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Cooler Cycles of Wind Limit Action ~ February 12, 2023

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February 12, 2023

Typical February patterns continue, with lighter crowds of anglers, cycles of winds predominantly from the north, cooling ocean temperatures, scattered fishing action as we wait for more stable warmer spring time conditions to arrive. Water temperature ranged from 66 to 71 degrees, warmer currents now found off of Cabo San Lucas, coolest areas in the direction of Los Frailes. Bait supplies are now limited to ballyhoo, slabs of squids and some days live sardinas being found in limited supplies around the entrance to Puerto Los Cabos Marina.

Majority of local charters are fishing in the direction towards Cardon, La Fortuna and Iman Bank, as scouting trips towards Palmilla and south did not produce much. A mix of surface and bottom action now being found on grounds towards the north. Scattered numbers of dorado striking on various lures and trolled ballyhoo or sardinas, sizes ranged up close to 20 lb., though the majority were smaller fish under ten pounds. No larger schools, mostly single fish, with charters accounting for an average of one or two fish, actually surprising that these warm water species are still hanging around in local waters. No wahoo to report, as is usual for this time frame.

Billfish continue to be more prevalent on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, only a few striped marlin being found on the grounds off of San Jose del Cabo, late to migrate in this direction this season. We did see one nice sailfish caught and released earlier in the week, an unusual catch in the cooler waters.

Anglers were still having chances at hooking into a quality yellowfin tuna on the Iman Bank, though ocean conditions were a major factor, as well as having persistent patience and sufficient supplies of squid. Drift fishing, while chumming  and using strips of squid was how these few tuna were being hooked into. Sizes ranged from 30 to 80 lb. Though on an average day only a handful of these yellowfin were accounted for by the combined fleet.

Off these same grounds anglers were working the rocky bottom reefs, there was a variety of species found, though no species were very abundant and most were smaller in size. We saw a not very common California sheephead of 15 lb., leopard grouper, broomtail grouper, barred pargo, yellow snapper, red snapper, spotted rose snapper, white fish, bonito, triggerfish, porgy and amberjack. All great eating fish, we do expect to see improved bottom action in coming weeks, hoping that the season’s first yellowtail will appear soon.

With limited supplies of sardinas we only saw a few sierra now being accounted for, most of these hooked on the troll or over shallow rocky reefs. Not much talk of roosterfish being found, lack of bait and cooler water are the main reason for this.

Good Fishing, Eric

More Wind Creates Tougher Bite ~ February 5, 2023

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February 5, 2023

The start of a new month, as usual February can be one of the more unpredictable times of the year, often we see persistent cycles of north winds, as well as the coolest conditions of the year. These factors also contribute to cold ocean temperatures that push in green currents. Many of the popular warmer water game fish migrate south during this period, this is a transition period, as other species which do prefer cooler conditions move in. This is definitely the peak season for whale migration, but other fish species are in transition and reports can change quickly from week to week as to what is going on. We have seen water temperature from 67 to 71 degrees this past week and the green water is gradually pushing in from Los Frailes towards San Jose del Cabo.

Bait supplies have become increasingly scattered as well, sardinas have pretty much vanished this past week, as have mackerel and sardineta. Main bait being offered now has been ballyhoo, slabs of squid and some frozen mackerel, seems that with each passing season bait is not holding up to local supply demands.

Local sportfishing fleets are mainly concentrating efforts on the grounds from the Gordo Banks to Iman Bank. Overall action was much tougher this past week, crowds of anglers were noticeably lighter as well, Trying to choose an ideal day for nice ocean conditions can be a hit or miss proposition during this time frame.

Despite cooling and  not so favorable ocean conditions there still have been some dorado being found, trolling various lures or ballyhoo has been best bet for this, scattered throughout the region in small schools, with average sizes being 15 lb. or less. We did see one wahoo wahoo brought in mid-week, a seemingly lost fish, as most of these pelagics have followed warmer currents south at this time.

Billfish action is still very strong on the Pacific grounds and late to show in the direction of the Sea of Cortez, proving that every year can vary greatly. Last year during this same time frame the striped marlin action was going crazy on the grounds near the Gordo Banks. Bottom action has not really come on yet, nothing consistent, lack of consistent bait supplies a major factor, deeper grounds where yo-yo jigging is often done, has been hard with strong winds creating rough seas. Times are tough now, nothing usual for this time of year, but spring time will be here soon and things always turn around then.

On the Iman Bank there still has been chances at hooking into a quality yellowfin tuna, the few fish being accounted for have been in the 30 to 80 lb. range. Striking while drift fishing with strips of squid. Late in the season now for this action and also hit or miss with north wind cycles. Over the weekend conditions did lay down and more of these tuna were hooked up. The key was patience and persistence and to have plenty of squid for bait, drifting and chumming was the technique, some days the better action was encountered early, other days late, some days nothing at all. Same grounds have produced some miscellaneous bottom action for species such as leopard grouper, yellow snapper, barred pargo and smaller sized amberjack and bonito. We do anticipate to see improved bottom structure fishing soon. 

Along the shoreline there has been limited sierra action, lack of sardinas is a set back for this option as well. Trolling with small hoochies is the main deal now for targeting inshore.

Good Fishing, Eric

Windy Week, Weekend Action for Dorado, a few Tuna ~ January 29, 2023

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January 29, 2023

Another week that we saw lighter than normal crowds of anglers, though this is actually a seasonal trend during this time frame, through February, then we see more spring time visitors starting in March. This Monday afternoon of this week we had major wind gusts from the south, perhaps up to 40 mph, on Tuesday it switched to howling out of the north, on through Thursday, creating cold, choppy and uncomfortable conditions on the normal local fishing grounds. Over the weekend conditions finally settled down and the ocean was comfortable once again. Many visitors do nor realize that conditions during this time of year can be quite chilly, especially early in the morning, in the mid 50s, not counting wind chill factors, so you do need to dress accordingly. Most days have been reaching into the mid 70s or higher, with scattered cloud cover.

Anglers were using available bait sources such as mackerel, sardineta, strips of squid and some days minimal supplies of sardinas. The more productive fishing grounds have been from the Gordo Banks to Cardon, La Fortuna and Iman Bank. Closer to shore water is more off colored greenish now, but four or five miles offshore cleaner water is being found. Ocean temperature is now averaging in the 67 to 69 degree range.

Anglers were finding more dorado than any of the other glamorous pelagic species, actually a bit surprising to see as many dorado still hanging around in the colder water. Most charters were accounting for 2 to 6 dorado per outing, with sizes ranging up to 15 lbs. Wahoo seemed to have vanished, migrating towards more preferable and temperate southern waters. 

There have been some quality sized yellowfin tuna schooling on the Iman Bank, but the gusty wind had shut this action down through most of the week. Over the weekend though a few of these 50 to 80 lb. class yellowfin were once again being hooked into. The key was to bring quantities of the slabs of squid for chumming and strip bait fishing. Getting late in the season now for these tuna to be found on these grounds, but still a fair chance now, for the anglers that do specifically want to target these fish and are fortunate to choose a day when wind allows practical drift fishing.

Not a whole lot of bottom action even done this past week, need calmer conditions for this, though we expect this next month we will be breaking up slower surface action by scouting out options off the rocky bottom structure.

Very little billfish action is being encountered off of the San Jose del Cabo grounds now, despite schooling mackerel and sardineta being now found off the hotel zone. This is typically the time of year where the striped marlin bite switches from the Pacific in the direction of the Sea of Cortez. So we are anticipating to see more marlin activity soon.

Along the inshore zone we expect to be finding more sierra, jacks and juvenile roosterfish in coming months.

Good Fishing, Eric