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

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–

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–