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

Falling water temps on both sides of the peninsula have changed the overall fishing conditions, at least for now. This past week reflected a slowing trend for the Pacific side, which is abnormal for this time of year. However, it all can change for the better in a very short span of time and much will probably depend on the surface winds throughout the area. (See Cabo Climate & Sea Conditions). As we move into the Christmas season, there was a slowing trend for charter fishing days and this, too, factored into the overall fish counts for the week. For the 19 days that were fished the boats reflected 5 stripers released, 22 yellowfin tuna, 15 dorado and 15 Sierra for their efforts, with all fish coming from the Pacific side of Cabo.

Cabo Climate: Mostly sunny days with a few passing clouds out to the southwest, with cold mornings & evenings and comfortable days. Temps ranged from 51 nights to 76 daytime highs, (unseasonably cool) and 10-20 knots of northeast wind blowing down the Sea of Cortez side.

Sea Conditions: Changing water temperatures, mostly sliding downward, on the Pacific side and the Sea of Cortez side. Pacific side is currently 73-74 from the beach, out to the 1000 fathom curve, wrapping Cabo and up to the Gorda Banks. Above the Gorda Banks, the temps fall to 70-71 derees. The only warm waters are out to the south of Cabo, starting at about 12-15 miles, that are in the 75-76 degree ranges.

Best Fishing Area: Much more difficult to define a specific area but the Pacific side is still reflecting the better catches for the fleets. However, we are seeing a slight moving trend for the fish toward Gray Rock (Cabeza de Ballena) and Chileno area and if it continues, the fish may be on the move toward the Sea of Cortez.

Best Lure/Bait: Live bait was the right ammunition for the week for both billfish and dorado, while the tuna were still being dazzled on the Cedar plugs and feathers.

Live Bait Supply: Remained good for most off the week with a mix of caballitos and a few mackerel.
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THE MAZATLAN FISHING REPORT FOR THE ARIES SPORTFISHING FLEET

Mazatlan suffered a very bad ocean week with high winds for 5 straight days that kept the port closed to the fishing fleet. The only billfish taken for the week was aboard the "Aries I", capturing a sailfish that measured out at the 8-foot mark and was caught by the Casey Visek and sons charter, from Hiawatha, Iowa. There were only three offshore fishing days reported for the week that resulted with the one sailfish, 1 mako shark and 2 dorado and only a singe super panga fishing day that caught 2 snapper. The water temperatures have fallen considerably during this past week and the overall fishing conditions have changed from inshore to offshore area. It is likely we will begin to see more of the cooler water fish, (Sierra, Yellowtail, corvina, etc.) show up in the inshore fish counts very shortly.

Mazatlan Climate: Partly cloudy and windy for most of the week with temps that ranged 46 nights to 78 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: The north winds have been blowing strong and the water temps have fallen rapidly to 64 inshore, rising slowly to 69 at 8-10 miles, 71 at about 18 miles and the big temp break is at the 29-30 mile mark, moving up to 76-77 degrees. This instability through the week has changed the fishing and while we normally experience a water temp cooling trend about this time of year, it is not usually this severe.

Best Lure/Bait: Rigged trolling baits caught all of the offshore fish this week

Best Fishing Area: None reported!

Bait Supply: No problem with the bait supply with both rigged baits and live bait available.
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THE IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT FOR THE INDEPENDENT SPORTFISHING FLEET

Captain Temo Verboonen reports fantastic weather and superb sea conditions but still a serious lack of anglers. The area offers near 300 sportfishing boat opportunities and the typical fishing day can
range from a handful, (5) to about 15 boats out, on any given day.
As for the fishing, it remains pretty good, especially for sailfish and dorado and the best part is most of the dorado are 30-plus lbs.
and they are biting the rigged trolling baits pretty well. A real plus for the fishing right now is the closeness to the Bay, about 5 miles off shore. The inshore action continues to be good for the jack cravalle, bonito and Sierras but lacked the roosterfish this past week.

IZ Climate: Partly cloudy but warm and pleasant days with temperatures that ranged from 70 nights to 89 daytime highs and very light tropical surface breezes.

Sea Conditions: Holding very stable right now and ranging between
82-83 degrees from the beach to 40 miles offshore and more. Water is clean close to shore and the billfish and dorado are close by in the clean waters.

Best Fishing Area: Starting right at the 5-mile mark, the dorado are eagerly biting at the trolling baits and the fish are nice quality sizes in the 30-plus lb. ranges.

Best Lure/Bait: The rigged trolling baits were working best for the offshore waters and live bait and poppers working well for the inshore waters.

Bait Supply: Remains very good for both, fresh trolling baits and live bait.
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THE PUERTO MORELOS FISHING REPORT FOR THE MARINA EL CID SPORTFISHING FLEET, (CANCUN TO COZUMEL AREA)

Another banner fishing week from Puerto Morelos with an excellent early season sailfish report that reflected 11 sailfish for the fleet this past week. We have been seeing scattered sailfish in the fish reports for the past couple of months but this past week, there was a surge in the numbers and that could mean the area is in for an early prime time period for the billfish this coming year, which normally occurs during the month of May. That would be exciting news for the early season anglers and perhaps reflect a longer billfish season, too. The overall catches for a total of 22 days fished reflected 11 sailfish, 7 dorado, 12 blackfin tuna, 35 bonito, 19 Atlantic barracuda, 6 Spanish mackerel, 3 king mackerel, 4 triggerfish, 7 grouper and 2 amberjack.

PM Climate: Mostly cloudy but warm days and comfortable evenings with temps from 65 nights to 85 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: Overall, it's been a good week with stable temps holding at the 80 degree mark and light & variable tropical surface breezes.

Best Bait/Lure: The hot bite bait for this area remains the freshly caught ballyhoo that is used in a variety of baiting method, including skirts of various colors, cut bait, rigged and whole trolling baits, both from outriggers and downriggers.

Bait Supply: Remains readily available for all of the sportfishers on a daily basis.
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WARMEST GOOD WISHES & FISHES FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON,

Larry Edwards
CORTEZ YACHT CHARTERS
619-469-4255
email: cortezcharters@sbcglobal.net
website: www.cortezcharters.com