November 23, 2019
Anglers –
Last week we saw TS Raymond pass through the Los Cabos area, shutting down all Port activities on Sunday and Monday, this during a very busy time frame when these red flag conditions are rare occurrences. In another week the large crowds will lighten up, as they normally do after Thanksgiving and before the Christmas Holidays. Unpredictable weather conditions for the past month, more north wind than usual for this early in the season, also we are now following forecast for another rain storm that is moving in the direction of Southern Baja, all local interests are hoping this latest system veers in another direction, as we have already had plenty of rainfall, last weekend alone there were reports of isolated areas receiving six of more inches of rainfall, also some major flooding through low lying regions.
After the passing of the rain the all-around action seemed to slow down, which also stirred up ocean conditions, dirty water and a bit cooler, down in the 79 degree range, baitfish became scattered as well. Later in the week water clarity did improve and baitfish were becoming more active. Some schools of sardinas were found near marina jetties, also some caballito, other options were ballyhoo and slabs of squid.
The wahoo action near Vinorama vanished, though by Friday a few nice wahoo up to 47 lb. were reported, other strikes lost, so we are confident that these fish will remain on local grounds for another month or so. Dorado were spread out in different direction, found more consistently towards Cabo San Lucas, most of these fish were under 15 lb., with a few exception of larger 20 lb. plus specimens, striking both baits and lures.
The yellowfin tuna bite near San Luis Bank came to a halt, though the big news was that a few much Alger yellowfin tuna were hooked into off of the Gordo Banks, though more anglers were having battles with various species of sharks, there were some monster tuna now on these grounds. There were several very impressive catches records,, including 145 lb,. 272 lb. and 335 lb., this proved to be best week yet for this season on these grounds for the larger grade of yellowfin, several other cow sized tuna were lost after long epic battles. Slow trolling lovely smaller sized skipjack was the main producer of these big strikes. Offshore and towards Cabos San Lucas there were a smaller football sized grade of yellowfin tuna, though that was a bit hit or miss, with some charter landing 5 to 7 fish and others lucky to find one.
Bottom action continued to be slow, mainly triggerfish, an occasional amberjack, cabrilla, snapper or pargo. Inshore action was limited, depending on what bait was obtainable, jack crevalle up to 20 lb., a few sierra and some juvenile roosterfish up to 15 lb.
Billfish was red hot on the Pacific grounds, but were also starting to move in the direction of the local grounds off of San Jose del Cabo, a handful of striped marlin, sailfish and blue marlin were accounted for in recent days, nothing too large, stripers averaged less than 100 lb., blue marlin up in the 175 lb. range.
The combined sportfishing fleet launching out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out an estimated 120 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 1 black marlin,1 blue marlin, 5 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 88 dorado, 65 yellowfin tuna, 5 wahoo, 6 yellow snapper, 2 barred pargo, 3 leopard grouper, 5 amberjack, 29 Mexican bonito, 4 sierra, 4 jack crevalle, 10 roosterfish, 4 surgeon fish, 2 rainbow runner,5 golden eyed tilefish and 80 triggerfish.
Good Fishing, Eric