August 3, 2013

Anglers –

With the start of a new month we have finally seen more stable weather patterns and the summer season is now feeling more like we would expect, increased tropical humidity and warmer days. The next couple of months is when forecasters will closely monitor the progress of any low pressure areas, which can that quickly form into tropical storms. At this time there is Hurricane Gil which is now far off to the west and there are no other new systems developing that appear to threaten land. Ocean water temperatures are now averaging 80 to 85 degrees and clean blue water is moving within a couple of miles of shore, winds have resided and conditions are very favorable for offshore gamefish action.

Moderate crowds of anglers are now taking advantage of the much improved ocean conditions, no more having to travel far offshore to find blue water. The fishing grounds from Palmilla to the Gordo Banks, from 3 to 8 miles offshore have been consistent this past week for billfish, dorado and yellowfin tuna. Besides good numbers of striped marlin, were some sailfish, blue and black marlin. Schooling bolito and skipjack are now congregating on these same grounds and are attracting the normal variety of pelagic gamefish. Angles found action while trolling with lures and various baits. Yellowfin tuna were found throughout this area, much of the time without any presence of porpoise activity, these tuna were ranging in the 8 to 15 lb. class, striking mainly on smaller hoochies type lures, this is the first time this season where the tuna have made a presence in close proximity offshore of San Jose del Cabo. Dorado are increasing in numbers as well, with many charters accounted for several dorado per day, weights ranged to over 40 pounds, anglers now have a good chance at hooking into a trophy sized bull now.

There were some larger sized yellowfin reportedly seen breezing on the surface, but only the smaller football models are striking recently, we do expect something to develop for the larger yellowfin as the season progresses.

The commercial pangero fleet continues to find supplies of baitfish in the Puerto Los Cabos Marina channel, caballito, mullet and moonfish are all available. Though with the added pressure of having to supply the Cabo San Lucas fleet as well as local fleets, this bait source has become less plentiful. It is a good thing that we are now seeing quantities of other baitfish appearing on the fishing grounds. Migration patterns have been running behind schedule this season, nice to see things get back on track.

Inshore action has tapered off, though there is still some quality roosterfish striking early in the day in the vicinity of the Puerto Los Cabos Marina jetties. Not much bottom action being found now, strong currents had been a contributing factor in not finding any consistent bite off of the normally productive rock piles found north of Punta Gorda. Though August is a month known more for offshore surface activity, rather than bottom or inshore, it is a time when anglers can find dogtooth snapper, amberjack and grouper on these high spots where other surface pelagic are being targeted.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 77 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 3 blue marlin, 1 black marlin,11 sailfish, 70 striped marlin, 82 yellowfin tuna, 68 dorado, 84 roosterfish, 18 jack crevalle, 5 amberjack, 3 dogtooth snapper, 10 yellow snapper, 12 huachinango (red snapper) and 12 cabrilla.

Good fishing, Eric