Find more about Weather in San Jose Del Cabo, MX | Click for weather forecast | Water Temperature in Cabo | Wind Report in Cabo | Tidal Chart

Busy Times, Big Marlin & Tuna Show ~ October 23, 2022

Posted on by

October 23, 2022 

Larger crowds of anglers continue to arrive, as this is now peak fall season and also time when the annual series of high stake world class fishing tournaments occur. This week will be the largest event of them all, the Bisbee’s Black and Blue with some 200 teams competing for some 10 million dollars in prize money to be handed out.

Weather patterns were fairly stable through the week, typical north winds becoming predominant. Some mornings there was wind early, other days it picked up later in the day. Over the weekend we were following the rapidly intensifying Hurricane Roslyn, this system reached category four strength and fortunately for the Los Cabos area there was no impact as the system shifted directions to the southeast, striking mainland Mexico between Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta as a major hurricane. Increased swells locally and forecast of more winds to start this week, no rainfall at all.

Overall ocean conditions were favorable, clarity was clean close to shore, water temperature was averaging 82 to 84 degrees. Heavy pressure now on all bait sources, particularly the sardinas, were found schooling closer to Cabo San Lucas now and  by the weekend were becoming scarce, only so much natural resource to supply the hundreds of charters. Other bait options were ballyhoo, slabs of squid, caballito, as well as skipjack, bolito and some chihuil found on offshore grounds.

Charters started the week fishing grounds from Palmilla to Vinorama. Palmilla produced good early morning action for medium sized dorado with a few wahoo up to 35 lb. mixed in.

Billfish were found further offshore, now in local waters there are sailfish, striped, blue and black marlin being encountered. Again heavy boat pressure on popular fishing grounds, though we have seen several large marlin of 500 lb and heavier accounted for in the past week.

Yellowfin action was sporadic, action on the San Luis Bank to Vinorama was on and off, yellowfin averaging 50 to 90 lb. were being hooked into, most of these of the strips of squid, bite was tough, lots of patience needed, but did seem to pick up again later in the week. 

The most recent tournament just finished was the Bisbee Offshore, close to 200  teams chasing larger marlin, as well as tuna and dorado jackpots. Congratulations to local teams “Felin Azul” who had 1 st day largest 176 lb. tuna, as well as biggest marlin overall with their late hour 555 lb. black marlin. Then team “Burro” crewed by local La Playita pangeros, including Chame Pino, won the 2 nd day tuna jackpot with their 95 lb. yellowfin. These larger winning tuna were taken off of the Gordo Banks, inciting news because it has been a long time since the cow sized tuna were found on these grounds.

Not much inshore or bottom action reported now. We did see some of the season’s first sierra starting to bite, most of these on the live sardinas and in the direction of Cabo San Lucas.

Good Fishing, Eric

Larger Crowds, Heavy Pressure, Finicky Tuna Action ~ October 16, 2022

Posted on by

 

Good Fishing, Eric

October 16, 2022 

Now in the midst of the fall season and with each passing week we are seeing more numbers of anglers arriving. Weather has been typical for this time of year, no storms seen developing at this time, slightly cooler mornings, mostly clear sunny skies, highs up to 85 degrees and seasonal north winds beginning to blow from the north later in the days. Ocean temperatures are still averaging 84 degrees and higher in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and towards Los Frailes.

Most local sportfishing fleets are working the fishing grounds from Palmilla Point and north to Cardon, Iman, San Luis and Vinorama Banks. Bait supplies were holding strong until later in the week, when sardina schools became more scattered and limited, something that seems to happen every year around this time due to heavier pressure by numbers of charters all competing for bait resources. Slabs of squid, ballyhoo and caballito have been other options.

The yellowfin tuna action produced a smaller grade of fish, 8 to 12 lb., off of Palmilla for anglers that were able to obtain the live sardinas, mixed in were small to medium sized dorado. Spotty action though, first boats on the scene having the best chances. The spots of Iman, San Luis and Vinorama is where some larger tuna of 50 to 60 lb. were schooling. Again these fish were also spooky of any pressure, lighter leader and lots of chum, as well as more patience was needed. Some charters are lucky to land one yellowfin, others more fortunate as many as five or six. Striking both on strips of squid and sardinas while drift fishing, fly lining.

Overall we saw fewer numbers of dorado, mostly smaller as well, though we did see a could nicer bulls over 30 lb. Wahoo were definitely in the area, though with water temperatures still in the 80s they have not been that active, every day we are seeing a handful of them come in, striking mainly on ballyhoo, caballito and trolled rapalas. Sizes ranged from 15 to 40 lb., areas north of Punta Gorda, Cardon to Vinorama is where most of this action was reported.

On these same grounds we saw quite a few sailfish and also some striped marlin being hooked into. Not much bottom action being reported now, we did see a couple of dogtooth snapper over 40 lb. accounted for.

The big three tournaments will be starting up this coming week, Offshore Bisbee, Black and Blue Bisbee and then the WON Tuna Jackpot, all of these events typically have 200 or more teams, this puts even greater pressure on local bait supplies, etc…

Good Fishing, Eric




Dorado, Wahoo, Tuna Bite as Fall Season Starts ~ October 9, 2022

Posted on by

October 9, 2022 

Latest storm threat of Hurricane Orlene did not amount to much locally, as this system shifted course to the southeast, striking the mainland below Mazatlan. Local Port did close Monday morning as a precaution, but was then reopened later that same day, never felt much wind, had no rain and swells only increased slightly. Weather is now changing to the normal fall pattern, cooler mornings and this next week forecast is for some increased north winds. Water temperatures have averaged in the 82 to 84 degree range, some warmer currents also further offshore and towards Los Frailes.

Crowds of anglers were increasing as is normal for this season. The bait available was sardinas, slabs of squid, ballyhoo and limited caballito. Most sportfishing charters are concentrating on the grounds from Cardon, Iman, San Luis and north to Vinorama.

The main action has been for surface species, such as dorado, wahoo and yellowfin tuna, as well as quite a few sailfish and a few striped marlin. Most numerous were the dorado, mixed sizes, average in the 5 to 10 lb. range, with a few bulls up over 20 lb. Limits were common, with lots of catch and release going on.

The yellowfin tuna action was more sporadic than last week. Striking best on strips of squid and at times on the sardinas. Vinorama, San Luis Banks were a couple of the better areas for these tuna. Sizes averaged 10 to 50 lb., a few larger specimens were brought in. Bite changed a bit everyday, as for when and where these fish would show up.

Wahoo were found on the same grounds, but more so around Cardon, a small area where boats congregated, putting heavy pressure on these already elusive gamefish. Bite was hit or miss, some charters landing up to three wahoo, largest we weighed in was a 42 lb. fish. They were striking on rigged ballyhoo and trolled rapalas.

Sailfish up to 80 lb. were mixed on the same grounds as well. Not much bottom action being done now, as most anglers are targeting the surface action.

Good Fishing, Eric–