The billfishing remains good from Mazatlan for January and we expect to see more of the Pacific striped marlin in the catches during the next few weeks as the water temperatures start to decline a little, which is normal for this time of year. The sailfish bite continues to be providing the bulk of the billfish action offshore and as long as the sea temps remain in the mid-70s and higher, we will continue to have that action. This past week in the offshore waters for 17 days fished reflected 2 Pacific striped marlin, (both caught on the "Aries IX") and 10 sailfish, (3 released) 12 dorado and 7 skipjack tunas. The inshore super pangas reported in for 7 days fished and reflected 3 sailfish, (taken offshore) 1 dorado, 1 jack crevalle, 1 bonita & 1 triggerfish.

Mazatlan Climate: This is another, bring your jacket area, with partly cloudy days and very cold mornings and evenings with pleasant daytimes and temps that varied from 45 nights to 81 daytime highs. (I have never reported a temp as low as 45 in Mazatlan).

Sea Conditions: 74-75 for the offshore waters and 72 for the inshore waters. Offshore waters have good clarity at about 15 miles and beyond. Mostly calm waters with light & variable surface breezes and very small swells toward the end of the week.

Best Fishing Area: The offshore catches were coming from an area that started at about 18 miles south of the Marina El Cid and working the areas outbound from there.

Best Bait/Lure: Rigged baits were the "hot" item for the billfish and the dorado.

Bait Supply: Remains very good for both, fresh baits for rigging and live bait availability.