Baja Transcends . . . Guatemala Peaks

REPORT #1003. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 03/25/06
East Cape
As March fades into April, East Cape slips into that transitional mode when the winds begin to lose strength and start to shift from north to east. Then there begins to be more good days than bad. Early this week, it was calm but by mid-week the north winds were churning up the Sea of Cortez leaving murky water and white caps. Then, as quickly as it started, it slacked off.

As expected, locals along with the few visitors staying at the hotels, headed out. With the unsettled conditions it is always like starting at square one after the wind backs off and with few boats looking it is tough to locate any concentrations of any usual suspects.

Oddly enough, striped marlin – along with a few sailfish – seemed to be the most dominate species with a few found scattered throughout Las Palmas Bay. There were also a few dorado (on the smallish side) found outside of Punta Pescadero a few miles as well as further offshore mixed in with the billfish. Several boats gambled that the north wind wouldn't kick up and headed down south. They were rewarded with a few tuna. Inshore, skipjack, white bonito and sierra provided the best action. The beach walkers needed to be out at zero dark hundred and were rewarded with fair sierra action until the sun climbed high enough to shut the bite off. By then, the ladyfish took over and did their baby tarpon-like leaping after being fooled by an array of very small baitfish patterns such as bonefish-sized Clousers.

As reported last week, rumors of swordfish fining attracted some interest including Mark Rayor, of Vista Sea Sports, who spent two full days searching for the illusive swordy before the wind came up and conditions deteriorated. With picture perfect weather, he would have been back out this morning, but his boat was chartered for the day.

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 62-70
Air temperature 61-82
Humidity 52%
Wind: NW 6 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:17 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:31 p.m. MST
San Jose, Guatemala
As expected, the WFO action couldn't go on indefinitely. This week, the catches were still in the low double digits as the sailfish scattered in search of bait. The acres of small baitfish that had been reported for the past few weeks seemed to have disappeared leaving no other choice than to resort to more exploring. The fleet did find action anywhere from 15 to as far as 45 miles offshore as the boats spread out in search of herds of sailfish seen in the previous week. You can imagine how many times this week’s visitors heard, “You should have been here last week!”

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 72- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: ENE 15 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:03 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:14 p.m. CST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

As the number of whales in the bay continues to diminish, more attention is directed toward the mangroves, entrada and offshore. Offshore – out among the shark buoys – there are a few tuna to be found. Nearer the entrada, bonito and skipjack with an occasional yellow can be found under the bird schools.

Up at Devil’s Curve, Enrique Soto reported good catches of palometa in the 10 pound category along with a few smaller snook as well as a decent corvina bite on both streamers and surface poppers. With water temperatures creeping slowly upward, conditions should continue to improve over the next month.

Water temperature 60 - 66
Air temperature 64-72
Humidity 100%
Wind: NNW 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:25 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:40 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The water warming up several degrees did wonders for the fishing this week. Martin, Captain of the “Isamar,” provided three memorable days for Greg Pike, visiting from Great Falls, Mont. By the end of the trip Greg had landed seven sails and a striped marlin on the fly. Santiago, Captain on the “Gitana,” had several busy days with ample action to keep everyone on the boat smiling.

Inshore at Ixtapa Island, jacks in the 15 pound class were feeding on the surface keeping the flyrods bent most of the morning.

Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo

Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 87
Humidity 83%
Wind NNE 6 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:45 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:57 p.m. CST

Adios Whales . . . Sailfish Records Smashed

REPORT #1002. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 03/18/06
San Jose, Guatemala
This was the week that was and will be remembered for a long time. Sailfish action exploded, reports of sailfish everywhere was the norm for the past week, allowing fleet records, boat records and personal bests to be smashed during the week. Will it continue, Quien Sabe? It is safe to say this week will be remembered for a long time – maybe forever! – and the bar for high boat counts and personal catch records has been raised significantly. Guatemala continues to demonstrate why it is considered the destination to deliver the highest volume of sailfish.
Catch Details>>

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 80- 82
Humidity 100%
Wind: SW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:08 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:13 p.m. CST



Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Whale watching season has finally wound down and all but a few whales have begun their long journey northward. It has been one of the better whale watching seasons in recent memory.

With the water temperatures beginning to slowly creep up, the locals have high expectations for the fishing inside the bay and are already reporting lots of bait.

Outside, winter conditions persist with rough seas and plenty of wind.

The best action this week was found out at the entrada as the yellowtail could be found chasing bait on the surface. Look for the bird schools, but you have to be quick to get on them before they go back down.

If you are looking for some action a little closer, there have been reports of a decent corvina bite around the pier at Puerto San Carlos.
Up at Lopez Mateos, everyone is recovering from the busy whale watching season and will now begin turning their attention to fishing in the mangroves.

Water temperature 60 - 66
Air temperature 55-70
Humidity 100%
Wind: NW 15 mph
Conditions: Fog
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:37 p.m. MST
East Cape
Currents bringing warmer water are beginning to work their way up into the Sea of Cortez, bringing with it a few YFT and billfish. Another bonus this week is there has been swordfish showing which has been enough to suck out some of the locals on the calm days. North winds continue to hamper the boats in getting out locating the schools. Still enough dorado to keep things interesting for the persistent. Close to shore the water remains off color and it has been difficult to find much worthwhile action.

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 65-73
Air temperature 61-79
Humidity 53%
Wind: NNW 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:24 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:29 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
OOPS! Server down . . . No report received this week. The following is last week’s report:

Blue water has moved back from 40 miles to the 23 mile mark, and the fishing has picked up some this last week. But, it is still a bit on the slow side. The Terrafin Satellite Surface Temperatures now show 76° water from the beach, out 10 miles to the 100 fathom curve, and an average of 79° water beyond the 100 fathom curve. This is a substantial raise of at least 5° over earlier in the week.

Lots of sailfish are being seen, with a least four or five fish a day being raised to the spread. There are also plenty of yellowfin tuna, and several blue marlin. But, with an incredible supply of mackerel and black skipjack tuna, keeping the fish's attention long enough to eat a trolled bait has been the downfall. We honestly believe they fish are too full to aggressively charge the trolled baits.

The inshore action should also pick up substantially now the water has warmed up a bit.

Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo

Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 86
Humidity 83%
Wind WSW 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:56 p.m. CST

Whales Tales Dominate

REPORT #1,001. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 03/11/06
East Cape
North winds prevailed once again this week making it another time of rescheduling as we tap danced around the wind. As you can see by Lance and Josh’s daily reports, it was a tough week at East Cape:
Friday (3/10) . . . While today has been fairly calm, the wave action has persisted and the fishing continues to be brutal. Josh hit the beach today and again found it lifeless.
Thursday (3/9) . . . Josh and I fished the beach today to see what's up. We just got back. Fished all the way to lighthouse. It's tough out there. Less wind today, but big waves. We snorkeled too. Visibility is super limited as the water is extra turbid and churned up. No signs of life. Couldn't even raise a fish on the teasers.
Tuesday (3/7) . . . It's been really dead fishing. Not even the locals have been out there.

We keep hearing rumors of a decent yellowtail bite up at Muertos Bay along with some sierra. All we need is the wind to back off long enough to get there. If we do get a calm day, there are enough skipjack and a few dorado to make it interesting.

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 65-73
Air temperature 61-79
Humidity 72%
Wind: NNW 4 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:31 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:26 p.m. MST

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

With all the storm activity in California, the conditions have been what could be best described at unsettled. The big buzz is still the whales that have been putting on a great show since the first of the year. Plenty of up close and personal encounters stories going around.

The best action all week was out at the entrada where the yellowtail snap was about as good as it gets. Mostly smaller fish, but the action was fast and furious.

Locals are reporting that the water is beginning to slowly warm up in the mangroves and expectations are high that the bite will pick up soon.


Water temperature 58 - 62
Air temperature 55-73
Humidity 99%
Wind: WNW 15 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:39 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:33 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Blue water has moved back from 40 miles to the 23 mile mark, and the fishing has picked up some this last week. But, it is still a bit on the slow side. The Terrafin Satellite Surface Temperatures now show 76° water from the beach, out 10 miles to the 100 fathom curve, and an average of 79° water beyond the 100 fathom curve. This is a substantial raise of at least 5° over earlier in the week.

Lots of sailfish are being seen, with a least four or five fish a day being raised to the spread. There are also plenty of yellowfin tuna, and several blue marlin. But, with an incredible supply of mackerel and black skipjack tuna, keeping the fish's attention long enough to eat a trolled bait has been the downfall. We honestly believe they fish are too full to aggressively charge the trolled baits.

The inshore action should also pick up substantially now the water has warmed up a bit.

Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo

Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 75 - 84
Humidity 83%
Wind ESW 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:57 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:54 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
No Report received this week

Jonathan Nicholas owner/operator of “Man of War”

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 63- 84
Humidity 100%
Wind: WSW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:13 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:13 p.m. CST

East Cape Tough . . . Guatemala Unusual

REPORT #1,000. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 03/04/06
When we began the reports back in 1996 – twice a week in the early years – we didn’t dare to dream we would still be doing them 1,000 reports later. They have come a long way since the beginning. We have made every effort to provide the report in the face of hurricanes, flooded roads, loss of e-mail and every other calamity. I think we have only missed a couple deadlines over the years. Today, they cover four destinations with moon phases, weather and photos added.
I hope you have enjoyed reading them as much as we have enjoyed providing them every week year in and year out.
Yvonne, Gary, Vicki, Ben, Lance, Josh, Ed and Coci
East Cape
North winds persisted most of the week. Early mornings (we are talking gray light here) the wind is usually calm, but the water is dirty from the waves pounding the beach all afternoon the preceding day. Lance reported the following yesterday (3/3): “A break in the wind this morning so I hit the beach at gray light. No bites. Didn't see any bait. It's an early, early deal no matter what. Once the sun hits the water the sierra are out of range. Talked to a guy on the beach who fishes San Jose quite a bit and he reported really slow fishing there as well.”

Few boats ventured out this week because of the weather. Those that made it did find some schools of white bonito close to the beach and a few dorado, hard to say if these are early arrivals or leftovers, but dorado the first week of March is worth a comment. Reports call for a respite from the wind by Wednesday . . . We’ll see.

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 62-72
Air temperature 63-78
Humidity 34%
Wind: NNW 13 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:43 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:23 p.m. MST

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Diana Hoyt reported cold and sloppy conditions outside. Inside the bay there is some protection from the wind, allowing anglers to get out and find some action including corvina on surface poppers and plenty of small halibut in the shallows near most sandy beaches. A slow retrieved chartreuse Clouser on the bottom will do the trick. Enrique Soto reports that the entrada is still producing a few small yellows. Still plenty of whales at both locations of Puerto San Carlos and Lopez Mateos to oooh and ahhh over for the tourists.

A 28-foot Bertram making its way down the coast and looking for some protection from the sloppy weather came in through the Boca de Soledad at Lopez Mateos last Thursday. While it was sloppy and when they looked back over their shoulder there was plenty of white water, the biggest hazard was the whales in the channel. They continued their trip to San Carlos with a local pilot to guide them through the shallow channels.


Water temperature 58 - 62
Air temperature 55-71
Humidity 79%
Wind: WNW 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:30 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Conditions have been poor. A cold green water current has moved in and pushed the blue water out to the 40 mile mark. And even out there the guys are only accounting for five or six football tuna. It would be safe to say over 80% of the fleet is not catching any bluewater species.

The only bright side is the inshore action for the hard fighting jack crevalle. Six to 10 fish a day has been normal. Most of these 15- to 22-pound fish are being taken on trolled Rapalas, but the fly casters are scoring as well

Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo

Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 64 - 87
Humidity 83%
Wind SSW 6 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:02 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:53 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
Marlin, not what you would expect to hear from Guatemala, but true. The past few days have shown the fleet raising 8 to 10 marlin a day! These are mostly little blues in the 150- to 200-pound range, though three nice fish have been seen. The sails are here, but are decidedly un-aggressive as huge schools of bait are everywhere.

Jonathan Nicholas owner/operator of “Man of War”

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 75- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: S 4 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:17 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:12 p.m. CST