San Jose del Cabo Fishing Log — August 3–9, 2026
Yellowfin Tuna Action at Vinorama, Persistent Sharks and a Black Marlin Encounter at Outer Gordo
Fishing around San Jose del Cabo during August 3–9, 2026, continued to revolve around yellowfin tuna, with Vinorama Bank attracting much of the regional fishing activity.
The tuna bite showed signs of improvement as the reporting period progressed, but increasing shark activity made it difficult to bring some hooked fish to the boat.
Dorado provided additional opportunities, while a large black marlin hookup at Outer Gordo added excitement to the offshore fishing picture.
Weather and Ocean Conditions
Following the disruption caused by Hurricane Genevieve the previous week, fishing activity continued without new storm activity reported during the first full week of August.
The regional fishing report covering August 3–11 did not document a new tropical storm affecting local fishing grounds during the previous week.
Fishing conditions nevertheless remained challenging in some areas, particularly because of increasing shark activity around the productive tuna grounds.
No verified water-temperature or water-clarity measurements were provided specifically for August 3–9.
Yellowfin Tuna — Vinorama Bank
Vinorama Bank remained the primary focus for many fishing outings.
Yellowfin tuna responded to live sardines, although the bite was not equally productive every day.
Early in the reporting period, some boats managed only one or two tuna during a morning outing. As the period progressed, fishing became more active, with reports indicating better opportunities to hook yellowfin.
Most of the reported tuna weighed approximately 20–80 pounds, with smaller fish also present.
However, catching a tuna did not always mean successfully landing it.
Sharks were increasingly active around Vinorama, interfering with hooked fish and frequently making the final stages of a fight more difficult.
Smaller tuna generally had a better chance of reaching the boat before sharks became involved.
Inner and Outer Gordo — Larger Tuna Opportunities
Fishing at Inner and Outer Gordo was less consistent than at Vinorama.
The broader August 3–11 regional report described attempts to target larger yellowfin tuna at these banks, but many outings were unsuccessful.
Some tuna weighing approximately 80–120 pounds were reported during that wider reporting period. Their exact catch dates were not specified, so they cannot all be assigned confidently to August 3–9.
Overall, Vinorama provided the more consistently reported tuna activity, while the Gordo Banks offered less predictable opportunities for larger fish.
Dorado Fishing — Vinorama to Cardon
Dorado contributed to the variety of species reported during the period.
Some were caught on live sardines while anglers were targeting yellowfin tuna around Vinorama.
Smaller dorado were also reported while trolling artificial lures, feathers and rigged ballyhoo along the fishing grounds between Vinorama and Cardon.
These observations suggested opportunities for anglers covering different areas rather than remaining exclusively on the tuna grounds.
The precise dates of individual dorado catches were not documented.
Black Marlin — Outer Gordo
An offshore black marlin encounter was one of the notable highlights reported for the weekend of August 8–9.
A black marlin estimated at approximately 300–400 pounds was hooked in the Outer Gordo area.
The fish was reportedly hooked on tackle intended for tuna fishing and broke free after approximately 20 minutes.
Although the marlin was not landed, the encounter demonstrated that large billfish were present around the offshore banks.
As with all offshore fishing, encountering a large fish does not guarantee a successful landing.
Shark Activity — A Major Fishing Challenge
One of the defining features of this fishing period was the persistent presence of sharks around Vinorama.
As yellowfin tuna activity improved, reports also described more sharks interfering with hooked fish.
Some fishing outings produced hookups without equivalent numbers of landed tuna.
This situation made fishing results particularly unpredictable, even when anglers found active yellowfin.
Shark interference remained an important factor when evaluating the overall fishing conditions.
Fishing Conditions Summary
Vinorama Bank: Yellowfin tuna remained the principal target, with reported fish commonly weighing 20–80 pounds.
Live bait: Sardines were used successfully for yellowfin tuna and occasional dorado.
Shark activity: Increasing interference reduced the number of tuna successfully landed.
Inner and Outer Gordo: Less consistent tuna fishing, with larger fish reported during the broader August 3–11 period.
Dorado: Occasional activity around Vinorama and along trolling grounds toward Cardon.
Black marlin: A fish estimated at 300–400 pounds was hooked and lost at Outer Gordo during the August 8–9 weekend.
Weather: No new storm activity was reported for the first full week of August.
Fishing Outlook
As August progressed, yellowfin tuna remained the main focus of fishing activity around San Jose del Cabo.
Vinorama continued to offer opportunities, but shark interference and the unpredictable behavior of feeding tuna meant that daily results could vary substantially.
The presence of larger tuna around the Gordo Banks and the reported black marlin encounter also highlighted the potential for offshore big-game fishing.
During the Pacific hurricane season, checking current port conditions and marine forecasts remains essential before planning a trip.
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This Fishing Log summarizes historical regional fishing observations. Reported catches and hookups are not attributed to Exotic Fish Cabo. Fishing conditions vary, and catches are never guaranteed.
