May 3, 2014
Anglers –

With pristine paradise like weather now creating the ideal climate for vacationing to the Los Cabos region, we are seeing only moderate crowds, always seem to be a slack period right after spring break and IRS Tax dead lines. It is now a great time to make the trip, time to get out on the water and enjoy the perfect weather, warm sunshine in the mid 80s and also an opportunity at world class fishing action.

With ocean water temperature in the upper 70s, anything could happen at any time. Striped marlin has been the main deal offshore, spread throughout the area, particularly abundant off of San Jose del Cabo, at times within a couple miles of shore, nicer sized fish were encountered this week, with many of the stripers ranging to 150 pounds or more. Often schooling marlin were found feeding on congregated baitfish schools, mixed with monster sized jack crevalle, this produces the method of “pickup and run billfish battles”, as the scores of charter boats were racing towards feeders, first to arrive and get their baits in the water had the best percentages of hooking up. The marlin were also striking on bait being drift fishing at varying depths, fly lining or with sinkers down deeper. With the lack of caballito or mackerel available, the bait of choice as been moonfish and other jurelitos (jacks) as well as rigged ballyhoo. Many charters were accounting for multiple marlin per morning, this action became a bit more scattered during the later part of the week.

Dorado continued to be found in limited numbers, being scattered from inshore to offshore, in small groups, with sizes up to 25 pounds, anglers might catch a couple of these gamefish, or you could also not see one all day. Same with the elusive wahoo, they are in the area, but only one or two, here or there, is actually being hooked and landed. Gary Weis was visiting from Santa Monica, Ca. and caught a very impressive 66 lb. wahoo while slow trolling a moonfish for bait off of Palmilla Point, he was on a Gordo Banks super panga. Gary also caught a whooper 84 lb. amberjack, this fish hit right after the wahoo did.

Panga charters were working the San Luis Bank for bonito, and an occasional snapper, amberjack or cabrilla, but sea lions are becoming an increasing frequent problem, forgot to mention the over abundance of pesky needlefish. This is one of those crazy times, when it is actually easier to catch a marlin than it is a snapper, yellowtail, dorado or tuna. Jack crevalle showed more of a presence, found closer to shore on the roosterfish grounds, as well as further offshore, feeding with the striped marlin. Many of these jacks were in the 30 pound class. A few nicer sized roosterfish, up to 30 pounds, are now being encountered while trolling baits close to shore.

We have not heard of any local yellowfin tuna reports, should be time we start to see signs of these fish to appear, conditions are just too favorable, though more offshore baitfish activity could help to attract these pelagic species.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 74 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of: 56 striped marlin, 3 wahoo, 4 yellowtail, 34 amberjack, 12 huachinago, 15 cabrilla, 58 jack crevalle, 15 sierra, 28 dorado, 94 bonito and 22 roosterfish.

Good fishing, Eric