast is for mostly partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies with zero chance of rain forecast through early March. Winds are expected to lower a bit into the 8-11 mph range through early March mostly out of the West and WSW.  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 8-11 mph range from the West and WSW.  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 70-73 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 this past week.  The Lighthouse area was a major hot spot again this past week.  Most of the fish were being found a bit further out from shore in the 6-15 mile range.  Good 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 and the 1150 spot. 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 also reported around the Gordos.  We did not get any first hand reports of the Finger Bank this past week but assume there are still good numbers of Striped Marlin there for those willing to make the 50 mile run.

Favorite Baits: Trolled black/green or green/silver Mackerel looking lures along with live Mackerel or live Caballitos were the favorite for the Marlin. 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

It seems the Yellowfin disappeared this past week after a strong showing the previous week. The Striped Marlin fishing continues to improve with the seasonal migration.  The Dorado showed up again in the counts this week. Their inshore fishing continued to produce exceptionally 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 mix of Striped Marlin, Sailfish and Dorado.  More Striped Marlin were sighted than were hooked as the fish were a bit finicky perhaps due to the full moon. The Dorado showed up late in the week to add to the action.  The inshore boats reported great action on the Snappers and continued success on the Sea Bass whether on 4 hour or 6 hour trips.

The El Cid fleet fished a total of 27 offshore days and 13 Super Panga inshore trips.  They reported 8 Striped Marlin, 2 Sailfish and 9 good quality Dorado from offshore. Inshore, they reported 254 snappers, 204 sea bass, and 9 Queen Triggerfish and 6 nice Jacks.

Mazatlan Climate: February was very pleasant but cooler and the outlook into early March is favorable with upper 70’s daytime and upper 50’s to low 60’s in the evenings. The forecast through early March is for mostly sunny skies with breezes calming into the 8-12 mph range primarily out of the West trending toward the WSW toward early March.  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 middle of March.

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 fewer Sailfish sightings.  They enjoyed mostly calm seas this past week with some afternoon swells and chop with winds in the teens. The future outlooks is for relatively calm seas in the mornings with some afternoon swells and chop as the winds pick up in the afternoons.

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. 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 full moon and some cooler water slowed the over bite but 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 were again found 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 again being reported off 100-200 yds off the beach.

The February sailfish action has been very solid 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. Although the overall action was a bit slower this past week most of the boats reported at least 1-2 Sailfish for their clients.  The Yellowfin were found 30-35 miles out at the 1000 fathom mark with some fish over the 100 lb mark. 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 solid showing cruising the breaklines along a bit of off colored cooler green water very near the shoreline. Trocones was a hot spot this past week for the big Jacks. The best Rooster counts were to the south toward Vicente Guerrero.

IZ Climate:  February has reflected their typical late winter climate and a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy days. The 2 week outlook is for warmer temps and sunny skies. Daily temps are predicted in the 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 into early March. They are now in their dry season and there is no precipitation projected into early to mid March. Winds are expected to be mild in the 7-10 mph range from the West and WSW. 

Sea Conditions: The offshore water temperature has cooled a bit and is now in the 81-82 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 77-80.  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 have been struggling lately with the seasonal weather and port closures due to thunderstorms. They finally got in almost a full week of fishing with great results! This week with the port closed Wednesday due to thunderstorms. Due to the weather a lot of anglers were opting for ½ day fishing at the very productive shallow reefs.  Overall, 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 54 trips this past week with many clients opting for 4 hour or 6 hour trips to work around the scattered thunderstorms.  The Sailfish are finally beginning to show up on their seasonal migration.  Offshore, in addition to 1 Sailfish and 1 Wahoo, they reported counts of 31 giant Atlantic Barracuda, 10 King Mackerel, 14 Mahi-Mahi, 1 Blackfin Tuna, 26 Bonito and 2 Hammerhead Sharks. 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 11 Black Grouper, 59 Mutton Snappers, 310 Chack Chi, and 1 Queen Triggerfish.  A total of 534 fish boated for an average of 10 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 late winter seasonal weather pattern.  The extended forecast through early March calls for a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with scattered early morning showers and late afternoon thunderstorms with a 20% chance of scattered showers on almost daily basis into early to mid March.  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 to flatten a bit into the 8-12 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 79-80 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 8-12 MPH with single digit winds going into early March.

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