October 9, 2016 
While the Caribbean and the East Coast of the United States were dealing with major destruction from Hurricane Matthew, conditions have been calm in the Eastern Pacific, this week we could definitely feel the climate transition into the normal fall pattern, cooler temperatures early in the day and in the evening, though days continue to be quite warm and humid. A little more offshore breeze now being felt as well. Water temperatures have ranged 84 to 86 degrees in the direction of San Jose del Cabo, slightly cooler on the Pacific.
Crowds of anglers arrived in larger numbers this past week, busy time now for the next couple of months. The main bait being used continues to be slabs of squid, no signs of any sardinas showing up, there have been limited caballito available and on the fishing grounds there have been skipjack, chihuil and cocinero.
Most charters were fishing areas from the Gordo Banks to Iman and San Luis Banks. This is where there have been schooling yellowfin tuna concentrated. Chance at larger fish was on the Gordo Banks, a couple of tuna in the 200 to 300 lb. class were landed in recent days, late in the day by local anglers, morning action on these same grounds were sporadic. Better numbers of fish were found to the north near Iman Bank, yellowfin tuna mostly in the 10 to 40 lb. class, an occasional scattered dorado or wahoo encountered on the same vicinity. In recent days the tuna bite was better late morning. There was a strong current to running, this makes drift fishing that much more challenging. Overall the action did improve some this past week, of course it varied a bit from day to day. Average catches per charter was several tuna with a handful of other species mixed in.
Not a lot going off the bottom now, more triggerfish than anything else, but there were some days when a mix of yellow snapper, rainbow runner, amberjack, huachinango and cabrilla were landed from the same banks where the yellowfin tuna action was centered, a lot of rock piles in this area, though the more productive bottom action typically occurs during the winter and spring months.
Billfish was spotty, though we did see some sailfish and striped marlin, a couple of larger marlin reportedly lost after being hooked up on lighter tackle.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 102 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 5 striped marlin, 4 sailfish, 245 yellowfin tuna, 31 dorado, 7 wahoo, 14 yellow snapper, 11 leopard grouper, 22 bonito, 18 huachinango, 12 amberjack, 26 rainbow runner and 160 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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