May 29, 2009
Anglers –
The northern winds that are so persistent during winter and for much of the spring season are finally diminishing and now the pattern has switched from the south. These winds contribute to pushing in cooler green current from the Pacific and create all around stirred up conditions. Water temperatures have been up and down, same with clarity, but at this time the warm water has moved back close to shore on the fishing grounds from Punta Gorda and towards the north, now in the range of 77 to 80 degrees, while areas towards Cabo San Lucas and around the corner on the Pacific have been lurking in the 60s. The climate now is ideal, sunny skies, with high temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. As the latest scare situation in Mexico has simmered a few more tourists are arriving, but still the numbers are significantly below normal.
Sportfishing fleets are fishing areas from Chileno to Vinorama, live bait options have been mainly a mix of mullet and caballito, only on occasion are any sardinas being found. This has limited options some. Offshore, anywhere from 7 to 20 miles fleets are finding blue water and fair numbers of striped marlin free jumping or swimming on the surface in groups, but these fish have not been easy to hook into, of course with persistence some have been cooperative, but over the past week even though the moon phase is favorable etc.. for some reason the fish just are less eager to take lures or baits, apparently they must be filling up on the available bait source now throughout the region, various sized squid, flying fish, bolito etc…Finding any consistent action on dorado or yellowfin tuna has not happened. With the improving conditions and warming weather patterns we do expect these other species to become more prevalent and active soon. At this same time last year there were some quality sized tuna and dorado being caught on the local fishing grounds, but this season the conditions have fluctuated more and the bait availability has also been a factor. Of course we are also dealing with the unprecedented plague of giant squid invading all of the inshore rock reef structure where anglers typically can find good action for variety of species.
For the local panga fleets the most consistent action and chance at catching larger fish has been to troll with live mullet close to shore, near rock outcroppings and sandy beach stretches for dogtooth snapper and roosterfish. Larger roosterfish are moving in, there had been mainly juvenile sized roosters, but in recent days the big boys have made a strong showing, fish to 65 pounds were landed and several large schools of roosterfish were seen attacking balled up mullet. Dogtooth snapper to 50 pounds are being hooked into daily, hot spot has been near Punta Gorda and to the north, these fish prove to be a major challenge for even the most experienced of anglers. Trolling in areas that are only 20 to 30 feet deep, over rocky caves and ledges, the snapper do come up and eat the baits on the surface, often they can be picky, corralling the bait and at times not even touching it, other times they will inhale the mullet, all depends on their mood, but one thing for sure is that once they feel the penetration of the hook they are diving as hard as they can like a freight train towards the closest rock and you better be ready to apply maximum pressure in order to have a chance at turning one of these gladiators before they cut you off. You can figure if you are landing one out of five hook ups you are doing well.
Surf fishing action is heating up, besides the roosterfish providing a challenge there have been several snook reportedly landed off of the San Jose Estuary area.
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, lots of cerveza, carnival rides, parades, horse races etc…climaxing on May 31, 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 60 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of:
4 striped marlin, 3 dorado, 2 yellowfin tuna, 7 yellowtail, 11amberjack, 28 dogtooth snapper, 78 various pargo species, 18 bonito, 66 roosterfish, 14 jack crevalle, 15 cabrilla, 14 pompano and 25 sierra.
Good Fishing, Eric
