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From Jan 01, 1999 To May 09, 2008
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Sep 11, 2006; 02:41PM - East Cape...Damaged but Rebounding!
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
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Report Description:
East Cape …Damaged but Rebounding!
Endless Season Update 09/10/2006
REPORT #1027 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Magdalena Bay
Zihuatanejo
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Today
9 / 14
Last Quarter
9 / 22
New
9 / 30
First Quarter
10 / 6
Full
East Cape
Hurricane John came and went, leaving plenty of damage in its wake as the photos will attest to.
Here's the link to photos of the damage caused: http://www.parkmodelexpress.com/baja/Hurricane%20John
While everyone has a story of varying degrees of damage, there have been limited reports of injury. Many of the locals however, were wiped out and are basically starting again from scratch. There are several individuals working to deliver relief to the families who were affected. If you are interested in additional relief information, there are links on the photo page.
Hotel boats are beginning to get back on the water, and are reporting plenty of debris which was washed out of the arroyos. Like someone said 'fish have got to eat' and the tuna schools wasted no time resuming the bite below Las Frailes. Out in front of La Ribera the billfish came right back on point as well. Mark Rayor's 'Jen Wren' reported good tuna catches, several marlin and a dorado from under the debris in spite of a revisit of rain on Thursday.
Water temperature
74-89
Air temperature
78-90
Humidity
52%
Wind:
W 6mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
15 miles
Sunrise
7:03 a.m. MDT
Sunset
7:27 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Neither Puerto San Carlos nor Lopez Mateos took much of a hit from 'John'. They did have some wind and rain, but not of epic proportions like the tip and the west side of the Sea of Cortez, according to Enrique Soto in Puerto San Carlos. Several boats that ran up to Turtle Bay to hide from the storm reported lots of marlin spotted above the Thetis all the way to within fifteen miles of the Entrada. Also plenty of dorado to 35 lbs. were spotted under the floating debris.
Back at the Entrada the grouper bite was the best thing going and in the esteros it was primarily cabrilla with an occasional corvina.
Water temperature
64 - 78
Air temperature
72-84
Humidity
54%
Wind:
WNW 13 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
15 miles
Sunrise
7:10 a.m. MDT
Sunset
7:35 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Things have calmed down considerably since hurricane John blew by last week, but the blue water has been moved out to the 20 mile mark. And the full moon phase is hurting the catch a bit. Most boats in the fleet are only averaging about 1 or 2 sailfish per day.
The dorado, like the blue water, took off with John, and the tuna do not yet want to come in close to play. The yellowfin averaging about 50 pounds, are 40 miles out.
However, the roosterfish and jack crevalle fishing is still excellent. Adan, on the panga Gitana II got 3 nice roosters to 45 pounds for his clients, plus they lost a couple others. They also got two large jacks averaging about 20 pounds, and a trevally
Ed Kunze
Water temperature
78 - 87
Air temperature
78 - 90
Humidity
62%
Wind
WSW 7 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
7:33 a.m. CDT
Sunset
7:52 p.m. CDT
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Sep 4, 2006; 01:53PM - And Along Came John!
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
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Report Description:
And Along Came John! Updated September 04, 2006
Endless Season Update 09/04/2006
REPORT #1026 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape Magdalena Bay Zihuatanejo
- - -
Today 9 / 7
Full 9 / 14
Last Quarter 9 / 22
New 9 / 30
First Quarter
East Cape
An Unwelcome Visitor, Hurricane John 10:25 PM mdst Friday Night
While everyone was preparing for a big Labor Day weekend, along came Hurricane John. This is the first time that I can remember the same storm hitting three of our locations in one week. If you haven’t heard about “John” you must be watching too much football. All the networks covered this one extensively. To Tel Mex’s credit, they managed to keep DSL up throughout the storm. The IM’s (instant messages) yesterday reflected the sender’s experience with Baja storms. Messages ranged from “ho hum” to “oh shit!”
As the reports continue to filter in, it sounds like plenty of property damage, but fortunately few injuries.
Here’s link to photos of the damage caused: http://www.parkmodelexpress.com/baja/Hurricane%20John
On a lighter note, congratulations to Brett Phillips who received notification this week from IGFA that his “Gaff Sail Pompano” caught on a trip with Baja on the Fly in May set a new all tackle record.
Water temperature 74-89
Air temperature 80-91
Humidity 83%
Wind: S 15mph
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:35 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
As the Southern tip of Baja begins to dig out this morning, all of Magdalena Bay is hunkering down for their turn with “Hurricane John”. Predictions are for more rain and less wind as the storm moves into that area.
Water temperature
64 - 78
Air temperature
76-86
Humidity
97%
Wind:
WNW 15 mph
Conditions:
Rain
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:07 a.m. MDT
Sunset
7:44 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The big story this week was not about fishing, but rather staying off the water. Hurricane John, even though we got no damage at all, passed only 60 miles out in front of Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo. Over a period of several hours, we did get 5 inches of rain, but no wind. However, you would not have wanted to be on the water, because it was a completely different story only a couple of miles off the beach.
It is going to take a few more days before the barometer stabilizes and things settle down.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 87
Air temperature 75 - 84
Humidity 89%
Wind Calm
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:31 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:58 p.m. CDT
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Aug 21, 2006; 03:19PM - Turtle Releases and Marlin Refusals
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
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Report Description:
REPORT #1024 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 08/19/06
East Cape
Cooler than July, August at East Cape has produced great striper fishing this week with multiple shots for those willing to put in the time to tease them close enough. The billfish teasers are also attracting a few larger dorado in the pattern.
Plenty of football sized tuna if you are willing to make the run down below Las Frailes. The better quality fish are a bit deeper below the smaller fish boiling on the sardina on the surface. A Baja Wasabi on an Eagle Claw 413 hook allowed to flutter down a bit deeper will draw a take that can rip the flyline out of your hand if you aren’t paying attention. There are also some better sized fish in front of La Ribera down deep, too deep to get to with a fly. If you get lucky, however, you may occasionally get a shot at them feeding on the surface.
Close to the beach, either from a panga or hoofing it, you can expect to get some shots at both jacks and roosters, a few of which are in the Bubba class. The best action will be where the sardina are being pushed in close to the shore by feeding fish. Watch for the diving pelicans. In the afternoon when the boats are unloading at the hotel and dumping their leftover bait, the action can be good as well.
Water temperature 74-89
Air temperature 78-93
Humidity 49%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:57 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
On Saturday, August 12th, Lopez Mateos held its 4th Annual Turtle Festival in Lopez Mateos, with a crowd estimated to be at least 1,500 people. The Governor of Baja Sur, el Gobernador Narciso Agúndez, along with other government dignitaries and staff were in attendance as the townspeople celebrated their successes and considered the challenges for the upcoming year. The festivities included crowning a new queen for the Turtle Festival, along with food, music and speeches.
Sunday, El Gobernador Narciso Agúndez and his staff traveled out eight mile into the Pacific to assist graduate student, Hoyt Peckham, and his team in releasing a large turtle with an electronic tracking tag on its back into the wild.
By chance, later in the morning one of the local fisherman delivered a turtle that had been tangled in the net to the Proytecto Caguama, led by graduate student Hoyt Peckham. The Governor had the opportunity to assist the team in cleaning, measuring and tagging the animal. It was then placed in a pen to allow it to recuperate from its ordeal before being released back into the ocean.
As I promised last week, here is a photo of a nice sized rooster caught in the surf near Boca de Soledad. As you can see by its size, there are some nice ones just waiting for the right angler.
Offshore, with our client, Richard Negley Gill from San Antonio, TX, we checked out the Thetis early in the week where we found offcolor water and only raised one billfish. The highlight of the week was on Tuesday, when we worked south of the bank, we found classic Mag Bay conditions with diving frigates, marlin feeders, tuna and porpoise everywhere. While there was plenty to look at, nothing wanted to bite. For the remainder of the week we found marlin every day, but unfortunately, they seemed to have lockjaw and would barely come into the pattern, let alone get close enough for Richard to present the fly.
On our last day (Saturday) we opted to fish the esteros and had excellent action for leopard grouper and spotted bay bass. Chartreuse Baja Deepdiver was definitely the hot fly for the morning.
We were back in by 11:00 a.m. loaded up the van and headed back for the border which accounts for my report being a day late.
Water temperature 64 - 78
Air temperature 72-84
Humidity 62%
Wind: WNW 15 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 7:02 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:56 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
There has not been much change in the fishing this week. The blue water is just a very short ride of two miles off the beach, and the fleet is only averaging a sailfish or two a day, per boat.
There has been a change in the water temperatures, however. According to the Terrafin Satellite Surface Temperatures, the 'cooler' 81º water is about 60 miles out, with the inshore waters as warm as 87º.
The jack crevalle and roosterfish action is continuing on its good pace, with about 4 roosters and 6 of the jacks per day.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 87
Air temperature 77 - 91
Humidity 63%
Wind WSW 12 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 7:29 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:08 p.m. CDT
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Aug 11, 2006; 12:59PM - Baja Surprises……..
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
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Report Description:
REPORT #1023. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 08/12/06
East Cape
Woody Spruance, Salt Lake City, emailed me the following about his trip he took last week with his son Peter: “So we are back from East Cape. Good trip. Caught an unusual fish on a fly which the guide said was a ' leasone' It was a tarpon-like fish in a large school off the lighthouse near Cabo Pulmo. We were told it is rarely caught on any tackle, so my son and I are feeling smug. Great on the fly, jumps like tarpon. Also, good fishing at night on the beach just north of Rancho Leonero, from 8-9 pm, just at dusk. First two nights of ladyfish chasing ballyhoo, then the next night they were gone and replaced by snapper chasing sardina.”
Catching a new species on the fly is always a thrill. The fish is the same milkfish that you have been reading all the stories about in the other parts of the world. It is the first confirmed catch on the fly at East Cape that I am aware of. We occasionally see large schools of them on the surface but never could get them to bite the fly or anything else for that matter. Pretty exciting stuff!
The schoolie dorado have moved in closer to the shore but are mostly singles not the larger fish in schools that deliver arm numbing action. The tuna bite continues with multiple choice of either football size or even some forty pounders further down the beach outside of Las Frailes. Not quite as good as last week, but the billfish show continues with few Fly-Rodders to take advantage of the action.
Water temperature 74-87
Air temperature 78-90
Humidity 66%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:53 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:54 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
We have had some interesting reports coming out of Lopez Mateos this week: Wahoo out toward the Thetis Bank, a few dorado here and there and all the tuna you can handle. Weather has settled down with eighty degree temps during the day with westerly winds in the afternoon to cool things down.
Speaking of surprises……after hearing rumors for years about big roosters at Magdalena, I finally received a confirmed report of a thirty-seven pound fish caught in surf on Magdalena Island. Yvonne and I are beginning our drive down to Lopez Mateos today. I will be fishing offshore for the week so we should have lots to talk about next week. There is a digital photo of the rooster waiting for me at Lopez that I will post next week.
Still not much to talk about in the Esteros, although with the water temps climbing I look for that to change soon.
Water temperature 64 - 74
Air temperature 72-80
Humidity 62%
Wind: NW 15 mph.
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:58 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:04 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 82º blue water is only 2 miles off the beach, and the fishing has improved. Sailfish are being taken at the rate of 2 to 3 per boat per day. The 20 pound yellowfin tuna are still lingering at the 5 to 7 mile mark, and several 20 to 30 pound dorado are showing up in the count. Some boats are getting three dorado a day, and at least 2 sailfish.
The fishing pressure is very low, with only about 7 to 10 boats a day consisting of the entire fleet. A few of these boats are concentrating on the inshore action. It has been outstanding. The average is still 4 roosterfish from 25 to 45 pounds, and about 6 large jack crevalle from 14 to 25 pounds.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 87
Humidity 83%
Wind Calm
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 7:27 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:14 p.m. CDT
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Aug 5, 2006; 01:15PM - Few Blues…Stripey’s Thick…East Cape
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
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Report Description:
REPORT #1022. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 08/05/06
East Cape
After the poor weather and fishing left in the wake of Emilla, there was a collective sigh of relief this week. Nice weather greeted the participants of the Bisbee Tournament which dominated most of the attention. Unfortunately the blues missed the invitation and only two qualifying fish came to the scales at 418# and 350#. Andrew Hughes, out for the first time on his new boat, “Mi Corazon”, landed the 418# blue that won the big money. Andrew should sell the boat today; his average will never be any better. In the tuna department, another local, Bob Hardesty, “Makaria”, brought in a fat 132# tuna to win that division. In the dorado category, a 54# bull took all the marbles.
Talk about good news…bad news, everyone was complaining about how thick the stripers were and that they were shaking them off in hopes of a blue. That, my friend is good news for the fly flingers. Mark Rayor reported eight stripey bites in a couple of hours. So if you have a hankering for a marlin on the fly, now might be a good time to be in East Cape.
Inshore the water has cleaned up after the storm and the roosters are showing again. Take your pick either inshore on a panga at Punta Colorada or try Bartle Beach on foot at gray light where they are netting the bait. See through deceivers or Chivo Lisa’s should do the trick for you.
Water temperature 74-87
Air temperature 82-90
Humidity 72%
Wind: NNW 7 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:58 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The seas offshore calmed down this week allowing a few boats to go outside. Decent tuna showing with a few dorado mixed in half the distance to Thetis bank from Lopez Mateos. Also some small yellows at the Entrada. In the esteros a few corvina seemed to be the best that anyone could come up with.
Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 72-82
Humidity 62%
Wind: WNW 15 mph.
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:08 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 82º blue water is only 2 miles off the beach, and the fishing has improved. Sailfish are being taken at the rate of 2 to 3 per boat, per day. The 20 pound yellowfin tuna are still lingering at the 5 to 7 mile mark, and several 20 to 30 pound dorado are showing up in the count. Some boats are getting three dorado a day, and at least 2 sailfish.
The fishing pressure is very low, with only about 7 to 10 boats a day consisting of the entire fleet. A few of these boats are concentrating on the inshore action. It has been outstanding. The average is still 4 roosterfish from 25 to 45 pounds, and about 6 large jack crevalle from 14 to 25 pounds.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 82
Humidity 83%
Wind Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:26 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:17 p.m. CDT
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Jul 29, 2006; 01:04PM - Emilla Comes A Calling….
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
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Report Description:
REPORT #1021. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 07/29/06
East Cape
As Emilla approached the tip of Baja early in the week, conditions deteriorated quickly. According to an IM from Mark Rayor of Vista Seasport, a much needed eight of inches of rain on Tuesday was one result. Grumpy seas caused his dive trips to be cancelled but he was still able to send out the “Jen Wren” on a fishing trip. The fishing prior to the storm had been less than stellar with the best action being the tuna 35-40 miles down below Las Frailes. After the storm, off-color water prevailed and most of the action was a few blues, stripes and even one black reported along with a few dorado found further offshore. The tuna bite shut off and so far the school has not been found again. As of this Saturday, the murky water was a memory and all that is left to do is to find where the fish have moved to.
Water temperature 74-87
Air temperature 82-90
Humidity 66%
Wind: E 4 mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:48 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:02 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
While Emilla managed to dump quite a bit of rain in the area, Enrique Soto at Puerto San Carlos reported good fishing at the Entrada which included several large black seabass, one close to 100 lbs. In tight to the beach on the north side of the Entrada there were a few small white seabass in the shallows near the rocks.
Offshore the remnants of Emilla have caused unsettled conditions.
The esteros remained slow yielding with few fish this week.
If the Mexican government continues to increase the quotas for sardine, it may be a long time before fishing improves. A group of locals, led by Enrique, are planning to deliver a petition later this week demanding a rollback on the extraordinarily high quotas for sardine that are decimating the bay.
Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 72-82
Humidity 39%
Wind: NNW 15 mph
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:52 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:13 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
According to the Terrafin Satellite Surface Temperatures, the inshore water is holding at 84º, with 87º water at the 100 fathom mark (10 miles off the beach) and beyond. The blue water is only 2 miles off the beach.
I talked with Santiago on the panga “Gitana” who told me he had only fished a couple of days this week but was taking sailfish and lots of 20 pound class yellowfin tuna only 5 miles out.
The fleet is averaging about 2 sailfish a day, per boat.
The roosterfish and jack crevalle action is still holding up, with about 4 roosters per boat average and 6 of the large jacks.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 84
Humidity 94%
Wind Calm
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:23 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. CDT
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Jul 22, 2006; 07:43AM - Tuna on the Fly
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
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Report Description:
REPORT #1020. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 07/22/06
East Cape
Great weather this week, though the temperatures were in the mid-90s. While it was a long ride, the tuna bite was great if you got there early. Mostly football-sized tuna, but they were sucking up wasabis like they were going out of style. Closer the home, there were a few billfish on the outside allowing the hotel boats to rack up some decent scores. A few mile out in front of La Ribera there were some better quality tuna, but unfortunately, most were caught deep and not on the surface. Also some pargo up to 15 pounds. Along the beach there were a few roosters if you could get past the pelicans, needlefish and ladyfish. There were even a few sight casting ops for the diligent.
Water temperature 74-87
Air temperature 78-97
Humidity 66%
Wind: E 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:44 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:05 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Diana Hoyt reported good dorado, tuna and skipjack a few miles outside the boca. Out at the Thetis, it was Giant Humboldt Squid to 50 pounds and a fair show of yellowtail on the surface.
Still mostly corvina, grouper and spotted bay bass in the esteros with plenty of halibut near the shallow sandy beaches.
Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 72-82
Humidity 39%
Wind: NNE 9 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:49 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:16 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 82º blue water is only a couple of miles off the beach. Due to the full moon phase, the sailfish action has slowed down a bit, but the fleet is still posting a two to three fish a day average per boat. By the middle of this next week, because of the new moon period, I really expect these numbers to increase.
We are starting to see a few small dorado and small yellowfin tuna also. This should also increase next week.
The main action is still the roosterfish and the large jack crevalle. This has been red hot. A typical day will yield five roosters, and at least eight large jacks of about 15 to 25 pounds. The roosters are averaging between 25 and 40 pounds, with a few larger fish showing every day.
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Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 84
Humidity 66%
Wind WSW 12 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:21 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:23 p.m. CDT
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Jul 1, 2006; 05:13PM - Slower Fishing and a Slower Truck
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
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Report Description:
REPORT #1017. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 07/01/06
East Cape
Sorry for the late report. I began my drive down to East Cape yesterday (6/30) and was delayed a bit by a very large truck that I had to follow for 50 (yes, 50!) miles before they would let me pass. So I am posting the report from La Paz instead of East Cape this morning.
Offshore, the action continued with billfish, dorado and tuna leading the charge. Inshore, the action seems to have slowed down a click or two, but it’s still very productive early; and then it is out to the bluewater to search for the bigger boys.
Beach action consisted mostly of ladyfish, pompano and a few pargo. There is plenty of both sardina and mullet tight to the beach from Scott Glenn's house all the way to Bartle Beach. Still seeing some roosters, but they seemed to have lockjaw this week.
Water temperature 74-85
Air temperature 71-99
Humidity 78%
Wind: SSW 2 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:34 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
There’s no wind and the water temperatures are beginning to climb; as it does, the fishing action has improved. Ten- to 15-miles outside the boca at Lopez Mateos there are plenty of yellowtail, bonito, barracuda and skipjack to keep everyone busy. Out another five miles above Lazaro there is excellent tuna action and a few marlin being spotted.
In the esteros, grouper, corvina, halibut and the ever-present spotted bay bass have been the best bet.
Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 68-78
Humidity 62%
Wind: W 15 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:19 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Inshore and offshore, the water is averaging a very warm 88 degrees. This has kept the tuna and marlin out of here, but is very favorable for the sailfish. Dorado, even though they have yet to show, also like the warmer temperatures.
Fly fisherman Tod Eason had a short 4 day trip down here and wanted one day of fishing. I lent him my fly gear and put him on the panga “Gitana” with Santiago. In just a few short hours he had one sail come off on a poor hook set, another broke the leader, but they tagged and released the third.
Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos” told me the inshore roosterfish action is outstanding. He is averaging 6 roosters a day, between 30- and 45-pounds. His best day was 8. They took them about 14 miles to the north, along the Pantla beach area.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 72 - 84
Humidity 83%
Wind W 4 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:12 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:23 p.m. CDT
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Jun 24, 2006; 12:34PM - East Cape Summer Billfish Trifecta
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
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Report Description:
REPORT #1016. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 06/24/06
East Cape
While not quite “You should have been here earlier,” Cabo Pulmo succumbed to heavy pressure last week with early morning catches of YFTs, dorado and bonito sliding back to “good” instead of the WFO conditions enjoyed previously for the persistent fly-rodder.
Fortunately, billfish action is heating up – adding to the excitement are the blue marlin and sailfish that have begun arriving for the summer. You better be on your toes when the guide hollers “FOLLOW!” One never knows what may come up behind the teasers. Sailfish are perfect for the newbie flyrodder. Striped marlin offer a bit more challenge; and then there is the ultimate: a shot at a blue marlin. Land one of these babies on a flyrod and you will be a member of a very exclusive club.
Dorado action continued at a slightly slower pace this week, but still enough good shots to be had on the fly to make the day interesting.
.
Back on the beach, rooster fishing continues to be tough. If one is at the right place, right time, and right tide you may have some good shots at roosters. Our guide Lance fished the beach yesterday (6/23) morning with Larry McGrath, Grass Valley CA and had a number of pez gallo charging the teaser. Sometimes it was a single fish, other times as many as 5 or 6 at a time. As usual, it took a well-placed and perfectly timed cast to be in the game with those teased roosterfish. In between rooster shots there was ample opportunity to practice the bait and switch on the schools of ravenous ladyfish that came up on the teaser.
Water temperature 74-85
Air temperature 71-99
Humidity 78%
Wind: SSW 2 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:34 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Reports of plenty of small grouper, spotted bay bass and pompano continue from both San Carlos and up at Lopez Mateos.
The entrada continues to offer spotty surface action for both bonito and a few firecracker yellows.
Offshore, unseasonable cool water temperatures are still preventing the action to swing in for the summer. There are only a few scattered reports of marlin, dorado or tuna.
Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 68-78
Humidity 62%
Wind: W 15 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:19 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
From the inshore, to way offshore, the water is averaging about 84 to 85º, and the blue water is only three miles off the beach. But, due to the moon phase, the sailfish and marlin were slow this week. With the new moon occurring tomorrow (6/25), the offshore fishing should make a substantial improvement.
One bright spot is the inshore fishing for the roosters. The roosterfish action is just outstanding, with every boat fishing them getting at least three or four. Even Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” who came back inshore late because the sailfish action was slow offshore, ended up getting a 45 pound rooster off Playa Blanca.
Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos,” told me he only caught three roosters yesterday, but because each 70 pound class fish took an hour and a half to get to the boat, it was all the time they had before they had to head back to the dock.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 72 - 84
Humidity 83%
Wind W 4 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:12 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:23 p.m. CDT
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Jun 10, 2006; 12:44PM - Sardina Make the Difference
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
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Report Description:
REPORT #1014. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 06/10/06
East Cape
After an unbelievable 10 day period, the inshore fishing action has settled down a click or two. Plenty of large roosters can be found cruising well within casting range. Pairing off, they seem to be more interested in making whoopee than chasing the many bait schools along the shore.
Down toward Cabo Pulmo, a few miles offshore, the YFT bite has been consistently good all week as well some dorado, billfish and, for the very fortunate, a wahoo or two.
Different from last year is the availability of sardina for chum, which can make the difference between a good day and an incredible day. The sardina allow the guides to keep the tuna school in casting range; an occasional dorado, skipjack, needlefish or mystery bite keeps everybody happy. Take Mike Little, Calgary, Alberta, fishing the day before his wedding day (now that’s a Bachelor Party I could get into) whacked the tuna on the fly all morning with fish to 20 pounds. Then a large dorado – teased up on the way back to the hotel – capped off his last day of singledom.
Water temperature 74-85
Air temperature 71-96
Humidity 78%
Wind: WNW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:02 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:04 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Tim Linsky owner of the charter boat “Aristokat” visited Lopez Mateos to explore the area before bringing the boat down later this season. Fishing inside the bay he found halibut, grouper and spotted bay bass. The next day, he headed out to Isla Magdalena. Surf action was great as a variety of fish had driven a school of sardines into the surf and a feeding frenzy ensued. Locals were trapping halibut, corvina, and small snook by hand. Tim managed to catch a 20 pound halibut.
The windy conditions offshore continue to prevent much exploration. Water temps are steadily creeping up and once the wind lightens up and the boats can spend some time outside, the action should begin to pick up.
Down at San Carlos, they are also experiencing good action inside the bay with both Los Barriles and Devil’s Curve being the hot spot for small snook, corvina and a few leopard grouper.
Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 65-77
Humidity 86%
Wind: WNW 20 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:16 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
This week has had a lot of disruptions from the weather, causing slow fishing. We had one morning where I recorded 5.25 inches of rain between 3:30 and 8:00. For the week, at 12 inches of rain, we have had an almost average year for Southern California.
The large influx of fresh water from the rivers has pushed the blue water out to the 8 mile mark, and cooled the inshore areas substantially. Plus, the inshore waters have very low visibility.
The bright side is the weather map shows this unsettled pattern leaving us alone this next week, and we should be able to get back to some decent fishing.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 75 - 84
Humidity 83%
Wind NE 2 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:17 p.m. CDT
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