YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHING STEADY AT THE GORDO BANKS

Feb. 4, 2007, Eric Brictson, Gordo Banks Pangas, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja, Mexico fishing:

The combined San Jose del Cabo sportfishing panga fleet at La Playita Beach sent out approximately 63 charters this week, for a fish count of: 24 striped marlin, 76 pargo, 5 mako shark, 284 yellowfin tuna, 22 dorado, 25 bonito, 6 amberjack, 18 sierra, and 14 cabrilla.

The Los Cabos vacation area had mostly sunny skies, although the weather is still cooler than normal for this Southern Baja paradise. Many long time locals cannot remember it being this cool for such an extended period. Daytime highs are reaching the lower 70s, but early morning lows were in the 50 degree range. Northern winds continue to blow most days, peaking in the afternoons at around 10 to 15 m.p.h. On other days the breeze switched from out of the west and south. Winds and all around conditions on these Mexican fishing waters were not easy to predict.

San Jose del Cabo fishing water temperatures averaged 67 to 71 degrees this week. The coolest water was found close along shore and the warmest was around the Gordo Banks. Off shore currents were strong, and the water clarity turned a murky green color due to the cooler currents near Cabo San Lucas.

Dorado numbers dropped way off with the arrival of cooler waters. A scattering of dorado were found, most medium sized, plus a handful of bulls in the 30 to 40 pound class. On Saturday a floating bait tank was found drifting near the Outer Gordo Bank. Boats that found this first loaded up on some nicer sized dorado.

The majority of the Los Cabos sportfishing fleets are concentrating their efforts in the warmer waters around the Gordo Banks. Word got out over the weekend that this was the most productive area around, especially for yellowfin tuna. Live sardinas were probably the most productive bait for yellowfin tuna, but more of the larger fish were hooked on chunk bait.

Mackerel bait fish continue to school off San Jose del Cabo. This has attracted greater numbers of striped marlin to the local fishing grounds. Many stripers were found near the Gordo Banks, striking best on mackerel best, but also on smaller sardina baits used to target the yellowfin tuna.

We expect more shallow water rockfish and inshore fishing action to start up in the coming weeks in the San Jose del Cabo fishing area.