Los Cabos Fishing Report – October 7, 2018

October 7, 2018

We are now seeing the first wave of fall season anglers arriving, the coming weeks will be very busy. Weather patterns are changing, slight chill now early in the morning, still very humid, some intense sunshine, we had no rain this past week, scattered tropical clouds and, increased swells due to distant hurricane, with relatively light winds. Ocean water temperatures were in the 86 degrees range, still very conductive for fueling storms. Last week we saw Hurricane Rosa pass off to the west and end up making landfall in Northern Baja as a tropical storm. This week we are following Hurricane Sergio, which is presently far off to the west, nearly half way to Hawaii. The deal with Sergio is that forecasts predict this system will make a u turn late this weekend and head back northeast towards the Central Baja, almost unprecedented to have a tropical storm be that far west and then move all the way back to the Baja. We will be following this through the week and hope that this storm does not swift to the south.

As angling pressure increases we are going to see how supplies of sardinas hold up, this has been the main baitfish now being used, also the slabs of squid makes a good combination and option to have, if available. As we move into the fall season there will be more opportunities of looking for other larger baits like chihuil, small skipjack, caballito and later on sardineta and mackerel.

This week again the main center of action for local fleets was on the Iman Bank. With yellowfin tuna being the most common gamefish, ranging in sizes from 10 lb. to 70 lb. Mixed in were various skipjack and lots of pesky triggerfish. The bite was tough this week, the tuna would come up, but were very finicky and would strike at sporadic times. Most charters were doing well to land a couple of tuna while on other days anglers landed as many as five or more. Many of the yellowfin landed on these grounds averaged in the 25 to 60 lb. class, quality fish, just not in any significant numbers. These fish have been on these same areas for the entire summer and are becoming wiser to the increased boat traffic. Though we expect action to start spreading out some and hopefully we will see more dorado moving in, so far they have been scarce, an occasional one or two dorado in the 2 to 12 lb. range.

Wahoo action has been limited, though we are seeing a few fish brought in from the areas near Iman to Vinorama, most of these were under 30 lb., striking on lures as well as rigged chihuil. Wahoo do not often seem that active when the ocean temperature is this warm, as we see cooling currents we expect to have much better chances for these popular fish.

We heard of some better blue marlin action off of the fishing grounds closer to Cabo San Lucas, off of San Jose del Cabo a few blues to over 200 lb. were reported, as well as many more sailfish in local waters now, these fish like the warmest of waters, sailfish up to 100 lb. were landed off the same grounds where the yellowfin tuna were schooling.

Not much bottom action now, stronger currents and anglers that did try mainly had a variety of smaller sized pargo, bonito, triggerfish, cabrilla, we did see a few amberjack, one that was over 40 lb. Also one golden leopard grouper was caught.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 69 charters for the week. Anglers reported a fish count of:  1 striped marlin, 11 sailfish, 1 black marlin, 2 blue marlin, 18 dorado, 9 wahoo, 115 yellowfin tuna, 10 bonito, 230 white skipjack, 16 red snapper, 3 amberjack, 12 barred pargo, 6 pompano, 4 surgeon fish, 12 yellow snapper, 16 cabrilla, 1 golden leopard grouper and 140 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

Celebrations, Concerts & Competitions – October Events in Cabo San Lucas

October traditionally marks the start of high tourist season in Los Cabos–and although such calendar distinctions mean less now than they used to, as the cape cities have evolved into year-round travel destinations–the month remains important for signature regional events like Sammy Hagar’s birthday bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina, and Bisbee’s Black & Blue and Los Cabos Offshore marlin fishing tournaments.

Sammy Hagar’s 71st Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina (Oct. 9, 11, 13)

Every year since 1990, loyal “Redheads” from around the world have flocked to Cabo San Lucas for Sammy Hagar’s Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina. In 2018, the former Van Halen and Montrose celebrates his 71st year on the planet with an all-star cast of visiting musicians, including The Circle members Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, and Vic Johnson. Shows are scheduled for October 9, 11 and 13. General admission tickets are available to winners of a random drawing, but those who aren’t selected will still have an opportunity to attend. Some dinner show tickets will be made available in early October on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament (Oct. 14 – 18)

Just as September is El Mes de la Patria, the “the country’s month,” in México, October is the month of the fishing tournament in Cabo San Lucas. Bisbee’s two cash-rich tournaments–the Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue–get most of the publicity, but the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament also sends out a siren call to big-game fishermen eager for big-money prizes and jackpots. The three tournaments combined last year to pay out over $4,735,000 to the winners. The 20th annual LCBT has three entry levels:  a $5,000 base entry for each 6-person team; daily jackpots for the largest tuna, wahoo and dorado; and daily billfish release jackpots. Optional marlin only jackpots are available to teams that paid base entry. Registration and the post-tournament gala awards ceremony will both be hosted by Playa Grande, a Solmar Group resort.

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore (October 18 – 21)

Commonly known as “Little Bisbee’s,” to differentiate it from the “Big Bisbee’s” Black & Blue marlin fishing tournament that also takes place each October in Los Cabos, the Los Cabos Offshore dates back to 2002, and is considered a more laid-back, charity focused endeavor than the Black & Blue. Cash prizes are awarded to the teams with the three biggest qualifying fish in the game and billfish categories at the LCO, and large amounts of money are always donated to local causes. Base entry for teams is $1,500 U.S., with $17,000 necessary for “across the board” entry in all jackpots and challenges.

Bisbee’s Black & Blue (October 23 – 27)

Oft billed as “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament,” thanks to its million dollar payouts, this marlin fishing tournament originally premiered in 1981, 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 sportfishing history. Base entry for this millionaire maker 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 standards (300 lbs.).

Día de Muertos (Oct. 31 – Nov. 2)

México observes many holidays, but none quite so visually distinctive and emotionally resonant as El Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). This holiday to honor deceased family and friends dates back to the time of the Aztecs–who dedicated a festival to Mictecacihuatl, queen of the underworld, each August–but now takes place contemporaneously with the Catholic observance of Allhallowtide. Traditionally, it is thought that the souls of children return on Nov. 1, and the souls of adults on Nov. 2. Families will often build ofrendas (altars) in their homes, welcoming back the spirits of the departed with some of their favorite food and drinks, as well as special holiday themed items like cempasúchil flowers (Aztec marigolds), calaveras de azúcar (candy skulls), and a sweet bread called pan de muerto.

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.

 

  • Chris Sands is co-founder of CaboVivo, co-writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, Editor at Baja.Ca, and a contributor to Forbes, USA Today and Cabo Living, as well as other websites and publications. 

Photo credit: Bisbee’s Black & Blue.

Upcoming Event Calendar

September

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

October

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

San Jose del Cabo Restaurant Week – Oct. 13 – 20

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Fiestas Patronales (Patron Saint Festival) in Cabo San Lucas – TBD

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

Cruising for the Critters (Humane Society Fundraiser) – Nov. 3

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

Los Cabos International Film Festival – Nov. 7 – 11

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

 December

Sabor a Cabo Food & Wine Festival – Dec. 1

Dressed to the K-9s Charity Gala – Dec. 1

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 10 – 20

Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 16 – 20

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 2 – 9

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

Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 9 – 10

Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5

March

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5

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

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

 

Los Cabos Fishing Report – September 30, 2018

September 29, 2018

We saw light crowds of anglers arriving this week, though ocean conditions remained decent through the weekend. Active tropical conditions now being closely monitored, with category four Hurricane Rosa spinning over the Pacific several hundred miles off to the west, following a northern track, expected to impact northern areas of Baja before dissipated over Mainland Mexico and into the U.S. There were some isolated showers felt locally, particularly on Thursday night when Cabo San Lucas experienced heavy flooding in the lower lying areas. Swells increased to three meters, but winds were light and anglers were able to reach the normal fishing grounds. Presently we are watching a newly forming tropical system off of Southern Mexico, expected to become Hurricane Sergio, but also is forecast to follow a similar path as Rosa and remain safely away from any impact with Southern Baja, so hopefully these forecasts remain actuate.

There continued to be supplies of sardinas near the PLC marina entrance, this was the main bait now being used. Heavy pressure coming with the fall season, hard to say how the baitfish supply will hold up, there should be some control on how much brined dead bait is allowed during the upcoming high dollar tournaments, this always puts a major hurt on local bait supplies.

With clean blue water now within a mile of shore and ocean temperatures averaging close to 85 degrees, fleets have not had to go far offshore to find fish. Most consistent action recently has been found between the Iman and San Luis Banks. Main species has been the yellowfin tuna, with the full moon passing these fish became a little more finicky than they already had been, but still there were quality yellowfin being landed every day, average size fish were in the 50 to 70 lb. range. Some days they would bite early, other times it was a late bite, hot spots would vary each day, early in the week San Luis was best, then Iman, then to the inside off of La Fortuna. With persistence anglers were able to land one or two, up to four or five of these tuna per day.

Over last weekend the wahoo started to bite, first on the Iman Bank, trolling Rapalas and other lures, not necessarily only early in the day either. For the few boats that got into this action, they reported having multiple strikes and landing as many as four wahoo, weights were to over 40 lb. This action slowed way down on the Iman Bank, but there were new reports from further north off of Vinorama where wahoo action was very good as well, this is longer range, but hopefully these fish will move on to our normal closer fishing grounds.

Not much going on with dorado, just a handful of mostly smaller single fish being encountered. There were opportunities for billfish, this week there were striped marlin, blue marlin, black marlin and sailfish all found, no big numbers, but these fish are in the area and some impressive blues and black to over 400 lb. were reported. Slow trolling larger baitfish like white skipjack or football sized tuna showing the best results on the local high spots for hooking into a big marlin.

Not much bottom action, a few snapper, cabrilla, amberjack, not many people concentrated on this. We did see one dogtooth of close to 60 lb. Also a 50 lb. amberjack, so there are some impressive fish in the area.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 53 charters for the week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 3 striped marlin, 4 sailfish, 2 blue marlin, 2 black marlin, 9 dorado, 17 wahoo, 92 yellowfin tuna, 22 bonito, 12 red snapper, 4 dogtooth snapper, 4 amberjack, 5 barred pargo, 1 sculpin, 2 surgeon fish, 8 cabrilla and 60 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

Destination Wellness – Medical Tourism in Los Cabos

Travelers don’t just flock to cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo for the year-round sunshine and gorgeous golden sand beaches, the abundant big-game sportfishing and spectacular seaside golf courses.

For many visitors–particularly from the U.S.–Los Cabos also offers an opportunity to receive high quality medical and dental care for a fraction of what they would pay at home.

Health and beauty options like cosmetic surgery or dental work may not be the sole reasons for the vacation, mind you. More likely, they’re added bonuses that can be fitted in between pampering massages and poolside margaritas.

But there’s no question that affordable medical care is a very real consideration, and that it contributes significantly to the overall attractiveness of Los Cabos as a travel destination.

The truth is, medical tourism is now big business in Los Cabos…and in Mexico as a whole, with the sector accounting for a whopping 4.6 billion dollars in 2016.

Medical Centers in Los Cabos

Los Cabos’ growth as a medical tourism destination has translated to an impressive new slate of state-of-the-art centers and facilities.

Most impressive, perhaps is Hospital H+ Los Cabos, which opened in 2016 in the 20-mile tourist corridor which connects Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo (at Km. 24.5, just behind the fashionable new fine dining food court, El Merkado). The spacious modern facility boasts a full range of medical services, from 24-hour triage and intensive care to surgical areas, specialty clinics, laboratories and blood banks, radiology and ultrasound imaging, and private rooms for extended patient stays. H+ Los Cabos also features a tremendous roster of on-call specialists: including doctors in Cardiology, Coloproctology, Gastroenterology, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Pathology, Pediatrics, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, and Urology.

Hospiten is the next highly acclaimed medical center expected to open and rival H+ for state-of-the-art testing and treatment. It’s currently under construction just outside Cabo San Lucas (near Plaza San Lucas, the corridor based home to Walmart and other popular shops and stores). Hospiten is an international medical group, with several locations already serving patients in Spain, as well as throughout Latin America and the Caribbean; including in the premier Mexican resort destination of Cancun.

Choosing the Right Doctors & Facilities

Even with the most high-profile health care centers, a thorough vetting is recommended to ensure you’re completely comfortable with the quality and cost of your preferred services.

The easiest way to do this is simply to consult the approved list of hospitals and medical facilities that has been put together, and is constantly updated, by the U.S. Consulate General.

The U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana, in conjunction with its branch in Los Cabos, has compiled a list of regional clinics, hospitals and ambulance services that meet their criteria (read: U.S. standards) for quality care. High-quality treatment is rarely the reason for removal of hospitals and clinics from this list, by the way, but rather predatory billing practices. Feel free to contact the U.S. Consulate offices for more specific information about various regional medical facilities.

If the facility you wish to use is not approved by the U.S. Consulate, that’s not necessarily a black mark, since the Consulate generally only evaluates the very largest hospitals and clinics, and acts primarily on complaints. Ask your preferred medical care facility to share estimated billing costs ahead of time, and to provide you with a complete record of their official accreditations, as well as those of their doctors.

Insurance

Regardless of whether you’ve decided to pay for your destination health care out-of-pocket, it’s also important to investigate the possible insurance ramifications for accidents or other unforeseen health issues (complications from pre-existing conditions, etc.) while traveling abroad.

Many U.S. based health insurance policies are only in force domestically, and thus it may be advisable, as a purely precautionary measure, to enroll in a travelers’ medical insurance plan for the duration of your Los Cabos vacation.

For more information about medical tourism and health care in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

 Chris Sands is co-founder of CaboVivo, co-writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, Editor at Baja.Ca, and a contributor to Forbes, USA Today and Cabo Living, as well as other websites and publications. 

 Photo credit: Hospital H+ Los Cabos.

Upcoming Event Calendar

September

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

October

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

San Jose del Cabo Restaurant Week – Oct. 13 – 20

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Fiestas Patronales (Patron Saint Festival) in Cabo San Lucas – TBD

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

Cruising for the Critters (Humane Society Fundraiser) – Nov. 3

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

Los Cabos International Film Festival – Nov. 7 – 11

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

Sabor a Cabo Food & Wine Festival – Dec. 1

Dressed to the K-9s Charity Gala – Dec. 1

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 10 – 20

Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 16 – 20

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 2 – 9

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

Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 9 – 10

Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5

March

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5

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

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

 

 

September 22, 2018

This week was shut down for sport fishing by Monday afternoon due to a broad low pressure Topical system that slowly followed a path directly towards the Southern Baja Peninsula, north through the Gulf of Californian, drenching mainland Mexico and then in the South Western U.S. states. Hard to predict what a particular low pressure system might develop into, this latest storm left more rainfall than anything else, certain locations received as much as 15 inches of rain and there was moderate to heavy flooding to deal with. There were some isolated wind gusts to over 40 mph, for the most part the wind was more like 20 mph with. persistent rainfall, very intense at times. The Port was shut down form Monday afternoon until Thursday morning, though most fleets did not start back operations until Friday. So this was a shortened week.

Once back operating, fleets dealt with slightly off colored water conditions and some strong currents. Put as ocean conditions settled down, water temperature was back averaging close to 84 to 85 degrees, lots of yellowfin tuna were being seen on these grounds, the tuna were mostly in the 50 lb. to 80 lb. range, but at times were very shy in taking any hooked offerings from anglers, through with persistence anglers could catch two or three during a morning trip. This action was all on bait, with live, or dead sardinas, strips of squid and some on live chihuil, which were not a sure bet trying to catch. So despite the yellowfin tuna action being sporadic and a bit finicky, this was still the best opportunity presently for catching quality gamefish. On Friday a private sport fisher out of Puerto Los Cabos reported landing a yellowfin tuna off of the Gordo Banks that was estimated at 280 lb. This is the first real super cow we have heard about from these grounds this season.

Other action was limited, some bottom action on the same grounds, but not a sure bet option, highlights were a handful of grouper and dogtooth snapper, these fish were hanging around the high spots, though trying to hook and turn these fish away from the rocks was a completely different story in itself, even on locked down 80 lb. tackle these fish will quickly terminate the battle by cutting lines off.

Only an occasional dorado being seen, a few reports of missed wahoo strikes or free jumping fish seen, this time of year we have minimal variety. Coming up in the fall season we do anticipate a great season, looking forward to more wahoo and dorado showing back up in the daily fish counts.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 35 charters for this storm shortened week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 2  striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 2 blue marlin, 3 dorado, 58 yellowfin tuna, 17 bonito, 6 red snapper, 3 dogtooth snapper, 4 cabrilla and 18 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

https://cabosanlucasblog.info/3053-2/

Los Cabos Fishing Report – September 16, 2018

September 16, 2018 

We are starting to see the first wave of early fall anglers arriving, still only moderate numbers, but more people than we have seen in recent weeks. This is now the four year anniversary of when Hurricane Odile devastated the Los Cabos area. This week the weather has been calm, last week we saw some isolated unpredictable thundershowers that did bring some fairly heavy rainfall amounts in some areas. No new storms that we see presently on the forecast, but tropical systems can develop rapidly this time of year, another few weeks of the normal storm season, so we will be watching closely. Meanwhile the Philippines is now enduring the battering of a Super Typhon and the East Coast of the United Sates is dealing with Hurricane Florence. All is quiet in the Eastern Pacific at this time. Winds were very light this week, swells were moderate, supplies of sardinas were sufficient and anglers were enjoying great ocean conditions, though days were still very warm and humidity is high, as it normally is during the month of September.

Anglers were using both sardinas and strips of squid, some chihuil also now being caught for bait as well. Yellowfin tuna were found from the Gordo Banks to Iman and San Luis. Smaller football tuna mainly being found on the Gordo Banks, though on Iman and San Luis the yellowfin tuna were avenging 50 to 70 lb. Finicky at times, lots of patience and persistence needed, drift fishing while chumming, dealing with lots of triggerfish and needlefish stealing baits. At times tuna could be seen boiling and jumping out of the water, but proved to have lock jaw, but then would go on the bite sporadically, some days early, sometimes much later in the day. Anglers were doing well to land one, two or three of these quality tuna.

Only a few dorado being found, most of these were under ten pounds, most of these a bit closer to shore than where the tuna were schooling. Wahoo were very few and far between, though every few days we heard about someone catching one. Only a few small roosterfish found close to shore. Off the bottom we did not see any consistent action, though a couple of nice cabrilla in the 40 to 50 pound class were accounted for. A handful of red snapper, bonito and a couple of dogtooth snapper in the 20 to 30 lb. range.

Heard of great striped marlin action on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, our local grounds produced scattered billfish action for sailfish, striped and blue marlin.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 62 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 9  striped marlin, 3 sailfish, 2 blue marlin, 3 wahoo, 14 dorado, 105 yellowfin tuna, 16 bonito, 2 barred pargo, 14 red snapper, 2 dogtooth snapper, 12 cabrilla 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

Los Cabos Fishing Report – September 9, 2018

September 9, 2018

Light crowds of tourists now, will not be long before the busy fall season begins. Tropical storm season is in the peak period now, when historically the most Hurricanes have formed and also made landfall on the Southern Baja Peninsula. At this time there are no new systems threatening, Hurricane Olivia has headed far off on a westerly track heading for possible landfall in Hawaii. The next Eastern Pacific storm will be named Paul, hard to predict the weather more than a few days in advance this time of year. On Wednesday we did have some isolated heavy rainfall, but only in small areas, not widespread. This is the time of year when forecast call for almost daily scattered thundershowers, more often these form over the hills in the afternoon, but they are always very unpredictable as exactly where and when they happen. Ocean temperatures are warming, up into the 85 to 87 degree range. Swells were moderate for this time of year. Winds were gusting more than last week, mainly after mid-day.

Schooling sardinas were once again found in closer range, now off the San Jose Estuary. Slabs of squids were also a main bait source being used. Most productive area where local fleets are now fishing have been from the Gordo Banks to Iman and San Luis Banks. Yellowfin tuna remained the most common gamefish species being found. Sizes of the tuna have ranged from 10 lb. to 90 lb. Higher numbers of the larger grade of fish were found near Iman and San Luis Banks, but a handful of the nicer yellowfin were also found on the Gordo Banks. Gordo was producing a lot of the smaller sized tuna as well, while Iman and San Luis there were mainly larger sized fish being hooked into. The bite was sporadic, some day’s early, other days late, other day’s finicky, typical tuna fishing. The best method was to have both sardinas and squid, drift fishing while chumming. A few anglers reported success catching chihuil baitfish and slow trolling them, though these baitfish proved difficult and time consuming to try and catch. Anglers seriously targeting the tuna were accounting for an average of one to three of the nicer sized fish, when targeting the smaller tuna, often they were able to catch quick limits of five fish per person.

Very few dorado were seen this past week, we heard of reports of good numbers of these fish being found in the San Diego area, maybe this is where they all are, last season the better dorado action locally was later in the fall and through December, that might be the same pattern this season. Very few wahoo were reported this week, an occasional fish on the troll, but nothing consistent and no particular time of day either.

Bottom action was limited to a few bonito, cabrilla, red snapper, pargo and triggerfish. Not much inshore action seen, not the time of year for that.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 50 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 2 black marlin, 3  striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 4 dorado, 3 wahoo, 112 yellowfin tuna, 9 bonito, 5 yellow snapper, 3 barred pargo, 10 red snapper, 7 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 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

Los Cabos Fishing Report September 2, 2018

September 2, 2018 

Light crowds of visitors now arriving, many families are now busy preparing for the start of the new school semesters, also waiting for cooler weather and for the tropical storm season to pass. At this time we are seeing a flare up of tropical storm development, we have Hurricanes Miriam and Norman, now farther off to the west, not impacting land, but increasing local humidity, now forming to the south we will have Olivia and Paul within the next week, looks like Paul might be the system the comes closest to land. Forecast do call for some scattered thundershowers in the coming week. More moisture is needed, but everyone is hoping that we do not see any damaging high winds, the next several weeks is when all eyes will be focused on the tropical weather forecasts.

Anglers were finding sardinas a bit harder to find, these schooling baitfish had been found off the northern shoreline near Vinorama, then off of the San Jose del Cabo Estuary and now they are finding them off of Chileno. This means bait netters are back tracking south, then back towards the marina in order to supply the sportfishing fleet, which have been fishing in the direction of the Gordo Banks, La Fortuna, Iman and San Luis Banks. Other bait option continue to be slabs of squid, also some skipjack, bolito and chihuil be found on the offshore grounds and used for slow trolling.

Main species being found were the yellowfin tuna, hitting on the strips of squid and sardinas, ranging in sizes from footballs, up to 80 pounds. Fish were finicky, some days being more active early, other days later in the day, moving around to the various spots, trying to find some cooperative fish. Catches ranged from one or two yellowfin, up to ten. Matter of being on the right sport, at the right time and having sufficient supplies of bait. This is normally the time of year where we see the largest of cow sized yellowfin tuna start to lurk around the local high spots. There were a couple of reports in recent days of large fish being lost after extended battles on the grounds near the Gordo Banks, presumably these were thought to be big tuna. The same Gordo Banks is now producing some action for larger marlin, including one fish landed mid-week from a 22 ft. panga that was an estimated 500 lb. black marlin. Best chances for these larger marlin is to slow troll larger sized baits, lots of patience is needed, but rewards can be high.

Only an occasional dorado being found, most of these under 15 lb. found fairly close to shore. Water is now clear and blue within one mile of shore, ocean currents are warming, now averaging 82 to 86 degrees. Moderate swells, could be increasing with all of the storm activity to the south, will depend on how close these system pass off of the Southern Baja Peninsula.

Limited bottom action, a few snapper, bonito, cabrilla, amberjack, but most charters are targeting the finicky tuna, which has proved to be the best bet for getting a nice amount of fresh fillets.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 51 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 1 dogtooth snapper, 1 black marlin, 3 sailfish, 2 striped marlin, 18 dorado, 108 yellowfin tuna, 12 bonito, 6 yellow snapper, 5 barred pargo, 3 amberjack, 8 red snapper, 11 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 6 roosterfish and 32 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

Iron Discipline Meet Golden Views in the Los Cabos 70.3

For most of us, it sounds like a sure way to ruin a perfect day in paradise: start with a strenuous 1.2 mile swim, take a not so leisurely bike ride for 56 miles, then run like your life depended on it for 13.1 more miles. And, if you’re lucky, thousands of people will be chasing you.

For those hale and hearty souls with a more rugged disposition, an iron constitution if you will, it sounds exactly like the perfect day in paradise.

 It, of course, is the Ironman Los Cabos 70.3, the numerical aspect of which refers to the total amount of miles covered. That total, incidentally, is only half of what is required for a traditional triathlon.

The Ironman (or Ironwoman as the case may be) lifestyle began under the tropic Hawaiian sun in the late 1970s, when a debate started between members of regional swim and running clubs about which sport produced fitter athletes. A U.S. Navy officer threw a monkey wrench into the dispute by noting it was a cyclist who had the highest recorded “oxygen uptake”, and…well, you can see where this is going.

Hawaii birthed the idea and the first race, held in Oahu in 1978. The 50th and final U.S. state remains an important stop for Ironman, hosting the annual world championship in Kailua-Kona. The difference today is that it is just one of many locations around the globe. Over three dozen Ironman triathlons were held in 2018, on six different continents. The 70.3 races have proved even more popular. At last count, there were more than 80 taking place annually (including the one in Los Cabos), although in a break from the 140.6 triathlon tradition, the 70.3 world championship is held in a different international location each year.

When the first Ironman race was run in Los Cabos in 2013, it was as a traditional (140.6 mile) triathlon under the sponsorship of the Ford Motor Company. With that inaugural race in March 2013, Los Cabos became the second location in Mexico–after Cancun–to host the Ironman series, unveiling a rigorous course that included a swim leg in the protected waters off Punta Palmilla, a bicycle leg that featured several back-and-forth trips between cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, and a full-length marathon that concluded in front of City Hall in San Jose del Cabo.

As the managing director of the Ironman race operations, Steve Meckfessel, noted at the time: “This is truly a spectacular addition to the Ironman circuit. The vitality of Los Cabos’ natural beauty combined with the challenging course that our team has laid out really sets Ironman Los Cabos apart.”

He was right on many counts. The race course was rich in natural beauty and spectacular views, and it proved popular immediately…with both locals and visitors. However, as one might imagine with a race of such epic size and scope, logistics can and have been an issue. Traffic problems accompanied the first few races, but after a seasonal move from spring to autumn, and a slimmed down 70.3 version with a faster, flatter course layout, Ironman finally seems to have hit its stride in Los Cabos.

This year’s Ironman Los Cabos 70.3 is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2018. In addition to pride and $50,000 in prize money, the half-triathlon offers 30 coveted qualifying spots for the 2019 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Messenia, Greece.

Registration is still open, but time is running out for those who want to raise their fitness from “very good” to “potential race finisher” or “potential winner” in the grueling Ironman series event.

by Chris Sands

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.

 Chris Sands is co-founder of CaboVivo, co-writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, Editor at Baja.Ca, and a contributor to Forbes, USA Today and Cabo Living, as well as other websites and publications. 

 Photo courtesy of Ironman Los Cabos 70.3.

Upcoming Event Calendar

September

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

October

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

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

 December

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18

February

Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14

March

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

Los Cabos Fishing Report – August 26, 2018

August 26, 2018 

As Hurricane Lane is presently dangerously close to the Hawaii Islands, conditions locally in Los Cabos have remained calm, with no new tropical storm systems seen developing at this time. We still have another full five weeks of the normal tropical storm season, we are all hoping that no major storms approach Baja. Weather continues to be very warm, increased humidity as well, some afternoon rain squalls to the north of San Jose del Cabo, normal pattern for this latter part of summer. Minimal wind, primarily only slight afternoon breezes, moderate swells, always need to be careful along the shoreline during these summer months.

With continued reports of great fishing action coming out of Southern California for bluefin tuna, yellowtail, white seabass and as a result crowds are lighter than normal now in Los Cabos. Local fleets are now mainly concentrating their efforts on fishing grounds from the Gordo Banks, Iman and San Luis Banks. Anglers were using slabs of squid, sardinas, as well as skipjack and small tuna for baits. Iman and San Luis was the best place to find a nicer grade of yellowfin tuna, everyday these grounds are producing tuna to over 70 lb. No huge numbers, fish were also finicky and shy with the ever present boat pressure, but with patience and consistent drifting and chumming over these high spots there were good chances of hooking into yellowfin. The Gordo Banks produced mainly a smaller grade of tuna up to about 12. Lb. It is the time of year that we normally see the cow sized tuna appear on these famous grounds.

The Gordo Banks and on the grounds near Iman, there were several black marlin catches reported this week, these fish were hooked into while slow trolling larger rigged baits, the white skipjack proved especially effective, the fish that were landed weighed in the 200 to 300 lb. range.

Only a scattering of mostly smaller sized dorado were being found. Over last weekend and at the start of this week, there were wahoo being hooked into while trolling Rapalas and other lures on the normal grounds from Iman to San Luis, a handful of charters got into this action, with a couple of wahoo landed and others lost, these fish were in the 15 to 40 lb. class. As the week progressed this action faded out as some anglers did target this action but could not entice any strikes. The ocean temperature warmed this week, back up into the 81 to 87 degree range, too warm of water often will make species such as wahoo more lethargic, less active.

Bottom action was limited, most anglers were opting to target other surface species, though a few dogtooth snapper and amberjack were reported, as well as some red snapper, bonito, yellowfin snapper and cabrilla. Best chance for these fish was early in the day, using various baits, as well as opportunities using yo-yo jigs.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 57 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 3 dogtooth snapper, 3 black marlin, 2 sailfish, 17 dorado, 7 wahoo, 96 yellowfin tuna, 14 bonito, 8 yellow snapper, 6 amberjack, 17 red snapper, 9 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 3 roosterfish and 42 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