May 16, 2021

With each passing day now it has started to feel more like summer, since last week when the season’s first tropical storm developed to the southwest of Southern Baja, the weather changed just like that, humidity increased and daytime high temperatures were reaching 90 plus degrees. Wind patterns are now switching as well, still a bit unpredictable, though much less persistent compared to how they had been. Ocean water temperatures jumped up to 78 degrees and clean blue water was now being found within several miles of shore. So just as predicted, conditions can change very quickly this time of year. We are still only seeing limited numbers of visiting anglers, though it is now a great time to visit, while weather is still comfortable, crowds are light and fishing action is improving.

Supplies of sardinas and caballito have been plentiful and anglers are using yo-yo jigs and some surface trolling lures. Most of the fishing now has been going on from La Fortuna, San Luis and towards Vinorama, this is where a wide variety of fish have been found. The most consistent bite has been off the rock structure, anywhere from 80 to 200 feet deep. Using jigs and various baits, anglers found quality action for species such as red snapper (huachinango), barred pargo, yellow snapper, amberjack, bonito, pompano, surgeonfish, cabrilla, grouper and others. All of these fish were excellent table fare. Some of the more impressive catches were amberjack to 50 pounds and grouper to over 30 lb. and some trophy sized red snapper close to 15 pounds.

We only saw a handful of yellowfin tuna this week, smaller sized, also we did see a few nice dorado starting to appear in the warmer waters. There were other reports of some tuna being found associated with porpoise much further offshore, though these fish were not within our normal range yet. Still good numbers of striped marlin being found from the 95 to 1150 spots, striking lures and dropped back baits. There were reports of wahoo seen free swimming on same grounds where bottom fish were being targeted, though they were not interested in striking, we did hear of some spear fishermen killing as many as five wahoo in one outing, so they are definitely in the area. Sure wish they would control the spear fishing limits more, seems like one fish per species would be more appropriate, no more three fish in total, in the meantime these spear guys are using the same fishing permits as do rod and reel anglers, that does not make any sense.

Inshore there has continued to be action for quality sized sierra, though with the warming water this action did taper off some. There were roosterfish moving in though, some fish up to 40 pounds were seen, also some very large jack crevalle. Action for surf fishermen seemed to be picking up as well and heard of at least one snook being landed.

Good Fishing, Eric

May 9, 2021

Progressing now into May, we are feeling warmer conditions, definitely more like late spring now, calmer wind patterns, high temperatures reached to 90 degrees over the weekend. Still lighter than normal crowds, but as weather is ideal now, we are seeing moderate numbers of tourists arriving. To the south of Cabo San Lucas, some 300 miles, the Eastern Pacific’s first Tropical Storm of the season developed, named Andres, this storm is not expected to impact the Southern Baja Peninsula, heading on a westward path, maybe some increased ocean swells and humidity. Ocean water temperature on the Pacific has still been in the 68/70 degree range, though in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and towards Los Frailes the water is now up to 74/76 degrees.

Charters are spreading out in different directions, though the majority of the local fleets are concentrated from the Iman Banks, San Luis and north to Vinorama. With the water now warming up quickly and the clarity improving a lot and can happen from day to day. Most consistent action now has been working these high spots off the bottom, with jigs and various baits. Catching a mix of species, most common have been bonita, pargo, red snapper, cabrilla, triggerfish and amberjack. Most boats accounting for a dozen or so fish in combination. These same grounds are holding yellowfin tuna, which have sporadically shown on the surface, only to vanish just as quickly. A handful of tuna were landed from these grounds this past week, striking on yo-yo jigs, live caballito, sardinas or strips of squid, weights ranged up close to 100 lb. We look for this tuna action to improve as conditions continue to become more favorable.

Offshore there are striped marlin now being found through the region, anywhere from a couple miles from shore on out 15 miles. These billfish have been striking on lures, as well as on cast or dropped back baits, sizes ranged to 140 lb. Not in huge numbers now, but still a good chance at hooking into one or two. No dorado or wahoo to report now, though with warmer currents they should be around soon.

Inshore the highlight has been the quality sized sierra being found, though also a few more roosterfish showing back up, as well as some schools of mullet, their favorite food source, being sighted moved in near the marina area.

Good Fishing, Eric

May 2, 2021

Now into to a new month, weather patterns continues to be slightly cooler than during a normal year, transition period is taking longer than we would expect. It has been a slow process waiting for water conditions to warm and clean up, as well as for winds to become less of a factor. At this time the ocean water temperature has ranged from 72 to 74 degrees. Clarity has fluctuated, it seems just as we see blue water moving in there is a setback as currents push in off colored currents again. Conditions can change very quickly at this time of year, so as days become progressively warmer we expect to see offshore surface action pick up accordingly.

The main offshore species now has been the striped marlin, these billfish are striking on trolled lures and on cast or dropped back baits, mainly caballito at this time. The marlin are being found scattered throughout the zone, at times as close as a few miles from shore. They became a bit more finicky during the recent the full moon, as well as with fluctuating conditions, though most charters are having at least a chance or two while targeting these fish, with some accounting for multiple catches. Not many dorado were seen in recent days compared to last week when we did see a few of them.

Only an occasional yellowfin tuna were being found, these tuna were taken while drift fishing with bait on grounds from Iman to Vinorama, the fish we did see ranged to over 80 lb. So they are still in the area, just need the conditions to improve a bit more to their liking. Also a handful of wahoo were seen on these same grounds, but they were very shy to striking any offerings.

The most common catches have been various species found off the rock structure, such as bonito, cabrilla, red snapper, fortune jack, amberjack, yellowtail, triggerfish and others. Anglers reported mixed success depending on which area they targeting and how favorable the conditions were on a given day.

Along the shore the best action we saw was reported from areas to the south of Puerto Los Cabos, nice sized sierra were accounted for, some as large as 13 lb., also a mix of jacks and of course more triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric