DORADO SCHOOLS LOCATED ABOUT 6 MILES OFF CORONADO ISLAND

July 2, 2004, Pam Bolles, Baja Big Fish Company, Loreto, Mexico Fishing Conditions:

Despite a full moon, there are plenty of fish to be had around Loreto. Reservations in the town are slow due to the belief that on a full moon the fish are less likely to bite. I am about 50/50 for and against this opinion. I think that if you're traveling from a long ways away, that to book during a full moon could be a mistake because it is true that the fish can see several feet below the surface of our clear water to feed. Theory is, that by the time you're headed out to fish in the morning, the fish are already full from feeding at the all-night buffet. Sometimes this is true and sometimes it is not. They way I see it is if the fish are in thick, like they are now there is so much competition amongst them that full moon or not, they'll be biting. And this is exactly what's taking place.

Loreto sportfishing area Dorado have moved in even closer and can be found consistently as close as six miles off Coronado Island on a North bearing. I have only sent two boats a day out since the first of the month and I will remain fairly slow until the 9th when we will really boom. This is because of the reservations cycle of folks planning around the dark moon. Right now there are lots of fish and very little pressure on them and the bite is still wide open.

Some Loreto captains are finding lots of sargasso, and others are striking out. I think its a matter of being in the right place at the right time, however there is talk of setting out artificial structure. Just as last year all of the pangueros will get together, headed by the Bait Union, and donate money to get the job done.

In a nutshell, Loreto dorado are coming in on an average of 20 pounds with several larger fish from 40 pounds and up. Limits are easily obtainable and usually by the time the clock strikes 9:00 a.m. Technically in Mexican waters the limit of Dorado is two per person, but the local PESCA office enforces three as long as your skipper holds his own valid Mexican fishing license too. There is no limit to the number you can catch and then release.

We have Sailfish and Marlin, but the Sails have been more common. Most anglers are focusing exclusively on the Dorado so there has just not been much word on them.

Loreto Inshore & Structure Fishing: The Cabrilla, Pargo, Roosterfish, Triggerfish, Barracuda and Giant Needlefish are all taking a back seat to the fabulous Dorado fishing that's going on right now. One would normally think that the fishing may slow down during a full lunar phase such as we have today. This full lunar is not having a negative affect on the outstanding fishing that we're having.

The Toro are still feeding at the southern tip of Isla Carmen too! Toro are Jack Crevalle and these are nothing to sneeze at at 30 to 40 pounds. They will take my tan and white anger hair clouser very readily and I have Maria Louisa a talented local tier who's a single mother turning them out by the dozen. The next pattern on her schedule is the Loreto Bigeye Sardina, which the Toro will also take, as will the Dorado and just about everything else. On conventional gear you can get the toro to bite by hooking a sardina behind the head with a 2/0 live bait hook, or use a chrome spoon type lure. I would suggest 25 pound line...and a seatbelt!

Loreto Beaches/Shorelines: Small Roosterfish can be caught off the jetties at the Whales Inn and off the point just to the north of the Whales Inn property, also look for them north of town past the arroyo and along the Costa Loreto properties... Bait: There is mackerel but you'll need to get there before they sell out, especially in the upcoming weeks... when the whole town will be seriously booming! With an upcoming full moon tourism has dipped down slightly so demand is lower than usual, but I still need to rise at 3:00 a.m. to make sure my boats are full of bait. The sardina receiver will be put into the water this Sunday July 4th, according to the head of the bait union in a conversation we had inside my shop this morning. There are plenty of squid out there in the water. From the marina just follow the group of boats and park about 2 miles off on the way to La Cholla. Make sure you bring your squid jig!

Mackerel/Bigeye: $20.00 U.S. (for fifteen baitfish) Sardinas: $15.00 U.S. (freshly netted to fill bait tank) Website of the Loreto Bait Union: Carnaderos y Pescadores de Loreto, SCL.

The audience at the Loreto launchramp. We had a very negative tide this morning and our town's ramp is well, technical to say the least. The locals gather to watch the boats launch in the mornings (and afternoons) during the low tides. It serves as an interesting form of entertainment.

(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.