Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo Spotty Action for Anglers ~ December 8, 2018

Anglers –
December 8, 2018

Crowds of tourists remain lighter, though there were some anglers arriving in town wishing to get into some classic Baja game fish action. Weather patterns have been mild, still some north winds through much of the week, some scattered light rainfall late in the week. Mostly clear sunny skies with high temperatures in the upper 70s. Ocean currents were strong, water temperature ranged from 76 to 79 degrees, cooler water towards Los Frailes, warmer currents on the Pacific grounds.

Schools of caballito continue to be found in the PLC marina channel, though not quite as abundant as they had been, no sardinas seen at all, slabs of squid and ballyhoo were the other available options. Would be nice to find a new resource for sardinas, these baitfish have been scarce since early October. Catching chihuil has proved to be harder this season, and there are limited bolito or small sized skipjack being found.

Billfish action has been more active on the Pacific, though off of San Jose del Cabo there has been more signs of striped Marlin appearing, though spotty from day to day. Also we saw a couple of late season sailfish landed, as well as a monster 500 lb. class black marlin that was lost on Wednesday after an extended battle as the fish was nearing the smaller center console, the rod and line ended up breaking at the same time and the big black won the battle.

Yellowfin tuna action slowed way down this week, the Gordo Banks to Iman, San Luis and Vinorama were all scouted out, Iman Bank seemed to produce more numbers of tuna, though anglers were lucky to land one or two, sizes averaged 15 to 70 lb. Drift fishing with squid was the most successful technique, though with swift currents and a lot of natural food source on the grounds, the yellowfin were not easy to entice. Some white and black skipjack were on the same grounds, as were the ever present triggerfish, which has been the main species found now found off of the structure. Only an occasional cabrilla, amberjack or pargo being found, though with swift currents, not many anglers have concentrated on bottom action.

Dorado were concentrated closer to shore now, at times seen chasing flying fish or ballyhoo, under diving frigate birds, changing daily and moving fast. Dorado to 20 lb. were landed, no big numbers, but more than we had seen previous periods. Areas from Red Hill to Punta Gorda were holding dorado now, but again this proved sporadic from day to day.

Wahoo were found from Punta Gorda to Vinorama, though anglers were fortunate to land one or two or these fish. Using caballito or ballyhoo proved the most successful, not many lure or jig strikes. The wahoo are very finicky as to when they will bite. Spear fishing pressure has been unprecedented and seems to play a factor as to why these popular gamefish are increasing shy when they hear any boat motor noise.

Along the shoreline near Punta Gorda there have been roosterfish, most of these under 15 lb., a few jack crevalle, needlefish and sierra in the mix, with live sardinas this bite could be better, but at this time they are using caballito, often these are larger sized, the smaller sized bait seem to be more enticing for these inshore fish.

Whale migration in now arriving, no huge numbers yet, but they are arriving, both humpback and grays, this usually peaks more in January and February.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 92 charters for the week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 2 sailfish, 9 striped marlin, 105 dorado, 16 wahoo, 96 yellowfin tuna, 16 bonito, 26 white skipjack, 6 red snapper, 8 yellow snapper, 4 amberjack, 8 cabrilla, 4 sierra, 26 roosterfish, 8 jack crevalle and 125 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

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