Anglers –
Crowds of tourists were greeted with great conditions this past week. There were few clouds in the sky and plenty of sunshine, high temperatures ranging into the upper 80s. The breeze on the ocean was unpredictable, typically starting out of the west, then switching from the north and finishing the afternoon out of the south. Though overall the conditions offshore would have to be considered comfortable and better than average. Water temperatures ranged from 70 to 73 degrees and clarity was improving steadily, blue water was found within five miles of shore. Sardinas remained plentiful off of the La Playita area and mackerel were available from the Cabo San Lucas marina, as well as being found balled up on the offshore fishing grounds.
Early in the week there was great action around the Gordo Banks for striped marlin, the fish were found feeding on large concentrations of mackerel and most every charter that targeted the billfish was getting into the action. Then by the end of the week and over the weekend the action switched further north to Desteladera Bank, this is where the school of baitfish had moved. Yellowfin tuna were seen feeding on the same balls of baitfish as were the marlin, but for the most part did not want to bite, though one yellowfin tuna of approximately 170 pounds was landed off of the La Playita super panga "Mata Tuna", it was part of a double hook up, the tuna and a striped marlin at the same time, this occurred just inside of the Inner Gordo Bank. We did hear of one other smaller 20-pound tuna being caught near San Luis on a sardina, yellowfin continued to be scarce. There were more dorado starting to filter into the area as the water temperature was slowly rising and more baitfish were being found on the fishing grounds, but it was still the striped marlin that was dominating the offshore action.
In recent days there have been commercial tuna boats seen in the area and no doubt there is even more activity further offshore that goes unseen, a shame to think they are netting the fish before they have a chance to move closer to shore within sportfishing range.
Panga fleets continued to find the most consistent action closer to shore for a mix of jacks and bottom species. All very good eating specimens, but mostly in the 3 to 8 pound range, a few exceptions of grouper to 20 pounds. Hot spots ranged from Palmilla to Cardon. There continued to be strong numbers of sierra along the shore and increasing action for juvenile roosterfish.
The combined panga fleets launching from La Playita sent out approximately 67 charters for the week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of: 27 striped marlin, 16 dorado, 3 mako shark, 2 yellowfin tuna, 330 combined pargo species, 38 roosterfish, 62 cabrilla, 11 amberjack, 55 pompano, 38 surgeon fish, 52 triggerfish, 7 island jacks and 144 sierra.
Good fishing, Eric
