Yellowfin Tuna Are Thick & Striped Marlin In High Numbers

The reports from locals, artesanal fishermen and charters have been impressive for August. The Galapagos are a year round fishery for striped marlin but August is considered possibly one of the slower months. El Niño conditions have changed things keeping water 76 to 80 F when it usually would be 68 to 71 F this time of the year.

Santa Cruz Island

The yellowfin tuna fishing has been nothing short of phenomenal with local panga fishermen bringing in 15 to over 30 plus tuna from August 18 to 21, 2023. Fishing with handlines on Hancock Bank and McGowen Reef the tunas were very active. Some bigeye tuna and bonito are being caught as well mixed in. The wahoo bite has been quite good on the reefs with boats also averaging 5 to 10 wahoo.

San Cristobal Island

Johnamar captained fished Rosa Blanca Bank with anglers from Ecuador. They found fantastic conditions and the bank loaded with 10 to 50 pound yellowfin tuna. It did not take long to start raising striped marlin. The tuna were so plentiful at times that it made it hard to troll for marlin. They ended the day with 12 yellowfin tuna and raising 19 striped marlin with 12 bites and 5 releases.