Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

Week ended 10/31/19

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

Another fabulous week in the peak tournament season with the success rate was still well over 90%! The recreational boats were averaging at least 2-3 bites per day and many limits of Dorado. The boats targeting the Yellowfin had great success with school fish in the 20-30 lb range. The larger Tuna again showed up with multiple reports of fish in the 75 – 200 lb range. The Dorado counts were again high again with overall size down a bit with lots of 10-20 lbs “schoolies. The Wahoo counts were steady with most in the 40-50 lb range and again found primarily well offshore out on the Marlin grounds.   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 in the surf.

The prime Marlin activity (including the Blues) was on the Pacific side with very favorable reports from the Golden Gate and San Jamie banks on the Pacific side with the waters offshore the Lighthouse, Migrino, Gaspareno, and Cerritos also mentioned as hot spots. As the tournament season kicked off, many of the tournament boats headed east to Iman Bank in search of the large Black Marlin. The Yellowfin were found primarily to the south and southwest with good action off the San Jamie bank and some nice schools out at the Golden Gate. Many of the larger Yellowfin were reported on the inside from the 1150 over to the Gordos. Most of the Dorado were running in the 10-20 lb range and plentiful enough many of the boats were able to cull and release smaller fish and still make their anglers’ limit with the larger 20 lb fish.  Blue Marlin in the 200-250 lb range are showing in the warm water and there was a steady release of Pacific Sailfish. The Dorado showed up in good numbers on the west side from Los Arcos north to Gaspareno and also closer in from El Arco to off the Lighthouse. Large numbers of smaller Dorado were reported on the Cortez side from Palmilla to the east.

Inshore fishing was again solid with some really nice catches of Sierras along Migrino. Roosters showed up again in the surf from Solmar to the Lighthouse and off Palmilla with some reported in the 30-40 lb range.  Some very nice catches of Red Snappers and Groupers were also reported fishing close to the rocks around El Arco. Large Jacks were available off the rocks from Solmar west.

This week features the Pelagic Rockstar Tuna Tournament (11/1-11/3) and the Cabo Tuna Jackpot (11/6-11/9).

Cabo Climate:  Mid October was a mix of warm muggy days with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies and occasional scatted late afternoon thunder storms. The future outlook into early November is for very comfortable days with mostly sunny and partly cloudy skies with average daytime temps in the mid 80’s and evenings in the low 70’s. The 2 week forecast is for mostly sunny skies and partly cloudy skies with zero chance of precipitation. Winds are expected to be a bit lower into mid month in the 8-10 mph range out of the West lowering shifting into the single range out of the WSW in mid November. Humidity is expected to run in the upper 50’s.

Sea Conditions:  The seas are expected to be moderate with some larger swells and chop showing up in the afternoons as breezes increase.  Morning seas have, however, have been in the 2’-3’ range. The Pacific side sea temps are currently running in the 80-83 degree range with mostly clear water. The inside is warmer with temps in the 82-85 degree range off Palmilla to lower to mid 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:  Most of this week’s hot spots for Marlin action were on the Pacific side with the Lighthouse, Punta Gorda, Migrino,  Gaspareno, Cerritos and the Golden Gate and the San Jamie banks all producing some nice marlin catches.  Blues were reported off the San Jamie and Golden Gate. The Lighthouse and Cerritos seemed to be the hot spots for the multiple billfish hookups.  The big Blacks were being found to the east around the Iman Bank. The Yellowfin were primarily reported off to the SW or the South 25-30 miles out and in the Herradura and also at the San Jamie Bank and Golden Gate banks. The kite action off the San Jamie produced some 100-200 lb Yellowfin. Some nice Dorado action reported 4-6 miles off the Lighthouse for the smaller craft and returning boats from the San Jamie. The interior corridor from Los Arcos to Palmilla produced lots of schoolie Dorado and also off the Lighthouse out toward to the canyon. Lots of Dorado action off the west coast. 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 large fish and large Jacks in the surf from El Arco west past Solmar to the Lighthouse.

Favorite Baits: Throwing live Cabilitos or Mackerel 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 or floating live Cabilitos once the schools were located.  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

Mazatlan again enjoyed some improved weather but still modest tourist counts.  The good news is the Sailfish that Mazatlan is historically known for showed up again in good numbers!  The billfish counts were up significantly with a higher mix of the Sailfish that 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, and Dorado.  The inshore boats had another solid week and reported good action on Snappers, Jacks and Pompanos.  They reported 18 Sailfish, 4 Striped Marlin, 6 Yellowfin Tuna and 2 Dorado on 11 offshore trips and 58 Snappers and 38 Queen Triggerfish on 6 inshore trips.

Mazatlan Climate: Mid October showed a normal early fall pattern with some scattered thunderstorms with a bit higher winds than normal. The outlook for the fall pattern into mid November is improved with afternoons in the mid to upper 80’s daytime and mid to low 70’s in the evenings. The forecast into mid November is for partly cloudy to partly sunny skies with 10% or under chance of scattered thunderstorms moving in early or toward the end of the day. Breezes are forecast in the 9-11 mph range primarily out of the West trending toward the WNW later into November.  Humidity is predicted to be in the mid 60’s into mid November.  Overall the forecast is very favorable into mid November.

Sea Conditions: The water is now in the 84-85 degree range. 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 outlook is for relatively calm seas in the mornings with the winds in the 4-8 mph range and some afternoon swells with 9-11 mph winds.

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 25-30 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 Rooster fishing in IZ is exceptional right now!   The independent fleet reported sparse action due to off season tourist activity but some really good results raising 3-5 billfish fish per day as close as 8-10 miles and exceptional action on Roosters and Jacks.  Some larger Blue Marlin showed up offshore in the blue water. The big Yellowfin are available but found way out beyond the 1000 fathom mark 30-35 miles out 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 early to mid December and many large fish are showing up to go with strong catches.

Capt Temo reported great success this past week with many Roosters easily found to both the north and the south and aggressively hitting poppers. Many of the fishermen are focused on fly fishing during the prime Rooster season ahead of the peak tourist season starting in mid November.

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 are out 30+ miles out past the 1000 fathom mark with lots of quality fish in the 50—100+ lb range. Blue Marlin were present 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 near the end of their rainy season with a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy days with occasional late afternoon and evening thunderstorms followed by cloudy but clear weather the following morning during the prime fishing time.  The 2 week outlook is for warm temps with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with occasional scattered very early morning and late afternoon and evening scattered thunderstorms. Daily temps are predicted in the upper 80’s and night time temps in the upper 70’s with humidity expected to run in the low to mid 70’s. The winds are expected to be very mild in the 5-7 mph range primarily from the West and shifting to the WSW by mid November.  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 now in the 84-85 degree 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 also in the 84-85 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. 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 in Puerto Morelos enjoyed improved weather and strong results with modest tourist activity ahead of the start of the prime season beginning in mid-November. With the close-in shallow reef 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. This past week the Mahi seemed to disappear but were replaced by lots of Giant Atlantic Barracuda and Bonito.

The billfish are winding down for the season but fishermen enjoyed overall great results on the off shore trips.  The fleet reported 3 Sailfish, 57 Giant Atlantic Barracuda, 5 King Mackerel, 4 Blackfin Tuna, 131 Bonito, and 1 Wahoo from targeted offshore fishing.   The close in reef fishing reported 80 Chack-Chi (Caribbean Snappers), 10 Mutton Snappers,  4 Black Grouper,  and 20 Queen Triggerfish.  A total of 206 offshore fish and 114 inshore fish for a total of 320 fish for an average of almost 9 fish per trip on a total of only 36 trips!!

PM/Cancun Climate:  The Yucatan early fall weather pattern typically has very warm days with early morning to late afternoon scattered thunderstorms as the clouds build coming off the warm water.  The extended forecast into early November is for a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies coupled with scattered occasional early morning and late afternoon showers or isolated afternoon thunderstorms.  Daytime temperatures are predicted in the mid to upper 80’s with evenings in the mid 70’s.  Humidity is expected to be in the mid to upper 70’s. Winds are expected to be very modest in the 6-10 mph range primarily out of the SSE trending toward the ENE into November.  Expect some occasional early morning showers and late afternoon scattered thunderstorms. Daily precipitation forecast is much lower in the 10-40% range almost every day into mid November.

Sea Conditions:  Water temperatures in the Cancun-Puerto Morelos-Cozumel area are running in the 83-84 degree range.  Seas are running from calm to a bit choppy depending on the weather conditions.   The prevailing winds are still in their early fall pattern and are predicted to be out of the East trending toward the ENE at 8-11 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