Mahimahi Fishing Off Loreto, Baja California, Mexico

Mahimahi (aka dorado) fishing gets as hot as the summer weather in the Sea of Cortez off Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. I recently sampled some of the great fishing while covering the 2017 Fishing & Golf (July 28–30) held by the Villa del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa on the shore of Danzante Bay, which is about 45 minutes south Loreto.

Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto hosted me and eight other journalists for three nights, one day of fishing and one day of golf at the Danzante Bay Golf Club. This beautiful, modern family-oriented resort overlooking the Danzante Bay offers luxury rooms and suites, dining at your choice of four restuarants, a beach bar, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, five swimming pools, the Sabila spa and a convenience market.

A day of fishing with my son Brandon and two other fishing writers found us 20 miles north of our departure point. We found a school of small mahimahi off the Punta Lobos at the northern tip of Isla Carmen and put eight dorado in the cooler.

While searching for bigger mahi, we came across two striped marlin resting at the surface, the sickle-like upper lobes of their tails protruding above the water. We set out a pair of live mackerel, and the marlin attacked them almost immediately. One quickly broke off, but Arkansas-based Bryan Hendricks (no relation) was able to land the second marlin — his first marlin ever.

Tournament headquarters and our port of origin for fishing was Marina Puerto Escondido, just a few miles up the coast from Villa del Palmar. The natural harbor has been improved and the facility includes slips, moorings, breakwater, fuel dock and launch ramp.

My son and I also enjoyed a morning of golf on the Danzante Bay Golf Club course. I particularly enjoyed sharing the fairways and greens with club pro Danny Garcia. The course's signature 17th hole overlooking the Sea of Cortez is one of the most scenic and breathtaking holes of any golf course. But I could not help but dream about all of the fish in the waters below.

Fishing for mahi and marlin remains good through August in the waters off Loreto. To learn more about the Villa del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa, visit the resort's website.