Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 09/05/19

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

Interesting end to August and the start of September. The Cabo fleet lost 2 days to port closure due to the passing of a tropical disturbance to the south but when they got out, they cleaned up! The billfish were plentiful and happy to engage. The fleet was averaging 2-3 billfish per boat making a lot of anglers happy! We had several reports of “Grand Slams” – Blue, Striped & Sails. As is typical of the late summer, the fleets were reporting a mixed bag of Striped & Blue Marlin and increasing numbers of Black Marlin to go with large Pacific Sailfish along with Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna with a few Wahoo mixed in. The Yellowfin Tuna action was really solid for the boats that made the longer runs out to the Tuna grounds. The Dorado counts were again high with 15-20 lbs “schoolies “showing up and some 40-50 lb Bulls reported out on the Marlin grounds. The Wahoo were spotty and again found primarily out on the primary Marlin grounds. We had more  reports of Black Marlin increasingly showing up as the water warms.  Many boats were returning after releasing several marlin or sailfish along with a mix of several Dorado to provide some tasty table fare for their anglers. We had a report of a 600 lb + Black coming off the Iman Bank to the East. 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 have slowed a bit headed into the off season.

The prime Marlin activity was again reported on the inside at the 1150 Spot and the 95 Spot with some favorable reports off of Punta Gorda and also some good action on the Golden Gate late in the week. The Yellowfin were found primarily to the south and southwest with some increased action off the San Jamie bank and some large (although not numerous) cows found off the Outer Gordos.  Most of the Tuna are “schoolies” in the 10-35 lb range but some larger fish in the 50-100 lb range were reported. The Dorado were running in the 10-20 lb range with a few larger Bulls reported out on the Marlin grounds.  Blue Marlin in the 200-250 lb range are showing in the warmer water and there was increased release of Pacific Sailfish showing up with the warmer waters. The Dorado showed up in good numbers off the Lighthouse and to the east toward Palmilla.

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 a bit slower than back in July.  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.

The 43’ Hatteras FISH CABO had a good week with 10 Marlin and 4 Dorado on 3 days of fishing and also the TUNA TIME with 8 Marlin and 10 Dorado on 4 days of fishing.

Cabo Climate:  September started with a mix of hot muggy days with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. The future outlook into mid September is for more of the same with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with average daytime temps in the upper 80’s and low 90’s and evenings in the upper 70’s. The 2 week forecast is for mostly sunny to partly skies with some occasional scattered thunderstorms showing up late afternoons. Winds are expected to be a bit lower in the 9-11 mph range into mid September mostly out of the WSW trending toward the West by mid month.  Humidity is expected to run in the mid 60’s.

Sea Conditions:  With the afternoon winds in the teen to 9-11 mph s the seas are expected to be moderate with some large swells and chop showing up in the afternoons as breezes increase.  Morning seas have, however, have been in the 2’-4’ range. Forecast through mid September is for flatter seas with winds in the 9-11 mph range from the WSW and West. The Pacific side sea temps are currently a bit cooler running in the 79-82 degree range with mostly clear water. The inside has warmed with temps in the 83-85 degree range off Palmilla to lower 80’s around the Gordos with low 80’s to mid 80’s south in the Herradura and out near the 1150 and 95 Spots.

Best Fishing Areas:  The 1150 and 95 Spots were the again hotspot for Marlin action this past week with Punta Gorda the Golden Gate also producing  some nice marlin catches.  The Yellowfin were most often found 20-25 miles out to the south and southwest with the San Jamie also producing some nice catches. The interior corridor from Los Arcos to Palmilla produced lots of schoolie Dorado and also off the Lighthouse out toward to the canyon. Palmilla, 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: Throwing live Cabilitos was the favorite for the Marlin with increased success from trolled lures (especially for the Blues and Sails). 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 Marina had to deal with multiple port closings due to thunderstorms and rough water.  When the boats were able to get out the summer time Dorado were close in and within reach for the super pangas.  The Yellowfin Tuna showed up in increasing numbers to the Southwest to add to the daily tally. The billfish counts were down a bit with a higher mix of Striped Marlin than the Sailfish Mazatlan is known for. 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, Sailfish, 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 and lower tourist activity The El Cid fleet fished a total of 14 offshore days and 6 Super Panga inshore and near shore trips.  They reported 4 Striped Marlin, 3 Sailfish, 13 Dorados, and 28 Yellowfin Tuna.  Inshore, they reported 50 Snappers, 15 Queen Triggerfish and 10 Corbinas.

Mazatlan Climate: Early September showed a normal late summer pattern with scattered thunderstorms with a bit higher winds than normal. The outlook for mid September is similar with afternoons in the upper 80’s to low 90’s daytime and upper 70’s to low 80’s in the evenings. The forecast through mid September is for partly cloudy to partly sunny skies with normal scattered thunderstorms moving in toward the end of the day and breezes in a very low 5-9 mph range primarily out of the SSW trending toward the WNW toward mid September.  Humidity is predicted to be in the mid 70’s into mid September.  The forecast calls for a 10-40% chance of scattered late afternoon thunderstorms forecast over the next couple of weeks.

Sea Conditions: The water has been warming and is now in the 88-897 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 the winds in the 5-9 mph range.

Best Fishing Area: The offshore bite for the billfish is starting as close as 10 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 summer rainy season has settled in at Zihuatanejo and there are very few visitors but the fishing conditions are very good right now and the fishing competition almost non-existent. With the unusually warm water there are Blue Marlin to go along with always plentiful Sailfish but very few fishermen around to take advantage of the abundance of billfish!  The Striped Marlin have moved out with the arrival of the warmer water. The independent fleet reported sparse action but some really good results raising 3-5 billfish fish per day as close as 8-10 miles.  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 late November into early December and large fish are showing up to go with strong catches. Capt Temo reported good success with large Roosters and Jacks with many of the fishermen focused on fly fishing during the prime Rooster season.

The action this past week for the few fishermen that went forth started as close as the 8-10 mile mark.  Large schools of Yellowfin were again found 30+ miles out past the 1000 fathom mark with lots of quality fish in the 50--100 lb range. Blue Marlin were present along with the historic Zihuatanejo Sailfish bite. Inshore large Jacks were very productive and the Roosters were plentiful with some very large fish reported. The Dorado were a bit spotty but available for feathers and small lures on the troll.

IZ Climate: They are now into their rainy season with a mix of 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 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 low to mid 70’s through mid September.  The winds are expected to be very mild in the 3-9 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 90degrees 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 85 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

Lots of Mahi-Mahi in Puerto Morelos this past week!  Our friends at the El Cid Resort & Marina reported a very successful week with many of the 4 hour and 6 hour charters loading up on the large close in schools of Mahi-Mahi. They did have to duck a few  thunderstorms so the overall trip counts were down a bit. 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 great  showing Mahi-Mahi.  The fleet reported 1 Sailfish, 1 White Marlin, 17 Giant Atlantic Barracuda, 141 Mahi-Mahi, 1 King Mackerel and 1 Blackfin Tuna from targeted offshore fishing.   The close in reef fishing reported 27 Chack-Chi (Caribbean Snappers), 6 Mutton Snappers,  1 Black Grouper,  12 Queen Triggerfish, 2 Jack Crevalle and 1 big Amberjack.  A total of 162 offshore fish and 49 inshore fish for a total of 211 fish for an average of over 5 fish per trip on a total of 43 trips!!

PM/Cancun Climate:  The Yucatan has settled into its late summer weather pattern with very warm days with late afternoon scattered thunderstorms as the clouds build coming off the warm water.  The extended forecast into mid September is for a mix of mostly partly cloudy skies coupled with scattered occasional late afternoon showers or isolated afternoon thunderstorms.  Daytime temperatures are predicted in high 80’swith evenings in the mid to upper 70’s.  Humidity is expected to be in the mid 70’s. Winds are expected to be very modest in the 5-10 mph range primarily out of the East and ENE into mid September. Expect some occasional showers and late afternoon scattered thunderstorms. Daily precipitation forecast is the 10-40% range almost every day into mid September.

Sea Conditions:  Water temperatures in the Cancun-Puerto Morelos-Cozumel area have warmed to the 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 ENE at 5-10 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