September 27, 2015

The closer we reach to the month of October we expect the tropical storm season will be over with, though with ocean water temperatures still holding in the 84 to 88 degree range, we must still monitor all Eastern Pacific forecasts with caution. At this time there is a pair of low pressure areas far to the south, off of the Mexican mainland, will be interesting to see what develops of these systems. Presently, local conditions are calm as can be, in the early morning there is that hint of Fall Season in the air, though mid-day heat and humid index is still reaching over 100 degrees. Last week we had some heavy rainfall, scattered throughout the region, not much wind associated with the passing of this storm front, though rainfall of up to four inches were recorded. The desert landscape will definitely be turning a fresh shade of green in the coming weeks.

These latest rain squalls, with strong currents pushing in, contributed to off colored water closer to shore, this seemed to have slowed down action for species such as dorado and wahoo, though a handful of these fish are being accounted for almost on a daily basis. Some wahoo up to 40 pounds were accounted for, a handful of anglers were fortunate to land one of these elusive speedsters. Most of the dorado being found now are small juvenile sized fish. Supplies of sardinas were now more scattered, off of La Playita area, only the smaller clear type sardinas were available, these baits do work as dead bait for tuna, but are not the same as the normal sardinas we find, this preferred species has moved south out of our range at this time. Other options for bait has been to search local super markets for giant squid slabs, which is never a guarantee. Caballito also have been available, as well as chihuil or skipjack on some of the fishing grounds.

The inshore grounds off of Fiesta Americana Resort near Cabo San Lucas continues to produce good numbers of yellowfin tuna up to 20 pounds, also with an occasional dorado or wahoo from this same area. Iman Bank has been another productive region, with a bit more of an opportunity of finding some bottom structure species, as well as tuna, dorado or wahoo. The best place to have a chance at hooking into the larger grade of yellowfin tuna has been off of the Gordo Banks, though we have not heard of any monsters this past week, many tuna in the 50 to 70 lb. class and a few up to 150 pounds were reported. Some days single boats had as many as four or five nice tuna, other days were tougher and landing one tuna was considered good. These yellowfin are definitely holding on these Banks, though are fighting strong currents and at times seem to be filled up on the natural food source that is present.

Billfish action was somewhat scattered as well, though on any given day you could hook into a striped, blue or black marlin, also chance at sailfish, just no big numbers of any of these species at this time. The black and blues have been lurking around the high spots where the food chain is concentrated.

Reconstruction crews are pressing now to finish up the work on Hotel El Ganzo, which was devastated by last year’s Hurricane Odile. La Playita Panga area work is progressing as well, still has a ways to go to have all of the necessary conveniences.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 85 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 7 sailfish, 1 striped marlin, 480 yellowfin tuna, 35 dorado, 8 wahoo, 15 white skipjack, 22 bonito, 14 rainbow runner, 4 dogtooth snapper, 18 yellow snapper, 2 amberjack, 10 cabrilla and 15 barred pargo.

Good fishing, Eric

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GORDO BANKS PANGAS

Eric Brictson / Operator

619 488-1859

Los Cabos (624) 142-1147

e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com

WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM

August 29, 2015 

Now into the final month of the summer season and weather patterns have remained calm off of the Southern Baja Peninsula, at this time there is Hurricane Jimena now gaining strength, positioned over 1000 miles to the west of Cabo San Lucas, this system is nearing major hurricane status and we are all fortunate that it is heading in a direction far from land. Crowds of tourists remained light, though vacationers are enjoying the clear and calm conditions, though it is very tropical, warm and humid now, need to remember to stay hydrated. We are seeing some afternoon thundershowers over the mountains to the north, though not as concentrated as in past weeks. We will be following weather forecasts very closely for the next month, this is historically when storm systems can develop rapidly.

Water temperatures have ranged from 84 degrees on the Pacific, to an average of 87 degrees in the direction of the Sea of Cortez. Swells have been light for this time of year, strong currents on occasions and calm seas early in the day, with breezes picking up in the afternoon, but no heavy winds to report. Overall the ocean water conditions have steadily improved throughout the week, no more greenish water to report, clarity is clean and blue to within a mile of shore. With these improving conditions we have seen more numbers of dorado, wahoo and even bottom species biting. Most fleets have been finding the most consistent action from the Gordo to the Iman Banks.

Bait supplies near the marina consisted of sardinas and caballito, sardinas were plentiful, but often were not able to be netted until about 7 a.m. when schools moved close to shore. On the fishing offshore grounds there have been chihuil, bolito, skipjack and small sized yellowfin tuna, all of which can be used for bait targeting larger gamefish. Strips of giant squid also remained an option, found in some of the local super markets. Yellowfin tuna have been found in a wide range of sizes, from 5 lb. to over 300 lb. Best chances for the largest yellowfin tuna has been mainly around the Gordo Banks, no big numbers, but this is the best it has been so far this summer, while Iman Bank has produced greater numbers of fish in the football to 60 pound size. This is also where dorado action has come alive in recent days, most do-do’s weighed under 15 lb. Wahoo action has really come to life with the cleaner inshore ocean conditions, hot spot just to the north of Punta Gorda. Several anglers reported having up to a half dozen solid wahoo strikes while trolling Rapalas and other favored lures, sizes were in the 20 to 40 lb. class, bite was not only early in the morning, some days best action was encountered late morning.

Anglers found mixed success off of the bottom structure, there were dogtooth up to 55 lb. landed, amberjack to 50 lb., a few yellowtail to 35 lb., grouper to 40 lb., barred pargo to 15 lb., quality yellow snapper as well, surgeonfish and rainbow runner. Great variety for quality species, no significant numbers, but great to have this option, all in the same area as where the other highly sought after surface fish were being found.

Billfish are hanging around large concentrations of baitfish, chances at a offshore grand slam now, with sailfish, striped, blue and black marlin all being hooked into on any given day, something you do have to target and put some time into, but the opportunities are definitely there.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 50 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of:  6 striped marlin, 3 blue marlin, 3 black marlin, 9 sailfish, 17 wahoo, 58 dorado, 530 yellowfin tuna, 7 dogtooth snapper, 6 amberjack, 3 yellowtail, 9 cabrilla, 2 broomtail grouper, 15 bonito, 18 rainbow runners, 13 yellow snapper, 16 barred pargo and 2 surgeonfish.

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