Anglers –
April 21, 2018

Lighter crowds continued, as well as unpredictable and rapidly changing weather patterns. Ocean conditions which had turned over are now rebounding, cleaner currents are pushing back in and the water temperatures have warmed back up in to the 71 to 75 degree range.

Through the first half of the week there was no surface action going on, with the only action being found being off the bottom for a variety of species, but also hit or miss from spot to spot. The highlight was a few grouper up to 40 lb., yellowtail to 30 lb. and amberjack to 50 lb. They were using various baits and some yo-yo style jigs. Some days the winds made it tougher to reach the more productive fishing grounds.

On Thursday conditions started to improve, with a handful of yellowfin tuna to over 40 lb. being accounted for, they were found between San Luis and north of Vinorama. Using sardinas was the best deal. Most days these batfish were available, On Friday the tuna bite was even better, the best spot was near San Luis Bank. The yellowfin were in the 20 to 40 lb. class, most all charters that targeted the tuna were landing at least a few fish, some charters had as many as ten tuna.

We did not see any dorado, besides a few small fish, though some wahoo were seen and even hooked into, but they were not landed. There were still quite a few whales being spotted, despite it being late season now for these mammals. Early in the week there was some form of krill hatch going on and the whales and big groups of manta rays were seen getting involved in this feeding frenzy.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 70 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 3 striped marlin, 6 dorado, 46 yellowfin tuna, 2 broomtail grouper, 30 yellow snapper, 22 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 15 huachinango (red snapper), 2 dogtooth snapper, 82 bonito, 4 amberjack, 4 yellowtail, 14 barred pargo, 2 roosterfish, 8 jack crevalle, 14 sierra, 18 flag cabrilla, 4 surgeon fish, 55 spotted rose snapper and 110 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

Anglers –
April 14, 2018

We did notice lighter crowds this past week. Visitors were greeted by cooler weather patterns, which started with winds switching from out of the south last Sunday, continuing through the first part of the week. This pushed in cold Pacific currents which turned over the ocean as far north as Los Frailes, green colored water and dropped water temperatures into the 67 degree range. Of course this did not help the surface fishing action much at all, basically shutting down the tuna and marlin bite, though the all-around climate was nice, lows of about 60 degrees and highs up to 80 degrees. Typical spring time conditions during this transition period.

Anglers found that sardinas were scattered as well, some of the clear type of sardinas which are used for dead baits, also some rigged ballyhoo, a few caballito. The best action found was for shallow structure species, using various baits, as well as more fish starting to strike on yo-yo jigs, particularly the bonito and leopard grouper, a few amberjack and yellowtail.

Last Sunday the yellowfin action was very good north of Vinorama and a few were caught on Monday as well, these were fish in the 30 to 60 lb. class. Since then the cold green water has shut this action down and now we are waiting patiently for the conditions to rebound. In the meantime the best bet has been to concentrate on bottom species over the various rock piles. The red crabs also were less active, but the fish were starting to strike the yo-yo jigs better. Several yellowtail up to 30 lb. were accounted for, a handful of amberjack, a variety of snapper and pargo and quite a few leopard grouper in the 5 to 18 lb. range. All very good eating fish.

Along the shoreline there were sierra, jack crevalle and an occasional roosterfish, this action was spotty though, but if you were at the right place at the right time there were some nice fish found.

Billfish, dorado, wahoo were not in the picture at all, with the exception of a few striped marlin and dorado early in the week before conditions completely changed.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 66 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 2 striped marlin, 5 dorado, 18 yellowfin tuna, 32 yellow snapper, 20 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 42 huachinango (red snapper), 125 bonito, 7 amberjack, 9 yellowtail, 22 barred pargo, 6 roosterfish, 10 jack crevalle, 35 sierra, 1 halibut, 12 grunt, 15 flag cabrilla, 7 island jack, 6 surgeon Fish, 65 spotted rose snapper and 90 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

Anglers –
April 7, 2018

As spring break now winds down we have noticed that crowds of tourists are lighter. Great time to visit now, as weather conditions are ideal, clear sunny skies, light winds, with high temperatures up in the 85 degree range. Early mornings were still a little chilly, down to 59 degrees, warming quickly as the sun rose. Still quite a few whales being seen, despite now being late in the season for them.

Most local sportfishing charters are now concentrating on the fishing grounds from La Fortuna, Iman Bank and towards Vinorama. Supplies of sardinas have become more scattered, with the other type of clear sardina being more common, these do not stay alive well, but do work dead for the yellowfin tuna and other species. In recent days the yellowfin tuna action was very spotty around the Iman Bank, the tuna could be seen often breezing and feeding on the surface, but were very finicky, the few yellowfin that were actually landed weighed in the 25 to 50 lb. class. There were some new reports of some charters heading further north, past Vinorama and finding some more cooperative tuna on those grounds.

Dorado were also much scarcer this past week, though we did see a couple of fish up in the 20 lb. range. Water temperature was averaging about 73 degrees and clarity was up and down, with very strong currents moving through, one day it could be more greenish, and then it would clear backup on others.

Striped marlin were still being found, but they have moved further offshore searching for their favored food source. Rigged ballyhoo, lures and skipjack were being used with varying results.

Perhaps the highlight of the week was the pelagic red crabs making a strong showing on local grounds, from the Gordo Banks to Iman Bank. Appearing on the surface in masses and being scooped up and in return used for baiting up the red snapper, or locally referred to as the huachinango, prized eating, the true Pacific red snapper, ranging in sizes up to 12 lb. , scrappy fighters on light tackle as well. A very popular and valued commercial species, so everyone is now out in force taking advantage of this event as long as it continues. This is a deal that can end on any given day.

Other bottom action included a mix of amberjack, leopard grouper, yellow snapper, barred pargo, surgeon fish, bonito and triggerfish. More reports of action being found on yo-yo jigs, as well as drift fishing with bait. Though strong currents made this type of fishing much more challenging, will be much improved when these swift currents do slack up.

Inshore action was limited, not many sierra and a few mostly smaller sized roosterfish. No sign of the annual migration of mullet yet, still a little early in the season for that.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 81 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 18 striped marlin, 13 dorado, 68 yellowfin tuna, 22 yellow snapper, 23 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 310 huachinango (red snapper), 95 bonito, 14 amberjack, 4 island jack, 9 surgeon fish, 15 barred pargo, 4 broomtail grouper, 14 roosterfish, 16 sierra and 155 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric