After many, many weeks of terrific billfish catching, the catching part finally slowed up this past week and for no apparent reason. Guess it was just Spring Break for the fish in this area since nothing else really changed at all. The offshore waters provided excellent temperatures and clarity, still lots of bird life and feed biomass, but the billfish developed the spring lockjaw syndrome and would not bite. Another first for The Aries Fleet was the reporting of the high billfish boat for the week as a super panga, the "ANZUELO III", skippered by Captain Ramon Vargas, landing 2 stripers for a single day fished and releasing one of the fish. The overall offshore action for the week reflected 1 striper released, 4 dorado, 4 yellowfin tuna and 2 jack crevalle. The super pangas reported in with 7 days fished that reflected 2 stripers, (1 released) 19 triggerfish, limits of red snappers and limits of rock perch.


Mazatlan Climate: Mostly sunny and warm days thru Friday & then partly cloudy for the weekend with temps from 57 nights to 88 daytime highs. Overall, wonderful weather for visitors.

Sea Conditions: Excellent conditions. Inshore at 72-73 degrees and rising to 75-76 in the offshore waters at about 17 miles or so. Surface breezes flowing from the WSW at calm to 13 mph in the afternoons.

Best Fishing Area: None reported! Billfish being seen in a wide area in the offshore waters but very uncooperative on the biting.

Best Bait/Lure: The billfish were all taken on rigged baits.

Bait Supply: Excellent supply for both, live bait and fresh baits for rigging.