THE CABO SAN LUCAQS FISHING REPORT FOR THE GAVIOTA SPORTFISHING FLEET AND FISH CABO FLEET

It's been a long time since I've seen the fishing so difficult from Cabo San Lucas. I remember back to 1978, when I was a fishing skipper from Cabo San Lucas, having a stretch of nearly 4 months where we had no billfish catches at all and even if you did see a sleeper and got a bait right on it, it still wouldn't bite. It was a frustrating fishing period. Albeit, we did have good yellowfin tuna catches during that off period of time that helped to take up some of the slack times. I believe it's just the cycle of fishing overall in
all areas and only the passing of time cures the temporary doldrums.
The boat skippers are making difficult decisions everyday as where to fish and for the past month or so, the only area that offered some form of almost guaranteed action has been the inshore fishing grounds for the Sierra, occasional yellowtail, grouper, cabrilla, etc. Over this past week, we reflected a combined total of 19 days fished that produced 3 stripers (released) 3 dorado, 1 mako shark, 28 yellowfin tuna, 15 skipjack, 41 Bonito and 83 Sierra.

Cabo Climate: Partly cloudy to cloudy days and cool nights with temps from 56 nights to 78 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: We are in the "change of water" season with daily temp changes and current steaks and clarity changes. Golden Gate Bank to Gordo Bank, temps are now at 68-70 degrees and lots of greenish, off-color water. Cleaner waters witth good blue clarity are outside the 1,000 fathom curve and mostly out to the south of Cabo San Lucas. We should start seeing some swordfish catches pop up in the fish counts, very soon.

Best Fishing Area: There is no concentration of fish in any of the offshore waters and almost all of the fish have been taken from the Pacific side of Cabo.

Best Lure/Bait: Live bait for the 3 billfish, feathers and cedar plugs for the tuna.

Live Bait Supply: Not reported
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THE MAZATLAN FISHING REPORT FOR THE ARIES SPORTFISHING FLEET

Mazatlan is still producing a better than 50% chance for a billfish and it is the time of year when they catch mostly the Pacific striped marlin in their offshore waters. However, they have also been affected by the ever changing water conditions that normally don't
show up until mid-February or early March, and while they are still
having a daily shot at billfish, the change is evident and almost predictable if the waters and currents continue to change. Even the inshore fishing has seen significant changes that can be related to the water temps and water clarity in the area. The offshore Aries Fleet reported 9 days fishing that resulted in 5 stripers and 1 mako shark, (mako sharks are usually indicative of cooler and greener waters, same as swordfish). The inshore super pangas reported in for
7 days fished and reflected 1 corvina, 2 jack cravelle, 8 Baquetas, 2 cabrilla, 11 pargo, 10 cochitos and 39 mojarres.

Mazatlan Climate: Partly cloudy days with cold nights, temps from 47 nights to 79 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: Inshore waters are 64-65 degrees and mostly green, rising to 71 degrees at 14-15 miles out to the south but not cleaning to fishable clear waters until 19-20 miles or so.

Best Fishing Area: Out to the south of the Marina El Cid at about 19-20 miles, but no real concentration of fish; just scattered over a wide area.

Best Lure/Bait: The rigged baits caught all the fish offshore.

Bait Supply: A very good bait supply for Mazatlan, both live bait & rigged baits.
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THE IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT FOR THE INDEPENDENT SPORTFISHING FLEET

If you're coming from the cold, snowy areas, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is the place to be and is offering sun-shiny days and a toasty, warm climate. Better yet, the offshore fishing continues to be the best for the Pacific ports, too, with lots of good sailfish action going on, everyday. According to Captain Temo Verboonen, the sailfish bite is excellent and reports the boats are having numerous strikes and many release opportunities throughout the fleet, everyday. Most of the boats are having average catches of 2-5 sailfish per day, (some with more) and many more opportunities. The inshore fishing took a "nose-dive" on some days when the red tide came through. On the days when the water was clear, the fish moved back in and the better fishing was accomplished using deep running Rapalas from the outriggers. Overall, the fishing is very good and the anglers are having great catching opportunities.

IZ Climate: Mostly sunny & warm days with pleasant evenings and nights, temps from 65 nights to 88 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: Inshore waters a little cool and periods of red
tide, making fishing/catching a little testy for the anglers.
Offshore, the water temps rise to about 82 degrees by the 100 fathom curve and the cleaner waters, (clean green) begins about 8-10 miles

Best Fishing Area: Starting at about 10 miles out from the Bay, but can change from day to day.

Best Lure/Bait: Rigged baits working very well for the offshore fishing and deep water artificials for the inshore waters.

Bait Supply: Continues to be readily available for both, rigged dead baits and live bait.
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THE PUERTO MORELOS SPORTFISHING REPORT FOR THE MARINA EL CID SPORTFISHING FLEET, (CANCUN TO COZUMEL AREA)

An excellent report was received from Armando Gutierrez, the Marina El Cid Fleet Manger, that reflected good catches of quality sized grouper in the 10-20 lb. ranges, lots of snappers, bigger barracuda, (20-40 lb. ranges) and good opportunities for the great eating king mackerel. The overall weather conditions have been very good and most of the fishing right now is taking place just 2-3 miles from the Marina. The overall fishing report for 37 days reflected a broad variety of mixed bag catches that included 1 sailfish, 7 yellowfin tuna, 42 snapper, 40 grouper, 4 blue runners, 24 bonito, 28 triggerfish, 9 Atlantic barracuda, 16 Sierra, 27 King mackerel, 1 pargo, and one new species, 19 soapfish, (a bottom fish caught in the grouper areas that sticks close to the rocky areas and looks like a small grouper).
Puerto Morelos Climate: Partly cloudy days with intermittent periods of bright sunshine and temps from 55 nights to 81 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: Near excellent with a stable 80 degree temperature throughout the area.

Best Fishing Area: 2-3 miles from the entrance to the Marina El Cid

Best Bait/Lure: Slow trolling with bonito in the downriggers for bigger grouper, drifting with ballyhoo or slow trolling the ballyhoo on the surface. (Fishing in about 120 feet of water).

Bait Supply: Remains very good, especially for the ballyhoo. Bonito used for bait are often caught fresh, daily.

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Larry Edwards
CORTEZ YACHT CHARTERS
619-469-4255