Yellowfin Tuna Action Picks Up ~ April 23, 2017
Anglers –
April 23, 2017
Easter week is now past, businesses are back in operation
after extended weekend break, though local schools still have this week off,
will be returning Monday for classes. Spring break rush of tourists has tapered
off and crowds are moderate now. Weather is ideal, clear sunny skies, high
temperatures of about 85 degrees and winds have been light. Ocean water
temperatures are ranging 72 to 75 degrees, areas of blotchy greenish water
closer to shore, though north of Punta Gorda to Vinorama the clarity has been
much improved.
The highlight this week was the yellowfin tuna action, fish
in the 20 to 40 lb. class started to bite near Vinorama, about one mile
offshore. Angers were using live sardinas, which in recent days were found
schooling near the Puerto Los Cabos Marina jetties. Drift fishing and slow
trolling baits worked, average catches ranged from 2 to 6 per tuna boat, good
action considering this is early in the season for yellowfin.
The snapper action continued on the Gordo Banks and on other
high spots, the key was obtaining red crabs for bait, also the drift was very
swift at times, which made this style of fishing tougher. Still a great option
to have, as these snapper are ranging from 4 to 12 lb. and are excellent
eating. In recent days more boats were trying for the tuna action, since it had
just developed again.
Other rock piles such as Palmilla Point, Iman Bank. La
Fortuna and San Luis Bank produced various numbers of amberjack, bonito, pargo
and cabrilla, anglers working hard with yo-yo jigs were rewarded with an
occasional amberjack up to 30 lb., but overall the numbers were limited.
The way the weather patterns are now, continuing warming
trend, anything can happen on any given day, this week it was the yellowfin
tuna, next week possibly striped marlin, wahoo or larger amberjack could
appear. Things can change fast as we progress towards summer.
Heard of a couple of snook taken by shore anglers, also a
few roosterfish taken by slow trolling baits near shore, one in the 25 lb.
range. With more baitfish appearing along the beach stretches we should start
to see increased activity.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita,
Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 66 charters for the week, with
anglers reporting a fish count of: 165 yellowfin tuna, 13 amberjack, 19 yellow
snapper, 13 leopard grouper, 4 pompano, 6 roosterfish, 180 huachinango, 14
sierra, 14 bonito and 70 triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric
Posted: Fish Reports
Author: Gordo Banks