July 30, 2011
Last week there was the passing TS Dora, this system never did make much impact on land, except for high surf conditions over the weekend, which shut port operations down for up to two days. At this time there are no new storm treats that have developed towards the south. Early in the week there was a local squall that moved through, gusting winds, choppy seas and scattered thunder showers, mostly north of the SJD airport, some intense hard rain was reported just north of San Jose del Cabo. Moderate crowds of tourists are enjoying tropical conditions, sunny skies, with highs in the 90s. Ocean water conditions are presently improving daily. Clean blue waters have returned to within a mile of shore and water temperatures are averaging 84 degrees or higher.
Vast schools of skipjack and bolito are massing on the fishing grounds, winds have resided in recent days and conditions appear to be finally stabilizing. Schools of sardinas have started to return around the marina jetties, smaller in size, but has been a welcome option for targeting dorado and yellowfin tuna. Inside the marina entrance there have been other baitfishes such as caballito, jurelito, moonfish, mullet and sardinera.
Local charters have been concentrating most of their efforts in the direction of the Gordo Banks, north towards Vinorama, this is where there was the largest concentrations of surface baitfish activity. Slow trolling and drift fishing with various baits produced catches of dorado and yellowfin tuna. The majority of dorado were smaller juvenile fish, but there were a percentage of larger bulls found as well. Remember to release the smaller sized dorado and keep two larger specimens for your individual per license limit. Sailfish and striped marlin were found on these same grounds, everyday a few billfish are being hooked into by the same local fleets.
Yellowfin tuna bite improved in recent days for the panga fleet, charters were now averaging two or three tuna per outing, some as many as six or seven, sizes ranged from 15 lb., up to 50 pounds, these yellowfin were striking on sardinas, jurelito and bolito, also hitting on trolled hoochies and Rapalas. Majority of the larger dorado hit on trolled baits in the area where schools of baitfish were seen. The largest quantities of dorado were found in schools of small to medium sized fish, closer to shore.
Roosterfish were found trolling baits close to shore, with the dogtooth snapper now moving to deeper structure. Cabrilla, grouper, snapper, bonito and amberjack were accounted for by anglers working the rock piles, no real consistent action for this, but everyday there are some quality species found by anglers using both yo-yos and bait.
The local panga fleets launching out of La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 53 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of, 12 striped marlin, 10 sailfish, 115 yellowfin tuna, 220 dorado, 2 wahoo, 32 pargo, 15 cabrilla, 8 grouper, 16 amberjack, 24 roosterfish and 22 jack crevalle.
Good fishing, Eric