Bajabytes Weekly SportFishing Update 01.24.24
Need a Mexican Fishing License?
https://app.sportfishingbcs.gob.mx/
The following report focuses on many fishing updates, photos, and news from various locations up and down the East and West Coasts of the entire Baja Peninsula. It provides valuable information for fishing enthusiasts, contributed by local and visiting fishermen.
If you and your friends have fished somewhere in Baja and would like to share the results of your trips, our staff and followers would appreciate your info and tips, and we would be honored to include your observations, the locations, and the fishing conditions your groups encountered. So, let’s get started.
Imperial Beach
There have been no reports of yellowtail or bonito since well before the storm.
The best bass fishing has been for sand bass and decent numbers of sculpin on the IB Pipe, while anglers fishing the knocker rig with fresh frozen squid are doing best. Be sure to work the bait SLOWLY right in the structure.
If you want whitefish, a fair pick is happening at Buoy #3 and the Whistler. …Fish Dope
——— Mexican Waters ————
Mexican Permits AVAILABLE here:
https://www.californiasportfishing.org/
FMM link here: https://www.gob.mx/inm/acciones-y-programas/sport-fishing-and-nautical-tourism
If you have trouble with FMM, here is an email for assistance: bc_pescadeportiva@inami.gob.mx When bringing fish back to the US from Mexico, make sure to have your Declaration Forms filled out for everyone on the boat. Forms Here
NE of Coronados/Lower 9 Mile Bank/Upper Finger Bank
If you want rockfish, this is your only “local” choice until April 1, 2024. Rockfish are still legal to catch in Mexican waters.
Just be sure to fill out your Declaration Forms for everyone on the boat.
The Lower 9 has produced a mix of bocaccio, reds, Mexicans, bank perch, etc., in 400 to 600 feet of water. Guys are seeing a few lingcod and black gill for those dropping deep over 700 to 1100 feet.
The Lower 9 has also had some bonito around. Guys are getting jig stops and seeing bird schools.
The rockfish area to the northeast of the islands has been producing lots of whitefish along with some red rockfish. There hasn’t been any recent dope from the 27 Fathom Spot or the Upper Finger Bank, but those areas are likely seeing good rockfish action, too.
Coronado Islands/Rockpile
At last word on Friday, there was no sign of yellowtail or bonito along the weather side of North Island, Middle Grounds, South Island Spots, or the Rockpile.
However, fishermen caught a few lingcod, rockfish, sculpin, sheepshead, whitefish, and red rockfish at the Rockpile.
**** ATTENTION ****
You must stay at least 250 meters (820 feet) away from tuna pens. If you don’t, you risk losing your boat and landing in a Mexican jail.
Click here for more details on this subject.
Ensenada
Heavy rain causes flooding in Baja California More.
San Quintin
No Report
Bahia de los Angeles
All Quiet
BAJA SUR
The 2nd edition of the 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 “𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀” to benefit the Cabo San Lucas Fire Department is now It has a date!
See you on April 13 and 14 for the horse mackerel species competition with horse mackerel and saw jackpots.
Have fun and participate in this noble cause!
More information to the telephone numbers 𝟔𝟐𝟒-𝟏𝟏𝟑-𝟔𝟐𝟕𝟔 𝐲 𝟔𝟐𝟒-𝟏𝟒𝟕-𝟕𝟓𝟓𝟗.
#FonmarBCS #TorneosPescaSportiva #FishingInTheFive23
Guerrero Negro
A beautiful specimen of cavicucho (white sea bass)!!! After today savoring two extraordinary fights, I had a good taste in my mouth. My nerve rod of Pro Hunter and Lure Pro Hunter Cyclops 220gr was working slowly and in the background. An excellent decision!!! The Video is incredible and is coming soon…Chema Medina
Bahía Asunción
The first whale-watching mother and calf pair we watched this season was exciting! The calf had its mouth open most of the time, which we considered very strange. The mother slept the entire time that we observed the two of them. The calf we named “Barbie” swam circles around her mom and rested on her nose and back.
Upon editing my photos, I discovered the calf was opening its mouth because there were whale lice all around its lips. The gums were a strange reddish color, which may have been lice as well that caused discomfort.
Another highlight of our day was when a male breached very close to our panga eight times! We saw a couple dozen whales, several cow/calf pairs, some males, and a gigantic sleeping pregnant female. What an incredible first trip out on Laguna Ojo de Liebre!!!
(Shari Bondy was with Samuel Barrios at Whale Magic Tours).
La Bocana
Quiet
Santa Rosalia
Punta Chivato
No Report
Bahía Concepción
January 20 … in the zone! …Nathan Burb
Loreto
Photos 5
Limits yesterday and today. Lagrimas and San Bruno reef. Downrigger + mackerel! What a days…Rubio Sportfishing
López Mateos
It’s still good, live bait fishing inside Mag Bay this past week – fat grouper, corvina, trigger, and pargo. Whales are showing up slowly but surely! Grey Whale Festival is Feb. 2, 3, and 4. …Cheri King – Lopez Mateos Sportfishing.
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ FISHING REPORT from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Week of Jan. 2-9, 2024
East Cape
Here in the East Cape we continue to see pretty good fishing for both Marlin and Dorado on the outside and on the inside we have lots of small baitfish that are getting chased by small roosters needle, fish, and a few Sierra. Looking at the forecast this week we’re going to get a little wind here in the East Cape but a few days we’re going to be able to get out as well so hopefully the fishing remains the same…Jeff DeBrown Reel Baja
San Jose del Cabo
January 21st, 2024
Tourist activity has significantly decreased throughout these last two weeks. We continue to have nice weather with colder mornings than usual — temperatures throughout the day for fishing and beach activities.
As we progress into the winter season, we see the typical tourist flow, primarily from North America, as they try to escape the cold and snow for a week or two. Weather patterns have not disappointed as we continue to have clear, sunny skies, lows in the 60s, and highs in the 80s. Ocean conditions have been pleasant mostly; variable winds predominantly from the north have been picking up later in the day, though they still allow us to fish our go-to grounds.
The main highlight this week continues to be the tuna and marlin bite. The fleet focused at the Punta Gorda point and Zacatitos for tuna, less than a mile from shore. The bite was more productive earlier in the week, but as the week progressed, the bite slowed down, with better action later in the day. Many local pangeros fished in this area in the afternoons and evenings, catching over ten fish within a few hours—most tuna range from 15 to 30 pounds, with an occasional 50 to 70 pounds. If hooked, these larger fish have been tough to land as we mostly use 30# fluoro.
The sardina supply has been consistent as the bait guys net sardina in decent quantities and sizes. Within the same area, we are still catching good numbers of nice-sized dorado. We did notice some large bulls caught this week, many in the 30 to 40-pound class.
Within the same Punta Gorda and Zacatitos area, a few boats landed a couple of wahoo earlier in the day before all boats arrived to target the yellowfin tuna. Only a couple of wahoo were landed, but we saw one that weighed 50 pounds by one of our locals. These wahoo were caught by trolling Xraps and Nomads early in the morning.
The marlin bite continues to be hot as close as 4 miles from our Marina. Most boats targeting marlin start 4 to 5 miles from our Marina and cover the grounds towards Cerro Colorado, The Westin, or Punta Gorda and the inner/outer Gordos. We have seen the best action by trolling rigged ballyhoo or live cocineros, though we are still hooking plenty on lures. Some boats have reported catching up to ten in a day. A few boats have been able to hook some big bulls using the same technique.
This week, we did see some better bottom action with the sardina. The fleet caught good numbers of quality-sized yellow snapper and leopard grouper. We saw a few more sierra in the fish counts, plus bonito and triggerfish. Also, a few roosterfish weighing up to 15 pounds were landed and released along the local sandy beach stretches. …Good Fishing, Brian
Cabo San Lucas
Overall Success rate: 96% Billfish (Release) 74.75%, Tuna 8.8%, Dorado 78.79%, Other 21.21%
Friday, January 12, 2024
Skies: Clear
Seas: Calm
Wave Height: 2 to 3 ft.
Wind: 6-8 kts
Water Temp: 76°F to 78°F
Air Temp: High 75°F Low to 57°F
As we were still closing out last week’s Pisces report, January 11 was already underway. First, there was just a tad more wind than the preceding week, which caused some minor wind chop that the fleet had to deal with.
Nothing overwhelming, but enough to change some of the fleet’s tactics. Captain Ray Winkler and Mate Jesus Winkler aboard the “LA BRISA,” a 31-ft. Bertram decided to follow a hunch and head toward the Los Arcos spot. They found large schools of dorado and yellowfin tuna that eagerly bit lures and fresh mackerel. Their total numbers for the day were 18 dorado (weighing 10 to 30 pounds) and four yellowfin tuna (12 to 15 pounds) for the Roger Kroha group from Wakefield, Rhode Island.
