The cold weather across the Tropic of Cancer has apparently taken a toll on the billfish catches from Mazatlan and the overall billfish counts were at the 50% mark for the past week. According to our reporter for the Aries Sportfishing Fleet, Ms. Kitcia Ceja, the marlin are there and the boats that do go out are averaging 3-4 strikes per day, but the fish are "short-biting" the lures and the baits, making it difficult to get a solid hook up. Kitcia advises to dress warmly for the mornings which have been near 50 degrees at boarding time, along with some northerly surface winds that have made for less than great fishing conditions throughout the area and for much of the week. Thursday was the turning point as the surface winds turned to light & variable and temps were slowly working their way back up to something normal. Mid-daytime temperatures have been in the 80s and quite comfortable. The overall fishing report for the week reflected 3 stripers. (2 released) 1 sailfish, 1 hammerhead shark and 3 dorado for 8 days fished. The inshore super pangas, reporting in for 5 days, reflected 10 red snappers and limits of triggerfish.

Mazatlan Climate: Brrrrr in the mornings & evenings as temps stayed in the low 50s but rose to 83 for the daytime highs and the northerly winds backed off as the week progressed and became calm by Thursday.

Sea Conditions: Temps are starting to fall a degree or two and measured at 73-74 for the offshore areas but down to 70-71 for the inshore areas. Clarity remains good and the sea surface has improved considerably as the northerly winds backed off.

Best Fishing Area: Most of the offshore fishing started at about 16-18 miles out to the southwest of the Marina El Cid and the boats were working outward bound from there.

Best Bait/Lure: A few strikes taking place with the artificials but the fish are "short biting" the lures as well as the baits. Rigged baits were better but still, the fish were being difficult and not overly eager to inhale the rigged baits.

Bait Supply: Remains very good for fresh rigging baits and for live bait. Live bait is provided at $1.00 per bait, paid direct to the bait vendor.