Fall Season Anglers find Yellowfin on the Gordo Banks
Capt. Eric Brictson
October 19, 2011
San Jose del Cabo - Saltwater Fishing Report
October 19, 2011
The two recent tropical storms, Irwin and Jova, both stayed far enough to the south that no significant effects were felt. Outer cloud bands from these systems barely reached the Los Cabos area, no rain fall, high humidity, stirred up ocean conditions and some south wind created more challenging conditions for offshore anglers. Usually by the second week of October storms from the south relinquish, fall patterns dominate and weather is ideal. Water temperatures are now averaging 85 to 88 degrees, surely these warmer than usual currents will be declining in the coming weeks, as days are progressively shorter and cooler.
Sizable crowds of anglers are arriving, just as they always do during the popular fall months. This coming week the grand daddy of all marlin tournaments will be held, the Bisbee's Black and Blue, there are a couple of tune up tournaments being held in the days prior to the black and blue. There have been several large marlin recorded in the past ten days alone, with black and blue marlin in the 300 to 460 pound range being accounted for out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos.
Fishing overall was slower than what is expected and normal for this time of year, even though conditions seem to be favorable, finding consistent action has been a challenge. Dorado action was reportedly very good for fish in the 15 pound range on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas and close to shore, while in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and further north, dorado have been few and far between, with more marlin hook ups reported than dorado. On the local fishing grounds there are now possibilities at sailfish, striped, blue and black marlin, though not particularly numerous, they are present and there are not many places that can offer this same chance at an offshore grand slam.
Yellowfin were found throughout the region, at times traveling with porpoise offshore and they were also schooling on the Iman and Gordo Banks. The schools encountered near Iman and La Fortuna were yellowfin in the size range from 20 to 50 pounds, very skittish and line shy, coming up and feeding on chummed sardinas, but only striking occasionally on the lightest of leaders and small hooks, this resulted in higher percentages of break offs. Supplies of sardinas remained steady, but were found near Palmilla and this meant some delay for boats departing from La Playita, we are expected new sources to the north to open up soon.
The larger grade of tuna that has been schooling on the Gordo Banks are still congregated on this high spot, but these fish are elusive, though most everyday a handful of tuna are being hooked into. Sizes on this spot have started at about 80 pounds and several yellowfin tuna over one hundred pounds were weighed in recently at La Playita, one tuna came in at 180 lb. and the largest weighed in for the week was a 270 lb cow taken on Thursday, after a 5 hour battle this fish was brought to gaff on a private boat out of Puerto Los Cabos.
So with the WON Tuna Jackpot just a few weeks away, we are anticipating an action packed event, competition will be heavy, most likely needing a fish of over 200 pounds to have any chance at winning.
Bottom action was not consistent, but on days when currents slacked and anglers were able to work the structure, there was mixed success found for amberjack, dogtooth snapper, pargo and cabrilla. Did not hear of any of the large home guard yellowtail being landed off of the Outer Gordo Bank.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 136 charters, with anglers accounting for a fish count of: 1 blue marlin, 4 striped marlin, 2 black marlin, 9 sailfish, 66 dorado, 70 yellowfin tuna, 14 bonito, 15 cabrilla, 3 grouper, 8 dogtooth snapper, 16 yellow snapper, 10 barred pargo,
4 pompano, 16 roosterfish, 240 black skipjack, 5 yellowtail and 9 amberjack.
Good Fishing, Eric
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