January 11, 2020

We noticed a significant decline in tourists this week, with schools now back in session and work holidays over, there are lighter crowds. Cooler weather patterns continues, average lows about 55 degrees, with highs about 76 degrees, so comparatively to northern regions, still quite pleasant for mid-winter season. Wins from the north continues, cycle of two or three days, then residing, before picking back up. On Friday winds increased to 20 plus mph, through Saturday as well, actually closing down Cabo San Lucas marina to vessels under 40 ft. Sunday conditions are forecast to calm down.

Water temperature is on a cooling trend, now in the 72 to 74 degree range through much of the region, clarity fluctuated, some very clean blue water found close to shore, but other areas being stirred up and off colored. Transition period now for many gamefish now, such as dorado and wahoo, these fish prefer warmer waters and will migrate further south, striped marlin on the other hand prefer the cooler waters, with peak season normally in the winter and though spring.

Earlier in the week there was a run of pelagic crabs, drifting to the surface in masses on local fishing grounds, being scooped up in nets and used for bait for red snapper. Commercial fleet activity always ramps up when these red crabs appear. These huachinango average 2 to 5 lb. and reach up to about 14 lb. Very prized eating and a valuable commercial product.

Sportfishing fleets found more scattered action with cooler choppy conditions through much of the week, best action was encountered fairly close to shore, areas from Santa Maria to La Fortuna, dorado in the 5 to 15 lb. class being most common, also some roosterfish and sierra, using caballito or ballyhoo was main method. Bait options available from the marina were for caballito, ballyhoo and slabs of squid. Average catches consisted of a couple of dorado, up to five or six. We only saw a couple of smaller sized wahoo come in all week. Yellowfin tuna action was very slow on local grounds, a handful of yellowfin were landed earlier in the week off the local grounds, these fish ranged from 10 lb., up to about 80 lb., though very few numbers. The area that is producing cow sized tuna was the Jaime Bank outside of Cabo San Lucas, several long range San Diego vessels were chumming these grounds this week, local pangeros were making the long run to get into this action, putting in long days but returning with fish to 200 lb. This being more of a commercial prospect.

There was a lack of much billfish activity, we are hearing of more mackerel moving in the direction off of San Jose del Cabo, this should attract the striped marlin, some are being seen now, but very scattered. Also full moon period as well, as things shift and weather settles we are optimistic for improved action.

The combined sportfishing fleet launching out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out an estimated 58 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 84 dorado, 16 yellowfin tuna, 2 wahoo, 4 barred pargo, 32 sierra, 26 roosterfish, 3 cabrilla, 58 huachinango, 3 jack crevalle, 5 porgy and 22 triggerfish.

Good Fishing, Eric