Bowl Games . . . Plus a Fish or Two

REPORT #1043 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 12/30/06

East Cape
Looks like New Year’s at East Cape may be more Bowl games, parades and partying than fishing unless the wind cooperates.

The past few days have been pleasant with light winds. With the leftover surf from the wind, the beach and inshore has been tough. If there is going to be any action it is early . . . early and the bite only lasts a short time after sunrise. Sierra, ladyfish, small jacks and an occasional rooster make up the catch list if you are lucky. On the other hand, being able to walk a beach in late December with flyrod in hand beats cold, rainy weather any day!

On the flat days a few marlin and dorado are still being found a few miles off of Punta Pescadero.


Water temperature
70-76
Air temperature
45-82
Humidity
79%
Wind:
N at 8 - 16 knts
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
8 miles
Sunrise
7:00 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:31 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Diana Hoyt reported that the extraordinary offshore action for both dorado and striped marlin remained consistent until the weather went sideways. The “Raptor’s” Captain Rueben Duran found good fly rod action outside the entrada for wahoo and further out the dorado continued to be thick. Even with the cooler water temperatures there were ample marlin found under the bird schools. As they worked their way up to the Thetis they had double digit shots on the fly. Strong wind and high seas later in the week forced boats back inside. Can’t wait to see what happens next week after the front passes by.

With the poor weather on the outside The esteros offered a fall-back, providing good action for pargo, grouper and lots of small sierra.

Water temperature
72 - 74
Air temperature
52 -66
Humidity
79%
Wind:
WSW 10 - 27 kts
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:10 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:46 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The 82° blue water is still close, but most of the best fishing is taking place at about the 25 mile mark. And, the fishing for sailfish has been good, with most boats averaging two or three fish a day. Plus, each day yields one or two 20-pound class dorado for each boat.

Ludo, from Belgium, finished up his week of fishing with Martin on the panga “Isamar” with a bang. On Ludo's last day, they released 7 sails, and took 2 nice dorado.

Fly fishing client, John Wexler, fished with guide Paul Phillips and Martin on the “Isamar” one day. They raised 5 sails and hooked two.

Dan Britt, of North Carolina, fished one day with me down at Puerto Vicente Gro. We were targeting roosters on the flyrod. Dan hooked two roosters, and one large jack crevalle. But, he was snake bit, and lost all threeEd Kunze
Water temperature
82 - 84
Air temperature
73-92
Humidity
83%
Wind:
Light
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:15 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:20 p.m. CST

Big Sierra Accompanied by North Wind

REPORT #1042 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 12/21/06
East Cape

Wind, wind and more wind this week. There is an occasional hole when the dreaded north wind backs off for a day or two, but the winter pattern is definitely in swing. Here is the weather prediction for this morning at Los Barriles. Weather courtesy of Buoy Weather:Friday 12/22 Morning Breezy white capping conditions with moderate choppy seas. Small short period wind waves.Winds: NNW 11 to 14 knotsSeas: NNW 4 feet at 6 sec. Afternoon Light winds with a slight chop. Small long period swell.Winds: NW 9 to 13 knots Seas: S 4 feet at 14 sec.
With the wind cranking up early, sierra continue to be the primary target with a few ladyfish and small roosters if you are lucky. The good news is they are right in front of the hotels, so you don’t have to go far and there some good-sized ones up to 10-pounds reported.

On the calm days, the few boats heading out are finding a few billfish five miles outside of Punta Pescadero and even a dorado once and a while.
We are doing our reports early during the holidays so we can spend more time playing.
All of us at Baja on the Fly wish you a Joyous Holiday Season, Merry Christmas and more grabs in 2007.


Water temperature
70-76
Air temperature
61-77
Humidity
85%
Wind:
NNW at 12-16 knts
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
8 miles
Sunrise
6:56 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:37 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Over the weekend, dorado and billfish action was red hot in front of the entrada. Unfortunately, the weather went sideways and the few boats traveling through have been hiding in the anchorage waiting for the high seas to subside until today.

The esteros continued to produce good catches of pargo, grouper and plenty of spotted bay bass.

Water temperature
70 - 77
Air temperature
60 -75
Humidity
78%
Wind:
NW 13 kts
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
5 miles
Sunrise
7:07 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:42 p.m. MST



Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 82° blue water is still only 4 to 5 miles off the beach, with most of the blue water action happening between 4. 5 to 6 miles. Most boats are each averaging two sailfish a day, with several nice 20- to 30-pound dorado being taken by the fleet also.

Yesterday (Wed.), a huge low pressure area moved in, and the counts were way down. However, things have stabilized, and with the new moon phase, the fishing should be very good this week.

Ludo, making his annual trek from Belgium, to fish eight days straight with Martin on the panga “Isamar,” has taken three sails and two nice dorado in two days of fishing. Today, they are going after roosters.

Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos,” told me he got eight roosters in one day, and six on another when fishing about 25 miles north in the Saladita area. He also said there were tons of jack crevalle
Ed Kunze
Water temperature
82 - 84
Air temperature
69-84
Humidity
83%
Wind:
Light
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:11 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:16 p.m. CST

Early Bird Gets the Sierra

REPORT #1041 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 12/16/06
East Cape

Early morning action before the sun comes up usually begins with sierra. Often the ladyfish, small jacks and roosters will show up as it becomes lighter and will last until the wind shows up. You may also get a shot in the afternoon if the wind backs off enough.
Offshore action can be found when the North wind takes a day off. Still a few billfish being found outside of Punta Pescadero, though it sounds like most of the volume has moved further down off of Cabo with double digit catches for many of the boats fishing the Golden Gate. Dorado and tuna action was reduced to being in the right place at the right time which seemed to be down below Cabo Pulmo.


Water temperature
70-76
Air temperature
60-84
Humidity
80%
Wind:
NW at 10 mph
Conditions:
Sunny
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
6:54 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:35 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Fewer and fewer boats each week as they either head up the line for home or down toward Cabo for the holidays. Dorado action continued over the top with complaints still being heard that it was tough to get through them to get the billfish. Water temps remain steady which means the bite should continue for a while.

Last weeks Lopez Mateos tournament results reflect the continued good offshore marlin action.

The Esteros bite for grouper, pargo and a few corvina remained consistent throughout the week.


Water temperature
70 - 77
Air temperature
60 -80
Humidity
78%
Wind:
W 8 mph
Conditions:
Cloudy
Visibility
4 miles
Sunrise
7:04 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:40 p.m. MST



Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The blue water is only 5 miles off the beach, and, compared to last week's full moon cycle, the fishing has improved considerably. The water temperature, according to the Terrafin Satellite Surface Temperatures, is at least 82°, with some large offshore areas as high as 86°.

Flip Himmelrich, of Spokane, WA, had a large group of family and friends down this week, and even had a small tournament. Using 5 pangas, they averaged two sailfish a boat, per day. The winning captain was Santiago on the Gitana, with 5 sailfish. Santiago's brother, Adan, on the Gitana II was second.

Flip also fished another day with Santiago, and fly fishing guide, Paul Phillips. They got two nice dorado and a 30 pound yellowfin. One of the dorado, taken on a fly, was at least 30 pounds.

Roosters have been hit and miss. Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, had one good day early this week, taking 6 roosters and several jack crevalle. Then, Santiago and Adolpho both made the 35 mile run with their boats down to Vicente Gro. today (Friday), and only got one 15 pound jack.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature
82 - 84
Air temperature
77-91
Humidity
93%
Wind:
ENE 3 mph
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:09 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:14 p.m. MST

Late, But Great . . . Baja Action

REPORT #1040 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 12/09/06
East Cape

Mid-December and there are still billfish and dorado to be found. On the nice days outside Punta Pescadero, there is a fair concentration of both dorado and billfish which is a pretty good direction to head if there is a wind line outside. On the calm days, the fleet has found dorado and billfish outside of Rancho Leonero and on down to the lighthouse.

The squid action continues in front of Palmas which is handy if you’re looking for some extra chum to use. Squid chunks are excellent to keep the fish around the boat long enough to get off some casts to them.

If the sierra bite continues, there is going to be a lot of folks OD’ing on ceviche. Early morning continues to offer the best action for the toothy critters and don’t forget the long-shank hooks or a short wire bite tippet.


Water temperature
72-78
Air temperature
65-78
Humidity
84%
Wind:
NE at 5 mph
Conditions:
Sunny
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
6:48 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:33 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico



Just a few boats left to enjoy the mid-November-like action. Plenty of bird schools holding dorado, marlin and a few with tuna as well. Captain Carey Dodson on the “Success” reported great marlin action all day and yellowtail to 30 pounds on the chute at night.

Brad Ellis, trailered his panga up from Rincon, headed out the boca toward the Thetis and was seen running from bird school to bird school sight-casting to feeding marlin. He hooked several when he could get his fly past the dorado.



Typical Bird School Action.
Don Armstrong, Park City, Utah, fishing with our guide on the “Mar Gato” for three days this week, was reduced to babbling about how over-the-top the billfish action they had encountered had been. They hooked multiple marlin on both fly and conventional and have already booked their trip for next year!

Not to be outdone, the esteros produced non-stop action for grouper, pargo and a few corvina.


Water temperature
70 - 78
Air temperature
64 -84
Humidity
93%
Wind:
Light
Conditions:
Cloudy
Visibility
6 miles
Sunrise
6:55 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:36 p.m. MST


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Clean 83° blue water within four or five miles of the harbor allowed everyone to get an early start. Sailfish action remained constant this week with most boats averaging one or two a day.

Charles Sterling of Michigan, fishing with Santiago on the panga “Gitana,” scored on half a dozen roosters, a couple of sailfish, one 35-pound dorado plus a handful of jacks, sierra and black skipjack.

Overall, the roosterfish action was hurt by the full moon. The bait fish are scattered, as well as the larger exotics. This should change this week. There are still plenty of small jacks and black skipjack in the 2 to 5 pound range
Ed Kunze
Water temperature
74 - 82
Air temperature
65-86
Humidity
93%
Wind:
Light
Conditions:
Partly Sunny
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:05 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:12 p.m. MST

Mixed Bag in December? Sunday Magdalena Bay Update!

Sunday Morning 12.03 Captain Corey Dodson reported WFO marlin and dorado 53 miles west of Lopez Mateos.

REPORT #1039 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 11/25/06
East Cape

December is here and so are the north winds. The trick is to get out on one of the calm days, or at least as early as possible on the windy ones. Squid moved closer to home with good action out in front of the hotels early mornings. They are great for chum for either tuna or dorado, plus squid steaks taste pretty good back at the hotel!

It’s hard to believe that the billfish are still biting as well as they are. Even a few blue marlin, including the largest of the season, were caught last week. Most of the billfish action is strung out from Punta Pescadero to the 88, while the dorado and tuna action is down the other way outside of Cabo Pulmo.

Inshore, the sierra bite has begun in earnest and is best from gray light until the sun begins to come up. Also late afternoon in front of the hotels has been good for both sierra and ladyfish. Small olive Clousers are working well for the ladyfish and the sierra. If you tie your own, use long shanked hooks which will work almost as well as a wire leader. You will lose a few flies but will definitely have more takes.


Water temperature
74-84
Air temperature
60-82
Humidity
63%
Wind:
NNE at 11 mph
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
2 miles
Sunrise
6:44 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:32 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
After a week of cooler temperatures and wind, the wind finally quit and fishing snapped back for both dorado and marlin with most of the action reported up above the Thetis. However with fewer boats fishing, it is difficult to know what else is happening closer to Santa Maria.
Inshore, the grouper, corvina and of course the spotted bay bass bite was excellent on yesterday’s slack tide.

The Mexican Government is sponsoring a Wahoo Tournament on Dec. 8th and 9th at Lopez Mateos

PRIZES!
1st place: panga with 60 hp Suzuki 4 stroke motor
2nd place: $20,000.00 pesos
3rd place: $15,000.00 pesos
4th place: $5,000.00 pesos
5 -10th places: Penn rod and International reel
Entry is FREE



Water temperature
70 - 78
Air temperature
60-79
Humidity
66%
Wind:
NNE 13 mph
Conditions:
Cloudy
Visibility
6 miles
Sunrise
6:55 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:36 p.m. MST



Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The 82° clean water is still 1/2 mile in front of the bay, with the 84° deep cobalt blue water at the 10 mile mark. The fishing has been off a bit this week, and with the full moon ahead of us, I do not see it improving. However, all the captains are telling me the conditions are perfect, and the fishing is going to bust wide open after the full moon period.

Adan, on the Gitana II released 4 sailfish for two trips in the blue water this week, whereas his brother, Santiago on the Gitana, and Martin on the Isamar, both got skunked for their two days on the water. But, all three captains did tell me there are fairly decent numbers of dorado.

Adolpho, on the Dos Hermanos, feels the roosters appear to be moving around. When you find them, some days were good, and if you don't, the other days were down. Santiago had one of the good days yesterday, taking 6 roosters. Four of the fish were taken on surface poppers, and two on live bait.

Inshore is still excellent, with lots of sierras, small jacks, and black skipjack tuna.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature
74 - 82
Air temperature
62-91
Humidity
88%
Wind:
Light
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
6 miles
Sunrise
7:01 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:10 p.m. MST