Anglers –
January 30, 2016

We are seeing fewer visiting anglers arriving during the past couple of weeks, this is not unusual, as this is never peak season for any particular gamefish species on our local grounds. Weather patterns remain much the same, mostly sunny days, some marine layer cloud cover, winds still predominately from the north, varying up to 20 mph or stronger on some days, high daytime temperatures have been reaching into the lower 80s. These winds can limit on where fleets can fish comfortably. Ocean temperatures are averaging 76 degrees and clean blue water is being found within one mile of shore. Anglers have been using a mix of caballito, striped squid and ballyhoo for bait, no reports of any sardinas being located within local range, nor has any consistent offshore baitfish source been happening. There were reports of large concentrations of flying fish being seen, with fish spotted chasing these flyers, acquiring a taste for them and not too aggressive for other offerings.

Local sportfishing fleets were scouting out fishing grounds in all of the normal directions, most productive grounds recently were from Santa Maria, Palmilla, Punta Gorda, La Fortuna and Iman Bank. Yellowfin action was reported on the more distant Pacific Banks for a larger grade of yellowfin. The Iman Bank was producing tuna to over 30 lb., though with the northern winds and sea lion presence, this was a tough bite for the past five days or so, need calmer conditions to effectively drift fish these grounds.

Wahoo have been playing elusive hide and seek games as usual, though actual these fish have become more active in recent days, found close to shore, trolling lures and baits, best bet early in the morning, but there were chances at all hours of the day, you have to just be in the right place at the precise time when these finicky feeders decide to strike. The wahoo now being landed have been in the 15 to 40 lb. range. Anglers reported wahoo action off of Santa Maria, Palmilla, Punta Gorda and Iman Bank. With water temperature still temperate, we expect these ‘hoo to stay in the area into February. Remember last season, some of our best wahoo action was found mid-February.

Striped marlin action improved this past week, decent number of stripers were found straight outside the Puerto Los Cabos Marina, anywhere from one to four miles from shore, most strikes were on caballito, soaking down deep, slow trolling baits on the surface, or occasional gun and run to feeding fish.

Not much going on for sierra or roosterfish, sporadic action found, though some dorado were encountered very close to shore, attracted by available baitfish, more dorado this week than last, sizes ranged up to 20 lb. Anglers were fortunate to find one or two, no big numbers of any particular species now.

Bottom action was tough, mainly due to the windy days, hard to reach the more productive areas to the north, closer inshore, where it was more protected from gusty winds, most common catches were for triggerfish, a handful of snapper, bonito and cabrilla.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 61 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 22 striped marlin, 19 wahoo, 38 yellowfin tuna, 19 dorado, 8 rainbow runner, 9 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 8 huachinango, 14 yellow snapper,10 bonito, 2 sierra and 80 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric