May 6, 2018
Spring has arrived!
Water temps were up and down this week from 76 to 81. Light easterly afternoon breezes, but flat and fishable all week.
The weather was clear and beautiful with highs in the 80s.
It has been a mixed bag this week. One day wide open yellowfin fishing, the next day, slow. Lots of striped marlin mixed with a few blues. Inside the fishing has been very good. The big gallo's are showing up and there are lot's of good-sized pompano and pargo in the mix. Great live bait, both big sardina and caballito.
Billfish – Lots of striped marlin spread throughout Palmas Bay and outside. Although it’s early for blues,a few blues have been released as well! Yesterday a hotel boat released a blue and a couple of stripers. Live caballito working best.
Tuna –Most of the tuna were taken later in the week under the porpoise from 15- to 40-miles straight off the Ranch. Early in the week, the tuna were close inshore off the lighthouse and on the Pulmo Park boundary, as well as off Las Barracas 1/2 to 1 mile off the beach, was producing nice tuna to 65#. Average fish outside under the porpoise was in the 20-pound range. Most were taken on Hoochies and live sardina. Later in the week the bite moved outside.
Dorado –Dorado were still scarce this week.
Wahoo - Early in the week. Two taken off the lighthouse mixed with the tuna. One went 70#. All on sardina. Lots and lots of bite offs.
Roosterfish – The big roosterfish are starting to show in good numbers. Quite a few 30 to 40 plus pounders released.
Meanwhile, back at the Ranch
Big roosters and big pompano are plentiful with all anglers targeting scoring all day. Off the lighthouse is the best spot for the Pompano, and the gallo's are spread throughout.
May 13, 2018
Water – 79/80 degrees, clean and clear.
Air – Classic Baja spring weather with highs in the 80s, cool mornings, clear skies. Some midday wind, but fishable all day.
A very, very good week of fishing … arguably the best of 2018. The yellowfin were on the bite every day while the marlin bite went off the charts Thursday through the weekend. Roosterfish are showing in good numbers and there are as many 5- to 10-pound pompano as there are anglers targeting them want to catch!
Billfish – Spread throughout the bay with lots around early in the week. The bite just exploded Thursday off Iman Bank. Huge schools of mackerel are holding thousands of striped marlin. Rancho and other hotel cruisers are releasing from 3 to 7 fish per day, all on live mackerel. This is very much like Mag Bay on a good day.
Tuna – Biting everyday! Multiple pods of porpoise are found outside from 15- to 50-miles offshore and are holding lots and lots of tuna. The average fish is around 25 pounds; some footballs, but mostly dandy fish up to 65-pounders. They’re taking small trolled blue and white lures. All anglers are limiting!
Dorado –Dorado were again scarce this week, but everyone was targeting marlin or tuna.
Roosterfish – Bigger and more roosters this week with lots around. However, only light pressure as most anglers headed outside for the tuna.
Meanwhile, back at the Ranch
It’s a pompano party with as many nice-sized pompano as anglers are willing to pull on. These are 3- to 10-pounders being taken off the bottom at the lighthouse on live sardina with lots of pargo mixed in. It’s our best week so far this year!!!
May 20, 2018
Water – 80 degrees, clean, clear, and tortilla flat.
Air – Baja late spring weather with highs in the mid- to high 80s and growing warmer.
A three “good” week: Good, Good and Very Good!Yellowfin, marlin, dorado, wahoo, roosterfish,and pompano were all biting.
Billfish – Billfish were everywhere. Nearly everyone was on the tuna bite, so there was light fishing pressure. A nice-sized black marlin – sorry, we didn’t get a good guess on the weight – was released yesterday.
Tuna –Limits of yellowfin under porpoise way outside. Bigger tuna up to 60-pound reel burners were taken off Las Barracas south of the lighthouse. A one word summation: Excellent!
Dorado –They’re back! Quite a few around this week. Some were big bulls up to 45 pounds. Look at the photos on the Rancho website.
Wahoo – Three or four a day are hitting the cleaning table. Anglers are experiencing lots and lots of bite-offs as hooks are being tied directly to the mono with sardinaas bait. They are at and around the lighthouse mixed with the tuna.
Roosterfish – Mucho gallo in the 30-pound class. If you’ve never fought a rooster, this is a great opportunity.
Meanwhile, back at the Ranch
Anglers are limiting on scrappy pompano in the 3- to 7-pound range. There is good bait and loads of big sardina.
May 28, 2018
Water – 82- to 83-degree water, clean and flat mornings with easterly afternoon breeze.
Air – Baja early summer weather with highs in the mid- to high- 80s and heatin’ up.
Lots of large sardina available as “Let’s Talk Hook-up” with Pete Gray and the gang began their five-day tournament. Limits of 10-to 45-pound yellowfin on almost all boats as it gets underway.
Billfish – Stripe marlin are around though nearly everyone was on the tuna bite, so there was light pressure.
Tuna – Limits of yellowfin under porpoise a mere 7-miles off the lighthouse at Punta Arena.
Dorado – Lots and lots of fish around. Larger 40-pounders mixed in large schools of 4- to 25-pounders.
Wahoo – Mostly missed opportunities with mono leaders.
Roosterfish – Mucho gallo in the 30-pound class. If you’re looking for a trophy on the fly, now’s the time.
Meanwhile, back at the Ranch
Schools of roosterfish can be seen chasing sardina and mullet close enough to the beach to fish from shore. An angler scored with a 29-pound pargo in front of La Ribera. There’s plenty of good, large bait and loads of big sardina. It’s time to pack your tackle and head to the Ranch!
May 5 2019
Water- Warming 76-78. Clear flat. Afternoon eagerly breezes.
Air- beautiful spring weather. Clear blue sky, highs in the low 80’s.
Very good inshore fishing with a wide variety of species being taken. Red snapper, Pargo, cabrilla, grouper, Pompano, Sierra, white bonito, nice sized Roosterfish to 50#’s are biting aggressively..
Most boats are fishing north around Cerralvo Island. The fleet is catching lot’s of bottom and top fish almost all on Sardine. Good action, all anglers pulling on fish all day.
Yellowfin were taken under Porpoise midweek, far south and outside. Still a slow bite on the Pelagics.
May 18 2019
The drought is over!!!
Wide open bite!!!
Limits of Yellowfin for ALL anglers.
Very spread under large schools of Porpoise 10-30 miles offshore. Different pods holding varying size fish 5-50#’s.
Mostly bright colored Hoochies with Cedar plugs.
The billfish have moved in as well. Sailfish and stripers are around in numbers. Not much pressure as boats staying on the tuna.
May 19 2019
Water- 79 degrees and warming. Clear flat water.
Air- beautiful spring weather. Cool mornings with highs in the low 80’s.
The fishing on the e Cape has blown wide open!
Limits of Yellowfin for all anglers! The billfish have returned. Some nice Dorado to 52#’s. A couple of Wahoo are being taken daily. Good Roosterfishing with larger fish this week.
Yellowfin- under pods of Porpise spread through the bay and outside. Varying sized fish depending on the school. 5-50#’s. Hoochies and cedar plugs are taking the fish. Limits ALL anglers.
Billfish- striped marlin mixed with Sails. Anglers targeting the billfish are scoring at least one most several. Very spread. La Ribera to Frailles on the outer bank working best. Light fishing pressure as most anglers after the Yellowfin. Trolled Ballyhoo and live Caballito working.
Dorado/Wahoo- the Dorado have returned!!
Not in large numbers but big fish. Billie Maddox took a 52# er yesterday. Three or four Wahoo are coming in daily.
Roosters and inshore- bigger Gallo’s this week. Lots of big Pargo taken as well.
May 26 2019
Water- 80-81 warming. Some wind the last few days.
Air- cool mornings, warm clear days, highs in the low 80’s. Very nice weather
Another good week of fishing.
The Yellowfin have been on and off all week. The schools of Porpoise holding the tuna have moved further offshore. Lot’s of Striped Marlin very close inside. Lot’s of billfish released within 2 or 3 miles of the hotel. The Roosterfish are biting more aggressively this week.
Yellowfin- The big schools of tuna are further outside 30-40 miles. The fleet has not been able to get that far out the last three days because of the wind. Limits all anglers earlier in the week. Big fish in the 20-40# range are being taken closer to shore 2-3 miles off Rincon.. Hoochies working best outside. Live bait and Squid inside.
Striped Marlin- Lot’s and lots of Picky biters. Very close inshore. 2-5 miles off the beach. All anglers releasing at least one. Smaller fish in the 30-60# range mixed with 100 plus pounders. Ballyhoo by far the best bait.
Dorado/Wahoo- A few taken daily.
May 17, 2020
Water- 77-79 warmer than normal, flat, Gin clear water.
Air- Cool mornings, highs in the low 80’s. Very light afternoon breezes. Beautiful Spring weather..
No real fishing pressure now for over six months. It has very obviously helped the gamefish population and the fishing overall. The Bay is loaded with a real variety of bait. Tootsie roll sized Squid, Sardine, Spanish mackerel and Caballito are everywhere. The Squid and Sardine are getting chased up onto the beaches. Lots along most tide lines.
There are a few local gringos going out but almost all the fishing is being done by locals.
Those few anglers that are lucky enough to fish are CASHING IN..
Yellowfin- Quite a few taken from the beach off the lighthouse! The largest around 50#. The biggest fish was taken on Megabait. Squid, and cast chrome crocodiles have been working as well.
Lots of schooling tuna are close inside, 1/2 mile off the beach, from the lighthouse South to RinCon..
Nice fish in the 10-30# range. Limits all. The bite best early morning.
All anglers fishing off boats are using squid.
Dorado- Quite a few taken from the beach. Lots of mid sized fish around, unusually close inshore. None off the beach over 10#. Anglers are using dead bait picked up at the tide line, Squid,Sardine. Good bait!
Anglers targeting Dorado off the boats are using both Squid and Sardine, The Sardine picking up more fish. Nice fish to 20#.
Inshore- Big schools of Roosterfish are roaming close inshore chasing bait up onto the beach. Lots of very big Gallo’s. It’s been years since we’ve seen schools this size.
Anglers are taking lots of Pompano off the beach..
Striped Marlin- 2-3 miles off La Ribera. Tailers and jumpers everywhere, there are lots and lots of Stripers around. The locals are taking advantage !!
See you on the water.
May 2, 2021
Water- Clear, flat, clean warming water. One windy day midweek
Air- Cool mornings, warming midday to the low 80’s, clear skies, beautiful spring weather.
The fishing has really improved this week. We got our first two Wahoo of the season. The Roosterfish bite has really picked up with some 50+ pounders taken from the beach. The Striped Marlin fishing is wide open. Two or three Yellowfin in the 40-70# are coming to the cleaning table daily. The bottom fishing has been very good, Amberjack, Pargo and Pompano are biting aggressively. Lots of good bait available, big Sardine..
Lots of action, good fishing!
Roosterfish- The bite is on. Three ranch anglers from Arizona took ATV’s down to the lighthouse. All three scored Gallo’s from 25- 50#’s. Cast from the beach using Orca surface poppers. Lots of big Roosters cruising the E Cape beach’s.
Striped Marlin- Lots around. Picky biters one day a wide open bite the next. The last couple of days, boats have been releasing up to five. Really close to the hotel the last couple of days, a couple of miles right off the front. They are really going for the Ballyhoo.
Yellowfin- Big solitary tuna from 30- 70#’s. All taken drift fishing Sardine off the light house and Rincon and Frailles. Two or three a day coming in.
Bottom- Nice Amberjack to 35#’s, some quality Pargo to 15#’s, as many African Pompano as anglers want to bring home. Off the lighthouse and Rincon.
Very good bottom fishing!
Check out the photos on our website.
May 9, 2021
Water- Flat, clear, warming water.. 77-79*. The water has warmed ten degrees in less than a month...
Air- Very pleasant spring weather, cool mornings, warming to the low 80’s midday.. clear blue skies.
The warming water is helping the fishing. Lots of good bait available. Striped Marlin and big Roosterfish have been biting aggressively all week. Friday and Saturday Yellowfin and Dorado started showing in decent numbers. The bottom fishing has been good with Pargo, Pompano and Amberjack coming to the cleaning table daily.
Striped Marlin- A very good week for Stripers. Multiple releases common. All the Billfish were being released closer inshore this week, off the inshore drop offs from the hotel to the lighthouse. Lots and lots around. Ballyhoo is by far the best bait.
Roosterfish- Big Gallo’s this week! 30-50#er’s common. Anglers targeting Roosters are releasing multiple big fish. Mixed with lots of big Jack Crevalle. Close to the beach throughout the bay, best fishing south of the lighthouse. Big live Sardine are the ticket.
Dorado- In the past couple of days quality Dorado have arrived. A couple of 30# Bulls taken yesterday. Taken on trolled Ballyhoo by anglers trolling for Marlin. The Bulls were taken south of Frailles. The warming water is going to help the Dorado bite.
Yellowfin- Yesterday a couple of local boats got into some nice tuna from 10-30#’s. Under the Porpoise pretty close inshore, 2-3 miles off the lighthouse. Taking bright Hoochies, Sardine working best. Again the rapidly warming water is bound to improve the tuna fishing.
Bottom- Lots and lots of Pompano, some nice Pargo, a few decent Amberjack.
The fishing is definitely improving.
May 16, 2021
Water- Clear, flat, all week. Temps have hit 80, up to 84 outside. The water is warming early this year.
Air- Warmer this week. Temps in the high 80’s midday. Clear skies, light afternoon breezes. Very nice weather..
The warming water made for another improved week. Plenty of good big Sardine available for all boats., has really improved the fishing. A strong Marlin bite, some big Dorado taken up north, Big Yellowfin and lots of Pompano around Rincon. The past couple of days the Yellowfin have shown up under Porpoise within 5 miles of the beach. Big Gallo’s be released daily, along with lots of smaller Roosters. The fishing is definitely picking up!
Striped Marlin- A wide open bite one day, very picky biters the next. Very concentrated from 3-5 miles offshore, between the lighthouse and Punta Colorado. On the good days multiple releases. Some big billfish! We released one yesterday well over 200#’s.
They cannot get enough BallyHoo. Definitely the best bait..
Yellowfin- Big bruisers to 100#’s being taken off Rincon, drift fishing Sardine in 50-80’ water. Not many but nice fish. The past couple of days the tuna have shown up under the Porpoise, very close to shore within 6 miles directly off the hotel. Taking Cedar plugs, Rapalas, Hoochies and live Sardine. Average fish around 20#’s. Anglers finding them are limiting.
Dorado- Some big Bulls taken on the shark buoys off Punta Pescadero. Schools of smaller fish in the 3-15# class are also biting. Live Sardine is the ticket.
Roosterfish- some big Gallo’s this week to 60#’s. Lots of smaller Roosters. Anglers are releasing lots of fish! From the lighthouse north, the bigger fish are a little further off the beach. Almost all on Sardine, quite a few on flies..
Pompano- Lots and lots of African Pompano. Nice sized fish to ten pounds. All taken drift fishing Sardine off the lighthouse and Rincon.
Wahoo- Two taken this week. Both on Sardine 20-30 #’s.
May 23, 2021
Water- 79-81. Clear flat beautiful water all week
Air- warming. Clear skies, highs in the 80’s.
An improved week of fishing. Nice sized Yellowfin have shown in good numbers under the porpoise. A wide open Marlin bite.. Big Roosterfish are abundant and biting aggressively. The bottom fishing for Pompano and Pargo has been very productive. Lots of good live bait available again this week. The steady 80 degree water is helping the fishing.
Bruce Borggreve hosted a two day ranch tournament with 9 boats. The two winning teams released 6 Marlin apiece and weighed in limits of Yellowfin. All boats released Marlin and took tuna.
Yellowfin- as usual this week the occasional big tuna to 100#’s was taken on Sardine off the lighthouse and Rincon on Sardine. The good news is good sized schooling tuna are being taken in big numbers under the Porpoise 15-20 miles offshore. Cedar plugs, feathers, Hoochies and live Sardine all working.
Striped Marlin- lots around all boats targeting billfish are releasing at least one, multiple releases common. 2-5 miles off shore, best off the lighthouse to La Ribera. Ballyhoo are the best bait.
Roosterfish- Big Gallos!! 30-60#er’s common. All anglers targeting Roosters are releasing lots of fish. Best South, but all beach’s producing fish. Live Sardine best bait, also taking flies.
Bottom and drift fishing. Lots and lots of African Pompano mixed with some nice Pargo. The Pompano are good sized to 10#’s. All on live Sardine!
With the tuna showing up, we are definitely into our prime fishing season.
May 30, 2021
Water- A steady 80 degrees for the past couple of weeks. Clear and flat, SE afternoon winds.
Air- Still very pleasant. Highs in the 80’s, cool mornings. Clear skies. Nice cooling afternoon breezes.
Another good week of fishing. The Yellowfin bite really turned on with limits for all anglers. Lots of Striped Marlin, as usual for late May, a very good Roosterfish bite. A couple of nice Wahoo and a few Bull Dorado.. Unlimited African Pompano. The live Sardine are big and plentiful.. another very good week of fishing.
Yellowfin- Limits all anglers the first five days of the week, slowing a little the past couple of days.. 20-40 miles offshore, under Spinner Porpoise. Fish From footballs to 50#’s. Hoochies taking the most fish. A few on Cedar Plugs and Sardine.
Striped Marlin- Anglers targeting Billfish are enjoying multiple releases. Big fish, quite a few over 200#’s. Close inshore, 3-7 miles off La Ribera to the lighthouse, best along the drop offs. Most taken on slow trolled Ballyhoo.
Roosterfish- Lots around, but not as big as last week. That said, numerous 50 plus pounders were released this week. Along all beach’s, Rin Con Bay best. All on Sardine, a few on flies.
Wahoo/Dorado- a couple of each this week. Some big Bulls in the 40-50# range were taken on Ballyhoo trolling for Marlin.. A few nice Wahoo from 30-50#’s were taken on Rapalas at the Vinaramas white cliffs...
African Pompano- Limits all anglers targeting..Really good eating!! 3-10#’s off the lighthouse and Rincon. Drift fishing Sardine with light sinkers..
May 1, 2022
Water- 75-80*. The water is warming fast up a good 5* from last week. Clear flat all week. Warmer 80* water from Pulmo south.
Air- Beautiful spring weather. Highs in the low 80’s, cool evenings and mornings, clear skies!
A very good week of fishing! The water has really warmed this past week, a good 5* jump in temperature has definitely improved the fishing. Temps are 75* in front of the hotel but jump to 80*’s from The lighthouse south. The Dorado fishing this past week has gotten better everyday. Nice fish to 45#’s are common with all boats limiting the past couple of days. Very good Dorado fishing! Lots of Striped Marlin in the warmer water mixed with the Dorado. All boats targeting African Pompano are scoring lots of nice fish to 8#’s. Some nice sized Grouper taken this week to 30#’s. Smaller Roosterfish with a few 20#er’s mixed in are plentiful. Definitely our best week of fishing this year!
Dorado- Limits for most anglers. Nice sized fish to 45#’s. Almost all taken under the numerous shark buoys and floating debris south of the lighthouse. Live Sardine best, also taking trolled lures and Ballyhoo. The Dorado fishing has improved daily.
Striped Marlin- Lots and lots of Stripers! Tailers everywhere, south mixed with the Dorado. We baited eight and released three last Monday. Some big fish to 175#’s. Taking trolled lures and Ballyhoo.
Roosterfish- Lots of small Gallos around especially off the new marina entrance. A few 10-20#er’s mixed in. There a many many peanuts, it should be a good year for Roosters. Taking Sardine.
Pompano and Grouper- Lots of African Pompano, limits for all anglers targeting. Boats are drift fishing Sardine along the Pulmo Park boundary. Nice fish to 7-8#’s. Almost all on live Sardine.
Some nice sized Grouper taken off the bottom this week. Most on chunked Skipjack.
A good week! Check out our photos on the ranch website.
May 22, 2022
Water- 76-80*. Warmer inside, a gain of 4* this week. Light afternoon winds. Clean clear water.
Air- Cool mornings, highs in the 80’s, nice spring weather.
An improved week of fishing. The warming water is helping. The Striped Marlin are biting and close. In the past couple of days some nice Bull Dorado were taken mixed with the billfish. A couple boats ventured outside and ran into pods of Porpoise holding football sized Yellowfin. Inside the bottom fishing is still very good, lots of good sized Pompano, mixed with Sierra and a surprisingly consistent bite on nice sized Amberjack.
Striped Marlin- La Ribera to the Lt House about 5 miles offshore is producing the most fish. Quite a few boats enjoying multiple releases. They love the Ballyhoo!!
Dorado- A better bite than the past couple of weeks. In the past couple of days some big solitary Bulls to 40# were taken. Mixed with the Marlin, most taken on Ballyhoo.
Yellowfin- There’s hope on the Yellowfin front. A couple of days this week the boats ran into pods of Porpoise holding small Yellowfin. With the warming water we are due for improved tuna fishing..
Inside/Bottom- The very consistent Pompano bite continues, lots of fish to 10#’s being taken. As many decent sized Amberjack are coming to the cleaning table daily as I can recall, 20-40#er’s. Grouper, Pargo and Sierra are also biting..
Lots of Big Jack Crevalle to 40#’s are biting the lures, real fighters!
May 28, 2023
Water- Warming 79-80*, clear, flat calm mornings, afternoon SE breezes.
Air- Highs in the 80’s, mostly clears skies, beautiful late spring weather.
The fishing these past two weeks has been off the board! After a slow start this year we enjoying a very consistent Yellowfin bite. Literally everyday all boats targeting tuna are limiting. The Striped Marlin are thick with most boats releasing at least one with boats targeting billfish are releasing multiples. Some big 30-50# Dorado are coming in daily. Inshore fishing has been very good with big Pompano being taken, one 20#er!
Very Very Good Fishing!
Yellowfin- All the tuna are being taken under pods of Porpoise. The fish are being taken closer to shore this week, 15-30 miles off the hotel. Literally all anglers targeting tuna are limiting. Bigger fish this week, most between 5-20#’s some to 50#.. Taking almost exclusively bright Hoochies. We have not had one off day in the past couple of weeks.
Striped Marlin- Lots and lots of Stripers! They are very spread both north and south. Big fish, most between 175-200#’s. Very close inshore and outside. One hotel S Panga had four on at once! Taking trolled Ballyhoo and Lures.
Dorado- A dead whale floating 12 miles offshore earlier in the week was producing big Dorado to 50#’s. It’s slowed as the week progressed, good sized Dorado coming in daily.
Inshore- Big African Pompano are abundant off the lighthouse. We had a 20#er come in this week. Lots of Pargo and Cabrilla. Some big Gallos to 60#’s released this week.
Lots of phots on our website!