Wind Shifts . . . Conditions Improve

REPORT #1004. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 04/01/06
East Cape
The news this week revolved mainly around the lack of wind. When the slight breeze picked up, it was from the southeast. This trend will bring warmer weather and water. The inshore fishing hasn't quite caught up yet though. We're running into intermittent ladyfish, pompano and jack schools. This time of year it's not unusual to see large Pacific jack crevalle in tight schools, moving slowly and not responding aggressively. Calmer days have permitted some snorkeling which reveals very tight schools of gafftop-sail pompano also. As water temps rise and more bait appears (striped mullet and flatiron herring), these schools will loosen up, providing more shots to the beach angler. The roosterfish catch picks up with the arrival of bait also. Thus far, it's the very lucky boat to run into roosters, but this week's weather is only helping matters.

Most of the boats seeing consistent success are cruisers willing to make fairly long runs to blue water. Some reported being among large schools of sleeping striped marlin with mixed hook-up results. Dorado and yellowfin tuna contributed to some success stories as well.

Josh Dickinson
Baja on the Fly Guide

Water temperature 62-70
Air temperature 67-82
Humidity 52%
Wind: NNW 13 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:11 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:34 p.m. MST

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Nice weather throughout the week and then it turned cold and windy today (4/1). There are still a few whales hanging around while they are psych themselves up for the long trip up the coast.

Offshore, the Humboldt squid have been about the only thing reposted of any consequence for the week. The best action in the mangroves was not far from San Carlos at Los Barrlies there were a few snook to be had if you were there at the right time. Still a decent corvina bite either at the pier or under the bridge at the entrance to town.

Water temperature 60 - 66
Air temperature 52-72
Humidity 99%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:18 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:43 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The blue water is only three miles off the beach, yet a cooler water current is moving down from the north and pushing the sailfish further south. The current Terrafin Surface Temperature image shows 78 degree water coming down and displacing the sailfish rich 82 degree water. This will be great for the blue marlin and yellowfin tuna however.

Inshore, the action has been outstanding on large jack crevalle. The fish have been averaging 16- to 18-pounds, with some going 25-pounds. Most are being taken at the white rocks on slow trolled live bait, but many are following a hookless popper to give a fly-caster a decent shot.

Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo

Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 87
Humidity 83%
Wind SW 6 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:59 p.m. CST

San Jose, Guatemala
No Report Received this week – Last week’s report repeated

As expected, the WFO action couldn't go on indefinitely. This week, the catches were still in the low double digits as the sailfish scattered in search of bait. The acres of small baitfish that had been reported for the past few weeks seemed to have disappeared leaving no other choice than to resort to more exploring. The fleet did find action anywhere from 15 to as far as 45 miles offshore as the boats spread out in search of herds of sailfish seen in the previous week. You can imagine how many times this week’s visitors heard, “You should have been here last week!”

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 72- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:59 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:15 p.m. CST