August 18, 2012
Anglers –
The long parching drought in Los Cabos is officially over for the time being. As the most recently formed Tropical Storm Hector harmlessly followed a northwesterly course, staying clear of land, there were other systems developing from the east. On Monday swells increased to three meters and thunderstorms from the east brought local tropical rain squalls starting on Tuesday, lasting all day Wednesday and Thursday, before tapering off to scattered sprinkles Thursday evening. For the most part there was not a lot of wind associated with the moisture, occasional gusty periods during the heaviest concentrations of rainfall. This front which pushed across towards Baja from mainland Mexico lingered for days and caused wide spread flooding throughout the region, particularly messy for roadways in lower lying areas. Calculations on the total amount of rainfall ranged up to six or eight inches, isolated regions could have received even more. This storm system was unlike a normal hurricane, which typically passes through the area in a matter of hours, of course bringing high winds along with heavy moisture. At this time forecasts appear to be favorable for the coming days, no new system forming at this time, though it is the time of year when conditions can change rapidly within a couple of days. Surely the desert landscape will come into full bloom in the coming days and weeks, it has been a long time since this much rain has fallen in just a matter of days. Clean up crews will be working overtime this coming week.
Sportfishing operations were shut down for several days, on Friday only a handful of charters ventured out, as seas were still choppy, residing swells and clearing skies do seem to be more favorable for improved weekend conditions. Inshore waters do seem to be dirty from land run off and it could take a day or two for things to shape up on the fishing grounds.
Over last weekend, just before the storm, anglers found good action on both yellowfin tuna and dorado. Yellowfin tuna were striking on sardinas, which were supplied by pangeros that netted the fresh bait north of Vinorama, long run to get bait, first boats there were obtaining enough bait to sufficiently chum the tuna up in to the feeding mood. These tuna were found on the San Luis Bank and were mostly in the 10 to 20 pound class, a few specimens up to 40 pounds. On Saturday and Sunday some panga charters had up tp a dozen of these yellowfin, along with usual limits of dorado. Most of the dorado were under 15 pounds, but a few exceptions of larger bulls to 30 pounds were accounted for. There were reports of some larger sized tuna seen in the area, as it is the time we usually start to see the quality grade of tuna of 50 to 150 plus showing on local grounds. Maybe this latest storm passing will help make these fish more active.
Sardinas will likely be scarce until surf conditions slack up enough so that the netters can safely reach the zone where the baitfish are schooling. Around the marina area there continued to be supplies of caballito, mullet and moonfish. There should be options of catching bolito or skipjack on the fishing grounds, for use as trolling baits, this is big bait and big fish time, just have to have the weather cooperate as well.
The combined panga fleet out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 24 charters for the rain shortened week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 1 wahoo, 5 sailfish, 75 dorado, 105 yellowfin, 8 amberjack, 4 grouper, 10 cabrilla, 8 roosterfish, 26 huachinango (red snapper), 14 bonito and 20 triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric