Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 04/18/19

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

Cabo reported a solid although not spectacular week of fishing heading into the full moon. The Striped Marlin fishing was mostly on the Pacific side with most boats averaging 1-2 fish per day. The Yellowfin Tuna bite picked up a bit and also mostly on the Pacific side. The Dorado were again a bit scarce and a few more Wahoo appeared this past week.  A few bonus acrobatic Makos were reported off the San Jamie and Golden Gate banks. The inside fishing was very productive with some great counts of Snappers, Groupers, Sierras and Yellowtail into the 30 lb range.

This past week the Striped Marlin fishing success on the Pacific side again concentrated around the Golden Gate.   Overall, the fleets reported consistent Striped Marlin results with most boats averaging 1-2 fish per day. The Yellowfin were also found around the Golden Gate and San Jamie banks to the west and in the Herradura to the south with most fish in the 15-30 lb range. The overall action was slow around the Gordos to the east for both the Marlin and the Tuna.

Inshore fishing was really solid with some really nice catches of large Sierras along Migrino. Roosters were again spotty this past week.  Quality sized Yellowtail to 30 lbs were hitting on live baits off Migrino.  Some very nice catches of Red Snappers and Groupers were also reported fishing close to the rocks around El Arco.

Cabo Climate:  April started with nice spring weather with a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies but higher winds than normal.  The future outlook toward late April is for 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 late April. Winds are expected to continue a bit higher than normal in the low teens in the 11-17 mph range into late April mostly out of the West and SW.  Humidity is expected to run in the mid 60’s.

Sea Conditions:  With the winds in the teens the seas have been a bit higher than normal with some large swells and chop showing up in the afternoons as breezes increase.  Forecast is for more of the same with winds in the 11-17 mph range from the West and SW. The Pacific side sea temps have stabilized considerably with average temperature range running 72-74 with mostly clear water and the inside has also warmed with temps in the 72-74 range around the Gordos with a mix of clear to greener water.

Best Fishing Areas:  The Golden Gate was the clear hotspot for Marlin action this past week. Action on the inside around toward the Gordos was slow and spotty this past week. The Yellowfin were most often found around the Golden Gate and San Jamie banks and to the south at the Herradura.   Los Arcos and Migrino were the choice for inshore fishing with some really nice catches of Sierras coming off Migrino along with some quality Yellowtail in the 30 lb range.

Favorite Baits: Slow trolling live mackerel was the favorite for the Marlin. Cedar plugs were the favorite 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 Snappers and 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

Spring weather and warmer water temperatures balanced against higher winds brought some solid fishing with the Yellowfin again adding to the success of their offshore fishing. The Striped Marlin are seasonally out numbering the Sailfish that Mazatlan is known for. Their inshore fishing produced exceptional results. Tourist activity was modest this past week but the El Cid fleet was busy with many first time anglers they rewarded with good action.

The offshore boats reported a mix of Striped Marlin, Sailfish, and Yellowfin Tuna. The Yellowfin Tuna were found a bit further out than the prime Marlin billfish bite. The inshore boats had another big week and reported excellent action on Snappers, Sea Bass, Queen Triggers and Corbinas whether on 4 hour or 6 hour trips.

The El Cid fleet fished a total of 20 offshore days and 10 Super Panga inshore trips.  They reported 11 Striped Marlin, 3 Sailfish, and 20 Yellowfin from offshore. Inshore, they reported 135 Snappers, 110 Sea Bass, 16 Queen Triggerfish, 50 Corbinas and 6 Jacks.

Mazatlan Climate: April started with pleasant spring weather and the late April outlook is favorable with warming to the mid 80’s daytime and mid 60’s in the evenings. The forecast through late April is for mostly sunny and partly cloudy skies with breezes in a modest 9-12 mph range primarily out of the West trending toward the SW later in April.  Humidity is predicted to be in the mid 60’s going into late April for very pleasant fishing conditions. The forecast calls for a 0% chance of precipitation forecast over the next couple of weeks.

Sea Conditions: The water has been warming a bit and is now in the 74-75 degree range resulting in a seasonal showing of the Striped Marlin and more Yellowfin Tuna. On longer runs out to 25 miles and beyond they are finding 76 degree water. The past week Mazatlan had mostly calm seas mixed with some afternoon swells and chop with winds in the early 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 12-15 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 20-25 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

A mixed week in Zihuatanejo with very few fishermen around to take advantage of the abundance of billfish! The independent fleet reported a spotty and picky bite on the plentiful Striped Marlin with most boats raising 6-8 fish per day but only hooking 2-3. As always, there was the normal Sailfish mix and a few smaller Blue Marlin reported. The Yellowfin were again found way out at the 30-35 to 40 mile mark for those willing to go the extra distance.  The Dorado were very spotty this past week. Fly-fishing and spinning rigs for Jacks, Chulas (False Albacore) and Bonitos inshore has continued to be steady. Rooster action this past week was spotty to slow but and mostly to the south.   Capt Temo reports the inshore fishing for Jacks remained very positive. Fishing activity was slow as few fishermen showed at the docks to take advantage of the plentiful billfish.

The action this past week started at the 10-12 mile mark. The Striped Marlin were picky this past week with far more fish seen and raised than hit the lure spread.  The Yellowfin were again found 30-35+ miles out well past the 1000 fathom mark with quality fish in the 50--75 lb range. Striped Marlin were the prime target surpassing the historic Zihuatanejo Sailfish bite. Inshore the Bonito and 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 big schools of fish reported. The best Rooster counts when found were again to the south toward Vicente Guerrero.

IZ Climate: They are now into their spring climate with a mix of mostly sunny and partly cloudy days. The 2 week outlook is for even warmer temps and mostly sunny to partly cloudy 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 70’s through late 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 West and WSW. 

Sea Conditions: The spring offshore water temperature stabilized and is now in the 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 30-32 miles and beyond.  These temps are beginning to bring in the Blue Marlin and Yellowfin in larger numbers. Inshore temperatures have warmed a bit and are now at 80-81. The offshore clear blue water has recently moved as close as 5-6 miles out with some very deep blue water now out beyond the 1000 fathom mark at 32-35 miles out to 50 miles. Inshore, the water was a in the 80 degree range and a bit off color this past week which was actually very good for the top water action. With breezes in the upper 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 even with losing 2 days to port closure due to spring thunderstorms. 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 mixed with a few hours on the close in reefs for some table fare.

The Atlantic Sailfish had a strong showing this past week with their spring migration along with a nice showing of quality Mahi-Mahi. The fleet reported 19 Sailfish, 1 White Marlin, 3 Wahoo, 10 Giant Atlantic Barracuda, 1 King Mackerel, 15 Mahi-Mahi, 20 Bonito, and 6 Blackfin Tuna.  The close in reef fishing reported 148 Chack-Chi (Caribbean Snappers), 21 Mutton Snappers, 24 Black Groupers, 38 Queen Triggerfish and 6 Jacks.  A total of 311 fish for an average of 6 fish per trip!!

PM/Cancun Climate:  Occasional brief scattered early morning or late afternoon thunderstorms continued with the spring seasonal weather pattern.  They experienced 2 days of port closure due to thunderstorms. The extended forecast into late April calls for some improvement toward their spring/summer weather with a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies coupled with scattered occasional showers or isolated afternoon thunderstorms.  Daytime temperatures are predicted on a warming trend into the mid to upper 80’s and evenings in the mid 70’s.  Humidity is expected to be in the low 70’s. Winds are expected to up a bit in the 10-14 mph range shifting primarily to out of the ESE through late April. Expect some occasional showers and scattered thunderstorms.

Sea Conditions:  Water temperatures in the Cancun-Puerto Morelos-Cozumel area 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 10-14 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