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This is only a small sampling of the wide variety of fish caught in the
Sea of Cortez. |
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Marlin: Individuals
can get up to 13.5 feet and 692 pounds, but here they average
9 - 10 feet and 150 - 250 pounds. Marlin are the King of
all fighting fish and can be taken in the same locations
as Sailfish, but more often further offshore. They'll take
a trolled live mackerel and strike hard, stripping yards
of line instantly. Let them take bait for a five to ten
count, then set the hook firmly and hang on! Your prized
fish will instantly break water and tail dance at the surface
while shaking its head from right to left to rid itself
of the hook. If he heads for the deep, be prepared for
a long, tedious battle. Stripers must be "dead tired" before
boating because they can suddenly "come to life" making
for a difficult situation--so be alert at this time. They
make good eating when smoked. Catch and release is encouraged. |
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Sailfish
(Sp. Pez Vela): To 10 feet, 9 inches and 180 pounds
(average 7 ft., 100 pounds). Often found swimming among
the Dorado, they swim with small groups of other sailfish
over deep water. They can be caught by trolling live
mackerel at the surface. When they strike, let them take
bait for a few seconds then set the hook...hard! The
sailfish will put on a dazzling acrobatic show, leaping
out of the water and dancing on its tail at the surface.
Make sure the fish is exhausted before bringing to the
boat and carefully removing the hook. Sailfish should
be released, but can taste good when smoked. |
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Yellowfin
Tuna (Sp. At-n): To six and one-half feet and 450
pounds. A beautiful fish with iridescent blue, gold,
and yellow colorings. It is distinguished by long blue
and yellow pectoral and second dorsal fins. They are
caught offshore over deep water trenches on trolled live
mackerel. Expect a strong strike followed by a long,
hard deep water battle. This fish makes excellent eating. |
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Yellowtail
(Sp. Jurel): To 5 feet and 80 pounds (average 1.5
- 4 feet, 7 - 35 pounds). Yellowtail are a schooling
fish that are found off rocky points and around islands.
They can be caught either on the surface by trolling
live mackerel, or in deeper water (200 ft.) over sea
mounts by jigging at a 60 - 90 foot depth. When hooked
at the surface, they have a strong strike followed by
hard and long runs. When a hooked Yellowtail sees the
boat he dives deep and must be pumped up to gaff. The
off-white firm fillets are great grilled, or smoked with
the skin left on. |
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Dorado
(Hawiian-mahimahi): To 6 feet 9 inches and 87 pounds.
Most average 2.5 - 4 feet and 10 - 30 pounds and are
caught over deep water trenches. They like to linger
under floating patches of seaweed (Sp. Sargasso) or any
other floating object. Their curiosity also attracts
their schools to boats, which often results in multiple
hookups! Dorado are voracious eaters with keen eyesight,
capable of swimming up to 40 m.p.h. to catch their prey.
They are most often caught by trolling live mackerel.
When they hit your bait, set the hook and be ready for
the show! This fish is famous for its acrobatic leaps
and long runs. When taken into the boat, its iridescent
colors of green, blue, and gold soon fade. Its firm white
meat makes excellent eating! |
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Grouper (Sp.
Garropa): The Grouper can get up to 6.5 feet and 200 pounds.
They inhabit reefs and sea mounts just offshore and around
islands. The 10 to 50 pounders are caught by jigging live
or dead bait, leadhead jigs, or spoons at 10 to 40 feet
deep, while the big ones can be had at depths of 100 to
200 feet. When they strike, their reaction is to dive down
and head for the rocks. At this time you must turn them
up towards the boat or you'll lose the fish. Once headed
toward the boat, they feel heavy but don't give much of
a fight. Their size is often impressive and their firm
white meat makes outstanding eating. |
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Roosterfish (Sp.
Pez Gallo): To 5 feet and 114 pounds, averaging 1 - 2 ft.
and 15 - 30 pounds. The rooster-comblike dorsal fin and
iridescent purple/black stripes on its pearly body easily
distinguish this fish. It frequents sandy or cobblestone
bottoms along beaches and around islands. When a school
of Roosters feed on baitfish, their raised comblike dorsal
fin makes the surface of the water appear as if it is boiling.
They will take cast chrome spoons or weighted bait with
a powerful strike. Roosters are strong fighters and will
run hard and often. When brought to the boat, take your
picture with it and set him free because although they're
fun to catch, they're not fun to eat. |
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Jack
Crevalle (Sp. Tana or Cavalla): To four feet and
40 pounds. Found along gravel/cobblestone bottoms, they
take trolled or drifted live baitfish, or cast chrome
spoons. This tenacious Jack will run and run after a
helacious strike. A 20 pounder can fight on light tackle
for an hour. This pearly-grey fish has a compressed body
and extremely tough meat so release him after bringing
him to the boat. |
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