Z Fish Report (5/4/17)

Offshore (average) surface water temperature - Includes from the 5-6 mile mark at the 100 fathom line, then to the 1,000 fathom line being at 32 miles: 80°.  (see below)

Inshore (average) surface temperature. From the beach to about 5 miles: definitely a typical April cooling trend - very cool 78°

Blue water: See below. (Chlorophyll amounts and surface temps from Terrafin SST) Cloud cover obscures a lot of the map, but the blue water is trying to get back in, with large areas of green water and even some areas of red tide. In another week or so, the blue water should be dominant.

Offshore Action- Spotty blue water and cool water temperatures still have the offshore very slow.

The annual sailfish kill tournament starts tomorrow (Friday). Prizes are given to the 3 largest sailfish, a prize for the largest marlin, and another for the largest dorado. And I am 100% against any aspect of it, except the 10 kilo limit of the dorado. At least the dorado are still abundant, but who knows for how long.

In the 20 years past, the average percipients have averaged between 125-135 boats, and I have seen as many as 165 entries. But this year, by 4:00 this afternoon, it was 237 boats. Incredible!

Don’t plan on fishing offshore for at least a week after the tournament is over (this Sunday, the 7^th) The water will have beat to death.

Paul Phillips’ (Fintastic Tag and Release Tournaments) and I had pushed for a 30 kilo (66 pounds) minimum size several years back, and we succeeded. Due to overfishing and long lines, the size is getting smaller every year. So what happens is if the fish does not meet the 30 kilo limit? The Mexican angler justifies killing the fish hoping it qualifies, and if not, he is sure to get some of his money back in the form of food. It is still basically a 100% kill tournament, unless Gringo anglers are on the boat, who actually respect the rules.   

Also, note that Paul’s IGFA sanctioned rules for the very first Total Tag and Release Tournament here in Mexico are still used by the IGFA in their tournaments worldwide.   

Inshore: The dirty inshore water has slowed down most all species. However, just a couple of hundred yards off the beach, we are getting the tasty sierras, the hard fighting jack crevalle, and black skipjack tuna (called bonitos here by the captains).

Ed Kunze                                                                            

 (Director of the Roosterfish Foundation, IGFA Representative)