Well I decided to hit it today and see what is up now that the warm water seemed to be back. When I first left the marina I was about the third boat in line. Everyone took off for what looked like the island. Having a smaller boat and seeing what direction the wind was coming from I decided to head a different direction.
From the reports on bouyweather.com the wind was to come from the SW, it seemed to be closer to ESE and offshore. It wasn’t bad even in my small 16.5 foot boat, 50hp, center console but I’ve fished the SoC enough to know to keep an eye on things. There was a little wind, some chop and maybe 1-2 foot swells, very mild. So I took a bearing of 180 and headed out. A couple days ago I read on the board that warmer water was back and someone caught a dorado 16 miles out.
I made a run out 13 miles and found 76 degree water. After setting the lines I started to scan the water for signs of life. Within 4-5 minutes something hit one line with a blue mac colored plastic skirt. As I was looking forward I didn’t see what it was and the clicker sung only a second or two, just enough to make my heart skip a beat. I kept trolling and found 77-78 degree water at 15 miles.
I made a few passes in the area and took note on what the ride was like when I headed into the wind and was glad I didn’t go to the island. There were a handful of whitecaps here and there, just enough to keep an eye out. It wouldn’t have been a bad ride back into the wind but definitely would have been a little bouncy. After some time the wind seemed like it was going to ease up just a bit so I decided to head towards the reef on the troll. About 2 miles south of the reef the water temp took a dive to 75 degrees. Hoping to get a dorado I decided to turn south and head back to where I got the knockdown. I could see a marlin jump about 12 miles out and then noticed some action ahead. It turned out to be dolphin and not too many but enough to get a couple shots with my camera.
After awhile I headed back on a 180 bearing and decided I’d go to 20 miles and see what was around. It wasn’t long and the wind really started to lie down. The whitecaps were gone and the seas also started to flatten out. Around 16 miles out on a 180 bearing I found 78 degree water. At 20 miles I decided to check the fuel tank, look around for a while then headed back after a change of lures.
Still in 78 degree water right at 17 miles….hook up. Being by myself and in a small boat I was relieved not to see a marlin going crazy behind me. Whatever it was it stayed deep longer enough for me to reel in my other line with one hand while holding tension on the fish. I had hopes of a dorado but it never broke the surface. Once I got it next to the boat I could see it was a small “chicken” about 10lbs (according to the boga). I had thrown a couple bags of ice into the cooler on the way out so I was ready. After opening the box I grabbed the leader and swung it into the cooler. I go t my first SC dorado! Small but good eating size.
I kept on heading back and about 5 miles out saw some water bust and it looked like bonita. I really wasn't into fishing for them so I put the engine in neutral and decided it sit on the flat seas and fillet my catch.
Everything said and done it was a nice day on the water and like all fisherman I hoped for more but can’t complain…I have dinner for a day or two.
Great report. Congrats on your first SOC Dorado. Delicious!
I just ate my first Bonita sushi about a week ago. It was far better than I would have ever dreamed...much like what they call "fatty tuna" (no offense acwaman in the restaurants. I can't wait to go find more and have fresh sushi on the back of the boat.
It was my first San Carlos dorado. I've done Baja for 20 years and lots of dorado but this was my first here as I am a SC rookie...for a year off and on now.
in the restaurants. I can't wait to go find more and have fresh sushi on the back of the boat.
