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Early Bottom Action, Large Dorado ~ June 11, 2023

June 11, 2023

This week was much quieter in our local marina area, as the fiesta and carnival which had been congesting and blocking normal work areas were removed and clean up followed. Only moderate numbers of anglers were now in town taking advantage of calmer weather patterns, sunny skies with highs near 85 degrees. Bait supplies consisted of caballito, jurelito, ballyhoo, slabs of squid and some mullet.

Sportfishing charters spread out looking for various options. Farther offshore there were chances at finding yellowfin tuna traveling with moving porpoise, but this was not a normal charter deal since more often this hit or miss action was encountered 25 to 45 miles offshore. There were also chances at finding tuna near Iman and San Luis Banks. Though these yellowfin also proved very sporadic and scarce. Only a couple of wahoo reported through the week as well.

Better chances at catching a variety of good eating species was off the bottom, particularly early in the morning while using yo-yo style jigs. Success varied from day to day, but did produce some quality fish, including one 81 lb. amberjack, other fortune jack, red snapper, leopard grouper, bonito, barred pargo, yellow snapper, triggerfish and one yellowtail. At times the red snapper were seen in masses near the surface, apparently feeding on small jelly fish and had to be enticed to strike anything else after adapting a taste of this natural food source.

Striped marlin were still being found offshore, but more scattered than in previous weeks. We did see fair numbers of dorado on local grounds and many of these were over 25 lb. and some were up closer to 50 lb. Striking on lures, but more often on various baitfish. Often found in small groups, such as female and male pairs and there were repeated reports of larger bulls being more finicky to strike, as females were hooked up they would follow aggressively but more often than not would shy away from striking any offerings with hooks in them, guess for this reason they have grown to larger sized proportions.

Closer to shore there were jack crevalle and some roosterfish, but so far roosterfish action was not what we would expect for this time of year, as we are nearing peak season, still have not seen the mass schools of mullet which typically move in during this time frame.

Good Fishing, Eric–

Bull Dorado, Tuna, Marlin ~ June 4, 2023

June 4, 2023

Moving into the new month we saw variable transitional weather patterns, northern winds remained predominant, but shifting breezes from the south were present and unpredictable. We have been waiting for patterns to stabilize some, but so far that has not happened, strong currents, increased ocean swells, particularly large over last weekend. Mostly clear sunny skies, some scattered light clouds at times, highs of about 85 degrees, ideal conditions to visit now, before the reel summer heat kicks in next month.

Moderate numbers of anglers now in town, though the local La Playita area of Puerto Los Cabos Marina was extremely busy with their annual traditional Dia de La Marina Fiesta on going through the weekend. This fiesta has been going on annually for as long as residents can remember, at least 40 years. The deal is that the area is much more congested now, built up with businesses, sportfishing fleets, Resorts, local homes, etc and there is not sufficient space to accommodate this event in the same locations as in years past. As we are used to, there is never any thought of this public inconvenience and organizers just are suborn to move to one of many other near by locations where it would be more accommodating and peaceful, not creating such frustration while creating impossible parking and overall congestion.

We have not seen the large schools of mullet move along beaches yet. In the marina channel there are caballito and jurelito being netted, no source for sardinas at this time. Most fishing action was taking place towards La Fortuna, Iman and San Luis, also straight offshore towards the 1150 spot. This is also the time of year for trolling close along the beach stretches while targeting roosterfish, jacks and other species, which so far has been a bit hit and miss, though we have seen a handful of very nice roosterfish released.

Off the bottom and the action was sporadic due to north winds and swift currents, we saw mixed success on species such as red snapper, yellow snapper, amberjack leopard grouper and bonito. Best chances were early in the day, after that action slowed and most charters would search out surface action.

We saw more quality sized dorado moving in, impressive 50 lb. bull dorado were landed, no huge numbers, but decent chances now of catching a couple of trophy sized fish, scattered throughout the offshore grounds now, no particular hotspot.

Offshore the striped marlin action continued to be very good, most activity was found 10 to 20 miles out, stripers were seen free jumping and tailing on the surface and would readily strike dropped back baits, as well as lures. Sizes were nice, up to 140 lb.

Yellowfin tuna were encountered further offshore traveling with porpoise, hit or miss and most of the time 15 to 25 miles offshore, not a normal deal for a morning charter, unless you make advance arrangements and pay fuel surcharges. Sizes for these tuna were up to 40 lb. in recent days, larger than previous week. The yellowfin tuna just were not wanting to bite on the nearby Iman or San Luis Banks, very sporadic and finicky, better chance now among the porpoise.

Only a few wahoo strikes being reported, most incidentally while bottom fishing, they are in the area though and you never know with the ‘hoo, they have their own personality as when they feel in the mood to strike.

Good Fishing, Eric–

Warming Conditions Improve Action ~ May 28, 2023


May 28, 2023

Starting to see more visiting tourists and anglers alike, as some school semesters have already finished up early this season. Weather patterns are still pleasant, not too warm yet, ideal all around ideal climate now, highs near 85 degrees, no longer chilly in the early morning either. Winds predominantly from the north have been a factor on some days, increased ocean swells and rapidly changing currents as well. Ocean water temperatures are steadily rising, now in the 76 to 79 degree range.

Anglers were able to obtain caballito, jurelito mainly for bait, a few mullet showing, also slabs of squid and ballyhoo being another option, no sardinas reported at all.The majority of the fishing action is now taking place from straight offshore of San Jose del Cabo and towards the north, Iman, San Luis and to Vinorama. Big numbers of striped marlin now spread out throughout the region, most of this action found from five miles and further offshore. The stripers are moving around daily as to where their food source is, so the best location can vary from day to day. Charters targeting these billfish have been averaging anywhere from one to six marlin per trip, sizes as large as 160 lb. These fish were striking readily on lures, dropped back or slow trolled baits as well.

Only a few dorado are being seen, but we saw a handful of very nice sized bulls to over 40 lb., so this is an encouraging sign for this early in the season. Earlier in the week we saw a few wahoo in the mix, one of these weighed in at 61 lb.

Off the bottom we saw varied success, but overall more productive than the previous week. More amberjack up to 45 lb. were accounted for, some leopard grouper to 20 lb. and a handful of red snapper (huachinango) up to 14 b., they have been limited so far this season, quality fish, we hope to see more of them during the next month, best chance was early in the morning on the yo-yo style jigs.

Close to shore there were reports of roosterfish and jack crevalle, though we did not have many anglers targeting these at this time.

A handful of nice yellowfin tuna were taken from near the San Luis Banks, ranging up to 100 lb., striking on caballito of other jacks, mainly while drift fishing, same way the amberjack were hitting. Though these tuna were finicky and very sporadic as to when they might strike. Lots of tuna now from Los Frailes and north to Buena Vista, but that is out of our normal range for now, those yellowfin were mostly in the 5 to 20 lb. class. We will wait until they migrate closer to within our range.

Good Fishing, Eric