What a week of "pins and needles" for Cabo San Lucas and the Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament anglers, hosts and sponsors and boat owners, etc., caused by the on-again and off-again Hurricane Vance. This almost nothing of a tropical depression began out to the southwest of Alcapulco and lingered around for a few days before starting to move up the coast. Vance was no threat to anything for nearly a week and then came into hurricane status and rapidly grew into a class 2 hurricane and headed straight for Cabo San Lucas. For several days the storm was predicted to hit Cabo on Thursday, the first day of the WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot tournament and the scare was on. On Monday, they were predicting some variation and the chance it may divert to the Mexican coast but tracking was still showing a direct hit for Cabo but perhaps a bit more up the Sea of Cortez. There was some hope being generated by all. By Tuesday morning, Vance had changed direction some and appeared to be going back to Mazatlan. By Tuesday afternoon, Vance had moved even further to the south and there was more hope that it would not have a major effect on Cabo and the Tournament. Come Wednesday morning, it was reflecting a hit near the Tres Marias Islands, just outside Puerto Vallarta and by Wednesday afternoon, it was no longer being reported anywhere. It had disappeared along the mainland beach between Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan and the Tournament was back to full speed levels and many grateful anglers, boat crews, boat owners, and more. However, it was definitely a "Pins and Needles" week up to the morning's shotgun start on the first day.

The marlin bite this past week has been nothing short of excellent and the bite has all taken place on the Pacific side of Cabo and in several locations. It was hard to name a single "hot spot" as the fish seemed to want to bite in a number of locations. Top billfish boatt for the week was he "Fish Cabo", reflecting 14 stripers released for 5 days fished and followed by "Gaviota VII", reflecting 10 stripers for 6 days fished. The overall fish counts for a total of 30 days fished reflected 46 stripers, (41 released) 43 dorado, 4 wahoo, 1 skipjack tuna and 15 yellowfin tuna, (school fish hat were associated with the porpoise).


Cabo Climate: Wide ranging air temps that ranged from 63 nights to 85 daytime highs. Overall, a great week with few passing clouds and then, a few drops of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Vance and then, superb weather for the Tuna Tournament.

Sea Conditions: An unusually good sea surface week considering the threat from Hurricane Vance that fizzled and left the area. Sea temps ranged from 80-81 degrees from Todos Santos, on the Pacific side, southerly and out to about 8 miles and then angling out to the Golden Gate Bank, down and across the Jaime Bank and in to Cabo Falso all at 81-82 degrees. Cabo San Lucas and on up inside the Sea of Cortez to Gorda Banks and beyond at 78-79 degrees.

Best Fishing Areas: Los Arcos, Pozo de Cota and Jaime Bank were all good for the striper action.

Best Bait/Lure: Live bait was best for the stripers but the artificials worked well, too.

Live Bait Supply: Remained very good going into Tuna Tournament Time.


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