Busy times now in Southern Baja, especially so in Cabo San Lucas, the largest tournament of the year just finished this week. I believe it was 219 teams battling for a record payout of 11.6 million dollars. Only three qualifying marlin of over 300 lb. were brought to scales, enough to keep the event going, each year becoming more popular. Next big tournament scheduled will be the WON Tuna Jackpot, with the two fishing days being Nov. 3 &4, slated to have record payout up for grabs as well.
Weather patterns have been typical for fall season,winds out of the north, blowing in cycles, mainly increasing later in the morning, though are a bit unpredictable. This coming week is forecast to be much calmer. Days have been clear and sunny, 80 degrees, though early morning has dipped to 65 degrees, starting to be chilly enough where you need a wind breaker for the ride out. Ocean swells are minimal, there was high wind chop further offshore, water temperature now averaging in the 80 to 83 degree range.
While tournament boats targeted the larger billfish offshore, the local sportfishing charters were closer to shore, working areas from La Fortuna, Iman, San Luis and Vinorama for yellowfin tuna, dorado and wahoo. First part of the wind was a negative factor on the grounds further to the north, conditions settled over the weekend.
Bait sources always become scarcer during these periods of heavy boat pressure. No sardinas now, there have been some caballito, ballyhoo and slabs of squid. Wahoo activity increased this week, everyday we are seeing more of these prized gamefish, some charters are landing two or three per morning, of course many others were being lost. Sizes ranged up to 40 lb. These speedsters were striking on high speed trolled rapalas, ballyhoo and trap hooked live baits. Most productive grounds were to the north of Punta Gorda.
Dorado were found scattered about in small numbers on these same grounds, the majority of the do-dos found were under ten pounds. Definitely far less dorado now than in previous weeks. We anticipate a new wave of fish to show before long, all of the fish that had migrated into So Cal waters should be heading back south by now.
After a flurry of quality tuna action the previous week, this week was much tougher, a few scattered fish found, some on grounds from Iman to Vinorama and others associated with porpoise. The tuna are definitely in the area, conditions are favorable, though fish also become increasingly weary of boat traffic with each passing season. The fish we did see ranged from 10 to 70 lb. We are optimistic the yellowfin action will improve before long.
Still not much bottom or inshore action to report, mainly triggerfish, a few small snapper and bonito.
Good Fishing, Eric