That's My Story

Of the handful of fish that can really get people worked up into a frenzy, mention the word “Yellowtail” and it’s enough to get a young fisherman’s fingers twitching for a rod and reel and the eyes of any old Baja salt to glaze over. Despite the many gamefish available in Mexican waters, few offer the sheer tenacity, attitude and tastiness of the sierra dorsalis, otherwise known as yellowtail, but to the more knowledgeable as “yellows,” “forktails,” “forkies,” or “mossbacks.”

Not to be confused with yellowfin tuna, the yellowtail is a member of the jack family with blue/grey/silver sides and a darker blue/green back or, in the larger older resident species, a dark emerald back topped with bright yellow fins.

In the days before they were overfished, talk to an old Baja angler or even the old anglers from Southern California and they will re-count days when the birds dove on seemingly acres of boiling frothing fish. The kelp beds off S. California and paddies off northern Pacific Baja as well as the islands of Cedros and Benitos used to have schools thicker than mackerel. The areas off Loreto, Bahia de Los Angeles and the midriff islands were legendary for 40 pounders that would turn the waters to class 5 rapids when they came to feed! My own first encounter with these tremendous fish was at the age of 9 and I re-call looking into the water and seeing solid fish as far as my gaze penetrated. I farmed 6 fish before I was able to land my first one! It was a 25 pounder that the skipper said was “too small” and after a quick photo was tossed back into the water with a cavalier flip, as if he were tossing a bonito back! I was devastated, but quickly forgot as my next fish was probably closer to 40 pounds!

That same sized fish in many areas would almost be a trophy by today’s standards. Indeed the fish was so abundant, that it quickly attracted commercial interests that wasted no time in wrapping although not as plentiful, it seems the yellowtail is no less sought, especially by sport anglers. Especially during the winter/early spring months then again in the fall, yellowtail fishing in the Sea of Cortez can still be spectacular. In the summer and fall, warmer waters up the Pacific coast of Baja bring fish into northern Baja waters under kelp paddies and off structure well-within reach of San Diego/ Ensenada/San Quintin fleets.

Current fish have diminished in size where a 25-30 pound fish would be considered a trophy. Most of the fish along the Pacific tend to be under that size, but voracious schools carrying quantities of fish seem to more than make up for the smaller size. However, larger fish are often found around Cedros and Benitos Islands as well as the higher spots and banks off of Magdalena Bay and anywhere structure can be found. Generally speaking, however, the larger fish are in the Sea of Cortez. Less migratory than their Pacific counterparts, this is where most people come to find the grumpy angry fish of the past. The best areas continue to be the islands off Loreto as well as Bahia de Los Angeles as well as the areas of the midriff islands, but fish can be found as far south as Cabo on occasion, but with diminishing frequency. In general, if someone asks me for yellowtail, I send them north of my place in La Paz to fish L.A. Bay, Loreto or grab a mothership out of San Felipe to fish the midriff islands.

Most methods of fishing these prized fish entail some degree of effort one way or the other…either in getting them hooked, but then battling these bruisers back to the boat. Of course, the easiest is to find breaking fish and flyline (casting a bait with no sinkers) into the melee. Hang on! When they are on the chew, you won’t wait long and expect short brutal runs that can tax even the best anglers and gear.

The harder method, when you know you’re in the fish zone requires a bit more work, but is no less rewarding. One of the best methods favored by veterans is called yo-yo- ironing. Essentially, this consists of throwing out a heavy metal lure. It doesn’t even need to be cast as you can simply drop it over the side of your boat. Let it fall then wind as fast as you can! Wind until your arms feel like falling off! (I told you it was hard work!) The faster you wind, the better your chances of hooking a fish. Colors such as blue and white / yellow and green / all white / yellow, brown and white (scrambled egg) can be deadly with this method. Try retrieving from various depths. Try dropping all the way to the bottom. Don’t let it sit there long as yellowtail prefer rocky areas and you’ll get hung up and lose your lure. As soon as it hits bottom, give it a few twitches then wind like heck back to the surface. You can even stop and let it drop back down before you get back to the the boat. Another method is to cast out some distance then cranking like crazy; stopping and letting the lure flutter down; then cranking again so that you create a “z” pattern back to the boat. Expect huge heavy hits on this type of fishing so make sure you’ve got your rods securely in hand.

The other preferred method, if there’s bait is using a dropper loop method. Here, I’d favor a short stout rod and line in the 40-60 pound range. There were even times when I’ve had to go to 80 or 100 pound test. It’s not the fish that I’m worried about. It’s the fact that I’m going to drop my hooked mackerel, squid or sardine 100, 200 and even 300 feet down. When the yellowtail is hooked it’s first reaction will be heading right back down to the rocks to snap you off! These fish like structure, whether it’s rocks, kelp, an old wreck or other obstacle so gear your equipment to the surroundings and not necessarily the fish!

Once you’re hooked, whether via jig or bait, dig in your heels! Even if the fish tasted terribly, anglers would chase this sportsfish just for the sheer fight. It may not make the speedy runs of the tuna; leap like a marlin or dorado, but in sheer shoulder-packing-fin-beating runs, it’s hard to top a hooked yellowtail. It will most often head right back to the kelp or rocks it came from and will doggedly pull in bursts of power that will require the angler to constantly put pressure on the running fish to make it work against you; your equipment and the boat. Make the fish pay for any line it wants to take! Keep your rod tip up and short-pump the fish back to the boat between runs. If you can get it’s head turned away from the line-eating rocks and structure, you’re halfway there!

Excellent raw as sashimi; grilled, broiled or sautee’d, it’s hard to top fresh yellowtail. The meat is pinkish white and cooks up firm, flaky and white with few bones. It makes great eating along with the great stories of boating this legendary fighter!

If you have any questions or ever want to chat fishing, you can reach me at 626-333-3355 or e-mail me at riplipboy@aol.com or http://www.tailhunter-international.com.