February 28, 2021
The month of February is finally over, it definitely lived up to its reputation of being unpredictable, we saw a little bit of everything these past few weeks. Glad that it is past, we are feeling a slight warming trend as spring time nears, ocean temperature now in the 68 degree range, as north winds continue to pick up in cycles. Clarity of water is also up and down, this is how it often is during this time frame. Still only limited numbers of tourists arriving, even less anglers, though we anticipate times will improve, as many people in the U.S. and elsewhere now have had their Covid 19 vaccinations or will be having them soon and then will be more open for making travel plans.
Most fishing action now has taken place from Chileno, Palmilla, Gordo Banks and north to Vinorama. Bait netters are having trouble finding supplies of sardinas, the main bait source has been caballito, a lot of yo-yo style jig fishing going on now.
Drift fishing over the rocky grounds, more often in 120 to 200 feet of water, with available bait, but more so on yo-yo jigs. Main catch by far has been the bonito, some of them up to 8 lb., hitting best earlier in the morning. Same areas were producing a variety of grouper, snapper, cabrilla, yellowtail and amberjack, limited numbers, but quality fish. Some charters would have up to three four yellowtail, sizes up to 25 lb., majority of these yellows came from areas further north near Vinorama.
Closer to shore anglers found sierra, pargo and triggerfish. Heard a couple of reports of seeing dorado or wahoo, uncommon to see these gamefish in such cold water.
No local billfish bite being reported, as conditions improve we expect to see more striped marlin move in. We did hear of a couple reports of swordfish sightings from sportfishers searching further offshore.
A handful of smaller sized yellowfin tuna were brought in, fishing the same local grounds, also there were sightings of much larger yellowfin, up to 150 lb., coming up for a quick showing on the surface and then disappearing even quicker, they are in the area, though cold off colored water and full moon does not help.
Good fishing, Eric