Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 08/07/19

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

The expectation was that the overall bite might increase headed into the full moon but things just seemed to stay steady this past week. The Striped Marlin bite was solid this past week with an average of 1-2 fish per boat. More and more Blues and Sailfish are showing up in the reports with most of the Blues in the 200-250 lb range. Still no confirmed reports of Black Marlin although positive reports came of the East Cape this past month. The Yellowfin Tuna action was really solid for the boats that made the longer runs out to the Tuna grounds. The Dorado counts increased particularly on the inside with most fish running in the 15-20 lb range but numerous bulls up to 40 lbs. The 1150 Spot and the 95 Spot were the preferred fishing locations for most of the fleet. Many boats were returning after releasing a marlin or two along with a mix of several Yellowfin and Dorado to provide some tasty 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 although the Roosterfish slowed a bit headed into the off season.

 

The prime Marlin activity was reported at the 1150 Spot and the 95 Spot. The Yellowfin were found primarily to the south and southwest and reduced action around the Gordos and the Cabrillo Seamount to the southeast perhaps from the presence of several commercial Tuna boats. Most of the Tuna are “schoolies” in the 10-35 lb range. The Dorado were running in the 15-20 lb range with a few larger Bulls reported scattered from Migrino around the point and to the south toward the Herradura and east off Palmilla.  Some Blue Marlin in the 200-250 lb range are showing in the warmer water and we also had additional reports of the Sailfish showing up with the warmer waters.

Inshore fishing was again 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 although slower from the previous 2 weeks.  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:  August started with a mix of muggy mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies and a bit higher winds than normal.  The future outlook into mid August is for more of the same with mostly sunny skies and partly cloudy skies with average daytime temps in the upper 80’s and evenings in the upper 70’s. The 2 week forecast is for mostly sunny skies with no precipitation forecast through mid to late August. Winds are expected to lie down a bit in the 8-15 mph range into mid to late August mostly out of the West and NW.  Humidity is expected to run in the mid to upper 80’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, have been in the 2’-3’ range. Forecast through mid to late August is for more of the same with winds in the 8-15 mph range from the West and NW. The Pacific side sea temps are running in the 71-74 degree range with mostly clear water. The inside has warmed with temps in the 81-85 degree range off Palmilla to lower 80’s around the Gordos with upper 70’s to low 80’s south in the Herradura and out near the 1150 and 95 Spots.

Best Fishing Areas:  The 1150 Spot was a hotspot for Marlin action this past week along with the 95 Spot. The Yellowfin were most often found 20-25 miles out to the south and southwest. Los Arcos and Migrino were the choice for inshore fishing with some really nice catches of Sierras coming off Migrino. Rooster action was solid, although a bit slower, 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 (especially for the Blues) and throwing live bait to surface fish.  Cedar plugs and feathers 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 struggled with some severe thunderstorms this past week but when the boats were able to get out they found solid fishing.  The summer time Dorado were close in and within reach for the super pangas.  The Yellowfin Tuna showed up in increasing numbers this past week to add to the daily tally. The billfish counts were solid with an even mix of Sailfish and Striped Marlin. Their inshore fishing produced solid results for fishermen on 4 hour or 6 hour trips.

The offshore boats reported a nice 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.

Due to the weather over the past week The El Cid fleet only fished a total of 8 offshore days and 6 Super Panga inshore trips.  They reported 2 Striped Marlin, 2 Sailfish, 8 Dorados, and 25 Yellowfin Tuna. Inshore, they reported 35 Snappers, and 60 Queen Triggerfish.

Mazatlan Climate: August started with a warming summer weather pattern with scattered thunderstorms and a bit higher winds than normal. The outlook for mid to late 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 mid to late August is for partly cloudy to partly sunny skies with some scattered thunderstorms moving in and breezes lowering to a modest 8-12mph range primarily out of the West trending toward the SW toward later in August.  Humidity is predicted to be in the mid 70’s into late August for very pleasant fishing conditions. The forecast calls for a 10%-30% chance of scattered thunderstorms 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 picking up 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 setled in and there are very few visitors to Zihuatanejo but the fishing conditions in Zihuatanejo are absolutely incredible right now with Blue Marlin to go along with always plentiful Sailfish but very few fishermen around to take advantage of the abundance of billfish!  The independent fleet reported sparse action but some really good results with 2-5 billfish fish per day for the few boats that were chartered.  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 and the Rooster season. Capt Temo reported some very large Roosters for the few days he had 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 past the 1000 fathom mark with lots of quality fish in the 50--75 lb range. Blue 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. With “crud” being washed down the rivers and inlets, the Dorado are present around flotsam lines.

IZ Climate: They are now into their rainy season with a mix partly cloudy days with almost daily late afternoon and early evening thunderstorms beginning to creep in. The 2 week outlook is for warm temps with partly some sunny but mostly partly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms on a regular basis. Daily temps are predicted in the upper 80’s and night time temps in the high 70’s with humidity expected to run in the mid 70’s through mid August.  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 pushing the building clouds into the coastal mountains, rain dumping on the mountains in the late afternoon and 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 ideal for 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 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 nice showing of giant Atlantic Barracuda and 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 3 Sailfish, 1 White Marlin, 1 Wahoo, 32 Giant Atlantic Barracuda, 44 Mahi-Mahi, 1 King Mackerel , and 3 Blackfin Tuna from targeted offshore fishing.   The close in reef fishing reported 172 Chack-Chi (Caribbean Snappers), 12 Mutton Snappers, 19 Black Groupers,  76 Queen Triggerfish, 3 Rubias and 2 large Amberjacks.  A total of 87 offshore fish and 284 inshore fish for a total of 370 fish for an average of over 5 ½ fish per trip on a total of 66 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  mid to late 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 9-11 mph range primarily out of the East and ESE into mid August. Expect some occasional showers and late afternoon scattered thunderstorms. Daily precipitation forecast is the 10-40% range almost every day into mid to late 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 9-11 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