GORDO BANKS PANGAS
June 1st, 2025

Our port was closed Friday at 2:00 pm due to the Tropical Storm Alvin. Throughout our area, there was not much going on, light winds and rain throughout most of Saturday. We are expecting the port to be reopened later this Sunday. We plan to be back on the water tomorrow morning as none of our pangas were taken out of the water.

We had decent action throughout our week. The main highlight was a good striped marlin bite throughout most of our high spots, including areas not too far offshore. Many of the boats that specifically targeted marlin, were able to land a couple, lost a few, and spotted many of them free jumping or on the surface. Most of our boats focused on the areas of the inner and outer Gordo. On Friday, one boat reported spotting 15 to 20 marlin on the surface within the first hour of fishing at the Outer Gordo. They caught 3 marlin in a couple hours and then decided to come back inshore and cover the grounds of Iman and 25. They landed one nice wahoo and one dorado on rigged ballyhoo. This has mostly been the gameplan for most pangas; target marlin and then look for a wahoo or dorado, or vice versa.

Most of the wahoo caught throughout the areas of Vinorama, San Luis, Iman, and 25 have been on the smaller side, averaging 15 to 25 pounds. The bigger ones seem to prefer the surrounding areas of both Gordos and the 1150 Bank. On Thursday and Friday, many boats also caught small yellowfin at the Iner and Outer Gordos while trolling small Rapalas and lures. We also saw more dorado this week in the mix, nothing big to account for at this time; mostly 8 to 15 pounders; however, this is a great sign. On Friday, one panga had 4 yellowfin and 3 dorado, while losing a few other nice fish. One other boat reported 4 small yellowfin on small Rapalas at Vinorama and San Luis.

Bottom action was very slow this week. We did see a couple of amberjack and grouper, though most boats did not target the bottom. Roosterfish action throughout our shorelines continues to be productive as long as there are live caballitos and mullet. Live bait continues to be limited most mornings.

Good Fishing, Brian

GORDO BANKS PANGAS
May 25th, 2025

Not many boats were able to get in on the action this week, though the boats that did were able to land a quality size fish.

Throughout most of the week, the panga fleet focused offshore looking for clean blue water in the hunt for big wahoo and marlin. The best action came throughout the surrounding areas of the inner and outer Gordos, and the 1150 Bank. These strikes came on rigged ballyhoo, Nomad DTXs, X-Raps, and marlin lures. A few of the boats that caught wahoo reported double hook ups late in the morning- midday. We continue to only see big wahoo offshore. The smallest wahoo from trolling offshore was 45 pounds. Most of these wahoo were averaging 50-60 pounds. The biggest wahoo this week were 87 and 75 pounds. The Foster family (Spencer and Shane) landed another big wahoo this week. They came in with the 75-pound wahoo and another 54 pounder that came on a double hookup at around 12:30 when they were getting ready to head back in. While trolling for wahoo, we also had a handful of dorado and marlin in the mix. On Friday, one of our pangas hooked a striped marlin later in the day and while reeling it in, a 50-pound wahoo came up to the boat to check it out; They were able to hook and land this fish on a jig while reeling in the marlin. Talk about good luck.

This weekend, many boats reported a wahoo bite closer inshore, throughout San Luis, Vinorama, Imán and 25. These wahoo were smaller as most of them were 15-20 pounders. We did see a few nicer ones closer to shore as well; one of the boats landed a 54 pounder at 25. This Sunday, one panga landed 4 wahoo and one 80-pound tuna (on a jig) throughout the areas of Vinorama to 25. This was the only big tuna reported this week. Two smaller 20-25-pound tuna were also caught on a jig at Iman.

Not much else to report on the yellowfin bite. The private boats continue to find porpoise schools 40-45 miles out with good tuna action. One of our pangas decided to make the long run earlier in the week. They found a good-sized school later in the day and were able to land 9 yellowfin, 3 of them around 50-60 pounds, and the rest footballs. Very long run for these smaller pangas.

Bottom action continues to be slow. Many boats specifically tried to target bottom species, though came in empty handed some days. Other boats were lucky to catch one or two quality fish (grouper, snapper or amberjack). We were surprised to see one yellowtail on a jig this Sunday.

Closer to shore, we continue to see great Roosterfish action. Live bait has been inconsistent since the year started. We are seeing live caballito and mullet most mornings, though this can be limited most days. 

Good Fishing, Brian 

GORDO BANKS PANGAS
May 18th, 2025

Morning temperatures have taken a turn as we start to feel more heat and humidity. Mornings are averaging low 70s with hot sunny days in the mid 80s.

The highlight this week was a good wahoo bite offshore. Best action came throughout the surrounding areas of the 1150 Bank. Some boats also had success covering the grounds in between both Gordos and a few miles out from the outer Gordo. Most of these wahoo are big, averaging 50-60 pounds. The biggest one caught this week was an 83 pounder by Spencer Foster and Captain Marcelo. This big fish came on a Nomad DTX in between the outer and inner Gordo. This weekend, over 20 big wahoo were reported in between the panga area. These strikes came on rigged ballyhoo, marlin lures, X Raps, Nomad DTXs, and marlin lures. Many reports confirmed that these wahoo have been more active in the 78–80-degree clear blue water.

While looking for these wahoo, some boats also landed a handful of big dorado and some striped marlin. Most boats reported seeing many marlin, though they weren’t too interested in checking out our baits.

A few lucky boats also found porpoise schools a few miles out from the outer Gordo this week, with great yellowfin action. Most of the tuna that are hanging with these porpoise schools are football size, with some 30-40 pounders in the mix. One 100-pound tuna was caught earlier this week at Vinorama on a live caballito. This was the only big tuna reported this week.

Bottom action was slower this week. There were a few boats that landed some grouper, amberjack, and red snapper earlier in the week, though they had to work the jig hard throughout many rock structures. These boats found best action at Vinorama and San Luis early in the morning. Some boats that focused on the bottom ended up striking out as some days were better than others.

Roosterfish action was great this week. Most of these Roosters were on the smaller side (5-10 pounds), though we did see some bigger ones in the 20-25 pound range on the bigger caballitos. Best Rooster action came throughout the shorelines of Secret’s Hotel, The Marriott, La Bocana, and Trailer Park. This Saturday, one boat reported landing and releasing 15-20 Roosters in the first couple of hours of the morning. Some boats also caught some snapper on small mullet, caballito, and rápalas at La Bocana. 

The bait guys continue to net caballito and mullet in the mornings; however, supply can be limited most days. Still no luck on live sardines.

Good Fishing, Brian