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Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Capt. George Landrum
June 10, 2002
Cabo San Lucas - Saltwater Fishing Report
Cabo San Lucas Fishing Report for June 3-10, 2002
Capt George Landrum
Fly Hooker Sportfishing
[email protected]
www.flyhooker.com
CABO SAN LUCAS FISH REPORT FOR JUNE 3-9, 2002
WEATHER: The repeatable word for the week is windy. All week long from the west,
northwest and the north the wind has been a fairly consistent 12-16 knots with gusts to 20+ at
times. Daytime highs have been in the low 90’s and nighttime lows in the mid 60’s to low 70’s.
No rain all week (of course). (One More Saturday Night)
WATER: The Pacific side of the Cape has been rough with swells to 6 feet and very choppy
water. A strong current down the coast kept the water out to the San Jaime Banks cold and
green throughout the week. On the west side of the Banks the water warmed up to 74 degrees
and became blue. On the Sea of Cortez side the water remained green up to the area of Punta
Gorda until Friday. A wide band of warm water has run up the coast from Punta Ballena to San
Jose at the Gorda Banks and outside of this band the water has been in the high 60’s, in the band
it has been around 72degrees early in the week warming to 78 by Saturday and turning from green
to blue as the week wore on. Much better surface conditions on the Sea of Cortez side until the
wind switches to westerly. (Casey Jones)
BAIT: Caballito later in the week, Mackerel early in the week returning to Mackerel on Sunday,
no Sardinas reported. Normal $2 each bait. (Sugar Magnolia)
FISHING:
BILLFISH: Only a few Marlin were caught early in this week and I think most of the reason was
the water color and surface conditions. Once you got out past the San Jaime the water was blue
but very rough so not a lot of boats were willing to go there. Once in the area there were Marlin
to be found but they were hard to hook up. Those that were caught showed a preference for live
bait and as far as the lure choices went you had to pull straight runners and the preferred color
was the Bleeding Mackerel. After Friday the bite started to turn on the Sea of Cortez with the
return of the warm water and blue color. There was a very defined current break in the area that
concentrated the fish, even if they were difficult to get to bite. Sizes of the fish ranged from 120
to 180 pounds. About 10% of the boats fishing this week found Marlin early in the week and by
the weekend had gone up to about 30%. (Uncle John’s Band)
YELLOWFIN TUNA: Again San Jaime Banks was the supplier of the Tuna caught at the
beginning of this week, at least the majority. There were small football fish (5-15 pounds) to be
found at the beginning of the week in an area 16 miles south, but they were not associated with
anything and were hard to find each day. San Jaime was consistent with the eastern drop
providing most of the fish and they ranged from small footballs to fish in the 60 pound range.
Dark lures and dark Marauders worked best this week for the Tuna that were caught. On the
weekend we were finding the Yellowfin in the current line with the Striped Marlin on the Sea of
Cortez, and again they were not associated with any Porpoise or Dolphin. Again, as with the
Marlin, the success ratio was low at the beginning of the week, around 15% of the boats finding
Yellowfin, but improved to about 25% by Sunday afternoon with some very nice 60-80 pound
fish in the mix. (St. Steven)
DORADO: Slow fishing this week on all species and Dorado were no exception. With their
preference being warm, blue water there was not a lot to attract them locally until the weekend.
North of Punta Gorda and west of San Jaime produced fish but the local water conditions made it
very “iffy” within 20 miles of the Cape. The fish that were found were fairly nice in size, ranging
from 20 to 45 pounds but only about 25% of the boats found any. Striped Marlin lures in bright
colors worked well for the fish that were found. (The Golden Road)
WAHOO: Nope, sorry bout that! Got to have that right water temp, color and moon phase.
(Mexicali Blues)
INSHORE: Cold green water shut down most of the inshore action until Friday. There were
reports of schools of Pargo on the Pacific side but I saw none of the fish. Bonita, Jack Crevalle
and Skipjack produced what action there was this week, with an occasional report of a
Roosterfish or Dorado, most of this taking place on the Sea of Cortez, and spotty action at that.
After Friday, the advance of the warmer blue water helped the bite pickup a bit, but it was still a
“right place, right time” crapshoot. (Friend Of The Devil)
NOTES: I sure hope this changes soon! We are keeping our eye on Tropical Storm “Boris”,
well to the south of us right now, it is expected to pass well to the southwest of our location and
not bother us too much! Written to the music of the Grateful Dead on their 1974 release
“Skeletons From The Closet”, Warner Brothers.
"fly Hooker" Daily Fishing Reports
“FLY HOOKER” FISH REPORT FOR 3 JUNE, 2002
Larry and Karen Martin were aboard the “Fly Hooker” today with their friends Rick and Paula.
We met Larry and Karen last year and they decided this year to give Marlin fishing a shot. We
knew when we started out this morning that the chances of getting into some fish were poor due
to the water conditions left by the passing of hurricane Alma, but we had a plan and kept our
fingers crossed. Our surface temperatures looked to be good to the north side of the Gorda banks
so we headed up in that direction. It was a 2 hour cruise in green water to get to the area and
when we arrived the water was still green, but warmer. At least the cruise there was smooth. We
found some Dolphin but they were scared of the boat, perhaps having been worked hard by one of
the three purse Seiners we passed. There were quite a few boats in the area but no one was
getting any action. Later in the day, around 11am, we finally got a hit on the short rigger and
Larry got in the chair and proceeded to reel in a Jack Crevalle of about 15 pounds. This was off
Punta Gorda in 223 feet of green water! That was all the fish action we had for the day, but
seeing the flags ( or lack of them) on our return made us feel a bit lucky to get anything at all.
The last two hours of the ride back were rough as the wind really picked up and started howling,
straight out of the southwest. Sure hope things are better tomorrow!
“FLY HOOKER” FISH REPORT FOR 4 JUNE, 2002
The Galati brothers, T.J., Mike and Rob are fishing with us today and on Thursday. Mike has
his son, Mike II with them as well. These guys really want to get a Marlin! Juan and I looked
over the sea temp. charts and discussed the results of the hurricane and what to expect today and
the decision was made to fish the San Jaime Banks. Everywhere else the water had been green
and cold but it looked to be a bit warmer out there and perhaps it was beyond the green water.
With the guys on the boat they cruised for 25 miles before putting out lines. Juan said the water
was the right color and temperature and about 3 miles before getting to the area where other
boats were reporting fish, the guys requested to return. T.J. was sick and had been since they left
the dock and the guys thought that the water was too rough to fish in. Juan brought them in and
then we took off for a three hour coastal live bait troll, looking for anything that would bite, Jack
Crevalle, Roosterfish, Yellowtail, Pelicans.... yep, caught and released two of them (need to get a
Pelican flag). The wind seems to be laying down a bit more every day so perhaps by Thursday the
water out there will be better. I am going along, should have all the honey-do’s done by then!
“FLY HOOKER” FISH REPORT FOR 5 JUNE, 2002
Jim Ramsey and his wife Barbara along with their friends Joe and Jo are all from Indiana and
staying at their timeshare this week. They thought it was neat when they met Mary this morning
and she was wearing her “Indiana Jones” fishing team shirt. That was one of our favorite
Japanese teams (thanks Mr. Toda!) in Guams tournaments. Our group are fishermen and have
some experience and don’t get seasick so Juan and Juan decided to try a return to the San Jaime
Banks area and see what happens for them. The water was a bit choppy on the way out there but
it laid down a bit around mid-morning. The action was not red-hot but there were fish and they
managed to get two Dorado of about 25 pounds each and lost another one at the boat. They also
got a couple of football Yellowfin Tuna, one weighed 24 and the other 27 pounds. A bit of
Dorado to take back for dinner and they were very happy with the fishing and the overall
experience! Thanks folks, we look forward to seeing you again next year!
“FLY HOOKER” FISH REPORT FOR 6 JUNE, 2002
This is the second day of fishing for the Galati brothers and today young Mike stayed at the
dock. He was not feeling very well and decided that he did not want to be doing what his uncle
T.J. had been doing all day on the 4th. Today was Juan’s (younger) normal day off and I went
along with the guys today. We left at 5:30 in an attempt to beat the wind buildup out to the San
Jaime Banks. That is the area where they turned around and came back on the 4th, but that is
where the fish have been. We ran up the coast to the Los Arcos area, taking advantage of the
smaller chop off the beach, then turned to the west and headed out. It was a bit of a wild ride but
we reached 2 miles short of the bank by 7:15 and put the lines is the water. I was doing the dance
in the cockpit trying to set the lines without getting completely soaked and finally gave up and just
took a shower. That was the current line area on the east side of the Bank, when we got on top
of the Bank and on the west and south side the water was very good. On our second pass on the
top of the easternmost pinnacle we had a double strike on 15 pound Yellowfin Tuna. Both of
them made it into the box and we turned around to make another pass over the spot, after a quick
photo session. We saw a Turtle on the surface in that area that got our attention for a little while
and we continued to work the 1/5 mile spot. The third time we went over the spot we had two
hard strikes, one on the long rigger and one on the bridge rod. Only the one on the long rigger
hooked up and the fight was on. I think (sorry, can’t remember for sure) that it was Rob on the
fish. He worked it hard and after about 15 minutes (we got into the backing on the reel) we had
color below the boat. Juan had said that on the strike there had been quite the splash on the lure
and when we say the 60 pound Yellowfin Tuna we know why! I leadered, Juan gaffed and we
had the fish in the boat. Another photo session took place and then out went the lures again. By
this time other boats were showing up at the bank but there was little action for them. We were
working a concentration of bait just on the north-west side of the top and after several more
passes Juan spotted two Striped Marlin tailing of the surface. I pinned on a live Caballito and
dropped it back into the lure spread as the fish came in to check them out and we all got to see
one of them chase the bait around. I thought the bait had been picked off the hook as the line lost
all the pressure but Juan yelled to me that the fish had eaten the bait and was coming in closer to
the boat. I reeled as fast as I could to get the line tight, set the hook and Mike was in the chair
and ready to go! That first run was up swell and almost took all 400 yards of 40 pound test line.
Juan turned the boat and we managed to get a lot of it back. By then Mike was tired and since he
was not greedy and everyone wanted a chance to see how the fish felt, he was more than happy to
have his brothers share in the fight. They switched back and forth a few times and after 50
minutes and several jumps the leader came up. I grabbed the leader and then billed the fish as
Juan placed the tag, then we cut the leader at the Marlins mouth. Lots of photos were taken of
this beautifully lit up fish alongside the boat then I released the bill and we watched the 150 pound
Striped Marlin swim away with several strong flicks of his tail! Success at last, they had gotten
their Marlin and had Tuna in the box. We put the lures back out and made several more passes in
the area with no further luck, then turned the boat to try for a Dorado on the way home. We did
have a Dorado come in on the short rigger lure but he just nipped at the lure and did not hook up.
We watched in amazement on the way back as we came across a Whale and her Calf. They were
playing and several times she jumped almost clear of the water. That was it for the day and we
pulled in the lines and cruised back to the marina for the last hour. A very nice trip, good fishing
and nobody got sick today! Thanks guys, and I will put on the release card the marlin was angled
by “The Galati Brothers”!
“FLY HOOKER” FISH REPORT FOR 7 JUNE, 2002
Eddie Jenness booked the “Fly Hooker” for today and tomorrow a while back and was not sure
how many people would be aboard. He has 6 fishermen in the party and last night decided to split
the group up with three on our boat and three on another boat, forming a little competitive
environment. Getting aboard the “Fly Hooker” this morning was Eddie and his dad Mack and
Eddies long time friend Gary Lindner. Gary’s brothers Preston and Frank along with Preston’s
father-in-law Don were aboard the other boat. Juan and Juan stated at the outset that they were
going to go to the San Jaime Banks again as that had been the only area this week to hold any
fish. It was a choppy, rough ride out there, as it has been every morning but it smoothed out a bit
once they arrived on top of the bank. The first action they had was on Yellowfin Tuna, but the
fish were not big, just football fish about 15 pounds. A couple of them in the boat then a Bonita
and they decided to try a bit more to the west. Another boat said they had lost three Striped
Marlin over in that direction and the water was a degree warmer and really blue. It was six miles
before they got to the area but when they did they found it exactly as described. Not long after
arriving there they had a Striped Marlin hooked up on a High-5 Bleeding Mackerel lure off the
long rigger. Gary was the assigned angler and he was excited! His brothers had been trying to
catch a Marlin for years and here he was on only his second Marlin trip hooked up to one! The
fish made a few jumps at the beginning of the fight then it settled down to a tug-of-war that lasted
35 minutes. I was told that the fish must have made a minimum of 15 runs, it got close to the
boat and took off again time after time. Eventually Juan was able to get leader on the fish and
asked Gary if he wanted to release the fish or not. Since it was his first one Gary elected to take
the fish. That was all the action for the day as they headed back to the marina. Juan was unable
to contact the other boat during the day to see how they had done and we heard that on arriving
back at the hotel the guys found Don laying on the bed and all he said was “Frank got a 300
pounder”. Gary’s heart dropped into his stomach until they found out they were being teased and
the other boat had actually gotten skunked. The other team had headed south and stayed in the
cold green water the whole time, never even saw a fish. Mack and Don are not going to go out
tomorrow so it looks as if Frank, Preston, Gary and Eddie are on the “Fly Hooker” tomorrow.
I’ll let you know how they do then!
“FLY HOOKER” FISH REPORT FOR 8 JUNE, 2002
Today Eddie Jenness is aboard the “Fly Hooker” as well as Gary, Preston and Frank Lindner.
Juan and Juan tossed on the yellow rain slickers and belted themselves into the bridge seats and
took the group back to the San Jaime Banks, looking to get Preston the Marlin he has been
looking for. Got the idea it was rough? Good, because that is the report I received at the end of
the trip. No one got sick even though Eddie did not feel to well. The fishing was a bit off as well,
Juan told me that they had to go well to the west side of the banks, about 26 miles out, to find any
blue water and that the conditions had deteriorated since yesterday. The catch report was pretty
dismal with one small football Tuna and two Bonita. Juan said that there had been three nice
Dorado come into the lures but they had not bit and they never did see a Marlin all day. Preston
has decided that he will give it a try for one more day and we wish him the best of luck!
“FLY HOOKER” FISH REPORT FOR 9 JUNE, 2002
Our anglers today are Mike and Andrea Perry of Reno, Nevada. They are old Baja hands,
Mike first coming to Cabo in 1961 aboard a Tuna boat as a crewmember. They have visited
every three or four years since and Mike has caught all the Marlin and Tuna he has a need for.
His adventure now is medium sized Gamefish on light tackle, and in this vein the target for today,
and possibly tomorrow (depending on the catch and conditions), is to be Roosterfish or/and
Dorado. He has two new Penn International 3 piece Pack/travel rods he needs to try out. The
#20 has a Shimano Currado reel and the #30 has a Shimano Trinidad, both of them ready to give
the rods a reality check. With the inshore gamefish the target we headed up the Sea of Cortez
until we reached the Los Tulles beach area and there we set out two live baits. These were trolled
in water ranging in depth from 16 to 60 feet. The water was clear with no discoloration and there
were small bait balls boiling all over. Unfortunately by the time we had reached Palmilla Point we
had not had a strike and we brought in the baits and ran to Punta Gorda, further up the coast.
The water warmed up 2 degrees to 76 but an hour of attempting the same thing again had no
results. Juan decided that the action was better offshore with reports of boats hooking up to
Striped Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna along the temperature/current break so we pulled in the light
gear that Mike wanted to test and put out the heavy artillery. We ran out to the Gorda Banks and
put the lures in the water. Shortly thereafter spotted a Shark on the surface that got us excited for
a minute as we thought it might have been a Marlin. About 30 minutes later and about 6 miles
from the banks we spotted a Marlin tailing on the surface. This fish had live bait tossed to it but
refused to eat, going down instead. This was the pattern we ran into for the nest pair of Marlin
we saw 3 minutes later as well and the single fish about 45 minutes later on. That was the extent
of our action for the day but we are going to try again tomorrow. The deal is though is that we
are going to reverse the process, trying offshore early on and running the coast back. Maybe our
luck will change, at the very least the water will be a lot smoother on the return!
Until Next week, Tight Lines from George, Mary, Juan, Juan2 and Maneul, the
“Fly Hooker” Crew
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