Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 07/10/19

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

As Cabo settles into its summer pattern the fleets reported a solid week of fishing. Early in the week they were dealing with some higher winds and strong currents created by hurricane Barbara which passed well to the south.  Things settled down nicely with reports of nice mixed catches reflecting the warmer waters and the summer pattern. The Striped Marlin bite was solid this past week with an average of 2 fish per boat. The 95 and 1150 Spots were the featured locations along with a nice bite just a few miles off the Lighthouse.  The Yellowfin Tuna bite was solid again this past week with quality fish being reported in the 25-30 range mostly 20-25 miles to south and southwest. The 1180 Spot saw a lot of tuna action. The Dorado were running in the 15-20 lb range this past week with some doubles and triples reported close in from the Lighthouse to off Palmilla. Many boats were returning after releasing a marlin or two along with a mix of several tuna and Dorado to provide some table fare for their anglers. The inshore fishing was very productive with some nice counts of Snappers, Groupers, Sierras and Yellowtail into the 15-30 lb range as well as some nice Roosterfish particularly from Solmar west to around the Lighthouse.

The prime Striped Marlin activity was reported at the 95 and 1150 Spots on the inside and also a few miles off the Lighthouse. The Yellowfin were found primarily to the south and southwest but if you found the pods of dolphins you probably found the tuna. The Dorado were scattered from Migrino around the point and to the east off Palmilla. The overall action was slow around the Gordos to the far east for both the Marlin and the Tuna. Some Blue Marlin are showing in the warmer water and we had one report of estimated 300 lb Blue being released after an almost 4 hour fight!

Inshore fishing was really solid with some really nice catches of large Sierras along Migrino. Roosters showed up again in the surf from Solmar to the Lighthouse and off Palmilla. Yellowtails in the 15-30lb range were hitting on live baits off Migrino on the Pacific side.  Some very nice catches of Red Snappers and Groupers were also reported fishing close to the rocks around El Arco.

Cabo Climate:  June ended with a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies and a bit higher winds than normal.  The future outlook toward the end of July is for warming with mostly sunny skies and average daytime temps in the middle 80’s and evenings in the mid to upper 70’s. The 2 week forecast is for mostly sunny skies with around a 10% chance of any rain forecast over the next 2 weeks. Winds are expected to be a bit higher than normal in the 10-20 mph range into end of July mostly out of the West and NW.  Humidity is expected to run in the low 70’s.

Sea Conditions:  With the afternoon 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.  Morning seas have, however, been in the 2’ range. Forecast through the end of July is for more of the same with winds higher than normal in the 10-20 mph range from the West and NW. The Pacific side sea temps are running in the 73-74 degree range with mostly clear water. The inside has warmed with temps in the 75-76 degree range off Palmilla to lower 80’s around the Gordos with upper 70’s south in the Herradura and out near the 1150.

Best Fishing Areas:  The 1150 Spot and the 95 Spot were again hotspots for Marlin action this past week along with the area southwest of the Lighthouse. The Yellowfin were most often found 20-25 miles out to the south and southwest with the 1180 Spot also being reported as a hot spot.  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. Rooster action picked up in the surf off Palmilla west past Solmar to the Lighthouse.

Favorite Baits: Slow trolling live mackerel or Cabilitos was the favorite for the Marlin with increased success from trolled lures and throwing live bait to surface fish.  Cedar plugs were the favorite for the Yellowfin. The Dorado were hitting trolled lures and feathers.  Hoochies were by far the preferred and most productive lures for the Sierras. Trolled live baits near the surf and large poppers were the most successful bait for Roosters this past week. 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

Our friends at the El Cid in Mazatlan experienced much of the same weather and same seas as Cabo.  The Striped Marlin are now seasonally out numbering the Sailfish that Mazatlan is known for.  The Yellowfin Tuna showed up again this past week to add to the daily tally and some scattered Dorado added to some great table fare for their anglers. Their inshore fishing produced solid results for fishermen on 4 hour or 6 hour trips.

The offshore boats reported a mix of Striped Marlin, Sailfish Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna.  The inshore boats had another solid week and reported good action on Snappers and Queen Triggers.

Over the past 10 days The El Cid fleet fished a total of 35 offshore days and 12 Super Panga inshore trips.  They reported 11 Striped Marlin, 3 Sailfish, 18 Dorados, 8 Bonito and 20 Yellowfin Tuna. Inshore, they reported 109 Snappers and 12 Queen Triggerfish.

Mazatlan Climate: June ended with a warming summer weather pattern with a bit higher winds than normal. The outlook for late July is favorable with warming to the upper 80’s daytime and mid to upper 70’s in the evenings. The forecast through end of July is for mostly sunny to mostly sunny skies and partly cloudy skies with some scattered thunderstorms moving in and breezes lowering to a modest 8-13 mph range primarily out of the West trending toward the SW toward the end of July.  Humidity is predicted to be in the lower 70’s into late July for very pleasant fishing conditions. The forecast calls for an almost 20% chance of precipitation forecast over the next couple of weeks.

Sea Conditions: The water has been warming a bit and is now in the 84-85 degree range bringing in the Yellowfin and Dorado. The past week Mazatlan had a mix of mostly calm to choppy seas mixed with some strong afternoon swells and chop with winds in the early to mid teens in the afternoons. The future outlooks is for relatively calm seas in the mornings with some afternoon swells and chop with winds pick in the afternoons in the 8-13 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 the schools of Yellowfin. The Dorado are being found closer to shore inside the prime bill fishing zone. 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

Zihuatanejo is beginning to settle in to their rainy season but the fishing conditions in Zihuatanejo are absolutely incredible right now with Striped and Blue Marlin to go along with always plentiful Sailfish but very few fishermen around to take advantage of the abundance of billfish! They are doing maintenance on the municipal pier so parking around the pier area is limited and the normally easy loading has been inconvenienced some. The independent fleet reported sparse action but with most boats raising 2-5 Marlin or Sailfish fish per day.  Some larger Blue Marlin showed up well offshore. The Yellowfin were again found way out at the 30-35 to 40 mile mark for those very few willing to go the extra distance in the larger boats.   They are in the start of their prime Roosterfish season from now until November and large fish are showing up to go with strong catches. Overall fishermen activity was slow as few fishermen showed at the docks to take advantage of the plentiful billfish action.

The action this past week for the few fishermen that went forth started as close as the 8-10mile mark.  Large schools of Yellowfin were again found 30+ miles out well past the 1000 fathom mark with quality fish in the 50--75 lb range. Blue Marlin and Striped Marlin were present along with the historic Zihuatanejo Sailfish bite. Inshore the Chulas (False Albacore) were very productive and the Roosters were not hard to find.  

IZ Climate: They are now into the start of their rainy season with a mix of mostly sunny and partly cloudy days with almost daily late afternoon and  evening thunderstorms beginning to creep in. The 2 week outlook is for even warmer temps with partly sunny and partly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms on a regular basis. Daily temps are predicted in the high 80’s and night time temps in the high 70’s with humidity expected to run in the mid 70’s through the end of July.  The winds are expected to be very mild in the 6-9 mph range primarily from the West and SW.  Keep in mind that when we talk about their rainy season, the thunderstorms tend to build in the afternoons coming off the Pacific with the prevailing breezes out of the west, dump on the mountains in the evening, and then begin rebuilding the next day.

Sea Conditions: The offshore water temperature has stabilized and is now in the 90-91 degrees range from the 100 fathom line at the 5-6 mile mark 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 89-90 degree range and perfect for the 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 Chulas. 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 successful but slower week. They enjoyed some of the best weather they have had this summer season with no lost time due to thunderstorms and the offshore fishing results continued to produce nice results. With the close-in fishing available at Puerto Morelos many clients can opt for the 4 hour or 6 hour shallow reef trips with others 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 seemed to take the week off but fishermen enjoyed a solid showing of quality Mahi-Mahi. Many of the trips were the 4-6 hour trips that tend to target the very productive shallow water reefs. The fleet reported 2 Sailfish, 1 White Marlin, 1 Wahoo, 12 Giant Atlantic Barracuda, 12 Mahi-Mahi, and 3 Blackfin Tuna from targeted offshore fishing.   The close in reef fishing reported 109 Chack-Chi (Caribbean Snappers), 21 Mutton Snappers, 15 Black Groupers, and 20 Queen Triggerfish.  A total of 31 offshore fish and 109 inshore fish for a total of 195 fish for an average of almost 8 fish per trip on a total of 25 trips!! Not bad for a “slow” week!!

PM/Cancun Climate:  The Yucatan has settled into its summer weather pattern with very warm days with fewer thunderstorms coming out of their spring pattern.  The extended forecast into  late July calls for a mix of mostly partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies coupled with scattered occasional late afternoon showers or isolated afternoon thunderstorms.  Daytime temperatures are predicted on a warming trend into the upper 80’s and low 90’s with evenings in the upper 70’s.  Humidity is expected to be in the lower 70’s. Winds are expected lay down a bit in the 9-14 mph range shifting primarily to out of the East and ESE through the end of July. Expect some occasional showers and late afternoon scattered thunderstorms. Daily precipitation forecast is the 20 range almost every day through the end July.

Sea Conditions:  Water temperatures in the Cancun-Puerto Morelos-Cozumel area have warmed to 84-85 degree range.  Seas are running from calm to a bit choppy depending on the weather conditions.   The prevailing winds have shifted toward their summer pattern and are predicted to be out of the East and ESE at 9-14 MPH in the afternoons 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:  Miss Victoria Garcia at the Hotel El Cid Spa & Beach Resort and Marina