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Fishing Report for San Jose del Cabo, Baja
Capt. Eric Brictson
July 20, 2003
San Jose del Cabo - Saltwater Fishing Report
Anglers -
July 20, 2003
The summer season is following a familiar course, that of increasingly warm days, with moderate crowds of tourists and even fewer anglers to enjoy the tropical desert weather. The latest tropical Storm Felicia is heading on a quick pace towards the west and will not affect the southern Baja, more than with a scattering of tropical clouds. Winds have settled down this past week and ocean swells have been at a minimal, which meant anglers had comfortable fishing conditions. Water temperatures climbed back up to an average of 77 to 80 degrees, though the water is still a bit cloudy and greenish within several miles of shore.
Overall the fish counts have been respectable, most common offshore species being encountered has been the striped marlin, along with a limited amount of yellowfin tuna, dorado and wahoo. Marlin and sailfish were found as close as one mile from shore and were striking on mackerel and mullet. The majority of the billfish have been in the fifty to one hundred pound range and it required persistence to get them to take the hooked baits. With the lack of offshore baitfish such as bolito, skipjack and small yellowfin, this has attributing to a later than normal showing of blue marlin on the local fishing grounds, it is only a matter of time until the bait moves in and these fish provide some serious excitement for anglers.
The panga fleets have had their best success fishing areas closer to shore, trolling lie mullet along the beaches they found roosterfish, pargo and jack crevalle, with some fish to over 40 pounds reported. Off the rocky bottom anglers found a good selection of smaller species like triggerfish, pompano, barred pargo, cabrilla and amberjack, the best bet was to use sardinas or cut bait, a few larger grouper were accounted for, striking on mullet and yo-yo jigs. Despite the warm water temperatures there were still a few sierra hanging around and a surprising late run of pompano inshore near San Luis. The Gordo Banks reported little fish activity now, as boats are scouting the area out daily and expected things to break loose at any time. Dorado were scattered throughout the region, but no one seemed to be finding any schools of them, just ones or twos, maybe they are waiting to be attracted by the shade and food chain of some storm debris.
Surf fishermen continue to catch world class snook off the area between Costa Azul and La Playita, fish to 30 pound were accounted for this past week, numbers are not high, but for the anglers (especially the knowledgeable locals), who fish when the tide, water temperature and currents are all favorable and they also know from experience what these prized fish like to hit on. Other beach catches include sierra, jack crevalle, roosterfish, pompano, croaker, halibut and pargo.
Good Fishing, Eric
Anglers -
July 20, 2003
The summer season is following a familiar course, that of increasingly warm days, with moderate crowds of tourists and even fewer anglers to enjoy the tropical desert weather. The latest tropical Storm Felicia is heading on a quick pace towards the west and will not affect the southern Baja, more than with a scattering of tropical clouds. Winds have settled down this past week and ocean swells have been at a minimal, which meant anglers had comfortable fishing conditions. Water temperatures climbed back up to an average of 77 to 80 degrees, though the water is still a bit cloudy and greenish within several miles of shore.
Overall the fish counts have been respectable, most common offshore species being encountered has been the striped marlin, along with a limited amount of yellowfin tuna, dorado and wahoo. Marlin and sailfish were found as close as one mile from shore and were striking on mackerel and mullet. The majority of the billfish have been in the fifty to one hundred pound range and it required persistence to get them to take the hooked baits. With the lack of offshore baitfish such as bolito, skipjack and small yellowfin, this has attributing to a later than normal showing of blue marlin on the local fishing grounds, it is only a matter of time until the bait moves in and these fish provide some serious excitement for anglers.
The panga fleets have had their best success fishing areas closer to shore, trolling lie mullet along the beaches they found roosterfish, pargo and jack crevalle, with some fish to over 40 pounds reported. Off the rocky bottom anglers found a good selection of smaller species like triggerfish, pompano, barred pargo, cabrilla and amberjack, the best bet was to use sardinas or cut bait, a few larger grouper were accounted for, striking on mullet and yo-yo jigs. Despite the warm water temperatures there were still a few sierra hanging around and a surprising late run of pompano inshore near San Luis. The Gordo Banks reported little fish activity now, as boats are scouting the area out daily and expected things to break loose at any time. Dorado were scattered throughout the region, but no one seemed to be finding any schools of them, just ones or twos, maybe they are waiting to be attracted by the shade and food chain of some storm debris.
Surf fishermen continue to catch world class snook off the area between Costa Azul and La Playita, fish to 30 pound were accounted for this past week, numbers are not high, but for the anglers (especially the knowledgeable locals), who fish when the tide, water temperature and currents are all favorable and they also know from experience what these prized fish like to hit on. Other beach catches include sierra, jack crevalle, roosterfish, pompano, croaker, halibut and pargo.
Good Fishing, Eric
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