WE ARE FINE – THANKS FOR ASKING…AND SO IS THE FISHING!
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report and Update for Feb. 6-23, 2026
OPENING MESSAGE FROM US ABOUT THE NEWS YOU MAY HAVE SEEN IN MEXICO
Thank you to everyone who has written and expressed their concern for us in La Paz! Gotta tell ya…we had live music like usual. The restaurant was full of diners. People jogged; walked their dogs with their families; rode their bikes yesterday and last night. Just another nice Sunday afternoon and evening!
Please keep things in perspective.
Read more than just a headline or someone posting online for clicks. Mexico is a huge country and the stuff happening is on the Mainland.
Not to minimize things there, but Baja is 1000 miles long and La Paz in the southern state of Baja and there are no restrictions or warnings related to what’s happening “over there.” It’s like worrying about what’s happening in a city in Florida and you live in Wyoming! (love both places!). The U.S. is huge and so is it’s Mexican neighbor!
Yes, burning busses and cars make great TV and get ratings. I was a radio and TV reporter for CBS for many years. But no tourists or innocent folks harmed, kidnapped, threatened as far as I’ve heard. Traffic from Tijuana to Cabo moving like a normal Monday. All of this is in response to the government killing of their cartel head.
It’s like the ICE riots or the “black lives matter” riots or the White House riot or the “Occupy (fill in the city).” Mexico TV portrayed those as the whole U.S. is on fire. Many of our Mexican friends are afraid to go to the U.S. I had one tell me he doesn’t take his family to Disneyland anymore because Los Angeles gangs will kill his family! That’s what Mexican TV portrays.
Lived here and run several businesses for over 30 years in La Paz. Many many good, kind, hard-working, welcoming folks and we all get along. We keep calm and keep things in perspective.
This happens sadly every year and then it diminishes. See if this is true. Becomes old news. Just like in the U.S. But, I would still go to Disneyland.
We have folks fishing. I took more reservations this morning for the year! We have live rock and blues tomorrow at the restaurant like usual! Come join us!
God bless us all! We love ya for asking about us! Oh…yesterday was national margarita day!
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN REPORT
WEATHER: It’s been nice and getting warmer. Some day time temps now in the low 80’s during the day. Sunny and pleasant and the wind seems to have thankfully diminished a bit too allowing for some better fishing
WATER: With the wind dialing back, the waters have been calmer for sure. Surface temps about 68-72 but there must be some warmer spots since there are a few dorado around which are warm-water specis.
HOOKED THIS WEEK: Yellowtail , roosterfish, sierra, amberjack, pargo mulato, pargo liso, yellow snapper, cabrilla, jack crevalle, dorado.
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY
Thanks to Gary Wagner, owner of the Rancho Costa Resort at Bahia Muertos where we launch our boats for this week’s great photos!
Gary with a sizeable mullet snapper (Pargo Liso). Normally, we see these tough fish spawn in the shallows more in April and May and they can easily get 40-60 pounds! Very very tough fighters and powerful!
Well…this is either a small juvenile roosterfish holding over from last year or an early fella for the 2026 season, but smaller roosters are showing up along the beaches! Hopefully, the bigger slugger brothers roll in soon too. Normally, May and June are the banner months for the monsters! Roy Moulton from Teton CO rocked this guy in the shallows and released it after the quick photo.
Now this is a toad cabrilla! Actually, it’s tipping towards probably a grouper, but nice trophy catch for Jason Wagner! Delicious from head to tail. For the locals, nothing gets wasted. One of the most popular fish at restaurants.
Another surprise! There must be some warm water spots around for a dorado like this to be hooked in February. Roy has a nice bull dorado . Normally, these guys show up in the summer months!
Beautiful cabrilla just off Bahia Muertos for Jason. I’ll fish these all day! They’ll eat bait, artificials and jigs or take a slow trolled crank bait.
Again, my apologies for not posting my usual weekly updates like I have done for over 30 years and like during the fishing season. But, for one, it’s just not the season from November to April so not much of anyone is on the water because the weather can be extremely windy, rough, cold and erratic.
But, moreso, Jilly and I have been on the road now for two months doing the fishing/ hunting shows and the last 3 weeks have been especially hectic! More on that in a bit! See below!
As far as the fishing, conditions seem to be slightly improving. Weather has been warmer into the low 80’s and sunny during the day now. Even more importantly, the winds have cut back a bit. At least, there have been fewer windy days the last week or so and when they did blow, they weren’t as strong.
I won’t go so far as to say the winds are done! March traditionally can be the windiest of all the months! But, it’s fishing and we’ll take what we can get!
Anyway, some folks have actually gotten out. Not many, but here-and-there, and found some surprising catches with a pretty wide variety.
The typical cooler water species are around like cabrilla, sierra, barred pargo, amberjack and smaller yellowtail. However, along those lines, those tough pargo liso have shown up and seem to be spawning in the shallows earlier this year. Hope they still around for awhile. As well, there are lots of bonito and jack crevalle.
Surprising catches have included smaller 5-10 pound roosterfish, the occasional dorado and even a tuna biter or two (by the commercial fishermen). So, each week will only tell us more and we’ll keep an eye on things. But, I don’t think we’re out’ve the windy season just yet!
TAILHUNTER TOUR HOME STRETCH!
As alluded to above, the last two months have been our usual annual hectic road trip and Jill and I have been on the road doing our fishing/ hunting shows and expos. It started with a 4-day show in Sacramento at the International Sportsmans Expo.
We then did a huge 3 day show at the Reno Convention Center at the Wild Sheep Foundation!
Those were the warm-ups!
The last 3 weeks, we hit the massive Western Hunting and Conservation Show and Expo in Salt Lake City where something like 60,000 folks attended over 4 days. That was followed by the most recent show in Nashville TN at the Safari Club International. Both Jilly and I are hoarse from that 4 day show not to mention pretty darned tired!
But wow…we have had a great time! So many old friends and new friends and yes…lots of reservations to come fish with us in La Paz!
So, now here we go…wrapping things up in our homecourt of Southern California with our fishing tribes!
The two PCS (Pacific Coast Sportfishing) Shows. First one at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds in Orange Co. March 5-8. Then, the last one in San Diego at the Del Mar Fairgrounds!
These aren’t just shows! These are huge fishing parties! Lots of things for the whole family! It’s a celebration of fishing so we hope you can come see us! Here’s a link for more info:
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report and Update for Jan. 25-Feb. 5, 2026
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN REPORT
WEATHER: About what you’d expect this time of year. Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60’s to lower 70’s in the day. Night temps in the high 50’s. Can get very windy, especially in the later mornings and afternoons with 15-20 mph gusts.
WATER: We think it’s chilly, but vistors probably really like that it’s about 67-71 degrees on the surface. At thermocline can drop another 5-8 degrees. Typically, this is the coolest ocean temps of the year.
FISH HOOKED RECENTLY: Sierra, bonito, pargo, cabrilla, snapper, jack crevalle, yellowtail, rainbow runner, trevally, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT and TAILHUNTER UPDATES
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY
Something you don’t see alot of this time of year with Chris who found some days without so much wind. One…we don’t usually see roosterfish this time of year. Secondly, he did it with his flyrod! The fish was released.
Water temps right now are on the cool side only 67-71 degrees. Usually, the coolest of the year in February, but there must be some patches of warmer stuff because dorado like water closer to 80 degrees! Chris found this nice bull of Bahia Muertos.
________________________________
It’s been pretty much your typical winter conditions.
Waters are surely cooler and not as blue with surface temps hovering around 67-71 degrees. (We think it’s really cold!) Off the water, it’s pretty pleasant. The snow-birds and visitors will love that it’s mostly sunny with day time temps between 65 and the low 70’s. Night temps in the mid-50’s. Still good to keep a hoodie or similar handy.
The problem is the winds. Still getting some gusty days hitting 15-20 knots, especially in the later mornings and afternoons. That’s the issue because during the winter, the winds can make it pretty rough on the water and if strong enough can make it precarious. In worst-case scenarios, the port captain has been shutting down the port completely to all boat traffic which affects not only the prospects of fishing, but diving, snorkeling, kayaking, whalesharks and other activities.
That being said…
If you can find the windows when the winds aren’t kicking so hard, the conditions can be pretty nice and the fishing fairly surprising with a number of species willing to bend a rod.
The typical cold-water species like sierra, pargo, cabrilla, snapper, yellowtail and amberjack are around as well as some surprising bites from smaller inshore roosterfish and even the occasional dorado or tuna if you can get through the schools of bonito which can still be really fun. Bonito pull pretty hard!
But that’s the key is finding that sweet spot in the weather. Even if can get out, it’s no fun getting bounced around, wet, cold and worse…seasick. Especially true with families.
But, if you check with us, we can give you an honest opinion of the upcoming weather and we do have some spots to fish where it’s more protected from the winds and fish can be found without heading out too far!
TAILHUNTER ROAD TOUR 2026…to Salt Lake City then Nashville!
Jilly and I just wrapped up our January road tour with two fantastic shows. First, we were in Sacramento at the International Sportsman’s Expo at the California State Fairgrounds for a 4 days show.
We followed that up with the Wild Sheep Expo and Convention at the Reno Convention Center in Reno, NV. That was a 3 day show and was off-the-hook fun as well.
We want to give a shout and thank eveyrone who came by the booth and also a big thanks to everyone who came and signed up to come see us this year in La Paz! It’s gonna be a fun year for sure!
So…now we’re on our way to Salt Lake City, Utah for one of the largest shows on our calendar. It’s at the Salt Palace Convention Center downtown for the Western Hunt and Conservation Expo.
This show is massive and something like 50-60,000 folks will show up to check out more than 600 exhibitors and vendors from all over the world with charters, safaris, hunts, boat trips, camping, trekking, RV’s, gear and so much more. Every year, this is one of our busiest shows and we see so many friends who come in from many surrounding states!
After we wrap things up in Salt Lake City, we head to Nashville for the big Safari Club International Show.
By the way…the reservations are coming in daily and dates are filling up! Let us know if we can set up your fishing trip in La Paz this year so we don’t miss you! You can write me directly at:
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report for Jan. 9-24, 2026
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN REPORT
WEATHER: Pretty much the whole gamut from sunshine to cloudy. Windy to calm and even a few days of rain. Winter weather and conditions! Rained and flooded pretty hard over the weekend.
WATER: Cooler and choppy when it’s windy. Port Captain has his finger on the button ready to shut down the port when it gets too rough which is about a 30-50% possibility. Wind and rain together are not good. Rain with no wind is fine.
FISH SPECIES AROUND: Not that much of anyone is sport fishing during winter with the crazy conditions, but local friends and commercial fishing friends report some tuna and dorado. Lots of bonito. Jack crevalle and smaller roosters along the beach. Sierra and smaller yellowtail as well as pargo and cabrilla over the rocks.
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY
Chris Vigar with a legit yellowfin tuna which is pretty unusual in the winter, but he put two in the boat after fighting through the schools of bonito that he had fun with.
Rained pretty hard over the weekend. Lots of flooding.
This was hours after the rain had subsided. The Malecon was under several feet of rushing water.
Earlier water was up to car doors on the Malecon.
This is more of an update rather than an actual fishing report to be honest.
I usually do these every week for over 30 years, but straight up, there’s just not alot going on in La Paz. Hate to be posting the same blah blah blah if nothing is happening!
It’s off-season and not much of anyone is on the water from November to April and frankly, as is often the case, the weather is so erratic with wind, rough water and (this week) lots of rain and flooding, it’s really hard to get folks out on the water anyway.
The windsurfers and kiteboarders love the wind, but not so good for other watersports!
Since the last report, we got a whopping 2 boats out over the last 2 weeks when we found spots where the ocean was calm enough. There’s actually some decent action. Along the rocky areas, there’s the usual pargo, cabrilla and snapper. The beaches have smaller roosterfish and along the drop-offs, jack crevalle, sierra and even some pompano and trevally.
In the blue water (although getting colder) if you can get through the schools of bonito, which are always fun to catch, there’s some yellowfin tuna and even a few patches of dorado.
They key is finding the days when it’s OK to be on the water. If it’s too rough, the port captain has been closing the port to all boat traffic anyway which locks down all boat traffic of any kind including commercial boat traffic, snorkel, scuba, fishing and all other water activities.
WILD SHEEP SHOW RENO – OFF THE CHARTS!
We had the best show ever here at Reno at the Wild Sheep Show, but I’m stuck here for a few days because the airport in Dallas is closed and flights cancelled. However, we got Jilly back there Thursday before the shut down so she could take care of the house! It’s something like -3 degrees at the house.
Everything is locked down. No school. No traffic. It’s not a snowstorm. It’s an ice storm so under the white are sheets of ice. Can’t walk. Can’t drive. Before the storm, lines at gas stations (gas is $2.19 gallon!) and the grocery store had been emptied (toilet paper again? C’mon!). Supposed to be frozen all week. Water heater not working and HVAC is struggling. Last time this happened in 2021, people froze to death in their homes when power was lost for up to 2 weeks. Many pipes broke. Jilly is keeping the waters dripping. She’s holding the fort so well like she always does. She knows where the sleeping bags and generator are and hopefully, I can fly back Tuesday.
Under the light coating of white, it might not look like much, but it’s sheets of treacherous ice!
Here in Reno it’s a tropical balmy 22 degrees.
Thanks to everyone who came to the show at the Reno Convention Center for the Wild Sheep Show. It was off the charts. I think yesterday alone, I signed about 50 persons to come fish WARM La Paz! (where it’s raining all weekend!).
Thanks to all the old friends who came to visit the booth and all the new friends we met and especially those coming this year to visit us in La Paz! We’re excited to see you!
Jim and Arla have visited us for years and always crack me up! They’re coming back this spring!
Mac and Michelle Treasure with Jim Andrews. Mac has been bringing a group of retired firefighters to us for almost 20 years. Many of them are 911 heroes who were in New York so they come to celebrate and remember the middle of September every year.
Aisles were packed every day and there were hundreds of booths and vendors from all over the world!
Cassie Lockwood works with her mom and dad at their ranch in Ukiah CA and running their famous Lockwood Outdoor Hunting operation. She’s now a junior in high school but years ago when she was little at these shows she would take naps under our counter and we would feed her red vine licorice. Awfully proud of this young lady who plans to enter the Air Force.
John and Arla Washington on the left with my high school classmate Eddie Falcon (50 years ago) and his lovely wife Debbie. They brought me a double double In-N-Out burger and fries and fresh scones!
Next up…a massively great show in Salt Lake City at the Western Hunt and Conservation Show. It’s always great and we’ll see so many friends in Utah at the show, and it’ll be hard to see how it can beat the show we just had in Reno for booking, but this is always a fun show and one of the largest shows we do. Hope to see you there if you are anywhere in the area or nearby states!
We’re really filling up fast for 2026 and we don’t want to miss you! After Salt Lake City, we head to Nashville for the Safari Club International show then 2 shows in S.California (Orange Co. and Del Mar/ San Diego).
But don’t wait. Dates are selling out. Reach out to me and let’s get you set up, especially if you have a favorite captain or hotel! Write me: tailhunterfishinglapaz@gmail.com
Have a great week! That’s our story!
Jonathan & Jilly
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing www.tailhunter.comMexico Office:
Tailhunter Sportfishing
755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter Sportfishing
8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178 La Mesa CA 91942
Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Dec. 24, 2025-Jan. 8, 2026
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN REPORT
WATER: Cooled considerably down to the low 60’s now and dark and murky. However, there are some isolated spots in the higher 60’s to low 70’s. Often pretty rough however, depending on the prevailing winds.
WIND: Blowing mostly from the north and often gusting 15-20 mph. making it pretty rough. Seems that several days a week the port captain shuts down all boat traffic or, even if it’s open, it can be pretty uncomfortable. The days of a flat ocean are the exception.
FISH HOOKED THIS PERIOD: Bonito, jack crevalle, cabrilla, pargo liso, dog-tooth snapper, triggerfish, tuna, amberjack, rainbow runner, yellowtail
THE MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
Mark Labac and his amigo just had one day to fish, but found an unusual (for this time of year) yellowfin tuna; a small yellowtail and a nice cabrilla. They also said they had alot of fun with a couple of dozen bonito. No shortage of action. They had a bunch of their fish cooked up at our Tailhunter Restaurant.
That’s a pig of a dog-tooth (cubera) snapper for Greg Earles who spends about 3 weeks with us for his birthday escaping Michigan. He always does great and takes home a nice load of fish! Always good to have him in town. He makes alot of friends!
You always remember those first fish! Young 10-year-old Duncan got out one day with his dad…his first fishing on the ocean…and took (and released) this roosterfish and a few other fun species!
Greg with a nice tasty rainbow runner off Punta Perrico. These are cousin to the yellowtail.
Plenty of hard-pulling action on all the bonito in the waters right now. Pound-for-pound lots of fun, especially for your first time on the water!
There hasn’t really been much to report. But that’s pretty typical this time of year. During the season, we do more fishing in one day than we do from November to March.
There’s still fish around. In fact, there’s a surprising variety of fish in the waters right now. Not alot, but enough to have fun.
There’s the usual cold-water inshore species like pargo, cabrilla, snapper, dog-tooth, triggerfish, some yellowtail…some amberjack…but also regulars like bonito and jack crevalle for fun and even some smaller roosterfish. Also, surprising species like a few holdover dorado, wahoo, tuna and billfish.
The problem…getting out on the water and finding a day when the winter winds aren’t blowing. And about at least half-the time, they’re blowing! Some days up to 20 mph.
Most of the folks who want to fish this time of year, aren’t hardcore anglers. Many are snowbirds just enjoying some winter sunshine on vacation who decide they want a day of fishing.
If the winds are blowing, it’s no fun getting wet and bounced around and possibly seasick. Especially if you’ve got family or kids. In many cases, these are families down here this time of year. No fun if you get blown off or bounced off…or cancelled.
Actually, at least 1-3 days per week, it’s so rough the port captain has been shutting own the port because of safety reasons. It may look calm in the bay, but outside can be treacherous. If the port is closed, that means all boats are locked in and locked out. No fishing, SCUBA, snorkeling, swimming with whalesharks…even commercial boats.
So, you really have to be flexible on choosing dates for water activities.
If you’re planning to come down, check with me first so I can look at an extended forecast for the coming week or the dates you want to go out. The coming week actually is looking like one of the better weeks for minimal winds.
WE’RE ON THE ROAD COMING TO SEE YOU!
Jilly and I are headed out on the road for our 31st year. We’ll hopefully be in YOUR neighborhood to come see us in our booth. Come visit if you’re in the area!
We’ll be at the first show next week! We have missed it the last 3 years because of scheduling conflicts, but we’re coming back to the International Sportsmans Expo at the California State Fairgrounds in Sacramento.
It runs from Jan. 15-18 (Thursday to Sunday). We’ll be in our booth every day and it’ll be so great to see so many of our friends and Tailhunter Tribe! We’ve missed ya’ll. Let’s also talk about getting you back to see us in La Paz. We don’t have too many more years left, I am thinking!
After that, we head to Reno for the Wild Sheep Foundation Show. It’s at the Reno Convention Center Jan. 22-24. (Wednesday to Saturday) .
Hope to catch you along the trail and also see you in La Paz in 2026!
Here’s the full schedule:
International Sportsman’s Expo – California State Fairgrounds in Sacramento CA
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report for Dec. 12-23, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN REPORT
WEATHER: Mostly sunny and pleasant in the high 70’s to low 80’s dropping to the 60’s at night. Winds kicking 10-20 mph some days.
WATER: Normally chilly, but since we’re seeing dorado, tuna and some billfish, there must be spots of warmer water.
FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK: Dorado, pargo liso, dog-tooth snapper, tuna, sierra, cabrilla, jack crevalle, roosterfish, yellow snapper, jack crevalle.
THE MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
Nice dog-tooth snapper (pargo perro) for Greg Earles! These are beasts! Greg comes down from Minnesota each winter for about 3 weeks and can pick the best non-windy days to fish and always does well. He also takes great photos. That’s why all the photos this week are of him!
Roosterfish in December? Crazy, but still fun. He caught several and released them all!
Another species we don’t usually find in the winter! Dorado are warm water fish and usually the waters are too cold in the winter, but check this out! Also, Greg has a couple of nice cabrilla which are more typical of this time of year.
Some of the toughest fighters in our waters are these pargo liso (mullet snapper). Again, we usually don’t find these here this time of year. Mostly, they are a spring-time fish and can get quite huge into the 50 pound range or larger! We have the world record 46 pounder, but I’ve seen them much larger.
Nice variety! Pargo liso, dog-tooth snapper, yellow snapper, a cabrilla and a white bonito!
_______________________________
Lots of days are still too windy or rough to fish for most folks, but that’s fairly typical during the off-season from October to about April when the northern winds blow.
Again like I say, not much of anyone fishing and I turn folks away every day when the wind forecast on the day they want to fish shows that the winds are blowing or if the port captain has shut down the port. There are some very nice days, but it can be very erratic and unpredictable.
Also, many folks who want to fish this time of year, aren’t hardcore anglers like all the folks we get during the season from May to October when we have 10-30 anglers fishing each day! The folks in town now are here on vacation enjoying the town and Christmas holidays. Many have families.
Suddenly, they decide they want to fish one day! Often, after I tell them about the conditions they change their minds. Not a bad idea, especially if they have kids with them. We want everyone to have a good time, not get bounced and wet and cold and maybe ….SEASICK!
To that point, on the non-windy days, there’s some surprising fishing.
The variety is pretty surprising. Warm water species like dorado a few tuna and we even saw a blue marlin show up. It’s not a crazy bite, but here-and-there, there must be some warmer water around in spots since those are warmer water species.
But the cold water species are also chewing pretty well also. Cabrilla, snapper, sierra and smaller amberjack are feeding, but also some big cubera snapper (dog-tooth) and the big pargo liso (mullet snapper) that we usually don’t see until March or April have appeared in our waters!
On top of that, there are small roosterfish feeding along the shallow sand beaches.
You just have to pick your spot and days carefully!
ROAD TOUR COMING UP!
In 3 weeks, we’ll be hitting the road for our 31st year! Jill and I will be in our booth and it would be great to see you if you can make it to any of our shows. Come say hi and let’s get you set up to come visit us in La Paz this year . Dates are already filling so it would even be better if you can let us know ahead of time!
Check out the schedule below! The first two shoes are in Sacramento CA and Reno!
International Sportsman’s Expo – California State Fairgrounds in Sacramento CA
Hard to believe 2025 is almost at it’s conclusion! But we wanted to wish you…all of our friends, guests and Tailhunter Tribe members a safe, happy and peaceful holidays and Christmas. We are immensely grateful and we wish you many blessings always! Hope to see you in 2026!
That’s our story!
Jonathan & Jilly
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing www.tailhunter.comMexico Office:
Tailhunter Sportfishing
755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter Sportfishing
8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178 La Mesa CA 91942
Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of Dec.2-10, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FISHING REPORT
WEATHER: As could be expected this time of the year, very erratic. Nice days puntuated by stretches of strong northern winds blowing folks off the water plus some heavy rainstorms that hit.
WATER: Definitely rougher, colder and cloudier from all the turbulence.
FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK: If you could get out or did get out, sierra, pompano, trevally, jack crevalle, bonito, cabrilla and triggerfish.
THE MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO FISHING REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
It rained hard enough to cause landslides and traffic jams from flooding plus clog up the cities drainage systems.
My windshield wipers are terrible. The sun cooks and dries them out most of the year so when it finally rains, they are just a tad above useless…like everyone else.
Well…if you’ve been reading my reports for any length of time, you know I don’t pull punches. Best to be honest and up-front. Especially when it comes to weather and fishing reports!
But the truth of things is that, there’s a good chance by the time you’re reading this, things will have changed. It doesn’t stay bad for long. The fish don’t shut down for long. There’s usually more good days than bad days and if you don’t like any particular report…just wait!
That being said, this just that time of year. It’s WINTER!
Although we usually don’t get the kind of rainstorm that hit La Paz a few days ago, we DO get the fierce northern winds and that has precipitated not going out on the water or outright, the port captain makes the decision for you and has shut down the port to all boat traffic. So, no fishing, diving, snorkeling, swimming with the whalehsharks, kayaking or even commercial boat traffic.
That’s the the straight story on things.
If you’re coming down, just be flexible in your schedule. Or scout the weather forecast ahead. If your first choice in days looks bad, at least be ready to change days.
Or ask me!!! Even if you’re booking with someone else, at least, I will give you an honest opinion before you spend your money or alternatively spend your money…got out..and get blown back to shore or seasick…or both!
Fortunately, since the last report, I didn’t have to cancel anyone because I didn’t book anyone because I warned folks about the weather. But, I heard folks who booked with other outfitters had issues.
Plus, we had this freaky heavy rainstorm that hit also! Crazy hard rain. It caused flooding and landslides. Traffic snarls and backed-up drains. Electrical outages and flood damage!
The fish that were caught are from reports that I got from local friends and commercial fishermen who were able to get out for a few hours here and there. No one really venturing too far from shore or these are friends who fish commercially so that have to go out on the water to feed their families.
The forecast for the coming week shows warmer temps in the low 80’s, but strong winds again, especially in the afternooons.
If you want to fish, reach out to me and I’ll look at the forecast. Also give us a few days so we can check which days would be better. We might not be able to fish out with our La Paz fleet, but we can most likely fish you with our fleet at Las Arenas because the area is more protected.
JILL AND I HIT THE ROAD!
It’s road tour time again and we’re excited. This will be 31 years for Tailhunter and maybe 40 if you count the other companies I repped back in the day.
These shows are great for the whole family with all kinds of vendors from around the world of hunting, fishing, camping, RV’s, travel plus equipment, gear and so much more!
We will be on the road from January through March and hopefully close enough to wherever you live to come visit us!
Jilly and I will be in booth every day. Come bay and say hi and let’s get you set up to come fishing this year in La Paz! Or better yet, don’t wait. Reservations are already coming in and dates are starting to full. Get in touch with us. We don’t want to miss you!
International Sportsman’s Expo – California State Fairgrounds in Sacramento CA
Good to see old friends and meet new ones at the Western Hunt Show. Our amigos here are all celebrating the fact that all of them will be coming to see us
That’s our story!
Jonathan & Jilly
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing www.tailhunter.comMexico Office:
Tailhunter Sportfishing
755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter Sportfishing
8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178 La Mesa CA 91942
Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Nov. 21-Dec. 1, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN REPORT
WEATHER: Quite a temperature range. As high as low 80’s, but more likely the high 70’s but cooling down to the lower 60’s. Big issue were the northern winds we get this time of year. Blew pretty hard and the port of La Paz was closed a majority of the week to all boat traffic because of the rough waters outside that bay. That meant all fishing, snorkeling, scuba, whaleshark, as well as commercial activity was shut down or cancelled on that side. Even got some rain this past week as well.
WATER: Ocean conditions are predicated by the rest of the weather and with the northern winds becoming more prevalent, waters are cooling as reflected in the fish that were hooked when the winds calmed down enough to get out on the water. If the wind is blowing, it’s pretty rough!
SPECIES HOOKED THIS WEEK: Sierra, trevally, pompano, amberjack, bonito, jack crevalle, roosterfish, snapper, pargo, cabrilla, triggerfish, dorado
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO FISHING REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
A good day for 3 generations of the Taylor men! Grandpa Jim, Trent and son Massi from San Diego.
Captain Jorge is getting ready to filet a nice batch of tasty sierra for John, Tyler and Justin that got taken to our Tailhunter Restaurant for dinner.
Oh the joy! Jim Taylor gives grandson Massi an assist with his roosterfish!
BAM! A roosterfish in winter? Photographic proof and a big smile from 13-year-old Massi with his grandpa Jim. The fish was released.
Nice variety of good eating fish for George Diwachak with Aiden and Andrew Coon. I see sierra, a dorado, cabrilla and several pargo/snapper!
Our amigo, Jimmy Williams went to the north end of Cerralvo with friends and did a banner day on sierra and palometa (trevally).
Proud dad, Trent with Massi’s bull dorado on the beach!
___________________________________
Hope ya’ll had a great Thanksgiving!
As is typical this time of year, the northern winds were blowing, but this particular week, they really kicked in. So, for the majority of the week, the port captains shut down the port to all boat traffic for safety reasons.
Really tough luck for so many visitors in town for Thanksgiving week, but the closure meant all fishing, snorkeling, scuba, whaleshark and other boating activities had to be cancelled. Even commercial boat traffic was shut down.
Often, it’s difficult for visitor to understand because at times, the waters in the bay don’t look too bad. What they don’t understand is that outside the bay, it could (and was) incredibly rough and precarious.
Fortunately, we simply don’t put out many fishermen from November to April so we didn’t have to cancel any of our fishing trips. Additionally, we have our other fleet at Las Arenas and were able to get a few trips out. The area tends to be more sheltered from the northern winds and fishing spots can be found without having to go too far.
Judging by the catches, the winter water conditions have arrived with cooler ocean currents reflected in the nice catches of sierra, pargo, cabrilla, snapper and other cooler water species we tend to find during the winter months. However, there must still be some warm water patches as a few stray dorado were hooked in the channel and some roosterfish were still found along the beaches.
RESERVATIONS for 2026
After such a good season, lots of reservations are rolling in for 2026. Some dates are already filled or filling so don’t hesitate getting in touch so we can set you up to come visit. We’ll take care of fishing, lodging, transportation and other activities with a customized vacation package for you.
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report for Nov. 5-20, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FISHING REPORT
WEATHER: Mostly sunny. Highs in the high 80’s to low 90’s. Winds from the north up to 15 knots or more some days. Nights are in the comfortable low to mid-60’s.
WATER: Still relatively warm with surface temps in the mid-70’s but cooling as the winds become more prevalent.
FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK: yellowfin tuna, dorado, marlin, dog-tooth snapper, sierra, wahoo, bonito, cabrilla, jack crevalle, yellowtail, palometa
MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
On the days when you can get out, there’s a surprising variety of both warm and cold water fish. Greg Wong was at Cerralvo Island and came back with alot of fish to clean! I see dorado, a tuna triggerfish, cabrilla, snapper and pompano!
It’s an amazing experience to be in the water with these gentle animals! Don’t worry, they have no teeth and are in the bay feeding on algae and plankton through the filter in their mouths.
These are “baby” whalesharks in La Paz Bay right now. Adults can reach 30-50′ long! But, they are in the shallow waters of the bay feeding right now.
_____________________________
Well…it’s that lull before the holidays.
Fishing slows about mid-October as winter winds increase and the waters can get fairly rough and there aren’t many fishermen out. Most are locals or visiting anglers who can pick and choose the better days to be on the water when the winds aren’t blowing. That’s a big reason all the windsurfers are starting to descend on the area as well. Winter is wind time and La Paz can get some world-class winds.
However, when you are able to fish, the variety of fish is fairly surprising.
This late in the year, we’re still getting warm water species like some tuna, dorado, billfish and wahoo. Not many. Not like during the season, but surprising to still have these species around at all which indicates that the waters still hold warm patches. Not sure how long this will last as the coming winds will cool things off, but nice to enjoy for the time being.
Most of the fish, for us, have been around Cerralvo Island and in the channel between Bahia Muertos/ Punta Arenas and the island as well as the north and south points of the island.
In addition to lots of bonito, there are 10-30 pound yellowfin below the schools, if you can get through the pesky bonito. Some small schools of roving dorado in the 5-15 pound class can also be found in the warm waters.
Some wahoo have also been reported around the south point of the island as well as the occasional hook up with blue and black marlin, stripers and sailfish.
Inshore, we’re seeing more of the cooler water species like cabrilla, sierra, the smaller yellowtail. But there’s some fun 5-pound roosterfish still prowling th beaches and a hoot on light tackle and some beast dog-tooth snapper (cubera) in the shallow rocks that can be tempted with whole a chunk bonito.
Bigger news is the long-awaited whaleshark season has finally opened to swim with these gentle animals in La Paz Bay.
Normally, the season runs October to April, but the past few years the season has been very erratic. Sometimes open. Often closed. It all depends on several things.
If it’s rough and windy, as it often is during the winter months, it’s too rough to locate the animals in the shallow waters of the bay.
Secondly, it all depends on how many animals are around and how many folks are reserved with certified outfitters to swim with the animals. These are gentle, albeit wild animals. They’re not in a cage like elephants or monkeys in the zoo!
Sometimes there are 2 or 4 or 8 of them. Sometimes, there are zero! And they can hang out for an hour or 3. Or maybe disappear in 15 minutes. They’re not on a rigid schedule like the circus.
Therefore, it can be hit-or-miss if you book a trip, but exciting if you do get the opportunity to get in the water with them!
BAHIA MAGDALENA FISHING
That’s a table full of dog-tooth snapper after a day of fishing in the mangroves of Bahia Magdalena for Steve Messer, Eric Messer and Steve Fox.
Fishing a day outside the bay, Eric with his amigos nailed a box full of dorado as well as a nice wahoo.
Eric, Steve and Steve had a huge day fishing grouper in the mangroves.
Nice wahoo off the Thetis Bank outside of Mag Bay.
Gary Van Roekel, Russ Okimoto and Charles Masunaka with pargo and snook to take home. They released many more!
This is that time of year when we send anglers out to Bahia Magdalena (Mag Bay) on the Pacific side to fish in the remote mangroves as well as the offshore ridges and mounts. It’s about a 4 hour drive from La Paz if they fly into Cabo or La Paz or we are picking up anglers from Loreto.
Fishing in the mangroves is a pretty unique experience with light tackle and live bait. There can be over a dozen different species of fish in the roots, eddys, shoals and shallows. Our last few trips has produced some nice grouper, spotted bay bass, dog-tooth snapper, corvina, snook and cabrilla.
Offshore, if the winds permit, wahoo are biting on the Thetis Bank, but there’s also a shot at dorado, tuna, yellowtail, broomtail and leopard grouper and billfish.
Let us know if you’re interested!
That’s our story! Blessings for a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Period of Oct. 22-Nov. 4, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FISHING REPORT
WEATHER: Mostly sunny and a really pleasant time to be in town. Highs in the upper 80’s to lower 90’s but not so much humidity and nights in the high 60’s. Winds from the north are getting stronger.
WATER: Air temps are cooler, but waters are still relatively warm although starting to cool down as the winds get stronger and more persistent as we head into winter. Cooler water fish species also starting to show up.
FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK: tuna, dorado, bonito, marlin, sailfish, jack crevalle, pargo, dog-tooth snapper, sierra, cabrilla, triggerfish, needlefish.
FISHING ON A SCALE of 1-10 (10 is best): When the winds are blowing maybe a 2. If winds aren’t blowing, it’s a 5.
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY
Our long-time amigos from Texas, Rafael and Yvette Rios just had one day to get out to fish. With help from Rafa, Yvette caught this big sailfish. They also caught a tuna and a dorado. The sailfish was not able to be released and they donated most of the meat.
Our own Tailhunter’s Jorge Romero and everyone’s favorite guy, had a day off yesterday and the winds were down. He was out with Captain Pancho’s brother, Miguel Lucero, and this 280-pound blue marlin smacked his purple lure! Jorge also battled another blue estimated at 400-600 pounds that came unbuttoned! Jorge took a little meat home, but donated the bulk of the meat to the captains and their families!
____________________________
Honestly, the number of fishermen has tapered off quite a bit. During the season, we’re hosting 10-30 anglers a day. However, from mid-October through well…probably until next spring in April, very few folks will be fishing.
This is pretty typical as the seasons change and the fishing changes.
The northern winds have already started blowing and will only get stronger and more consistent the deeper we go towards and into winter. This results in rougher waters and a cooler ocean. Many days, it just doesn’t make sense to go out at all. It’s a pretty time to be in town as it’s usually sunny and temps are a pleasant 65-85 degrees. But, it’s not really a great time to be on the waters as the winds affect fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, scuba and other watersports.
About the only ones who really like and welcome the winds are the windsurfers and kite boarders who descend on the area to take advantage of the gusts.
Not every day is bad, but you can figure if there are storms up in the U.S., then it will have an effect in Baja as well. But that’s the key. If you plan to fix, be flexible and scout the forecasts so you can see which days will be calmer than others .
Since the last report, there hasn’t really been much to report. In addition to the increasing winds, this is that lull before the holidays and the holiday crowds and the arrival of the snowbirds. So, not much action on the water to report.
That being said, we have had a handful of anglers on the water who found some calm spots to get out.
Surprisingly, it’s November and there are still some great warm-water species in evidence. There have been hook-ups of blue and striped marlin as well as some lingering tuna and dorado. As the waters cool down, these species will move off and cooler water species will start to dominate.
We’re already getting some of them like sierra, snapper, pargo, cabrilla, rainbow runners and some yellowtail. Live bait might also get more difficult to obtain and wind-generated waves hit the shallow areas where the bait sellers catch the bait.
____________________________
BAHIA MAGDALENA REPORT
Great first day for Charlie Masunaka, Gary Van Roekel and Russ Okimoto! 3 nice wahoo offshore as well as a rack of dorado and a yellowfin tuna.
A toad wahoo for Russ Okimoto that scaled out at almost 69 pounds!
Fishing inshore among the mangroves when it got too windy on the outside, the guys racked up a stack of dog-tooth snapper!
One day offshore then 2 days inshore produced alot of meat like these snapper and even a few snook. After 3 days, they had so much fish, they donated the majority of their day 3 catch.
This is that time of year when we start fishing the area around Bahia Magdalena which is about a 3-4 hour drive from La Paz on the Pacific side. As you can see from the photos, it can be pretty prolific.
Fishing offshore on the nearby seamounts, can produce wahoo, marlin, tuna, dorado, yellowtail, grouper and more.
Inshore fishing among the thousands of acres of mangroves, shoals and shallows can produce several dozen species including snook, corvina, bay bass, pargo, snapper, giant seabass, halibut and more.
We can get you set up!
Just reach out: tailhunterfishinglapaz@gmail.com. Also, to get you set up for fishing with us in 2026, don’t wait. Many dates are filling up and we don’t want to miss you, especially if you have a favorite captain or hotel!
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of Oct. 15-21, 2025
THE SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FISHING REPORT
WEATHER: Maybe my favorite time of year. Daytime high 80’s and nighttime in the high 60’s. Just really great weather. Humidity is pretty much gone compared to even 2 weeks ago. Nice breeze most of the time. Like a postcard. The only problem is the north winds are starting to blow and will get stronger and stronger as we go forward. Nice to be on land, but not necessarily a good time to be on the water.
WATERS: Still pretty warm, but cooling down as indicated by some of the cooler water species we have started to catch. Can get bumpy and rough in the afternoons now that the northern winds have started. As the waters cool, the fishing will change.
FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK:. tuna, yellowtail, dorado, sailfish, striped marlin, wahoo, black marlin, sierra, pargo, snapper, dog-tooth (cubera) snapper, roosterfish, cabrilla, triggerfish, trevally.
FISHING ON A SCALE of 1-10 (10 is best): Was a 3 earlier, but by later in the week was up to a 7.
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
A good day! Our long-time amigos from Atlanta GA, Leif Dover and Brian O’Neil said they hit a spot and the tuna were boiling all around the boat just south of Bahia Muertos!
Andrew Bowman was with Matt van Sickle and Captain Joel when he hooked this late-season sailfish on light tackle and live bait. His first and he donated most of the meat.
Mike Jacobson was fishing down 400 feet off Cerralvo Island trying to find elusive tuna and to get away from all the bonito when he hit this nice yellowtail. Crazy to catch one in October as these are usually cooler water fish that we see in the springtime!
Kayla Lespade from the Central Valley of CA has fished with us before and brought down Josh Thomas who had never fished on the ocean, but got his first taste of salt-water fishing with limits of tuna and a dorado plus lots of bonito!
I call this “Pargo Envy!” Brian O’Neil has a big dog-tooth (cubera snapper) while buddy Leif Dover has a little snapper! In all fairness, over 2 days, they lost several of these big dog-tooth while using whole bonito heads for bait.
Kevin Shiotani is a pretty prolific angler and always does well. He had 60 pound test on just outside of Bahia Muertos when this 300 pound black marlin grabbed the bait!
Double-fisted dorado for Matt!
Two of our favorite people, Rusty and Carolyn Cain with their favorite Captain at Las Arenas, Armando. They came back so early back to the beach ,I thought they had a bad day . Rusty says, “No, it was a great day and we had fun and decided to just come back early!”
Andrew with one of his yellowfin tuna!
____________________________________
Whenever we have storms, you just never know what the fishing will be like afterwards. You don’t know when or if the water and fish will come back. During that one week when we had storms Octave, Priscilla and Raymond, we were either in lockdown or the fishing was about as bad as could be.
Well, it did take a few days for things to clear up. Fishing was pretty picky. A few fish here. A few fish there. Nothing to shout about. Bonito and needlefish were being pests.
A few little dorado around and we were even doing the unheard of thing and fishing deep like 200-400′ down just to get away from bonito an needlefish. Found a few tuna way down and even a weird yellowtail which we don’t see until March or April in cooler waters which confirms for me that the deep water is indeed much cooler than the surface temps which are right about 78-80 degrees right now.
However, with each progressive day, fishing got a little better and a little better. More tuna started to break again. Fun-sized footballs and some larger around Cerralvo Island and south of Bahia Muertos. More dorado schools popping up and willing to chew and even a few wahoo bites (none in the boat).
Nothing big or spectacular, but some really fun fall fishing.
Also, some marlin and sailfish as well as some smaller roosterfish, cabrilla, snapper and some really big dog-tooth (cubera) snapper ripping rods while using whole bonito as bait. Really a fight trying to get these ferocious 40-70 pound beasts outta the rocks. Losing alot more than are getting to the gaff.
Overall, the fishing season is in transition. The seasonal northern winds have started to blow and they will get more consistent and stronger now as we head towards winter. Waters are getting cooler and rougher, especially in the afternoons, but we will soon be hitting days when it will be impossible to fish so not many fishermen in the coming months. The windsurfers will start showing up because we have world-class winds during the winter.
Tailhunter Fish Report 