Loreto 4/7/26

[galen]

Got back down to Baja after a few years. We’re on day 3 of our first trip here. Fished this morning around Isla Coronado on a very bare bones panga. Captain didn’t speak a word of English so thankfully my Spanish was enough to make it work.
The terminal tackle was circa 1980’s Ugly sticks and Shimano Speedmaster with a 3” handle and probably the same line it was first strung up with. I think I brought as many lures with me as were on the boat already( rusty rapalas). Not even a simple fighting belt.
We got to the marina and there were two boats racing around INSIDE the marina attempting to net bait amongst 100 pelicans. Needless to say we left with lures only.
Fishing was painfully slow. About 9:30 we got our only hookup around the outside of the island on an X-Rap 20.
My wife did a fantastic job of landing a very respectable yellowtail on the subpar equipment. We trolled another hour and headed in at 11:00 as wind was already gusting and the kids had already done a great job of being patient.
My takeaways,which either other anglers have already figured out or maybe this can help someone else:
Take the time to research your charter. I took the easy way out and booked through a company that was also doing our Island tour. Saved some money but it really showed. Fishing only charter is probably your best bet. It seems that most of the Pangueros are two trick ponies; live bait which is spotty a best, or trolling Rapalas. Paying for an operation that has any electronics would obviously greatly improve the odds. I brought numerous jigs but didn’t even bother to ask about dropping them in because with no finder we would be fishing blind. I can only imagine that we drove over at least a few schools and had no idea.
Our next trip we will likely bite the bullet and bring our own gear. One of the threes rods on board had no fewer than 5 eyelets damaged. I pointed it out to the captain before we even started fishing, I’m not sure when would have been the last time he checked his equipment. On the same rod the reel handle nut was probably a thread or two away from falling off. Thank goodness our one hook up was not on that rig as we would have most certainly broken off.
After it was all said and done, we had a successful trip with my wife landing a yellowtail that will be hard to beat. The captain was nice enough and we made it back to the dock in one piece so that was a win. We will keep at it.

[foulhook]

Too bad the fishing wasn't better. Nice report to read and learn and what to expect. In a month I am going to La Paz for 3 days of fishing. I did do a lot of research on the fishing and the outfits there. I think I made a good choice but I will see in a month

[galen]

Awesome, good luck. Please report, La Paz is on our list.