Another port that reflected a near perfect billfish catch rate with only one boat missing this past week in Mazatlan. Still, the charter activity is considerably slow for this time of year as the fishing starts to pick up and the dorado starting to show up for the annual seasonal bite. According to Geronimo Cevallos, the GM of the Marina El Cid and the Aries Sportfishing Fleet, "the dorado usually start showing up in big numbers every year, beginning in May, as the water temperatures rise and the free swimming baits gather under the buoys". The water temperatures are moving upward each week and should be near perfect before very long, allowing for an early bite. The offshore fishing for 8 days reflected 8 stripers, ("Aries I" had a 2 striper day to lead the fleet) and 7 dorado for their efforts. The inshore fishing reflected only two super panga fishing days that resulted with 11 baquetas, (an excellent eating bottom fish that typically is in the 5-20 lb. ranges.

Mazatlan Climate:
Foggy this morning with about a mile of visibility and then clearing to mostly sunny and warm days with temps from cooler nights at 50 degrees and pleasant days at 85 degrees.

Sea Conditions:
Cooler waters inshore at 69-70 degrees and rising to 75-76 degrees at the 10-12 mile mark. Good clarity at about 18 miles southwest of the Marina El Cid.

Best Fishing Area:
The billfish remain scattered about and mostly out to the southwest of the Marina El Cid. No real concentration yet, but seeing more & more fish each day.

Best Lure/Bait:
Most of the fish are being taken on the rigged baits.

Bait Supply:
Remains very good for both, live and rigged baits.