GORDO BANKS PANGAS

February 14, 2021

Half way through the month of February now, we continue to see very light crowds of tourists arriving, we are remaining optimistic that the coming months will see larger numbers of visitors. The weather patterns have been changing day to day, we saw a warming trend, then a cool front moved back through, daytime highs ranged from 75 to 80 degrees, winds have been on and off from the north, a bit unpredictable, currents sweeping through the region, changing water temperature and clarity from locations.

With limited charter activity there has still been plenty of commercial fishing pressure, with the shrimp trawlers working the areas off of San Jose del Cabo where there had been concentrations of mackerel and sardineta, this impacted this bait source and along the shoreline we saw schools of sardinas diminish as well, the smaller baitfish still have been obtainable, just not as abundant as they have been for the past months. It is the season where anglers commonly use yo-yo style jigs, working the various high spots for a variety of species.

The ocean temperature is averaging in the 70 to 72 degree range now, clarity has improved on the grounds north of the Gordo Banks, such as La Fortuna and Iman Banks, though green water has moved in off of Cabo San Lucas. The majority of the charters have been concentrating near La Fortuna and Iman Banks, this is where water clarity was cleaner and the more consistent all around action was found. Early in the week there were a handful of nice yellowfin tuna to over 80 lb. accounted for, though these yellowfin were finicky and only coming up sporadically, found close to shore though, over bottom structure, must be a certain food source that is attracting these fish to this area. The tuna action slacked as wind became more of a factor through the week, thing about this time year, is finding a calm day in order to increase opportunities.

The various rock piles are producing a mix of structure species, recently the most common fish being the bonito, also an occasional amberjack, cabrilla, pargo, red snapper or yellowtail, but by far more bonito than anything else, mainly striking on yo-yo jigs and weighing in the 4 to 8 lb. range. With the cooler water we are only seeing an occasional dorado, we also saw one wahoo early in the week. No billfish being talked about on local grounds out of San Jose del Cabo, though we did hear reports of decent action for striped marlin on the Pacific grounds, such as Golden Gate, where schools of mackerel were now concentrated, though overall the action out of Cabo San Lucas was not as consistent as on grounds in the direction of the Sea of Cortez.

The highlight for the week were definitely the few quality grade of yellowfin tuna that were accounted for, as conditions stabilize we do expect these tuna to remain on these same grounds and become more prevalent in the daily counts. As we progress towards spring season we also anticipate to find more wide spread bottom action.

Good fishing, Eric

February 7, 2021

As we start the new month of February there are light numbers of tourists arriving, this is mainly due to ongoing Covid pandemic and the new requirements being put in place for travelers. We are hoping that by spring season we might see an improvement of this situation. The Los Cabos area relies entirely on tourist trade for the local economy and without this income people cannot support themselves and families.

We have felt a warming trend this past week, we saw high temperatures up to 80 degrees, mostly clear sunny skies. Winds were still unpredictable, though the forecast for the coming week looks very calm, favorable to help stabilize ocean conditions. Ocean temperature has been in the 70 to72 degree range, clarity was changing daily with the strong currents that have been pushing through. Overall the water was appearing cleaner on the grounds near the Iman Bank. This is where in recent days the majority of the light crowds of charters have been concentrated.

Every day we were seeing a handful of yellowfin tuna landed, anglers were fortunate to land one of these tuna, some charters even reported a couple of these fish. The yellowfin were very finicky, but could be enticed with persistence and patience using a combination of sardinas, caballito, strips of squid or skipjack. Average size of the tuna were in the 50 to 80 lb. class. On these same grounds and on other rocky high sports anglers found a mix of bottom species. Though the bottom bite with the strong currents running was not consistent, more bonito and black skipjack than anything else, a few varieties of pargo/snapper, an occasional cabrilla, amberjack or yellowtail. Strong currents were a problem this past week, we do anticipate this pattern to change and should help improve the all-around action. Also in recent days red crabs were starting to appear on the surface, these can be used for red snapper bait, with calmer conditions this could develop into something.

Other options were found closer to shore, mainly in the southern zone towards Cabo San Lucas, where sierra, skipjack and triggerfish were the main species encountered, still spotty from day to day, no consistent hot spot now. A few dorado are still hanging around in the cooler waters, found scattered in small schools, most of these smaller sized fish.

Lots of whales throughout the region, peak season will continue for at least another month. Sea lions, turtles and manta rays also providing sightseeing entertainment.

Good fishing, Eric

January 31, 2021

With new international travel restrictions now in place we have seen a noticeable lack of tourists, though Los Cabos resorts are now offering the required Covid 19 tests easily on site, needed for return trip. So hopefully this will encourage more people to travel to Southern Baja in the coming months. Weather followed normal patterns, scattered cloud cover, though no precipitation this week, winds out of if the north, increased some over last week, but there are cycles of calmer conditions mixed in, high temperatures averaging 75 degrees.

Ocean conditions showed improvement from the Gordo Banks and towards San Luis Bank, water temperatures averaged 70 to 72 degrees and clarity was now cleaner than the previous week, there were also more signs of baitfish schools on the same fishing grounds. In the marina area bait vendors are offering sardinas, some caballito, mackerel and ballyhoo.

There was a lack of anglers though, not much activity for charters now. Most of the charters have been concentrating on the areas from straight offshore and north to Gordo and San Luis Banks. The highlight of the week was a few quality grade yellowfin tuna landed that weighed in the 80 to 100 lb. class. A lot of patience and persistent was needed, because these tuna were elusive, but at least a few more than previous weeks were accounted for. Many local skippers who do not have charter work now are giving these yellowfin a try. It is not always the normal time of year to find these tuna n these high spots, but every year can vary.

Not much activity reported for billfish, water has been green on the normal grounds, but we do see conditions improving now, winds were a contributing factor and then there is also a lack of anglers. A handful of dorado were found scattered throughout the region, a couple of them over 20 lb.  Limited numbers of sierra now along the shoreline, a mix of various snappers, pompano, bonito, triggerfish, cabrilla, amberjack, yellowtail found off of the rocky piles, though wind made this tough many days. We look forward to some more steady weather and a warming trend, this should help to improve the all-around action. February can be a very unpredictable month.

Good fishing, Eric