GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Report from August 3rd through the 11th
No storm activity to report last week. Looking at the forecast, it seems that we are in the clear for the next 12 days or so. As we approach September, we will continue to keep a close eye on weather patterns in the Pacific.
Most boats focused their efforts at Vinorama Bank to target yellowfin tuna on live sardines. Earlier in the week, the bite was sporadic as boats were lucky to land one or two in a morning outing. As the week progressed, the bite became more active and consistent; however, a lot more sharks were reported in the area, which made it challenging to land a handful of tuna. Most boats were lucky to land a couple. We saw tuna in the range of 20 to 80 pounds, with some footballs in the mix. The smaller tuna had a better chance of making it to the boat.
Within this same area, a handful of dorado were also caught on live sardines. A few captains also reported hooking into some smaller dorado while trolling small lures, feathers, and ballyhoo throughout the grounds from Vinorama all the way to Cardon. One medium size wahoo (around 25 pounds) was also caught on a live sardine while fishing for tuna. Talk about luck; this is why we like to fish circle hooks!
This Monday, one boat made a few bottom drops with jigs and were able to land 2 leopard grouper, one white bonita, and one small red snapper. This boat reported a few other nice hookups on the jigs, though they were immediately taken by the sharks. The current also made it challenging.
Not much to report from Inner and Outer Gordo. Many boats tried for the big yellowfin and were not successful. Only a few boats were able to hook into tuna, though they were not the big cows, it was mostly 80 to 120 pounders, which are still quality size fish.
This weekend, one boat hooked a nice black marlin (in the range of 300-400 pounds) at the Outer Gordo, though it broke off within the first 20 minutes as it was hooked on 60# test and 80# fluoro (tuna setup).
Good Fishing, Brian
