YELLOWTAIL AND WINDS SHOWING UP FOR THE WINTER FISHING SEASON

Nov. 26, 2006, Pam Bolles, Baja Big Company, Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

We're moving the shop! Our landlord is selling the building we're currently in so I found a new location with a long term lease. The fly shop and coffee business will now be at the Plaza Loreto Hotel now, right on the main drag in the center of town. Couldn't ask for a better location. We're working on signs for the outside and a billboard to go on the road at the airport too. We'll be moved in there around December 15th, right before the busy holiday.

We are starting to pay for the nice weather we've had. Usually by mid to late November, the north winds start but as late as last November 25th the Loreto vacation area had drop dead gorgeous glassy seas. However, on Sunday was windy from the west and the seas were rough offshore. The winds and seas have been increasing throughout the week. The result is cold air, strong winds from the north and very rough seas. This is still transition and the north winds will continue to be unpredictable.

For the month of December you should expect 5 to 6 blown-out days per 7 day week. If we have more calm days than that it should be considered a bonus.

As the winds generate rough seas, our ability to go offshore will diminish so we're preparing to focus inshore now. Its time to start looking for yellowtail.

There are yellowtail off the east side of Isla Coronado. Both yellowtail and roosterfish have become more common. Sierra mackerel are also making a welcome appearance as are our other typical structure species, cabrilla and pargo. It's nice to see sierra again as they've been scarce for the past 3 to 4 years due to persistent gill netting along the coasts.

Loreto yellowtail are in the high-teens size and they're feeding at the surface and at midwater column. This fishing spot is only 5 miles from port and it is protected from west winds. Other locations that we'll be trying out soon are San Bruno, the bajo about 5 miles north of Isla Coronado called Ildefonso, La Cholla, the cinquenta, La Vaca, and Punta Perico.

Water surface temperature range: Offshore: 74-77 degrees, Inshore: 74-78 degrees.

(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.