The big bite on the billfish fizzled this past week as the water temps started their annual decline throughout the area and on both sides of the peninsula. Coming with the cooler waters was the off-colored, greenish tinted conditions that are taking over the lower end of the Baja, and on both sides of the peninsula. While there are still plenty of billfish in the area, they are scattered about and mostly on the Pacific side, at least for now. The dorado catches were by far the fish of the week and for the most part, they were keeper sized fish in the 15-30 lb. ranges. The overall fish counts for a combined total of 30 days reflected 9 stripers, 1 yellowfin tuna, 66 white skipjack tuna, 1 roosterfish, 7 Sierra and 124 dorado. High billfish boat for the week was the "Gaviota IX", skippered by Captain Christian Lopez, with 3 stripers for 6 days fished. The "Tuna Time", skippered by Captain Roberto Marquez, reported 2 stripers released, 17 dorado and 5 skipjack tuna for their 3 days fished.

Cabo Climate: Plenty of sunshine with partly cloudy days. Temps ranged from 56 nights to 79 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: Constantly changing sea temps on both sides of the peninsula and apparently moving into the springtime conditions for the Cabo area. Most of the waters surrounding the area are ranging from green to greenish tinted but still clean enough to keep the billfish in the area. Temps on the Pacific side, from Golden Gate to Cabo Falso, at 69 degrees, rising to 70-71 from Cabo to Gorda Banks. Warmest waters ranged from the outer Jaime Bank and outside the 1000 fathom curve, out to the south and southwest of Cabo San Lucas, holding at about 74 degrees and fairly clean, starting from about 18 miles from the shoreline.

Best Fishing Area: The billfish were scattered from Pozo de Cota to Chileno and there did not seem to be any specific concentration, just scattered fish. Dorado caught mostly on the Pacific side as were the skipjack tuna.

Best Lure/Bait: Live bait was best for the billfish and the dorado but fair numbers of dorado were taken on artificials, too.

Live Bait Supply: Remained very good but mostly caballitos with a few mackerel in the mix.