May 13, 2018

We continue to see lighter than normal crowds of tourists for this time of year. As we move closer towards the summer season the weather patterns are now progressively warming, mostly clear sunny skies, with some marine layer offshore at times, average morning lows of about 70 degrees with the highs in the mid to upper 80s. Actually great climate now, plenty warm, but not overwhelming, as it can become during peak summer time. With light crowds, ideal weather and a variety of fishing options it is now the perfect time to visit.

As usual we are dealing with unpredictable and rapidly changing ocean conditions during this transition period. Ocean currents have been sweeping in from different directions, at times turning the water a bit greenish, but this is the common scenario in May. Ocean temperatures have ranged from 67 degree on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, up to 78 degrees in the direction of Los Frailes. Winds were moderate this past week, picking up a bit stronger late week, but overall much nicer than the previous week.

Anglers were able to obtain sufficient supplies of sardinas, also some caballito, mullet and chihuil baitfish being used. The most productive fishing grounds locally continue to be from La Fortuna to Iman Bank. This is where both the sporadic bottom action for various snapper, pargo species were found, as well as yellowfin tuna on the surface, tuna bite was dead to start off the week, picking up again on Thursday and Friday. The yellowfin were striking mainly on the sardinas, using 40 to 50 lb. leaders, some boats landed up to three fish in the 15 to 55 lb. range. Only a handful of smaller sized dorado were seen and reports of a few wahoo seen or possible missed strikes, none actually landed that we heard about, except from East Cape charters fishing closer to Los Frailes.

There was a day or two early in the week when there were reports of amberjack and some yellowtail found feeding near the surface off of Palmilla Point, but that action disappeared as fast as it had developed. For the most part the better bottom action was found from the Gordo Banks, where if you could chum up some chihuil baits, these were working well off the high spot for leopard grouper and others, if the sea lions were not too aggressive. Closer to shore off of Cardon and La Fortuna anglers found good early morning action for yellow snapper, with some leopard grouper and an occasional amberjack mixed n. Most of this bottom action was on bait, only limited success now on the yo-yo jigs.

Billfish action was scattered, only a few striped marlin being found scattered offshore, no particular hot spot. Inshore there were more numbers of smaller sized roosterfish showing up, also good action on sierra closer to the Pacific and of course some jack crevalle actively patrolling the shoreline. In the coming weeks we do expect to see greater concentrations of mullet to show and this in turn attracts the trophy sized roosterfish, as well as other pargo, snapper and jack species.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 66 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 3 striped marlin, 4 dorado, 26 yellowfin tuna, 45 yellow snapper, 7 surgeon fish, 28 spotted rose snapper, 23 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 15 huachinango (red snapper), 12 bonito, 9 amberjack, 5 yellowtail, 11 barred pargo, 34 roosterfish, 8 jack crevalle, 8 sierra, 15 flag cabrilla, 8 grunt and 90 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

—

GORDO BANKS PANGAS

Eric Brictson / Operator

619 488-1859

Los Cabos (624) 142-1147

e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com

WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM