Monday, October 13, 2014
The charters are starting up this week, but we were out once last week before the big downpour. There are not a lot of fisherman down here yet. But we had lots of nice flat days and the weather was bearable. The dry northwest winds were up today and they will be blowing a few days this week. The water is clear and in the 85-87 degree range. It's just about perfect for swimming, and soon fishing.
We released two sails the day we were out. The water is still warm and we passed but one marlin sleeping on the surface. We also caught a few small dorado and a couple of big Sierras. The fish seem to be all over but not in great numbers. The sails are large but the dorado are still barely keepers. We passed a couple of floating logs, and they should be attracting fish now. I got out for a couple of hours on Friday in close around the Seamounts for a few big Sierras. The inshore fish are getting active. The fishing should pick up here before the full moon and we'll be on the water.
by Bryan Replogle, Team Margarita Sportfishing, repsilon@aol.com
(photo by Fernando Almada, Catch 22 Sportsfishing)
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Fishing Report
It was a great Memorial Weekend in San Carlos. The ladies that competed in the Ladies International Fishing Tournament braved a rough Saturday to be rewarded with a calm Sunday. The bite sounded tough with a lot of fish seen but not too many hooked and landed. Some nice dorado up to 37 pounds were caught. My captain Arturo was out on Sunday to catch and release five sailfish on bait and circle hooks. I think that some good fishing will be going on this week.
I had the pleasure to fish the Gulf of Mexico with the boys down South on Saturday and Sunday. We fished the Memorial Big Game Tournament out of Orange Beach, Alabama. We traveled a hundred miles offshore to the oil rigs. The weather was exceptional and the fish were biting. Something large ate one of our 12 pound baits. We chunked for tuna with some success. I thought the first 50 pound fish had done me in in the heat, but the second one at 138 pounds still has me in pain. Five big tuna came in on the second day and we returned to the party. The 108 boats took nearly six hours to weigh all their fish. Boat after boat brought in tuna, but mine held out for third place and a nice check. Biloxi, Mississippi is the next stop on the circuit!
by Bryan Replogle, Team Margarita Sport Fishing
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Birds of Isla De La Raza, San Carlos, Mexico
Off in the distance we could see Isla De La Raza (Honeymoon Island) an apparent barren lifeless lump of volcanic rock jetting out aimlessly in Bahia Delfin (the Bay of Dolphins). As we got closer… this tiny outcropping, half a mile off shore, began to expose more of her secrets. The surface of this rock was in full motion and life is teaming everywhere.
We made landfall on a small sandy beach on the east side, Fritz, Dave and myself. For most of the year this island sits quietly, forgotten by time, patiently waiting for each spring to once again transform stillness into an active rookery of total chaos. The birds were everywhere…thousands!!
As we ventured off the rubber dingy our first encounter was with agitated seagulls. The gulls had claimed the lowland beach area and with chicks about… no gull was happy to see us. The Females flew above our heads squawking the most ears piercing sound at the three foreign stalkers. As carefully as was possible, we meandered around one nest after another, insuring we did not step on the chicks scurrying at our feet… little ones were everywhere. Camouflaged amongst the low growing cactus some of the young cowered in the sparse shade and hide from the searing sun and the tres intruders. Others moved in total reckless abandon around us.
We moved up the embankment from a sandy beach to a weathered reddish lava rock landscape and with that the species nesting changed too. Now we had Great Blue Herons building enormous nests amongst the spires of the 18-foot tall cactus. Picture the pipes of a great church organ, like fingers stretched skywards the cactus made a wonderful foundation for a large aviary. Interwoven from pipe to pipe are large dead tree limbs methodically layered to create the perfect cradle in which to protect the next generation of herons; while also making for a watchful perch for the cautious eye of the adult heron.
The herons watched us approach with their heads bobbing and their great long necks expanding and retracting in a kind of warning ritual that perhaps other birds would understand…but not us. We never got to close, but I’m sure for Mama-Son our mere presence on the island was far too close. We could see through the sticks three downy-feathered chicks helplessly bobbing in the nest trying to see what all the commotion was about, all the while Mama trying to keep them hidden from view.
It was an experience of overwhelming proportion as thousands of birds came into view as we continued our accent. Not just a few here and there, but every square inch of this isolated forgotten island were covered in life and death. Young chicks scampering about; bones of the fallen scatter here and there at our feet; eggs, some still waiting to hatch and others just pieces of what they once were just days ago; punctuated by hordes of male and female birds yakking, pushing and shoving. The island was far from dead; it was more alive than any big urban city I have ever walked upon. In one direction alone I saw three types of herons, two types of pelicans, four varieties of gulls, oystercatchers, stilts, and birds I cannot yet identify.
If one can get past the smell, which is hard for a person such as myself, who boasts of a nose like a bloodhound, the drama before us was mind blowing. But the smell was so putrid; that even breathing continually through my mouth I could taste the rank odor of death and decades of avian droppings.
Beyond the smell, the sounds are what transported me to a place out of this time. The cacophony of noise, so prehistoric in composure that I was sure we had teleported back 120 million years into Earth’s Jurassic period. If you ever imagined what dinosaurs sounded like… this was it! The shrill from the baby pelicans as they tried to feed from the mother’s bill had a quality that seemed unnatural on Earth in the time of human domination.
We moseyed towards some of the elevated nest, sitting 2 feet off the ground in the small arms of low growing desert cactus, barely suitable for a lizard home, yet huge pelicans had nested a top. At one point, as we came closer to a pelican nest the mother raised up from the nest and stood her ground with outstretch wings beating the hot air with agitation to let us know clearly we had come far enough. Five, maybe six, feet her wings stretched as her three young cowered and squawked under her watchful eye. All the while another pelican circled over our heads, flying past us and then back out for another strafing run at the three creatures disturbing their ritual.
From hour old hatchlings, to big white-feathered birds still waiting to take to the sky on their first flight, the sights of nature in its entire splendor graced our senses. We left the birds and the island no worse for the visits but an indelible mark was left on our minds that will long stay present in the joys of life.
DB Waldman 5/24/13
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Fishing near San Carlos. Better run. Bryan coming!!
We are into yellowtail season, even if there aren’t too many boats fishing for them. The bite has been off and on and the winds have been up a bit, as is typical for winter. Most days you can get to San Pedro Island early in the morning and come back with the wind when it comes up. The bite hasn’t been ‘hot’, but some good catches are being found. The fish are up some days in the morning off of San Antonio and Doble. The fishing around the high tide, or just after the low tide, are usually the best. Yellowtail are a school fish, so sometimes you just need to find the bunch. A good fishfinder helps, and if the readings are deep and the fish aren’t biting the lures, you may have to jig.
We had some luck mid-week on the north-east end of the Island just off the north tip. There were a lot of small to medium-sized fish around, with some big ones mixed in. There are still some bonita in the area, with a few sierra in close. We weren’t able to find any cabrilla this last week, but they could still be around. The tides look a little better for possibly finding fish on the surface or higher in the water column this week. Get out there early, or on a calm day, put in the time, watch your fishfinder, and if all else fails, jig and just enjoy the fact that your friends up north don’t even have liquid water and the temperatures are still 50-100 degrees warmer here!
tight lines, Bryan Replogle repsilon@aol.com
Team Margarita Sportfishing, San Carlos Aquatic Adventures
We had some luck mid-week on the north-east end of the Island just off the north tip. There were a lot of small to medium-sized fish around, with some big ones mixed in. There are still some bonita in the area, with a few sierra in close. We weren’t able to find any cabrilla this last week, but they could still be around. The tides look a little better for possibly finding fish on the surface or higher in the water column this week. Get out there early, or on a calm day, put in the time, watch your fishfinder, and if all else fails, jig and just enjoy the fact that your friends up north don’t even have liquid water and the temperatures are still 50-100 degrees warmer here!
tight lines, Bryan Replogle repsilon@aol.com
Team Margarita Sportfishing, San Carlos Aquatic Adventures
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The end is near...... to water
It looks like the end is near for our pelagics. On Monday the break to the south looks to have dropped from 74.5 to 73 degrees. We’ll see if it can hold out with several days of good wind in the forecast – just in time for all of our good holiday vacationers.
The yellowtail are still showing up off of San Antonio in the 8-11 pound class. They are finicky though. The boils are up and down and they are feeding on small bait. I don’t think that anyone trolling lures is having much luck. I just got a good shipment of smaller Rapalas, so we’ll see if I can turn their heads. I’ve caught a few lately in the boils with smaller lures. Those jigging have been able to have some good luck if you are persistent and find yourself in the right place at the right time.
We tried the Island today and only caught a couple of skipjack. The fishfinder didn’t mark much bait or anything else. The other boat in our area did manage to find a couple of yellowtail, and I heard of one boat finding four earlier in the week. The bonita there and off the point have been missing this past week, as have the sierra. Maybe they are up feeding all night under the moon. Sounds like the inshore action is pretty slow too. Some corvina are being caught though in the right areas on the high tide.
The striped marlin are still hanging off of San Antonio, just outside and even in with the yellowtail. As we headed in today, we saw some birds working and I started to get some lines ready for yellowtail. It turned out to be a school of marlin though and I threw a ballyhoo in as we passed the first fish. After a thirty second follow, it finally took the bait and after a gruelling battle, one of the couples on board was able to tag-team and release a 130 pound fish. The last of the year? They still may hang around for a few more days. I haven’t given up hope on a few dorado hanging out on the sardine schools 20-30 miles to the south either.
On Friday, we headed out 34 miles to catch five nice bull dorado in the 10-18 pound class. We saw a sailfish and had a nice Blue marlin look at our spread. One boat supposedly caught three Blues that day and lost another four. On Saturday, we headed out with great expectations, but the fog came in and the wind kicked up. We caught a small dorado and missed one, and my friend impatiently turned back hearing reports of fish farther in. Coming back in through the mist I saw a boil behind a bait. I jumped down and picked up the rod and got ready for a strike. The line came out of the clip and I fed the line. The fish dropped it but picked it up again. The second time the hook stuck and a nice Blue of 170-180 pounds took a couple of horizontal leaps. We slowed down and I called my friend out of the tower to fight the fish. Then the hook came out. That fish will haunt us all winter long. ‘Till next season, my friend.
Tight lines, Bryan Replogle repsilon@aol.com
Team Margarita Sportfishing, San Carlos Aquatic Adventures
The yellowtail are still showing up off of San Antonio in the 8-11 pound class. They are finicky though. The boils are up and down and they are feeding on small bait. I don’t think that anyone trolling lures is having much luck. I just got a good shipment of smaller Rapalas, so we’ll see if I can turn their heads. I’ve caught a few lately in the boils with smaller lures. Those jigging have been able to have some good luck if you are persistent and find yourself in the right place at the right time.
We tried the Island today and only caught a couple of skipjack. The fishfinder didn’t mark much bait or anything else. The other boat in our area did manage to find a couple of yellowtail, and I heard of one boat finding four earlier in the week. The bonita there and off the point have been missing this past week, as have the sierra. Maybe they are up feeding all night under the moon. Sounds like the inshore action is pretty slow too. Some corvina are being caught though in the right areas on the high tide.
The striped marlin are still hanging off of San Antonio, just outside and even in with the yellowtail. As we headed in today, we saw some birds working and I started to get some lines ready for yellowtail. It turned out to be a school of marlin though and I threw a ballyhoo in as we passed the first fish. After a thirty second follow, it finally took the bait and after a gruelling battle, one of the couples on board was able to tag-team and release a 130 pound fish. The last of the year? They still may hang around for a few more days. I haven’t given up hope on a few dorado hanging out on the sardine schools 20-30 miles to the south either.
On Friday, we headed out 34 miles to catch five nice bull dorado in the 10-18 pound class. We saw a sailfish and had a nice Blue marlin look at our spread. One boat supposedly caught three Blues that day and lost another four. On Saturday, we headed out with great expectations, but the fog came in and the wind kicked up. We caught a small dorado and missed one, and my friend impatiently turned back hearing reports of fish farther in. Coming back in through the mist I saw a boil behind a bait. I jumped down and picked up the rod and got ready for a strike. The line came out of the clip and I fed the line. The fish dropped it but picked it up again. The second time the hook stuck and a nice Blue of 170-180 pounds took a couple of horizontal leaps. We slowed down and I called my friend out of the tower to fight the fish. Then the hook came out. That fish will haunt us all winter long. ‘Till next season, my friend.
Tight lines, Bryan Replogle repsilon@aol.com
Team Margarita Sportfishing, San Carlos Aquatic Adventures
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Donde Esta
Where are the Fish?
It was a spectacular week of fishing in San Carlos. The rain rolled through for the first time this year and the fishing turned on. After a break of not getting out much farther than the bay, I was on the water for six days straight. Day One saw us out for six hours, and we caught a couple of small dorado and a small striped marlin. On Day Two we caught a small marlin and a sailfish; on Day Three we had two sailfish; on Day Four we caught a marlin, sailfish, and three small tuna, and on Day Five, two more sailfish and a dorado (before a mishap).
Last weekend San Carlos and the Sonora is Safe group put on the first Hooked on San Carlos Fishing Tournament. Finally we had a tournament with amazing fishing and weather. Sixteen boats caught and released 61 sailfish and marlin and weighed 14 dorado and three tuna. Team D’Becca won overall with nine fish, a weighable dorado, and also won the Sunday jackpot with five released fish.
Team Kryptonite took the Saturday jackpot, second place tuna, and overall billfish releases by catching their first fish thirteen minutes before Team D’Becca. Mary Margaret took overall dorado with 171 pounds of dorado over the 15 pound minimum.
The weather was glass calm both days and the tournament was a complete success. Well, except for our teams’ “mishap”.
Our tournament didn’t start off great, nor did it end great. At the beginning of the day, I had a large sailfish on the line for about 25 minutes. I’ve never had a fish fight so hard, and ten feet from the boat, the hook pulled. Things were looking a little better the second day, and at midday we finally capitalized on a double hook-up to add to our fish. I had the first fish to the boat fast and as the leaderman was attempting to line up his fingers with the camera, he may have taken his eye off the fish. The small sailfish shot up and its bill went straight through the radius and ulna on his forearm — right through. The bill came right out and then the fish proceeded to try to jump in the boat a few more times before he let go of the leader. I cut the fish off before we had gotten the picture, and the other angler lost his fish because he was watching us and his line went slack. We immediately raced all the way home and straight to Rescate. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
The lesson here is to keep your eyes on the fish, keep the boat in gear, and if a fish goes crazy, let go of the leader and back away. Fishing should not be a contact sport!
It was a spectacular week of fishing in San Carlos. The rain rolled through for the first time this year and the fishing turned on. After a break of not getting out much farther than the bay, I was on the water for six days straight. Day One saw us out for six hours, and we caught a couple of small dorado and a small striped marlin. On Day Two we caught a small marlin and a sailfish; on Day Three we had two sailfish; on Day Four we caught a marlin, sailfish, and three small tuna, and on Day Five, two more sailfish and a dorado (before a mishap).
Last weekend San Carlos and the Sonora is Safe group put on the first Hooked on San Carlos Fishing Tournament. Finally we had a tournament with amazing fishing and weather. Sixteen boats caught and released 61 sailfish and marlin and weighed 14 dorado and three tuna. Team D’Becca won overall with nine fish, a weighable dorado, and also won the Sunday jackpot with five released fish.
Team Kryptonite took the Saturday jackpot, second place tuna, and overall billfish releases by catching their first fish thirteen minutes before Team D’Becca. Mary Margaret took overall dorado with 171 pounds of dorado over the 15 pound minimum.
The weather was glass calm both days and the tournament was a complete success. Well, except for our teams’ “mishap”.
Our tournament didn’t start off great, nor did it end great. At the beginning of the day, I had a large sailfish on the line for about 25 minutes. I’ve never had a fish fight so hard, and ten feet from the boat, the hook pulled. Things were looking a little better the second day, and at midday we finally capitalized on a double hook-up to add to our fish. I had the first fish to the boat fast and as the leaderman was attempting to line up his fingers with the camera, he may have taken his eye off the fish. The small sailfish shot up and its bill went straight through the radius and ulna on his forearm — right through. The bill came right out and then the fish proceeded to try to jump in the boat a few more times before he let go of the leader. I cut the fish off before we had gotten the picture, and the other angler lost his fish because he was watching us and his line went slack. We immediately raced all the way home and straight to Rescate. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
The lesson here is to keep your eyes on the fish, keep the boat in gear, and if a fish goes crazy, let go of the leader and back away. Fishing should not be a contact sport!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Semana Santo Fishing
We made it to San Pedro a few days ago for an epic yellowtail bite. The crowds have left but the fish sure haven’t. If you haven’t noticed all the sealife around then you need to get out to the beach. I must have seen five hundred terns in the estuary today screeching as loud as the Semana Santa crowd. They are enjoying their Spring. In between their mating rituals they are finding lots of baitfish to keep their energy up. The bay is full of huge amounts of baby sardines. Expect all the big ones to be right behind this yearly event!ad married a girl from Hermosillo brought his father and brother-in-law along. He lost the first fish to the rocks, but the old man mustered the strength to land the next one. After losing a few more fish, the young guys started winning a few battles. The father lasted for one more fish before the boys started hooking up two at time. I think he won major points with the family! It was great to finally start catching fish jigging. The fish were all around 20 pounds and were readily taking live bait and jigs. Expect a few more great weeks of yellowtail fishing before they begin to spawn on the next full moon. I’ve heard reports of the pangas catching fish up to 50 pounds. They get big in the Spring.
Today’s satellite shots show incredibly warm water on the way. Confirming that are reports of 69-71 degree water out front and pictures of marlin on the surface. A few boats have seen them lately. Expect the dorado to show up in the next few days. They might not be big at first, but they are on their way. I was told of a tuna boat that caught fish up North in cold water, so they too could show very soon. Maybe we’ll have ’summer fishing’ by next week. I know that I’ll be getting ready.
Lots of great inshore action around. Small and larger sierras are around. The small yellowtail have been showing up sporadically at San Antonio. Lots of small skipjack are coming in on the Miramar side of the bay. All the pargo, cabrilla, and other bottomfish should turn up soon. Big grouper will also be coming in shallow to spawn. Get out on the boat to see all the great sealife that shows up this time of year. I saw a nice mako the other day and a huge manta ray at the Island. The whales should be coming by soon too.
Tightlines,
Bryan
repsilon@aol.com
Today’s satellite shots show incredibly warm water on the way. Confirming that are reports of 69-71 degree water out front and pictures of marlin on the surface. A few boats have seen them lately. Expect the dorado to show up in the next few days. They might not be big at first, but they are on their way. I was told of a tuna boat that caught fish up North in cold water, so they too could show very soon. Maybe we’ll have ’summer fishing’ by next week. I know that I’ll be getting ready.
Lots of great inshore action around. Small and larger sierras are around. The small yellowtail have been showing up sporadically at San Antonio. Lots of small skipjack are coming in on the Miramar side of the bay. All the pargo, cabrilla, and other bottomfish should turn up soon. Big grouper will also be coming in shallow to spawn. Get out on the boat to see all the great sealife that shows up this time of year. I saw a nice mako the other day and a huge manta ray at the Island. The whales should be coming by soon too.
Tightlines,
Bryan
repsilon@aol.com
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Carinval in Guaymas
Guaymenses and thousands of visitors from around the state attending the parade of floats, Sunday, Monday and Tueday.
Thousands of people gathered in from 15:00 hours to enjoy the most emblematic tradition of the carnival, the parade of floats and troupes.
The contingent left the Sanchez Taboada Boulevard, past the tourist jetty and turn on Avenida Serdan.
About 13 floats and seven more troupes were paraded by cheering spectators.
Yesterday, the contingent was led by Grand Marshal Joseph Evans Albáñe and his daughter Mrs. Evans. Also attended the Kings in 2009 led by Oscar Martinez Velderrain and Alheli.
His Majesty Karla I, Queen of the Carnaval de Guaymas 2010, greeted by the hand of Jesus Ugly King Albert I, and thousands of guaymenses who gathered at the parade.
The parade included the participation of troupes to wild Brazilian dancers.
A Bahia Delfin neighbor danced on a float having met a local at the disco in San Carlos. Ryan fell in love and has spent 3 weeks solid with her family. They love him and invited him to dance on their float. He doesn't speak a lick of spanish.
Having the time of his life. Very sore from dancing. His uncle from Calgary is Jim who we have fished with many times with Bryan.
Thousands of people gathered in from 15:00 hours to enjoy the most emblematic tradition of the carnival, the parade of floats and troupes.
The contingent left the Sanchez Taboada Boulevard, past the tourist jetty and turn on Avenida Serdan.
About 13 floats and seven more troupes were paraded by cheering spectators.
Yesterday, the contingent was led by Grand Marshal Joseph Evans Albáñe and his daughter Mrs. Evans. Also attended the Kings in 2009 led by Oscar Martinez Velderrain and Alheli.
His Majesty Karla I, Queen of the Carnaval de Guaymas 2010, greeted by the hand of Jesus Ugly King Albert I, and thousands of guaymenses who gathered at the parade.
The parade included the participation of troupes to wild Brazilian dancers.
A Bahia Delfin neighbor danced on a float having met a local at the disco in San Carlos. Ryan fell in love and has spent 3 weeks solid with her family. They love him and invited him to dance on their float. He doesn't speak a lick of spanish.
Having the time of his life. Very sore from dancing. His uncle from Calgary is Jim who we have fished with many times with Bryan.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Corvina or Pargo! San Carlos 2010
The beginning of the week was slow and rainy, but the last few days have been awesome! The yellowtail are coming up at first light a few miles out and are chasing bait up to the surface over a large area. They are easy to catch trolling. We lost one large one yesterday and landed a 20 pound fish the day before off of the sea mounts. There are still a few large fish hanging around there throughout the day. The fish farther out are 6-9 pounds. They go down around 9:00am or earlier, though a few will continue to surface. We have tried bottom fishing a reef in this area and have caught some nice fish - a lot of small to large golden spotted sea bass, a 12 pound white sea bass, a couple 8-10 pound grouper, other bottom fish, and one 16 pound red grouper. Lots of fish to eat!
A few days ago I caught some nice pargo and a couple 11 pound corvina with a friend from shore. The water is warm. There was a patch that read 72 degrees just 16 miles out today on Terrafin.com. There are still skipjack out there, and we caught some large ones. A striped marlin could show up any day, or some small dorado, and you never know when the tuna will arrive. They are still catching all the warm water species off of Cabo in water up to 78 degrees. The summer fishing could be just a month away!
Tight lines, Bryan
repsilon@aol.com
Team Margarita Sports Fishing
San Carlos Aquatic Adventures
A few days ago I caught some nice pargo and a couple 11 pound corvina with a friend from shore. The water is warm. There was a patch that read 72 degrees just 16 miles out today on Terrafin.com. There are still skipjack out there, and we caught some large ones. A striped marlin could show up any day, or some small dorado, and you never know when the tuna will arrive. They are still catching all the warm water species off of Cabo in water up to 78 degrees. The summer fishing could be just a month away!
Tight lines, Bryan
repsilon@aol.com
Team Margarita Sports Fishing
San Carlos Aquatic Adventures
Monday, January 25, 2010
Getting outfished!
Another difficult week of fishing ... if you weren't a panguero. We were at the Island early in the week with a few boats hooking up on smaller fish and a few larger ones. The pangueros though were catching big fish in close most of the week. Friday, we were next to them as they hooked up on multiple fish at a time while the fish wouldn't touch our jigs. The next day we had live bait right next to them. The bite was slower, but they still wouldn't take our baits. We slaved away jigging at San Antonio and were rewarded with two small and three large yellowtail. Today I missed a few on jigs at San Antonio, catching one bonita on a jig and one large yellowtail on a live mullet. One was caught at 35 pounds there the day before.
I guess I'm up at 6:00am tomorrow to receive my live bait delivery! Maybe they are particular to smaller baits. If not, then I'm dropping down small lures on some weighted lines. It isn't the first time we've watched the pangueros outfish us! Stop by the Esterito (estuary in the Bahia) if you want a good deal on fresh Jurel (yellowtail) for 30 pesos a kilo. They may not have padded seats, but these guys sure can catch fish. Hopefully the smaller baits will prove to be the trick. Either that or I'm stopping by the Esterito Lady of Guadalupe in the mornings from now on!
I guess I'm up at 6:00am tomorrow to receive my live bait delivery! Maybe they are particular to smaller baits. If not, then I'm dropping down small lures on some weighted lines. It isn't the first time we've watched the pangueros outfish us! Stop by the Esterito (estuary in the Bahia) if you want a good deal on fresh Jurel (yellowtail) for 30 pesos a kilo. They may not have padded seats, but these guys sure can catch fish. Hopefully the smaller baits will prove to be the trick. Either that or I'm stopping by the Esterito Lady of Guadalupe in the mornings from now on!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Another great week of fishing in San Carlos! It is looking like another epic year of yellowtail fishing. On Saturday we got out for my first real day of jigging at the island. We pulled up and no one else was jumping up to put their lines in. Almost before we were in place I had my line down. Within ten seconds I had the first yellowtail on. On the second drop I picked up a bonita and on the third another big yellowtail. Unfortunately this one broke off, along with another dozen for our group that day! We landed six yellowtail though, along with over fifteen large sierra and another fifteen large skipjack. I was very sore and even bruised afterwards. I would jig with nothing less than a 50 pound line and 80+ pounds fluorocarbon leader and be ready to hold on!Do you think that the water has cooled off and all the summer big game has left? We had a marlin jumping in the calm water off the south tip less than a mile from the island. Then we were at the north tip and had another one jumping by the boat. So we started trolling for marlin AND yellowtail. We headed back to the south tip and headed in closer for the bonita. I started to pull in the big lures and we saw one jumping inside us less than a couple hundred yards off! I have never seen one in that close.Water up to 73 degrees has moved up the coast and the southern current is still going. It looks like there should be numbers of dorado just twenty miles from town. Thirty miles out the water is up to 74 and even higher when you get out fifty miles. We might be making a run in search of tuna tomorrow!Yesterday we were in close off of San Antonio. We caught seven bonita but were mainly after the yellowtail. We caught one nice fish, breaking off another on a light spinning rod. The fish were everywhere in boils on the surface. They were tough to catch though as they were focused on small baitfish a lot of the time. The guys 'running and gunning' to the schools and jigging fared better than most trolling. We found lots of fish boiling just on the seamounts (Social Security Reef) just outside the harbor. You can find them out there any time of the day right now, but the fish might be biting best around certain times of the tides. We found the bite in the morning and between one and two in the afternoon at the island. So you never know when you might get lucky!We are always looking for people to share charters at a very reasonable price so let me know if you would like to get out on the water.On a final note, we saw a marlin jumping just two miles off San Antonio yesterday. We also passed one feeding inside of that. Have a big game rod ready. Maybe you could join the record books with a December marlin. Will let you know if we find dorado and tuna down south!tight lines.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Kayaking Estero Soldado
Bryan from San Carlos Aquatic Adventuresour favorite fishing captain sent this yesterday.
The snowbirds are arriving and I don't mean you! You may have seen some of these creatures flying around town, prancing around the estuaries, paddling in the water, or combing the beaches. They may stand on two legs and squak a bit, but they flew here with their own arms (or wings). Some of them have flown from as far North as yourselves. Many right now are still on their way farther south, but some will stay and rest their wings for the season, and more reserves are on their way. Like you, they agree that it is cold up there and that it's time to be someplace sunny and warm! So what is one of their top destinations? Why the Estero Soldado. If you haven't been down to the estuary then you are missing out on one of San Carlos' most beautiful spots. I had the pleasure last week of meeting Mauricio Cervantes who is working on turning the estuary into a national park. He is working on funding to complete the Visitor Center. The Visitor's Center is located on the east side of the estuary on the road to the Delfinario. This is another great scenic drive on maybe one of the best roads in Mexico. The gate may be closed to the visitor's center but you can always access the other nature trail to the estuary from the parking lot on the east side of Condominiums Pilar (the white condos next to Condominiums Delfin on the east side of the bay). The trail is a little grown over from the rains so help make it a trail again! You can easily loop around and follow the beach back for one of the best beach walks around. Still, the best way to see the estuary is to get on the water.Usually we depart from the beach with the hopes of catching the local pod of dolphin that routinely patrol the beach there. The bay is usually very calm, warm, and full of life. The majestic Bocachibampo mountain looms in the distance and draws you into the beauty of the estuary. Hopefully you can time theflooding tide and drift into the estuary. You can travel either way around the island just inside the mouth that creates a scenic loop. You will find many of the 123 bird species that visit and live in the estuary in either direction. To truly appreciate the beauty, bring a pair of binoculars (and a bag to protect them). Take your time and approach the birds slowly and from a distance. Look closely as there are many species that are easy to miss. My father taught me many of the species, so he by far is the expert, but if he's not around to take you then I'll spout out as many bird names as you could care to know! I don't think the birds really care if you know them by name though. We can help you identify their unique behaviors and why they do the things they do. Though some are just passing through, many stop and nest or feed on the rich marine life in the estuary for most of the winter. It is a great way to get out and enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife in the San Carlos area and even get a little exercise. I've had every shape and level of athlete (or more commonly non-athlete) complete the trip. Don't let this activity slip by you this winter! It can also be a great Christmas present!!!Check out pictures of the birds in the photo gallery if reading this is as adventurous as you are going to get!
The snowbirds are arriving and I don't mean you! You may have seen some of these creatures flying around town, prancing around the estuaries, paddling in the water, or combing the beaches. They may stand on two legs and squak a bit, but they flew here with their own arms (or wings). Some of them have flown from as far North as yourselves. Many right now are still on their way farther south, but some will stay and rest their wings for the season, and more reserves are on their way. Like you, they agree that it is cold up there and that it's time to be someplace sunny and warm! So what is one of their top destinations? Why the Estero Soldado. If you haven't been down to the estuary then you are missing out on one of San Carlos' most beautiful spots. I had the pleasure last week of meeting Mauricio Cervantes who is working on turning the estuary into a national park. He is working on funding to complete the Visitor Center. The Visitor's Center is located on the east side of the estuary on the road to the Delfinario. This is another great scenic drive on maybe one of the best roads in Mexico. The gate may be closed to the visitor's center but you can always access the other nature trail to the estuary from the parking lot on the east side of Condominiums Pilar (the white condos next to Condominiums Delfin on the east side of the bay). The trail is a little grown over from the rains so help make it a trail again! You can easily loop around and follow the beach back for one of the best beach walks around. Still, the best way to see the estuary is to get on the water.Usually we depart from the beach with the hopes of catching the local pod of dolphin that routinely patrol the beach there. The bay is usually very calm, warm, and full of life. The majestic Bocachibampo mountain looms in the distance and draws you into the beauty of the estuary. Hopefully you can time theflooding tide and drift into the estuary. You can travel either way around the island just inside the mouth that creates a scenic loop. You will find many of the 123 bird species that visit and live in the estuary in either direction. To truly appreciate the beauty, bring a pair of binoculars (and a bag to protect them). Take your time and approach the birds slowly and from a distance. Look closely as there are many species that are easy to miss. My father taught me many of the species, so he by far is the expert, but if he's not around to take you then I'll spout out as many bird names as you could care to know! I don't think the birds really care if you know them by name though. We can help you identify their unique behaviors and why they do the things they do. Though some are just passing through, many stop and nest or feed on the rich marine life in the estuary for most of the winter. It is a great way to get out and enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife in the San Carlos area and even get a little exercise. I've had every shape and level of athlete (or more commonly non-athlete) complete the trip. Don't let this activity slip by you this winter! It can also be a great Christmas present!!!Check out pictures of the birds in the photo gallery if reading this is as adventurous as you are going to get!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Latest fishing November
We headed out on Sunday dropping in at 27 mi. on a 200. Saw one fishat 15mi. The first group of four wasn't interested but the next onewas. Got him into within a hundred feet after it pulled 450 yds. offwith great jumps. We kept going to 55mi. out on a 180 looking forbluer water, but probably should have stayed in closer. Tried to getin a few groups of working boobies that looked a little suspect oftuna. The other boat that we were with caught one marlin out of adouble and had dorado up to 15#. We caught a nice 25 and 23# fish onthe way back and two more keepers, along with smaller fish. Hadanother marlin on for 30 seconds and some other mystery fish. Passedone 2-300# black that took one swipe. We and the other boat eachpassed over a dozen marlin and even a sail. Don't worry about thewater not being blue. They were all full of large sardines. The bestfishing was probably 35-45 mi. out. Looks like another beautiful dayon the water today and the forecast looks good. You might want a long-sleeve shirt for the 'chilly' mornings!
Bryan, Margarita IV
Bryan, Margarita IV
Friday, January 23, 2009
Yellowtail!! January fishing is good AGAIN!
What do Colorado people know about fishing in San Carlos in the winter. Well, it appears to be something. The Carpenters went out and got 20 yellowtail. Nice haul!! The other boats did OK , but no where near this catch. This is the report from SanCarlosfishing: (check out their website for charters) Nice shot from San Francisco beach.
Hello guys and gals, well it’s newsletter time again - sorry I am late as usual...Anyway fishing was good last week but sort of a hot and cold thing...when they were in, great fishing but as you know the fishing gets awful when the bite turns off...Abel on Jonjen 2 had a great day getting two in the morning then going back in the afternoon bite and getting a couple more...Losing a couple jigs to the rocks on bigger fish who pulled him thru...Happens quite regularly especially with Yellowtails they especially know how to break you off...Roberto on Jonjen doing his regular and getting a batch of nice bottom fish from our repeat customers from Tucson...Went back out with Abel the following afternoon and getting two nice Yellowtail...I have been fishing almost everyday and doing well with my little rods...great, great fun..I think I am getting Abel hooked on the jigging part with the small rods etc...Am hearing reports that the fish are at the Island now...Just hearsay so far...We are headed out there this week a will give a full report next week...We need anglers for our Yellowtail Tournament Feb 13-15th so anyone who wants to join us call or email us..the Jackpots are going to be as belowEntry Fees & PayoutsEntry fee with sponsor based on Min. 15 boats400.00 Total entry fee per boat, up to 4 anglers..300.00 will go to Jackpots and the other 100.00 will get you dinner, drinks, hat, shirt etc .10% to Rescate charity 300.00 Minus 10% would be 270.00 per boat in the Jackpot16 times 270.00 equals 4320.00Sponsor contribution 2500.00Total 6820.00 1st and 2nd place only for 15-20 boats More than that we add 3rd place1st place *Guaranteed total 60% 4092.002nd Place *Guaranteed total 40% 2728.00Largest Yellow tail of the tournament 250.00 ( Paid by the sponsor)
Monday, December 1, 2008
Dorado in November Fishing San Carlos
Matt Young sends out a great newsletter from San Carlos and added this section from the fishing charters. I think the crew from the Catch 22 boats submit this for Matt. It's good to know how amazing the fishing is this time of the year. I have been fishing San Carlos for 5 years and have never had a bad day. The variety and sheer number of fish is amazing. Here is what Matt had for November 2008:
With the winds out of the WNW has brought the water temps down somewhat...But the Dorado and Billfish are still here...little south of us about 18-30 miles...so if your in the mood for a Turkey Dorado Dinner there is still time.... The weekend saw us out on Jonjen 2 with a good customer and friend along with some first timers to our type of fishing...Tom and his friends ventured out to the 30-40 mile range, lit into the Dorado catching and releasing a bunch and all getting there limits...Everyone having a ball...with two Billfish thru the spread but none stuck...oh well that's fishing.... Roberto on Jonjen saw his way out to find a dead whale and managed to pick up a Dorado or two then headed in and got some bottom fish...nice Calicos and groupers all getting alot of nice eating fish.. The fishing right now is very very good right in front..With lots of Sierra and Bonita....everyone ranting about how good the fishing is etc etc....The island holding some Yellowtails...also we have been getting some Corvina...So in words get on down here and lets go fishing...am going to be doing our winter special....COMING SOON...SO MUCH PER PERSON PER TRIP...LIKE LAST YEAR...
With the winds out of the WNW has brought the water temps down somewhat...But the Dorado and Billfish are still here...little south of us about 18-30 miles...so if your in the mood for a Turkey Dorado Dinner there is still time.... The weekend saw us out on Jonjen 2 with a good customer and friend along with some first timers to our type of fishing...Tom and his friends ventured out to the 30-40 mile range, lit into the Dorado catching and releasing a bunch and all getting there limits...Everyone having a ball...with two Billfish thru the spread but none stuck...oh well that's fishing.... Roberto on Jonjen saw his way out to find a dead whale and managed to pick up a Dorado or two then headed in and got some bottom fish...nice Calicos and groupers all getting alot of nice eating fish.. The fishing right now is very very good right in front..With lots of Sierra and Bonita....everyone ranting about how good the fishing is etc etc....The island holding some Yellowtails...also we have been getting some Corvina...So in words get on down here and lets go fishing...am going to be doing our winter special....COMING SOON...SO MUCH PER PERSON PER TRIP...LIKE LAST YEAR...
Saturday, November 15, 2008
San Carlos dolphins never disappoint
Well, here is how it went. The 2008 Bahia Delfin, SanCarlos, Mexico beach roundup ranks in the top 5 of all time Mexico beach roundups. 10 of us plus the fishing guide. As luck would have it, we drew Fritz again. Wow, that’s four times in a row for him. We all met in Tucson arriving via Frontier, rented two vans and drove down. Carpenters, Tengler, Martinez, Waldman & Guthries. Only thing strange about this mix was the 2 foot difference between Michele and Cary. Larry drove the hour to Nogales and most of way to Hermosillo. I was dog tired from last minute packing in Colorado and a 8:30 am departure. We left Louisville at 6:30am. The desert was spectacular. Green all the way down. For the Sornoran desert, it was Technicolor. They must have had record rain fall this summer. Everything was popping. The toll road down highway 15 was lined with flowering cactus and other desert plants. The 5.5 hour drive from Tucson was the usual piece of cake. Most of the repaving was completed and longest delay was long line at one toll plazas. Saw construction of a new toll plaza or inspection station to add to the four we normally see. Got to San Carlos in around 3:30. What a great sight. Catamaran, kayaks and sun tent already on beach waiting. Joan hit water right away since the dolphins were right on cue. So remarkable, dolphins everyday, all day. Right out front. After all these years, still amazing!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Walk to the beach after Mass in San Carlos, Mexico?
Walk to the beach after Mass in San Carlos, Mexico? It is one of the nice things about a small Mexican beach community. You can attend Mass and walk to the beach. So many resort towns have condo towers in one part of town and then the locals have their section. San Carlos is small but has a vibrant local community. The beach community and local community are one in the same.
Many of my friends who come down to visit are surprised how low keyed and peaceful San Carlos is when they first go down Main Street. No traffic lights, one bank, 2 gas stations and 30 restaurants. Talk about keeping it simple. What else do ya need but to give thanks that this place hasn’t been overrun by the not so pretty (at times) American tourists?
If you want to light a candle to the St.Expedia, the patron saint of great low cost travel, here is where you can go. Please make a special intention to keep McDonalds or Dominos out of San Carlos.
THIS IS SAN CARLOS CATHOLIC CHURCH MASS
SCHEDULE:
SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE AT SAN CARLOS BORROMEO CHURCH 11:30 AM, 13:00 PM AND 7:00 PM
DAILY MASS FROM TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 6:00 PM
SATURDAY
ENGLISH MASS SAN CARLOS BORROMEO CHURCH 4:00 PM
RANCHITOS SUNDAY MASS SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA
5:00 PM
HORARIOS DE MISAS EN DOMINGO PARROQUIA DE SAN CARLOS BORROMEO. 11.30, 13:00, Y 7:00 P.M.
MISA DIARIA 6:00 DE MARTES A VIERNES
MISA DOMINGO EN RANCHITOS CAPILLA DE SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA.
5:00 P.M.
Many of my friends who come down to visit are surprised how low keyed and peaceful San Carlos is when they first go down Main Street. No traffic lights, one bank, 2 gas stations and 30 restaurants. Talk about keeping it simple. What else do ya need but to give thanks that this place hasn’t been overrun by the not so pretty (at times) American tourists?
If you want to light a candle to the St.Expedia, the patron saint of great low cost travel, here is where you can go. Please make a special intention to keep McDonalds or Dominos out of San Carlos.
THIS IS SAN CARLOS CATHOLIC CHURCH MASS
SCHEDULE:
SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE AT SAN CARLOS BORROMEO CHURCH 11:30 AM, 13:00 PM AND 7:00 PM
DAILY MASS FROM TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 6:00 PM
SATURDAY
ENGLISH MASS SAN CARLOS BORROMEO CHURCH 4:00 PM
RANCHITOS SUNDAY MASS SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA
5:00 PM
HORARIOS DE MISAS EN DOMINGO PARROQUIA DE SAN CARLOS BORROMEO. 11.30, 13:00, Y 7:00 P.M.
MISA DIARIA 6:00 DE MARTES A VIERNES
MISA DOMINGO EN RANCHITOS CAPILLA DE SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA.
5:00 P.M.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Dia de Todos Los Santos
Saturday, November 1st is Dia de Todos los Santos (All Saints day) and Sunday, November 2nd is Dia de los Muertes (Day of the Dad). In Guaymas the parade starts at the Casa de la Cultura, on the avenue Serdán and is concluding in the Alley of Triques. It should be easy to find, just go downtown and look for the people! To learn more about the history check out www.vivasancarlos.com website.
Sailing San Franciso Beach
October 4th - 11th. Wow. Perfect water temp. 86 degrees. Wind perfect everyday. Steady all day. Surprised several morning breezes, 9:30 ish. Dropped off kayakers at Isla Blanca. Easy to beach on south side. Narrow but plenty of room.
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