|
|
From Jan 01, 1999 To May 09, 2008
|
Mar 26, 2005; 01:17PM - Cool Water Slows the Action
|
|
Category: Mexico Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
About the only thing that can be said about the fishing here in Zihuatanejo is slow. There was still some excellent jack crevalle action in the beginning of the week. But, the cooler water, which has shut down the sailfish bite, turned dirty inshore and even had several areas of red tide.
On Thurs. (324), I went out with captain Martin on the panga Isamar with fly-fishing client John Avery of Napa, Calif., to try for a sailfish. We knew the odds were against us, but John wanted to give it a try. From 12- to-20 miles out, we encountered large areas of red tide and we never even raised a sailfish.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 71 - 86
Humidity 78%
Wind: West 11 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:44 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:58 p.m. CST
|
|
|
Mar 21, 2005; 09:29AM - Cold Water Current
|
|
Category: Mexico Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
The cold water current still has the sailfish bite turned off. The blue water is beyond the 30 mile mark. The few boats venturing out that far are only raising one or two fish a day, and not seeing any signs of the tuna or marlin either.
Inshore, the birds are crashing on bait on the beach at Buena Vista and Barra Pototsi. There is still a very good jack crevalle bite going on. Today, (Friday) Martin on the panga Isamar, with client Andrew Vigil of Albuquerque, caught 12 of the big jacks averaging between 14 and 22 pounds. The jacks were taken on light line outfits using live bait and slowed trolled Rapalas.
Yesterday, Felipe on the panga Yellowfin, caught 6 pompano from 12 to 15 pounds for his client. They also got 2 amberjack of 8 and 10 pounds, and 6 chulas. All the fish came from drifting a live bait at the white rocks.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 73 - 86
Humidity 78%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:56 p.m. CST
|
|
|
Feb 26, 2005; 01:55PM - Z-What Hot
|
|
Category: Mexico Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80 degree blue water has moved out a bit to the 6 mile mark, and I thought the full moon was going to affect our fishing. The pattern was holding true for most of the boats fishing the normal 8 to 14 mile areas. But, early yesterday morning (Friday) I logged onto the Terrafin Surface Temperature Satellite Service and noted decent water from 19- to 30-miles out. Martin, on the panga Isamar, fly-fishing client Kirk Strawn of Chicago, and I then fished the areas from 19 to 28 miles on a 180 degree heading.
It was Kirk's first fly-fishing experience for sailfish, but he managed 3 tagged and released sails by 10 o'clock. As we got back to pier, Santiago, on the panga Gitana, was right behind us and flying 6 tag and release flags for conventional gear fisherman Russ Kirtchner of Indiana. They had gone 20 miles on a 200 degree heading. This bite is not off, it has only moved out a few miles.
A couple of days ago, I saw a lot of bait and birds working the shoreline at Barra Pototsi. Kirk and I are taking the 9-weight there this morning, for some jack crevalle and black skipjack tuna action from the beach.
Roosterfish action was very slow this week however, and there are still no signs of the tuna.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 75 - 86
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:06 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:51 p.m. CST
|
|
|
Feb 19, 2005; 05:14PM - Best February in Several
|
|
Category: Mexico Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: zihuatanejofly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
We are certainly having one of our best Februarys for the last couple of years. Historically, February is one of the best months of the year, and this year is proving it so.
The 80 degree blue water is still only a couple of miles off the beach and no boat is traveling further than 20 miles to find fish. Most of the sailfish are being taken between the 8 and 12 mile mark.
I was talking with the captains this morning (Saturday) on the municipal pier, and we were recounting the number of fish they have released this week. Everybody was running out of fingers and toes. Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos had the best week. He fished the blue water four days and never released less than eight sails, with two days of 13 releases. Adolpho also fished for roosters three days and tallied numbers of 9, 5, and 4 roosters each day. They averaged about 30 pounds, with a few fish well over 50 pounds. He also averaged between 8 and 10 jack crevalle on those days. The big jacks were about 15- to 20-pounds.
Santiago, on the panga Gitana, released 38 sailfish in the last seven days. And, Cheva, the captain of the Dos Hermanos II, released 30 sailfish for his four days in the blue water.
Scott McKane of New Jersey, fishing with Orlando on the panga Tequila, averaged four sailfish a day, while looking for the yellowfin tuna. They never found the tuna, but with the sails and a few dorado, he was really excited about the quality of fishing he has had.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 75 - 89
Humidity 83%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:49 p.m. CST
|
|
|
Feb 12, 2005; 01:36PM - Finally! A Great February
|
|
Category: Mexico Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
The blue water is only a mile off the beach and the sailfish fishing has been very good. Historically, Feb. is one of our very best months. But, the last three years has seen a 150 boat kill tournament at the end of Jan., and unseasonable cool water moving in about the second week, essentially shutting everything down. This year, we were able to eliminate the kill tournament (which is another story), and the current has cooperated.
Client Jim Rainey of Denver fished with Captain Cheva on the Dos Hermanos II earlier in the week, and released eight sailfish on conventional gear. The next day, Cheva went back out to the same spot and released 10. While guiding Tim Martin and Russ Coleman of Houston, with Cheva yesterday (Fri.), we raised one blue marlin and six sails. We were fly-fishing with only two hookless teasers out. Russ hooked two sailfish, and missed one. We backed the missed fish up with live bait, a circle hook, 30-pound gear, and shortly Tim had his first ever sailfish released. With nothing on the boat other than flyrods or 30 pound gear, we did not even try for the marlin.
Captain Santiago, on the panga Gitana, is averaging about five tagged and released sailfish a day, for this last seven days. And, for some interesting competition, his brother Adan, on the new Gitana II, is doing exactly the same.
The blue marlin are finally showing up in decent numbers. The 38-foot cruiser Yellowfin II has raised five marlin in three days and hooked one. The released fish was estimated at about 250-pounds.
(On a special note, I want to thank David Holts, of the NOAA in La Jolla, for sending me another 250 tags for tagging and releasing the billfish. I distribute them to all the captains. Please, when you come down here to Zihuatanejo, bring some of the Billfish Foundation or NOAA tags with you. E-mail me if you need instructions on how to get them.)
I may have to eat a few words I have written in the last couple of weekly fish reports. I thought the roosterfish, in catchable numbers, were out of here, at least for the time being until their appearance again in July. However, Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, fishing with a client from England, caught 18 jack crevalle and six roosters Thursday (2/10). They got the roosters on poppers and slow-trolled live bait near the antennas location, 26 miles south. Then yesterday, Martin on the panga Isamar, went 15 miles north and hooked four nice roosters on live bait. All the roosters were in the 30- to 40-pound class.
Inshore, several nice sierra to eight pounds have been taken.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 87
Humidity 83%
Wind: West 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:14 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:46 p.m. CST
|
|
|
Feb 7, 2005; 09:58AM - Warmer Water Moves Further Out
|
|
Category: Mexico Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
The blue water has moved out to about 12 miles. Most of the fleet is fishing the area between 14 and 22 miles, and not doing very well. They are only averaging about one sailfish a day. The Terrifin Satellite Surface Temperature service clearly shows the cooler water being within the 10 mile mark, mixed water out to about 28 miles, and then good warm water from 30 miles and beyond.
It also stands to reason the few boats fishing beyond the 30 mile mark are doing very well, averaging five and six sailfish released a day.
A few mature dorado, between 20 and 35 pounds, are being taken at a rate of one dorado for every five boats on the water.
Butch Cooley, fishing with Capt. Martin on the panga “Isamar,” made a 35 mile run yesterday for roosters. They only had one strike on a surface popper.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 75 - 86
Humidity 63%
Wind: South 4 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:16 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:43 p.m. CST
|
|
|
Feb 1, 2005; 08:54AM - Dorado and Sails Dominate the Action
|
|
Category: Mexico Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: gary.1940@gmail.com
|
Report Description:
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The blue water is just off the beach, but earlier in the week the full moon had put a bit of a brake on the good action we had been having. However, yesterday (Friday), the fishing picked up again with the boats averaging a couple of sailfish each per day, plus a very good showing of 20 to 35 pound dorado.
Frustrated by only raising 3 or 4 sailfish a day earlier in the week, client Rich Pietila of Odessa, Texas asked Martin on the panga Isamar to go 40 miles and see if they could get some action on the yellowfin tuna. They did not find any tuna, but on the way back they saw a lot of sailfish at the 30 mile mark. Using only hookless lures, as we do when fly fishing, they would tease the fish to the boat, but dropped back with a live bait on a 30 pound rig. They tagged and released 6 in a very short time. The next day they targeted this group of new fish, and what a day they had. With more than 30 fish raising to the spread, they tagged and released 12.
The roosterfish are still very slow and will probably not pick up again until July. Inshore, the small game fishing is decent and we are even getting quite a few chulas. A chula (kawa kawa) is a small tuna, with teeth.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 75 - 86
Humidity 70%
Wind: 12 mph from the West
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:18 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:39 p.m. CST
|
|
|
Jan 27, 2005; 05:49PM - Sportfishing report 1/19/05 to 1/26/05
|
|
Category: Mexico Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
|
|
Author Name: Stan Lushinsky Susan Richards
|
|
Author E-mail: ixtsptf@epix.net
|
Report Description:
Red Hot SAILFISH activity continues in Ixtapa although the oncoming full moon did provide a slight decline on some days. Mr. Russ Hampton's fly fishing group from California fishing 7 days aboard the Secuestro, Grande Jefe, Zapatito Gordo, Tarpon, Monica, Marfel, Janeth, Angler, and Llamarada landed 25 Sailfish and 1 Dorado all on the fly. Many more opportunities were had during the week. Buffalo Angler Larry Kent fishing with Captain Adolofo landed 12 nice yellowfin tuna and 2 sailfish venturing 35 miles offshore. On his second day of the week Mr. Kent landed 12 sailfish while traveling less than 5 miles offshore. Atlanta Angler Mr. Dan Walden also fishing with Captain Adolofo landed 8 sailfish and 1 big DORADO on his first day offshore , then followed with 4 sailfish and 3 TUNA on the next two offshore days. Pennsylvania angler Ed Niedrowski fishing aboard the Dos Hermanos 1 ( INSHORE ) landed 4 ROOSTERFISH, 9 YELLOWTAIL JACKS, 3 SPANISH MACKEREL and a rare catch of 6 BABY TARPON in two day of fishing. Michigan anger Mr. Chris Huntley also trying his had at inshore fishing, landed 2 ROOSTERFISH, 1 YELLOWTAIL JACK and 1 SPANISH MACKEREL while fishing aboard the Secuestro De Amor. California Angler John Hansen Fishing aboard the Grand Jefe landed 4 sailfish in one offshore day California Angler Matt Bloom had a 4 sailfish day while fishing aboard the LA Bamba and Captain Jose also led Mr. Garcia to a 5 sailfish day. Captain Jose finished the week by hooking 6 sailfish in one day for angler Mr. Stephan Thorn. Washington state angler, Mr. Dom Reale fishing three day with Captain Cheva on the Dos Hermanos 2 landed 17 sailfish ( 10 on his first day before noon ) along with loosing an estimated 250 lb BLUE MARLIN. Captain Candelerio led European anglers Mr. Soulassoul to 5 sailfish in two days and Mr. FLeury to 6 sailfish in three days of offshore fishing. California Angler Mike Anderson fishing up his three days of fishing with Captain Chiro on the Vamonos 3 by landing 6 sailfish on his last day. Captain Chiro also led Colorado Angler Bill Humes to a 3 sailfish day while Captain Temo on the Secuestro led Mr. Hume's group to 6 sailfish in two days. French angler Mr. Reby Fishing 4 combination inshore / offshore days aboard the Janeth landed4 sailfish, 7 YELLOWTAIL JACKS and a handful of Bonito and big NEEDLEFISH. The Charley Keitz group fishing aboard the Auga Azul, Marea Azul and Illusions landed 7 sailfish and 1 DORADO in one day offshore and angler Canadian Angler Scott Nivens landed 4 sailfish while fishing one day aboard the Illusion.
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo weather. A few brief scattered rain storms with clearing in the late mornings.
Sea Conditions: Moderate
Bait Supply: Good
Sincerely,
Stan Lushinsky
Susan Richards
|
|
|
Jan 23, 2005; 04:24PM - 1/14/05 - 1/20/05
|
|
Category: Mexico Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
|
|
Author Name: Stan Lushinsky Susan Richards
|
|
Author E-mail: ixtsptf@epix.net
|
Report Description:
Wide open offshore action along with consistent inshore action was the order of the day in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Last week. Returning California Angler Mr. David Horn Fishing aboard the Dos Hermanos 1 led the offshore results by landing 13 SAILFISH in three offshore days and 2 Large Roosterfish to 45 Lbs along with 20 YELLOWTAIL JACKS on one inshore day. European Angler Mr Soulassoul fishing with Captain Candelerio aboard the Leydy landed 12 SAILFISH in 5 Days. Montana Angler Jerry Burns fishing with Captain Cheva on the Dos Hermanos 2 landed 9 SAILFISH on his first day offshore.
Returning California Angler Mike Anderson fishing aboard the Vamonos 3 with Captain Chiro Posted 11 SAILFISH and an handful of inshore gamefish for 2 days of fishing. Our first visitors from Russia Mr. Aptilon Maksym's group fishing three days aboard the Marea Azul, Illusion, and Duquesa posted 26 SAILFISH landed with 6 others lost along with 2 nice DORADOS. Angler Lou Schlanger fishing three days aboard the La Bamba landed 13 SAILFISH While Matt Bloom also fishing aboard the La Bamba for two days landed 6 SAILFISH and 1 DORADO. Angler Bryan Collier fishing aborsad the Don Gordo posted 4 SAILFISH and 2 DORADO for two days offshore. European angler Mr Canierie finished up his week with 4 SAILFISH in two days aboard the super panga Porpy. Colorado Angler Dan Dyer fishing aboard the Auga Azul Landed 6 SAILFISH on his first day offshore. Captain Angelo of the Auga Azul also posted a 4 SAILFISH day for Angler Charley Keitz. Mr Russ Hampton's fly fishing group from California fishing 5 days aboard The Zapatito Gordo, Sedcuestro, Tarpon, Sailfish, Marfel, Janeth, Grand Jefe and Mels, super pangas landed 19 SAILFISH and 1 DORADO along with pulling the hooks on 1 MARLIN and many other SAILFISH. All on the fly. Returning angler Larry Kent ventured far offshore with Captain Adolofo and found 2 nice YELLOWFIN TUNA along with 2 SAILFISH in one day and 9 SAILFISH on his second day offshore. Pennsylvania Angler Ed Niedrowski also fishing with Captain Adolofo posted an 8 SAILFISH day. Bob Biagi finished up his week with some inshore action casting to the with rocks landing 40 red SNAPPER and 18 TIGER GROUPER while aboard the Dos Hermanos 1. Conditions were near perfect with lots of bait in the area along with schools of hungry predator. Angler activity also increased as most days were total sell outs with some anglers unable to find boats. I.S.C.'s ground contact Abel Cortez reports that a majority of all of the Billfish were released last week.
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo weather: Sunny with temps in the high 80's
Sea Conditions' Calm
Bait Supply: Good
Sincerely,
Stan Lushinsky
Susan Richards
|
|
|
Jan 23, 2005; 04:22PM - Sportfishing report 1-6-05 to 1-13-05
|
|
Category: Mexico Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
|
|
Author Name: Stan Lushinsky Susan Richards
|
|
Author E-mail: ixtsptf@epix.net
|
Report Description:
Outstanding SAILFISH action with a added dose of MARLIN and DORADO was the report from Ixtapa Zihuatanejo last week. The blue water was within a mile of shore with most of the action taking place less than 5 miles outside the bay. Long Island anglers Joe and Donna Calandra fishing aboard the La Bamba landed 6 SAILFISH before lunch on their first day offshore. Capt. Jose also led angler Mr.Gregory to a 3 SAILFISH day. Capt.Alex on the GRAN JEFE reported 13 SAILFISH and 1 DORADO in three days of fishing with anglers Mr. Mclean and Mr Polino. Capt. Alex also had a 4 SAILFISH day with angler Mr. Scott Justyn and a 5 SAILFISH day with angler Mr. Dyer. Capt. Candelerio of the Leydy reported 6 SAILFISH for French client Mr Theunis in two days of fishing and 8 SAILFISH for Mr. Soussaoul in three days of fishing. Returning angler from Milwaukee, Mr. Tony Scorconi fishing with Capt. Luis on the Marea Azul landed 2 SAILFISH on his first day offshore. Capt. Temo of the Secouestro along with Capt. Francisco on the Marfel led fly anglers Mr Gutierrexz's group to 12 SAILFISH and 4 YELLOWFIN TUNA on the fly loosing 6 additional TUNA. Capt. Temo also spent one inshore day at the rock with angler Mr. Smith, who landed a two nice GROUPER of 36 lbs and 14 lb respectively and finished the day off with 10 big YELLOWTAIL JACKS. Returning angler Mr. Bob Biagi fishing aboard the Dos Hermanos 1 for 3 days landed 12 SAILFISH, 1 DORADO, 1 RANIBOW RUNNER, 1 YELLOWTAIL JACK and 20 BONITOS on light tackle. Capt. Adolofo and New Hampshire angler Tom Davis made the long run south to Pompanoa finding a large school of ROOSTERFISH. Mr. Davis landed 6 Big ROOSTRS to 60 lbs along with 6 big YELLOWTAIL JACKS. Florida angler Danny Polino also fishing inshore with Capt. Adolofo landed 4 ROOSTERFISH in one day. Large schools of FLYING FISH and BONITO are in the area. Several MARLIN and large TUNA were also reported last week.
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo weather. Seasonably beautiful with calm winds and temps in the 90's
Sea Conditions Excellent
Bait supply: Good
Sincerely,
Stan Lushinsky
Susan Richards
|
|
|
|
