Sardina Make the Difference

REPORT #1014. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 06/10/06
East Cape
After an unbelievable 10 day period, the inshore fishing action has settled down a click or two. Plenty of large roosters can be found cruising well within casting range. Pairing off, they seem to be more interested in making whoopee than chasing the many bait schools along the shore.

Down toward Cabo Pulmo, a few miles offshore, the YFT bite has been consistently good all week as well some dorado, billfish and, for the very fortunate, a wahoo or two.

Different from last year is the availability of sardina for chum, which can make the difference between a good day and an incredible day. The sardina allow the guides to keep the tuna school in casting range; an occasional dorado, skipjack, needlefish or mystery bite keeps everybody happy. Take Mike Little, Calgary, Alberta, fishing the day before his wedding day (now that’s a Bachelor Party I could get into) whacked the tuna on the fly all morning with fish to 20 pounds. Then a large dorado – teased up on the way back to the hotel – capped off his last day of singledom.

Water temperature 74-85
Air temperature 71-96
Humidity 78%
Wind: WNW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:02 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:04 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Tim Linsky owner of the charter boat “Aristokat” visited Lopez Mateos to explore the area before bringing the boat down later this season. Fishing inside the bay he found halibut, grouper and spotted bay bass. The next day, he headed out to Isla Magdalena. Surf action was great as a variety of fish had driven a school of sardines into the surf and a feeding frenzy ensued. Locals were trapping halibut, corvina, and small snook by hand. Tim managed to catch a 20 pound halibut.

The windy conditions offshore continue to prevent much exploration. Water temps are steadily creeping up and once the wind lightens up and the boats can spend some time outside, the action should begin to pick up.

Down at San Carlos, they are also experiencing good action inside the bay with both Los Barriles and Devil’s Curve being the hot spot for small snook, corvina and a few leopard grouper.


Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 65-77
Humidity 86%
Wind: WNW 20 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:16 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
This week has had a lot of disruptions from the weather, causing slow fishing. We had one morning where I recorded 5.25 inches of rain between 3:30 and 8:00. For the week, at 12 inches of rain, we have had an almost average year for Southern California.

The large influx of fresh water from the rivers has pushed the blue water out to the 8 mile mark, and cooled the inshore areas substantially. Plus, the inshore waters have very low visibility.

The bright side is the weather map shows this unsettled pattern leaving us alone this next week, and we should be able to get back to some decent fishing.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 75 - 84
Humidity 83%
Wind NE 2 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:17 p.m. CDT