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| Around 10% of the world's total fish species can be found just within the Great Barrier Reef. |
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| Starfish can re-grow their arms. In fact, a single arm can regenerate a whole body. |
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| Starfish do not have blood. Their blood is actually filtered sea water. |
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| Starfish don't have brains. Special cells on their skin gather information about their surroundings |
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| Not all animals with the word fish in their names count as fish. |
| Though their names may suggest otherwise, cuttlefish, starfish, and jellyfish aren’t actually fish. Generally-speaking, fishes must have skulls, gills, and fins. Surprisingly, though, not all fishes have proper spines. |
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| In three decades, the world's oceans will contain more discarded plastic than fish when measured by weight, researchers say. |
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| As of 2020, there were 34,000 known fish species around world. That’s more than the number of species in all other vertebrates: birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians combined. |
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| Just how man species of fish are there? |
| As of 2020, there were 34,000 known fish species around world. That’s more than the number of species in all other vertebrates: birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians combined. |
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| Even Catfish are finicky |
| Taste Buds ? Catfish have a more refined sense of flavor than humans. Our 10,000 taste buds may seem like a lot, but catfish can have as many as 175,000. This helps them find the exact location of their next meal. |
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| A bit of Humor |
| My brother has 2 German Shepherds named Rolex and Timex. You guessed it they are Watch Dogs. |
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From Jan 01, 1999 To Apr 30, 2024
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May 28, 2014; 07:46PM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo May 25, 2014
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric Brictson
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
May 25, 2014
Anglers –
The month of May is always a great time, with an all around climate,
steadily warming days, increasingly tropical feeling and many opportunities
for anglers, from offshore, bottom structure to trolling close to shore.
All this to take advantage of, crowds are now moderate, as people remain
busy, finishing school semesters, graduations, not to mention that this is
a very popular time for marriages.
Perfect time to head south and visit the Los Cabos area, in another month
the weather is much warmer and the humidity rises. Recent daytime highs
have been hovering around 90 degrees, scattered cloud cover, at times quite
tropical, on Thursday we even had some rainfall, did not amount to much,
but this was unseasonable and combined with the gusty winds from the
southwest, resulted in many anglers canceling charters for that morning,
even though by mid morning the front had moved through and the conditions
ended up just fine. Crazy weather patterns this whole year, seems like a
possible El Nino current has been developing, ocean temperature are now in
the 80 to 82 degree range off of San José del Cabo and towards Los Frailes,
even warmer outside near the Cabrillo Seamount.
Bait sources remained as they have been, live moonfish and on some days
limited caballito have been available, along with ballyhoo for rigging. On
the fishing grounds more schools of skipjack and bolito were reported and
this will be another option opening up for anglers targeting larger sized
gamefish. This is also the time we should see migrations of mullet
appearing in local waters. We have heard no good news on any resources of
sardinas being found anywhere in the Southern Baja, will be interesting to
see if we have a fall run for these sardina baitfish.
The steady bite for striped marlin which was within a couple of miles of
the marina channel entrance, slowed way down, this is where the billfish
were feeding on smaller sized squid, apparently this food source must have
moved elsewhere. Now the main action for striped marlin was 15 to18 miles
straight outside of San Jose del Cabo, in the vicinity of the 1150 Spot.
Large concentrations of marlin were found, feeding, tailing, free jumping,
striking more often on baitfish, either slow trolled, or drift, with
sinkers down deep, or fly lining near the surface. Many charters Accounted
for multiple billfish, even four, five or six stripers per day was not
uncommon. Sizes ranged from 80 to 130 pounds. There were quite a few
thrasher sharks on these same grounds, most weighing in the 70 to 150 lb.
range and giving anglers their best workout for their money in battling
these powerful fighters to boat side.
We have heard of the yellowfin tuna action that has developed in the Los
Frailes area, tuna ranging to over 100 pounds were found associated with
porpoise, finicky to bite at times, but consistent trolling has been
producing decent numbers for charters based out of the East Cape. Though
this action is still out of range for San Jose del Cabo charters, we are
hoping this activity shifts towards the south, to our normal San Luis, Iman
and Gordo Banks grounds. This is the time of year when anything could
happen on any given day.
Dorado remain scattered, some days there have been a handful found on the
same marlin grounds and to the north where panga fleets have been working
the various high spots, there have been schooling dorado encountered,
mostly smaller sized. Hard to say what is going on with the dorado, we have
heard reports of larger concentrations found off the East Cape as well,
this can be the typical pattern, then the action moves our direction. Some
anglers found wahoo between San Luis and Vinorama, trolling ballyhoo and
rapalas seem to have taken the majority of strikes, still lucky to get one
of these elusive fish, sizes ranged from 15 to 40 lb. Several wahoo hit on
yo-yo jigs while anglers were drifting over high spots, targeting
amberjack, snapper and grouper, which proved very hit or miss, a handful of
quality specimens were accounted for the anglers that were persistent.
Roosterfish action was found along the coastal inshore stretches, but with
the lack of any concentrations of mullet, this meant that the roosters were
scattered and the action varied from day to day where they could be found,
most of the roosterfish that did strike on trolled baits weighed in the 20
to 40 pound class.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 90 charters for this past week, with anglers
accounting for a fish count of: 7 thrasher shark, 4 yellowfin tuna, 52
striped marlin, 14 wahoo, 2 sailfish,12 amberjack,9 cabrilla, 4 jack
crevalle, 8 sierra, 44 dorado, 2 dogtooth snapper, 75 bonito and 72
roosterfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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May 23, 2014; 06:34PM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo May 18, 2014
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
May 18, 2014
Anglers –
As we enter the later part of the spring season, we are enjoying the ideal
weather conditions, still slightly cool in the evenings and early morning,
though the days have been clear, with warm sunshine up near the 90 degree
mark. Winds settled down this week, but continued to be somewhat
unpredictable. Ocean temperature has been averaging in the upper 70s from
Cabo San Lucas towards the East Cape. Clean blue water is now found within
a mile or two of shore. Schools of bolito are showing on the fishing
grounds towards the north of Punta Gorda, this is always a favorable sign
to attract more gamefish into the area.
Though the fishing action has not been off the map red hot, there has been
good variety and some quality species are being accounted for. Live bait
remains limited, moonfish and limited caballito were available and ballyhoo
has been another option. We expect to see more schooling mullet arriving
anytime. Charters have been mixing things up with the various options now
available, from inshore trolling, to working the bottom structure and then
offshore, which has not meant having to travel very far out.
Inshore the roosterfish were dominating the action, with nicer sized fish
to 30 and 40 pounds now being landed daily, while trolling live baits along
the shore, just outside the surf zone, a few jack crevalle have also been
hooked into, as well as a handful of late season sierra.
Striped marlin has been the main species found offshore, once again these
fish were found very close in, within a mile or two, straight outside the
Puerto Los Cabos Marina entrance. Anglers were drift fishing with the
available live baits, fly ling and using sinkers to soak the baits deeper.
In this same area some marlin could be seen free jumping and occasionally
feeding on the surface. Striped marlin could be found throughout the
region, certain grounds did have larger concentrations. There were a few
marlin even hooked into while bottom fishing with yo-yo style jigs, not an
everyday occurrence. Dorado were found sporadically, no hot spot to find
them on a daily basis. More juvenile sized fish were now found north
towards San Luis and Vinormama, lots of small females that should be
released with care so that they are able to mature.
Wahoo remain on the fishing grounds, actually seen at times in fair sized
schools, roaming the inshore structure, getting them to bite as always is
another matter, a few were hooked on yo-yo jigs and others hit the trolled
Rapalas, sizes ranged up to 35 pounds. A few more yellowfin tuna are now
being accounted for, blind strikes on lures or ballyhoo on the grounds to
the north, and also a few fish to 20 pounds were accounted for off of the
Gordo Banks. There were sizable schools of tuna seen feeding on these same
banks, but they would disappear as fast as they showed, feeding on the
available food source and not much interested in anything else, the few
yellowfin that were taken, hit on strips of squid.
Off the bottom there was a chance at variety, including bonito, amberjack,
cabrilla, pargo, grouper and even a yellowtail or two. Though there were no
big numbers of any particular species being accounted for. Amberjack to 70
pounds were landed, grouper to 40 pounds, yellowtail and dogtooth snapper
to 30 pounds, all quality specimens, striking on baits or yo-yo jigs. One
day a certain spot would produce action and then the next day the same spot
could be dead, also sea lions continue to be present and are causing havoc
for anglers.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 81 charters for this past week, with anglers
accounting for a fish count of: 4 sailfish, 2 thrasher shark, 11 yellowfin
tuna, 48 striped marlin, 9 wahoo, 4 yellowtail, 17 amberjack, 5 grouper, 13
cabrilla, 14 jack crevalle, 12 sierra, 29 dorado, 4 dogtooth snapper, 82
bonito and 45 roosterfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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May 13, 2014; 11:17PM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo May 11, 2014
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
May 11, 2014
Anglers –
Perhaps the perfect weather conditions have attracted more crowds of
tourists, as this past week we have noticed an increased number of
visitors. Early in the week there were some unusually gusty winds sweeping
through from the north, though after this front moved through conditions
settled nicely and anglers were greeted with great ocean conditions. Air
temperatures were nearing 90 degrees, some marine layer, scattered cloud
cover created a semi tropical feeling. Everyone is enjoying the wonderful
climate now, if only this could last through the summer. Ocean water
temperatures fluctuated more, with cooler currents on the Pacific side of
Cabo San Lucas now in the upper 60s, while outside of the Gordo Banks water
ranged into the upper 70s, most of the zone where anglers were now fishing
was in the 74/75 degree range.
The winds during the early week stirred up ocean conditions and dropped
water temperatures by a few degrees. Striped marlin continue to be the most
prevalent species found offshore, the big bite that had been going on very
close to shore, off of the Puerto Los Cabos Marine entrance, within one
mile of shore, this action tapered way off, though a few scattered striped
marlin are still being landed each day from this area. It seems the main
concentration of marlin has moved further offshore, as far as 18 miles out,
scores of stripers were seen riding the surface swells, many of them not
interested at all in feeding on the available bait source of moonfish,
jacks or ballyhoo, though a percentage of the marlin would strike and some
charters were accounting for multiple billfish days. Some charters reported
seeing many marlin on the surface but not be able to draw a strike for
anything, this can happen when the fish get a taste for a certain food
source that is abundant at a particular time, fish just are not hungry for
anything else.
Dorado were more scattered even than were the marlin, only an odd fish here
of there, no schools found, maybe one dorado landed for every five
charters. Weights of the few dorado accounted for ranged up to 20 pounds.
Wahoo were in the area, though only a handful were actually caught, most of
these were found north of Punta Gorda and towards Vinormama, various rigged
baits and Rapalas both produced fish, which averaged from 20 to 30 pounds.
Mid week a significant sized school of yellowfin tuna in the 20 to 30 pound
class came up and was feeding on the surface near the Outer Gordo Bank, no
one reportedly could tell what type of baitfish they were attacking and all
of this activity was over as fast as it appeared. It was an encouraging
sign to show that these fish were at least in local waters and hopefully a
bite will develop soon. There were 10 to 20 lb. yellowfin landed on trolled
lures, but that was it in the way of tuna. The bonito are still prevalent
on the various high spots, but not in the number they had been, striking on
yo-yo jigs. A few pargo, amberjack and cabrilla rounded out the bottom
action, which was basically limited, some days better than other. Most
charters are doing a mix of a little bottom structure fishing before trying
their luck for surface species or drifting baits offshore for marlin, which
had been one of the more productive techniques recently.
Inshore we have seen some larger sized roosterfish up to forty pounds
moving in, no big numbers to speak of, but a great option for anglers
wishing to target these powerful gamefish. Slow trolling the caballito,
jacks or moonfish was the best method to entice a strike, some large sized
jack crevalle were also patrolling the shoreline.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 90 charters for this past week, with anglers
accounting for a fish count of: 3 sailfish, 8 yellowfin tuna, 29 striped
marlin, 11 wahoo, 2 yellowtail, 18 amberjack, 18 huachinago, 2 grouper, 11
cabrilla, 22 jack crevalle, 8 sierra, 20 dorado, 3 yellowtail, 5 dogtooth
snapper,112 bonito and 26 roosterfish.
Good fishing, Eric
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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May 8, 2014; 11:12PM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo May 4, 2014
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
May 4, 2014
Anglers –
With pristine paradise like weather now creating the ideal climate for
vacationing to the Los Cabos region, we are seeing only moderate crowds,
always seem to be a slack period right after spring break and IRS Tax dead
lines. It is now a great time to make the trip, time to get out on the
water and enjoy the perfect weather, warm sunshine in the mid 80s and also
an opportunity at world class fishing action.
With ocean water temperature in the upper 70s, anything could happen at any
time. Striped marlin has been the main deal offshore, spread throughout the
area, particularly abundant off of San Jose del Cabo, at times within a
couple miles of shore, nicer sized fish were encountered this week, with
many of the stripers ranging to 150 pounds or more. Often schooling marlin
were found feeding on congregated baitfish schools, mixed with monster
sized jack crevalle, this produces the method of “pickup and run billfish
battles”, as the scores of charter boats were racing towards feeders, first
to arrive and get their baits in the water had the best percentages of
hooking up. The marlin were also striking on bait being drift fishing at
varying depths, fly lining or with sinkers down deeper. With the lack of
caballito or mackerel available, the bait of choice as been moonfish and
other jurelitos (jacks) as well as rigged ballyhoo. Many charters were
accounting for multiple marlin per morning, this action became a bit more
scattered during the later part of the week.
Dorado continued to be found in limited numbers, being scattered from
inshore to offshore, in small groups, with sizes up to 25 pounds, anglers
might catch a couple of these gamefish, or you could also not see one all
day. Same with the elusive wahoo, they are in the area, but only one or
two, here or there, is actually being hooked and landed. Gary Weis was
visiting from Santa Monica, Ca. and caught a very impressive 66 lb. wahoo
while slow trolling a moonfish for bait off of Palmilla Point, he was on a
Gordo Banks super panga. Gary also caught a whooper 84 lb. amberjack, this
fish hit right after the wahoo did.
Panga charters were working the San Luis Bank for bonito, and an occasional
snapper, amberjack or cabrilla, but sea lions are becoming an increasing
frequent problem, forgot to mention the over abundance of pesky needlefish.
This is one of those crazy times, when it is actually easier to catch a
marlin than it is a snapper, yellowtail, dorado or tuna. Jack crevalle
showed more of a presence, found closer to shore on the roosterfish
grounds, as well as further offshore, feeding with the striped marlin. Many
of these jacks were in the 30 pound class. A few nicer sized roosterfish,
up to 30 pounds, are now being encountered while trolling baits close to
shore.
We have not heard of any local yellowfin tuna reports, should be time we
start to see signs of these fish to appear, conditions are just too
favorable, though more offshore baitfish activity could help to attract
these pelagic species.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 74 charters for this past week, with anglers
accounting for a fish count of: 56 striped marlin, 3 wahoo, 4 yellowtail,
34 amberjack, 12 huachinago, 15 cabrilla, 58 jack crevalle, 15 sierra, 28
dorado, 94 bonito and 22 roosterfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Apr 30, 2014; 01:45PM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo April 27, 2014
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
April 27, 2014
Anglers –
With spring break now officially over, crowds of visitors have lighted up,
weather patterns have continued to warm, feeling increasingly tropical this
past week, early morning clouds, then plenty of sunshine and high
temperatures now into the upper 80s. Ocean water temperatures are ranging
76 to 79 degrees, from Cabo San Lucas to Loss Frailes, no significant
temperature breaks seen. Winds have still been somewhat unpredictable,
though this week has been much more settled than last, recent trend has
been that the south winds are kicking up mid day, early mornings have been
very comfortable.
No news of any new resources for sardinas, available baitfish have been
moonfish, various jacks and fresh brined ballyhoo. There were reports of
more flying fishing now being seen in the warming currents, always a
favorable sign, water clarity has rapidly improved as well, clean blue
water was now found within a half mile of shore.
Early in the week the billfish action was predominately found further
offshore, though that quickly changed, as striped marlin moved in within
less than one mile from shore, straight out in front of the Puerto Los
Cabos Marina, these fish were readily striking on trolled ballyhoo and also
hitting on live baits being drifted down deep. Most of these stripers were
weighing in the 80 to 120 pound range. Locals are continuing to exploit
these marlin, catching them as if they were just part of an hugely
abundant, never ending resource and then selling them on the black market,
as local authorities turn their heads the other direction, supposedly these
billfish are a protected species, preserved for sport fishing, apparently
there is no priority in enforcing such laws.
Dorado were spread out, more often in limited numbers, most anglers were
fortunate to land one, occasional exceptions of schools of these fish
encountered, sizes ranged up to 25 pounds, trolling various live or rigged
baits was most productive. Wahoo were also in the area, but only a handful
were actually landed each day, most of them from areas north of Punta
Gorda, striking on various baitfish, more so than on artificial lures,
sizes ranged to 35 pounds. With the way the ocean conditions are shaping
up, anything could happen on any given day, as we are seeing optimal
conditions now, favorable for a variety of gamefish.
Most of the local panga charters are either targeting the close by billfish
action, or heading north towards the San Luis Bank, where they are
targeting a variety of structure species, working yo-yo jigs off the high
spots, as well as trolling surface baits or lures for dorado, or chance at
a wahoo, marlin were on these grounds as well. We are not seeing any
yellowfin tuna action to report. The closest we are really getting to tuna
now is with the Eastern Pacific Bonito, which despite the warmer waters are
still be caught in fair numbers, striking best early in the day, these
bonito are showing signs of slowing down, they are more of a cold water
species. Other bottom action included pargo (various species), amberjack
and cabrilla. With the rapidly warming waters we have not seen much in the
way of yellowtail. More amberjack arre starting to appear though. Sea lions
continue to be aggressively feeding on these same fishing grounds, at times
making it nearly impossible to land fish, these mammals know where the fish
are schooling and they also know how much easier they are to catch when
they are hooked on a line and be reeled towards the surface, this is like a
game of cat and mouse for these sea lions.
Surprisingly there were still reports of some incredible whale activity,
now well past due time that these mammals should be half way through their
northern migration.
Inshore action included sierra, roosterfish and jack crevalle, though this
action was a bit sporadic from day to day, surely would be better if there
were sardinas available for chumming, especially for the sierra, which are
proficient at slicing the larger bait fish in half.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 85 charters for this past week, with anglers
accounting for a fish count of: 48 striped marlin, 13 wahoo, 15 amberjack,
23 huachinago, 24 cabrilla, 14 jack crevalle, 18 sierra, 47 dorado, 230
bonito and 26 roosterfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Apr 24, 2014; 02:52AM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo April 20, 2014
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
April 20, 2014
Anglers –
Easter Week is attracting local families to all of the accessible beaches,
as this is the traditional time to spend time with family and friends on
the shoreline. Practically the whole city shuts down this weekend, as no
one wants to miss out on any of the action. This is also transition time
for the weather patterns, days are steadily warming, though there has been
a mix of cloud cover and cooler Pacific breezes sweeping through actually
the ideal climate now, with high temperatures into the 80s.
Many locals always say that the fish go on vacation as well over the
holiday, with the recent full moon passing and choppy ocean conditions for
a few days, we did see the water clarity become blotchy and the all around
fishing action was more scattered. Striped marlin with some dorado mixed in
has been the main deal offshore, varying from day to day, at times fish
were found within several miles, other days out to 20 miles. There were
reports of offshore porpoise activity, but no yellowfin tuna were
associated. Anglers were trolling open water with lures and using either
rigged ballyhoo or live caballito for bait. The live bait found inside the
marina dock area did become scarcer during the moon as well.
Panga fleets looking for the best chances at action for a variety of more
preferred good eating species were concentrating on the San Luis Bank. The
Eastern Pacific bonito was the most prevalent catch, striking best on yo-yo
jigs, though there was also a mix of snapper, cabrilla, amberjack and even
an occasional yellowtail, though no real numbers of any of these species,
except for the bonito, limits were standard for them. Though there was the
ever increasing situation of problematic sea lions hanging around these
same grounds, being aggressive and opportunistic of stealing angler’s
catches, fifteen of these mammals were counted one day on these same banks,
making it nearly impossible to actually reel a fish all the way to the boat.
Not as many wahoo stories being told in recent days, but with water
temperatures of 75 degrees, these species are staying in the area. There
were reports of increased activity of schooling flying fish offshore, this
is usually a favorable sign of spring time and should attract more gamefish
into the local waters. Thrasher sharks were also reported from the same
billfish grounds.
Inshore action was spotty for sierra, roosterfish and jack crevalle. Quite
a few sierra seen, but without sardinas it has not been easy to entice
them, a few charters that somehow obtained some frozen sardinas, did well
on these sierra. Some days the juvenile sized roosterfish were found just
north of the Puerto Los Cabos Marina Jetty’s, these smaller fish were
having trouble swallowing the larger sized live baits. Other days the
roosters vanished, hard to predict these jacks, sometimes bite best early,
other days late, tide can come in to play as when these fish become more
active.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 73 charters for this past week, with anglers
accounting for a fish count of: 1 thrasher shark, 1 sailfish, 29 striped
marlin, 2 wahoo, 6 yellowtail, 8 amberjack, 25 huachinago, 15 jack
crevalle, 12 sierra, 36 dorado, 380 bonito and 16 roosterfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Apr 15, 2014; 02:23AM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo April 13, 2014
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
April 13, 2014
Anglers -
This past weekend Southern Baja time zone moved clocks back one hour, we
are now accustoming to this new schedule, days are rapidly lengthening as
spring season progresses. Ideal all around climate now, last weekend a
front with cooler cloud cover swept through and this week we have seen
warmer clear sunny skies, high temperatures around 85 degrees, with lows of
about 62 degrees, winds were lighter, more predominate from the south now,
picking up later in the day. Ocean water temperatures ranged from 72
degrees on the Pacific's Golden Gate Bank, to an average of 75/76 degrees
off of San Jose del Cabo and towards Los Frailes.
After going slack, the billfish action rebounded off of San Jose del Cabo,
anglers found great action for striped marlin, with a few sailfish also
reported, the majority of the action was found 10 to 20 miles offshore,
though on other days these fish were encountered within several miles of
shore, as their food source moves, they move accordingly. Not a lot of
surface baitfish activity seen and fish seem to be gorging on smaller sized
squid, which apparently were now plentiful in local waters. The billfish
were striking on rigged ballyhoo most often, though live caballito and
trolled lures also took their share of strikes. Only an occasional dorado
found in the mix offshore, more dorado were found nearer to shore, where
concentrations of half beak baitfish were schooling. Anglers were fortunate
to find one or two dorado in their catch, just no big numbers of these fish
now, though with these water conditions, anything could happen at any time.
It has continued to be an unusual season, with both warm water species and
other fish that prefer cooler currents, all in the region at the same time.
Look at the wahoo for example, they never even migrated out of the area
this winter, as they normally do every year, these pelagic gamefish have
been hanging around, not that many are actually being landed, action has
been sporadic, though most everyday a handful are being hooked into, with
the majority of this action coming from the La Fortuna to Vinorama grounds.
Some of the wahoo landed were nicer sized 40 to 50 pound fish. No yellowfin
tuna have been seen to speak of, though on Wednesday a pair of local La
Playita pangeros hauled in a yellowfin that tipped the scales at 198 lb.
This was just one fish, though is maybe a sign of something to develop,
this would normally be the season when we start to see more porpoise
activity offshore, which can attract schools of tuna. Time will tell, with
water temperature warmer than normal, things are more unpredictable.
Local panga fleets are departing at first light to take advantage of the
early morning action for bottom dwellers, most productive spot was the San
Luis Bank, while using yo-yo jigs and caballito batfish anglers accounted
for bonito, cabrilla, huachinango (red snapper), amberjack, yellowtail and
barred pargo. Early in the morning when the larger more exotic fish were
taken, no huge numbers, but some quality fish to over 30 pounds were
landed, as the sun came up the action shifted to mainly the Eastern Pacific
bonito.
Close along the beach stretches north of Puerto Los Cabos charters found
good opportunities for roosterfish up to 15 pounds, while trolling live
caballito, there were reports of rigged ballyhoo also working, there were
jack crevalle and sierra also mixed in, at times the baits available proved
a bit large for the smaller jacks.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 91 charters for this past week, with anglers
accounting for a fish count of:
52 striped marlin, 2 sailfish, 5 wahoo, 3 yellowfin tuna, 8 yellowtail, 25
amberjack, 44 dorado, 14 sierra, 45 roosterfish, 550 bonito, 17 cabrilla,
40 triggerfish and 56 hauchinango.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Apr 6, 2014; 09:11PM - Gordo banks Panga Report April 6 th 2014
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric Brictson
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April 5, 2014
Anglers -
Spring break tourist activity seemed to have slowed some, even though the
actual local Easter Holiday week does not begin until mid month. Weather
has been nearly perfect, highs in the low 80s, there has been scattered
cloud cover, burning off as the days progressed. Winds were moderate,
mostly from the east and switching from the south, ocean temperature now
averaged in the 70 to 75 degree range, a slight drop from last week, but
still warmer than normal for early April. Quite a few whale sightings
continue, despite this now being late season for these mammals, the
majority have already began their northern migration.
Offshore , anglers found hit or miss action for the billfish, spread out,
no concentrations of baitfish to attract any big numbers of striped marlin,
fish were found further offshore some days and then as close as two miles
to shore on others, clarity of water varied with the flowing currents.
Dorado were found every day, though only in small groups, more of these
fish were within several miles of shore, this is where half beak schools
(ballyhoo) have been schooling. Weights averaged 10 to 15 pounds.
No yellowfin tuna to speak of, except an odd fish up to 30 pounds, being
hooked into while working high spots with yo-yo jigs, from Iman to San Luis
Bank. The most common catch were the Eastern Pacific bonito, striking
readily on the iron jigs, ranging 3 to 10 lb. There was more porpoise
activity now being seen offshore, though not many yellowfin were being
reported. Early morning proved to be the best time for fishing over the
rock piles, mixed in with the feisty bonito, were a handful of quality
snapper, amberjack and cabrilla. Yellowtail action has been very spotty,
most of the fish we have seen were nice 25 to 35 lb. A couple of these hogs
were even hooked into while drifting live baits just outside of the Marina
Jetty entrance.
This whole year has been abnormal, with warmer winter weather and ocean
water temperature, enough so, where tropical pelagic species such as wahoo
and dorado have remained in local waters throughout the winter and into the
spring. Everyday there have been reports of wahoo being either hooked into,
seen free swimming, or actually landed, most of this wahoo action was found
from Punta Gorda and north along the ledges, towards Vinormama. A couple of
fifty pound plus wahoo were accounted for, most of the 'hoo landed were in
the 20 to 30 pound class.
Close to shore there were lots of powerful jack crevalle moving in, also
some juvenile sized roosterfish and sierra. This action could be wide open
with sardinas, but none of these smaller baitfish have been available in
recent months, with the main bait source now being either live caballito or
rigged ballyhoo. We did see one 12 pound snook caught right off of the
panga dock area, this fish hit on a live bait.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 84 charters for this past week, with anglers
accounting for a fish count of: 6 striped marlin, 9 wahoo, 6 yellowfin
tuna, 8 yellowtail, 17 amberjack, 80 dorado, 28 jack crevalle, 48 sierra,
22 roosterfish, 580 bonito, 15 cabrilla and 32 misc. pargo.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Mar 31, 2014; 03:04AM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo March 30, 2014
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
March 30, 2014
Anglers -
Vacationing tourists continue to arrive in soaring numbers, as spring break
season is now in full swing. Weather has been very pleasant, prevalent
winds were gusting early in the week, with ocean conditions being quite
comfortable late week. Ocean water temperatures were ranging in the upper
70s towards the Gordo Banks and further north, while currents were in the
lower 70s on the Pacific grounds. Day time highs were in the low 80s,
feeling a bit more like summer than spring. Whales are vanishing from the
area rapidly, headed on their long migration towards the rich feeding
grounds of the Bering Sea.
The striped marlin action off of the San Jose del Cabo area started back up
with a flurry, feeding marlin were seen in concentrations, anywhere from 2
to 8 miles from shore, moving quickly at times, seen free jumping and
tailing on the surface as well. Striking on lures as well as live caballito
or rigged ballyhoo, many charters reported having multiple chances for
stripers per outing. With inshore and bottom action being sporadic, much of
the week anglers found that there was actually a better chance at finding
marlin than any of the other smaller gamefish closer to shore.
There was a variety of other species now in local water, though it seemed
that none of them were really abundant, or consistently biting on a day to
day basis. Yellowtail were occasionally being hooked into on the various
rocky high spots, some of these jacks were found close to shore on the
ordinary roosterfish and sierra grounds. Yellows were holding on the Outer
Gordo Bank, though only handful of people are landing them, all nicer sized
30 to 35 lb. fish, just no consistent action and many hammerhead sharks to
sort through. Rounding out the fish counts were, cabrilla, pargo,
amberjack, bonito, dorado, sierra and wahoo, all being reported daily in
limited numbers.
Wahoo are being seen in schools off of Punta Gordo and to La Fortuna,
though are finicky, striking baits, yo-yo's and trolled jigs when they
became aggressively in the mood for striking, strange do even have these
fish hanging around at this time of year, this is a result of the warmer
than usual water temperatures. Dorado are being encountered in smaller
sized schools, the majority of this action closer to shore, rather than on
the offshore grounds, sizes averaged 5 to 20 pounds.
Bottom action has never really turned into a steady productive option this
season, the action for surface species proved more consistent than were the
reef dwellers. We would normally expect to see a trend develop in the
coming weeks, of less wind, warming days and more options for anglers off
the structure and inshore stretches. Nice time of year coming, ideal
weather, not too warm and not too cool.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 91 charters for this past week, with anglers
accounting for a fish count of: 33 striped marlin, 17 wahoo, 3 mako shark,
4 yellowfin tuna, 12 yellowtail, 15 amberjack, 84 dorado, 15 jack crevalle,
28 sierra, 42 roosterfish, 95 bonito, 18 cabrilla and 14 hammerhead sharks
(released).
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Mar 23, 2014; 07:17PM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo March 22, 2014
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
March 22, 2014
Anglers -
The Spring season has now officially begun, weather conditions have been hard to
beat, warm and sunny skies, with high temperatures near 80 degrees. Winds have been
swirling now for the past week, first from the north and then out of the south, this
has created some choppy ocean conditions at times. Ocean temperatures have averaged
from 71 on the Pacific, up to 74 degrees off of San Jose del Cabo.
This is now peak time for spring break vacations, scores of families and hundreds
are college students are arriving in the Los Cabos area, though this past week we
did not see as many anglers, of course windy conditions certainly convinced some
people to change plans. With the passing of the latest full moon we saw the offshore
action for striped marlin slow way down, these fish were now more scattered and not
being seen in any numbers.
The majority of the dorado being encountered recently were found closer to shore,
this is where concentrations of half beaks (ballyhoo) were schooling. Trolling
various baitfish was the most successful for these gamefish, though some anglers did
report catching dorado on lures as well. Sizes were averaging 5 to 15 pounds, with a
handful of larger specimens accounted for. Most charters were fortunate to average
about one dorado per day.
No action on yellowfin tuna being reported, only a few fish reported, mixed in with
bonito off the high spots from Iman to San Luis Banks, Yellowfin have been holding
in this region through the winter, though with the lack of sardinas to entice them,
we have not seen any consistent action on these tuna since the Fall. The only live
baitfish that has been plentiful has been caballito, rigging fresh dead ballyhoo has
been another option.
Off of the high spots, where anglers were jigging over the structure, bonito was the
most common species being landed; these feisty fighters were running in the 4 to 8
pound class. Only an occasional amberjack or yellowtail is being hooked into, most
of these striking on yo-yo style jigs and ranged from 20 to 35 pounds. There are big
yellowtails now on the Outer Gordo Banks, lots of bonito on these same grounds,
striking on the iron jigs, drifting live caballito down deep can be productive for
the big yellows, though a problem has been there are many hammerhead sharks lurking
down deep on these grounds, hard to stay away from them while trying for the jacks.
These rock piles also produced some cabrilla and snapper, though that massive red
snapper run during the red crab bloom of previous week has not redeveloped, need
these winds to reside for that to happen. We are in transition time now, still
unpredictable as to what can happen with the weather conditions from day to day.
With the water temperatures holding a bit warmer than normal, baitfish migrations
are off and so are typically gamefish patterns. Wahoo have been found though the
winter, they are still being hooked into practically daily, though a bit sporadic,
most of this action was reported on the inshore grounds from Punta Gorda to La
Fortuna, water depths from 100 to 150 ft., strong winds last week turned over this
water some and anglers found varied success.
We are still seeing numerous whales, though surely these will be the final weeks of
this activity, many of these mammals have already begun their northern migration.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent
out approximately 78 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish
count of: 8 striped marlin, 5 wahoo, 2 yellowfin tuna, 9 yellowtail, 16 amberjack,
395 bonito, 6 jack crevalle, 7 sierra, 42 dorado, 24 roosterfish, 18 cabrilla and 12
hammerhead sharks (released).
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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