THE IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT FOR THE INDEPENDENT SPORT FISHING FLEET

The "Bloody Hook", skippered by Captain Chiro Barragan, landed a 250 lb. blue marlin for Angler Bob Kowall, Toronto, Canada, on Tuesday.  However, overall, the fishing had sporadic good & difficult fishing days and the billfish were moving farther off shore by the day.  The yellowfin tuna came back for a few days and bit well but as the areas water clarity diminished, the fish seemed to move on to better water conditions.  According to Captain Temo Verboonen, our local reporter, the fishing from the 17 mile mark and outward was much better as the week progressed but most of the fleet were lucky to have only one or two strikes for the day in the off shore waters.  The inshore fishing was very good for the big jack crevalles all along the coast line.  The bonitos were spooky and we did land a few groupers on live baits, but the waters have turned greenish and cold and the fishing seems to have destabilized depending on the day of the week, even with the good weather conditions.  We are experiencing many anglers at the pier every morning, allowing for us to have a better season for he boats.

IZ Climate:  Mostly sunny & warm days with daytime temps averaging 82.6 degrees and nights at 66.2 degrees.  Humidity ratio averaged 61%.

Sea Conditions:  Sea Temps in shore at 80 degrees and rising to 81-82 degrees for the off shore waters.  The bluer water is nearing the 17 mile mark.  Surface breezes flowing in from varied directions at an average of about 8 mph.  Surface remains calm.

Best Fishing Area:  The better area is now starting at about 17 miles off shore from the Bay as the waters are clean and blue from there and outward from there, along with good sea temps holding at 81-82 degrees.

Best Bait/Lure:  Rigged baits were working fair for the billfish but trolled live bait was best for the off shore action.  Live bait were working well for the inshore fishing, especially for the groupers and the bigger jack crevalles.

Bait Supplies:  Freshly caught bait for rigging was readily available for the charters and provided gratis.  Live bait remained at $5.00 per dozen.

Our Local Reporter for Zihuatanejo:  Captain Temo Verboonen, owner of the super pangas, Secuesto de Amor and Macho Banana, and Captain Chiro Barragan, skipper of the Bloody Hook.
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