June 23, 2019 
Well the summer season is now officially here, local weather patterns are steadily warming, some scattered morning cloud cover, quickly burning off as the sun rises higher into the sky, daytime highs reaching 90 degrees. We noticed more crowds of family vacationers arriving, taking advantage of early summer vacation time. Winds were lighter, mainly picking up from the south later in the day. Ocean water temperatures has quickly rebounded back near the 80 degree mark in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and further north. Also clarity is much cleaner on these same grounds in the direction of the Sea of Cortez, while the Pacific still remains greenish and much cooler.
In and around the marina area the bait vendors are finding caballito, mullet and some moonfish, other bait options has been strips of squid and ballyhoo, as well as some bolito and smaller sized black skipjack on the offshore fishing grounds. Anglers are also using yo-yo style jigs for a mix of some bottom action.
Sportfishing fleets are mainly concentrating on the grounds from the Iman to San Luis Bank, not much found on the scouting trips to the Gordo Banks, besides shark and a few billfish. The more productive action has been switching back and forth daily, some days San Luis, others on the Iman. Drift fishing for yellowfin tuna with strips of squid, as well as slow trolling live baits, has resulting in yellowfin tuna catches, fish ranged in sizes from 15 lb. to 80 lb. No big numbers, most boats were having at least a chance or two, some charters landing as many as three or four tuna, the best action seemed to be earlier in the morning.
These same grounds were producing an occasional dorado, a few nicer sized bulls over 25 lb. were accounted for, but only a scattered fish or two, at least we are seeing these prized fighting and popular gamefish present in local waters, they had been absent for a long time during the cooler winter and spring seasons.
The same areas where these surface species are being encountered, there have been options off the bottom while drift fishing with various baits and using the yo-yo style jigs. There were a few variety of grouper, pompano, amberjack, red snapper, yellow snapper, bonito and others on these rocky high spots. All of these being excellent table fare.
All along the beach stretches now is a great time for slowing baits for roosterfish, now the peak season for these gamefish, good chances at hooking into fish over 40 lb., even to 50 and 60 lb. Remember that this species is known for their prized fighting capabilities, not for eating quality, these fishing should always be released, care should be taken while taking a quick photo for documentation of the catch before releasing.
Striped marlin are scattered throughout the area now, right around the Iman bank and towards the Gordo Banks, no huge concentrations, but if you are interested in catching one of these fish, the odds are fairly high now that you find opportunity. Most of the stripers are now averaging 70 to 120 lb. Will not be long until we start seeing the larger blue and black marlin showing up in the warmer summer currents.
The combined sportfishing fleet launching out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out an estimated 78 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 14 striped, 9 dorado, 48 yellowfin tuna, 3 dogtooth snapper, 8 leopard grouper, 4 African pompano, 180 Mexican bonito, 34 red snapper, 12 yellow snapper, 13 amberjack, 44 roosterfish, 14 jack crevalle and 70 triggerfish.
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
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