Tuna Bite off Vinorama, Wahoo and Marlin in the Mix
April 30,
2016
Spring season continues to
attract moderate numbers of visitors to the Los Cabos area. Weather conditions
have been very pleasant, scattered morning cloud cover, plenty of warm
sunshine, high temperatures averaged about 85 degrees. Wind patterns were now
more from the south, increasing later in the afternoon, though there were a few
days where winds started out of the north, before switched from the south,
overall this did not create much problems for anglers, as ocean conditions
remained favorable. Ocean water temperatures ranged from 72/73 degrees on the
Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, with warmer currents found offshore of San Jose
del Cabo and to the north, where it was in the 76/77 degree range.
Anglers were
now using various available bait sources, live caballito, strips of squid and
rigged ballyhoo. On the fishing grounds there are now more schooling baitfish,
such as cocinero, chihuil, bolito and skipjack starting to move in, plenty of
food source to attract gamefish in to the area, at times too much natural bait
source and create more finicky fish, as they gorge on all of the present food,
then not being that eager to strike anglers offerings. Most of the fishing this
past week was taking place from off of Palmilla Point and north to Vinorama.
Over the full moon period the striped marlin action had slowed down, but now
this bite has improved, straight off of Puerto Los Cabos Marina, three to four
miles from shore, has been one of the more consistent area for the billfish.
Drift fishing live baits has been the best technique. Sizes on the striped
marlin ranged from 80 to 120 lb. Very few dorado being found recently, just an
occasional solo fish, most of them very small.
Early in the
week there was some good wahoo action reported from Iman Bank to Vinorama, some
charters landing as many as three wahoo, up to 45 lb. Though later in the week
these fish were not very active at all. You never know with these elusive fish,
when they will really become active. Conditions are now favorable, with the
currents now on a warming trend and more bait schools appearing, these are all
favorable signs for the coming weeks.
Yellowfin
tuna action has been reported from the Iman Bank and near Vinorama, with the
further areas now reporting better action in recent days. Drift fishing with
strips of squid has remained the best set up. Some days the fish were coming up
to feed earlier and on other days no activity was reported until 11 a.m. or
later, you never know, tides and currents can all be a factor, as these fish
are concentrated in areas within one to three miles from shore. Sizes ranged
from 10 lb. footballs, to fish over 50 lb. Some high boats had as many as six
to eight tuna, while others managed one or two. The key was having patience and
the largest supply of squid as practical.
Bottom
action produced mainly smaller sized snapper and pargo species, plenty of
triggerfish, an occasional cabrilla or amberjack. On the same fishing grounds
there were more sierra encountered, further offshore than you would normally
find these fish, some of these were quality sized, five to ten pounds. Not much
action at all reported inshore for roosterfish, we should see more of these
fish move in during the next couple of months.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita,
Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 86 charters for the week, with
anglers reporting a fish count of: 28 striped marlin, 26 wahoo, 72 yellowfin
tuna, 2 dorado, 5 amberjack, 8 cabrilla, 60 various pargo/snapper species, 28
sierra, 7 jack crevalle and 75 triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric