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| Around 10% of the world's total fish species can be found just within the Great Barrier Reef. |
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| Starfish can re-grow their arms. In fact, a single arm can regenerate a whole body. |
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| Starfish do not have blood. Their blood is actually filtered sea water. |
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| Starfish don't have brains. Special cells on their skin gather information about their surroundings |
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| Not all animals with the word fish in their names count as fish. |
| Though their names may suggest otherwise, cuttlefish, starfish, and jellyfish aren’t actually fish. Generally-speaking, fishes must have skulls, gills, and fins. Surprisingly, though, not all fishes have proper spines. |
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| In three decades, the world's oceans will contain more discarded plastic than fish when measured by weight, researchers say. |
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| As of 2020, there were 34,000 known fish species around world. That’s more than the number of species in all other vertebrates: birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians combined. |
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| Just how man species of fish are there? |
| As of 2020, there were 34,000 known fish species around world. That’s more than the number of species in all other vertebrates: birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians combined. |
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| Even Catfish are finicky |
| Taste Buds ? Catfish have a more refined sense of flavor than humans. Our 10,000 taste buds may seem like a lot, but catfish can have as many as 175,000. This helps them find the exact location of their next meal. |
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| A bit of Humor |
| My brother has 2 German Shepherds named Rolex and Timex. You guessed it they are Watch Dogs. |
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From Jan 01, 1999 To Apr 20, 2024
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Mar 16, 2016; 09:58PM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo Anglers – February 21, 2016
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
Anglers –
February 21, 2016
Warm wintertime sunshine is now attracting more tourists and they are
enjoying temperatures reaching close to 90 degrees, feels like spring
already. Winds have continued to be unpredictable, mainly from the north,
but also switching out of the southeast, not as strong as during weeks
past. Strong currents have been an issue, but they now seem to be slacking
way down.
Crazy season, even the whale migration seems off, not as many being seen
off of the San Jose del Cabo area as would be normal for this time of year.
Plenty of sea lions on the fishing grounds, awaiting their opportunity at
an easy meal, grabbing fish that are hooked on angler’s lines. The bait
situation remains the same, sardineta continue to school offshore and can
be caught on sabiki rigs early in the morning, caballito, cocinero, squid
strips and ballyhoo are also available, though we heard of no reports at
all of any sardinas being found.
Ocean clarity became a bit more greenish close to shore, north to Los
Frailes, water temperature was also coolest closer to shore, about 72/74
degrees on the average, while five or more miles offshore there was 75/76
degree water reported. All around the fishing action was more scattered
this past week. Yellowfin tuna, dorado and wahoo action became very
limited. A few tuna were being hooked, most of these found from La Fortuna
to the Iman Bank, and best chances were early in the day, also getting a
hooked yellowfin actually in the boat was a challenge with the ever present
sea lions lurking nearby. Most of these tuna were in the 15 to 25 lb. range
and anglers were fortunate to land one or two of these fish. Dorado were
almost nonexistent, who knows where they have gone, wahoo were still
around, but fewer were being hooked up, more action early in the week, with
very few of these speedsters being reported later in the week. Water
temperature cooled off where these wahoo had been schooling off of Punta
Gorda, also a bit off colored, with winds settling down these fish could
decide to become more active again as conditions improve.
Bottom action was spotty, most common catches being triggerfish and smaller
sized snapper/pargo species, with a handful of cabrilla (leopard grouper)
in the mix. More hammerhead moving in on the structure, where we commonly
bottom fish, makes for an additional challenge. On at least a couple of
occasions, anglers reported that something very large grabbed on to their
hooked up tuna, only to head for the rocks and break the line, sounds like
some grouper or dogtooth snapper are moving in.
The action for striped marlin continues off of San Jose del Cabo, mostly
centered from 3 to 5 miles offshore, changing daily, most charters
targeting these billfish are having chances, some several per day, majority
of hook ups came while drift fishing with the available larger baits, sizes
on the marlin ranged from 70 lb. to 120 lb.
Inshore there was some roosterfish and sierra action, a few nicer sized
roosterfish were accounted for, up to 25 lb., impressive for this time of
year. There was a reported 25 lb. class snook landed from a panga charter
while trolling close to shore for roosterfish, off of the Estuary area,
definitely an unusual catch.
A few more sierra in recent days, the lack of sardinas has really hurt the
sierra season, fun fish on light tackle, scrappy and very fast fighters.
Just no big numbers of any particular species at this time, though spring
is now right around the corner, transition time can be like this, but
things can also change very fast.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 60 charters for the week, with anglers
reporting a fish count of: 1 snook, 18 striped marlin, 7 wahoo, 16
yellowfin tuna, 2 dorado, 6 amberjack, 8 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 16
huachinango, 22 yellow snapper, 15 sierra, 18 roosterfish, 12 parrot fish,
8 bonito, 10 hammerhead shark (released), 2 thrasher shark, and 28
triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Feb 18, 2016; 10:43PM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo Anglers – February 14, 2016
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
Anglers –
February 14, 2016
The month of February has always been thought of as unpredictable and a bit
crazy, we have seen a bit of this already. Last week was cooler and windy,
now we have seen a warmer trend like spring is already here, daytime highs
reaching 90 degrees, plenty of clear skies and sunshine, the wind patterns
and unusually swift currents still persist, but it does feel like days will
only be getting warmer as we progress towards spring break. Ocean water
temperatures are holding at 74 degrees throughout most of the region,
warmer 76 degree water found outside of Cabo San Lucas and around the Gordo
Banks.
The all-around fishing action remains scattered, a lot of variety in the
area now, but no particular species is overly abundant. Clear blue water is
being found within a few miles of shore, though there is greener conditions
towards the north near Los Frailes. Schools of sardinetas are now
congregated off of San Jose del Cabo, always a good sign that these will be
attracting more gamefish, particularly striped marlin. Still no reports of
the normal smaller sardinas being found, word has spread that this species
will be under stricter regulations to help this stock rebound once the
environmental conditions are to their liking so that they return to their
normal migration patterns. With ocean temperatures remaining warmer than
normal, this has contributed to changing oxygen levels and plankton growth,
which these baitfish feed on, El Nino has all normal patterns all mixed up.
A sign that anything could happen on any given day was confirmed when local
pangero legend Hugo Pino from La Playita landed a 350 lb. black marlin off
of the Gordo Banks mid- week, Hugo was trolling a live caballito when the
black struck. Very unusual to find black marlin hanging around these
grounds during mid-February. On these same grounds there have been
yellowfin tuna, some of these tuna are over the hundred pound mark, many
have been seen of all sizes, feeding on what look like an abundance of
flying fish, hard to entice them to strike on anything else, though a
handful of these yellowfin to 120 lb. have been landed, some on normal
morning charters, other on afternoon trips by the selective few commercial
and private boats that do go out later in the day. Problem has been finding
a calm enough afternoon, these anglers are stock piling slabs of squid as
well, the more chum the better, to help entice these finicky tuna.
Not all that much going off the bottom, wind earlier in the week, combined
with persistently stronger currents and then the ever present hungry sea
lions, all has added up to few numbers of snapper, cabrilla and amberjack.
There was a report of a couple of yellowtail, so maybe more of these
popular jacks will move in. If conditions do continue to stabilize, we
should see improved bottom action, anglers have been using whole and cut
baits, as well as yo-yo jigs, some charters are starting to use down
riggers.
Wahoo are hanging around into winter season again, though bite has been
sporadic, more chances now there a favorite food source of sadinetas have
showed up. Punta Gorda seems to be holding more numbers of the wahoo now,
but the word has also spread, putting added pressure on these already
elusive and shy fish.
Very few dorado being found, just a few single fish, no particular place
better than the other. Inshore there were some roosterfish and a few sierra
found, a few roosterfish to 20 lb., good sized for this time of year. With
the warmer water and lack of sardinas for bait there have been no big
numbers of sierra
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 74 charters for the week, with anglers
reporting a fish count of: 1 black marlin, 17 striped marlin, 14 wahoo, 35
yellowfin tuna, 11 dorado, 10 amberjack, 16 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 16
huachinango, 52 misc. pargo/snapper , 1 thrasher shark, 6 sierra, 24
roosterfish and 55 triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Feb 11, 2016; 01:40AM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo Anglers – February 7, 2016
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
Anglers –
February 7, 2016
The first week of February brought light crowds of tourists, the all-around
climate was very pleasant considering this is the midst of winter time and
daytime highs were reaching 85 degrees. The period started out with calmer
days, but quickly these calm ocean conditions deteriorated, as the north
winds picked up to near gale force, on Wednesday it blew 30 mph, with even
higher gusts, then weakened later in the week to about 15 to 20 miles mph.,
this continued through into the weekend. As a result we saw ocean water
temperatures drop suddenly into the 74 degree range and it appears this
cooling trend might continue.
This sudden change did not help the fishing action at all, in fact not many
charters were even braving the elements. Bait fish became scattered, though
local bait vendors did make the extra effort to travel to the Pacific side
of Cabo San Lucas at night where they found good numbers of schooling
mackerel, though with the stirred up conditions anglers did not find much
with these lively bait fish. There were limited supplies of caballito,
ballyhoo and slabs of squid also available.
No particular species of fish was very active at all this week, even the
triggerfish were not eager to eat. Yellowfin tuna were still hanging around
the Iman Bank, but not many were landed, these grounds were practically
unreachable for several days and the hungry sea lions were more aggressive
than ever. The tuna that were landed ranged up to 25 lb., striking on
strips of squid. A handful of yellowfin also were taken from other areas.
Dorado became even scarcer than they had been, the few that were accoutered
for were in the 10 lb. range.
Striped marlin action slowed compared to last week, though these billfish
are still being found in varying numbers throughout the region. The ocean
clarity is still good and these marlin to not mind cooler currents, they
just need to have their steady food supply.
Wahoo became more finicky with cooling waters, also the word was now out,
as to where most of these wahoo were hanging out off of Punta Gorda and the
pressure was heavier on these grounds. Too many spear fishermen these days,
not easy to fish where there are also people spear fishing. Many of the
wahoo they hit with spears end up ripping free, only to die of their
injuries and this makes the entire school of wahoo even that much spookier.
The large needlefish have returned in force, striking on trolled baits and
making a mess of things as they like to do.
Bottom action was showing improvement last week, before this latest blow,
maybe cooling waters will get some yellowtail action going. Inshore there
were some sierra caught, trolling baits and lures, hard to really get these
fish going without the sardinas available.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 38 charters for the week, with anglers
reporting a fish count of: 5 striped marlin, 11 wahoo, 18 yellowfin tuna, 8
dorado, 18 rainbow runner, 4 amberjack, 6 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 17
huachinango, 26 other pargo/snapper species, 8 bonito, 9 sierra and 12
triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Feb 11, 2016; 01:22AM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo Anglers – January 31, 2016
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
Anglers –
January 31, 2016
We are seeing fewer visiting anglers arriving during the past couple of
weeks, this is not unusual, as this is never peak season for any particular
gamefish species on our local grounds. Weather patterns remain much the
same, mostly sunny days, some marine layer cloud cover, winds still
predominately from the north, varying up to 20 mph or stronger on some
days, high daytime temperatures have been reaching into the lower 80s.
These winds can limit on where fleets can fish comfortably. Ocean
temperatures are averaging 76 degrees and clean blue water is being found
within one mile of shore. Anglers have been using a mix of caballito,
striped squid and ballyhoo for bait, no reports of any sardinas being
located within local range, nor has any consistent offshore baitfish source
been happening. There were reports of large concentrations of flying fish
being seen, with fish spotted chasing these flyers, acquiring a taste for
them and not too aggressive for other offerings.
Local sportfishing fleets were scouting out fishing grounds in all of the
normal directions, most productive grounds recently were from Santa Maria,
Palmilla, Punta Gorda, La Fortuna and Iman Bank. Yellowfin action was
reported on the more distant Pacific Banks for a larger grade of yellowfin.
The Iman Bank was producing tuna to over 30 lb., though with the northern
winds and sea lion presence, this was a tough bite for the past five days
or so, need calmer conditions to effectively drift fish these grounds.
Wahoo have been playing elusive hide and seek games as usual, though actual
these fish have become more active in recent days, found close to shore,
trolling lures and baits, best bet early in the morning, but there were
chances at all hours of the day, you have to just be in the right place at
the precise time when these finicky feeders decide to strike. The wahoo now
being landed have been in the 15 to 40 lb. range. Anglers reported wahoo
action off of Santa Maria, Palmilla, Punta Gorda and Iman Bank. With water
temperature still temperate, we expect these ‘hoo to stay in the area into
February. Remember last season, some of our best wahoo action was found
mid-February.
Striped marlin action improved this past week, decent number of stripers
were found straight outside the Puerto Los Cabos Marina, anywhere from one
to four miles from shore, most strikes were on caballito, soaking down
deep, slow trolling baits on the surface, or occasional gun and run to
feeding fish.
Not much going on for sierra or roosterfish, sporadic action found, though
some dorado were encountered very close to shore, attracted by available
baitfish, more dorado this week than last, sizes ranged up to 20 lb.
Anglers were fortunate to find one or two, no big numbers of any particular
species now.
Bottom action was tough, mainly due to the windy days, hard to reach the
more productive areas to the north, closer inshore, where it was more
protected from gusty winds, most common catches were for triggerfish, a
handful of snapper, bonito and cabrilla.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 61 charters for the week, with anglers
reporting a fish count of: 22 striped marlin, 19 wahoo, 38 yellowfin tuna,
19 dorado, 8 rainbow runner, 9 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 8 huachinango,
14 yellow snapper,10 bonito, 2 sierra and 80 triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Feb 11, 2016; 01:19AM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo Anglers – January 24, 2016
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
Anglers –
January 24, 2016
We are seeing increased crowds of visitors, though not that high of
percentage of these visitors are serious salt water anglers. Many people
are escaping the winter chill and heading south, we expect this will
continue, as the eastern section of United States are in the midst of a
serious blizzard now, many flights are being canceled, though expect people
will be ready to get out of town when they are able to. Local weather has
been cooler in the early morning, down around the 50 degree mark, though
days have been clear and sunny, with high temperatures reaching up to 85
degrees. Winds continue to blow predominately from the north, 10 to 20 mph,
switching to the south on some days. Ocean temperatures are avenging 76
degrees throughout Southern Baja region, swells have been moderate,
fluctuating currents, quite swift at times.
The local bait situation remains much the same, slabs of squid, ballyhoo,
caballito and just in recent days some charters found schooling sardinetas
offshore. With ocean temperatures now being about 4 degrees higher than
normal, hard to predict what might happen with fish migrations this winter
season. Plenty of whales now in the area, also more than enough hungry sea
lions, creating even more competition for anglers.
Sportfishing fleets were spread out in all directions, we heard reports of
larger cow sized yellowfin tuna being encountered traveling with porpoise
on the outside of the Pacific Banks, marlin were scattered, some days
charters could find one or two striped marlin, while on others days there
were none to be found, as more concentrations of baitfish move in we do
expect to see more billfish activity. Some stripers were even striking on
the stripped squid that anglers used for targeting tuna on the grounds from
Punta Gorda to Iman Bank. This action was on and off, wind was a problem on
the grounds further to the north, sizes of the yellowfin averaged in the 15
to 50 lb. range, for the most part there were np significant numbers,
anglers did well accounting for two or three tuna in their combined morning
catch.
Dorado action dropped way off on the grounds off of San Jose del Cabo, we
did hear of more do-dos being found on the Pacific, these pelagic fish are
just now returning from Southern California, where they had followed the
warm El Nino current this past summer and fall. So we do expect to see more
dorado appearing in the next month, especially if this warm water situation
continues. Wahoo did become more active in the past week, especially early
in the week, there was good early morning action found close off of Punta
Gorda by anglers trolling both lures and trap hooked larger batfish, sizes
ranged up to 40 lb. This bite became more sporadic as the week progressed,
though these elusive gamefish are definitely still holding in the temperate
conditions and we expect continued action for these fish until water
temperatures become too cool for their liking.
More bottom activity being found now, rock piles north of Punta Gorda were
producing leopard grouper (cabrilla), yellow and red snapper, rainbow
runner, bonito, amberjack and triggerfish. No really big numbers, but more
than we have seen so far this season, anglers had success on yo-yo jigs, as
well as on whole or strip baits.
Not much reported along the shore, no sierra to speak of, a few roosterfish
north of the marina jetty, the majority being smaller sized fish which
should always be released with care.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 57 charters for the week, with anglers
reporting a fish count of: 6 striped marlin, 18 wahoo, 94 yellowfin tuna, 6
dorado, 21 rainbow runner, 22 cabrilla, 35 huachinango, 16 yellow snapper,
4 amberjack, 14 bonito, 2 roosterfish and 110 triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Feb 11, 2016; 01:17AM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo Anglers – January 17, 2016
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
Anglers –
January 17, 2016
Quiet week in Los Cabos, as light numbers of tourists were arriving, as we
are now in the normal lull period immediately following the New Year’s
Holiday. Winter time conditions are even being felt locally, as low
temperatures dipped to 50 degrees and though days were mostly sunny, high
temperatures were hovering around 75 degrees. Actually very pleasant
climate for the midst of winter time, be hard to convince the locals
though, as they are bundling up like there is no tomorrow.
The week started off with gusty northerly winds, settling down later, nice
ocean conditions for anglers, besides the early morning chill. Ocean
Temperatures averaging 75 degrees, warmer currents are being found on the
Pacific Banks. Anglers continue to rely on the available bait sources of
caballito, cocinero, ballyhoo and slabs of squid. No reports of anyone
finding schooling sardinas within local range. Local San Jose del Cabo
fleets continue to concentrate their efforts on the Grounds from Cerro
Colorado/Red Hill to the Gordo Banks and north to La Fortuna and Iman
Banks.
Really there has been no particular hot spot recently, everyday certain
areas produced a mix of species in limited numbers. Very few dorado or
wahoo reported, though free swimming wahoo were sighted on several
occasions, not many were actually hooked and landed, same with dorado, they
seemed to be taking the week off. Yellowfin tuna were holding around the
twenty five spot off of La Fortuna, but with often rapid sweeping drifts
created by winds, this spot was not always easy to fish. There was an
ongoing problem with nuisance sea lions, waiting for their chance at an
easy meal. Most of the yellowfin accounted for were under 20 lb. and were
elusively hooked while using strips of squid for bait. The Gordo Banks were
also attracting a larger grade of yellowfin tuna, but only a handful of
these fish were actually landed, this fishery was a late afternoon deal,
done pretty much elusively by local commercial pangeros, fishing the late
twilight hours, reported that the yellowfin to over 100 pounds would start
feeding as the sun was just about setting, makes for a late day, fighting
fish into the darkness and then arriving back to the dock area in the pitch
black of the moon less evening.
Billfish action was also very scattered, most common catch being smaller
sized striped marlin, no larger concentrations of offshore baitfish to
attract any major feeding frenzies. With all of the normal fish migration
patterns being abnormal this year, we are expecting later than usual
arrival of sardineta and mackerel this season, hard to predict when this
will happen, it is time now, these are mostly unprecedented events that are
now occurring.
Bottom action was showing encouraging signs the past couple of weeks, more
red snapper, amberjack and cabrilla started to appear, then we saw stronger
currents slowing down this action, we expect to see steady improvement for
this structure activity as weather conditions stabilize. Winds have been
more consistent than normal through this past fall and now into our winter
season, should be time that we start having the calmer days and this will
help open up more bottom opportunities.
Very little inshore action, spotty action on smaller sized roosterfish, no
sierra to speak of without the preferred sardina bait source.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 56 charters for the week, with anglers
reporting a fish count of: 7 striped marlin, 10 wahoo, 88 yellowfin tuna,
11 dorado, 1 island jack, 10 rainbow runner, 14 cabrilla, 26 huachinango,
22 yellow snapper, 8 amberjack, 2 sierra, 12 bonito, 4 roosterfish and 85
triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Feb 11, 2016; 01:14AM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo Anglers – January 10, 2016
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
Anglers –
January 10, 2016
With the holiday season now coming to a close we are seeing lighter crowds
of visitors arriving, we do expect as winter sets in across the United
States, more people will be looking to travel south in search of some warm
sunshine. We have seen scattered cloud cover, early morning lows in the
50s, with daytime highs reaching into the upper 70s. North winds have been
variable, not as strong as during previous weeks, so anglers have been
enjoying favorable conditions on the water. The annual migration of whales
is now in full swing, after being a little late arriving in such numbers,
these mammals can now be seen on a regular basis every day.
The bait situation continues much the same, no new resource for sardinas,
nor have we seen any mackerel or sardinetas, we have been relying on slabs
of squid, caballito and ballyhoo. Hard to say when we might see sardinas
move back within our range. Anglers are finding better action using the
available bait, versus trolling artificial lures. San Jose del Cabo fleets
are concentrating on the fishing grounds from Red Hill, Gordo Banks and
north to Iman Bank. One of the more productive areas in recent days has
been La Fortuna, or the 25 spot. This is where yellowfin tuna in the 15 to
30 pound class have been striking on strips of squid. Action has been a bit
sporadic from day to day, some days the fish bite early and some days
later, the key is to be in the right place at the correct time. This same
area is also producing decent catches off the bottom for huachinango (red
snapper), some amberjack, cabrilla and bonito.
The action off of Punta Gorda had been good for tuna, but then switched
north to La Fortuna, huachinango have been hitting on these grounds early
in the morning, and anglers were using strips of squid for these quality
snapper, which ranged up to 12 pounds. Dorado were scattered, best chance
for these gamefish seemed to be closer to shore, more baitfish close in now
to attract these fish, dorado were hitting best on rigged ballyhoo, more
often later in the morning, finding circling frigate birds has been the
best way to find the dorado. Most of the dorado we have seen were ranging
in the 10 to 20 lb. class.
Not much going on with wahoo now, though they are still in the area, some
are being seen very close to shore, which is fairly common for this time of
year. Actually more anglers were targeting the tuna action, chances are if
you did specially target the wahoo with larger trap rigged baits is that
you could find one or two of these fish and we do expect to see these
elusive fish become more active as we enter the coming favorable moon
phase. Ocean water temperatures are now averaging 75 degrees.
There has been inshore opportunities for roosterfish, though the majority
of the roosterfish this time of year are smaller sized, not easy to hook
with larger baits, these juvenile fish can be fragile to safely catch and
release. Sierra action has been slim with the lack of sardinas, though surf
anglers have been catching fair numbers of these feisty fish at first light
off of the local beaches.
The marlin action off of San Jose del Cabo dissipated, food source must
have moved on, now some striped marlin are being found scattered offshore,
no particular hot spot and in limited numbers, best bet was to troll lures
and look for signs of fish, then try and drop a bait back. With cooling
water temperatures we have not heard of any more black marlin hook ups
around the Gordo Banks.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 74 charters for the week, with anglers
reporting a fish count of: 5 striped marlin, 11 wahoo, 225 yellowfin tuna,
32 dorado, 13 cabrilla, 132 huachinango, 30 yellow snapper, 19 amberjack, 4
sierra, 23 bonito, 16 roosterfish and 65 triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Jan 4, 2016; 11:52PM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo Anglers – January 3, 2016
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
Anglers –
January 3, 2016
Holiday crowds were greeted by weather conditions which were cooler than
most people were hoping for, as much of this past week was overcast,
cloudy, with only occasional sunshine, persistent northern winds and high
daytime temperatures were barely reaching into the lower 70s. It is now
winter season and considering that this is about as cool as the Southern
Baja California region can be, we should feel fortunate to enjoy such a
moderate climate during these normally chiller times.
Average ocean temperature locally is now 76 degrees, we are seeing this
cooling trend, though this is still several degrees warmer than seasonal
normal. Along with the unusual weather patterns of this past year, we
continue to see abnormal fish migrations as well, even the annual migration
of whales has been late to arrive to its peak. This is the time of year
when we normally would find schools of sardinas congregating along the
shoreline and mackerel mixed with sardineta on the offshore grounds, so far
we are not seeing any of this baitfish and are relying on bait sources of
caballito, cocinero, slabs of squid and some ballyhoo.
Fishing action has been more scattered than we would normally expect,
options are limited without the mainstay of sardinas. The most productive
grounds this past week was found two to four miles straight out front of
Puerto Los Cabos Marina, this is where practically the entire fleets from
both San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas were congregating. Striped marlin
with a few dorado in the mix were striking on slow trolled baits, or while
drifting baits down deeper, occasional feeders on the surface. No huge
numbers of fish, heavy pressure. But still the best bet to find action.
Most of the stripers were in the 60 to 90 lb. class, with a few reaching
120 lb. There must be some food source now holding in this area, porpoise
are being seen cruising through this zone as well. Commercial shrimp
trawlers are moving in our area now, and these are the same grounds where
they regularly work, often contributing to scatter any action that does
start to develop.
Ocean currents pushed in cooler, greenish water from the north and combined
with persistent northerly winds, this made it tough to find any action
around the Gordo Banks and further north. Some yellowfin tuna were
accounted for, one tuna of 143 lb. was weighed in early in the week, others
in the 15 to 80 lb. range were taken, but numbers were not significant at
all and until conditions stabilize, this will most likely be the same
situation. Tuna at times could be seen coming into chum lines or just
breezing the surface, but proved to be very skittish. Late in the week
anglers found sporadic action for yellowfin closer to shore off of Punta
Gorda while drift fishing with strips of squid, these fish weighed up to 20
lb. and some charters landed as many as five tuna. Though this bite would
slack off as quickly as it had started and be over just like that. Unusual
to not see any of the larger sized needlefish that are typically present
this time of year.
Only a handful of wahoo were reported, ranging 20 to 40 lb., though as
conditions settle, we expect these fish to become more active. This coming
week is forecast to be warmer and less windy, so this combined with a
favorable moon phase could trigger improved action, of course these
particular fish are very unpredictable. The bottom continues to show signs
of more life, as more numbers of snapper and cabrilla were appearing, a
couple of amberjack, yellowtail, ever present triggerfish and bonito. Need
calmer conditions though to have better chances at these species.
Inshore there are now good numbers of smaller sized roosterfish, not always
easy to hook on the larger baits which are being used, though still this
has been an option for variety, please remember that these fish should
always be caught and then released with care, so that they can mature and
help maintain the future fishery of these prized gamefish, which are known
for their fighting qualities and not as good table fare.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 80 charters for the week, with anglers
reporting a fish count of: 48 striped marlin, 26 yellowfin tuna, 56 dorado,
4 wahoo, 2 yellowtail, 16 cabrilla, 11 huachinango, 20 yellow snapper, 2
amberjack, 8 rainbow runner, 1 dogtooth snapper, 4 white skipjack, 22
bonito, 44 roosterfish and 26 triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Jan 4, 2016; 11:48PM - GORDO BANKS PANGAS San Jose del Cabo December 27, 2015
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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GORDO BANKS PANGAS
San Jose del Cabo
Anglers –
December 27, 2015
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to everyone
Many tourists have been arriving in Los Cabos this holiday season, compared
to last year, when the majority of local resorts were still closed and in
the process of rebuilding from the devastation caused by Hurricane Odile.
The relentless north winds finally resided mid-week and conditions were
feeling more like fall than winter. Warm sunny days, with calm seas, ideal
time for anglers to take advantage of the opportunities at billfish,
yellowfin tuna, dorado, wahoo, roosterfish and other available species.
Ocean temperatures have ranged from 75 degrees from Iman Bank to Los
Frailes to as warm as 79 degrees straight outside of Cabo San Lucas. Ideal
conditions now, if the winds stay moderate we do expect to enjoy excellent
fishing action into the coming new year. With the lack of sardinas
available, anglers have been relying on caballito, slabs of squid and
various artificial lures to entice the variety of gamefish now in the area.
San Jose del Cabo fleets were having to travel all the way to the Cabo
arches to find sporadic action for yellowfin tuna in the 10 to 15 pound
class, some boats catching six or seven fish, other none, lots of pressure
by the whole fleet, as well as hungry seas lions on this spot. Chance at a
single dorado or wahoo off of the Chileno, Santa Maria and Red Hill areas.
Though this action was very hit or miss. So we are glad that the wind has
diminished for the time being and this has opened up our normal fishing
grounds from the Gordo Banks to the Iman Bank. Crazy that black marlin and
larger grade of yellowfin tuna have been holding around the Gordo Banks, in
recent days the tuna action on these ground was very dead in the morning
hours, but would come alive in the afternoon, so some locals have been
packing 20 or more pounds of squid slabs and heading out for this late
afternoon action, tuna to 140 lb. were landed, many other even larger
yellowfin were lost, sea lions were a pesky problem on these grounds as
well. This action should last in to January, any day these yellowfin could
bite earlier in the day, full moon phase has feeding patterns mixed up as
well.
Iman Bank was holding tuna in the 20 to 40 lb. range, though without
sufficient chum and dealing with swifter cooler currents put this bite off
later in the week. Dorado continue to be scattered, but actually in recent
days we are seeing more of these fish than during the past week or two.
Same for wahoo, not many being landed, but they are in the area, with
conditions being as favorable as they are, anything could happen, these
elusive and highly sought after gamefish are definitely still around and we
expect them to become more active in the coming weeks.
This is the time when striped marlin appear on the grounds off of San Jose
del Cabo and this has been the case this week, straight outside of the
Puerto Los Cabos Marina, anywhere from two to four miles offshore, this is
where fleets are now concentrated, chasing feeding marlin and drift fishing
with baits down deep has produced good action on the striped marlin,
averaging 80 to 120 lb., with some sailfish are still hanging late into the
season.
Good numbers of smaller to medium sized roosterfish are now being
encountered closer to shore, anglers have been using live caballito to slow
troll for this action, not many sierra yet, the lack of sardinas will make
this a tough season for the sierra. Bottom action has showed improvement
recently, deeper water species around the Gordo Banks and other high spots.
Various snappers, cabrilla, grouper, triggerfish, rainbow runner and bonito.
Whales are now appearing in greater numbers every day and will soon be
peaking for their annual winter migration to Southern Baja California.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 84 charters for the week, with anglers
reporting a fish count of: 5 sailfish,
2 black marlin, 38 striped marlin, 115 yellowfin tuna, 22 dorado, 11 wahoo,
14 cabrilla,
14 huachinango, 22 yellow snapper, 18 bulleye snapper, 3 amberjack, 12
rainbow runner,
24 bonito, 8 white skipjack, 55 roosterfish and 30 triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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Jan 4, 2016; 11:44PM - Gordo Banks Panga Report December 19, 2015
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Category: Mexico Cabo San Lucas
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Author Name: Eric
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December 19, 2015
Holiday crowds have started to arrive in greater numbers this past week and
it appears that it will be busy during this year’s festive times. Weather
has been a been a bit crazy, relentless winds from the north much of the
week, before laying down for the weekend and actually feeling once again
almost like late summer, instead of winter. Whales are also being sighted
more frequently now, as this is just the start of the annual migration for
these mammals.
Ocean swells have been minimal, water temperatures have ranged from 76
degrees in the direction of Los Frailes and 79 degrees off of Cabo San
Lucas. Anglers have been relying on caballito or squid slabs for baits,
still no reports of anyone finding any schooling sardinas, hard to say what
will happen with this, we do believe that when water does eventually cool
off, that we will see these preferred baitfish return within our range.
The week started off with the most consistent action being found off the
areas of the Cabo San Lucas Arches to Sol Mar, within one mile or less of
shore, this is where there was a good bite going on for yellowfin tuna
while drift fishing with strips of squid. These ranged from 8 to 15 lb.,
some of these fish also hit on caballito. The bite was sporadic, but many
charters did account for their limits, there was a good chance at losing a
percentage of your hook ups to hungry sea lions that were patrolling this
same area. Lots of pressure on these grounds, since this was around the
only productive spot through most of the week, as north winds made it
almost impossible to fish on the grounds to the north. But over the weekend
as conditions changed from nearly gale conditions to flat calm, this had
charters heading north again and they did have encouraging reports,
especially considering all the wind, water clarity was surprisingly good.
Yellowfin tuna starting biting again on the Iman Bank, nicer sized fish to
30 lb.
Not much going on for dorado and wahoo, only an occasional fish being
landed, other strikes lost, but just no significant numbers of either of
these species. Nothing much going on around the Gordo Banks, but maybe the
calmer conditions will get this area back on track, as lots of skipjack and
other baitfish activity was reported. Also at least one 200 lb. class black
marlin was landed, another black, estimated to weigh close to 500 lb. was
hooked on a trolled caballito, only to be lost near the boat as the fish
got its head down, gaining momentum and heading deep and breaking the
lighter 130 lb. leader which had been intended for a cow yellowfin tuna,
not a late season el Nino black marlin.
Inshore there was some good action for smaller sized roosterfish off of the
San Jose del Cabo Hotel area, particularly near Holiday Inn and the
Estuary. Very little bottom fishing was going on now, more triggerfish than
anything else, we expect to start seeing more variety start to move in off
of the structure. Marlin action was scattered as well, a few striped marlin
and then the chance at a larger marlin around the Gordo Banks, no big
numbers though of any of these billfish. Will be interesting to see if
there is a good run or mackerel and in turn striped marlin his season, this
is the month when this normally occurs, starting on the Pacific Banks,
before shifting in the direction of the Sea of Cortez.
The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos
Marina sent out approximately 74 charters for the week, with anglers
reporting a fish count of: 1 black marlin, 8 striped marlin, 285 yellowfin
tuna, 16 dorado, 5 wahoo, 4 cabrilla, 22 pargo, 8 bonito, 35 roosterfish
and 18 triggerfish.
Good fishing, Eric
--
GORDO BANKS PANGAS
Eric Brictson / Operator
619 488-1859
Los Cabos (624) 142-1147
e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com
WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM
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