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!
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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/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report for Week of Sept. 27-Oct. 6, 2025
LAST MINUTE UPDATE HURRICANE
Just as I was publishing this, the weather has taken a turn. What was supposed to be “scattered showers and thunderstorms, has turned into Hurricane Priscilla. Very late in the season to have something like this.
It’s not going to hit us directly, but it could still be problematic. It might combine with Tropical Storm Octave which was headed out to the Pacific, but now has done a complete right turn back towards Baja and may combine with Priscilla for a double whammy storm that I have never seen before in 30 years.
Rain was not supposed to hit us for several days although big waves and winds have already started, but just this morning, rain has started falling. The government has closed the port and we have had to cancel all water-related activities unfortunately. Don’t know how long this will last. Will keep you posted!
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN REPORT
WEATHER: Seemed like things are getting cooler and the season was changing. Then it got a bit warmer again. Mostly pretty nice. Hot and muggy again. Some scattered rain later in the week (see update above)
WATER: Pretty water. Very very warm. Surface temps in the mid-to-upper 80’s
FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK: Yellowfin tuna, wahoo dorado, marlin, sierra, jack crevalle, bonito, amberjack, roostefish, pargo, cabrilla, blue bonito, pompano.
FISHING on a SCALE of 1-10 (10 is best) : 5-7
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
John Gibbs and Angelo Oliverio have been our Tailhunter amigos forever and always good to have them here and they enjoy fishing with Captain Armando. Nice batch of tuna to start the trip!
Captain Jorge gives Richard Stasse a thumbs-up with one of the larger model yellowfin this week.
New Reno friends for us! Scott and Thaelyn Van Patten had a nice day on the water with a good batch of yellowfin tuna to put in the freezers to bring home!
Gene Jancek just had one day to squeeze in for fishing and wanted to be sure I could get him into to the report! Nicely done, Gene! He was with Captain Armando.
A fun trio from San Diego that were here for an 80 person birthday bash for fellow members of the Elks Club. Jonathan and dad Tim Backlund up front and funny Joe Herkelroad holding up the back! Some good-sized yellowfin plus blue bonito to take home.
First timers with us this week, Kyle Woo and his dad hold up some of their dorado after a day fishing out’ve La Paz towards Espirito Santo Island. They fished 4 days and did pretty well! Kyle just graduated from the University of Hawaii.
They just wanted to get dad (Luis Sanchez…3rd from the right) a marlin! They did but also lost several and released several. They donated the meat and also got several tuna and dorado while here during the week. They were with Captain Chito when they chased the marlin. Fun guys from northern California near Lake Shasta. First time visitors with Tailhunter. Left to right, Mark Sanchez, Mike Sanchez, Luis Sanchez (dad) and Luis Jr.
All the way from New York, Valari and Gary Biccum were also first-time visitors and she poses here with one of her dorado while fishing with Captain Boli on the beach behind La Concha Hotel.
Funny shot…Captain Licho poses with Wes, Tony and Leon after one of their two days fishing with him out’ve La Paz. Always good to see these guys in town!
Marty Matsuda and Clay Harada pose on the beach at Bahia Muertos with 5 nice tuna and a big triggerfish!
Mike and Pam Ryan found a dorado hole while fishing out’ve Las Arenas and added a nice barred pargo to the rack as well!
When Gary Biccum told me he was going to catch a wahoo, I grinned and rolled my eyes. Guys come for years and never get one. Guess what…Nice catch Gary!!!
Captain Jorge with a really sweet couple from S. Carolina, Sheron and John Cosh who just happened to be celebrating his birthday. Really enjoyed their company this week.
Vahe Simonian with a nice tuna and a really big wahoo! He never said much after coming back from fishing…then I see the photo!
Randy Mayne and Nick Healy came to visit us from Salt Lake City for the first time. They had an eventful week! Started out with a good jag of yellowfin tuna at Muertos!
Some of our Tailhunter besties! Wiley Randolph and Eric Pennington have been Tailhunter nation amigos for years. Cheers to a da of tuna, dorado and big triggerfish, amigos!
Nick Healy came back from fishing with a long face. He said, “I only got two bites all day and only got two fish!” I didn’t know what to say until I saw the photos and then he broke into a big grin! Nice day! He was pulling my leg.
Here is the catch-of-the-week! My fish brothers, Kenny Cambell and Buddy Malone were with Captain Pancho. Check out the catch…TWO wahoo…a huge dog-tooth snapper…several tuna…a blue bonito…and a dorado! Spectacular day!
Pam and Mike again! Another good day of fishing!
MIke Kouyoumdjian and buddy, Raffi Ohanian pose with a trio of dorado and really fat yellowfin tuna.
Nice to have first-time visitors, Garrett Matsukiyo and dad, Irving fishing with us for the week. After 4 days of fishing, they want home with a nice load of fillets. Here on the beach with 2 of 6 dorado.
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Overall, it has been a pretty good week. Everyone caught fish. Everyone lost some nice fish too and had shots at some real trophies. Others actually caught trophy fish! Lots of smiles.
Some days were better than others. Some boats did better than others. But most of our guests fish several days so if one day was off, the next day made up for it.
It was fall fishing as nice as it gets mostly.
The tuna are still around Bahia Muertos and Cerralvo Island in the best tuna bite I have seen in several years. Mostly fun-sized 5-15 pound fish with some larger 30 pounders thrown in. Plus some surprise wahoo also caught. Some on iron. Some on bait. Some on the troll.
Sprinkle in some dorado between 5-15 pounds that are pretty much all over and it makes for some fun days on the water.
Also had some billfish on the line as well. Stripers up to about 120 pound were hooked or released and some larger blue marlin were hooked and lost with estimated weights up to about 300 pounds!
Overall, I would say that the seasons are changing. There is a cooling trend happening with air temps with less humidity and heat. That doesn’t mean it’s cool. It’s just not quite as hot, but the northern winds are already starting to blow and we’re catching occasional species like sierra, pompano and trevally which are all cooler water fish we usually see in the springtime.
Once the northerns blow consistently, the complexion of fishing will change and waters will get rougher and colder and for the most part shut down the season.
In the meantime, pretty enjoyable fishing right now!
(P.S. See my update above about Hurricane Priscilla)
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of Sept. 4-10, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FISHING REPORT
WEATHER and WATER:. Hurricane Lorena came and went and thankfully, it was a non-event. Most are pretty hairy, but this was gratefully just a gentle rain. Go figure. However, we had to cancel 2 days of fishing because they closed the port out of pre-caution. There wasn’t much run-off from rains and the sea didn’t get too agitated during the storm so waters recovered fast.
Cooler temps than before. Around 95 most days, but the humidity has escalated so the real feel is more like 110-115 during the day.
Update: As of writing this, looks like we might get some scattered thundershowers in the forecast for the coming week!
SPECIES HOOKED THIS WEEK: Dorado, tuna, sailfish, roosterfish, sierra, jack crevalle, bonito, triggerfish, pargo, cabrilla, wahoo.
FISHING ON A SCALE OF 1-10 (10 is best): 6-8
THE MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO FISHING REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
A pretty good day! Especially when the fish are only yards away from where you launch and you’re done early! Tuna showed up in Bahia Muertos just minutes from where we launch. Chris Binkley and Roger Laubscher stocked up on some tuna meat! Boats were done with tuna by 8 a.m.
Our good friend Marcus Yoo has a two-fisted pair of dorado he caught with Captain Joel just outside or La Paz Bay!
These two were sometimes having just too much fun. Brett Kester and his son Stetson are first-timers from Utah and this is their first day catch. Check out the big bull on the left side of the table. They. both even got some dandy new tattoos while here!
A real joy to have Erica Freese from Reno bring her mom, Cindy Ersch, out from Florida to join her on her first time visiting us. They were able to take home a nice batch of mahi meat and weathered Hurricane Lorena with us. Cindy said she had the best time ever fishing with her daughter!
Visiting us from Oklahoma, Mike and Tracy Hunt were out with Captain Hugo and their first day we productive on the tuna and dorado.
Roosterfish have shown up again and they are a fun-sized 5-15 pounds in the shallows. Mike shows off one of his before the nice release!
Even Captain Victor is impressed with Mitch Black’s bull dorado. One of the larger fish of the week took him “a very long time” according to Mitch on his first visit to us from Colorado with the Ground Engineering group we hosted this week.
Two of or favoritest ever Texas friends, Debbie and Randy Moe. Always a treat to have them visiting us. A nice day on the tuna and even a dorado thrown in there as well! Thanks for the goodies you brought us!
Captain Hugo and Aaron Klingsmith give Joe Zorack a hand with his sailfish as they pose with a nice rack of dorado to clean. The sailfish was not able to be released and the meat was distributed. A good day with great action. The guys are from Colorado.
Bucket list rooster for a quick photo and release and a big smile from Erica Freese!
Happy guy, Sean Chiang, has some dorado fillets to bring back with him after a good day on the water.
From Florida on her first visit with us, Cindy Ersch has a dorado on the gaff ready for some fish tacos and ceviche at our Tailhunter Restaurant.
Mike Shuey was with Captain Boli and took this sizeable dorado not too far off the rocks near Espirito Santo Island. Good to have Mike back to visit with us. He’s usually not so serious and always laughing!
Maria Gamino from S. California gets a “hand” from someone (probably her husband Chendo) to pose with her dorado!
That’s the right kind! Brett Bleichrodt was just here two weeks ago and then came right back with different friends! This is a legit bull dorado. Right off the shorline of Espirito Santo Island in shallow water!
Chendo Gamino wanted to just get one roosterfish to say he had caught one. He got TEN and released them all. Fun fishing and was great to have him down for his first visit!
These two have been fishing together for years. Captain Victor and Marcus Yu. A good day for dorado fishing. OH…and it probably helps that Marcus brings Victor craft beers as gifts!
Nice catch for Chris Binkley with Captain Pancho. Big sailfish a quick photo then props to Chris for the release to swim away strongly!
Pretty gal…pretty smile…pretty fish! Tracy Hunt from Oklahoma takes a quick shot with another roosterfish off the shore at Bahia Muertos. They released quite a few!
Brett with a 2nd bull dorado. Espirito Santo Island right after the storm had cleared.
Roger Laubscher and Captain Pancho having fun near the beach with catch-and-release roosterfish on light tackle
Love these two…Joe and Holly Moore! With Captain Gerardo and the results of a nice day on the water with some slugger yellowfin tuna and a big bull dorado. Joe and Holly are way fun. Visiting for the first time from Oklahoma.
Chris with another pretty rooster before release.
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What a week!
We had Hurricane Lorena give us some nervous moments as it barreled up towards Baja and La Paz and we prepared for the worst. Fortunately and thankfully, it kinda spun away from us. Instead of torrential downpours, flooding and high winds, we were grateful for basically maybe 24 hours of gentle rain!
As hurricanes go, it was a blessed non-event which is a rarity. Other areas like Cabo took it right on the chin, but other than having to shut down fishing for 2 days as a precaution when the port captain closed down the port, it was kind of enjoyable to just watch the rain and know everyone was safe. No one lost power, water or A/C although phone and wifi service got a bit wonky.
We got about 1 inch of rain over the whole 3 days. Heck, the week before when we had a cloudburst for 2 hours, we got 4 inches of rain!
We got back on the water as soon as the port opened up and I just never know how the fishing will be after a storm. The dorado bite had been pretty good prior to the storm so it’s a bit of a crapshoot for fishing, but good to get folks back out on the boats.
Often after a big storm the waters can be overturned and murky. Especially if there had been high winds and waves. Waters can also be muddy if we had alot of runoff from the rains.
However we didn’t have much wind and rain was negligible and surprise…the fish were willing to bite. Not full speed, but at least we had some OK action on dorado and fun small roosterfish.
With each day past the storm, it got a little better.
Then a huge full moon showed up and well…I hoped it wouldn’t be a factor because the moon…especially one this big… might have an effect on the ocean currents. Fishing slowed just a tick, but we still got fish.
But, then the best thing happened.
Yellowfin tuna popped up right in Bahia Muertos! These were fun-sized 10-15 pounders and they were just off the beach where we launch and ready to chew!
These fish were only in about 30′ of water and our anglers were nailing limits by 8 or 9 a.m. then having time to go get dorado or have fun on the roosterfish.
Two weeks ago the tuna were a 3-hour boat ride to the other side of Cerralvo Island if you really wanted to go look for them and it was hit-or-miss.
But this week, the tuna were foaming right in the bay. I have no idea how long they will stay as the tuna schools are mercurial. Each day, I expect they will be gone, but the boats come back plugged and big smiles on our guests!
Hopefully, they will stick around. Other than the tuna and dorado, the roosterfish and a few sailfish were also hooked. Had one wahoo on the line that got away.
As I write this, it looks like there might be more scattered thundershowers on the way next week. Maybe the whole week although the forecasts show that most of the precipitation will be in the afternoons. Hopefully, after everyone is off the water! Will keep you posted!
RESERVATIONS for 2026
Bookings for 2026 are already coming in and we’re getting them daily. Some dates are already filled or filling. Our main season is late April to mid-October or so depending on the northern winds.
We are offering special prices and packages if you book before the end of the year and hold it with deposits. Many of our regular Tailhunter folks are locking in their favorite captains and rooms!
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of Aug. 9-17, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FISHING REPORT
WEATHER: Hot and muggy! Very very tropical. Chances of showers now and then that blow over pretty quickly mostly. Temps in the mid to upper 90’s, but feels alot hotter. Stay hydrated or get sick!
WATER: Surface temps now reading low to mid-80’s. Feels like bath water!
FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK: Dorado/ snapper/ pargo/ marlin/ sailfish/ bonito/ roosterfish/jack crevalle/ cabrilla
THE MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO FISHING REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
Makalyn Brown has another good day with Captain Rogelio posing on the beach behind La Concha Hotel.
About 20 years ago, Scott Torney came down with his parents to fish with us. This time, he brought his own son, Tyler, who started things off with a trio or dorado and this sailfish. Unfortunately, unexpected weather came up on their last 2 days.
Tony shows off a nice schoolie mahi for the camera. He had two days on the dorado schools!
Yes, there’s still some roosters around the beaches. Not the larger models like before, but these smaller fry on light tackle are alot of fun. Steve’s got one for the camera before the release!
Leo’s got a big smile under that great mustache and and another mahi for the box!
I know that Andrew Fernandez likes to throw iron so I’m not sure if he got this jack on the jig, but bait or iron these guys can fight! Andrew released the fish!
Shea Brown is alot of fun to fish with and always seems to be smiling. She and Captain Rogelio share a pose, a fish and a grin!
Tony has a larger one on the gaff!
Great color on Andrews mahi!
Not as many photos for this edition of the fishing report but that’s because we didn’t have as man fishermen. This is the time of year during the summer when we have a bit of a dip in travel.
Lots of families are back or headed back to school. The focus has changed for folks understandably as summer vacations are fresh memories and the new school year is here. Quite a few of our guests right now seem to be dads trying to squeeze in on last fishing “hurrah” with a kid or two before things get crazy. Not sure it’s for the benefit of the dad or the kids!
But, all fun!
However…
This is the kind of summer fun we’ve been waiting for.
The dorado were about 2-3 months late this year for reasons my small brain can’t figure out. Waters were warm. Conditions were right. However, other than a few dorado here and there, the dorado chew just never remained consistent.
We could see fish. We found fish. We threw everything from bait to lures to burritos at them and they just never showed anything more than a token interest.
Well, about 2 weeks ago, they finally decided to join in.
It’s not full speed . It’s not WFO by any means.
But, it’s fun summer fishing with about 70-80% of the catch being dorado. They can be found in numerous spots. They school up very often so when you find one, you find others. They are great spectacular fighters with leaps and jumps and few fish can match the colors . When they want to feed, look out! It makes it fun for novices or veteran anglers alike. Great on light tackle too.
And they eat and taste great as well. Oh…and they grow fast so they’re a great renewable resource.
Like I said, it’s not wide open, but for the most part, it’s dorado season finally. Some boats might do better than others in the exact same spot. One boat is hot one day and goes cool the next or a boat that has a sticky day is on fire the next.
Fortunately, overall most of our guests fish several days so it all evens out and everyone goes home with some fish!
Most of the fish are the school-sized 5-15 pounders . Occasionally, there are some 20 pound models and some larger ones are getting lost. But, this is good summer fishing!
Other fish have taken a backseat mostly. A few sailfish and marlin hooked incidentally. There’s still some pargo, cabrilla, and snapper in the boxes and of course, bonito and tough jack crevalle .
The roosterfish bite has tapered after a spectacular historic season, but there are still some 5-15 pounders hanging around the beach and rock areas.
A couple of notes…
It’s really hot. Seems more intensely hot than other years. I’ve got folks getting heat-sick every week from not enough hydration or protecting themselves from the sun. Don’t let that happen to you. Stay hydrated. Moreso than normal. Bring some of those little packs of powdered electrolytes to mix into your bottled water. It’s like first-aid. You’ll thank me later!
Secondly, related to the weather as well…it’s not only hot, but tropical. Rainstorms are not unusual this time of year with all the evaporation. Nothing might show in the forecast and the next thing you know it’s storming and raining. I could last a few minutes. It could last an hour or more. It could rain in one spot, but not another. It could be a warm shower or a downpour! You just never know. 99% of the days it’s so hot, you might be praying for a little wind and rain.
Other days, you just gotta duck and let it pass!
We had one day we had to cancel boats because it was too rough to launch. Just be aware. Don’t come down without purchasing trip insurance.
This is the best time to fish, but unexpected thunderstorms are not uncommon here in the tropics!
That’s our story!
Let’s us put your next fishing vacation together! We can put together the whole package with lodging, transportation, activities and, of course, fishing!
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of July 31-Aug. 8, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FISHING REPORT
WEATHER: Won’t lie. It’s HOT and STEAMY and sunny. Even for us who live here, it seems intensely more hot even tho’ the temp say it’s a normal 98. The real feel is about 104 or so. Folks getting sick every day because they are not hydrating!
WATER: Mostly warm and blue! Getting readings of about 82 to as high as 86 on the outside.
FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK:. Roosterfish, dorado, striped marlin, sailfish, bonito, jack crevalle, pargo liso, barred pargo, needlefish (big ones), snapper, triggerfish, cabrilla
LAS ARENAS FISHING: More variety with dorado, roosters, jacks, bonito, pargo, cabrilla.
LA PAZ FISHING:. Mostly dorado with some marlin biters. A few roosters and cabrilla .
FISHING ON A SCALE of 10 (10 is best): 6-7
THE MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO FISHING REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
Cody Crawford from Florida on his first visit with us had a nice week of pretty solid fishing including some big bulls like this one, but check out the pargo liso as well as the fat triggerfish! Fishing with Captain Pancho 3 days.
There was a time when Noah Stark was alot smaller than his dad, Chris and myself. Now, he’s starting high school! Good first day of dorado and tuna!
Brian Pierce with a great rack of dorado and football tuna plus I see a snapper and a pargo liso on the table as well.
It’s been over a decade since Wade Ralston from Washington was with us. He’s usually on the Columbia River guiding, but came down and couldn’t be more enthusiastic, especially using his custom-made rods of his own. Check out the nice roosterfish on the flyrod! It was released.
Somewhere behind this big roosterfish is a big fella! That’s Oscar Alba somewhere behind that big comb. The fish was released after the photo. I think Juan behind him has a fish on as well!
Nice shot! Crystalynn Lilly with Captain Joel’s thumbs-up! First time visit for Crystalynn. She had quite a week!
The man behind the mask is Captain Gerardo with the barred pargo. But Takashi Rutherford and and dad, Keith, have the dorado in hand and on the table!
Thad Loomis all smiles right off the beach with another rooster for the photo and release!
Sweetest gal, Mandy Caron from Boise ID with Captain Rogelio and another nice cabrilla for the box! Mandy and the family were last with us 13 years ago!
Takashi and his bull dorado make for a great photo! Super colors!
This photo should be framed. Jesus Morales with a big rooster! Photo’d and released after the pose!
Oscar and Juan…they won’t tell us who actually caught the marlin while fishing with Captain Julio. The fish could not be released. First marlin for one or both of them!
Arcie Propster was able to get her son Austin down for a quick trip and he landed a number of dorado like this. They live in Redondo Beach CA
Cody again…with another big bull, some triggerfish, a pargo liso and several more dorado! Fishing with Captain Pancho
Captain Armando checks out Danny and Rusty’s dorado on the beach at Muertos!
Gaby Donnell from Oregon is just a joy everytime she comes down. She seems to have a knack every year for pargo liso no matter what time of year. Captain Pancho helps with the pose.
Roger McCracken has been fishing with us over 20 years but the last few George Hatziyiannis has been joining him. We’ve had some good times over the year. Both are from the Portland area.
Great first day for Nick Brown who brought his family down with him this time fishing with Captain Hugo. Great rack of dorado!
Wade Ralston was really happy with this dorado on his light tackle custom rod!
Crystalynn with another dorado for the freezer to take home!
Oscar poses with a legit bull dorado fishing just outside Muertos Bay where the dorado bite has started to turn on finally .
I think this is Noah Stark behind the bandana with another nice bull dorado. He only had 2 days to fish and put some nice meat in the box fishing with dad, Chris.
A prehistoric monsters needlefish! Keith Rutherford is 6’4″ and this needlefish is still taller! Most needlefish are about 2′ long or so! Captain Gerardo said it was the biggest needlefish he had ever seen in his life fishing these waters.
Check the flat ocean! Thad Loomis with first day bull dorado!
Good way to start the morning for Mike McFeely. A nice roosterfish bite for some quick action and releases.
She had a good week! Crystalynn with a fresh one on the gaff to take home to Washington.
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Sorry this is a few days late. Good excuses…
We lost electricity and wifi for about 2 1/2 days (see explanation below)
We had a storm come through and I didn’t know if it was going to be sprinkles or a full blown crusher and I wanted to have the latest and best info (turned out to be about an hour thunderstorm…that’s it!)
So that’s my story…
Let’s talk fishing!
Well, it finally happened.
The dorado finally showed up. They’re only about 2 or 3 months behind schedule. Normally, we would have seen dorado schools by late May or early June. This year, despite ticklers here and there where we got excited about seeing fish that then petered out, the expected mahi bite just never quite materialized.
Last year was late as well, but that was because the waters stayed cold until August. Heck, we were still catching some cold-water yellowtail and amberjack into August last year.
This year? Go figure. The waters got warm like usual. But the dorado just never came. Actually, they’ve been around. We’ve seen them. But, they wouldn’t eat. Not interested. They would just turn and swim away from baits and lures.
Just one more strange thing to add to our experience.
But in the last week or so, the dorado finally seem to have woken up. I hope I don’t jinx things by talking about it.
The bite is not full-speed WFO the way it normally is. However, there’s enough of a bite that maybe 70% of our catch this past period are mahi. Both our Las Arenas and our La Paz fleets are into the fish.
But, like I said, it’s not wide open. One boat might hit the school and come back with limits. The next boat might only get 2 or 3 fish total. One boat might pick pick pick all day for fish and come back full . Another boat might get bit and that’s the only bite of the day. Or, a boat might find a sweet school and BAM…they are slammed one-stop shopping and they’re done.
It’s not consistent.
But, overall, most folks are fishing numerous days with us and they’re all catching fish. An off-day is off-set by a good day and everyone has fish to take home.
The dorado are mostly school-sized fish up to about 15 pounds. Fun for everyone. Ready to bite. Great for first-timers or on light tackle for the veteran anglers. Some larger fish up to maybe 30 pounds are around as well and some larger fish have been lost.
We’re still getting roosterfish which has been steady.
Easily this is the best roosterfish season I’ve had in 30 years. We’re not seeing the big pig roosters now as the formal roosterfish season normally tapers in July . We’re still getting the occasional 40-50 pounder, but have not seen the bigger 70-100 pounders in several weeks. Most of the fish are fun 5-30 pound fish all getting released. Easy to catch and release a handful pretty much any day of the week right off the beach between Los Alamos and Ventana/ Sargento Beaches.
I thought we’d be deep in billfish by now. Normally, we are, but it’s only the occasional striper, blue or sailfish these days . Maybe 1 or 2 biters per week and most seem to quickly be lost or broken off. I will say that every time I’ve sent anglers out who specifically want a billfish, they get skunked. The billfish seem to always get hooked by folks who are rookies or while trying to catch something else.
Other than that, no wahoo, but there have been a smattering of yellowfin tuna footballs, but nothing to get excited about. There are still some pargo liso around (mullet snapper) which is also surprsing because they are cold-water fish and surface water temps right now are anywhere from 82 up to 86 degrees.
Speaking of heat…folks…the heat is intense. Even us locals are commenting that it’s hotter than a grill these days. Don’t know what it is. The thermometer says 95, but the real feel is about 105!
I’ve had guests getting sick almost every day from heat and lack of hydration. You gotta stay hydrated and folks don’t listen. The sun sucks moisture right out’ve you like a sponge.
Folks are feeling light-headed, cramping, stomach aches, head-aches, the runs…they think it’s the flu or a bug or food poisoning. 99% of the time, it’s the heat. I jack them with some electrolytes and and a banana for potassium and BOOM…almost instant recovery.
However, folks are cancelling trips because they’re not taking care!
Bring some electrolyte powder packs with you. Cover up. Drink lots of water even tho’ you’re not peeing it out.
The heat has been so intense, the there have been rolling blackouts around the city because of the high AC usage. At our Tailhunter Restaurant, we lost 2 1/2 days of no water, power, lights, no wifi no phones or A/C. Our office got up 110 degrees INSIDE.
Lastly, I warn all of our guests to not come down here without purchasing trip insurance. This is just the thing to cover missed trips because of getting sick. Moreso, this is storm season. Tropical storms come and go. We just had one the other day. Fortunately, it was in the afternoon when everyone was done fishing. But, these can pop up anytime.
We hope they don’t turn into hurricanes, but even the 2 or 3 hour thunderstorm can mess up plans. So, once again, DO NOT COME DOWN WITHOUT PURCHASING trip insurance! There’s no refunds for weather-related cancelations. Unfortunately, it just so happens that the best fishing time of the year also happens to be the best time to get a storm now and then!
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of July 15-22, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FISHING REPORT
WEATHER: Hot and sunny. Breezy mornings and evenings down to the comfortable high 70’s, but day time temps are in the high 80’s to mid-90’s. But, it feels much hotter and intense for some reason. Lather on the sunscreen and keep covered. We did have an unexpected 1 day storm that dropped some rain on us. These little storms come out’ve nowhere. The heat sucks up moisture. The clouds build and they have to drop that water somewhere.
WATER: Clearing up after the storm 2 weeks ago and then the big full moon last week. More blue patches and water surface temps coming back up into the low 80’s after dropping into the 70’s last week.
FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK: Roosterfish, sailfish, wahoo, marlin, tuna, jack crevalle, pargo, cabrilla, sierra, snapper, bonito, triggerfish, dorado
Las Arenas: More variety. Pretty much a shot at everything on the list above. Lots of roosterfish for sure then a little of some of the others . Had the best wahoo bite of the season there.
La Paz : A few more dorado and billfish and some big cabrilla and pargo.
FISHING ON A SCALE of 1-10 (10 is best): 6 plus
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO FISHING REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
Maybe our biggest dorado of the year so far? Luis Rodriguez and Luis Arandia with Captain Jorge and some other nice fish on the cutting table as well!
Three wahoo the same day? And a bigger one broke off! Stellar fishing day for Larry and Adam! Jackpot fishing south end of Cerralvo Island! They were with Captain Hugo.
Perfect face-frame for Raul and a bull dorado. Check out the flat ocean!
First time and first day! Stephen Wang said they hooked and released 15-20 roosterfish up to 40 pounds all on light tackle with Captain Gerardo
Jim Bovee got his wahoo! While staying at Rancho Costa there in Bahia Muertos, Jim pulled this ‘hoo off the island. Jim visits us several times a year from San Diego.
Nothing like that first fish! Elana Tabachnikoff with Captain Joel on her first day on the water and first visit to La Paz was pretty excited. She was alot of fun to have with us this week!
David Henke has been coming for years. Never caught a wahoo. We’ve only seen about 3 all year. So, yesterday with Captain Moncho, he says, “I’ll give you $100 if you get me a wahoo!” They zoom to the island. Twenty minutes later, BAM they have a wahoo! David says, “I will give you another $100 if you get another wahoo for my girlfriend here!” 30 minutes later BAM a 2nd wahoo!
All the way from Virginia, Jene Nissens just wanted to catch a roosterfish larger than 10 pounds on his flyrod. He lost a couple the first day, but 2nd day did the trick!
After our little storm, the skies still looked ominous, but we got everyone out fishing included Nick Salcedo from San Luis Obispo CA who got into the roosterfish happily! Fish was released.
Captain Gerardo photobombs Fabio Pharazyn and Peter Knapp after a nice day with 3 quality dorado and a wahoo on the cutting table!
Love having Brenda Bovee visit us from San Diego. With Captain Pancho one of the few yellowfin tuna of the year. Cerralvo Island in the background.
After catching and releasing more than a dozen roosterfish, Stephen Wang and son Evan still had some fish to take home including dorado, a huge triggerfish, a cabrilla, a trevally and snapper! Great variety!
Hahahah…Rob Carroll right up in that pretty blue water near the rocks poses with one of his roosterfish before letting it go. Rob visits us from Utah each year with his family.
Lloyd Surhiro from Fresno CA had just one day to fish with us along with his son and daughter, but they boated a nice load of fat cabrilla like these!
Great photo of Gavin Carroll in the aquarium off the rocks where it’s fun fishing and releasing roosterfish!
Sunrise roosterfish for Richie Pusateri just outtside of Bahia Muertos. He got several this day and all released.
Pound-for-pound one of the toughest fish to hook are the jack crevalle that school up off the sandy beaches. Jene has a nice one here and also released it.
Buenos dias! Nice to start the day hooking up roosterfish. Aldo Magana from San Luis Obispo poses with one of his before putting it back in the water.
Two for two! Double roosters for son Evan and dad, Stephen, first day fishing. Flat waters and a good sunrise!
Our amigo, Jim Bovee fishes with us several times a year and captured this great photo from the beach at Rancho Costa Resort in Bahia Muertos. We had a quick torito storm blow through that wasn’t on the radar systems and can rise up in minutes akin to a baby hurricane that lasts only a few minutes or hours. This one blew through in a few hours and caused all our boats to come back in, but fishing went back to normal the next day.
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Compared to the last 2 weeks when were were affected by a hurricane that didn’t hit us but brushed by as well as a massive full moon, this past week was an incredible improvement. It seems that on a daily basis the further we get away from the meteorological and atmospheric events the fishing gets better.
Even during the down time, everyone was catching fish. It was just alot harder work to find the fish and to get the to bite.
However, since then, there’s been a nice resurgence.
The roosterfish have come on strong again. In what has been the best roosterfish season in memory, it is not impossible to catch and release a dozen 5-30 pound fish or just sit on the spot all day long. The fish are varacious and our anglers fishing light tackle are having fun getting beat up. Larger fish in the 40-60 pound fish are still cruising the area, but it’s getting more difficult to find the larger sabalo (ladyfish bait) that attracts the big hogs.
Here’s an account from Stephen Wang after the first day:
“Man— the roosters were everywhere. We did all this on light tackle. Crazy good bite today on the roosters. Fish on first cast. Maybe 15-20 roosters. All 15-40 lbs.
Got some small dorado next to the buoys. We are tired!
Light tackle so much fun. But the 30+ lb roosters made us work on the smaller rod. 20 lb braid. 10-20 lb spinning rod. Hearing the drag scream was fun!!!”
Marlin and sails have also grudgingly decided to jump into the bite as well. For weeks, you could see them but they just weren’t interested. The past few days, it’s not typical, but not unusual to hook at least one or more, especially on live bait. Most of them are stripers running up to about 150 pounds.
I”m still surprised the dorado aren’t going full speed. Normally, by this time of the year, the dorado would be dominating the catches with maybe 60-80% of the catch being mahi. However, despite what I thought a few weeks ago, the dorado have not broken loose quite yet . It’s still pre-season and we hope they wake up soon . We can see them, but they are reluctant biters.
Other species we’re hooking include pompano, trevally, cabrilla, pargo, snapper, sierra, jack crevalle and bonito.
La Paz – Las Arenas / Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of July 7-14, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FISHING REPORT
WEATHER: Sunny and hot. Intensely hot even though the thermometer doesn’t seem that hot. Mid-to-high 90’s. Can be breezy in the morning clearing to bright sunshine. Cover up and bring the hat and sunscreen!
WATER: Weirdly off-color. The storm two weeks ago coupled with a huge full moon this week and strong currents pulled up cold green water from deep and water temps dropping 3-8 degrees. Patches of warm blue and patches of cold off-color water everywhere. Fishing fell off big time.
FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK: Dorado, roosters, pompano, wahoo, trevally, jack crevalle, bonito, marlin, sailfish, pargo, cabrilla.
FISHING SCALE (10 being best): 3-4.
THE MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
Could this huge nighttime orb have been the culprit for the drop in fishing? I usually don’t blame the full moon and it usually has little effect on us down here with fishing ,but this was one of the biggest brightest full moons I have seen this year and it literally blazed bright and surely did not do us or the ocean any favors. Even after the sun came up, you could see it!
Our amiga, Kelly Jimenez from Loveland CO comes to see us each year and wears her lucky pink Tailhunter shirt! It paid off. With Captain Pancho she nailed this nice wahoo off South Cerralvo Island. They also had two other biters come off or bust off.
Casey Petersen from San Diego is all smile after landing this nice bull fishing with Captain Alfredo towards Espirito Santo Island.
These are some of the toughest fish to hook onto. These jacks are viscious! Cathy Corda has been fishing with us for decades and these bruisers gave her a battle!
Jeff Thackery finally got his roosterfish off Punta Arenas Beach and it’s a thick one! Jeff was able to release the fish. Originally from Texas he just set up a home here in La Paz.
Emma Hart is always in the fish whenever she visits! Check out the nice wahoo on the gaff!
This is a huge pompano and great eating too! Miles Wagner staying at his dad’s place at Rancho Costa in Bahia Muertos put the wood to this trophy!
First timers with us, Jared Jones and son Kaden with Captain Hugo land this wahoo when other anglers come for years and can’t seem to hook one of these speedsters!
Costa Rancho owner Gary Wagner (right) told me this was the first marlin he was not able to release in years and could not revive regretfully, but the meat was distributed around.
Casey Petersen finally got his bigger roosterfish this last week. Emma Hart helps with the pose. The fish was released.
Matt Wallis from Kentucky with another of these tough slugger jack crevalle just off the beach at Punta Arenas near the lighthouse. Schools of the big jacks are in that area now. Not so great eating, but fun to hook!
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In short…fishing sure took a nosedive this last week. At best, it was OK. There was some action. Everyone caught fish. It’s just that there were few highlights; few large fish; and not much quantity either.
We really had to work hard for the fish. Captains chased all over and knuckled down looking for spots. Anglers, kept patient and hung in there. But, it mostly just wasn’t happening.
Blame it on the storm two weeks ago that turned over the waters. Blame it on the big giant full moon that usually has little or no effect. I don’t know. Can’t put my finger on it.
But, this full moon was huge and blazing. They even had some full moon parties in town to watch the moon! That’s how big it was. In the dark you didn’t need street lights. The moon was THAT bright. Even when the sun had started to come up, you could still see the moon!
Whether it did or didn’t have an effect on the fishing, it’s difficult to ignore that the ocean currents were unusually strong and erratic. Or that the water temps dropped 3 to 5 degrees or more with colder off-color water patches everywhere. That great summertime blue water was hard to find and was replaced by dirty green cold waters. Often we could see schools of fish like dorado or even marlin and sailfish and they just weren’t interested in eating!
So, the bite was really off and sticky.
Just a few dorado. Not much in billfish although one client was asleep holding the rod when a sailfish hit and pulled the rod right outta his hands. Several of our captains saw the fish bounding away with the rod and reel unfortunately skipping behind the fish.
But that was it. Some big huge bonito…some big jacks…a few good patches of nice cabrilla, pargo, trevally and a little jag of wahoo for the first time.
Roosterfish…hmmmm….
We’ve had a spectacular roosterfish season. But, this past week, nothing really noteable. Mostly 5-10 pounders. A few of the 20-40 pounders, but that was it. I don’t want to say the roosterfish season is over, but maybe ALL the fishing was off. Or maybe…the roosterfish season is over!
Here’s the deal…
This is still the Sea of Cortez. This is still La Paz. This was an off-week. I just want to be honest. No sense in blowing smoke or sugar-coating things.
But things turn around. It doesn’t stay bad. I’m grateful to all our guests who hung tight with us this week. But by the time you’re reading this, things might have already started to rebound.
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of June 28-July6, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FISHING REPORT
WATER: Before Flossie warm and blue summer-time water with surface temps about 82 degrees. After flossie waters dropped 3-4 degrees with dirtier water from runoff and colder water from deep.
WEATHER: Before Flossie sunny and hot in the high 90’s. During Flossie crazy humid with scattered rain here and there. Lots of wind, but thankfully, the hurricane went out to the Pacific. After Flossie still humid, but cooler. Temps in the low to mid-90’s and somewhat cloudy
FISH HOOKED THIS PERIOD: Dorado, roosters, marlin, sailfish, jack crevalle, dog-tooth snapper, barred pargo, yellow snapper, silver snapper, african trevally, black trevally, pompano, bonito, sierra, sharks, tuna
FISHING ON A SCALE of 1-10 (10 being best): Before Flossie 6-7. After Flossie a 3, but better each day after the storm.
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
Flossie came barreling towards us but gratefully, she went up the Pacific Coast instead of up the Sea of Cortez. We still got the periphery of it which included strong winds, a bit of rain and some rough seas.
First time with us from Mississippi, Shane Tompkins, got his big roosterfish that the captain estimated was in the 80-90 pound class. Shane did release the fish!
Cody Johnson is pretty happy here. On a day when he caught and released 13 roosterfish, there was reason to smile!
Jim Ramos and Mike Jennings double dorado out on the 88 bank east of Cerralvo Island.
Long-time amigo, John Washington from Reno NV, had a an action-filled day with dorado, black trevally and pargo to clean and take home!
Steve and Kelli Paulsen celebrating their honeymoon from Wyoming with a dog-tooth snapper! Over 4 days, Steve caught about 24 different species and released most of them!
Riley Gray is having too much fun catching and releasing roosterfish off the rocks!
Our best amigo and dueno of Rancho Costa in Bahia Muertos with Mic Ward and her rooster for a quick photo and release.
This is a pretty epic video. Andy Lauber from Louisiana with his brother, Jack, and Captain Pancho hooked a huge dorado but there was a school of sharks chasing the fish. They had to pull hard and run the fish down as the big bull tried to escape the attacking sharks. They had just one chance to get a gaff on the fish! The whole thing took 3 minutes!
Andy and his bull dorado! You can see the teeth marks on the fish’s head!
In 30 years here, I’ve only seen maybe 4 or 5 barracuda caught although I have seen them while scuba diving. Ken Ward sees a mouthful of teeth here. I understand they had it as sashime and it was pretty good there at Rancho Costa.
Bob and Saida with a good start to their fishing vacation. They’re from San Francisco and have some great eating pargo and snapper on the table. They also released roosterfish.
On the day Shane caught the big 80+ pound roosterfish (scroll up!), he also caught and released this striped marlin as well!
A Canadian amigos, Eric Wilis and Arthur Harrison from Vancouver with good variety to fillet in the ice chest. They also released roosterfish.
My dear amiga, Edie Ortmann from the S.F. Bay area, with Captain Alfredo and her striped marlin she fought by herself for two hours! Most of the meat was donated!
Some great eating for Jack Lauber from Kansas City with a pretty pompano off the beach.
Mike Jennings is always into the sizeable roosters. Visiting each year from Washington, he fishes all over the world. He releases all his roosterfish.
The power of an angry marlin just hooked. Check the speed. The fish was eventually released. Thanks Gary Wagner for the great video clip!
We are seeing alot more sharks in the water this season. Steve Paulsen got one to the boat after a good battle and released it.
Jack and Andy…pretty happy with the variety of a day’s catch plus the roosterfish they released. I see triggerfish, trevally, pompano and snapper on the table!
These might not be good eating, but don’t let anyone fool you these jack crevalle are among the toughest fighters in our waters earning the Mexican name “Toro” (bull) on every level. Riley Gray tangled with this one and released it.
Another quick photo and release for Ken! Pretty roosterfish.
Rob Gray from Danville CA with another roosterfish! In 4 days, I believe he caught and released over 24 different species of fish!
They don’t have fish like this in Wyoming! Steve with another species to add to his growing list of different fish he caught. This is one a tasty barred pargo.
GREAT STORY
Riley Gray and dad, Rob fished with Captain Rogelio out’ve La Paz. On light spinning gear, they hooked a huge blue marlin and fought it for 3 hours. They were going to release it, but it broke off at the boat.
Then, they hooked a striped marlin and fought it for 2 hours and released it. Then, they caught a few nice dorado that went into the box.
At the very end, Riley hooks into a sailfish for another 45 minute fight! Also released. Riley said her arms and legs wouldn’t stop shaking!
Billfish next to the panga before release!
Dad, Rob with one of their dorado!
You can see the silhouette of the big billfish and the ridiculously light spinning gear, but Riley is all smiles! She’s a gamer!
Captain Rogelio hoists the fish before the release.
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This week’s report is a two parter.
PART 1: FISHING BEFORE FLOSSIE
It was pretty good! Looking alot like finally getting the summertime vibe on the water. Hot sunny days and steady fishing action. Not spectacular just yet, but surely alot of solid fun.
The roosterfish at Las Arenas continued to chew pretty much unabated like I’ve never seen in 30 years. If you wanted to catch and fish for roosters in the 10-30 pound class all day there were there just off the beach in several areas. As one of our guests told me, “That was crazy fun. We released so many fish. Every cast was a hookup of either a roosterfish, a jack crevalle or a needlefish! You could see the fish under the boat in the clear water!” The good part was all the fish were getting released. The bad part was that well…all the fish were getting released! No fish to fillet and bring home to eat! Roosters, jacks and needles just aren’t real good table fare.
So, usually, after some fun on the rooster grounds, the captains would take the clients out and catch some “keeper fish” like barred pargo, cabrilla, snapper and dog-tooth as well as some dorado.
Speaking of dorado, they finally started to come along. It’s about time. They are a tad late this season. By now, we should be deep into them, but the waters just had not quite warmed up enough for them. We’re seeing more of them and there’s some nice grade fish as you can tell from the photos, but just not the quanity we’re used to this time of year.
However, the fact that the waters are a bit cooler might have been a good thing. Hurricanes follow warm water and the Sea of Cortez was just cool enough that Hurricane Flossie followed the warmer waters along the Pacific and diverted from hitting us directly in the nose.
Another thing is that the billfish like striped and blue marlin as well as sailfish have woken up finally. There were a few days that almost every boat hooked at least one billfish. Most were accidents when the guests weren’t intending to hook or fish for billfish, but if you hav a bait in the water, you never know what’s going to bite. Most of the fish are getting broken off or released.
PART 2 : AFTER FLOSSIE
It’s pretty unusual to get a storm like Flossie so early in the season.
Flossie fortunately did not hit us directly. It followed the warmer waters outside to the Pacific, but we got the peripheral winds which created some pretty rough seas plus a bit of rain and dark skies.
I’m thankful we dodged a bullet, but Flossie still affected us.
We had to make adjustments, but we were still able to get boats and fishermen out, but fishing wasn’t very great in the rough seas. Plus waters had turned dirtier and off-color from the deep upwelling and rain runoff.
Kudos to our fishermen and captains who hung in there and did their best, but fishing really dropped off. It was difficult to get to spots with the rough seas plus the fish had moved to other areas. We got a few dorado and bonito and some rockfish, but had to work hard for them. Grateful to our guests that were here for their patience.
With each passing day, the waters cleared up just a bit more. With each passing day, the waters got warmer. We started finding some of the schools again. Hopefully, we’ll bounce completely back if not sooner by the time you’re reading this. We did find the roosterfish schools again!
One other thing. After we get rain, we alway get a hatch of flies and mosquitos for a few days. All it takes is a few puddles to breed. The Mexican government doesn’t appear to be spraying anymore because of the toxicity of spraying. (Bad for mosquitos and bad for humans as they just drive down the street spraying!) . But it wouldn’t hurt to pack a little bottle of repellent if you’re coming down. All it takes is one little pest in your ear at night to drive you crazy!
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of June 11-18, 2025
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FISHING REPORT
WEATHER: Definitely getting warmer! Day time temps now in the high 90’s and humidity rising also. Surprisingly, however, mornings can be breezy and just a tad chilly. Had a few days that were actually unusually windy.
WATER: Surface temps into the 80’s now. Thermocline down about 30′ drops another 5-10 degrees.
FISH HOOKED THIS WEEK: Roosters/ marlin/ pargo liso/ barred pargo/ dog-tooth snapper/ sierra/ trevally/ pompano/ bonito/ amberjack/ jack crevalle/ snapper/ triggerfish/ dorado/ sailfish/ wahoo
FISHING ON A SCALE of 1-10: Solid 6.5 to 7
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT
THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…
Nick Butler on his first trip to see us taking a break from being stationed at Fort Bragg in N.Carolina where he’s with the 82nd Airborne. He sure is holding a pretty roosterfish here just off Punta Perrico just outside of Bahia Muertos. Quick release also!
Captain Chito with one of our Ground Engineering amigos who came down from Denver. I see 5 mahi here. Hopefully, more soon!
They got married in Utah and came straight down from the reception to the airport to fish on their honeymoon! Jessica and Mitchell Kukson had 2 marlin on at the same time fishing with Captain Alfredo. One got released but the other was not able to release. They donated a bunch of the meat.
Our Utah amigo, Kelly Moore, first day fishing with quite a smorgasbord of species…barred pargo, triggerfish, tevaly, snapper and bonito!
The life of the party whenever I see him…Fritz Richards from Reno NV on his first trip to see us had some fun with roosterfish and dorado. Fritz is a master taxidermist and travels the country fixing and repairing other people’s taxidermy mounts!
Another Utah amigo, Tony Davis with his big rooster while Captain Victor tries to lend a hand. The fish was released!
Brian Hyland was back with us and started his 3 days with a nice batch of great eating snapper and trevally and released some roosterfish as well.
Ooof!!! That’s a big trophy cabrilla! Wow. Bert Butler from Maryland has some meat to put in the freezer!
I think I’ve known Rafael Rios for over 20 years. Always good to see him. Starting the morning with a rooster to photo and release. Rafa is from the Houston TX area.
Newlywed Mitchell Kukson had some nice variety including this barred pargo.
One of the toughest fighting fish in our waters, this pargo liso tangled with Holly Butler who put it in the boat with some gaff assistance from Captain Pancho .
Cory and Amy Mahan from Nevada with just one day to fish put 4 nice roosters in the boat for photos and releases. This is a fatty! Punta Perrico in the background.
He had never fished before and Eric was pretty surprised at how strong ocean fish are! One of his roosters for a photo and release! I think Rafa in the background is hooked up to another rooster. Check the flat seas!
Seattle’s own Steve Bryan our roosterfish king. Only big roosters for Steve! I think he got a dozen between 60 and 100 pounds over 3 weeks. All released.
Cute fish and fun amiga, Laurie Moore, with a great photo of her rooster off Bahia Muertos!
Captain Rogelio helps heft another of Holly’s big cabrilla for a photo then into the fish box to take back to Maryland!
Captain Armando with Jeff Butron’s striped marlin. Brian Hyland on the other end. The marlin was not able to be released.
Johnny “Reno” Standley from Reno NV wrestles with a hefty rooster hooked just off the Punta Perrico rocks for a photo and release. John was on his first visit to fish with us.
Julie Rios has a big smile and a rooster for the photo then release. Check the flat ocean. Punta Arenas beach in the background.
Steve with another pig of a roosterfish!
Dan Moore caught and released a bunch of roosters then put meat in the ice chest with this nice selection of pargo, snapper, triggerfish and trevally! Dan is from Texas and this was his first trip fishing with Tailhunter.
Captain Rogelio has a knack for finding big cabrilla. Eric and Tony with a couple of nice ones north of La Paz Bay.
Just one day to fish, Amy Mahan had quite a day with several big roosterfish like this one . Catch and release after a great photo. Amy visits us from Nevada.
Great photo and fish! Captain Pancho gives Bert Butler a hand with his thick rooster!
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I don’t want to start out saying we had bad fishing this past week. It was actually pretty solid once again, but it was different for some reason . Y’know like when something is off and you just can’t put your finger on it?
Everyone caught fish, but it wasn’t like it has been the past 4 or 5 weeks and I don’t quite know what it was how to describe it. There was a disturbance in the force!
I don’t want to get too dramatic about it because obviously everyone caught fish, but something was different.
I thought maybe it was the full moon.
But, actually, once again, the bite during the full moon was just fine. I looked at the calendar and realized the weird stuff kinda happened in the days AFTER the full moon.
Bait was a bit harder to find. The current seemed a tad off. The weather seemed to get more intensely hot. And there were several days when the winds were unseasonably strong.
Again, everyone caught fish, but we had to work harder to change tactics to find them and get them into the boat! Possibly, it was a combination of all those things put together that affected things.
Roosterfish were still around and biting nicely. Those 10-30 pound fish are still on the chew around Las Arenas areas. You can have fun almost all day catching and releasing like I have never seen. I would love it if someone put a GoPro camera underwater sometime there in the middle of the roosterfish schools!
The big 50-100 pounders were fewer, however. That could be a function of several things. One is that the big ladyfish baits were harder to find. Secondly, you have to commit to chasing those baits. The bigger fish love the bigger baits and you have to commit to getting those baits if you wanted to get the hog roosters. Fewer folks wanted to do that understandably. It’s more fun to go chase and get bit on the smaller roosters and other species!
Dorado are showing up in bigger numbers, but they’re not quite ready to bite yet. We were seeing them all week in the waters and chasing baits, etc. but just not willing to chew for the most part. We picked a few here and there and it’s definitely improving, but I think we’re going to need a little uptick in the water temps. That could be any day. It SHOULD be any day!
Same with the billfish. There are marlin and sailfish swimming around. You can see them on the surface. But, like the dorado, they just have not been willing to bite. Again, I’m expecting that any day.
In the meantime, the rockfish species like the pargo and huge cabrilla have kept the rods bent. Big pargo liso are still spawning and I’m still amazed at the size of the cabrilla this season which are grouper-sized fish! We are losing some big fish in the rocks!
Tailhunter Fish Report 