2005 Toast . . . Here’s to More Fish in 2006!

2005 Endless Season Recap

REPORT #991. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 12/31/05
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Fishing has been very good this last week. The 82º blue water is at the entrance to Zihuatanejo Bay. I actually observed two free-swimming sailfish, and a hooked and leaping dorado of about 40 pounds, less than 200 yards from the bay's mouth.

Each boat has been averaging two to three sailfish a day, plus two 25- to 30-pound dorado. Plus, the fleet is averaging between two and three blue marlin a day. However, due to the fact the fleet is geared up for the sailfish and dorado, there have numerous other marlin lost. The average marlin strike is about one fish per three boats.

Some notable catches this week were with Martin on the panga “Isamar.” Phil and Wendy Sollecito fished for two days, releasing six sailfish, a large dorado, and a small blue marlin of about 125 pounds. Bob Nelson from San Clemente, Calif., is an annual client of Martin's and also fished two days. Bob released five sailfish and took two nice dorado.

Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos,” had a great day catching the large dorado with 10.

Fly-fishers are getting a lot of shots at the sailfish, and even a couple of dorado. Fishing with me guiding and Captain Felipe on the panga “Yellowfin,” Fred Miller of Denver had three sailfish on the fly. I also did a drop back with a live bait for his son-in-law, and he tagged and released his first sailfish. The bait and switch was done using a spinning rod, 5-feet of 100# test leader, a circle hook, and the spinning reel filled with 20 pound line.

Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
77 - 86
Humidity
66%
Wind
W 8 mph
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
8 miles
Sunrise
7:16 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:22 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
2005 finished up with a bang with most boats finding fast-paced action. The blue water for this week has been averaging between 17 to 30 miles with calm days and flat seas. Many boats reporting double digit releases. A blue marlin pop this week had the crews scrambling to figure out which gear to use. There also plenty of dorado in the 20 to 40 pound class and one boomer that tipped the scales at 50 pounds.

Water temperature
78 - 82
Air temperature
73- 82
Humidity
100%
Wind:
SW 6 mph
Conditions:
T Storms
Visibility
5 miles
Sunrise
6:26 a.m. CST
Sunset
5:46 p.m. CST

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

While there is still decent action down towards the Finger Bank, out in front of Magdalena has cooled down. There are a few dorado and tuna closer to the beach. The esteros (estuaries) are still producing good catches of sierra, pompano, as well as a few grouper and, for the lucky ones, a snook or two


Water temperature
68-73
Air temperature
66-7
Humidity
31%
Wind:
W 6 mph
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
6 miles
Sunrise
7:11 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:48 p.m. MST

East Cape
The north wind played hide and seek most of the week. First you see it then you don’t. This morning (12/31) is one of the “don’t” days. It is a classically beautiful Baja day to add the finishing touches to 2005. There are still a few larger tuna being caught on the outside along with enough billfish and dorado to keep things interesting. Along the shore, the sierra and white bonito dominated the catch for the Tin Boat gang. On the non-windy days at gray light a few sierra, ladyfish and even a few smaller roosters were the crowd pleasers for fly-flingers prowling the beach. Here’s to less wind, more sardina and lots of fish in 2006.

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature
69-73
Air temperature
68-76
Humidity
52%
Wind:
N 8 mph
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
8 miles
Sunrise
6:59 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:44 p.m. MST