SEEKING BAJA SNOOK

Of all the fish that caught in Mexico's Baja region, snook (or “robalo” in Spanish) are the least understood. With random sightings and more incidental than intended catches, Baja snook are an enigma wrapped in secrecy. It's nearly impossible to predict when or where this incredible fish will appear, making the snook nearly impossible to target.

I have read many accounts of snook runs in Florida, stating that they are reasonably predictable and can actually be targeted. That's not the case in Baja.

My fascination with snook began when I read Ray Cannon's "Sea of Cortez," first published in 1966. In the chapter, The Snook Shook the Town, he describes catching a 48-pound monster snook in Mulege's Santa Rosalia River. In 1958, a Chubasco (violent storm) wiped them out, and Ray's fascinating tale fueled rumors, controversy and skepticism until 2001 when Gene Kira, another Baja legend, interviewed Lou Federico, Cannon's fishing partner. In Kira's book "The Unforgettable Sea of Cortez,” Lou confirmed the yarn and even produced photographs of the event. He affirmed that 40-pound snook were common and at least one catch was nearly twice that size. Unable to land them on rod and reel, locals resorted to harpooning the large ones at night using canoes and carbide miner's lamps.

In the late 2000's, Mike and Roz Reichner, along with other retirees who lived along the banks of the river, discovered snook again, proving that not only did snook exist but some record-shattering fish were found from La Bocana on the West Coast all the way down to Cabo and back north all the way to Santa Rosalia in the Sea of Cortez.

Since the ‘60s, the primary habitats ideal for Mexican snook have evolved, but few areas produce a predicable snook bite at a specific time of the year. Trying to determine the most likely area to focus my efforts slowly evolved to Magdalena Bay with a healthy snook fishery first described by Gene Kira and Neal Kelly in "Baja Catch."

Mag Bay, considered one of the most important wetland ecosystems on the Pacific coast, stretches approximately 132 miles along the west coast of southern Baja, encompassing nearly 1,500 square miles.

The miles of mangrove-lined channels are considered the largest snook habitat in Baja. Water temperatures peak in the fall months and produce the best snook action. Sizes range from a few pounds to a respectable 40-plus. By far the most productive method is fishing live sardines or shrimp. Live bait drifted in the deeper channels up against the mangroves provides the best shot to catch snook.

The first time I arrived in the heart of Magdalena Bay (Puerto San Carlos) more than 15 years ago, I was snook challenged, having never caught one — and I was limited to using fly tackle.

Ed Brennan, a local who had retired to this working community and built a small hotel, introduced me to Enrique Soto, a local panguero and president of the fishing cooperative.

With loads of local fishing knowledge at his disposal, Enrique suggested I hire Mario, a local commercial diver who speared snook. I paid him to show me his best snook spots with the understanding that I would not reveal any of the locations and I'd release the snook I caught. For two days we traveled from one spot to another. It was a quick education of snook habitat features including depth and current. Mario agreed that I could cast a couple of times at each spot, allowing me to not only catch my first snook but learn which flies and techniques would be most productive.