The billfish catches were much better this past week s the water temps increased to above the 90 degree mark on the Sea of Cortez side of the peninsula. Additionally, the dorado counts were up and a few wahoo were taken in the mix. High billfish boat for the week was the "Fish Cabo", reflecting 2 blue marlin, 2 stripers and 1 wahoo & 1 roosterfish for 3 days fished and followed by the "Gasviota VIII", also reflecting 2 blue marlin, 1 striper and 1 wahoo for 5 days fished. I gave the "Gaviota VIII" the high billfish mark . Both boats fishing in the Herradura, about 12-14 miles south of the Cabo Harbor. The overall fish counts reflected 5 blue marlin, (3 released)13 striped marlin, (released) 4 sailfish, (released) 3 wahoo, 12 skipjack tuna, 1 hammerhead shark and 1 roosterfish. The blue marlin, both landed & released, were all under 300 lbs. but the giants are coming as the tournaments approach and the season progresses.

Cabo Climate: Air temps ranged from warm evenings at 78 degrees to daytime high at 95. This past week was a mix of partly cloudy days with a good mix of sunshine and overall, excellent fishing weather with a severe and unexpected rain on Thursday that closed the port and delayed airlines from flying into Loreto and on to Tijuana, departing from San Jose Airport. Raining and blowing pretty good in Cabo and Loreto. Passengers flying into Tijuana from Cabo, via Loreto, were disembarked to await a weather break for the stop-over in Loreto.

Sea Conditions: Surface breezes, flowing mostly from the south and easterly directions, ranged from calm to about 9 mph. The Pacific side had stable water temps that reflected 87-89 degrees from the Finger Bank to Cabo Falso and then ratcheted up a couple more degrees as it rounded Cabo San Lucas and into the Sea of Cortez, reflecting temps at 90-92 degrees.

Best Fishing Area: The Herradura, (aka "Horseshoe") was the best area, just out to the south of Cabo Harbor about 12-14 miles or so.

Best Bait/Lure: Blue marlin taken on lures and bigger rigged baits. Most of the stripers taken on rigged baits and live baits and the sailfish were taken on the live baits. They are rigging dead caballitos and skip-trolling them for about half the strikes.

Bait Supply: Continues to be plenty of live caballitos available for the anglers at the rate of $3.00 per bait.

THE CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT FOR THE GAVIOTA SPORTFISHING FLEET AND THE FISH CABO FLEET