December 12, 2021 

As much of Northern America has settled into winter-like weather patterns, here in Southern Baja the climate has been very pleasant, high temperatures near 80 degrees with plenty of warm sunshine for vacationers to bask in. Crowds were noticeably down compared to the past couple of months, as is usual during this time frame before the Christmas holiday season. 

Ocean temperature is now in the 77 to 80 degree range, winds are predominantly from the north, most days picking up late morning, typical pattern of several days of wind and then laying down for a couple before repeating the cycle. Water clarity is much improved, blue water being found within a couple miles of shore. Bait sources included caballito, ballyhoo, slabs of squid and some panga charters were able to find chihuil on high spots such as the Gordo Banks or near La Fortuna. Still no reports of schools of sardinas being found within range of the local bait netting fleet. 

Most popular fishing grounds recently were from Red Hill/Palmilla to Punta Gorda, Cardon and La Fortuna. Daily catches include dorado, wahoo, striped marlin and misc. smaller sized bottom species. Wahoo bite was on and off, striking on various baits, trolled lures and on casting jigs. Sizes ranged from small juveniles up close to 50 lb. Mid week the action was good for a couple of days, word travels quickly these days and wahoo are always weary with increased boat pressure and even more so when hordes of spear fishermen collide on the same grounds where rod and reel anglers are concentrated. Dorado were spread throughout the area, some days in greater numbers than on others, sizes were up to 20 pounds, average fish in the 8 to 15 lb. class.

Striped marlin bite was very good straight out of San Jose del Cabo and towards the south, most charters have multiple chances, anywhere from 3 to 10 miles offshore, readily striking lures and bait. Sizes averaged smaller than we would normally expect, average marlin in the 50 to 80 lb. range, with the exception of a handful reaching more than 100 lb.

We  had some encouraging reports for yellowfin tuna, one 80 lb. yellowfin was taken off of the grounds near La Fortuna, hit on a live chihuil, a couple others were lost. Further offshore, mainly 15 to 30 miles there have been other tuna schools found traveling with porpoise, most of these fish we saw were in the 15 to 40 lb. range, still hit or miss and on windy days not a normal charter option yet, but encouraging to at least see some tuna moving in closer to our normal grounds.

Not much off the bottom besides a mix of smaller sized species, more triggerfish and bonito than anything else. Closer to shore some smaller sized roosterfish and sierra were being found. This action could be much better if live sardinas would become available, we will keep our fingers crossed on that. Peak whale season now provided viewing opportunities throughout the region.

Good Fishing, Eric

December 5, 2021 

Many tourists headed home after Thanksgiving vacation, though this week  remained quite busy with a new wave of vacationers. Weather patterns have been very pleasant, highs close to 85 degrees, with lows in the upper 60s, plenty of warm sunshine. As normal the winds from the north often can pick up later in the morning, this was pretty much the pattern through the week. Ocean temperature is now on a cooling trend, ranging 78 to 81 degrees. Water clarity was much improved throughout much of the zone. Main bait sources were caballito, ballyhoo and slabs of squid. Some charters were able to find chihuil, which be a bonus when targeting wahoo. Large mackerel schools now on the Pacific grounds and this migration should shift in the direction of San Jose del Cabo very soon. We have heard of reports of sardinas found near Cabo San Lucas, but none of these baitfish have been located within range for the San Jose del Cabo commercial bait fleet.

The majority of local sportfishing charters have been concentrating efforts on areas from Red Hill, Palmilla, Punta Gorda, Cardon, La Fortuna and Iman Banks. The overall action has been spread out, no particular hot spot, most common surface species were dorado, striped marlin and a handful of wahoo. Better chances at the wahoo were on the grounds north of Punta Gorda, anglers were using various baits and rapala type lures, the bite was very spotty, though some anglers were fortunate to land a couple of nice wahoo, largest we saw was a 58 lb. fish, with the average being in the 30 to 40 lb. class. We are seeing a few very small juvenile sized wahoo as well. Largest dorado we saw was about 20 lb., the majority were in the 10 to 15 lb. range. Most charters had only a few total fish per morning, tough overall bite. No yellowfin action found at all, only reports were from further offshore of Cabo San Lucas associated with porpoise, but very hit or miss as well.

Billfish were more abundant near Cabo San Lucas, though we are seeing striped marlin off of San Jose everyday as well, found throughout the offshore grounds, most within 5 miles of shore, sizes averaged from 50 to 100 lb., We saw a couple late season black marlin of 300 to 400 lb. brought in, as well a a few sailfish.

Inshore there were decent numbers of smaller sized roosterfish, most under 15 lb. this time of year, also some sierra showing close to shore. Off the bottom it was mainly triggerfish, a few misc. smaller sized snapper, cabrilla, bonito and tile fish.

Good Fishing, Eric

November 28, 2021 

Busy week with Thanksgiving vacationers filling up local resorts. Though we did notice fewer anglers than in previous weeks, crowds usually do taper off some in coming weeks. Weather patterns were feeling like late fall, as a colder front swept through, threatening rain, but only limited amounts of rainfall were felt. Winds were predominantly from the north, picking up during morning hours, some days earlier than others. Ocean water temperature is ranging 80 to 82 degrees, slight cooling trend, though still warmer than normal for this late November time frame.]

Sportfishing charters were heading out to scout for action in all directions, most local fleets were fishing areas from Red Hill to Punta Gorda, Cardon, La Fortuna and even north to Vinorama. Water clarity is still off colored with fluctuating cleaner blue water mixed in, currents and winds stirring conditions as well. Bait supplies consisted of caballito, ballyhoo, slabs of squid and at times anglers were able to find chihuil on certain high spots. On the Pacific side there are schools of mackerel being encountered in closer proximity, soon this migration will shift directions to off of San Jose del Cabo.

With yellowfin tuna bite still at a standstill, main surface species being targeted were dorado, wahoo and billfish. Though wahoo action slowed way down this past week, mainly due to factors such as off colored stirred up ocean and it being the back side of the full moon. Though we did see a handful of nice wahoo, more fish were lost than actually landed.

Dorado were the main fish being landed, numbers varied to just a fish or two, to limits per charter. They were scattered, more actually encountered closer to shore than far offshore. Sizes ranged to over 15 lb. Orsan Dorado tournament is going on this weekend, will be interesting to see what the jackpot sized dorado will be.

Striped marlin action was increasing through the zone, more concentrations on the Pacific where schools of mackerel are now congregated, but some of this action has shifted in the direction of the Sea of Cortez. Majority of the marlin we are seeing are in the 60 to 100 lb range.

Nothing too much off the bottom now, more triggerfish, some tilefish, various pargo, cabrilla, saw a couple of nice grouper over 20 lb., bonito and others. 

Closer along the beach stretches more roosterfish are moving back in, as usually most of this fall and winter rosters are juvenile sized, fun sport on light tackle. Remember to take extra careful precaution to release fish unharmed.

Whale season is now in full swing, as both gray and humpback make these local waters their home for the coming months.

Good Fishing, Eric