January 18, 2020
Moderate winter time crowds now, noticeably lighter, as schools return to session after traditional holiday seasons. Weather patterns are typically unpredictable, lows in 50s some days and highs up to mid-80s on others. Wind predominately from the north, in cycles of two, three, four days. Moderate ocean swells, with clarity fluctuating accordingly to running currents. Ocean temperatures have been in the 72 to 74 degree range, slightly warmer than normal for this time frame.
Bait options consisted of caballito, ballyhoo, slabs of squid, sardineta and some mackerel. Large schools of baitfish now congregating on areas off of San Jose del Cabo, more sardineta than anything else. No word on sardinas moving within range of local fleets.
Striped Marlin are following their food source in this same direction, though still not in big numbers, but more this week compared to last. Dorado were the more numerous gamefish at this time, found throughout the area, often close to shore, striking on a variety of lures, but more readily on available bait. Sizes ranged up to 20 lb., though the majority were averaging ten pounds.
Wahoo action rebounded somewhat this week, as we saw ocean temperatures remain warm enough to keep these fish in the area. Still this action was more sporadic, most strikes were reported from Punta Gorda to Vinorama. Sizes were all the way from sierra sized wahoo, up to 45 lb. Ballyhoo and caballito both produced a higher percentage of strikes.
Juvenile sized roosterfish and are now seeing more sierra found along local beach stretches. At times frigate birds could be seen circling and diving closer to shore, especially mid-morning, this activity was typically associated with feeding dorado.
Yellowfin tuna action was spotty, but we are seeing limited numbers of tuna in the 10 to 25 lb. class taken through the inshore zone, seen more near Cardon and La Fortuna recently. Striking on smaller sized lures and while drift fishing with strips of squid.
Not much going off the bottom, commercial fleet has concentrated on the red snapper, not much red crab surface activity this past week. A few cabrilla taken off of the high spots, bonito, pargo, but more triggerfish than anything else. We look for this bottom bite to improve in coming weeks, hoping for a good yellowtail season.
The combined sportfishing fleet launching out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out an estimated 68 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 11 striped marlin, 160 dorado, 42 yellowfin tuna, 26 wahoo, 38 pargo, 22 sierra, 16 roosterfish, 9 cabrilla, 4 jack crevalle, bonito 6 and 28 triggerfish.
Good Fishing, Eric