January 17, 2021

Another quiet week as far as numbers of tourists arriving. With Covid worries and political unrest we expect to see similar patterns of light crowds until at least spring time. January and February are normally the coolest months of the year throughout the northern hemisphere and recently we have felt the chill, highs are reaching about 75 degrees and lows in the mid-50s, though days have been clear and sunny. Winds this past week were not as persistent from the north, most days picking up late morning. Colder water conditions have swept into local waters, we have seen ocean temperatures ranging from 67 to 72 degrees. Changing from day to day, as currents swirl in and out, also pushing in green unfavorable water. With the cleaner and warmer areas now found in the direction of Cabo San Lucas.

For the limited numbers of anglers now in town, they have found supplies of sardinas, ballyhoo, caballito, mackerel and sardineta. Charters have been going in different directions in search of better opportunities. Action around the Gordo Banks has slowed way down from how it had been for the past month, as these grounds had cold green water contribute to shutting down the bite. Though as currents shift and north winds reside, things can change, on Friday there was one quality yellowfin tuna of 85 lb. hauled in off of a super panga. Through the week we only saw a few of the smaller sized wahoo landed during the first days of the period, also a couple of other tuna were accounted for or hooked up and lost. Fewer numbers of dorado as well, as the turned over conditions has these tropical species scattering.

Offshore the main action has been for striped marlin, also a few dorado being found on these same grounds. Still no large concentrations of the marlin, though lots of schooling mackerel and sardineta are being seen off of the San Jose del Cabo hotel zone, several miles offshore. The marlin being found now are scattered, depending where the blue water is found, recently five to 10 miles offshore. We do expect the billfish action to improve as these off colored conditions rebound. There were some reports of yellowfin tuna being found further offshore associated with moving porpoise, though this has been a very hit or miss deal so far.

It is the time of year when more bottom structure fishing starts up, though so far we have not seen anything other than a handful of bonito, smaller snapper or cabrilla. We should start seeing improved bottom action and are hoping that this colder water brings in the yellowtail. Along the shore there have been fewer numbers of sierra than we would expect for this time frame, off colored currents seem to be issue with these species as well. So as weather does stabilize we do expect the all-around action to improve. This is a normal transition period we are now going through. This time of year is never really peak season for any of the more popular glamorous gamefish, though as ocean changes so can the bite, from week to week. Lot of whales now on the same fishing grounds, as well as some sea lions, turtles and manta rays, all adding to the experience.

Good fishing, Eric