Offshore:

We've closed our shop for the season and are currently working on putting everything online. We're open for charters throughout the year and available by calling 135-1603 from a local Loreto phone.

Inshore:

Fishing has remained fairly static throughout October, November and December with the weather being the determining factor This is quite normal for the winter fishing season off Loreto and we expect more of the same through to early March. We're experiencing the predictable cyclic Norte wind pattern. This is defined by several days of calm to still morning seas and winds building late in the morning or early afternoon then calming after sunset. These periods of calm days will be interrupted by several days of windy conditions that are normally severe enough to blow out our fishing opportunities. (rough enough conditions to cancel fishing excursions)

Yellowtail:  Those firecracker Yellowtail have been our "bread and butter" for the last few weeks and they can be found off Isla Coronado and points North of Punta Colorada, the structure in front of the airport off Playa Salinta, and off Nopolo halfway to Juncalito. They schooling and can be located when they're in feeding frenzies near the shorelines. They'll generally be cookie cutter 8-12 pound fish...perfect for the smoker. If there aren't too many other boats you may have a chance at one of these fish on artificials. If there are too many boats they'll only take baited hooks. We suggest using live sardinas that are cast and allowed to free swim to get these YT. A little weight may be needed to keep them down. To catch them on artificials such as chrome or rubber lures, chumming with live sardinas then throw out the lures. This stand-up light tackle method of fishing artificials couples well with fly fishing.

Dorado:  As the center of the Sea of Cortez cools down these fish migrate South following the warmer waters they prefer. The Eastern shorelines of the peninsula and the Western shoreline waters of the Islands stay warmer for a longer period of time. Often as the migrating Dorado follow the warm water masses south, they will move along the shorelines and linger in the warm waters. Sometimes they become trapped and remain through the winter but most often they will eventually follow the warm waters southward and out of our area. Early November and even December can offer fleeting oportunities for catching Dorado. This seems to still be the case right now as Dorado are still pretty prominent a catch for the sport fishing boats. The bait of choice is the free swimming sardina and the Dorado are averaging 10 pounds.

Cabrilla and Pargo:  Expect to catch some Pargo in the same locations as those described for the YT. If you're fising with bait for those firecracker YT or a deep diving lure often a Pargo or a Cabrilla will beat out the YT. To target the Pargo fish 20-60 foot depths with weighted free-swimming live sardinas. Pargo have been more frequent than Cabrilla with sizes ranging from 3-20+ pounds for both.

Roosterfish:  Roosterfish have been pretty frequent in several locations, Isla Coronado - Punta Colorada, Nopolo to Juncalito and Tintorerra to Punta Lobos to name a few. The Roosterfish prefer a mixed cobble - sand structure. Smaller Roosterfish school and when feeding compete heavily so these are easier to catch for the lure and fly fishermen. Larger Roosterfish congregate into smaller and smaller groups as their body size increases. Larger Roosterfish (greater than 30 pounds) are typically observed in pairs and are less competitive with each other. Schools of smaller Roosterfish can be identified by surface disturbance that resembles firecracker Yellowtail while larger Roosterfish can be identified by large surface boils with the presence of their distinctive dorsal comb-like fin. Slow trolling a live sardina, mackerel or mullet will work for the larger Roosterfish. Conventional anglers generally get Roosterfish by fishing live bait as opposed to lures. We suggest that all roosterfish be released due to their poor edibility and high value as a sport angler's target.

Sierra Mackerel:  Sierra Mackerel are pretty frequent in the early mornings now. They can be found off Isla Coronado and across the channel from the bajo to past Punta Colorada, and likely points North. Also off Nopolo and South and in front of the airport over the structure that's a couple of miles off the shoreline. Use a lure such as a Rapala, Rebel or krockodile trolled behind the boat in the early morning. They will take live sardinas but typically will cut through the line with their sharp teeth. Generally the length and hook placement on the lures mentioned above protects the line from breakoffs but it is common to use light wire to insure against losing lures.

Other Inshore Species:  The above aren't all that's caught off Loreto. In addition to those species mentioned you should also expect Triggerfish, Jack Crevalle, Green Jacks, Pompano, Amberjack, Giant Needlefish, Giant Wrasse, Barracuda and the occasional Halibut among others.