Week ended 11/22/18

THE IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT FOR THE INDEPENDENT SPORT FISHING FLEET
The fleet reported a bit of slow down for what has been a great start to the season – perhaps associated with the
approach of the full moon. Great warm blue water extends almost all the way to the shore and the fleet is reporting
some really solid fishing both offshore in inshore. Fly-fishing and spin casting for big Roosterfish and Jacks inshore
has been providing plenty of quality action.
The sailfish action slowed a bit with fish showing as close as the 10-12 mile mark. Capt. Temo reports quality size
Sailfish with many surpassing the 100 lb range along with a really solid Blue Marlin bite out around the 20 mile mark.
This past week the boats were reporting 1-2 Sailfish per day compared to the 3-5 per day the previous week. This
past week Dorado’s were plentiful in the mix with most of the pelagic fishing taking place just 10-12 miles out of the
marina. The Yellowfin have been a little harder to find lately and when found, are 30-35 miles out but, when found,
are quality fish up to 150 lbs. The Roosterfish and Jacks continued to be cooperative this past week by Ixtapa island
where there were lots of sardinas drawing in the fish and also to the south when boats were willing to make the run.
Rangers were the lure of choice for the Jacks and Roosters.
IZ Climate: November has reflected their typical winter climate and a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy days. Daily
temps are in the mid to upper 80’s and night time temps in the low 70’s with humidity running in the mid 60’s to low
70’s. The outlook heading into the first week of December is for more of the same. They are approaching the dry
season and there is little precipitation projected into the first week of December save for a few days from the 28
th
to
end of the month. Winds are expected to be very mild in the 5-6 mph range from the West and WSW.
Sea Conditions: The offshore water temperature is beginning to cool and is now in the 83-84 degrees range from the
5-6 mile mark at the 100 fathom line all the way out to the 1,000 fathom line at 25-30 miles. Inshore temperatures
are running in the same range to a bit cooler. The offshore water at the 1000 fathom mark is now clear blue all the
way in the 5-6 mile mark from shore. The inshore water has turned with a bit of coloration. With breezes in mid
single digits, the seas are very calm particularly in the mornings.
Best Baits & Lures: Rigged trolling baits and smoke trail lures continue to produce for the Billfish and Dorado with
most boats preferring a mix of rigged baits for the Billfish and smaller lures and feathers for the Dorado. The. Inshore
top water poppers are the favorite for the Roosterfish and Jacks.
Bait Supply: The bait supply remains good and freshly caught baits are provided gratis with most charters. Live baits
are readily available at this time and are $5.00/dozen paid directly to the bait vendors.
Our Local Reporter: Captain Temo Verboonen – owner/operator of the Secuestro de Amor and Macho Banana.

Week ended 11/15/18

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

The fleet reports continuation of improved offshore fishing as they enter their winter period and exit the rainy season.  Great warm blue water extends almost all the way to the shore and the fleet is reporting some really solid fishing both offshore in inshore.  Fly-fishing and spin casting for big Roosterfish and Jacks inshore is providing plenty of quality action.

The sailfish action has picked up with fish showing as close as the 10-12 mile mark.   Capt. Temo reports quality size Sailfish with many surpassing the 100 lb range along with a really solid Blue Marlin bite out around the 20 mile mark.  Many boats were reporting 3-5 Sailfish per day. This past week Dorado’s were plentiful in the mix with most of the pelagic fishing taking place just 10-12 miles out of the marina.  The Yellowfin have been a little harder to find lately and when found, are 30-35 miles out but, when found, are quality fish up to 150 lbs. The Roosterfish and Jacks were very cooperative this past week by Ixtapa island where there were lots of sardinas drawing in the fish.  Rangers were the lure of choice for the Jacks and Roosters.

IZ Climate:  November moves to their winter climate and a mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy days. Daily temps are in the mid to upper 80’s and night time temps in the mid 70’s with humidity running in the mid 60’s. The outlook heading into the end of the month is for more of the same. They are approaching the dry season and there is no precipitation projected through the end of the month. Winds are expected to be mild in the 6-7 mph range from the West and WSW.  

Sea Conditions: The offshore water temperature is beginning to cool and is now in the 83-84 degrees range from the 5-6 mile mark at the 100 fathom line all the way out to the 1,000 fathom line at 25-30 miles.  Inshore temperatures are running in the same range to a bit cooler. The offshore water at the 1000 fathom mark is clear blue all the way in the shore. With breezes in mid single digits, the seas are very calm particularly in the mornings.

Best Baits & Lures:  Rigged trolling baits and smoke trail lures continue to produce for the Billfish and Dorado with most boats preferring a mix of rigged baits for the Billfish and smaller lures and feathers for the Dorado.  The. Inshore top water poppers are the favorite for the Roosterfish and Jacks.

Bait Supply: The bait supply remains good and freshly caught baits are provided gratis with most charters. Live baits are readily available at this time and are $5.00/dozen paid directly to the bait vendors.

Our Local Reporter: Captain Temo Verboonen – owner/operator of the Secuestro de Amor and Macho Banana.

01/11/018. 12/11/018

• 

  1

  Cortez Yacht Charters Weekly Mexico Fishing Report

  Week ended 11/08/18

  THE CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT FOR THE GAVIOTA SPORT FISHING FLEET AND FISH CABO FLEET

  With the completion of the Bisbee Black and Blue, the focus in Cabo turns back to recreational fishing and a pair

  of Tuna tournaments. Congratulations to team Chinito Bonita who followed up their win at the Bisbee’s with a

  win at the inaugural Pelagic Rock Star Tuna Tournament with 243 lb cow on day 1 followed by a 218 lb on day 2.

  The Western Outdoor News (WON) Tuna Tournament runs the 7

  th

  – 10

  th

  .

  The Striped Marlin fishing continues to improve with overall offshore fishing continuing to be productive with

  solid catches of Sailfish, Blue Marlin, and a few Blacks showing up. The fleets reported consistent Blue Marlin

  activity along with some Sails and more and more Stripped Marlin as the Pacific waters begin cooling. The

  Yellowfin were a bit spotty this past week after several commercial seiners showed up recently mostly showing in

  the 20-25 mile range out toward the San Jamie with most averaging in the 25-30lb. The Dorado fishing picked up

  again with mostly mid size fish showing. Most of the Blue Marlin are running in the 200-300 lb range with more

  Blacks showing up around the corner to the East than in the Cabo area. Wahoo were spotty but improved closer

  to the new moon – downriggers with Rapalas produced the most action.

  Inshore fishing has continued to produce nice catches of smaller Dorado and schools of Skipjacks with the Sierras

  starting to show as well.

  The 43’ Hatteras Fish Cabo turned in a week of 100% success on 3 days of fishing releasing 6 Striped Marlin and

  returning with 3 solid Dorados for the table.

  Cabo Climate: The month started with very pleasant weather and mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with

  average daytime temps in the upper mid 80’s and evenings in the mid 70s’. The 2 week outlook is for more of the

  same with daytime temps in the low to mid 80’s and evenings in the low 70’s. The good news is there is no rain

  forecast through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Winds are expected in the gentle 7-9 mph range through the

  week of Thanksgiving. Humidity is expected to run in the mid 60’s range toward the end of November.

  Sea Conditions: Seas have been relatively calm in the mornings throughout the area with some swells showing up

  in the afternoons. Forecast is for more of the same with winds in the 7-9 mph range out of the WSW and WNW.

  Sea temps are running from 79-81 (Pacific) to 80- 83 around the inside corner to the Gordas.
• 2

  Best Fishing Areas: The hot spots seem to be shifting from the 95 & 1150 spots in October to the west and north.

  Good counts of Marlin are showing up around Cabo Falso and the Lighthouse and out to the San Jamie bank.

  Sailfish and Striped Marlin counts are good in the Migrino area and the quality Dorado seem to have moved north

  along Migrino as well. The Yellowfin are being found 15-25 miles out from the Herradura west to the San Jamie

  Bank. For those willing to make the longer runs, the Finger Bank has started producing multiple Striped Marlin

  counts with a few boats reporting over 20 fish per day. Traffic is light up there competing for increasing numbers

  of migrating Striped Marlin.

  Best Bait & Lures: Feathers and cedar plugs were the favorite for the Tuna with trolled smoke trail lures the

  favorite for the Blue and Black Marlin. Live bait tossed to tailing Stripers was also successful. Soaking live baits

  around the Finger Bank produced successful multiple Striper counts.

  Bait Supply: Live bait is available at the $3.00 per bait upon exit from the harbor. With recent tournament action

  and an increase in seasonal traffic quality live bait has become scarce at times.

  Our local reporters: Captain Roberto Marquez-Castro of the Fish Cabo Fleet and Gaviota Fleet Dock Manager

  Carlos Pena-Mirales.

  THE MAZATLAN FISHING REPORT FOR THE ARIES SPORT FISHING FLEET – MARINA EL CID AND CID MEGA

  RESORT, PACIFIC

  The Mazatlan weather has been stellar following the fishing interruption of Hurricane Willa and fishing has

  steadily improved with nice counts of Sailfish showing regularly.

  The offshore boats reported 22 total days of fishing for the week. They released 10 Sailfish and 1 Striped Marlin

  and brought back 13 Yellowfin and 13 Dorados. The inshore pangas had a great week fishing a total of 8 days for

  70 Snappers, 160 Sea bass, 10 Triggers, and 5 Jacks. The Aries IX was the high boat with 2 Sailfish and a Striped

  Marlin on 2 trips.

  Mazatlan Climate: The Mazatlan climate was very pleasant going into November and outlook is favorable – mid

  80’s daytime with upper 60’s to low 70’s evenings. Forecast is for mostly sunny and partly cloudy skies with winds

  in the 7-9 mph range primarily out of the West and NW. Humidity will be in the 60’s to low 70’s going into the

  Thanksgiving holiday for very pleasant fishing conditions. No rain is currently forecast through the end of the

  month.

  Sea Conditions: The water is seasonally cooling and now in the 81-83 degree range resulting in a larger showing of

  the Striped Marlin. They enjoyed mostly calm seas this past week with some afternoon swells. The future outlook

  is for relatively calm seas with mild breezes predominately from the West and WNW

  Best Fishing Area: The offshore bite for the billfish is starting about 10-12 miles out with best results to the west

  and southwest of the Marina El Cid. In shore, the Super Pangas are finding success all along the coast especially

  around the rocks.

  Best Bait & Lures: Freshly caught rigged trolling baits and smoke trail lures produced best results for the billfish.

  Bait Supply: Freshly caught baits are readily available from the bait boats

  Our Local Reporter: Ms. Kitcia Berenice Ceja-Diaz, the Aries Fleet and Marina El Cid Office Manager and fishing

  reporter
• 3

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

  The fleet reports improved offshore fishing as they enter their fall period and exit the rainy season. Great warm

  blue water prevails all the way to the shore and some really solid fishing both offshore in inshore. Fly-fishing and

  spin casting for big Roosterfish and Jacks inshore is providing plenty of quality action.

  The sailfish action has picked up with fish showing as close as the 8-10 mile mark. Capt. Temo reports quality size

  Sailfish with many surpassing the 100 lb range along with a really solid Blue Marlin bite. Many boats were

  reporting 3-5 Sailfish per day. This past week Dorado’s were plentiful in the mix with most of the pelagic fishing

  taking place just 7-12 miles out of the marina. The Yellowfin have been hard to find lately and when found, are

  30-35 miles out. The Roosterfish and Jacks were very cooperative this past week by Ixtapa island where there

  were lots of sardinas drawing in the fish. Rangers were the lure of choice for the Jacks and Roosters.

  IZ Climate: November moves to their winter climate and mix of mostly sunny to partly cloudy days with

  occasional scattered late afternoon thunderstorms. Daily temps are in the mid to upper 80’s and night time temps

  in the mid 70’s with humidity running in the mid 60’s to low 70’s %. The outlook heading into the Thanksgiving

  holiday is for more of the same. Occasional scattered late afternoon thunderstorms are slowly giving way to the

  dry season. Winds are expected to be mild in the 5-7 mph range from the West and WSW.

  Sea Conditions: The offshore water temperature is beginning to cool and is now in the 83-84 degrees range from

  the 5-6 mile mark at the 100 fathom line all the way out to the 1,000 fathom line at 25-30 miles. Inshore

  temperatures are running in the same range to a bit cooler. The offshore water at the 1000 fathom mark is clear

  blue all the way in the shore. With breezes in mid single digits, the seas are very calm particularly in the

  mornings.

  Best Baits & Lures: Rigged trolling baits and smoke trail lures continue to produce for the Billfish and Dorado with

  most boats preferring a mix of rigged baits for the Billfish and smaller lures and feathers for the Dorado. The.

  Inshore top water poppers are the favorite for the Roosterfish and Jacks.

  Bait Supply: The bait supply remains good and freshly caught baits are provided gratis with most charters. Live

  baits are readily available at this time and are $5.00/dozen paid directly to the bait vendors.

  Our Local Reporter: Captain Temo Verboonen – owner/operator of the Secuestro de Amor and Macho Banana.

  CANCUN/PUERTO MORELOS FISHING REPORT FOR THE EL CID MARINA

  Our friends at the El Cid Marina reported another very productive week for their guests. The area is past its prime

  Sailfish season but the close-in fishing available at Puerto Morelos continues to produce great action both

  offshore and inshore for our clients, many fishing for the first time on half day or 6 hour trips.

  The El Cid fleet fished a total 31 trips the past week of fishing. The offshore targeted boats produced a total of 1

  Sailfish, 21 giant Atlantic Barracuda, 37 Bonito, 5 Black fin tuna, a hammerhead, and 1 Wahoo. The targeted

  shallow reef fishing boats tallied 98 Chack-Chi, 6 Black Grouper, 13 Mutton Snapper, 4 Queen Triggerfish, 1

  Spanish Mackerel, 1 Blue Runner and 6 Jacks. A total of 194 fish boated for an average of almost 6 1/2 fish per

  trip– many happy first time fishermen many on ½ day or 6 hour trips. The Tequila was high boat with 5 trips

  producing a Sailfish, Giant Barracuda, King Mackerel plus numerous reef fish for their guests.
• 4

  PM/Cancun Climate: Occasional brief scattered thunderstorms continue with the seasonal weather pattern. The

  2 week forecast calls for a week of mostly sunny skies to partly cloudy skies with a 30-40% chance of scattered

  thunderstorms on almost a daily basis through mid November then clearing a bit going into the Thanksgiving

  holiday period. Daytime temperatures are predicted in the low to mid 80’s and evenings now in the mid 70’s.

  Humidity is expected to be in the mid 70’s. Gentle breezes out of the ENE and NNE are expected to continue

  through the end of November.

  Sea Conditions: Water temperatures in the Cancun-Puerto Morelos-Cozumel area is now running in the 81-82

  degree range. Seas are running from calm to a bit choppy depending on the weather conditions. The prevailing

  winds have lowered a bit and are out of the ENE at 8-12 MPH and are expected to continue as such through the

  end of the month.

  Best Bait & Lures: Rigged Ballyhoo, small smoke trail lures were working well for the billfish with feathers also

  working for the Mahi-Mahi and Giant Barracuda. Cut bait is the preferred fare for the reef fishing.

  Bait Supply: The bait supply of locally caught Ballyhoo remains good and are provided gratis with most charters.

  Our Local Reporter: Iris Gonzalez at the Hotel El Cid Spa & Beach Resort and Marina