First in Line . . . Wins

REPORT #974. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
This week’s fishing was all about lines! First in line at breakfast, then the pier, then the bait boat and you might be one of the first to get to the high spot in front of La Ribera. It’s worth the effort: plenty of football- and beyond-sized tuna to bend the stick. Finally, there are a few sardina to be had for chum if you find the right bait guy. First, throw the sardina, then the Baja Wasabi and it’s fish on. Within an hour, you realize why being early is important as the fleet grows to parking lot sized. Next comes the decision . . . inshore for roosters and jacks. Punta Colorada and La Ribera are your best bet. If you are looking for Bubba, the lighthouse makes the most sense, but be ready to spend some time and walk a lot. Or head out a few miles in the blue water for billfish – sailfish are the most likely – with stripes second and an “Oh my God” blue a possibility. Forget about dorado; they aren’t here in any appreciable numbers and are incidental catch at best.
If you live in or are a frequent Baja visitor, Chubascos (hurricanes) are always a factor in late summer and early fall. Katrina slamming into the Gulf Coast last week and leaving heartbreak and destruction in its path demonstrates the need for concern and preparedness. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims. If you haven’t donated to Red Cross yet here is a link where you can.

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[url]http://www.redcross.org/[/url]

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Baja Wasabi recipe
[url]http://www.bajafly.com/bajawasabi.htm[/url]

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 78-88
Air temperature 78-94
Humidity 55%
Wind: NNW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:33 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Reports vary. The esteros surrounding the Puerto San Carlos area still producing little; while above Lopez Mateos corvina, grouper and snapper continue to provide fair to good action.
Offshore, the Thetis Bank is holding plenty of dorado and it seems like more marlin sightings each week. On a straight line toward the entrada about 15 miles from the entrance, dorado and a few marlin can be found around the shark buoys. Closer to shore – toward Lopez Mateos – football-sized tuna and dorado have been providing the best action.

Water temperature 70-80
Air temperature 74-80
Humidity 92%
Wind: NW 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:43 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The fishing has picked up a little since last week, but it seems that all species remain fairly scattered. Most boats when fishing offshore are averaging between one and two sailfish releases a day. Plus, there have been several very nice 30- to 40-pound dorado hitting the pier every day. This has been expected, since the rains last week created a lot of debris lines.

The smaller school-sized dorado have yet to show, but when they do, we should have some outstanding action.

Inshore, the roosters and jack crevalle are still going very well, as long as you stay away from the stained water areas the runoff from the rivers has created. The boats are averaging about three nice roosters, of 30- to 40-pounds, a day

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 88
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:03 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
No Report Received. Be sure to pick the September\October issue of Fly Fishing in Salt Waters magazine and read Scott Leon’s “Swimming with the Fishes” story about Guatemala sailfishing. Our good friend Bill Boyce shot the photos for the article and they are outstanding.

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[url]http://www.flyfishinsalt.com/in_this_issue.jsp?ID=38409[/url]

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 77- 82
Humidity 94%
Wind: N 7 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:51 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:13 p.m. CST