Gordo Banks Pangas
San Jose del Cabo
March 15, 2009
Anglers –
Crazy weather patterns continue to sweep across the Southern Baja region, after feeling near summer like conditions the previous week, a cool front moved in, actually there was some light rainfall, lots of marine moisture, cloud cover, moderate winds from various direction and all around unstable conditions which contributed to tougher fishing action for anglers. After having enjoyed excellent winter fishing during the month of December, January and into the first part of February, things are back to how you would normally expect for the month of March, a mix of inshore and bottom species. Water temperatures have ranged mostly in the 68 to 72 range, with the warmer water being found either on the Pacific fishing grounds or far offshore from San Jose del Cabo.
The striped marlin action has continued to be red hot on the Golden Gate Bank, remaining in this area later than normal, typically there would be more stripers migrating in the direction of Cabo San Lucas and into the Sea of Cortez, but with the schools of baitfish still congregated on these Banks, this is where the billfish are holding.
Crowds of tourists are light, this due to bad press about narcotic trafficking wars in Mexico, as well as the collapsing economy. Though the problems being detailed by the U.S. press relate to incidents in border towns such as Juarez and Tijuana, Rosarito Beach and other regions on the mainland. There have not been any reports of similar crimes in the Los Cabos area and this remains a safe travel destination.
Sierra have been the most consistent catch close to shore, striking best on live sardinas, but also on a variety of artificial lures. The arroyo off of Chileno has been a hot spot, with much of the fleet concentrating in this area. A scattering of roosterfish and pompano were also accounted for inshore, smaller sized, ten pounds or less. The local rock piles have produced up and down action for yellowtail, amberjack, snapper and cabrilla for anglers using yo-yo jigs and weighted baits. Mexican bonito are becoming more prevalent in the cooler water and anglers have been able to load up on good numbers of these 4 to 7 pound fish in areas from La Fortuna, Iman to San Luis.
Live sardinas have been plentiful, found off of Chileno and towards San Luis. Whales continue to be seen in the area, but not quite as numerous as in previous weeks. Should be the time when more schooling porpoise appear offshore, bringing opportunities for finding yellowfin tuna traveling with them, so far there have only been scattered reports of this.
The combined panga fleets launching from La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos sent out approximately 49 charters for the week with anglers reporting a fish count of: 2 striped marlin, 3 wahoo, 19 dorado, 3 yellowfin tuna, 182 bonito, 14 roosterfish, 356 sierra, 22 yellowtail, 15 amberjack, 7 pompano, 16 cabrilla, 19 pargo, 1 mako shark and 18 triggerfish.
Good Fishing, Eric
