May 23, 2021

As we continue progressing through the later weeks of the spring season we are enjoying ideal weather conditions, sunny skies with high temperatures ranging in the upper 80s to about 90 degrees. Winds have still been a bit more of a factor than we would expect during this time frame and ocean swells have increased as they normal do this month, which also in turn brings crowds of surfers to the region. Ocean temperature in the direction towards San Jose del Cabo and further north has been in the 76 to 78 degree range, while the Pacific has been cooler, at 68 to 70 degrees.

We are still seeing limited numbers of anglers, probably more surfers in town than fishermen. There have been good supplies of both sardina and caballito, a few mullet and moonfish mixed in. We do expect to see the main migration of mullet to move in soon, as this is the time of year, this will also bring in the run of larger sized roosterfish.

This past week we saw the billfish action become more scattered, as offshore wind did not help this out. Most local charter boats were concentrated on inshore areas and on the high spots to the north, near San Luis and La Fortuna. This is where anglers found an assortment of bottom species while drift fishing with yo-yo jigs and various baitfish. Most common fish they were hooking into were red snapper, yellow snapper, spotted rose snapper, bonita, amberjack, leopard grouper, pompano and triggerfish. Some of these amberjack were well over 40 pounds. Most boats were bringing in about a dozen fish in combination, all very good eating.

Only a few yellowfin tuna seen during the week, one weighed in at 83 lb. Same deal with dorado, only a scattering of these fish were brought in, a couple of these were over 20 lb.

Closer to shore there were still decent number of sierra and they were nicer sized specimens, ranging 5 to 12 lb. Also good numbers of jack crevalle and the season’s first wave of roosterfish starting to appear, the roosters using peak in our area later in June.

Good Fishing, Eric

May 16, 2021

With each passing day now it has started to feel more like summer, since last week when the season’s first tropical storm developed to the southwest of Southern Baja, the weather changed just like that, humidity increased and daytime high temperatures were reaching 90 plus degrees. Wind patterns are now switching as well, still a bit unpredictable, though much less persistent compared to how they had been. Ocean water temperatures jumped up to 78 degrees and clean blue water was now being found within several miles of shore. So just as predicted, conditions can change very quickly this time of year. We are still only seeing limited numbers of visiting anglers, though it is now a great time to visit, while weather is still comfortable, crowds are light and fishing action is improving.

Supplies of sardinas and caballito have been plentiful and anglers are using yo-yo jigs and some surface trolling lures. Most of the fishing now has been going on from La Fortuna, San Luis and towards Vinorama, this is where a wide variety of fish have been found. The most consistent bite has been off the rock structure, anywhere from 80 to 200 feet deep. Using jigs and various baits, anglers found quality action for species such as red snapper (huachinango), barred pargo, yellow snapper, amberjack, bonito, pompano, surgeonfish, cabrilla, grouper and others. All of these fish were excellent table fare. Some of the more impressive catches were amberjack to 50 pounds and grouper to over 30 lb. and some trophy sized red snapper close to 15 pounds.

We only saw a handful of yellowfin tuna this week, smaller sized, also we did see a few nice dorado starting to appear in the warmer waters. There were other reports of some tuna being found associated with porpoise much further offshore, though these fish were not within our normal range yet. Still good numbers of striped marlin being found from the 95 to 1150 spots, striking lures and dropped back baits. There were reports of wahoo seen free swimming on same grounds where bottom fish were being targeted, though they were not interested in striking, we did hear of some spear fishermen killing as many as five wahoo in one outing, so they are definitely in the area. Sure wish they would control the spear fishing limits more, seems like one fish per species would be more appropriate, no more three fish in total, in the meantime these spear guys are using the same fishing permits as do rod and reel anglers, that does not make any sense.

Inshore there has continued to be action for quality sized sierra, though with the warming water this action did taper off some. There were roosterfish moving in though, some fish up to 40 pounds were seen, also some very large jack crevalle. Action for surf fishermen seemed to be picking up as well and heard of at least one snook being landed.

Good Fishing, Eric

May 9, 2021

Progressing now into May, we are feeling warmer conditions, definitely more like late spring now, calmer wind patterns, high temperatures reached to 90 degrees over the weekend. Still lighter than normal crowds, but as weather is ideal now, we are seeing moderate numbers of tourists arriving. To the south of Cabo San Lucas, some 300 miles, the Eastern Pacific’s first Tropical Storm of the season developed, named Andres, this storm is not expected to impact the Southern Baja Peninsula, heading on a westward path, maybe some increased ocean swells and humidity. Ocean water temperature on the Pacific has still been in the 68/70 degree range, though in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and towards Los Frailes the water is now up to 74/76 degrees.

Charters are spreading out in different directions, though the majority of the local fleets are concentrated from the Iman Banks, San Luis and north to Vinorama. With the water now warming up quickly and the clarity improving a lot and can happen from day to day. Most consistent action now has been working these high spots off the bottom, with jigs and various baits. Catching a mix of species, most common have been bonita, pargo, red snapper, cabrilla, triggerfish and amberjack. Most boats accounting for a dozen or so fish in combination. These same grounds are holding yellowfin tuna, which have sporadically shown on the surface, only to vanish just as quickly. A handful of tuna were landed from these grounds this past week, striking on yo-yo jigs, live caballito, sardinas or strips of squid, weights ranged up close to 100 lb. We look for this tuna action to improve as conditions continue to become more favorable.

Offshore there are striped marlin now being found through the region, anywhere from a couple miles from shore on out 15 miles. These billfish have been striking on lures, as well as on cast or dropped back baits, sizes ranged to 140 lb. Not in huge numbers now, but still a good chance at hooking into one or two. No dorado or wahoo to report now, though with warmer currents they should be around soon.

Inshore the highlight has been the quality sized sierra being found, though also a few more roosterfish showing back up, as well as some schools of mullet, their favorite food source, being sighted moved in near the marina area.

Good Fishing, Eric