February 22, 2020

We saw some increase in numbers of anglers arriving, even some early season spring break vacationers. This week there was a major change in weather patterns, went from seasonal chilly low temperatures, to bright sunny warm sunshine in the 80 degree range, this is an ideal time now to visit, before serious spring break crowds arrive. Winds diminished through the week and anglers found very nice ocean conditions on most days. Bait options remained much the same, vendors offered caballito, ballyhoo, slabs of squid and also there were schooling sardineta, which rebounded off of the San Jose del Cabo Hotel zone.

Ocean conditions were now much cleaner and temperature was on a warming trend, water is now ranged 72 to 74 degrees off of San Jose del Cabo and north towards San Luis Bank. There were reports of pelagic red crabs drifting in swarms to the surface, more so early in the week, a sporadic unpredictable event, but these small crabs always seem to attract schooling red snapper. Using these for bait over the high spots was a favorite this time of year, these red snapper, locally named huachinango, range in sizes to over ten lb., averaging 2 to 5 lb.

With the conditions improving, so did the chances of hooking into yellowfin tuna on the grounds from the Gordo Banks to Iman and San Luis Banks. Anglers were drift fishing with strips of squids, as well as slow trolling live caballito and were hooking into to tuna that averaged about 20 lb., but several to 80 lb. or more were also accounted for. No big numbers, but there was a good chance now at landing a couple of these fish.

Dorado action was more scattered, at times encountered in sizable schools and very near shore, some anglers being more fortunate to find the fish and others never finding any. Various bait fish seemed to work best, with sizes ranging up to 15 lb. Still some roosterfish and sierra being found near shore as well, best bite seemed to be very early, then quickly slacking off through the morning.

A couple of wahoo were reported on the grounds north of Punta Gorda, with these warming currents we should see more chances at these elusive gamefish.

Shallow water rock structure action produced yellow snapper, pompano, cabrilla, triggerfish and bonito, no big numbers of any particular species, besides the red snapper bite while using red crabs for bait over particular deeper high spots. We are patiently waiting for the seasonal migration of yellowtail to move in, so far nothing going on this, time of year though when things can change quickly, a lot can be dependent on ocean conditions.

Marlin bite was spread out anywhere from 3 to 10 miles from shore, in the vicinity of Gordo Banks and north toward Desteladera, though no big numbers at this time, only a fish or two here or there, no particular hot spot.

The combined sportfishing fleet launching out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out an estimated 64 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 11 striped marlin, 48 dorado, 64 yellowfin tuna, 8 sierra, 22 roosterfish, 8 cabrilla, 8 bonito, 65 red snapper, 2 pompano, 7 yellow snapper, 3 sheepshead, wahoo 2 and 24 triggerfish.

Good Fishing, Eric