Southern Baja fishing areas dodge
early summer season's first Mexico hurricane

Mexico Fishing News, June 29, 2009

EAST CAPE FISHING REPORTS

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EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja fly fishing guide service at East Cape reported local Baja fishing weather in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 76 to 82 degrees following the distant passage of Hurricane Andres, which dissipated early Wednesday morning about 250 miles south of Cabo San Lucas after achieving hurricane strength briefly off the Mexican coast near Puerto Vallarta.

"We are seeing a few clouds from the system," deBrown said, "making sight fishing from the beach a little difficult, but it looks as if we will have to wait a while longer for rain.

"Andres fell apart to nothing. It was the first storm of the year, quite early for us."

Beach fishing at East Cape produced fairly consistent action for roosterfish and jack crevalle plus lots of ladyfish. Inshore boats found dorado, including some fish to 40 pounds, plus pompano, and skipjack.

East Cape boats running offshore caught some yellowfin tuna, fair numbers of marlin, and improving counts on dorado.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: For the week ending June 18, 2009, Felipe Valdez of Buena Vista Beach Resort reported on 46 boats, with 104 anglers and a catch including released fish of: 2 blue marlin, 21 striped marlin, 7 sailfish, 119 dorado, 49 yellowfin tuna averaging 20 pounds but with some fish into the 40-pound class, 39 roosterfish, 12 snappers, 4 amberjack, 4 pompano, 6 triggerfish, and 10 leopard grouper. East Cape fishing area weather was in the low-90s, with water temperatures of 75 to 82 degrees. Fleet boats fished mostly to the south from the Punta Arena lighthouse to Los Frailes, but some boats ran out as far as 50 miles in search of tuna. Roosterfish action was very good near shore. Sardina, mackerel, and mullet baits were in good supply.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Simon Cazaly of the Vista Sea Sport diving service at East Cape reported water temperatures at depth ranging from 75 to 81 degrees, with visibility at 40 to 60 feet. Clouds of newly-hatched fry obscured vision at the Cabo Pulmo coral reef as sea life sightings included yellow snapper in number, parrotfish, stone scorpionfish, moray eels of 3 species, and the uncommon scrawled filefish.

"The 3 scrawled filefish seen at El Cantil were the highlight for me," Cazaly said. "They were in their blue markings phase and allowed us to get quite close, They are normally timid so we approached them very slowly with minimal movement and got our due reward."

Two Pacific manta rays were also seen during a panga trip to observe dolphin. "Imagine our surprise when two Pacific Mantas passed underneath us," Cazaly said. "They must have been 10 or 12 feet across, which is small by their standards. They even came round for a second pass and we could see them easily through the clear blue water."

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Brent Watson of Imperial, Calif., reported on 3 Baja fishing outings by his group aboard the Rancho Leonero boat Vigilante with Capt. Armando for a combined catch including released fish of: 2 roosterfish, 1 cornetfish, 1 striped marlin, 2 jack crevalle, and about 15 dorado. All fish except for 7 dorado were released.

"We had a great trip and it was my dad and nephew's first time down to the East Cape," Watson said, "and we caught a first marlin for my dad, a first dodo for my nephew, a first roosterfish for me.

"Each day, we told our captains what we were looking for, and they put us on it! Great trip."

East Cape fishing area weather was in the 90s, with clear blue water and no wind. "Several large dorado were brought in over 50 pounds and there were tons of small dodos being caught less than a mile from the beach all north and south of Rancho Leonero," Watson said.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Mark Daugherty of East Cape Guides reported on 3 days of Baja fishing aboard the charter boat La Patrona out of Hotel Palmas de Cortez for a catch by anglers Steve Jensen, and Guy, Vicky, Megan and Ryan Borak of 5 dorado of 25 to 47 pounds, and 1 striped marlin. "We worked just north of Punta Pescadero," Daugherty said. "All the fish were landed approximately 3 to 5 miles offshore. All the dodos were landed on bait with the exception of one on a Mean Joe Green Zuker."

East Cape fishing area weather was in the mid-90s, with perfect sea conditions and water temperatures in the low-80s.

"Roosterfish continue to be very active inshore with large quantities of smaller units stacked up in front of the hotel," Daugherty said.

EAST CAPE, MEXICO: Russ Fritz of La Ribera reported on an outing aboard his panga Soplado with angler Dan Fritz for a catch outside the northern part of Bahia de Palmas of 1 sailfish released and 1 dorado weighed at 60 pounds. "We were about 16 miles north of La Ribera, and 12 miles east of Punta Pescadero," Fritz said. "It was a nice fish for our first day on the water this year." East Cape fishing area weather was settling after a day of strong east winds, with water temperatures pushed down from 84 to 78 degrees in the Soplado's fishing area.

In other mainland Mexico and Baja fishing action this week:

ENSENADA FISHING REPORTS

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ENSENADA, MEXICO: Ivan Villarino of Vonny's Fleet of Ensenada reported some swell early in the week, but generally good fishing conditions for his charter pangas at the tip of Punta Banda and Mexico fishing limits caught including calico bass to 7 pounds and good counts on mixed bottom fish. Anglers going out on the Vonny I with Capt. Beto and the Vonny IV with Capt. Hector included Paul and Nicole Lopez of San Diego, Calif., and Walter Korbler, Wally Korbler, and Travis Campbell of Newport Beach, Calif. "They used plastics and dropper loops on the bottom with anchovy bait for limits," Villarino said. Ensenada fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the low-70s, with light winds, ocean swells at 2 feet, and the water temperature at Punta Banda averaging 59 degrees.

ENSENADA, MEXICO: Steve Ross of the boat Bad Dog at Ensenada's Marina Coral reported on a pair of trips off the Baja coast for a catch of: 10 albacore of 12 to 14.6 pounds, 22 Humboldt giant squid, and 2 yellowtail.

For the Bad Dog's albacore trip, Ross said, "At midnight, we arrived at the Ensenada Live Bait boxes and took a load of beautiful sardines. We arrived just below the 295 bank at 0530 and began trolling. We received our first jig strike at 0630 at 31.24 117.19 We received jig strikes all day long and this gave us limits of albacore by 3 p.m.

The previous night, Ross found a big concentration of Humboldt giant squid and boated 22 of them for donation to a local orphanage.

"In the dark of night, I found a massive volume of squid," he said. "The numbers of them were staggering. They weighed from 25 to 40 pounds. We called up the La Paz orphanage in the Guadalupe Valley and they came right over and we all helped to load the squids into their truck for delicious calamari meals."

SAN QUINTIN FISHING REPORTS

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SAN QUINTIN, MEXICO: Pete Hillis of Pedro's Pangas reported the season's first yellowfin tuna located by boats out of San San Quintin. "Great news!" Hillis said. "The tuna showed early this year. On June 19th, two private boats took local San Quintin guides out on a 240-degree heading, 12 to 16 miles off the point, for limits of yellowfin tuna and a few albacore. We are hoping for a great tuna bite."

CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORTS

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 39 outings by Gaviota Fleet and the Cabo charter boats Fish Cabo, Fish Cabo I, and Tuna Time, with a catch including released fish of: 23 striped marlin with 16 released, 31 yellowfin tuna, 80 dorado, and 1 wahoo. Edwards noted some improvement in Cabo San Lucas tourist traffic as the overall billfish bite continued somewhat sluggish. "There continues to be a day-by-day improvement for charter fishing days," he said. "The marlin bite is so-so. Lots of fish are being baited, but it's hard to find the biters."

Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was calm on the Sea of Cortez side as the season's first tropical storm, Andres, weakened as it moved northward along the Mexican Pacific coast. Air temperatures were in the mid-90s, with some wind on the Pacific side and water temperatures ranging from 75 degrees at Cabo Falso on the Pacific side to 82 to 83 degrees at San Jose del Cabo on the Sea of Cortez side.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: Jim Dillon of Salvador's Sportfishing reported on 6 outings by the Cabo San Lucas charter boats El Budster, El Budster I, and El Budster II, with a catch including released fish of: 4 striped marlin, 3 dorado of 20 to 50 pounds, 1 roosterfish, 3 amberjack of 20 to 25 pounds, and 2 yellowfin tuna of 20 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the Baja fishing week ending June 21, 2009, George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing at Cabo San Lucas reported some wind, overcast, and swell action due to distant Tropical Storm Andres but no significant bad weather as water temperatures at the end of the reporting period ranged from 77 to 82 degrees. Some very cool water between 56 and 60 degrees was also noted close to shore on the Pacific side. Large caballito, mullet, and mackerel baits were available for $3 each at the Cabo San Lucas Marina. Sardina baits were scarce early in the week due to swell activity along the coast. Cabo San Lucas fishing boats found billfish action mixed, yellowfin tuna slow, and dorado steady, as most boats averaged 3 to 6 dorado of all sizes from about 10 to about 50 pounds.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: For the week ending June 17, 2009, Tracy Ehrenberg of Pisces Fleet Sportfishing reported 33 percent of charters releasing striped marlin, for a total of 18 fish, 1 sailfish released, 56 percent of boats landing 1 to 5 dorado to 45 pounds, 1 hammerhead shark caught, 1 wahoo, and 36 percent of boats with 1 to 3 yellowfin tuna of 18 to 25 pounds. Inshore boats caught up to 10 roosterfish released, plus sierra, red snapper, and jack crevalle.

"The fishing is still not as consistent as we would like it," Ehrenberg said. Pisces boats fished on the Cortez side from Punta Gorda to Destiladeras, and also off the arch and outwards to a couple of miles off the Pacific side.

Cabo San Lucas fishing area weather was sometimes windy on the Pacific side, with water temperatures averaging 73 degrees.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO (LOS CABOS) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Eric Brictson of Gordo Banks Pangas reported on 74 combined La Playita fleet pangas fishing out of San Jose del Cabo's Puerto Los Cabos marina, with a catch including released fish of: 108 dorado, 67 yellowfin tuna, 43 roosterfish, 28 mixed snapper species, 27 striped marlin, 25 bonito, 23 hammerhead shark, 15 jack crevalle, 13 cabrilla, 12 wahoo, 12 sierra, 11 amberjack, 5 sailfish, and 4 yellowtail.

San Jose del Cabo fishing area waters were settling after the arrival of some swell activity from distant Tropical Storm Andres, which brought high humidity and air temperatures in the mid-90s to southern Baja fishing areas.

"Andres gained strength near the city of Manzanillo, actually becoming a Category 1 hurricane for a brief period," Brictson said. "On Wednesday, the system encountered unfavorable conditions and quickly dissipated."

La Playita pangas fishing offshore targeted fairly plentiful dorado into the 50-pound class, including some good action found on floating debris.

"Early in the week the fleet encountered a floating section of large diameter rope that was holding bait fish and big numbers of monster dorado to over 50 pounds," Brictson said. "Anglers quickly limited out and were catching and releasing after that. This type of action for such sized fish only happens so often.

"There were many other areas where dorado were found. At the Gordo Banks, there were reports every day of large dorado over 60 pounds. Slow trolling bolito baits continues to be the hot ticket for the big dorado."

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO: Bob Grimes of San Jose del Cabo reported on an outing from Puerto Los Cabos marina for a catch of 1 dorado of 15 pounds plus about 10 roosterfish of 10 to 12 pounds released off Los Zacatitos.

Grimes noted a case of possible local enforcement of fishing regulations by the Mexican navy. "Coming into the marina we saw the commercial panga Dona Tola being brought in by elements of the Mexican navy armed with M16s, accompanied by a navy patrol boat," he said. "I was told that this has been happening lately to commercial pangueros who are violating their permits in various ways, such as commercial fishing for sportfishing species like marlin."

LA PAZ FISHING REPORTS

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LA PAZ, MEXICO: Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said some charter reservations wee cancelled during the week due to the distant passage of weakening Hurricane Andres, although no effects were felt at La Paz except for some clouds and light scattered showers without wind.

"Air temperatures were very agreeable in the 80s," Hernandez said. "The fishing continued good throughout our area. At the buoys, we caught large dorado in the 50-pound class, and dorado of 25 to 30 pounds were caught along the coast at San Isidro."

Tortuga Sportfishing pangas running out to the south end of Isla Cerralvo landed wahoo on trolled Rapalas.

Close to the Baja shore at Punta Arena and south of Ensenada de los Muertos roosterfish were very active with constant bites.

LORETO FISHING REPORTS

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LORETO, MEXICO: Pam Bolles of Baja Big Fish Company said her summer season downtown office was open for business in the Mediterraneo Restaurant on the Loreto malecon. "Your fresh fish dinner after your first day out fishing is on us!" Bolles said. "Drop by for a visit at our shop."

Loreto boats continued to find easy Baja fishing limits on dorado in widespread locations including Bajo de Mercenarios about 30 miles north of town. "Some days there is sargassum, and on others there's nada," Bolles said, "but boats are setting off at 6 a.m. and getting bait, and then running to this most productive spot."

More sargassum weed was being seen offshore following some days of wind and swell. "It's likely that the wind sent much of the sargassum off its anchor and floating out to sea," Bolles said. "There are large patches between town and the island. There are paddies out there too. Much of this weed is holding dorado."

Good concentrations of sailfish were also located off Punta Cholla at the north end of Isla Carmen. "You can get as many as you want," Bolles said. One Baja Big Fish Company charter released 6 sailfish by noon, plus a limit of dorado caught in release action about 4 miles off the marina.

LORETO, MEXICO: Bill Harrigan of Huntington Beach, Calif., reported Mexico fishing limits of dorado plus many releases for his group during 3 days of fishing with Arturo's Sportfishing. "We caught about 40 dorado one day," Harrigan said. "They were about 35 miles past Isla Carmen. We kept only the limit and released the small ones."

Good numbers of marlin were also seen in the area. "We couldn't count the marlin we saw jumping," Harrigan said. "There were fish everywhere. This was the most fish I have ever seen down there."

LORETO, MEXICO: For the week ending June 19, 2009, Don Bear of Loreto reported variable but generally good action on dorado, plus sailfish "virtually a sure thing."

"Billfish are present in great numbers," Bear said.

Bear's boat fished 3 days with Loreto Capt. Paulino Martinez aboard for a catch including released fish of: 20 dorado of 10 to 25 pounds, 3 sailfish, and 1 striped marlin.

Baja fishing weather in the Loreto area was variable, with some wind and chop to about 4 feet, periods of complete calm, and water temperatures of 81 to 84 degrees.

MULEGE FISHING REPORTS

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MULEGE, MEXICO: Bob Snowden of San Diego and Punta Chivato reported on a solo outing aboard his boat in calm sea conditions and 80-degree water that produced a 52-pound dog snapper speared at Islas Santa Inez just north of Mulege.

"The fishing for dorado had been good, but the diving was irresistible," Snowden said. "While free diving in approximately 37 feet of water, a huge dog snapper appeared and I shot him. He swam into a cave. After 3.5 hours of trying to retrieve both fish and spear gun, I was successful with, by far, my personal best."

SANTA ROSALIA FISHING REPORTS

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SANTA ROSALIA, MEXICO: Syd Lindsay of San Lucas Cove just south of Santa Rosalia reported lots of dorado present around Isla San Marcos, but very few Baja fishermen in the area. "There are just 1 or 2 boats here," Lindsay said. "Within 3 miles out, the dorado are up to 20 pounds. Who knows what's to be had farther out. I remember the days when the clubs from San Diego had their Fourth of July outings. It was one of the things that kept me here for almost 17 years."

Yellowtail were down deep as summer water temperatures became warmer on the surface.

SAN FELIPE FISHING REPORTS

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SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Tom Ward of The Longfin Tackle Store reported on a 6-day Midriff Islands fishing trip by the Tony Reyes Fishing Tours panga mothership Jose Andres, returning to San Felipe on June 19, 2009, with 16 anglers including charter master Jeff Clary of Santa Ana, Calif., and a catch of: 252 yellowtail to 27 pounds, 3 grouper to 101 pounds, 2 black sea bass to 240 pounds, 2 white seabass to 20 pounds, 55 cabrilla to 16 pounds, 20 Humboldt giant squid to 35 pounds, 48 red snapper to 14 pounds, 2 broomtail grouper, 18 sheephead, 349 spotted bay bass, 2 sharks, 20 miscellaneous fish, and 86 released fish. Midriff fishing area water temperatures averaged about 78 degrees.

SAN FELIPE, MEXICO: Catalina Meders of San Felipe's Title Company downtown bookstore reported air temperatures at 90 degrees with a very high morning relative humidity reading of 87 percent. "Believe me, it feels very oppressive and muggy," Meders said. "Tropical Storm Andres has broken up, but we will be affected with more very sultry weather and some mountain thunderstorms. San Felipe's spell of perfect weather seems to be over for the while."

San Felipe was very quiet as the town anticipated big crowds during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. "Hopefully, the vendors will get some business," Meders said.

The Title Company Bookstore was closing for the summer season, with reopening scheduled in September. "Vaya con Dios," Meders said. "Let's try for a better, busier season next fall. Have a great summer!"

ROCKY POINT (PUERTO PENASCO) FISHING REPORTS

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ROCKY POINT, MEXICO: Esther Johnson of Santiago's Ocean Services reported a relatively small turnout for Rocky Point's recent second annual Puerto Penasco Deep Sea Fishing Tournament, as 9 boats competed and the winning 81-pound fish was brought in by a local panga.

"The tournament was a lot of fun," Johnson said. "A Mexican panga named Mywicka won the 20,000 peso prize. Tourism has been down due to the negative media publicity so there wasn't a real big turnout this year."

SAN CARLOS (SONORA) FISHING REPORTS

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SAN CARLOS, MEXICO: For the fishing week ending June 21, 2009, Jon Jen Charters of San Carlos reported on 3 charters during the week, with 2 boats scoring a total of just 3 dorado and 1 sailfish release, but the third boat finding Mexico fishing limits of dorado plus a billfish release.

"Some days it was hunt and peck with some boats getting nada," Jon Jen said. "It is fair fishing right now at San Carlos. You have to be ready to run a few miles to find the fish."

MAZATLAN FISHING REPORTS

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MAZATLAN, MEXICO: Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters reported on 20 Aries Fleet charter boats fishing local shark buoys out of Mazatlan's Marina El Cid, with a catch including released fish of: continued Mexico fishing limits for dorado plus many releases. Four boats running offshore had a catch including released fish of: 36 dorado and 4 sailfish.

"It was another sensational fishing week for Mazatlan," Edwards said. "Mazatlan is also starting to see some rebound from the unfortunate swine flu doldrums. Daily sportfishing charters are on their way back up."

Mazatlan fishing area weather was mostly cloudy in the high-80s, with no fishing on one day due to the offshore passing of dissipating Tropical Storm Andres. Water temperatures were stable at 85 degrees.

Aries Fleet boats fished mostly at the shark buoys. Offshore boats ran 22 to 25 miles southwest.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORTS

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IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Larry Edwards reported 2 days of port closure at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo as Tropical Storm Andres passed northwards off the Mexican coast early in the week. Rain and river runoff were beginning to discolor water along the beaches. Very few anglers fished at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. "Some boats are starting annual maintenance with a positive view to next season," Edwards said.

Ixtapa fishing area weather was partly cloudy at 90 degrees, with humidity, some night rains, calming sea conditions, and water temperatures holding at 85 degrees.

IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO: Ed Kunze, reporting for Baja On The Fly, said, "Tropical Storm Andres hurt the fishing at Ixtapa this week. Nobody went out. High winds, high tide caused by the storm surge, and rain made it difficult to fish. The roosterfish and the blue water bite slowed way down."

Baja On The Fly guide Lance Petersen fished with 2 clients from Santa Barbara, Calif., for just 1 roosterfish raised at Puerto Vicente Guerrero, but then good action on 13 dorado hooked on flies and popper teasers near floating weeds about a mile offshore.

EAST CAPE CLOSE ENCOUNTER--East Cape Guides client Megan Borak of Yorba Linda, Calif., notched her first-ever striped marlin off Punta Pescadero and got an unexpected close-up view of her fish during the release. "I don't think she expected to get that close," said East Cape Guides' Mark Daugherty. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK DAUGHERTY.

Dorado caught at Cabo Pulmo Wahoo caught at Cabo Pulmo

CABO PULMO ACTION --Nicole Drago of Del Mar, Calif., with a 20-pound class dorado caught in catch-and-release action off East Cape's Cabo Pulmo with Capt. Kiki Castro. Said Nicole's father Domenic Drago, "We caught approximately 20 dorado from 10 to 20 pounds in 2 days and released all but 6." At right, Drago's father-in-law, Paul Messina, 82, of San Pedro, Calif., shows off a wahoo caught during the trip. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOMENIC DRAGO.

Roosterfish release at East Cape

Marlin release at East Cape

Dorado caught at East Cape

THREE DAYS AT EAST CAPE--Brent Watson, top photo, with a nice first-ever roosterfish caught on a trolled mullet during his group's 3-day fishing trip at East Cape's Rancho Leonero. In center photo, Watson's father David Watson about to release a first-ever striped marlin, and below, Kaleb Hobelman with a real nice dorado. All fish were released during the trip except for 7 dorado of about 15 landed. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRENT WATSON.

Dorado caught off Punta Pescadero

EAST CAPE SEASON OPENER--Dan Fritz hooked this nice 48-pound dorado about 12 miles off East Cape's Punta Pescadero during an outing aboard Russ Fritz' panga Soplado. It was the Soplado's first trip of the season. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUSS FRITZ.

Albacore limits caught off Ensenada

ENSENADA EARLY SUMMER ALBACORE--Steve and Gail Ross' boat Bad Dog out of Ensenada's Marina Coral scored Mexico limits of albacore during a Baja fishing run out to the 295 spot. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ROSS.

Bottom fish caught at Punta Banda

ENSENADA CALICOS AND LINGS--Walter Korbler, left, his son Wally Korbler, and Travis Campbell tossed plastics for calico bass and dropped anchovy baits for lingcod during their Ensenada panga trip with Capt. Hector of Vonny's Fleet. PHOTO COURTESY OF IVAN VILLARINO.

Dorado caught at San Jose del Cabo

DORADO FANCY ROPE TRICK--Dave Lopez of California fished at San Jose del Cabo with Gordo Banks Pangas' Capt. Jesus Pino and they scored this impressive rack of quality dorado off a section of heavy rope found floating in the water. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC BRICTSON.

Dorado caught at La Paz

LAS ARENAS-SIDE PANGA--Eric Saiki of Torrance, Calif., fished on the Las Arenas side south of La Paz several days with Tortuga Sportfishing for good panga action on these dorado. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

Dorado caught at Loreto

Fishing at Loreto

LORETO DORADO DAYS--Bill Harrigan's group hooked limits of dorado during 3 days of release action at Loreto with Arturo's Sportfishing. Said Loreto veteran Harrigan, "This was the most fish I have ever seen down there." Also fishing on the trip were Richard Alvarez and John Hanavan. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL HARRIGAN.

Dog snapper speared at Islas Santa Inez

ISLAS SANTA INEZ--Bob Snowden of Punta Chivato speared this 52-pound dog snapper during free diving at Islas Santa Inez just north of Mulege. The big pargo perro required more than 3 hours to work out of a cave. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB SNOWDEN.

Panga fishing at La Paz

BAJA HEAVY LIFTING--Panga fishing with Tortuga Sportfishing at La Paz last week was very good for dorado into the 40-pound plus class in warm and humid summer conditions, but there were a few traditional Baja fishing breaks in the action. PHOTO COURTESY OF GERARDO HERNANDEZ.

BAJA MEXICO FISHING REPORT ARCHIVES AND FISH PICTURES

Southern Baja fishing areas dodge early summer season's first Mexico hurricane