Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 02/28/19

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

Another solid week of Striped Marlin success! Following the full moon the fish seemed to be more spread out but the bite continued to be good starting just a few miles out of port. The Striped Marlin continued to spread out from the Pacific side around the corner to the east following the schools of bait. The Dorado counts were spotty this past week and the Yellowfin Tuna counts were also down a bit from the previous 2 weeks perhaps because of fewer boats targeting the Tuna almost 30 miles out.

The Striped Marlin fishing continues to produce positive results on the Pacific side with fishing continuing to concentrate just a few miles off 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. The fleets reported solid counts of Striped Marlin with most boats averaging 1-2 fish per day with a few still reporting multiple fish for their anglers. The Yellowfin were occasionally found 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 20-30 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 had a good showing this past week in the surf from Solmar around the point at the Lighthouse and also in the Palmilla area.

Cabo Climate:  Late February was a bit cooler than normal with a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. The future outlook is for warming to average daytime temps in the upper 70’s and evenings in the mid 60’s. The 2 week forecast is for mostly sunny to partly cloudy sunny skies with zero chance of rain forecast through mid March. Winds are expected to pick up a bit into the 9-12 mph range through mid March mostly out of the West and WSW.  Humidity is expected to run in the mid 60’s into mid 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 9-12 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 in the 72-73 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 from 2 miles to 12 miles off shore.  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. The Yellowfin, when found, are 25-30 miles out to the South and SW near the Herradura, 110, 120, 140 and 160 Spots.  Catches of quality Yellowfin were also reported off the Golden Gate area and some larger, although fewer, 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

The Sailfish showed up again balanced against the Yellowfin disappearing from the counts. The Striped Marlin fishing continues to improve with the seasonal migration.  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 again generally rewarded with good action. The port lost one day of action due to storms, high winds, and rough water.

The offshore boats reported a mix of Striped Marlin, Sailfish and Dorado.  More Striped Marlin were sighted than were hooked as the fish were still a bit finicky perhaps coming off the full moon. The Sailfish reappeared late in the week and were cooperative on trolled lures. 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 and Queen Triggers whether on 4 hour or 6 hour trips.

The El Cid fleet fished a total of 24 offshore days and 11 Super Panga inshore trips.  They reported 11 Striped Marlin, 5 Sailfish and 8 good quality Dorado from offshore. Inshore, they reported 159 snappers, 20 sea bass, 42 Queen Triggerfish and 15 nice Jacks.

Mazatlan Climate: Late February was very pleasant but cooler than normal but the outlook into early March is favorable with low 80’s daytime and upper 50’s to low 60’s in the evenings. The forecast through mid March is for mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with breezes picking up a bit into the 9-13 mph range primarily out of the West trending toward the WSW and WNW toward mid March.  Humidity is predicted to be in the upper 50’s going into mid 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 70-72 degree range resulting in a larger showing of the Striped Marlin but fewer Sailfish sightings.  They enjoyed mostly calm seas the majority of 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 independent fleet reported a pickup in Sailfish action again this past week along with some bonus Blue Marlin out toward the 1000 fathom mark.  The close in Dorado action was again slow but there was a good bite on the Blue Marlin further out. The Yellowfin were again found out at the 30-35 mile mark for those willing to go the extra distance. Great warm blue water extends almost all the way from the 100 fathom line at 5-6 miles out to the 1000 fathom mark at 32-35 miles.  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. Large schools of quality Jacks were reported off the rocks. Nice Sierras were again being reported 100-200 yards off the beach.

The February sailfish action was 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. The overall action was solid this past week with most of the boats reporting at least 1-2 Sailfish for their clients.  The Yellowfin were found 30-35 miles out past the 1000 fathom mark with some fish over the 100 lb mark. The Blue Marlin are being found as close as 12-15 miles out just past the prime Sailfish bite. Inshore the Bonito and 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. The White Rocks was a hot spot this past week for the big Jacks with large schools of fish reported. The best Rooster counts were to the south toward Vicente Guerrero.

IZ Climate:  February 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 mostly 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 to upper 60’s through mid March. They are now in their dry season and there is no precipitation projected into 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 stabilized and is now in the 82-84 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 79-81.  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 report for our friends at the El Cid Marina only covers a 4 day reporting period but with fabulous results. Due to the seasonal weather with occasionalshowers and thunderstorms, many 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 Mahi-Mahi made a nice showing offshore this past week.

The El Cid fleet reported on a total 49 trips this past week with many clients opting for 4 hour or 6 hour trips to work around the scattered showers and 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 9 giant Atlantic Barracuda, 6 King Mackerel, 42 Mahi-Mahi, 21 Bonito and 1 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 3 Black Grouper, 71 Mutton Snappers, 464 Chack Chi (Caribbean Snappers), 17 Queen Triggerfish and 1 Jack Crevalle.  A total of 464 fish boated for an average of over 11 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 mid March calls for a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with scattered early morning showers and late afternoon thunderstorms with a 10-20% chance of scattered showers on almost daily basis into mid March.  Daytime temperatures are predicted on a warming trend in the mid 80’s and evenings in the mid 70’s.  Humidity is expected to be in the mid 70’s. Winds are expected to pick up a bit into the 10-15 mph range primarily out of the ESE through the middle of the month.

Sea Conditions:  Water temperatures in the Cancun-Puerto Morelos-Cozumel area are at their seasonal coolest and are now starting to warm again and are running in the 80-81 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 10-15 MPH with some late afternoon swells and chop expected with the higher winds.

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