Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 03/22/19

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

The arrival of cool green water plumes pushed by strong currents and the approaching full moon slowed the fishing results considerably this past week.  The Dorado counts were particularly affected this past week but the inshore fishing showed no slowdown! The Yellowfin Tuna counts were really hit and miss but some quality fish up to the 75 lb range were reported. As one captain remarked – “when you report that the Marlin fishing has slowed to 1 fish per boat – how bad is that really?”  We have been spoiled the past 4 months with absolutely outstanding Marlin fishing further cementing Cabo as the Striped Marlin capital.

The Striped Marlin fishing on the Pacific side continues to concentrate from just a few miles off the Lighthouse and out to the Golden Gate and San Jamie Banks.  The seasonal migration has definitely turned the corner following schools of bait into the Sea of Cortez but these schools of bait are now scattered and so are the Stripers. Stripers are being reported off Palmilla and Punta Gorda and around the Gordos. Overall, the fleets reported fewer Striped Marlin with most boats still averaging 1-2 fish per day. The Yellowfin when found were in the 25-35 mile range to the south and southwest and also around the Golden Gate and the Gordos. It was a quiet week for the Dorado and Wahoo.

Inshore fishing was really solid with nice catches of schools of Skipjacks with the Sierras and Jacks showing in good numbers from Solmar to El Arco. Roosters were again reported this past week in the surf from Solmar around the point at the Lighthouse and up toward Migrino. Small to medium sized Yellowtail are also showing up in the most recent counts. Some nice catches of Sierras were reported off Migrino. Some nice catches of Groupers were also reported fishing close to the rocks.

Cabo Climate:  Early March was a bit cooler and windier than normal with a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. The future outlook toward the end of the month is for a pleasant average daytime temps in the mid to upper 70’s and evenings in the low to mid 60’s. The 2 week forecast is for mostly sunny to partly cloudy sunny skies with zero chance of rain forecast through the end of March. Winds are expected to lower a bit into the 8-12 mph range through the end of March mostly out of the West and WSW.  Humidity is expected to run in the mid 60’s.

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 but with strong currents running from the north.  Forecast is for more of the same with winds in the 8-12 mph range from the West and WSW. The Pacific side sea temps seemed showed significant variation from as low as 68 to 73 depending on the currents. Plumes of green water were reported from the Pacific side to inside east of the Gordos. Inside temperatures were running in the 70-72 range.

Best Fishing Areas:  The Marlin hot spots have remained primarily to the west and northwest but decent action was again reported on the inside this past week.  The golden Gate was the prime Striper destination this past week. The Lighthouse area was again a major hot spot again this past week with most of the fish being found from 10 miles to 18 miles off shore toward the canyon.  Occasional success was also reported soaking live baits off Palmilla, the 95 spot and the Gordos. The Yellowfin, when found, were 25-30 miles out to the South and SW, around the Golden Gate or around the Gordos with some quality fish up to 75 lbs reported around the Gordos.  The best catches of Dorado seemed to be on the inside off Palmilla and Punta Gorda  

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. Dead bait was the ticket for the 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-Mirales. 

 

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

The Yellowfin showed up this past week to spice up the offshore fishing. Their inshore fishing continued to produce solid results. Tourist activity has been a bit down compared to historical averages but those anglers that went out were once again generally rewarded with good action. The El Cid fleet lost a couple of days to port closure due to higher winds and rough seas and overall fisherman activity was unseasonably slow.

The offshore boats reported a mix of Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin and Dorado. Early in week they dealt with some cooler water and unfavorable winds but finished the week a bit stronger. The inshore boats had a big week and 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 15 offshore days and 6 Super Panga inshore trips.  They reported 7 Striped Marlin 3 Sailfish, 2 Dorado and 10 Yellowfin from offshore. Inshore, they reported 45 Snappers, 13 Sea Bass, and 64 Queen Triggerfish and 1 Grouper.

Mazatlan Climate: Early March was cooler than normal but the outlook into late March and early April is favorable with low 80’s daytime and upper 50’s to low 60’s in the evenings. The forecast through early April is for mostly sunny with a few partly cloudy skies with breezes picking up a bit into the 10-12 mph range primarily out of the West trending toward the WSW toward early April.  Humidity is predicted to be in the upper 50’s and low 60’s going into early April for very pleasant fishing conditions. There is no precipitation forecast over the next couple of weeks.

Sea Conditions: The water has been seasonally cooling and now in the 71-73 degree range resulting in a seasonal showing of the Striped Marlin but fewer Sailfish sightings until the water warms again a bit. On longer runs out to 25 miles they are finding 75 degree water. After some stronger winds and rough seas early in the week, Mazatlan had a mix of calm seas in the later part 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. The Yellowfin are being found a bit further out toward the 25 mile mark. 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 another good week of a mixed bite on the Blue Marlin and Striped Marlin bite along with solid Sailfish action again this past week.  The Yellowfin were again found way out at the 30-35 mile mark for those willing to go the extra distance.  Fly-fishing and spinning rigs for Jacks and Bonitos inshore has continued to be steady. Rooster action this past week slowed a bit as the water cooled.  Capt Temo reports the inshore fishing for Jacks remained HOT! Large schools of quality Jacks were reported off the white rocks. Nice Sierras were again being reported 100-200 yards off the beach.

The mid March sailfish action was very solid with fish this past week moving out a bit to the 15 mile mark as the green water continued to move offshore.   The overall action was solid this past week with most of the boats reporting at least 1-2 Sailfish for their clients along with Striped Marlin and smaller Blue Marlin.  The Yellowfin were found 30-35 miles out well past the 1000 fathom mark with fish in the 50--75 lb range. The Blue Marlin and Striped Marlin are being found as close as 18-20 miles out just past the prime Sailfish bite and were very active this past week likely equaling the Sailfish bite. Inshore the Bonito the Jacks were very aggressive for some fantastic fly fishing opportunities.  The White Rocks was again a hot spot this past week for the big Jacks with large schools of fish reported. The best Rooster counts when found were again to the south toward Vicente Guerrero.

IZ Climate: Mid March reflected their typical late winter to early spring climate and a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy days. The 2 week outlook is for even warmer temps and mostly sunny skies. Daily temps are predicted in the upper 80’s and night time temps in the low to mid 70’s with humidity expected to run in the low to mid 60’s through early April. They are now in their dry season and there is no precipitation projected over the couple of weeks. The winds are expected to be relatively mild in the 8-10 mph range primarily from the WSW. 

Sea Conditions: The spring offshore water temperature has begun cooling a bit in the past week and is now in the 82-83 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.  These temps should begin to bring in the Blue Marlin and Yellowfin in larger numbers. Inshore temperatures are running a bit cooler at 80-81.  The offshore clear blue water has recently moved out to the 15-18 mile mark on out to the 1000 fathom mark. Inshore, the water is cooler and greener which has actually been very good for the top water bite. With breezes in mid single digits, the seas are very calm particularly in the mornings.

We were honored to host the CASS Tours group this past week and their 30 fishermen who enjoyed a good offshore bite with the Sailfish, Striped Marlin and small Blue Marlin and some excellent inshore fishing with large Jacks and some 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, 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

We did not get the detailed spreadsheet report this past week but our friends at the El Cid Marina reported overall great results for the tourists on the end of Spring Break. Due to the seasonal weather with occasional showers 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 offshore bit was highlighted by another strong showing of Mahi-Mahi on almost every trip along with a mix of Sailfish, King Mackerel, Giant Atlantic Barracuda, along with some Blackfin Tuna. The close in reef fishing continued to produce strong catches of Chack-Chi (Caribbean Snappers), Mutton Snappers, Black Groupers, Queen Triggerfish and a few Amberjacks. The marina reported an average catch of 5-10 fish per trip depending on the length of the trip.

PM/Cancun Climate:  Occasional brief scattered early morning or late afternoon thunderstorms continued with the late winter early spring seasonal weather pattern.  The extended forecast through early April calls for an improvement toward their spring/summer weather for a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with only a few days of occasional showers or isolated thunderstorms.  Daytime temperatures are predicted on a warming trend into the mid 80’s and evenings in the low to mid 70’s.  Humidity is expected to be in the mid 60’s to low 70’s. Winds are expected to be modest in the 6-12 mph range shifting primarily out of the ENE to the ESE through into early April.

Sea Conditions:  Water temperatures in the Cancun-Puerto Morelos-Cozumel have been at their seasonal coolest and are now starting to warm again and are running in the 81-82 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 6-12 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