I showed up in Baja expecting to chase roosterfish on the beaches in January. Should have listened to long time guide Mark Reisser when he told me to wait a few months but January was the best time to go for it based on my schedule driving south on the Entire Pan American highway.
On that note, if you’re going fly fishing in Baja, Mark is the man. Read his book, Fly Fishing the Baja and Beyond and check out the guide service.
I spent a few days driving through the wine country down to Ensenada before jumping across the northern peninsula to San Felipe and the Highway 5. Cruising south on the 5 for a few weeks was amazing. It’s remote, largely unpopulated and the roads are an absolute disaster. Perfect for exploring and finding quiet beaches.
All fishing was done on foot which proved to be a major disadvantage. The only big game fishing happening involved tuna offshore. I worked the tides anyways and managed to catch corvina in a few different spots along with some grouper and random species. I don’t think this northern zone is ripe with roosters but it would be great to spend time running around in a boat here.
Fishing in Mulege and Bay of Concepcion
Mulege was the next stopping point. The little town has a nice looking river emptying into the Sea of Cortez. It’s one of the few freshwater sources on the peninsula and the town has great produce and a nice atmosphere.
I fished the river where it meets the ocean and struggled to turn up much although I did see a few fish. Apparently massive snook used to live in the river but have since been decimated by over-fishing. The local boats were all running off-shore for the tuna and big shrimp trawlers worked near the town.
Not far south of Mulege begins the Bay of Conception. Before reaching the bay itself, I mobbed down a two track that eventually turned into a horse trail near the head of the bay. At this remote camp, I had miles of beach to walk without anyone else in the area. Again, it was absent of anything large but I caught quite a few grouper and rock bass. For views and peaceful camping, it was nearly perfect.
The Bay of Conception itself was fairly crowded with long term campers and more expensive sights. The water is beautiful but it’s a bit of a tourist scene. I stayed two nights, did some work and went looking for better territory.
Beautiful Loreto Bay
That led me to Loreto Bay, a place I plan to return. It’s not necessarily a tourism hot spot unless you’re into golf courses and cruise ships but the habitat is fantastic and it’s the first place I really had a clear view of schools of dorado, ladyfish and other species.
Most were spotted from a high cliffside with no access to the water but I managed a few ladyfish, groupers and a pile of trumpetfish from one perch. A kayak or panga in the bay would have been perfect.
Fly Fishing La Paz and South
La Paz was next for a trip to the mechanic and I wasn’t expecting much in terms of fishing based on the busy city environment. Turns out there are a few wonderful beaches not far from La Paz and I ended up camping for a while, catching Triggerfish, more trumpetfish and a few ladyfish. I’m not big on cities but La Paz was great.
From La Paz, I found a perfect campsite in a not so perfect fishing location near La Ventana. The name is accurate and wind blows like crazy. More grouper and rock bass type fish, some great hiking trails and good times soaking in natural hot springs while watching kitesurfers ripping around the sea.
Bahia de Los Muertos wasn’t and it also checks the list for places to return. It’s a beautiful bay with a single restaurant and boat ramp for local guides. Not much else going on here but there’s some reef and great habitat. I was out of gas and food but stretched it out a few nights, catching triggerfish off the beach.
Next time, I’ll hit a few of my favorite bays during prime season and throw in a week or two on East Cape. I didn’t hit the Pacific Side either and I’m sure it’s loaded with opportunities to chase fish. Baja is just too big and cool to cover in a single month.
Go To Flies – Clousers, Crazy Charlie’s, Deceivers and Surf Candy. Bring some big poppers along as well.
Equipment Used – 8 weight Mystic for blind casting from shore, 10-weight for sight casting to ladyfish and just in case a roosterfish comes around. I carried a 12-weight and it would have nice to use it but I didn’t fork out the cash to chase tuna off-shore.
