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Cabo Fishing Report

March 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment

March 30, 2014 212_Wahoo

Vacationing tourists continue to arrive in soaring numbers, as spring break season is now in full swing. Weather has been very pleasant, prevalent winds were gusting early in the week, with ocean conditions being quite comfortable late week. Ocean water temperatures were ranging in the upper 70s towards the Gordo Banks and further north, while currents were in the lower 70s on the Pacific grounds. Day time highs were in the low 80s, feeling a bit more like summer than spring. Whales are vanishing from the area rapidly, headed on their long migration towards the rich feeding grounds of the Bering Sea.

The striped marlin action off of the San Jose del Cabo area started back up with a flurry, feeding marlin were seen in concentrations, anywhere from 2 to 8 miles from shore, moving quickly at times, seen free jumping and tailing on the surface as well. Striking on lures as well as live caballito or rigged ballyhoo, many charters reported having multiple chances for stripers per outing. With inshore and bottom action being sporadic, much of the week anglers found that there was actually a better chance at finding marlin than any of the other smaller gamefish closer to shore.

There was a variety of other species now in local water, though it seemed that none of them were really abundant, or consistently biting on a day to day basis. Yellowtail were occasionally being hooked into on the various rocky high spots, some of these jacks were found close to shore on the ordinary roosterfish and sierra grounds. Yellows were holding on the Outer Gordo Bank, though only handful of people are landing them, all nicer sized 30 to 35 lb. fish, just no consistent action and many hammerhead sharks to sort through. Rounding out the fish counts were, cabrilla, pargo, amberjack, bonito, dorado, sierra and wahoo, all being reported daily in limited numbers.

Wahoo are being seen in schools off of Punta Gordo and to La Fortuna, though are finicky, striking baits, yo-yo’s and trolled jigs when they became aggressively in the mood for striking, strange do even have these fish hanging around at this time of year, this is a result of the warmer than usual water temperatures. Dorado are being encountered in smaller sized schools, the majority of this action closer to shore, rather than on the offshore grounds, sizes averaged 5 to 20 pounds.

Bottom action has never really turned into a steady productive option this season, the action for surface species proved more consistent than were the reef dwellers. We would normally expect to see a trend develop in the coming weeks, of less wind, warming days and more options for anglers off the structure and inshore stretches. Nice time of year coming, ideal weather, not too warm and not too cool.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 91 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of:  33 striped marlin, 17 wahoo, 3 mako shark, 4 yellowfin tuna, 12 yellowtail, 15 amberjack, 84 dorado, 15 jack crevalle, 28 sierra, 42 roosterfish, 95 bonito, 18 cabrilla and 14 hammerhead sharks (released).

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 Fishing, Cabo San Lucas Blog, Cabo San Lucas Fishing, Cabo San Lucas Vacation Rentals, Fishing, Los Cabos Fishing, Los Cabos Vacation Rentals Tagged With: , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report

March 23, 2014 by Leave a Comment

March 22, 2014 213_ChameCabrilla

The majority of the dorado being encountered recently were found closer to shore, this is where concentrations of half beaks (ballyhoo) were schooling. Trolling various baitfish was the most successful for these gamefish, though some anglers did report catching dorado on lures as well. Sizes were averaging 5 to 15 pounds, with a handful of larger specimens accounted for. Most charters were fortunate to average about one dorado per day.

No action on yellowfin tuna being reported, only a few fish reported, mixed in with bonito off the high spots from Iman to San Luis Banks, Yellowfin have been holding in this region through the winter, though with the lack of sardinas to entice them, we have not seen any consistent action on these tuna since the Fall. The only live baitfish that has been plentiful has been caballito, rigging fresh dead ballyhoo has been another option.

Off of the high spots, where anglers were jigging over the structure, bonito was the most common species being landed; these feisty fighters were running in the 4 to 8 pound class. Only an occasional amberjack or yellowtail is being hooked into, most of these striking on yo-yo style jigs and ranged from 20 to 35 pounds. There are big yellowtails now on the Outer Gordo Banks, lots of bonito on these same grounds, striking on the iron jigs, drifting live caballito down deep can be productive for the big yellows, though a problem has been there are many hammerhead sharks lurking down deep on these grounds, hard to stay away from them while trying for the jacks. These rock piles also produced some cabrilla and snapper, though that massive red snapper run during the red crab bloom of previous week has not redeveloped, need these winds to reside for that to happen. We are in transition time now, still unpredictable as to what can happen with the weather conditions from day to day.

With the water temperatures holding a bit warmer than normal, baitfish migrations are off and so are typically gamefish patterns. Wahoo have been found though the winter, they are still being hooked into practically daily, though a bit sporadic, most of this action was reported on the inshore grounds from Punta Gorda to La Fortuna, water depths from 100 to 150 ft., strong winds last week turned over this water some and anglers found varied success.

We are still seeing numerous whales, though surely these will be the final weeks of this activity, many of these mammals have already begun their northern migration.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 78 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of: 8 striped marlin, 5 wahoo, 2 yellowfin tuna, 9 yellowtail, 16 amberjack, 395 bonito, 6 jack crevalle, 7 sierra, 42 dorado, 24 roosterfish, 18 cabrilla and 12 hammerhead sharks (released).

Good fishing,

—
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 Fishing, Cabo San Lucas Blog, Cabo Vacation, Fishing, Los Cabos Fishing, Los Cabos Vacation Rentals Tagged With: , , ,

Cabo Fishing Report

March 15, 2014 by Leave a Comment

214_SuePargoMarch 15, 2014

Another wave of Spring Break vacationers are arriving in Los Cabos and everyone is enjoying perfect weather conditions, lows in the 60, highs in the low 80s, clear sunny skies, moderate swells and warming ocean temperatures, what else could a person ask for? Past weekend there was a heavy south blow, pushed in cooler waters from the Pacific, but these conditions quickly rebound as winds subsided and average ocean temperatures are now in the 70/72 degree range on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas and in the direction of San Jose del Cabo we are seeing warmer 74/76 degree currents.

This big southern blow last Sunday contributed to the large concentrations of striped marlin moving from the Pacific grounds to area just outside the Gordo Banks. Previously the billfish action had been very scattered in this area, but all of sudden the bite broke wide open, fleets from all local ports were congregating on these grounds. Striped marlin were found in big numbers, many charters having more than a half dozen strikes per trip, Multiple marlin per boat was common. The stripers were readily striking trolled lures, ballyhoo, others were seen tailing on the surface and would take live caballito, also anglers did well drift fishing deeper baits. Quite a few thrasher sharks in this area, many were hooked while drifting baits, most of these were lost, very powerful fish, they head straight down and use their extended long tail to their advantage.

Doardo numbers were limited, though some of these gamefish are being encountered each day, at times very close to shore, sizes range 5 to 20 lb. No particular hot spot to find these fish now. Wahoo were sighted free swimming on the popular local grounds, though only a handful were actually hooked into. One wahoo in the 80 lb. class was landed, hooked into on the same grounds as were the striped marlin. Yellowfin tuna were seen breezing at times near Iman to San Luis Banks, but only a few of these 15 to 25 pound tuna were hooked into, either on live caballito or on yo-yo jigs while jigging off of the rocky structure, where the main catch has been for Eastern Pacific Bonito.

The much talked about red snapper bite that occurred last red, as a result of the red crab bloom, this action dissipated quickly as the red crustaceans no longer were found drifting to the surface in masses, as during the previous week. So snapper catches were spotty, an occasional amberjack, cabrilla, grouper or yellowtail were accounted for off the various rocky high spots. The San Luis Banks, as well as times on the Gordo Banks, produced great action for the local good eating variety of bonito, ranging 4 to 10 pounds, these toothy speedsters are fun sport on light tackle.

Along the inshore beach stretches, sierra, jack crevalle were found in certain areas. Good numbers of roosterfish, up to about 12 pounds, were being found the first couple of miles towards the north of Puerto Los Cabos Marina jetty entrance. Sierra were more scattered, still no sardinas being found locally, caballito has been the steady bait source recently.

Getting to be late season now, though there are still lots of a whales being sighted in larger sized pods, these mammals are going to be starting their northerly migration soon. Sea lions are becoming more of a nuisance on the local snapper grounds, wanting to catch their share of the tasty red snapper, always easier grab hold of when the fish is trapped on a fishing line.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 104 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of: 2 thrasher shark, 82 striped marlin, 4 wahoo, 6 yellowfin tuna, 4 yellowtail, 26 amberjack, 480 bonito, 14 jack crevalle, 12 sierra, 26 dorado, 110 roosterfish, 14 cabrilla, 72 red snapper (huachinango) and misc. pargo..

Good fishing, Eric

—
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM

Filed Under: Cabo Fishing, Cabo San Lucas Blog, Cabo San Lucas Vacation Rentals, Fishing, Los Cabos Fishing Tagged With: ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report

March 9, 2014 by Leave a Comment

March 9, 2014 215_MartinCatch

As the first wave of spring break travelers continue to arrive in Los Cabos, they are being greeted with absolutely beautiful pristine weather conditions, with high temperatures hovering near the 80 degree mark, clear skies and plenty of warm sunshine. Winds have been light and anglers enjoyed very pleasant days on the ocean. Swells were slight and we have seen warmer currents sweeping in, with water temperature now averaging 72 degrees on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas and increasing to 74/78 degree in the direction of the Sea of Cortez and the Gordo Banks, just outside of these grounds is where the warmest water is now located.

The Golden Gate Banks has continued to be the hot spot for finding striped marlin, also fair numbers of dorado reported from the Pacific grounds. While the billfish action in the direction of San Jose del Cabo was very spotty, with the lack of offshore baitfish concentrations, the stripers are scattered. More numbers of dorado were encountered close to shore, at times actually seen chasing half beaks (ballyhoo) directly on to the sandy beaches, at least one dorado was hooked and landed inside of the Puerto Los Cabos Marina Channel.
Most of the dorado now seen have been in the 5 to 15 lb. class, with a few exceptions of larger specimens up to 25 pounds accounted for.
Despite the warmer water temperatures we have seen fewer dorado this past week, as well as only a few wahoo, though we have heard of big wahoo bite now going on off of Cerralvo Island, which is out of our local charter range.

Inshore action was now producing many roosterfish in the 5 to 15 lb.
range, trolling with live caballito was the best bet for this, remember these are rapidly growing gamefish, not known for good table fare and should be released with care, in order to mature and enhance the future fishery. Sierra numbers were down, warmer waters and lack of sardinas contributing to this situation.

The most exciting event this past week has been the season’s first massive run of pelagic red crabs, particularly on the high spots north of the Gordo Banks. Masses of these small crabs drifted to the surface, turned the sea a reddish color and this in turn was attracting the humpback whales, whale sharks and of course the Pacific red snapper (huachinango. This occurrence is always unpredictable, when conditions are just right these pelagic crustaceans swarm, normally happening sometime during the March to May time frame, though in local waters we have not seen such a run for several years. These red crabs are a favorite food source for many species, especially so for the red snapper, also one of the most popular and valuable commercial catches. All of the local commercial pangeros are now working overtime to catch as many kilos of these prized snapper as they are capable of while this bite lasts. These are the true Pacific snapper and average from 4 to 12 pounds in weight, scrappy fighters on light tackle and at times they are found schooling near the surface.

Other action included lots of Eastern Pacific Bonito and some early season amberjack, the bonito (3 to 10 lb.) were striking yo-yo jigs or trolled Rapalas over the high spots and the ambers, which ranged to over 30 lb., were hitting best on the yo-yo style jigs or by drifting live caballito off of the structure. There were lots of yellowfin tuna in the 20/25 lb. class seen breezing on the grounds north of Punta Gorda, but only a handful of these tuna were hooked into, very finicky, as they normally do become when they acquire a taste for these same red crabs.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 77 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of:
1 striped marlin, 3 wahoo, 8 yellowfin tuna, 2 yellowtail, 19 amberjack, 355 bonito, 18 jack crevalle, 18 sierra, 55 dorado, 135 roosterfish, 6 pompano, 28 yellow tail snapper, 14 cabrilla.and 640 red snapper (huachinango).

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 Fishing, Cabo San Lucas Blog, Cabo San Lucas Vacation Rentals, Fishing, Los Cabos Fishing Tagged With: , ,

Cabo Fishing Report

March 2, 2014 by Leave a Comment

March 2, 2014 216_Gregcatch

Spring break seems to have started early this year, as increasing crowds of tourists were arriving to take advantage of the ideal weather conditions and the many outdoor activities available. With the month of February now over, we can say that it has lived up to its reputation, being a bit crazy and unpredictable. We witnessed some chilly mornings, with windy days and then just like that there were very pleasant calm and almost summerlike conditions. Still many whales in the area, but with warming days, we will see these mammals heading back towards their northern feeding grounds soon.

On the Pacific side, the Golden Gate Bank has been the hot spot to find wide open action for striped marlin, with marlin also being found in the direction of the Sea of Cortez, but more spread out, as there have not been the same concentrations of baitfish to find the billfish schooling up, as on the Pacific. Even a few sailfish were found in the mix this past week, a bit strange for this time of year. Ocean water temperatures ranged from 70 degrees on the Pacific, to an average of
74 degrees off of San Jose del Cabo and north to Los Frailes. The more consistent all around fishing action is being found in the direction of the warmer waters.

Dorado never left local waters this winter and they normally do, these fish are still being caught daily, from inshore to offshore, fish were striking lures and various baits, rigged ballyhoo and live caballito.
Sizes were ranging from 5 to 25 lb. Still no sardinas being found in local water, basically all season we have not seen these smaller baitfish, larger baits and using lures has been the main deal. Number of dorado were not huge, though some charters were catching up to five or six. Surprisingly there were also wahoo hanging around in certain areas as well, most of these fish were found from Punta Gorda to La Fortuna, and within a mile of shore, again no big numbers, one or two, here or there, sizes in the 15 to 25 lb. Class. The wahoo were striking on trolled baits, rapalas and yo-yo jigs.

Other action now included the Eastern Pacific Bonito, spread throughout the zone, striking on rapalas and jigs, sizes 2 to 10 pounds, fun action on light tackle, also a good eating species. This past week we saw more numbers amberjack being accounted for, hitting off the bottom structure, on yo-yo jigs and caballito. Sizes ranged up to 40 pounds, with some charters catching three or four of these powerful fighting jacks. An occasional cabrilla to 25 pounds was found off the same rock piles. Only a handful of yellowtail so far this season, though these were nicer sized 20 to 30 pound fish, in recent days several big yellowtail were hooked into while trolling very close to shore, where juvenile sized roosterfish and sierra wee being targeted. We must also mention the presence of some hog sized jack crevalle that will test inshore angler’s endurance.

Only a handful of yellowfin tuna were found, most from the La Fortuna to San Luis Banks, drift fishing with fresh dead sardinas is what enticed this action, though with the lack of this bait source and the combination of swift currents, this was a very hit or miss option.
When the tuna did come up to the chummed bait, a few tuna in the 20 pound class were accounted for.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 102 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of:
3 sailfish, 5 striped marlin, 13 wahoo, 14 yellowfin tuna, 5 yellowtail, 27 amberjack, 242 bonito, 13 jack crevalle, 34 sierra, 146 dorado, 48 roosterfish, 10 pompano, 18 yellow tail snapper and 9 cabrilla.

Good fishing, Eric

—
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM

Filed Under: Cabo Fishing, Cabo San Lucas Blog, Cabo San Lucas Fishing, Cabo Vacation Rentals, Fishing, Los Cabos Fishing, Los Cabos Travel Info Tagged With: , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report

February 23, 2014 by Leave a Comment

February 23, 2014 217_David Cortland

The month of February is known for crazy unpredictable weather patterns, this week we witnessed some cooler morning conditions and high temperatures up to 85 degrees, feeling more like late spring instead of winter time. We also felt more wind, predominately from the north, but then swirling from out of the east and south as well, but overall the climate was ideal and anglers found comfortable ocean conditions and great all around action

With the warmer ocean temperatures of up to 75 degrees now pushing in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and towards the La Fortuna and San Luis Banks, this is where the sportfishing fleets are concentrating, even boats from Cabo San Lucas are making the long runs north to get into this more consistent fishing action. Pacific side water temperatures have dropped into the upper 60’s. Mackerel schools continued to be scarce, ballyhoo supplies were plentiful and there have been options for a variety of gamefish, caballito baitfish have been obtainable most mornings as well, fresh bags of brined sardinas are being sold at the panga dock area on a limited first come, first serve basis.

Considering the time of year, anglers have been enjoying quality action for dorado, some wahoo and even yellowfin tuna showing in the fish counts. Billfish have been more scattered since the recent full moon, no concentrations of baitfish offshore, beside schooling skipjack. Though in recent days we have seen more striped marlin appearing again, anywhere from one or two miles from shore and on out to 20 miles. Even a couple of sailfish were reportedly hooked into, crazy times in February.

Yellowfin tuna are holding over the structure from La Fortuna, Iman and to San Luis Bank, the key factor was obtaining a supply of sardinas, which have been scarce all year, fresh dead sardinas were now available early morning at the panga dock area, though in limited supply and a few charters were more fortunate when they were able to purchase live sardinas from commercial pangeros from northern camps. A handful of mostly panga charters got into this yellowfin tuna action while drift fishing with sardinas and using light leaders, landing up to five, six, seven or eight fish, ranging in weights of 10 to 20 lb.

Dorado were being found in smaller sized groups spread throughout the inshore and offshore grounds, sizes averaged 5 to 15 lb., a few fishing pushing the 20 to 25 lb. mark, still impressive for mid winter season. Wahoo action continues to be an added bonus, normally not a common catch during this month, though the bite did taper off compared to how it had broke wide open late last week. In recent days a handful of charters did land up to three or four wahoo in their combined daily catch. These fish hit on trolled lures, various baits and on yo-yo style casting jigs. Best areas were close to shore off of Punta Gorda to La Fortuna. Sizes on the wahoo averaged 15 to 20 pounds, though there were some quality sized fish up to 40 pounds also accounted for.

Bottom action has never really started this season, with warmer ocean temperatures, winds and currents all contributing to no consistent structure action. At least not yet, we are still not into March or spring time. This is always the time of year when we start to see the arrival of yellowtail in local waters, so far only a scattering of these powerful jacks have been found. Though just in recent days there have been more encounters with these popular gamefish. Anglers who were jigging for what was great action on hog sized skipjack and Eastern Pacific Bonito also hooked into a few yellowtail, fish to 25 lb. were landed, others lost to cut lines, encouraging signs of a developing bite. We did hear of at least one nice yellowtail being caught by a beach fishing angler on a splashier hoochie combination.

Sierras are patrolling the shorelines, a few nicer sized fish to 8 pounds were seen, a mix of jack crevalle and juvenile sized roosterfish in the same stretches, these fish were hitting on trolled baits, hoochies or rapalas. Whales were still being seen spouting in all directions, these mammals have not headed north yet, next month is normally when they will start the northern migration.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 76 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of:
6 striped marlin, 21 wahoo, 49 yellowfin tuna, 6 yellowtail, 145 bonito, 4 amberjack,11 jack crevalle, 78 sierra, 234 dorado, 14 roosterfish, 14 yellow tail snapper, 15 misc. shark and 12 cabrilla.

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 Fishing, Cabo San Lucas Blog, Cabo San Lucas Vacation Rentals, Fishing, Los Cabos Fishing, Los Cabos Travel Info Tagged With: , ,

Cabo Fishing Report

February 16, 2014 by Leave a Comment

February 16, 2014 218_GrayCatch

With freezing conditions persisting throughout much of the United States we have seen more crowds of tourists arriving in Los Cabos.
Travelers have been greeted with pristine winter time weather conditions, sunny days, with high temperatures close to 80 degrees.
Winds continued to be a bit unpredictable, at times from the north, switching out of the south, though they were moderate and anglers found great ocean conditions most days.

Ocean temperatures ranged from 70 to 76 degrees, higher than normal for this month, clarity was clean, even very close to shore. Baitfish have been scattered, no live sardinas, few mackerel or caballito, with ballyhoo proving to be one of the better trolling baits and as another option there were also a mix of jacks and moonfish being used.

Depending on what fishing grounds anglers targeted, there was a variety of species being found. Striped marlin were now shifting in the direction of the San Jose del Cabo grounds, from the 1150 spot, to off of the hotel zone and towards Punta Gorda, some success was found trolling lures, casting baits to tailing fish and soaking baits down deep, the striped marlin especially were attracted to moonfish this past week, it was more productive early in the week, later in the week the full moon seemed to affect the bite, fish were more finicky..

For the local panga fleet, the most productive action was found within a couple of miles of shore, from right off Punta Gorda, to Cardon and La Fortuna. Dorado and wahoo were the main species striking, ballyhoo, moonfish, jacks, rapalas and even casting jigs. This seemed more like fall action, crazy to see this type of action in mid February, it doesn’t happen every year, with water temperatures holding higher than normal and the clarity of the water, these fish have decided to hang around and not migrate to southern waters, at least for the time being. There were more numbers of dorado caught than wahoo, though on Thursday and Friday many boats did have multiple wahoo days, one charter had eight wahoo on Friday. Sizes ranged up to 40 pounds. Hard to say how long this action will last, would be something if this lasted throughout the month and into March.

Not much action off the bottom, strong currents and warmer water temperatures have been more suited for surface action. A few yellowtail were reported, no pargo bite at this time. Sierra have dominated inshore action, though dorado are being found very close to shore as well, there were large concentrations of half beaks
(ballyhoo) moving along the beaches areas, this can bring gamefish very close in. A few jack crevalle and smaller sized roosterfish in the mix.

Still peak season for whale activity, though with waters warming, these mammals will most likely start migrating north soon.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 90 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of:
18 striped marlin, 37 wahoo, 8 yellowfin tuna, 3 yellowtail, 48 bonito, 18 jack crevalle, 68 sierra, 265 dorado,18 roosterfish and 12 cabrilla.

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 Fishing, Cabo San Lucas Blog, Cabo San Lucas Vacation Rentals, Cabo Vacation, Fishing, Los Cabos Fishing Tagged With: , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report

February 9, 2014 by Leave a Comment

February 9, 2014 818_Coble_Dorado

The month of February can be quite unpredictable, locals have a saying, Febreo loco y Marzo otro poco, conditions can feel like spring time one day, but then cooler weather fronts can swept back through, feeling more wintry. Last week we had temperatures reach the mid 80s, though this week it felt more like winter, with cooler mornings, down to 55 degrees and on a couple of days the high temperatures only reached in the low 70s. Despite this trend, there were mostly clear sunny skies and it felt like paradise compared to the freezing cold temperatures that has swept once again across the United States. Ocean water temperatures actually warmed up some, now ranging from 70 degrees on the Pacific to 75/76 offshore of San Jose del Cabo. More north winds this past week and this contributed to stirring up the clarity, anglers reported finding mixed up conditions, swift currents pushed in greenish water, but in other areas the water remained clear and blue, seemed to vary each day.

Baitfish remained scattered, as were most of the gamefish, though in recent days baitfish schools have begun to congregate on the traditional grounds off of the San Jose del Cabo’s Hotel Zone, two or three miles offshore, mainly sardinetas now, with a few mackerel mixed in. This a favorable sign, hopefully this will continue to develop, should start seeing more striped marlin on these same grounds. Anglers found porpoise activity offshore, hit or miss for smaller sized yellowfin tuna, most of these fish were found 20 plus miles outside of Cabo San Lucas, at other times jack crevalle and hog sized black skipjack dominated the offshore bite.

Dorado action has been good this winter season, though this past week the bite dropped off, some charters had trouble finding even one dorado, while others were more fortunate and accounted for up to a half of dozen, these fish are scattered from inshore to offshore and running in small schools, most of the fish were in the 5 to 15 pound class. Striking on trolled lures and rigged ballyhoo baits. Earlier in the week a few wahoo were found, though this is not the normal season where you would expect to catch these elusive gamefish, there is still a chance at hooking into one of these prized eating fish. A handful of football sized yellowfin tuna were landed while drift fishing on the Iman Bank, fresh dead sardinas was to key to this action, these baits were sold in limited quantities at the dock area, then you had to try to stay away from the skipjack, bonito and pesky sea lions, another factor were the gusting northern winds, making it almost impossible on certain days.

Sierra continued to dominate the inshore action, striking on various whole and cut baits, as well as hoochies and small rapalas, which all worked for these fish, average sizes ranged 2 to 4 pounds. Some jack crevalle and juvenile sized roosterfish were also encountered. Surf fishermen reported catching a few much larger sierra taken at first light, this is always the time when these members of the mackerel family are more aggressive.

Bottom action produced mainly Eastern Pacific Bonito, a handful of pargo, cabrilla and triggerfish rounding out this action. Should be the time when we start to see some yellowtail showing up in the fish counts. There were a couple of nice grouper landed off of the Palmilla Point area, this is the time frame when these rock piles start to hold more of the structure species.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 68 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of:
6 striped marlin, 4 wahoo, 21 yellowfin tuna, 135 bonito, 14 jack crevalle, 115 sierra, 76 dorado,12 roosterfish,18 pargo, 28 triggerfish, 90 black skipjack, 2 grouper and 10 cabrilla.

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 Fishing, Cabo San Lucas Blog, Cabo San Lucas Fishing, Cabo San Lucas Vacation Rentals, Fishing, Los Cabos Fishing Tagged With: , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report

February 2, 2014 by Leave a Comment

February 2, 2014 820_SunWahoo

Crowds of visiting tourists are arriving in the Los Cabos Resort area, looking to escape the frigid temperatures spread across northern territories. Local weather conditions have been very pleasant, scattered morning cloud cover, with plenty of warm afternoon sunshine, lows of about 60 degrees, with highs in the 75 to 80 degree range. The persistent northerly winds have tapered off some, not as strong as in previous weeks. This is now peak season for spotting whales in local waters, with common daily sightings of both gray and humpback whales.

Ocean clarity has been very clean close to shore, in the direction of the East Cape the conditions are a bit more off colored due to northern winds, but from La Fortuna to Cabo San Lucas the clarity has been great for this time of year. Water temperatures varied from about
70 degree around the corner on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, to 74 degrees on the outside of San Jose del Cabo, inshore grounds through this same stretch was averaged about 72 degrees. Live bait situation is still lacking, though there has been various other options available, including ballyhoo, moonfish, skipjack for strip bait, brined dead sardinas, etc…

Anglers were finding a variety of species, from sierra, dorado inshore, with striped marlin and yellowfin tuna found further offshore. The tuna being accounted for have mainly been encountered twenty or more miles offshore of Cabo San Lucas and have been football sized fish striking on hoochies , feathers and cedar plugs. More sierra are now showing up throughout the area, some much larger sierra were found on the Pacific, medium sized fish now becoming more common in the direction of the Sea of Cortez. Trolling rapalas, hoochies and drifting with cut baits have worked well for these scrappy fighters.

Out of San Jose del Cabo the most common catches recently have been for dorado and bonito, these fish were striking various lures and baits. Most of the dorado found were in the 5 to 15 lb. class. The Eastern Pacific Bonito is a somewhat rare species, a member of the tuna family with limited range, normally preferring the cooler winter months, good eating fish with light colored flesh, very popular for use in local machaca dishes. Average sizes usually are 5 to 10 lbs., can reach up to 20 lb. Striking a variety of lures and jigs, as well as live and dead baits, powerful fighters for their size. This species is most commonly found within the first 200 feet of the water column.

Striped marlin are being encountered spread out through the entire area, more numbers encountered off of Cabo San Lucas, but also scattered off of San Jose del Cabo grounds. No mackerel schools being seen now, so fish are moving and searching for food sources.

Not much consistent bottom action being found, besides jigging for bonito over the rocky structure, chrome patterned yo-yo style jigs jig were most productive, there was an occasional pargo, cabrilla or amberjack in the mix. Near Punta Gorda and north towards La Fortuna there were a few wahoo hanging around, most of these fish were smaller sized, 10 to 20 pounds, striking rigged baits more often than on traditional lures, anglers were still fortunate to land one of these elusive highly prized fish.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 70 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of:
3 striped marlin, 8 wahoo, 18 yellowfin tuna, 205 bonito, 68 sierra,
155 dorado, 2 amberjack,1 yellowtail,18 pargo and 10 cabrilla.

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 Fishing, Cabo San Lucas Blog, Cabo San Lucas Fishing, Fishing, Los Cabos Fishing Tagged With: ,

Fishing in San Jose

February 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment

What a beautiful day on the Sea of Cortez out on the east cape! DSCN2487

We went out of Puerto Los Cabos today and got 2 bags of dead sardines & ballyhoo for bait.

Caught a sierra before 7AM then a couple of Dorado and 4 Bonito Blancos by 9 AM. Whale watching followed for the next hour. A few breaches in the distance and some tail shots that were up close. Total of 2 Dorados, 4 Sierras & 4 Bonito Blancos.

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