They’re Biting at East Cape

REPORT #1010. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 05/13/06
East Cape
Here we are at mid-May and we’ve already seen some of the best action in several years. There are plenty of large schools of bait, predominately flatiron herring and striped mullet, which can be found up and down the coast making inshore fishing from pangas exciting.

Having a tank full of mullet allows the guides to tease up some great roosters and jacks. Phil Barker of California and Randy Gibbs of Martha's Vineyards, Mass., recently connected with nice roosters which were teased to within fly range from pangas out of Hotel Buena Vista. Phil and Randy both had multiple hook-ups on teased roosters. Needless to say, the guides are in their element. There's nothing in the world of guiding that's more fun for them than teasing roosters! The bait has spread out instead of the tight schools we were finding several weeks ago, allowing beach anglers to encounter good numbers of cruisers in all the usual spots. Try large brown flies like our Chivo Lisa http://www.bajafly.com/chivo_lisa.htm to imitate the striped mullet and deep bodied, olive and white flies for the sardina (flatiron herring) like our See-Through Deceiver http://www.bajafly.com/see_through_deceiver.htm .

The physical task of modern beach fishing without an ATV can be daunting. If you can't run and cast like a champ, you are out of the game. Our guides are teasing up some ladies for the clients, but the shots at jacks and rooster were not numerous and it is tough to cash in on the chances. Beach fishing without the ATVs is some of the toughest there is. Not only do you have to be a great fly-caster, you have to have plenty of stamina and be in good shape as well.

Offshore action remains consistent for marlin. Fish became a little more cooperative in the spread over the last two weeks, but the bulk of the take is coming from the boats lucky enough to get live mackerel. Without the “liveys,” the guides have been reduced to pitching hookless, dead ballyhoo to feeders and sleepers with mixed results. Often, the fish will turn and follow, but not light up enough to provide the type of aggression needed to feed them flies. It's sure fun trying though and, "It only takes one!" Dorado, and tuna flags are also flying on the luckier boats, but not in the kinds of numbers that make them an easy target for fly anglers.


Water temperature 68-79
Air temperature 62-91
Humidity 58%
Wind: NNW 7 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:52 p.m. MST





Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Still cool and windy conditions as local weather has been slow to catch up with the rest of Baja. Offshore, there have been a few dorado and tuna sightings in the neighborhood of the shark buoys west of the entrada. At the entrada fair action can be found chasing the bird schools. Small yellowtail, bonito and even a few sierra. Up in the esteros, corvina, spotted bay bass and a few grouper seemed to be all that could be found. Another option this week was small halibut in shallow water near almost all the sandy beaches. Water temperatures are slowly creeping up and summer conditions should be soon coming.



Water temperature 60 - 67
Air temperature 59-78
Humidity 94%
Wind: WNW 15 mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:43 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:02 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The water has turned on us again, with the blue water being pushed out to 20 miles. The fleet is averaging about one or two sailfish a day per boat. Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” fished with John Wilkinson of Indiana yesterday (Friday), releasing a sail and keeping two yellowfin tuna in the 30 pound class. The tuna were at 38 miles on a 230º heading.

Santiago also fished two days with Harry Schuler of California, releasing three sailfish and losing a nice blue marlin.

Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos,” reported by cell phone this morning he was fishing inshore in green dirty water. The inshore action has been very slow.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 73 - 86
Humidity 88%
Wind Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:14 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:10 p.m. CDT