May 9, 2021

Progressing now into May, we are feeling warmer conditions, definitely more like late spring now, calmer wind patterns, high temperatures reached to 90 degrees over the weekend. Still lighter than normal crowds, but as weather is ideal now, we are seeing moderate numbers of tourists arriving. To the south of Cabo San Lucas, some 300 miles, the Eastern Pacific’s first Tropical Storm of the season developed, named Andres, this storm is not expected to impact the Southern Baja Peninsula, heading on a westward path, maybe some increased ocean swells and humidity. Ocean water temperature on the Pacific has still been in the 68/70 degree range, though in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and towards Los Frailes the water is now up to 74/76 degrees.

Charters are spreading out in different directions, though the majority of the local fleets are concentrated from the Iman Banks, San Luis and north to Vinorama. With the water now warming up quickly and the clarity improving a lot and can happen from day to day. Most consistent action now has been working these high spots off the bottom, with jigs and various baits. Catching a mix of species, most common have been bonita, pargo, red snapper, cabrilla, triggerfish and amberjack. Most boats accounting for a dozen or so fish in combination. These same grounds are holding yellowfin tuna, which have sporadically shown on the surface, only to vanish just as quickly. A handful of tuna were landed from these grounds this past week, striking on yo-yo jigs, live caballito, sardinas or strips of squid, weights ranged up close to 100 lb. We look for this tuna action to improve as conditions continue to become more favorable.

Offshore there are striped marlin now being found through the region, anywhere from a couple miles from shore on out 15 miles. These billfish have been striking on lures, as well as on cast or dropped back baits, sizes ranged to 140 lb. Not in huge numbers now, but still a good chance at hooking into one or two. No dorado or wahoo to report now, though with warmer currents they should be around soon.

Inshore the highlight has been the quality sized sierra being found, though also a few more roosterfish showing back up, as well as some schools of mullet, their favorite food source, being sighted moved in near the marina area.

Good Fishing, Eric

May 2, 2021

Now into to a new month, weather patterns continues to be slightly cooler than during a normal year, transition period is taking longer than we would expect. It has been a slow process waiting for water conditions to warm and clean up, as well as for winds to become less of a factor. At this time the ocean water temperature has ranged from 72 to 74 degrees. Clarity has fluctuated, it seems just as we see blue water moving in there is a setback as currents push in off colored currents again. Conditions can change very quickly at this time of year, so as days become progressively warmer we expect to see offshore surface action pick up accordingly.

The main offshore species now has been the striped marlin, these billfish are striking on trolled lures and on cast or dropped back baits, mainly caballito at this time. The marlin are being found scattered throughout the zone, at times as close as a few miles from shore. They became a bit more finicky during the recent the full moon, as well as with fluctuating conditions, though most charters are having at least a chance or two while targeting these fish, with some accounting for multiple catches. Not many dorado were seen in recent days compared to last week when we did see a few of them.

Only an occasional yellowfin tuna were being found, these tuna were taken while drift fishing with bait on grounds from Iman to Vinorama, the fish we did see ranged to over 80 lb. So they are still in the area, just need the conditions to improve a bit more to their liking. Also a handful of wahoo were seen on these same grounds, but they were very shy to striking any offerings.

The most common catches have been various species found off the rock structure, such as bonito, cabrilla, red snapper, fortune jack, amberjack, yellowtail, triggerfish and others. Anglers reported mixed success depending on which area they targeting and how favorable the conditions were on a given day.

Along the shore the best action we saw was reported from areas to the south of Puerto Los Cabos, nice sized sierra were accounted for, some as large as 13 lb., also a mix of jacks and of course more triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

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