WEATHER: We had two very nice clear days this week, the 15th and 16th, the rest of the week was partly to mostly cloudy. Daytime temperatures were averaging the mid to low 80's while the nighttime lows ranged from a low of 58 degrees on Monday to a high of 68 degrees on Saturday. Winds have been slight to non-existent this week.

WATER: With no wind this week the water remained almost like a pool, we did have one day, Friday, where the swells picked up just a bit in the afternoon, but most of the week we saw conditions that were perfect, swells at 103 feet and just a light breeze. On the Pacific side the water seemed a bit warmer at an average of 74-75 degrees as far west as 20 miles past the San Jaime and the Golden Gate Banks. This warm water extended to the south as well, as far as any of the fleet went, at least 60 miles. On the Cortez side of the Cape things were a bit cooler at an average of 72-73 degrees for water east of a north-south line through San Jose.

BAIT: A repeat of last week and the week before, Caballito and Mackerel were available at the normal $3 per bait, most of the Caballito were small ones, and the mackerel were larger. You could still catch plenty of Mackerel at the Golden Gate Bank if you ran out. Sardinas were available at Palmilla for an average of $25 a bucket.

FISHING:

BILLFISH: Once again Striped Marlin were the top fish, giving angler all the action they could wish for on most of the boats that worked the Golden Gate Bank. Not every day was a red-letter day though; we saw a definite slowing of the bite right around the full moon, several days either side of it seemed to be better. The same held true for the action we had been having on the Lighthouse ledge as the bite went from red-hot hot cool over three days. At the Golden Gate the better catches were had just before the full moon and boats that had experienced anglers were releasing double-digit numbers per day. That bite died to two or three fish per day during the full moon, and as of Saturday things had picked up very well. We had one group of non-experienced anglers release 6 Marlin between 8 am and 10:30 am, and then they went inshore for Dorado. Live Mackerel caught on site seemed to be the best bait by far, rigged dead bait came in just ahead of artificial lures, and those did not catch very many fish this week.

YELLOWFIN TUNA: Yellowfin remained scarce this past week. A few boats managed to get into some fish ranging from 20 to 50 pounds working due south of Cabo on Tuesday. On Wednesday the fish had moved north about 15 miles and on Thursday they could not be found again. Boats that got into the fish had great action, catching limits using cedar plugs and dropping live bait ahead of the moving fish. Elsewhere the Tuna bite was sporadic, with occasional small schools found scattered throughout the area.

DORADO: Once again the best action for Dorado appeared to be close to the beach on the Pacific side of the Cape. With an average size of 15 pounds, most boats were able to get two to five fish trolling live bait under areas where the frigate birds were hanging out, or trolling bright colored artificial lures within a mile of the beach. An occasional 35-pound fish added spice to the catch as well.

WAHOO: I have heard reports of a boat that has been getting several Wahoo every morning at gray light while fishing on the Cortez side just off the beach, but I have not been able to confirm that. Right now for most of the boats a Wahoo is a mystery fish!

INSHORE: There has been very little change in the inshore fishery this week. The Sierra bite is picking up and the fish are very nice size, between 8 and 10 pounds when you find the right areas. There are a few nice Yellowtails starting to pop up occasionally off of the Rocky points as well as some Pargo to 25 pounds right in the rocks. Many of the Pangas have been working just offshore for Dorado and Striped marlin and doing fairly well.

NOTES: We are still seeing plenty of Humpback Whales outside of the beach area but have not seen any Gray Whales yet, at least I haven't.. The Whale harassment fleet (whale watching charters, the small Panga guys) can be spotted right on top of the pods, often 10 boats at a time. Don't forget, the price of fishing licenses has risen, even thought the price printed on the license has not changed. Until next week, tight lines! This weeks report was written to the music of Norah Jones, man what a voice that woman has!