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.

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!

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

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)

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...

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!

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.