My favorite fish to catch with a fly rod is the Dorado (Mahi, Mahi). They are challenging and generally in short supply in Puerto Peñasco waters. I have caught many of them throughout the Sea of Cortez, further south, in San Carlos, La Paz, East Cape, Cabo, Magdalena Bay, Loreto, and La Ventana have all been hot spots for Dorado over many fishing trips.
There are many things to like about Dorado fly fishing. They will take a well-presented fly like a Deceiver or Clouser Minnow, and even before you hook up, the fun begins. Usually, you are fishing in clear water where the fish are visible. These acrobatic fish get excited when they zero in on your fly. They have great vision, and you know when they are going to take your fly. They light up and charge your fly. It’s a light show, and it happens suddenly; their top speed is 50 miles per hour for a short burst. The fish eating your fly is like a train wreck, no tentative nibble. Once hooked, they flash electric blue, chartreuse green, gold, and bright yellow. And then they kick it up a notch with amazing jumps, flips, and cartwheels.
Generally, these fish hang out in the same places, so a captain with experience will probably be able to put you on to fish. It is usually in deep blue water near drop-offs. Trolling with teasers, large squid-looking plastics with no hooks in them, will attract Dorado. Make your cast after you have attracted a few. Another hangout for Dorado is under floating debris on the surface. Grass weed mats, buoys, discarded pallets, pieces of plywood, even dead animals like pelicans, and sea lions floating in the water provide shade that attracts minnows, and bait fish attract Dorado.
After you catch your first Dorado, don’t be in a hurry to land it in the boat. The noise of a fish hooked up attracts more fish and provides a good opportunity to hook more fish. Most Dorado caught in Penasco waters are hooked during the hottest part of the summer. Dorado are a fast-growing fish that can grow to 40 pounds and 4 feet in length within a year. They can reach 6 feet in length and weigh up to 80 pounds.
Hope you get the opportunity to fish for Dorado, and if you do, just write the check and pay the man! The summer fishing can be really spectacular. Suggest you fish early and get out of the sun before noon on the really hot days. Vince Deadmond The Retired Fly Fishing Hardware Guy can be reached at vincehasgonefishing@outlook.com and at 480 818 1796.
