August 22-29, 2010
Weather: We had partly cloudy skies this week as we waited to see what Hurricane Frank was going to deliver for us. Fortunately it downgraded to a tropical depression well to the west and south of us and while we had clouds and swells from it, there was not much affect other than the clouds. Our daytime highs were in the high 90's and did reach just over 100 degrees several days. Our nights were warm as well with lows in the mid 80's. We received some spotty rain early in the week, once again just enough to mess up the windshields on the cars.
Water: The warm water remained with us as we had an average surface temperature of 84 degrees on both sides of the Cape anywhere you went. The water did drop down to 80 degrees well to the south of the 1,000 fathom line. The news this week was the size of the swells kicked up by Hurricane Frank. They were large enough that the Port Captain kept the Port closed until it was light enough to see well on Friday, but these were storm swells and spaced well apart. They were still large enough to get the beach bars wet inside when a big set came in.
Bait: Bait was still tough to get, at least good bait was. There were some Caballito but the bait guys were really proud of them, enough so that on a trip I went on this week we were only able to get 7 baits, and it still cost $30.
FISHING
Billfish: Some Sailfish have been showing up for the past several weeks as the water has gotten warmer. Most of them have been found on the Cortez side around the 95 and 1150 areas by boats working those same areas for Blue Marlin. There have also been quite a few Striped Marlin in the same areas, strange since the water is so warm there. As far as the big fish are concerned, the Blacks are still out there as several in the 400 pound class have been caught this week at both the Gorda Banks and the Inman Banks, mostly by boats hoping for a large Tuna. The same areas have been producing quite a few small Blue Marlin in the #200 class as well. These fish are probably feeding on the small football size Yellowfin that have been in the area. Offshore has been producing some nice Blue Marlin for boats willing to put in the time and effort, but most of the action has been on the Cortes side between the 95 and 1150.
Yellowfin Tuna: Yellowfin Tuna remained consistent with last weeks report as there were still some Quality fish in the #100+ class being found in the San Jose area between the Gorda Banks and the Inman Banks, but most of them have been smaller, ranging in size from 15 to 30 pounds. These same size fish have been found elsewhere as well, with fish showing from the south by the 1,000 fathom line to the San Jaime Banks area. While that action has not been wide open, everyone who has gone looking for them seems to have been able to catch a few. There were some decent fish over #100 found in small pods of porpoise to the southwest of the 95 spot several days this week, and there were even more fish in the 60-80 pound class as well so it is looking better for the larger Tuna this year.
Dorado: I fished the Pacific side for Dorado this week as a guest of a client and we released three Dorado under 10 pounds and kept four fish of about 12 pounds. All these were found close to shore, within 2 miles of the beach and were caught up around the Migraino area. I had reports of larger scattered fish being found offshore, but there was nothing solid or consistent reported.
Wahoo: A scattering of Wahoo were reported this week and strangely enough the best area seemed to be just along the drop off in front of Cabo San Lucas Bay and just to the north of the arch, between there and the lighthouse. Dark lures trolled while cruising out or back home seemed to do the trick, you just had to go about 10-13 knots instead of normal trolling speed of 8 knots or cruising speed of 18 knots. The fish averaged 40 pounds and while not every boat got bit, those that put in the time had some action as a reward.
Inshore: Still the large swells! Roosterfish action was down once again due to the storm swells but quite a few Pangas made the run to the Gorda Banks to fish for Tuna or stayed out in front working the water for Dorado.
Notes: We got lucky and avoided anything from Hurricane Frank, now keep those fingers crossed! If our weather holds we should see some great fishing coming up as the moon wanes. Once again, this weeks report was written to the music of Jack Johnson on his album "Sleep Through The Static". Until next week, tight lines!
Just came to our attention you can now buy fishing licenses online. Some Spanish required...won't let me buy quantities, as it looks like you can only buy one at a time. I only played on the website for a mew minutes this morning, look great for those yearly licenses!!! Thanks David for the website
https://www2.ebajacalifornia.gob.mx/Pesca/
http://captgeo.wordpress.com/