Pulling at Pulmo

REPORT #1015. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 06/17/06
East Cape
The Cabo Pulmo tuna bite was the first stop on everyone's East Cape fishing day this week. There were plenty of yellowfin and dorado to satisfy the huge number of boats that stacked up there every morning. With fish busting bait on the surface and biting flies down deep, there were few complaints about the "combat fishing" conditions. John Spevacek and family made the trip from Connecticut to sample the East Cape fishery. He and his sons stacked up numerous double headers with John nailing fish on flies while his boys slammed them on live sardina. Back on the beach, ample quantities of bait continue provide good fly-fishing opportunities for dedicated beach anglers. Ladyfish, jack crevalle, and mid-sized roosters are the likely targets from the beach. The big roosters are definitely around, but they are paired up in spawning mode and not so interested in eating flies. Carey Kimura and five buddies came up from Cabo to have a beach fishing bachelor party before Carey's wedding. The roosters were tough as usual, but there was enough action for ladyfish to keep them busy between shots.

Scott York, Gardnerville, Nev., and his wife fished Thursday (6/15) catching several dorado, a nice yellowfin, two bonito, and a bunch of ladies on the fly; they had some good roosterfish shots and farmed one.


Water temperature 74-85
Air temperature 71-99
Humidity 78%
Wind: SW 2 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:06 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Offshore conditions have begun to improve with a few dorado beginning to show around the shark buoys west of the entrada. Also, there are a few firecracker yellowtails under the bird schools at the entrada. Several better quality snook reported at Devil’s Curve along with several grouper and all the spotted bay bass you want.


Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 68-78
Humidity 22%
Wind: SW 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80º blue water is only two miles off the beach. Not many sailfish have been around, but the blue marlin fishing has still been holding up. At least one boat in three is getting a shot at a blue; this is primarily because of the abundance of the black skipjack tuna here. These 3- to 5-pound fish are about as hard a fighting fish as you will encounter.

Because of their huge numbers, they are great for kids – as Paul Gomez from Dana Point, Calif., discovered when he fished with his three kids on the “Vamonos III” with Cali and Ruben. There was no time for the 14-, 12-, and 7-year old to get bored. They were hooked up all the time. Plus, the skipjacks are fantastic action for the fly-rodder.

Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” had two good days with a client from Colorado. On the first day they got a small blue marlin of about 135 pounds. The second day they fished inshore for four roosters and 8 or 10 jack crevalle.

Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos,” fished two days inshore, catching 14 roosters from 20- to 65-pounds, and numerous jacks. Arturo on the panga “Janeth,” also took four nice roosters for one day inshore.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 75 - 88
Humidity 63%
Wind SSW 9 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:22 p.m. CDT