An interesting fishing week for the Aries Sportfishing Fleet, departing from the Marina El Cid, in Mazatlan. According to Ms. Kitcia Ceja. a few striped marlin have moved into the local waters to join the mixed billfish action of the past few weeks and while it slowed up a little for the anglers, it can be directly attributed to the full moon phase. Still, for the end of December, Kitcia says, "we have had a wonderful finish to the year's fishing action and look forward to a good January bite that should continue as long as the temps remain stable and in the mid-to-upper 70's. Our fish report for the past week reflected the last blue marlin for the year, taken aboard the "Aries IX", with Captain Gilberto Quintereo at the helm. It was a smaller blue marlin at about 200 lbs. or so and added to the overall catch report that reflected a total of 28 days fished and resulted with the 1 blue marlin, 2 stripers, 8 sailfish, (5 released) 16 dorado, 7 yellowfin tuna and 2 mako sharks. Our inshore super pangas reported in for a total of 5 days fished that reflected 1 sailfish, 1 corvina, 2 red snappers, 12 triggerfish, 10 perch, 2 barracuda, 1 dorado and 1 yellowfin tuna.

Mazatlan Climate: Cool mornings and evenings but warm days and temps that ranged from 55 nights to 79 daytime highs. Mostly cloudy toward the end of the week with a chance for rain on Friday but clearing for the weekend.

Sea Conditions: Mostly light and variable surface breezes throughout the area with stable sea temps holding at 77-79 degrees and very good clarity at about 18 miles or so.

Best Fishing Area: Continues to be out to the southwest of the Marina El Cid, starting at about 20 miles and working parallel to the coast line and outbound 4-6 miles farther or so.

Best Lure/Bait: The rigged baits were working well for the billfish and fort the dorado. The few yellowfin tuna were taken on feathers.

Bait Supply: Remains good, even with the full moon. Lots of fresh mullet, (aka Lisa) baits for rigging and a good live bait supply for those that wished to have the enhanced ammunition aboard.