Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 09/19/19

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

The late summer fishing in Cabo continues to reward those anglers favoring the Cabo charter fleet!  Most boats were reporting 2-3 billfish per day and we had one report of a double digit Striper day at the Golden Gate Bank. 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.  It appears the Stripers action has moved around to the Pacific side while the Blues, Blacks and Sailfish remain primarily on the Cortez inside. 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 15-30 lbs “schoolies “showing up and some 40-50 lb Bulls reported out on the Marlin grounds. The Wahoo counts were up 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 with the bonus of several Dorado closer in 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 very large Roosterfish.

The prime Marlin activity was spread out a bit this past week with positive reports from the 1150 Spot and the 95 spots with some favorable reports off of Punta Gorda but some indications the actions is shifting toward the Pacific 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. The Gordos reports were very spotty with some larger Yellowfin found off toward the Cabrillo Seamount in warmer waters.  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 to El Al Arco 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 with some reported in the 40-50 lb range.  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:  Mid September was a mix of hot muggy days with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies and occasional scatted late afternoon thunder storms. . The future outlook into late September and early October  is for more of the same with mostly sunny to 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 to partly skies with some occasional scattered thunderstorms showing up early mornings and late afternoons. Winds are expected to be in the 11-15 mph range into early October mostly out of the WSW trending toward the WNW by early October.  Humidity is expected to run in the early mid 70’s.

Sea Conditions:  With the afternoon winds in the teen to 11-15 mph 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’-5’ range. The Pacific side sea temps are currently running in the 80-82 degree range with mostly clear water. The inside is warmer 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 and Golden Gate and the San Jamie also producing some nice marlin catches.  There are some indications that the Striped Marlin bite is shifting toward the Pacific side. The Yellowfin were primarily reported off to the SW or the South 24-30 miles out and in the Herradura and also at the San Jamie Bank. Some nice action reported 4-6 miles off the Lighthouse for the smaller craft and returning boats. 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, with some very large fish 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

Again this past week, 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 schools were large and found to the Southwest when the boats could get out the longer distance between the thunderstorms.  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.

Although we didn’t’ get a detailed fish count again this week due to the weather  this week, they did report good Yellowfin action out at the25-30 mile mark and a good mix of Marlin and Sailfish a bit closer when the boats were able to get out. The inshore pangas reported a good mix of Snapper, Sea Bass and Triggerfish along with some nice Jacks.

Mazatlan Climate: Mid September showed a normal late summer pattern with scattered thunderstorms with a bit higher winds than normal. The outlook for late September into early October is similar with afternoons in the mid 70’s’s daytime and low to mid 60’s in the evenings. The forecast through late September into early October is for partly cloudy to partly sunny skies with normal scattered thunderstorms moving in early or toward the end of the day and breezes in a very low 6-7 mph range primarily out of the West trending toward the E/NE toward early October.  Humidity is predicted to be in the mid 70’s into early October.  The forecast calls for a 50-60% chance of scattered early or late afternoon thunderstorms forecast over the next couple of weeks.

Sea Conditions: The water has been warming and is now in the 86-87 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 the winds in the 6-7 mph range.

Best Fishing Area: The offshore bite for the billfish is starting as close as 8- 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 rainy season has settled in and is nearly half over 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 big 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 offshore along with the historic Zihuatanejo Sailfish bite much closer. 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. Capt Temo is having no problem finding large Roosters inshore for the few clients that are there.

IZ Climate: They are now midway into their rainy season with a mix of partly cloudy days with almost daily late afternoon and early evening thunderstorms.  The 2 week outlook is for warm temps with mostly partly cloudy skies with scattered late afternoon 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 early October.  The winds are expected to be mild in the 6-12 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 88-90degrees 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

 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 close in fishing on the shallow water reefs!  They had to duck multiple late summer 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 good showing Giant Atlantic Barracuda.  The fleet reported no Sailfish, 23 Giant Atlantic Barracuda, 13 Mahi-Mahi, 9 King Mackerel 18 Bonito and 1 Wahoo from targeted offshore fishing.   The close in reef fishing reported 212 Chack-Chi (Caribbean Snappers), 34 Mutton Snappers,  22 Black Grouper,  2 Queen Triggerfish, and 8 Jack Crevalle..  A total of 80 offshore fish and 278inshore fish for a total of 358 fish for an average of over 7 fish per trip on a total of 51 trips!!

PM/Cancun Climate:  The Yucatan has settled into its late summer weather pattern with very warm days with early morning to late afternoon scattered thunderstorms as the clouds build coming off the warm water.  The extended forecast into late September and early October  is for a mix of mostly partly cloudy skies coupled with scattered occasional early morning and 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 early October.  Expect some occasional early morning showers and late afternoon scattered thunderstorms. Daily precipitation forecast is the 10-40% range almost every day into early October.

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