Fishing around La Paz is starting to feel more like summer, with dorado leading the action and a good mix of marlin, yellowfin tuna, and some bottom fish still showing in the right areas. Conditions have not been completely uniform, but the boats finding the cleaner blue water have been getting into the better pelagic action.
The weather has been great and continues to warm up, and the fishing seems to be following the same trend. Bait remains available, the offshore species are becoming more active, and the overall outlook for the coming weeks looks promising.
Dorado Leads the Week
Dorado were the main catch for our charters this week, with fish ranging from smaller school-sized dorado to some much better-quality fish pushing up to around 50 pounds.
The better dorado action has been connected to cleaner, bluer water. Boats that were able to move away from the off-colored water and locate the warmer, cleaner areas had the best opportunities. The fish have been responding to a mix of trolling and live bait, depending on the conditions and what the captains were seeing throughout the day.
It has not been a wide-open bite everywhere, but there have been enough quality fish around to make dorado the most consistent highlight. With more warm water moving into the region and bait still holding, we expect that bite to continue improving.
Striped and Blue Marlin in the Mix
The charters that specifically targeted billfish found a mix of striped marlin and blue marlin.
That variety is a good sign for the offshore fishing. Some boats spent time trolling and searching for the right water, bait concentrations, and surface activity. As usual with marlin fishing, not every opportunity turned into a landed fish, but the presence of both striped and blue marlin gave anglers several good chances.
The marlin were generally associated with the same cleaner water holding the dorado and other pelagic species. Finding that water has been one of the most important parts of the day. When the boats reached the right conditions, the chances of seeing dorado, tuna, or billfish improved quickly.
Yellowfin Tuna Move Closer to La Paz
Yellowfin tuna are normally found farther south than the distance covered on many of our regular La Paz charters, but this week we were fortunate to find some fish much closer to home.
The tuna were mixed in size. There were smaller football-sized fish, but most of the better tuna were in the 60- to 80-pound range. There were also reports of larger, cow-sized tuna being seen or lost during the action.
Topwater casting and live bait both created opportunities when the fish were located. As is often the case with tuna, the key was being ready when a school came up or when the right signs appeared. The action could change quickly, and having rods rigged for casting made a big difference.
Finding tuna closer to La Paz was a welcome surprise and added another strong option to an already varied week of fishing. Whether they remain within regular charter range will depend on the water and bait, but their presence is another encouraging sign as conditions continue to warm.
Water Conditions, Bait, and Bottom Fishing
The main challenge continues to be the off-colored, green, and colder water left behind by recent upwellings. Patches of that water are still lingering around the islands and can slow down the pelagic fishing.
The most productive strategy has been to keep moving until the boats find cleaner, bluer water. That transition is where the dorado, marlin, and tuna have been more active. Water color and temperature have been just as important as any specific lure or bait choice.
Fortunately, bait is still holding strong. Mackerel remain available in the bay, and sardines are also being supplied by the local bait-catching crews. Having both options gives the captains flexibility, whether they are slow-trolling live bait, casting to surface fish, or switching techniques during the day.
There are also still some bottom fish holding in certain areas. The bottom bite has not been the main story of the week, but it remains a useful option when conditions allow or when the offshore action slows. Working structure with bait or jigs can still produce fish in the right spots.
Good Signs for the Coming Weeks
Overall, the fishing is moving in the right direction. Dorado are providing the most consistent action, including some fish up to 50 pounds. Striped and blue marlin are available for boats targeting billfish, and yellowfin tuna have made an unusual but welcome appearance closer to La Paz.
The water is still mixed, and locating the clean blue areas remains the key to finding pelagic fish. With mackerel in the bay, sardines available from the bait boats, warmer weather settling in, and several offshore species already showing, the next few weeks look very encouraging.
The weather is heating up, the fishing is heating up with it, and there are plenty of good reasons to be optimistic about what is coming next.
