Monthly Archives: April 2023

Warmer Conditions, Mixed Species for Anglers ~ April 30, 2023

Posted on by

April 30, 2023

We saw similar patterns this week, light crowds of anglers, ideal weather conditions and a wide variety of fish species available for the fishermen that were out giving it a try. Mostly clear sunny skies, lows of about 65 and highs near 85 degrees Slight ocean swells, variable currents, swift at times and water temperatures were in the 72 to 74 degree range. Earlier in the week there was some north wind to deal with, later on and through the weekend conditions were better.

Bait supplies consisted of caballito, some mullet, sardina, anchoveta, ballyhoo and slabs of squid. Sardinas were limited from day to day. 

The majority of the more consistent fishing action was now being found from Cardon, La Fortuna, Iman and San Luis.The most common species remains the white bonito, taken over the various high spots on yo yo style jigs, ranging up to 6 lb. On the same grounds there was a wide variety of other species encountered, though in much more limited numbers compared to the bonito. We saw a variety of pinto, leopard & broomtail groupers, yellow and red snapper, barred pargo, spotted rose snapper, pompano, triggerfish, amberjack, fortune jack, even a couple of wahoo and dorado. These fish were taken while drift fishing, using both jigs and various baits. Over the weekend on Saturday, there was an amberjack weighing over 70 lb. landed, most ambers were more in the 10 to 25 lb. class.

Striped marlin are being found scattered throughout the area, no significant numbers, better odds at finding them a bit further offshore, 15 miles or more, near the 1150 grounds., striking on trolled lures, rigged ballyhoo and dropped back baits.

The few yellowfin tuna we saw were taken from San Luis Bank, everyday it seems a few of these yellowfin are being hooked into early in the morning, then they become spooky after more boats arrive. Sizes of these fish landed ranged from 30 to 80 lb. The tuna had a preference for the live caballito this week, as compared to strips of squid or sardina.

Inshore now the main deal was for roosterfish and jack crevalle, only a few sierra were coming in. Most of these roosterfish have been juvenile sized, up to 15 lb., being released as they should be. A few of the hog sized jack crevalle in the area.

Good Fishing, Eric–

Light Crowds, Mixed Bag of Fish ~ April 23, 2023

Posted on by
April 23, 2023

Considering the ideal climate we are now having in the midst of spring season, we saw light crowds of anglers this past week. For the few that did make the trip they were greeted with clear sunny skies, highs of about 85 degrees, variable winds, increased compared to the previous week, predominantly from the north. This contributed to stirring up the visibility, pushing in some more greenish currents, which were shifting directions, changing daily, making for some unstable conditions. This often is the case during the transition period of spring time towards summer. Ocean water temperature has now been in the 70 to 73 degree range.

Supplies of bait consisted of caballito, misc. jacks, ballyhoo, slabs of squid and on a couple of days minimal numbers of sardina and anchoveta were found near marina entrance. Most common fishing grounds have been from La Fortuna, Iman, San Luis and north to Vinorama.

Striped marlin action picked up further offshore, about 15 miles out, near the 1150 Bank, stripers up to 140 lb. were accounted for, trolling lures and dropping back live baits or rigged ballyhoo.

More charters were concentrating on the bottom species, main catch being the bonito, the white variety, good eating, unlike the California variety. Also on the same grounds there were a mix of amberjack, leopard grouper, barred pargo, yellow snapper, red snapper, spotted rose snapper, white fish, triggerfish and a couple of yellowtail were landed, though the bonito were most numerous by far.

Inshore the main deal has been smaller sized roosterfish and some jack crevalle, only a few sierra were brought in, needing more consistent supplies of sardinas for them. We did see a couple of yellowfin tuna through the week, taken off the same grounds where bottom action was found. Also one nice wahoo and a handful of dorado were accounted for.  
                      
Good Fishing, Eric






—

Tuna Start to Show, Better Bottom Action ~ April 16, 2023

Posted on by
April 16, 2023

With the Easter vacation week now past and spring break holiday times coming to an end, things have quieted down locally. Actually now is a great time to visit, weather conditions are ideal, moderate crowds and fishing action has shown signs of improvement recently. Clear sunny skies with highs near 85 degrees, for the most part calm ocean conditions, with the exception of a couple of days of north wind earlier in the week. 

Ocean water temperatures are now in the 70 to 72 degree range. Bait supplies have included caballito, jacks, slabs of squid and ballyhoo, no reports of sardinas showing, though there have been some mullet appearing. Most of the fishing activity has now been concentrated on the grounds to the north of Punta Gorda, Cardon, La Fortuna, Iman, San Luis and as far north as Vinorama. 

Close to shore along the beach stretches there have been good numbers of roosterfish found, striking on caballito, mullet and other jack species. Most of these roosterfish are juvenile sized fish under 15 lb. Remember to always carefully release these fish so that they can grow to maturity and reproduce. Not many sierra are being seen now because of the lack of sardinas for bait.

Bottom action showed signs of improvement, even though the bonito were still the most common species found while working the rock piles with yo-yo jigs, we saw a few more leopard grouper, amberjack and red snapper (huachinango) in recent days. Also a mix of barred pargo, yellow snapper, triggerfish and others, all very good eating species.

We saw more yellowfin tuna action this week, no big numbers, but at least everyday we are seeing a handful of nice yellowfin brought in. Sizes were ranging from 20 to 60 lb. These tuna were striking on strips of squid, caballito, as well as a few on yo-yo jigs, they were found on various high spots from San Luis to Vinorama. This was an encouraging deal, since the tuna bite has been dead for some weeks now.

Scattered through these same grounds were a handful of dorado, a few of them over 15 lb. No wahoo were reported, though as the weather continues to warm we expect water temperatures will also warm up and the wahoo should become more active, as they typically do at the end of this month.

Not much billfish action reported close to San Jose del Cabo, except we did hear that some striped marlin were found on the 95 spot where charters from Cabo San Lucas were operating. Not much going on the Pacific now, as north winds were gusty and conditions were rough.

Good Fishing, Eric