SOME SAILFISH SHOWING IN WINDY SEA CONDITIONS

Jan. 30, 2004, Pam Bolles, Baja Big Fish Company, Loreto, Mexico Fishing Report:

The wind's blowing like crazy now at Loreto. Fishing is slow. Francisco went out on Wednesday and Friday. He got a sailfish off Punta Lobos on Wednesday, but not much else. On Friday, they saw another sailfish off San Bruno. Loreto inshore fishing is slow. Yellowtail are slow in all Loreto fishing areas except Punta Pulpito where they're apparently getting them near the surface. Loreto had really rough water all morning long and its only getting stronger this afternoon. So we'll probably not be doing any fishing for awhile.

Jan. 26, 2005, Pam Bolles, Baja Big Fish Company, Loreto, Mexico Fishing Report:

The Loreto vacation area had very nice warm and calm fishing weather for the last week. Lows have been in the mid 60s and highs in the high 70s. There has been a series of south prevailing winds that have been strong enough to cancel out any effect from north winds. The result is nice, calm weather! The seas have been flat and calm. Perfect for fishing!

The yellowtail fishing has gone off at Loreto and its been this way for about a week now. You won't need to go very far, as they're feeding about 2 miles north of Isla Coronado's northern side.

I went fishing for the Yellowtail in that spot on Friday, Jan. 21, and my body's still sore after having my butt kicked by two 30-pound class Yellowtail. It was a quick meat trip.

There were about 20 other Loreto boats fishing the spot and it took the better part of an hour before anyone got bit. Then the feed started, just before 10 a.m. It was the boats with local captains fishing on their day off that got fish first, and we noticed that they used a very long leader. We also noticed that it was only a small area of water that had any action. Since the current sent us north, we had to keep moving the boat south to get them.

Francisco got one and I got two. All were an easy 30 pound class. We broke off two and one stole the bait. I would suggest an 80 pound leader. We used 60 pound and its why we broke off. We used both a long and a normal leader but didn't see any difference, except the long leader was hard to fish with. The fish hit just above the bottom at about 200 feet.

At Punta Pulpito, 38 miles north of Loreto, the Yellowtail are only slightly smaller but have been feeding at the surface lately. Its not a spawn related surface feed as much as an upwelling related one.

I have no report on Loreto inshore fishing other than the fact that the fishing to our south has been off. Gill nets have been set inside Puerto Escondido, wiping out the sportfishery there. Jose Torres who operates out of Juncalito says that the fishing to our south has been bad. In Loreto, most have been focused on the Yellowtail fishery. The inshore fishery will likely slow down due to the full moon effect. We'll know more about the surface and shoreline fishery when the moon darkens again.

Although the Loreto bait union is selling bait, it's been relatively easy to catch your own. Try outside Isla Coronado in line with the lighthouse. Its deep, like 250-300 feet down but worth it.

On low tides, like those we've been getting in the afternoons, the Loreto launch ramp is very difficult. There are large holes that need to be repaired badly. Be aware of the situation in you plan to launch your boat here.

Loreto Sea Surface Temperature Range: 72-64.

(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.