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Fishing Pacific Baja – The Cedros Island Fishing Report
Yellowtail Ranging from 26 to 30 lbs Caught off Cedros Island in Mid-February.
At Cedros Island off the Pacific coast of Baja California, the abundant game fish haven’t heard of the “dead fishing season.”
From the 12 to the 14th of February, a group of six enthusiastic and experienced fishermen embarked on a fishing expedition to Cedros Island from San Diego, with Cedros Outdoor Adventures.
Arriving on the island only a few hours later, we set out to fish on 22 and 24 ft open pangas, driven by local fishermen guides. First we headed north, toward the protected side of the island. The catch consisted of about 5 calico bass (cabrillas), a few whitefish (blanco o pierna), and one upset stingray. For bait we used mainly jigs and pieces of dead squid gathered from the beach.
On the second day we saw a yellowtail group off the west side of the island, at the “Bajo San Agustin,” but despite our efforts, none were hooked. Close to the kelp beds we got about thirty, 1.5 to 2 ft. long, calico bass, and more than 7 California sheephead (viejas). The catches were made with jigs, live bait and pieces of small fish.
The third day our two boats separated. One of them stayed close to the coast in search of calico bass. Our boat followed the birds southwest of the island, toward Bajo El Raton located between the islands of Natividad and Cedros. After a few hours of catching dozens of mackerels and a few bonitas, Bruce Kleege got the first bite of yellowtail (jurel). Within an hour, George Percy and Ted Griffith each reeled in a yellowtail of his own. Bruce landed the last yellowtail of the day… which infuriated Ted who wanted to stay out as long as necessary to even the score with his friend and fishing rival of many years!
Cedros Island’s weather allowed us to fish all three days of our trip. The weather was overcast with long periods of sun breaking through, some fog in the mornings that cleared around 9 am, and mild winds from the southwest.
This remote but outstanding fishing destination, previously accessible only by a long boat ride, or private plane, is now available to all. Cedros Outdoor Adventures is the only company that will fly you there for same-day fishing. They meet clients in San Diego, drive them to Ensenada then fly to Cedros. This ensures the safest, easiest and fastest trip possible.
One of the objectives of Cedros Outdoor Adventures is to help promote sustainable economic development on this island, which desperately needs it. By using local services, Cedros Outdoor Adventures, and their guests, boost the economy. This, in turn, helps the locals protect the resources that make this place ecologically unique and abundant in fish year round.
Affordable packages include comfortable hotel accommodations (Hotel Zam-Mar), land, air and boat transportation, local guides and three meals per day at the two local restaurants. Guided natural history expeditions that explore the unique eco-system of Cedros and nearby San Benitoes Islands are also available.
For more information and rates contact Cedros Outdoor Adventures at (1) 619.793.5419 (from US) or (01) 646.193.2031 (from Mexico), or to visit thier website click here.