After nearly eight months in Banderas Bay, we are finally on the move again. Hurricane season and then some personal issues kept us in a marina much longer than we had anticipated.

We just arrived in Mazatlan after a nice two-night passage. Considering we could have driven here in a few hours (it’s only 170 miles as the boat travels), we made pretty good time. We had mostly no wind, which was a good thing as the prevailing winds this time of year are from the north (the direction we were heading, of course).

We saw amazing phosphorescence, spinner dolphins, some late-season whales, caught a dorado, and watched lots of birds catching rides on sea turtles.

At our halfway point, we came across a disturbing sight. If you remember last July, we were lucky enough to save a sea turtle trapped in some derelict fishing gear. This is why I prefer baitcasting reels, they help to prevent this sort of thing.  We were in just about the same place yesterday when we once again noticed a strange tangle of debris. When we slowed to take a look, there was a trapped manta ray. Unfortunately, we were too late, but I find it odd to keep seeing things like this…

Manta Ray caught in derelict fishing gear
Mahi-Mahi for dinner!