Gordo Banks Pangas
San Jose del Cabo
June 1, 2008
Anglers -
This past Wednesday through Friday there were south winds that blew relentlessly, at times gusting to 40 or 50 miles per hour. This contributed to pushing the greener and cooler Pacific currents in the direction of the Sea of Cortez, where water temperatures had reached 80 degrees, but overnight the area off of San Jose del Cabo dropped to 69 degrees and parts near Cabo San Lucas recorded temperatures in the low 60s. Conditions have now stabilized and retuned more towards normal patterns, with moderate breezes out of the north, this has helped push warmer currents back into the region and the ocean conditions are once again clean and water temperatures are back in the upper 70s.
Sportfishing fleets were concentrating efforts from Chileno to Desteladera, where after slowing during the recent full moon and cooler water period, in recent days the action for striped marlin has improved significantly. Stripers have been found in big numbers from the Gordo Banks and north towards Desteladera, larger baitfish have been somewhat limited, though there were bolito and smaller skipjack that can be caught on the same fishing grounds and used for slow trolling. Big schools of sardinas are congregated around the rock jetties of Puerto Los Cabos and a couple of days ago there was a striped marlin seen feeding within meters of the rocks, also lots of sierra in this same area, as well as some barracuda. Dorado action slowed since the water conditions turned over and at this time only a scattering of these fish are being accounted for and most of them are of smaller size compared to how they had been, though there were a few exceptions, including one bull that weighed 55 pounds, it was caught on an afternoon trip by Hugo Pino of the commercial panga fleet from La Playita.
Yellowfin tuna were seen feeding on the Inner Gordo in recent days, but so far have not gone back on the bite, apparently more interested in the food source that they are finding on the banks. Anglers were finding fair early morning action on a mix of species on the same Inner Gordo Banks, catches included amberjack to 40 pounds, yellowtail to 35 pounds, cabrilla to 15 pounds, various pargo to 12 pounds and some brut sized jack crevalle. Whale sharks are now a common sign on the banks as well.
Inshore the action was best while trolling with sardinas, main attraction was sierra, bonito, small roosterfish and a few of the season's first dogtooth snappers. The roosterfish have been very active, though so far they are smaller in size, some large roosters have been reported seen or hooked, but not in any significant numbers, generally the first couple of weeks in June is the time off of San Jose del Cabo when the larger roosterfish make their presence.
This weekend all of the locals are getting prepared for the grande national holiday of the " Dia de la Marina". In La Playita they have traditionally celebrated this event with three days of events, including all night dances, carnival rides, parades, horse races etc…climaxing on June 1, when there will be the annual panga dorado tournament. Should be a fun time, but sometimes there can be a shortage of sober skippers whiling or able to work early in the morning.
The combined panga fleets launching from La Playita / Puerto Los Cabos sent out approximately 62 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 3 wahoo, 24 striped marlin, 13 dorado, 6 yellowfin tuna, 9 yellowtail, 13 amberjack, 3 dogtooth snapper, 88 various pargo species, 62 bonito, 215 roosterfish, 28 jack crevalle, 19 cabrilla and 58 sierra.
Good Fishing, Eric
