July 6, 2013

Anglers –

The summer season has just begun and we are now seeing increased numbers of tourists arriving in Southern Baja. The climate has been different this year, more Pacific breeze and marine layer, keeping temperatures bearable, tropical conditions, highs near 90 degrees, mild compared to the record heat Wave sweeping across parts of the western U.S. Tropical storm season has started with a flurry, in the past week we saw the formation of Hurricanes Cosme and Dalia, both of which had no impact to land, following a westerly path. Presently on the horizon and gaining more strength, is T.S. Erick, this system is forecast to pass closer to the tip of the Baja Peninsula, possibly bringing some moisture, surely some higher swells, along with the associated humidity.

Ocean water temperatures have rebounded and in the direction of the Gordo Banks and towards Los Frailes currents have been averaging 80 degrees or warmer. Still some spotty off colored areas, but there has been clean blue water found within 5 to 15 miles from shore. Striped marlin have been the most common catch found offshore, lots of stripers encountered from the Gordo Banks and to the north, anywhere from 5 to 15 miles from shore. Found in schools, the billfish are readily striking trolled lures, majority of these fish are now running smaller sized, 50 to 80 lb., some specimens are ranging up to 130 lb.

Dorado are now scattered on the same fishing grounds where the marlin are, striking on the same type of lures or bait, no significant numbers, though the dorado they are finding are mostly larger sized 20 to 40 lb. fish. Anglers had the chance at finding schools of dorado if they found any type of floating debris or set buoys.

Just this past week we received more reports of yellowfin tuna activity, these fish were being found traveling with porpoise farther offshore, anywhere from 20 to 30 miles out. Off of the San Jose del Cabo grounds most of these yellowfin were in the 15 to 20 pound class, while off of the East Cape there are now some reports of yellowfin over one hundred pounds being accounted for. This is some encouraging news, there has been a long absence of any tuna action.

Inshore, it remains the same, with roosterfish being the most common catch, the incredible wide open action we enjoyed in June has tapered off some, currents had turned over the inshore conditions, but now the clean warm water is back and the roosters are back on the prowl, patrolling the sandy beach stretches, fish to over 50 pounds are still being hooked into almost daily. These fish are a trophy catches, not known for eating qualities and should be released as carefully as possible.

Rounding out the action were some quality sized amberjack, some weighing as much as 80 pounds, they are now being found over shallow rock piles to the north, similar shallow rock piles that attract dogtooth snapper and grouper. There have been more amberjack than these other species, hit or miss on the ambers though, traveling long distances to the more remote spots, highly susceptible to too much boat pressure, not the type of spot where the fleet can all congregate, too shallow, fish spook easily. Soon this action will shift back on to the normal grounds such are Iman or San Luis Bank, areas that can accommodate more numbers of boats and anglers.

Live baits supplies have been holding inside of the Puerto Los Cabos Marina channel, caballito, moonfish and mullet are available. Though quantities were scarcer this past week, the fact that commercial pangeros from La Playita have been netting and selling hundreds of bait to Cabo San Lucas vendors, who have had no bait source in their own area, they have special salt water reservoirs in the back of pickup trucks, all rigged with pumps, for quick transport back to the CSL Marina. Problem is this has added heavy impact on this fragile bait source. Not a good deal when local charters are facing bait shortages due to lack of resource, there is not an endless supply of baitfish to support two marinas worth of sportfishing charters.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 92 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 4 sailfish,15 yellowfin tuna, 20 dorado, 64 striped marlin, (many released), 11 dogtooth snapper, 34 amberjack, 22 jack crevalle, 15 cabrilla and 310 roosterfish.

Good fishing, Eric