JUST A FEW BOATS FISHING IN LOCAL WATERS

Oct. 23, 2005, Pam Bolles, Baja Big Fish Company, Loreto, Baja, Mexico:

The beginning of the fishing week at Loreto was windy and coincided with the moon phase. As the moon dimmed the winds slowed down and the seas have calmed. Saturday was nicer

This morning looks like beautiful seas, perfect for a half-day fishing trip. The offshore looks like it will get bumpy out there later on, but for a hardcore no problema. Francisco has a fly fishing trip out tomorrow and I predict beautiful conditions.

Tourism is slow in Loreto right now. I'm hoping for it to pick up in November.

Oct. 20, 2005, Pam Bolles, Baja Big Fish Company, Loreto, Mexico Fishing Report:

This may be one of the last Loreto fishing reports mentioning Marlin and Sailfish this season. A few reports of Marlin and Sailfish trickle in from folks who have ventured offshore to look for Dorado or Yellowfin Tuna.

Misty Mattics who fished on October 14, 2005, went in search for Tuna. She fished the boya de San Bruno, about 20 miles north of Loreto and hooked into six Dorado ranging in size from 10 pounds to 25 pounds. The over twenty pounder has been rare for several weeks, although a few are reportedly seen among smaller fish. Misty and her fishing partners trolled live mackerel and also hooked and released a Striped Marlin.

There were only about six other Loreto boats but as soon as they hooked up, these boats fished annoyingly close to them. When another boat "crosses the line" and violates proper fishing and boating etiquette, one may file a report with the Port Captain. Hopefully folks will learn to share the water and make it more enjoyable for all of us, but it won't happen if we don't do or say anything.

Loreto shallow water bottom dwellers such as Cabrilla and Pargo have been elusive for the past few days. This is due in part to the bright full moon during the nighttime hours and to the winds. The winds don't affect these species as much as they affect our ability to get to them comfortably. With Full Moon phases during transition time, the unpredictably shifting winds become amplified as they generally can continue throughout the night making the following day's journey out "bumpy" to say the least.

We're waiting for Loreto fishing water conditions to favor a good Roosterfish bite. Currently there are Roosterfish out there but they are quite uncooperative and have been this way for several weeks. I believe it is due to the fact that the water temperatures along the shorelines are still warm for them, 80+ F. While fishing the inshore you will likely come across the occasional Dorado. There are Dorado feeding in singles and pairs off the northern portion of Isla Coronado. These fish are under ten pounds and being hooked on trolled live bait, sardinas or mackerel.

Off Isla Catalana over Smorgasbord Reef, I am getting reports from anglers out of Puerto Escondido that there has been good Yellowtail fishing. These fish are being hooked near the bottom on live mackerel and bigeye and are in the 30 pound size range. Again, the winds have made getting out difficult as of late.

The sardinas are thick inside and around the marina. The full moon phase is having only a slight affect on their ability to be netted. The full moon is having a negative effect on getting larger bait, like mackerel and bigeye.

Water Surface Temperature Range: 80-84.

(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.