May 1, 2022

Perfect climate now in Southern Baja, warming trend, clear sunny skies, with lighter winds, average highs and lows of 65 to 80 degrees. Crowds of anglers are also light, so ideal time now to plan a trip. Anglers are using various baits, including sardinas, anchoveta, caballito and strips of squid. Main action is now centered on the grounds from La Fortuna, Iman and San Luis Banks.

Water temperature is warming in recent days, ranging from a chilly 67 on the Pacific, up close to 75 degrees in the direction near Vinorama. Actually warmer water is found closer to shore, to about five miles out where cooler currents are sweeping through. Overall the conditions are rebounding nicely, cleaner blue water is pushing in, as we are still in a transition period, this year everything seems like we are a month behind of so, hopefully with this new month we see more consistent patterns and improved fishing action.

Not much at all going on for surface action for exotic pelagic species, fishing action is now centered over the various rocky high spots, mainly to the north of Punta Gorda. Using a combination of bait and yo-yo style jigs anglers are working hard to find a variety of species. Also having to deal with aggressive sea lions, they have taken up residence on these same grounds, just waiting around for anglers to arrive and then hook into fish so that they can get easy meals, can be very frustrating. Most common catches have been for the Pacific bonito, but also a few nice cabrilla, red snapper and amberjack in the mix.

Yellowfin tuna have been encountered occasionally on the grounds from San Luis to Iman Banks, but a fish or two and not every day. These tuna are hanging around, just in small schools, being very finicky as well, as to when they actually will strike. The few that have been hooked into have been striking on the strips of squid and average sizes have been 60 to 80 lb., nice quality. We are optimistic that with the weather now settling down and warming up we should see some more consistent action. A few wahoo have been see swimming around, these fish normally go on a bite this time of year, so we are waiting to see what happens in the coming weeks.

Not much going on close to shore now, should see the annual migration of schooling mullet appear later this month, this will bring in more jacks, roosterfish, dogtooth snapper and others. This is the time of year where things can change in a hurry and every season can be a bit different as what develops.

Good Fishing, Eric

April 24, 2022

Much quieter week in Southern Baja, as Easter break is over and we saw less vacationers arriving. Though weather conditions are ideal, high temperatures in the low 80s, plenty of sunshine. Variable winds still picking up later in the morning from the north. Unpredictable transition period weather patterns now, ocean conditions were still greenish, particularly to the north, water temperature averaging in the 69 to 72 degree range. Quite a bit of marine layer moisture and at times fog, but burning off as the sun rose higher in the sky.

Anglers were able to find various bait sources, anchoveta, caballito and slabs of squid were most common. The majority of local charters were concentrating their efforts on the grounds of Iman and San Luis Banks. This is where they found a mix of bottom species, highlight being an occasional nice amberjack or grouper. Overall it was not consistent though and there were more of the Pacific bonito than anything else.

These same grounds were also holding some quality sized yellowfin tuna, no significant numbers though. Anglers had to work hard to have their chances at these tuna, then once they did get lucky enough to hook up, they also had to deal very some very aggressive and hungry sea lions. Sizes for these yellowfin ranged from 20 lb, up close to 100 lb. Most of these tuna were striking on strips of squids. Every day there were a handful of tuna accounted for and we are optimistic than when conditions do improve some we will see some more consistent action from these grounds.

Not much being reported on any other surface action, such as marlin, dorado or wahoo, again the conditions are not the best for these species now, but as warmer weather takes over this shooed help stabilize and improve conditions.

Inshore action was very limited as well, a handful of sierra and jack crevalle was the main deal, still cold and off colored for roosterfish.

Good Fishing, Eric