March 2, 2009
Anglers
Much of the same winter pattern to report, crowds of visitors are about the same level as they have been since the start of the New Year, still down from peak seasons, but considering the state of the global economy Los Cabos is holding its own. Despite the weather being a little more unpredictable and unstable the past week, with more northern winds stirring up ocean clarity, as well as dropping the average water temperature a couple of degrees, now down to about 70 degree, all around the weather has been very mild, actually some unusual signs of increased humidity and highs in the mid 80s.
Whales have been putting a show for anyone viewing in their direction, should be peak migration now for the next month or so. Sightings of pesky sea lions, manta rays, turtles and giant squid provided interest. Supplies of sardina baitfish were plentiful near Palmilla Point and off the beaches near San Luis. Fleets found schooling yellowfin tuna from La Fortuna to the Iman Bank, moody fish that increasing became more shy as conditions fluctuated, there was several days that for some reason the bite seemed to be good one day and dead the next, hard to predict that. Fish would often come up to feed on chummed sardinas, but would disappear just as fast without showing interest. The tuna that were hooked into, weighed mostly 30 to 60 pounds, catches ranged one to three fish per boat when the fish did decide to bite, light leaders were an advantage. Lots of the Mexican bonito now showing up in the cooler current, aggressive feeders, at times too much competition for the tuna to compete with on the surface.
Dorado numbers dropped and schools became scattered, though some fish in the 10 to 20 pound were still providing action, more often than not they were found closer to shore. Some charters would not find any dorado, other boats accounted for up to a half of dozen, just matter of encountering the fish. Sierra to four pounds and juvenile sized roosterfish were schooling near the beaches, particularly areas with more rock outcroppings. Slow trolling with live sardinas showed best results, at times hoochies and rapalas worked, as well as casting chrome jigs. With the offshore fishing action becoming more inconsistent fleets were now starting to scout out bottom structure opportunities, but so far they were only finding spotty action for a few yellowtail, amberjack, pargo and cabrilla. Anglers were jigging with yo yos or drifting weighted baits in depths ranging 100 to 150 feet, this is the type of fishing that is commonly practiced throughout the springtime.
Striped marlin activity was still best on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, stripers were found in limited numbers on the Sea of Cortes side, but were scattered, often times seen free jumping, but not striking on lures, once located, using live bait was the best bet.
The wahoo action that had been surprisingly good considering what time of year it was, dropped way off, only several 'hoo were reported throughout the past week, spread out from Chileno, Palmilla and off of La Fortuna. A couple of incidents were reported by anglers that spotted wahoo lurking around their boats, but these fish were not interested in any offerings.
The combined panga fleet launching out of La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos sent out approximately 73 charters for the past week, with anglers reporting a fish count of:
1 sailfish, 3 striped marlin, 5 wahoo, 54 dorado, 29 yellowfin tuna, 254 bonito, 18 yellowtail, 15 amberjack, 17 cabrilla, 33 pargo, 178 sierra and 19 roosterfish.
Good fishing, Eric
