Anglers –

December 6, 2014

We continue to have good sized crowds of sun worshipping vacationers arrive in Los Cabos. Great time to visit now, ideal fall weather patterns, clear sunny skies, with high temperatures of about 85 degrees. The north winds we had last week were not much of a factor this week, stronger breezes increased more often later in the day. Ocean water temperatures are now ranging in the 79 to 82 degree range, with clean blue water being found in close proximity.

Anglers have opportunities for a variety of pelagic gamefish which are now present on our local fishing grounds, including yellowfin tuna, dorado, wahoo, skipjack, sailfish, striped marlin and others. The abundance of skipjack, bolito and other natural baitfish that congregate on the same popular grounds have been much more limited this past week, the better option for bait source was to secure sardinas through the commercial fleet, they were netting these baitfish near Red Hill and towards Chileno, also schooling sardinas were found north of Vinorama, quite a long distance north.

There were reports that offshore from Cabo San Lucas there were yellowfin tuna encountered, this was best done on a larger charter, as these fish were found further offshore and open waters were unpredictable. The San Jose del Cabo fleet found their more consistent action coming from proven areas, such as the Gordo Banks, La Fortuna, Iman Bank and north to Vinorama. Yellowfin tuna in the 10 to 30 lb. class was probably the most common fish, besides skipjack, they were striking on sardinas on lighter tackle, while drift fishing with fly lined baits or using very light sinkers, this is normal most popular technique. Schools of a variety of bonito and skipjack were mixing in, as were roaming packs of wahoo.

The bite was more finicky in recent days, some areas would be very goodr one day and then tough the very next and the best action was shifting further towards Vinorama. Most charters were catching a combination of species. There continued to be the larger grade of yellowfin hanging around the Gordo Banks, we know of at least one yellowfin tuna in the 250 pound class that was caught earlier this week from a private center console, they hooked up with the cow while trolling a live skipjack. Other big tuna were lost after extending battles and a handful of 50 to 90 pound tuna were accounted for as well. But overall the numbers on these larger yellowfin were very few.

The best chances at hooking into a wahoo recently was while using live chihuil baitfish, slowed trolled over the inshore structure and ledges north of Punta Gorda. Though chihuil baitfish were not easy to obtain, only found seasonally in certain spots, special chum and small bait techniques required. Wahoo to over forty pound were landed, several charters were more fortunate, landing three or four wahoo, while losing at least as many strikes. Most anglers were doing very well to account for an all-around catch of, one wahoo, maybe two or three quality tuna, handful of skipjack and a dorado or two, as a bonus. Dorado were scattered, some charters were finding two or three, while others never reported seeing one, no particular place, hit or miss, luck of the draw, most dorado were weighing in the 8 to 20 lb. range.

Billfish were encountered spread out, no big numbers, some striped marlin, occasional sailfish in the mix, but then always a chance at the larger black or blue marlin, especially with warm currents still holding in the region.

Bottom action was limited, plenty of triggerfish, a few amberjack, snapper and cabrilla. Inshore sierra are hitting early in the morning, hoochies, Rapalas or smaller baitfish was the best way to entice these feisty smaller gamefish.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 126 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 3 sailfish, 6 striped marlin, 190 yellowfin tuna, 57 wahoo, 35 sierra, 22 jack crevalle, 25 bonito, 245 skipjack, 6 amberjack, 5 pompano, 22 pargo, 12 cabrilla and 25 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

Anglers –

November 29, 2014

Vacationers were arriving in Los Cabos by good numbers for the Thanksgiving Holiday week. Warm sunshine likely attracting people, as very frigid winery conditions are now sweeping across much of the United States. Locally the early mornings have been cooler, but as the soon rises the days have warmed up quickly, with high temperatures now about 85 degrees.

Ocean water temperature has remained 80 degrees throughout the region. This week we felt the first really strong north winds, Tuesday the gusty conditions started and lasted for three days. These conditions limited options for anglers and created murkier inshore water conditions. The winds have settled down now and forecasts look favorable for the weekend.

Schools of sardinas are being found along beach stretches near Red Hill and towards Chileno. This has been the bait of choice for the all-around action now being found. Tougher ocean conditions contributed to more limited fishing action. Yellowfin tuna were found in schools close to shore, from Santa Marina to Punta Gorda and La Fortuna, mixed with skipjack, coming up to the live sardinas, striking best on lighter line. No big numbers though, the yellowfin were finicky at times, readily coming up for the chum, but not wanting to strike the baiting hooks.

Dorado were scattered in smaller sized schools, the majority of these fish were smaller in size, but some dorado up to 20 pounds were accounted for. Wahoo remain in the area and should be around for a while, with the water temperatures still holding at 80 degrees. Though the wahoo have proved more elusive for the past couple of weeks now, these fish are being encountered on the same grounds as are the tuna and dorado, ranging in sizes up to 40 pounds, striking on bait, yo-yo jigs and at times on Rapalas. Trolling with skipjack, ballyhoo, chihuil and sardina have been the various baitfish options.

We have started to see more structure species in the mix, such as amberjack, pargo, cabrilla and pompano, calmer weather is more suited for targeting these species. Sierra are moving in along the shoreline now in greater numbers and the season’s first whale migration are starting to arrive to their Southern Baja feeding and calving grounds.

Billfish action has been limited, the striped marlin schools are still on the Pacific grounds to the north, at least one 350 lb. class black marlin was reportedly caught and released early in the week from the Outer Gordo Bank area, this was on a private boat launching out of Puerto Los Cabos.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 135 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of:

15 wahoo, 155 yellowfin tuna, 84 dorado, 20 bonito, 180 skipjack, 15 cabrilla, 14 amberjack, 16 pompano, 68 sierra, 12 jack crevalle, 28 pargo, 2 yellowtail and 5 dogtooth snapper.

Good fishing, Eric

Anglers –

November 22, 2014

After a series of late season tropical storm fronts developing, this past week we saw weather patterns return to the more prevalent Fall conditions. Early morning chill, offshore breeze early in the day, shifting to variable winds predominately from the north. Ocean water temperatures were still holding 80/81 degrees, we expect that cooler current will gradually swept into the region. All in all the climate is ideal now, while much of the U.S. has endured record early cold waves, we are still wearing shorts in the warm 80 degree sunshine. Crowds have been lighter than you would expect for this time of year, but actually businesses have been much busier than in previous weeks, so it is nice to see the activity.

Live bait supplies seemed to have rebounded some after recent shortages, sardinas, caballito and some ballyhoo have been available. Skipjack, bolito and chihuil have been other baitfish options, though never a guarantee they will cooperate on the fishing grounds. Fishing action has been spread out from the Pacific to the grounds north of Punta Gorda, no real temperature break being found anywhere. Most San Jose del Cabo charters are now fishing in the direction of the Sea of Cortez, there had been a bite going on for smaller sized tuna, dorado and wahoo off of Santa Maria and Chileno , but this action became more inconsistent through the week and fleets were finding better chances in the vicinity of the Iman Bank.

Anglers found sporadic action for yellowfin tuna, at times in feeding frenzies, other times  not biting until later, though other days early action was best, areas close off of La Fortuna and Punta Gorda also were holding the schooling yellowfin tuna. One key was having the sardinas for bait. These tuna averaged 10 to 20 pounds, various skipjack were mixed with them. An occasional much larger tuna, weighing from 60 to over 200 pounds, was being accounted for, no big numbers though, Gordo Banks was the best bet at trying to find the larger grade of yellowfin. These fish were all hitting on various baits, either live, dead or chunk. They were not being taken on lures.

Most of the wahoo were striking on baits, as compared to on lures, you never know with these elusive spooky fish, they are very unpredictable. Many small wahoo under ten pounds were in the area, particularly closer to Cabo San Lucas, though there were quite a few fish in the 20 to 40 pound class and then an occasional larger specimen over 50 pounds also being reported. Most of this wahoo action was from Punta Gorda and further north.

More dorado are now being encountered off of San José del Cabo grounds, though the majority have been smaller sized fish, remember to release these juvenile fish, so that they can mature and reproduce, helping to maintain the future fishery. More sierra now moving inshore, always a sign of cooling currents to come.

Off the bottom rock piles there have been a handful of dogtooth snapper, amberjack, pargo, cabrilla and bonito found, though this has not been consistent and with increasing late morning winds from the north, this has not been a practical option at times. Billfish became even more scattered, probably the best bet would in the direction of the Pacific banks. With the warm ocean temperatures and plentiful schools of skipjack, there are still chances of the black and blue marlin hanging throughout the present year.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 205 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 4 striped marlin, 115 wahoo, 590 yellowfin tuna, 310 dorado, 22 bonito, 150 skipjack, 23 cabrilla, 5 amberjack, 28 sierra, 15 jack crevalle, 2 roosterfish, 14 pargo and 6 dogtooth snapper.

Good fishing, Eric