August 7, 2011

We are now in the midst of a tropical heat wave, high humidity with heat index of 100 degrees plus. Scattered cloud cover, threatening rain, but not received any locally, to the north of San Jose del Cabo there were thunder showers. Water temperatures were averaging 83 to 85 degrees, with even warmer waters found off of the East Cape region. Early in the week Hurricane Eugene formed off of Southern Mexico and became a category four storm before passing within 550 miles of Cabo San Lucas and veering off on a more westerly course. This system did not impact land, there were high seas on Wednesday through Thursday, with increased humidity, strong southerly winds on Wednesday caused the majority of scheduled charters to be canceled.

Unsettled conditions continue, with more wind than normal, this has been the story of the summer. Starting last weekend and through Tuesday local panga fleets reported much improved action for yellowfin tuna on the fishing grounds from Iman to San Luis Banks. Water clarity was clean and blue, lots of surface baitfish activity, bolito, skipjack and jacks. Live sardinas were also available around the Puerto Los Cabos Marina Jetties, as well as from pangeros based just south of Los Frailes, who would motor to the fishing grounds.

Yellowfin ranging from 20 to 50 pounds were striking on sardinas, jurelito, bolito and chunk bait, more strikes came on the sardinas, which were small in size, requiring the use of lighter leaders and smaller sized hooks. During this period charters reported average catches of anywhere from 3 or 4, up to a dozen tuna per morning. Black skipjack were so abundant they proved to be a nuisance for anglers using sardinas, this is when some anglers started using chunk baits, larger whole bolito or jurelito in order to stay away from the skippies. Gusting relentless winds on Wednesday slowed the tuna action to a standstill in very choppy conditions. The bait situation for sardinas became difficult during the higher wind swells, but has since improved. On Saturday the action broke wide open on the San Luis Bank, anglers were filling their fish boxes with yellowfin tuna up to 50 pounds, also a handful of quality sized gulf grouper and dogtooth snapper, hooked into while soaking chunks of skipjack on the same structure where the yellowfin were schooling.

Dorado action became more scattered this past week, still some fish being found, but not as numerous. No large schools of dorado found, only smaller groups of fish, mixed sizes, various baits and lures accounted for strikes. Not much going on for billfish either, a mix of striped marlin and sailfish, no significant numbers. There was a story in recent days told by a group of panga anglers, they witnessed a 500 pound class blue marlin in hot pursuit of a 40 lb. yellowfin tuna that they were hooked up with. Apparently the tuna became so spooked, that it charged the panga, getting all types of slack in the line and was gaffed without hesitation as the blue marlin passed near the boat. Attempts to bait up this blue marlin failed, the fish showed interest in the skipjack that was presented directly in front of it.

Inshore action has slowed with the higher surf conditions, this always seems to scatter baitfish and gamefish accordingly. The various rock piles have produced a mixed bag of pargo, amberjack, triggerfish and grouper, though currents were swift and this was not an easy go.

Not much being talked about by surf anglers recently, this is the month historically when more trophy sized snook are encountered. Typically there would still be opportunities at finding jack crevalle, pargo and roosterfish as well.

The local panga fleets launching out of La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 55 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of, 5 striped marlin, 4 sailfish, 340 yellowfin tuna, 62 dorado, 15 dogtooth snapper, 17 cabrilla, 9 amberjack, 2 gulf grouper, 14 roosterfish and 15 jack crevalle.

Good fishing, Eric