LORETO BAIT--Augustin Davis of the Loreto Carnaderos baitsellers cooperative with a nighttime-caught platino bait. Photo courtesy Jeff Petersen.

CARNADEROS FISHING DEEP FOR SCATTERED BAIT SUPPLIES

Feb. 24, 2005, Jeff Petersen, Loreto, Mexico, Fishing and Carnaderos Baitsellers' Report:

Young baits are presenting on the Loreto fishing grounds: macarela, jurelito and platino. All fishing conditions are variable. With the bait fish largely outside and deep, what there is must be scouted out. Once found, they may be available for a night, or three, then disappear.

Earlier, fishing was stronger toward the south end of Loreto, shut down, then reappeared nearer Isla Coronado. That held until the moon began its reappearance in the night. We fished a "split shift" last night, resting for two hours over the bait grounds in the middle of the bright night, only to be shut out in the early hours when we tried again. Bait is generally being found between 54 and 84 feet deep.

Loreto's daily sportfishing fleet size remains subject to air flights and the wind. We serve a dozen fishing boats, and more, when folks are in town and there is a break in the wind. This morning, we served three. Even with the limited amount of bait we caught, this morning we had bait left over. Other times, we are fortunate to have enough bait for the fleet.

Bait boats use lead lines to feel and measure the depths. Nighttime sea conditions at Loreto have generally been calm. February and March have the crazy climatic reputation. In this period, there will continue to be no-go nights.

(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.