Guatemala Hot. . . East Cape Cold

REPORT #996. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 02/04/06
San Jose, Guatemala
Plan on something between one-half to 1-½ hours to get to the fishing grounds as the blue water moves in and out between 12 to as far as 30 miles. They’re experiencing calm seas in the morning and wind at your back in the afternoon. The fleet has been reporting fair action early in the week that improved to good action for everyone by week’s end. In addition to the sailfish, there were also a few dorado in the 20 pound class.

I will be heading down mid-week and can’t wait to be back on the water. If you want to see what kind of action I am looking for, here’s a video to get you in the mood.

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 70- 82
Humidity 94%
Wind: SE 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:30 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:04 p.m. CST
East Cape
Good day . . . more bad days and the North Winds strut their stuff. With most hotels hosting only a few guests, the pools have been more popular than the white capped Sea of Cortez. Our guide Lance Peterson put it this way regarding the beach: “I fished gray light today. It was so cold. I had all of my Patagonia gear on, a wool cap, a jacket. My bare feet were so cold they hurt! I finally did catch one sierra . . . but boy, have I put in some time to catch him!” Wednesday was more of the same. Wrote Lance, “I fished the evening last night. The wind came up and made it tough. And cold!! There are some mullet milling about and schools of very small fry. I saw some ladyfish feeding on them just as it was getting dark. But they were so keyed in on the little stuff they wouldn't bite. The ladyfish look a lot smaller than they are in spring; they are about 12-inches or so it seems. Maybe there are some big roosters about too . . . but have yet to see any sign of them.” The boats that do make it out on the calm days are finding a few tuna, fewer dorado and billfish.

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 62-70
Air temperature 59-76
Humidity 52%
Wind: NNW 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:57 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:08 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Most of the visitors are looking for an up-close and personal experience with one of the visiting whales and if they are real lucky they may get to see one of the newly born. The entrada is still producing a few yellowtail; and after returning, a few of the whale watchers have found fair action for corvina and grouper under the bridge at the entrance to Puerto San Carlos. Up at Lopez Mateos, it is pretty much the same story with more whale watching than fishing. For something different some of our clients explored Magdalena Island and couldn't resist a trip to one of the Fish Camps for all you can eat lobster lunch

Water temperature 68-73
Air temperature 51-73
Humidity 100%
Wind: NNW 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:07 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:13 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
We did not receive a report this week. Ed must be experiencing server problems again. Here is a repeat of last week’s report.

We are coming out of the full moon phase, and those clients who fished for three or more days ended up with some very good numbers. Those who gave it a one day try may have done well . . . or maybe not.

The 82º blue water is a very short run, and we are averaging about two to three sailfish a day per boat. Plus, the blue marlin are showing up in the catches for an average of about one blue for every six boats.

Both the panga “Gitana” with Santiago, and his brother Adan, on the “Gitana II” had some respectable numbers this week. Minnesotan Bill Berg – down for a break from winter’s ice and snow – released 11 sailfish and two yellowfin tuna for four days of fishing with Santiago. Mel Walberg and Troy Courneya each fished three days with Adan, releasing a total of 12 sailfish and one dorado.

The inshore action for fly-rodders has been best for the black skipjack tuna and green jacks.

Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 66 - 84
Humidity 94%
Wind SW 6 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:17 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:42 p.m. CST