Seasonal Transition Fishing, Conditions Improve Slightly

Written by: Stan Gabruk owner of Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle

 

Compared to what the fishing was like last week, we´ve improved. Not greatly, but we´ll take it an inch at a time if we have to. Fish are still in a transition period between summer and winter where breeding in spring takes precedence over feeding. Which of course means it can be frustrating when you see the fish, you know they´re there, but they just won´t pay a speck of attention to your trolled master piece (bait). Along with the change in seasons come water temperature swings. The summer currents don´t just take over, they mix in with winter currents and this creates a swirling affect which can make experienced captains pull their hair out. This is where even cheap electronics will tell you the water you´re in is either warmer or cold. When you can´t see or find fish, trolling in the warm streaks and currents greatly improve your chances. Cheap boats, no equipment, no fish, it´s that easy. This is nothing new, having an experienced captain with a full bag of tricks (lures and baits) as well as a radio and electronics to me are basics clients should not have to ask about or for. Better boats will already have them in an effort to win your future business. Fly by the seat of their pants type boats and owners will find fish, but it´s luck so keep this in mind, it will ultimately help your cause.

 

On the positive side water temperature are up slightly, clear green water conditions are still present, not a bad thing. Bait has started to return, especially near the point of Punta Mita in the form of Sardines. Rooster fish are still chasing these Sardines so you´ll find Roosters near the reef of Anclote off Sayulita. With the chilled waters, Dorado have not shown any signs, but Snappers to 35 lbs are coming up and taking trolled baits. Pompano in the 45 lb range and of course Rooster fish over 35 lbs are not exactly abundant, but they are around. For now, no Sailfish, but this will change soo, Sailfish normally move into the area around late April to mid May.04 20 2014 

 

The Marietta Islands are still seeing sketchy fishing. Some days plenty of fish, other days will make you pull your hair out. Mackerals of the Sierra variety, Bonito, Skip Jack Tuna, Snappers in the 35 lb range coming to the surface, Amber Jacks in the 40 lb range, Rooster fish if Sardines are in the area and of course Jack Crevalls, the standard day saver fish. All and all, nothing too spectacular, but for the visiting angler it´s the place to be to catch fish.

 

Those of you interested in off season fishing for Yellowfin Tuna can find satisfaction at the Tres Maria Islands. Again, these are protected fisheries, breeding grounds that surround a prison island that holds hardened criminals here in Mexico. As long as you stay outside of the restricted area, many call this the ¨buffer zone¨, you won´t have problems with the Federalies or other local authorities. Inside, well you´ll be chased like all the other guys ¨cheating¨ the boundaries. Yellowfin Tuna are running anywhere from 125 to 275 lbs right now. Bait swarming around the rocky areas makes this heaven for Yellowfin Tuna. It´s a long haul and an overnight trip is what makes the most sense, double the opportunities for double the price. The travel time is what kills you so get up with the bite and hook into a finned fantasy. Again, respect the boundaries and You´ll have fun.

 

Inside the bay is still on the short side. Skip Jack Tuna, Bonito, Jack Crevalls, Sierra Mackeral and that is about it. Naturally you´ll find all kinds of species around structure and a skilled captain with experience will always have his own secret spots.

 

With the full moon phase out of the way, you´ll remember the red moon, the bite is inching it´s way to mid morning. My suggestion is leave Marina Vallarta at or about 7:00 a.m. and you´ll be right on time. As far as bait goes, most of the natural bait has moved out of the bay for the moment, but again as stated earlier Sardines are coming back slowly so I expect things to pick up nicely by the time you read this article. Water temperatures are still chilly, but the sun is higher in the sky daily as summer gets closer by the day. So don´t be discouraged, you´ll catch fish, but it´s going to be work amigo. For now your best bet is still in the Punta Mita / Marietta Island areas until the deep water locations of El Banco and Corbeteña begin firing again.

 

Until next time don’t forget to kiss your fish and remember at Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle “ We Won’t Jerk You Around”!

Gail Force Sportfishing is proud to welcome "TRITON" into the Gail Force family! With a length of 60ft and a huge 20ft beam, this vessel is going to be a great addition. 

 

She sleeps 24 passengers and has a bait capacity of 160 scoops on deck! 

 

The Triton will provide 1/2 to 2 day Sportfishing charters. Any questions about the boat or for charter rates please contact Ryan at (310) 844-3814

Hi everyone;  Sorry you have not received reports for the past 13 days.  Once you are 150 below Socorro wifi is no longer operable. Our Sat phone and our Iridium phone would not pick up a satellite at Clipperton. 

 

Our passengers are a wonderful group and all say they had a sensational trip.

 

Skiff fishing was absolutely phenomenal.  Bluestar jacks to 27 pounds, Leatherback Cabrillo to 26 pounds and many other varieties.  There were also a few wahoo taken in the skiffs with the best a 70 pound skinny taken by Ken Kouchi on a 6x with a treble hook.

 

Tuna and Wahoo fishing were very poor.  Largest Yellowfin was a 196 taken by Kathy Rounds.  Next was Harmon Ryder with a 194 pound Yellowfin tuna.  Bot of these fish were early morning Iron fish.

 

Once they arrive home our passengers have many stories to tell and a great film of the trip to share with friends.

 

The R/p crew  (Frank, Dharyl, Roy, Jonathan, Jim, Ben, Anthony, and James).

 

"Making Dreams Come True"

Off to a Slow Start

 

Capt Justin Fleck called in to say that they started fishing this morning and things have been a little slow. There is a sign of fish around but the currents have been back an forth and making it difficult. We did manage a couple fish up to 180 lbs. After looking around there was not a lot of signs of fish around and we decided to make a move and try something new tomorrow. That is the good thing about 17 day trips, we have plenty of fishing time. Hopefully we will find a good parking spot tomorrow and start putting some fish on the deck, everyone is in good spirits. The weather is nice and we will report back in in a day or two.

Reported by:Justin Fleck

Today we started off with a cow. Pete Grey of “Let's Talk Hook-Up” landed his personal best Yellowfin, a 222# beauty. After a couple more stock grade fish the conditions changed and we were in search mode. In the late afternoon we got on a spot and had some good action on the right grade of fish. We landed two more cows, 227 and 202 and a couple of 190's. Maybe things are looking up. 

 

We compiled all the photos from previous days adding them to today's report. Photo #1 features Chris Lomax with a 197, #2 Doug Taylor with his 216, #3 Rob Taylor with a nice "skin", #4 Lohn Storms with his 202, #5 Bob Ryan with his 220, and #6 is the man himself, Pete Gray, with his 222.

Michael is live with all the great 22st Landing information. The Pursuit over at Catalina Island with good mixed bag fishing. The Monte Carlo out with mixed rockfish Action.

 

Call 310-832-8304 for reservations. 

Back in the Swing of it

 

The San Diego ended its three quarter day trip today with 32 yellowtail. These are a great size fish averaging 18-30lbs. Make sure you have fresh line and a few yo yo jigs for this trip. The San Diego departs daily at 5:30am. The New Seaforth on the afternoon half day had an outstanding rockfish count of 115 red rockcod and 1 yellowtail. The New Seaforth departs twice daily at 6am and 12:30pm.

The Islander is all geared up and ready to fish the 2014 season, They are putting togther a new schedule for 2014 now so get on your date before it books up. John, Shane, and all the gang had another great year in 2013.   

 

Call 619-224-4388 or 619-221-8500 for reservations. Visit Islander Charters on Facebook We also offer Guadalupe Island Great White Shark diving trips.

 

Marina Del Rey Sportfishing checking in this evening with 72 anglers out today. They caught 1 Sand Bass, 440 Rockfish, 1 Lingcod, 15 Sculpin, and 55 Sand Dab.

 

Trips are going daily including twilight trips on the weekends. 

 

Call for info and reservations at 310-822-3625.

Redondo Sportfishing checking in with a wrap-up report. They had 2 trips today with limits of rockfish on both of them. listen in live below.

 

Trips go daily. Call 310-372-2111 for trip information and reservations.

 

Charter Packages

Rampage Sportfishing includes:

All permits and Mexican Fishing Licenses

All Rods and Reels

All Tackle

All Crew

All Bait

All fish cleaning and packaging

We have fished Southern California and Mexico waters for over 50 years.

 

Charter Rates

1/2 Day (5 Hours) $1100.00

3/4 Day (9 Hours) $1400.00

Full Day Catalina $2100

Full Day San Clemente $2300.00

Overnight Catalina $2400.00

Overnight San Clemente $2600.00

All Day Offshore $2900.00

Overnight Tuna $3150.00

One and 1/2 Days Offshore Mexico $4250.00

Two Day Offshore Mexico $4500.00

Good day everybody! It has been a beautiful week in Cabo San Lucas and if your life long dream has been to catch a Marlin, this week would have been the one to be fishing in Cabo! Lot’s of happy anglers this week with 90% of all boats catching at least one Striped Marlin and some catches in the multiples.

 

It has still been beautiful this week, I guess winter just passed us by without stopping in to give us even a little chill! Well, there is never much of a real winter here anyway!!

 

We actually caught a few nice Dorado this week as well, right around where we are pulling in the Marlin. Mostly Cortes side between the 95 & 1150 bank and down around the “Herradura”. Long time RedRum angles, the Zeitners, fished on ReelRum for their final of 3 days with Cappy Ramon and mate Julio. The rounded out their trip by boating 2 Dorado and releasing 2 Striped Marlin, their trip total, Marlin: 6, Dorado: 3. Not too shabby for April! Buddy Jeff James was out on 19′s Toy with his son hoping to get into some action after being shut out last time he was out fishing with us. He said, this trip went above and beyond this time! He and son released 5 Striped Marlin before calling it a day!

 

There really were not any other species had this week by RedRum anglers, when the bite is this hot for the Marlin, people generally go right for them! We had quite a few other 4 Marlin boats this week, but again, the few 1/2 day boats we had did not have a lot of luck, this time of year, if you want to fish, you gotta put in the time my friends, COMMIT!!  :)

 

Last but not least, I will leave you with Brown Delozier’s “fish story”, they fished on Nuevo with Captain Alex and Carlos, his word’s, not mine – you heard it here….. “We went 4 for 5 on Marlin, I actually caught my largest striped marlin ever, on stand up as well, just after being broke off, literally breaking the hook in half, by we all believe may have been a black marlin in the 3 or 400 lb range!! I got it near the boat but once it decided to leave it never stopped after 10 jumps all straight away from the boat and never looked back!!! Wow, that was cool. David Seaman and Matt O’Sullivan both caught their first marlin and were thrilled. My fish, pictured, went nearly 10′ according to the string we cut to measure it!!”

Today was one of those days when a good fishing move did not pay big dividends in fish in the well. We had steady action for a couple of hours in the morning, but lost quite a few to the tax man. We then trolled up some wahoo and then took off for greener pastures. We gave this place a thorough check and leave secure in the knowledge that this was not the right time for this area.

 

Our weather continues to be excellent.

Easter Week is attracting local families to all of the accessible beaches, as this is the traditional time to spend time with family and friends on the shoreline. Practically the whole city shuts down this weekend, as no one wants to miss out on any of the action. This is also transition time for the weather patterns, days are steadily warming, though there has been a mix of cloud cover and cooler Pacific breezes sweeping through actually the ideal climate now, with high temperatures into the 80s.

 

Many locals always say that the fish go on vacation as well over the holiday, with the recent full moon passing and choppy ocean conditions for a few days, we did see the water clarity become blotchy and the all around fishing action was more scattered. Striped marlin with some dorado mixed in has been the main deal offshore, varying from day to day, at times fish were found within several miles, other days out to 20 miles.