“You Can’t Go Awry in July!”
As usual, the Baja sports fishing is heating up nicely; bluefin remain among us both above and below the border. Conditions offshore are reported to be ideal for not only tuna but a few dorado and billfish are whispered about in the reports. In addition to striped marlin, someone released an estimated 250-pound blue marlin just a tad north of the border, and I don’t think it was traveling downhill, which means there may be more moving up the West Coast of Baja. So, be careful what you wish for!
Closer to shore, the yellowtail have been scratchy, with calico being the go-to fish for many boats. Another recent development is the white sea bass that seem to be arriving a bit early at most of the stock spots like Colonet, Camalu, and San Quintin. Finally, one of the most talked-about lures this season seems to be the 6-ounce deadhead mint lure (google it).
Reports below San Quintin down the Pacific Coast to Bahia Asunción and farther down at Magdalena Bay, the sea temperatures have been slow to warm, and the water remains off-color. As a result, some yellowtail, sheepshead, and other bottom fish are waiting to be caught. However, exotic warm water species have yet to arrive in real numbers.
Farther offshore at Cedros Island, there have been glowing reports of the multi-species bite visitors are enjoying now – trophy-sized calicos, yellowtail, and even some flat rascals.
The second event of “The Copa de Baja” tournament will be held on July 29 and 30 in Bahía de los Ángeles. Next up will be in San Quintín on August 26 and 27, and the Grand Finale in Ensenada will be on September 23 and 24.
Bahia de Los Angeles, action improved as the winds finally receded. Again, yellowtail dominated the catch and increased the number and size of grouper and other bottom fish. The hot lures mentioned were Cudakilla Rankaru in 190 and 230 grams.
Punta Chivato held their “Bulls Only” Tournament mid-month, and even though the winds blew, 71 anglers in 22 boats caught many dorado ranging from 10 to 25 pounds. Of course, everyone brought fish in for the tacos. The winning boat was “Mad Dog,” with Captain Mark Foder at the helm.
The dorado action at Loreto has improved immensely for both fly and conventional anglers. Locals are predicting another banner year for roosterfish and billfish like last year—the Fishin for the Mission at Oasis Hotel from July 7th to 9th.
At La Paz and La Ventana, air temps are hitting the high 90s and even the low 100s. However, as June fades, the fishing remains a mixed bag with cooler water fish like pargo, cabrilla, snapper, jacks, pompano, trevally, and others still part of the mix.
The good news is that there are more dorado being seen and caught. In addition, more billfish are arriving, including striped marlin and the first sailfish of the season. At the same time, the inshore crowd continues to score sierra, rainbow runners, white bonito, and roosterfish.
East Cape action has finally turned the corner! After a slow beginning, the inshore and offshore action perked up. Inshore roosterfish, Almaco jacks, Jack crevalle, and pompano are prominent on the catch list.
Offshore, billfish, yellowfin tuna, and dorado, plus an occasional wahoo, are all in the mix for visiting anglers.
The Gordo Banks off of San Jose del Cabo dodged Hurricane Celia. It veered west in the last 24 hours before landfall, leaving only some light rainfall. After that, anglers found good action for a variety of gamefish, including trophy-sized Almaco jack, to over 50-pounds, fair numbers of yellowfin tuna, mainly in the 8 to 28-pound range, with the largest weighing 35-pounds, a few wahoo and dorado were also in the mix. The best action, however, was found near Vinorama, within a couple of miles of shore.
A variety of leopard and gulf grouper were caught. Also, off the shallow structure were yellow snapper, barred pargo, African pompano, blackfin, jacks, and triggerfish.
Closer to shore, the roosterfish action was much better. Lots of trophy-sized fish of over 40 to 60-pounds were caught and released. A mix of jack crevalle, a few late-season sierra, pargo Colorado, and mullet snapper rounded out the shore bite.
Marlin action was farther offshore near the 950 and 1150 Spots, though some striped marlin and sailfish were also hooked on the grounds from Iman to San Luis Banks. Anglers found hog-sized black skipjack throughout the area as well.
At Cabo, the action on the Pacific side picked up as the storm passed. And huge dorado remained at the top of the catch list! The stray smallish swordfish weighed in one day did not even overshadow them.
At last, Baja is settling in for a long, sizzling summer in both climate and fishing.
Gary Graham-That Baja Guy
That Baja Guy
Gary Graham
Photojournalist
https://bajabytes.com/about/
Cellular (760) 522 3710
With more than five decades of fishing experience – from light tackle and fly to offshore billfish – Gary Graham has experienced all aspects of fishing in the Southern California and Baja waters. His observations of species behavior, tackle and techniques are always from his unique perspective, earning him the respect of his peers as well as anglers who eagerly follow his Baja reports and features.
Gary maintained a home at East Cape in Baja Sur for more than 18 years and still spends nearly half of each year exploring the entire peninsula in his self-contained Roadtrek van. He observes everything Baja, from the mysteries of a tide pool on a deserted Baja beach filled with tiny sea creatures to the largest billfish in the sea.