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