Baja & Southern California Sport Fishing Update
The waters off Baja California continue to deliver a mix of surprises and steady action, with anglers finding multiple species. Local captains note that shifting late-season winds affect conditions, but teamwork and record catches continue to define the region. Across La Paz, East Cape, and the Coronados, changing conditions highlight why this coastline is renowned for its world-class fishing.
Cabo San Lucas
November delivered ideal conditions — blue skies, calm seas, and a steady 4 to 5-foot swell.
Wahoo Surge: Robert Majewski aboard RIPPER scored two Wahoo at 30 and 59 pounds, while Tim Lorenzo on TIBURON added a 32-pounder near Punta Gorda. Dorado Runs: LOS ARCOS, TRES TEJAS, and KARINA reported steady Dorado, releasing 16 fish in the 15 to 20-pound range in one outing. Yellowfin Highlights: LADY HOMA topped out at 90 pounds, BILL COLLECTOR II delivered a 135-pound bruiser, and REEL PRIMO stacked 14 Tuna in a day. ADRIANA capped the week with 17 Yellowfin from 5 to 105 pounds. Fleet Totals: 2 Blue Marlin (280 to 474 pounds), 1 Bonito, 23 Dorado, 12 Striped Marlin, 65 Yellowfin Tuna to 135 pounds, and 3 Wahoo to 59 pounds.
Guests praised the crews’ teamwork, safe marlin releases, and attentive service.
San José del Cabo
Just up the coast, San José del Cabo carried the late‑November energy into Thanksgiving week, where families mixed fishing with Whale sightings and the Gordo Banks delivered both drama and consistency.
San José del Cabo – Gordo Banks Pangas: Thanksgiving week brought families to the water to enjoy fishing and whale sightings. Despite north winds, conditions remained favorable.
Wahoo Action: Iman Bank was the “hotspot,” producing fish from 25 to 40 pounds, with a standout 67-pounder on live chiwili. Strikes came on X-Raps, Nomad DTXs, Ballyhoo, and sardina. Tuna Spotlight: Inner and outer Gordos delivered Tuna from 50 to 185 pounds, with private boats reporting giants in the 220 to 250-pound range. With the Tuna Jackpot looming, anticipation was high, and fillet stations stayed busy.
East Cape (Los Barriles)
December’s seasonal shift inshore brings cooler water, offering anglers the \chance to experience Pargo, and Sierra mackerel and late-season Wahoo, fostering anticipation for good days offshore.
La Paz – Las Arenas / Muertos Bay / Suenos Bay
Northward, La Paz reflects the seasonal shift more sharply, with winter winds slowing offshore runs but still leaving room for surprise encounters with Dorado, Roosterfish, and even Whale Sharks in the bay. Winter winds slow offshore fishing, but warm-water species linger surprisingly late.
Offshore Variety: Yellowfin (10 to 30 pounds), Dorado (5 to 15 pounds), Wahoo off Cerralvo, and occasional billfish hookups. Inshore Action: Cabrilla, Sierra, small Yellowtail, Roosterfish, and Cubera Snapper along reefs and beaches. Whale Shark Season: Open in La Paz Bay, though sightings remain unpredictable. Encounters range from none to several in a day, but when conditions align, swimming alongside these giants is unforgettable.
Magdalena Bay
Magdalena Bay erupted with late‑fall fireworks — blistering Wahoo strikes offshore, and nonstop mangrove action inside.
Late fall has been spectacular, with Wahoo strikes, steady Yellowfin schools, and big Grouper testing gear offshore. Dorado added color and acrobatics, making every trip feel like a highlight movie. Inside the mangroves, Snapper, Grouper, Snook, White Seabass, and Triggerfish kept rods bent all day, offering nonstop action for anglers of all levels.
Loreto
Continuing up the coast, Loreto showed its own resilience, where Dorado and Tuna lingered in warm patches, and Yellowtail began to signal winter’s turn, all against a backdrop of community celebration.
December continues to surprise with late-season pelagics. Luna Sportfishing’s Super Panga remains dialed in offshore, where Dorado and Tuna linger in warm patches. Yellowtail are beginning to show closer to the islands, signaling the winter shift. Community spirit shines here — locals gather at the marina to celebrate catches, and the Giggling Dolphin transforms fresh fillets into feasts.
Bahía Asunción
Farther west, Bahía Asunción — affectionately known as Tuna Town — blended accessibility with authenticity, offering reef-side Yellowtail and a cooperative spirit that defines the town’s fishing culture. Yellowtail: Large schools close to reefs, ranging up to 40 pounds. Inshore: Cabrilla, Calico Bass, Sheepshead, Snapper, and Halibut from the beaches. Offshore: Yellowfin, Dorado, Wahoo, and Marlin when warm currents push in.
Local cooperatives handle cleaning, vacuum packing, and even smoking your catch — adding to the town’s community-driven appeal. Winter favors Yellowtail and Reef species, ensuring steady action even outside peak pelagic season.
Guerrero Negro
From Tuna Town to the salt works of Guerrero Negro, the transition was as much cultural as it was geographic, with rugged reef fishing complemented by the winter spectacle of migrating Gray Whales. Inshore: Yellowtail, Grouper, and Snapper thrive along reefs and rocky points. Offshore: Seasonal Tuna, Dorado, and Wahoo — when warmer water pushes north.
Bahía de Los Ángeles
Crossing into the Midriff, Bahía de Los Ángeles reminds anglers why it remains legendary — Yellowtail in cooler months, Reef species thriving year‑round, and a timeless desert‑meets‑sea atmosphere. Deep in the Midriff, it remains one of Baja’s most storied destinations.
Yellowtail: Famous fishery, with 20 to 40-pound fish providing steady action in cooler months. Reefs: Cabrilla, Grouper, and Snapper thrive in nutrient-rich waters. Seasonal Pelagics: Dorado and Tuna join the mix in summer and fall. This is an authentic fishing town with charm, a dramatic desert-meets-sea landscape, and seasoned captains who guide the pangas.
San Felipe
Quiet and scenic, San Felipe delivers a raw Sea of Cortez experience. Inshore: Yellowtail, Cabrilla, and Grouper around rocky points. Offshore: Dorado, Tuna, and Marlin when currents push north. Year-Round: Snapper and Triggerfish keep rods bent.
San Quintín
Back on the Pacific side, San Quintín delivers reliability — captains lean on deep local knowledge to produce consistent catches across reefs and Isla San Martín. Reliable year-round destination on Baja’s Pacific coast. Inshore: Yellowtail, White Seabass, Halibut, Lingcod, and Rockfish.
Ensenada
Northern Baja’s most accessible sportfishing hub. Offshore: Yellowtail, Barracuda, Bonito, Rockfish, plus summer pelagics like Bluefin, Dorado, and Marlin. Winter: Bottom fish and Yellowtail around reefs and islands. The bustling marina, vibrant seafood scene, and proximity to Coronado and Todos Santos Bay make it a lively gateway for anglers.
Coronado Islands
Classic December character: Yellowtail schools holding tight, responding to surface iron and slow-trolled sardines. Crisp winter mornings give way to steady action when winds ease, rewarding those who make the run.
Imperial Beach Pier
The southernmost pier in California offers laid-back but diverse fishing. Shallows: Surfperch, Croaker, Corbina. Farther out on the Pier: Mackerel, Bonito, and an occasional Halibut. Seasonal Runs: Barracuda and Yellowtail, sometimes within casting distance. Family-friendly, license-free pier fishing with Pacific Surf rolling beneath and Baja views stretching south.
From the offshore fishing in Cabo to the quiet reefs of Gonzaga and the family-friendly piers of Southern California, the season’s rhythm reflects both change and continuity. While winter winds may shift the bite, the camaraderie of crews, the resilience of local communities, and the thrill of personal best catches remain constant. As winter settles in, Baja and The Baja Peninsula continue to prove why its destinations are considered world-class fishing destinations — places where every outing carries the promise of adventure, tradition, and unforgettable stories on the water. Local guides offer charters that promise excitement for every skill level. They are tailored to your target species and preferred style. Don’t forget to check local regulations before heading out, as size and bag limits help preserve these thriving fisheries for generations to come.
That Baja Guy
Gary Graham
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.