DORADO AND TUNA LEAD GORDO
BANKS PANGAS OFFSHORE CATCHES

Jan. 30, 2005, Eric Brictson, Gordo Banks Pangas, La Playita, Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

The numbers of combined panga fishing charters at La Playita beach dipped to 68 for the week, with panga anglers accounting for an approximate total catch of 15 roosterfish, 45 sierra, 120 pargo, 14 triggerfish, 40 bonito, 60 black skipjack, 135 dorado and 170 yellowfin tuna., Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Overall the fishing at San Jose del Cabo proved to be excellent. Water temperatures are now ranging from 70 to 72 degrees and swells were minimal, though there was a strong current running that effected the action when trying to do any serious bottom fishing. There was enough warm sunshine last week to keep most sun worshipping tourists happy, reaching into the upper 70s on most days.

San Jose del Cabo live bait supplies were sufficient for both live mackerel out of the Cabo San Lucas Marina and sardinas abundant at Santa Maria.

The more consistent action for the San Jose del Cabo panga fishing fleets continued in the areas from Punta Gorda to La Fortuna, producing the largest numbers of both dorado (mahi-mahi) and yellowfin tuna.

The bite varied from day to day, some days more tuna, others more dorado, and there were also the factors of swarming schools of needlefish that at times made if nearly impossible to keep a fresh bait in the water. The yellowfin that were being landed from the San Jose del Cabo fishing areas of La Fortuna, Cardon to Punta Gorda averaged 15 to 20 pounds, but there were a few larger fish to 40 to 50 pounds mixed in, most of them becoming victims to the sea lion attacks.

The sea lions, as many as five or six together, would actually follow the pangas around, apparently being able to smell where the fish were and once anglers hooked up they would wait until the fish tired on the line and then make their attack. The school of fish would become spooked by the sea lions and just like that, the action would be over.

Dorado were found throughout the same fishing areas around San Jose del Cabo, more of them closer to shore than further out. This week schools of dorado were feeding right in the surf zone off the beach of La Playita. Fish up to 30 pounds were moving though and it was not easy to get into position for a hookup. They were chasing halfbeaks or large ballyhoo.

Roosterfish were feeding along San Jose del Cabo beaches. Most were smaller fish, under ten pounds, but some were some larger. A 40 pound roosterfish was hooked on a dead sardina off of the shipwreck at La Salina, just south of Punta Gorda. At the same spot a whale was on spotted dragging a tangled section of commercial netting, and no divers were able to help cut the netting away, as it was moving too fast. This event was broadcast on national television and it most will add pressure to the efforts to rid these types of nets from local waters.

Not much was reported by surf anglers fishing at San Jose del Cabo, besides one 15 pound class halibut at La Playita and some sierra at daybreak. Some larger sierra were found, including one monster 16-pound specimen by local expert Eben Brown. Whales have made a strong showing the past couple of weeks, at San Jose del Cabo, a mix of humpbacks and grays.

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