Fish Report for 4-13-2012

Plenty of Billfish, but they won't stay "hooked" at Cabo,

4-13-2012
Larry Edwards

I talked with Roberto Marquez, the Fish Cabo Fleet owner this morning, and he said there was plenty of billfish action but the fish just wouldn't stay hooked. Yesterday, the "Fish Cabo" got luck and released 1 striped marlin following 12 billfish strikes for the day. They just couldn't get the fish to stick and this was not an isolated incident. It was happening throughout the fleet. They tried slow trolling live baits with no luck at all then switched to live bait drop backs and again, with no luck at all. The billfish just would't cooperate. The same report was coming in from all of the various Cabo sportfishers and was another one of those frustrating fishing days. On the bright side was the numbers of billfish being seen by the boat crews and anglers and it will turn around. Just a matter of time. Our combined fishing report for a total of 28 days fished reflected 8 stripers released, 2 mako sharks, 2 dorado, 2 jack crevalle, 17 skipjack tuna, 17 Sierra and 6 yellowtail.

Cabo Climate: Just terrific weather with warm, sunny days and pleasant evenings and temps that ranged from 58 nights to 82 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: Mostly cooler waters on the Pacific side with temps at 67-68 on the Golden Gate & Jaime Banks. Just inside the banks and closer tto shore the water temps fall to 61-62 and extend down to Cabo Falso and stretching out across the 1000 fathom curve. Water temps rise dramatically to 75 degrees from Palmilla Point, out across the 1150, beyond the Cabrillo Seamount and northeasterly across the Gorda Banks and on to Las Frailes.

Best Fishing Area: The billfish are building in numbers in the Gorda Banks area and while not too eager to stay on the hook, plenty willing to bite at the artificials.

Best Lure/Bait: Billfish are very eager to strike at the lures but continue to be "short biters" and not staying hooked.

Live Bait Supply: Remained very good, even through the full moon phase, with a mix of mackerel and caballitos.


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4-6-2012
A considerably better fishing report for the past week that reflected the billfish have pretty much turned the corner and rounded Cabo San Lucas, heading into the Sea of Cortez, which is very typical for this time of year. With the water temps falling on the Pacific side of the peninsula and starting to warm on the Sea of Cortez side, it's a natural move for the billfish and we look for the dorado and yellowfin tuna to follow....... Read More