Z Fish Report (1/31/19)

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 about 32 miles: 83°

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

Blue water: (Chlorophyll amounts and surface temps from Terrafin SST) Almost blue water from the beach to way out. The slight discoloring of the water near the beach has really turned on the inshore fishing for the roosterfish. (see below photo).

Offshore: After this late in the month full moon phase, we are finally getting some sailfish action. It now almost into February, which used to be a very good month for sailfish 30 years ago. The boats are averaging 6-8 raised sailfish to the spread for each boat, each day this week. Plus, about 3 – 4 hooked fish on conventional gear.

I questioned several of the captains about this late arrival, because 30 years ago, January was fantastic also. They are all optimistic, at least for another couple of seasons. They told me it was a change in the current conditions, not binging the sailfish close to shore. They are happy now, and there will be no reprimand on the long lines run out of pangas.

The fact fewer people are fishing this year is still lost on them, blaming the press in the States.

With Adolfo

Inshore: Cheva, on the panga Dos Hermanos II, has been running up north to the Ranch. He has been doing well on the tasty sierras, large jack crevalle, and even released a 40 pound roosterfish.

Mark Denison, down at La Barrita, took client Rob Anderson, from Burnaby, B.C. to Vicente Guerrero. They got several of the smaller roosters, spawned there in October, and one nice rooster. The small roosters, perfect for an 8wt fly rod, came with every cast. Mark said it was like a 3 pound trout on steroids.

And, what a difference a few days make. Adolfo, on the panga Dos Hermanos went to the same areas and got 12 roosters, from 25 to 30 pounds on spin gear.   

Ed Kunze

(Director of the Roosterfish Foundation, IGFA Representative)