Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 05/02/19

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

Cabo reported a mixed week of fishing which is not unusual for this season.  The overall tourist activity seems to be a bit slow this year with many of the boats having several days between trips. The Striped Marlin were finicky late last week but things warmed up going into mid week. The fish seemed to have turned the corner after the full moon and good counts are now being reported from the 1150 Spot in addition to continued good action at the Golden Gate and San Jamie Banks. The Yellowfin Tuna bite was solid again last week with mid size fish being reported around the San Jamie bank and in the Herradura to the south. The Dorado were again a bit scarce but Dorado counts were up – mostly from the Lighthouse east to Palmilla. Some nice Wahoo were reported mostly to the south toward the Herradura.   The inshore fishing was very productive with some nice counts of Snappers, Groupers, Sierras and Yellowtail into the 15-30 lb range.

This past week the Striped Marlin fishing success on the Pacific side concentrated around the Golden Gate and San Jamie banks.   Solid counts were also reported at the 1150 Spot on the inside toward the Gordos with some decent action also being reported as close as 12-14 miles to the south.  As the week progressed, 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 and also to the southwest a little closer than last week with mostly mid-sized 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.

The 43’ Hatteras the FISH CABO reported back to back days of success at the 1150 with releases of 3 Marlin the first day and 2 the second day.

Inshore fishing was really solid with some really nice catches of large Sierras along Migrino. Roosters were spotty this past week with some success from Solmar to the Lighthouse and off Palmilla. Yellowtails in the 15-30lb range 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 produced some nice spring weather with a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies but higher winds than normal.  The future outlook toward mid May is for warming and pleasant average daytime temps in the upper 70’s and evenings in the mid to upper 60’s. The 2 week forecast is for mostly partly cloudy to sunny skies with zero chance of rain forecast into mid May. Winds are expected to be a bit higher than normal in the 12-1 mph range into mid May mostly out of the West and NW.  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 through mid May is for more of the same with winds in the 10-16 mph range from the West and NW. The Pacific side sea temps have stabilized considerably with average temperature range running 72-75 with mostly clear water and the inside has also warmed with temps in the 72-74 range around the Gordos with the water clearing this past week.

Best Fishing Areas:  The Golden Gate and San Jamie banks and the 1150 Spot were the clear hotspot for Marlin action this past week. The Yellowfin were most often found around the San Jamie banks and to the south to the Herradura and to the Southwest as close as 15 miles.   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 20-30 lb range.

Favorite Baits: Slow trolling live mackerel was the favorite for the Marlin with increased success from trolled lures. Success is also being found throwing live bait to tailing Marlin on the surface. 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 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-Mireles. 

 

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

It was a bit of a tough week for our friends at the El Cid Marina in Mazatlan. Tourist traffic was down considerably and coupled with some high winds and rougher seas things were quite slow at the marina. The Striped Marlin are now seasonally out numbering the Sailfish that Mazatlan is known for.  The Yellowfin Tuna that had made a good showing the past 2 weeks disappeared a bit this past week and were way offshore. Their inshore fishing produced solid results in spite of the winds.

The offshore boats reported a mix of Striped Marlin, Sailfish and Yellowfin Tuna.  The inshore boats had another solid week and reported good action on Snappers and Queen Triggers whether on 4 hour or 6 hour trips.

The El Cid fleet only fished a total of 7 offshore days and 5 Super Panga inshore trips.  They reported 3 Striped Marlin, 2 Sailfish and 3 Yellowfin Tuna. Inshore, they reported 93 Snappers and 16 Queen Triggerfish.

Mazatlan Climate: April produced pleasant spring weather with a bit higher winds than normal. The early May outlook is favorable with warming to the mid 80’s daytime and mid 60’s in the evenings. The forecast through mid May is for mostly sunny and partly cloudy skies with breezes in a modest 9-12 mph range primarily out of the WNW trending toward the West toward mid May.  Humidity is predicted to be in the low 60’s going into mid May 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 73-75 degree range resulting in a seasonal showing of the Striped Marlin. On longer runs out to 25 miles and beyond they are finding 76 degree water and the Yellowfin Tuna. The past week Mazatlan had a mix mostly calm to somewhat rough seas mixed with some strong afternoon swells and chop with winds in the early to mid 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 in the 9-12 mph range.

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. Longer runs out to 25 miles and warmer water are finding schools of Yellowfin. 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

Another good week in Zihuatanejo with lots of Striped Marlin but very few fishermen around in their off season to take advantage of the abundance of billfish! The independent fleet reported good action on the plentiful Striped Marlin with most boats raising 5-8 fish per day and ideal conditions for fly fishermen being able to tease up the Marlin with hook less lures and then throw streamers to them. 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 improved this past week with a couple of big bulls being reported. 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 and again mostly to the south.   Capt Temo reports the inshore fishing for Jacks remained very productive. Fishing activity was slow as few fishermen showed at the docks to take advantage of the plentiful billfish action.

This will all change this week as the 36^th Annual International Sailfish Tournament comes to town and kicks off on Friday. It will likely take several weeks for things to settle down after 300 boats pound the water for 3 days.

The action this past week started as close as the 10-12 mile mark. The Striped Marlin were very aggressive this past week with ideal conditions for the tease and cast fly fishermen. Yellowfin were again found 30-40+ 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, False Albacore 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 late 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 mid to upper 80’s and night time temps in the low to mid 70’s with humidity expected to run in the 80’s through mid May. They are now in their dry season and there is little chance of precipitation projected over the couple of weeks. The winds are expected to be relatively mild in the 8-11 mph range primarily from the West and SW. 

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. 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 80-81 degree range and clearing this past week.  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 very successful week and busy week. They enjoyed some of the best weather they have had this spring with no lost time due to thunderstorms and the offshore fishing results were the best of the spring season. With the close-in fishing available at Puerto Morelos many clients can opt 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 at the end of the day for some fine table fare.

The billfish had another strong showing this past week with their spring migration along with a really strong showing of quality Mahi-Mahi. The fleet reported 10 Sailfish, 8 White Marlin, 7 Wahoo, 24 Giant Atlantic Barracuda, 2 King Mackerel, 57 Mahi-Mahi, 11 Bonito, 11 Blackfin Tuna and 1 released Hammerhead shark.  The close in reef fishing reported 121 Chack-Chi (Caribbean Snappers), 19 Mutton Snappers, 33 Black Groupers, 45 Queen Triggerfish and 11 Jacks.  A total of 130 offshore fish and 229 inshore fish for a weekly total of 359 fish for an average of over 4 1/2 fish per trip on a total of 79 trips!!

PM/Cancun Climate:  Occasional brief scattered early morning or late afternoon thunderstorms are not unusual with the spring seasonal weather pattern.  The extended forecast into mid May calls for some improvement toward their 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 upper 80’s and evenings in the upper 70’s.  Humidity is expected to be in the low to mid 70’s. Winds are expected to be a bit stronger than normal in the 12-17 mph range shifting primarily to out of the East and ESE through mid May. Expect some occasional showers and scattered thunderstorms. Daily precipitation forecast is from 10-60% almost every day.

Sea Conditions:  Water temperatures in the Cancun-Puerto Morelos-Cozumel area have begun warming from their seasonal coolest and are now running in the 82-83 degree range.  Seas are running from calm to a bit choppy depending on the weather conditions.   The prevailing winds have shifted toward their spring/summer pattern and are predicted to be out of the East and ESE at 12-17 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