La paz or Los Cabos

[Andrew503]

I plan on heading to Mexico next year in september or october to fish out or either La Paz or Cabo. Curious on peoples thoughts about either location and is it worth it paying extra money to fish out of a larger boat or is a panga just as effective? Especially in Cabo. Any input would be helpful.

Thank you

 

[PACIFICPUNISHER]

Check out Los barriles

 

[surfgoose]

By yourself or with the family? Those are totally different vibes, two cities that could not be more different. And the fishing reflects that.

Cabo is Newport Beach South. Richly appointed hotels, crazy nightclubs filled with rich anglos from America and Europe. When they go fishing it is 90% yachts and upscale cruisers. Cabo is more vulnerable to Pacific hurricanes, and in September that is a possibility. La Paz is a city too, but centuries older and bigger and not nearly as fashionable. Anglos don't go to La Paz for bachelor or bachelorette parties, they fly to Cabo. But the fishing is great at that time of year in La Paz, and both cruisers and pangas are available.

Between those locations is the East Cape, and is by far my favorite location in Mexico. Not a city at all, shopping is NOT going to make your lady smile. But the fishing is close to the best in North America, and is especially fun from a panga. I would rather spend a week at Rancho Leonero than anywhere else, my first choice in all of Mexico.

 

[woodfish330]

John and the RANCHO.... one of my all time favorites as well. Took a 400# + blue marlin from a panga there in the 80's. Big roosters in the 90's. Feels so friendly there. I'm with you SURFGOOSE. Palmas is my second choice.

 

[Scooter69]

La Paz in June was great for Dorado and Roosterfish. We might go back next summer.

 

[woodfish330]

Many dont discuss it much.... but JUNE is Big Blue Marlin month. Depending on water temps.... and the current. Many think Sept Oct Nov are those months..... but the Big female Blue Marlin ...few and far between... show up "solo" from June through Sept. Have had many exciting trips....when others are further Inshore. Hooked up 3 fish..... all over #500 on the same June day. Just my thoughts Brother....

 

[surfgoose]

X2 what woodfish330 said. My own biggest marlin was a 400# blue on a trip at the end of May about twenty years ago. One of the few fish that I regret catching. I'm all about releasing billfish, but she was unexpected, and my gear that I was using to troll for dorado was completely outclassed (single speed Daiwa and straight 60# mono to a tuna clone) and she went deep and we just couldn't get her to the cruiser fast enough. She died down deep, and it was a real challenge to get her up from a couple of hundred yards down. When she was finally on the swim step I said, "Enough. Head for the dock." Even though it was only about 10am, I felt bad enough, I wasn't going to waste her. So we ran home in a half-hour and they dressed her out and we gave it all away to locals (who LIKE to eat marlin) and fed everyone at Punta Colorado that night, and it was actually pretty good. But I still feel bad about her all of these years later.

 

[woodfish330]

I'm with you Brother.... tuna clone....lol. #60 and a single speed Daiwa 600h / 900h. Like you said....fine for the local dorado.... but a true "undermatch" for sure.

 

[woodfish330]

I had that whole SEALINE series.... from the 30H small. ... 50H med... 450H 4/0 .... 600H 6/0 .... 900H 9/0. They had their issues though.... electrolysis was terrible.... between the chrome rings and the aluminum side plates...... small drag washers / stack... questionable bearings. Anyways.... they did the job like you said.... for many years.... just allot of maintenance. Todays angler will never know the effort it took.... back then. Golden Days for sure!

 

[BillyG457]

Late September/ Early October is my favorite time to be in La Paz I’ll be going down this year on 09/28 and coming home 10/04. Weather is great it is after hurricane season and usually Dorado , Tuna and even a chance at a Wahoo . I’ll be fishing with the Baja Rancheros. What is your plans or what are you looking for ? La Paz is a definetly a place to be