The big news for the week is the increase in the local fishing licenses from $13.00 per person, per day to $15.00 per person, per day. It's now $180.00 pesos per day which in rounded-off money is $15.00 U.S. Still, it's a bargain for the type of fishing being offered. As for the fishing itself, the striper action slowed up and the fish were widely scattered on the Pacific side and the same for the dorado action, too. However, the noticeable increase was with the yellowfin tuna bite that offered some good action on the breezing schools of tuna that seemed to be focused on the Golden Gate Bank and the Herradura area, both on the Pacific side. Most of these fish were in the 20-35 lb. ranges with a few a bit larger. The overall fish counts for a total of 15 days reflected 7 stripers released, 15 dorado, 24 Sierra, 4 roosterfish, (20-25 lbs.) and 52 yellowfin tuna.

Cabo Climate: Jacket sales at the dock would have produced more profit than the charters over the past week as the temperatures hit record lows and the Cabonians were completely unprepared for the cold snap. The last couple of days have been a little warmer than last week but still, 54 nights to 79 daytime highs is not even close to the norm. Then, throw in some partly cloudy skies and the north winds at 20-30 mph, adding a windchill factor to the already cold period.

Sea Conditions: Most of the area on both sides of the peninsula are reflecting similar water temps at 73-75 degrees, extending from the Finger Bank on the Pacific side to the Gorda Banks on the Se of Cortez side. The only significant warmer waters remains out to the south of Cabo and just beyond the 1000 fathom curve, but only rises by a degree or two and has not been sufficient enough to make a difference in the bite.

Best Fishing Area: The billfish were scattered about on the Pacific side as were the dorado, and both were being fussy about the way they bit the lures and baits. I suppose it was the overall weather that caused the changes as the water temps fell a couple of degrees from the prior week. 4 of the billfish came from the Herradura area, out to the south of Cabo, as did about half of the yellowfin. The Golden Gate Bank was good for the other half of the yellowfin tuna.

Best Bait/Lure: Live bait was best for the billfish with an occasional short bite on the lures that a live bait dropped back allowed for a 50-50 chance for a solid hook up. Feathers and cedar plugs worked well for the tuna with a few taken on live bait. Roosterfish were all on live bait and the Sierra were on the hootchies.

Live Bait Supply: Still good for both, caballitos and mackerel with an opportunity to replenish the mackerel at the Cabo Falso drop-off.