June marks the beginning of Baja’s prime fishing season, which stretches from June into early November. Here’s what Discover Baja Travel Club members can expect this Month:
Coronado Islands/Rock Pile: Yellowtail Fishing has been outstanding, with fish running along the ridge in the Middle Grounds. Anglers are scoring on sardines, mint-colored surface iron, and Yoyo jigs.
Ensenada: If you are planning a fishing trip to Ensenada in June, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect: June marks the beginning of its peak fishing season, with warm waters attracting a diverse range of game fish. Offshore Fishing is excellent, offering opportunities to catch Yellowfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, and Dorado.
If you prefer to stay closer to the shore, you can target species like White Seabass, Corbina, Calico Bass, and Halibut. A variety of Rockfish can also be found in the inshore waters and around reefs.
Fishing Methods & Gear: Trolling is a popular method for offshore Fishing, particularly for Yellowfin Tuna and Billfish. Bottom Fishing is effective for targeting Rockfish, Lingcod, and other bottom-dwelling species. Consider taking a variety of lures and live bait to cover different fishing scenarios. Be sure to have an appropriate rig for the size of fish you’re targeting, as some species, like Bluefin Tuna, can be quite large. Expect warm air temperatures, as they often reach the high 80s. Water temperatures will also be warming up, attracting a variety of game fish.
Charter or Panga: You can choose to fish with a larger charter boat for offshore trips or opt for a smaller panga for inshore Fishing.
Book in Advance: June is a popular time for Fishing in Ensenada, so it’s advisable to book your charter or panga in advance.
Fishing License: Mexican law requires that all people on a boat with any fishing tackle aboard have a current Mexican fishing license. This includes young children. If you’re old enough to hold a pole, you need a permit.
Fishing licenses are sold by the day, week, month, or year. A yearly policy begins the day it is written and expires a year later from that date. It is not a calendar year as it is with U.S. fishing licenses. A Mexican fishing license is not required if you are fishing from the shore.
To apply for a non-commercial sportfishing license, complete the application and return it to Discover Baja by email, fax, or mail along with payment.
MEXICAN FISHING LICENSE PRICES (for Discover Baja members):
One Day: $25
One Week: $43
One Month: $62
One Year: $70
There is an extra $10 fee per license (an additional $8 for a daily permit) if you are not a Discover Baja member. As of 2014, Temporary boat importation permits are required for any boat over 15 feet that is entering Baja. See our page on Temporary Boat Importation.
San Quintín: This area is producing solid Yellowtail and Rockfish action. Mornings yield good-sized Lingcod and Red Rockcod, while the surface lures attract Yellowtail later in the day.
San Felipe: This is the peak season for Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, and Striped Marlin. Offshore Fishing is excellent for species such as Cabrilla, Grouper, and Corvina.
Gonzaga Bay: In June, the Bay offers a diverse fishing experience, providing opportunities to catch a variety of species. Anglers can expect warm water temperatures, increasing fish populations, and potential for both surface and bottom species. Yellowtail are a popular target, particularly around Isla Smith, with some action on surface irons and bait. Other possibilities include Tuna, Grouper, Catfish, and bottom fish, such as Flag Cabrilla and Triggerfish.
Bahía de Los Ángeles: June is a prime month for Fishing in these warm waters, attracting a variety of game fish. Here’s what the top target is in the bay, especially around Isla Smith (Coronado). These Yellowtail, which can weigh 10 to 15 pounds, are commonly caught using iron and bait in approximately 90 feet of water.
Surface Action: As summer heats up, the Yellowtail often feed on the surface, making for exciting topwater Fishing.
Other species, such as Cabrilla, Grouper, and other bottom fish, are also active, providing a wide variety for anglers. June’s conditions make for excellent Fishing, with rising temperatures bringing more action.
Baja Sur (Southern Baja)
Guerro Negro: This area offers unique fishing opportunities, even in June, though it’s not the peak season for White Sea Bass.
For a deeper look into White Sea Bass, although the best season runs from mid-November to mid-April, some anglers still find success using jigs at around 35 feet throughout the year. The mixing of cold and warm currents in the area creates a rich ecosystem that supports these fish.
Laguna Ojo de Liebre: This lagoon is a restricted fishing area, with only a few sportfishing pangas authorized to operate there. It’s known for producing monster-sized White Sea Bass.
Estuary Fishing: The northern end of Guerrero Negro features estuaries with deep channels (up to 20 feet) and grass beds, making it an ideal spot for Halibut, Corvina, Yellowfin Tuna, Croaker, and even Bonefish.
Bahía Asunción: The Bahía Asunción area offers fantastic fishing opportunities, especially as the season heats up. Anglers search for Yellowtail up to 40 pounds and Yellowfin Tuna within eight miles of shore.
Bahía Concepción: Concepción is productive in June, with a variety of species active. There is excellent action for Yellowtail and Cabrilla near the rocky structures, and Rapala 40s have proved effective. The Bonito and Pargo are biting well, mainly when trolling along deeper drop-offs. Triggerfish and Sierra are found near the islands, although Fishing can be hit-or-miss, depending on the conditions.
Loreto: Yellowtail are the highlighted fish here. They are still biting, though the action has slowed slightly compared to peak fishing in Loreto. It is heating up as we move into late May and early June. Anglers are finding success with live mackerel bait trolling.
Dorado (Mahi Mahi) reports indicate that solid catches are being made offshore, with fish responding well to surface lures. Additionally, Roosterfish and Wahoo are active, especially near rocky points and drop-offs. Weather Conditions: Winds can be unpredictable, but anglers are taking advantage of calm windows for productive trips
Puerto Adolfo López Mateos: Sportfishing in this area is thriving, with Magdalena Bay offering some of the best action in Baja California Sur. Here’s the latest report: Yellowtail and Grouper are biting offshore, with anglers using live bait and jigs. Snook and corvina are being found in the mangroves, providing excellent inshore fishing opportunities.
Offshore action is heating up for the Marlin and Dorado, with Blue and Striped Marlin appearing in deeper waters.
La Paz: Fishing conditions are improving in this area as we move into late May and early June. Here is the newest report: Yellowtail are still biting, though the action has slowed slightly compared to peak season. Anglers are finding success trolling with live mackerel as bait. Dorado (Mahi Mahi), Roosterfish, and Wahoo are active, especially near rocky points and drop-offs.
East Cape: Reports indicate catches of Marlin and Wahoo offshore, with fish responding to surface lures, but they were hit or miss. The first two Blue Marlin of the year have been caught in the East Cape area. Currently, the Tuna have been out about 40 miles, but again, due to the weather, few people ventured out that far. They stayed closer to home.
San José del Cabo: Anglers can expect excellent bites while fishingoffshore at both the inner and outer Gordo Banks, known for their deep-water action and diverse game fish. They use live bait and troll for marlin, including Blue and Striped Marlin. The area is renowned for its billfish, with the peak season yielding impressive catches. Some boats are finding football-sized Yellowfin Tuna, while larger fish (50 to 60 pounds) have been caught farther offshore.
1150 Bank: Wahoo sizes ranged from 45 to 87 pounds, with some double hookups reported. Dorado are biting within 10 miles of shore, with some bulls reaching up to 47 pounds. Yellowfin Tuna have been found south of Frailes, with catches between 20 and 50 pounds. Inshore Fishing for Roosterfish has been productive, with abundant numbers of Roosterfish in the 5 to 20-pound range near Costa Palmas Marina. Bottom Fishing has been slow, though some boats have landed Grouper, Snapper, and Amberjack.
Cabo San Lucas: Fishing in Cabo San Lucas is world-class, offering a mix of offshore and inshore action. Here’s the latest report: Striped marlin are biting well, with some Blue Marlin showing up offshore. Boats targeting deeper waters are landing football-sized Yellowfin Tuna, with a few larger ones mixed in. Strong bites of Dorado and Wahoo were reported, especially near Gordo Banks. Inshore Roosterfish fishing is excellent, with big roosterfish found near sandy beaches and rocky points.
Tight lines and fair seas to all!
Gary Graham
That Baja Guy
thatbajaguy@gmail.com
With more than five decades of fishing experience – from light tackle and fly to offshore billfish – Gary Graham has experienced all aspects of fishing in the Southern California and Baja waters. His observations of species behavior, tackle and techniques are always from his unique perspective, earning him the respect of his peers as well as anglers who eagerly follow his Baja reports and features.
Gary maintained a home at East Cape in Baja Sur for more than 18 years and still spends nearly half of each year exploring the entire peninsula in his self-contained Roadtrek van. He observes everything Baja, from the mysteries of a tide pool on a deserted Baja beach filled with tiny sea creatures to the largest billfish in the sea.