Adios Whales . . . Sailfish Records Smashed

REPORT #1002. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 03/18/06
San Jose, Guatemala
This was the week that was and will be remembered for a long time. Sailfish action exploded, reports of sailfish everywhere was the norm for the past week, allowing fleet records, boat records and personal bests to be smashed during the week. Will it continue, Quien Sabe? It is safe to say this week will be remembered for a long time – maybe forever! – and the bar for high boat counts and personal catch records has been raised significantly. Guatemala continues to demonstrate why it is considered the destination to deliver the highest volume of sailfish.
Catch Details>>

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 80- 82
Humidity 100%
Wind: SW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:08 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:13 p.m. CST



Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Whale watching season has finally wound down and all but a few whales have begun their long journey northward. It has been one of the better whale watching seasons in recent memory.

With the water temperatures beginning to slowly creep up, the locals have high expectations for the fishing inside the bay and are already reporting lots of bait.

Outside, winter conditions persist with rough seas and plenty of wind.

The best action this week was found out at the entrada as the yellowtail could be found chasing bait on the surface. Look for the bird schools, but you have to be quick to get on them before they go back down.

If you are looking for some action a little closer, there have been reports of a decent corvina bite around the pier at Puerto San Carlos.
Up at Lopez Mateos, everyone is recovering from the busy whale watching season and will now begin turning their attention to fishing in the mangroves.

Water temperature 60 - 66
Air temperature 55-70
Humidity 100%
Wind: NW 15 mph
Conditions: Fog
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:37 p.m. MST
East Cape
Currents bringing warmer water are beginning to work their way up into the Sea of Cortez, bringing with it a few YFT and billfish. Another bonus this week is there has been swordfish showing which has been enough to suck out some of the locals on the calm days. North winds continue to hamper the boats in getting out locating the schools. Still enough dorado to keep things interesting for the persistent. Close to shore the water remains off color and it has been difficult to find much worthwhile action.

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 65-73
Air temperature 61-79
Humidity 53%
Wind: NNW 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:24 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:29 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
OOPS! Server down . . . No report received this week. The following is last week’s report:

Blue water has moved back from 40 miles to the 23 mile mark, and the fishing has picked up some this last week. But, it is still a bit on the slow side. The Terrafin Satellite Surface Temperatures now show 76° water from the beach, out 10 miles to the 100 fathom curve, and an average of 79° water beyond the 100 fathom curve. This is a substantial raise of at least 5° over earlier in the week.

Lots of sailfish are being seen, with a least four or five fish a day being raised to the spread. There are also plenty of yellowfin tuna, and several blue marlin. But, with an incredible supply of mackerel and black skipjack tuna, keeping the fish's attention long enough to eat a trolled bait has been the downfall. We honestly believe they fish are too full to aggressively charge the trolled baits.

The inshore action should also pick up substantially now the water has warmed up a bit.

Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo

Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 86
Humidity 83%
Wind WSW 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:56 p.m. CST