Fulfilling A Dream of a Lifetime

We sometimes take for granted the beautiful place in which we live, Cabo San Lucas  and the bountiful fishing that we experience pretty much year round. However, this letter that we received recently made us reflect on what a fabulous place this is. Below is a moving e-mail from Dave who fished on April 1st:

"As I sit here on my last day in Cabo and read the fishing report I can only  think about how blessed I was to fish with Julio and Martin on April 1st. As a young kid fishing on the pier in Redondo Beach, California in the 60's I would watch the sport fishing boats leave and dream of having the chance to do the same thing in the future. I have had to cancel two all expense paid trips to Cabo for family reasons. Finally I made it down here for the first time. I read the online fishing reports and it apeared that the Tracy Ann with  Julio Castro as the captain was the clear choice for my first attempt to cach a marlin. When I got on the boat Julio asked me what I wanted to fish for, and I said I came to catch a marlin so lets go for the big fish. He and Martin spared no effort as we seen a few  marlin but could not get them to take the bait. Julio pressed on and we were almost 45 miles out. Finally we seen two more marlin and one was hooked up. It was the best fishing experience of my life. To see the marlin jump out of the water was really special. After about a 20 minute fight we got him along side the boat. Martin asked me if I wanted to keep it. I looked at that magnificant, beautiful fish that God created and decided I could not kill such a majestic creature of the sea. It was better to release it so when I come back next year in what may become a yearly ritual. I can have a chance to catch it again only it will have grown bigger by then. I just hope I do not do the same. Thank you Julio and Martin for working your butts off and making my day far exceed my boyhood dreams of leaving the harbor on a big sport fishing boat and returning with the memories of a lifetime. Thanks again to all of the Pisces crew untill next year, good fishing and be safe".

Dave Wilkins, Scottsdale, AZ

A 4500 LB MARLIN!

Percy Von Lipinski is an interesting character and featured reporter form CNN. He was recently visiting Cabo and did several feature spots about our city. This is the report he did on our recently unveiled marlin tribute. 


He also did a report on our luxury yacht division will be out soon and posted here too.

Thank You Letter from the Klauer Family

We received this letter from Jim Klauer and sons who had a great experience last week aboard the "Valerie". We are very happy that they enjoyed themselves and we look forward to taking you guys out again soon.

I wanted to thank you and Pisces for a great day on the water. The boys had fun, the crew was great and the suggestion of going for the game fish first and then go out for Marlin. We had 5 Yellowtail in the box by 7:30 and then went out to chase down a few Marlin. We never got one on the line, but it was fun getting them to strike and chase the bait. The boys loved the burritos, thank the person that added those to the lunch box!

Great trip and we will be back.


Jim Klauer

Costco Wholesale

Vice President

From Redmond, WA

Fishing Picks Up!

Seems like things are starting to turn around. Yesterday Mike Connolly out aboard 37 ft Falcon, managed to release three striped marlin at Destiladeres (up past San Jose). All of the fish took like caballito and were between 120 and 150 lbs.
Looks like this cold La Niña current is finally coming to an end.

Unveiling of Marlin Monument in Cabo

This past Friday, March 31st the Pabellon Cultural de La Repulica was opened. In English that is the Cultural Pavillion of the Republic - in other words, that huge odd shaped, modern building behind Pisces headquarters. Seeing as we are now neighbors we thought we should know what it was all about and got involved in the event. This is a center for the arts, including a 1200 seat outdoor theatre, a movie theatre and an indoor theater with seating for 700 with a proper stage, hydraulic orchestra pit and the whole nine yards.
The event on March 31st began with the unveiling of the plaque at the entrance by the Governor, Narciso Agundez, who gave a speech flanked by politicians and the public. Next was the unveiling of the huge marlin sculpture, located at the marina entrance of the pavillion, donated to the people of Cabo by Pisces Sportfishing.  This is a replica of the largest marlin ever caught and written about. The original fish was taken aboard a commercial longliner off of Venezuela and was so large that it had to be cut into three pieces to be weighed. The fish totaled 4500 lbs approximately. We thought it fitting that such a giant marlin should be on the marina of Cabo San Lucas. The inscription reads "World's Largest Blue Marlin. This is a replica of the largest marlin ever recorded, caught aboard a longliner in 1976 - 4500 lbs. In Honor of the Magnificent Marlin upon which our town was built. Donated to the people of Cabo San Lucas by Pisces Sportfishing. In memory of Pedro Ehrenberg B & Peter Ehrenberg S.
Cabo San Lucas Marlin Capital of the World". After the unveiling there was a performance by Mariachi Vargas from Jalisco, considered the best mariachi band in the world, followed by a performance inside by two Mexican Divas, Oliva Gorra a soprano currently on tour with Andrea Bocelli &  Guadalupe Pineda a famous Mexican singer - both gave an incredible performance.

From left to right: Secretary of Tourism Alberto Treviño, city councilmen Dr. Ibarra & Gabriel Larrea, Mayor Mirna Xbille, Tracy Ehrenberg, Governor Narciso Agundez, Marco Ehrenberg, Ruth Ehrenberg, Luis Alvardo & Andrea Ehrenberg

Wow This Made Us Feel Good!

We just received this letter from a lovely lady from Alaska who fished with us in March. She didn't just get on marlin on her birthday but two....this proves the skill and dedication of our captains, particularly in such a tough month. Both fish were caught at the Cabrillo Sea Mount on live caballito.

Looks like Susie is in love with Cabo....

Dear Friends at Pisces,

I wanted to send you a few lines and an awful lot of compliments concerning my fantastic experience I encountered with your "family." From the first phone encounter with PAM, to the success I had on the Tracy Ann. I am so very pleased with everything and everyone involved. Thank you Pam for all your information, concern and kindnesses. Thank you to the rest of the office for your courtesies and sincere interest you all extended to me with my quest for catching my birthday Marlin. Thank you to Ady, Martin, Julio, Jr. and Julio, Sr. I would not have realized any of this happiness and elation if it were not for the most wonderful crew ever. To Julio,Sr,,,A special thank you is extended to you for all your patience and sincere concern and love of fishing you showed me. Thank you so much and I hope to see you next year. I extend my warmest thoughts and wishes to you and yours. Thank you again and take care. This picture and show of happiness is for all of you. Please enjoy.

Love,

Susie Hodnik from Juneau, Alaska

Fish Report Update

March 27th to April 2nd, 2011


Overall Catch Success Rate 85.37% for All Species Combined

BILLFISH: Marlin catches are still rather slow, but our overall catch success rate was up this week. Not a great deal of action on billfish and the majority of anglers decided to go for what was more of a sure thing inshore, for yellow tail or sierra for a nice meal. It was kind of funny to see boats stacked up near the Old Lighthouse on some days as many as forty fishing for yellowtail. Usually when see boats there in those numbers they are fishing striped marlin. Nevertheless we had a couple of lucky anglers who did release billfish. Hot boat this week was “Shambala” who did a great job since they were the only boat on March 28th, to return to the dock with marlin flags after releasing two striped marlin for John Sercu and friends from Seattle, WA – they went out a way; 35 miles close to the 109 spot and the fish took live caballito for bait. On April 1st David Wilkins from Scottsdale, AZ was very fortunate to release another striped marlin aboard “Tracy Ann” with Captain Julio Castro at the Cabrillo spot on the Sea of Cortez. Five percent of boats caught marlin this week our total was three fish.

OTHER SPECIES: Yellow tail was the top catch of the week with fifty seven percent of our boats catching between one to ten fish – most of them were caught on the Pacific side from the Old Lighthouse to Morros Prietos. One of the best days was on the 29th for Erik Johnson and friends from Madison, Wisconsin catching a total of ten yellow tails from 10 to 20 lbs aboard the “Falcon”; the fish took yoyos and they also caught four sierras for some nice ceviche. This same day, “Adriana” had eight yellow tail at the old light house for a group from Fort Wayne, Indiana. “Attitude Adjustment” focused inshore fishing and had a nice mixed bag of seven yellow tail from 10 to 25 lbs, two jack crevalle and one sierra for Doug & Ryan Marquis, Bill & Olivia Douglas & Timmy Burns from Lake Forest, IL; the fish took a combination of yoyos and rapalas. On the 28th “Andrea” reeled in six yellow tail on a half day trip for Abby Bried and kids Cooper and Campbell (10 and 7 years old respectively) – they stayed fairly close five miles out from Cabo Falso. “Valerie” had five 20 lbs yellow tail and two sierra for a family from Chicago, IL on the 30th; the hook ups where at the old lighthouse and were caught with a mix of rapalas and hoochis.

Sierra catches are back, with thirty two percent of our boats catching these little guys. The best day was on the 27th aboard “Rebecca” for a group from New York City boating ten Spanish mackerel and one 20 lbs yellow tail at Los Arcos spot. Dorado and tuna catches were quiet this week as most of our anglers decided to go for the in shore fishing action, where the bite was best.

There were fair amounts of skipjack, jack crevalle and lots of bonita.

WEATHER CONDITIONS: Clear, sunny skies. Mostly calm seas.

LOCATION: Pacific Side – Old Lighthouse, Cerro Blanco, Margaritas, Los Arcos, Cabo Falso

Sea of Cortez – 95 spot, 11:50 Spot, Barco Varado, Cabrillo, 109 Spot, Morros Prietos

AVERAGE WATER TEMP. 70 F

BEST LURES: Rapalas, hoochis, yoyos

Live bait: caballito,

Based on the catches of Pisces by Ale Almada & Tracy Ehrenberg.

Rod Cambell and friends from Chicago, IL had a great day aboard La Brisa

Peter Martin from California pictured with a good size sierra caught on the 28th aboard "Ruthless"

Wouldn't you have liked this to be your 16th Bday?

We are always thrilled to hear when people have a good experience with us, especially when we can help fulfill  a young person's dream, with a memorable experience.

We received this letter from Judy Marshall who brought her 16 year old grandson Nick, down to Cabo for the ultimate fishing adventure.

Below are Judy's comments which really made us feel good, especially in regard to our crews

"Hi just wanted to let you know how wonderful our experience was with the Pisces fleet, best of all we caught and released 2 marlin. The boat, the excitement of the morning boarding, out to the sea but the very best was wonderful captain Nicholas and his mates, the skill at handling the boat, fishing and making the 2 days we spent with them just the best. Your organization should be proud to have such skilled people as part of the team.  

Thanks for a great vacation and the very best 16th birthday present a young man who loves fishing could possible have sincerely,

Judy Marshall."

Fishing News Update

MARCH 19th to 26th, 2011


Overall Catch Success Rate All Species Combined 58%

BILLFISH: So we are in March, we know what that means, traditionally slow marlin catches – I like to call this the “March Doldrums”. Marlin are present and are seen often, but getting them to bite is a completely different issue. On one day last week one of our boats reported seeing eight marlin at Punta Gorda but couldn’t get any interested in bait, they referred to them as “window shoppers”, this boat however (Adriana) did manage to hook a swordfish, which they battled for two and a half hours before it broke off. The fish was estimated to be 250 lbs and was played by Richard Tootle from El Reno, Oklahoma. “Tracy Ann” also spotted a swordfish this same day 40 miles out from the 180 spot but had not luck in enticing it. These weren’t the only swordfish in Cabo this week, we also heard of another boat, “Go Deep” that landed a 300 lb. swordfish. The only people excited about marlin this week are the scientists, they think the behavior they are exhibiting could mean that they are mating and the researchers will be out with their equipment, trying to capture larva. We know that this is just a temporary situation and very common at this time of year. The good thing is though, that there is quite a bit of action inshore for delicious yellowtail, sierra and other small game. Despite this some boats did get lucky with marlin; “Tracy Ann” was the hot boat this week with two marlin released on the same day at Destiladeres by Tom & Dawn Oliphant, David Taylor & Larry Walters from Houston. Both fish were around 150 lbs and took live caballito. “Attitude Adjustment” caught a marlin this same day but in a completely different location, 22 miles out from the Old Lighthouse. This one was also around 150 lbs and was released by Bruno Sasson from San Diego. “C-Rod” was the other boat that caught a striped marlin at Punta Gorda for Jim Carey & Jim Croce….sounds like a famous duo…but these guys are from St. Louis MO and in fact it was John Croce, John Carey also and Ale Corey. Ten percent of boats caught marlin this week out total was four fish. The la niña current, present on the Pacific is a continuing factor in slower catches, but this will be ending soon.

OTHER SPECIES: Yellowfin tuna catches were fair this week with a little over twenty percent of boats landing between one and fifteen fish. “Ruthless” was the top tuna boat with fifteen caught off of San Jose by Josen and Jim Carmock from Newport Beach, California – all took cedar plugs and were up to eighteen pounds. Top tuna day ended up being the 23rd, when the word went out that San Jaime was the hot spot. Boats zipped up the Pacific and then out from San Jaime between twenty and twenty five miles. “Rebecca” did best this day with eight fish from fifteen to a nice fifty pounder for the Power family from Klamouth Falls, Oregon. A very enviable catch this week was aboard “Bill Collector” a double header on wahoo accomplished by Timothy Reedy from New York & Ray Majesty from Glenview, Illinois. The fish took green colored lures just three miles out from Chileno and weighed 45 and 65 lbs respectively. Great catch! Inshore there were yellowtail up to 30 lbs, sierra, roosterfish and other bottom fish. Small game catches accounted for thirty four percent of the catches this week.

WEATHER: Some partly cloudy days, Sea of Cortez calm, Pacific with whitecaps some days, mix of hot days and cooler nights.

LOCATION: Punta Gorda, Destiladeres, San Jaime, Old Lighthouse,

Migriño.

AVERAGE WATER TEMP: 72 F

BEST LURES: Live caballito, cedar plugs, green.

Based on the catches of Pisces by Tracy Ehrenberg

We had two hook-ups on elusive Broadbill Swordfish, this week; generally considered the most prized of all billfish catches. In most places in the world they are caught at night. Here in Cabo we catch them during the daytime. They are occaisionaly found dozing on ther surface and if a bait is presently exactly correctly you may get a hook up if they are very hungry. Captains often say they try to smack them on the bill with the bait, to cause an automatic reaction to get them to bite. They have very soft mouths and the hook often rips out.

Latest Fish Report

March 12th to March 18th, 2011



Overall Catch Success Rate 75% For All Species Combined

BILLFISH: Marlin catches are steady this week with twenty seven percent of our boats releasing striped marlin. Top marlin boat this report was “Adriana”; they did a good job on the 12th for Ken Ciardiello and son from Connecticut releasing a total of three striped marlin between 120 to 130 lbs at Punta Gorda on the Sea of Cortez. On the 15th, Bryce Weempe and friends from Texas had a great day too, as they were fortunate to release two stripers estimated between 140 to 150 lbs this time a little bit closer, at Cerro Colorado; they also caught two football size yellow fin tuna – hooked with cedar plugs. This same day but on the other side, at the Golden Gate, on the Pacific, Stephen and Andrew Seifert from Appleton, WI released one striped marlin about 160 lbs aboard “Rebecca”; they boated one tuna for a nice sashimi dinner. On the 18th, Rick Mully and friends from Canada released one striped marlin aboard “La Brisa” and boated eight yellow fin tuna between 20 to 25 lbs which took cedar plugs. Pisces anglers had nineteen striped marlin this week.

OTHER SPECIES: Dorado catches were on the slow side this week, with just a couple of boats making it back to the dock with yellow flags flying. On the 12th, “Ruthless” caught a 30 lb dorado for Richard Borsch and friends from Calgary, Canada they then went on to release a striped marlin as well. Both fish took live caballito. This same day James Marigliano and friends from Dallas, TX, landed a 30 lb dorado aboard “Great Escape Jr”; they went all the way to the Cabrillo Sea Mount, where they did well to release a striped marlin in the same location. Tuna was the top catch of the week, with thirty four percent of boats catching between one and twenty fish. Most of them were “football” size (12 to 25 lbs) though some were a little larger at 40 lbs, now and then. Top tuna boat this week was “Tracy Ann” who on the 17th had Stacy Douget from Sweeney, TX aboard. They boated a total of twenty yellow fin tuna, thirty five miles out from Jaime Bank on the Pacific side; the fish took cedar plugs. On the 12th, “Tracy Ann” scored again, this time for Denise and James Wind from Long Beach, NY with a total of nineteen tuna between 20 to 25 lbs as if this wasn’t enough James was very lucky to go on to release his first striped marlin at Punta Gorda. On the 16th “La Brisa” had a great day for Tore and Don Kragerud from Las Vegas, NV they had plenty fillets to take back home as they reeled in fifteen yellow fin tuna from 25 to 30 lbs; they took a combination of lures, nevertheless they had to head out a way; thirty six miles out from Cerro Blanco. This same day, Greg and Tamara Ukranichuk from British Columbia had a busy day with twelve tuna from 15 to 40 lbs, twenty two miles out from San Jaime. On the 12th, “Valerie” landed a dozen tuna as well for Gary Allison from Henderson, NV; the fish took a combination of cedar plugs, feathers and hoochis. William Jungersen went out fishing with captain Ricardo Agundez on March 17th and landed ten 20 lbs yellow fin tuna aboard “Great Escape Jr”. Sierra catches are still on, with seventeen percent of our boats catching these little guys. Anglers who focused inshore did well catching sierra, sea bass, bonitas, skipjacks & lady fish.

As to other species, we also had one mako shark on the 16th aboard “C-Rod” for Michael and Cheri Judge from Iowa; the fish was successfully released and it was estimated on 150 lbs. Earlier in the day they had caught a skipjack and decided to save it for bait, guess who got it? ….Yep the shark.

WEATHER CONDITIONS: Clear, sunny skies. Mostly calm seas with a few choppy days, great weather overall.

LOCATION: Pacific Side – Golden Gate, Migriño, Old Lighthouse, Cerro Blanco, Margaritas, Gaspareño, Cerritos, Elías Calles, San Jaime, Los Arcos

Sea of Cortez – Chileno, 95 spot, Punta Gorda, 11:50 Spot, Santa Maria, La Playita, Barco Varado, Chileno, Cabrillo, Destiladeras, Cabo Real

AVERAGE WATER TEMP. 71 F

BEST LURES; Cedar plugs, rapalas, hoochis, tigrillo, purple, blue/white, feathers

Live bait: caballito, ballyhoos, sardine

Based on the catches of Pisces by Ale Almada & Tracy Ehrenberg.