Z Fish Report (3/24/16)

Adolfo, on the panga Dos Hermanos, with a nice amberjack

With the high season about over for sailfish, and consistently slow all season, there is huge difference in the reports coming out of Guatemala. Apparently they are having one of their best seasons in years for sailfish. It is hard to dispute this, with up to 25 fish a day released off one boat…on the fly rod. From Brian Horsley for his 2 fly fishing groups: “consisted of two boats and five anglers and in three days of fishing released 101 sailfish on fly. One boat released 11, 25, 22 each day.” 

Normally, with Guatemala being the No. 1 destination in the world for sailfish, and Zihuatanejo being No. 2, tagging studies have shown the same fish pass down through Zihuatanejo, and congregate off Guatemala, peaking in March. This is why November through February is generally good fishing for sailfish here in Zihuatanejo. Zihuatanejo is historically a stopping over location, due to bait availability and currents, for the sailfish in their migration south.

If they are having a banner year in Guatemala, what happened to Zihuatanejo with the same fish? Very simple. The fish are still going to end up in Guatemala and on down to Panama, on their final destination south before they migrate north again. But, with the El Niño currents this year, and the bait supply, the sailfish went way offshore to get to their final southerly destination. Zihuatanejo got left off the historical migration route.

Above and below - On the panga Dos Hermanos, with the White Rocks in the background

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°

Inshore (average) surface temperature. From the beach to about 5 miles: 83°

The blue water is at the 100 fathom line, with slightly discolored water from there to the 5 miles to the beach. The lower area near Petatlan and the antennas are showing highly discolored water.

Offshore. (Remains unchanged from last week) The sailfish action is still generally slow. The boats are hooking about a sailfish per day per boat.

Cheva on the panga Dos Hermanos II did release two sailfish on Wednesday. But, with the full moon period here, as a friend of mine on the pier this morning said it right: “Yes, we are averaging about a sailfish a day per boat, but you may only have that one shot at him. Luckily they are hungry, and we usually catch it.”

There are still very few dorado.

Above and Below - Live bait on a down rigger produced these jack,
with Noe on the panga Porpy

Inshore: A few jack crevalle are showing, but most of the action now is on the black skipjack tuna, which the captains call bonitos, because the clients all know what a bonito is.

The short 7 mile run to the White Rocks has been generating the best action this week. Slow trolling, or drifting and fly lining a live bait has been producing several jack crevalle, sierras, and even a few amberjack.

Ed Kunze                                                                         

 (Director of the Roosterfish Foundation, IGFA Representative)