Week ended DEC 6 /18

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

The fleet reported a pick-up in action to what has been a great start to the season – assumed that with the start of a new moon the billfish activity picked up significantly.  Great warm blue water extends almost all the way to the shore and the fleet is still reporting some really solid fishing both offshore in inshore. Fly-fishing and spin casting for Jacks and Bonitos inshore has continued to be steady. Rooster action this past week slowed as tinged water invaded the inshore.

The sailfish action picked up with fish showing at the 10-15 mile mark.   Capt. Temo reports quality size Sailfish with many surpassing the 100 lb range. This past week the boats were reporting multiple Sailfish hookups per day. This past week quality Dorado’s to the 20 kg range were plentiful in the mix with most of the pelagic fishing taking place just 10-15 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 Jacks continued to be cooperative this past week. The Roosterfish slowed as chlorophyll concentrations created some green water inshore.

IZ Climate:  December has kicked off with 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 mid to low 70’s with humidity expected to run in the mid 60’s to low 70’s. The outlook heading into the middle of December is for more of the same. They are approaching the dry season and there is almost no precipitation projected into the middle of December with only a couple of days in the 10% probability range. Winds are expected to be very mild in the 4-6 mph range from the West and WSW.  

Sea Conditions: The offshore water temperature is beginning to cool a bit and is now in the 82-84 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 a bit green from the chlorophyll and has plumes of cooler water. 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.   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.