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This
is only a sampling of the types of fish caught in the waters off Loreto.
The water in this area is full of life and you are sure to catch your
meal or a few photos if you decide to release. While out on your fishing
excursion you will also often spot Whales, Dolphin, Manta Rays, and Sea
Turtles.
Dorado
(Hawaiian-Mahimahi): To 6 feet 9 inches and 87 pounds. Most average 2.5
- 4 feet and 10 - 30 pounds and are caught over deep water trenches. They
like to linger under floating patches of seaweed (Sp. Sargasso) or any
other floating object. Their curiosity also attracts their schools to
boats, which often results in multiple hookups. Dorado are voracious eaters
with keen eyesight, capable of swimming up to 40 m.p.h. to catch their
prey. They are most often caught by trolling live mackerel. When they
hit your bait, set the hook and be ready for the show! This fish is famous
for its acrobatic leaps and long runs. When taken into the boat, its iridescent
colors of green, blue, and gold soon fade. Its firm white meat makes excellent
eating!
Striped
Marlin
Leader length for lure fishing 12'-15' of 200#-300# for striped marlin.
12'-15' of 100#-150# for live bait for striped marlin and sailfish. The
leader is usually tied to the main line with an albright.
Yellowfin Tuna
Leader length of 8' of 80# for live bait or chunking for tuna over 100#.
A swivel is optional for live bait, but mandatory for chunking. 5' of
50#-60# for trolling or bait for tuna over 40#; 20#-30# for smaller fish
(usually no leader).Yellowfin Tuna (Sp. Atún): To six and one-half
feet and 450 pounds. A beautiful fish with iridescent blue, gold, and
yellow colorings. It is distinguished by long blue and yellow pectoral
and second dorsal fins. They are caught offshore over deep water trenches
on trolled live mackerel. Expect a strong strike followed by a long, hard
deep water battle. This fish makes excellent eating.
Wahoo
Leader Length of 2'-3' of 60#-100# single strand wire for live bait and
trolled lures, 40#-60# cable for iron (Hopkins, Tady, Salas, UFO, etc),
and 250# cable for Marauders, Bonitas, etc., for Wahoo. Sierra: Leader
length of 5-7 feet with a swivel clipped to a CD4 Rapala.
Roosters & Pargo
Leader length of 3' of 30#-40# (green mono may work better than other
colors) with a rubber core sinker for
for Pargo.
Amberjack
Leader Length of 3' of 50#-80# with a dropper loop and whatever weight
of torpedo sinker, usually 4-16 oz.,
is necessary to get to the bottom for Amberjack or Cabrilla and other
things living in rock piles. Make the dropper with a spider hitch, with
a 2' loop and 3' tag, with the hook on the loop and sinker on the tag,
and with a half hitch in the tag near the sinker so it busts off first
when you get hung in the rocks.
Sailfish (Sp. Pez Vela):
To 10 feet, 9 inches and 180 pounds (average 7 ft., 100 pounds). Often
found swimming among the Dorado, they swim with small groups of other
sailfish over deep water. They can be caught by trolling live mackerel
at the surface. When they strike, let them take bait for a few seconds
then set the hook...hard! The sailfish will put on a dazzling acrobatic
show, leaping out of the water and dancing on its tail at the surface.
Make sure the fish is exhausted before bringing to the boat and carefully
removing the hook. Sailfish should be released, but can taste good when
smoked.
Marlin
In Loreto, Striped Marlin are caught. Individuals can get up to 13.5 feet
and 692 pounds, but here they average 9 - 10 feet and 150 - 250 pounds.
Marlin are the King of all fighting fish and can be taken in the same
locations as Sailfish, but more often further offshore. They'll take a
trolled live mackerel and strike hard, stripping yards of line instantly.
Let them take bait for a five to ten count, then set the hook firmly and
hang on! Your prized fish will instantly break water and tail dance at
the surface while shaking its head from right to left to rid itself of
the hook. If he heads for the deep, be prepared for a long, tedious battle.
Stripers must be "dead tired" before boating because they can
suddenly "come to life" making for a
difficult situation--so be alert at this time. They make good eating when
smoked. Catch and release is encouraged.
Grouper (Sp.
Garropa)
The Gulf Grouper can get up to 6.5 feet and 200 pounds. They inhabit reefs
and sea mounts just offshore and around islands. The 10 to 50 pounders
are caught by jigging live or dead bait,
leadhead jigs, or spoons at 10 to 40 feet deep, while the big ones can
be had at depths of 100 to 200 feet. When they strike, their reaction
is to dive down and head for the rocks. At this time you must turn them
up towards the boat or you'll lose the fish. Once headed toward the boat,
they feel heavy but don't give much of a fight. Their size is often impressive
and their firm white meat makes outstanding eating.
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