Tuna on the Fly

REPORT #1020. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 07/22/06
East Cape
Great weather this week, though the temperatures were in the mid-90s. While it was a long ride, the tuna bite was great if you got there early. Mostly football-sized tuna, but they were sucking up wasabis like they were going out of style. Closer the home, there were a few billfish on the outside allowing the hotel boats to rack up some decent scores. A few mile out in front of La Ribera there were some better quality tuna, but unfortunately, most were caught deep and not on the surface. Also some pargo up to 15 pounds. Along the beach there were a few roosters if you could get past the pelicans, needlefish and ladyfish. There were even a few sight casting ops for the diligent.

Water temperature 74-87
Air temperature 78-97
Humidity 66%
Wind: E 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:44 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:05 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Diana Hoyt reported good dorado, tuna and skipjack a few miles outside the boca. Out at the Thetis, it was Giant Humboldt Squid to 50 pounds and a fair show of yellowtail on the surface.

Still mostly corvina, grouper and spotted bay bass in the esteros with plenty of halibut near the shallow sandy beaches.

Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 72-82
Humidity 39%
Wind: NNE 9 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:49 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:16 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 82º blue water is only a couple of miles off the beach. Due to the full moon phase, the sailfish action has slowed down a bit, but the fleet is still posting a two to three fish a day average per boat. By the middle of this next week, because of the new moon period, I really expect these numbers to increase.

We are starting to see a few small dorado and small yellowfin tuna also. This should also increase next week.

The main action is still the roosterfish and the large jack crevalle. This has been red hot. A typical day will yield five roosters, and at least eight large jacks of about 15 to 25 pounds. The roosters are averaging between 25 and 40 pounds, with a few larger fish showing every day.
.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 84
Humidity 66%
Wind WSW 12 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:21 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:23 p.m. CDT