Z Fish Report (1/12/17)

Zeb Padovani of B.C. Canada fishing with Adolfo  on the panga Dos Hermanos

The big news being reported every day in the newspapers and on the internet, is the 20% overnight increase of fuel costs here in Mexico. We are now paying, for unleaded regular, about $3.21 (U.S.) a gallon, which is more than you are paying in the States. I believe Canada is paying about $0.96 a liter (U.S), which is la bit more than what the Mexicans are paying, (but, remember, the Mexicans do not have your wages or income on a daily basis. In fact divide your income by at least 10, and you will be getting close).

 This does affect the Mexican people big time. From the fishermen, to the delivery of the corn to make the staple tortillas to everyday products. It does add money to the government, but at the cost of the majority of the people. The majority of the people in Mexico are poor.

Fortunately, the peso is about 20:1, which means, at least for a while, the boat captains can hold their existing prices. I have seen some price gouging already from outside outfitters who book charters here in Zihuatanejo, with the same excuses about fuel costs above. That is Bullshit.

One last thought on the fuel prices is when I talked to Adolfo on the panga Dos Hermanos. He told me he is fine at the current rates for at least the 25 mile mark, but when he makes longer runs to the Ranch or down to Puerto Vicente, it gets dicey, and may need a few dollars more.

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: 82°

Inshore (average) surface temperature. From the beach to about 5 miles: 82°

Blue water: Clean water from the beach, but not blue, for miles and miles. (Chlorophyll amounts and surface temps from Terrafin SST)

Mark Denison tagged and released this sailfish down at Puerto Vicente Guerrero

Offshore- Still holding at only a couple of sailfish per boat per day, and a few large dorado are mixed in. The yellowfin tuna are hit and miss again. But, Adolfo, on his way up to the Ranch to fish inshore, spotted breaking fish about 1,500 feet out in front of La Salidita. They were yellowfin tuna from 17 to 22 pounds. Only rigged with surface poppers on spin gear, they still managed 4 of the tuna before they were gone.

Mark Denison, from his fishing lodge at La Barrita, fished with a Canadian friend down at Puerto Vicente Guerrero today, with 3 sailfish tagged and released, and a decent dorado for dinner. They lost a huge dorado, and a lost a favorite trolling lure of mine, which I had loaned to Mark, to a wahoo.

Dinner for Mark Denison and his friend from Canada

As a joke and a side note: I keep my favorite trolling lures below the sides of the boat, and out of sight.. If I were to rig it up high, the fish would see it and be jumping into the boat to get them. We do not want sailfish and marlin jumping into the boat. Mark will pay for my lost lure “big time”.

Another of Zeb's roosters coming to the boat. Note the Mega Bait
style casting spoon, and not a surface popper

Inshore: Adolfo, on the panga Dos Hermanos, has been working the areas up north near the Ranch for the last 3 weeks, for a reason. He is getting a lot of roosters and jack crevalle for his clients.

Ed Kunze                                                                         

 (Director of the Roosterfish Foundation, IGFA Representative)