Good Fishing, Eric
Now in the midst of the fall season and with each passing week we are seeing more numbers of anglers arriving. Weather has been typical for this time of year, no storms seen developing at this time, slightly cooler mornings, mostly clear sunny skies, highs up to 85 degrees and seasonal north winds beginning to blow from the north later in the days. Ocean temperatures are still averaging 84 degrees and higher in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and towards Los Frailes.
Most local sportfishing fleets are working the fishing grounds from Palmilla Point and north to Cardon, Iman, San Luis and Vinorama Banks. Bait supplies were holding strong until later in the week, when sardina schools became more scattered and limited, something that seems to happen every year around this time due to heavier pressure by numbers of charters all competing for bait resources. Slabs of squid, ballyhoo and caballito have been other options.
The yellowfin tuna action produced a smaller grade of fish, 8 to 12 lb., off of Palmilla for anglers that were able to obtain the live sardinas, mixed in were small to medium sized dorado. Spotty action though, first boats on the scene having the best chances. The spots of Iman, San Luis and Vinorama is where some larger tuna of 50 to 60 lb. were schooling. Again these fish were also spooky of any pressure, lighter leader and lots of chum, as well as more patience was needed. Some charters are lucky to land one yellowfin, others more fortunate as many as five or six. Striking both on strips of squid and sardinas while drift fishing, fly lining.
Overall we saw fewer numbers of dorado, mostly smaller as well, though we did see a could nicer bulls over 30 lb. Wahoo were definitely in the area, though with water temperatures still in the 80s they have not been that active, every day we are seeing a handful of them come in, striking mainly on ballyhoo, caballito and trolled rapalas. Sizes ranged from 15 to 40 lb., areas north of Punta Gorda, Cardon to Vinorama is where most of this action was reported.
On these same grounds we saw quite a few sailfish and also some striped marlin being hooked into. Not much bottom action being reported now, we did see a couple of dogtooth snapper over 40 lb. accounted for.
The big three tournaments will be starting up this coming week, Offshore Bisbee, Black and Blue Bisbee and then the WON Tuna Jackpot, all of these events typically have 200 or more teams, this puts even greater pressure on local bait supplies, etc…
Good Fishing, Eric