November 15, 2014

Anglers –

The first week of November we saw late season Hurricane Vance develop and pass a couple hundred of miles to the southeast of Cabo San Lucas, increasing ocean swells and bringing some scattered rain showers, never really amounted to much, one day of charters were cancelled. This week there was another low pressure storm system passing from the south, moving eastward. This system never resulted in much, but did create rough choppy ocean conditions during the first two three days of the week. Now conditions have settled down for the first time in a couple of weeks and anglers are enjoying comfortable days on the water.

Crowds increased during the past couple of weeks, busy times now, which is normal during the weeks before Thanksgiving. Ocean water temperatures still warm for this late in the season, averaging 82 to 84 degrees, this could mean that we will have exotic species in local water through the rest of the year.

As we anticipated, bait supplies were more limited after the big surge in charter pressure and during local tournaments, which put even increased stress on bait schools. There have been sardinas available most days, as well as some caballito, ballyhoo were a bit harder to find, the fishing grounds held skipjack, bolito and chihuil, which were also being used for whole and cut bait. Fishing on the areas north of San Jose del Cabo were more productive for a variety of gamefish while using various baitfish, compared to on trolled lures. Though always a bonus to have some wahoo type lures such as Rapala X-Rap or skirted lead heads for your personal arsenal. Chihuil baitfish have not been easy to come by, but have proved to a bait of choice for wahoo and a few larger grade yellowfin tuna.

The yellowfin tuna action has been more sporadic since the passing of the recent full moon, tuna ranging from 10 to 258 lb. were landed this past week, chance at the bigger cows was still best on the Gordo Banks, though very few of the larger tuna are actually being hooked into. Better action for the smaller 10 to 30 lb. class fish was encountered around the Iman Bank. Crazy bite though, one day the Outer Gordo would be best, then the action would switch to Iman or back to the Inner Gordo Bank. Lots of bonito and various skipjacks mixed on the same grounds.

Best bet for finding wahoo has been near the Iman Bank, either on live caballito and chihuil or on trolled lures, more so on the live bait this past week, a few were hooked on yo-yo jigs. Sizes on the wahoo ranging from small sierra sized models, up towards 60 pounds. Dorado made a rebound this past week, as we saw increased numbers of fish in the 10 to 25 pound range, one day early in the week there was a section of a floating dock found and it was holding schooling dorado, tuna, wahoo and even sharks, the whole food chain., of course the next day no one located the same debris. Schools of dorado were also found north of Punta Gorda, it appears the fish are returning from the Pacific, in the direction of the Sea of Cortez.

Bottom action showed signs of improvement with the calmer days, a handful of cabrilla, snapper, triggerfish and at least one 35 lb. yellowtail was accounted for off of the Gordo Banks. Inshore there were jack crevalle, sierra and a few smaller sized roosterfish.

Billfish bite slowed compared to last week, a few striped marlin were scattered around, though we heard of more numbers on the Pacific.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 138 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 3 striped marlin, 72 wahoo, 315 yellowfin tuna, 135 dorado, 28 bonito, 380 skipjack, 18 cabrilla, 1 yellowtail, 18 sierra, 14 jack crevalle, 4 roosterfish, 18 whitefish and 30 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

Anglers –

November 8, 2014

This past week we saw a late season storm develop off the coast of mainland Mexico, Hurricane Vance reached category two strength as it veered on a somewhat unpredictable path towards southern Baja, by Monday afternoon we saw some light rain squalls as this system encountered strong upper shear, causing rapid weakening and a more southern and easterly track. Tuesday was stormy, very few charters launched and most which did wish they had not. The region saw scattered showers and wind gusts to about 40 mph. By Tuesday morning the storm had downgraded to a depression over areas south of Mazatlán. Local fleets were back in action Tuesday with very pleasant conditions.

Bait supplies saw more heavy pressure during the days building towards the WON Tuna Jackpot event help on Thursday and Friday. Limited amounts of sardinas, some ballyhoo and caballito. On the fishing grounds anglers were catching and using skipjack and chihuil for whole and cut baits.

The action was hit or miss all week, no big numbers of any particular species, though some nice fish were being accounted for. Catches including black and blue marlin, dorado, wahoo, skipjack and yellowfin tuna. The majority of this action was found from the Gordo Banks to the Iman Bank. Wahoo were hanging around the high spots from La Fortuna to Iman, striking on both trolling baits and lures, as well as yo-yo jigs, weights ranged to over 40 pounds. We are also now passing through the full moon phase, which we know can through off feeding patterns some. Dorado were more common on the Pacific grounds, only scattered action found in the direction of San Jose del Cabo. A handful of dorado in the 10 to 20 pound class.

Yellowfin tuna were striking on the Gordo Banks and Iman. Sizes ranging from footballs to nearly 300 pounds have been in the area. No large numbers though, all these fish are striking various baits, either by slow trolling or drift fishing, most common sizes of tuna were 15 to 50 pounds, but there are a handful of cows being accounted for throughout the week, coming from the Outer Gordo Bank. Many more skipjack than tuna were being hooked into. The super panga “Hooker” accounted for a 245 lb. yellowfin early in the week, anglers Barry Mendelson and Rick Apple, visiting from Malibu, Ca., landed this cow with skipper Tony Miranda.

Not much bottom activity being found recently, mostly just surface action. A few nice blue and black marlin were also hooked into from these same fishing grounds, one black estimated near 500 lb. was lost after a couple of hours, other marlin to over 300 lb. were landed. Weather has been breezy since the passing of Vance, mornings are also more cool now, so anglers should dress accordingly. We hope that bait supplies do rebound some, now that Tournament season is winding down.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 66  charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 1 blue marlin, 3 black marlin, 1 striped marlin, 33 wahoo, 68 yellowfin tuna, 19 dorado, 24 bonito, 300 skipjack, 10 cabrilla, 15 rainbow runner, 12 sierra, 8 jack crevalle and 18 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

Anglers –

October 31, 2014

We are now in the peak Fall Season, normally a very bustling period for the Los Cabos area. This year the situation is much different, as many Resorts are still in the rebuilding stage and combined with changing airline schedules, has contributed to below normal capacity level crowds of tourists, as try to find available flights and accommodations. By the coming New Year we do expect to see many more resorts reopening their doors to tourists. For the time being we are seeing more visitors arrive, just not like we would normally expect to see.

The climate has been absolutely ideal, clear skies, slight chill early in the morning, warming up quickly to 90 degrees later in the day. Only a couple of days of north winds, mostly calm ocean conditions with minimal swell activity for anglers. Water temperatures are still averaging in the mid 80’s. Clear blue water is found close to shore now, most fishing activity has been taking place within 2 to 8 miles from shore.

Sardinas became  more scattered from where they had been school in the Puerto Los Cabos Marina jetty area, heavy pressure from the Bisbee tournament seems to hurt local bait supplies, teams pay big money to local pangeros to fill large ice chests with bait for chumming, this is a marlin tournament, why are so many sardinas needed, apparently to chum up more skipjack or smaller yellowfin to be used as baitfish for the billfish, it just seems there should be some control on this, sustainable bait populations are very fragile these days. Surely the upcoming WON Tuna Jackpot will put even more negative pressure on this local bait resource.

Dorado became more scarce this past week, we heard of more dorado being found on the Pacific fishing grounds, compared to in the direction of San Jose del Cabo. Wahoo were consistently being found in schools on the normal grounds north of Punta Gorda. Anglers were finding many opportunities at hooking into these speedsters, having five, six or seven strikes per morning was not uncommon. Strikes are coming on trolled Rapalas, skirted lead heads and slow trolling trap-hooked chihuil.Most of the wahoo being accounted for weighed in the 15 to 30 lb. class, though there were some fish up to 45 lb. landed.

Yellowfin tuna were a main targeted species on the La Fortuna to Iman Banks, the tuna schooling here were striking on sardinas, these fish were mixed with a variety of aggressive skipjack, weighing to 20 pounds, average catches ranged from 1 to 5 yellwofin per charter, many more skipjack than tuna were being hooked into. The chance of hooking into the larger cows sized yellowfin tuna still was concentrated around the Gordo Banks, yellowfin in the 50 to 300 pounds are holding on these grounds, though getting them to bite has been another story, everyday there are reports of maybe one or two nice fish being hooked into. This past week we weighed one tuna of 204 pounds in, one fish weighing close to 300 lb. was taken last Sunday, other large fish were lost and yellowfin tuna of 80 to 100 lb. were reported by anglers that were on scouting trips for next week’s Tuna Jackpot, surely this year’s event will have some very stiff competition.

Billfish action was spread out, though a few more blacks and blues were hooked in this past week, weighing up to 300 pounds plus. It is the time of year where an offshore grand slam could happen, there are sailfish, striped, blue and black marlin now in local waters.

Not much found off the bottom recently, most anglers are now targeting surface species.

Local La Playita panga fleet’s are back operating out of the panga basin of Puerto Local Cabo Marina, this particular area sustained heavy disastrous damage from Hurricane Odile. Work conditions continue to prove extremely challenging. Rebuilding progress for this facility is now frustratingly at a standstill, not even simple conveniences such as fresh running water, bathroom facilities, suitable parking, electricity for any form of lighting, or even an accessible boat ramp for making needed maintenance schedules, the only usable marina ramp now has a chain in place and fleet owners are required to pay high fees for the privilege of using it, the list could go on. These are simple conveniences which could all be addressed in timely fasion, though Marina Management has other priorities, no effort or expense has gone towards helping this panga area. Locals seem to be on their own in tackling the rebuilding undertaking. Waiting for Governmental help, funding for the necessary specialized equipment, appears to be on a long road ahead.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 70  charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 4 sailfish, 2 blue marlin, 3 black marlin, 3 striped marlin, 78 wahoo, 82 yellowfin tuna, 9 dorado, 10 rainbow runners, 24 bonito, 320 skipjack, 14 cabrilla, 8 barred pargo and 20 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric