Species of Fish Found off Loreto; Pacific Sailfish

Pacific Sailfish

Pacific Sailfish caught and released on June 10, 2006

Apart from Dorado, the Pacific Sailfish are the most sought after species in the summer months. Sailfish here get to over 130 pounds. We will see the first ones in the area as early as April, but the numbers increase in the month of June and they stay into October. The best time to get them on a flyrod is July and early August. Flyrodders have a chance at getting sailfish on the cast only when their numbers are very high and they are swimming very thickly. We will see this quite often in July and August. Dozens of sailfish will jump around the boat, that's when they're in here thick and obtainable on the fly. I've seen this many times and folks who come in the shop have seen it too, and they have landed sails while casting their flies.

The sailfish will run and jump while shaking its head back and fourth after being hooked. This is its tactic to release itself from your line. Sailfish can run great distances so be sure to equip yourself with a lot of backing. Jumping is probably the most common characteristic of the sailfish's behaviour. A great reward to choosing your gear, planning, rigging up, and hunting this great fish is to witness its majestic and powerful jumps and know that you are connected to it. More often than not, they jump themselves into exhaustion and can be landed quite easily. Remove the hook and revive it by having your captain run the boat very slowly while holding onto its bill and towing it to move water through the gills. When its ready to go on its own, it will let you know, and what a beautiful sight it is to watch that sailfish swim into the deep water until he disappears.

The hanging dead billfish display is becoming a thing of the past. (at left) A large sailfish that was caught and released in June 2006. After many years of providing sportfishing service in Loreto, B.C.S. Mexico we have recently taken the position that to kill a billfish is wrong so we no longer allow it. Sailfish and Marlin meat is edible but the proportion of edible meat (about 30-40%) to the size of this fish only one reason we maintain this policy. Previously we left the decision to the descression of the angler but in our decision process we've came to the conclusion that it's more important to set an good example in order to preserve these species while they swim through our area. Only billfish that come up dead or are verified potential IGFA records of their respective species will be kept. Potential records will need to be radioed in and verification of the record confirmed via radio before we will allow a billfish to be taken back to port. In all seriousness the chances that someone will land a record breaking Pacific Sailfish or Marlin off Loreto are slim to none.

If you plan on keeping billfish we recommend that you not fish with our service.

A large sailfish (below) that was caught and released in June 2006:
Fish hooked on live bait tend to swallow the hook and this can cause damage to the fish's internal organs. If "gut hooked" we recommend cutting the line as close as possible to the fish's mouth. To avoid this, circle hooks are recommended for live bait fishing. This kind of hook is designed to be swallowed yet can be drawn back out of the fish's gut easily. On passing the fish's mouth however, it sticks. Local captains have not yet completely warmed up to the use of circle hooks but if we continue to set a good example and explain their use and design they will change their opinions. Usually flies end up hooking the fish in the mouth so they're easy to retrieve. De-barbing the hook makes releases much easier. Trolled feather lures also tend to end up hooking the fish's mouth. We've observed that the angle the fish tend to hit flies and lures vs. bait, has to do with the higher proportion of mouth-hook results with artificials. If the hook cannot be removed then its best to cut off the line as close to the fish's mouth as possible.

To release a billfish hold the bill firmly while the fish is in the water at the side of the boat and motor slowly so that the fish can get water (oxygen) thorugh its gills. When it struggles with enough force to free itself from your grip its ready. Watching your fish dive down and swim away will give you a great feeling.