This past week marked the official start of the spring season, it is always known to be transition time for the climate and weather conditions in Los Cabos were definitely unpredictable, if not unprecedented. The week started off with several days of very thick unusual early season marine fog, first moving in from the north and rolling its way all the way to Cabo San Lucas. At times it was as thick as pea soup and made navigating any type of vessel dangerous. Also particularly affected the panga fleets that rely exclusively on landmarks to position themselves on their favorite fishing areas. The fog did not reach inland, with a distinct line stopping exactly on the shoreline. During the days of fog there was practically no wind to report, but that changed as fast as the fog disappeared, on Thursday the south picked up steadily all morning and by early afternoon was blowing a nasty 30 miles per hour, this kicked up significant ocean swells and made for very uncomfortable ocean conditions for even the largest of boats. By the next morning the setting had completely calmed down, though not before the water conditions had been drastically changed, the water had been clean, with temperatures up to 73 degrees before the heavy south wind pushed in dirty green currents that dipped back down to a chilly 65 degrees.

The majority of the sportfishing action was taking place from the 95 spot to Desteladera. On most days there were sufficient supplies of mackerel, sardinas and mullet available. Early in the week the cruiser fleet reported great action for striped marlin in the area of Desteladera, the fish were found feeding on schools of mackerel and charter reported common catches of three of four billfish per day. Though this action shut down after the cold dirty water moved in, but then over the weekend showed signs of improvement as conditions were gradually improving. Very few reports of dorado or yellowfin tuna this week, but as conditions stabilize and warm back up we do expect for these species to become more prevalent once again in the daily catches.

San Jose del Cabo panga fleets took advantage of the season's first significant run of red crabs, as these migrating pelagic langostias were found congregated on the surface on the Gordo Banks and around the area of La Fortuna. Pangueros were able to gather them in nets and use them as bait for various pargo species, particularly for the huachinango or true Pacific Red Snapper. At times the snapper were found right on the surface feeding on the crabs and could be caught by fly lining these small baits, other times light weights were used to get the baits down about fifty feet. This is not the most conventional method of fishing, but this is what these fish are now feeding on and they were not much interested in any other offerings with so many of the crabs available on the fishing grounds. A group of humpback whales were seen gorging themselves on these crustaceans that were so abundant on the Inner Gordo Banks, that is quite a sight to witness, seeing these huge mammals come all the way out of the water with their gapping mouths wide open.

Other catches included cabrilla, grouper, triggerfish, sierra, yellow snapper, barred pargo, bonito, pompano and surgeonfish.

The combined La Playita panga fleets sent out approximately 69 pangas for the week, with anglers accounting for an overall fish count of: 4 striped marlin, 18 amberjack, 415 pargo (combined species), 22 cabrilla (1 golden), 9 dorado, 15 bonito, 10 surgeonfish, 8 pompano and 88 sierra.

Good Fishing, Eric

GORDO BANKS PANGAS

Eric Brictson
Owner/Operator
800 4081199
Los Cabos 1421147
ericgordobanks@yahoo.com
www.gordobanks.com