Tackle Breakdown

Baja offers some of the best fishing in the world, and being prepared is key to success. One thing we’ve learned from our trips is that more isn’t always better. Pangas are a great platform to fish from they’re fast, stable, and have plenty of room but overpacking with rods and tackle can quickly clutter the deck.


Depending on the season, you’ll be targeting different species. Always communicate with your captain and let him know which fish you’d like to go after. Baja has it all from explosive topwater action to deep water grouper so plan your gear accordingly.


Here’s our tackle breakdown for two of our favorite Baja fisheries: Bahía de los Ángeles and San Quintín.


Bahía de los Ángeles – Yellowtail Setup



Depending on the season, yellowtail in Bay of LA can be found either chasing bait near the surface or holding in deeper, cooler water. Live bait availability usually dictates your game plan, and most mornings start with making bait at first light. Always pack a few sabiki rigs for this.


For bait-making, we like to keep it light and simple:


  • Reel: Daiwa Lexa 300
  • Rod: Medium to Medium-Heavy
  • Line: 30–40 lb braid with a matching mono leader



In the hot summer months, live bait is essential for deep-water yellows. The go-to rig here is the dropper loop:


  • Rig: Dropper loop with a 12–16 oz sinker and 1/0–2/0 live bait hook
  • Line: 80 lb mono minimum (these fish run hard into the rocks at 150–300 feet)
  • Tip: Drop to the bottom, reel up 5 cranks, and hold on tight



When the bite’s on the jig, current and depth will determine if you can reach bottom effectively. Heavy knife jigs and flat falls (200–300g) are a must, and a classic Kicker 25H yo-yo iron is always in the mix.


Dropper Loop / Jig Setup


  • Reel: Shimano Speedmaster 16
  • Rod: Shimano Teramar 8’ Heavy
  • Line: 65 lb braid to an 80 lb mono top shot
  • Jigs We Recommend: Kicker 25H or any other heavy iron. 200–300g knife jigs, 200–300g flat falls of your choice. Lots of great manufacturers out there 

Surface Iron Setup


  • Reel: Shimano Trinidad 16A or Daiwa Saltiga Star Drag, Daiwa Lexa 400 or Tranx 400 or 500
  • Rod: 9’–10’ Heavy to Extra-Heavy surface iron rod (Calstar, Seeker, or similar)
  • Line: 50–65 lb braid with a 40–50 lb mono or fluoro leader



Jigs We Recommend


  • Kicker 25
  • Salas 7x
  • Tady 45 (staple in Baja)
  • Strictly Irons Righteous 



Pro Tip: Long, steady retrieves usually get the bite, but don’t be afraid to mix in a speed change or a pause. Also communicate with the captain if you can't visibly see the fish up top they may be suspended in deeper water. Your captain will know at what depth the fish are marking.  This is when you can sink your jig out and cover the water column. Watch your line on the sink many bites happen before you even start winding. You will be doing Run and Gun style fishing looking for birds above schools of Yellowtail. 


Stickbait Setup – Yellowtail, Dorado & Cabrilla



When yellows are foaming, dorado are lit up on the surface, or cabrilla are prowling the rocks, a stickbait can be deadly. The big profile and erratic action get violent strikes, and it’s one of the most versatile lures for Baja fishing.


Stickbait Setup


  • Reel: Daiwa Lexa 400
  • Rod: 7’6”–8’ Heavy Inshore rod with a strong backbone and fast tip
  • Line: 50–65 lb braid with a 60–80 lb fluoro leader (for abrasion resistance around rocks and structure)
  • Stickbaits We Recommend are in the 150 from manufacturers like Yozuri, Daiwa and Rapala. 



Pro Tip: Work the stickbait with a sweep-pause rhythm. Also some baits work when you burn them back to the boat depending on the manufacturer. Let it glide, then pause briefly most strikes come right on that pause. Cabrilla especially will ambush stickbaits tight to structure, so keep casts close to rocks and be ready to turn their head fast before they bury you. Have your drag pinned down when fishing cabrilla and use your thumb if needed to stop the spool. Theae fish are strong and if you don't turn their head quickly you will get broken off.