|
|
From Jan 01, 1999 To Sep 09, 2010
|
May 16, 2009; 08:30AM - Flu you…Fish Bite Anyway!
|
|
Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
Endless Season Update 05/14/2009
REPORT #1166 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
There have been very few guests at any of the hotels to enjoy the continued good fishing. Even without any reported cases of swine flu in Baja, it’s taken its toll.
If you can handle the heat, the beach has been producing plenty of jacks with some roosters mixed in including some larger class Bubbas above twenty-five pounds…also ladyfish, pompano and a few pargo.
Boats fishing along the shore found plenty of action near the rock reefs near Punta Colorada which included few good sized grouper and pargo as well as jacks and roosters. A bit farther out, there are some huge skipjack breezing on small sardina.
Out in the bluewater, boats lucky enough to find something floating usually found dorado under it and some are large up to thirty five pounds.
As the water warms up, the sails have begun to be seen mixed in with the marlin. Also an occasional swordfish pops up and few even bite.
Water temperature 72-78
Air temperature 64-94
Humidity 62%
Wind: ESE 6 to 8 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:53 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Plenty of wind and whitecaps made this a good week to fish the esteros and what do you know… the leopard grouper cooperated; none of them were huge but a few were up in the 10 pound range. Of course there were five spotted bay bass for every grouper. On the surface the orange mouthed corvina were eating small poppers.
Out at Cabo San Lazzaro there were yellows up to a Baja 12 lb. which by most standards are still firecracker class. Last and maybe least there were some small halibut hanging out in the shallows off the sand beaches.
Water temperature 69 - 77
Air temperature 61 -98
Humidity 67 %
Wind: WNW 13 to 18 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:42 a.m. MST
Sunset 8:03 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The fishing is picking up this week. There are very few clients, but the action on the yellowfin tuna has been excellent. Basically it is just the commercial pangueros who are doing most of the fishing for the tuna. With the blue water moving in to the 18 mile mark, the tuna were between 18 and 20 miles. But, reports are circulating that the bite is shutting off and they have moved out to about 40 miles. This is typical, and they should move back in close again within a few days. A few blue marlin are also being taken and the fleet is averaging one or two sailfish a day per boat.
There is still excellent action on the jack crevalle, and the roosterfish are making their long awaited arrival. There has been some very good roosterfish action reported down about 18 miles in the Petalan region.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 83
Air temperature 78-105
Humidity 68%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:14 a.m. DST
Sunset 8:11 p.m. DST |
|
|
May 9, 2009; 09:25AM - Crowds Light…Fish Bite
|
|
Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
Endless Season Update 05/07/2009
REPORT #1165 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
As I write this report the biggest impact of the swine flu is the lack of tourists. There are still no cases of swine flu in Baja Sur. For my take, read the cover story in this week’s WON. http://tiny.cc/i5K3z
Water temps continue to climb and the weather is great – winds are nice and calm in the mornings with very nominal afternoon winds and fishing is awesome! The striped marlin are everywhere! Running in packs of three or four and performing their aerial jumps for everyone's benefit, including their own!
Another bonus this week was the landing of a swordfish by Mark Rayor on his birthday from his boat, Jen Wren. More on this to come.
The photo below is from Lance Peterson. Lance said, “Fed a few (roosterfish) on Cinco de Mayo. This one was the best of the bunch. Since then it's been tough. Maybe I'm crazy...but perhaps it has something to do with the gill nets I've seen lately? Two nights ago a panga came in after sunset and set one right along the beach near our house. Yesterday I saw two groups of men swimming with gill nets to set them along the beach near the park boundary south of the Lighthouse (Miramar). The 'authorities' are busy checking fishing licenses at East Cape while these guys run amok and do untold damage to the fishery. It’s frustrating to say the least.”
Dorado are being found up and down the East Cape, either free swimming or under almost anything floating - including dead sea lions. Near Punta Pescadero, a whale carcass was located that provided limits of dorado for several days. Some in the 50 to 60 pound range were reported over the days the carcass was seen. Another reported carcass was north off the Sierra Verde (slide rock area) that was also holding lots of dorado. Fishermen heading either north or south were having no trouble reaching their limit on dorado.
Late season sierra mackerel are still around and those being caught have been ‘grandes’.
Lots of sardina available and those with some ballyhoo rigs are doing better with their marlin catch and release.
Water temperature 72-77
Air temperature 65-95
Humidity 58%
Wind: S 1 to 1 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:41 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:50 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The water has begun warming up which has improved fishing conditions for yellows, tuna, dorado and skipjack just a few miles outside the Entrada and Boca Santa Domingo all the way to the Thetis Bank.
In the Esteros there are a few snook up to 10 pounds along with some mangrove snapper and leopard grouper from 5 to 10 pound class.
The scallop season is now in full swing and will continue for the next few months.
Water temperature 69 - 77
Air temperature 65 -96
Humidity 50 %
Wind: WNW 7 to 9 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:00 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Cool water is still the controlling factor, with the blue water moving even further out this week. Six miles off the beach, the water is 76º at the 100 fathom line and only 80º at the 1,000 fathom line (30 miles).
Even though there are very few marlin, sailfish and dorado being taken. A very large area of yellowfin tuna has been located at 26 miles. Most of the tuna are averaging between 35 and 45 pounds, with a few larger ones down below the large schools of smaller fish.
Inshore action is still very good for jack crevalle, sierras, chulas, and black skipjack tuna.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 83
Air temperature 73-85
Humidity 83%
Wind: WSW at 12kt
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:17 a.m. DST
Sunset 8:09p.m. DST
|
|
|
Apr 18, 2009; 08:34AM - Offshore Cool, Inshore Just Right
|
|
Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
Endless Season Update 04/16/2009
REPORT #1162 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Our clients found the offshore a little cool but the inshore was just right, yielding multiple species on the fly.
Cecilia “Pudge” Kleinkauf, Anchorage, Alaska, visited this week with a group of mostly seasoned Baja anglers with one angler on her first trip to Baja. They caught a variety of fish which included roosterfish, red snapper, pargo, cabrilla, sierra mackerel, pompano and white bonito all round. By the end of the trip almost everyone had achieved a personal best or a new species!
Heggie Wilson, from Park City, Utah, caught a fish on his second cast in the morning and it never slowed down. They fished the reef in front of Leonero until almost 10 a.m. for 5 different species. He ended up the day with 8 different species. it was full speed most of the day!
Water temperature 67-73
Air temperature 56-86
Humidity 48%
Wind: NNW 13 to 18 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:58 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:41 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Enrique Soto reported that the shark fishermen were finding dorado around the shark buoys twenty miles west of the Entrada. Up at Lopez Mateos outside the Boca ten miles, there are some small yellowfin tuna with skipjack mixed in.
Water temperature 49 - 82
Air temperature 52 -81
Humidity 45 %
Wind: WNW 12 to 16 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:03 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:50 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The fishing and conditions picked up a bit this week. Even though the fleet is only averaging about one or two sailfish a day per boat, this should improve soon.
The warm, 80° blue water is about 12 miles off the beach and several blue marlin are being hooked. The boats are averaging about one marlin hookup for every five boats each day.
Santiago, on the panga Gitana, had one decent day with his clients and released three sailfish. Not to be outdone, his brother Adan on the panga Gitana II, released four sails in one day.
The jack crevalle action bounced back to life, with lots of the larger 15- to 20-pound hard fighting fish being reported around the White Rocks, and on down to Petatlan (about 7.5 and 16 miles south of Zihuatanejo).
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 83
Air temperature 68-86
Humidity 62%
Wind: WSW at 13knt
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:29 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:03 p.m. CST |
|
|
Apr 17, 2009; 04:08PM - Grilled Fish
|
|
Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
|
|
Author Name: Stan Wright
|
|
Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
|
Report Description:
Christmas Island Grilled Fish
First you need to build your grill....
Make a circle of coral rocks and start a fire using coconut husks. (the only available wood)
[url=http://www.postimage.org/][img]http://www.postimage.org/gx1fNna9.jpg[/img][/url]
Next cover the coals with smaller coral rocks.
[url=http://www.postimage.org/][img]http://www.postimage.org/Pq2c69Gi.jpg[/img][/url]
Add the fish to your 'grill'. Careful, that's hot.
[url=http://www.postimage.org/][img]http://www.postimage.org/aV2ccMnA.jpg[/img][/url]
Almost ready. Call in the guys.
[url=http://www.postimage.org/][img]http://www.postimage.org/aV2ccWm9.jpg[/img][/url]
Make a plate of whatever leaves are available.
[url=http://www.postimage.org/][img]http://www.postimage.org/Pq2c6r8i.jpg[/img][/url]
Fresh caught, grilled fish... 'Broke Da Mouth' good.
[url=http://www.postimage.org/][img]http://www.postimage.org/Pq2c6w7A.jpg[/img][/url] |
|
|
Apr 11, 2009; 09:38AM - “Ocho Ocho” - the Place to Go
|
|
Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
Endless Season Update 04/09/2009
REPORT #1161 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Best action reported is to the north, close to the 88. Loads of dorado and some marlin.
Closer to shore, anything floating seems to be holding schools of small dorado.
Same story inshore with a continuing run of quality roosters mixed in with some big-shouldered jacks north of Punta Pescadero all the way to Muertos.
Water temperature 67-73
Air temperature 57-87
Humidity 60%
Wind: NNW 8 to 11 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:03 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:38 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Outside, the dorado can be found around the shark buoys and the small yellowfin tuna are within ten miles of Boca de Soledad. There’s still some decent action at the Entrada for small yellows and some remaining sierra.
Estero action has been spotty. The few anglers fishing there found small snook, grouper and snapper at Devil’s Curve.
Water temperature 67 - 73
Air temperature 52 -81
Humidity 55 %
Wind: WNW 14 to 19 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:47 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
For all species, the fishing here has really been very slow this week. Historically, this is a typical April trend. Then when the cooler water current moves out, the fishing rebounds after the first week of May.
The blue water is still holding between 10 and 12 miles out, but the average is only about 1 sailfish per boat, per day. I was on the beach early this morning watching the night fishermen bring in their catch, and even it was very small. However, this could be attributed to the full moon phase. There was one commercial fisherman who had a few football sized yellowfin tuna, but he said he had to go 50 miles to find them.
Even the inshore jack crevalle action, which has been so hot the last few weeks, completely shut off this week.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 83
Air temperature 68-86
Humidity 72%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:00 p.m. CST
Cabo San Lucas
This time of year the Sea of Cortez, specifically up at the Punta Gorda area around the Inman Banks is where you’ll find the best striped marlin action…mostly tailing fish and you’ll need to be pretty accurate with your casts. However, if you manage to get bait within 10 feet, the chances are pretty good of getting a hookup. The better scoring boats are releasing 5 to 7 fish per day; others, one or two.
A few nice yellowfin were recently caught at the Gorda Banks, nothing earthshaking but some decent fish to 50 pounds. There were also several pods of dolphin that did have fish with them, 10 to 20 pound football-sized fish. Most were on the Cortez side of the cape.
There have been scattered 20+ pound dorado in the warmer waters offshore on the Sea of Cortez. Hook one up and there’s a fair chance of getting another following behind the hooked one. Spotting the frigates feeding was the key, although blind trolling resulted in some as well.
Inshore action has definitely been good. Sierra and yellowtail continue to dominate the inshore action. While not large, the sierra are in great numbers once the schools were found. There has been great action just outside the beach on the Pacific side at Pueblo Bonita Sunset Resort and on the Cortez side outside the Cabo Del Sol Golf Course. Most boats have been able to get limits for their anglers using sardina as live bait, but blue/silver swimming plugs and hootchies did well also. A few yellowtail in the 8 to 10 pound class with a few fish to 25 pounds and an occasional fish that could not be stopped. Added to the mix of fish caught were the occasional pargo and amberjack as well as some small roosterfish.
George & Mary Landrum
Water temperature 75 – 78
Air temperature 61 – 91
Humidity 62%
Wind: WNW 14 to 19 kts
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:04 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:38 p.m. MST |
|
|
Mar 14, 2009; 08:07AM - Puerto San Carlos Tournament a Local Hit
|
|
Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
Endless Season Update 03/12/2009
REPORT #1157 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The composite photo above from the Puerto San Carlos Copa Gobernador Tournament last weekend is irrefutable evidence of how popular this series of tournaments has become in Southern Baja. The photo of families crowded together shoulder to shoulder fishing from the Puerto San Carlos commercial pier is one that many would have never thought would happen.
Clicerio Mercado, organizer of the Copa Gobernador Tournaments in Baja has done an outstanding job of bringing the communities together and introducing sportfishing to families and their kids and it is working. Each year the number of participants grows. Why wouldn’t it? Small entry fees, cash prizes, free stuff…hats, t-shirts, good food and of course the fish.
Corvina, mojarra, cabrilla and yellowtail showed up in good enough numbers to make it a contest. As the winners were announced everyone whooped and hollered for their friend and neighbors who won the cash prizes.
According to Mercado, much of the events success was attributable to API office in San Carlos.
Congratulations to our good friend Captain Sergio Garcia from Lopez Mateos for his win in the grouper division.
Results
Water temperature 67 - 73
Air temperature 52 -73
Humidity 82 %
Wind: NW 13 to 17 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:39 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:34 p.m. MST
East Cape
Local Jim Gray with yellowtail caught near Rancho Leonero photo provided by John Torres
Unseasonably calm weather produced an uptick in the fishing action. While there were few boats and anglers to capitalize on the good bite, a couple of pangas found a drifting dead seal and the fly fishermen racked up some double digit numbers of dorado…some of them up to forty-five pounds. It was literally fish till you drop or until you can’t lift a rod anymore.
The warmer water below the light house also had a few striped marlin but there were few anglers who cared.
The inshore was the place to be or maybe no one was willing to go any farther. Roosterfish cruising well within casting range could be seen at several different beaches all week with the lack of wind.
The big news was the ongoing yellowtail bite that keeps going off sporadically. One day it is over the top and the next it is all about pelicans sitting on the water. When it does go off, it is ‘bendo’ for yellows all the way up to fifty pounds. The fifty pound ones are probably the ones that got away…you know how fisherman are.
Don’t forget the sierra that are a nuisance when they buzz through at the same time as the yellows, leaving you with a line fluttering in the breeze as they bite through the line and all.
Water temperature 67-73
Air temperature 60-75
Humidity 77%
Wind: NE 4 to 5 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:31 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:27 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
This week we are averaging about 1 or 2 sailfish a day per boat. Dorado are sparse, but the blue marlin bite is heating up. The 81º blue water is still only 5 or 6 miles off the beach, but the boats that are getting in on most of the action are getting their fish from 18 to 20 miles out. The cooler 78º water is still holding to the North, but should move in within the next couple of weeks. This will bring in the blue marlin in force.
At least 30% of the boats are getting a shot at the big blues, and a few of them have been leadered every day this week.
The super panga, Huntress, with Mike Buckley and Captain Francisco, is still holding up to be the high boat in the fleet, and has been for this last 4 weeks. When they find the fish, they are still getting double and triple hook ups, with one day being a double on sailfish, and a blue marlin taking the third bait. However, as with all the boats, the fish are not aggressive and are short-biting the baits. The total for the Huntress was 30 strikes for 5 days of fishing, and 10 sailfish released. They also got a nice 40 pound dorado.
Santiago, on the panga Gitana, is averaging 2 sailfish a day released, and got a nice blue marlin yesterday (Tuesday).
Early in the week, the private boat Moonlight, out of Marina Ixtapa, fishing with Arturo Ramirez of Morelia, Michoacán, caught a nice 500 pound blue marlin, and then the next day took a huge 56 pound dorado.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 83
Air temperature 70-88
Humidity 78%
Wind: ENE at 3 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:56 a.m. CST
Sunset 7:55 p.m. CST
|
|
|
Feb 20, 2009; 02:47PM - Eye of the Beholder
|
|
Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
Endless Season Update 02/18/2009
REPORT #1154 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
2009 FLY FISHING SHOW AT PASADENA CENTER
Southern California fly-fishing fanatics will converge in Pasadena this weekend (2/20-21) for the annual Fly Fishing Show at the Pasadena Center.
Gary will present a “Baja and Mainland Mexico Do it Yourself” in the CATCH ROOM
Saturday 4:00
Sunday 3:00
Though there were come complaints of wind, it seemed to be an ‘eye of the beholder’ kind of week with conflicting reports all over the map!
My email has been full of East Cape fishing updates some of which are below:
“Wide open yellowtail bite right in front of the hotel…no photos.”
“Wind ripping…kite boarders delight…see photo.”
“We are heading up to Punta Perico…WFO yellows and pargo!” And then later, “We’re back, tough fishing…one twenty pounder and a few firecrackers. Pargo floated, but none landed. No photo”
And finally, “The hotel has been sending out two or three boats per day, with all boats doing well…no photos.”
I feel like I am listening to the judges on American Idol. Seven contestants/days…six bad, one ‘okay’ but that one is declared the ‘best ever’ by some.
ATTENTION ALL EAST CAPE FISHERMEN!!!
SAGARPA, the government division that oversees fishing regulations and fishing licenses, has installed a new Port Captain in Los Barriles. In addition to the Port Captain, there are two full time employees, Jorge Castro, whose job it is to sell licenses and a super panga Captain who will be in charge of enforcement.
The boat dispatchers at the various hotels will also have the required fishing licenses available for purchase.
SAGARPA intends to begin enforcement immediately.
Water temperature 67-73
Air temperature 57-82
Humidity 62%
Wind: NW 15 to 21 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:49 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:17 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Offshore action has been limited all week because of high winds and rough seas. Still a decent bite out at the Entrada for small yellows, along with enough sierra to deplete the fly box.
Inside the esteros the action was limited to a few leopard grouper and snapper plus cabrilla.
Seems like there are more whales than tourists this week.
Puerto San Carlos Copa Gobernador Tournament will take place March 7, 2009.
Water temperature 67 - 73
Air temperature 56 -78
Humidity 37 %
Wind: NW 11 to 15 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:58 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:23 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 82 degree blue water is still just a short run from the harbor. The overall fishing for both the inshore and offshore is picking up, and should continue the trend as we get out of the full moon phase.
There is a lot of bait inshore, with the jack crevalle, sierras, black skipjack tuna, and birds all getting in on the feast.
In the blue water, the sailfish action is also picking up. A few marlin strikes were reported, and a couple of dorado were taken.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 83
Air temperature 73-89
Humidity 65%
Wind: NE at 15 mph
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:49 p.m. CST |
|
|
Feb 14, 2009; 09:40AM - Winds Drop…Fish Pop!
|
|
Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
Endless Season Update 02/12/2009
REPORT #1153 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
According to Mark Rayor, owner of Vista Sea Sport, the fishing early in the week picked up when the wind died. Punta Pescadero was the scene of an outrageous sierra bite that went on as long as the chum held out. Even the yellow tail began to bite. One mossback, weighing nearly fifty pounds, was caught off of one of the rocky points. Everyone is being ‘mum’ on the exact spot; no one wants a repeat of last year when the local gillnetters swooped in and in one morning wiped out the whole school.
Reports of 74 to 75 degree blue water a few miles offshore sucked a few boat out and they were rewarded for their efforts with limits of dorado.
Then Wednesday morning, the north wind returned effectively preventing anyone from getting out to fish.
IMPORTANT AND ATTENTION ALL EAST CAPE FISHERMEN:
The government division that oversees fishing and fishing licenses - SAGARPA - has installed a new Port Captain in Los Barriles. In addition to the Port Captain, there are two full time employees - Jorge Castro - whose job it is to sell licenses and a Super Panga Captain who will be in charge of enforcement.
The boat dispatchers at the various hotels will have the required fishing licenses available.
Licenses are: $136p/day, $284p/week, $408p/month $531p/year.
SAGARPA intends to begin enforcement immediately.
Hmm…could last week’s Road Trekker have made a difference? http://roadtrekker.blogspot.com/
Lance Peterson, our East Cape Guide reported, “Just returned from some kayak fishing out front this morning. I was motivated by seeing a twenty pound dorado almost beach itself chasing a ballyhoo. I wasn't out there long before I spotted another dorado swimming on the surface. I took a cast but no interest. On the way back in I was surrounded by a school of quality roosters...10 to 15 pounds, I'd say. I hooked two but could not get the hook to stick! Fun to see them though! I was surprised to see how close they would come to the kayak.”
Water temperature 67-75
Air temperature 55-77
Humidity 73%
Wind: N 8 to 10 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:54 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:12 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Whale watching continued to dominate the water activities again this week, as the strong winds and high seas kicked up most of the week.
Bob Hoyt
Water temperature 67 - 73
Air temperature 51 -76
Humidity 91 %
Wind: NW 12 to 17 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:03 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:19 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
With the full moon, the fishing has slowed down considerably. The 82º blue water is still only about 5 miles off the beach, but the fish are not biting.
Adolfo, on the panga Dos Hermanos, said it is 'muy mal'...In other words, “real bad”. And, when one of the best captains here can't get a sailfish in the blue water, or even a jack crevalle off the back side of the surf line, it IS really bad! Adolfo does think the game fish are here, and said in one more week we will have good action again.
Earlier in the week, and before the full moon, I had fished with John Spriggs down at Puerto Vicente Guerrero. We raised 4 sailfish, had two teased to the boat, and he hooked one on the fly rod.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 83
Air temperature 72-86
Humidity 65%
Wind: NE at 1 mph
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:15 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:46 p.m. CST
|
|
|
Feb 7, 2009; 08:51AM - Baja Winter Delivers!
|
|
Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
Endless Season Update 02/04/2009
REPORT #1152 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
This time of year the quality of fishing is completely in the hands of the ‘wind gods'. A calm evening is no guarantee of calm seas the next morning. Though many a night the windows rattling in their frames give audible validation that the morning will bring grumpy seas.
Almost always the tin boat guys can be found in the early morning darkness with coffee cups in hand, their shadowy silhouettes gathering on the damp sandy beach. They wait for the Baja morning to determine their work for the day…fish or chores?
Occasionally there will be a morning when the sun rises up from a sea so calm that it appears to be an unbroken sheet of glass where any feeding fish can be spotted instantly.
This week included a few of those days and the boys fishing inshore did well catching plenty of sierra as well as a few small jacks. The few hotel boats that ventured farther offshore were rewarded with a few dorado and tuna. Reports of marlin persisted, but few blue flags were spotted on the returning boats.
Lance Peterson reported, 'Beach fishing has been hit or miss for me this week despite some calm mornings and ample baitfish along the shore. Some days there is consistent action on pompano, jacks, and ladyfish; other days have provided very little action. Roosterfish have been in short supply recently with only a few fish spotted chasing bait. Farther off the beach, fleeing baitfish and swooping frigates point toward the presence of game fish. However, I have not ventured out there to see what is biting. Reports from the local tin boat fleet have indicated a decent dorado bite just a mile off the beach.'
Water temperature 67-73
Air temperature 55-88
Humidity 68%
Wind: NE 5 to 7 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:58 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:07 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Copa Gobernador Tournaments part of the XVI Gray Whale Festival was a huge success with good sized tuna, yellowtail and large groupers being the big winners. The winners all wore big smiles and the others vowed to do better next year.
The whale watching continues in full force as tourists arrive by the bus loads. These giants of the sea are the biggest hams in Baja, providing plenty of photo ops for those willing to get up close and personal.
Bob Hoyt
Water temperature 67 - 73
Air temperature 56 -79
Humidity 61 %
Wind: WSW 4 to 5 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:13 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Sailfish and dorado fishing has slowed down a bit; however all the captains are telling me 'there are a lot of fish out there…they are just not biting.' The boats are averaging about five raised sailfish a day each, but they are only hooking one or two.
Baja on the Fly client, Phil Barker of Pleasanton, CA, fished a day with me in the blue water down at Puerto Vicente Guerrero. The fly line parted on the first sailfish he hooked. After the hook set, you have only a nanosecond of time. You are up against a 75 pound fish that has been clocked at 68 miles an hour, and is the fastest fish in the ocean. If you hold on to the fly line too long, things start to break down. Fortunately, the second fish Phil hooked was tagged and released.
Inshore, we're seeing lots of bait and birds, and there is even some decent jack crevalle action. The action depends on whether the bait has moved to the inside or just outside of the surf line. It is dangerous to get in too close to the surf line, so if they are inside the surf line, we just have to leave them for another day.
There are some large cero mackerel being taken on trolled rapalas by the White Rocks. Jacob Schougaard of Denmark caught five with Marcos on the panga, Oceana. The ceros were between 8 and 11 pounds, and were the largest Marcos had ever seen. Jacob also released two sailfish on the Oceana the next day.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 83
Air temperature 72-86
Humidity 58%
Wind: NE at 6 mph
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:18 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:42 p.m. CST |
|
|
Jan 31, 2009; 06:37AM - Best Fishing: Cabo Marlin-East Cape Beach
|
|
Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
|
|
Author Name: Gary Graham
|
|
Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
|
Report Description:
Endless Season Update 01/28/2009
REPORT #1151 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
While there were a few nice days, this is not the time to plan a trip around fishing at East Cape. Sure the fish are still here…a few dorado, maybe a marlin or two and all the sierra you might want, but the wind can tough to work around.
On the other hand, the beach produced well on some days according to our guide, Lance Peterson.
“There were lots of fish off the beach at times but they were feeding on really small bait and were pretty tough to feed a fly. Nonetheless, we caught small roosters, jacks, pompano, and even black skipjack.”
So while the weather isn’t ideal, you might get lucky!
Water temperature 67-73
Air temperature 53-77
Humidity 67%
Wind: NNW 11 to 15 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:00 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:03 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Welcome to one of the greatest shows on earth…if you are looking for gray whales, that is. The season is in full force and every day more busses arrive, disgorging eager tourists with digital cameras clutched in their fists hurrying to the pier to have an ‘up close and personal’ experience with one of these giants a few hundred yards in front of the pier.
Adding to the excitement this weekend is the first in a series of localized Copa Gobernador Tournaments. These tournaments attract many local families seeking cash prizes, tackle, and
Tee shirts while introducing many to sportfishing for the first time.
Bob Hoyt
Water temperature 67 - 73
Air temperature 53 -79
Humidity 83 %
Wind: WNW 8 to 10 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:09 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Our sail fest slowed down a bit this week. This can be accounted for by several reasons. The blue water is still close to the beach, but it cooled down a couple of degrees. And, we had a small earthquake last Tuesday, which really shuts off the bite. Plus, on Monday, we had a barometer pressure drop come over us, dumping a little rain in the mountains behind us. A barometer drop is tough on fish. They go deeper in the water column to balance out the pressure, and hate to come to the surface for a trolled bait.
The fish are still here, and if we can get the favorable conditions back, the fishing will definitely improve.
Most boats are raising five to seven sailfish a day, but only hooking one or two. Again, they are just off their feed from the weird unseasonal conditions.
Jacob Schougaard of Denmark hooked a sailfish on the fly when fishing with me down at Puerto Vicente Guerrero. We raised 5 sailfish and a huge dorado, which did not take the fly.
Marcos, on the panga Oceana, got two sails and a 250 pound blue marlin for his best day. And Adolfo, on the panga Dos Hermanos, told me he got two roosters while fishing up North beyond Saladita. He also said there were a lot of big jack crevalle. The jacks are running 15 to 20 pounds.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 83
Air temperature 72-87
Humidity 61%
Wind: SE at 2mph
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:19 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:39 p.m. CST |
|
|
|
