The Online Magazine for Traveling & Living in Baja
New Stories - Subscribe for FREE - Advertise - Contact
Fishing Pacific Baja – The Cedros Island Fishing Report
Cedros OUTDOOR Adventures Fishing Report
Cedros Island (July 17 – 20, 2009)
As part of our fly-in packages to fish on Cedros Island, a group of nine enthusiastic and experienced fishermen from the L.A. area made a great yellowtail haul over a long weekend. Some of them, such as Esvin, Andres, and Andrew Hernandez are returning customers to Cedros Outdoor Adventures because they know this is one of the greatest fishing destinations in Baja.
Beginning our trip on the US side of the border, we traveled in a comfortable, air- conditioned bus to the Ensenada airport. From there we took our plane (a Cessna Grand Caravan for 14 passengers) to Cedros Island. This two-hour flight is not only comfortable and convenient, but also a great way to view the magnificent Baja peninsula coast.
On Saturday, after a fast breakfast in a local restaurant, we began fishing at 7 a.m. Cedros Outdoor Adventures hires only experienced, local boat drivers with 28 ft. long “panga” boats. Our panga guides all love to fish, too, and know all the best spots, and how to tell where the fish are biting.
After just half an hour of fishing, Kevin Roach snagged a 35-lbs. yellowtail off Las Curvinas bank on the southern end of the island. Fishing different banks on the south and west sides of the island, the three boats’ final count Saturday was 62 yellowtail, a couple of sheepheads, two dozen calicos that were kept (several dozen more were released) as well as several bonitas and barracudas. The boat with the biggest catch got a total of 32 fish averaging 28-lbs, with Taylor Pantel getting the jackpot for the biggest catch of the day with a 38-lbs. yellowtail.
On Sunday the anglers were fired up and ready to hit the water at 6 a.m. The first place we went to look for fish was El Morro bank and then El Raton, with nothing but some barracudas and small calicos. Then, near San Carlos Arroyo and Gran Cañon, we hit the jackpot with several yellowtails ranging between 20 and 35 lbs. We stayed there the rest of the day, until about 3 p.m., when our group felt the catch was enough. The total catch kept by the group was around 36 yellowtails, and several calicos, most of them were given to the boat drivers.
Due to unforeseen plane delays on Friday, we only got to fish for a couple of hours. So, on Monday we arranged for the plane to pick us up later, to give the group one more day on the water. It was a foggy morning, so thick we had to use our GPS to look for El Morro and El Raton banks. After exploring several sites, we decided to hang out near the town and San Carlos arroyo, hoping to find the same abundance of the previous day. Minutes before the fog cleared out, the Kang brothers got a couple of yellowtails, at about 30 lbs each. When we met up with the other panga they showed us their 6 yellowtails of about the same size. As in the old days, it was the seabirds that tipped us off to the location of the fish.
The group left happy and satisfied, and with about 250 lbs of filleted fish to share with family and friends! After their experience with Cedros Outdoor Adventures, they were all thinking about returning later this year, or the next.
The whole trip we had great weather, mostly sunny and warm, in the high 70s and low 80s on the ocean. The water temperature was mostly between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cedros Island is known for the friendliness of the locals. Our accommodations are clean and comfortable in downtown Cedros Town, within walking distance from the beach and port. The owner of the hotel cooked lobster, carne asada and some our yellowtail on the grill, and prepared some sashimi-style with soy and lemon. While we were having dinner at one of the two restaurants on the island we were offered an appetizer of abalone with salsa and chips for snacks. Other items to choose from on the menu include a range of American and traditional Mexican fare. One thing is for certain; you will eat well while you are fishing with us!
