Southern Winds Stir up Conditions, Sierra still along Shore
Capt. Eric Brictson
April 23, 2010
San Jose del Cabo - Saltwater Fishing Report
April 23, 2010
Spring time weather is providing plenty of sunshine and high temperatures of 85 degrees, though the global economical crisis has continued to limit the number of tourists that can afford to travel. Unseasonable southern winds were more persistent than normal, this effected ocean conditions, just as they had been improving, Pacific currents pushed in cooler and off colored water, particularly prevalent through much of the southern region. Water temperatures averaged from 70 to 76 degrees, warmest areas found in the direction of Vinorama to Los Frailes. This is the direction where the majority of charter fleets are now concentrating their efforts. Anglers have been waiting patiently for the offshore action to improve, up until now it has not been consistent, at times has shown some signs of picking up.
Fishing has been spread out, some boats looking offshore, but most are working areas along the shoreline to several miles from shore. This is the time of year where things can really change from day to day. Baitfish have been available in limited supply, caballito from Cabo San Lucas and sardinas are schooling inshore near San Luis, pangeros are working harder than usual to net minimal amounts of these preferred batifish. Not much baitfish activity being found on the fishing grounds, a few scattered flying fish and skipjack, it is the time where we should start seeing some bolito showing up.
Guides are working harder than usual to obtain fresh bait for their anglers, doing the best they can under the circumstances. Drift fishing over the rock piles, using both bait and yo-yo iron jigs have been producing a mixed bag of species, no big numbers, but all good eating. There have been cabrilla, amberjack, various pargo, triggerfish, bonito, sierra and pompano. Good variety, though there are not large quantities of any particular species.
Late last week and through the weekend, before strong southern winds turned over the conditions, there was a wahoo bite that developed near Vinorama, this area is a long distance and almost out of range of normal charters, though can produce great action when currents are just right. Rigged ballyhoo baits, sardinas and trolled Rapalas accounted for strikes by wahoo that weighed up to 50 pounds. Since then this action has slowed down, but a few wahoo are still appearing in the daily fish counts, strikes were also reported near Cardon, La Fortuna and Iman. As conditions improve once again we look for these fish to become more active.
Early in the week there were schools of yellowfin tuna encountered that were traveling with porpoise, within five miles of shore, near San Luis Bank. Only handful of boats got in on this action, accounting for 4 to 8 fish per charter, the yellowfin ranged in sizes from 30 to 80 pounds. They hit on smaller sized trolled hoochies and on sardinas, limited amount of chum brought the tuna to the surface, fish to one hundred pounds or larger were reportedly seen feeding.
African pompano started to appear inshore this past week, striking on live sardinas, they provided fun sport on light tackle, averaging 5 to 10 pounds, also are excellent eating. The shipwreck off of La Salina was the spot, this is a small area that can only handle limited boat pressure before spooking the fish. Sierra and some roosterfish were also found in the same area.
Striped marlin action continues to be spread out and hit or miss, these fish have preferred live bait over lures. Typically the coming month provides better opportunities for the strippers off of the San Jose del Cabo region.
All local interests are eagerly waiting for the completion of the bridge construction accessing La Playita and the Puerto Los Cabos Marina. It has been a long dragged out project, now nearing the final stages, it will be a relief for everyone involved when it does finally open. As the old dirt route through the flood zone has worn down to bedrock now and is torture on both vehicles and bodies.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos sent out approximately 52 charters for the week and anglers reported a fish count of: 2 striped marlin, 5 hammerhead shark, 17 yellowfin tuna, 9 dorado, 1 yellowtail,12 amberjack, 66 various pargo, 25 cabrilla, 38 bonito, 164 sierra, 16 roosterfish, 13 jack crevalle and 39 pompano.
Good Fishing, Eric
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