July 3, 2011
Last week, both the weather and fishing report was depressing, this week the conditions have settled down and progressively we have seen warmer currents move back in, though water clarity has fluctuated daily. We are now seeing cleaner currents pushing in and water temperatures are averaging 75 to 80 degrees in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and areas to the north. Day time temperatures were up to 90 degrees, with increased humidity, there were tropical clouds forming and actually some rain fell in scattered location on Wednesday, mainly to the north, anglers reported getting drenched that day in certain areas, though back at the docks it was dry.
Mullet, jurelito and caballito are being found near the Puerto Los Cabos jetties. There are still no sardinas available due to persistent summer swells. Schools of bolito are finally starting to appear on the fishing grounds, these fish are a preferred food source for all species of gamefish and always are a favorable sign for finding quality action.
Fleets were seeing fair numbers of striped marlin offshore, anywhere from 4 to 20 miles out, it was another deal enticing the marlin to strike, but charters were accounted for one or two here and there. Some yellowfin tuna found offshore as well, though winds early in the week made for a rough going heading too far out. The tuna were found breezing in schools, also at times associated with porpoise. These yellowfin ranged in sizes, most of them medium sized, with a few fish over 100 lb. encountered, still hit or miss, not recommended for smaller boats.
The local panga fleet found the most consistent action from the Iman to San Luis Banks. Anglers found scattered action off the rocky bottom for huachinango, amberjack and cabrilla, most strikes came on yo-yo jigs, counts of three to eight fish in combination were common. This is the same area where quality grade tuna were congregated before the cold current turned over the conditions, only a few yellowfin were reported from off this spot recently, most of these were on yo-yos. On Saturday there was an encouraging report of one 120 lb. class yellowfin tuna be landed from a La Playita panga, it hit a jurelito for bait on the San Luis Bank. We do expect currents to clean and the winds to remain slack as the summer progresses, this should trigger the cow sized tuna once again.
There were a number of quality sized dorado caught off the grounds, increasing in quantity and size through the weekend. Particularly present around the San Luis to Vinorama area, where a few blue marlin hooks ups were reported. These fish were striking in the cleaner warm water throughout the region, striking on the normal array of surface trolling lures. This will be the normal program for the coming months, as billfish, dorado and yellowfin tuna will be main target species.
We are seeing roosterfish chase mullet and other baitfish close to shore, anglers had success trolling larger live baitfish just outside the surf zone. Many roosterfish were running in the 15 pound range, there were some fish up to 50 pounds hooked into from the same stretches.
Dogtooth snapper have not been as numerous this season, unfavorable conditions combined with less abundant baitfish and increased commercial gill net activity north of Punta Gorda has been the main factors for this.
The combined panga fleets launching from the La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 52 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a total fish count of: 2 striped marlin, 7 yellowfin tuna, 27 dorado, 39 amberjack, 5 dogtooth snapper, 40 huachinango (red snapper), 26 mixed pargo,17 jack crevalle, 11 cabrilla, 14 bonito and 64 roosterfish.
Good Fishing, Eric