SURF AND PANGA FISHING SPECIES CATCH REPORT

Jan. 19, 2006, John Snow, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

San Jose del Cabo had grande El Norte wind and for the first time ever I went down there and Capt. Pata said we are not going. Waves, yes, but never before for the wind. Wise decision however. Red Tuna Crabs are abundant on the Gordo Bank and thus all hell broke lose out there last Saturday morning. Snappers, Red and Mullet, Green Jacks, and Black Skipjacks in abundance plus an odd ball Mexican Bonito or two.

Jan. 11-18, 2006:

No new species were caught during this San Jose del Cabo fishing trip. One exceptional day, one modest day and one very slow day of Panga fishing with Captain Pata. The water temperature varied from 72 to 76 degrees as the oceans is quickly cooling from north to south and the bait/predators are moving southward.

The water quality varied was generally good with occasional patches of green turbid water. Focused from El Tule to the arch on two days and Gordo I on the third.

San Jose del Cabo water conditions and weather conditions were excellent.

Overall came in contact with 24 individual species. The bait guys were present, in good spirits, with the sardines returning to very large size but in limited amounts.

Major targeted game species count from three days of Panga fishing: Amberjack 0, Dorado 2; Grouper 0; Marlin 0; Sierra 0, Snappers 8, Yellowfin Tuna 0, and Wahoo 0. I would rate this week as over all poor.

Three days of surf fishing with continued disappointing results with two fish each trip. I did go “tide pooling” for one day at the Gordo Point with an extreme low tide. Five collections made, all little guys, but these will have be worked up over time.

Fish Species, Executive Summary, 24 known and 0 new:

*Anchovy, Silverstripe (Fish Number 183) ****Blenny, Panamic Fanged (Fish Number 117) Bonito, Mexican (Fish Number 64) Crab, Pelagic Red (Fish Number 137) Creolefish, Pacific (Fish Number 62) Dorado (Fish Number 82) Frigate Bird (Fish Number 125) Hamlet, Rivulated (Fish Number 84) ‘*Herring, Flatiron (Fish Number 19) *Herring, Yellowfin (Fish Number 10) **Hogfish, Mexican (Fish Number 7) Jack, Green (Fish Number 65) *****Mexican Night Sergeant (Fish Number 40) *****Mystery Fish (Fish Number 193) Needlefish, Flat (Fish Number 44) Needlefish, Pacific (Fish Number 182) **Puffer, Guineafowl (Fish Number 20) **Sergeant Major (Fish Number 41) Snapper, Mullet (Fish Number 27) Snapper, Red (Fish Number 2) ****Squirrelfish, Tinsel (Fish Number 113) Triggerfish, Finescale (Fish Number 9) **Triggerfish, Orangeside (Fish Number 26) Tuna, Skipjack, Black (Fish Number 79)

*Provided by the Bait Guys. **Surf catch ***Surface floating fish ****Tidal Pool Collection

Part I, Surf Report, 100% Catch and Release:

Day 1, January 11, 2006, San Jose del Cabo: Km 25, Palmilla Sur, ninety minutes before sunset, nominal surf, rising tide, water temperature 74-degrees, utilizing a fish finder rig – 15-pound test, 0.5-oz barrel sinker, bead, swivel, 15 pound test and size 8, Mustad 92553 hook with frozen cut Squid. Catch summary: one Mexican Hogfish (Male), 16 inches; one Orangeside Triggerfish, 2 pounds.

Day 2, January 14, 2006, San Jose del Cabo: Km 25, Palmilla Sur, ninety minutes before sunset, nominal surf, rising tide, water temperature 74-degrees, utilizing a fish finder rig – 15-pound test, 0.5-oz barrel sinker, bead, swivel, 15 pound test and size 8, Mustad 92553 hook with frozen cut Squid. Catch summary: one Guineafowl Pufferfish, 8 inches; one Orangeside Triggerfish, 2 pounds.

Day 3, January 16, 2006, San Jose del Cabo: Km 6, East Cape Road, ninety minutes mid afternoon, nominal surf, falling tide, water temperature 74-degrees, utilizing a fish finder rig – 15-pound test, 0.5-oz barrel sinker, bead, swivel, 15 pound test and size 6 and 8, Mustad 92553 hook with frozen cut Squid. Catch summary: two Panamic Sergeant Majors, 7 inches.

Part II. Fishing with Captain Pata, Panga Solome, La Playita:

Day 1, January 12, 2006, San Jose del Cabo: Fishing for five and a half hours with Captain Pata. Ocean was good with the exception of overcast all day and a 5 to 6 mph river flowing to the north. Limited supply of live bait available but of great size that was supplemented by two bags of frozen anchovies. Water was pristine blue, 73-degrees. Fished the area from 1 mile north of THE ARCH to El Tule flowing with the river. Style was either traditional bottom fishing with sardines or fish scraps or flylined Sardines. Catch can be summarized as: two Dorado (dorado), to 15 pounds, one Pacific Needlefish (needlefish, all catch and release), 3 feet, two Finescale Triggerfish (blanco), to 5 pounds, and one Orangeside Triggerfish (taxi), one pound (catch and release). Miscellaneous: the very strong current made bottom fish difficult – tried 8 oz lead and should have gone with 16 oz. The dorado were caught shortly after citing jumpers in hot pursuit of flying fish.

Day 2, January 14, 2006, San Jose del Cabo: Fishing for five and a half hours with Captain Pata. Ocean was good with the exception of overcast all day. Limited supply of live bait available but of great size that was supplemented by two bags of frozen anchovies. Water was pristine blue, 73-degrees. Fished Gordo I. Style was either traditional bottom fishing with sardines or fish scraps or flylined Red Tuna Crabs or Sardines. Catch can be summarized as: six Black Skipjacks (barrilete), to 10 pounds, two Pacific Creolefish, to 2 pounds, one Flat Needlefish (needlefish), 36 inches, (catch and release), five Green Jacks (cocinero), to 2 pounds, ten Mullet Snappers (pargo), to 2 pounds, eight Red Snappers, to 10 pounds, one Finescale Triggerfish (blanco), 3 pounds, and three Orangeside Triggerfish (taxi), to two pounds (catch and release). Miscellaneous: nada!

Day 3, January 17, 2006, San Jose del Cabo: Day canceled due to strong Westerly breeze. First time Captain Pata would not go based on wind.

Day 4, January 18, 2006: Fishing for five and a half hours with Captain Pata. Long delay in departing trying to make a decision “go” versus “no go” due to strong westerly wind. Finally “go” and we were the only Gringo Panga launched for the day. We went to Palmilla to pick up bait and the wind stopped! Ocean became good with full sun all day. Limited supply of live bait available but of great size. Water was pristine blue, 73-degrees. Fished from two miles south of THE ARCH to El Tule and a very brief stop at the Palmilla Point Commercial Snapper Hole. Style was either traditional bottom fishing with sardines or fish scraps or flylined Sardines. Catch can be summarized as: one Rivulated Hamlet, 10 inches, one Flat Needlefish (needlefish), 36 inches, (catch and release), and one Orangeside Triggerfish (taxi), two pounds (catch and release). Miscellaneous: we joined a herd of Dolphins trolling sardines in and around with no luck.

(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.