Tuna finally makes it to Cabo

Capt. Tracy Ehrenberg
April 26, 2009
Cabo San Lucas - Saltwater Fishing Report

APRIL 16th to 22nd 2009
Overall Catch Success Rate 99%
BILLFISH: Although our overall catch success rate for all species combined was very good this week, the majority of the catch was small game with marlin catches scarce. This is not to say that they are not around but simply put they are not hungry when found and no wonder, there are tons of baby squid in the water which they are inhaling. The crew of "Rebecca" Jose Ramon and Luis Cota, reported that they were fishing 10 miles southeast of Cabo when they found a red stain in the water about 500 meters in diameter, when they approached they saw that it was a patch of baby squid, being attacked by pelicans, seagulls, frigate birds, seals, dolphins, skipjacks and yellowfin tuna. They put out some cedar plugs and immediately hooked up four yellowfin tuna in less than ten seconds. After they finished with the tuna (17 total), they trolled around the baby squid and hooked a striped marlin on a purple lure, which they successfully released for Charles Burke and party. There were so many squid that just by a gallon bucket in the water the deckhand caught 15 babies, which were let go – they were so cute that the crew considered keeping one as a mascot, but didn't think it would survive even in the live bait well and let it go before getting back to the dock. We had just four marlin this week, with some of the better catches aboard "Tracy Ann" with one marlin released, seven tuna and two dorados for David Sharninghouse from Findlay, Ohio; aboard "Andrea" with one striped marlin, twelve tuna and one dorado for Randall Reed from El Cajon, Ca. The catch success rate on marlin was just twelve percent but expect numbers to climb within the next two weeks.
OTHER SPECIES: Despite the poor showing on marlin, as predicted last week, yellowfin tuna moved into the area though not in the concentrations we expected. Forty percent of charters caught yellowfin tuna, with catches of between one and twenty six fish per day, in the 8 to 15 lb class. The best location was 25 and 28 miles off of the Old Lighthouse as well as San Jaime. The tuna took cedar plugs and feathers. Even better catches were had on yellowtail with forty five percent of boats landing fish up to 30 lbs and catches ranging from one to fifteen fish per boat per day. Dorado catches were fair with twenty eight percent of boats catching between one and six fish up to 35 lbs. There were also good catches of skipjacks, bonita, squid, sierra, pompano, a few cabrilla and one mako shark.
WEATHER: Clear sunny skies, winds up and down, some days calm other days, some chop on the Pacific especially in the afternoons
AVERAGE WATER TEMP: 89-71 F
BEST LURES: Cedar plugs, feathers, petroleros, guacamaya, live caballito.
Based on the catches of Pisces by Tracy Ehrenberg

Baby squid, potential pet that was released by the crew of the Rebecca.

More Fishing Reports:

• All Reports by Capt. Tracy Ehrenberg
• Cabo San Lucas Fishing Reports
• Mexico Fishing Reports
• Browse All Fishing Reports