June 18, 2023

With the majority of school semesters now done and now in summer recess, we are seeing more numbers of traveling families arrive. Weather patterns have been great, perfect time to visit now, with mostly clear sunny skies, high temperatures nearing 90 degrees, but still bearable and not too hot as it can be in the coming months, Pacific afternoon breezes have been refreshing.

Overall fishing action. Offshore striped marlin action became more scattered and more schools of bolito were reported, which always are a good sign for attracting larger pelagic gamefish species. In our local marina area the main bait source has been caballito, jurelito, ballyhoo and of course slabs of squid as well, even though not much has been hitting on the strips.

On the grounds from Iman to San Luis Banks there have been hog sized amberjack being brought in every day, most of these striking on the live bait, we saw many fish in the 30 to 80 lb. range accounted for, on most days the best action was earlier in the morning.

The same rocky high spots and even closer to shore anglers were finding a mix of leopard grouper, barred pargo, yellow or red snapper, bonito, pompano and triggerfish, using baits and yo-yo jigs. None of these in very high numbers, but some quality great eating fish are being found.

Besides the trophy sized amberjack, another highlight has been a handful of very nice sized bull dorado, up to 40 lb. or higher, found scattered throughout the region, often times in pairs, with the smaller females, they were encountered from close to shore, on the roosterfish beach stretches, to bottom fishing spots and on offshore marlin grounds.

There were yellowfin tuna weighing in the 5 to 30 lb. range being located associated with the porpoise far offshore, often a 50 mile run in each direction, so that was not a normal practical charter option unless contracting this in advance for additional fees. Some tuna were also hooked up near Iman and San Luis, but it was sporadic and unpredictable action, though these fish were of nice quality to over 60 lb.

Only a few wahoo being reported, most of these in the 25 to 35 lb. range, striking incidentally while bottom fishing and some on the more traditional trolling rapala type plugs. Conditions are favorable now as water temperatures are in the upper 70s, though water is not really that deep blue that these fish prefer, a little bit off colored  from changing currents and increased ocean swells.

Inshore the main deal was slow trolling baits for jack crevalle and roosterfish, which is now peak season, started out a little late, but the charters that we did have target these fish did well on fish up to 40 lb.

Good Fishing, Eric