Dorado making a come back in Cabo

Capt. Tracy Ehrenberg
February 12, 2009
Cabo San Lucas - Saltwater Fishing Report

February 5th to 11th, 2009
Overall Catch Success Rate 99%
BILLFISH: This week was the first time in months that we saw any significant drop in marlin catches, but that is not because they left the Golden Gate, simply put it was hard to get there. Winter finally showed its face and we experienced brisk temperatures and windy weather on the Pacific, making it difficult for boats to get to the fishing grounds, whilst others simply opted for the Sea of Cortez and smaller game to avoid passengers getting sea-sick. Added to this was a full moon, which made the fish a bit fussier about bait. However as we close this report winds have died and boats again set out in force for the Golden Gate. "El Gallo" had one of the better catches of the week, releasing nine striped marlin and boating two dorados and a mako shark for Tim, Megan & Ryan Minarik, fishing with Marky, Lydia and Ryan Allen, all from San Jose California on February 5th. Another notable catch was at the end of the week aboard "Bill Collector" for Mike Normandeau and friends from Manitoba, Canada (weather's a bit different there) – they caught and released seven striped marlin, two mako sharks, one hammerhead shark, one dorado and one pargo. Sixty three percent of charters caught marlin this week, but again many boats opted to head to calmer waters. Pisces anglers caught a total o ninety striped marlin of which all but two were released. Those brought in were 130 and 150 lbs respectively.
OTHER SPECIES: There was quite a lot of action on smaller game as boats fished closer to Cabo and also at San Jose. Fifty eight percent of boats caught dorado, with the better location San Jose and Punta Gorda were charters could catch a dozen or more up to 30 lbs, but at the same time they were also caught on outer edge of Golden Gate on the Pacific, though seldom more than two or three per boat. Tuna catches were slow with just twelve percent of boats hooking up to fish no more than 50 lbs. Shark were present at Golden Gate and ranged from 25 to 100 lbs with both makos and hammerheads caught. Inshore by the Old Lighthouse dozens of sierra could be caught, as well as some roosterfish and pargos. Skipjacks were caught in abundance in San Jose.
LOCATION: Golden Gate, San Jose, Punta Gorda, Iman, Old Lighthouse, Pedregalito.
WEATHER CONDITIONS: Partly cloudy skies, seas rough on the Pacific, fair on the Cortez no calm.
AVERAGE WATER TEMP: 72 F
BEST LURES: Live bait, green/yellow, rapalas.
Based on the catches of Pisces by Tracy Ehrenberg

Dorado fishing was better in San Jose, pictured here are Markus David Heilman & Feanne Waidtraut Brintnall Heilman & (Daughter) Britt Michele Heilman from Purcellville, Va. and William Charles Stratton & Gayle Ruth Brintnall Stratton From Grand Rapids,Michigan who caught 13 Dorados and a skipjack aboard the Valerie.

Beautiful Mako shark, just about to be released

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