According to Fish Cabo Fleet Owner, Roberto Marquez, the marlin were scattered all over and extended from out front of the Finistera Hotel and easterly, into the Sea of Cortez, with the primary hot spot from the 95 Fathom Spot to the 1150 Fathom Spot. Roberto said, "The fish are beginning to bite much better and the hot bait was the slow-trolled ballyhoo baits, just like in the old days. While they were still eating the live baits, both the caballitos and the mackerel, it seemed the ballyhoo was the right way to go for many of the boats." It had started out slow in the early part of the week but picked up as the week progressed and with any luck at all, it will just keep getting better and better. Many boats were reporting multiple fish days and that was a dramatic turn-around from the prior two weeks. The overall combined fish counts for a total of 12 days fished offshore reflected 13 stripers, (12 released) and 3 dorado. There was a single inshore fishing day that produced 10 Sierra and 1 yellowtail.

Cabo Climate: It went from cloudy and cool days in the early part of the week to sunny & warm days as the week progressed and the upward temp changed to 68 nights and 94 daytime highs. Very pleasant weather, now.

Sea Conditions: 5-15 mph westerly surface breezes keeping the Pacific waters cool at 65-66 degrees and is pushing up against the warmer, Sea of Cortez currents, starting outside Cabo, at 71-72 degrees. Temps increase as we move easterly into the Sea of Cortez to 74-77. Green water on the Pacific side from shore to the 1000 fathom curve, becoming clean green by Cabo and bluing up as one moves easterly into the Sea of Cortez, out to the 1150 fathom spot and beyond.

Best Fishing Area: While billfish were being spotted almost everywhere, the best bite for the week was at the 95 Fathom Spot and on to the 1150 Fathom Spot.

Best Bait/Lures: The hot bite bait for the week has been ballyhoo, slow-trolled from the outriggers. Alternate baits that worked pretty good were the caballitos and mackerel and the artificials were the least effective.

Bait Supply: The live bait supply was good and consisted of caballitos and some green mackerel. When the bait boats had the ballyhoo available, ($3-$4.00 each) they went fast. Roberto told me this morning that the ballyhoo are coming from the La paz area and not always available.