PHOTO 1: Alot of inshore fishing right now which is pretty typical of winter here in La Paz. Marty Johnson of Atascadero CA is an avid light tackle and inshore angler. Here he’s holding up a cabrilla (seabass) taken just off the rocks near Las Arenas which is where we’re doing the majority of our fishing these days since it’s protected from the north winds and can keep close to shore. Cabrilla are abundant and will take live bait but are a blast on plastics or slow trolled or casted plugs or crankbaits (just like freshwater bass) except their teeth can make short work of the plastics or paint finishes. Cabrilla will get up to the 10 pound class or more.
PHOTO 2 : It seems a bit early in the season, but no one is arguing. Pargo have move into the shallows. Pete here is holding up a pargo liso (mullet snapper) taken off Muertos Bay in the rocks. These are great eating fish. There aren’t alot of them yet, but as the weeks go by more of these fish…especially the larger sluggers…will move into the rocky areas to frustrate anglers and shred tackle.
CLOUDY SKIES WITH WIND AND EVEN A TAD OF RAIN MARK THE WEEK OF FISHING ALTHOUGH THE FEW ANGLERS IN TOWN GOT SOME EARLY YELLOWTAIL ON THE HIGH SPOTS PLUS PARGO SIERRA AND CABRILLA
La Paz / Las Arenas Fishing Report for January 27, 2008
There weren’t that many anglers this week, but that’s typical of January off-season fishing. However, everyone who did fish put fish in the box. We scouted that tuna bite that popped up last last week and surprised everyone at Muertos Bay, but the tuna either hunkered down or just popped in to shake things up and then moved off. It’s hard to really know when we’re not on the water everyday. Unlike the regular season when we’ve got the whole fleet out daily and can track fish better, during the winter when you’ve only got a handful of boats PER WEEK, it’s hard to know exactly what’s out there or where they move. That’s the reality of winter fishing.
Still, the inshore fishing for sierra, cabrilla and other rockies is just fine. Pargo are there although the big schools aren’t up on the shallows yet from what we can see. They might be starting at the island, but with the northern winds, it’s a bumpy wet ride that even the commercial guys don’t really want to do. But, anglers are hooking a few. Notice I say “hooking.” Catching and putting these growlers in the boat is the hard part as they take you to the rocks more often than not.
The fish we’re watching right now are the yellowtail. Any time now, the forktails should be up and prowling. We got a few this week, but again, it’s hard to know when no one has boats out every single day to get a real handle on things. The tails we did get were in the 20-30 pound class, but we lost a few more as well. Winter fishing is definitely NOT lazy man’s fishing. You can’t put your feet up and giggle around. If you don’t have your “A” game with you, chances are the fish right now will eat your bait, your lunch and serve it back as humble pie. You’re ON their turf and that means rocks, caves and reefs all ready to shred you and your good intentions. Short stout rods are the ticket as well as a good dose of humor.
ROAD TOUR 2008
As you read this, we’re just finishing up our third show of the season here in Denver at the Convention Center downtown. It’s been a massive show and packed almost every day. Great to see so many old amigos and clients! That’s the fun part. Denver is always a kick.
The hard part is the travel. We left the Sacramento ISE show Sunday night in a mad rush to beat the snowstorm starting up in the Sierras over Donner Pass. Most of the vendors tried the same thing. We didn’t all quite make it. Snow and ice hit us and that meant going to chains which are no fun putting on or taking off in a big cargo van in the muck, ice and wet while in the dark and cars are going by splashing you and somewhere in the back of the van your jacket and gloves are buried.
The drive from Sacramento to Reno is normally about 2 hours and took 5 instead. A long night in Reno then headed out through Salt Lake City then the colds of Wyoming where we hit temperatures down to 20 below zero. Talk about cold!!! It’s pretty interesting when it’s that cold. Aside from being hazardous to drive, it takes about 10 seconds for a warm beer to get icy cold. If you spit, its freezes as soon as it hits the ground. Your breath comes out in big puffs, but the moisture soon freezes and you can see your breath fall. Just fun goofy stuff.
As you read this, we’re headed back through the snow on the way to Portland now. Another storm is here so it’s hairy driving, but we’ll see you all in Portland in two weeks. The show is at the Portland Expo Center Feb. 6-10. It’s a great show there so come on out to see us if you can.
BOOKINGS COMING IN STRONG!
Our bookings for 2008 are coming in strong as a result of all these shows. If you are planning to see us this year, give us a shout so we can be sure to take care of you. Especially if you’re bringing a group, prime dates and my captains are getting reserved and we want to be sure you’re covered. Last year we sold out most of our prime dates months in advance and had a waiting list so give us a shout.
CABIN FEVER CLASSIC
Speaking of bookings, our 8th Annual Cabin Fever Classic still has spots! It’s the unofficial start of the season and we’ve set April 5-9 with three days of fishing as the plan. We’ll be hosting it at La Concha Beach Resort and this always promises to be a great time. It’s NOT a competition. It’s a chance to climb outta your snowy cabins and get some sunshine and wet some lines along with some great folks and have some fun. Last year, we caught 17 different species of fish including pargo, yellowtail, cabrilla, sierra and roosters. Every year is different. Give us a shout. Cost is $750 per person double occupancy!
MY BLOGS
As many of you know, I will no longer be doing regular posts in Western Outdoor News. My column has been cut back. Thanks for all your support over the last few years. I get weekly e-mails from many of you telling me you’re enjoying it and it’s been gratfying. However, the paper has decided to move in a different direction so my posts won’t be as regular.
Have a great week!
That’s my story
Jonathan
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International
Website: http://www.tailhunter-international.com/
Phone: (626) 333-3355
FAX: (626) 333-0115
E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico Office: , 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Cal Sur, Mexico
“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.”
Tailhunter Fish Report 