2024 Loreto final report

[Carl Blackledge]

Posted by Carl Blackledge on 2024-08-02 14:36:19

Loreto Summary 2024
This year I spent five weeks in Loreto, which was my longest trip ever. My goal is always to go for Dorado, billfish and Roosterfish, but this was a strange year because bait was scarce and Sargasso was pretty much non-existent. When we first arrived there were very few sardines in the harbor and surrounding areas, then none at all. That meant we had very few opportunities to use chum to entice the fish to grab the flies. No Sargasso limited the Dorado fishing but we had really good luck with the Roosters.
There were so many Roosters we almost had to kick them out of the way and we had no problem pounding them all day, and most days we didn't even take them out of the water. We caught dozens over 50 pounds on our flies, and I caught one Rooster that was likely over 80 pounds, and my guide, a veteran of many years on these waters, said it was the biggest one he had ever seen.
When we got tired of trolling for Dorado we would head out after the Roosters which always gave us our thrills for the day. For smaller Roosters I used my Sage 9-wt. with an SA clear tip Jungle Line and for the larger ones I used my Loomis NRX+ 12-wt. with the same line.
A twisted leader with a tiny swivel and about 30 inches of fluorocarbon makes a setup that will keep you in fish all day long.
Billfish were a challenge this year. There were lots of them and we had several bites a day, but we had trouble hanging on to them. I did manage to hook a dozen Marlin and land one small one and also a big beauty that was about 140 pounds.
Even without Sargasso we had some luck with Dorado when we went looking for them, and if we trolled our large searching flies we got a few bites a day. I caught and landed quite a few Dorado in the 15 to 35-pound range.
We stayed at a new place this year called The Baja Triangle which recently opened and is located about 300 feet from the harbor and right in the middle of all the action. The rooms have fully-stocked kitchens and are like little apartments. I have already booked my room for next year and give it my highest recommendation. I always like to talk about Loreto and if anyone wants information just email me.
Carl Blackledge
[click here to display pictures]

Guys I added 35 more pictures on Dan Blanton's website, this site will only holds 5

http://www.danblanton.com/viewmessage.php?id=223392

[John H]

That is some serious fish catching. Thanks for the report. I am going to La Ventana on a Gary Bulla trip at the end of the month. Hopefully we can find a few roosters. 10 pounders would be enough for me. I am not ready to battle a fifty pounder.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Gary Bulla runs a good operation not far from La Paz.

I heard that late May through early June was prime time for Roosters on the East Cape.

An old guide down there told us that Spring, Summer, and Fall were all good for fishing but no one comes in the summer's heat.

[Carl Blackledge]

John H,

Gary Bulla runs A fine organization, you will be in good hands.

I highly recommend using a SA jungle line, with a twisted leader a tiny swivel then a couple feet of fluorocarbon with a Air head fly in Tan or olive, the above combination is certain death sentence for rooster's. By the way Gary has my flies down there-good luck on your trip. Carl Blackledge

[RoosterHunter]

Gary has a fresh supply of flies. One of the hot flies is the Wiggy air head in white/gray/olive. Also a tan kinky muddler. I'm tying up a bunch for him right now. I've know Gary for a number of years and he has some of the best if not the best fly fishing captains in baja. I use to use a couple of them but they all started working for him.
I'll be there on Sept. 28 - Oct 5. This will be my last (I know I've said this before) "hosted" trip to baja. Been doing it for 30 years and now it's time. There are way too many fly fishing outfitters bringing in a ton of clients, great for the captains but hard on the fish. This year I got into a couple huge roosters but released them at the side of the panga, not taking them out of the water for a photo session. They are already stressed enough without putting more stress on them
Good luck and have fun on your week of fishing with Gary.
Jay

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

This is surely the end of an era of fly fishing Baja for many of us old-timers but the younger crowd will hopefully still keep it going.

50 years ago in Southern California, there were fishing ads for "3-day trips" down to Baja for $99.00?

Back then not too many were fly fishing, yet.

Gary Bulla, Jay Murakoshi, Carl Blackledge, Grant Hartman, Al Smatsky and Gary Graham are all Baja experts who are still with us.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeAck7vtLnk&t=27s

[Carl Blackledge]

Bill,

I am the only one on that list that doesn't
sell trips and try and make a buck on you.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

That is a fact but if the fishing is not good you are not to blame either.

[Carl Blackledge]

Hey guys,

I really do appreciate the emails and calls about fishing with "ME" in Loreto. However I am completely booked actually I am personally booked for life. If you have a partner or your by your lonesome I can point you in the right direction as to what rooms to rent and what guides to hire and also we can be diner partners in Loreto for some great food. I can also help you in the gear department on what gear and what sizes to bring and what flies and colors...other then the above I am not a host or guide, I just fish for fun.

Carl Blackledge

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I still believe that the Baja is one of the best deals going for inshore and offshore saltwater fly fishing.

Thanks, Carl and to others here for their contributions to the wonderful sport of fly fishing.