CABO BILLFISH ACTION STEADY ON THE CORTEZ SIDE OF BAJA

Feb. 16, 2007, Cabo San Lucas, Baja Sur, Mexico, Larry Edwards, Cortez Yacht Charters:

The Cabo San Lucas billfish bite continues to provide the best offshore fishing action for the charter fleet, although it did slow down a little during the midweek period.

More and more fish are moving around the tip of Baja into the Sea of Cortez side of the peninsula, and the anglers were almost guaranteed a billfish or two or more this week.

Cabo San Lucas fishing water temperatures were erratic at best and moving around day by day. They ranged from 67 degrees in close to Cabo, to 72 degrees at the 1150 fathom spot to the Gorda Banks, and up to 75 degrees at the Cabrillo Seamount.

The best Los Cabos fishing area early in the week was the 95 fathom spot, but the location moved to the 1150 fathom spot and out to the Cabrillo Sea Mount for those boats that can reach it, and weather providing.

Gaviota Fleet's high boat for the week was the "Gaviota VII," skippered by Captain Alberto Garcia, releasing 14 striped marlin for 4 fishing days.

Overall sportfishing counts for the Gaviota Fleet and the Fish Cabo charter boats for 48 Cabo San Lucas fishing days, reflected 76 striped marlin, 58 released, 3 sailfish, 2 released, 2 dorado, and 10 yellowfin tuna.

Cabo San Lucas weather was partly cloudy, with temperatures ranging from 59 degree nights to 81 degree daytime highs.

Sea conditions at the tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula had some windy, choppy days coming off the Pacific Ocean, with better surface conditions toward the Sea of Cortez.

Live bait at Cabo San Lucas continues to be mostly mackerel with a few caballitos in the mix.

Live bait was still working very well but more and more fish are being taken on the lures as the boats move from location to location in search of warmer fishing waters. The mackerel colored lures were still some of the top performers.