CABO BILLFISH GO TO SLEEP BUT
TUNA AND INSHORE FISH WAKE UP

March 11, 2005, Larry Edwards, Cortez Yacht Charters, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

The billfish action slowed dramatically at Cabo San Lucas this past week, but the tuna fishing and inshore activities sharply increased.

The Gaviota Fleet, reporting in for 48 Cabo San Lucas fishing days reflected 6 stripers, (4 released) 3 dorado, 1 skipjack tuna and 72 yellowfin tuna for the offshore fishing.

The "Fish Cabo", reporting for 5 fishing days, released 1 striper, caught 1 mako shark, 1 dorado, 17 yellowfin tuna and 20 sierra and the "Juanita VIII", also reporting for 5 fishing days, reflected 3 yellowtail, 11 yellowfin tuna and 17 sierra.

Cabo San Lucas fishing boats are scrambling and searching far & wide for fish action and ranged from Chileno Bay to San Cristobal and outside to the Jaime Bank.

Cabo San Lucas climate had bright, sunny days, temperatures ranged from 59 nights to 81 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: Cool water temps, 66-68 inshore and rising to 71 degrees offshore, with the warmer water south of Cabo Falso and out to the Jaime Bank.

Best Cabo San Lucas Fishing Area: There were no concentrations of billfish on either side of Cabo San Lucas and the yellowfin tuna came mostly from the Jaime Bank area with the fish moving with the porpoise.

Live bait was best on the drop-back if you could find a billfish to rise on the lures. Feathers & cedar plugs were best on the tuna with no particular colors being hot.