WARM WATER BUT SLOWER FISHING FOR LOS CABOS PANGAS

Nov. 26, 2006, Eric Brictson, Gordo Banks Pangas, San Jose del Cabo, La Playita beach, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

The combined San Jose del Cabo sportfishing panga fleets launching from La Playita beach sent out about 112 charters for the week for a fish count of: 220 yellowfin tuna, 122 dorado, 9 striped marlin, 14 sailfish, 19 wahoo, 38 sierra, 16 rainbow runner, and 95 skipjack.

The number of anglers at Los Cabos has tapered off as families gear their priorities towards the holiday season.

San Jose del Cabo weather was ideal, clear, warm and sunny, with high temperatures near 85 degrees.

Ocean fishing conditions were comfortable. Early in the week there was a lingering swell created by distant late season Tropical Storm Sergio, but by the weekend it was calm. There was little wind. San Jose del Cabo fishing area water became a bit stirred up within a few miles of shore and this contributed to slower fishing compared to the previous period, but conditions are improving and with the water temperatures still holding at 80 to 82 degrees, a few degrees above normal, we anticipate better than normal surface fishing during December.

Los Cabos billfish action was spread out. There were scattered reports of good action for striped marlin, with most the action being found within ten miles of shore.

Dorado were more numerous and larger on the Pacific compared to the Sea of Cortez.

The fishing week started off with excellent action for yellowfin tuna in the 10 to 15 pound size, within a couple miles or shore from Chileno to Santa Maria. San Jose del Cabo anglers accounted for easy limits on tuna using live sardina bait on lighter tackle. This action slacked towards the later part of the week, with plenty of tuna being seen but not willing to bite. A handful of larger tuna were hooked on the Gordo Banks over the 100 pound mark, but this was not consistent. These larger tuna were striking best on chunk bait, from skipjack or cocinero jacks.

Wahoo continued to be few and far between and perhaps with the coming full moon will finally entice these fish to bite as they are supposed to during the fall.

(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.