YELLOWFIN TUNA LEAD ACTION FOR CABO BOATS

Aug. 18, 2006, Larry Edwards, Cortez Yacht Charters, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

Yellowfin tuna remained the top action again this week for sportfishing boats at Cabo San Lucas, with most of the catch being school fish and running with the porpoise. However, for charter boats that used sardinas for bait and had a little patience, the Destiladeras fishing area produced some nicer fish in the 100-plus pounds ranges.

Cabo San Lucas billfish catches were just mediocre for the striped marlin, along with an occasional sailfish, black marlin and blue marlin. An average of 50 percent of Cabo boats made billfish catches.

Most of the black marlin and blue marlin are under 300 pounds, with a few fish above the 400 pound class.

Overall fish counts for the Gaviota Fleet and the "Fish Cabo" and "Fish Cabo I" charter boats, reporting for a total of 32 fishing days, reflected 1 black marlin, 2 blue marlin 1 sailfish, 11 striped marlin, 10 released, 16 dorado, and 76 yellowfin tuna.

Cabo San Lucas sportfishing area weather was mostly sunny with clear skies, and temperatures from 76 degree nights to 98 degree daytime highs.

Cabo sea conditions were very favorable, with water temperatures that ranged from 85 degrees at the Golden Gate Bank to 87 at the Gordo Banks and extended out beyond the 1,000 fathom curve.

No concentration of billfish was found in any single location, but the 95 and 1150 fathom spots were the better areas for the black marlin and blue marlin and an occasional striper. Most of the billfish are being taken on artificial lures and are blind strikes and no particular color or lure has fished better than another. The Cabo bait supply remains good, mostly caballitos.

(See "Mexico Fishing News" online for current fishing reports, photos, weather, and water temperatures from Cabo San Lucas and other major Mexican sportfishing areas. Vacation travel articles, fishing maps and seasonal calendars, and fishing related information for Cabo San Lucas may be found at Mexfish.com's main Cabo San Lucas page.