February 14, 2010
Anglers
With heavy winter storms continuing to sweep across the United States, more people are deciding to pack their bags and head south in search of warmer weather. Day time temperatures have been averaging about 75 degrees in the Los Cabos region, there has been scattered cloud cover and on Wednesday there was another unusual rain front that moved through, never really amounted to much, light drizzle for the most part, though there were reports of isolated harder showers in certain areas. Ocean water temperature has ranged from 70 to 74 through most of the zone, clarity has been exceptional for this time of year, particular close to shore along the areas north of San Jose del Cabo. Winds were moderate for winter time, also unpredictable at times, but overall anglers reported generally comfortable fishing conditions.
Live sardinas were being netted by the commercial panga fleet near Vinorama, then would meet charter boats on the fishing grounds. There were also mackerel and sardinetas available on most days. There was still a strong current running, this made it more difficult to try the option of fishing the bottom, but the surface action remained consistent and most charters were targeting the species up top while either drift fishing or slow trolling. Most of this recent action was found within a couple miles of shore.
Dorado were a common species found, many boats were catching limits, with many other fish being released, weights ranged from 5 to 20 pounds, with a few exceptions of larger fish mixed in. There were more schools of dorado found closer to shore, than there were further out, some dorado were even found right along the beaches where anglers trolled for sierra and roosterfish. Dorado were striking on a variety of baits, as well as lures, but more percentage of fish were accounted for on bait.
The yellowfin tuna action was found from the Gordo Banks to Iman and San Luis, up and down, varied as to where the schooling fish were located and at what time of day they became more active, sardinas were the most productive bait, either dead or alive. Sizes of fish ranged from 10 to 40 pounds, there were a few fish up to 80 pounds reported by the commercial panga fleet who often would put in over time hours. The yellowfin would come up on the chummed sardinas and it took a lot of bait in the strong current to keep them on the surface feeding. Aggressive sea lions continued to be a major nuisance, anglers reporting loosing many fish to these pesky mammals, who would follow the boats around waiting for their chance at an easy catch.
Through the last week the wahoo action continued strong from San Luis to Vinorama, fish ranging up to 45 pounds were landed, trolled lures, cast jigs and trap hooked rigged ballyhoo and sardineta baits all were working. The wahoo were concentrated in certain areas and often would become more active as the sun warmed the oceans surface later on in the morning, not necessarily at first light, as can often be the case with these elusive pelagics.
For anglers fishing the bottom and along the shoreline they reported mixed results for a grouper, amberjack, pargo, triggerfish, bonito, sierra and roosterfish, but this action was not as consistent as were the offshore species.
Striped marlin are being encountered throughout the area, from Cabo San Lucas to the East Cape, most charters targeting them were fortunate to catch single marlin, though at times there were reports of multiple fish days. Casting baits to tailing fish was most successful. With the clean water now being found close to shore, the stripers are also being encountered close in.
The combined panga fleets launching from La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos sent out approximately 72 charters for the past week, with anglers reported a fish count of:
4 striped marlin, 19 wahoo, 8 roosterfish, 25 bonito, 18 amberjack, 7 grouper,14 pargo, 56 sierra, 305 dorado and 148 yellowfin tuna.
Good fishing, Eric