GORDO BANKS PANGAS
May 25th, 2025

Not many boats were able to get in on the action this week, though the boats that did were able to land a quality size fish.

Throughout most of the week, the panga fleet focused offshore looking for clean blue water in the hunt for big wahoo and marlin. The best action came throughout the surrounding areas of the inner and outer Gordos, and the 1150 Bank. These strikes came on rigged ballyhoo, Nomad DTXs, X-Raps, and marlin lures. A few of the boats that caught wahoo reported double hook ups late in the morning- midday. We continue to only see big wahoo offshore. The smallest wahoo from trolling offshore was 45 pounds. Most of these wahoo were averaging 50-60 pounds. The biggest wahoo this week were 87 and 75 pounds. The Foster family (Spencer and Shane) landed another big wahoo this week. They came in with the 75-pound wahoo and another 54 pounder that came on a double hookup at around 12:30 when they were getting ready to head back in. While trolling for wahoo, we also had a handful of dorado and marlin in the mix. On Friday, one of our pangas hooked a striped marlin later in the day and while reeling it in, a 50-pound wahoo came up to the boat to check it out; They were able to hook and land this fish on a jig while reeling in the marlin. Talk about good luck.

This weekend, many boats reported a wahoo bite closer inshore, throughout San Luis, Vinorama, Imán and 25. These wahoo were smaller as most of them were 15-20 pounders. We did see a few nicer ones closer to shore as well; one of the boats landed a 54 pounder at 25. This Sunday, one panga landed 4 wahoo and one 80-pound tuna (on a jig) throughout the areas of Vinorama to 25. This was the only big tuna reported this week. Two smaller 20-25-pound tuna were also caught on a jig at Iman.

Not much else to report on the yellowfin bite. The private boats continue to find porpoise schools 40-45 miles out with good tuna action. One of our pangas decided to make the long run earlier in the week. They found a good-sized school later in the day and were able to land 9 yellowfin, 3 of them around 50-60 pounds, and the rest footballs. Very long run for these smaller pangas.

Bottom action continues to be slow. Many boats specifically tried to target bottom species, though came in empty handed some days. Other boats were lucky to catch one or two quality fish (grouper, snapper or amberjack). We were surprised to see one yellowtail on a jig this Sunday.

Closer to shore, we continue to see great Roosterfish action. Live bait has been inconsistent since the year started. We are seeing live caballito and mullet most mornings, though this can be limited most days. 

Good Fishing, Brian 

GORDO BANKS PANGAS
May 18th, 2025

Morning temperatures have taken a turn as we start to feel more heat and humidity. Mornings are averaging low 70s with hot sunny days in the mid 80s.

The highlight this week was a good wahoo bite offshore. Best action came throughout the surrounding areas of the 1150 Bank. Some boats also had success covering the grounds in between both Gordos and a few miles out from the outer Gordo. Most of these wahoo are big, averaging 50-60 pounds. The biggest one caught this week was an 83 pounder by Spencer Foster and Captain Marcelo. This big fish came on a Nomad DTX in between the outer and inner Gordo. This weekend, over 20 big wahoo were reported in between the panga area. These strikes came on rigged ballyhoo, marlin lures, X Raps, Nomad DTXs, and marlin lures. Many reports confirmed that these wahoo have been more active in the 78–80-degree clear blue water.

While looking for these wahoo, some boats also landed a handful of big dorado and some striped marlin. Most boats reported seeing many marlin, though they weren’t too interested in checking out our baits.

A few lucky boats also found porpoise schools a few miles out from the outer Gordo this week, with great yellowfin action. Most of the tuna that are hanging with these porpoise schools are football size, with some 30-40 pounders in the mix. One 100-pound tuna was caught earlier this week at Vinorama on a live caballito. This was the only big tuna reported this week.

Bottom action was slower this week. There were a few boats that landed some grouper, amberjack, and red snapper earlier in the week, though they had to work the jig hard throughout many rock structures. These boats found best action at Vinorama and San Luis early in the morning. Some boats that focused on the bottom ended up striking out as some days were better than others.

Roosterfish action was great this week. Most of these Roosters were on the smaller side (5-10 pounds), though we did see some bigger ones in the 20-25 pound range on the bigger caballitos. Best Rooster action came throughout the shorelines of Secret’s Hotel, The Marriott, La Bocana, and Trailer Park. This Saturday, one boat reported landing and releasing 15-20 Roosters in the first couple of hours of the morning. Some boats also caught some snapper on small mullet, caballito, and rápalas at La Bocana. 

The bait guys continue to net caballito and mullet in the mornings; however, supply can be limited most days. Still no luck on live sardines.

Good Fishing, Brian

GORDO BANKS PANGAS
May 11th, 2025

Happy Mother’s Day!

This week, we did see more bottom action than the previous. Best action came from Vinorama and San Luis; Imán was decent as well some days. The fleet was able to land some red snapper, amberjack, white bonita and grouper on jigs and live caballitos. Most of the groupers came on live caballito. Bottom action, per usual, was best earlier in the mornings. This Sunday, we had a massive 64-pound dog tooth snapper on a jig. A 60-pound tuna was also landed earlier this week on a jig. This was the only tuna reported throughout the week by the panga fleet.

We continue to see a handful of dorado almost every day within the same areas of Vinorama to La Fortuna. These dorado have been hooked on live caballito, ballyhoo, lures, and feathers. A couple of wahoo were landed this same way as well.

Many boats reported huge schools of jacks throughout most of our high spots, even while jigging 140-170 ft of water. Even though they are not good eating, these 20–30-pound jacks put up a great fight for our clients, especially on lighter gear.

We had some good striped marlin action this week as well. Most of the boats that tried for Marlin headed towards the 1150 bank and surrounding areas. They are using lures and ballyhoo for the most part. This weekend, one of the boats landed 2 big wahoo (45-50 pounds) and one dorado while looking for Marlin. Another boat did not have any luck on wahoo or dorado offshore, but did catch and release 3 marlin.

Roosterfish action throughout our shorelines continues to be productive. While slow trolling live caballitos and mullet, there is a chance of also hooking snapper and big Jacks.

Good Fishing, Brian