Baja Bytes

Our Dad, the one and only Ralph Clock, left his earthly life on May 8, 2023, surrounded by his entire family. He lived life to its fullest, and while our hearts are heavy with grief, we are so lucky that he was our Dad. A memorial and celebration will occur in Newport Beach in July or August … Betsy Clock Bjornsen, Ralph Clock.

Fly fishing for roosterfish with @thereelbaja.

We did most of our fishing from the boat this past week, but we managed to get out on the beach some of the time. We are still taking the long run to the North for bait when fishing from the boat, as the island has good concentrations of sardina. Sooo, that is where we have been going, and that is where we have been doing the better part of our fishing. On the days we were on the beach, we saw good mullet schools but only a handful of sardina.

What a difference a week can make! The billfish bite heated way up moving into this weekend, and with the marlin came a few nice dorado, too. And although There weren't many, the ones caught were of very decent size. Crews mostly fished inshore at the beginning of the week, with some wind and choppy seas. However, they still produced, primarily in our "Other" Category – catching mainly sierra mackerel, bonito, and grouper. But by Wednesday, we saw the marlin begin to show up at the 11:50 Bank, and by Saturday, the fleet had released 100 marlin total! Compared to last week, when we saw about 15% of the boats releasing marlin, we had nearly 50% of the boats land 'em this week. The weather also got friendlier towards the end of the week, with winds dying.

Action on the bottom showed signs of improvement recently, even though the bonito were still the most common species found. We saw a few more leopard grouper, Almaco jack, and red snapper (huachinango) while working for the rock piles with yo-yo jigs. In addition, we saw a mix of barred pargo, yellow snapper, triggerfish, and additional species, which are delicious eating fish. Scattered throughout these same grounds were a handful of dorado, a few of which was over 15 pounds. No wahoo were reported, though as the weather continues to warm, we expect water temperatures will also warm, and the wahoo should become more active, as they typically do this time of year.

Our spring season is in full swing with roosterfish, amberjack, yellowtail, sierra mackerel, grouper, mako, and thresher sharks, some decent mahi catches, and still, some marlin are around … Pisces Sportfishing…Pisces Sportfishing Fleet

Shrimp boat BUSTED in El Sargento

• As a result, 1,600 kilos of shrimp extracted without permits were retained, in joint action between FONMAR, CONAPESCA, PROFEPA, ROC and SEMAR.

Following the indications of the Governor, Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío, in the sense of permanently monitoring the correct use of marine resources on the South Californian coasts; personnel from the Fund for the Protection of Marine Resources (FONMAR), the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (CONAPESCA), the Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR), the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) and in response to complaints from the fishing sector, Network of Citizen Observers A.C. (ROC), an inspection and surveillance operation was recently carried out in the area of the Gulf of California, in front of the fishing town of El Sargento in the municipality of La Paz, obtaining as a result the lifting of two reports on the shrimp boat " Sebastián XV” for breaking the law.

Highlighting the participation in the form of the federal deputies members of the Fisheries Commission, Leonor Coutiño Gutiérrez and Ángel Miguel Rodríguez Torres; Porras Domínguez pointed out that it is necessary to join efforts to stop the initiative to catch the dorado for commercial sale if it were presented before the Congress of the Union, since “it is a commercial fisherman and not recreational anglers who want to catch dorado for commercial sale.”

 "First Annual Sport Fishing Forum in Baja California Sur," during which the status of sport fishing in Baja Surwill be analyzed.

 February 22 and 23 at the Hotel Tesoro in Cabo San Lucas, BCS.

A total of 181 fish were caught TODAY, with the dorado picking waaaay up!!! 122 of those 181 fish were dorado (with anglers and crews respecting limits and more than half of those Released), we also had blue marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, wahoo, and tuna.

52-pound dorado landed on Pisces 31' Tiburon, plus more dorado and striped marlin Released!

"Annual Sport Fishing Forum in BCS" will bring together policymakers, academics, and researchers.

• This      event seeks to undertake actions that favor a sustainable development of      sport fishing.

At a press conference was presented the "First Annual Forum of Sport Fishing in Baja California Sur", organized by the State Government through the Fund for the Protection of Marine Resources (FONMAR) to be held on February 22 and 23 in Cabo San Lucas.

Bajabytes Sport Fishing Update January 24, 2023

The season’s opening trip was terrific in Laguna Ojo de Liebre! There were many whale moms and babies and mating trios to see. Of course, they were still a bit shy, but we saw a bit of everything – breaching, spy hopping, courtship, and those cute little newborns! I’d say we saw about 30 whales in front of our camp.

Bajabytes Sport Fishing Update January 17, 2023

Cabo San Lucas 

Incredible fishing continues in Cabo with excellent catch success rates for the fleet and CRAZY numbers of marlin caught and released just this week. We had 899 marlin released in Total! In addition, we had 141 dorado caught, 192 yellowfin tuna, and 56 in the “other” category, including species like sierra mackerel, thresher and hammerhead shark, grouper, wahoo, bonito, and skipjack.

Cabo is experiencing fabulous billfish fishing at present in what traditionally would be a slow time for anglers. Boats have been fully booked for many days; no more slow season in Cabo! Not only do we have fish, but it's also a nature show. While fishing, anglers can see whales, dolphins, turtles, and sea lions.

Striped marlin have been the predominant species recently, with no signs of catches slowing down anytime soon, as long as bait stays in the area.

Billfish: Cabo is experiencing fabulous fishing right now, in what should traditionally be a slow time for anglers going out, boats were fully booked many days; no more slow season in Cabo! Not only do we have fish, but it’s also a nature show out there, while sportfishing anglers can see, whales, dolphins, turtles and sea lions. Striped marlin was the predominant species this week, with no signs of catches slowing down anytime soon, that is as long as bait stays in the area...Pisces Sportfishing Fleet

In operation FONMAR-CONAPESCA boat and equipment are retained for fishing in protected natural area

• The crew were surprised in the vicinity of Isla Cerralvo fishing with oxygen tank

Fisheries in the State (CONAPESCA) carried out the retention of a boats and diving equipment for carrying out underwater fishing in a protected natural area without having the permit to do so.

On instructions from the Director General of FONMAR, Martín Inzunza Tamayo, the team from the Coordination of Management, Inspection and Surveillance in the Municipality of La Paz, headed by José Lizandro Olachea Burgoin, moved to the vicinity of Isla Cerralvo to carry out a joint surveillance operation with CONAPESCA personnel on December 1 and 2.

In the place, a boat with five people on board carrying out the underwater fishing activity was identified, which, upon noticing the presence of the authorities, fled, catching up with the FONMAR boat and requesting the CONAPESCA authorities to show the permits. corresponding.

The crew members could not prove that they had the corresponding permits, in addition to being scuba diving with oxygen tanks, which according to NOM-017-PESC-1994 must be done only with the lungs.

In the act, the federal officials of CONAPESCA carried out the retention of the boat, an outboard motor and fishing gear consisting of complete diving equipment, compressor, oxygen tank and diving hose.

FONMAR will continue to work in coordination with the surveillance authorities in response to the indications of the State Governor, Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío, to ensure the safeguarding and correct use of South California fishing resources.

Billfish are off the charts with double-and a few triple-digit release days at the Finger Bank. As the action ramps up early before the first of the year.

Wide open snook bite at Lopez Mateos in Magdalena Bay and full-on wahoo bite at Baja Tip.

Snook and White Sea Bass at Lopez Mateos plus wahoo outside! 

Striped Marlin, Wahoo and dorado at Los Cabos is just the beginning of the fishy Thanksgiving we are anticipating!

The week started out calmly, with three nice days, before the wind from the north blew Thursday through Saturday. Until the wind slowed the bite, great action for wahoo was reported on the grounds to the north of Punta Gorda, as wahoo were hitting on trolled Rapalas and various bait. Most fish averaged 25 to 35-pounds, though one wahoo weighed over 60 pounds. Some morning charters landed as many as four wahoo.

At the Awards banquet held on the A.P.I. Cruise Ship Pier in Cabo San Lucas Saturday Night. Wayne Bisbee announced that for the second time in Black and Blues forty-two-year history. There would be three checks handed out exceeding ONE MILLION DOLLARS totaling $7,387,925 the largest amount ever awarded in a Sportfishing Tournament,

CABO SAN LUCAS, BCS, Mex. October 24, 2022 – Wayne Bisbee, owner, and manager of Bisbee tournaments, proclaimed that the 2022 Bisbee Offshore Series Jackpots amounted to a spectacular $3,469,035 this year, in addition to the millions of dollars awarded in the 42-year-old flagship, the "Bisbee Black and Blue."  In addition to the 2022 East Cape Offshore Tournament's payout of $1,286,385, the Los Cabos Offshore tournament hit the million-dollar mark for the fourth consecutive time in its 24-year history with its 2022 total of $ $2,182,650 Jackpot Prizes up for grabs, which resulted in the multi-million-dollar figure.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament Oct. 16-20, 2022

The 2022 LCBT began with the sound of the thunder and roar of 53 boat engines going from idle to full throttle as the flare signaling the start of the first day of the 3-day event streaked across Baja Sky. A total of 307 anglers aboard the boats headed for their favorite hot spots in search of a winning black or blue marlin weighing over 300 pounds worth thousands of dollars.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament Oct. 16-20, 2022

Each October, the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament kicks off the season with a fun, participant-focused event in one of the most action-packed fishing destinations in the world – Cabo San Lucas. Located at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean and the legendary Sea of Cortez meet, it is the dream destination of the competitive angler. In addition, it provides a plethora of billfish action and world-record-size gamefish to lure the big money and big fish tournaments, which is complemented by an all-star lineup of accommodations and activities.

Pisces crews and their anglers scored in the local Marlini tournament
Pisces 37’ BBII took First Place in the Wahoo Division with a 41.8-pound wahoo, and 46’ La Chingona took Third Place Wahoo with a 33-pound wahoo. Second Place went to Team Hyper.  Pisces 40’ Coronita also participated and had a good day with several Dorado and 2 Striped Marlin Released. …Pisces Sportfishing Fleet

Baja California Sport Fishing

"COPA BAJA CALIFORNIA SPORTFISHING" Results

ENSENADA – The International Championship, "COPA BAJA CALIFORNIA SPORTFISHING," is held in collaboration with the  State Association of Fishing Clubs of Baja California.

"With an economic impact estimated at 370 million pesos, sportfishing generates an economic renaissance and well-being for thousands of families in the state," observed the Secretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SEPESCA), Alma Rosa Garcia Juarez, during the award's ceremony.

On behalf of Governor Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda, García Juárez thanked the competitors who followed the tournaments in San Luis Gonzaga, Bahía de Los Ángeles, San Quintín, and Ensenada.

Anglers saw great action for dorado. Limits were common, with many releases scattered throughout the region. However, small to medium-sized fish were being found closer to shore, and some larger specimens were on the offshore grounds where there were marlin and sailfish. These fish were readily caught with lures and various bait.

4th Annual Championship Tournament and Grand Final

Ensenada, B.C., September 23 and 24.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Registration and Captains Meeting.

Place: “Monumento al Pescador”, located in the tourist

walkway in the Sport Fishing docks, ASIPONA facilities

Registration hours: from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Inauguration of the tournament and meeting of captains: 7:00 p.m.

Pay close attention to Hurricane Kay. The forecast is for the storm to hug the Baja coast and come up as far as Guadalupe Island on Friday, September 9, before swinging out to the west.
If the storm comes that close, we can expect to see a big southern swell, and most likely, we will see showers and thunderstorms. San Diego might be close enough to experience tropical depression or tropical storm force winds.
We could see much stronger wind if it slips a few more miles north.
Please keep a close eye on the latest forecast and conditions for your local area before you head out!

The Copa Baja California was a great event, and I am thankful that my fishing buddy, Pat McDonell, made the trip with me. I talked Juan Cook into taking us out to fish the tournament, and it took so much stress off me to be able to fish with him since he has everything dialed in wherever he fishes. I needed this trip; I just needed to get over feeling violated by the theft of my truck and backpack in broad daylight. I'm very blessed! …Chris Wheaton

The 2022 Van Wormer Wahoo Gold Cup

Last Saturday, 43 teams with 137 anglers participated in the 2022 Van Wormer Wahoo Gold Cup for a prize-winning wahoo to take to the scale.

By the time the scale closed late in the afternoon, there were 6 qualifiers weighed in.

Congratulations to Team Pinche Aviles! They brought the largest wahoo in for weigh-in - a 42.4-pounder.  That was enough for Tournament Director Kit McNear to declare them the Official winners of the 2022 Wahoo Gold Cup. In addition to $50,000 USD, which included all four jackpots, the team took home a 2022 Volkswagen Polo.

Over the past several weeks, the bull dorado catches have dazzled recent visiting anglers. Multiple fish have tipped the scale at 35-, 40-, and even a few have been in the 50-pound class.  Esaul Valdez won the Dorado Shootout last week with a 57-pounder. Is it just a flurry, or will the bite continue throughout August?

It's a good bet that some teams entering the 23rd Annual Bisbee Offshore will take a chance in the Dorado Jackpot. Meanwhile, rumors of BIG BLUE MARLIN are driving up the team count.  According to July 26's CatchStat, 72 teams are signed up.  Could 2022 be the year the Team Count goes beyond the 100 mark?

Estamos muy orgullosos de apoyar y asociarnos con algunas de las organizaciones sin fines de lucro más merecedoras y valiosas, todas las cuales se dedican a mejorar las vidas de los jóvenes y sus familias. Como beneficiario de Stars & Stripes, las organizaciones benéficas no solo reciben la asistencia financiera que tanto necesitan, que pueden usar para expandir sus programas, sino que también pueden aumentar la conciencia pública sobre su causa y misión a través de la red S&S. Obtenga más información sobre los beneficiarios de este año a continuación.

Estamos muy orgullosos de apoyar y asociarnos con algunas de las organizaciones sin fines de lucro más merecedoras y valiosas, todas las cuales se dedican a mejorar las vidas de los jóvenes y sus familias. Como beneficiario de Stars & Stripes, las organizaciones benéficas no solo reciben la asistencia financiera que tanto necesitan, que pueden usar para expandir sus programas, sino que también pueden aumentar la conciencia pública sobre su causa y misión a través de la red S&S. Obtenga más información sobre los beneficiarios de este año a continuación.

The 23rd BISBEE EAST CAPE OFFSHORE IS HERE!!! Registration is next Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at the Buena Vista Oceanfront & and Hot Springs Resort.

The “Fishing in La Paz” tournament, which attracted 167 Teams competing for more than ONE AND HALF MILLION DOLLARS last weekend was an exciting kickoff for the “Fishing in the Five” series, which will have more than 60 tournaments in the five municipalities of Baja Sur and will conclude in the municipality of Loretto in 2023.

Stay tuned for more details of this event and the many tournaments throughout Baja Sur to follow!

We haven't seen dorado numbers like this in YEARS! A bull dorado over 40 pounds was landed. That's at least one Big Bull a day for the past week!.Rebecca Ehrenberg

The Stars and Stripes Charity Tournament, one of the most unique and successful charity events honoring "It's all about the Kids," celebrated its 25th anniversary with nearly a thousand attendees from around the world. Participants traveled to Cabo to help raise funds for those less fortunate and enjoy the many things the area offers.

Over 50 teams participated in the two-day Sportfishing Tournament. It began with a spectacular parachute jump by U.S. Veteran and paraplegic Dana Bowman as he floated toward the beach with the flags of the United States and Mexico fluttering beneath his chute.

More GRANDE ROOSTERFISH are Coming through. Roosterfish released on Pisces 66' Friday Bank yesterday! Plus some huge bottom critters for exercise…Rebecca Ehrenberg, Pisces Sportfishing Fleet

Once again, June is delivering bragging-sized fish for local and visiting anglers. Boats are seeing 200-pound bluefin tuna cavorting just offshore of Ensenada just below the border.
Fifty-pound dorado are caught off Loreto, East Cape, and San Jose del Cabo near the tip of Baja.
Trophy-sized roosterfish weighing in somewhere north of fifty pounds are released from La Paz to the tip of Baja.
Yellowfin tuna over 200 pounds are being brought in to both Cabo and San Jose.
With the catches and size fish above underscoring the summer action on tap this year in Baja, what are you waiting for?

The Head of the Secretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Government of the State of B.C., Dr. Alma Rosa García Juárez, in coordination with the National Federation of Sport Fishing, AC, and the State Association of Fishing Clubs of Baja California, made the delivery of appointments and official flag to the members of the Mexican Sport Fishing team made up of two teams with eight sport fishermen from Ensenada, Baja California, who were the winners of the Gold and Silver Medal within the "XVI NATIONAL FISHING CHAMPIONSHIP OF SPORTS "BIG GAME TROLLING 2021" held in Huatulco, Oaxaca, giving them the opportunity to represent Mexico in said world event to be held in Pescara, Italy from September 10 to 17, 2022. In this world event, the participation of 12 countries is estimated (Spain, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Germany, Senegal, Croatia, Switzerland, England, Brazil, Panama and Mexico

Locals in the La Ventana/Muertos Bay area below La Paz are calling this one of the best roosterfish bites in the last decade! They declare this will be a once-in-a-lifetime "season to remember" if the bait remains throughout the summer.

Upon hearing about the outstanding roosterfish bite, fly anglers worldwide are flocking to the area to try their hand at catching the trophy-sized roosterfish that are being caught and released in unprecedented numbers.

A hundred girls and boys attended the First Children’s Sport Fishing Clinic given by the Secretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Sepesca). The free training for minors from 7 to 13 years old was witnessed by dozens of parents, in the Plaza de la Ventana al Mar, on Saturday and Sunday, May 21st and 22nd. The clinic was endorsed and sponsored by the International Sport Fishing Association (IGFA). It included the participation of the Sport Fishing Clubs of Baja California, and the ‘Pure Vids’ Club of Ensenada, according to Alma Rosa Garcia Juarez, head of SEPESCA.