PUBLISHED WEEK OF AUG. 22, 2006 WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS
Say, looks like the Baja and Southern Cal are having quite a dorado season. For the lower Baja waters, it seems like we’re finally away from so many of those firecracker schoolie dorado and the bigger bulls have moved in.
This is the time to have your “A” game, amigos. You may not get many shots at these trophy fish that might go 30-60 pounds and are the premier Baja fish of the summer for most anglers.
If you’re fishing the light tackle, use heavier leader. All dorado have teeth. Don’t be afraid to use larger hooks as well. If you’re bait fishing, use the largest hook that will not kill your bait and allow it to swim as freely as possible.
The larger fish are older and smarter. They didn’t get like this because they were stupid or eating just anything tossed their way like their little brothers. Notwithstanding, when on the “feed, ” large dorado will hit just about anything they put their mind to and slam it with a viciousness that will rip a rod out of your hands if you’re sleeping. So, be selective in your lure choices and do not be afraid to use the large lures in your quiver. I have seen even pint-sized dorado torpedo towards lures that were meant for blue marlin and hit them with a zeal that must have knocked out a couple of the squirt’s teeth.
If mackerel seems to be the prevalent baits, go for lure patterns like the Mean Joe Green (green and black) and the Ninja (black and purple) that look like darker baits. Caballitos in the tank? Consider using the Petroleros (silvery blue, grey but with some light orange or brown streaks in it like gasoline…petrol!) If you happen to get one or two in the box, take a moment and examine the stomach contents. See squid in there? Go for pinks, reds and white color patterns.
One of the favorite foods of dorado are flying fish. One reason the dorado will often hang around buoys is that the flying fish will lay eggs on the floats, ropes, etc. Flying fish will often meet their end around the buoys to lurking dorado. I have often found dead flying fish tangled in the buoys and there’s nothing like “flying fish candy” to fire up a big bull. Well..well..well…
Pin that onto a swiveled leader and drag that at slightly higher speed than normal and watch it pop and skitter on the surface just like a live flying fish and watch what happens. Several days I couldn’t find a flying fish, but I did see dorado chasing some fliers, so I rigged a quick daisy chain by putting several tuna feathers in tandem spaced about 12 inches apart with hooks only on the last one.
Dragged behind the boat, they dive and pop just like commercial daisy chain lures! If they have slanted or popper heads the action is even better. Picked up two nice bulls on a day when not much else could get’em to bite.
Other Bits and pieces:
Post terror scare on the East Coast airlines, restrictions have certainly tightened all around, but talking to quite a few of my clients coming and going in the Baja, they’re telling me it’s not too bad at all. Get there early and avoid the crowds. The delays specifically due to the more extensive searches do last longer, but if you give yourself extra time, you’ll be OK. Travelers are being allowed to carry-on items, but, as of the time of this writing, they are still restricting most liquid-based items.
Finally, I must have gotten over a dozen e-mails from amigos asking if alleged notorious drug cartel boss, Javier Arrellano Felix was on one of our charter boats when he was busted this past week. Felix was on a charter boat about 15 miles outside of La Paz in the Sea of Cortez fishing when he got nabbed by the U.S. Coastguard. Sorry, but I had never heard of the boat before now. I hope his trip was pre-aid. I wonder if he’ll ask for a refund?
That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com
That's My Story 
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