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Fishing Report for San Jose del Cabo, Baja
Capt. Eric Brictson
February 2, 2003
San Jose del Cabo - Saltwater Fishing Report
Anglers -
February 2, 2003
Anglers found the conditions to be near perfect, especially considering that we are now in the midst of winter. Daytime temperatures were reaching 80 degrees and there has been plenty of sunshine, only a couple days where there was a cloud front that moved in from the west that was accompanied with light drizzle. There was little wind to speak of and seas were mostly calm. Water temperatures ranged from 70 to 73 degrees. A southern swell did pick up mid-week, but by the weekend it had dissipated. Baitfish became a bit scattered along the shoreline, but with patience there were adequate supplies of sardinas and mackerel could be purchased from the Cabo marina.
All around the fish counts improved this past week, with striped marlin, dorado and yellowfin tuna being the most common species targeted offshore. Cruisers were accounting for multiple catches of striped marlin, they were now being found off of Chileno, 95 spot, Red Hill, as well as off the Pacific side of the Peninsula. Stripers were readily taking live mackerel, drifted down deep or cast to tailing fish, they also were hooked up on trolled lures. The majority of the billfish activity was from 5 to 12 miles from shore. Dorado were now being caught in surprisingly high numbers for wintertime, being found throughout the area, inshore to offshore, sizes averaged 10 to 20 pounds, with larger ones mixed in, including one 56 pound bull caught by Nick Burum of Santa Cruz while fishing out of La Playita. Most boats accounted for 3, 4 or 5 dorado each day, live bait was preferred, though others hit on cut bait and trolled lures. Punta Gorda and in front of the San Jose Estuary area were two spots that proved to be especially productive for catching dorado within a half mile of shore, this is where there was more baitfish activity.
Yellowfin tuna were found by the cruiser fleet trolling further offshore, most being associated with porpoise and larger tuna are still concentrated on the Inner Gordo Banks. The majority of the San Jose pangas are targeting these quality tuna on the Banks, the fish have been finicky, with the bite being unpredictable from day to day, they are striking on chunk bait best, but at times would take the live sardinas, most anglers are using 50 to 80 pound tackle because these tuna are averaging 70 to 100 pounds. Using fluorocarbon leaders proved to be advantageous, as was persistent chumming, and patience was essential. Panga anglers were coming in with a handful of nice tuna each day, most anglers were lucky to land one, and many other hookups were being lost on lighter tackle. Walter Tondu of Manhattan Beach was fishing with Gordo Banks skipper Jesus when he tied into his personal best 96-pound yellowfin tuna and his fishing buddy Clay Irving landed a trophy sized 33-pound leopard grouper.
Off the bottom anglers accounted for a mix of grouper, pargo and yellowtail, ranging in weights to over 30 pounds. These fish hit on chunk bait , as well as on mackerel and chihuil. This is good news that yellowtail are moving onto the Gordo Banks, it has been a while since they have been found there.
Good Fishing, Eric
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