Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 03/29/19

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

The passage of the full moon and some warmer water produced a much improved week for the Cabo fleets. The Striped Marlin fishing picked up with most boats averaging 1-2 fish per day. The Yellowfin Tuna counts were up with many schools of “football” tuna in 15-30 lb range reported.  The Dorado were again a bit scarce but with the outlook much improved as the water warms up both outside and inside. The Wahoo showed up nicely in the counts with some fish into the 50lb range. Bonus acrobatic Makos were reported off the Golden Gate bank. The inside fishing continued to improve with some great counts of quality Snappers, Groupers, and Yellowtail into the 30 lb range.

The Striped Marlin fishing on the Pacific side continues to concentrate from the Lighthouse out to the Golden Gate and San Jamie Banks.  More and more Stripers are being reported on the inside with catches reported off Palmilla and Punta Gorda and around the Gordos. Overall, the fleets reported consistent Striped Marlin results with most boats averaging 1-2 fish per day. The Yellowfin were readily found around the Golden Gate and San Jamie banks to the west and the Gordos to the east.

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 and around toward Migrino. Roosters were again reported this past week in the surf off Palmilla and from Solmar around the point at the Lighthouse and up toward Migrino. Quality sized Yellowtail to 30 lbs are hitting on live baits. Some nice catches of Sierras were reported off Migrino. 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 with late March warming a bit with mostly overcast skies. The future outlook toward early April is for a warming and pleasant 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 early April. Winds are expected to continue in the low teens in the 11-14 mph range into early April 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.  Forecast is for more of the same with winds in the 11-14 mph range from the West and WSW. The Pacific side sea temps stabilized considerably with the predominate temperature range 70-74 and the inside also warmed with temps in the 71-73 range around the Gordos.

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 and the San Jamie banks were 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 15 miles off shore toward the canyon.  Occasional success was also reported soaking live baits off Palmilla, the 95 spot and the Gordos. The Yellowfin were found around the Golden Gate and San Jamie banks 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: Slow trolling live mackerel was the favorite for the Marlin. Cedar plugs were the clear 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. Live Caballitos were the best for the Yellowtail.

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 again this past week to spice up the offshore fishing and the Striped Marlin are clearly out numbering the Sailfish that Mazatlan is known for. Their inshore fishing continued to produce solid results. Tourist activity picked up a bit this past week and the El Cid fleet was busy with many first time anglers that rewarded with good action.

The offshore boats reported a mix of Striped Marlin, Sailfish, and Yellowfin Tuna. The Yellowfin Tuna had a solid showing in the middle of the week. The inshore boats had another 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 29 offshore days and 11 Super Panga inshore trips.  They reported 10 Striped Marlin, 6 Sailfish, and 22 Yellowfin from offshore. Inshore, they reported 182 Snappers, 78 Sea Bass, and 2 Queen Triggerfish and 10 Jacks.

Mazatlan Climate: Early March was cooler than normal with some warming into late March and early April is favorable with low 80’s daytime and low 60’s in the evenings. The forecast through early April is for mostly sunny with a few partly cloudy skies with breezes lowering a bit into the 9-11 mph range primarily out of the West trending toward the WSW into early April.  Humidity is predicted to be in the 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 warming a bit in the 72-73 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. The past week Mazatlan had mostly calm seas 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 15-25 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 a great week of mixed bite on the Striped Marlin along with solid Sailfish action. 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, Chulas (False Albacore) 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. Ironically, there were more quality fish than fishermen this past week as Zihuatanejo begins to go into their off season as far as tourist activity.

The late March sailfish action was very solid with the fish 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 many 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: Late 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 mid 60’s through mid 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 7-10 mph range primarily from the WSW. 

Sea Conditions: The spring offshore water temperature has begun cooling a bit 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 79-81 with the cooler water from north of Zihuatanejo bay warming to the south toward Puerto Vicente Guerrero.  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.

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 Resort & Marina reported a busy and successful week with family spring break activity. With the close-in fishing available at Puerto Morelos many clients opted for the 4 hour or 6 hour shallow reef trips with other opting for the 6 hour or 8 hour offshore trips.

The offshore bit was highlighted with an improved showing of Sailfish on almost every trip along with a mix of Giant Atlantic Barracuda, Mahi-Mahi along with some King Mackerel. 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 El Cid fleet fished a total of 69 trips reporting 8 Sailfish, 15 Giant Atlantic Barracuda, 2 Kingfish, 3 Mahi-Mahi, 22 Bonito, 1 Blackfin Tuna and one Blue Marlin.  The closer in shallow reef fishing trips reported 150 Chack-Chi (Caribbean Snappers), 42 Mutton Snappers, 6 Black Groupers, 30 Yellowtail Snappers, 52 Queen Triggerfish, 15 Banana Fish, 18 Jacks, and 3 very large Amberjacks. A very nice average of 6 ¾ fish per trip – many of those shorter 4 hour trips.

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 into early April calls for an improvement toward their spring/summer weather for a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with 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 8-12 mph range shifting primarily out of the ENE to the ESE in 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 8-12 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