Roosters a Go Go in Zihuatanejo

REPORT #977. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
While the offshore continues to be on the slow side, with most boats only averaging one sail a day, our focus has been on the inshore getting ready for the only catch and release roosterfish on the fly tournament in Mexico. “Jacks or Better” is scheduled for October 5-10.

All signs indicate that we should have an action-packed event. Good-sized roosters along with some jacks have been found cruising the backside of the swells close to shore. Felipe, on the panga, “Yellowfin,” fished two days, taking seven roosters and several big jacks. The roosters were between 30 and 40 pounds, with the jacks going about 18 pounds . . . encouraging news for our contestants who are arriving for the event in a few weeks.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 84
Humidity 89%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:35 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:40 p.m. CDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Locals reported marlin, dorado and a few wahoo near the Thetis Bank; and closer to shore there were plenty of small tuna and dorado. Along the shore, a few yellows and sierra were found under the bird schools. On a recent Magdalena Island trip, Diana Hoyt, of MagBay Outfitters reported that their clients landed several small snook. They were fishing from the rocks just below the lighthouse at Cabo San Lazaro.

The esteros produced fair to good action for sierra, corvina and a few leopard grouper early in the week.

Water temperature 70-82
Air temperature 71-86
Humidity 78%
Wind: WSW 11
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:16 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:20 p.m. MDT
East Cape
Things I thought I would never report in September: Giant squid within a few miles of the hotel, dorado fishing slim and almost none.

Billfish including sailfish, striped marlin and blues are still around, but with all the squid in the water are not as aggressive as usual. There were some smaller YFT near La Ribera, but most of the fish were caught deep, which is not ideal for the flyrodder. One trick that has worked for us is to use a shooting head with either a heavy Clouser or Baja Deep Diver (chartreuse or olive work well) and let the fly sink until your flyline is almost straight down. Then retrieve with long, abrupt, pulls. If you don’t get a take in 5-7 pulls, let the fly sink and repeat the process. Inshore, roosters and jacks can be found along the beaches from Bartle Beach to the lighthouse feeding mostly on mullet.
Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 80-88
Air temperature 78-99
Humidity 55%
Wind: S 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:12 p.m. MDT

San Jose, Guatemala
Most of the annual boat maintenance is complete and the countdown has begun for the season to get underway. By mid-October, the much-awaited season will have begun. If you haven’t made your reservations for the upcoming season yet, you better do so soon before all the best dates and boats are taken.

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 77- 82
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:52 a.m. CST
Sunset 5:57 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 or (760) 670 4916