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Los Cabos Fishing Report – May 22, 2016

May 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment

May 22, 2016 97_Brady

We are now in the later part of spring season, with summer just around the corner, we continue to see lighter crowds of tourists than what we would normally expect during this time frame. As school semesters finish most likely we will see more people traveling. Great time to visit now, ideal weather, highs in the upper 80s, wind patterns predominately from the south, pushing in Pacific breezes that keep conditions bearable.

Ocean currents have been strong, swells have been moderate, water temperatures off of San Jose del Cabo and towards Los Frailes are warming rapidly, now in the upper 70s, near 80 degrees, while on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas it has averaged 73 degrees. The majority of the sportfishing fleets are now fishing from off of the Chileno area and on the various grounds to the northeast. Common bait now being used is ballyhoo, cocinero, caballito and squid strips. There are reports of more skipjack and bolito activity, though these food sources are just starting to appear, still no mullet schools to report. A lot can happen this time of year in matter of a week or two.

Striped marlin has been the main action found offshore, more numbers of marlin found 10 to 18 miles from shore, though on some days stripers were found within one mile. Many charters reported multiple catches per morning trip. Sizes ranged from 60 lb. to 140 lb. The billfish were striking trolled lures, rigged ballyhoo, as well as various live baits. There were also a few sailfish now appearing in the warmer waters, concentrations of pilot sharks and some thrashers as well. The same offshore grounds have been producing quite a few wahoo strikes and even a few dorado, though no big numbers, though wahoo were as large as 50 lb. or heavier and dorado up to 25 lb.  Striped marlin were more numerous than dorado or wahoo.. Increased porpoise activity is being reported, with a few reports of larger sized yellowfin being seen, the largest we heard of that was landed out of Puerto Los Cabos Marina was an 80 pound class tuna mid-week.

Anglers trolling areas closer to shore, anywhere from Chileno, Red Hill, Iman and towards the San Luis Banks, found a mix of wahoo, yellowfin tuna, dorado, sierra and miscellaneous bottom species. No big numbers of any species, off the bottom triggerfish were most common, also some early morning snapper, amberjack and an odd yellowtail. Most of the dorado being encountered have been small juveniles, only an occasional nicer sized fish reported. Wahoo ranged from small 15 lb. fish, to over 50 lb. No numbers though, but there is a chance at a quality fish or two. We expect with the warmer conditions that the all-around action should also become more consistent and productive.

Not much roosterfish action reported, a couple of snook catches were accounted for by beach anglers, this will be the start of the main shore fishing season coming up.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 71 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 4 sailfish, 62 striped marlin, 21 wahoo, 45 yellowfin tuna, 14 dorado, 9 amberjack, 12 cabrilla, 13 yellow snapper, 10 sierra, 12 bonito, 1 yellowtail, 5 barred pargo and 70 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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – May 15, 2016

May 15, 2016 by Leave a Comment

May 15, 2016 98_TonyClark

Despite ideal spring weather conditions there were small crowds of visiting tourists this past week. The climate is actually starting to feel almost like summer, tropical days and scattered cloud cover, plenty of sunshine, high temperatures of 90 degrees. Breezes were predominately from the south and did not cause much of a problem for anglers fishing in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and further north. The areas from 95, 1150, Palmilla, Red Hill, Iman, San Luis and Vinorama have been the most targeting grounds, action has been scattered, strong currents pushing through, water temperature of 73 degrees on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas and up to 77 degrees in the direction of the Sea of Cortez, even up to 78 degrees fifteen or more miles offshore.

The striped marlin activity was reportedly now centered on the 95 and 1150 high spots, though on some days the marlin were found much closer. Trolling rigged ballyhoo or drift fishing with caballito and moonfish all produced hook ups, some charters accounted for 2,3,4, billfish days. More of a larger boat deal now, since these area were centered 10 to 18 miles offshore, a bit more vulnerable to the south winds. Besides the striped marlin, there was now an occasional dorado in the mix, as well as thrasher sharks.

Action closer to shore on the surface was mainly searching around for wahoo, yellowfin tuna or dorado, no great numbers of any of these species being found, though everyday these species are being encountered, so there are chances at some quality fish. Anglers were using a mix of available baitfish or strips of squid, as well as trolling with Rapalas. Wahoo sizes ranged from 15 lb., up to 65 lb. These fish were elusive though, anglers were very fortunate to land one or two of these prized gamefish. Best chances at yellowfin tuna were found near Iman to Vinorama, also some blind strikes by tuna being taken while trolling the inshore waters from Red Hill to Cabo San Lucas, average sizes yellowfin were in the 15 to 25 lb. range, no significant numbers, fewer than in past weeks.

Off the bottom it was the triggerfish that dominated the action, occasional cabrilla (leopard grouper), yellow snapper, pompano, amberjack or bonito. Strips of squid was the most successful bait, mostly smaller sized fish, all good eating though. It is the time when with these progressively warming conditions things can change rapidly from day to day or week to week.

Inshore was limited to isolated action encountered for sierra or roosterfish, once again, no numbers, a few impressive sized sierra to over ten pounds were landed. Still only limited schooling action for roosterfish, should start to see schools of mullet move into the region, this is the roosters preferred food source, attracting the larger trophy sized fish, which in our area typically peak during the second half of June

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 58 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 1 sailfish, 10 striped marlin, 18 wahoo, 31 yellowfin tuna, 13 dorado, 3 pompano, 7 amberjack, 9 cabrilla, 15 yellow snapper, 12 sierra, 22 bonito, 8 barred pargo, 6 roosterfish and 180 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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – May 1, 2016

May 1, 2016 by Leave a Comment

May 1, 2016 100_FerraroCatch

Spring season continues to attract moderate numbers of visitors to the Los Cabos area. Weather conditions have been very pleasant, scattered morning cloud cover, plenty of warm sunshine, high temperatures averaged about 85 degrees. Wind patterns were now more from the south, increasing later in the afternoon, though there were a few days where winds started out of the north, before switched from the south, overall this did not create much problems for anglers, as ocean conditions remained favorable. Ocean water temperatures ranged from 72/73 degrees on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, with warmer currents found offshore of San Jose del Cabo and to the north, where it was in the 76/77 degree range.

Anglers were now using various available bait sources, live caballito, strips of squid and rigged ballyhoo. On the fishing grounds there are now more schooling baitfish, such as cocinero, chihuil, bolito and skipjack starting to move in, plenty of food source to attract gamefish in to     the area, at times too much natural bait source and create more finicky fish, as they gorge on all of the present food, then not being that eager to strike anglers offerings. Most of the fishing this past week was taking place from off of Palmilla Point and north to Vinorama. Over the full moon period the striped marlin action had slowed down, but now this bite has improved, straight off of Puerto Los Cabos Marina, three to four miles from shore, has been one of the more consistent area for the billfish. Drift fishing live baits has been the best technique. Sizes on the striped marlin ranged from 80 to 120 lb. Very few dorado being found recently, just an occasional solo fish, most of them very small.

Early in the week there was some good wahoo action reported from Iman Bank to Vinorama, some charters landing as many as three wahoo, up to 45 lb. Though later in the week these fish were not very active at all. You never know with these elusive fish, when they will really become active. Conditions are now favorable, with the currents now on a warming trend and more bait schools appearing, these are all favorable signs for the coming weeks.

Yellowfin tuna action has been reported from the Iman Bank and near Vinorama, with the further areas now reporting better action in recent days. Drift fishing with strips of squid has remained the best set up. Some days the fish were coming up to feed earlier and on other days no activity was reported until 11 a.m. or later, you never know, tides and currents can all be a factor, as these fish are concentrated in areas within one to three miles from shore. Sizes ranged from 10 lb. footballs, to fish over 50 lb. Some high boats had as many as six to eight tuna, while others managed one or two. The key was having patience and the largest supply of squid as practical.

Bottom action produced mainly smaller sized snapper and pargo species, plenty of triggerfish, an occasional cabrilla or amberjack. On the same fishing grounds there were more sierra encountered, further offshore than you would normally find these fish, some of these were quality sized, five to ten pounds. Not much action at all reported inshore for roosterfish, we should see more of these fish move in during the next couple of months.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 86 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 28 striped marlin, 26 wahoo, 72 yellowfin tuna, 2 dorado, 5 amberjack, 8 cabrilla, 60 various pargo/snapper species, 28 sierra, 7 jack crevalle and 75 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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – April 24, 2016

April 24, 2016 by Leave a Comment

April 24, 2016 101_Wahoo_76lb

Weather patterns have settled down, more like the normal spring season we are used to, last week we had a couple of days where the wind was gusting over 25 mph from the north, now we are seeing much calmer days, breezes switching out of the south, mainly later in the afternoon. Anglers have been enjoying very comfortable seas in recent days, very slight swells, clear sunny skies, warmer days, highs in the upper 80s. We are expected a bit more wind over the weekend. Ocean water temperatures are ranging from 73 to 76 degrees. Warmer currents being found in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and to the north.

The fishing grounds straight out from Puerto Los Cabos Marina, from 3 to 4 miles from shore, are holding concentrations of baitfish, namely sardinetas, this has attracted good numbers of striped marlin and fleets from as far as Cabo San Lucas are all now working these grounds, common to see over fifty charter boats on the spot. The main technique anglers are having success on is by drift fishing and soaking baits such as caballito, cocinero or sardineta at various depths. The striped marlin are now averaging in the 90 to 130 lb. range, many charters are accounted for one, two or three billfish per morning. This area is within very easy range for even the smallest of crafts, you could easily catch a marlin from a kayak at this time.

On the grounds from Punta Gorda to Vinorama we have seen increased activity by the elusive wahoo. Apparently the combined factors of warming clear blue water, favorable moon phase and baitfish activity, these fish were more aggressive. We saw some charters land as many as three wahoo, reported to lose again as many strikes. These wahoo ranged in sizes from 15 lb. up to a whopping 76 lb. fish landed on Friday, there was also another 65 lb. wahoo reported.  These fish were striking on rigged ballyhoo, sardineta and various trolling lures, Rapalas and skirted lead heads.

We are still not seeing many dorado at all, though with the favorable conditions, these gamefish could move into local waters in greater numbers at any time. Yellowfin tuna has been very spotty, though some tuna in the 25 to 35 lb. class are being found on the Iman to Vinorama grounds, in fact we did hear of one 100 lb. class yellowfin accounted for as well, hooked on light leader, turned into an extended battle. Anglers were fortunate to land a couple of these fish, some charters that really were lucky to be at the right spot, landed three or four of these quality yellowfin. These tuna were being hooked while drift fishing with strips of squid, lighter leaders being more successful. This has been the main technique since past October, when was the last time we had any supply of sardinas.

A few more sierra being mixed in with the counts, some of them larger than normal, hanging on the same grounds as were the wahoo. Inshore some charters reported finding roosterfish and jack crevalle, this action should become more consistent now with the warming conditions.

The bottom action produced more triggerfish than anything else, also a mix of snapper species, cabrilla and a few amberjack. We are hoping to see more of the larger amberjack move in, it is that time of year and conditions are ripe now for this structure fishing to start being more productive for larger specimens. Finally some calmer conditions, this will open up quite a few more options.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 69 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 38 striped marlin, 19 wahoo, 24 yellowfin tuna, 5 dorado, 7 amberjack, 14 cabrilla, 46 various pargo/snapper species, 21 sierra, 4 jack crevalle, 14 roosterfish, 12 bonito and 80 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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – April 10, 2016

April 10, 2016 by Leave a Comment

April 10, 2016 103_Marlin

Despite spring break now being over we are still seeing good numbers of vacationers arriving in Los Cabos. Weather patterns are progressively feeling more tropical, though temperatures are actually now ideal, low temperatures averaging in the mid to upper 60s, with daytime highs near 85 degrees. Scattered cloud cover, burning off as sun warms up, moderate winds predominately from the southeast, calmer in the morning, increased later in the afternoon. Overall, very comfortable conditions for anglers.

Ocean swells have been slight, clean blue water now found close to shore, water temperatures have been near 70 degrees off of Cabo San Lucas and on the Pacific, with warmer 74 degree currents found off of San Jose del Cabo and towards Los Frailes. Most fleets are now concentrating their efforts in the direction of the warmer water. This seasonal transition period can see rapid changes, last week had several days when the pelagic red crabs were found drifting to the surface on the fishing grounds of the Gordo Banks, this provided excellent opportunities at catching quality red snapper. Now we are not seeing any more of these red crabs, who knows when they will come back up, very hard to predict. There have been supplies of caballito, but heavier pressure has been a factor of having enough to supply all charters on some days. Strips of squid are also being used and there have been ballyhoo available as well, still no signs of sardinas, we have now gone the entire winter season and into spring without having any resource for these preferred all around baitfish.

Offshore action has consisted mainly for scattered striped marlin, no large concentrations, but there have been decent numbers of marlin found, often within  two, three or four miles from shore, striking best on baitfish, they have been encountered tailing on the surface and anglers have been hooking up while drift fishing with baits down deeper. Dorado action has been almost nonexistent, only an occasional single fish being reported. There have been some wahoo in the area, but getting them to bite is another deal, on Monday there was some good wahoo activity found north of San Luis Bank, but since this action has been very spotty. With clean blue water, warming days, darkening moon, these elusive fish could go on the bite on any given day.

Most charters are fishing off of the structure for a combination of snapper, pargo and cabrilla species, with an occasional amberjack accounted for. The same grounds of La Fortuna, Iman  and San Luis Banks have been holding schools of yellowfin tuna, the bite has been on and off, but actually this past week we saw more tuna in the 20 to 50 lb. class and a few others near 100 lb. All of these yellowfin have been hooked into while drift fishing with strips of squid. The aggressive sea lions continue to be an ongoing issue, not much can be done, they are hanging out on these same fishing grounds, waiting for their chance at both the snapper and tuna, getting more than their share. No yellowtail action to report, a handful of amberjack, main species being smaller sized snapper, pargo, triggerfish and bonito.

Whales seem to have started to head back on their northern migration, as fewer of these mammals have been sighted. This is the season now when we should start seeing whale sharks cruising on the offshore high spots.

Inshore action has been mainly for some roosterfish and jack crevalle, but this has not been a consistent bite so far, we should have more fish moving in along the coastal stretches in the coming month.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 96 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 16 striped marlin, 2 dorado, 9 wahoo, 36 yellowfin tuna, 14 amberjack, 14 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 115 huachinango (red snapper), 26 yellow snapper, 8 barred pargo, 130 tijareta, 6 sierra, 6 jack crevalle, 12 roosterfish, 22 bonito and 300 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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing

Los Cabos Fishing Report – March 20, 2016

March 20, 2016 by 1 Comment

March 20, 2016 Leah-Axel_John

This is a busy time in Southern Baja, with the annual San Jose del Cabo traditional fiesta lasting throughout the week, Fishing Tournament from Puerto Los Cabos on March 19, then the Off Road racing classic on March 20, all during the same weekend when the spring season officially begins. Sunny days, with high temperatures into the 80s, ideal climate now, some unpredictable winds, blowing from the north and then gusting out of the south, common pattern this time of year.

Anglers have found a combination of surface action, inshore and bottom action. Striped marlin is the main species being targeted offshore, no big numbers, though there are good chances at having opportunities anywhere from 3 to 10 miles from shore, fish are spread out. Not many dorado being found, just an occasional fish. Same for wahoo, not really the season for these species, but they still are in the area, just not striking very often.

Most of the panga charters are now concentrating on the normal grounds to the north of Punta Gorda, La Fortuna Iman and San Luis Banks. There have been yellowfin tuna schooling here and anglers were hooking up while drift fishing with strips of squid, some charters accounted for five or six yellowfin, while others worked hard for one or two fish. Some days the winds made for tough fishing, other days proved to be nice. Sizes on these tuna averaged 15 to 25 lb. though there were larger fish in the mix, we weighed in one yellowfin at 87 lb., and several others in the 40 to 60 lb. were also accounted for.

The bait supply consisted mainly of caballito, ballyhoo, slabs of squid and some sardineta, these baitfish which had been holding off of San Jose del Cabo are now dispersing, with heavy pressure by porpoise a main factor on scattering these bait schools. We still have the ongoing problem of having to battle with the sea lions in order to land your hook ups.

On the same grounds where the yellowfin tuna were holding, there has been a variety of bottom species hooked into, common catches were pargo, of mixed varieties, leopard grouper, rainbow runner, skipjack, bonito, triggerfish, also chances at pompano and amberjack. There were reports of a couple of tiger sharks being hooked into as well. Many bottom fish were lost to cut lines as well, heavier fish that cut lines on the sharp rocks.

Not much going on close to shore now, sporadic action for smaller sized roosterfish and some early morning sierra. A few halibut have been landed by both shore and boat anglers, not a usual catch for us.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 66 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 8 striped marlin, 3 wahoo, 4 dorado, 106 yellowfin tuna, 2 halibut, 6 pompano, 11 amberjack, 19 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 14 huachinango, 30 yellow snapper, 9 barred pargo, 18 sierra, 9 roosterfish, 4 bonito and 42 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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – March 13, 2016

March 13, 2016 by Leave a Comment

March 13, 2016 106_LindaGray (1024x683)

Just as the local saying goes, Febreo Loco y Marzo otro poco (Crazy February and March a little more), this proved to be the prefect summary for this past week’s weather. Daytime highs barely reached into the lower 70s for the first part of the week, south winds switched from out of the Northwest, gusts to over 30 mph, rain showers near La Paz, winds swirling from all directions, creating choppy ocean swells, causing the Ports of Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Los Cabos to be closed down for the day of Wednesday, even though Tuesday was the worst conditions, Port Authorities were being extra cautious. By Thursday morning the front had passed through, conditions warmed up, south winds remained steady though. Overall we are now back on a warming trend, during this seasonal transition period we can commonly witness srapidly changing conditions, remember last March, on the day of the annual off road races, we saw heavy tropical thunder storms, then hail and offshore water spouts, all on the same day, definitely can be crazy.

Ocean conditions became a bit more stirred up, areas of greener cooling currents, water temperatures varied from 71 degrees on the Pacific side to 76 degrees in the direction of the Sea of Cortez. Schools of baitfish continue to be found off of San Jose del Cabo, more sardineta than anything else, but also some mackerel. This is the same grounds where there has been good action for striped marlin, mainly while drift fishing baits down deeper, striped marlin up to 140 pounds were reported, these were larger striped marlin, compared to the smaller fish being found earlier. Fleets from Cabo San Lucas were also fishing this area, not much going on elsewhere. Not wide open action, but most charter were having opportunities at marlin. Live caballito were available from inside the marina on a limited basis.

For the La Playita panga fleets, the more productive action was coming off the bottom structure, high spots from Red Hill/Palmilla, north to San Luis Bank, produced a mix of species, while drift fishing with various baits and on yo-yo style jigs. Catches included amberjack, yellowtail, yellow snapper, huachinango, bonito, leopard grouper, barred pargo, triggerfish and others. All very good eating species. Though on windy days this type of fishing can prove to be difficult, creating too fast of a drift. We do anticipate some great bottom action as soon as we see more consistent calmer conditions.

Nor much to report in the way of dorado or wahoo, just an occasional specimen being accounted for. Yellowfin tuna was very limited as well, though these fish were hanging around the San Luis Bank and a few fish were landed, ranging up to 70 pounds, striking on strips of squid, early in the day seemed to be the best chance at enticing a strike, though this action was sporadic, there was also the ever present problem of sea lions waiting for their chances at stealing hooked fish.

Along the shoreline anglers have encountered increased numbers of sierra, striking on lures and strip baits. Some smaller sized roosterfish rounded out the inshore activity. The coming weeks should see improvement closer to shore, though this season the lack of the sardinas have made things more unpredictable.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 48 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 15 striped marlin, 3 yellowtail, 1 wahoo, 2 dorado, 19 yellowfin tuna, 16 amberjack, 34 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 12 huachinango, 22 yellow snapper, 6 barred pargo, 24 sierra, 12 roosterfish, 9 bonito and 38 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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – March 6, 2016

March 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment

March 6, 2016 107_DennisP

As we near the official start to the spring season, people now visiting the Los Cabos area are being greeted by ideal weather conditions, low temperature in the 60 degree range with daytime highs reaching in the upper 80s. Next week is forecast to be slightly cooler. Skies are clear, plenty of warm sunshine to enjoy all of the available outdoor activities. Ocean temperatures are averaging 73/74 degrees throughout the region, swells were moderate, currents not as strong as they had been and winds have been much lighter, not much from the north at all, mainly from the southeast later in the day.

Schools of mackerel and sardineta are congregating several miles offshore of San Jose del Cabo, increasing numbers of striped marlin are showing up on these same grounds, still no wide open bite by any means, encouraging signs though, with all of the baitfish in the area, also with ocean conditions now much more favorable.

Species such as dorado, yellowfin tuna and wahoo have been extremely limited, though these fish are in the area, and with progressively warming days we should see more activity for these surface gamefish. In the meantime fleets are now finding more action for a variety of great eating species off of the bottom structure. Areas from Punta Palmilla, to La Fortuna, Iman and San Luis Banks have all been showing better production. Anglers have been doing well on yo-yo style jigs, as well as on various available baitfish. This bottom action is really just starting to develop and has been somewhat sporadic as to where the best bite is found on a given day. Daily catches have included, amberjack, yellowtail, yellow snapper, huachinango, barred pargo, bonito, sierra, leopard grouper, hammerhead shark, triggerfish, parrot fish and others. No huge numbers of any particular species, though there has been great variety available.

Early in the the week there was good action for sierra up to six pounds off of Palmilla and Red Hill, also some medium sized roosterfish were patrolling the normal inshore sandy stretches. A few local anglers reported hooking into a larger grade of yellowfin tuna, up to 150 lb. while fishing late in the afternoon on the Gordo Banks, but these fish are not showing themselves during normal charters earlier in the day. Perhaps with warmer steady conditions this will get something more consistent going. The smaller class of yellowfin tuna, up to 30 lb., have been hanging around the Iman Banks, though getting any big numbers of hook ups has not been a regular situation, though some charters did account for one or two tuna in their combined catch, most of these yellowfin hit on striped squid, with a handful on yo-yo jigs.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 66 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 9 striped marlin, 2 dorado, 3 wahoo,1 baqueta grouper, 2 yellowtail, 28 yellowfin tuna, 32 amberjack, 68 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 21 huachinango, 44 yellow snapper, 18 barred pargo, 28 sierra, 14 roosterfish, 6 rainbow runner, 8 parrot fish, 14 bonito, 9 hammerhead shark (released) and 80 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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – February 28, 2016

February 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment

February 28, 2016 108_KerryAmber

This past week conditions cooled off slightly over the previous week. Still plenty of warm sunshine for the moderate crowds of visitors, highs reaching into the mid 80’s, lows in the 50’s.

North winds resided some, switched from the south at times. Currents were very strong at times, water was clear and blue within a mile of shore, water temperatures, ranged from 72 to 75 degrees, warmer currents found offshore.

Last weekend and through the start of this week we saw pelagic red crabs appear on the local fishing grounds, this created excitement, especially for the commercial fleets, these little crustaceans make excellent baits for red snapper, which is the bread and butter of the local commercial panga fleets. They were first seen on the Outer Gordo Bank, later on further north, but then current became swifter and these crabs did not come to the surface, which is the only way they can be caught, with nets when they are up top. So bottom action was the main deal this past week, even the sportfishing fleets were getting in on this action. A handful of nice amberjack to over 50 lb. were also accounted for, quite a few leopard group as well, a few of them over 20 lb. Many variety of snapper, the huachinango (true Pacific red snapper), yellow snapper, barred pargo, tijaretas, etc… Lots of triggerfish. Also one black sea bass of 45 b., a very rare catch for our area, this sea bass ate a red snapper that was being reeled in.

Very few dorado or wahoo, just an occasional fish or two being found. Inshore water where these fish had been holding cooled off, and we were dealing with a bright full moon. Striped marlin became very scattered, just a few fish being found, no larger concentrations. The schools of mackerel and sardinetas became more scattered this week as well. Most charters were using either strips of squid, caballito, ballyhoo, with some mackerel and sardinetas when available.

Little inshore action found, mainly smaller sized roosterfish and a few stray sierra. Not much inshore bait activity to attract numbers of gamefish at this time. Still no signs of any sardinas in the area.

Yellowfin tuna were limited to a few fish in the vicinity of Iman Bank or La Fortuna, these fish were hitting on striped squid, the ongoing sea lion problem continued, most of these inshore tuna were in the 15 to 25 lb. range, anglers were fortunate to land one or two. This whole winter we have had a bonus of finding yellowfin tuna, this during the season when we would normally not see many of these fish, this has been an odd year, with water temperatures being warmer than normal, has changed all of the normal migrations, even the whales are scarcer this season.

In recent days there have been a few yellowfin taken offshore of San Jose del Cabo, associated with rapidly moving schools of porpoise, these were a nicer grade of yellowfin, in the 100 to 150 lb. class, though only a few fish all together were landed, but it is encouraging that we are seeing this, could be the start of something more consistent.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 82 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 1 black sea bass, 4 striped marlin, 4 wahoo, 40 yellowfin tuna, 5 dorado, 9 amberjack, 35 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 185 huachinango, 56 yellow snapper, 12 barred pargo,7 sierra, 16 roosterfish, 12 rainbow runner,14 parrot fish, 12 bonito, 15 hammerhead shark (released) and 110 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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – February 21, 2016

February 21, 2016 by Leave a Comment

February 21, 2016 109_SnapperTuna

Warm wintertime sunshine is now attracting more tourists and they are enjoying temperatures reaching close to 90 degrees, feels like spring already. Winds have continued to be unpredictable, mainly from the north, but also switching out of the southeast, not as strong as during weeks past. Strong currents have been an issue, but they now seem to be slacking way down.

Crazy season, even the whale migration seems off, not as many being seen off of the San Jose del Cabo area as would be normal for this time of year. Plenty of sea lions on the fishing grounds, awaiting their opportunity at an easy meal, grabbing fish that are hooked on angler’s lines. The bait situation remains the same, sardineta continue to school offshore and can be caught on sabiki rigs early in the morning, caballito, cocinero, squid strips and ballyhoo are also available, though we heard of no reports at all of any sardinas being found.

Ocean clarity became a bit more greenish close to shore, north to Los Frailes, water temperature was also coolest closer to shore, about 72/74 degrees on the average, while five or more miles offshore there was 75/76 degree water reported. All around the fishing action was more scattered this past week. Yellowfin tuna, dorado and wahoo action became very limited. A few tuna were being hooked, most of these found from La Fortuna to the Iman Bank, and best chances were early in the day, also getting a hooked yellowfin actually in the boat was a challenge with the ever present sea lions lurking nearby. Most of these tuna were in the 15 to 25 lb. range and anglers were fortunate to land one or two of these fish. Dorado were almost nonexistent, who knows where they have gone, wahoo were still around, but fewer were being hooked up, more action early in the week, with very few of these speedsters being reported later in the week. Water temperature cooled off where these wahoo had been schooling off of Punta Gorda, also a bit off colored, with winds settling down these fish could decide to become more active again as conditions improve.

Bottom action was spotty, most common catches being triggerfish and smaller sized snapper/pargo species, with a handful of cabrilla (leopard grouper) in the mix. More hammerhead moving in on the structure, where we commonly bottom fish, makes for an additional challenge. On at least a couple of occasions, anglers reported that something very large grabbed on to their hooked up tuna, only to head for the rocks and break the line, sounds like some grouper or dogtooth snapper are moving in.

The action for striped marlin continues off of San Jose del Cabo, mostly centered from 3 to 5 miles offshore,  changing daily, most charters targeting these billfish are having chances, some several per day, majority of hook ups came while drift fishing with the available larger baits, sizes on the marlin ranged from 70 lb. to 120 lb.

Inshore there was some roosterfish and sierra action, a few nicer sized roosterfish were accounted for, up to 25 lb., impressive for this time of year. There was a reported 25 lb. class snook landed from a panga charter while trolling close to shore for roosterfish, off of the Estuary area, definitely an unusual catch.

A few more sierra in recent days, the lack of sardinas has really hurt the sierra season, fun fish on light tackle, scrappy and very fast fighters.

Just no big numbers of any particular species at this time, though spring is now right around the corner, transition time can be like this, but things can also change very fast.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 60 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 1 snook, 18 striped marlin, 7 wahoo, 16 yellowfin tuna, 2 dorado, 6 amberjack, 8 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 16 huachinango, 22 yellow snapper, 15 sierra, 18 roosterfish, 12 parrot fish, 8 bonito, 10 hammerhead shark (released), 2 thrasher shark, and 28 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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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