Well, once was not enough and I still had not satisfied my tuna jones. So, my buddy, John, and I headed for San Diego once again. We fished the New Lo An out of Point Loma Sportfishing this trip. We actually had one stop on the tuna this trip and each boated only one Yellowfin. Like last trip, the Dorado were ready to fill in! I thought the last trip had some wide open Dodo fishing; this trip was better. We hit a couple late schools of fish at the end of the day that went absolutely wide open on us. The quality was a bit better with the fish averaging a few pounds heavier. They didn't rush the boat the way they did last month, but bit just as readily if you got a bait away from the boat a bit and they stayed around longer. We finished a slowish day in fine style and had an awesome time!
Well, if you have to have your butt handed to you by the tuna, I hope the Dorado fill in for you! Ok, I promise I'll settle down now and do some Utah fishing. The tuna will have to wait til next year!
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Looks like a great trip [
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Was it just a one day outing or longer?
Can you throw out the cost of the charter?
I've done the 3/4 day out of San Diego for bottom fish but it wasn't very fun - rock fish and a few ling cod. We fished in 300' of water so all fish caught were stomach out the mouth victims.
Thanks for the great pictues.
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Hell yes!!! He who has the most fun wins...and I think you have won sir! Great looking fish, and the 2nd pic was just AMAZING looking! Dorado are locked into my bucket list. Watch out Dorado's, someday I'll be coming for you!
How do they taste? Thanks again for posting it up for us to envy over.
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Dorado is the Spanish term (golden) that has been adopted by some English speakers. The more common name in English is Mahi Mahi. So if you've ever had Mahi Mahi you've eaten it. Costco carries it and it fine for fish tacos. A little bland for grilling even when freshly caught. The closest fish to mahi mahi to me would be talipia.
It's fine for a mild fish but again personal preference it's chopped liver compared to ahi tuna. I think dorado is the back up fish to the tuna on these charters for that reason. On the other hand getting into a school of dorado is way more fun than a school of tuna.
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Very nice, I think they call them dolphins on the east coast or Atlantic side... Beautiful fish and it looks like a lot of fun... Thanks for the great post and pictures... J
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It was a day and a half trip. I didn't have enough time off left this year to do a two and a half day. The 1.5 was $345 which includes the ride, bait and Mexican license. Meals, drinks, snacks and fish cleaning are extra. Our galley tab and fish cleaning was $100 each. I like the extra half day because you get to sleep on the way in and get to the dock at 6am. That's not that big an issue if you live an hour or two from the dock. Utah is another story. If you go on a one or two day trip, you get off the boat around 7 pm with your fish and in need of a nap. If you don't spend the extra money on the half "day" on the boat, you'd spend it in a motel and ice for your fish.
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Thanks! Like riverdog said, they are very light and delicate in flavor. I've grilled them and made ceviche out of them and they are fantastic. I disagree with his assessment that they are inferior to tuna. Two completely different critters, but to each, his own. I wouldn't fault him for his opinion. That's what makes the world go 'round!
This year has been hands down, the best year I've seen for lots of big, quality Dorado off So Cal. They won't be around much longer. 976-TUNA is a great website source for current info.
Hope you get out after them!
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Awesome! Looks like you're hooked on the salt water fishing.[
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Yeah, it was my 'thing' back when we lived there. Gotta go back once in a while to get my fix.
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Curious what fish do you enjoy fishing for more?
Taste is obviously subjective. Don't get me wrong I like mahi mahi but I've been spoiled by Halibut fishing. I just haven't eaten it for a couple years. Last night's dinner was deep fried panko battered halibut with my homemade tartar sauce (Mayo, chopped dill pickle, onion and fresh lemon juice +/- chopped capers). I like dill pickles over sweet pickle plus being fresh is so much better. But it's hard for any white fish to match up to Halibut in my book.
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It's all good! I think you're pretty close on the halibut assessment. Hard to argue with that. I do like it all and have preferences for different kinds of fish. I like to bottle most of my tuna. I also like it marinated in sweet teriyaki and grilled (the way I had some dorado last night). I like the tuna and salmon as sushi/sashimi as well. I've made a couple batches of ceviche out of the dorado since I caught them.
As far as catching them goes, each has it's attractions. Dorado are very visible fish. They are lit up neon colored when chasing bait in the water and when hooked, they go airborne. Very exciting fish to encounter and hook. They do not, in my opinion, fight as doggedly as tuna do. Tuna fight with brute force and keep the fight down in the water, most of it straight up and down. I was a little disappointed that we did not do better on the tuna in my two trips down this year, but I have never caught dorado of this size. So, I guess I'm kind of dodging your question. I'm glad we can go on a trip where they are both a possibility. If I'm out in the blue water, I'm a happy camper!
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