Fish Report

Spring Patterns in the Sea of Cortez – What’s Changing This April

Welcome to the Sea of Cortez fishing report for April 2025. Weather has been all over the place this past week. A couple of days felt like full-on summer, and then boom — the north wind returned for one last surprise and dropped the temps hard. It’s that classic spring transition: chilly mornings followed by warm, glassy afternoons.

The water’s shifting too. Some zones are heating up quickly, which is starting to change the game. One of the best yellowtail runs we’ve seen in years is finally beginning to taper off. There are still fish around, but you’ve gotta work harder for them now. The bite has become more hit-or-miss, with productive areas moving daily.

Now, let’s talk about the good stuff. Roosterfish went absolutely wild the last few days — mixed sizes, some pushing 60 lbs, and all fired up. These fish check every box: visual, powerful, and aggressive. We’ve been getting them on both live bait and topwater action with stickbaits and poppers. If you’re after excitement, this is the time.

Cabrilla (grouper) are in too, showing up in solid numbers. These fish are hands-down one of the best-eating species in Baja. Just remember: keep a few, but let the rest go. They’re too good not to protect for future seasons.

Offshore, things are starting to warm up. Dorado and marlin are beginning to show signs of life, though we haven’t targeted them too hard yet. The real surprise? Last week, we landed a 260 lb yellowfin tuna on light tackle — something you don’t see every day this early. We’ve been spotting more of them offshore, especially around bait-rich areas, so this could be the start of something exciting.

Liveaboards, Wildlife & the Full Baja Experience

We’ve been running a few liveaboard trips up north — always a favorite for our crew and guests. Even though water conditions weren’t ideal and the fishing wasn’t red-hot, the views, the food, the cold drinks, and the great company made it all worthwhile. It’s hard to beat those long days on the water with good people.

And beyond the rods and reels, the Sea of Cortez is alive. Mobula rays are cruising in huge numbers, dolphins are traveling in big pods, and there are still a few whales putting on a show near the islands. It’s that magical time of year when fishing meets full-blown wildlife experience.

That’s the scoop for now. This Sea of Cortez fishing report for April 2025 shows big shifts in conditions and species activity — from the last push of north winds to surprise offshore catches. The yellowtail bite may be slowing, but the season is far from over. Anglers visiting the Sea of Cortez this month are still finding solid action if they stay mobile and adapt to changing bite zones. Whether you’re chasing trophy roosters or scouting offshore for early tuna, Now May continues to deliver the kind of raw, unpredictable adventure Baja is known for.

See you out there,
— The Baco Crew