Yellowfin Tuna at Vinorama and Bottom Fishing Opportunities as Wind and Bait Shortages Affect San Jose del Cabo
Fishing conditions around San José del Cabo were mixed during October 12–18, 2026. Yellowfin tuna remained active at Vinorama during the first part of the week, while rocky fishing grounds around San Luis, Iman Bank, El 25 and La Fortuna produced snapper and grouper.
However, stronger winds, difficult currents and declining live bait availability created increasingly challenging conditions toward the weekend.
Offshore tournament activity also influenced the week's regional fishing patterns, with exceptional tuna catches demonstrating the presence of large fish around the Gordo Banks.
Weather and Ocean Conditions
Weather conditions became more challenging as the week progressed.
Strong winds affected fishing grounds on Thursday and Friday, October 15–16, with significant rainfall reported on Friday. Strong currents also complicated bottom fishing around deeper rocky structures.
Water temperatures averaged approximately 89–90°F (32°C) early in the week, before declining to around 87–88°F (31°C) in some areas following the windy conditions.
Live sardines became increasingly difficult to obtain toward the weekend. Dead sardines and squid provided alternative bait options.
These changes coincided with a slowdown in yellowfin tuna activity, although the available observations do not establish a single cause for the reduced catches.
Yellowfin Tuna — Vinorama
Vinorama produced some of the week's more consistent yellowfin tuna opportunities during the first several days.
Most reported fish weighed approximately 30–50 pounds, with both live and dead sardines producing results.
Activity became less consistent later in the week as winds increased and live bait supplies declined.
By the weekend, regional reports described a substantial reduction in tuna catches.
For anglers interested in yellowfin tuna, this period illustrated how quickly fishing opportunities can change when bait availability, currents and weather conditions become less favorable.
Gordo Banks — Larger Yellowfin Tuna
The Inner and Outer Gordo Banks attracted considerable attention during the week's offshore tournament activity.
Several exceptionally large yellowfin tuna were recorded at tournament weigh-ins, including a fish weighing approximately 260 pounds.
Other notable tournament tuna weighed well over 170 pounds.
Reports suggested that some of these fish came from the Inner and Outer Gordo Banks, although their precise capture locations were not independently confirmed.
These tournament results demonstrated the presence of large yellowfin tuna in the broader San José del Cabo fishing area.
However, such catches should not be interpreted as typical results for recreational fishing charters.
San Luis — Snapper and Grouper
Rocky fishing grounds around San Luis provided an alternative when offshore tuna fishing became less predictable.
Snapper and grouper were among the main species reported.
One particularly productive morning outing produced four grouper and two snapper using jigs, with additional hooked fish lost around the rocks.
This was an individual result, not an indication of average catches.
The strong currents reported during the week made fishing these structures more difficult, particularly when attempting to keep bait or jigs close to the bottom.
Iman Bank, El 25 and La Fortuna — Bottom Fishing
Additional bottom-fishing opportunities were documented around Iman Bank, El 25 and La Fortuna.
Reported catches included several snapper varieties:
Dogtooth snapper
Mullet snapper
Barred snapper
Yellow snapper
Leopard grouper
These rocky areas provided variety during a week when tuna fishing became increasingly inconsistent.
Successful bottom fishing depended on currents, fishing depth and the ability to present bait or jigs effectively around the structure.
Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado and Wahoo
A limited number of striped marlin and sailfish were reported caught while trolling rigged ballyhoo.
The offshore tournament also produced a blue marlin weighing approximately 350 pounds.
Dorado and wahoo activity remained limited.
Some fishing efforts focused on trolling ballyhoo and diving lures, but the regional report did not document any landed dorado or wahoo during the week.
A wahoo strike was reported around San Luis on October 18, although the fish was not landed.
These observations suggested that anglers targeting dorado or wahoo had fewer confirmed opportunities than those fishing for tuna, snapper or grouper.
Fishing Conditions Summary
Fishing Ground Species Reported Activity Vinorama Yellowfin tuna Moderate early-week activity, followed by a slowdown Inner Gordo Banks Yellowfin tuna Larger fish associated with tournament reports; exact locations uncertain Outer Gordo Banks Yellowfin tuna Tournament-related activity reported; precise catch locations unconfirmed San Luis Grouper, snapper Productive jig fishing reported on one morning outing Iman Bank Snapper, leopard grouper Mixed bottom-fishing opportunities El 25 Snapper, leopard grouper Bottom-fishing activity around rocky structures La Fortuna Snapper, leopard grouper5Mixed bottom-fishing opportunities
Fishing Outlook
The October 12–18 observations highlighted the importance of adapting fishing plans to daily conditions.
Vinorama remained a potential yellowfin tuna destination, but the late-week slowdown demonstrated that productive fishing grounds can become less consistent within a few days.
San Luis, Iman Bank, El 25 and La Fortuna offered alternatives for anglers interested in snapper and grouper.
Several factors were particularly important:
Changing wind and sea conditions
Strong currents around rocky structures
Reduced availability of live sardines
Opportunities to use dead sardines, squid or jigs
Increased offshore fishing pressure during tournament periods
Fishing activity can change quickly, and historical observations do not guarantee future results.
Plan Your Private Fishing Charter
Exotic Fish Cabo offers 100% private fishing charters departing from Puerto Los Cabos Marina in San José del Cabo.
Our private 6-hour and 8-hour fishing trips allow guests to explore the rich fishing waters of the Sea of Cortez, with target species and fishing grounds selected according to conditions and individual preferences.
Whether you're interested in yellowfin tuna, snapper, grouper or seasonal offshore species, planning a private fishing experience offers flexibility.
Explore our fishing charters in San Jose del Cabo or contact Exotic Fish Cabo to discuss your preferred dates and fishing interests.
This fishing log summarizes documented conditions and reported fishing activity for October 12–18, 2026. Not all reported catches are attributable to Exotic Fish Cabo. Fishing results are never guaranteed.
