August 1, 2021

As we enter this new month, the weather in the Eastern Pacific has been very active, at this time far off to the west there are several tropical storm systems presently brewing. Though none of these are set to impact Southern Baja at all, besides of course a bit more tropical cloud cover, higher humidity and heat index. Ocean swells have also increased some. No local rain felt and up until this point the summer season has been very dry. There have been winds sweeping down from the north on the Pacific, then circling into and back down out of the Sea of Cortes, creating stronger currents and unsettling the fishing grounds somewhat.

The month of July was pretty much unsettled all the way through. We now expect with August, to see calmer ocean conditions, at least unless any storms pass through, also this month is traditionally known for larger gamefish showing up on local grounds.

Anglers recently have been finding live bait supplies of sardina, caballito, mullet and moonfish. Though numbers of charters have been down compared to how we would normally see, the month of June was up in numbers, July was down. August and September are never the busiest, but then we will have the most active time of all coming up when the Fall Season arrives.

Highlights this week were a scattering of dorado being accounted for, no numbers to speak of, mixed sizes to over 20 lb., most of these found in open water while trolling lures. Some striped marlin and sailfish were also encountered on the offshore grounds, though again very scattered. A few wahoo were reported seen, lost hook ups as well, so maybe we will see more of them soon, though they do become more sluggish usually in the warmer 85 degree water temperature. Yellowfin tuna are very scarce, some smaller sized fish showing up in open trolling water.

This is the time of the year now we will anticipate schools of larger grade of yellowfin to move in on local high spots.This whole season has been off and behind schedule, This is the month we should see larger tuna and marlin showing up.

Off the shallow rocky grounds anglers were finding  a mix of pargo, snapper, triggerfish, cabrilla and other species, all excellent eating , though the majority were smaller in size.

 Along the shoreline anglers were still finding mixed action for roosterfish, some over 40 lb., also some jack crevalle and a few dogtooth snapper.

Good Fishing, Eric

July 25, 2021

As we rapidly progress through this month, we continue to see light numbers of anglers arriving, though it does appear that there are quite a few tourists in town. No new tropical storms are threatening at this time and overall the weather this past week has been more stable. Winds out of the north on the Pacific and also swirling around and blowing out of the north down from Los Frailes. Crazy strong currents prevalent and moderate ocean swells, ocean temperatures up to 85 degrees in certain zones. 

Bait supplies are plentiful for sardinas, mullet, caballito and some moon fish. Offshore action has been limited, scattered action found for mostly small size striped marlin, a few sailfish and occasional dorado being encountered, a few of these being over 20 lb.Closer to the shore and off the bottom rocky reefs there has been better chances at more variety and numbers of fish. Roosterfish season never really got going as strong as we normally see, though recently there has been good chances of hooking into roosters of 40 lb. or larger size, trolling mullet or caballito proved to be most effective.

Off the rock structure anglers found more triggerfish and yellow snapper than anything else, though there were also amberjack, cabrilla, dogtooth snapper, yellowtail, bluefin trevally, pompano, barred pargo and other species accounted for.

Chances for tuna near Vinorama, though this week that action dropped way off, perhaps the full moon, rapid currents, abundance of skipjack and needle fish all contributed to this.

On the Gordo Banks the larger sized back skipjack are dominating, wearing anglers out and not giving them much of a chance at finding other species.

Good Fishing, Eric

July 18, 2021

Feeling more tropical this past week. With a pair of storm systems now in the Eastern Pacific, Hurricane Felicia and Tropical Storm Guillermo, which was the closer of the two, within a few hundred miles over the weekend. Both are following paths off to the west, in the direction of the Hawaiian Islands. The only impact felt in Southern Baja has been increased cloud cover and higher humidity levels, possibility of some scattered isolated rain over the more mountainous regions. Crowds of tourists are arriving, though again not a high percentage of these travelers are anglers.

Ocean conditions varied, lots of wind on the Pacific and often the south wind would swept into the Sea of Cortez later in the day. Water temperatures have averaged 80 degrees or higher, clarity fluctuating day to day as strong currents are sweeping through. Bait supplies remained steady for sardinas, mullet, caballito and some moonfish in the mix.

Local fleets were fishing grounds from Red Hill, Chileno, Gordo Banks, Cardon, Iman, San Luis and to Vinorama, action has been spread out, really no specific hot spot now. Offshore action was slow, though in recent days there were more smaller sized striped marlin showing up, also a few sailfish, no stories of big black or blue marlin yet. Dorado were very scarce, as were wahoo, though a few free swimming hoo’s were seen while boats were drift fishing over high spots.

Most consistent action has been for a variety of shallow to medium depth structure species, most common being triggerfish, spotted rose snapper, yellow snapper, barred pargo, amberjack, pompano, cabrilla and bonito. All of these fish being excellent eating, a few of the amberjack reached over 40 pounds, a couple cabrilla (grouper) to 30 lb. Average catch about a dozen fish per boat in combination.

The best chance for yellowfin tuna was near Vinorama, fairly close to shore, tuna in the 20 to 50 lb. range have been landed, though bite has been finicky, some days at least showing on the surface, on others not even being seen. These yellowfin would sporadically feed, anglers were fortunate to land one or two of these fish while drift fishing sardinas on lighter leaders.

Closer to the shoreline there was scattered action found for roosterfish while trolling live bait. Some of these fish were trophy sized, over 50 lb., though there were also many smaller juvenile sized roosters around, a bit strange for this time of year, as normally we see a higher percentage of the full sized adult fish.

This is the time of year we normally would find dogtooth snapper close to shore near rocky outcroppings, though that is not happening in recent years, I believe between ongoing gill netting and high concentrations of spear divers, this once world class snapper fishery is all but done, these fish should be protected and not be legal to kept at this stage, are nearly decimated for our region.

Good Fishing, Eric