Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 07/24/19

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

After a few days of unsettled water caused by strong southerly winds and currents the week settled down with some outstanding summer fishing. The Striped Marlin bite was solid this past week with an average of 2 fish per boat. Blues were consistently showing up in the reports with most in the 200-250 lb range. The Yellowfin Tuna action picked up considerably along with increased counts of Dorado as the water warms. The 1150 Spot was the prime location along with a nice bite just a few miles off the Lighthouse.  The Yellowfin Tuna bite picked up this past week with quality fish being reported in the 25-30 range mostly 20-25 miles to south and southwest.  The Dorado were mostly running in the 15-20 lb range this past week 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 again very productive with some nice counts of Snappers, Groupers, and Sierras as well as some nice Roosterfish particularly from Solmar west to around the Lighthouse.

The prime Striped Marlin activity was reported at the 1150 Spot on the inside and also a few miles off the Lighthouse and also around the San Jamie bank. 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 in the 200-250 lb range are showing in the warmer water and we also had reports of the Sailfish showing up with the warmer waters.

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.  Some very nice catches of Red Snappers and Groupers were also reported fishing close to the rocks around El Arco. Jacks were plentiful off the rocks from Solmar west.

Cabo Climate:  July has featured a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies and a bit higher winds than normal.  The future outlook into early August is for more of the same with mostly sunny skies and partly cloudy skies with average daytime temps in the middle 80’s and evenings in the 70’s. The 2 week forecast is for mostly sunny skies with a 10-20% chance of some scattered late day thunderstorms forecast over the next 2 weeks. Winds are expected to be a bit higher than normal in the 10-20 mph range into early August mostly out of the West and NW.  Humidity is expected to run in the mid to upper 60’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’-3’ range. Forecast through early August is for more of the same with winds higher than normal in the 10-20 mph range from the West and SW. The Pacific side sea temps are running in the 71-75 degree range with mostly clear water. The inside has warmed with temps in the 80-81 degree range off Palmilla to lower 80’s around the Gordos with upper 70’ south in the Herradura and out near the 1150.

Best Fishing Areas:  The 1150 Spot was a hotspot 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 210 Spot and the San Jamie Bank also being reported as hot spots.  Los Arcos and Migrino were the choice for inshore fishing with some really nice catches of Sierras coming off Migrino. Rooster action was solid 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.

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 reported some thunderstorms again this past week.  The When the boats got out they found plentiful summer Dorado close in even for the super pangas.  The Yellowfin Tuna showed up again this past week to add to the daily tally and plentiful Dorado added to some great fun and 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, Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna.  The inshore boats had another solid week and reported good action on Snappers and Queen Triggers. With the Dorado close to shore the super pangas also scored nice catches for their anglers.

Over the past week The El Cid fleet fished a total of 15 offshore days and 8 Super Panga inshore trips – less than normal due to the thunderstorms in their area...  They reported 9 Striped Marlin, 2 Sailfish, 32 Dorados, and 21 Yellowfin Tuna. Inshore, they reported 65 Snappers,64 Queen Triggerfish and 15 Corbinas.

Mazatlan Climate: July started with a warming summer weather pattern with scattered thunderstorms and a bit higher winds than normal. The outlook for late July into early August is similar with warming to the low 90’s daytime and upper 70’s into low 80’s in the evenings. The forecast through early August is for partly cloudy to partly sunny skies with some scattered thunderstorms moving in and breezes lowering to a modest 8-10 mph range primarily out of the West trending toward the SW toward early August.  Humidity is predicted to be in the lower 70’s into early August for very pleasant fishing conditions. The forecast calls for a 20%-50% chance of daily precipitation forecast over the next couple of weeks.

Sea Conditions: The water has been warming and is now in the 85-87 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 8-10 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

The rainy season has started to settle in and there are very few visitors to Zihuatanejo 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 some really good sailfish results with 2-5 billfish 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. Capt Temo reported some very large Roosters for one pair of clients.

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 plentiful with some very large fish reported.

 

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 early August.  The winds are expected to be very mild in the 6-10 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 pushing the building clouds into the coastal mountains, rain dumping on the mountains in the evening, and then begin rebuilding the next day.

Sea Conditions: The offshore water temperature is unusually warm 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 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 very successful and busy 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 opted 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 are winding down for the season but fishermen enjoyed a big showing of giant Atlantic Barracuda. Many of the trips were the 4-6 hour trips that tend to target the very productive shallow water reefs. The fleet reported 5 Sailfish, 1 White Marlin, 1 Wahoo, 33 Giant Atlantic Barracuda, 4 Mahi-Mahi, 1 King Mackerel , and 1 Blackfin Tuna from targeted offshore fishing.   The close in reef fishing reported 252 Chack-Chi (Caribbean Snappers), 25 Mutton Snappers, 20 Black Groupers, and 73 Queen Triggerfish.  A total of 46 offshore fish and 370 inshore fish for a total of 416 fish for an average of over7 fish per trip on a total of 59 trips!!

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  early August 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 early 90’s with evenings in the upper 70’s.  Humidity is expected to be in the lower 70’s. Winds are expected to be modest in the 8-12 mph range shifting primarily to out of the East and ESE into early August. Expect some occasional showers and late afternoon scattered thunderstorms. Daily precipitation forecast is the 10-40% range almost every day into early August.

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 8-12 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