Conditions have been changing both on mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Water has cooled down in Galapagos to average 73.5 F and from Manta South it is 72 F. North Manta is holding a decent blue marlin bite with water North holding around 76 F.
Galapagos Islands
San Cristobal
Local pangas of artesanal fishermen have reported very good catches of wahoo 10 to 20 fish per day from Española Island ranging 30 to 50 lbs average.
May 19, 2013– the Big Fish headed for 88 Bank 68 mile North East of port. The seas were a moderate chop with winds 10-12 knots. Captain Yepez estimated seeing over 20 tailers during the day and a few fish feeding on the surface. 14 stripeys were raises with some in packs of 2 and 3 coming into the spread to create havock. They managed 9 bites and released 6 striped marlin with one estimated to push about 250lb. A nice big eye tuna around 120 lb was also caught as well as some smaller tunas in the 30 to 50 lb range.
May 21, 2013– Patricia fishing Bank 0-30 just East of Santa Cruz with a group of Japanese anglers reported having an awesome day of tuna fishing. Catching over 15 Big eye tunas ranging 50 to 80lbs. They also raised 3 striped marlin and released 1.
Ecuador
Manta
May 20, 2013– Pirata Azul reported fishing 49 miles North of Manta and finding a dead whale. The whale was loaded with mahi mahi all 10 to 15 lbs. They caught 38 mahis total and began trolling for blue. they managed to raise 2 blues in 2 hours of trolling around the dead whale. One fish was on for 30 minutes and broke 50lb line. The blue was estimated over 700 lb. The second fish bit with less than 10 minutes of lines back in the water and was lost with the leader 15 feet from the boat. This blue was estimated around 400 lb.
May 21, 2013– Pirata Azul headed North of Manta to the same area they had fished the day before. They saw a group of 4 tailing striped marlin and managed to catch one. They raised a blue estimated around 500 lb that did not stick on the hook.
Folks the fishing in Manta should continue to improve as warm waters are pushed down to Manta with the Panama current. Galapagos has slowed down on blues and blacks but striped marlin, tuna and wahoo will be around in good numbers.
