Quick Trip . . . Fast Action

REPORT #968. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape

Jerry Ortner and Randy Twist, from Rancho Murrieta, Calif., finished up their quickie trip last Sun. by going out for the morning in search of billfish. Several shots later, Jerry had his first sailfish ever and they were back at the hotel in time for lunch before their flight home. Several billfish, plenty of tuna and skipjack convinced them that their quickie getaway was well worth the effort. With the exception of a disappointing dorado bite, the tuna and billfish continued to be the crowd pleaser during this week. By Wed. (7/20) tropical storm “Eugene,” which was heading out west below us, caused the wind to kick up then lay back down on Thurs.; only to become overcast and breezy again yesterday. Beach action still has not reached its potential. My granddaughter, Lindsey and I walked the beach from the house to Punta Ignacio finding little bait nor fish at midday with perfect light. A good sign was that the bait guys had a few mackerel to sell and a few small sardina were spotted around the pier at Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort. Boats could be seen heading out in all directions this morning as the Sea of Cortez was flat again with no wind.

Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 73-86
Air temperature 78-92
Humidity 70%
Wind: Calm. PM Breeze
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:45 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:05 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

This week at the entrada, the yellowtail along with a few grouper further down in the water column decided to bite. Reports of dorado at the shark buoys 230-270˚ 20 miles outside the entrada is an encouraging sign that the water is warming up nicely. Outside of Lopez Mateos, tuna and dorado are both being found 5-10 miles offshore in good numbers. Further out at the Thetis Bank, a few marlin are being seen along with some breezing schools of yellowtail. Esteros (estuaries) are beginning to provide some action as well. Devil’s Curve produced a few grouper, snapper and even a small snook. Further up the panhandle above Lopez Mateos there seemed to be a good concentration of bait on the estero side of the bocas attracting corvina and grouper.

Water temperature 62-73
Air temperature 75-82
Humidity 45%
Wind: SE 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:49 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:16 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
No report received.


Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 87
Humidity 62%
Wind: South 6 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:21 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:22 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala

No report received

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 80- 84
Humidity 100%
Wind: SSE 4 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:35 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:34 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