By Dan Binetti
Whether fishing on the Sea of Cortez, from La Paz to the East Cape, or down to San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, or on the Pacific Ocean from Cabo San Lucas to Todos Santos all the way north to Agua Blanca, you can find great fishing off the beach year round. Summer or winter, from the shoreline, in a panga (a small boat) or in a full size luxury cruiser, the variety of fish available is simply amazing, let´s break it down.
La Paz and Pichilingue (Sea of Cortez): Here you will find a large variety of fishing in the bay. You can try to fish from the shore in one of the many secluded coves or from a kayak, which is also fun. There are plenty of pangas and luxury cruisers available for full day trips. Generally speaking, the best time of year would be May-Dec. However the winter months offer some great bottom fishing when it is not too windy. Best kept secret: a recreational fisherman can get a special permit to fish around Isla Espiritu Santo where the commercial fishing fleet is not allowed, and land some great rock fish.
Punta Arena and Ensenada de los Muertos (Sea of Cortez): The Bay of the Dead got its name because it was the only deep water cove that large boats could anchor in when the winter winds became too strong, where they then became easy prey to pirate ships. This by far is my best choice for year-round fishing. The Panga captains are friendly, have good gear, the prices are affordable and they love to catch fish. There is a boat launch for larger boats but the fleet here launches off the beach and is all pangas. The fishing is the most consistent from May through January, but the other months offer giant Amberjacks, Jurell, and big Dog Snapper, Pargo and Cabrilla when the winds allow you to fish. Off the point at Punta Arena is a favorite spot for sport fishermen who seek giant Roosterfish from the shore.
El Cardonal, Punta Pescadero, Los Barriles (Sea of Cortez): Buena Vista to Cabo Pulmo, and Bahia de Los Frailes, all offer local pangas to choose from. Both Los Barriles and Spa Buena Vista have large fleets of luxury cruisers if you so desire. The time of the year will dictate if the boats fish to the north around Punta Arena, straight out from their locations, or toward the south near Cabo Pulmo. There is year-round fishing with the best months being May through December, but you have to consider that winter months offer good fishing when the winds allow. All of these areas have great shoreline fishing, and Kayak fishing is lots of fun in the summer months when the water is dead flat.
San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas: What can I say? Luxury and world class fishing rolled up in one. Yes there are panga fleets if you’re on a tight budget, but the luxury cruisers are amazing. It is a great experience to arrive at the marina and seeing the giant yachts leaving the marina, and when they are returning, comparing the amount of fish flags on your boat to the ones on the others. The fishing is great year round and the season and the fish are what dictates where the boats go. Of course, the international Bisbee Black & Blue and other fishing tournaments are generally from October through December. From July through January, almost all of the fleet make the run about half way to Todos Santos, near Elias Calles, and fish an area there. It provides great fishing and a little bit cooler air temperatures as an added bonus.
Todos Santos (“my home town”) on the Pacific Ocean: It is quite different from the rest. The pangas launch off the Beach at Punta Lobos into the breaking Pacific waves and return by racing into the beach and launching themselves up onto the sand, it is quite a beautiful sight to see. The pangas here are not primarily equipped to take clients out, so knowing a local who has the tackle and knows one of the captains is essential. Because it is the Pacific Ocean and can get quite rough, all pangas launch with a captain and a first mate. Best fishing is generally between July and January, when the Cabo fleet makes its run north. Todos Santos offers all of the species that are caught on the Sea of Cortez with some additional surprises. In the summer months there are both Corbina (White Sea Bass) and Robalo (Snook) both easily reaching the 50 lb mark. In the winter, when the water reaches its coolest temperatures (March-May) and we also have Lenguado (Halibut) with 30-70 lb specimens common. Pescadero and Todos Santos all the way North to Agua Blanca offer great fishing off the beach year round.
Well, I would say this sums it up. I love to fish and enjoy making new friends on the water, so if you’re ever here in Todos Santos look me up and lets go fishing. Remember fishing is a great way to spend time with your children, there is nothing like the look on a happy child’s face after reeling in the big one, something he or she will never forget…. I know — I never did.
Until we meet, enjoy your fishing!
Dan Binetti (also known as shalacalaca by my fishing friends and Captains)
For more information about Todos Santos Lifestyle, Real Estate & news, send Dan an email to dbinetti@cbrvieras.com visit www.cbriveras.com or give him a call to our Coldwell Banker Riveras Todos Santos Office 52.612.145.0118.
