CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING WEEK
PRODUCES A VARIETY OF GAME FISH SPECIES

Sept. 10-16, 2004, Tracy Ehrenberg, Pisces Fleet, Cabo San Lucas fishing, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

BILLFISH: Looking back on Cabo San Lucas fishing this week, we see that it has been very good, more for a variety of species rather than strictly billfish. Nevertheless 51 percent of our Cabo San Lucas fishing charters caught either striped marlin, sailfish and less occasionally blue marlin. In fact when blue marlin were caught it was often a surprise as they were so close in; in fact we had a couple of Cabo San Lucas pangas catch and release blues.

Paul Martin of London was one of these lucky anglers that released a blue aboard 22 ft Salsa on September 15th, just three miles off of Cabeza de Ballena.

I have to say "Rebecca" was the hot boat this week--on September 11th, Keith Brasington from Texas was aboard with friends when they released four sailfish, one striped marlin and boated a doardo.

The day before, this boat had a mixed bag day for Bill Munson, from Carlsbad, California, with one striped marlin released, 3 dorados, 1 wahoo and 8 white skipjack.

On the 13th "Rebecca" had three Cabo San Lucas sailfish, one striped marlin and two dorado for Jeff Hess, Hermie Corns, Cindy Grover and Susan Buchanan from California.

They rounded out the week with three Cabo San Lucas striped marlin released and a doardo for Douglas Molter and friends from New York. The "Rebecca" stayed pretty much on the Pacific between Los Arcos and Pozo de Cota throughout the week.

Dennis Ross & Eugene Powers, were thrilled to release both a blue and striped marlin, after what they thought was a blank day, just before they reached port they got hook ups about 500 meters from the Pacific side of Lover's Beach, aboard "Karina".

The Cabo San Lucas fishing pattern this week seemed to be feast or famine, boats that did well had a couple of billfish as well as bonus table fish, whilst others did better on dorado and tuna. All in all a good week of Cabo San Lucas fishing , with a 95 percent success rate for all species combined.

Pisces anglers caught a total of three blue marlin, twenty-seven striped marlin and twenty-two sailfish, all but one striper were released.

OTHER SPECIES: After billfish the next most popular fish at Cabo San Lucas was dorado, with 48 percent of charters landed fish in the 20 to 60 lb class. Found over a widespread area they were usually picked up whilst trolling for marlin. Cabo San Lucas catches were usually one or two fish, and more rarely up to five. When more fish were found, bait was the ticket.

Yellowfin tuna catches were at 38 percent. Most were found on the Pacific, from 15 miles off of the Old Lighthouse to the Jaime Bank. Weights were from 20 to 80 lbs and the average catch was one or two, though one third of the boats caught from 7-10 in a day.

There were quite a few wahoo this week at Cabo San Lucas, but they are not numerous--weights were average to small at 30-50 lbs.

WEATHER CONDITIONS: Great all week, up until the close of this report, as Hurricane Javier drew parallel to us causing rough seas. Hot, humid. Hurricane Javier caused the port to be closed on Friday the 17th, though it was rather a non-event, with little rain but some rather large swells and wind early on Friday morning.

LOCATION: Pacific from Land's End to Golden Gate, with 15, miles off the light house. Cabo San Lucas fishing boats did fish the Cortez on the 16th in the area off of Cabeza de Ballena and Cabo Real.

AVERAGE WATER TEMP: 87 F

BEST LURES: Live bait - Caballito, darker colored lures.