While the fishing remains very difficult for the Mazatlan fleet the week's thriller was the take of the season's first swordfish, a 274 lb. trophy, captured aboard he "Aries III", skippered by Captain Martin Raygoza. The anglers, Wayne Washerol, Andrew and Ron Gay, all from Canada, shared in the catching that followed a 2.5-hour battle. The fish was taken on a rigged, dead mullet using 60 lb. test monofilament line. According to Geronimo Cevallos, the Marina & Fleet Manager, this is the first swordfish taken in this are in the past two years and a few fish are starting to show-up with the cooler water trend. He says the anglers can expect to see a rise in the numbers of swordfish and mako sharks as the waters cool down from their summer highs. Overall offshore catches reflected for 21 days were 1 swordfish, 2 stripers and two mako shark. The inshore fishing for the super pangas, reporting for 5 days fished, reflected 21 jack cravelle, 15 pargo, 62 cabrilla, 65 cochitos and limits of mojarres. (We hope to have a photo of the swordfish and anglers later, today and when/if received, it will be forwarded).

Mazatlan Climate: Near picture perfect with warm, sunny days and cool nights, temps from 56 nights to 85 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: Generally calm with very light surface breezes. Falling water temps, currently at 68-69 inshore and rising to 71-72 offshore.

Best Fishing Area: None reported and the boats are searching out far and wide for an offshore catch.

Best Bait/Lure: Not Reported, except for the swordfish, taken on a large, rigged mullet, trolled into position by the skipper and then, stopping the boat and waiting for the strike.