Baja Shore Fishing: A Guide to Local Catches

Triggerfish (Cochito)

1. Season: Triggerfish are abundant all year round, with peak activity in dawn and dusk.

2. Spanish Name: Cochito

3. How to Catch Them: Locals prefer J-hooks with spark plugs as weights. Baracuda is an excellent bait, and casting or letting the line sit both work well.

4. Edibility: Once considered a "trash fish," triggerfish is now prized for its firm texture. Perfect for ceviche and tacos.

5. Side Note: Triggerfish can be aggressive underwater; caution is advised due to their powerful jaws.

Jacks (Toro)

1. Season: Jacks are nearshore in Baja year-round, preferring warmer waters.

2. Spanish Name: Toro

3. How to Catch Them: Live bait is most effective, but jigs, spoons, and hard plastics work too.

4. Edibility: Smaller jacks are preferred for their taste; larger ones may have a stronger flavor.

5. Side Note: Jacks follow schools of baitfish, requiring anglers to move and actively search for them along the coastline.

Roosterfish (Pez Gallo)

1. Season: Roosterfish appear from February, peaking in the summer.

2. Spanish Name: Pez Gallo

3. How to Catch Them: Use hard plastics or spoons; fast retrieval is crucial due to their sight-based hunting. Walk the beach to locate them.

4. Edibility: Roosterfish are not considered good for eating; catch and release is common.

5. Side Note: Small roosterfish can be caught with 10g spoons at slow to medium retrieval speeds.

Puffer Fish (Boleta)

1. Season: Puffer fish are present in nearshore waters year-round.

2. Spanish Name: Boleta

3. How to Catch Them: Use bait, small hooks, or slow-moving lures, often caught while fishing for triggerfish.

4. Edibility: Some locals eat puffer fish, but preparing them incorrectly can be dangerous; caution is advised.

5. Side Note: Handle with caution; some types are venomous. They can wash up on the shore, so be aware, especially with pets.

Snapper (Pargo)

1. Season: Snapper are present all year, often hiding in rocks within reefs.

2. Spanish Name: Pargo

3. How to Catch Them: Live bait and jigging are effective, but they can be challenging to catch from the shore due to rocky environments.

4. Edibility: Great for beer-battered tacos, cooking over a fire, or oven roasting.

5. Side Note: The barred Mexican snapper/barred pargo is commonly caught from shore using jigheads with soft plastic grubs.

Flounder/California Halibut (Lenguado)

1. Season: Flounder are most active from June to July but can be targeted year-round.

2. Spanish Name: Lenguado

3. How to Catch Them: Spearfishing is effective, and for rod and reel, use lures that stay close to or just above the bottom.

4. Edibility: One of the best-tasting fish in Baja, known for its mild flavor and large flakes. The string of pearls near the fins is a delicacy.

5. Side Note: There's no minimum size limit in Baja, but to maintain a healthy population, consider releasing smaller flounder.

Kelp Bass (Cabrilla)

1. Season: Kelp Bass can be found along the Baja shore year-round, particularly near structures like rocks, kelp, and seaweed.

2. Spanish Name: Cabrilla

3. How to Catch Them: Utilize small spoons with a steady retrieve near the bottom when targeting Kelp Bass. They often strike the lure as it descends.

4. Edibility: Kelp Bass is a versatile and delicious fish, suitable for various recipes.

5. Side Note: A similar species, Sand Bass, can be fished for in the same way, but they are typically found on sand flats. Cabrilla holds a special place among locals as a favorite catch.