May 11, 2013

Anglers –

Moderate crowds of tourists are not traveling to Southern Baja and they are enjoying very pleasant conditions, clear sunny skies with high temperatures reaching into the upper 80s. Within several weeks we will see summer heat waves starting to arrive as the tropical season begins. Anglers have found various options for a variety of species, from offshore, inshore and over the rocky structure. Winds have been lighter than in previous weeks, though there was a couple of days of gusty south wind over the weekend that pushed in off colored currents and slowed the all around fishing action down for a few days.

Now there is a warming trend once again, offshore conditions are stabilizing, there is blue water being found within several miles of shore and ocean temperatures have ranged from the upper 60s to upper 70s, depending on location, warmest areas were further offshore and in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and north towards Los Frailes. Sportfishing fleets are searching all of the proven local fishing grounds, as they know during this season anything can happen on any given day. Striped marlin have been the most common offshore species found, scattered through the zone from 5 to 25 miles offshore, they were striking on trolling lures, but striking on live bait more readily. Striped marlin are running large this season, many fish are in the 120 to 140 lb. range. Quite a few charters were accounting were multiple billfish days, there were times when the marlin would be spotted and presented baits and showed no interest at all, this often happens when there is an abundance of squid in the area. The stripers have been gorging on these squid, also the changing current and moon phases can create different feeding habits. Dorado are spread throughout the grounds as well, found inshore and offshore, most of the time in small groups, not very numerous at this time, averaged size was 10 to 20 lb.

Caballito has been the most common baitfish available, still no source for sardinas and mackerel were scarce, should start seeing more bolito and skipjack showing up on the fishing grounds. Schooling mullet are now moving into the region, they are always a preferred baitfish when trolling close to shore. We have seen good numbers of roosterfish in recent weeks, these fish have ranged in sizes to over 40 lbs., many of them weighing in the 20 lb. class. There have been schools of 20 to 30 pound jack crevalle roaming the shoreline, aggressive and always ready to do battle. A handful of dogtooth snapper are now being reported, it is the time we should see more of these largest of snapper species moving along shore near the rocky outcroppings. It will be time for anglers to break out their heaviest tackle for these powerful pargo.

Schooling yellowtail remain in the area, action has been somewhat sporadic, but they are definitely are holding on favored grounds, the yellows being landed are mostly in the 20 to 35 pound class. The Gordo Banks has produced some of the largest yellowtail seen this season. These fish were hooked while drifting baits deep over the high spots and on yo-yo jigs, occasionally they would make brief appearances on the surface. A handful of red snapper were hooked into as well, both on live baits and on yo-yo jigs. Leopard grouper, amberjack, bonito, barred pargo and triggerfish rounded out the action found off the rock piles.

The combined local panga fleets launching from La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 84 charters this past week and anglers reported a fish count of: 18 striped marlin, 6 mako shark, 4 wahoo, 27 yellowtail, 14 amberjack, 28 huachinango, 14 barred pargo, 26 leopard grouper, 28 bonito, 38 dorado, 32 sierra, 7 dogtooth snapper, 26 jack crevalle and 125 roosterfish.

Good fishing, Eric