December 12, 2021
As much of Northern America has settled into winter-like weather patterns, here in Southern Baja the climate has been very pleasant, high temperatures near 80 degrees with plenty of warm sunshine for vacationers to bask in. Crowds were noticeably down compared to the past couple of months, as is usual during this time frame before the Christmas holiday season.
Ocean temperature is now in the 77 to 80 degree range, winds are predominantly from the north, most days picking up late morning, typical pattern of several days of wind and then laying down for a couple before repeating the cycle. Water clarity is much improved, blue water being found within a couple miles of shore. Bait sources included caballito, ballyhoo, slabs of squid and some panga charters were able to find chihuil on high spots such as the Gordo Banks or near La Fortuna. Still no reports of schools of sardinas being found within range of the local bait netting fleet.
Most popular fishing grounds recently were from Red Hill/Palmilla to Punta Gorda, Cardon and La Fortuna. Daily catches include dorado, wahoo, striped marlin and misc. smaller sized bottom species. Wahoo bite was on and off, striking on various baits, trolled lures and on casting jigs. Sizes ranged from small juveniles up close to 50 lb. Mid week the action was good for a couple of days, word travels quickly these days and wahoo are always weary with increased boat pressure and even more so when hordes of spear fishermen collide on the same grounds where rod and reel anglers are concentrated. Dorado were spread throughout the area, some days in greater numbers than on others, sizes were up to 20 pounds, average fish in the 8 to 15 lb. class.
Striped marlin bite was very good straight out of San Jose del Cabo and towards the south, most charters have multiple chances, anywhere from 3 to 10 miles offshore, readily striking lures and bait. Sizes averaged smaller than we would normally expect, average marlin in the 50 to 80 lb. range, with the exception of a handful reaching more than 100 lb.
We had some encouraging reports for yellowfin tuna, one 80 lb. yellowfin was taken off of the grounds near La Fortuna, hit on a live chihuil, a couple others were lost. Further offshore, mainly 15 to 30 miles there have been other tuna schools found traveling with porpoise, most of these fish we saw were in the 15 to 40 lb. range, still hit or miss and on windy days not a normal charter option yet, but encouraging to at least see some tuna moving in closer to our normal grounds.
Not much off the bottom besides a mix of smaller sized species, more triggerfish and bonito than anything else. Closer to shore some smaller sized roosterfish and sierra were being found. This action could be much better if live sardinas would become available, we will keep our fingers crossed on that. Peak whale season now provided viewing opportunities throughout the region.
Good Fishing, Eric