PHOTO 1: So late in the season, there are surprisingly a nice batch of quality tuna still being caught around Cerralvo Island and just outside of Muertos Bay just SE of La Paz. These 25-35 pound fish aren’t wide open, but the bite can be steady and relatively close to shore. Jill Roldan (my wife!) of La Paz and Tailhunter International used drifted dead sardines and light tackle to hammer this nice yellowfin tuna after a tough battle.
PHOTO 2: Where have these big fish been? Normally, the fall is the time for these big bull dorado, but most of them have been school-sized fish in the 10-15 pound class. This might be one of the larger bull dorado of the season and fell for a live sardine tossed out on 25-pound-test as it swam by the panga. I just saw the “swirl” and didn’t realize the size of the fish until it took off and went airborne! Otherwise, I would have grabbed some heavier gear or at least something with heavier leader. Fortunately, the fish was lip-hooked and couldn’t chomp the line.
PHOTO 3: Not a bad day at all. Four yellowfin tuna, 1 dorado, 1 sierra, numerous big bonito. Actually, the first day all season were were able to get out on the water together.
PHOTO 4: Two great amigos…Nathan and his dad, Ray Chow from the San Francisco Bay Area come to see us each year. They had to postpone their trip twice this year, but finally made it down albeit later in the season than they are accustomed to. They found they pretty much had the ocean all to themselves as opposed to the busier times of the year and got into some nice jags of dorado and tuna.
PHOTO 5: Although because of the northern winds that are popping up with more regularity now that the season are changing, we’re doing most of our fishing out of protected Muertos Bay, we’re still getting the occasional panga out of La Paz. Weather permitting, the dorado are still there too with fish in the 10-25 pound class. East-coaster, Gerry Mulholland holds up a sample of a nice bull.
DORADO – TUNA – WAHOO – BILLFISH – SIERRA BEND ANGLERS DESPITE WINDS
Seasons have definitely changed down here after a season of sweltering heat and humidity. We’re probably having some of the most pleasant weather of the year right now. Not hot. Not cold. Just right. Northern breezes, strong at times, are keeping us doing most of our fishing out of Muertos Bay now, but occasionally, when we send a boat out of La Paz with out fleet, they are getting limits or near limits of dorado to 25 pounds.
As mentioned, the better conditions and fishing have been with our Las Arenas/Muertos Bay fleet. Even when the winds blow, the fishing is so relatively close to shore that it makes for a great day. Except for having to run the island to get bait, we then come back and fish literally no more than 5 minutes out of the Bay and maybe only 100-200 yards off the beach.
Fresh dead sardines have worked great on the tuna school that seems to have planted itself between the big houses on the hill at Punta Perrico and the old Las Arenas Hotel. Some days we get 1 or 2 fish per boat. Other days, the boats will get 2-6 fish per panga. Still great fishing for November and the 25-35 pound grade fish are incredible fighters, especially on light tackle.
As well, huge bonito up to 12 pounds give the tuna a run for the money in terms of fighting power but then schools of dorado and free swimming marlin and sailfish also come through the same areas where the pangas are fishing for the tuna. Just about every day, I see some panga suddenly hooked up and chasing down a leaping billfish blowing up in the middle of the fleet and pangas trying to get out’ve the way amid lot of laughter and screaming anglers. Surprisingly, this late in the season, we’re getting quite a few billfishing. I’ve never seen so many marlin and sails this late in the year.
For the dorado, we’ve still got ‘em swimming around in relatively nice numbers, but the best way to get them going to catch bonito then slow troll strips of them behind the panga. After a hookup, toss live bait to see if the school follows the hooked fish in. Often, 2, 3 or more fish come to the boat.
In addition, every few days, someone hooks a wahoo around Cerralvo. In fact, if you’re the right person at the right time in the right spot, the wahoo can go off. Same with roosterfish and sierra as well. Just a nice time to be here for the moment.
WEEKLY VIDEO CLIP
Here’s some footage from the week of fishing:
JACK VELEZ FUND
Thanks to all of you who generously donated to the family. Big and small, we collected close to 6 thousand dollars to help the family after Jack’s passing earlier this summer. We had a small memorial dinner now that the season has slowed down, and surprised them with the funds. The family wanted me to express their gratitude to all of you for your spirit and generosity. God bless you all.
That’s our story
Jonathan and Jill
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International
Website: http://www.tailhunter-international.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico Office: 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:
http://www.tailhunter-international.com/fishreport.htm
Tailhunter YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate
“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”
That's My Story 
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