FISHING 4 DAYS FOR DORADO AND TUNA WITH TORTUGA SPORTFISHING

Nov. 9, 2006, Bob Bergman, Las Arenas, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

Jerry Clements of Foothill Ranch, Calif., and I fished 4 days, Nov. 2-5th, with Capitan Nufo Green of Gerardo Hernandez' Tortuga Sportfishing in La Paz.

We launched out of Los Muertos Bay, with slightly windy and morning chop fishing conditions.

La Paz weather was high 80's to low 90's. The water was still warm. Plentiful live bait was netted right at the Giggling Marlin launch ramp.

We fished the Punta Perico area for yellowfin tuna with a fair amount of bonito thrown in. We also fished the area between the Las Arenas lighthouse and Isla Cerralvo for Pargo, and the buoys off Las Cruces for Dorado.

We caught a total of 19 Yellowfin tuna to 25 pounds, 7 dorado to 30 pounds, lots of small Pargo, along with bonito, needlefish, and an occasional triggerfish.

The day we went to Las Cruces was pretty sloppy due to the north wind and wind driven swell. At Las Cruces, we fished live with bait and trolled strip and whole bonito. All other fishing was a combo of live and dead Sardinas, using 25-30 pound test line for tuna, and 40 pound test for Dorado.

As usual, Gerardo's service and hospitality at Tortuga Sportfishing can't be beat.

A word to the fisherman coming home from Baja on Alaska Air. They are holding fast to their baggage rules. You are allowed 2 pieces of checked baggage and a maximum of 50 pounds per piece.

You can check more pieces or overweight items, but it'll cost you anywhere from $25 to 50 per item. You pay them at the counter. Alaska's planes are much nicer than Aero Cal's, and the direct flight is sweet.