Z Fish Report (4/7/16)

With spin rods on the panga Dos Hermanos with Adolfo

One thing the El Niño has done this year is keep the annual cold green water “April current“ away. By now, we are usually having to travel 30 plus miles to find clean water, and even then it is only about 76 degrees. The water is different this year, but unfortunately, the fishing results are about the same. 

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: 81°

Inshore (average) surface temperature. From the beach to about 5 miles: 80°

The blue water has not changed this last few weeks and is at the 100 fathom line, with slightly discolored water from there to the 5 miles to the beach, with some areas being a bit more discolored than others.

Offshore. The sailfish action remains unchanged from last few weeks and is still generally slow. The boats are hooking about a sailfish per day per boat. There are a few marlin being taken, with the blues being more predominate than the cooler water loving striped marlin.

The one exciting highlight is the abundance of the yellowfin tuna this week. How long it will last cannot be predicted, but the few people who are here are talking advantage of it. I only counted 4 pangas and 1 cruiser going out this morning. 

Adolfo with a nice yellowfin tuna

Talking to Adolfo, he told me the tuna are only about 9 to 11 miles off the beach and are in the 20 to 30 pound class, with some larger. He is fishing for them with spin gear for his clients, and they are having a blast. The best bait seems to be the 1.5 ounce Mega Bait, a metal casting or jigging lure. The tuna are taking it on the sink.

He also told me the tuna are feeding on small 2” sardines, with a blue back, or 1 inch long squid.

There are still very few dorado.

On the Dos Hermanos

Inshore: April is typically an excellent month for jack crevalle, and this year is outstanding. Cheva, on the panga Dos Hermanos fished with Eric Nuytten of Minnetonka, MN along the beach off Playa Blanca and down to Barra Potosi. After catching 15 large jacks, he told Cheva to take him back, and call it an early day. He was wiped out.

With Adolfo down at the river bar Valentine (Valen-teen)

Adolfo, on the panga Dos Hermanos is also proving there are a few roosters around, which is extremely rare in April.

Ed Kunze                                                                         

 (Director of the Roosterfish Foundation, IGFA Representative)