GORDO BANKS PANGAS
September 13, 2020
We are seeing light numbers of tourists now, for the few that are here they have been enjoying calm weather patterns for the past week now, scattered tropical cloud cover, high humidity and light afternoon breezes. The early mornings are just starting to feel fall like, slightly cooler, but still not much needed besides shorts and t-shirts now. There is a Tropical Storm Karina lurking about 250 miles off to the west of Todo Santos, we are not feeling much from this at all, besides humidity, perhaps some isolated rain showers, but limited. Forecast looks favorable for another week, this is now the sixth anniversary of the devastating Hurricane Odile, which caused catastrophic damage to the Los Cabos region. Weather can develop rapidly this time of year, so we will be monitoring reports closely.
Ocean is now averaging 80 to 84 degrees, cleaner blue water found within a couple miles of shore. Some scattered schools of sardinas are now congregating around the marina jetties, as well as some caballito, though in recent days the more consistent action was found while using sardina, as well as strips of squid, which are also available through local bait vendors. There were reports of chihuil being chummed up on the high spots, also some skipjack and bolito being used for larger trolled baits.
The hot wahoo bite from the week before has now fading out, perhaps wahoo are sluggish in the warmer currents, as they can become, also back side of full moon and put them off, though surely they are still in the area and certain conditions could trigger activity again. Yellowfin tuna are now the main gamefish species being found. Some scattered dorado as well, found while trolling lures and drift fishing baits.
The schooling yellowfin have been found near San Luis, Iman Banks, north to Vinorama and in recent days the tuna became more active on the Inner Gordo Bank. The most successful methods being used were drift fishing with sardinas, dead or live, as well as using strips of squid. The caballito baits have not been as enticing this past week, yellowfin now preferring sardina or squid. Average size tuna was in the 40 to 70 lb. class, charters were landing one, two three and four of these tuna per morning, using 40 to 60 lb. line mainly, the fish a bit finicky at times, fluorocarbon leaders of 50 to 60 lb. being used, strong fish, sometimes taking an hour to land.
A few marlin sightings, hook ups as well, but did not hear of any large marlin being landed. Not much off the bottom besides red snapper, a couple of amberjack and dogtooth snapper. Always a chance at a big grouper this time of year, but not many anglers are specifically targeting those at this time.
Light crowds, good fishing, Eric