April 30, 2023
We saw similar patterns this week, light crowds of anglers, ideal weather conditions and a wide variety of fish species available for the fishermen that were out giving it a try. Mostly clear sunny skies, lows of about 65 and highs near 85 degrees Slight ocean swells, variable currents, swift at times and water temperatures were in the 72 to 74 degree range. Earlier in the week there was some north wind to deal with, later on and through the weekend conditions were better.
Bait supplies consisted of caballito, some mullet, sardina, anchoveta, ballyhoo and slabs of squid. Sardinas were limited from day to day.
The majority of the more consistent fishing action was now being found from Cardon, La Fortuna, Iman and San Luis.The most common species remains the white bonito, taken over the various high spots on yo yo style jigs, ranging up to 6 lb. On the same grounds there was a wide variety of other species encountered, though in much more limited numbers compared to the bonito. We saw a variety of pinto, leopard & broomtail groupers, yellow and red snapper, barred pargo, spotted rose snapper, pompano, triggerfish, amberjack, fortune jack, even a couple of wahoo and dorado. These fish were taken while drift fishing, using both jigs and various baits. Over the weekend on Saturday, there was an amberjack weighing over 70 lb. landed, most ambers were more in the 10 to 25 lb. class.
Striped marlin are being found scattered throughout the area, no significant numbers, better odds at finding them a bit further offshore, 15 miles or more, near the 1150 grounds., striking on trolled lures, rigged ballyhoo and dropped back baits.
The few yellowfin tuna we saw were taken from San Luis Bank, everyday it seems a few of these yellowfin are being hooked into early in the morning, then they become spooky after more boats arrive. Sizes of these fish landed ranged from 30 to 80 lb. The tuna had a preference for the live caballito this week, as compared to strips of squid or sardina.
Inshore now the main deal was for roosterfish and jack crevalle, only a few sierra were coming in. Most of these roosterfish have been juvenile sized, up to 15 lb., being released as they should be. A few of the hog sized jack crevalle in the area.
Good Fishing, Eric–