Guatemala Sizzles, Others Struggle

East Cape
Yvonne and Gary will attend the International Sportsmen’s Expo in San Mateo, CA, February 3-6. If you are attending the show, don’t miss Gary’s presentations on –
Friday, 5:30 Baja on the Fly Techniques You Can Use
A few sierra inshore and from the beach can be found on the calm days, usually at gray light before the wind cranks up. Wind . . . rain . . . more wind seemed to be the name of that tune most of the week. Hopefully, this week will be better.
Water temperature
70-74
Air temperature
66-69
Humidity
43%
Wind:
NNW 17 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:00 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:03 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Squirrelly weather including some rain kept most of the fleet close to home. Only fair fishing reported at the entrada on the good days. A few small yellows and grouper were the best anyone could come up with. The esteros above Lopez Mateos produced fair action for small sierra and a few grouper. The locals continue preparations for the upcoming annual celebration of the whales, “Festival Ballena Gris,” Feb. 12.

Water temperature
69-75
Air temperature
64-71
Humidity
25%
Wind:
North 2 mph
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:10 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:08 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The blue water is just off the beach, but earlier in the week the full moon had put a bit of a brake on the good action we had been having. However, yesterday (Friday), the fishing picked up again with the boats averaging a couple of sailfish each per day, plus a very good showing of 20 to 35 pound dorado.

Frustrated by only raising 3 or 4 sailfish a day earlier in the week, client Rich Pietila of Odessa, Texas asked Martin on the panga Isamar to go 40 miles and see if they could get some action on the yellowfin tuna. They did not find any tuna, but on the way back they saw a lot of sailfish at the 30 mile mark. Using only hookless lures, as we do when fly fishing, they would tease the fish to the boat, but dropped back with a live bait on a 30 pound rig. They tagged and released 6 in a very short time. The next day they targeted this group of new fish, and what a day they had. With more than 30 fish raising to the spread, they tagged and released 12.

The roosterfish are still very slow and will probably not pick up again until July. Inshore, the small game fishing is decent and we are even getting quite a few chulas. A chula (kawa kawa) is a small tuna, with teeth.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
75 - 86
Humidity
70%
Wind:
12 mph from the West
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:18 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:39 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
The weather has again been excellent, the fishing has been in as close as 10 miles, and as far as 25 on some boats that ranged out a bit. I only received stats for one day this week, but in that one day, 8 boats were out using conventional gear, and had 197 hooked sailfish and managed to release 148 of those for an average of 19 releases per boat on conventional gear. Two of the 10 boats out were on the fly and got hooks in 22 sails and managed to release 14 of them at the boat. Marlin also made a strong showing with three blues released. It’s not a bad day when 37% of the fleet releases 300-450 pound-class marlin on 30-50 pound gear. Dorado were also around and being brought in with the largest going 40 pounds. Inshore, there continues to be consistent action on roosters when we have had our crews out practicing their teasing skills on roosters and jacks, their just have not been any clients taking advantage. Water clarity is great, and most of the action is taking place in the blue water.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature
72 - 82
Air temperature
78 - 80
Humidity
94%
Wind:
NE 8 mph
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
6 miles
Sunrise
6:31 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:01 p.m. CST

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

Winds, Winds, Winds . . . Phooey!

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
Yvonne and Gary will be attending the Fly Show in Somerset, NJ January 27-29. If you are attending the show don’t miss Gary’s presentations on –
Friday 4:30 Guatemala on the Fly
Saturday 3:30 Baja on the Fly
Calm today. Early sierra bite good at Rancho Leonero. Lots of skipjack all over. Anything purple seems to work. Water is clear. Everyone hopes the wind stays calm for a few days.
Report by Baja on the Fly guide Tim Selzer
Water temperature
70-74
Air temperature
64-69
Humidity
43%
Wind:
North 6 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:01 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:59 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Nice weather greeted the large number of folks arriving to get up close and personal with the whales this week. Best action continued to be out at the entrada. A few yellows, small grouper and the barracuda were thick. I am not aware of anyone who ventured up into the esteros this week, so there is little to report on that front. Up at Lopez Mateos the focus is primarily on the whales and the upcoming annual celebration of the Whales, “Festival Ballena Gris” will be held Feb. 12.

Water temperature
69-75
Air temperature
62-69
Humidity
33%
Wind:
West 8 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:12 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:04 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80 degree blue water is less than a mile off the beach, and the gamefish have come in with the water. Most captains are working an area from 5 to 8 miles from the entrance to Zihuatanejo Bay, with none going any further than 13 miles. The boats are averaging about 8 raised fish a day. The conventional gear anglers are releasing an average of 4 sailfish a day, with the fly fishermen getting at least one and sometimes two a day.

Several boats this week have released 7 fish a day. Santiago on the panga “Gitana” released 7 fish two days running with client Bill Grey of South Carolina. Santiago has, over this last 6 days, released 30 sailfish total.

Baja on the Fly client Derek Fasio hooked and released his first sailfish on the fly, as well as Tom Burns of Boston.

Dorado are still scarce, and only being taken while trolling sailfish gear. The tuna have moved out to the 35 mile mark.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
75 - 82
Humidity
83%
Wind:
SW 6 mph
Conditions:
T-Storms
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:19 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:35 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
The weather this past week was downright ugly, with very windy conditions. A few boats ventured out, but the fishing was difficult to put it best. As the week went on, the conditions have improved, and the numbers on sailfish improved. There was a blue marlin also released. Inshore, where the wind slowly sandblasted you, there was some good action on roosterfish, and strangely enough, several dorado and a sail were caught. The water color varied between blue and bluish green in the productive areas.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature
72 - 82
Air temperature
80 - 84
Humidity
94%
Wind:
NE 8 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
6 miles
Sunrise
6:31 a.m. CST
Sunset
5:58 p.m. CST

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

It's Winter Almost Everywhere

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
The fishing right now is poor. The wind is blowing and the waves are up to 10 feet high. Biggest surf I have ever seen here. Water is brown and cooling off. The fishing was OK before the wind started. Bob at the tackle shop caught a 25 pound rooster at La Rivera on a top water plug. The Sierra that were south of the light house left. A Spa boat went there 4 days ago and didn't get any. Locals have been catching good numbers of Sierra north of town on silver homemade lures and hand lines. The bite stops at first light. Some small Dorado and a few skip Jacks at Punta Pescadero, blue and white still the favored color.
Report by Baja on the Fly guide Tim Selzer
OFFSHORE: More winter weather kept boats close to shore
INSHORE: Punta Pescadero for small dorado early morning
BEACH: Still some sierra and small roosters if you can beat the wind

Water temperature
70-74
Air temperature
68-73
Humidity
43%
Wind:
North 6 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:02 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:54 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The Entrada produced a few yellows as well as leopard grouper if the fly below all of the barracuda on the surface. Up in the esteros the Corvina shut off leaving only the cabrilla for the few fishing this week. The whale count continued to climb with more than 15 spotted near the Entrada.
Lopez Mateos…Last week local fishermen caught a 80lb grouper. Outside the channel it was slow do to weather.3 to 4 whales spotted and one mom and her calf in the bay. Lopez Mateo will be having the Whale Festival soon. Diana Hoyt, Magbay Outfitters.
Water temperature
69-75
Air temperature
66-73
Humidity
33%
Wind:
NE 11 mph
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:13 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:59 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80 degree blue water is just off the beach a couple of miles, and the inshore water is clear and clean. The fishing for sailfish has slowed down a bit over the last week. Most boats going out are raising 3 to 4 a day, but only hooking one or two.

However, a lot of boats are taking some 30 to 45 pound dorado. All the dorado are being caught as an "incidental catch" while trolling for sailfish. Plus the yellowfin tuna have been making a strong showing this week. It is good to see the dorado and tuna back. I have had fresh fish for dinner 4 nights this week. The tuna have been located at the 16 mile mark, and some of them are huge. The majority of the tuna are going about 60 pounds, but the panga Paola did boat a 250 pond fish.

The strong roosterfish and jack crevalle bite has finally slowed down to a normal winter time pace. Only one or two fish per day are being taken per boat.
Ed Kunze

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
75 - 87
Humidity
66%
Wind:
WSW 8 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:19 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:31 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
The weather continues to be great with fairly calm seas, and the fishing action has been steady all week long. There were no local boats out, but some visiting boats experienced some excellent action on sails and Dorado. One boat averaged 17 releases per day on the fly over 3 days, and one averaged 20 per day on conventional tackle. The boats have mainly been fishing 20-27 miles offshore, but are seeing fish in as close as 10 miles.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature
72 - 82
Air temperature
80 - 84
Humidity
55%
Wind:
NE 8 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
6:20 a.m. CST
Sunset
5:54 p.m. CST

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

It's Definitely Winter

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
Fishing is slow. Winter has definitely returned. We experienced strong north winds both yesterday and today. Sierra – the best ceviche – are by the pyramids north of town, accessible from shore early; and still lots of sierra from the lighthouse south to Cabo Pulmo. Natural color flies, white and green, and white grey seem to work best. We can no longer get sardina at Cabo Pulmo. There were some roosterfish at the lighthouse before the wind came, but five-foot surf and dirty cold water has shut off the shore fishing. Offshore fishing was good for small dorado until the wind came. No boats have gone out the last two days.
Report by Baja on the Fly guide Tim Selzer

OFFSHORE: North winds made for a tough week
INSHORE: Last week’s dorado took a hike when the winds came
BEACH: Still some sierra and small roosters if you can beat the wind

Water temperature
70-74
Air temperature
66-71
Humidity
39%
Wind:
16 mph from the SSE
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:01 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:41 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Marginal weather persisted most of the week causing an uncomfortable ride for yachts traveling through the area. By the end of the week it was clear skies and no wind prevailed. I think the crews were spending more time hanging on than fishing. Water temps definitely cooled down this week. The entrada produced fair-to-good fishing for small yellowtail, leopard grouper and barracuda. The whale count continues to grow each week and both Lopez Mateos and San Carlos are beginning to fill up with eager tourists in search of an up-close and personal experience with a unsuspecting whale. Still little action to report in the esteros from both San Carlos and Lopez Mateos.
Water temperature
69-75
Air temperature
62-71
Humidity
18%
Wind:
NW 4 mph
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:13 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:53 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
I have been reflecting on how we have very calm seas here in Mexico from October through June, compared to what’s happening off the coasts of the U.S. the last few weeks. Plus the fishing is good. Calm seas and good fishing is a hard combination to beat.

The blue water is close and a lot of sailfish are being caught. There are not too many dorado or tuna, but a few blue marlin are starting to show. Client Bob Nelson released his first fly-caught sailfish while fishing with Capt. Martin on the panga “Isamar.” It was the first time he had ever had a flyrod in his hands, and was a little more than impressed about the experience. Also fly-fishing with Capt. Martin for one day was Tom Marshal of Idaho and John Wilkinson of Ohio. They hooked three sails and had raised 8.

Conventional gear fishermen Rick Erdman and his son fished three days on the “Gitana II” with Capt. Adan. They released a total of 12 sailfish.

Capt. Adolpho of the panga “Dos Hermanos,” and his compadre Arturo of the panga “Janneth,” made the 30 mile run to Papanoa for roosters. Normally at this time of the year the roosters start to thin out a bit, but they each hooked at least 8 and 8 jack crevalle. The roosters were averaging about 35 pounds, and the hard-fighting jacks were about 15 pounds. The fish were taken on slow trolled live bait or surface poppers.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
75 - 86
Humidity
66%
Wind:
9 mph from the WSW
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:18 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:26 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
The weather has been great, and the fishing action has been picking up all week long. There were very few boats out, but those that did venture out experienced some excellent action on sails. Dorado and Tuna are around, and there have been a lot more tuna on the docks than we have seen in a long time. Inshore no one was out.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
.
Water temperature
78 - 82
Air temperature
80 - 84
Humidity
55%
Wind:
Calm
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
6:29 a.m. CST
Sunset
5:50 p.m. CST

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373