September 11, 2022 

Hurricane Kay has passed, overall we feel very fortunate that this storm stayed far enough offshore to the west that we did not receive major damage, plenty of rainfall was recorded,four to eight inches, depending on location, some wind gusts to over 30 mph, storm swells to 20 feet and local Port closures for four and a half days. Desert landscape is now in full bloom, tropical green mountains, once dry arroyos are now flowing rivers. Now we are following what will be TS Lester, forecast to possibly pass close by next weekend. 

Due to weather conditions there were only a couple of days boats were able to get out this past week. Anglers dealt with limited bait options, mainly mullet and ballyhoo were offered. As high swells scattered the bait fish which had been schooling along the shore line. Most charters were fishing areas from the Gordo Banks, north to Iman Bank and areas in between.

Dorado were the most common catch, though most of these fish were smaller in size, under 10 lb., only a few exceptions of bulls to over 20 lb. Trolling ballyhoo was most successful. A few wahoo strikes were reported,we expect to see more wahoo activity when water temperature drops back down near 80 degrees, presently it is averaging about 84 degrees. Ocean is greenish closer to shore, stirred up from all of the water and debris run off, now out to 5 or 10 miles, will continue to clean back up, as long as another storm does not set things back again.

We saw a variety of billfish, it is the time of year when there are striped, blue & black marlin, as well as sailfish all on local grounds. Most numerous were the striped marlin over on the Pacific Banks. A few blacks lurking around the high spots, including the Gordo Banks, best bet is to troll a large bait, such as a live skipjack and be prepared to put in some time, lots of patience is needed for this type of fishing, but rewards can be great, smallest black marlin we see start at about 200 lb and can weigh up to 1000 lb.
Hopefully next week we will have more to report, should start to see some of the larger yellowfin tuna on high spots as well.

Good Fishing, Eric

September 4, 2022  

So much for the Eastern Pacific being quiet, the new month started off with Port Closures for the first three days due to the passing of TS Javier. This system brought with it some much needed rainfall, as several inches of rain was recorded in certain areas. San Jose del Cabo river basin filled and washed out into the sea, bringing with it lots of debris. Ocean swells also increased , though this system passed just far enough off to the west that we did not feel too high of wind gusts. 

Now the Port is back open for Sunday, though we are all closely following the forecast of a new system rapidly developing, this one is likely going to reach hurricane strength and be named Kay. Presently on an unpredictable path that hopefully will take it just far enough off to the west where the Southern Baja will not take a direct hit. Though we are expecting some higher winds, larger ocean swells and more rainfall, as well as new Port closures. Local landscape is quickly turning from being the dry parched desert into lush green tropical vegetation. 

The few days that fleets were able to get out and fish anglers had action for mainly dorado, found in good numbers, though many were being released due to small size and limits being enforced. Most popular grounds were near Cardon, La Fortuna and Iman Bank  A few wahoo were also accounted for, maybe as we find water temperatures to cool a few degrees after passing storms the wahoo might become more active.

Tuna action was very slim, though again this could change on any given day. Early week there was one 400 lb. black marlin was brought in from a small panga fishing on the Gordo Banks, the big black hit on a live skipjack. Striped marlin were found in good numbers near Vinorama, as well as some even better action on the Golden Gate Banks over on the Pacific.

Very limited bottom action is being done now and not much inshore action either, though we did hear reports of a couple of late season roosterfish being found further to the north.

Good Fishing, Eric

August 28, 2022  

Quiet this week in the Eastern Pacific as far as any storm systems impacting our area. There was less cloud cover than previous week, warm humid days, winds were slight, mainly later in the day and ocean swells were moderate. At this time we are closely following the distant forecast of a developing low pressure area off the mainland Mexico, this system is forecast to rapidly gain strength and most likely impact Southern Baja in around 8 or 9 days from now, we will hope for the best that path changes in the coming week.

Again we saw light crowds of anglers, relying now on sporadic supplies of sardinas, slabs of squid, as well as ballyhoo for available bait sources. Center of fishing action has been from Cardon the Iman Bank. Highlights were the finicky yellowfin tuna schooling on these grounds. 

Some days the tuna would show coming to the surface enticed by chum and on other days they would just not come up at all, though there were chances of blind strikes. Best success was found on the strips of squid. Most of the tuna we have seen come to the scales have ranged from 40 to 115 lb. Larger fish are also in the area and have been hooked and lost after extended battles. The tuna were shy to strike leaders any larger than 60 lb., some charters were going down to 40 lb. to increase chances, though larger fish were also being lost due to too light of leaders.

We saw more small dorado this past week, many very small and should be released, still a handful of large bulls to 40 lb. being accounted for, just not like the epic action early in the month. 
Wahoo were scarce, sluggish to bit in the warm 86 degree water. Everyday we have seen a few of these elusive gamefish are being accounted for, most of these striking on rapalas or ballyhoo and weights ranged from 15 to 35 lb.

Early in the week there were a couple of black marlin brought in, weights ranged 300 to 350 lb., also we saw sailfish and striped marlin, no significant numbers. Actually more anglers have been putting in the majority of time targeting the yellowfin tuna, as lots of patience and persistence was needed.

Not a whole lot of action found off the bottom, more triggerfish and bonito than anything else, a few cabrilla, amberjack and snapper.

Good Fishing, Eric