In search of El Nino

Earlier in the month, I went looking for the rumored El Nino. We sailed southwest out of San Diego aproximatly 1000 miles into the eastern tropical pacific. Water temps were pretty much normal for the month december around Guadalupe Island at 240 miles. The temps held steady at 66-68 as far south as 23 degrees north. Once we crossed that line however, things started to warm up. Our destination was the Shimada seamount, otherwise known as the Hurricane Bank. This undersea volcano rises up from the deep ocean floor to about 60 feet of the surface and is known for its diverse variety of very large pelagic fish.

This area of the Pacific is desolate and remote. When we approached the Bank we saw giant tuna leaping out of the water along with numerous porpise. We were now at 17 degrees north and the water temp was 78-79 degrees, above normal for December. We spent 3 1/2 days catching tuna in the 100-200+ range, wahoo, dorado and other exotics like rainbow runners and bluefin trevally (released). The highlight my the trip was hooking up and landing an estamated 350# black marlin from a boat that was anchored.

When we pulled anchor, it took us 54 hours to reach the nearest port of Cabo San Lucas. My worn out desert sandals recieved a goodbye at sea and were last seen floating side by side to some unknown destination. Did we find El Nino? Its not a dramatic one but water temps are a little warmer than normal in this area of the tropical pacific. Does this mean more rain? Well, the weather people seem to think we are due for some more this week. Look for a pacific influence and get ready for some water to fall this next week. Deep Creekers should be prepared for flash flooding in the Deep Creek Canyon if this storm tracks the way its predicted.