Z Fish Report (2/23/17)

Greg Wenner with one of the typical jacks we are getting

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: 79°

Blue water: See photo below. (Chlorophyll amounts and surface temps from Terrafin SST)

Offshore- Cooler water seems to be moving down on us, which explains the great yellowfin tuna bite we had this last few weeks. But, large seiners moved in on the school and wrapped the most of them. There are still a few around, but have moved out to the 27-mile mark.

We have had some early wind, which has been making the seas a bit knarly.

The sailfish action is still slow, with only about 1 per boat per day, and also attributed to the cooler water. We have seen very few dorado.

Inshore: We need 80° water to keep the roosters around. With the cooling of the water, like the sailfish, they have been scarce. A couple of high notes however, is the hard fighting large jack crevalle and the tasty sierras love the cooler water and the action for them is very good.

Here is what Greg Wenner, Of Foley, Minn. emailed me about the day he spent with Cheva on the panga Dos Hermanos II. “We had a good day yesterday and caught several jack cravalle, bonito, and some other catfish looking type fish. My wife wasn't feeling well so it cut our time short. The seas were very rough!  As rough as I have seen it down here. I very much enjoyed our captain, and would fish with him again.” 

And, when Cheva had called me telling me how the day went, I almost dropped the phone when he said they got several cuatete (salt water catfish) spin casting Mega Baits (1.5 to 2 ounce metal spoons). Normally they are caught off the bottom on the reefs. This week is the first time I have heard of them taken in shallow water, and on surface lures.

Jim McGovern with a ice jack fishing with Adolfo

And a nice pampano

Jim McGovern of Illinois, fished with Adolfo on the panga Dos Hermanos, having an excellent day with large jack crevalle, sierras, cautete, and even the excellent eating pompano.

Ed Kunze                                                                         

 (Director of the Roosterfish Foundation, IGFA Representative)