Cabo San Lucas Sportfishing Report and Baja Fishing
Capt. Jerry Chapman
January 14, 2014
Cabo San Lucas - Saltwater Fishing Report
Jc Sportfishing Weekly Fish Report.
As the Admiral Seas It
Fishing Report: 1/5/14 to 1/14/14
Stop by Our Office for up to Date Fishing Report.
Jc Sportfishing Charters is a family owned and operated business and has been fishing in Cabo San Lucas for the past 18 years. Jerry, explains that his charter business is geared more for families and novice anglers, making sure everyone who charters a boat with him have a great time and lots of fun. We welcome families, and groups. We want everyone who fishes with us to take all the sites in and have memorable experience. This is what is most important to us. We have and do a few tournaments each year and can cater to fisherman who might be interested in tournament fishing. Lets get on with the report for this past week.
WEATHER: The weather has been really great here in Cabo over the past 10 days. The reason Cabo san Lucas is on the map as a tourist destination is for its great weather. Highs in the low to mid 80,s have been pretty much about everyday as there were a couple over cast days which cleared up to be pretty nice. Lows have been in the ladder 50,s to mid 60,s actually really pleasant. We will continue to see some decent fishing as long as the weather stays warmer. This year has been a little warmer over previous years I don't feel we have really got cold this season compared to other years. We are lucky being here compared to the deep freeze the U.S. has been in this year.
Cabo San Lucas is blessed with near perfect weather. There are almost 360 days of sun! In the summer it gets a little warm by some folks standards. Those who live in the desert southwest will consider it cool. The average year-round temperature is 78F. During high tourist season, October to April, the temperature is typically 80F during the day and cools to the 60's at night.
The low tourist season, May to September, the temperature will go up to 100F+ during the day and stay in the upper 70's and low 80's in the evening.
The climate is arid with over 300 days of sunshine, with some reports of over 350 days. Average annual rainfall is 10 inches (25.4cm), most with occurring during the months of September and October.
WATER: The average year-round water temperature in the Sea of Cortez is 72F. During the summer months the water temperature can reach the mid 80's.
TUNA: Well its late into the season for the Tuna but we are still catching them and it has been really good as of lately. We are catching the Tuna from the 115 to up and around the San Jamie Banks with most fish being caught from 18 to 25 miles offshore on cedar plugs and king busters. The fish are mostly football size Tuna with some tipping the scales at 30lbs to 50lbs. We have been landing them all week and they are really late in showing up this year but we will take whatever we can.
BILLFISH: The Striped Marlin have been up on the pacific side from the Light House to Magrino and we have been landing them on lures and pitching live bait and even some we caught around the Light House drifting baits at 160ft. There are reports of Marlin in all areas but the pacific size has been where we are catching fish over the past week and for that matter over the last month.
DORADO: The Dorado fishing has been decent up and around the Magrino to the Golden Gate and we are catching the fish by using ballyhoo and lures. Most of the fish we have caught this past week have been decent size fish to bigger Dorado.
A Dorado fish is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore tropical, temperate and subtropical waters worldwide. It is also known as mahi-mahi or common dolphin fish within the family Coryphaenidae.
Mahi-mahi have a lifespan of 4 to 5 years. Catches average 7 to 13 kg (15 to 28 pounds). They seldom exceed 15 kg (33 pounds), and any Mahi-mahi over 18 kg (39 pounds) is exceptional. Mahi-mahi have compressed bodies and long dorsal fins extending almost the entire length of their bodies. Their anal fins are sharply concave. They are distinguished by dazzling colors: golden on the sides, bright blues and greens on the sides and back. Mature males also have prominent foreheads protruding well above the body proper. Females have a rounded head. The males and female have similar shaped bodies except for their heads. Females are usually smaller than the males.
When they are removed from the water, the fish often change between several colors (this being the reason for their name in Spanish Dorado Maverikos), finally fading to a muted yellow-grey upon death.
Mahi-mahi is one of the fastest-growing fish. They are fast swimmers as well, with a top swimming speed of 50 knots. Mahi-mahi spawn in warm ocean currents throughout much of the year, and its young are commonly found in sargassum weed.
Mahi-mahi are carnivorous, feeding on flying fish, crabs, squid, mackerel, and other small fish. They have also been known to eat zooplankton and crustaceans. Mahi-mahi has a chicken-like taste and texture, but some restaurants will substitute a soft flaky white fish instead of real Mahi-mahi because it is cheaper, but not in Cabo.
From The Admirals Kitchen
Cabrilla (Mexican Sea Bass) with Cilantro Lime Sauce and Grilled Corn
I love cilantro with fish. I don't know why, it just tastes good to me. Add in some lime, lime zest and olive oil and I think you have a pretty good and quick sauce. The dish needs something to give it some body, so I tossed on some grilled corn. The cilantro and corn combination is killer, particularly when you add in some lime. For the topping on a delicate and sweet fish, I thought it would be a winner that wasn't overpowering. "The fish tastes great, you can still taste the flavor of it even with the lime sauce. The corn gives it a nice crunch." We enjoyed this delicious fish with a fresh side salad with garden tomatoes and a homemade Dijon vinaigrette. Just delicious.
Makes enough for 4 entrees
Ingredients:
4 fillets of Spotted Cabrilla or other flaky, thick white fish
Zest from 1 lime
Juice from 1 lime
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 bunch of cilantro
2 ears of corn, shucked
Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper
Light the grill and set to high heat. Lightly coat the corn with olive oil or cooking spray. Place on the grill and cook about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally. Bring inside and slice off the kernels. Break up the kernels in a large bowl and set aside.
In a small food processor or a blender, combine the lime zest, lime juice and cilantro. While the machine is running, drizzle in the olive oil until the sauce emulsifies. Keep the machine running and add a pinch of salt and some fresh ground pepper. Set the sauce aside.
Heat a large non-stick frying pan. Add a four count of olive oil. Salt and pepper the fish. Add to the pan and cook, without moving, about 3-4 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillet. Carefully flip with a spatula and cook to desired temperature. I like my fish more well done, so would cook for another 3-4 minutes. Most people would probably cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Plate the fish. Spoon some of the lime sauce over the fish and top with the grilled corn kernels and a piece of cilantro for color. The pan searing should have made a crisp exterior to the fish and the corn adds a nice sweetness and crunch. The cilantro lime sauce ties everything together for a great main dish. This would be wonderful with some grilled asparagus or some sautéed green beans with garlic and lemon zest. It went great with our salads and come to think of it, would probably have gone great with some fresh tomato topped iwth a pinch of salt and cilantro. Whatever you pair this with, keep it light and fresh.
Pour some of your favorite Chenin Blanc or a Viognier in a wine glass and enjoy.
INSHORE: The fishing inshore has been really good for some Dorado, Marlin and lots of Sierras which we knew the Sierra fishing was going to really take off and it has with the Sierras being caught on hootchies from the Solmar to the Light House. We having been using cut bait close to shore and doing good on Dorado and Red Snapper. In the rocks at about 40ft to 60ft is where you will find the big Snappers and Sea Bass or known as Cabrilla here.
The Yellowtail have not really showed up yet in numbers. There really hasn't been any Yellowtail bite yet but I will keep you posted.
WAHOO: I haven't heard of the numbers of Wahoo we were seeing as I think the Wahoo season is slowing down, but what a season it has been this year with this year being one of the best I have seen in 20 years.
BEWARE: Remember if your not renting charter boats from companies who have been established in Cabo for the past 20 years ( Jc sport Fishing, Pisces Sport Fishing, Minervas, Redrum, Picante Fleet) you might have problems. They don't even have an office you can go and confirm your charter boat. You do not want to spend a day walking around looking for the boat and where you board. If you wait till the day you are fishing and go to the dock where your boat is many times people will mislead you to another boat or dock trying to put you on a boat that was not meant for you. You need to have a person guide you to your boat, who is from a reputable charter company. This way there is no confusion or misleading. Please remember when renting Sport fishing boats in Cabo that you rent your boat from reputable and established business. Walk into a fishing fleet office and ask questions about what you are getting and what are the costs? You dont want to rent boats from vendors in the streets and you do not want to book through shady websites offering you the world. Check through travel forums about reputable fishing fleets to deal with. Look for testimonials about the fleet your booking your charter with. Ask about what will the boat be supplying? Will it include beverages or lunches? How much does it cost to fillet your catch? Check to see if charter boat is insured? Ask about getting your catch smoked? Check cost of fishing license. These are just a few things to consider when booking your charter boat. We will be talking more about this in next weeks fishing report. Until next time good fishing and we hope to see you in Cabo soon. Come by the office here in Cabo and get all the latest up to date fishing report. http://www.jcsportfishing.com http://youtu.be/zNBk33jCjCk
Cabo San Lucas Fishing Forecast:
Weather is still great and the fishing is still decent for Marlin, Tuna and Dorado
Target Species:
dorado,marlin,grouper,sierra,sailfish,red snapper, tuna, dorado
More Fishing Reports:
