Anglers –
February 3, 2017

Entering the month of February now, always known for having unpredictable, often being cooler and windy, we are hoping with so much wind during this past January that maybe patterns will shift and now settle down. So far this first week of the new month has been very nice, north winds have laid down, days have been clear, with high temperatures in the mid 70’s, early morning low temperatures are down near the 50 degree mark, so be prepared with proper clothing for early in the day before the sun warms things up. Crowds of tourists have been light, local businesses are feeling the crunch on fuel prices and other increasing operating costs, fuel rates are slated to be marked up again this coming week, not an easy situation, compounded by the devaluation of the Peso.

Supplies of sardinas are limited off of Palmilla Point, though with lighter crowds the bait vendors have been able to work hard to net enough bait for the number of charters. After obtaining bait boats are back tracking north to area from Cardon, La Fortuna and Iman Bank. This is where the action for yellowfin tuna has been found, drift fishing with sardinas, both live and dead bait is being used, still some squid strips being rigged as an options as well. The action has been respectable considering this is not the normal time we find a lot of yellowfin tuna. We have seen tuna in the 10 to 50 lb. range, most fish are in the 20 to 35 lb. class. Average catches per charter has been ranging from two fish, up to six or more. Not much variety now besides the yellowfin tuna. Only an occasional snapper, pargo, cabrilla or triggerfish off the bottom. No dorado to speak of, just a couple of smaller fish. We did see one nice 40 lb. class wahoo caught from the same grounds as where the tuna were schooling, hit on a sardina, lucky catch on mono leader, other wahoo have been seen free swimming, so these fish still are hanging around, though with water temperatures now in the 70 degree range, they are not very aggressive at all.

Strong currents have been running, though water clarity is still very good considering the cooling waters. Mackerel and sardineta are holding on local bait grounds, though very few striped marlin are being encountered, still better chances for billfish at this time on the Pacific Banks.

Not much going on inshore, an occasional juvenile sized roosterfish and a handful of sierra. Lots of whales remain in the area, also plenty of hungry sea lions on the fishing grounds, waiting to have the chance at easy picking of a hooked and struggling fish.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 72 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 2 striped marlin, 2 wahoo, 225 yellowfin tuna, 6 dorado, 8 bonito, 18 yellow snapper, 5 leopard grouper, 15 huachinango, 54 sierra, 2 roosterfish, 1 island jack and 28 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric