JULY – 2025
2025 SEASON OPENER – VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
At the conclusion of Cedros Outdoor Adventures 2024 season, a number of knowledgeable weather prognosticators had predicted that we would experience a resurgence of El Niño conditions in the Eastern Pacific beginning this year in late May. As it turns out, both the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are now indicating that there is actually a far greater likelihood of a La Niña developing in late summer or fall.
Although these current predictions do change the outlook for this year’s fishing conditions around Isla Cedros somewhat, it is not necessarily a bad thing. The 2025 season has just begun, and visiting anglers are already making good catches of trophy-sized white sea bass, sometimes referred to as ‘the ghost’ because they often appear unexpectedly and then can disappear almost as quickly without notice. This fish is not a true ‘seabass’, but actually a member of the croaker family that is prized for the quality table fare that it yields. Luckily, this year, they seem to be already on the menu.
Another species that has made an appearance this season is the pinto bass, which generally weighs in at between 4 to 10 pounds. Although these fish are more commonly caught in the upper Sea of Cortez, it is far less common to find them swimming in the waters surrounding Isla Cedros.
Although it is a member of the tropical grouper family, it does not possess the same ‘catch & release’ status at COA that our local calico bass and black sea bass enjoy. As a result, they can be turned over to the ladies in the kitchen, who can transform it into a delicious meal like ‘cabrilla mojo de ajo’ for your evening meal if you like.
Overall, we have been catching a wide variety species during the first month of our 2025 season. As usual, we are experiencing great action on our local yellowtail, and a majority of anglers who are targeting them are catching limits. Most of the fish have been taken on the troll using stick baits like Rapalas, DTX Minnows, and Nomads. This year we are also catching good numbers of big white seabass on live bait and lures.
The trophy calico bass that Isla Cedros has become famous for are still on the chew, with several of the checkerboards inhaling chunks of cut bait, as well as plastics in red or orange hues. As previously mentioned, we have also enjoyed a rare showing of tasty pinto bass this season. Anglers dropping to the bottom with cut bait are also taking lots of ocean whitefish and California sheephead to add to the daily fish counts.
Several large halibut, one weighing over 50 pounds, have also been taken on the lee side of the island while fishing live bait or plastics over the sandy bottom.
Every year we have the privilege of serving new guests who have come to the Island for the first time. However, one of our most gratifying experiences is to be able to welcome all of the return anglers who come back year after year to partake in the world-class fishing that exists in the waters surrounding Cedros Island.
One of our regulars, William ‘Will’ Leung, was on his 5th trip to the Island with his buddy, Paul Smilanick, were in a party of 5 anglers. The first day, they caught 7 yellowtail on the troll, but they all limited out on the forktails the next day. Leung reported that they all loved the fresh fish, which included grilled yellowtail collars and ceviche. He concluded by saying that they all experienced a great balance of fishing, rest, and comfort.
One of our guests in July was Landon Vickery, from central California, who was on his first trip to Cedros indicated that he was amazed at the prolific number of species he could fish for from his panga. He caught a number of quality-grade yellowtail, caught and released numerous Calico bass, and even topped off his trip with a big white seabass. Vickery concluded by saying that he loved the lodge, and would definitely return again.
NEW AMMENITIES
Cedros Outdoor Adventures has been serving the selective angling community since 2008, and every new season allows us to roll out something new that will expand the ‘comfort zone’ of our guests, and 2025 is no different.
Beginning this year, our guests no longer have to ‘make bait’, a process that can sometimes take almost an hour or more. Our new Cedros bait receiver allows anglers to simply pull up to the dock, load up the bait that they need, and then head off toward the fishing grounds.
And, when it comes to comfort, there’s nothing quite as effective as a professional massage to help take care of the bevy of strained muscles and aches that you may sustain after a full day battling big fish out on the water. That is why, this season, we can offer the services of our certified masseuse, Jotsiri, to help you relax and prepare yourself for another great day of fishing.
Need additional tackle like jigs, plastics, hooks, sinkers, and accessories? No worries! We have a wide selection of appropriate tackle for the type of fishing that you will be doing. Everything from Rapalas, Hook-up Baits, Sabiki rigs, mono, flourocarbon, and braid fishing line, and of course, big sinkers used for halibut fishing.
We are also offering a couple of great discounts: our ‘Twice as Nice’ special allows guests who rebook for 2026 within two weeks of returning receive $200 off the normal price. We are also featuring our ‘Fill In The Gap Special’ whereby any Premium Guide seats that are unsold 30 days prior to departure will be offered at $500 off the normal price. Full payment is due at time of booking)
So far this season, we have enjoyed some exceptional fishing for a wide variety of species. As the water continues to warm, you can expect the potential arrival of popular exotic species like tuna, dorado, and maybe even wahoo. If you want to get in on the action, NOW is the time to book before prime dates are no longer available.