Despite
ideal spring weather conditions there were small crowds of visiting tourists
this past week. The climate is actually starting to feel almost like summer,
tropical days and scattered cloud cover, plenty of sunshine, high temperatures
of 90 degrees. Breezes were predominately from the south and did not cause much
of a problem for anglers fishing in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and
further north. The areas from 95, 1150, Palmilla, Red Hill, Iman, San Luis and
Vinorama have been the most targeting grounds, action has been scattered,
strong currents pushing through, water temperature of 73 degrees on the Pacific
side of Cabo San Lucas and up to 77 degrees in the direction of the Sea of
Cortez, even up to 78 degrees fifteen or more miles offshore.
The striped
marlin activity was reportedly now centered on the 95 and 1150 high spots,
though on some days the marlin were found much closer. Trolling rigged ballyhoo
or drift fishing with caballito and moonfish all produced hook ups, some
charters accounted for 2,3,4, billfish days. More of a larger boat deal now,
since these area were centered 10 to 18 miles offshore, a bit more vulnerable
to the south winds. Besides the striped marlin, there was now an occasional
dorado in the mix, as well as thrasher sharks.
Action
closer to shore on the surface was mainly searching around for wahoo, yellowfin
tuna or dorado, no great numbers of any of these species being found, though
everyday these species are being encountered, so there are chances at some
quality fish. Anglers were using a mix of available baitfish or strips of
squid, as well as trolling with Rapalas. Wahoo sizes ranged from 15 lb., up to
65 lb. These fish were elusive though, anglers were very fortunate to land one
or two of these prized gamefish. Best chances at yellowfin tuna were found near
Iman to Vinorama, also some blind strikes by tuna being taken while trolling
the inshore waters from Red Hill to Cabo San Lucas, average sizes yellowfin
were in the 15 to 25 lb. range, no significant numbers, fewer than in past
weeks.
Off the
bottom it was the triggerfish that dominated the action, occasional cabrilla
(leopard grouper), yellow snapper, pompano, amberjack or bonito. Strips of
squid was the most successful bait, mostly smaller sized fish, all good eating
though. It is the time when with these progressively warming conditions things
can change rapidly from day to day or week to week.
Inshore was
limited to isolated action encountered for sierra or roosterfish, once again,
no numbers, a few impressive sized sierra to over ten pounds were landed. Still
only limited schooling action for roosterfish, should start to see schools of
mullet move into the region, this is the roosters preferred food source,
attracting the larger trophy sized fish, which in our area typically peak
during the second half of June
The combined
panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out
approximately 58 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of:
1 sailfish, 10 striped marlin, 18 wahoo, 31 yellowfin tuna, 13 dorado, 3
pompano, 7 amberjack, 9 cabrilla, 15 yellow snapper, 12 sierra, 22 bonito, 8
barred pargo, 6 roosterfish and 180 triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric