“This is the late final,” noted the report from Independence July 7, “from our first of three 2.75 day trips we have on the summer schedule. 1st place jackpot was caught by Allen MacKenzie a 33-pound bluefin tuna, 2nd place was landed by eight-year-old Rider Mavar with a 31.8-pound bluefin and 3rd place fell to Riders dad Jason Mavar with a 30.6 bluefin. Totals for the trip were 112 bluefin tuna and six yellowtail. We want to thank everyone who made the trip and hope to see you again on the Independence soon.”



Searcher’s Bluefin Day

“We had a chance at catching some more bluefin tuna closer to San Diego this morning,” said the report from Searcher July 8. “We saw three different spots of fish and one of them bit a little. We landed seven fish and probably hooked 20 fish. We searched that area for a long time without seeing any more spots. We saw plenty of nice-size kelp paddies today and almost all of them had nothing associated with them. We caught a couple of yellowtail too.”



Major Dorado Encounter

“By 11 that morning (Friday, July 6) we stopped counting at 40 dorado caught and released,” noted Jonathan Roldan (http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/) in his latest report. “By this time we had switched to circle hooks and were also using all kinds of goofy lures that were in the tackle box! Our last three fish were caught by us just dangling bare hooks in the water and watching dorado come out from under the boat and slam!

“As we pulled off the spot at 11:30 so we could back to the office, dorado were still jumping all around the boat; a way fun day. Of course not every boat did that well, but more often than not all the pangas this week fishing La Paz came back with limits. And if not, a quick query would tell you that they lost quite a few fish! In that same area, especially with all the smaller punk dorado around, marlin and sailfish have also moved in to the area and are actively feeding. We had quite a few hooked, lost and released this week with most in the 100 to 120-pound class.

“Around Las Arenas, our fleet there continues to do well on the roosterfish. If you’ve ever wanted to check a roosterfish off your “bucket list, ” this has been the year for it. Roosters in the 20 to 50-pound class are common and they’re very close to the beaches where you can visually cast to them and watch the pick up! Pretty exciting stuff to watch those huge dorsal fins cut through the water! Las Arenas also produced some marlin and sailfish for us this week as well as pargo.”

East Cape Cooking

“Another good week of fishing,” said Rancho Leonero’s report for July 9. “Almost exactly the same fishing as last week, with larger tuna. Big, big Roosters again this week, 50#er's are common, anglers releasing lots of Gallos daily. The Striped Marlin are thick within 3 miles of the hotel, anglers targeting billfish are releasing at least two a day.

“The Yellowfin are bigger this week. All anglers targeting tuna are limiting with larger fish this week, 7 to 30-pounder's are common. Dorado were a little harder to find. Some big bulls this week and the boats are finding schooling fish under floating debris outside. Yellowfin: Two large schools of Porpoise were holding bigger tuna this week. Some footballs to thirty pounds. Limits for all anglers. Much lighter pressure than last week. The schools have been about 20 miles off La Ribera, very consistent tuna fishing. Cedar plugs and Hoochies working.


“Striped Marlin: Good bill fishing again this week. We have enjoyed a very consistent, strong Striped Marlin bite all this season. This week was no exception. Very close to the hotel, at the most a ten-minute boat ride, two to three miles off the hotel and La Ribera. Most boats releasing at least two. The marlin love the frozen Bally Hoo. Definitely the bait of choice.


“Roosterfish: Off the charts again this week. Anglers targeting Gallos are having a poor day if they don't release at least one 50#er daily, both north and south, with the bigger fish coming in around the lighthouse. Extraordinary fishing for gallos!

“Dorado: Not as predictable as some of the other species. Boats running into the right floating structure in the Cortez are scoring some nice Dorado in the 15 to 30-pound range. Big bulls are being taken on trolled Marlin lures."