April 25, 2021

The spring season continues to be unpredictable, conditions changing daily, overall climate is great, highs in low 80s, crowds of tourists remain light, slowly transitioning ocean has anglers scattering in all directions searching for productive action. Water temperature has ranged from 70 to 73 degrees, depending where you are, warmest currents being found from the Gordo Banks towards Los Frailes. Ocean clarity is improving, though on and off north winds continued to slow this process. Swells increased some this week, coinciding with the full moon cycle.

Local bait supplies remained steady for caballito, also a mix of sardinas being found, slabs of squid and ballyhoo have been other options. The majority of the limited numbers of charters going out have found the most consistent action working the bottom structures near La Fortuna, Iman and San Luis Banks. Drift fishing over these high spots while using yo-yo jigs and a mix of baits produced a variety of species. Most common catch was the Mexican bonito, though there were some quality red snapper, cabrilla (leopard grouper) and amberjack also being accounted for, average catches per boat was in the 8 to 15 fish range, so overall the bite did improve some over the past week.

There were more yellowfin tuna seen this week, sizes ranged from 15 to 90 lb. These fish were taken off of the similar grounds where bottom action was found, the tuna hit on strips of squid mainly, but also some were taken on the yo-yo style jigs. So this is encouraging news, even though numbers were not great, one boat did have four tuna in one morning, at least we are seeing more than we have recently and this action should only improve as conditions continue to warm, winds settle and water clears.

There have been reports of decent billfish action being found offshore near the 1150 spot, also a few nice dorado being found on the same grounds, where water has been blue and warmer. With the weather still a bit hit or miss and with only being small numbers of anglers in town, we have not had many boats going farther offshore, most opting to fish closer in where numbers and variety were decent.

Inshore action was limited to mainly an on and off sierra bite, depending where the fish happen to be on a certain day, also a few nice sized jack crevalle and an occasional pompano or pargo colorado.

Good fishing, Eric