Wahoo Action Breaks Loose on San Luis Bank
Capt. Eric Brictson
May 7, 2010
San Jose del Cabo - Saltwater Fishing Report
May 7, 2010
Crowds of visiting anglers are increasing as the weather patterns seem to be finally stabilizing. Sunny days and high temperatures averaging in the mid 80s, ideal climate now, in another month or so the true summer heat will be arriving. Ocean swells are now increasing from the south, making it that much harder for the commercial panga fleet to net the already limited supplies of sardinas. Schools of mullet should be migrating into local waters in the coming weeks, on the offshore fishing grounds there has been more signs of baitfish moving in. Water conditions are really shaping up, clear blue water is now within a mile or two of shore and water temperatures are averaging 74 to 77 degrees through much of the region. The annual migration of whales is all but over, as they are now headed north to feed for the summer. We should start to see more schools of porpoise, manta rays, flying fish and perhaps even whale sharks, as this is the time they normally show up in the vicinity of the Gordo Banks.
Fishing fleets have been spread out in all directions and this last week produced more consistent action for surface species such as yellowfin tuna, dorado and wahoo. Still no great numbers of any particular species, but there are some quality sized fish now being found on a daily basis. Most of the yellowfin tuna that are being encountered have been associated with rapidly traveling porpoise, this action has been found anywhere from two to thirty miles from shore, tuna have ranged in sizes up to 100 pounds, most of the fish have been in the 15 to 30 pound class.
Dorado are starting to appear in the warming waters, anglers have found small schools of these fish scattered throughout the area, striking on trolled lures and bait, they ranged in sizes from 10 to 30 pounds. This is the time when larger sized bull dorado start to make their presence.
Perhaps the highlight of the week has been the wahoo action being found to the north of Punta Gorda and near San Luis Bank. Practically all of the charters that have targeted these normally elusive speedsters have had opportunities, trolling with rigged ballyhoo, Rapalas, skirted lead heads and even casting chrome yo-yos all produced strikes. Many boats were accounting for one or two wahoo and some of the more prepared and fortunate charters had up to half of dozen wahoo in the box. Very impressive sized fish as well, averaging 20 to 40 pounds, with quite a few fish in the 40 to 60 pound class accounted for. This month of May is shaping up to be on track to produce some of the best late spring wahoo action in many seasons. As long as conditions stay how they are now it appears that this bite will only get better.
The increased southern swell has limited live bait action along the shoreline, though there are still sierra lurking and a few roosterfish showing up. The coming weeks should bring in the mullet and then the dogtooth snapper and larger sized roosterfish will follow.
Triggerfish have dominated the bottom action, there are some bonito, cabrilla, pargo and amberjack mixed in, but this has not been a consistent option. Most charters are concentrating on what surface action they can find, but that has been more productive than finding fish off the bottom at this time.
The combined panga fleet launching from La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos sent out approximately 74 charters for the week and anglers reported a fish count of: 3 mako sharks, 5 hammerhead shark, 1 striped marlin, 17 yellowfin tuna, 19 dorado, 11 pompano, 12 cabrilla, 7 amberjack, 28 Mexican bonito, 42 sierra, 5 roosterfish, 45 wahoo, 86 triggerfish and 17 pargo.
Good Fishing, Eric
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