Anglers –
May 21, 2016

We are now in the later part of spring season, with summer just around the corner, we continue to see lighter crowds of tourists than what we would normally expect during this time frame. As school semesters finish most likely we will see more people traveling. Great time to visit now, ideal weather, highs in the upper 80s, wind patterns predominately from the south, pushing in Pacific breezes that keep conditions bearable.

Ocean currents have been strong, swells have been moderate, water temperatures off of San Jose del Cabo and towards Los Frailes are warming rapidly, now in the upper 70s, near 80 degrees, while on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas it has averaged 73 degrees. The majority of the sportfishing fleets are now fishing from off of the Chileno area and on the various grounds to the northeast. Common bait now being used is ballyhoo, cocinero, caballito and squid strips. There are reports of more skipjack and bolito activity, though these food sources are just starting to appear, still no mullet schools to report. A lot can happen this time of year in matter of a week or two.

Striped marlin has been the main action found offshore, more numbers of marlin found 10 to 18 miles from shore, though on some days stripers were found within one mile. Many charters reported multiple catches per morning trip. Sizes ranged from 60 lb. to 140 lb. The billfish were striking trolled lures, rigged ballyhoo, as well as various live baits. There were also a few sailfish now appearing in the warmer waters, concentrations of pilot sharks and some thrashers as well. The same offshore grounds have been producing quite a few wahoo strikes and even a few dorado, though no big numbers, though wahoo were as large as 50 lb. or heavier and dorado up to 25 lb. Striped marlin were more numerous than dorado or wahoo.. Increased porpoise activity is being reported, with a few reports of larger sized yellowfin being seen, the largest we heard of that was landed out of Puerto Los Cabos Marina was an 80 pound class tuna mid-week.

Anglers trolling areas closer to shore, anywhere from Chileno, Red Hill, Iman and towards the San Luis Banks, found a mix of wahoo, yellowfin tuna, dorado, sierra and miscellaneous bottom species. No big numbers of any species, off the bottom triggerfish were most common, also some early morning snapper, amberjack and an odd yellowtail. Most of the dorado being encountered have been small juveniles, only an occasional nicer sized fish reported. Wahoo ranged from small 15 lb. fish, to over 50 lb. No numbers though, but there is a chance at a quality fish or two. We expect with the warmer conditions that the all-around action should also become more consistent and productive.

Not much roosterfish action reported, a couple of snook catches were accounted for by beach anglers, this will be the start of the main shore fishing season coming up.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 71 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 4 sailfish, 62 striped marlin, 21 wahoo, 45 yellowfin tuna, 14 dorado, 9 amberjack, 12 cabrilla, 13 yellow snapper, 10 sierra, 12 bonito, 1 yellowtail, 5 barred pargo and 70 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric