Zihwatanejo next year - Who wants to come?

[Uglygreen]

Here are some of the photos from this years trip.













Continued...

[ 04-04-2003, 07:25 AM: Message edited by: Uglygreen ]

[Uglygreen]

And some more...














So, For next year, who wants to go to Zihwatanejo?

The invitation is going to be open for all.

We are going to pick a date sometime around February or March, during a moonless period.

This trip can be done for as little as $800 bucks plus airfare.

I was there for 9 days this year and spent $864.40 plus a plane ticket which was $280 round trip. (With earlier reservations I could have got a Alaska Air milage plan ticket for $80 bucks)

I want to establish a list of people who would like to go next year so we can start saving our pennies and planning the thing.

I think it would be really fun to get a dozen or so Ifishers to go a year from now.

UG

[ 03-29-2003, 10:00 PM: Message edited by: Uglygreen ]

[skrimmy]

Looks like way too much fun to pass up. I might have to give serious consideration!

[Gun Rod Bow]

Well Brad,

You know you can count me (er, um,...us)in.



GRB

[Uglygreen]

Well the fishing was actually really slow this year, we screwed up and went on a full moon period and on a Mexican holiday which screwed up the hotels. There was also cold water on the beach which is very unusual for that location at this time of year.

We got a few big fish, but we had to work really hard for them this time. On a more typical trip you can catch half a dozen sails a day, the Dorado are all over the place, and 2 or three marlin hookups a day is not unusual. The tuna are much closer to shore, and 150-200 pound fish are common, with a few 300 lb plus fish every trip. You rarely have to fish more than 10-20 miles from port, versus the 20-40 we went most days this year.

Anyhow, I just wanted to start a little list of those who might be interested and maybe awnser a few questions for people who might be interested in doing a trip like this.

Bruce and Dave feel free to hop in with your thoughts as well.

UG

[ 03-29-2003, 10:20 PM: Message edited by: Uglygreen ]

[Mr. Fisherman]

I am interested if I can just keep from buying boat jewlery long enough to save up enough money.
What was the total with airfare, hotel, meals and fishing? How many days/nights? What was your itenerary?
Thanks for thinking of us...

[WP]

Brad,
I sent you an email requesting information as I am interested in going later this year, maybe waiting until a year from now would be a good idea! Let me know what the plans are and I and my spouse will certainly consider it! I drool at every picture.
WP [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] :grin:

[David Johnson]

I thought it was a great trip even if the fishing wasn't as good as it could have been. Next year the fishing will be better.

And for those that are interested in bringing down wife/family. The weather was perfect and the environment was clean and the people were very friendly.

[Uglygreen]

WP - You dont want to go in the summer - 100+ degrees F with near 100% humidity. Last week the highs were 85-90 with humidity in the 70% range. Very comfortable. Summer is death.

Mr. Fisherman.

Dave, Loyd, and I split a room with 2 queen beds, TV, and air conditioning for $ 38 bucks a night. That is $12 each. We were a 2 minute walk from the fishing. Bruce was at a "high end" place that was a 20 minute walk from us that was $80 bucks a night for a really nice room, swimming pool, and semi private beach.

Meals generally run $15-$20 bucks a day, and your eating pretty darn good.

Fishing boats generally run from $150 on a 7 hour ponga trip, $220 for a ten hour trip, to $400 for a larger cruiser. Generally speaking the pongas catch most of the fish. Figure 3 guys to a boat and thats $50 to $75 per day for the fishing. That includes rods, tackle, etc...

Taxis in town are generally $2-3 bucks, but you can walk most places.

Airfare usually runs about $300-$500 bucks round trip on Alaska. I have one of those Alaska Air Credit Cards and run a lot of purchases over it during the year. We put everything from gas, to house payment, to boat toys, on the card and get the miles. 15,000 air miles gets you a half price international ticket, 30,000 gets you a "free" ticket (you still pay the taxes and fees, about $90 bucks). If you get one of the cards, and pay it off in full every month you only pay the $25 annual fee, and you will be susprised at how fast the air miles build.

Itenary: PDX to LAX (3 hours), change planes, LAX to Zihwatanejo (4 hours). The resort town of Ixtapa is a 15 minute taxi ride from Zihuatanejo, and reminds me of Cabo. Very built up and Americanized. Big resort hotels and all that. Ixtapa caters to sun seeking party people.

Zihuatanejo is a very much more intimate and quiet place that caters to fishermen and sail boater types. Bruce can probably describe it better.

I was gone 10 days total, fished 8 of them and spent right around $1,100 total (meals, airfare, hotel, gifts for kids, everything).

UG

[ 03-30-2003, 07:20 AM: Message edited by: Uglygreen ]

[pearl]

I have never met you guys but if it is an open invitation I would like to throw my name in the hat.
Went to Cabo for a number of years but the rest of the world starting going there as well and the price to value just isn't there anymore.
Keep me posted on the details !

[wak'm&stak'm]

I am always up for a new trip...
Whenever you have a date please let me know thanks.

I would almost venture to guess that there could be a large number consider this trip. Especially as we head into winter this fall.
My question is the number of local charters...when one must button down reservations?

Thanks

[Longhunter]

Got me hooked! any chance of a group rate?

Thanks! Paul

[skein]

We're for it, but spring break is our only time. Might be able to squeeze a day or two early to beat the rush. I'll have to look up the schedule for next year but usually it falls on the third or fourth week of March.

Did I mention that my wife wants to catch a sail sooooo bad. :grin:

The moon really makes a big difference, eh?

Skein

[ketchumfast]

UG - Thanks for your posts, pics, and especially spearheading a possible trip for next year.

You can definately consider me a strong candidate for the trip. I have fished the East Cape area of Baja several years, and in fact I'm leaving early May for a two week trip. Last year was a great trip there for me, and I only hope to at least duplicate it this year. Anyway, definately keep my name near the top of your list. I would probably be travelling alone, so would like to bunk with someone if that worked out.

Tight lines, and for now think springers - - can hardly wait for the Wind R. to kick in, won't be long now :smile: .

[Capin' Dan]

UG, I'm in for it. I can help if you need setting something up for a group. On the spring break thing does this place get a bunch of tourist during the spring brak time and if so do we need to steer clear during that time. Just questions I'm asking.

Dan!

[Fish_N_Russ]

Hey I have to ask, is this the same place mentioned in Shawshank Redemption?

[Uglygreen]

Fish_N_Russ

Yes it is.

------------------------------------

Longhunter

Great Idea, but I have no clue. Maybe you might call Alaska Airlines or America West and see if they offer a group discount and what the rules are?

-------------------------------------

ketchumfast

Your welcome, and I am pretty sure we can hook you up a bunk mate if you can go.

-------------------------------------

skein

Moon does make a big difference, maybe you can find out when (approximatly) spring break is next year and what the moon phase is at that time frame?

-------------------------------------

Capin' Dan

No, most of the USA tourists go to Ixtapa 10 miles away. But we want to make plane reservations early (like Oct/Nov) this time. We also want to avoid the Mexican holidays.

Ziuwatanejo gets busy during the sailfish tournament (January) and the marlin tournament (April).

---------------------------------

wak'm&stak'm

We have to do some thinking on that, there are plenty of boats. I have mixed feelings. The normal guy I have fished with for years down there had a crap attitude for some reason this year? He got mad at me because we wanted to try something new after he fell flat on his face the first couple days.

There are always a ton of pongeros trying to hustle you for business on the waterfront. Is it better to be locked into certain boats, or better to move it around a bit day by day and find a guy you like, with the risk that he might be booked?

Bruce and Dave probably have some more thoughts on this subject.

---------------------------------

pearl

Consider your name in the hat. Start saving $50 bucks a month now and you can do the trip for cash whent he time comes.

---------------------------------

UG

[fishbait]

Sounds fun, put me on the list please....

[King Fisher]

Put me down for serious consideration.

[Fish_N_Russ]

UG,
thanks

BTW, how do you transport your catch? just via plane or ?

[Gun Rod Bow]

As far as the return of catch. Here's what I've always done.

I only bring back the good stuff: Yellow Fin Tuna (Ahi) Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), maybe Pargo. I brought ziplocks and had the cook at the hotel clean up (without water) the fillets and freeze. The last days catch we brought back unfrozen.

I bought a cooler there ($30) and filled it with the frozen stuff and put the fresh on top. Taped it up and packed it back on the plane. Between my wife and I we only had 3 pieces of luggage so no extra charge for the cooler. Everything was frozen hard when we got home.

I don't really consider it a "meat trip" but enjoy the variety. A 40 qt cooler of fish is plenty for my family and friends.

Please release the billfish if possible. (BTW, Dave's sail blew it's stomach)

For those who mentioned Cabo and East Cape, I have fished both and really prefer Z-what for everyting except Roosters. (Long Story)

As UG already said, Z-what is cheap for a guys trip. The place my wife and I stayed was no "Club Med", but had everything a wife likes. Nice rooms, private veranda, nice pool, cool little uncrowded, no surf, public beach, restaurant, no pesty peddlers.

Hope to see you all next year. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

GRB

[skein]

There's lots of guys and gals who want to sign on for a Z-What trip, so don't let the "spring break" thing bog anybody down. My wife and I are going next year and that's the only time we have, and we'd really like to hook up (pun intended) with fellow ifishers down there - but I'll be the first to say let the majority rule.

When you put the trip together, don't hesitate to plan it around the time that works best for the most ifishers.

Skein and the Missus

[ketchumfast]

I am soooo ready, and I haven't even made my trip to the East Cape yet this year. I have been doing some searching, and came up with these moon phase data for early 2004:
Full moon: Feb 6, Mar 6--Last quarter: Feb 13, Mar 13 --New Moon: Feb 20,Mar 20, First quarter: Feb 27, Mar 28. UG what does this mean to you ?
If you are interested in the web site its: http://griffithobs.org follow the link to sky information page, and then moonphases.
Lets see, do we have to wait a full year :whazzup:

[Uglygreen]

So far the "interested" list is:

Gun Rod Bow
Javid Johnson
Loyd Johnson
Uglygreen
Skrimmy
Skein
Mr. Fisherman
WP
pearl
wak'm&stak'm
Longhunter
ketchumfast
Capin' Dan
Fish_N_Russ
fishbait
King Fisher
Wildhawg
Mack Slayer
big n bright

Did I miss anybody?

I'm going to suggest that we start some real planning sometime in September or October. Save $50 or $75 bucks a month between now and next Fabruary/March and the trip will be almost paid for. :grin:

UG

[No Wishin Just Fishin]

Count me and the Wife in Brad.

Also Fish-N-Russ I think Red and The kid still live down there

[Tagster]

UG- count me and my wife in definitely.

My schedule is very flexible, so anytime is great!

Tag

[ketchumfast]

UG - I agree that serious planning should wait until this fall, but I got-ta-admit my day dreaming is already underway.
Even though springers and my East Cape trip (May 3rd) are foremost in my mind, I would like to start looking at information on the Zwat area. Do you (or others who have been there) have favorite web sites that show where we would stay, local attractions, etc? Although I am flexable, I think I am leaning towards where you stayed this year. Anyway, you can email any sites to me if you don't want to take up space on the thread. CAN'T WAIT until fall to get this really going!
Tight lines to all

[GoFish]

Ya know, I'm always thinking I'd like a trip down there and have never done it. This sounds like a good way through all the unknowns of fishing Mexico. I'm down for solid consideration of this trip. What about rod & reels? Did you use their gear and, if so, were you satisfied with it or would you take your own stuff? I hate fighting fish on meat-sticks.

[ketchumfast]

GoFish- On the East Cape some people take their own gear, but alot don't. Usually on a cruiser there are 4-5 rods fishing all the time regardles of the number of fishermen on the boat, so unless everyone takes their own equipment, chances are you may fight a fish on "company" gear anyway. Since we also take turns on "who's up for the next fish", when you are in the hot seat that big marlin may hit a different rod. These are just my thoughts as they relate to the East Cape fishery. Obviously, fishing 2 people out of a pango makes it a lot easier to fish your own gear. Just my .02 worth as the saying goes. However you fish in Mexico it's GREAT!! As I said in my post above, I'm flexable, and will do what the crowd dictates :smile:

[ketchumfast]

Uglygreen, thanks for the info. I had searched google, and found some information, but just thought you might have had a favorite :smile: . Also, thanks for the comment about the salty dog form, I'll definately check it out. I have been on it occasionally, but haven't gone back that far. Last, and certainly of not much importance, I am confused about the "official spelling". I had checked the Alaska airline site for potential schedules, and they spell it without the "w" Zihua... then I got out a map I have and it is also with a "ua" I really don't care how it's spelled, as long as we get there. By the way, I was successful in the google search useing the "wat" spelling.What ever you are doing, keep the line tight

[cdj356]

Add me to your list for next year . It sounds like fun . C.D.J.

[FODF]

Yea, me too for serious consideration. Never fished Mexico, but have friends that go to Cabo. This sounds right for me. Keep me posted. Thanx

[billfish]

The wife and I would also like to get on this list as being interested.

[Capin' Dan]

ketchumfast
Talking about your day dreaming we have been planning a trip to Costa Rica and currently plan on leaving in Sept 8 to the 17th in Golfito. I am already loosing sleep over this trip I'm so excited. Capn Dan, Baitboy, norriverdave, Gary F. and a couple of others its going to be a dream of a lifetime. IT going to be an annual thing for me from now on.

Dan

[Uglygreen]

GoFish,

To awnser your question, rods and reels are not required. But you might want to bring some stuff anyway. Especally if you want to use some lighter gear. Most of the local stuff is heavy gear, good for Tuna, Marlin, etc, but kinda boring on the "small game" species. Salmon stuff is kinda fun on a lot of the species. I think im going to try sailfish on my heavy salmon gear next year. And think im going to bring a heavy duty spinning rod for some surf casting. Bruce and Dave have some thoughts on this as well, Im sure.

Ketchumfast,

I found a lot of info on a Yahoo search, the correct spelling is "Zihwatanejo", although some of the local signs read "Zihuatanejo".

In a nutshell Ixtapa is 15 minutes away by taxi and has big resort hotels, Howard Johnsons, Club Med, and a bunch of others. Sand beaches, golf courses, etc. Zihuatanejo is mostly fishing, shops, resturants. Much more of a local flavor in Zihuatanejo much more International in Ixtapa. There was a bunch of this sort of information on Ifish over the 3 months leading up to this years trip, mostly in the Salty Dogs forum.

--------------------------------------------------------

With recent additions the "interested" list is now:

Gun Rod Bow
Javid Johnson
Loyd Johnson
Uglygreen
Skrimmy
Skein
Mr. Fisherman
WP
pearl
wak'm&stak'm
Longhunter
ketchumfast
Capin' Dan
Fish_N_Russ
fishbait
King Fisher
Wildhawg
Mack Slayer
big n bright
No Wishin Just Fishin
Tagster
GoFish

Did I miss anybody else?

UG

[Uglygreen]

With recent additions the "interested" list is now:

Gun Rod Bow
Javid Johnson
Loyd Johnson
Uglygreen
Skrimmy
Skein
Mr. Fisherman
WP
pearl
wak'm&stak'm
Longhunter
ketchumfast
Capin' Dan
Fish_N_Russ
fishbait
King Fisher
Wildhawg
Mack Slayer
big n bright
No Wishin Just Fishin
Tagster
GoFish
cdj356
FODF
billfish

Did I miss anybody else? If you guys and gals would, please send me your email addreses to:

ifish2002@hotmail.com

I will keep you all updated with fish reports and the latest news. Will also post on this thread here.

UG

Latest report:

Posted Friday, April 11, 2003
The 78º blue water is at the entrance to Zihuatanejo Bay. The blue water close to shore has really turned on the inshore fishing for sierras, rainbow runners, large jack cravalle, and a few rooster fish. Even a decent 30 pound wahoo was recorded on the Agua Azul by Captain Mecate at the Solitary Rock 1/2 mile from the Bay entrance.

The main action is taking place at 16 miles on a 240º heading. The tuna schools are traveling fast, pop up and then disappear. But, the sailfish bite has been fairly constant. Santiago on the panga Gitana and Efrain on the Vamonos III both had back to back days with at least 9 sailfish strikes each day. The fish have been a little wary to hook however, and fishing with conventional gear, they got 4 each day.

Ed Kunze

[Born to Fish]

UG - please add me to the interested list. Sounds like a really great opportunity. I'd be traveling alone, so would be interested in sharing a room to reduce lodging expenses if possible.

My email address is dberg200083709@yahoo.com.

Dean

[Snagly]

Looks like you guys had a great trip, and thanks for all the posts and photos. I certainly got many "Vee-Tee's" (vicarious thrills) reading your diary.

I also have request/ suggestion. And that's that next year you pursue a 100% C&R policy for the billfish. I know the crews want to sell the flesh (and in some cases "Fish = a tip"). I also know that killing fish is not only legal, it's so habitual in many places that getting the gaff out of the deckie's hand is like a WWF bout. But the guys that fish the sails, stripes, blues and blacks hard (I'm not one of them, BTW), treat them the same we treat native steelhead. No where are billfish sufficiently plentiful that a recreational kill fishery isn't having an impact on numbers.

And while I'm on my (small) soapbox, those members of the jack family (eg. roosters) don't taste very good, either. On the other hand, those school ahi (yellowfin) only see the inside of the fish box (along with the mahi mahi, pargo and other tasty critters).

In any event, I'm not trying to stir the pot or give offence. I've killed marlin in the past. I've also eaten it and at 89 cents/ pound dockside in Kona (Big Island), I'd have rather given the crew another bill and set it free . . .

"Peace"

[Uglygreen]

Snagly,

I wouldnt make it a "100% C&R policy" for the following reason(s).

We both released and kept sailfish and Marlin on this trip. The marlin in the picture was the second one I caught on the trip, we released one about 2 hours before we killed that one. It was bleeding horribly, more than any other that I have seen. You could see the fishs heart pumping because of the large flush of blood behind the boat every time its heart beat. It was obvious that a large artery in the gill structure had been punctured or torn.

I was also fishing with a local "commercial" guy I know, we were trolling large live bait near schools of bonita hoping for a blind strike by large tuna nearshore like he had gotten several in the previous weeks. It was not a "sport" trip persay, and even though I was paying for the guys gas, the rules are a little different in that situation.

We were tuna fishing, but the chances of a tuna were looking pretty slim, and because of the blood and other factors I didn't object when he wanted to keep the fish. I would have done the same again.

If you take another look at Dave J's sailfish picture, you will note the fish's stomach hanging out its gills. The sails will sometimes "throw out" their stomach when hooked or being fought on a hook and line. A defensive measure against eating the wrong thing I think. Kinda like puking if you are sick and eat the wrong thing. The locals tell me that if the stomach comes up and is out the fishes mouth, the fish can re-swallow it and survive. If the stomach is out the fishes gills (like Dave J's was) the fish can not and will die. Dave and I had already agreed to release the fish till we saw the stomach had come out the gills.

I would encourage people to release billfish, but I wouldnt make it a hard and fast "rule" persay. The fish are not threatened or endangered in that ocean, and people should use their best judgement. You are right about the locals, and I feel an extra tip to the crew for releasing fish is appropriate.

UG

[ 04-19-2003, 08:56 AM: Message edited by: Uglygreen ]

[Snagly]

Thanks for taking the time to set the record straight, UG. As per your description, it certainly made no sense to release the two gonners.

Raw thumbs!

[Rodbender]

I've fished Zihuatanejo for almost 20 years now and I can testify that it's a heckuva nice place.

Not quite as quiet or as cheap as it formerly was but still a clean safe place to visit and fish.

http://www.zihuatanejo.net is the best site on the area.

One Cabo-like plague that's popped up in Zihua is the tout on the street who hustles people for boats he doesn't have access to/has no intention of showing up after taking a deposit.

Anyone going down with an experienced guy like UglyGreen won't have that problem though since he knows his way around/who to talk to.

[ 04-21-2003, 09:03 PM: Message edited by: Rodbender ]

[slammer]

How would one get more information about this trip?

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Put me on the list as well.

[Uglygreen]

Latest Report:

Posted Monday, April 21, 2003

Even though the 80º blue water has moved out a bit, and despite the full moon, the fishing has been very good.

There are a lot of blue marlin at the 45-50 mile mark. On one day this last week, 8 private boats from marina Ixtapa went out and hooked 10 blues.

A lot of tuna are being caught with most of them in the 30 to 35 pound class. Blaine Burnette of Bakersfield CA, fishing with Luis on the panga Gringo Loco, scored the biggest yellowfin with an estimated 230 pounder. The two speed Shimano 30 reel and 760 Calstar rod helped to make it a catchable fish, despite the 5 1/2 hour battle on 60 pound Izoreline.

Bruce Marshal and 11 year old son Nick, from Aliso Viejo CA, fished with Santiago on the panga Gitana. They released two sailfish and took 8 tuna in the 25 to 35 pound class. Bruce told me it was so wide open, they could have taken another 10 tuna if they had stayed a little longer, but his son kind of wore out. (At least that is the excuse he gave me. I kind of think Bruce was a little worn out also).

Captain Ruben on the Yellowfin did not have a client one day, so he and a couple of friends went out for their own sport, and to possibly find the big tuna. They ended with 12 yellowfin from 35 to 60 pounds.

Adolpho on the panga Dos Hermanos, fishing with a client from France, told me the roosterfish action is fantastic. At one point they got into a school of roosters busting a ball of bait. They were all huge fish and his client managed to catch and release 3 fish off the school before they broke up. The roosters were all in the 40 pound class.

Ed Kunze

----------------------------------------------------------------

With recent additions the "interested" list is now:

Gun Rod Bow
Javid Johnson
Loyd Johnson
Uglygreen
Skrimmy
Skein
Mr. Fisherman
WP
pearl
wak'm&stak'm
Longhunter
ketchumfast
Capin' Dan
Fish_N_Russ
fishbait
King Fisher
Wildhawg
Mack Slayer
big n bright
No Wishin Just Fishin
Tagster
GoFish
cdj356
FODF
billfish
Snagley
Born to Fish
rodbender
slammer
willametteriveroutlaw

--------------------------------------------------------------------

UG

[Albacore Tuna Captain]

OKAY! I'M IN! Of Course I have to take my best friend with me! Diana and I would love to go since she loves warm climates and has never been that far south. So we are a definate go! I'd like to be making plans towards a date so are we going to keep this thread as the info site? Again, count me in.

[Uglygreen]

Note:

Dates are not set yet, If you read earlier in this thread, we were thinking about a moonless period (best fishing) where there are no Mexican holidays (less crowds), sometime between February and April. We were thinking about starting "serious" planning sometime this fall.

Spring break doesnt really affect Zihwatanejo for fishing or lodging, as most of the US spring break crowd goes to the large resort hotels over in Ixtapa. It does affect airfare price and avalibility, but that shouldn't be a problem if we set the date early enough.

UG

[Norm]

I just came into a couple of free alaska air tickets and was thinking of Zihuatanejo myself. One of my co-workers just went and had a blast. Put me down as interested. I would love to get a couple of days of fishing in. ( I really wanted to go to alaska but my wife saw the mexico ads ).

[RichH]

OK, count me in too.

[Uglygreen]

Latest report: Posted Saturday, April 26, 2003

With the 80º blue water only a mile off the beach, the fishing has been very good and a number of species are in the count.

Most notable is the number of yellowfin tuna. Jan Gladstone from New Jersey fished with Luis Marciel on the panga Gringo Loco and caught 13 tuna on the first day. On the second day he took another 12 tuna and told me when Luis came up on the breaking fish, he would get up on the bow and start casting. All day, he only made 10 casts that did not draw a strike using the S&G lure in the 3oz size.

Dave Owen from Ferndale, Washington fished with Arturo on the Whiskey III and lost a tuna estimated over 300 pounds. The major concentrations of tuna are all between 30 and 35 miles fom Zihuat. Bay.

There has also been decent sailfish action. Ed Day and John Lofton from Newport Beach, CA fished with Cali on the Vamonos II, releasing 3 sailfish and keeping 1 wahoo. The day before, Cali had also scored on a wahoo of about 50 pounds. The Yellowfin II got 3 sails and a nice dorado.

Ed Kunze

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Interested list with recent additions:

Gun Rod Bow
Javid Johnson
Loyd Johnson
Uglygreen
Skrimmy
Skein
Mr. Fisherman
WP
pearl
wak'm&stak'm
Longhunter
ketchumfast
Capin' Dan
Fish_N_Russ
fishbait
King Fisher
Wildhawg
Mack Slayer
big n bright
No Wishin Just Fishin
Tagster
GoFish
cdj356
FODF
billfish
Born to Fish
rodbender
slammer
willametteriveroutlaw
Popeye
Julie Rose
Albacore Tuna Captain
Pilars Mate
Pilar
South Paw
8 Knots
NorRivDave
Bankbound and Father
Norm
RichH

----------------------------------------------------------------

UG

[ 05-01-2003, 06:36 AM: Message edited by: Uglygreen ]

[ketchumfast]

Hope those fish are headed north, and choose to travel on the west side of the Sea of Cortez. I'll be on the East Cape for two weeks starting Sat. to try to disrupt their jurney for an hour or so :grin:

I think I about have the internet thing figured out, and will try to post from down there kind of like you did uglygreen (but without pictures) no digital camera yet :depressed:

Thanks for the updates UG, I'm ready to start planning when ever you say the word!

Tight lines to all

[Uglygreen]

Latest report:

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted Monday, May 12, 2003

The main story and the action is tuna. The yellowfin tuna are here in incredible quantities and the boats are getting some fantastic counts. Most of the action is only 3 to 8 miles out of Zihuatanejo Bay.

A perfect example of the excellent fishing we have was experienced by Don Mawhorter of Seattle, WA and Steve Jarred of Berthoud, Co. The first day, fishing with Santiago on the panga Gitana, they caught 30 yellowfin tuna and 1 sailfish. On the second day they fished with Adolpho on the panga Dos Hermanos. This inshore trip yielded 20 jack cravalle in the 15 to 20 pound class and one roosterfish of 50 pounds.

Along with the tuna, the blue marlin have been very active. Several have been taken and all within 5 miles of the beach. The main reason the marlin are here is the abundance of black skipjack tuna.

Ed Kunze

--------------------------------------------------------------


UG

[Uglygreen]

Latest Report:

----------------------------------------

Posted Saturday, May 31, 2003
The excellent fishing is still continuing with not just the smaller yellowfin tuna and sails, but the big tuna have also come on very strong.

Ed Garvis of Anaheim, CA took a 202 pound tuna fishing with Arturo on the Whisky III. The panga Moramay lost a huge tuna at deep color when the rod broke. Armando on the panga Janeth got a 252 pounder for his client Nick Borsch of Holland.

Bruce Scott from Spokane, WA released three sails and caught 8 tuna in the 20 pound class while fishing with Santiago on the panga Gitana. Captain Calli on the Vamonos II released 8 sails for his clients in one good day of fishing. He was working an area 12 miles out of Zihuatanejo Bay on a 210º heading.

I have been curious for a couple of years about our yellowfin tuna here. I have seen experienced clients take almost an hour and a half to bring in an 80 pound fish. The gear was correct,etc. The only difference I could see is the tuna was longer and skinnier than the normal yellowfin.

When Ed Garvis got his 202 pounder this week, it took him 10 hours of tough stand-up fishing. Ed is an experienced tuna fisherman. Last year he and his favorite captain, Arturo, teamed up for 4 fish between 210 and 305 pounds. I did not see this fish, but Ed told me it was almost as long as the as his 300 pounder of last year, but this one kicked his tail. Is this a different strain of yellowfin tuna?

Ed Kunze

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UG

[Sore Back]

I am going to start saving. Unless their is a disaster, please count me in.

[Uglygreen]

Latest report(s)

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Posted Saturday, June 14, 2003

The blue marlin fishing has held its excellent pace. We have a lot of barriletes (black skipjack tuna) and the marlin are feeding on them. A slowed trolled barrilete, with a large 10/0 hook bridled in front of the eyes has really been producing. The majority of the big blues have been hitting between 12 and 14 miles.

David Stolfi of Dallas, Texas fished with Luis Marciel on the panga Gringo Loco. He first caught a 101 pound sailfish, and 5 minutes after the lines were back in the water, he caught a 250 pound blue.
Captain Cali on the Vamonos II caught one marlin and lost another.

The private yacht Mystery Strike released 6 blue marlin this week with Captain Margarito.

Fly fishing client, Terry Carter, has been fishing with Santiago all week on the panga Gitana. He is averaging one sailfish a day, caught and released on the fly.

Adolpho on the panga Dos Hermanos has been fishing with client Ed Gousink from France and is averaging 4 to 5 roosters a day weighing between 25 and 35 pounds. Armando on the panga Janeth got two huge 60 pound roosters at Mahaua Beach and only 5 minutes from the entrance to Zihuatanejo Bay.

Ed Kunze


Posted Monday, June 9, 2003

Quality fishing is still the rule. The sailfish are not being caught in the numbers we have had the last couple of weeks, but there are not many tourists fishing either. The entire fleet only consists of about an average of 10 boats a day going out.

Captain Mecate on the cruiser Aqua Azul had a great two days on the water. The first day he hooked and landed an estimated 250 pound blue marlin and lost another. The second day, he hooked and landed a 300 pound blue. All three fish were hooked by slow trolling a live bonito. The second day fish was taken only two miles off the beach.

Captain Cali on the Vamonos II also had a 250 pound marlin, lost another, and tagged 4 sailfish.

Fly fishing client Rand Bergstrom of the Twin Falls, ID area fished with me on the panga Gitana. We took 8 school sized tuna. Six came on the troll, but two of the nicer fish were taken on my 16/17 wt Cam Sigler rod and Ross Big 8 reel.

The inshore jack cravalle action has been outstanding. A few more roosters are being taken, but again, there are not many people fishing.

Ed Kunze

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UG

[Uglygreen]

Interested list with recent additions:

Gun Rod Bow
Javid Johnson
Loyd Johnson
Uglygreen
Skrimmy
Skein
Mr. Fisherman
WP
pearl
wak'm&stak'm
Longhunter
ketchumfast
Capin' Dan
Fish_N_Russ
fishbait
King Fisher
Wildhawg
Mack Slayer
big n bright
No Wishin Just Fishin
Tagster
GoFish
cdj356
FODF
billfish
Born to Fish
rodbender
slammer
willametteriveroutlaw
Popeye
Julie Rose
Albacore Tuna Captain
Pilars Mate
Pilar
South Paw
8 Knots
NorRivDave
Bankbound and Father
Norm
RichH
Sturgon Tom
FISH4MORE
jcarufo

UG

[FishaholicAZ]

Hey there fellas... Hold your horses. I don't post or say much on this site but I do read and visit it at least twice a day. Besides, you can't have a trip without a Fishaholic on board... :grin:

Put me in. This years planned trip was a bust so I am even more eager to go. Not to mention it would be nice to meet all the famous people on this site... :smile:

FishaholicAZ is Mexico bound...

Fish on
Romeo

[David Johnson]

Hey UG, you have me listed as Javid on your list of interested...

[Uglygreen]

Isnt that how they pronounce it in Minnesota? Hehe... I think Ill leave it the way it is....

UG

[Mainline]

Fun! I maybe can do it! Can I book my own travel? Do you have a agency to do it?

[Uglygreen]

Planning this trip now over in the Salty Dogs forum...

For those who dont know how to get there here is the link.

Zihwatanejo Trip planning thread... CLICK HERE!

UG