Tortuga Sportfishing News

Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said his pangas on the Las Arenas side were fishing in dawn air temperatures in the 80s, and with some seasonable north winds beginning in the La Paz area. "In our area, north winds have begun, sometimes making trips to distant fishing locations such as the north tip of Isla Cerralvo a little difficult," Hernandez said. "We have been catching very nice tuna of 30 to 40 pounds out there. We are getting some smaller tuna around Punta Perico and southwards every day, and we are also catching dorado of 15 to 30 pounds."Tortuga pangas concentrated fishing in nearby areas around Ensenada de los Muertos that were also holding sardina bait fish on days when north winds were blowing.

LA PAZ PANGA FISHING--Karen Matthers and her family fished on La Paz' Las Arenas side with Tortuga Sportfishing and landed dorado plus these good-sized yellowfin tuna.

We are returning to fishing

Gerardo Hernandez of La Paz' Tortuga Sportfishing said rough seas from the passing to the north of Hurricane Norbert knocked out panga fishing on the Las Arenas side for a few days, but boats were going out again by midweek. Pangas fishing near the Baja shore at Punta Perico and south of Ensenada de los Muertos caught dorado of 20 to 30 pounds, and some marlin were hooked near the shark buoys. Sardina baits were available at Ensenada de los Muertos and just outside.La Paz fishing area weather was cooler in the 80s, making it more comfortable on the water. "After this storm, we are returning to fishing in this part of Baja California Sur," Hernandez said.

FAIR WEATHER DORADO--In a fishing week with hampered by distant Hurricane Norbert, Cirio Alvarez of Los Angeles, Calif., found good weather and sea conditions south of La Paz and this nice dorado during panga action with Tortuga Sportfishing's Capt. Rigo Lucero.

Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing said La Paz fishing area weather on the south side of the hill was very hot to 98 degrees, with scattered rain on some days over the entire region including the city itself. "But the sea has been calm. The water temperature was about 88 degrees at the buoys," Hernandez said.Tortuga Sportfishing pangas found lower water temperatures at about 84 degrees in other areas on the Las Arenas side as dorado action slowed down on fish of 15 to 25 pounds. Some yellowfin tuna were also caught."This week, the fishing picked up for dorado around Punta Perico and Ensenada de los Muertos," Hernandez said. "Only dorado are being caught in this area, and we are using squid for bait because the sardinas are small."

DORADO FOR ALL--This group of anglers from Huntington Beach, Calif., led by Crissy and Pete Techman found consistent dorado action while fishing the Las Arenas side of La Paz with Tortuga Sportfishing.

Gerardo Hernandez of Tortuga Sportfishing at La Paz said weather conditions for his pangas fishing on the Las Arenas side were cloudy at 90 degrees, with plenty of humidity for 3 days running, but without any storms. Water temperatures south of La Paz were at 80 to 83 degrees as Tortuga Sportfishing pangas worked the nearby Baja coastline areas around Punta Perico and Ensenada de los Muertos for dorado to 35 pounds and yellowfin tuna of 15 to 25 pounds."We haven't run out to the famous 88 Bank or to the north point of Isla Cerralvo for the past few days," Hernandez said. "There are no reports of marlin, sailfish, or other larger fish from out there."Along the Baja coast, Tortuga pangas caught good-sized roosterfish into the 60 and 70-pound class. Sardina bait fish were in adequate supply, but were small and were being used for tuna. Giant Humboldt squid were also present and being caught for dorado bait.

GOOD LA PAZ TRIP--Phill Schenck and daughter Gale went panga fishing south of La Paz with Tortuga Sportfishing for a catch including dorado, tuna, and some giant Humboldt squid.