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

High boat for the week was the "Fish Cabo", reporting in with 4 stripers released, 12 yellowfin tuna, (30-45 lbs.) and 49 Sierra for
4 days fished. They also lost what may have been the last swordfish to be hooked-up for the year of 2011, fishing just 8 miles out to the south from Cabo. The crew estimated the fish at about 200-250 lbs.
and was baited with a live caballito. Unfortunately, after a short fish fight, the hook pulled and the trophy is now available for another angler. According to the owner, Roberto Marquez, they are spotting a few swordfish in this same area but they have not been willing to bite and this probably reflects they are feeding on squid
and not interested in the caballitos. But, that's just my guess.
The overall fish counts for a combined total of 26 days fished reflected 14 stripers, (12 released) 13 dorado, 2 hammerhead sharks,
36 yellowfin tuna, 25 skipjack, 2 roosterfish and 114 Sierra, with all fish coming from the Pacific side of Cabo

Cabo Climate: Partly cloudy in the early week and then sunny, clear and warm days from Thursday and temps from 56 nights to 80 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: A good week for fishing on either side. Sea temps out to 10 miles or so ranged from 74-75, wrapping Cabo and gradually increasing to 76-77 at the 95 fathom spot and across the 1000 fathom curve. Cooler waters were just a few miles above the Gorda Banks that slid to 69-70 degrees.

Best Fishing Area: The Golden Gate Bank produced some of the
billfish as did the Herradura area, just south of Cabo San Lucas.
The place to be remains on the Pacific side of Cabo.

Best Lure/Bait: Live bait is preferred for the billfish, feathers and cedar plugs for the tuna.

Live Bait Supply: Mostly caballitos with a few mackerel in the mix, but good bait for our boats this past week.
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THE MAZATLAN FISHING REPORT FOR THE ARIES SPORTFISHING FLEET

The winds and rough seas are finally tapering off to smaller swells,
light surface winds and fishable conditions throughout the area.
However, there were still a couple of days that the boats didn't get out this past week for a lack of anglers. The overall offshore conditions were improved from a rou & windy conditions, but the water temps have taken hard hit and fallen, considerably. The fish counts for the week reflected a total of 9 offshore days that resulted in 34 yellowfin tuna and 1 dorado. It was about a 50-50 chance for the anglers to catch fish in the offshore waters. There were 3 inshore fishing days that reflected 8 corvina, (5-14 lb. range) and 30 white snappers.

Mazatlan Climate: A few passing clouds but mostly sunny days and temps from 49 nights to 78 daytime highs and light and variable surface breezes.

Sea Conditions: Calming from the rough & windy days of last week and early this week and returning to the light sea surface conditions Mazatlan is noted for. The sea temps have fallen to 64 inshore and out to 10-12 miles, then rising to 68 degrees. Temp break is at 32 miles, rising to 71-72 degrees.

Best Fishing Area: None reported. The yellowfin tuna were taken on the porpoise.

Best Bait/Lure: The tuna were all taken on feathers and cedar plugs.

Bait Supply: Plenty of bait, both live bait and rigged baits.
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THE IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT FOR THE INDEPENDENT SPORTFISHING FLEET

According to Captain Temo Verboonen, the close of the 2011 year is going to be a banner report with excellent fishing both inshore and offshore and has the makings for a terrific start-up for 2012. Temo reported very good dorado fishing just 2 miles from Zihuatanejo Bay, with the fish weighing in at the 18 kilo average, (very near a 40 lb.
average) for both, the males and females. Sailfish catches were even better and we received a report from Captain Chiro Barrigan that the Tom Vitale family of three. Alpharetta, GA, landed 5 sailfish, (released 4, 1 died in the fight) and kept a single dorado for dinner for their 1-day charter on December 27th. Temo reports the sailfish are mostly in the 30-40 kilo size ranges and a few marlin in the 120 kilo ranges are being taken, too. Yellowifn tuna showing up at the 40 mile mark but with the good fishing close by, there has been no reason to make the long run offshore. Inshore action is getting better and better by the day and the roosterfish are showing up in the La Saladita area, just to the north of Troncones. We saw one that looked about 50 kilos yesterday, (world record size fish) and overall, they were wanting to bite. As Temo put it, "What a terrific way to close out 2011 and bring in 2012".

IZ Climate: Lots of sunshine with occasional passing clouds and temps that ranged from 70 nights to 88 daytime highs. Near picture perfect throughout the area.

Sea Conditions: Excellent sea temps, holding at 83-84 degrees from inshore to offshore and clear, blue water, within a couple miles of the shoreline and extending outbound to 40 miles and beyond. Very light surface breezes and very calm seas.

Best Fishing Area: Starting at about 2 miles for the dorado and occasional marlin and working outbound for the sailfish.

Best Bait/Lures: Sailfish are hot on the slow trolled rigged baits from the outriggers. Dorado also eager on the rigged baits and live bait, too. Roosterfish on the live baits.

Bait supply: Excellent bait supply for both, live bait and rigging baits.
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THE PUERTO MORELOS FISHING REPORT FOR THE MARINA EL CID SPORTFISHING FLEET, (CANCUN TO COZUMEL AREA)

Another very good fishing week from Puerto Morelos that reflected an increase in the dorado counts, (the best dorado fishing for this area in more than 2 years) but for whatever reason, it was a week without the sailfish. Also for the first time, we received a report that two boats were "blanked" this past week with no fish taken for their fishing days. The overall fishing report for a total of 24 days fished reflected a count of 1 blackfin tuna, 22 dorado, 18 Atlantic barracuda, 40 bonito, 1 king mackerel, 1 amberjack, 11 Spanish mackerel, 9 triggerfish, 4 soapfish and 12 grouper, (a 10 fish mixed bag catch for the fleet).

PM Climate: Partly cloudy days with long sunny intervals and good temps that ranged from 63 nights to pleasant 82 degree days.

Sea Conditions: The temp dropped about 1 degree but nothing significant and held at 80 degrees with light & variable surface breezes, mostly in the 5-10 mph.

Best Bait/Lure: Ballyhoo continues to be the favorite bait for the skippers and anglers and is used in a variety of ways, including whole baits that are rigged and trolled, both in the outriggers and downriggers, and skirted baits with a variety of colors, cut baits and slabs.

Bait Supply: Continues to be readily available for all of the boats on a daily basis.
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WARMEST GOOD WISHES AND FISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR..........

Larry Edwards
CORTEZ YACHT CHARTERS
619-469-4255
email: cortezcharters@sbcglobal.net
website: www.cortezcharters.com