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Sea
of Cortez Game Fish Types
This
is only a sampling of the types of fish caught in the waters off
Loreto. The water in this area is full of life and you are sure
to catch your meal or a few photos if you decide to release. While
out on your fishing excursion you will also often spot Whales, Dolphin,
Manta Rays, and Sea Turtles.
Dorado
(Hawiian-mahimahi)
To 6 feet 9 inches and 87 pounds. Most average 2.5 - 4 feet and
10 - 30 pounds and are caught over deep water trenches. They like
to linger under floating patches of seaweed (Sp. Sargasso) or any
other floating object. Their curiosity also attracts their schools
to boats, which often results in multiple hookups! Dorado are voracious
eaters with keen eyesight, capable of swimming up to 40 m.p.h. to
catch their prey. They are most often caught by trolling live mackerel.
When they hit your bait, set the hook and be ready for the show!
This fish is famous for its acrobatic leaps and long runs. When
taken into the boat, its iridescent colors of green, blue, and gold
soon fade. Its firm white meat makes excellent eating!
Striped
Marlin
Leader length for lure fishing 12'-15' of 200# - 300# for striped
marlin. 12'-15' of 100# to 150# for live bait for striped marlin
and sailfish. The leader is usually tied to the main line with an
albright.
Yellowfin
Tuna
Leader length of 8' of 80# for live bait or chunking for tuna over
100#. A swivel is optional for live bait, but mandatory for chunking.
5' of 50#-60# for trolling or bait for tuna over 40#; 20#-30# for
smaller fish (usually no leader).Yellowfin Tuna (Sp. Atún):
To six and one-half feet and 450 pounds. A beautiful fish with iridescent
blue, gold, and yellow colorings. It is distinguished by long blue
and yellow pectoral and second dorsal fins. They are caught offshore
over deep water trenches on trolled live mackerel. Expect a strong
strike followed by a long, hard deep water battle. This fish makes
excellent eating.
Wahoo
Leader Length of 2'-3' of 60#-100# single strand wire for live bait
and trolled lures, 40#-60# cable for iron (Hopkins, Tady, Salas,
UFO, etc), and 250# cable for Marauders, Bonitas, etc., for Wahoo.
Sierra: Leader length of 5-7 feet with a swivel clipped to a CD4
Rapala.
Roosters
& Pargo
Leader length of 3' of 30#-40# (green mono may work better than
other colors) with a rubber core sinker for for Pargo.
Amberjack
Leader Length of 3' of 50#-80# with a dropper loop and whatever
weight of torpedo sinker, usually 4-16 oz., is necessary to get
to the bottom for Amberjack or Cabrilla and other things living
in rock piles. Make the dropper with a spider hitch, with a 2' loop
and 3' tag, with the hook on the loop and sinker on the tag, and
with a half hitch in the tag near the sinker so it busts off first
when you get hung in the rocks.
Sailfish
(Sp. Pez Vela)
To 10 feet, 9 inches and 180 pounds (average 7 ft., 100 pounds).
Often found swimming among the Dorado, they swim with small groups
of other sailfish over deep water. They can be caught by trolling
live mackerel at the surface. When they strike, let them take bait
for a few seconds then set the hook...hard! The sailfish will put
on a dazzling acrobatic show, leaping out of the water and dancing
on its tail at the surface. Make sure the fish is exhausted before
bringing to the boat and carefully removing the hook. Sailfish should
be released, but can taste goodwhen
smoked.
Marlin
In Loreto, Striped Marlin are caught. Individuals can get up to
13.5 feet and 692 pounds, but here they average 9 - 10 feet and
150 - 250 pounds. Marlin are the King of all fighting fish and can
be taken in the same locations as Sailfish, but more often further
offshore. They'll take a trolled live mackerel and strike hard,
stripping yards of line instantly. Let them take bait for a five
to ten count, then set the hook firmly and hang on! Your prized
fish will instantly break water and tail dance at the surface while
shaking its head from right to left to rid itself of the hook. If
he heads for the deep, be prepared for a long, tedious battle. Stripers
must be "dead tired" before boating because they can suddenly
"come to life" making for a difficult situation--so be
alert at this time. They make good eating when smoked. Catch and
release is encouraged.
Grouper
(Sp. Garropa)
The Gulf Grouper can get up to 6.5 feet and 200 pounds. They inhabit
reefs and sea mounts just offshore and around islands. The 10 to
50 pounders are caught by jigging live or dead bait, leadhead jigs,
or spoons at 10 to 40 feet deep, while the big ones can be had at
depths of 100 to 200 feet. When they strike, their reaction is to
dive down and head for the rocks. At this time you must turn them
up towards the boat or you'll lose the fish. Once headed toward
the boat, they feel heavy but don't give much of a fight. Their
size is often impressive and their firm white meat makes outstanding
eating.
Roosterfish
(Sp. Pez Gallo)
To 5 feet and 114 pounds, averaging 1 - 2 ft. and 15 - 30 pounds.
The rooster-comblike dorsal fin and iridescent purple/black stripes
on its pearly body easily distinguish this fish. It frequents sandy
or cobblestone bottoms along beaches and around islands. When a
school of Roosters feed on baitfish, their raised comblike dorsal
fin makes the surface of the water appear as if it is boiling. They
will take cast chrome spoons or weighted bait with a powerful strike.
Roosters are strong fighters and will run hard and often. When brought
to the boat, take your picture with it and set him free because
although they're fun to catch, they're not fun to eat.
Jack
Crevalle
(Sp. Tana or Cavalla)
To four feet and 40 pounds. Found along gravel/cobblestone bottoms,
they take trolled or drifted live baitfish, or cast chrome spoons.
This tenacious Jack will run and run after a helacious strike. A
20 pounder can fight on light tackle for an hour. This pearly-grey
fish has a compressed body and extremely tough meat so release him
after bringing him to the boat.
Other
Species:
Among other types of fish you will find in the waters around Loreto
are Finescale Trigger, Cabrilla, Sierra and Red Snapper which are
all delicious, and Bonita and Amberjack which are not so delicious.
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