April 4, 2010

Typically the start of spring time and the month of April bring larger crowds of vacationers to Los Cabos, this year the numbers of tourists is down significantly, most certainly due to the poor economy and negative press releases issuing travel warnings to Mexico. Once again we want to articulate that Southern Baja continues to be a safe travel destination, there have been no reports locally of any violence aimed against visitors or the local popuation. The next couple of months offer some of the most ideal weather conditions as well as great variety of fishing options for anglers.

Sportfishing interests throughout the region are holding out hope that the Mexican government will make the correct decision by not adopting proposed regulations of opening up the commercial fishery for species such as dorado and marlin, that are now protected, this would be absolutely detrimental for the entire sportfishing community. This seems to be more of a political issue, as the commercial cooperatives has greater connections and lobbying power.

This past week saw unpredictable weather patterns, there continued to be wind from the north and then at times from the south, strong currents were pushing in off colored water closer to shore. Water temperatures have averaged from 71to 74 throughout most of the area. What we need now is for the weather to stabilize and give a chance for the water conditions to get back on track. Normally within the next several weeks we see significant migrations of gamefish entering local waters.

The striped marlin season just never really happened this year, there has been spots of activity, but noting as consistent to compare with previous years. Schools of mackerel have been more scattered, water temps were higher than normal, all of these appear to be factors as to where the concentrations of stripers have gone. Strange to hear the reports of big numbers of striped marlin providing action off of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, where they are not a common catch, they normally find more sailfish, recent reports saw higher counts of stripers than sails.

Fleets are searching in all directions now, more often than not the most consistent action has been found close to shore for primarily sierra. Using sardinas for bait have been most productive, but at times these preferred baits were not easy to obtain, with the larger concentrations schooling near shore from San Luis to Vinorama, increased surf activity made netting these baitfish more challenging for the commercial pangeros.

Dorado have been scarce, an occasional single fish is being encountered, the majority closer to shore and under fifteen pounds. As the water temperatures start to warm back up we anticipate more of these prized gamefish to appear on the local fishing grounds. 

Bottom action has produced mixed results for snapper, cabrilla, grouper, amberjack, bonito and other species, but with choppy seas and fast currents this has not been a consistent option.

Giant squid were not active the past week, no signs of pelagic red crab, mackerel and sardinetas were hard to find as well. The migration of humpback whales is nearing the end, still being seen at this time, but soon they will be heading north.

Yellowfin tuna have been found offshore traveling with porpoise, but still very hit of miss. Some larger tuna to 100 pounds were encountered closer to shore, moving with small pods of spinner porpoise, this action was within several miles of shore near Punta Gorda to Cardon, spooky fish, but at times the first boat to come upon the action could get hooked up if they had live bait, these fish were not interested in lures as were tuna found further from shore.

The combined panga fleets launching from La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos sent out approximately 50 charters this past week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 1sailfish, 3 striped marlin, 3 mako shark, 1 wahoo,14 yellowfin tuna, 9 dorado, 29 bonito, 15 amberjack, 7 pompano, 27 pargo, 6 roosterfish, 18 cabrilla and 465 sierra.

Good fishing, Eric

April 23, 2010

Spring time weather is providing plenty of sunshine and high temperatures of 85 degrees, though the global economical crisis has continued to limit the number of tourists that can
afford to travel. Unseasonable southern winds were more
persistent than normal, this effected ocean conditions, just as they had been improving, Pacific currents pushed in cooler and off colored water, particularly prevalent through much of the southern region. Water temperatures averaged from 70 to 76 degrees, warmest areas found in the direction of Vinorama to Los Frailes. This is the direction where the majority of charter fleets are now concentrating their efforts. Anglers have been waiting patiently for the offshore action to improve, up until now it has not been consistent, at times has shown some signs of picking up.

Fishing has been spread out, some boats looking offshore, but most are working areas along the shoreline to several miles from shore. This is the time of year where things can really change from day to day. Baitfish have been available in limited supply, caballito from Cabo San Lucas and sardinas are schooling inshore near San Luis, pangeros are working harder than usual to net minimal amounts of these preferred batifish. Not much baitfish activity being found on the fishing grounds, a few scattered flying fish and skipjack, it is the time where we should start seeing some bolito showing up.

Guides are working harder than usual to obtain fresh bait for their anglers, doing the best they can under the circumstances. Drift fishing over the rock piles, using both bait and yo-yo iron jigs have been producing a mixed bag of species, no big numbers, but all good eating. There have been cabrilla, amberjack, various pargo, triggerfish, bonito, sierra and pompano. Good variety, though there are not large quantities of any particular species.

Late last week and through the weekend, before strong southern winds turned over the conditions, there was a wahoo bite that developed near Vinorama, this area is a long distance and almost out of range of normal charters, though can produce great action when currents are just right. Rigged ballyhoo baits, sardinas and trolled Rapalas accounted for strikes by wahoo that weighed up to 50 pounds. Since then this action has slowed down, but a few wahoo are still appearing in the daily fish counts, strikes were also reported near Cardon, La Fortuna and Iman. As conditions improve once again we look for these fish to become more active.

Early in the week there were schools of yellowfin tuna encountered that were traveling with porpoise, within five miles of shore, near San Luis Bank. Only handful of boats got in on this action, accounting for 4 to 8 fish per charter, the yellowfin ranged in sizes from 30 to 80 pounds. They hit on smaller sized trolled hoochies and on sardinas, limited amount of chum brought the tuna to the surface, fish to one hundred pounds or larger were reportedly seen feeding.

African pompano started to appear inshore this past week, striking on live sardinas, they provided fun sport on light tackle, averaging 5 to 10 pounds, also are excellent eating. The shipwreck off of La Salina was the spot, this is a small area that can only handle limited boat pressure before spooking the fish. Sierra and some roosterfish were also found in the same area.

Striped marlin action continues to be spread out and hit or miss, these fish have preferred live bait over lures. Typically the coming month provides better opportunities for the strippers off of the San Jose del Cabo region.

All local interests are eagerly waiting for the completion of the bridge construction accessing La Playita and the Puerto Los Cabos Marina. It has been a long dragged out project, now nearing the final stages, it will be a relief for everyone involved when it does finally open. As the old dirt route through the flood zone has worn down to bedrock now and is torture on both vehicles and bodies.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos sent out approximately 52 charters for the week and anglers reported a fish count of: 2 striped marlin, 5 hammerhead shark, 17 yellowfin tuna, 9 dorado, 1 yellowtail,12 amberjack, 66 various pargo, 25 cabrilla, 38 bonito, 164 sierra, 16 roosterfish, 13 jack crevalle and 39 pompano.

Good Fishing, Eric

May 16, 2010

Paradise like weather patterns are attracting more visitors, they are being treated to sunny skies with highs in the mid 80s. Seasonal wind patterns have shifted from the North to predominately from the South. Warm ocean current have pushed up ocean temperatures to an average of 74 to 77 degrees and clean blue water is reportedly found within a couple miles of shore.

Charter boats continue to cover a wide area searching for productive action, much of the more consistent overall action was found in the direction of the Sea of Cortez, often having to travel as far as San Luis to Los Frailes. Fleets from the East Cape are also ventured towards the south, as far as the Iman Bank. All fleets have reported a shortage of live sardinas, which are the preferred baitfish for a variety of medium sized species, but are now only being found in very limited supplies, on some days during periods of increased swell activity the bait could not even be safely netted at all. Other bait options have included caballito, when available and fresh ballyhoo for troll rigging. Only occasional reports about sightings of schooling mullet being reported, larger masses of these migrating baitfish are on schedule to arrive in local waters.
                  
Anglers were trolling rocky drop offs along the local coast lines and reported steady action for wahoo, averaging two or more chances per morning. More wahoo hook-ups were lost than actually landed, of the fish that were weighed in, they ranged from 20 to 80 pounds. Rapalas, skirted lead heads and rigged baits, all accounted for strikes, it was more of a matter of encountering these smaller sized schools of active wahoo.

Only limited numbers of dorado are being found, a mix of sizes to 20 pounds, but really only single fish here and there, we look for these fish to become more common in the coming weeks.

Bottom fishing has produced various successes, but generally has not been as productive comparatively to targeting surface species, which were not overly numerous themselves, but at least were being encountered on a daily basis. There was a mix of species off the bottom structure, using various baits and yo-yo jigs they accounted for cabrilla, huachinango (red snapper), amberjack, yellowtail, pompano, bonito and yellow snapper. This action was sporadic, but some charters had catches of up to ten fish in combination.
Scattered reports on yellowfin tuna action being encountered while traveling with porpoise. Lots of pressure on these pods and the tuna would become lure shy and with limited supplies of live bait, this made for tough times for tuna. Some boats were traveling as far as Los Frailes to find the 20 to 100 pound yellowfin  that were feeding among porpoise. This is a very long run for any of the fleets, especially for the chance at one finicky fish or two. These schools of tuna should shift towards the south soon, within easier charter range soon.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos sent out approximately 55 charters this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of:
6 mako shark, 6 hammerhead shark, 41 wahoo, 18 dorado, 17 yellowfin tuna, 28 bonito, 22 pargo, 26 sierra, 9 amberjack, 11 cabrilla,12 roosterfish, 12 pompano and 24 triggerfish.

Good Fishing, Eric
                                                                                             

May 30, 2010

Last weekend there was a heavy southern swell that swept through the region, hordes of surfers were out in force to take advantage of the opportunities of riding the ten foot waves. The swell pushed in a different current and turned water conditions over some, particular close to shore and this had a negative effect on the fishing activity, slowing down the all around action that had just shown signs of improvement the previous week. Water temperatures are still in the 74 to 78 degree range and blue water is being found within several miles of shore. Charter fleets are searching in all directions, since there is no one spot that has been consistent on a daily basis. There has been improvement on the live bait situation of larger sized baitfish, mackerel, caballito and mullet have been obtainable from various locations, still no smaller sardinas to report. Giant squid have once again become abundant in local waters and are being used as cut bait mainly by the commercial fleet for bottom action that varied according to strength of currents.

This weekend local residents are gearing up for the traditional national holiday of the “Dia de la Marina”. In La Playita they have always taken this fiesta seriously, celebrating with three days of activities, including all night dances, carnival rides, parades, horse races and of course plenty of cerveza. There will be the annual panga dorado tournament on Sunday, May 30. Should be a fun time, but often there can be a shortage of skippers whiling or able to work early in the morning.

Last week the bridge leading to Puerto Los Cabos and the La Playita Panga fishing area was finally opened, this after a series of long delays, once they finish the other off ramps connecting to the new Centenario Blvd. as well as add signs and lighting this will be a much celebrated addition to the entire area.

Anglers had to have more patience this past week and work harder than usual for the mix of species that were available. Some dog tooth snapper were being encountered now close to shore, but they are not numerous yet, slow trolling in areas that are only 20 to 30 feet deep, over rocky caves and ledges, the snapper come up and eat the baits on the surface, often they can be finicky, corralling the bait and at times not even touching them, other times they will inhale the mullet, all depends on their mood, but one thing is for sure, when they feel the hook they will dive 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 them in time. A handful of amberjack to 30 pounds were hooked into near the same areas where the dogtooth were being targeted.

Wahoo action slowed way down after the big bite the previous week, though a few fish were accounted for by anglers that specifically targeted them with high speed trolling lures or rigged baits. Dorado were also very scarce, only an occasional single do-do being found, no schools yet. Yellowfin tuna were hit or miss, a scattering of tuna were blind trolling Rapalas and other lures and some were found associated with porpoise, again a matter of being in the right place, everyday being different. Most of the tuna now being found were in the 15 to 40 pound range.

Billfish action was mainly for striped marlin, casting baits to tailing fish be the most productive technique. A handful of larger marlin were also hooked into, one black marlin of 450 pounds and several smaller sized blue marlin were reported off of the Chileno and Pacific fishing grounds. Also a few sailfish were getting into the mix, as they prefer the warming waters.

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:
1 sailfish, 9 striped marlin, 4 dorado, 13 yellowfin tuna, 7 amberjack, 11 dogtooth snapper, 48 various pargo species, 13 bonito, 6 wahoo, 46 roosterfish, 10 jack crevalle, 12 cabrilla, 4 pompano and 15 sierra.

Good fishing, Eric

June 17, 2010

Late spring is transition time, this past week visitors to Southern Baja felt weather patterns that ranged from early spring like to summer like. It started last Thursday when strong winds out of the southwest pushed colder green Pacific currents in the direction of the Sea of Cortez and actually dropped water temperatures close to ten degrees within 24 hours. This created cooler air temperatures that were very comfortable, but also made for tough fishing conditions through the weekend, until conditions rebounded to start the week. Tropical storm season has also begun, at this time there are two systems further to the south, off of mainland Mexico that are threatening to develop and will need to be monitored closely. Air temperatures at this time are quite warm and humid.

Water temperatures are now back in the 75 to 80 degree range from Cabo San Lucas towards Los Frailes. Winds have settled down and swells are moderate, looks as though the summer fishing season is about to start off with ideal settings. There are now good supplies of mullet and caballito, but there are no sardinas being found. The fishing grounds are seeing increased concentrations of bolito, which should attract a variety of gamefish for the coming weeks.

The inshore fishing action has produced a mix of action for roosterfish, amberjack, jack crevalle and dogtooth snapper. Recent days have seen larger sized roosterfish appearing throughout the region, anglers trolling live baits just outside the surf zone reported chances at fish in the 20 to 60 pound class. This is now peak season for inshore fishing, should last through July, before shifting to offshore structure and open water trolling. Surf fishing anglers have reported excellent action as well, particularly early in the morning while casting with surface plugs, they hooked into a variety of species, including dogtooth snapper, pargo colorado, jack crevalle and even several large sized snook were accounted for off of the San Jose Estuary area.

Dorado still were not found in any significant numbers, just scattered single fish for the most part, most of them juveniles, though with how the water conditions are shaping up we except that the larger sized dorado should be appearing any day. This is the same time period when we saw many larger bulls appearing last year, fish to over forty pounds were common. So we will be anticipating the same type of action this season.

Yellowfin tuna became more scattered since the passing of changing ocean currents, early in the week anglers found varied action near Iman to Vinorama on tuna ranging in sizes up to 50 pounds, striking on chunks of squid, rapalas, hoochies and caballito, at times associated with porpoise and other times on blind strikes. Then later in the week these schooling tuna seemed to have moved in the direction of Los Frailes, out of range for most local charters.

As water conditions stabilized, with warmer clean currents returning, this triggered the wahoo to become active once again. The best areas were north of Punta Gorda, Iman to Vinorama, trolling with a variety of lures and baits were all producing strikes by ‘hoo that ranged from 30 to 60 pounds. Rapala type lures in silver patterns were particularly productive. Schools of wahoo were being encountered and this resulted in many multiple strikes, with a couple of charters reportedly even having four hook ups at once, that is a major fire drill, four speeding wahoo heading in different directions.

At least one swordfish was landed from a Cabo San Lucas based charter while fishing outside of the Gordo Banks near the Cabrillo Sea Mount. A commercial pangero out of La Playita reported seeing a couple of other swordfish on two successive days, one of them a monster fish possibly as large as 800 pounds, it was circling their panga feeding on cut bait they had been using to target yellowfin before swimming into the depths.

Bottom action was not consistent due to swift currents, anglers had mixed success for  cabrilla, amberjack, pargo or yellowtail, but most anglers were targeting the more consistent surface action.

The combined panga fleets launching from the La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 97 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a total fish count of: 28 yellowfin tuna, 14 dorado, 6 striped marlin, 1 sailfish, 14 amberjack, 1 yellowtail, 31 various pargo species, 26 jack crevalle, 14 cabrilla, 5 sierra, 26 bonito, 27 wahoo and 48 roosterfish.

Good Fishing, Eric

July 8, 2010

Worldwide weather patterns have been unusual this year, much of this past week the climate in Southern Baja felt like early spring rather than the start of summer. While the population along the Atlantic seaboard was enduring record setting heat waves with temperatures over 100 degrees, here in Los Cabos the cooler Pacific breeze made for extremely comfortable July conditions. Crowds of tourists are now light, even though the weather and fishing were great. Strong southwest winds contributing to pushing in cooler currents, which in turn dropped both air and water temperatures by a ten degrees or more, but now conditions have rapidly rebounding and water temperatures are an ideal 75 to 78 degrees in the direction of the Sea of Cortez.

Clean blue water is once again being found close to shore, anglers found the most consistent all around action on the fishing grounds from the Gordo Banks to La Fortuna and Iman. Supplies of live caballito and mullet remained steady, though there still were no reports of any of the smaller sized sardinas being available. Surf conditions were increasing as is normal for the summer season, but for the most part anglers encountered comfortable ocean conditions with moderate swells off of the San Jose del Cabo area, while the Pacific reported much rougher seas.

Striped marlin, as well as some early season sailfish and blue marlin were spread out throughout the area. Most numerous were stripers, they were found within a couple miles of shore, would strike on trolled lures, but anglers found that casting live baits to tailing fish was the most successful technique, sizes ranged from 80 to 150 pounds. With more football sized yellowfin tuna, skipjack and bolito schooling on the fishing grounds we do expect more black and blue marlin to be following soon.

Counts of yellowfin tuna increased throughout the week, tuna were found on the Iman Bank by anglers trolling hoochies and Rapalas, these were mostly football sized models. Larger yellowfin were found on the Gordo Banks, striking on various lures, but even more so on strips of Giant Squid, which could be purchased by the kilo at local super markets. Finding the tuna by trolling Rapalas and then chumming and chunking with strips of squid was particularly effective. The majority of these fish ranged from 15 to 40 pounds, though fish to over 100 pounds were accounted for.

Dorado activity became scarce with the fluctuating currents, but we expect for these fish to return in greater numbers as ocean waters continue to warm. Wahoo have remained active in the areas from the Gordo Banks to Iman, action had come to a standstill when the colder currents swept in, but once things warmed back up they were on the go again. Striking an array of lures, such as Rapalas, Yo-Zuris and skirted lead heads. The majority of the wahoo landed weighed 30 to 50 pounds. Wahoo have stayed in local waters all year, which is not always the case, warmer water temperatures throughout the winter kept them from all migrating south, surely these fish will be here through the summer, though at times when water reach into the mid 80s these fish will become sluggish. At this time conditions are very favorable for these prized and elusive sought after gamefish.

Bottom action consisted of mixed reports for snapper, cabrilla and more often amberjack, which some have been of impressive size. Trolling mullet close to rocky reefs, as well as sandy stretches produced good action for roosterfish and a handful of dogtooth snapper. Though overall the big snapper bite has been disappointing this season, while the roosterfish action has made up for the lack of dogtooth. Lots of larger roosterfish this year, though the coming weeks is usually the tail end of this action, as schools of mullets migrate elsewhere as local surf conditions increase.

The combined local panga fleet launching out of La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 48 charters for the week with anglers reporting a fish count of:
3 sailfish, 6 striped marlin, 124 yellowfin tuna, 13 dorado, 11 wahoo, 26 amberjack, 12 jack crevalle, 4 sierra, 5 pompano, 7 dogtooth snapper, 10 huachinango (red snapper), 9 cabrilla, 18 bonito and 28 roosterfish.

Good fishing, Eric

July 25, 2010

Light crowds of tourists are now visiting the Los Cabos area and are being greeted by typical July weather patterns, warm sunny days in the mid 90’s with high humidity. No tropical storms on the horizon at this time in the Eastern Pacific, though some rainfall would be much welcomed. Forecasts were predicting 20 to 30 % chances of scattered thunder showers and finally early this morning (Sunday) we had a couple of hours of steady rainfall. Ocean conditions have been calm with some medium sized swells in the direction of San Jose del Cabo, while out of Cabo San Lucas they have had southern winds ranging up to 15 mph, overall anglers have enjoyed very pleasant seas with water temperatures now warming rapidly, as high as 85 degrees in certain areas.

Bait supplies have been fairly consistent for caballito and mullet, with giant squid and sardinas available only for the East Cape fleets. The most popular and productive fishing grounds this past week was outside of the San Luis Bank, around four miles from shore, with water depths ranging 190 to 240 feet. With thirty or more combined panga, cruiser and yacht charters congregating here to target the schooling yellowfin tuna, which have ranged in sizes from football models up to 233 pounds, with the average tuna weighing in the 30 to 80 pound class. Most charters have accounted for 2 to 6 fish per morning. These yellowfin have been a bit shy due to the clarity of the water and the heavy boat pressure. Action has come on cut squid and sardina, with the East Cape fleet having the advantage of the fresher bait, while San Jose del Cabo fleets have mostly relied on frozen giant squid that are imported from the East Cape by the few commercial pangeros whiling to work overtime night shifts.

Off the bottom, on these same tuna fishing grounds, anglers were finding increased counts of huachinango and Mexican bonito that were striking on yo-yo jigs. These fish ranged up 10 pounds and provided fun sport on lighter tackle. Dorado action was spread out, more fish being found closer to shore than further offshore, no concentrations and mainly small schools of fish averaging 10 to 20 pounds, with an occasional exception of fish to 30 pounds or more.

Surprisingly there were quite a few wahoo being encountered off of the Gordo Banks and north over the Cardon, La Fortuna and Iman Banks. These fish were encountered throughout the morning, not necessarily very early, in fact most charters were fishing the tuna first, because that action proved to be best early and then they might try a little high speed trolling for wahoo afterwards, where they had a chance at picking up a fish or two that were averaging in the 30 to 50 lb. range.

Inshore action still produced fair numbers of quality sized roosterfish and dogtooth snapper to 50 lb. while trolling larger live baits. In recent days we have started to notice that the dogtooth snapper are now making their seasonal swift from inshore to the offshore rock piles, as a handful of dogtooth were accounted for while drift fishing baits over the high spots, same method being used for tuna.

Billfish are being found throughout the area, no specific spot that was wide open, just scattered action being reported, but there is now a chance to encounter all local species of striped, blue and black marlin, as well as sailfish, which with the warmer current now prevalent should be showing up in greater numbers. A 500 pound class black marlin was seen free jumping by many of the boats that were targeting the yellowfin tuna near San Luis, it is time to start slow trolling the football sized yellowfin on heavy tackle, in fact one boat did just that, only problem being that they mistakeingly left the reel in gear when a large marlin struck the bait and the fish did not have the chance to swallow the bait.

The combined panga fleet launching out of La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 55 charters for the week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of:
1 blue marlin, 2 sailfish, 5 striped marlin, 19 wahoo, 32 dorado, 122 yellowfin tuna, 65 bonito, 86 red snapper (huachinango), 15 dogtooth snapper, 2 yellowtail, 16 amberjack and 12 cabrilla.

Good Fishing, Eric

August 8, 2010

Cooler than normal air and water temperatures were recorded during the month of July, this apparently was a factor in slowing the development of tropical storm systems. Now we are through the first week of August and temperature are rising, more to what we would expect this time of year. There is also a newly developed tropical storm Estelle that has formed off of Mainland Mexico, this system is forecast to follow a northwest track, staying clear of making landfall, mostly likely well create larger ocean swells and increase the humidity. Water temperatures have now risen to an average of 80 to 85 degrees, these temperatures are favorable for developing tropical cyclones.

Local fishing fleets are now concentrating their efforts from the Gordo Banks north to La Fortuna and San Luis, most common catches have been for yellowfin tuna, but also there are more dorado starting to appear in the daily fish counts. The live bait situation improved for sardinas, pangeros are selling fresh dead sardinas early in the a.m. and then arriving on the fishing grounds with live sardinas by about 7:30 a.m. Other options were to purchase whole giant squid, live cabalitto and mullet. More schooling baitfish such as bolito and small yellowfin tuna are now moving onto the fishing grounds and these have been yet another option for anglers wishing to troll larger live baits.

The yellowfin tuna action has fluctuated as to where the best action is found each day, drift fishing with bait has been the most productive method of finding fish. Sizes have ranged from football specimens to tuna of over 100 pounds. In recent days there have been more schools of 5 to 15 pound tuna appearing, but everyday there are also fish mixed in that are weighing to over 100 pounds. Anglers have used lighter sporting tackle to have fun with the smaller tuna, but the problem has been that at any time the big yellowfin can come up in the same areas and then the angler finds themselves under gunned and many larger fish were lost. Average catches ranged from 5 to 20 tuna per day for each charter.

Dorado were found in the same areas as were the tuna and closer to shore, most boats are finding one, two or three per day, with the majority of the fish being in the 5 to 15 pound class. These fish were hitting on trolling lures as well as bait and are being found in smaller sized school.

Strong currents have slowed down the bottom action and most anglers are now targeting the surface bite. A handful of cabrilla, amberjack and snapper were accounted for off the rock piles, as well as the ever present Mexican bonito.

Striped marlin and a few larger marlin were scattered throughout the area, no great numbers. On Thursday there was a black marlin reported landed off of the Gordo Banks by a Picante Charter out of Cabo San Lucas, reportedly to be in the 500 pound range.

Local surf anglers reported early in the week several snook being landed from the stretch of beach just to the north of the Puerto Los Cabos Marina. These fish were hooked on live mullet and ranged in weights up to 32 pounds.

Inshore action for roosterfish and dogtooth snapper has tapering off rapidly, as schools of mullet start to scatter and higher surf conditions become more consistent.

The combined panga fleet launching from La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 98 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 2 black marlin, 5 wahoo, 5 striped marlin, 6 hammerhead shark, 434 yellowfin tuna, 84 dorado, 22 bonito, 4 dogtooth snapper, 3 grouper, 14 roosterfish, 12 jack crevalle, 16 huachinango and 13 amberjack.

Good Fishing, Eric