Baja Bytes Weekly: Finesse, Forms & Fall Firepower

🎧 Baja Norte Podcast

🎧 Baja Norte Podcast

Baja Norte Breakdown: Yellowtail, Bluefin & Border Paperwork Link: Listen here

Coronado Islands –
FMM Tourist Permit: Apply here
Need help with FMM? Email: bc_pescadeportiva@inami.gob.mx
Returning to the U.S. with fish? Complete Declaration Forms for everyone on board.
Pro Tip: Clip each person’s paperwork individually and store all documents in a single ziplock bag. The Mexican Navy has been conducting regular inspections—be ready to hand everything over quickly.

Coronado Islands / Rockpile Fishing Report

The bite continues—but finesse is key.

 Yellowtail & Bluefin: Still being caught, though in smaller numbers.  
 Best results: Slow-trolling sardines and mini-macs, south of the pens. 
Tactics: Light line, small hooks, and steady chum. 
Yellowtail Hot Zones:  
Weather side of the North Island. 
Middle Grounds to Gun Site. 
Ribbon Kelp, SKR, & Rockpile. 

Effective Baits & Lures:  
Fly-lined sardines. 
Mini mackerel. 
Mint surface iron. 
Barracuda: Slowed but not gone.  
Best bets: Ribbon Kelp, Lighthouse Kelp, SKR, and Rockpile. 
Calico Bass: Still biting strong in kelp beds and boiler rocks around Middle Island. 
Evening Update: Solid action at the Rockpile today—Yellowtail, Calico Bass, and Barracuda. Anchoring with a steady chum line was key. Fly-lining and casting surface iron produced the best results. 

Biosphere Permit Info

Anglers Choice Tackle Shop in Point Loma is the only San Diego vendor offering a 365-day Biosphere Permit. Avoid the hassle of date-specific bracelets—these are ideal for small boat operators. 

Tuna Pen Regulations

Mexican law requires boats to stay at least 250 meters (820 feet) away from any tuna pens. Click here for full details. 

Please let me know if you’d like a visual map of the bite zones, a podcast intro script, or a social media teaser to accompany this. I’m always happy to help you keep Baja’s legacy alive and thriving. 

Imperial Beach Pier

https://youtu.be/ZxGl05vsJSI
Imperial Beach 
Imperial Beach Pier Fishing Report – September 2, 2025 
The bite’s been lively with a solid mix of species showing up across the pier: 
Inshore Action 
Yellowfin and Spot Fin Croaker: Consistent catches in the shallows. 
Corbina: Still cruising the surf zone—light tackle and sand crabs are your best bet. 

Mid-Pier 
Perch: Steady numbers, especially during the morning tide swings. 
Barred Sand Bass: Showing up sporadically, mostly on cut bait and plastics. 

End of the Pier 
Pacific Chub Mackerel: Fair to good numbers—great for live bait or fun on light gear. 
Bonito: Decent-sized fish reported recently, hitting spoons and fast-trolled feathers. 
Leopard Shark and Thornback Guitarfish: A few solid catches logged over the past few days. 
Best Time to Fish Today: According to Solunar forecasts, sunset hours are prime time. Fish activity is expected to spike then, so plan your outing accordingly. 

Pier Reminders: 
No above-rail casting or cleaning fish outside designated areas. 
Limits of two rods per angler. 
No spear guns, traps, or hazardous gear. 
Alcohol permitted ONLY at Tin Fish Restaurant at the Pier’s west end. 

Ensenada Fishing Update – September 6, 2025

Whether you’re hugging the kelp beds or chasing deepwater giants, Ensenada is delivering a mixed bag of action this week. Here’s the latest from both inshore and offshore fronts: 
Inshore Bite 
Ocean Whitefish & Rockfish: Still the backbone of the inshore catch. Limits are common, especially on half-day trips. 
Salmon Grouper & Vermilion Rockfish: Showing substantial numbers—dropper loop rigs with squid or cut bait are producing well. 
Calico Bass & Barred Sand Bass: Active around structure and kelp beds. Plastics and live bait are both working. 
Sheepshead & Johnny Bass: Mixed in with bottom species—target with shrimp or crab baits. 

Hot Spots: Punta Banda, Todos Santos Island, and the Reefs off El Sauzal. 

Offshore Highlights

Yellowtail: Scattered catches reported—mostly around kelp paddies and deeper reefs. Trolling X-Raps or fly-lining sardines is your best bet. 
Barracuda: Hit-and-miss, but decent numbers on full-day runs. 
Lingcod: Holding strong in deeper water—jigs and live mackerel are working. 
Bluefin Tuna: Slower this week, but a few boats reported hookups on overnight trips using Nomad Mad-macs and Kite rigs. 

Charter Spotlight: Sergio’s Sportfishing boats like El Cazador and Sammy have been pulling in solid counts—some trips logging over 100 fish, including Whitefish, Rock Cod, and Salmon Grouper. 

Conditions & Tips 
Water Temp & Clarity: Favorable for most species—stable conditions expected through the week. 
The best times to fish are early morning and late evening, which remain prime windows. 
Tactics: Mix live bait with artificials. Vary depth and presentation based on species. 

 San Quintin

 San Quintin 

Current water conditions are favorable for fishing. Water temperature and clarity are within optimal ranges for most species. Fish activity levels are moderate to high. The best fishing times are early morning and late evening when fish are the most active. Recent weather patterns have been favorable for fishing. Stable conditions are expected to continue through the week. 

Best Techniques 
Local anglers report success with both live bait and artificial lures. Vary your approach according to the time of day and weather conditions. 

San Felipe 

No Report This week

Conditions: Calm mornings with light wind-chop by midday. Water temperatures are hovering in the mid-80s, with decent visibility but patchy near rocky points. 

Top Catches: 
Spotted Sand Bass – consistent action near rocky outcrops and drop-offs. 
California Halibut – showing up in shallower flats, especially early morning. 
Spanish Mackerel & Barracuda – active on bait balls, good surface strikes reported. 
Northern Red Snapper – deeper structure producing solid hook-ups. 
Local Buzz: Captain Jorge, out of Papa Fernandez, reported a 110-pound Gulf Grouper landed in 80 feet of water back in March—and the bite’s been heating up again with similar setups. Anglers are making bait early and heading straight to the grouper grounds before the wind picks up. 
Tips: Live bait is key—Sierra and small Jacks are working well. 
Grouper anglers are getting rocked on the first few drops, so heavy tackle and patience are a must. 
Early starts and tide timing are making the difference. 

Bahía Los Angeles Bay

Visiting anglers scoring trophy-sized yellowtail on trolled Ballyhoo and live sardines. Cabrilla and Pargo are active around rocky points.  

Baja Sur  

 Guerrero Negro 

🎧 Baja Sur Podcast

Title: South of Guerrero Negro: Tuna, Tactics & Tropical Watch Link: Listen here

Teaser Line for Baja Bytes or Discover Feed: “South of the border—literally. From Guerrero Negro to East Cape, the bite’s heating up. Tune in for tuna tactics, tropical updates, and the latest from Baja Sur’s legendary waters.”

Tropical Storm Watch: From Cabo San Lucas northward to Santa Fe, and from north of Punta Abreojos to Punta Eugenia. 
At last report, Lorena was located approximately 115 miles west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, packing 80 mph winds and moving northwest at 16 mph. 
Forecast to strengthen rapidly through tonight, then weaken on Thursday, possibly downgrading to a tropical storm by Friday. 

Rainfall & Flood Risk: 
From 5 to 10 inches expected across Baja California Sur, with isolated areas seeing up to 15 inches. 

Tropical Storm Watch: From Cabo San Lucas northward to Santa Fe, and from north of Punta Abreojos to Punta Eugenia.
At last report, Lorena was: Located about 115 miles WSW of Cabo San Lucas Packing 80 mph winds, moving NW at 16 mph
Forecast to strengthen rapidly through tonight, then weaken Thursday, possibly downgrading to a tropical storm by Friday.

Rainfall & Flood Risk
5–10 inches expected across Baja California Sur, with isolated areas seeing up to 15 inches

 Asunción Bay

More Info.……

Forecast trend for accumulated rainfall in the region due to the presence of Tropical Storm Lorena, which could become a “Category 1” hurricane in the coming hours. 

We need the rain, but I don’t like the torrential pink color for Bahia Asuncion and our Mulege county. It’s going to be a big mess to clean up! …Shari Bondy 

  La Bocana 

La Bocana is a Fishing Paradise, offering an incredible range of environments and a diverse variety of fish species. With inshore, offshore, and estuary options, anglers have an opportunity to explore diverse habitats. Highlights like Grouper, Calico Bass, and Spotted Bay Bass make the inshore scene exciting, while offshore adventures bring sought-after catches like Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo, and Marlin. The estuary adds a unique twist, with species like Snook and Halibut often found in its calmer waters. When casting your line into La Bocana, you can be certain there’s something remarkable waiting on the other end.  

La Bocana Fishing Report – September 2025 
Conditions: Late summer heat and shifting tides have created dynamic fishing conditions. Solunar activity is peaking around dawn and dusk, with moderate surf and steady wind patterns—ideal for inshore and nearshore action. 
Yellowtail & Grouper – Strong showings near rocky outcroppings and reef structures. 
Sierra Mackerel & Triggerfish – Common in shallower waters, especially around kelp beds. 
Snapper & Corvina – Active during early morning tides. 
Occasional Wahoo & Dorado – Found offshore, especially on temperature breaks and bait balls. 
Halibut & Leopard Grouper – Holding tight to bottom structure, responding well to live bait. 

Angler Notes: Local captains report solid action using live sardina, jigs, and surface poppers. The bite has been best around La Bocanita and Punta Abreojos, with some boats venturing toward deeper ledges for larger game. 

Saint Rosalia 

More info

Conditions & Weather: Air temps: 28–32°C (mid-80s to low 90s°F) 
Water temp: ~28°C (82°F) 
Patchy rain and moderate cloud cover. 
Light winds (8 km/h) and 61% humidity. 

Tides & Solunar Highlights: Best fishing times: Major: 2:46–4:46 AM & 2:46–4:46 PM, 
Minor: 12:40–1:40 AM & 3:16–4:16 PM, 
Tidal swings are moderate, with high tide peaking around 5:11 PM and low tide near 1:24 AM, 

Target Species: 

Yellowtail & Cabrilla (Leopard Grouper): Active near rocky drop-offs and reef structures. 
Snapper & Corvina: Feeding during early morning and dusk solunar windows 
Triggerfish & Pargo: Holding tight to bottom structure, especially around tide changes. 
Occasional Dorado & Skipjack: Offshore, especially near bait balls and temperature breaks. 

Techniques That Work: 
Live bait (sardines, mackerel) and vertical jigs. 
Surface poppers near kelp beds. 
Bottom rigs with cut bait for Snapper and Grouper. 

Punta Chivato   

Hi  Gary. After the dismal Tourament we left , and have not heard anything from Chivato. We will return and fish hard , if it’s not great we will head south with the new/old 20 ft Bayrunner , Mag Bay / East Cape  thanks it’s 114 here in AZ. Not good. Take care Craig 

Mulege

Concepción Bay

Conception Bay Fishing Report – September 2025
Conditions:
Conditions: 
Water temps: Mild, ideal for inshore and nearshore species. 
Winds: Light to moderate, with calm mornings and breezy afternoons. 
Tides & Solunar Highlights: 

Best fishing windows: 
Sept 8: 15:22–16:26. 
Tidal swings are favorable for both bottom and surface feeders. 

Target Species: 
Atlantic Cod & Sea Trout: Most commonly reported catches. 
Mackerel & Flounder: Active near rocky ledges and drop-offs. 
Pollock & Herring: Found in deeper channels and cooler pockets. 
Occasional Halibut: Offshore, especially near bait concentrations. 

Hotspots: 
Near Bell Island Tickle and Portugal Cove 
Deeper ledges off Carbonear and Salmon Cove River 

Techniques That Work: 
Jigging with soft plastics or bucktails for Cod and Pollock, 
Trolling small spoons or live bait for mackerel and Trout, 
Bottom rigs with cut bait for Flounder and Halibut. 

Loreto

Action from the beach at sunrise. Always nice to see the comb of the big roosters to start the day. Nopolo, fly fishing from the beach with the flying fish pattern. New fan favorite for both Dorado and Roosters here

Lopez Mateos

Lopez Mateos Fishing Report – September 2025
Conditions: Late summer heat and calm seas have created ideal conditions for both inshore and offshore action. Morning tides and Solunar peaks are delivering consistent bites, especially around the esteros and Pacific shoreline. 
Target Species: 
Bass & Grouper – Holding strong near rocky structures and estuary drop-offs. 
Roosterfish & Sailfish – Active inshore and near the surf line. 
Blue Marlin & Striped Marlin – Offshore, especially near bait balls and temperature breaks. 
Wahoo & Tuna – Found in deeper water, responding well to fast-trolled lures. 
Dorado – Still present, though tapering slightly from August highs. 

Hotspots: 

Estero channels near Lopez Mateos 

Offshore ledges west of Magdalena Island 

Surf zones along Punta Hughes and Boca de Soledad 

Techniques That Work: 

Live bait (mullet, sardines) for Roosterfish and Grouper. 
Trolling skirted lures for Marlin and Wahoo. 
Surface poppers and jigs for Bass and Snapper. 

Hotspots:
Estero channels near Lopez Mateos
Offshore ledges west of Magdalena Island
Surf zones along Punta Hughes and Boca de Soledad

Techniques That Work:

Live bait (mullet, sardines) for Roosterfish and Grouper
Trolling skirted lures for Marlin and Wahoo
Surface poppers and jigs for Bass and Snapper

 La Paz

IT’S A DORADO WORLD…and a few TUNA…and some RAIN 
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report  
WEATHER – Very, very hot! Easily 5-10 degrees hotter than normal, and the humidity really pushed things into triple digits some days! Some tropical rain and thundershowers here and there. It’s that time of year! 

WATER – We’re getting readings anywhere from 82 to 86 on the surface. Bathwater. It’s mostly blue, like a postcard! 

FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK: Dorado, Tuna, (1) Wahoo, Marlin, Sailfish, Barred Pargo, Cabrilla, Triggerfish, Bonito, ack Crevalle, Roosterfish, Pompano, Trevally, and Needlefish. 

FISHING on a SCALE of 1-10 (10 is best): 7-8. It was lively, and the fleet worked both the Las Arenas and Muertos Bay areas. The tropical conditions didn’t dampen spirits—just added a little drama to the chase. 

East Cape

Bisbee’s buzz still lingers, but the bite hasn’t slowed. Striped Marlin, Sailfish, and Dorado are all in play. Tuna are hit-and-miss, but a few boats scored on chunked squid. Roosters are cruising the beaches—great for fly anglers. 

Not right now. There was some Tuna off Punta Pescadero the day before yesterday on sardina … not very big Schools. Fishing was decent up until yesterday. Things slowed down, then they closed the port yesterday afternoon. And the port is currently closed. …Jeff DeBrown 

GORDO BANKS PANGAS

The bite was hit or miss for most of the week. We did see some good days at Iman and the Inner/Outer Gordo. Iman produced nicer-sized Yellowfin earlier in the week, from 5 to 50/60-pounders. We even had a couple of Tuna from Iman come in at 88 and 165 pounds. The bigger Tuna came on squid strips. The smaller Tuna, along with a handful of Dorado, came on live sardina. Some captains reported catching some Chiwili at Iman, slow-trolling them, though they didn’t report any strikes. One boat reported that a big Wahoo came to their chum line, took the strip of squid, and cut the line immediately. There were lots of sharks at Iman this week. On Saturday, you could barely fish in Iman due to the sharks waiting for anglers to hook Tuna. Surprisingly, not many sharks were reported this Sunday. On Sunday, some of the boats were able to catch their Tuna limits at Iman, though most were smaller-sized. 

This Sunday, while drifting for Tuna, one boat landed a couple of Dogtooth Snapper on chunks of Skipjack, one around 35 pounds. They also had a Barred Pargo, and they reported many Triggerfish on the high spot. This same boat landed two nice Roosterfish (around 25 to 30 pounds) on live sardina while drifting for Tuna, very unexpected in 120 to 150 feet of water. The current has not been ideal for focusing on the bottom structure. On days when the current was not too strong, a few boats reported hooking into nice-sized fish while drifting with Skipjack. 

We are catching small Yellowfin at the inner Gordo, though the numbers have significantly decreased. Many Skipjacks are in the area, and there is plenty of bait at the Gordo: Skipjacks, Bulito, Green Jacks, and Chiwili. Many of the big boats from Cabo have been focusing on these areas as they prepare for the upcoming Bisbee’s tournaments in October. A 250-pound Yellowfin was caught on Friday while slow-trolling a live Bulito. This same day, a 400-pound Black was caught while drifting a dead Bulito towards the bottom. Sadly, this fish died after a two-hour fight. 

On Friday/Saturday, Captain Copeche lost a massive Black Marlin on his 22-foot panga. This fish was hooked at the Outer Gordo on a live skipjack on Friday around 1:00 pm. The fight lasted almost 13 hours as they lost it around 2:00 am on Saturday. At around 8:00 pm, a bigger boat went out with extra guys to help fight the fish. They also provided extra light, gas, and water/food. At one point in the night, the fight was handed back and forth between 5 or 6 guys. This fish broke the line around 30 feet from the boat (the reel was almost full of line). It broke off right on top of the swivel and leader when it decided to take a wild turn and hit it with its tail. Many experienced captains that night estimated the fish to be well over 800 pounds. Good Fishing, Brian Brictson 

Epic Battle – Captain Copeche’s Black Marlin 
On Friday, Captain Copeche hooked a massive black marlin at Outer Gordo on a live skipjack. The fight lasted 13 hours, stretching into the early hours of Saturday morning. A support boat arrived at 8:00 p.m. with extra crew, lights, fuel, and supplies. The fish was fought in shifts by 5 or 6 anglers. 

With the reel almost full of line at 2:00 a.m., just 30 feet from the boat, the marlin made a wild turn and struck the leader with its tail—breaking off right at the swivel. Experienced captains estimated the fish to be well over 800 pounds. 

  Cabo San Lucas

Pisces Weekly Report: August 29-September 4, 2025

August 29th to the 14th. Catch success rate 70.73% Billfish 51.22% Dorado 7.32%,
Other 4.88%, Tuna 21.95%, Wahoo 4.88%.

As the week unfolded, the Pisces Fleet danced with the rhythm of Baja’s late-summer currents. Golden Gate yielded a steady stream of Dorado, their colors electric against the cobalt swells. At 95 Reef, Wahoo tested tackle and reflexes alike—blistering runs and airborne acrobatics kept crews on their toes. Jaime Bank, ever the wildcard, offered up a mixed bag: striped marlin teased the spread, while tuna schools ghosted beneath the surface, just out of reach.
Radio chatter painted a mosaic of triumphs and near-misses. One boat reported a triple hookup on Dorado just past noon; another logged a surprise visit from a humpback, its fluke carving a slow arc beside the bow. Between the action, camaraderie flourished—shared sandwiches, borrowed gear, and the kind of laughter that only comes from salt-stung faces and sunburnt shoulders.

Back at the dock, tales grew taller with each retelling. Photos snapped at sea were passed around like trophies—wide grins, bent rods, and the unmistakable joy of a good fight well won. The week closed with a sunset that seemed to linger just a little longer, as if the ocean itself was reluctant to let go.

Every trip held its surprises, from double hookups on the troll to the acrobatic leaps of Marlin and Sailfish painting arcs against the horizon. Mates worked tirelessly, tying leaders, preparing bait, and celebrating each hard-won catch with cheers and photos destined for family albums. As the week unfolded, camaraderie grew between the crews and guests, marked by shared laughter and the wild promise of the Pacific

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