THE CABO SAN LUCAS FISH REPORT - THE GAVIOTA SPORTFISHING FLEET AND MORE

The billfish catches did pick up a little this week, but the fishing focus was on the yellowfin tuna and the fast action they were offering. Mostly school fish in the 8-25 lb. ranges, many of the boats found it easy limit type fishing, once the porpoise schools were located. Overall combined fish counts for the Gaviota Fleet and the Fish Cabo boats, reporting for a total of 50 days fished, reflected 13 stripers, (8 released) 19 dorado, 58 yellowtail, 60 giant Humbolt squid and 652 yellowfin tuna.

Cabo Climate: Sunny, warm and picture perfect days, temps from 61 nights to 89 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: Pacific side, from the Golden Gate, down and across the Jaime Bank, temps were 69-70 and extended easterly to Cabo. Above Cabo and into the Sea of Cortez, temps were rising from 72-74 from Palmilla Point and above from there.

Best Fishing Area: Most of the fishing was 35 miles or so south of Cabo and around to the 95 and 1150 fathom spots.

Best Lure/Bait: Most of the billfish were taken on live bait. Tuna were eager to bite most anything, especially the tuna feathers, cedar plugs, anything shinny, i.e. chrome, blue & chrome, etc.

Live Bait Supply: Still a good mix of bait, both mackerel and caballios.

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THE MAZATLAN FISH REPORT - THE ARIES SPORTFISHING FLEET

Unfortunately, the offshore fishing did not improve this week and the skippers had to work very hard to produce even a single fish from the offshore waters. Catch reports for 23 days fished reflected 2 stripers, 7 dorado, 12 yellowfin tuna and 1 hammerhead shark. The inshore super pangas, reporting for 7 days fished, reflected a wide variety that included 30 cabrillas, 32 Vaquetas, 25 pargo and limits of loras and conejos.

Mazatlan Climate: Sunny and warm, temps from a cool 47 nights to a warm 85 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: Calm waters with temps from 69-70 inshore to 72-73 offshore.

Best Fishing Area: There really isn't an established "best" area as the skippers are searching far and wide in all directions.

Best Lure/Bait: Not reported
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THE IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO FISH REPORT - THE INDEPENDENT FLEET

2-Week Report:

Changing water temperatures and current streaks over the past few weeks have made fishing difficult for this area and the skippers are having to work very hard for the fish they do catch. Even when they find the sailfish, most the time, you can't get them to bite. It appeared that things were starting to change some 2 weeks ago, but it must have just been wishful thinking, as it settled right back into the unstable conditions in the following week. In the early part of the reporting period, the "Bloody Hook" reported 3 sailfish, 3 dorado, 1 striper and 5 jack cravelle, the "Suerte Ruby" landed a 300 lb. blue marlin and the super panga, "Llamarada" landed 4 sailfish out of one school. Even the tuna were beginning to show at about 20-25 miles and the bluer water was showing at about 18 miles.

As week two rolled around, the cold green water still persistted in the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo area. This band of water extends to over the 20 mile mark and has made the fishing both inshore and offshore difficult. Our captains are reporting some SAILFISH in various bands of green water but their numbers much like their willingness to bite is quite slim. Captain Chiro aboard the Bloody Hook reported 4 SAILFISH and a single 150 lb BLACK MARLIN for 4 days of fishing. Captain Javier aboard the Marlin Azul reported 5 YELLOWTAIL JACKS for 1 day. Captain Jose aboard the La Bamba scored 1 SAILFISH a 3 Jacks in one offshore day. Captain Temo on the Secuestro also had a 1 SAILFISH day as did Captain Omero of the Duquesa. Inshore the activity is very slow for all species. Our captain also reported seeing good numbers of Yellowfin Tuna beyond the 25 mile mark. April has historically been a very good month for both Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna and we are all eagerly awaiting that change in fishing.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Weather: Sunny days cool mornings, temps from 70 nights to 87 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: Calm to Moderate, streaky currents, off colored water, temps now at 80 inshore to 82 offshore.

Bait Supply: Fair