Cold Green Water, Still a Few Wahoo, Dorado ~ January 10, 2021

January 10, 2021

This past week we definitely noticed that the crowds of tourists which had flooded the region over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season, have dropped off considerably and it looks like the coming winter months will continue along such patterns, as the world wide situation with the ongoing Covid pandemic continues, as vaccines have just started to be administered and in additional there have been new strains of the same virus breaking out, we will all hope for the best, that this situation stabilizes and we can once again begin to return to our normal routines.

Cooler winter season conditions are now prevailing, high temperatures averaging about 75 degrees and with lows of 55 degrees. Though overall the climate has been very pleasant, definitely a comfortable winter environment, with warm clear and sunny skies. The northern winds resided early in the week and ocean conditions were much more comfortable. The cold and green currents continue to progressing move in a southern direction from north of Los Frailes, now these currents have now pushed as far as Red Hill off of San Jose del Cabo. Ocean temperature locally is now in the 68 to 71 degree range.

The Gordo Banks for the last several weeks has been producing the best overall fishing action. With lots of juvenile sized wahoo concentrated on this high spot, anglers were finding excellent action for fish in the 8 to 15 lb., occasionally larger. Casting chrome patterned jigs was probably the most productive technique, also sardinas, ballyhoo, caballito and trolled Rapalas. There has been heavy pressure on these grounds, since the word of the action spreads quickly and then we have the spear fishermen, who for some unschooled reason believe that it is perfectly okay to move in and get in the water with their spears directly next to where the already congested rod and reel angler fleets are concentrated, established, while mainly drift fishing, strange unprecedented situation has now developed. What happened to any etiquette or reasonable sense? We thought that there were regulations in place where this activity was to be keep a certain safe distance apart to avoid any conflicts or injury.

With cold green current now upon the Gordo Banks the action has slowed and become far less consistent than in previous weeks, this will be time when fleets start to concentrate more along the shore for sierra, as well as the shallow water structure, for a variety of species. Striped marlin action will be the main option further offshore, as this action will be now more prevalent in the direction of the Sea of Cortez and not on the Pacific. As the marlins predominate food source has now migrating in this same direction.

There are still some dorado being encountered, though in the cooler green conditions, the numbers are much less. Sizes varied, a few nicer sized bulls were accounted for, found on the same marlin grounds further from shore. In the coming weeks the key to offshore success will be to find the best looking conditions and concentrate on these locations.

Only a very occasional report of any yellowfin tuna being found, mid-week a couple of nicer sized yellowfin were hooked into, both were lost, these fish are in the area and have shown at times on the surface, though proved very skittish and elusive.

Recently we have not seen much off the bottom besides some bonito, smaller red snapper and triggerfish. Maybe this will be the year that we see a strong run of yellowtail appear on local grounds. We will optimistically wait and see what develops this winter season. In the meantime there have strong numbers of whales being sighted, this is now peak season to view these mammals in local waters.

Good fishing, Eric

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