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From Jan 01, 1999 To Sep 09, 2010
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Aug 30, 2010; 09:23AM - Few Anglers…More Fish
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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:
Endless Season Update August 29, 2010
REPORT #1229 'Below the Border'
Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Caption: Humboldt squid, the nectar of the gods for tuna
As August comes to a close a storm called 'Frank' tried to rain on the parade mid-week. There were few guests to care and the locals watched the weather channel and then went fishing as usual. The month which began with the billfish pop, is finishing with the best August fishing in a while.
Because of the lack of anglers, fewer hotel boats have been going out and the light pressure seemed to make the tuna bite even better. There has even been lots of bait including sardina, mullet, caballito, and Humboldt squid.
The tuna drew the most attention, spread out in both direction from a half mile off the coast. Smaller fish were close with the bigger boys underneath the many porpoise schools found in Palmas Bay. Cut up chunks of squid was the hot ticket for chum and out-performed live bait for the larger gorilla-class tuna.
Dorado were mixed with the tuna and spread within two miles of the beach. The average fish caught was around ten pounds. There were limits for the anglers that found the schools…at least two or three per boat per day. One or two big bull in the 40-pound class are being taken daily.
The billfish, blues, stripes and sails, were there for the taking for those anglers that targeted them off the inside and outside banks where there were plenty of tailers and jumpers.
Both blue and striped marlin are biting. Anglers targeting billfish are scoring, very light pressure
While the beach was pretty thrashed by the large swell and wind, mid-week the boats fishing along the shore found the huge bubba-class roosters along with some nice sized pargo and pompano.
Current East Cape Weather http://tiny.cc/EastCapeWeather303
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Offshore the dorado and tuna are right on the color break at 12 miles in front of Lopez Mateos outside of Boca de Soledad. Pay attention…on the run out there are a few sleepers every day and in the afternoon feeders are on the acres of bait on the surface.
There were few fishing the esteros this week but there were reports of smaller snook (under ten pounds) plus a few grouper and pargo.…Bob Hoyt
Current Magdalena Bay Weather http://tiny.cc/MagBayWeather150
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80° blue water has moved in a bit and holding steady at around 14 miles. The fishing, even with the full moon phase is not all that bad. The boats are each averaging between one or two fish a day, with the fish being either sailfish or striped marlin. Plus, they are getting and average of one to three dorado each a day. Between the three species, it is making for a decent day on the water.
Even though Hurricane Frank transitioned from a tropical storm to hurricane status right out in front of this coast, it was nowhere near us. We didn’t even get any rain. However, we have been getting more rain in the last weeks from the thunderstorms. September is the month with the most measured rainfall of all the rainy months. As we head into September, it will take two weeks for the roosterfish action to come back around even without any more heavy rains, which is unlikely.
The inshore water is almost completely silted out, with poor visibility and poor fishing along the beaches up and down the coast. This is very evident by looking at the chlorophyll section of the Terrefin Satellite photos. Wherever a river or stream outlets into the ocean, a mass of green water is also being pushed out in front of them. The larger the river, the larger the green mass.
Fly fisher Steve Baldikoski from Los Angeles fished a day with Cheva and me on the panga Dos Hermanos II. We found some barely 'okay visibility' water up near Troncones and Buena Vista, but that even shut down around noon. Steve only managed to hook a 20-pound class jack crevalle, which broke the 17 pound test leader, and a couple of small black skipjack tuna. …Ed Kunze
Current Zihuatanejo Weather http://tiny.cc/zihuatanejo582
Cabo San Lucas
Some sailfish have been showing up as the water has gotten warmer. Most of them have been found on the Cortez side around the 95 and 1150 areas by boats working those same areas for blue marlin. There have also been quite a few striped marlin in the same areas, strange since the water is so warm there. As far as the big fish are concerned, the blacks are still out there as several in the 400-pound class have been caught this week at both the Gorda Banks and the Inman Banks, mostly by boats hoping for a large tuna. The same areas have been producing quite a few small blue marlin in the 200-pound class as well.
Yellowfin tuna remained consistent with some quality fish in over 100 pounds being found in the San Jose area between the Gorda Banks and the Inman Banks, but most of them have been smaller, ranging in size from 15 to 30 pounds. These same size fish have been found elsewhere as well, with fish showing from the south by the 1,000 fathom line to the San Jaime Banks area.
While that action has not been wide open, everyone who has gone looking for them seems to have been able to catch a few. There were some decent fish over 100 pounds found in small pods of porpoise to the southwest of the 95 spot, and there were even more fish in the 60- to 80-pound class as well, so it is looking better for the larger tuna this year.
I fished the Pacific side for dorado this week as a guest of a client and we released three under 10 pounds and kept four fish of about 12 pounds. All of these were found close to shore, within two miles of the beach.
A scattering of wahoo were reported this week and strangely enough the best area seemed to be just along the drop-off in front of Cabo San Lucas Bay and just to the north of the arch, between there and the lighthouse. The fish averaged 40 pounds and while not every boat got bit, those that put in the time had some action as a reward.
The large swells are still inshore! Roosterfish action was down once again due to the storm swells but quite a few pangas made the run to the Gorda Banks to fish for tuna or stayed out in front working the water for dorado..…George and Mary Landrum
Current Cabo Weather http://tiny.cc/cabo191 |
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Jul 12, 2010; 01:19PM - Green is Not Good
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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:
Endless Season Update July 11th, 2010
REPORT #1222 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Caption: Congratulations to Lance Erik Peterson of Port Angeles, Washington, USA, for his new IGFA World Record Grouper, broomtail, Tippet M-10 kg (20 lb), 5 lb 0 oz, Puerto Lopez Mateos, Baja, 20-Feb-10
What had been rated as one of the best bites of the year was temporally stalled by a cold, green current, which along with the two Mexican super-seiners equipped with helicopters prowling the water, put the fish down. There were a few lucky boats that found bigger tuna but most had to settle for the smaller grade. Some smaller dorado were found closer to shore but there were none of the large bulls that had been seen recently.
The striped marlin, with an occasional blue and a few sailfish, continued to be the hot ticket for those who targeted them.
Inshore, the roosters, jacks and pargo didn't seem to be bothered by the unusual cooler water.
Lance Peterson reported tough fishing from the beach with overcast skies, coupled with the wind and larger swells making sight fishing difficult. When the roosters were found, they were in their spawning behavior and had little interest in what was offered.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTUQXpg76xQ
Current East Cape Weather http://tiny.cc/EastCapeWeather303
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Few folks were fishing this week but the reports from the locals continue. Marlin, dorado and tuna (including a few bluefin) added to the what is being called the 'oddest season'.
In the esteros, the grouper are quality-sized and biting well.... Bob Hoyt
Current Magdalena Bay Weather http://tiny.cc/MagBayWeather150
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80° blue water is still just a couple of miles off the coast, and the sailfish bite is holding up. After last week’s 15 inches of rain in a 4-day period, I am really surprised the blue water wasn’t pushed out farther with the massive intrusion of fresh water from the coastal rivers and streams that are abundant on our coast.
The rain did affect the roosterfish and jack crevalle action and it will probably take another week to get back to decent fishing again. Adolfo, on the panga Dos Hermanos, told me the inshore is still too murky from the runoff and has been fishing offshore. He is releasing an average of three sailfish and getting either a shot or catching a blue marlin or striped marlin each day for his clients. Plus, due to the heavy outflow of trees, grass, etc. out of the rivers, a few dorado are showing. I heard an unconfirmed report of a 55-pound dorado being taken today (Thursday).
Neither Santiago or Adan on the Gitana pangas fished much this week, but did well fly fishing with the Steve Powers fly fishing group this last week.
Martin on his 35' cruiser had five strikes on sailfish, but managed to only catch and release two for the one day he fished.......…Ed Kunze
Current Zihuatanejo Weather http://tiny.cc/zihuatanejo582
Cabo San Lucas
Although nowhere near as hot as it should be (at least not on the Pacific side), the weather has really started to heat up here in Cabo. The Sea of Cortez though, is another question; it has been in the 90’s and that is where most of the fish are being caught. It seems like the marlin bite has finally stabilized with striped marlin being the number one catch in Cabo. A a few blues are also beginning to be found.
After marlin, yellow fin tuna were the most likely catch. While a few large fish were found up in the Punta Gordo area, nearer to home, there were scattered football-sized tuna between 12 and 25 pounds.
A few small dorado were caught recently with a couple of larger fish reported as well. Most of them were in the 8 to 10 pound class with an occasional fish in the 20 to 25 pound range.
The odd wahoo were still being taken here and there up to 45 pounds.
Boats fishing inshore encountered sierra in good numbers, along with some roosterfish, jack crevalle and skipjacks.
Inshore fishing was mostly conducted on the Cortez side of the Cape due to the wind. Pangas were doing all right, but not great, on snapper and small grouper. A few nice amberjack to 60 pounds were caught. Small bonito and football yellowfin tuna were caught as well as a few striped marlin were found very close to the beach which got the panga fishermen excited. The wind and swells made the water close to the beach a bit off color.… George and Mary Landrum
Current Cabo Weather http://tiny.cc/cabo191 |
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Jun 28, 2010; 04:47PM - East Cape Gets Mooned!
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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:
Endless Season Update June 27, 2010
REPORT #1220 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Caption: Captain Chuy on the Jen Wren is picking up where he left off with the grande yellowfin tuna. Yes, that was a full moon that shined over East Cape all week! photo Mark Rayor, Vista Sea Sports.
I gotta' say it…under the bright light of a full moon, the East Cape went bananas. Throughout the week IM messages of great catches kept flashing on my computer screen.
Not only were there huge tuna to 146 pounds, there were also a few blues and definitely a stronger striped marlin bite all week. Most of the tuna were under the breezing porpoise schools and if the right one was found, there were some serious bites to be had.
Inshore and beach remained great serving up shots at big…oh what the heck…huge roosters and jacks with more broken off more than were caught. Hot days and hot fishing had everyone standing in lines at the bar to get something cold and wet. Can't wait to see if it holds up over the 4th.
Mark Rayor Keep It Reel Fish and Chips Tuna Tournament reported: Twenty boats. I skippered the Cabo, and Chuy the Innovator.
7AM: Shot gun start and all the boats made their way to the squid hole to make bait. I stayed there longer than most of the boats to load up on bait. Off we headed to the outside of Pescadero. We had limits the day before off of the light house but there were no big fish. Earlier in the week several larger fish were landed to the north. Out about nine miles, I picked up my gyros to start looking around.
The first thing I see is the Innovator off to my starboard. We ran a few more minutes and were lucky enough to run right into a huge school of spotted porpoise. Now we are about 12 miles out. I throttled back and we started chumming chunks of calamari. The tuna came for it instantly. I grabbed the radio and called Chuy. It only took him a few minutes to arrive on the spot. We already had three 30 pounders in the boat when the anglers on Chuy's boat had a triple hook up on calamari. They gaffed the 1st fish (about 20 pounds) when one of the other guys said, 'I'm getting spooled'. Chuy was alarmed when he looked down at an almost empty Accurate Boss B2-30. He immediately swung the boat around and went after the fish. In a few moments they had it under control and in 25 minutes brought it to gaff.
Knowing it was probably a contender they headed to the scale. At 9:30 AM they were at the dock where the tuna officially weighed in at 143 pounds. That was enough to hold up and take first place.
Current East Cape Weather http://tiny.cc/EastCapeWeather303
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Last week's sketchy rumor of a couple of blues being caught turned out to be two confirmed swordfish that were caught by a yacht above Magdalena Bay on the ridge on their trip down to Cabo.
Meanwhile the local shark fishermen swear they are seeing dorado and billfish every day they venture outside. If the weather would settle down a tad it might be worth doing a little scouting.
Until that happens the yellowtail and white seabass are going off.
Inside it is pretty steady for the corvina and of course the cabrilla.. Bob Hoyt
Current Magdalena Bay Weather http://tiny.cc/MagBayWeather150
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
With the blue water at only about 6 miles and a short ride off the beach, we are really getting some very warm surface temperatures. Morning readings are 84 to 85° with afternoon readings as high as 86 to 88°.
The blue water action has also slowed down some, but not a lot. Part of this is because I only counted five boats yesterday morning leaving the municipal pier in Zihuatanejo Bay with clients, and three of the boats were fishing inshore. There are just not many people here.
Inshore roosterfish and jack crevalle fishing is still excellent. Early in the week, Baja On The Fly Guide, Lance Peterson, guided fly fishing clients Tom Lorish and Kurt Ransohoff of California for four days. They were with Cheva on the panga Dos Hermanos II. Lance told me they raised more roosters than they could count while fishing down south between Valentine and the antennas. Tom did get a nice one weighing almost 30 pounds, with Kurt leadering three large jacks to 20 pounds. The next couple of days saw a few more jacks and a couple of roosters caught, with many more missed opportunities.
One of the problems they encountered, which hurt their chances for the spectacular results of the first day, was a couple of pods of bufeos (pronounced boo-fay-ohs) moved in on the same beaches they were fishing. A bufeo looks like a porpoise, but is twice as long. They are actually false killer whales, and a predator to roosterfish and jacks.
Fishing with Adolfo on the Dos Hermanos, I guided Rosario and Cecile Tortoice of Houston. We went north to the Buena Vista Beach area and ended up with 5 nice roosters to about 40 pounds.....…Ed Kunze
Current Zihuatanejo Weather http://tiny.cc/zihuatanejo582
Cabo San Lucas
Striped marlin are being found out at the 1,000 fathom line but seemed lethargic and not very hungry. Up toward Punta Gordo where the water is much warmer there were a few blue marlin. Most boats were having about 20% success on the fish using bait, hooking one out of five. The blue marlin were feeding on tuna.
The good news of the week was that we finally had yellowfin show up. It was a long run up into the Sea of Cortez for the 50 to 100 pound class fish just to the north of the Gordo Banks. Only some of the boats gave it a shot, but for many of those that did, it was worth the run. Scattered pods of porpoise were holding fish and it was a matter of finding the right pod. There were smaller fish being found closer to home; it seemed that the farther you went the larger the fish became.
No concentrations of dorado have been reported recently but there were some nice fish found up in the same area as the tuna. The warm water was the key, as was finding anything floating, usually there was at least one fish in the area. Slow trolling a live bait in front of the porpoise pods looking for tuna resulted in several dorado instead, with the largest I heard of going just over 30 pounds.
Inshore fishing has been a bit off with the larger swells that made it uncomfortable. Those that managed to fish did well on the Pacific side with snapper to 20 pounds, some sierra, some amberjack and a lot of action from jack crevalle. The Cortez side of the Cape had fish inshore as well with roosterfish making a good showing in the area just to the west of the Westin Resort… George and Mary Landrum
Current Cabo Weather http://tiny.cc/cabo191 |
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Jun 21, 2010; 08:48AM - Finally a Season!
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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:
Endless Season Update June 20, 2010
REPORT #1219 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Caption: Yellowfin tuna limits were the norm this week and most of the catch was a better grade. photo Mark Rayor Vista Sea Sports.
Maybe it was the seasons dismally slow start, but it seems like someone threw a switch. Yellowfin tuna limits were the norm this week and most of the catch was a better grade. Boats targeting marlin were landing multiple stripers with a few bonus blues for the ones with heavy trolling rigs. There were enough red (release) and blue (billfish) flags flying from the outriggers to fool some into believing that the 4th of July was just around the corner.
Even the dorado showed up, admittedly they were mostly dinks but what the heck, they grow fast. Just keep letting them go and they will get to be 'fatties' in no time at all.
Inshore the whole mixed bag thing is still going off. Big roosters to try to fool, huge jacks ready for a tussle along with pompano, pargo, ladyfish, etc.
Those short and terse reports saying that fishing is great are evidence of just how good fishing is…no time to talk!
Current East Cape Weather http://tiny.cc/EastCapeWeather303
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Recent rumors are that several yachts traveling by found a couple of decent size blue marlin. This has everyone guessing who, what and when. Meanwhile the local shark fishermen swear they are seeing dorado and billfish every day they venture outside.
The white seabass and yellowtail reported last week still are off the charts this week in both number and size caught. So much so that hardly anyone is bothering with the esteros these days.
Update
Outside remains strong for yellowfin and yellow tail. the grouper bite is just starting. Water remains cold with lots of bait. Inside the corvina bite is wide open feeding on small sardines. Bob Hoyt
Current Magdalena Bay Weather http://tiny.cc/MagBayWeather150
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Update
Saturday: We're off to a fine start over here. Got into a great bite this morning that lasted almost three hours. Fish all over the teaser. Tom Lorish landed his first big rooster...about 28lb's I think, plus a big jack. Kurt Ransohoff boated three big jacks and missed numerous hook sets on big roosters. It was a ton of fun and a huge difference from how we started last year. Lance Peterson
Adolfo, of the Dos Hermanos fame, was elated when I talked with him on the pier a couple of days ago. He was telling me the currents have now changed and the roosters are back. He said we will have excellent fishing from now through December.
The 80° blue water is still holding just four to six miles off the beach, and the fishing is holding up also. Few boats are on the water, with only a maximum of ten boats fishing a day, and often fewer. Blue marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and a few striped marlin make up the majority of the catches offshore.
Santiago on the supper panga Gitana, and his brother Adan, on the panga Gitana II, only fished one day each this last week. However, Dave Sicard and his son from Mississippi, fishing with Santiago, released two sailfish and got 4 yellowfin from 10 to 30 pounds. And, Walter Glen of Las Vegas, fishing with Adan, caught and released an estimated 90-pound striped marlin on the fly.
Plus, Russ Hampton of Los Angeles, fly fished on the Dos Hermanos II, with Cheva at the helm, hooking six roosters and catching four on the fly in two days of fishing. Adolfo’s clients have taken 12 roosters and “Mucho” jack crevalle on conventional gear over a five-day span....…Ed Kunze
Current Zihuatanejo Weather http://tiny.cc/zihuatanejo582
Cabo San Lucas
We wish we could say that fishing was better than it is, but we can’t; even though we have had some great catches, the consistency just hasn't been there. It has tended to be feast or famine. Nevertheless, marlin was the top catch this week with forty-two percent of the charters catching stripers. Two of our boats fought the most prized of all billfish, the broadbill swordfish, on June 13th, (both at the 11.50 spot), but unfortunately neither could get them on board. Another angler fought a swordfish for over an hour before losing it…pretty disappointing for everybody. It’s been a tough week with clients. Cabo has such a great reputation that people expect to catch fish all the time and the crews feel the pressure, as they want to catch fish, too; it’s a matter of professional pride plus they want their anglers to be happy.
However, with the effects of the El Niño current on the way out, we are confident that it won’t be long until things are back on track and of course the only way to catch fish is to go out and get some lines in the water
Slim pickings on smaller game this week, with just sixteen percent of the boats catching tuna and only nine percent catching dorado. Tuna catches were usually of a single fish as were dorado, with weights just average on both species at 15 to 25 pounds. We had a couple of wahoo, one at 45 pounds that was caught six miles from Cerro Colorado and another wahoo weighing 38 pounds. In addition, a few skipjacks, jack crevalle and even a manta ray was caught and released.
Current Cabo Weather http://tiny.cc/cabo191 |
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Jun 14, 2010; 12:26PM - Prospects Brighten
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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:
Endless Season Update June 13, 2010
REPORT #1218 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Billfish Cowboys of Santa Rosa, CA landed limits of YFT on the Jen Wren this week
With the official beginning of summer just a few day away it feels like our fishing is finally heating up. The big news is that the tuna have finally arrived. They are traveling with porpoise schools from north of Punta Pescadero to south of Las Frailes. A good grade of fish, they range from football size all the way up to gorilla class reaching 100 pounds.
For the billfish set it looks like a few blues along with stripers and sails are finally ready to get in the game. All of this is after a frustratingly slow beginning to the season. Note to the dorado: you are welcome to the party anytime…come back, we miss you!
Meanwhile, one of the brighter bites all spring was the fantastic wahoo bite and it still continues.
Speaking of bright bites, the ROOSTERFISH bite is insane! More grandes. The bubba-class roosters are chewing like there is no tomorrow.
Still missing are the sardine; they seem to be taking the summer off.
Current East Cape Weather http://tiny.cc/EastCapeWeather303
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Big white seabass and bigger yellowtail have been the week’s crowd-pleasers. Well, forget the crowd part, there are only a few anglers to take advantage of what many of the locals are calling the best bite in recent memory. Tee good news, the bite is tight to the rocks just below the lighthouse at Cabo Lazaro.
Farther offshore the local pangueros checking their shark buoys are reporting seeing striped marlin, swordfish and yellowfin tuna. This would seem to indicate an interesting summer is about to begin… Bob Hoyt
Current Magdalena Bay Weather http://tiny.cc/MagBayWeather150
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
With the blue water holding just off the beach, the 80° surface temps are ranging from the beach to at least 60 miles out. And, the fishing is good. What is not so good is there are very few people here to enjoy it. We are only putting 5 to 10 boats on the water a day. That is the whole fleet, and with about half the boats fishing inshore, it is hard to find the concentrations of fish in the blue water.
We are getting blue marlin, a few striped marlin, lots of yellowfin tuna and sailfish. The marlin and tuna are being taken between the 18 and 25 mile marks, with the sailfish being mostly found in decent quantities between the 6 to10 mile areas.
Adan, on the panga Gitana II had a couple of back-to-back bad luck days; however there were some very exciting moments. His client, Walter Glenn of Las Vegas was casting at yellowfin tuna with the 12wt fly rod, and had been very successful for several fish. But, he made one cast too many, as a 300+ pound blue marlin ate the fly. Walter ended up with a broken rod, a lost fly, and a lost fly line.
The following day, Walter borrowed my fly reel (while I replaced the fly line on the other), and armed with one of Rebeca’s special billfish flies, Adan teased in another huge blue. At least Walter was using the 14wt this time. The fish took off for about 10 minutes, and did not jump until a long ways out from the boat. Then it put on a display, and unfortunately cut the 40 pound butt section with its beak.
At least the next day he got more yellowfin tuna (to 30 pounds), raised three sailfish, and released an estimated 200 pound blue marlin on conventional gear.
Jeff and Louise Stackhouse of South Carolina fished with Santiago on the super panga Gitana. Fishing with conventional gear, they had an outstanding day, releasing an estimated 300 pound blue marlin, a sailfish, and getting four football-size yellowfin tuna.
Adolfo, on the panga Dos Hermanos fished the blue water only one day, releasing five sailfish for his client.
Inshore, Adolfo reported there are jack crevalle on the beaches in tonnage quantities. And, the fish are big, ranging from 18 to 25 pounds. He also took three roosters between 18 and 25 pounds, with the main concentrations of bigger fish not yet here...…Ed Kunze
Current Zihuatanejo Weather http://tiny.cc/zihuatanejo582
Cabo San Lucas
Billfish action still looks a lot like that of Apri;l there were striped marlin to be found on the Pacific side close to the beach. As a matter of fact, one was hooked on iron while jigging for amberjack right off the arch. Most boats were getting shots at three or four fish per trip with one or two releases per trip. I did not hear of any blues or blacks showing up in the patterns this week.
A decent pick on yellowfin tuna to 25 pounds close to home with the fish being just two to three miles off the beach between the Gray Rock and the Red Hill areas. There were some porpoise with them. Working the area steadily resulted in catches of between two and ten fish per boat. Being there early was a definite help.
There were a few dorado this week but with the change in temperature they went on vacation.
Roosterfish were found close to the beach on the Pacific side past the lighthouse, as well as off the beach on the north side of Chileno on the Cortez side provided action, and when the water turned over the sierra started to show again. Quite a few of the pangas went for the yellowfin tuna on the Cortez side and did well.
With the water turning over the fishing offshore dropped off, but it should switch around any day now, just as fast as it went. As of now, the wind is gone and while there are still swells, they are spaced far apart. I feel there will be a decent bite on tuna soon. Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for a turn in water temps and until next week, tight lines…George and Mary Landrum
Current Cabo Weather http://tiny.cc/cabo191 |
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May 10, 2010; 12:26PM - Roosters Rock!
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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:
Endless Season Update May 9, 2010
REPORT #1214 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Caption: The roosterfish and jacks held the most promise for many anglers, both from boats fishing close to shore or from the beach itself.
Another week of mixed reviews for the fishing. Some tuna have begun to show up north of Punta Pescadero, but most of the fish found with the porpoise are barely football size. There were a few better grade tuna caught close to shore up toward Bahia de los Muertos.
The boats seeking billfish are complaining that they are getting little return for lots of effort.It seems that one billfish for the day is a good score.
Also reports indicate that there is just an occasional dorado showing up behind the boats with little rhyme or reason.
The roosterfish and jacks held the most promise for many anglers, both from boats fishing close to shore or from the beach itself. There was one report of nearly thirty anglers fishing one popular stretch of beach…definitely not like the old days when you could fish the beach all day and not see another angler.
Current East Cape Weather http://tiny.cc/EastCapeWeather303
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
There were some decent-sized yellowtail under the birds at the Entrada. Offshore the water is pretty cool but there are already reports of both billfish and dorado being spotted near the shark buoys scattered out to the west of the Entrada.
Inside the esteros, the bite remains slow for the few boats that even bothered fishing this week.
Current Magdalena Bay Weather http://tiny.cc/MagBayWeather150
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Historically, we have always had a poor March/April for the blue water species, with this year being no different. And, after the 1st week of May, things usually turn around completely. This is what is happening again this year.
The 30+ year annual sailfish tournament was held this last Friday though Sunday. It was a record breaking year, but fortunately not for the number of sailfish killed; but rather for the 220 boats signed up for the tournament. With wind and rough seas, the tournament averaged fewer than a sailfish a day per boat. The overall winner took home a nice first prize of a Hummer truck, with a small (by other year comparisons) 86 pound sailfish.
Since last weekend's tournament, the current prospects show the blue 80° water moving in a full 10 miles, and 20 miles off the beach today (Thursday). Give the water a few days to calm down, after being beaten by more than 200 boats, and we can expect a very decent turn around.
Adolfo and Cheva, on the pangas Dos Hermanos I and II, fished the area at 20 miles on a straight out 200° heading today, releasing two striped marlin for Adolfo, and two sailfish for Cheva.
The inshore water is still very cold at 72°, with not much action other than the hard fighting jack cravelle. The jacks are being taken on light line outfits with a slow trolled Rapala or live bait.…Ed Kunze
Current Zihuatanejo Weather http://tiny.cc/zihuatanejo582
Cabo San Lucas
One of our friends pre-fished an angler for the IGFA tournament for two days and only saw one striped marlin in the distance that sunk out as they approached. Another friend, on a private boat, fished five days for three marlin, two of them as a double header. The fish that were found seemed to be fairly close to land and in the cooler water on the Pacific side. All we can hope for is an improvement on the billfish scene. I had reports, unconfirmed, of several blue marlin coming into the lure patterns this week; let's keep our fingers crossed!
Some tuna action took place on the Pacific side up around the Golden Gate Bank as well as closer to home off of the lighthouse, and of course to the south of the San Jaime Bank. The fish were associated with porpoise for the most part and were halfway decent fish averaging 25 pounds with an occasional fish to 40 pounds. You had to be the first (or only) boat there for the action to take place, but most of the boats that got in on it were able to boat a half-dozen fish before the action quit. There were several spots where blind strikes took place as well, but in those instances it was just for one or two fish.
There were a few more dorado caught this week than were brought in last week, and it may have a lot to do with the warmer water, but maybe not, as there were some fish caught on the Pacific side as well. Of course, on the Pacific side the fish were caught close to the arch, where on the Cortez side most of the fish came from farther north, up in the Punta Gordo area or far offshore in the area of the Cabrillo Seamount. The fish averaged 15 pounds with the larger ones in the 25 pound range and the best luck was with brighter colored striped marlin lures. Not very many fish had followers behind them when brought to the boat, so most of the flags were flying by themselves on the boats return.
There were still a few wahoo caught this week, but not in the numbers we were seeing during the full moon phase. Most of the fish reported were found close to the Punta Gordo area or offshore in the wide open sea with nothing else around. Go figure.
The inshore action dropped off just a little, but there were still some nice fish to be had. One couple who tried offshore got nada; then they decided to drop some bait down and landed one grouper of 48 pounds and lost another. The bite on amberjack has been an on/off bite, but the fish have been slightly larger than last week with a few in the 40 pound range. Sierra are still out there but not in large numbers, and there are still roosterfish to be found in the smaller sizes.....…George and Mary Landrum
Current Cabo Weather http://tiny.cc/cabo191 |
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May 3, 2010; 08:16AM - Wind Again
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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:
Endless Season Update May 2, 2010
REPORT #1213 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Caption: Jason Abrams of Park City, Utah landed this quality rooster on the fly from the Jen Wren.
Some reports are bubbling with optimism expressing their certainty that fishing is going to get better. The 'boots on the ground' reports offer a little different take. The lack of sardina combined with some of the strongest winds in recent memory produced conditions that many say cannot go anyway but up. There were a few instances of good catches but not many.
There was a least one quality roosterfish when Mark Rayor's Jen Wren came upon a huge school of roosters feeding on the surface near Punta Pescadero. But, alas that was the exception.
The good news is the winds seem to be abating and water temperatures are rising. If the conditions continue along that path, fishing could be on track in no time at all.
Current East Cape Weather http://tiny.cc/EastCapeWeather303
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Few were willing to make the long run to Cabo San Lazaro this week. Most of the focus remained closer in the Esteros. The sierra along with the cabrilla, grouper and corvina have been the primary targets for the few anglers fishing the area.
Current Magdalena Bay Weather http://tiny.cc/MagBayWeather150
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 79 degree clean water is holding around 12 miles, with the deep blue water about 30 miles, and along the 1,000 fathom line. Inside 30 miles, fishing for the offshore species has been slow, and as reported by Mike Bulkly, the owner of the super panga Huntress, many boats are not even getting a strike. However, he did tell me that the inshore fishing for jack cravelle, chulas (a small, but excellent eating tuna with teeth), and black skipjack tuna is still good.
Plus, this weekend, starting Friday, is the annual offshore tournament, with a new car or pickup given as the prize for the largest three sailfish, largest marlin, and largest dorado. Fortunately, with the tournament starting on the full moon cycle, and slow conditions anyway, the normal 120 to 150 boat tournament should have poor results. I say fortunately because Zihuatanejo has yet to get out of the stone age with this 30+ year running 'kill' tournament. In years past, with just slightly more favorable conditions, I have seen as many 750 sailfish hitting the dock over the course of the three day tournament. …Ed Kunze
Current Zihuatanejo Weather http://tiny.cc/zihuatanejo582
Cabo San Lucas
There were a few striped marlin found this week; most were caught on the Cortez side of the cape, in the slightly warmer water, and in the calmer conditions. The area off Red Hill was once again the best area for these fish as well as the few wahoo that were caught by the early birds. One blue marlin of approximately 500 pounds was also caught in this area.
The rough water conditions prevented boats from fishing the San Jaime bank, the area that normally produces yellowfin tuna, but there were a few fish reported offshore around on the Cortez side.
Just a few scattered dorado were found near the Red Hill and the Punta Gordo areas on the Cortez side, but no concentrations were found. The best results were within a mile or so of the beach, using brightly colored lures. The dorado averaged 12 pounds, but a few were in the 25-pound range.
There were some nice wahoo averaging 30 pounds caught to the north on the Sea of Cortez, but if you were not one of the first boats to the area, you didn't have much luck. The best areas were off the ledge at Red Hill, Gordo Banks and the In-man Banks area.
For some time, inshore fishing has been the most productive. Good catches of small to medium roosterfish are found just off the beach as well as some decent concentrations of sierra. There were some good snapper taken from the rock piles, but due to the rough conditions on the Pacific side, almost all of this action took place on the Sea of Cortez....…George and Mary Landrum
Current Cabo Weather http://tiny.cc/cabo191 |
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Apr 26, 2010; 08:41AM - Jack's Back
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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:
Endless Season Update April 25, 2010
REPORT #1212 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Caption: It was tough fishing last week, but there were a few jacks to be found
Sardina disappeared, wind kicked up and offshore action slowed and fish behaved lethargically this past week. Mark Rayor reported that his brother did manage to land a few billfish even though most of them seemed to be disinterested in even the liveliest of baits.
Mark said, 'We have only been getting one opportunity a day and have been lucky enough to make the most of it. Seems like the last several days the fish have popped up for a short time during slack tide. When it happens you better be ready or your day is done. My brother found one that took a green jack…go figure!'
Women's Flyfishing's® Cecilia “Pudge” Kleinkauf, Anchorage, AK, had tough fishing for their week but did catch a few nice-sized fish. which included a few roosters and jack.
Current East Cape Weather http://tiny.cc/EastCapeWeather303
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Yellowtail and white sea bass in the 20 to 30 pound class were still going off at Cabo San Lazaro. Bait was plentiful in the Esteros and the sierra along with the cabrilla, grouper and corvina are having a field day feeding on them.
Current Magdalena Bay Weather http://tiny.cc/MagBayWeather150
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80° blue water is still holding at 12 miles, which is historically very unusual for April. But since the migratory fish don't know the 'historical' difference, the fishing within the normal 'day-charter' distance of about 20 miles is very poor for the average charter.
Incredible action can be had, but at the magic numbers of 40 to 50 miles. There are lots of blue marlin, sailfish, and yellowfin tuna right over the near vertical drop from 6,000 feet to 14,000 feet. (Just check out Google Earth if you don't believe me about the depths.)
This trench, called the Middle America Trench, extends from a bit north of us, down to Costa Rica, a distance of 1,700 miles, with depths at times of over 21,000 feet.
It is a virtual highway for pelagic species like marlin, yellowfin tuna, and sailfish. This is where our local commercial pangueros, in a single engine open panga, go every day to make their living.
Mike Bulkley, owner of the super panga Huntress, with Francisco as the captain, told me the clients do not want to pay the extra gas money and time it takes to get to the 45 mile mark.
They read the daily charter rate on the internet, and expect the captain to take them to Hawaii, if that is where the fish are, and be back in Zihuatanejo at the end of the day.
Rather than try and explain to a client to pay extra fuel for a trip of a lifetime, the Huntress has had very satisfied clients by going inshore and catching a lot of small game fish on light line. After which, Francisco, has been taking the clients to Ixtapa Island for lunch with their fresh caught fish, a little snorkeling, and water sports before returning to the pier, without having to stop for gas in Hawaii.
Adolfo, on the panga Dos Hermanos, is very optimistic (read promoter), but then what can you expect from the very best captain in this port. He is getting a few roosters off the beach, with several sailfish and striped marlin in the blue water, when nobody else is getting them. Of course, he did not tell me where he got them, but his clients are very satisfied…Ed Kunze
Current Zihuatanejo Weather http://tiny.cc/zihuatanejo582
Cabo San Lucas
There were a few more striped marlin found this week and most of them were on the Sea of Cortez side in the calmer water. There was a small concentration of them mid-week up off of Red Hill about two miles from the beach. Not many, but enough were caught to make it worth the effort. There were a few blue and black marlin released this week as well from the same area, although the fish were not large ones, averaging 250 pounds. I heard that there was a swordfish caught in the area of the 95 spot early in the week as well, but saw no pictures of the fish.
A few yellowfin were found in the vicinity of the Golden Gate Banks by boats brave enough to confront the seas early in the mornings before the winds started to whip things up. The bite lasted for two days, but the guys kept things kind of quiet and not many boats heard the exact area. The fish were just a little larger than footballs but the boats lucky enough to find them came in with a dozen or so.
Only a few dorado this week, but those that were caught were nice fish averaging 20 pounds. Almost every one that I heard of was caught in the Sea of Cortez, and the farther to the north you went the better your chances were. The warmer water gave you a better shot at them.
There were a few wahoo caught but they were incidental catches while boats were fishing for marlin. The wahoo were all nice ones in the 40 pound class, and were caught off the Westin, the Gordo Banks and Punta Gordo.
Inshore fishing was red hot for a couple of days with a good concentration of amberjack just off the beach. There were quite a few people fly fishing this week and if they were able to get sardina for chum they were doing well on sierra with a few small roosterfish, as well as the amberjack. Conventional fishermen were doing very well on sierra using small swimming plugs from three to five inches in length with a small wire bite tippet. There were some decent red snapper as well, on the Pacific side up in the rocks, but it was a case of being in the right place at the right time, mainly early in the morning before the winds started to whip it up...…George and Mary Landrum
Current Cabo Weather http://tiny.cc/cabo191 |
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Apr 12, 2010; 08:10AM - Sierra Thick…Sardina Missing?
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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:
Endless Season Update April 11, 2010
REPORT #1210 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Caption: Right place…right time can yield some extraordinary sierra action.
The spring thaw seems to be for real. Both sea and weather temperatures continued to climb in spite of the wind early in the week. More spring-like sounds can be heard; birds chirping as they flit about building their nests, as well as the familiar drone of carpenter bees buzzing looking for some wood to make their home.
Inshore in spite of the scarcity of sardina, the sierra and roosters have been better than good. Some of the bait boats are running as far as Punta Perico to find the precious sardina that can make the difference between a so-so and good day.
Reports of a huge volume of stripers and sails offshore. Finding them was the easy part, getting them to bite was another story. So far April has been devoid of any significant dorado or YFT action. But everyone expects them to show up any day.
Current East Cape Weather http://tiny.cc/EastCapeWeather303
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Yellowtail and white sea bass in the 20 to 30 pound class continue to provide the best action again this week. It is a pretty good ride from the Boca all the way out to Cabo San Lazaro. Inside the Esteros the pressure was very light this week. The few who were fishing reported a decent cabrilla and grouper bite with an occasional mangrove snapper to spice things up.
Current Magdalena Bay Weather http://tiny.cc/MagBayWeather150
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The water has actually warmed up a bit, with a band of 84° (surface temp) water between the 15 to 35 mile mark, and extending all up and down the coast for at least 50 miles in each direction.
My right hand had a serious encounter with a machete, and I have been out of commission. So, for the 'on the water report and observations' Mike Bulkley, the owner of the panga Huntress, came to my rescue. He emailed me the following:
'Fishing has been great inshore again this week with lots of jacks, bonita and big jurel (jack cravelle) off Ixtapa Island. Offshore is still spotty with good catches of sails, stripes and blues if you can find the fish. We have been running 20 to 30 miles south before wetting the lines. We had a triple sailfish hookup on Monday.'
Photo (by Mike Bulkley) - Jack Noble, age 7, from Indianapolis, Indiana, about to release his first sail while fishing with Capt. Francisco on the Huntress about 20 miles south of Zihuatanejo.
Also, while talking on the phone with Mike, he offered the following additional information: 'Santiago, on the panga Gitana, had released three sails and a striped marlin at the 32 mile mark. The Huntress was working the area at 20 miles, and near where Margarito on the cruiser Gaby was hooked up to a blue marlin when they had the triple hookup on sailfish. Plus, the water is clear at 12 miles, but deep blue at 20 miles.'…Ed Kunze
Current Zihuatanejo Weather http://tiny.cc/zihuatanejo582
Cabo San Lucas
There was no change in the marlin bite this past week; it is still very slow. We had a couple of fish Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. While looking for striped marlin, they released a shark the first day, a shark and a baby striped marlin of around 20 to 25 pounds the second day, and on Saturday they hooked another small one that came off right away and then hooked a decent fish that they fought for about 2 minutes before it threw the hook. Most of the fish that have been found have been on the Pacific side fairly close to the beach.
Yellowfin tuna are here one day and gone the next. The schools have been moving rapidly and not all of the porpoise have had tuna with them. When the fish have been found they have been footballs or slightly larger. The schools are being found from the San Jaime Banks to 40 miles due south of the Arch
The water is still cold for dorado but there are a few caught every day…most of them in the 12-pound class with an occasional larger fish. Most of them have been found around the 95 spot and also close to the beach on the Cortez side.
There was a short flurry of wahoo action early in the week out at the San Jaime Bank as a school passed through the area. Several boats working the same area received multiple hookups as they passed over the school, but few of the fish were landed as these sharp toothed fish cut the mono-filament leaders easily. The fish that were brought in were in the 30 to 40 pound class.
Inshore action remained good as anglers got their fill on sierra, roosterfish, grouper and snapper this week close to the beach while the grouper and snapper were a steady pick for those anglers choosing to try bottom fishing from pangas..…George and Mary Landrum
Current Cabo Weather http://tiny.cc/cabo191 |
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Apr 5, 2010; 03:47PM - Spring Thaw?
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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:
Endless Season Update April 4, 2010
REPORT #1209 'Below the Border' Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Caption: Here is the evidence that billfish are venturing close to shore to feed on the squid. That's a squid tentacle hanging from the gill plate.
As the wind slammed the door on March, April began with warmer temperatures and positive hints of the quickly coming Spring season. Inshore the roosters, jacks, African pompano and pargo are all biting well along with the still thick sierra, even on the windy days, providing spring-like action for those choosing to remain in sight of land.
Even the billfish including sails and stripers are all only a few miles farther outside.
What's missing are the yellowfin tuna, skipjack and dorado that should be part of any self respecting Spring thaw.
Current East Cape Weather http://tiny.cc/EastCapeWeather303
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Either the fishing is wide open and everybody is too busy to talk about it, or all the Semana Santa (Easter) activity was too much of a distraction. One report was that the recent big tides made it tough for fishing inside the Esteros.
Current Magdalena Bay Weather http://tiny.cc/MagBayWeather150
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 82° blue water is holding at about 10 miles, with most of the action taking place between 12 and 15 miles. The very good striped marlin bite is still holding up, with each boat in the fleet averaging about two striped marlin and a sailfish a day.
Adolfo, on the panga Dos Hermanos told me the jack crevalle action is still slow, but there are a lot of other small game fish around to keep a light line rig very busy. He reports acres of black skipjack tuna, which are not table fare, but very hard-fighting machines. And, there are lots of small 'chicken' dorado who are growing up fast.
Mike Buckley of the super panga Huntress, with captain Francisco emailed me the following:
'Fishing was very good inshore. Lots of bonita and small dorado inshore off Ixtapa Island. We had only one or two strikes out between the 15 and 25 mile lines'...…Ed Kunze
Current Zihuatanejo Weather http://tiny.cc/zihuatanejo582
Cabo San Lucas
Marlin fishing has remained slow, again this week. A few were taken inshore close to Cabo, but the bite is just not happening. There have been reports of tailers seen up around the lighthouse area on the Pacific side, but not much interest when baits are thrown at them. It's fine water temperatures; they just aren't biting.
Yellowfin tuna are there, then gone. Last week there was a good bite out at the Gate, next they were found again out by San Jaime, but not the number of schools we are used to seeing this time of year. Lots of porpoise out there, but the tuna are not with them.
Still a few dorado popping up here and there, with only one or two blind strikes, no school concentrations. It seems like the rougher it gets, the better they bite.
Sierra and more sierra, roosterfish, grouper, snapper, triggerfish, a smorgasbord inshore! We have had quite a few fly fishermen recently on the pangas doing very well chumming the fish up with sardina to cast their flies into schools…mostly roosterfish and sierra on the fly.
Lots of families for the holiday, and it's been all about keeping the younger kids happy so they will keep an interest in fishing. So a lot of boats have stayed inshore where they are catching lots of fish, instead of offshore for one or two fish, if any. It was a pretty busy week here with the younger kids traveling with Mom and Dad for their spring break.…George and Mary Landrum
Current Cabo Weather http://tiny.cc/cabo191 |
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