The offshore fishing is again picking-up for the Aries Fleet sportfishers and the opportunities for a blue marlin are still a daily event for this area. This past week reflected some good catches for the boats and the "Aries II", skippered By Captain Victor Nunez, high-lined the fleet with a single day's catch that reflected 1 blue marlin, 3 sailfish and 1 yellowfin tuna for the day. It is getting close to the time when the Pacific striped marlin will filter across from the Cabo waters and add to the daily catches for this area. The overall combined reports for the Aries Fleet reporting in for 26 days fished, reflected 5 blue marlin, (all under 300 lbs.) 17 sailfish, 2 dorado and 1 yellowfin tuna for the offshore waters. The inshore super pangas had another very active fishing week that reflected excellent catches for 7 days fished that included 1 roosterfish, 47 parggo, 19 jack cravelle, 1 dorado, 12 cochitos and limits of mojarres and limits of roncachos.

Mazatlan climate: Mostly sunny and warm days with a few passing clouds and temps from 57 nights to 87 daytime highs and 5-10 knots of light surface breezes.

Sea Conditions: Near excellent. Cool water and greenish inshore at 72 degrees, rising to 75 at about 5 miles and climbing to 78-79 at 15-17 miles. Water gradually changes from murky green inshore to clean green and filters to good blue water at about 18 miles.

Best Fishing Area: Most of the offshore sportfishers are fishing southwest of the Marina El Cid at about 20 miles and ranging out to about 28 miles or so.

Best Lure/Bait: The blue marlin mostly on the larger artificials. Sailfish on the rigged trolling baits.

Bait Supply: Excellent and readily available.