Fish Report for 3-16-2013

Cabo San Lucas Billfish seem to be moving from the Paciic side to the Sea of Cortez

3-16-2013
Larry Edwards

It seems like the billfish are on the move from the Pacific side and rounding the corner at Cabo, heading into the Sea of Cortez. Very normal for this time of year. According to Captain Roberto Marquez, owner of Fish Cabo boats, there are significant numbers of stripers throughout the area, especially from Chileno to the Gorda Banks, but most of them are the non-cooperative type that just don't want to bite. Nevertheless, there is almost constant action for baiting the billfish and trolling between the sleepers an it tends to keep everyone on their toes, just anticipating the one that does take the bait or follow the lures. The big excitement for the week was the influx of yellowfin tuna outside Cabo Falso, providing good action on the school sized fish that were mostly in the 20-30 lb. ranges. This is the time of year when the bigger schools of yellowfin tend to move into the area as they also round the corner and head into the Sea of Cortez. The overall fish counts or a combined total of 30 days fished reflected 13 stipers, (12 released) 1 mako shark, 1 dorado, 10 skipjack, 2 Sierra and 162 yellowfin tuna. High billfish boat was the "Gaviota IX" with 5 stripers released for 7 days fished, followed by the "Tuna Time" with 3 stripers released for 3 days fished.

Cabo Climate: Sunny and warm days with just a few passing clouds and temps that ranged from 61 nights to 88 daytime highs.

Sea Conditions: The water temps throughout the area are still falling a bit with 65-66 on the Pacific side and rising to 67-68 from Cabo San Lucas to Las Frailes, on the Sea of Cortez side. The north winds have subsided and turned to southerly incoming surface winds at 10-15 mph. However, this is March and those winds can make a 360 degree change at any time and come back from the north which is the normal direction for March.

Best Fishing Area: Billfish are scattered about over a 20-mile span or so, from Chileno to just above the Gorda Banks and the yellowfin tuna have been outside Cabo Falso.

Best Bait/Lure: Live bait has been essential for the billfish, albeit, an occasional marlin will chase the lures and the crew will drop a bait back. The tuna have been eager on the cedar plugs and of course the tuna feathers in assorted colors and styles.

Bait Supply: Continues to be good, especially for the caballitos and a few mackerel at the $3.00 per bait rate.


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