THREE PANGUEROS FORM INFORMAL SPORTFISHING COOPERATIVA

June 6, 2004, Don Bear, Loreto, Mexico Fishing Report:

Loreto weather has been abnormally hot with noticeable humidity. Bait (mackerel and jurelitos) is plentiful. Squid can be caught with a little patience, and the sardinas swarm into the Loreto marina every morning. The water inside has been fairly calm, but I'm told that there is some rough water outside. Upwards of 30 pangas have going out every day.

The Paulino Martinez/ Francisco Martinez/ Chopi Murillo informal co-op now has loreto_superpangas@msn.com/ , where bookings can be requested for their 3 superpangas and 1 regular panga. This is in addition to the 'phone numbers: 011-52-613-135-1568 (Paulino); 011-52-613-135-0205 (Francisco); and 011-52-613-135-0348 (me).

By the way, I highly recommend Dale Degler, the shop supervisor at the Boat Depot in San Diego. In 2 days down here he has done a major maintenance on my two engines and solved a tricky over-heating problem on Kent Baker's engine. All 3 engines are high HP Yamaha 4-strokes, for which there is no good service here. (I understand there is a certified repair facility in La Paz and Los Cabos.)

I've not personally fished this week, but the following info is reliable.

In the 5 days, Mon thru Fri, Paulino Martinez led his fishermen to 80 released dorado plus 10 more kept to 40 lbs., 18 yellowtail to 30 lbs., 4 cabrilla to 10 lbs. plus some miscellaneous bottom fish. The big dorado days in the Loreto sportfishing area were early in the week (Mon & Tues); thereafter his fishermen did not wish to fish for more dorado. Loreto dorado schools were encountered well outside Pta. Lobos, while the yellows came from Pta Pulpito, Pto Almeja and San Bruno.

Francisco Martinez led his clients to 10 yellowtail at Pta Pulpito and San Bruno early in the week and 23 dorado on Thurs thru Sat. On Friday he ran into a large school, but his fishermen were satisfied to go home early with limits instead of catching/releasing.

Javier Martinez (Francisco's son) fished 3 days late in the week, catching 9 dorado and 2 sailfish, mostly south of Isla Carmen.

Kent Baker of Escondido and Charlie Licha of LA fished on Wednesday with Alvaro Murillo, landing 2 dorado, 2 cabrilla and the largest jack crevalle I've ever seen; they also lost 5 yellowtails in the rocks at La Vaca.

That same day Joselino Murillo led his fishermen to 2 dorado and 1 striped marlin, while his father, Alejo Murillo, caught 1 marlin. Finally, the clients of panguero Chanto (I don't know his last name) came home with 15 yellows from Pulpito.

It's apparent that the Loreto dorado fishing is highly variable, with the best days early in the week. But so many were caught then that many fishermen turned their efforts to yellowtail for some variety.

(See "Mexico Fishing News" online for current fishing reports, photos, weather, and water temperatures from Loreto and other major Mexican sportfishing areas. Vacation travel articles, fishing maps and seasonal calendars, and fishing related information for Loreto may be found at Mexfish.com's main Loreto page.