Cass Tours Fishing Report - November 18, 2013

Rancho Leonero - East Cape 

Water- 80-82 Clear, calm mornings, afternoon breezes.

Air- Very pleasant. Highs in the low 80's, cool mornings, clear skies.

The fishing season on the E Cape is winding down. The fishing however is still very good. Almost all anglers are releasing at least on Striped marlin daily and coming in with limits of Dorado. The inshore fishing is hot, with a wide open Gallo bite and lots of Sierra biting aggressively. 

The fishing pressure for the past few weeks has been light. Anglers going out are spotting lots of tailers, both Sails and Striped Marlin. Unlike the past couple of weeks, the Sails are now the picky biters and the Stripers are biting. Anglers targeting billfish are releasing at least one. The bank of La Ribera has been holding a lot of billfish. Slow rolled Bally Hoo is working best. 

Dorado are abundant, spread throughout the bay. Anglers targeting them are limiting daily. Some larger bulls this week to 40#'s, most schooling fish in the 5 to 10# class. Very spread both north and south. Lots around! 

Big Roosterfish to 50#, were released daily off the beaches. Lots and lots of Roosters from 5 to 20#'s. big fish over 40#'s were common. The Sierra are back in force. As many as you can take in that first golden hour around sunrise.

San Jose del Cabo - Gordo Banks 

As we near the Thanksgiving Holiday there continue to be large crowds of anglers visiting the area, now being greeted with ideal weather conditions, winds resided and anglers enjoyed comfortable seas, with water temperatures averaging 80 degrees. Presently there is yet another low pressure spot some 400 miles to the southwest, threatening to push moisture into Southern Baja, we have seen plenty of rainfall already, hopefully this will be minimal. Heavy road construction on the main Hwy 1 now, so be cautious of this. 

Charter fleets have been fishing the grounds off the Pacific to Gordo Banks and Vinorama in the direction of the Sea of Cortez. Wide open striped marlin action was reported for fleets out of Cabo San Lucas while fishing the Pacific banks, double digit catches were common. Dorado were found spread throughout the area, a bit sporadic from day to day where the better action was encountered, many dorado now in the 5 to 15 lb. class, some larger bulls up to 20 lb. mixed in. 

The more consistent all around action was found around the Iman Bank, this is where yellowfin tuna up to 25 lb. were schooling, also dorado, wahoo, sailfish and striped marlin were all found in this general vicinity. Drift fishing with a mix of strip squid, fresh dead sardinas, which just started being available this week, imported from as far as La Paz, they have proved to be a good choice, other options included ballyhoo and caballito. Catches were ranging from a couple fish per boat, up to 15, depending where you happen to be, often the tuna were biting later in the morning, around 11:00 a.m., just like a switch was thrown, the yellowfin would decide to feed, becoming active on the turn of the tide and change of current. 

Skipjack have been prevalent on the fishing grounds and were being used for chumming and chunk fishing, particularly on the Gordo Banks, where the super cow sized yellowfin tuna have been lurking. On Tuesday local angler Memo Rueda, aboard a 24 ft. center console named “Koi Sushi” hooked into a super cow yellowfin tuna while drifting on the Gordo Banks, after a brutal two hour battle Memo landed the monster which we officially weighed in at a whopping 386 lb., this is the largest yellowfin tuna that we have weighed in out of La Playita, the previous local record was a 378 lb. fish about four years ago. I believe a couple of 400 lb. tuna have been brought into Puerto Los Cabos Marina, though these were yellowfin tuna were taken off large sportfishers from PV or distant banks, not from our local grounds. These larger sized yellowfin have not been as numerous this season, though everyday there have been hook ups, one or two, up to four or five. Chunks of squid or skipjack, as well as whole baits have all accounted for strikes. Other tuna taken from these banks this past week weighed 80 to 250 pounds. 

Wahoo are definitely in the area, but recently they have not been wanting to strike often, any slight change in water conditions could trigger these elusive fish into action, this is peak season now for these highly sought after gamefish. Limited numbers have been brought to the docks this past week, though just yesterday one panga arrived with four large wahoo, largest about 60 pounds. This Sunday is the annual Wahoo Tournament in La Playita, so surely a team will need a fifty pound plus wahoo to win this event, along with jackpot prize money is a new VW compact car up for grabs. 

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 204 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of:17 striped marlin, 14 sailfish, 29 wahoo, 450 bonito, 1 yellowtail, 22 pargo, 8 rainbow runner, 4 roosterfish, 18 cabrilla, 18 sierra, 405 dorado and 540 yellowfin tuna.

Cabo San Lucas - Gaviota Fleet 

The striper action has really come alive on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas and the numbers only tell a partial story of how good it really was.  Some of the anglers didn't want to fish for billfish but they were so plentiful and easy to catch for a change, that the mere dragging of the lures resulted in single & double hookups.  According to Captain Roberto Marquez, it was unavoidable.  If the gear was in the water it was going to get bit.  The two high boats for the week, were the "Gaviota VI", fishing 4 days that reflected 20 stripers released and 7 dorado and the "Fish Cabo", fishing 6 days that tallied 21 stripers released and 15 dorado.  The overall fish counts for the week reflected a total of 50 days fished that resulted in 2 blue marlin, (under 300 lbs.) 120 stripers, (114 releases) 2 wahoo and 95 dorado.  Once the Pacific greenback mackerel start to filter onto the banks as the water temps decline a degree or two more, it would appear that the billfish will likely put on their typical annual "pile up" on the Golden Gate, Jaime Bank and Cabo Falso Drop Off, offering multiple marlin catch days as a regular daily fishing effort.  Right now, the billfish are everywhere and still, they are easy to catch.  However, when they school up and get on the balls of bait, the numbers tend to soar into the double digit catches with the only thing slowing down the numbers is the ability and stamina of the anglers.

Cabo Climate:  Partly cloudy days with intermittent sunshine and temps that varied from 63 nights to 89 daytime highs.  Surface breezes were flowing from various directions at 5-13 mph.

Sea Conditions:  A notable increase in the striper action on the Pacific side as the water temps fell a couple of degrees.  Cooler water pushed down the Pacific side and temps fell to 78 degrees at the Golden Gate Bank as the inner-edge of the bank and on into the shoreline remained at 81 degrees.  The Jaime Bank ranged from 81-83 degrees while Cristobal Ridge to Gorda Banks held fairly stable at 83 degrees.  The 95 Fathom Spot and the 1150 Fathom Spot were the warmest areas at 84 degrees.  Clarity remained good in all directions.

Best Fishing Area:  The Jaime Bank and Margaritas were the better billfish areas, both on the Pacific side of the peninsula.

Best Lure/Bait:  Live bait was best for the billfish and dorado but lures were also taking their fair share and getting bit very well.

Live bait Supply:  Live bait continues to be readily available at the rate of $3.00 per bait.

Cabo and East Cape Fishing Report from Cass Tours - November 4, 2013

Bisbee's Black and Blue 2013

 
Visitors to Los Cabos are enjoying exciting times, as we are now in the midst of the peak fall sportfishing season. The largest of all fishing tournaments, Bisbee’s Black and Blue, was held this past week and once again this event ended with the jackpot marlin being caught in the final moments on the last day and more exciting yet, the top two largest marlin were landed by women anglers. See all the catches for the tournament at CatchStat.com

Team II Success weighs in a 774lb Blue Marlin in the last 10 minutes on the last day of the 2013 Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament.

Busy schedules now for all sportfishing fleets, though local weather has seen an unusual late Tropical Storm developing off to the southwest, this contributed to creating windy and choppy ocean conditions, which have plagued the region now for several days and is forecast to continue through the weekend and into next week. This storm front is an unfortunate situation for the hundreds of anglers who plan their annual trips during this period when you normally expect to find much calmer comfortable conditions. Despite the bum conditions people are keeping their spirits high, knowing that all this is out of everyone’s control, the luck of the draw, weather patterns are becoming harder to predict worldwide.

Fleets have been traveling in all directions, scouting out all of the possible fishing grounds within range, ocean water temperatures are now averaging about 84 degrees throughout the area, not much temperature variance, though we do expect that a cooling off trend will begin during this next week. Bait situation has been day to day, with very small sized sardinas being netted off rocky stretches near Santa Maria, there were caballito available and even some mackerel were offered earlier in the week, as well as ballyhoo and slabs of squid at the dock area. There were options of catching larger baitfish on the grounds, overall the bait resource has been sufficient, main problem now was dealing with the relentless north winds that were swirling from out of the southwest as well.

Anglers were finding a mix of dorado, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and billfish, none of which were especially numerous. With ocean temperatures holding warm this late, we are expecting the action to become more consistent after these weather patterns stabilize. Recently the action has been limited to an average of several fish in combination per charter, though there were exceptions for other anglers that happened to be at the right place.

The large yellowfin tuna are still on the Gordo Banks, everyday there have been a couple of hook ups reported, not many of these larger tuna were actually landed, tuna up to 314 lb. were accounted for by the local panga fleet, with others lost after extended battles. Smaller football sized yellowfin were found near Santa Maria and on the Gordo Banks or Iman Bank, though this action was sporadic and most boats that did land these fish would only catch a few fish. Dorado were mixed in, found in medium sized schools spread out, most of these fish were weighing less than fifteen pounds, with an occasional specimen to 20 pounds being reported. The main factor for fewer all around numbers of fish was the relentless winds which limited where boats could comfortable and practically concentrate their efforts.

Wahoo were hiding out most of the week, only a handful of these fish were landed, with other numerous strikes missed. This is now the time we expect to see these fish make their presence known. Once again, as this weather front passes through we do expect things to get back on track.

Not much bottom action was even attempted during these winds times, anglers found it hard enough to troll or drift fish the surface, let alone try to hold the bottom.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 205 charters for this past week, with anglers accounting for a fish count of: 2 black marlin, 4 blue marlin, 16 striped marlin, 18 sailfish, 13 wahoo, 4 amberjack, 14 bonito, 14 pargo, 2 surgeonfish , 35 triggerfish,10 cabrilla, 15 sierra, 260 dorado and 125 yellowfin tuna.

 

Rancho Leonero - East Cape

It has been a windy week down here.Thursday ,Friday and Saturday were blown out. Today is beautiful again.typical scenario for this time of year.That said the fishing has been good.

Still good bait available, the squid returned and the bait guys have had good Caballitos and Ballyhoo on offer.

Most of the Bill fish action was around Sailfish this week. The strong Blue Marlin bite of last week seemed to fall away a bit. This could also be as a result of the light fishing departures!!.Stripers are around but were picky biters.Ballyhoo and Caballitos doing the most work.

Dorado continue to bite all over the bay. Some bigger bulls earlier in the week to 40#. Schoolies of smaller fish taking chunks of squid.

Good sized Jacks and a lot of Roosters to 25# in all the usual spots. Good times for the fly fishermen. Caballitos doing the trick.

The breezy conditions definately turned the water over producing slightly cooler surface.This brought on some Sierra around the lighthouse and Punta Colorada.

Cabo San Lucas - Gaviota Fleet

 

The Lady Anglers sure came out on top in the Bisbee Black & Blue Marlin Tournament and went home with the bulk of the cash prize loot.  Biggest fish, a 774 lb. blue marlin was taken aboard the "II Success" by lady angler Linda Williams, earning $368,675.00.  It was the biggest fish of the week and the largest ever weighed in by lady angler in the B&B.  104 teams were in the 3-day fishing event.  Martha McNabb, fishing "Retriever" settled for 2nd place and largest cash payout with her 525 lb. blue marlin that was worth $1,185,862.00, having entered all the cash jackpots.  "Titan", the first sailboat to ever compete in the event captured first place in the release division, collecting $63,537.00 for 3 blue marlin releases.  Overall reports reflected for the 104 boats released 58 blue marlin, 3 black marlin along with dozens of striped marlin and sailfish.  On the final day of the event, Austin Angel & his family team, fishing aboard the "Sea Angel", captured $966,680.00, with a 313 lb. blue marlin, having entered an across the board bet in all jackpots.  While a 5th place fish, the optional jackpots can make a huge difference in the cash payouts.  Unquestionably, it was the ladies night to shine at the 2013 Bisbee Black & Blue Marlin Tournament.

The MDM groups, fishing Saturday & Sunday aboard 28 local sportfishers, reflected top-notch fishing results that included some 300 fish or so and produced 1 black marlin, 5 blue marlin, 69 stripers and 225 dorado in their mixed bag catches.  Additionally, the combined fishing effort of the Gaviota Sportfishing Fleet and Fish Cabo Fleet for a total of 44 days fished reflected 1 blue marlin, (250 lbs.) 43 stripers, (41 released) 2 Wahoo, 47 yellowfin tuna and 174 dorado.  It has been a terrific fishing week for many anglers and shaping up for more to come.

Cabo Climate:  Partly cloudy days but plenty of sunshine for the area.  Temps ranged from 68 nights to 90 daytime highs with light & variable surface winds from 5-13 mph, flowing from the southeast to westerly directions.

Sea Conditions:  Excellent sea conditions with excellent sea temps that ranged from 82 to 84.5 degrees and stretched from the Finger Bank, (55 miles NW of Cabo on the Pacific side to Las Frailes on the Sea of Cortez side.

Best Fishing Area:  The better fishing remains on the Pacific side of Cabo.  The Jaime Bank was one of the better spots for billfish and the Herradura was best for the yellowfin tuna.  Dorado were scattered around to all areas on the Pacific side.

Best Bait/Lure:  Most of the black & blue marlin were taken on larger artificial lures and rigged baits from the tuna tubes, pre-caught before the tournament days started.  Most of the sailfish and stripers were taken on live baits.  Dorado were taken on both, artificials, feathers and live baits.

Live Bait Supply:  There was no problem with the live bait supply with good caballito availability for the anglers at $3.00 per bait pricing.