Z Fish Report (2/2/17)

I took this photo of spinner dolphins over a school of yellowfin tuna last week

Offshore (average) surface water temperature - Includes from the 5-6 mile mark at the 100 fathom line, on out to about 50 miles with the 1,000 fathom line being at 32 miles: 83°. (Unchanged from last week)

Inshore (average) surface temperature. From the beach to about 5 miles: 81°

Brian Hetland got these two underwater photos of a sailfish and a yellowfin tuna
while fishing with Chico on the panga Llamarada. Both were taken on spin gear

Blue water: Unchanged from last week, the blue water is out to about the 100 fathom line, with slight discoloration on the beaches. And as predicted, the inshore fishing action pick up. (Chlorophyll amounts and surface temps from Terrafin SST) 

John Wierzba got the above yellowfin, the below striped marlin,
and a sailfish while fishing with Noe on the panga Porpy.

Offshore- The sailfish action dropped off a bit, but the 15 pound yellowfin tuna made for some great days on the water. The tuna were often within 5 miles of the beach. The small (very small) striped marlin are still around. While trolling for the billfish, there are also a few large dorado mixed in.

On Saturday, Adolfo on the panga Dos Hermanos, got a dorado, a sailfish, and 16 yellowfin tuna in the 10-15 pound class. All fish were taken on spin rods with his French clients.  The trick to the catching the tuna was he got out ahead of the porpoise and birds, and put the boat in neutral. The clients cast the jigging spoons of about 2 oz, but had taken the treble hooks off and replaced them with a single hook. After they sunk about 25 feet, they had double and triple hookups. Lots of fun.

 

Another spin gear sailfish by Brian Hetland on the panga Llamarada

Ron Marblestone, of Redwood city CA, fished a day with Noe on the panga Porpy, for a sailfish hooked, 3 yellowfin tuna, and a dorado. John Wierzba of Glendale, WI, also spent a couple of days with Noe for 3 sailfish, tuna, and a small striped marlin.

Rob Anderson's rooster from Puerto Vicente with Mark Denison as the guide

Inshore: The inshore, which had been steady for sierras and jack crevalle, round out nicely with several roosterfish being caught. The action was all up and down the coats, with the most being taken up at the Ranch, or down at Puerto Vicente Guerrero.

Mark Denison, out of his fishing lodge at La Barrita, fished with Rob Anderson of Burnaby, BC down at Puerto Vicente Guerrero. This is what Mark told me Sunday afternoon: We found tons of small roosters raising fish with almost every cast and catching small roosters, and one in the 20 lb plus range. Probably 15 roosters caught during the day and no other fish besides roosters.

Above: John Torre with his first rooster and Below with Adolfo.

Early the next morning I met John Torre of Arizona at the pier and hooked him up with Adolfo on the panga Dos Hermanos. John is an 11 year veteran angler of Zihuat, but had never fished inshore for roosters. Like Keith Paul, who fished for years with Luis Maciel, it had been all offshore. Keith converted, as John probably will, after spending a day with Adolfo. Here is what John emailed me that afternoon: Hooked 9, with 5 in the boat and lost 1 at the boat. Largest was about 50 lbs. Adolfo is a great fisherman.

I find it amazing that Adolfo made the long run with John to Puerto Vicente Guerrero, and fished the exact same spot as Mark the day before. Some people may think Adolfo was “tipped off” to where the hot spot was, but I attribute it to his amazing 6^th sense ability to find roosters (heh, heh).

Ed Kunze                                                                         

 (Director of the Roosterfish Foundation, IGFA Representative)