Weekly Fish Report for week ending: September 30, 2006

Water - Steady water temp 86-89deg, with blue water outside and cleaner water inside with lots of debris still in the water.
Air - temp in the low 90's, very pleasant.

The week started with a continuation of the exceptional fishing we've been enjoying for most of the summer, but then fell flat at midweek. Some tuna south, with dorado spread, and a so-so marlin/sailfish bite. With the cleaner inshore water, roosterfish have started to bite again.

Tuna - a weak bite the last several days, with a few fish 20-45lbs taking live bait, hoochies and cedar plugs, from Cabo Pulmo to White Cliffs, 3-4 miles offshore, under porpoise.

Dorado - fish 20-40lbs spread throughout the bay, mostly south, from Punta Colorada to Cabo Pulmo, 2-4 miles out. Fish are taking mostly live sardinas.

Marlin - a so-so bite, but the fish have moved way offshore, about 30-40 miles out. Striped marlin with a few blue marlin and sailfish mixed in taking both lures and bait.

Inshore - the cleaner water has seen the return of the roosterfish bite, with fish biting from La Ribera to Las Barracas. No real size yet, but this should steadily improve over the next few weeks. A few dorado to 15lbs close to the beaches, under floating debris.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: September 23, 2006

Water - Warm water temp 86-89deg, with blue water outside and cleaner water inside with lots of debris still in the water.
Air - temp in the low 90's, very pleasant.

Exceptional fishing continues, with lots of tuna biting south, dorado very spread, and tailing marlin with some sailfish mixed in are outside. Nice quality fish, with most boats limiting out on tuna and dorado.

Tuna - the wide-open bite of the last several weeks continues unabated, with quality fish 20-45lbs aggressively taking live bait, hoochies and cedar plugs, from Cabo Pulmo to White Cliffs, 3-4 miles offshore, under porpoise. All boats making the trip are limiting out.

Dorado - a continued hot bite, with fish 20-40lbs spread throughout the bay, mostly south, from Punta Colorada to Cabo Pulmo, 2-4 miles out. Fish are taking mostly live sardinas, with many boats limiting out.

Marlin - lots of fish out there, but no pressure as most boats are going south chasing tuna, or close in loading up with quality dorado. The best action is 5-6 miles out, from La Ribera to Cabo Pulmo, with the best results with slow trolled live mackerel. Some sailfish mixed in.

Inshore - the surface water has cleared up, with lots of debris still in the water. Dorado to 15lbs have started to bite the last couple of days, within 200 yards of the beach, taking both live bait and lures. We're still waiting for the bottom to clear up, and when it does, watch for the roosterfish/pargo/jack bite to return.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: September 16, 2006

Water - Warmer water temp 86-89deg, with dirty green water inside with lots of debris in the water.
Air - temp in the low 90's, very pleasant.

Exceptional fishing right now. When Hurricane Lane was predicted to pass close to us, we couldn't get our fishermen guests to leave. We did lose 1 day of fishing due to rough seas, but we're back to normal operations now. Very fishy conditions, with lots of tuna biting south, dorado very spread throughout the bay, and tailing marlin are outside. Larger and better quality fish, with most boats limiting out on tuna and dorado.

Tuna - the wide-open bite of the last several weeks continues unabated, with quality fish 20-50lbs (a few fish to 80lbs)aggressively taking live bait, hoochies and cedar plugs, from Los Frailes to White Cliffs, 3-4 miles offshore. All boats making the trip are limiting out. Some boats looking for marlin are finding tuna under pods of porpoise outside.

Dorado - a much improved bite, with fish 20-50lbs spread throughout the bay, close in, within a couple miles of the beach. With all the storm debris in the water, the expected jump in the inshore bite has started, with most boats limiting out. Live sardinas working best.

Marlin - lots of fish out there, but no pressure as most boats are going south chasing tuna, or close in loading up with quality dorado.

Inshore - the dirty water has started to clear. As the water improves, action for roosterfish, pargo and jacks should return to normal.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: September 9, 2006

Fishing resumed on Thursday as the cleanup from Hurricane John continues. Cooler water temp 82-87deg, with dirty green water inside with lots of debris in the water. Air temp in the upper 80's, very pleasant.

Very fishy conditions, with lots of tuna biting south, dorado very spread throughout the bay, and tailing marlin are outside. As soon as the inshore water clears up, expect an explosion in the action.

Tuna - the wide-open bite of the last several weeks continues unabated, with quality fish 20-50lbs aggressively taking live bait, hoochies and cedar plugs, from Los Frailes to White Cliffs, 3-4 miles offshore. All boats making the trip are limiting out.

Dorado - a steady pick, with fish near 20lbs spread throughout the bay, close in, within range of our kayaks. With all the storm debris in the water, we're expecting a jump in the dorado counts once the water clears.

Marlin - lots of tailers being sighted, but few biters, with no pressure as most boats are going south chasing tuna.

Inshore - the dirty water has shut down the bite. As the water clears, action for roosterfish, pargo and jacks should return to normal.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: September 2, 2006

Only 3 days of fishing this week before Hurricane John ripped through the area.

Lots of nice tuna 20-50lbs way south, from Los Frailes to White Cliffs, taking bait, hoochies and cedar plugs.

Historically, the passing of a hurricane bodes for good fishing afterwards, as the churning of the water excites the fish. We're looking forward to the next few weeks.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: August 26, 2006

Water - hot water temp 90-92deg throughout the bay, with clear, blue calm water outside. Inshore conditions are still a bit green.

Air - comparatively mild August weather, with daytime highs to the low 90's, morning lows in the mid 70's, with lots of humidity. Dead calm mornings with some afternoon SE breezes.

Overview - the hot yellowfin bite continues, also more and more nice dorado taken each day. An off week for marlin, but pargo are biting again off the local reefs.

Tuna - last week's wide-open bite continues, with yellowfin tuna 20-50lbs biting from Cabo Pulmo to White Cliffs, about 3-4 miles out, taking live sardinas, cedar plugs and hoochies. Fish are in open water, with all boats making the boat ride limiting out.

Dorado - more dorado coming in each day, with some nice fish to 40lbs about 4 miles out, from Las Barracas to Cabo Pulmo, taking live mackerel, sardinas, and lures. A number of boats took limits the last couple of days.

Billfish - an off week for marlin, as most boats are chasing tuna and dorado. Some striped marlin taking mostly live bait, about 10 miles out, from La Ribera to Cabo Pulmo.

Inshore - water conditions are still a bit green, but little pressure as most boats are chasing tuna. More pargo taken on the reefs off La Ribera.

Fishermen of the Week - Mike Farris and friends from Santee, CA, while fishing 5 days on a panga, took 25 tuna to 40lbs, 10 dorado to 35lbs, and released 2 striped marlin.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: August 19, 2006

Water - warmer water temp 87-90deg throughout the bay, with clear, blue calm water outside. Inshore conditions have cleared up from last week's rain.

Air - comparatively mild August weather, with daytime highs to the low 90's, morning lows in the mid 70's, with lots of humidity. Dead calm mornings with some afternoon SE breezes.

Overview - nearly a carbon copy of last week, with quality yellowfin tuna biting aggressively (limits all around), lots of striped marlin outside, and some nice dorado are keeping anglers happy.

Billfish - lots of striped marlin with some sailfish mixed in are spread throughout the bay, with a strong bite from La Ribera south to Cabo Pulmo, with the best action about 10 miles out. Fish are taking mostly live bait, with boats targeting marlin averaging about 2 fish per boat. A few blue marlin also bending rods.

Tuna - the wide-open bite that started last week continues, with yellowfin tuna 20-40lbs biting from Cabo Pulmo to White Cliffs, about 3-4 miles out, taking live sardinas and hoochies. Fish are in open water, with all boats making the long boat ride limiting out.

Dorado - some nice dorado to 40lbs, very spread, both outside and under floating debris near area beaches, taking mostly live sardinas.

Inshore - water conditions have cleared up, but little pressure as most boats are chasing tuna. Some pargo taken on the reefs off La Ribera.

Fishermen of the Week - local boat Oso Negro won the annual La Ribera Tournament with a 280lb blue marlin. Ian Flanagan, Gene France and Bill McCarty, all of the San Diego area, while fishing 3 1/2 days on a Leonero cruiser took or released 11 marlin, 5 sailfish, 4 dorado, 2 tuna, and various pargo and other reef fish.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: August 12, 2006

Water - water temp 83-87deg throughout the bay, with clear, blue calm water outside. Cloudy water inshore from rain early in the week.

Air - typical August weather, with daytime highs to the mid 90's, morning lows in the mid 70's, with lots of humidity. Dead calm mornings with some afternoon SE breezes.

Overview - quality yellowfin tuna are biting aggressively (limits all boats the last several days), lots of small marlin outside, and some big dorado are keeping anglers happy.

Billfish - lots of small striped marlin are spread throughout the bay, with a wide open bite from La Ribera south to Cabo Pulmo, with the best bite about 10-15 miles out. Fish are taking mostly weighted live bait, with boats targeting marlin averaging 2-3 fish per boat. A few blue marlin to 300lbs also bending rods.

Tuna - a wide-open bite has developed the last several days with quality tuna 20-50lbs biting from Cabo Pulmo to White Cliffs, about 3-4 miles out, taking live sardinas and hoochies. Fish are in open water, with all boats limiting out.

Dorado - nice dorado to 50lbs under floating debris near area beaches, taking mostly live sardinas. Ave. 1-2 per boat.

Inshore - the murky water from rain runoff has sent most anglers offshore, expect the roosterfish/pargo bite to return as the water clears.

Fishermen of the Week - Mark Chambers and Mike McGuire while fishing 1 day on a Leonero cruiser released 5 marlin, including a 300lb blue.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: August 5, 2006

Water - conditions have cleared since last week's rain, with water temp 84-87deg throughout the bay, with clear, blue calm water - great fishing weather.

Air - a bit warmer, with daytime highs to the mid 90's, morning lows in the mid 70's, with typical summer humidity. Dead calm mornings with some afternoon SE breezes.

Overview - the wide open marlin bite continues, with some big dorado mixed in as well. Tuna have returned to the hole off Cabo Pulmo, and the clear water inside is producing roosterfish, amberjack and pargo. The Bisbee Eastcape Offshore Tournament concluded on Friday, with 54 boats fishing for 3 days, taking or releasing 173 billfish (32 blues, 129 striped marlin, 12 sailfish). The winning billfish was a 418lb blue marlin, taken by Keith Jones of Chatsworth, CA, on board Mi Corazon, winning $152,411. Second place went to Juan Castano of Miami, FL, on board Las Mananitas, with a 341lb blue marlin, earning him $74,334. The top dorado (54.8lbs) was taken by JV Lattimore of Rancho Leonero, fishing on Cowboy VII, pocketing $27,522. The winning tuna was a 132.9lb yellowfin, taken by Eastcape local Bob Hardesty on Makaira, earning him $9,072. The boat Mahitini released 21 striped marlin over the three days.

Billfish - blue and striped marlin are spread throughout the bay, with a wide open bite from Punta Pescadero south to Los Frailes, with the best bite about 5-10 miles out. Fish taking lures and live bait equally well, with boats targeting marlin averaging 2-3 fish per boat.

Tuna - smaller tuna have returned to the tuna hole off Cabo Pulmo the last few days, with lots of fish 8-10lbs taking sardinas, hoochies and cedar plugs. Some larger fish to 100lbs outside, but a long boat ride is needed to find them.

Dorado - a steady pick in the clear water, with fish from 20-50lbs taking both live sardinas and hoochies.

Inshore - the strong roosterfish bite we've enjoyed all season continues, with Dennis Spike's kayakers also taking amberjack to 50lbs, and some nice pargo mixed in.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: July 29, 2006

Water - rain early in the week has dropped the water temp, 78-79deg throughout the bay, with clear, flat, blue seas outside, with dirty green water inshore.

Air - a bit cooler, with daytime highs around 90, morning lows in the mid 70's, with typical summer humidity. Dead calm mornings with some afternoon SE breezes.

Overview - rain on Tuesday cost us a couple of days of fishing and dirtied up the inshore waters. We're expecting a jump in the dorado bite with all the debris, but it hasn't started yet. A wide open striped marlin bite outside is the week's highlight, while tuna have moved further south. There's a steady pick on the dorado, and roosterfish are still biting despite the dirty water,

Billfish - striped marlin have inundated the bay, with a wide open bite from Punta Pescadero south to Los Frailes. The bite starts as soon as the water clears, with the best bite about 6-10 miles out. Fish taking lures and live bait equally well, with boats targeting marlin averaging 2-3 fish per boat.

Tuna - tuna have moved south of Los Frailes, with the action very hit or miss. Some boats limiting out, while others get nothing. Fish 10-25lbs taking sardinas, hoochies and cedar plugs.

Dorado - a steady pick in the clear water, with fish from 20-40lbs taking both live sardinas and hoochies. As soon as the inshore water clears, expect a jump in the dorado bite close in as the water is full of floating debris.

Wahoo - a few wahoo to 45lbs came in this week, mostly on tuna lures, south of Los Frailes.

Inshore - roosterfish are still biting despite the muddy inshore water, with a few pargo and jacks also taken.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: July 22, 2006

Water - continued warm water, 86-90deg throughout the bay, with clear, flat, blue seas - great fishing conditions.

Air - warm highs in the mid 90's, morning lows in the mid 70's, with typical summer humidity. Calm mornings with some afternoon SE breezes.

Overview - the strong bite of last week continued into the beginning of this week, then tapered off the last several days. Marlin, tuna and dorado are still biting well, but a little more work is needed to bend the rods. Roosterfish still biting well inside, with some pargo and pompano mixed in.

Billfish - striped marlin have moved north, off the buoys at Punta Pescadero, taking mostly lures (all colors) A strong bite early in the week, averaging about 1 marlin per boat over the weekend.

Tuna - most of the tuna action is close in, as the fleet hasn't been finding porpoise offshore. Tuna are about 5 miles out, from Cabo Pulmo to Los Frailes, taking live bait and hoochies. Averaging about 3 fish per boat mostly 20-30lbs.

Dorado - a steady bite in the same area as the tuna, with fish from 20-45lbs taking both live sardinas and hoochies, averaging 2-3 per boat.

Inshore - the strong roosterfish bite continues, with fish to 45lbs biting off all beaches from La Ribera to Las Barracas, taking live mullet. Some pompano and pargo mixed in.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: July 15, 2006

Water - the water temp is very warm, 86-90deg throughout the bay, with clear, flat, blue water - great fishing conditions.

Air - warm highs in the mid 90's, morning lows in the mid 70's. Calm mornings with some afternoon SE breezes. Some morning overcast, generally burning off by mid-day. Friday night saw our first rain shower of the year.

Overview - the strong bite has returned with more happy anglers at the dock. The striped marlin bite continues unabated, while tuna remain mostly outside, along with many more dorado. Roosterfish are biting again in numbers. Lots of flags on the returning boats.

Billfish - striped marlin have moved a bit further out, but biting aggressively, 5-10 miles off the beaches, from La Ribera south to Los Frailes, taking mostly lures (all colors) and mackerel. Averaging about 2 marlin per boat.

Tuna - a continuation of last week's erratic bite, with some boats taking limits, while others in the same area getting skunked. Fish are concentrated under porpoise, about 30-40 miles off Cabo Pulmo, averaging 20lbs (largest 60lbs), taking sardinas and hoochies. Lots of larger tuna to 100lbs being sighted. Smaller fish are at the tuna hole off Cabo Pulmo.

Dorado - many more dorado this week, with the hot area 5-10 miles offshore, from the lighthouse to Cabo Pulmo. Fish from 20-45lbs taking both live sardinas and hoochies, with most boats limiting out over the weekend.

Wahoo - a few wahoo hit the dock, taken mostly on rapalas, mixed in with the dorado.

Inshore - a return of the strong roosterfish bite, with fish to 50lbs biting off all beaches from La Ribera to Las Barracas, taking live mullet. A few jacks and pargo mixed in.

Fisherman of the Week - Byron George of Durham, CA, while fishing 5 days in a cruiser, took limits of dorado and tuna, and released several striped marlin.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: July 8, 2006

Water - the water temp is very warm, 86-90deg throughout the bay, with clear, flat, blue water - great fishing conditions.

Air - typical early summer weather, with warm highs in the mid 90's, morning lows in the mid 70's. Calm mornings with some afternoon SE breezes..

Overview - the hot bite of the last several weeks has tapered off a bit, but still lots of fish being taken with happy anglers at the dock. The strong marlin bite continues unabated, while tuna have mostly moved outside, along with the occasional bull dorado. The kayak crowd is doing well inside, taking roosterfish, pargo, pompano and some small dorado.

Billfish - striped marlin are close in, biting aggressively, 2-3 miles off the beaches, from Rancho Leonero south to Los Frailes, taking mostly lures and mackerel. Blue/white and green/white lures producing best. Averaging 2-3 marlin per boat.

Tuna - an erratic bite, with some boats limiting out, while others in the same area getting skunked. Fish are concentrated under porpoise, about 25-45 miles off Cabo Pulmo, averaging 20lbs (largest 60lbs), taking sardinas and hoochies. Smaller fish are at the tuna hole off Cabo Pulmo.

Dorado - an off week for dorado, with the occasional bull to 50lbs outside mixed in with the tuna, taking mostly live sardinas.

Wahoo - a few wahoo to 50lbs came in, taken mostly on rapalas.

Inshore - a strong bite, with fewer roosterfish, but lots of jacks, pompano, pargo and some dorado biting off all beaches from La Ribera to Las Barracas, taking live sardinas and mullet.

John Ireland

Weekly Fish Report for week ending: July 1, 2006

Water - the water temp is very warm, 87-88deg throughout the bay, with clear, flat, blue water - great fishing conditions.

Air - typical early summer weather, with warm highs in the mid 90's, morning lows in the mid 70's. Calm mornings with some afternoon SE breezes..

Overview - the warm water has spread the bite throughout the bay, with huge schools of bait holding the billfish within 2-3 miles off the beaches, from Punta Pescadero south to Los Frailes. Marlin and tuna biting well, with some nice dorado mixed in. The wide open inshore bite continues, with many big roosterfish, with jacks and pompano mixed in.

Billfish - striped marlin are close in, biting aggressively, 2-3 miles off the beaches, from Rancho Leonero south to Los Frailes, taking mostly lures and mackerel. We even had a marlin hookup at the Leonero mooring buoys. 3 blue marlin were also released this week (largest estimated at 500lbs). Averaging more than 2 marlin per boat.

Tuna - a hot bite, with fish concentrated under porpoise, about 20-25 miles off Cabo Pulmo. Larger fish this week, averaging 20-25lbs (largest 80lbs), taking sardinas, hoochies and cedar plugs, averaging 5 per boat.

Dorado - fewer dorado the last few days, but some nice fish to 50lbs in the same area as the tuna, taking mostly live sardinas.

Wahoo - a few wahoo to 50lbs came in, taken mostly on rapalas.

Inshore - the exceptional bite continues, with lots of big roosterfish to 60lbs (ave 20lbs) biting off all beaches from La Ribera to Las Barracas, taking live sardinas and mullet. Kayakers are all smiles as lots of jacks, pompano and roosterfish keeping rods bent.

Fishermen of the Week - Dave and Ruth Clark of St. Louis, MO, continued their lucky streak at Leonero (2 years ago they took a 120lb wahoo). Fishing all week in a super panga, they took or released an impressive array of fish, including striped marlin, tuna, dorado, roosterfish, cabrilla, pargo and amberjack.

John Ireland