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From Jan 01, 1999 To Sep 09, 2010
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Apr 28, 2007; 04:37PM - Roosters Rule, Jacks Follow!
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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 #1060 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update April 28, 2007
East Cape
Roosterfish action speeded up just in time for Doug Booth’s (Tustin, CA) inshore trip Saturday. The 8 to 20lb class pez gallo put on a real show tearing up bait on a flat calm sea as frigate birds dipped and dived above the frenzy. This classic East Cape action lasted a couple of days until the North wind came roaring back down the Sea of Cortez once again causing lumpy and off color inshore conditions. Back on the beach, the North wind made sight fishing tough as the wave action churned up the shore line. Nevertheless, bright sun allowed for decent fish spotting and if you were in the right spots, the jack crevalle were fairly numerous and were responding to flies with some aggression. A few good sized roosters were in the mix too. Our Guide, Lance Peterson, reported that they were picky as usual but he did manage to get some hard follows. However, getting one to eat the fly was a different story.
Offshore the north winds made for a tough week until Thursday when the wind backed off again. That is all it took for the billfish to begin to bite again. Thirty miles offshore a few boats found some pods of porpoise producing some of the best YFT action in several weeks. Hopefully, the action will continue this week if the north wind stays away.
Water temperature 65-74
Air temperature 62-82
Humidity 77%
Wind: NNW 5-7 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:47 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:45 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Continued cooler water temps offshore have pushed most of the fish further down the coast. Entrada action continues with sierra, yellows and bonito found feeding on the surface under the bird schools.
Corvina provided the best action inside the esteros along with a few sierra found up above Lopez Mateos. Grouper, pargo and snook seemed to be among the missing this week or maybe it was the anglers that were missing.
Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 60 -82
Humidity 68 %
Wind: NW 7-9 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:53 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:55 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The fishing this week has really turned on for the blue water. For the inshore action, the roosters are right on schedule and starting to make their migration back. There are a few showing up on the beaches again.
The biggest news is the blue marlin and sailfish. Each day, one out of every three boats are getting a shot at a blue. This is normal for the month of May, but it is late April, and they are week or so early. We have averaged at least 5 blues a day for the daily 18 to 20 boat fleet. In addition, with the arrival of the blue marlin, the big 200 pound plus yellowfin tuna will not be far behind. Most of the tuna and blue marlin action in May will be at less than the 20 mile mark.
Plus, we are averaging an incredible 5 to 6 released sailfish a day per boat this week. Some boats are posting double digit numbers of releases.
Mike Griffin, of Anchorage, told me he fished with Captain Poli on the Don Gordo II this last Wednesday. With 20 sailfish raised and striking the baits in the spread, they had run out of baits by 11:00. Two elderly couples were very satisfied with the day and their 4 sailfish releases, so their captain gave Poli his remaining baits. They finished the day with 25 strikes, of which they had two triples, two doubles, and three singles. Most of the action was within 12 miles of the lighthouse at Zihuatanejo Bay.
Mike told me there were acres of porpoise, and birds crashing on bait everywhere. There were free jumping sails in every direction, and every boat in the fleet was hooked up at the same time. They could not even get the entire compliment of trolling rods out before they were hooked up. With only two rods out, sometimes they did not make more than 50 yards before they were bit again. Two of the fish they caught were over the 100 pound mark. Mike said it he had never had a better day on the water.
Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, told me he got 5 roosters in 3 days of fishing inshore, and a few jacks are starting to show up also.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 72-99
Humidity 88%
Wind: WSW 8 knts
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:22 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:06 p.m. CDT
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Apr 21, 2007; 02:00PM - Jack’s are 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:
REPORT #1059 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update April 21, 2007
East Cape
Sporadic north winds influenced the fishing this week! On the less windy days the billfishing was excellent with many boats racking up multiple scores. Dorado, while spread out throughout the bay, were mostly singles and still not grouped up in schools. YFT catches could only be classified as dismal. Cecilia “Pudge” Kleinkauf, Women’s Flyfishing©, Anchorage, AK, finished up on Monday and the group ranging from novice to seasoned anglers all came away from the trip with plenty of bragging rights until they return next year.
Baja on the Fly guide, Lance Peterson, took the day off on Friday and sent us the following report. “Had great fun fishing the beach all day. Literally hundreds of jacks with a few chasing the flies were enough to keep it interesting and provided non-stop action. When the scales settled, the score was one big jack landed as they continued to prove how tough they can be to catch from the shore.
Also had some great rooster action with some follows but no takers; I'm absolutely spent from running down fish. Great day.”
Water temperature 65-74
Air temperature 59-85
Humidity 59%
Wind: NNE 8-11 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:53 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:42 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Strong winds and high seas kept the local boats inside this week. Entrada action under the bird schools improved with enough sierra and yellows to bend the rods of the few anglers there. Devil’s Curve produced a few grouper, small pargo and the corvina were suckers for surface plugs or poppers.
Closer to San Carlos at the bridge early morning action also included corvina and small groupers using Chartreuse Clousers retrieved slowly along the rocky bottom.
Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 58 -90
Humidity 43 %
Wind: NNW 15-20 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:59 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:52 p.m. MDT
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Apr 14, 2007; 12:30PM - Bills Come Early!
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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 #1058 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update April 14, 2007
East Cape
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/report/jen..jpg[/img]
[i][b]Jen Hall, Boston, MA connected with a stripey on the fly her first day![/b][/i]
Cecilia “Pudge” Kleinkauf, owner of Women’s Flyfishing©, Anchorage, AK, arrived early in the week with a group of fishing buddies to enjoy some Baja sun and flyfishing. It didn’t take long to get the party started! First day out, with Pudge’s coaching, Jen Hall, Boston, MA, landed her first striped marlin on the fly. Not to be outdone, Maria Knutson, Anchorage AK, landed her first sailfish. Yes, read SAILFISH. They have arrived early this season.
Most of the marlin, sailfish and dorado action was due east anywhere from 14 – 35 miles from the Hotel Buenavista Beach Resort. The action continued to build throughout the week and some of the boats had as many as 9 flags a flying as a north wind chased them back to the dock Friday afternoon. Though most of the dorado were singles, the quality was decent with many of the fish exceeding fifteen pounds. Many of them were caught on bait, but there was enough fly action to keep things interesting.
With a lack of sardina locally, two boats opted to make the run up to Isla Ceralvo thirty miles to the north where sardina was available. These two boats found excellent fly rod action for skipjack lasting most of the day with the aid of the sardina.
Inshore there were a few jacks caught. Long time client, Allison Osinski, San Diego, CA, landed her “personal best” jack crevalle estimated to weigh 22 lbs. While there were a few roosters found cruising close to shore and a few near misses none were caught. Even tossing the leftover sardina in front of them didn’t stir up much action --- only a few ladyfish and one lone rooster. As the water temps continue to climb, the roosterfish action should begin to get better.
Water temperature 65-78
Air temperature 60-84
Humidity 64%
Wind: N 12 - 16 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:59 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:40 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Another “cookie cutter” week of moderate action both at the Entrada for small yellows and grouper and inside the esteros where there was some surface action for corvina using small poppers. Fishing further down in the water column near the bottom, with slow retrieved chartreuse Clousers, tricked a few small grouper and pargo.
As the waters have cooled offshore the action has slowed as well. None of the local boats headed out this week and we didn’t hear any reports from boats traveling either up or down the coast.
Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 64 -85
Humidity 43 %
Wind: SW 10 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:48 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Fishing still remains on the slow side, however there are definite signs of improvement. At least things were improving until we were hit by a 6.3 earthquake at mid week. Earthquakes apparently affect the vibration sensitive lateral lines of the game fish, and they absolutely refuse to bite for at least 24 hours after a quake.
Centered only about 60 miles South of Zihuatanejo, the quake did no damage at all.
Santiago, on the panga Gitana, told me he was raising 4 to 5 sailfish a day in an area between 18 and 21 miles from Zihuatanejo Bay. Dan and Alicia Sauder fished with Santiago for three days, releasing 6 sails and had a nice blue marlin come unbuttoned.
Inshore fishing is only showing a few black skipjack tuna and smaller jack crevalle.
May will be here in a few weeks, and May is usually one of our best months of the year for tuna and marlin.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 71-90
Humidity 43%
Wind: ESE 4 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:31 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:02 p.m. CDT
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Apr 7, 2007; 10:40AM - Easter Week without Wind? Almost!
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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 #1057 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update April 7, 2007
Yvonne and I recently acquired a Road Trek, a self-contained van, so that we could spend more time exploring Baja. This week I made my first trip to Baja in the rig and it has been great. Internet access is a must for me and I can’t believe that every RV Park I have stayed in on the trip down had wireless access. Baja is a changing!
East Cape
It has been a while since East Cape had an Easter week with no wind! On Monday, the wind just died and the Sea of Cortez was like grease through Thursday. On Good Friday the wind arrived just in time to greet the Locals celebrating 'Semana Santa' on East Cape Beaches.
Offshore action has included good marlin counts with even a few early sailfish in the mix. If you were up for a long boat ride, you could have found fair numbers of dorado to the north and a smattering of tuna way south.
The sight fishing conditions were near perfect until Thursday when the clouds came rolling in. While you could find action on small roosters and a few ladyfish in the likely spots, the larger variety of roosterfish were among the missing in the shallows. Schools of big jacks are around but are still locked into their milling/daisy chaining behavior, making them tough to catch. Ever so often they cruise close to shore and on occasion will light up and chase a well placed fly. Although there are few sardina to be found along the beach, there are quite a few ballyhoo and pockets of mullet so far.
Water temperature 65-74
Air temperature 60-90
Humidity 47%
Wind: SW 13 knots
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 20 miles
Sunrise 7:05 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:37 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Didn’t hear of much action outside this week. In the Esteros, there was another big tide and fast current. This week yielded so-so action for corvina, spotted bay bass and a few grouper.
Even the Entrada’s yellow action slowed this week and about the only thing biting consistently was the small halibut in the shallows near the sandy beaches at Belchers.
Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 64 -81
Humidity 47 %
Wind: SW 10 knots
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:14 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:45 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Under the full moon period, the fishing has been a bit on the slow side, with most of the action beyond the 20 mile mark.
Sea temperatures have held at 80 degrees plus which is unusual. for this time of the year. Normally early April current, brings a current of cold green water pushing the blue water out beyond the 40 mile areas.
Inshore was lightly fished this week with so-so results.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 76-86
Humidity 65%
Wind: SW 8 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 11 miles
Sunrise 7:46 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:01 p.m. CDT
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Mar 31, 2007; 03:45PM - Spring Forward…..Wind 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:
REPORT #1056 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 03/31/07
East Cape
Mexico switched to daylight savings time this week, just as the north wind cranked back up shutting down what had been some good early season beach fishing. Water conditions quickly went from clean and fairly warm, to off color and cooler as the relentless wind waves pounded the beach. Earlier in the week the first pods of larger roosterfish in the 10 to 15 lb range could be seen cruising the beach in groups of a half dozen or so. The smaller juveniles roosters (1 or 2 lbs) are still numerous as well. While not exactly spring-style beach action, it was great to have a few cruisers to cast to. The jack crevalle have been seen schooling near-shore in larger groups. They are still in their milling/spawning behavior and they continue to be tough on the fly. That being said, they will indeed eat a fly if you are persistent and lucky enough to get a few chances. Sea lions have them spooked as well, which doesn't help the bite.
Offshore fishing action prior to the return of the wind included a good showing of striped marlin for those willing to run south...way south. Tuna action was found under the porpoise throughout Las Palmas Bay before the wind stirred things up.
Water temperature 65-78
Air temperature 55-82
Humidity 70%
Wind: NNW 11-15 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:12 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:34 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Little action reported by the steady stream of yachts pounding up the coast toward California in less than ideal traveling weather. The best action found was on the finger bank below Tasco.
Whale watching season is over and attention has turned back to fishing by the locals. So far the action has been spotty; the Entrada produced a few small yellows along with a few bonito. With big tides creating ripping currents, the Esteros also performed poorly this week only yielding a few grouper, corvina and spotted bay bass.
Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 55 -86
Humidity 64 %
Wind: WNW 6-9 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:20 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:42 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Fishing has been a bit slow this week. The blue water moved out to the 15 mile mark, and then back in to 10 miles.
According to the Terrafin Satellite Surface Temperatures, the water within the normal fishing zone of 30 miles is a blustery 84º, with the preferable 80º water about 40 miles. This explains why most sailfish are being taken between 18 and 20 miles, with the tuna and blue marlin coming from the 40 to 45 mile mark.
Adolpho on the panga, Dos Hermanos, told me he did have one decent day on sails, releasing four. He also said the inshore action is very slow. Adolpho is one of our absolute best roosterfish and jack crevalle captains, and if he says it is slow, then do not waste your time trying for them.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 74-86
Humidity 83%
Wind: NNW 4 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:42 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:59 p.m. CDT |
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Mar 24, 2007; 02:05PM - Transition Time in Baja
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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:
Transition Time in Baja
REPORT #1055 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 03/24/07
[b]East Cape[/b]
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/report/lady.jpg[/img]
[b]Feeding Lady[/b]
Water temperature 65-78
Air temperature 62-75
Humidity 57 %
Wind: NNW 7 to 9 knts
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:27 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:39 p.m. MST
The transition from winter to spring is in full swing and hopefully it won’t be long before the north winds will only be a fading memory. Most of the action offshore was down to the south and included some football tuna that have begun to arrive along with the continuing striped marlin bite. Unfortunately, dorado action slowed down a click or two this week.
Inshore the small roosters and sierra led the way along with a few ladyfish and pompano. We’re still seeing the larger variety jacks but they seem to be afflicted with a serious case of lockjaw.
[b]Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico[/b]
Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 55 -82
Humidity 82 %
Wind: WNW 13 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:26 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:39 p.m. MST
The few boats heading offshore found slim pickings from the Entrada all the way out to the Thetis Bank. The preponderance of bait in the water, mostly squid, may have had a lot to do with it. Back at the Entrada the bite also had slowed for the firecracker yellows for the same reason.
Action was a bit better in the Esteros with corvina providing the best action. There were also a few grouper, pargo and plenty of spotted bay bass to be found at slack tide up above Lopez Mateos.
[b]Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico [/b]
Even though the incredible blue marlin bite of last week has not continued at its torrid pace, we have not exactly had a 'should have been here last week' situation either.
A full half of the 15 boat fleet is still getting at least a shot at a blue marlin, with an average of about three blues a day being hooked. Cheva, on the panga, Dos Hermanos II, told me how he had a double on two marlin going a respectable 230 and 300 pounds. They got them both to the boat, and with what is probably the understatement of the year, he said, “it was a 'bit confusing at times”.
The sailfish action is still only averaging about 1 fish per boat per day. A few yellowfin tuna are being taken at the 40 mile mark by the commercial pangeros.
We had some high surf this week, and the jack crevalle action slowed down a bit, but there are tons of black skipjack tuna. (This is one of the reasons the marlin are plentiful - the small tuna is a favorite food of a marlin.) The hard-fighting small tuna are providing very good action for fly rodders.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 66-86
Humidity 83%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:57 p.m. CST |
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Mar 10, 2007; 04:35PM - Roosters a Plenty
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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 #1053 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 03/10/07
East Cape
Water temperature 65-72
Air temperature 54-87
Humidity 28 %
Wind: N 4 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:22 p.m. MST
The Baja winter pattern continued this week with a few great days and more wind on the others. The jacks that had been frequently spotted along the beach seemed to have disappeared, being replaced by small groups of “young and dumb” juvenile roosters quite willing to bite almost anything in front of them. Give them a couple of months and they will become much more selective. The winds continue to scatter the small baitfish along the shore. There were also a few schools of pompano spotted flashing and grubbing in the sand but they seemed to have lockjaw and weren’t interested in anything offered. The local panga fishermen have been scoring on pargo a short distance off the beach.
Offshore much of same action as the past few weeks - fair billfish action with an occasional dorado up to the north.
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 56 -83
Humidity 65 %
Wind: WNW 11 to 15 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:41 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:43 p.m. MST
The local panga fishermen claim that they have been spotting a number of marlin chasing bait balls with the birds not far behind near the Thetis bank. Closer to shore there are still a few dorado to be found, though not the bonanza experienced a couple of months ago.
Most of the locals are taking advantage of one of the best whale watching seasons in recent memory. Both Puerto San Carlos and Lopez Mateos have had a steady steam of tourists from all parts of the globe seeking a photo op with a whale.
With light pressure, the Esteros have yielded good catches of pompano, corvina, with a few snook and grouper caught near Devil’s Curve.
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80° blue water is just off the beach. However, most of the action appears to be a long boat ride off shore. For blue water action within 20 miles of the beach, the counts have been way down this last week. We have been averaging about one sailfish per boat per day. There have been very few dorado, but the blue marlin count is still respectable, with about 4 or 5 blue marlin a day being reported.
While fishing with Adan on the Gitana II this week, John Erickson of Wisconsin got a 180 pound blue on Tuesday, with John Torres catching a 220 pound blue on Friday.
At 40 miles, the commercial pangeros are getting yellowfin tuna in the 60 to 90 pound range. Plus, they are reporting a lot of sailfish and marlin in the same area. Apparently, there is a large concentration of bait along a current line at 40 miles, and this has been holding the game fish.
The inshore action for jack crevalle is still red hot. Now is the time for the light line and fly rod enthusiast to hit the water. You will be exhausted before noon.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 71-87
Humidity 83%
Wind: SE at 4 mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 6:59 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:55 p.m. CST
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Mar 3, 2007; 09:44AM - Wind the Trend
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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 #1052 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 03/03/07
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/report/turtle.png[/img]
[b]Cali and Ed Kunze found this sea turtle down at Vicente, Gro. The large gill net must have been demolished by a cargo ship, and left in pieces. They managed to cut the animal free[/b]
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 69-86
Humidity 65%
Wind: WSW 9 MPH
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:03 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:52 p.m. CST
The water is starting a cooling trend, which is normal for this time of the year. At 30 miles, we have only 79° water, and not the 84° of weeks past. The blue water has moved out a bit also, and is about 18 miles from Zihuatanejo Bay.
The fleet is averaging between 1 and 3 sailfish a day, per boat. A few dorado are still being taken, but only about 1 for every 6 boats on the water. The blue marlin are still doing very well, but not quite as hot as last week. There are still at least 3 to 4 blues a day being recorded by the 30 boat fleet.
There is still no sign of the tuna, but with the cooling water, it will not be long.
Inshore, the jack crevalle action is hot. There are a lot of them, but not too many in the 20 pound range yet. Most of the jacks are in the low teens.
Ed Kunze
East Cape
Water temperature 65-72
Air temperature 62-78
Humidity 28%
Wind: N 13 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 17 miles
Sunrise 6:39 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:22 p.m. MST
This week was back to normal with strong winds beginning mid- to late morning each day. Those who made it out early enough had fair action for small roosters, sierra and ladyfish. Big jacks were still a tease as they continued their spooky behavior while milling well within casting range. Once the wind cranked up, it was Bloody Mary time at the pool.
The few boats that ventured out hightailed it back when the north wind came blasting down the Sea of Cortez. The lucky ones found a few marlin and dorado outside of Punta Pescadero.
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
There were strong winds on the Pacific side as well, but with most of the attention devoted to whales cavorting in the bay it didn’t seem to matter. The few that chose fish over mammals were not disappointed fishing in the Esteros. There were enough corvina and grouper, and all the spotted bay bass they wanted to keep the rods bent for most of the day until the winds picked up in the afternoon.
Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 58 -80
Humidity 9%
Wind: NNW 13 mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:48 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:29 p.m. MST |
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Feb 24, 2007; 02:08PM - Love is in the Air
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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 #1051 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 02/25/07
East Cape
A little nice weather and suddenly there are more flags flying from the riggers. The gold ones account for the sprinkling of dorado found scattered around Las Palmas Bay. And then there’s the blue and white marlin flags also beginning to fly: Good billfish action was 15 -18 miles to the north with a report of one boat hooking seven marlin earlier in the week. This combination has the locals predicting an action-packed April for billfish as they begin to spawn.
Inshore, grande class jack Crevalle put on a show out in front of Punta Colorada, driving the sardina bait balls all the way up onto the sand. It seemed to be “love in the air” as they went into their milling\\mating mode, but they ignored all offerings made by frustrated anglers taking advantage of the mild winds flinging this and that at them.
Water temperature 65-72
Air temperature 55-80
Humidity 86%
Wind: NNW 17 to 24 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:45 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:19 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The word must have gotten out about the excellent whale watching this year! Every hotel in Magdalena Bay is sporting a “No Vacancy” sign.
Offshore there are still reports of marlin being spotted but few boats are available to take advantage of the late/early show (take your pick). Most of the dorado have disappeared as the water temps continue to cool down.
The only action of any significance in the Esteros this week seemed to be a decent corvina bite with a few larger ones in the ten pound class.
Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 50 -80
Humidity 78%
Wind: NE 8 to 11 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:54 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:26 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
This has been a very mixed week. Our bread and butter fish, the sailfish, has been fairly slow. We are only averaging one or two fish per day per boat, with many boats not seeing a thing. But, the blue marlin action has been incredible.
On one day this week, we reported 14 large blue marlin with the tourist sport fishing fleet out of the municipal pier in Zihuatanejo, plus another 6 from the private boats in Marina Ixtapa. And, this does not count the other 10 blue marlin caught by the commercial pangeros. For the entire fleet, including the commercial pangeros, we put about 40 boats on the water and caught 30 blue marlin in one day!
The other days in this week have not been quite so plentiful, but we are still seeing a minimum of 10 blue marlin a day being hooked and landed.
One notable catch was made by Bill Hermann from Washington, while fishing on the Gaby with Captain Margarito. Margarito called me on my cell phone at 9:00 and they were almost back to the pier already. His clients had enough excitement for the day. The 426 pound blue marlin had wiped them out.
Another notable catch was made by Onno Van Veen of Holland. He fished 6 days with Santiago on the panga Gitana, releasing 2 sailfish, 1 striped marlin, and a blue marlin of about 100 pounds. All fish were taken on the fly.
The party of four in the Bob Stevens group out of Seattle, WA, fished on two pangas at Vicente Gro. for one day. I was on one panga, with Cali on the other. Between us, we tagged and released 3 sailfish for the 4 fly fishermen. Of course, the guy paying the tab, Bob Stevens, never even had a shot.
There has been very little action inshore.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 76-88
Humidity 82%
Wind: SE 15 mph
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:51 p.m. CST
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Feb 17, 2007; 02:26PM - Sierra Snap
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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 #1050 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 02/17/07
East Cape
Beach and inshore action this week was dominated by a better-than-normal sierra bite that went on from gray light until well after sunrise. Our guide reported that between releasing fish and retying flies on, he barely had time to take any photos. If you were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, the small roosters and ladyfish could be found chasing small schools of sardina right to the beach. Offshore there was still consistent billfish and dorado action to the north outside of Punta Pescadero, as well as to the outside of the color break near the Punta Arena.
Water temperature 65-70
Air temperature 58-77
Humidity 62%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Partly Cludy
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:15 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Remarkably, the whale count continues to climb. Enrique Soto, Puerto San Carlos, reported seeing over fifty whales on a three hour trip on Friday. Huge schools of large squid have mysteriously appeared during the week and have been washing up on the sandy beaches. Inside the Esteros, the corvina fishing exploded this week for the few anglers fishing there. There were also a few snook caught at Devil’s Curve.
Offshore, in spite of the windy conditions earlier in the week, local shark fishermen found both marlin and dorado west of the Entrada, 10 – 22 miles.
Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 64 -79
Humidity 41%
Wind: Light
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:00 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:22 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
This week's trend is still staying true to the improving fishing from last week. The sailfish average is holding at between two and three sails per boat per day, but the blue marlin have showed up to join the party. Early in the week, foretelling what was to come, several huge blues were taken. A couple came in around 750 pounds, and a few more between 450 and 650 pounds. But, on Thursday, six big blues hit the dock, and then yesterday (Friday), another eight. Plus, several more were taken by the private boats based out of Marina Ixtapa.
Keep in mind, more of these marlin are lost than are actually hooked. Almost every boat in the blue water is getting a shot at one. Almost all the blues are being taken on a slow trolled live black skipjack tuna.
The inshore action is kind of unknown at this time, as most captains are telling their clients to try for the marlin.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 75-89
Humidity 82%
Wind: SE 15 mph
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:12 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:48 p.m. CST
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