STRIPED MARLIN FLURRY GREETS LOS CABOS CHARTER PANGAS

April 18-24, 2005, Eric Brictson, Gordo Banks Pangas, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico Fishing Report:

The La Playita sportfishing pangas fleets at San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos) sent out approximately 82 total charters for the week and anglers accounted for a total catch of: 180 sierra, 14 roosterfish, 28 jack crevalle, 28 pompano, 32 triggerfish, 280 pargo, 12 barracuda, 14 dorado, 2 mako sharks, 4 hammerhead sharks, 16 yellowfin tuna, 22 cabrilla and 58 stripped marlin.

The highlight of the week for both the panga and cruiser fishing fleets from San Jose del Cabo was the wide open striped marlin action that was found right off of San Jose del Cabo from 3 to 5 miles out. Thursday and Friday were especially red hot. San Jose del Cabo charter fishing boats accounted for one to five marlin per trip in the 100 to 130 pound class, though by the weekend this bite slowed down.

Daytime temperatures are steadily increasing in the San Jose del Cabo vacation area, with most days now reaching into the low 80s, making very comfortable conditions. North winds were stronger through much of the week at San Jose del Cabo. It is still considered transition time. Fishing water temperatures averaged 71 to 74 degrees and clarity was exceptional from about 3 miles offshore on out, clean blue water. Inshore fishing water has been a bit stirred up and murky do to unusual early season south swells. Supplies of live bait were sufficient, consisting of smaller sized mackerel and a mix of sardinas off of the San Jose del Cabo estuary area.

Sportfishing catches at San Jose del Cabo included striped marlin, dorado, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, skipjack, pargo, sierra, jack crevalle, cabrilla, yellowtail, pompano and amberjack. Inshore fishing was mainly for a combination of pargo and sierra, with the most consistent place being from Palmilla to Cabo Real, the same area also producing some pompano, triggerfish, barracuda, jack crevalle, yellowtail snapper and smaller roosterfish. Sea lions were a nuisance on certain days.

Fishing at the Gordo Banks started to show more sign of activity. Several large dorado to over 30 pounds were landed by San Jose del Cabo sportfishing boats, and yellowfin tuna in large numbers were seen feeding on the surface, respectable size fish of 25 to 70 pounds, though only a few were hooked. Apparently these tuna have been gorging on the plentiful red crabs and squid. Pangas anglers were able to use red crabs for bait and load up on smaller sized pargo. A couple of whale sharks were also sighted on the bank, the next couple of months is when these largest of the world’s fish species make a strong appearance.

(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.