LA PLAYITA PANGAS FISHING AT CARDON,
LA FORTUNA, AND IMAN BANKS

March 6, 2005, Eric Brictson, Gordo Banks Pangas, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico Fishing Report:

The combined La Playita panga charter fishing fleets sent out approximately 64 panga charters for the week out of San Jose del Cabo, with anglers accounting for an overall catch of; 6 striped marlin, 4 mako sharks, 160 dorado, 38 yellowfin tuna, 120 pargo colorado, 245 huachinango, 180 sierra, 12 roosterfish, 22 yellowtail, 28 cabrilla, 80 yellowtail snapper and 60 triggerfish.

The La Playita panga fleets found the most consistent fishing to be closer to shore, off the areas of Cardon, La Fortuna and Iman. This is where there were good numbers of amberjack, huachinango, yellowtail snapper, sierra, as well as a mix of other species including dorado and yellowtail.

Though dorado fishing has declined the past couple of weeks, most pangas charters are ending up with anywhere from 2 to 4 of them, ranging from 8 to 25 pounds, most of them were hitting on live bait. The amberjack fishing was a little different than usual, meaning that instead of fishing deeper water as how they are normally caught, this past week they were striking baits that were slow trolled on the surface in areas close to the shoreline, fish were of nice size as well, averaging 20 to 30 pounds, with some San Jose del Cabo sportfishing boats ending up with as many as six or seven in one morning.

A few yellowtail were also striking in these same areas, on the surface, as well as down deep on yo-yo jigs, they were in the 15 to 20 pound class.

Early in the week there was great action for sierra found near Destiladeras, wide open on both jigs and bait, but by the weekend this bite was weakening.

San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos) days were mostly partly cloudy, with even a few sprinkles, but when the sun came out temperatures rose quickly up to the 80 degree mark. With each passing week San Jose del Cabo is now starting to feel more signs of springtime in the air, though the early mornings are still a bit chilly and winter like.

There was a southern swell that developed and pushed in waves of 3 to 5 feet, making the surfers very happy, but winds were at a very minimal at San Jose del Cabo and offshore fishing conditions were for the most part ideal. Water temperatures fluctuated from 69 to 71 degrees.

(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.