July 2, 2023

New month of July and just like clockwork, the tropical storm season has begun. We saw the development of Hurricane Adrian some 300 miles to the southwest of Cabo San Lucas, never amounting to much besides increasing ocean swells up to three meters or so. Then we were following the formation of Tropical Storm Beatriz off of mainland Mexico, this system was unpredictable as to what path it might follow, never impacting southern Baja, dissipated offshore of Puerta Vallarta, Beatriz did definitely kick up the humidity to highest levels so far this season. Some scattered rain showers were felt closer to Cabo San Lucas on Sunday, but nothing to report so far out of San Jose del Jose, scattered cloud cover, but seas were fairly calm and no Port closures were implemented.

Ocean temperatures are now in the 80 to 85 degree range, swift currents were running at times, swells up and down due to tropical disturbances from the south, tropical season now and it really started feeling like it in recent days, intense humidity. Anglers were finding main bait supplies of caballito, jurelito, some mullet, ballyhoo and slabs of squid, also more bolito baitfish congregating on offshore grounds. Most fishing action is now taking place near the Iman to San Luis Banks.

Anglers found a mix of bottom and surface action. Common practice was to try bottom action early in the day, where a mix of species such as red snapper, yellow snapper, dogtooth snapper, leopard grouper, fortune jack, amberjack, bonito and other great eating species were found, using yo-yo’s jigs were the best bet, but various bait fish were used as well. No huge numbers of any particular fish and success of course varied from day to cay and over various rocky high spots.

These same grounds produced a handful of sailfish, striped marlin, some quality bull dorado to over 40 lb., a couple of stray wahoo strikes, but trophy sized dorado were definitely the highlight. Again no significant numbers, but a fair chance at catching a couple of quality fish, these prized fish were striking on trolled lures as well as various available baitfish, of course bolito being one of their favorites. 

Early in the week we weighed in one 89 lb. yellowfin tuna that was hooked into on the Iman Bank, rest of the week these tuna proved very scarce, though on Saturday an estimated 200 lb. yellowfin was hooked into on San Luis Bank with a bolito for bait and the fish was battled for two hours before being lost right at the boat near gaff, the crew had a great look at the fish, but it was not their lucky day.

A few blue marlin starting to bite further offshore on the normal billfish grounds, inshore action was scattered, mainly roosterfish, but not being found in normal high season numbers and more are now being encountered along beach stretches further north, still a very good chance at finding roosterfish up to 50 lb. now, remember to be careful when handling these prized fighting gamefish and after taking your photos quickly release them to the water.

Good Fishing, Eric

June 25, 2023

As summer season has now officially begun, we are seeing more vacationing family groups arrive. Weather patterns are now starting to progressively warm, increased humidity and more tropical as well. Some scattered cloud cover, burning off quickly and high temperatures now averaging 90 degrees. Ocean water temperatures now ranging 80 degrees or higher, strong currents running, increased swell activity, as well higher tidal swings, as is normal for this summer solstice time frame.

Anglers were able to find bait supplies of caballito and other jacks, limited mullet this season. No sardinas to report, ballyhoo and slabs of squid were another option. On offshore fishing grounds more schools of bolito are showing, these are always a favored food source for all larger sized gamefish, definitely an encouraging sign.

Local fleets were scouting in all different directions, though their most consistent action was being encountered off of northern grounds, from Iman to San Luis Banks. Overall the action this week was slower than previous period, hard to say what reason that might be for, conditions appear favorable, though stronger than usual current might have put the fish down further in the water column, bite has varied from day to day where best action was found.

Off the bottom there were a mix of red snapper, yellow snapper, barred pargo, leopard grouper, amberjack, bonito and triggerfish, though numbers were limited and currents made this deeper action that much more challenging. This bottom bite was done using a mix of yo-yo jigs and with various bait options.

We were still finding a scattering of dorado, though in less numbers than during the last couple of weeks, found trolling lures and various baits, no particular hotspots, from close to shore, to farther offshore on the marlin grounds. Still a decent chance at finding a trophy bull, we saw a couple up close to 50 lb. this week.

Yellowfin tuna action was very slow this week, early in the week far offshore some 10 to 30 lb. yellowfin were found traveling with porpoise, but this was a very hit or miss deal, a few larger grade tuna were seen and hooked into on the Iman Bank as well, so as currents settle, something could develop with this. Wahoo were scarce as well, but actually this week, even in the very warm water,  we saw a few more ‘hoo striking on trolled rapalas, even double hook ups were reported, sizes up to 35 or 40 lb.

Offshore billfish bite was heating up along with the local weather. A slight edge in numbers on the Pacific side. Most common species still being striped marlin, though we also saw a fair number of larger sized sailfish in recent days, moving in with the warming currents. Our local super panga accounted for a 300 lb. class blue marlin over the weekend. Also there were at least two swordfish brought in over the weekend, smaller 110 to 130 lb. fish, but impressive nonetheless, one which we weighed in on Friday.

Late June is typically the peak season for chances at larger roosterfish. We did have reports of roosterfish up to 50 lb. in recent days, though they have not been found in normal numbers as we would expect for this time frame. Also we have not seen the typical larger sized schools of mullet bait fish congregating along inshore stretches. There have been a mix of jack crevalle found as well, 30 lb. fish that fight like pitbulls.

Good Fishing, Eric

June 18, 2023

With the majority of school semesters now done and now in summer recess, we are seeing more numbers of traveling families arrive. Weather patterns have been great, perfect time to visit now, with mostly clear sunny skies, high temperatures nearing 90 degrees, but still bearable and not too hot as it can be in the coming months, Pacific afternoon breezes have been refreshing.

Overall fishing action. Offshore striped marlin action became more scattered and more schools of bolito were reported, which always are a good sign for attracting larger pelagic gamefish species. In our local marina area the main bait source has been caballito, jurelito, ballyhoo and of course slabs of squid as well, even though not much has been hitting on the strips.

On the grounds from Iman to San Luis Banks there have been hog sized amberjack being brought in every day, most of these striking on the live bait, we saw many fish in the 30 to 80 lb. range accounted for, on most days the best action was earlier in the morning.

The same rocky high spots and even closer to shore anglers were finding a mix of leopard grouper, barred pargo, yellow or red snapper, bonito, pompano and triggerfish, using baits and yo-yo jigs. None of these in very high numbers, but some quality great eating fish are being found.

Besides the trophy sized amberjack, another highlight has been a handful of very nice sized bull dorado, up to 40 lb. or higher, found scattered throughout the region, often times in pairs, with the smaller females, they were encountered from close to shore, on the roosterfish beach stretches, to bottom fishing spots and on offshore marlin grounds.

There were yellowfin tuna weighing in the 5 to 30 lb. range being located associated with the porpoise far offshore, often a 50 mile run in each direction, so that was not a normal practical charter option unless contracting this in advance for additional fees. Some tuna were also hooked up near Iman and San Luis, but it was sporadic and unpredictable action, though these fish were of nice quality to over 60 lb.

Only a few wahoo being reported, most of these in the 25 to 35 lb. range, striking incidentally while bottom fishing and some on the more traditional trolling rapala type plugs. Conditions are favorable now as water temperatures are in the upper 70s, though water is not really that deep blue that these fish prefer, a little bit off colored  from changing currents and increased ocean swells.

Inshore the main deal was slow trolling baits for jack crevalle and roosterfish, which is now peak season, started out a little late, but the charters that we did have target these fish did well on fish up to 40 lb.

Good Fishing, Eric