Trying to line up a trip for one of these two for mid-May. I want at least three days fishing, all else is negotiable. Any comments, price estimates, or whatever else on the subject would be appreciated. I'm hoping for Loreto, but I don't know if I can find someone to partner up with. I want Dorado, and this seems to be the place.

If I can't find someone to go to Loreto, I was thinking San Quintin (sp?). At least this way I might get my brother to come along. I'm sure it would be cheaper, and panga fishing for huge bass would be cool. Plus, I could probably pull off 4 or 5 days fishing. Only a 10hr drive I think.

Thanks,
Amish Ed

I'm not super savvy in which spot is better, but Baja is loaded with fish. Here's the one thing, regardless, tread very lightly in Baja on your drive. San Quintin isn't too far down the road, I'd suggest doing everthing possible to not stop your car north of Ensenada. North Baja is sketchy. I haven't been down for over a year, and I keep hearing some horror stories about N. Baja.

Depending on the date(s), I could probably round up a buddy of mine and myself for this Ed. We've been looking to do a serious fishing trip into Mexico for a while now, probably via car rental for driving south of the border (unless you've got a beater van or something).

As far as the spots are concerned, I've heard (and I may very well be wrong) that Loreto has GREAT dorado and yellowtail fishing but not nearly as many tuna, while San Quintin has decent amounts of everything, especially fat grumpy calicos. Either would be fine for me, but I'd want to be sure beforehand so I could line up my tackle properly. I wouldn't want to miss out on fishing for 25 pound dorado on 12 or 15 pound test!!!

No question, Loreto. I've been fishing up and down the Baja coast the last twenty years, and if it's a choice between the Pacific Coast or the Sea of Cortez, we'll don't even think about the Pacific side. First thing, fly, don't drive. A couple hours in the air, beats the hell out of 18 hours on the road. No surprises and extra worries, just step out of the plane and fish. If you want dorado and only can go in May, pick somewhere further South, May is just a bit early for dorado in Loreto. Loreto is a great place, and I have been there dozens of times, but don't get locked in on only one place. Check prices, lots of package deals at most hotels. I've found the best prices and the best variety of fish at San Jose del Cabo. Not to be confused with Cabo San Lucas, which you should avoid. A place called La Playita, North of town, has great fishing and a $35.00 a night hotel right on the beach in front of the pangas. Small fishing town just like old Mexico used to be and very friendly people that are not trying to empty your wallet. My biggest dorado always seem to come from this area, but again, better bite in Summer than Spring, even though I have caught more dorado here in May than Loreto. If you want more info let me know. Either way, you can't go wrong with The Cortez, theirs always something bitting.

Thanks folks,

I am currently leaning towards a fly down to East Cape, or San Quintin. I have had some interesting posts (at another site) regarding the latter though. Seems San Quintin can get a bit rough. But, more than likely this has more to do w/ the tourists' attitudes.

Fly down seems best. San Jose del Cabo, that's East Cape N'est pas? Any more info Mola Joe, or anybody else on this area?

Amish Ed

Hi Ed,
Are you really set on going down in May? If you can hold off at least one more month, or even two, things really start jumping down there. Don't get me wrong, you can catch fish in May, and I've had some great trips in May, but much more options later in the Summer. My May trips to Loreto usually center on Yellowtail, and my April- May trips to the East Cape and San Jose center on striped marlin, and some years, tuna. I've spent more time at Punta Colorado than any other East Cape resort, but all of them are top notch. End of June and into July has some world class light tackle rooster fish showing up on the beaches at Punta Colorado. Los Arenas, just South of La Paz, is #1 in my book out of all the resort type places down there, and well worth a look. A little more expensive than some, but Cerravlo Island is just offshore, and fish seem to hang here even when other places are slow. For the San Jose del Cabo trips, I book through John Mestrin at Blue Water Tours in Seal Beach, but you can do it on your own. I've done both and prices are the same. Ask John for a price on the La Playa Hotel, and tell him you want to fish with Thomas Cantors fleet, and Modesto or Sergio for a captain. You should find it a lot cheaper than the East Cape. You are out away from the city itself, just like the East Cape, but if you do want to go into San Jose del Cabo for night life, to shop, or to eat, your only 15 minutes away by cab. Make sure you bring good quality tackle because the fish will tear apart most everything else. Have Fun!!!

Thanks for all the help. I can push the trip into maybe mid-June, but that is really pushing it. I graduate from Grad school on May 12th, after that I don't know where we'll be heading or when. So, I need to keep things as close to May as I can. Your suggestions sound great though. What is around the La Playa in May that will offer a challenge? While Dorado is what I want, any light tackle fishing is fun? That one reason San Quintin sounds good. Big Calicoes would not disappoint me, and as far as I know they will be going fine in May. At least they should be going up here, so I would think down there also. Ever fished there in May?

Thanks again,
Amish Ed

Ed, the calicos are fun, but don't compare to a 40 pound bull dorado tearing you up. Also, you talk about fishing lighter tackle, but that's usually out of the question for calicos. I fish 20 pound for the calicos, and will go to 30 lb down there if your fishing the big guys in the rocks. No two years are the same, but marlin, tuna, sierra, and some dorado show in May around La Playa. Bouncing jigs deep with 60 pound outfits gets you big amberjack, grouper, and cabrilla. Not light tackle, but fun. I notice your not saying anything about marlin. These are usually our target in May, and you don't need big gear to bait fish for them. Gordo Banks is just a short run from the beach here, and May usually holds alot of stripers in the 100 to 150 pound class. 30 pound gear is fun, but you can fish them on 20 pound if you want. Even if your only trying to catch dorado slow trolling live bait, the odds are good you'll at least hook a few marlin. Sierra mackerel are almost always here along the beach in May, with most being 3 to 6 pounds, but it's a long way to go just to catch these little guys. If you can hold off untill June, the bigger dorado should be on the bank by then. Usually the smaller school size dorado are not a problem, but for the bigger fish over 40, you have to time it right and fish the larger baits like you would for marlin. We make a trip each year in September to fish the black and blue marlin from the pangas in this area, and our last trip we saw some of the biggest dorado I have ever seen. We even had them swallowing our 5 to 8 pound baby yellowfin tuna we were using for bait for the marlin. One morning we had 6 dorado all over 50 pounds, and our top fish went just under 70. This area can hold some big dorado, but on 15 or 20 pound test, you better be in shape. These critters pull harder than marlin. Good Luck.

Ed,
As much as I'd like to, the parents are drawin the line. No complaints though. Me and Frank and a few others WERE planning a trip to San Quintin, but we had to bail b/c of the whole being under 18 deal for me and a couple of my friends. Check sanquintin.com. The guy was very friendly and helpful. The prices are pretty good too.
-Brian

Thanks Brian. It's looking like I'll be heading that direction. The wife was less than enthusiastic when I ask her if she would mind if I went on a $1000 vacation. Figures that the money could go to better places. And, well I kinda agree. I think a friend of mine and myself will head south on a 5 day surf trip, and I'll work in the fishing. Besides, I'll be able to fish where ever I find a job. Surfing on the other hand will probably be hard to come by. But, who knows, the wife may change her mind. Then I'll head to Costa Azul or San Jose del Cabo and fish and surf down there. We'll see.

Amish Ed

yeah, definitely look for job openings in the east cape region... hehehe.
-Brian