GORDO BANKS PANGAS
February 9th, 2025

Slow week in terms of charters at our marina. The weather was ideal as we had a very calm week with not much wind. We are seeing record numbers of whales throughout our shorelines. These whales are putting up a great show even for tourists walking the beach.

Slow tuna bite this week. We did see a few at the fillet tables, though the numbers were not what we expected. Live sardines continue to be a struggle. The fleet was able to get ahold of dead sardines and a few live caballito. Most of the tuna caught came on dead sardines. A few small tuna were also caught on jigs. We have not been able to find frozen squid in any of the supermarkets for the last 2 weeks or so. Some sort of squid shortage going on. Some captains that had frozen squid saved up from previous weeks, were able to land a handful of tuna per day. Most of these tuna are averaging 15-30 pounds, though we did see a couple of them around 80-100 pounds. Most of these tuna bites came closer to noon. Most of these tuna came from 25 and La Fortuna. One boat reported catching 3 medium sized tuna at Iman this weekend and losing a nicer one after 2 hours on lighter tackle. We also saw some dorado within the mix while drifting for tuna.

The main highlight this week was the white bonita bite at Vinorama and Iman. Many of the boats started their day at Vinorama to quickly fill the fish box with bonita. Most boats were able to catch their limits within the first couple of hours. These bonita were caught jigging. Some snapper and grouper were also caught in the same area, though we did see more variety with the jigs towards Iman and La Fortuna.

More boats started fishing for striped marlin and dorado in front of our marina, approximately 5-10 miles. They mostly trolled lures and ballyhoo while looking for birds and surface activity. A few other boats had more luck trolling live skipjacks if they came across a school. We did not see great numbers this week, though we did see some quality marlin and dorado. The boats that tried for marlin made a quick stop at Palmilla Point and Cerro Colorado to try and pick a few sierra and snapper before heading offshore. We did see some bigger sierra, most of them on jigs and dead sardines. Some of the bottom structures in this area had good numbers of snapper, some yellowtail, grouper, and pompano. Some small Roosterfish and Jacks were also caught throughout the shoreline on live caballitos.

Good Fishing, Brian

GORDO BANKS PANGAS
February 2nd, 2025

We were expecting a more productive week as the previous week showed signs of improvement. Early in the week, we were not able to drift for tuna or jig efficiently as the wind and currents were not ideal towards La Fortuna and 25. Throughout most of the week, the fleet was forced to fish closer to shore or towards the Palmilla area to avoid some of the wind.

Action towards Palmilla/Cerro Colorado this week was significantly slower. The boats were able to land some nice bottom fish, though the numbers were not great. You had to really put in the work on the jig for a chance at a couple fish. Amongst the mix caught in this area, we saw a few nice yellowtail, amberjack, grouper, and snapper. Closer to shore, we also saw some Sierra on jigs and some Roosterfish if live sardines or caballitos were available. Most of these Roosters are on the small side (around 5 pounds), though we did see a handful in the 15–25-pound range. The bait guys continue to struggle with the sardine supply on most days. They are netting a few throughout the shorelines of Cabo Real, though not enough to supply most pangas.

This weekend was much better in terms of wind. Our fleet was able to focus on the areas of Vinorama and San Luis. These captains reported nice clear water averaging temperatures of 70 degrees. While jigging, one of the boats landed a nice 25-pound grouper on a strip of skipjack, while also loosing another quality fish. We also saw 2 nice yellowtail and a handful of red snapper throughout the weekend. Most of these fish came early in the morning on jigs and live sardines. A few small tuna were caught this week on live/dead sardines and strips of squid in the areas of La Fortuna and 25. The only big tuna came in on Monday, weighing 97 pounds on a dead sardine.

It seems that the wind will lay down for next week. We are hoping it turns around with the ideal weather.

Good Fishing, Brian

GORDO BANKS PANGAS
January 26th, 2025

Water conditions were significantly better this week, specially in the area of La Fortuna and 25. Water conditions are not ideal, but it did clear up compared to the previous weeks. Temperature was a couple degrees warmer as well, some areas around 68-69. 

We are now mostly focusing on yellowfin tuna in the area of La Fortuna and 25. Not a wide-open bite but there is a good chance at hooking into a nice yellowfin. These tuna were caught on strips of squid, a few on live caballito and sardines if available. Most of the tuna caught on caballito and sardines are averaging around 15-30 pounds. The bigger tuna were hooked on strips of squid. Most of these bigger fish were in the range of 60 to 100 pounds. Earlier in the week, we did see one tuna close to 150 and another one around 130 pounds. The local guys are focusing on this bite later in the day as most bites came closer to noon. This weekend, one boat reported catching 3 nice size tuna, another one 6 on an afternoon trip.

While drifting strips of squid, there is a good chance at catching something on the bottom. A better bottom bite was reported at San Luis later in the week. One boat tried jigging early in the morning and landed 5 red snapper and a couple white Bonita, while loosing a few more nice fish. Water is a bit colder and greenish towards San Luis.

Palmilla Point and Cerro Colorado continue to produce a decent bottom bite on jigs and live sardines. Most boats are focusing on the grounds of La Fortuna as they target tuna but Palmilla is not a bad area to fish right now. This Saturday, one of our boats landed 4 yellowtail, a couple snapper, a couple white Bonita, and 4 big Sierra. 2 of the yellowtail came on jigs, 2 on live sardines. Some are also seeing some nice grouper and a few amberjack in the mix.

Conditions continue to improve as we start to see water warm and clear up on our high spots.