The yellowin tuna bite has been nothing short of exceptional over the past week and limit fishing was the norm for most of the boats with the average fish in the 30-35 lb. range and some fish that were above the 50-plus lbs., too. According to Captain Temo Verboonen, the tuna are in the 20 mile range and scattered all over in breezing schools, (not with the porpoise) and biting most everything that goes through the water when the fish pop-up. They bit the rigged baits, plastic swim baits and the live baits, too. The "Bloody Hook", skippered by Captain Chiro Barrigan, reported fishing 2 days with his client, Mr. Shunenson, landing 8 yellowfin tuna on the first day and missing a sailfish bite and 5 more on the 2nd day. However, the client did not want to fish the tuna and they moved off the fish to try to fin billfish, but without success. They were using Black Bart lures in the pink & blue and yellow, black & blue, both working very well on the yellowffin as were the silver skirted rigged baits. Chiro also reported the Esturion II reported about 50 yellowfin tuns for the day that included catches and releases and limits to take home.

Captain Temo said the billfish bite that had just got underway the week before had diminished to almost nothing and they were grateful for the showing of the yellowfin this week, allowing the anglers to experience the fun-fishing days of March. The inshore bite, especially for the big jack cravelle, was terrific and that most of the jacks were in the 30 lb. ranges, with the fish eager to bite in the white rocks area. There were still some good catches of Sierra and bonito taken in the same area.

IZ Climate:
Just an occasional passing cloud interrupted the sunny days and warm nights with temps from 68 nights to 90 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions:
Light & variable tropical surface breezes. Inshore temps at 77-78 degrees with a temp break at about 8-9 miles, jumping to 82.5 degrees.

Best Fishing Areas:
Tuna in the 20-30 mile areas. Jack Cravelle around the White Rocks at Potosi.

Best Lure/Bait:
Both were working well for the yellowfin tuna. Inshore, the live bait, rapala magnums and pencil poppers working well.

Bait Supply:
Excellent this past week for live bait & rigged baits.