“‘El Soltar’ reported hooking a monster BLACK MARLIN, estimated to exceed 800# on February 7th.”

The following is a compilation of the reports received from Stan Lushinsky of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters, Ed Kunze of Mar y Tierra and Ed Garvis of Whisky Charters. They represent about 1/3 of the totals from the Zihuatanejo fishing fleet. The best part is that unless dead or severely injured, these fish were released.

The beginning of the month brought excellent Sailfish action that waned with the coming of the full moon and a slightly colder offshore current appearing in the latter portion of the month. Though this moves the blue water out from the bay, the colder current also brings the Marlin and big Tuna. These fish will now remain in the area through the summer. The Sailfish bite will remain very good during the new moon periods. The blue water should remain at about 5-10 miles offshore with the best chance at the larger fish being in the 20-30 mile range.

Numbers and notable catches for the month are as follows. These vessels fished a total of 166 days landing 367 Sailfish, 13 Blue Marlin, 1 Black Marlin, 56 Dorado, 3 Wahoo, 7 Tuna and 10 Roosterfish. Only Tuna in excess of 250#, and Dorado, Wahoo and Roosterfish in excess of 20# are reported. Captain Raymundo Wences of the “El Soltar” reported hooking a monster BLACK MARLIN, estimated to exceed 800# on February 7th. The huge MARLIN spooled a Penn International 80SW and Captain Wences found it necessary to attach another rod and reel and put the first rod and reel over the side. After 1 1/2 hours the crew was able to retrieve the first rod and reel and began fighting the huge MARLIN again. Another hour went by before the fish broke the line in a series of spectacular jumps. Last week Captain Alfredo Vargas on the “Whisky I” landed a Blue Marlin in excess of 500#. Captain Alberto Hernandez of the “Intruza” released 5 Blue Marlin in one day fishing at 28 miles. Both Captain Javier of the “Marlin Azul” and Captain Luis of the “Gringo Loco” landed Yellowfin over 300#. Angler Ron Peschon fishing with Captain Cortes of the “Aguazul” for 4 days averaged 5.6 Sails per day. Many boats reported 5-7 Sails on given days.

The outlook for March will be an increase in the Large Marlin and Big Tuna as boats begin to venture past the ever-present Sailfish. We had no inshore reports for the latter part of the month however, the Roosterfish catch will be strong going into the full moon of March.

And congratulations are in order for Jose Moreno. Moreno won last year’s, Fintastic’s Tag & Release Billfish Tournament here in Zihuatanejo and won the coveted invitation to the IGFA Tournament of Champions in Kona, Hawaii this month. The results are back in and Zihuatanejo’s own, Jose Moreno won for biggest Tuna (158#) in Kona, Hawaii. He received one of only 8 trophies and placed 13th overall!

Congratulations Jose!

-March 2000