La Paz Fishing Report / February 18th
We are definitely in the middle of our typical winter weather pattern.
With strong North winds blowing for 5-6 days in a row sometimes exceeding 25 knots, frequently closing the port for all water activities. The water temperature is a chilling 67 degrees with poor visibility.
On the days when the wind dies down allowing us to get out of the bay the days are beautiful.
Bait is widely available, with large schools of mackerel in the back bay and sardines for sale on the way out to the fishing grounds. Most boats are fishing the seamounts, rocky spots around Espíritu Santos Island and Punta Coyote.
The best way to sum up the action is inconsistent. One day it’s near limits and the next it’s a scratch. We are metering fish on all the normal locations meaning the fish are here just the bite is on and off.
My guess is this is mostly tide driven with the best bite on the descending tide.
The fish being caught are mostly above avg size with a number of mossbacks in the 40lb range.
A few of the locals are fishing further North then the daily charters can run and crushing it. Fortunately they’re not too far out and we are early in the season.
These fish should continue to to migrate south in the next couple of weeks as they start getting closer to spawning . Most of the fish are close to the bottom so the hook up to landing ratio is a challenge. These larger fish are just so strong we are either getting rocked or pinching the drag and pulling the hook.
We had a charter this week that hooked 15 fish landing 7. Ugh.
The Cabrilla are just starting to make a show. As we get into March they should start schooling up as they start their spawning routine.
There’s not much to report offshore. The occasional Dorado or tuna are being caught but, not enough to chase.
We haven’t seen the Sierra come in yet but perhaps most boats are just not fishing for them.
As we swing into spring the winds will start to lay down and the fishing will improve. Slow trolling Mackerel with down riggers or 8oz weights are the ticket for sure. Many fish are also biting the Jig. Scrambled egg pattern is your best choice of color.
Assuming the winds cooperate the next few weeks should killer.
That’s it for this week
Keep the faith
Scotto
