| Offshore Articles |
John N. Felsher's Offshore Fishing Adventures
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Billfish rise to take trolled baits
near the ancient 'City of Sails'
near the ancient 'City of Sails'
TOP: Another Pacific
sailfish comes to the
boat in the Sea of
Cortez off the coast of
Mazatlan, the City of
Sails, in western
Mexico.
RIGHT: After a
90-minute battle, a
blue marlin succumbs
in the Sea of Cortez off
the coast of Mazatlan,
the City of Sails, in
western Mexico.
sailfish comes to the
boat in the Sea of
Cortez off the coast of
Mazatlan, the City of
Sails, in western
Mexico.
RIGHT: After a
90-minute battle, a
blue marlin succumbs
in the Sea of Cortez off
the coast of Mazatlan,
the City of Sails, in
western Mexico.
About 40 yards behind the boat, the giant fish exploded through the
churning white wake as it snatched a lure, it’s sharp bill slashing the water
like a samurai sword.
Jumping almost like a bass, the mighty blue marlin valiantly attempted
to dislodge the hook. Failing that, it stripped hundreds of yards of line from
the sizzling reel as it sounded in 700 feet of water. Hissing with heat, the
reel strained against the horrific strength of the powerful fish. For every foot
of line I regained, the fish ripped three from the smoking reel. Subdued, but
never defeated, the spike-nosed leviathan eventually reached the boat
after a herculean 90-minute battle.
This time, a Pacific blue marlin hit the lure, but at other times, a striper
or giant black marlin might do the honors. The blue added to the three
sailfish we landed in the shadow of the 8,000-foot Sierra Madre Mountains
off the City of Sails. Add the possibility of catching a swordfish and anglers
may catch five species of billfish in the warm currents where the sapphire-
blue Pacific Ocean rolls into the Sea of Cortez off Mazatlan, Mexico.
The west coast of Mexico provides this type of world-class saltwater
action every day for many species. Since blue water lies less than 20 miles
offshore, anglers can often catch various inshore and offshore species,
possibly in the same day. Anglers might also challenge huge yellowfin tuna
or dolphin, locally called dorado. Bottom-bouncers might tempt amberjack,
grouper and snapper. Closer to shore, anglers might cast for spectacular
roosterfish, snook, corvina and other fish. Whatever your desire, the
professional staff at Anglers Inn International can plan a customized
excursion that meets all of your needs and expectations.
We sampled some of the saltwater fishing in one of the oldest cities in
North America. On this particular morning, we ventured from the ancient city
to troll at the edge of the continental shelf where water quickly drops from
about 750 feet deep to more than 1,200 feet. With five lines dragging
behind the boat, we zigzagged along the edge of the shelf about 18 to 24
miles offshore.
About an hour after leaving port, the first sailfish smashed at a bait, but
missed. Minutes later, two 75-pounders simultaneously ripped our lines for
a double-hookup. We landed and released them. Moments later, still aching
from the battle with my first sailfish, I passed on the next opportunity as
another 75-pounder rose in the wake, but I wouldn’t pass on my first marlin,
a 300-pounder, that erupted on our lures.
A large dorado, completed our catch that morning. Returning to the
harbor shortly after noon, we brought the dorado to a local restaurant.
While we let the billfish go to fight again, we couldn’t resist biting into a
chunk of succulent grilled dorado for lunch from a fish that hit our lure only
an hour earlier.
churning white wake as it snatched a lure, it’s sharp bill slashing the water
like a samurai sword.
Jumping almost like a bass, the mighty blue marlin valiantly attempted
to dislodge the hook. Failing that, it stripped hundreds of yards of line from
the sizzling reel as it sounded in 700 feet of water. Hissing with heat, the
reel strained against the horrific strength of the powerful fish. For every foot
of line I regained, the fish ripped three from the smoking reel. Subdued, but
never defeated, the spike-nosed leviathan eventually reached the boat
after a herculean 90-minute battle.
This time, a Pacific blue marlin hit the lure, but at other times, a striper
or giant black marlin might do the honors. The blue added to the three
sailfish we landed in the shadow of the 8,000-foot Sierra Madre Mountains
off the City of Sails. Add the possibility of catching a swordfish and anglers
may catch five species of billfish in the warm currents where the sapphire-
blue Pacific Ocean rolls into the Sea of Cortez off Mazatlan, Mexico.
The west coast of Mexico provides this type of world-class saltwater
action every day for many species. Since blue water lies less than 20 miles
offshore, anglers can often catch various inshore and offshore species,
possibly in the same day. Anglers might also challenge huge yellowfin tuna
or dolphin, locally called dorado. Bottom-bouncers might tempt amberjack,
grouper and snapper. Closer to shore, anglers might cast for spectacular
roosterfish, snook, corvina and other fish. Whatever your desire, the
professional staff at Anglers Inn International can plan a customized
excursion that meets all of your needs and expectations.
We sampled some of the saltwater fishing in one of the oldest cities in
North America. On this particular morning, we ventured from the ancient city
to troll at the edge of the continental shelf where water quickly drops from
about 750 feet deep to more than 1,200 feet. With five lines dragging
behind the boat, we zigzagged along the edge of the shelf about 18 to 24
miles offshore.
About an hour after leaving port, the first sailfish smashed at a bait, but
missed. Minutes later, two 75-pounders simultaneously ripped our lines for
a double-hookup. We landed and released them. Moments later, still aching
from the battle with my first sailfish, I passed on the next opportunity as
another 75-pounder rose in the wake, but I wouldn’t pass on my first marlin,
a 300-pounder, that erupted on our lures.
A large dorado, completed our catch that morning. Returning to the
harbor shortly after noon, we brought the dorado to a local restaurant.
While we let the billfish go to fight again, we couldn’t resist biting into a
chunk of succulent grilled dorado for lunch from a fish that hit our lure only
an hour earlier.
| Articles and photos on this website are for the viewing pleasure of patrons of this site. All articles and photos on this site are protected by the copyright laws of the United States. Any unauthorized usage is strictly prohibited. If you wish to purchase an article or photo, contact John N. Felsher as listed in the contact section. |
| Articles and photos on this website are free for your viewing pleasure, but it takes money to keep this site up and running. If you would care to help keep this site up and running for the use of all outdoors patrons, you can make a cash contribution. If you care to donate, contact John N. Felsher as listed in the contact section. |
| Protected by Copyright |
| How you can help keep this site operating |
