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High Stakes Fishing Season Heats Up in Los Cabos

September 11, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Who wants to be a millionaire? No, we’re not talking about a game show. We’re talking about Cabo San Lucas’ premier series of fishing tournaments, one of which–Bisbee’s Black & Blue–annually pays out cash prizes in the seven figure range. And wouldn’t you rather be fishing anyway?

Last year’s winner of the Black and Blue, angler Charlie Lee and his Chinito Bonito crew, took home a check for over $3,000,000 after landing a 510 lb. black marlin on the first day of the tournament, besting 113 other teams. This year, the stakes are expected to be even higher, with the world’s best big-game anglers descending on Cabo San Lucas during the month of October for the Black & Blue, as well as Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore. The latter, commonly known as “Little Bisbee’s”, is scheduled for October 17 – 20, with the Black & Blue, or “Big Bisbee’s”, following Oct. 22 – 26.

Bisbee’s actually hosts a trio of tournaments in Los Cabos each year. The first, the East Cape Offshore, traditionally kicks off the season in early August, and is generally a bellwether for participation and prizes when the headline events come around in October. And if that indicator holds true, this year is going to set new records across the board.

Team El Suertudo, which won the top prize at the 20th annual ECO with a 381 lb. blue marlin, was rewarded with a check for $619,800. That’s the largest winning payout in the history of the event, which each year draws world-class fishermen to Buena Vista on Los Cabos’ picturesque East Cape.

Topping the record at the Los Cabos Offshore may not be so easy, since it was just set in 2018–the 18th edition of that benchmark event–with over a million dollars in prize money doled out plus the chance to make a real difference for local families. That’s because the LCO has maintained its long-running commitment to charity, even as the prize money has increased dramatically in recent years. Last year, for instance, the equivalent of over 8600 meals was donated to those in need.

There’s no need to worry about charitable endeavors at the Black & Blue. This one is just for pride, everlasting glory and a big boatload of cash. That’s how it got its nicknames: “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament” and “The Super Bowl of Fishing.”

The biggest of big-game tournaments, this marlin fishing tournament originally premiered in 1981 (when the purse was a mere $10,000), and remains to this day the highest profile annual event in Los Cabos. The $4.165 million payout in 2006 was and still is the largest in the history of tournament fishing, although last year’s kitty of $3.693 was nothing to sneeze at, particularly since it only took team Chinito Bonito one hour and 37 minutes to boat their winning marlin.

We’re not real good at math, but that works out to somewhere around 2.4 million dollars per hour! In other words, good work if you can get it.

Base entry for this legendary event is $5,000 U.S. per team, and requires a $71,500 U.S. outlay across all categories, jackpots and challenges. Prizes are awarded for the top five catches of black and blue marlin, assuming they meet the minimum standard of 300 pounds.

Got the picture? Good. Then we’ll repeat our first question. Who wants to be a millionaire? Remember, even if you don’t win the LCO or B&B, you still get to spend 10 in Cabo San Lucas, and go fishing for marlin on five of them. That’s definitely worth something.

We won’t mention second place, which in last year’s Black & Blue was a measly $544,250 dollars.

We will mention, however, the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, which is the biggest non-Bisbee’s sponsored tournament in October, and fairly lucrative in its own right. Last year’s overall payout, after all, was a respectable $642,300.

This year’s version is scheduled for Oct. 13 – 17, so might as well tell your travel agent to go ahead and make that 14 days in Cabo San Lucas.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Bisbee’s Offshore Fishing Tournaments

Upcoming Event Calendar

September

Día de la Independencia (Mexican Independence Day) – Sep. 16

 October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 13 – 17

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Tournament – Oct. 17 – 20

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournament – Oct. 22 – 26

Van Wormer Resort Tuna Shoot Out – Oct. 26

Halloween – Oct 31

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Nov. 1 – 2

Pelagic Rock Star Tuna Tournament – Nov. 1 – 3

Ironman Los Cabos 70.3 Half-Triathlon – Nov. 3

21st WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 6 – 9

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 13 – 17

52nd Annual Baja 1000 – Nov. 19 – 24

Sabor a Cabo International Food & Wine Festival – Nov. 30

 December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26

Dressed to the K9s Charity Gala – Date Not Yet Announced

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 12 – 16

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 15 – 19

 February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27

Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 7 – 9

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Dates Not Yet Announced

21st Annual Baja Hog Rally – Dates Not Yet Announced

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

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Los Cabos Fishing Report – September 8, 2019

September 8, 2019 by Leave a Comment

September 8, 2019

Tropical weather conditions now upon us, we are seeing on and off sporadic afternoon thunder showers, which are common during this month. The passing of Hurricane Juliette was barely felt, as it had followed a path far off to the west, humidity did increase and there was more afternoon southern breeze. Overall ocean conditions were favorable, moderate swells, though the wind did pick up later in the day. No new storm system on the horizon at this time, though with ocean water temperatures now ranging 80 to 86 degrees, we do need to watch forecasts closely the next few weeks. Light crowds of visitors now, normal slack period, as children are back in school and summer season winds down.

In recent days there have been quality sized sardinas being netted and brought down from the north, anglers are meeting these bait vendors on grounds such as La Fortuna and Iman Bank. Other bait options were slabs of squid, caballito, ballyhoo, as well as bolito and skipjack found on offshore grounds. These same grounds is where the most consistent action has been found for the past month and charters from East Cape are even making the long two hour run daily, guess they must have no better opportunities in closer proximity.

Main action has been for dorado and yellowfin tuna, an occasional wahoo, limited mix of bottom species and some scattered billfish action. Significant boat pressure on these same grounds and combined with large concentrations of natural food sources, the yellowfin tuna proved to be more finicky from day to day. Best chances for the tuna was with sardinas and strips of squid, a few also striking on larger baitfish. Catches ranged from one tuna, to over five per boat, sizes ranged from 15 to 70 lb., a lot of fish in the 20 to 60 lb. class.

More numbers of dorado were found a bit closer to shore than where the yellowfin bite was, still big numbers of very small sized dorado, with a smaller percentage of keeper sized dorado in the mix. Sardinas for bait was best bet, also trolling hoochies and feathers, as well as drift fishing with strips of squid.

Off the bottom the highlights were a few hog sized amberjack, up to 95 lb., one 57 kilo grouper hauled up by local hand liner. A scattering of pargo, pompano and triggerfish rounded out bottom action. A few smaller sized roosterfish were found trolling inshore stretches near the local marina.

Marlin anglers were limited, as more anglers were now targeting the tuna, though a couple of black  marlin hook ups were reported, big fish that ended up being lost after hours of battling. Some smaller sized blue and striped marlin were also reported, no big numbers, but every day these billfish are being encountered.

The combined sportfishing fleet launching out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out an estimated 68 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 6 striped marlin, 5 blue marlin, 275 dorado, 8 wahoo, 145 yellowfin tuna, 6 leopard grouper, 14 Mexican bonito, 15 yellow snapper, 8 barred pargo, 8 pompano, 15 amberjack, 12 roosterfish, 4 jack crevalle 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 September 1, 2019

September 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment

September 1, 2019

Since the passing of Tropical Storm IVO last week, where the Los Cabos region did receive some much needed rainfall without too high of wind, weather patterns have been stable, though just now there is a new T S Juliette brewing to the southwest, this system is forecast to follow a path further away from the Baja Peninsula new storms developing at this time. The next three weeks is historically the time frame with the highest chance of hurricanes striking Southern Baja, so we are all hoping that this year we do not have any disasters. We have felt a very slight cooling early morning, but days have been warm and humid with heat index over 100 degrees.

Starting last weekend there was decent action for yellowfin tuna up to 100 lb. on the Iman Bank. Through this week the bite became more sporadic, lots of boat pressure on this one area since this has been location where the best chances of catching nice fish has been. Boats from as far away as the East Cape are making the long run south to fish these same grounds. Drift fishing with strips of squid was the main deal, some limited availability of sardinas, the tuna also were hitting on the live caballito. Anglers were feeling fortunate to land just one yellowfin, a handful had as many as three, and average size were 35 to 60 lb. anglers had better success using leader material of 50 to 60 lb., many of the larger tuna were lost after extended battles. Also one black marlin estimated to be well over 400 lb. was battled for over three hours before finally being lost due to lighter leader.

Dorado were found a little closer to shore than were the tuna, off of Cardon, La Fortuna, Punta Gorda, many juvenile sized dorado in the area, had to search to find any over 10 lb. Overall numbers of dorado were down from previous weeks. Wahoo are in the area, as they were seen free swimming and feeding in the chum, though these fish proved finicky and only a few were actually landed, these fish can become sluggish when water temperature are over 80 degrees.

Off the bottom there was limited action for yellow snapper, red snapper, cabrilla, amberjack and triggerfish, more snapper on yo-yo jigs early in the day, after that tough pickings. Only a few roosterfish found trolling closer to shore, smaller sized, mixed in was an occasional jack crevalle, not much inshore trolling this time of year.

Billfish action also slowed down, more smaller sized striped marlin, a couple of larger black marlin that were lost after long battles. Weather is looking good for the time being, slight swells, warm blue water with lots of baitfish in the area so we are optimistic that reports will improve soon.

The combined sportfishing fleet launching out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out an estimated 62 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 5 striped marlin, 3 blue marlin, 185 dorado, 3 wahoo, 70 yellowfin tuna, 6 leopard grouper, 26 Mexican bonito, 14 yellow snapper, 4 barred pargo, 1 amberjack, 2 dogtooth snapper, 3 roosterfish, 5 jack crevalle 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 – August 18. 2019

August 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment

August 18, 2019

The word travels quickly these days, as more number of anglers were arriving after hearing about reports of yellowfin tuna finally biting, as well as wide open dorado and some blue marlin action. So we saw the sportfishing fishing were busier this past week, weather cooperated, light winds, moderate ocean swells, no tropical storms to deal with. There is a new system just developing off Southern Mexico, late next week we will know what happens with this, could finally get some measurable rainfall. This week the humidity increased, a couple of mornings we felt very light drizzle, did not amount to much at all. Ocean temperature ranged from 78 to 84 degrees.

Bait suppliers were still able to find the schooling sardinas just north of the marina jetty, also there were some caballito, slabs of squid and ballyhoo. Most charters were now working the fishing grounds from the Gordo Banks’ and north to Vinorama.

The best chance at the yellowfin tuna was inside of Iman Bank, near La Fortuna and the Twenty-five spot, anglers were have chances at one, two of three tuna up to 65 lb. Sometimes hard to keep away from schooling dorado which were on these same grounds, most were small sized and being released, though a few nicer fish mixed in. Outside of Cabo San Lucas we heard of a few cow sized yellowfin tuna and there were reports of some larger tuna seen on the Outer Gordo Banks, this time of year things can change rapidly.

Early morning there were a few snapper, cabrilla and amberjack accounted for on yo-yo jigs over the high pots, though with the calm, hot and humid conditions most anglers were wishing to move around some to cool off.

Blue marlin were hitting throughout the region, striking on trolled lures, a few striped marlin as well, we also heard of at least one 300 lb. black marlin that was landed from a small panga.
Most of the blue marlin we have seen were in the 120 to 250 lb. range.

Not much inshore action being done now, time of year that this action fades out. We did see a few dogtooth snapper this week, though these were found over same high spots where charters were drift fishing. A handful of pompano, bonito and yellow snapper were found off shallow rock piles.

 The combined sportfishing fleet launching out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out an estimated 84 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 1 black marlin, 13 striped marlin, 10 blue marlin, 420 dorado, 3 wahoo, 105 yellowfin tuna, 11 leopard grouper, 18 Mexican bonito, 16 yellow snapper, 3 barred pargo, 4 pompano, 11 amberjack, 3 dogtooth snapper, 5 roosterfish, 9 jack crevalle and 24 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 – July 28, 2019

July 28, 2019 by Leave a Comment

July 28, 2019

Tropical conditions, high temperatures averaging 90 degrees, south wind early in the week, settling down over the weekend. There was the development of Tropical Storm Dalila, this system moved far to the west, no impact with land, though there was local tropical disturbances flaring up, early in the week over the mountainous region north of San Jose del Cabo and in La Paz, where they had major thunderstorms, it is now the time when this tropical actives increases.

There were moderate ocean swells and southern winds the first half of the week, this contributed to stirring up water conditions once again, greener currents along the shoreline, clean blue water found further offshore. Ocean temperature is now in the 78 to 85 degree range, off of San Jose and towards the north offshore, is where the water is now warmest.

Conditions are now cleaning up closer to shore, crazy how all through the month of July conditions were changing back and forth. It is now the season when things can change rapidly, both with the fishing action and the weather.

Bait vendors offered a mix of caballito, mullet, ballyhoo and slabs of squid. More open water trolling done offshore, with blue marlin strikes being reported daily, particularly around the 1150 spot, also some striped marlin and nicer sized dorado, to over 40 lb. Chances of finding porpoise with associated yellowfin tuna, though nothing consistent for tuna now, some local commercial pangeros found some yellowfin to 60 lb. north of Vinorama.

Closer to shore from Cardon to Vinorama there were good numbers of smaller school sized dorado, under 10 lb., some very small, remember catch and release on these small dorado, limits are two per license. As clean water moves closer to shore we expect some of the larger bulls to move in, now most of the larger dorado reported are out on the marlin grounds.

We had a surprise to see some activity by wahoo, handful of these speedsters were landed while trolling offshore waters, has been a while since we seen these fish, so that is a great sign. More looking for various surface action now, not much besides triggerfish and an occasional snapper or amberjack off the bottom now. Along the shore there were still roosterfish and jack crevalle, though that action became less consistent and actually more anglers are opting to target the dorado which has been the main bite for local charters.

The combined sportfishing fleet launching out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out an estimated 66 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 7 striped marlin, 4 blue marlin, 5 wahoo, 235 dorado, 24 yellowfin tuna, 9 leopard grouper, 32 Mexican bonito, 14 red snapper, 7 yellow snapper, 8 amberjack, 9 roosterfish, 15 jack crevalle and 85 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 – June 23, 2019

June 23, 2019 by Leave a Comment

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

—

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 – June 2, 2019

June 2, 2019 by Leave a Comment

June 2, 2019

As we near the start of the summer season we are now enjoying the ideal climate, early morning cloud cover, burning off as sun comes up, breeze mostly out of the north, though also switching from the south and high temperatures in the lower 80s. Only moderate crowds now, so it is the perfect to visit. Ocean conditions are cold on the Pacific, though in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and to the north we have seen clean blue currents of 74 to 78 degrees.

Main baitfish now found in the local marina area have been moonfish and mullet, ballyhoo are another option, as well as slabs of squid. Charters are working the fishing grounds from Red Hill, Palmilla, Gordo Banks, Iman, San Luis and to Vinorama. Most consistent catches have come from bottom structure, red snapper and Mexican bonito most numerous, using iron yo-yo style jigs, also drifting baits down deep has producing some quality catches. A handful of grouper species and amberjack were accounted for, some over 30 lb.

Early in the week there was limited action for yellowfin tuna found on the San Luis Bank, tuna to over 80 lb. were landed, while drift with strips of squid, this action faded during the week, though the yellowfin were still seen at times showing on the surface, just not all that interested in biting, but with the conditions becoming more favorable, anything could happen on any given day. Other tuna were found further offshore traveling with porpoise, this was a hit or miss deal from day to day and these fish were much smaller, mostly under 20 lb.

We have not seen dorado now for some time, though this week a few were  hooked into while trolling open waters on the marlin grounds, so we are hoping to see more of these popular gamefish move in.

There have been increasing numbers of striped marlin now on the local grounds, spread out from outside the Gordo Banks, La Laguna, straight off of San Jose del Cabo and outside of Palmilla, anywhere from 4 to 10 miles out, There were marlin that hit on trolled lures and various baitfish, we look for this action to break wide open in coming weeks. Most of the stripers are now in the 80 to 100 lb. range.

There were stronger swells pounding the shoreline, though the few charters that did try closer in did report some action for roosterfish and jack crevalle, trolling with live mullet seemed to work best for this action. We also look for this bite to really break wide open in coming weeks, as this is always the local peak season for roosterfish in the alter part of June. Please remember that these game fish should be released with care, they are prized fighting fish, not known for eating quality and grow to large sizes, better to protect them for future generations.

The combined sportfishing fleet launching out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina reported an estimated 74 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 2 dorado, 14 striped marlin, 6 yellowfin tuna, 2 dogtooth snapper, 12 leopard grouper, 1 broomtail grouper, 170 Mexican bonito, 58 red snapper, 4 yellow snapper, 13 amberjack, 10 glasseye pargo, 12 Pacific golden eyed tile fish, 14 roosterfish, 4 jack crevalle 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 26, 2019

May 26, 2019 by Leave a Comment

May 26, 2019

May weather has been ideal, seems that it has not become too warm yet, a little cooler than we can normally feel this close to summer time. Actually about the perfect climate now, lows about 65 degrees, highs averaging in the lower 80’s, very few clouds, sunny and dry. Crowds of anglers are moderate now, great time for a visit, with some eating fish being brought in. Early in the week we saw currents from the north push in water that was in the 78/70 degree range, later in the week it was holding more in the 74/76 range. Much of the week we felt north winds, this limited at times where charters went, later towards the weekend winds laid down. With changing currents, also this pushed in slightly greenish off colored waters. Transition period has been unsettled for weeks now, eventually conditions will heat up and we will see some more stable patterns.

Bait vendors are finding moonfish, jacks and some sardineta, also options of ballyhoo. The most consistent action being found was over the structure, boats are working areas from off of Red Hill/Palmilla, Gordo Banks. Cardon, La Fortuna, San Luis, north to Vinorama. Some of the best action was very early on the San Luis Banks, anglers working yo-yo jigs did very well for red snapper (huachinango), these fish were quality, average of 5 to 12 lb. Good number of The Mexican bonito as well, also over the various rocky areas there were some amberjack and grouper species found, we saw amberjack up to 70 pounds, most were in the 10 to 30 lb. range. Yellowtail action died off, but some could still happen with that, lots of sharks were moving in around the Gordo Banks, some days sea lions were a bad problem as well.

A handful of striped marlin were hooked into, boat the off colored changing currents, combined with passing of the full moon,  this seemed to spread this action out, scattered activity for billfish, surely will rebound as soon as water conditions become more favorable. No dorado or wahoo being talked about, though there were some yellowfin tuna accounted for from the super pangas fishing on the northern grounds from San Luis to Vinorama, striking on cut bait and yo-yo jigs, most of these yellowfin were in the 12 to 20 lb. range.

Inshore areas just south of Palmilla, to Chileno produced good action for roosterfish, some of these to over 30 lb. Slow trolling live bait was best technique for these powerful gamefish. Also in the mix were a handful of late season sierra, as well as hog sized jack crevalle.

The combined sportfishing fleet out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina reported an estimated 60 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 4 striped marlin, 8 yellowfin tuna, 10 leopard grouper, 245 Mexican bonito, 82 red snapper, 5 yellow snapper, 7 African pompano, 5 barred pargo, 24 amberjack, 9 sierra, 12 glasseye pargo, 22 roosterfish, 10 jack crevalle and 40 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 19, 2019

May 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

May 19, 2019

We are seeing limited crowds of tourists now, but we have noticed an increased number of actual anglers, so hopefully this trend will continue. Weather patterns remain ideal, lows of about 65 degrees, with highs reaching into the near 90 some days. Mostly clear sunny skies, not many clouds besides some early in the day that quickly burn off. Moderate winds later in the week, early on had been very calm. Warmer current moving in from the north, up to 78 degrees on the Gordo Banks, still much cooler on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas.

Bait netters had to work extra hard to obtain what they could, a mix of moonfish, caballito and a few species of sardinas were found. On the fishing grounds, namely Gordo Banks, anglers were able to jig up some other chihuil baitfish, but this proved scarcer by the day as water warmed up quickly. Using mullet now is prohibited, believe this season will open up in coming weeks.

Main fishing grounds being concentrated on now, have been from Palmilla, Red Hill, Gordo Banks, San Luis and as far north as Vinorama. The Gordo Banks had been the location where yellowtail were being found, averaging 25 to 35 lb., striking on larger live baits near the bottom, though as the week progressed this bite came to a standstill, large numbers of various shark species were also moving in on these same grounds, that seems to spook the gamefish. Sea lions were a pesky problem as well, especially on the grounds to the north, good action for red snapper and bonito was wrecked by these aggressive mammals. Other bottom action included cabrilla, leopard grouper, pargo and amberjack, on Thursday there was a very impressive 96 lb. amberjack landed from a panga. More numbers bonito than anything else, most of these were striking on yo-yo style jigs, weighing 5 to 10 lb..

In recent days the striped marlin became much more active, on these same grounds and a bit further offshore there were stripers being found, most of these were striking various baits and average weights were 70 to 100 lb., though one monster striper of about 180 lb. was landed on Friday, many people were thinking it was a blue marlin because of its size, years past we used to see more of the larger striped marlin. One wahoo of about 25 lb. was also landed Friday, no dorado or yellowfin tuna to speak of. To the north off of Cabo Pulmo they have been finding tuna, so we expect these fish will also move south into our range before too long. Off of the San Jose del Cabo hotel zone anglers were finding better action for roosterfish in the 15 to 25 lb. range, we look for this action to peak in the six weeks or so, please remember that these gamefish should always be released. Not as many sierra being seen now, no large schools of sardinas to attract them and as the water temperatures increase these fish usually migrate out of this region.

The combined sportfishing fleet out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina reported an estimated 66 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 13 striped marlin, 13 yellowtail, 1 yellowfin tuna, 1 wahoo, 18 leopard grouper, 360 bonito, 74 red snapper, 10 yellow snapper, 5 African pompano, 6 barred pargo, 29 amberjack, 11 sierra, 6 glasseye pargo, 32 roosterfish 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, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report May 5, 2019

May 5, 2019 by Leave a Comment

May 5, 2019

This week with the start of the new month we saw increased numbers of anglers showing up in town, along with hundreds of off road racing enthusiasts, here to celebrate the finish of the annual Norra Mexican 1000 five day rally. Weather conditions were excellent, nearly perfect climate now, hardly a chill early morning, with daytime highs reaching the mid-80s. Swells were slight, winds minimal, ocean temperatures ranged from 70 to 75 degrees through most of the region, with warmest currents found outside of San Jose del Cabo and towards the Gordo Banks.

Main baitfish being found have been the sardinas, a bit more spotty from day to day, the netters have been finding these schooling baitfish from near the marina jetty and off of Palmilla, though not in the quantity as in past weeks.

This week we felt a warming trend with different currents pushing in towards the Gordo Banks zone and this helped wake up the action some. Large whale sharks were also sighted on these grounds, slowly cruising around, not spooked of the any boat traffic, being larger than most boats themselves. No huge numbers of any particular gamefish species were being landed, though a variety of fish were being seen, including yellowtail to 30 lb. Early in the week some boats had as many as three yellowtail, since it has slowed, though these yellows are still in the area, downrigger proved to show best results, though not all bats use this method. Free swimming wahoo were spotted, but not on the bite, some tuna were seen working the surface, but they proved difficult, these was an occasional hook up reported. Jigging off the bottom produced some bonito and snapper.

A handful of yellowfin tuna were also found on the grounds from Iman, San Luis and Vinorama, a couple of tuna between 80 and 100 lb. were accounted for, most of these caught by local pangeros specifically targeting these fish for commercial value.

Closer to shore there was a variety of shallow water structure species found, drift fishing with sardinas worked well for this action. Species included sierra, yellow snapper, African pompano, triggerfish and a handful of amberjack.

Offshore there were reports of striped marlin activity from around the 1150 spot, this is just starting to develop and we expect to see this bit come on strong though the entire month, this is always the main season for stripers on these local ground off of San Jose del Cabo.

We expect to see schools of mullet to show in abundance later this month, which in turn will attract more inshore gamefish, such as dogtooth snapper, amberjack, jack crevalle and roosterfish. At this time main inshore action was for sierra mostly smaller sized roosterfish.

The combined sportfishing fleet out of the panga area from Puerto Los Cabos Marina reported an estimated 64 charters for the week and anglers reported an approximate fish count of: 4 striped marlin, 6 yellowfin tuna, 11 yellowtail, 11 leopard grouper, 210 bonito, 22 red snapper, 12 mohara, 18 yellow snapper, 8 African pompano, 15 amberjack, 85 sierra, 10 glasseye pargo, 12 roosterfish and 95 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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