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Fishing Report for San Jose del Cabo, Baja
Capt. Eric Brictson
January 15, 2006
San Jose del Cabo - Saltwater Fishing Report
January 15, 2006
Anglers –
As winter conditions swept through northern territories increased crowds of tourists are swarming south to Los Cabos in search of warm sunshine. Though this past week has been cooler than previous weeks, with days being mostly cloudy through much of the morning hours before the sunshine breaking out later in the day. Winds were predominate from the northwest, blowing up to about 12 miles per hour, but did not affect sportfishing operations much, since fleets were now fishing relatively close to shore in more protected waters. The majority of the charter activity was concentrated from Cabo San Lucas to Red Hill, this has been the area where water temperature were averaging 73 to 74 degrees, compared to surrounding waters that were dipping down into the 69 degrees range. Live bait supplies were a bit inconsistent, though on most days sufficient supplies of mackerel and sardinas were available, but the size and amount of bait received did vary. It was worth waiting for bait since that is what the higher percentage of action was found on.
Striped marlin action has now spread out, with the fish being found scattered from the Pacific into the Sea of Cortez, concentrations were not as high, though some charters were accounting for multiple billfish days. Striped marlin up to 150 pounds were striking on trolling lures and live mackerel, they could be spotted tailing on the surface, riding swells, or lighting up into the lure spread, the majority located from 4 to 12 miles from shore, not always eager to actually take the offering, likely that the full moon was a factor.
Dorado were also scattered, with more of the 5 to 15 pound do-dos actually being found closer to shore, apparently attracted by the warmer currents and schools of baitfish. With the water temperatures on the local fishing grounds now on a cooling trend these warm water species are not as consistent. Panga charters seemed to have had better success for the medium-sized gamefish since they were concentrated their efforts closer to shore. Yellowfin tuna and bonito were the most common catches from day to day, most of them striking on smaller bait within a couple miles of shore and ranging 5 to 15 pounds. On some days dorado did actually out number tuna catches. Overall the average catch per panga charter was about 8 to 15 fish in combination, not too bad for wintertime action.
With northern winds and cooler off colored water having swept through areas north of Punta Gorda there have not been that many anglers fishing in that direction. Strong currents were also reported, which made it more difficult to work the bottom rock piles, though in recent days the conditions were somewhat improved and a mix of pargo, cabrilla and pompano were accounted for, though still no consistent numbers. On Saturday commercial pangueros did report red crab activity on the Gordo Banks and caught pargo using them as bait, this was the first day this happened so we will keep an eye on that to see if it develops into something.
Not much to report in the way of sierra catches along the shoreline, only a few fish found here and there, most of them towards Cabo San Lucas.
The combined panga fleets launching from La Playita sent out approximately 92 charters for the week, with anglers accounted for a fish count of: 4 striped marlin, 36 sierra, 22 pompano, 14 cabrilla, 26 pargo, 8 amberjack, 275 bonito, 360 yellowfin tuna, 192 dorado and 3 yellowtail.
Good Fishing, Eric
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