Ladies on the Prowl!

Endless Season Update 12/27/2007
REPORT #1094 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape

With the North winds howling, it’s time to look for an alternative. The gray-light action before the wind got “wound up” at Gray Beach provided sierra, jacks and ladyfish and was enough to satisfy the locals and the few guests in the hotels. To quote my good friend Martin James, from across the pond, it was enough to “bend your stick and pull your fluff”.

If you are willing to gamble with the ‘wind gods’, there are still a few small yellowfin and dorado offshore, as well as some marlin that have refused to leave and will probably remain until spring.

Ladyfish Tip: Often called ‘sabalo’ by the locals and “poor man’s tarpon” by some Baja visitors, this is a species usually found along almost any sandy beach in southern Baja. They can provide countless hours of entertainment for the saltwater flyrodder.

Begin with a small chartreuse Clouser and a 300-grain shooting head system. Work your way down the beach, looking for signs of surface feeding activity. A stripping basket is helpful to keep your line from becoming tangled as you walk along. Another method that works well if you don’t care for a stripping baskets is to walk just above the water line with your fly line dragging along the sand behind you. Let the shooting head portion extend outside the rod tip and drag along in the water. Then, when you see something that you want to cast to, you can “water load” and cast a good distance with one or two false casts.

After you have made your cast, keep the fly line tight and let the fly sink for a few seconds. Try a five count. If that doesn’t work, try a little longer. If you don’t get a take, make a few long strips and then let the Clouser sink again. If there are any’ ladies’ around, they can seldom resist this presentation.

The ladyfish is a fish that is usually airborne the instant it feels the hook, so be prepared. When you feel the take, strip strike, then let the line slip through your fingers and lower the rod toward the surface of the water and off to your side. The purpose of this is to have as much wetted surface on your line as possible so that when the lady goes ballistic, the friction of the water on the line will hold the fly firmly in the its mouth.

Water temperature 67-73
Air temperature 51-77
Humidity 81 %
Wind: NNW 15 to 20 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 6:59 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:40 p.m. MST

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Christmas and preparation for the impending arrival of the annual whale watching season took priority for the locals this week. Whales have already been reported, making their way down the West coast.
The Estero action remained consistent including corvina, grouper, small sierra and a few good sized pargo.

Offshore the seas were grumpy and most, if not all, of the yachts have returned to their home ports until next year.

Water temperature 66 - 73
Air temperature 50 -73
Humidity 82%
Wind: NNW 13 to 18 knots
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:45 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The full moon has hit us hard and really slowed down the great fishing we have had for the last three weeks. Once we are out of this moon phase, all conditions point to continuing to getting back to good fishing.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 68-96
Humidity 82%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:15 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:19 p.m. CST

Cabo San Lucas

We received an abbreviated report on one of our client’s trip this week. Jon Lay, from Washington, D.C., and his family had a great time. They didn't stay long at Finger Bank; it was very windy with 20 ft. seas. However they caught twenty marlin before heading back downhill. When the Captain asked if everyone had enough, one of the ladies, said, “NO, I want two more”. She caught three more!!!!!

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 51-74
Humidity 76%
Wind: SW at 10mph
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:59 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:42 p.m. MST

Bahia Asunción

Conditions have been excellent, calm wind and seas. Earlier this week, Juan Marron took a Canadian couple fishing. They got 3 medium sized yellowtail, plus calicos and bonito. Water temps are still up between 68-70.

Water temperature 62 - 70
Air temperature 45-65
Humidity 76%
Wind: NW 5 - 10mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:27 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:49 p.m. MST

Blowing in the Wind!

Endless Season Update 12/19/2007
REPORT #1093 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
NOTE: Beginning this week, we will be sending out our reports each Wednesday instead of Saturday. In addition, we are adding two areas to our reports: George and Mary Landrum will be providing Baja on the Fly with Cabo San Lucas updates and Shari Bondy and Juan Marron will be providing updates from Bahia Asuncion. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! ...GARY AND YVONNE GRAHAM.
East Cape
East Cape weather has definitely shifted to our typical winter pattern with many windy days. However, early in the morning and sometimes all the way to mid-morning, you may find good fishing. You can usually see the wind line coming and hightail it home before it reaches you.

There are still ‘schoolie’ sized yellowfin tuna offshore along with some dorado; along the shore the sierra are still around, dashing and slashing.

We’ve had some reports of a pargo snap in the rocks at Punta Perico.

Yellowfin Tuna Tip: Often as the fleet of boats grows, the fish will go deeper in the water column. Use a shooting head cast the fly out as far as possible and let the fly sink. Then try 3 or 4 hard pulls, shake the line out again letting the fly sink again. We’ve had great success with this method using this fly: http://www.bajafly.com/bajawasabi.htm

Water temperature 74-74
Air temperature 62-81
Humidity 73 %
Wind: NNW 13 to 18 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 13 miles
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:36 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

It’s kind of like throwing a party and nobody showing up with no one fishing this week at Mag Bay.

The Finger Bank below Punta Tosca is going off again and the few boats taking advantage of the bite are coming up from Cabo. One boat out of Cabo boasted 30+ fish two days ago.

In the Esteros, the locals reported good action for grouper, snook and corvina.

Water temperature 67 - 70
Air temperature 61 -79
Humidity 73%
Wind: NW 14 to 19 knots
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:41 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The excellent sailfish and dorado action is still holding up this week, with the daily counts actually being higher than the last two week's averages. We are definitely going to have a great Christmas.

Cali and I fish with fly fishing client David McCarty of Philadelphia, PA down at Puerto Vicente Guerrero (about an hour and a half below Zihuatanejo). By noon, we had raised 12 sailfish, teased 8 to the boat, and hooked 4.

We also raised an estimated 16 dorado. We had 8 come to the boat, and hooked 4. The dorado were averaging about 15 pounds for the females, and between 25 and 45 pounds for the bulls.

Plus, something I had never seen before; the dorado were actually coming in on the same teasers as the sailfish, and beating the sails to the fly. Several times Cali had a dorado on one teaser, while I was bringing in a sail on the other. At one point David asked me if he should take the sailfish or the dorado. I had no more than yelled out "the one which gets there first", and a large bull sliced across the stern and slammed into the fly. The voracious hit, from only about 10 feet away, plus a hard left hand strip hook set, and the fly line parted. But, it sure was exciting!
Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 72-96
Humidity 61%
Wind: SW at 10mph
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:15 p.m. CST


Cabo San Lucas

BILLFISH: The Striped Marlin bite has remained wide open on the Finger Bank on the Pacific side, but it is such a long run for the fleet boats that very few have been going. The average there has been in the double-digit area in numbers of releases. The bite that had been happening on the Golden Gate dropped off to practically a standstill as the bait moved off the bank and in toward shore. The fish moved with them and now the close to home bite is within three miles of the beach on the Pacific side and extending down to just outside the lighthouse. Slow trolled or drifted live baits have been the best producer but a lot of luck is being had by boats pulling lures as well, dropping back live bait to fish that appear in the spread. One of the problems we see occasionally is lots of fish on the surface that don’t want to eat, and one way to get them excited is to troll lures at a faster speed. A few boats had luck doing that during the middle of the week, finding that lures pulled at ten and eleven knots got those fish to bite.

YELLOWFIN TUNA A scattering of football fish showed up again just to the north of the Gorda Banks on the Cortez side of the cape but there were also scattered fish on the Pacific, just no big numbers or consistently large sizes yet. The football Yellowfin were 10-15 pounds with an occasional 20-pound fish and Sardinas were the way to go. Chumming heavily with both live and dead Sardinas would bring the fish up, then a live one pinned on a small #2 silver hook on 20-pound floura-carbon leader would get bit quickly, heavier leader did not produce as well.

DORADO: There were a few scattered fish, but the numbers were smaller than last week. As the water cools these will become an exception in the catch rather than a targeted fish. Most of the ones that were found were on the Sea of Cortez up around the Punta Gorda area, but a few fish shoed up in the warm water on the Pacific as well. The best lures were smaller ones in bright colors, bright feathers worked for many boats. Small Dorado were found mixed with the football Tuna as well and readily ate Sardinas presented for Tuna.

WAHOO: I saw no Wahoo flags this week that were for Wahoo, I did see quite a few that were flown for Sierra.

INSHORE: Sierra were the fish of the week for the inshore fishermen and they were consistently on the feed off of the Solmar-Finesterra beach early in the morning. They seemed to move up to the north later in the day. Yellowtail continued to produce scattered action off of the rocky points on the Cortez side with some decent fish being taken off of Gray Rock and the drop at Chileno.

Bahia Asuncion

After a lousy couple weeks of nasty weather, (torrential downpours that washed out roads, gale force SE winds, enormous swells and cool cloudy days), FINALLY we got a nice sunny day.
It coincided with the big holiday, Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe, which was a treat for the villagers as they paraded the Virgin about town and even for a spin in a panga.

Juan woke up and looked out our window and saw lots of indicator birds so he flew out to the panga and set off with his workmate to Pta.Loma, between Asuncion & San Roque. There were hundreds of dolphins feeding heavily on sardines and within an hour they had 3 nice big yellowtail and a bunch of bonito and they were home for breakfast soon after.

Nice to know the storm didn't chase the fish away! The water is still about 70 degrees and visibility is good. The yellows hit on Juan’s favorite lure...the 7" EXRAP, a white one with a red head and a plastic nose. The fish were down about 15-20'. Local fishermen report an abundance of yellowtail, bonito and lots of feed.

The folks of Bahia Asuncion wish you all a very Feliz Navidad!

Sierra Rule!

Endless Season Update 12/10/2007
REPORT #1092 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape

East Cape weather turned cold this week effectively shutting down most of the action. For the hard core there still was a decent tuna bite in spite of the north winds which are a factor this time of year.

Inshore the sierra offered the best action with a few small jacks and roosters mixed in.

Sierra Tip #2: When the sierra are crashing bait on the surface, use a surface lure or popper (Rebel “Jumpin' minnow) with the hooks removed. Attach the lure with a light piece of 4lb. to 6lb. leader. Cast into the melee and when the fish strike the line, it will eventually break. Now you have a free floating teaser that will drive the Sierra crazy! Just cast your fly or lure in the proximity of the free floating lure and you should have no problem getting hooked up. When the bite is over, recover your floating teaser to use the next time.Tip Archives

Water temperature 74-74
Air temperature 60-69
Humidity 95 %
Wind: WNW 8 to 11 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:50 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:32 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Cold and windy! Even Baja had to contend with its own version of the Polar Express this week. Still a few fish traveling down the coast, but miserable conditions prevented all but the most dedicated from trying to find them.

Estero action remained hot regardless of the cool temperatures. Plenty of pargo, corvina and better than average snook snap this week.

The following reports demonstrate the importance of the old adage (“being in the right place at the right time”)

Rich Johnson on his “Marie B”: We left on November 15, fueled at Turtle, stopped at Santa Maria to make bait, and then went down to Tosca. From there we went to the Potato Bank, saw black porpoise but tuna were not at home. We then plowed our way back to Belcher’s and spent the night. So far only a few marlin and surprisingly few, if any, dorado. No other boats---so we thought we were a day late and dollar short. Heading out the Entrada, my grandson saw a ‘tailer’ about 3 miles outside. Then it was as many as we could catch, nonstop in the green colder water! We stayed until the day after Thanksgiving and then went to Cabo to drop off my son and grandson.

Maurice Smith came down to help Mark Henwood on the “Marie B” for the uphill return to San Diego. Made some bait and caught a few on the Golden Gate. Ran all night back in flat calm weather at sunrise the next morning. The water was grease, and the most lazy 'tailers’ we had ever seen--away from the birds and bait---were still in close in that cold, green water. It was a nonstop bite for 5 hours! We finally arrived in the San Diego early in the morning December 4 before the nasty weather came storming down the west coast.

Our Guide Lance Peterson headed up to Magdalena Bay in early December along with some friends for a “Busman’s Holiday”. He says: “Our 2007 Mag trip began with high hopes but we just never hit the mother lode. We logged over 600 hard miles in not so great conditions. I felt we were really fishing well but the mighty Pacific was a tough egg to crack. We were always a day late, a day early, or just not able to reach the action in a panga. We did catch a few marlin and had some cool fly shots. But damn...we really took our medicine this time! Such is life on a big ocean in a small boat.
On the way back to Lopez we found 70 degree water at the San Carlos Entrada. The sea was finally calm and the sun was out. We just knew it was going to go off out there...but our time had run out and we reluctantly headed back into the bay and up to Lopez. Of course...the marlin went nuts that day where we had fished hard for 9 days. We missed it!!! We did have a blast on the Magdalena Island although it was Alaska-like conditions. It rained buckets at times with strong wind and huge swell. I fished in full north west style rain gear.”

Water temperature 67 - 71
Air temperature 60 -67
Humidity 87%
Wind: W 13 to 17 knots
Conditions: Overcast
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:38 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The blue water is fluctuating between 5 and 10 miles, but with the moon phase kicking into high gear, the fishing is improving daily.

The cooler 78 to 80 degree water is still here, but the sailfish have been getting more active. Since Wednesday the count is averaging about three sailfish per boat per day. Plus the large dorado are showing again.

Santiago, on the panga, Gitana, had a 4 sailfish released day, and then a day with one sail and three nice dorado. He told me the dorado are averaging between 20 and 40 pounds.

Chuck Stratton fished two days with Cheva on the panga, Dos Hermanos II. Chuck had tried to get his dad C.D. to come down and experience the good fishing here, but it did not happen. On the first day Chuck fished inshore, taking numerous black skipjack tuna to an incredible 15 pounds. These hard fighting fish normally average about 3 to 4 pounds here, and really gave him a work out. Plus, they got 4 very large sierra, up to 10 pounds, for ceviche and dinner fillets.

Fishing offshore on the second day, Thursday, they hooked 7 sailfish and kept 2 large dorado between 30 and 40 pounds. More ceviche and dinner fillets. And dorado is one of the best tasting fish in the ocean. Too bad C.D., you missed out on a lot of good action, the experience of fishing with a world class captain....and some great fresh fish dinners.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 74-95
Humidity 91%
Wind: S at 2mph
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:10 p.m. CST

Mag Bay Rekindles…

Endless Season Update 12/01/2007
REPORT #1091 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape

Beach action for small jacks and roosters, mixed in with schools of sierra feeding on small sardina, was found in shallow water from Rancho Leonero to La Ribera.

Sierra Tip: A sierra has a mouth full of teeth and will play havoc with your fluorocarbon leaders. Use flies tied on long-shanked hooks instead of wire. You may lose an occasional fly but you’ll have many more takes. Your choice in flies should “match the hatch.” Since we don’t have bugs in saltwater, the “hatch” is 2 ½ to 4 inch-long sardina. Olive, gray or beige-backed See Through Deceivers should do the trick, but bring a few Clousers in chartreuse or olive to round out your flybox.

In spite of a couple of days of rain, the tuna and dorado bite was outrageous this week. Even better news was that it was close. Saturday morning, Mark Rayor, Vista Sea Sports, reported “seeing porpoise feeding and birds diving, clearly visible from his front porch”. Of course all the action essentially goes unnoticed with few guests at the hotels to take advantage of the near shore fishing. Reports indicate the offshore billfish action finally choked.


Water temperature 75-80
Air temperature 60-77
Humidity 92 %
Wind: NNE 9 to 12 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:44 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:31 p.m. MST

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Pete Wishney, Foxy Lady, reported extraordinary action inside the Esteros for a mixed bag of critters including snook, corvina, snapper, halibut, pargo, pompano, and grouper. This mix was caught on fly and live shrimp purchased from the pangeros who used nets to catch shrimp commercially inside the bay.

Outside the Entrada, there have been billfish found all the way to the pinnacles outside Punta Tosca. However the best action reported was below Punta Tosca on the flats above the Finger Bank where wide open action with the billfish feeding on the surface was found. There are few yachts --- just local pangas reportedly fishing it.

Water temperature 67 - 75
Air temperature 60 -76
Humidity 99%
Wind: NNW 5 to 6 knots
Conditions: Fog/sunny later
Visibility 0 miles
Sunrise 6:55 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:36 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

With the water in a cooling trend, the blue water is averaging about 12 to 15 miles from Zihuatanejo Bay. However, the currents have been changing daily, and going back to the same place you caught fish the day before has not been productive. We are having to locate the fish on a daily basis.

The fleet is averaging about two sailfish a day, per boat. But, because of the cooler water, the blue marlin are showing up again, and in decent numbers. We are averaging about 4 blues a day for the 20 boat fleet.

Adan on the panga Gitana II got a nice blue for his client Mark from San Francisco, and Santiago released another for Glenn Wittur of Kalona, British Columbia. Even though Glenn is an experienced fresh water fisherman, this was his first day ever on the blue water. Within the first two hours, Santiago had tagged and released a sailfish and the blue. I sure hopes he does not think every day is like that.

Adolpho reports the roosters are still up North, and yesterday (Friday) he took 4 for his French client. He also told me the dorado are hitting very well to the South, and in close to the beach.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 74-95
Humidity 91%
Wind: S at 2mph
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:10 p.m. CST

Mag Bay Still Sputtering…

Endless Season Update 11/24/2007
REPORT #1090 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape

More celebrating Thanksgiving and less fishing is the report this week! Lance Peterson did report that the beach looked great, but because of a finger injury he was unable to take advantage of it.

Water temperature 75-80
Air temperature 60-74
Humidity 82 %
Wind: WNW at 10mph
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:31 p.m. MST

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Most of the talk this last week has been about how great the 2007 bite was. However, Bob Hoyt of Mag Bay Outfitters, reports that there is still ‘fair’ billfish action being found below the Entrada near the pinnacles in spite of the windy conditions; nothing like the double digits of last month but enough to keep things interesting.

He also reports that the Estero action has continued to produce good catches of grouper, pargo, corvina and a few snook. Most of that action took place up toward Boca Santo Domingo.

Water temperature 67 - 75
Air temperature 56 -70
Humidity 66%
Wind: WNW 13 to 18 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudyr
Visibility 13 miles
Sunrise 6:50 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:37 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The 84° blue water is just a couple of miles off the beach. All conditions, with calm seas and clear skies, are perfect. But the fishing has been a bit on the slow side.

The blue marlin have been making another showing this week, with about one blue being caught by the fleet almost every day. There are still a few dorado around, and each boat is averaging one to two sailfish a day.

The Northern rooster migration seems to be making its way down, but are still a fairly long boat ride to get to. I was talking to a homeowner up at Saladitas. Saladita is a little over an hour boat ride from Zihuatanejo Bay. He told me there were huge schools of bait out in front of his house, and about 20 big roosters herding them.

I also talked with a surfer who had been up to the Ranch. The Ranch is another 1/2 hour above Saladita. He told me the bait was actually trying to hide under the surfboards, and huge roosters were dashing in and out trying to get at the bait. He said it was the first time he had experienced anything like it, and it was fantastic.

To prove the point even more about our local roosters having disappeared, we fished down South at Puerto Vicente Guerrero and only raised 5 roosters and three jack crevalle after a long day of constant casting with the poppers.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 67-95
Humidity 86%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:09 p.m. CST

Mag Bay Winding Down…

Endless Season Update 11/17/2007
REPORT #1088 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape
As East Cape begins the fall-to-winter transition, the weather becomes more sporadic. Most of this week was ‘picture perfect’ until this morning when the north wind began howling down the Sea of Cortez.

There were still good catches of tuna this week, though some boats traveled long distances south to find them. Smatterings of dorado were also to be found along with a few early morning wahoo.

Beach action for small roosters and jacks was good early in the week but the north wind will probably slow that down for the next few days.

Water temperature 77-85
Air temperature 52-81
Humidity 74 %
Wind: NNW 11 to 14 knots
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:35 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:33 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

The best offshore season in years has been enjoyed off Mag Bay with marlin being taken in extraordinary numbers, but the cold winds crept in and have brought off-color water and cooler temperatures which have slowed the action down dramatically! Bird schools are few and far between as the remaining boats in the area fan out looking for warmer water.
The bright spot is that inside the Entrada this week the boats caught quality yellows in the 30 – 40 lb. range.

Up at Boca Santo Domingo, the Estero action was non-stop for pargo, grouper, and corvina, and a few small snook were landed with several larger ones lost.

Hopefully the winds will back off, the warmer water will be found and everyone will get another “whack” before the season shuts down entirely.

Water temperature 67 - 73
Air temperature 59 -83
Humidity 83%
Wind: WNW 11 to 15 knots
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:45 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:39 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 84° blue water is just off the beach. The seas are almost dead calm, and fishing conditions are ideal. The fishing has seen a variety of action this week, with a lot depending on being at the right place at the right time.

Most boats are averaging a sailfish a day, and we are also getting blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, and dorado.

For one day counts this week, Cheva on the panga, Dos Hermanos II, got two sailfish and two dorado for his client. Santiago, on the panga, Gitana, took a 275 pound blue marlin while fishing with Russ Kirtchner of Iowa. Laura Sanders of LA got 1 sailfish and 7 yellowfin tuna while fishing with Captain Ruben on the Vamonos III.

Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, found the roosterfish concentrations again by traveling 20 miles to the North. They got 5 roosters weighing 30 to 50 pounds. And, Dave Martin of Colorado also took a 50 pound rooster while fishing the Pantla area on the panga, Esturion.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 70-94
Humidity 89%
Wind: NNW at 3mph
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:52 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:10 p.m. CST

WOW! Double Digits!

Endless Season Update 11/3/2007
REPORT #1087 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape
Thanks to all of you who emailed me last week to remind me that the time changes this week in the U.S. However, this is a “Below the Border” report and the time changed in Baja last Sunday morning.

Sam and Janet Farish, Atlanta, GA, enjoyed a week of great weather and fishing this week with double-digit roosters, sierra and ladyfish inshore. Offshore it was dorado and yellowfin tuna rounding off a great week of East Cape fishing.

Then they headed up to Lopez Mateos in Magdalena Bay to sample the even hotter offshore action.


Water temperature 77-85
Air temperature 66-90
Humidity 83 %
Wind: NNW 7 to 9 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 7:26 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:39 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Early November and the fishing is easy…offshore. Sam and Janet Farish on their first day headed out on the “Mar Gato” with Captain Sergio and our guide Lance Peterson.

Their day started quick! In the first ten minutes they were both tight to fifty pound wahoo. Today they headed out for hopefully more of the same action on the Thetis before sliding down to the anchorage at Santa Maria Bay to spend the night.

Billfish action from the Entrada to below Pta. Tosca could only be classified as “wide-open”. Bird school after bird school in every direction you looked but even as you slid on the spot you could never be sure what might be there. Marlin, tuna, dorado or wahoo? As one angler put it, “They were biting everything; probably would have bitten an old tennis shoe!”

If you are heading this way, bring plenty of tackle. Double digit fishing goes through the tackle fast!!!

Water temperature 72 - 82
Air temperature 67 -88
Humidity 76%
Wind: W 8 to 11 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:36 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:45 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 82° blue water is only a very short ride out of Zihuatanejo Bay, and with the effects of the full moon period winding down, the fishing action has been steadily improving.

The boats are averaging between 1 and 2 sailfish a day, per boat. Plus, at 12 miles, there is still a long weed line which is holding large dorado.

Paul Zobeck, of Grand Slam Fishing Charters on the Kenai River, has fished with Adan on the panga Gitana II for 2 days. They have taken 7 dorado, averaging about 25 pounds.

Yesterday (Friday), Mike Griffin of Anchorage, fished with Captain Poli on the Don Gordo II, taking 4 dorado from 25 to 45 pounds.

This seems to be a week for Alaskan people fishing here, because Cali and I went down to Puerto Vicente Guerrero with Jim Albert to fly fish for roosters. Jim manages one of the Brooks River lodges of the grizzly bear watching fame. We arrived to find the inshore waters had dropped from an ideal 82° down to 76°. The roosters and large jack crevalle had left for other parts unknown. It was a very tough day of fishing, with only three roosters raised.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77-97
Humidity 65%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 9 miles
Sunrise 7:46 a.m. CST
Sunset 7:14 p.m. CST

Time Falls Back…Fish Turn On!

Endless Season Update 10/27/2007
REPORT #1086 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape

The time change tonight should indicate that it’s time for the East Cape season to wind down. Guess someone forgot to tell fish!

Yellowfin tuna are on the chew like it’s their last meal. Joe and Nick Turano, from Houston, Texas, must have left a few for the clients this week. YFT’s mixed with Baja Wasabi flies had everyone out of breath and sore by mid-morning and eager to head out and troll teasers for billfish.

No rest for the wicked! Billfish action was more like June than the last week of October, preventing anyone from any kind of a breather before the first sail appeared in the pattern.

North wind and beach fishing should never be in the same sentence so until yesterday when the wind died, the boat action was a much better choice.

Water temperature 77-85
Air temperature 69-92
Humidity 78 %
Wind: NNW 7 to 10 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:22 a.m. MDT
Sunset 6:44 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

As the Sea of Cortez begins to taper off, the action offshore kicks into full gear. Reports of WFO action are spread out from Thetis to the north all the way to below Pta. Tosca to the south.

Wahoo, dorado, yellowfin tuna (great for that midday sashimi) and double digit billfish combined with super weather has everyone predicting an action packed November.

As far as the Esteros go, no one seems to be paying much attention with all the action outside.

Water temperature 72 - 82
Air temperature 61 -90
Humidity 79%
Wind: WNW 10 to 13 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:31 a.m. MDT
Sunset 6:50 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 84 degree blue water is still only a couple of miles off the beach; however the full moon period slowed us down this week. We are only averaging about 1 sailfish per boat, per day.

The bright note is the late season rains have brought the dorado in numbers. Near shore, the smaller school dorado, averaging 8 to 12 pounds are biting very well. Off shore, the larger adults are readily taking the trolled sailfish baits.

About the best recorded catch of the week was when Keith Bell, of Pensacola FL, fished one day with Ruben on the Vamonos III, catching 1 sailfish and 5 dorado. The dorado averaged between 25 and 30 pounds.

The inshore waters have cleaned up since the rains, but the action on the roosters was also affected by the moon phase and has slowed down. Keith Bell wanted to try for the roosters on the fly rod, so he and I went down to Puerto Vicente Guerrero. We only raised 4 roosters, and they did not take the fly. However there were hundreds of jack crevalle, busting small sardines in the shallows. The jacks were averaging about 5 pounds, plus there were a few sierra.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 76-95
Humidity 78%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:43 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:17 p.m. CDT

Center Stage: Billfish and Tuna

Endless Season Update 10/20/2007
REPORT #1085 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996







East Cape
The billfish and tuna action picked up this week which was fortunate as the dorado bite that had been the ‘crowd-pleaser’ for the past month backed way off this week.

Long time clients, Joe and Nick Turano, from Houston, Texas, had a great first day: they raised 11 billfish, hooked1 marlin and 3 sails. On the second day the north wind and conditions were against them, and they had only one shot at a sail and a few sierra inside. Undeterred they headed out again on the third day and had an excellent day, cashing in on a serious yellowfin tuna bite.

Beach action suffered from the windy conditions as the wind waves turned the water the color of Starbucks coffee. The good news is the sierra have returned and could be found feeding on sardina. Instead of using wire, try using flies tied on long shank hooks. You may lose a fly or two but you will definitely have more takes.


Water temperature 77-85
Air temperature 73-95
Humidity 73 %
Wind: N 2 to 3 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:03 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Windy and sloppy conditions this week kept most of the locals on the beach. More yachts arrive every day to find the billfish action out fifteen miles southwest of Pta. Tosca toward the pinnacles. Down farther toward the Finger Bank reports of 10-20 fish days are not uncommon.

Dorado action and football sized tuna can be found outside the bumps in front of Boca de Soledad.

Water temperature 72 - 82
Air temperature 70 -92
Humidity 82%
Wind: NW 11 to 15 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:28 a.m. MDT
Sunset 6:56 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 82° blue water was only a 1.5 miles off the beach earlier in the week. The offshore action was a bit slow, with only a 1 or 2 sailfish per day / per boat average. There were also a few dorado scattered around in the catches.

The inshore action for roosters was just incredible until tropical storm Kiko settled in here late in the week and dumped 10 inches of rain on us for a 48 hour period. We even had a port closure on Friday.

On Wednesday, one day before Kiko hit, Cali and I went down to Puerto Vicente Guerrero with fly fishing client, Andre from British Columbia. Using a hookless popper, we raised 16 roosters and 4 jack crevalle. Andre was able to hook 4 roosters.

The inshore waters are now very dirty from the huge volume of water coming out of the numerous small rivers here. It will take at least a week to get settled down and the roosterfish action should be excellent again.

However, because of the debris floating out of the rivers, the dorado and tuna should be making another decent appearance this next week.
Ed Kunze

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 72-91
Humidity 83%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:41 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:21 p.m. CDT

Big Bite…Bigger Bucks

THE BUCK STOPS HERE

Endless Season Update 10/13/2007
REPORT #1084 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape

The first North Winds of the season kicked up a few days early in the week, causing wind waves and off-color water. Though the water temps remained good, it didn’t begin to clean up until late in the week.

The offshore action was scattered from a few miles offshore to forty miles out. A good striper bite, along with a few sails and two blues, was reported.

The tuna overshadowed the dorado this week with some fifty pound class tuna showing up under the porpoise.

Overshadowed maybe, but the dorado bite remained consistent again this week under debris found close to shore.

In spite of the North Winds making for tough fly fishing days, Lance reported the bait schools were still hanging out in the same spots and a diligent caster could expect to connect. Roosters, jacks to 5 lb's. and ladyfish were the most active feeders. Once again, his best results were had with small, sparse baitfish patterns and clousers. Chartreuse was an effective color in the off-color water.

Last weekend, October 4 through October 7, East Cape’s Mark Rayor and his team, Captain Jesus, ‘Chuy” Cota and Juan Diego Romero, fished the first annual La Paz Gold Cup Black and Blue Marlin Tournament on Mark’s boat, the Jen Wren. The tournament was held by local developers in the La Paz area: Costa Baja Resort and Marina, Playa de LaPaz, Snell Real Estate, Maravia Country Club Estates, La Concha Pearl, Bahia los Suenos, Mosquito Fleet, Scott O’Hara and Jim House. This group of developers put up the prize money and volunteered their time to organize and carry out this charity event. James Curtiss and Gabriel Ley were Tournament Chairs. The Rotary Club of La Paz was selected as the recipient of the charity money for their cause: to provide prosthetics for children in need

First prize was one million pesos, the equivalent to about $100,000 US dollars, plus a new Ford Lobo truck if the fish exceeded 400 pounds! But there was a twist in the rules that made things even more interesting; a $50 per pound penalty was imposed on any team weighing a fish under the 200 pound minimum. What a fantastic idea! We are lucky to have one of the best fisheries in the world and this certainly discourages the killing of short fish. It also raised extra money for a good cause. Full Report click here

Water temperature 77-85
Air temperature 73-95
Humidity 73 %
Wind: N 5 to 6 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:03 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Bob Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters, reported that the weather turned sideways early in the week and few boats ventured outside. He did hear of excellent marlin action on the high spot below Punta Tosca for the boats traveling down the line toward Cabo San Lucas.

The Esteros produced grouper, corvina plus the usual spotted bay bass with the best area being up toward Boca Santo Domingo.

Water temperature 72 - 82
Air temperature 61 -94
Humidity 93%
Wind: NW 14 to 19 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:05 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 81° blue water is about 15 miles out, with most of the fish being taken between the 18 and 20 mile mark. Sailfish are averaging about 1 to 2 fish a day per boat.

However, this last week has seen another surge of blue marlin coming into the area. On Thursday, Hans Clausen of Denmark fished with Santiago on the panga Gitana, catching two marlin, with the largest going 285 pounds.

The yellowfin tuna have not shown for a few days, and have either moved out of the area, or further out and past the 1,000 fathom line.

The dorado, while not as plentiful as in weeks past, are still averaging about 20 pounds.

The roosterfish and jack crevalle action is still excellent, with the action all up and down the coast

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77-96
Humidity 87%
Wind: WSW at 2mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:39 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:26 p.m. CDT

October Sizzles On!

Endless Season Update 10/06/2007
REPORT #1083 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape

The outstanding fishing at East Cape continues to sizzle, making up for the slower fishing earlier in the season. Strong billfish and dorado action provided lots of smiles this week.

The sailfish turned on this week, adding to the blue marlin and striper mayhem that began just a few miles offshore and continued out as far as forty miles. John Lowther, of Phoenix, AZ, finished up his trip early in the week and called it one of the best he has seen for his group in several years.

Showing a level of consistency not seen up to this point this year, the dorado action could only be rated as “hot” for the past several back-to-back weeks.

Tuna action has slowed somewhat, causing a change in menu from sushimi to chips and guacamole at happy hour.

Lance Peterson spent his week plying the hot sand beaches and reported consistent action on smaller roosters and jacks to 5lbs. When you find the sardina in the shallows, you’ll find ladyfish, pompano, and the odd pargo or cabrilla rounding out the catch. Small to mid-sized sardina patterns tied “sparse” have yielded good results.

Water temperature 82-88
Air temperature 66-86
Humidity 84%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:13 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:01 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Bob Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters, reported excellent bay fishing again this week including grouper, several snook and a good surface bite for bragging sized corvina

Outside was only fished lightly but the bull dorado and small YFT’s were plentiful.

A few yachts making their way down the coast toward Cabo are reporting 78 degree water and a few marlin as well as dorado schools all the way down the ridge.


Water temperature 64 - 78
Air temperature 71 -90
Humidity 79%
Wind: NNW 6 to 8 knots
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:21 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:09 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 82° blue water is only about 5 miles off the beach, and the contact line is producing dorado and yellowfin tuna.

The dorado action is steady, but the tuna are breezing in and out. It’s more of a matter of luck and being at the right place at the right time for the tuna. The dorado are averaging a hefty 20 pounds, with several much larger being taken. The tuna are ranging from footballs, up to about 60 pounds.

The sailfish action is at the 12 mile mark, and we are averaging about 2 fish a day/per boat.

The roosterfish action is still excellent all up and down the coast. However, with the entire fleet consisting of only 4 or 5 boats a day, there are very few people fishing the roosters, and few being reported.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 76-96
Humidity 83%
Wind: NNW at 3 mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:37 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:31 p.m. CDT

September Sizzled!

Endless Season Update 09/29/2007
REPORT #1082 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape

East Cape’s September fishing was some of 2007’s best, and hopefully it was a prelude to a great October.

Offshore action began where inshore action left off, just a few miles offshore. John Lowther, of Phoenix, AZ, called in yesterday morning from his cellular to report he was in a wide open tuna bite only a few miles from the hotel. John is hosting a group of friends at the old Rancho Buena Vista Hotel.

At Punta Pescadero, the sailfish were lollygagging on the surface less than two miles from the point and only a few miles farther out, the blue marlin were in the teasers.

Finding the dorado was a ‘slam dunk’ with plenty of easy-to-spot debris providing cover for them.

Lance Peterson reported that on the beach around the bait there were many "schoolie" jack crevalle, roosterfish, and ladyfish that could be sucker punched with the right fly. The gaff top sail pompano schools were in evidence cruising up and down the beaches. A smaller fly and light tippet were needed to get the grabs from the pompano.

Water temperature 77-85
Air temperature 67-89
Humidity 90%
Wind: N 5 to 7 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:09 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Bob Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters, reported bay fishing is “as good as it gets” with limits of grouper, a handful of snook, as well as several large corvina

Outside, the dorado action picked up again with some larger bulls showing up. Still plenty of small yellowtail with a few sierra mixed in.

Water temps out at the Thetis have climbed to 78.5 degrees and the top of the bank is covered with small bonito. The clients had to get off the high spot to find the dorado.

One yacht making the trip south reported wahoo, marlin and dorado on the ridge.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 71 -90
Humidity 83%
Wind: NW 11 to 15 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:18 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:17 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The sailfish have been kind of slow, but with the full moon, this is not really a surprise. Plus, there are only 4 or 5 boats fishing per day, and half of them are fishing the inshore for the great roosterfish bite.

The 83° blue water is about 12 miles off the beach, but the boats are often short stopping at the 6 to 8 mile mark in order to fish the dorado in the weed lines. They are averaging about two or three of these tasty fish, which are averaging between 16 and 33 pounds.

The inshore water, averaging about 86°, has really been holding the bait and the roosterfish on the beaches, with quite a few jack crevalle in the mix. There is no defined area for the concentrations of roosters. They are all up and down the coast.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 76-92
Humidity 86%
Wind: NNW at 3 mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 9 miles
Sunrise 7:36 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:37 p.m. CDT

Hurricane Roulette…

Endless Season Update 09/22/2007



REPORT #1081 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape




You know its September because there was another tropical depression below Baja and threatening to head our way. That must be why all the hotels offer special deals in September to entice folks to play hurricane roulette. For all of you who played this week, you are big winners!

Once again, East Cape’s little secret that some of the best fishing of the season is in September has been exposed. By all accounts this week was one of the best this year!

Dorado and yellowfin were found close to shore along the current break, which was easily found with all the floating debris.

Billfish action, while a click slower, is still good enough that Mark Rayor, owner of Vista Seasports, is headed out this morning to try to get one on the fly.

Our Guide, Lance Peterson, reported good beach activity as well. “Schools of gaff top sail pompano continue to provide some challenging opportunities. I see them feeding actively but have to work to catch them. Sparse fry baitfish, in small sizes, has been effective. As always find the bait and you find the fish. Around the sardina schools I've been catching jacks and roosters (to 5lbs), ladyfish, as well as some pargo.”

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 76-96
Humidity 83%
Wind: SE 2 to 3 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:35 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:43 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Offshore action for dorado, small yellows and football sized tuna was great throughout the week. TD IVO produced some squirrelly weather late in the week and rain this morning.

Estero action included spotted bay bass, grouper, and on the surface, a few sierra and corvina down at Devil’s Curve.

The Entrada also produced small yellows and bonito under the bird schools as well as some small halibut in the shallows at Belchers.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 71 -90
Humidity 82%
Wind: NNW 10 to 13 knots
Conditions: Rain
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:15 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:25 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
No report received this week, the following report is from the past week:
Not much is happening this week. There are so few clients fishing, there are not many boats on the water. Those boats which are getting out with a client, are only averaging about one sailfish per day and maybe one or two dorado.

The commercial pangeros are still working the areas out about 30 miles and getting four or five dorado apiece, averaging about 25 pounds.

No action has been reported on the inshore for the roosterfish.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 76-96
Humidity 83%
Wind: NNW at 3 mph
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:35 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:43 p.m. CDT

Right Place, Right time…

Trash Fish?
Endless Season Update 09/15/2007
REPORT #1080 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape

After a slow start September action finally picked up with good catches offshore.Though the water cleaned up after the recent storm, it left behind enough debris to provide cover. The dorado action was some of the best we have had this year. Fish from the teens up to the forty pound class kept most rods bent much of the day. The tuna action remains in front of La Ribera. Unfortunately, it is not exactly a secret spot so either be early or do without. Once the boats begin to stack up the fish go too deep for the fly.

Offshore, marlin action continued with blues and stripes providing the best bite with a few sails mixed in.

Beach action also cranked up with more sardina showing from La Ribera to the Lighthouse. ‘Right place, right time’ is the rule when the small jacks and roosters begin slamming the sardina against the beach and it can be a footrace to get to them before it is over.

School of gaff-top pompano also can be found feeding along the shore. Use fluorocarbon tippet (8 – 12 lb.) and small flies and a slow retrieve.

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 73-95
Humidity 84%
Wind: NNW 3 to 4 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 10miles
Sunrise 7:34 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:38 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Offshore action picked up right where it left off after Henriette. Plenty of smaller dorado and yellowtail can be found at the pinnacles in front of Boca de Soledad. Farther out, more marlin are showing every week. Football sized YFT’s were also found inside of the Thetis Bank in a fairly large area stretching back toward shore.

This week marked the beginning of the opening of Shrimp Season so most of the locals opted not to fish in the Esteros.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 74 -92
Humidity 91%
Wind: NW 11 to 14 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:13 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:31 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Not much is happening this week. There are so few clients fishing, there are not many boats on the water. Those boats which are getting out with a client, are only averaging about one sailfish per day and maybe one or two dorado.

The commercial pangeros are still working the areas out about 30 miles and getting four or five dorado apiece, averaging about 25 pounds.

No action has been reported on the inshore for the roosterfish.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 73-95
Humidity 84%
Wind: NNW at 4 mph
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:34 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:48 p.m. CDT

Hurricane Henriette Leaves Mud & Dorado

Henriette dumps plenty of water
Endless Season Update 09/08/2007
REPORT #1079 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
In spite of assurances that Hurricane Henriette would head out to the west missing Baja Sur, she made landfall on Tuesday on southern Baja leaving plenty of mud and debris in the wake of strong winds and lots of rain. Damage was minimal except for a couple of arroyos that filled up and all the main streets in town that had been dug up to replace the sewer pipes turned into a muddy mess.
Before the storm the fishing had been reasonably good and the action has once again picked up where it left off.

While the sailfish seemed to have taken a powder, the “stripeys” and blues provided the best action in the billfish department this week with the better action down to the south.

All the debris which was washed down out of the arroyos was just the cover needed to attract the dorado in closer to shore. Yellowfin tuna action remained close to shore but has moved farther down outside of Punta Colorada.

Don’t bother looking for much along the beach until later this week as they took a pretty good hit from the large wind waves that thrashed the beach.

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 76-96
Humidity 85%
Wind: NW 8 to 11 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:38 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

According to Diana Hoyt, our Clients, Tom St. Pierre and his friend from Orangeville, CA, fled the East Cape with Hurricane Henriette on their tail but found excellent dorado and yellowtail action offshore while the East Cape dealt with the wind and rain.


Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 72 -92
Humidity 77%
Wind: WNW 16 to 21 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:47 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The heavy rains from late last week did just about as predicted. The fishing has been fairly slow this week, due to the water conditions being affected by the 9 inches of rain we got in a 24 hour period.

On Thursday, Santiago, on the panga Gitana, went 24 miles and still had yet to find blue water, nor did he get a strike from any kind of a fish. He told me this morning (Saturday) he was heading out to the 1,000 fathom line (30 miles) or beyond to find the fish.

There were several reports of lots of dorado being taken by the commercial pangeros, but all of them were 30 to 35 miles.

The inshore is still murky and probably will not clear up for another week.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 70-90
Humidity 95%
Wind: E at 21 mph
Conditions: Cloudy (rain)
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:01 p.m. CDT

Henriette a Threat?

Endless Season Update 09/01/2007
REPORT #1078 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape

Baja eyes are looking to the south as the usual procession of September storms begins their march up the west coast of Mexico. Hopefully, they will continue out to the west and miss the Baja peninsula.

There was some much welcomed rain earlier this week; not enough to dampen the marlin bite, or even the football-sized tuna bite in front of La Ribera. And finally we have a few small dorado further down to the south of us.

Inshore action remained good for small roosters, pompano and a few ladyfish from the beach and close to shore.

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 76-96
Humidity 85%
Wind: NW 8 to 11 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:38 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Estero action took a backseat this week with the great action outside the Boca.

The dorado action remained consistent throughout the week. The yellowtail action improved near Cabo San Lazero, producing larger fish. There were also more marlin spotted and several released according to Diana Hoyt of Mag Bay Outfitters.

Gobiernos Baja Fishing Tournament scheduled for last weekend was cancelled at the last minute much to the disappointment on the locals who had been pre-fishing all week.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 72 -92
Humidity 77%
Wind: WNW 16 to 21 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:47 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
I am writing the fish report a few days early due to the imminent arrival of tropical storm Henriette. There is no way of knowing the intensity at this time, but when we get 6 to 15 inches of rain in less than a day, it usually knocks out our internet service for a while.

The tropical storm fairly much says it all, as it is due to hit Saturday, and will probably wipe out the fishing for a few days after. The blue water will be pushed out to maybe as much as 30 miles, and the inshore will be brown and dirty from the debris coming from the numerous rivers we have along the coast.

The blue water will recover the fastest, with the tree laden current lines attracting schools of dorado. Plus, all this week, even though the sailfish fishing has been a bit slow, the blue marlin are still very active. At least 3 blues a day are being hooked by the 10 boat fleet.

Depending on the intensity of the rainfall, the inshore fishery for the roosters and jacks may take up to a couple of weeks to recover.

5:00 am update: The storm bypassed us, and we had some heavy rain last night, but nothing like what I was expecting…only four inches of rain. The port is still closed and will not open until late today.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 70-90
Humidity 95%
Wind: E at 21 mph
Conditions: Cloudy (rain)
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:01 p.m. CDT

Gold Rush in Mag Bay!

Jamie Pierre with Mag Bay Gold
Endless Season Update 08/25/2007
REPORT #1077 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The action for small, golden dorado, yellowtail, a variety of skipjack, bonito and white bonito kept Jamie Pierre, Seattle, WA, and his friend Jack, busy this past week. Fishing outside Boca de Soledad, anywhere from six miles to twenty-four miles, we found about as steady a bite as we could hope for using our olive colored Marabou Deceiver and Wasabi flies. We also found a few marlin in the area, but the guys decided not to target them.

Inside the Estero the sierra action was surprisingly good, as was the corvina bite. Up at Boca Santo Domingo there were plenty of grouper and pargo lurking deeper in the water column.
Today the Gobiernos Baja Fishing Tournament begins in Lopez Mateos and will wrap up tomorrow.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 70 -88
Humidity 91%
Wind: WNW 11 to 15 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 4 miles

East Cape

In spite of unsettled conditions early in the week the fishing remained consistent. Offshore the boats are averaging one or two marlin a day with the number of blue marlin bites increasing.

If you are one of the first few boats to the high spot off La Ribera each morning, you might get lucky and land one of the few tuna on the fly. The search for dorado continues to be unpredictable with an occasional bite spread throughout the bay.

Near the beach, the action for smaller roosters, pompano and a few ladyfish provided enough action to keep things interesting for the fly folks.

Once again, the week is beginning with unsettled conditions caused by the leftovers from Hurricane Dean. See the link for more info: http://velasdebaja.com/2seaswatch.html

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 74-91
Humidity 93%
Wind: WNW 4 to 5 knots
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:58 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:44 p.m. MDT


Sunrise 7:05 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:54 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Early in the week, the blue marlin continued their very unusual showing this summer. We are averaging about 3 to 4 hooked blues a day for the 10 boat fleet. Sailfish are doing well also, with a two to three fish per boat average.

Tuesday was my son's 13th birthday and went out with Captain Cali to try for the 50 to 80 pound yellowfin tuna, which have been active at the 1,000 fathom line (30 miles). We started trolling at 16 miles and were hooked up within 5 minutes. I had set out a 40 pound outfit for tuna and dorado, and an 80 pound outfit for marlin. Wouldn't you know it, the blue hit the 40 pound outfit? Happens every time.

Fortunately the blue was small and a little over an hour later my son, Ken, had the estimate 200 pound marlin released.

From 5:00 in the evening Wednesday until 5:00 in the evening on Thursday, we got rain. Seven and a half inches of rain! It was the remnants of hurricane Dean, which had crossed over from the Caribbean side, shutting down all fishing for two days.

The large volume of rain has dirtied up the inshore from the outpouring of the rivers, and the roosterfish bite will probably not get going again for a few more days.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 73-93
Humidity 90%
Wind: ESE at 3mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 7:31 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:06 p.m. CDT

Sizzle to Drizzle
Endless Season Update 08/18/2007
REPORT #1076 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape

Richard Negley Gill, of San Antonio, TX, arrived with his buddy, John “Cuarto” Smith IV, early in the week in search of their first billfish on the fly. Fishing on Mark Rayor’s boat, Jen Wren, they averaged a handful of shots per day. They each achieved their goals, and then some! Smaller, striped marlin dominated the action. They only connected with one dorado for the entire trip.

Richard spent several afternoons patrolling the beach near his hotel. He had shots at some smaller roosters but they weren’t biting. He did catch a variety of other fish including pompano, short fin corvine, etc.

Clients Kurt Ransohoff, Santa Barabra, CA, and Tom Lorish, Seattle WA, spent two days panga fishing and caught plenty of small roosters, pompano, ladyfish and too many of the ever-present needlefish. They also took a shot at the yellowfin tuna that have been loitering near La Ribera. Unfortunately most of the action was deep and not suitable for the fly.

With the sardina thick in spots, the bait guys have plenty to sell. The sardina have attracted schools of 5-6 lb. roosters along with jack crevalle, sierra, green jacks, triggerfish, and enough needlefish to be a nuisance.

While the weather has been great most of the week, this morning (Saturday) it is overcast and sprinkling.

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 67-89
Humidity 91%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:50 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico


I am leaving East Cape this morning and heading for Lopez Mateos to check out the recent reports of great dorado and tuna action. Lightly fished this week, the offshore action continued to produce excellent catches of dorado and tuna. Closer to the Boca there have been schools of smaller yellowtail chasing bait on the surface.

The area near Boca Santa Domingo provided the best action for grouper, corvina and a few pargo plus several snook bites that didn’t work out.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 70 -87
Humidity 91%
Wind: E 3 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:02 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:00 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Unsettled weather late this week made fishing fairly tough. We had very little rain, but the port was closed on Friday due to wind conditions.

Prior to the barometer taking a nose dive, the sailfish action was averaging about 1 to 2 fish per boat/day.

Also early in the week the 60 to 80 pound yellowfin tuna had made a very good showing at the 1,000 fathom line (30 miles), with the bite lasting until the port closure.
Plus, for the boats who traveled the distance for the tuna, the sailfish action was much better than the boats who stayed in the traditional 10 to 14 mile areas.

There was not much action on roosters early this week, and the unsettled weather prevented anybody looking for them later.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 74-91
Humidity 93%
Wind: ENE at 2 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:29 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:11 p.m. CDT

Sardina Return … Action Improves!

Endless Season Update 08/11/2007
REPORT #1075 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape

The fly flingers were smiling this week as billfish action improved. There were multiples of sails, stripes and even a few blues showing in the patterns.

Our clients, Chris and Ryan Mott, from El Paso, Texas, managed to be the early birds on the scene when the YFT’s were busting sardina on the surface near La Ribera. They had three to the boat before the other boats arrived and drove the tuna down deep. A second day, the Motts had a very fun day catching lots of 5lb roosters, along with a few tuna.

With the sardina thick in spots, the bait guys have plenty to sell. The sardina have attracted these schools of 5-6 lb. roosters along with jack crevalle, sierra, green jacks, triggerfish, and enough needlefish to be a nuisance.


Dorado action consisted of nice sized fish, mostly singles showing up in the trolling pattern; not many found in schools.

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 74-98
Humidity 74%
Wind: NNW 6 to 8 knots
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 6:53 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:56 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico


Lightly fished this week, the offshore action continued to produce excellent catches of dorado and tuna. Football sized tuna, small yellows and nice sized dorado were found feeding on breezing bait just a few miles outside of the Boca. Also a few marlin are beginning to show under circling frigates near the Thetis.

Estero action included good catches of medium sized grouper, corvina, a few pargo and several small snook.

Enrique Soto reported good surface action at the Entrada for small yellows and bonito under the bird schools.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 70 -87
Humidity 74%
Wind: WNW 7 to 10 knots
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:59 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:05 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The small yellowfin tuna are still around the six mile mark and they are keeping the blue marlin around. These small tuna are only about 4 or 5 pounds, and are candy for the big blues. Several more blues were hooked this week.

The larger yellowfin are still out beyond the 32 mile area of the 1,000 fathom curve.

A few dorado are showing this week, and hopefully these are the leaders of the September mass migration we get about every 4 years. When the migration happens, a 100 dorado a day is not unreasonable: unless you get tired and quit before then.

The roosterfish bite is still awesome, and an excellent opportunity for a fly rodder to get in on the action.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77-97
Humidity 92%
Wind: ENE at 2 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:28 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:15 p.m. CDT

Tournament Blues….

Grouper bite picks up

REPORT #1074 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update August 4, 2007

East Cape


Most of the activity this week revolved around the “East Cape Bisbee Tournament” which finished up yesterday with a disappointing few qualifying blues; the largest blue was caught on the Tres Hermanos out of Hotel Buenavista Beach Resort. Angler Julio Cota took 1st Place Blue Marlin—418.0 lbs. An impressive 164.1 lb. tuna yielded 1st Place Angler for John Martin fishing on the boat, Wildcatter. There were enough stripers showing up in the pattern that only served as a distraction for the fleet that were targeting blues. A handful of dorado over fifty pounds were weighed in as well.

The reappearance of sardinas along the beaches in limited numbers should bode well for the beach action.
Most of the larger roosters seem to be cruising in pairs or in daisy chains and don’t seem to be too interested in eating. Occasionally one will light up but the shots are few and far behind.

While few boats targeted them, the action down south for football sized tuna with some skipjack mixed in continued to be decent.

Water temperature 68-85
Air temperature 71-95
Humidity 94%
Wind: N 10 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:50 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:00 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico


Bob Hoyt, Magbay Outfitters, reported wide open action for yellowtail ten miles outside the Boca in 72 degree blue water with plenty of skipjack in the same area.
Farther outside, there is a band of red tide that is keeping the dorado off the beach; however, above San Lazaro toward the Thetis bank is a solid string of dorado and outside of that line tuna can be found under the bird schools.

In the Esteros, the bite has picked up with plenty of halibut along the shallows near the sandy beaches. Up against the mangroves in the deeper water there has been a consistent grouper bite, with a few in the 10 – 20 pound range, rounding out the count were two snook.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 70 -84
Humidity 87 %
Wind: N 7 - 9 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:55 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:10 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The outstanding inshore action is still holding up for the roosters and jack crevalle. The roosterfish are averaging between 30 and 40 pounds, with a few fish taken this week estimated to be in the 60 to 75 pound class. Some of the jacks have tipped the scales at 25 pounds, but most are averaging about 15 pounds.

The full moon has the blue water fishing a bit on the slow side, but a few people were surprised by the huge blue marlin making another show this summer. Adan, on the panga Gitana II, was back at the dock with his client by 10:20 in the morning having caught and released a sailfish and an estimated 450 pound blue marlin. The client was worn out and had enough for the day.

A few other blues were hooked this week, and the sailfish are averaging about two fish per boat per day.

The 60 to 80 pound yellowfin tuna are at the 35 mile mark.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 75-91
Humidity 73%
Wind: NNW 3 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:26 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:19 p.m. CDT

Delila Fades…Tournament Looms

Lance gets a teener


REPORT #1073 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update July 28, 2007

East Cape



This week brought the first Tropical Storm of the season; Delila popped up out of nowhere and things went from flat calm to grumpy in the space of an afternoon. Fortunately, sea conditions were only messed up for a few days and then it was back to normal.

Delila departed just in time for the “East Cape Bisbee” which begins next week (Aug. 1-3). This year’s purse is expected to be around $300k so it’s no surprise that everyone has become tight-lipped about the current billfish action. Striper action continues to improve and rumors of a few blues are flying. The rumors claim that several have been caught weighing over 300 lb. and one purportedly in the high 4’s, which is all the encouragement needed to justify lots of pre-fishing.

Good news for the fly fisher’s; there were more and more instances of multiple fish showing up behind the teasers.

Tuna action slowed for weather related reasons. However a 145 lb. gorilla-class yellowfin made it to the scales… the largest of the 2007 season so far…stay tuned. For the football sized tuna we are having great success with our Baja Wasabi fly.

Dorado action continued to be less than wonderful, partly because of the weather; we are just not seeing the schools that provide the best action for the fly rod.
Lance Peterson reported; “Plenty of small jacks up to 5 lbs. to take shots at, along with breezing schools of small pompano that can be sucker-punched with small Clousers or even smaller ‘Crazy Charlies’. Roosterfish have been hit or miss. Most fish are seen in pairs or daisy chains of up to 6 fish. Mostly very tough to move them but I had some good reactions from them several days ago and landed one in the 30's. The weather has changed. Lots of clouds, some rain, very warm SE wind.”
On the bait front, live sardina are tough to come by unless you are willing to make the thirty mile run up to Bahia de Los Suenos. The good news is that there were some live mackerel being offered by the bait guys locally.

Water temperature 68-85
Air temperature 75-96
Humidity 73%
Wind: S 4 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 6:47 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:04 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Tropical Storm Delila also dumped some rain here along with stronger winds. Tuna action resumed as soon as the seas settled down. Most of the action has been inside of thirty miles from Boca de Soledad. Closer to shore, inside of ten miles the dorado action broke wide open according to Bob Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters. It was so good that they were headed out today with a couple of kayaks loaded on Mar Gato. Hopefully he will have photos to share next week.

Because of the unsettled weather no one made the twenty mile run out to the Entrada this week. Up at Devil’s Curve, grouper and pargo provided the best action. Still a decent bite on the surface for corvina up to ten lbs.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 70 -84
Humidity 73 %
Wind: WNW 9 – 13 knots
Conditions: Fog in morning
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:52 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:14 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Conditions have improved this week, with the inshore action for roosters being phenomenal. The boats are each averaging between 7 and 8 roosters a day! Plus, that does not count an almost equal number of the hard fighting jack crevalle. The jacks are averaging between 12 and 16 pounds, with the roosters averaging a whopping 30 to 40 pounds.

It really does not matter if you go North or South out of Zihuatanejo Bay, all the beaches are producing jacks and roosters. Also, with most of the fish being taken on surface poppers, it is an ideal situation for the fly caster. The same popper, with the hooks taken off, makes an excellent teaser to bring the rooster to the boat, and well within fly casting distance.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77-95
Humidity 73%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Thundershowers
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:22 p.m. CDT

Summer Has Arrived!

REPORT #1072 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update July 21, 2007

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico


You know that season has arrived when you get a late night phone call reporting that some bruiser tuna in the 100 lb. class have been found just outside Boca de Soledad. The conversation went something like this:

“Amigo, the commercial panga guys found some really big tuna outside--- so big they couldn’t catch them on their handlines. We are going out tomorrow (Thursday) and we will let you know what happens.”

That’s it! Nothing more. Either they are still hooked up, are still cleaning their catch or it was bum dope. Stay tuned…I will let you know! Just before I posted this report I received the following “yellowfin tuna WFO thirty miles outside Boca de Soledad”.
Meanwhile more and more dorado are being seen each week near the shark buoys west of the Entrada. Yellowtail fishing continues to provide the best surface action at the entrada. On the bottom there are enough grouper to keep it interesting.

At Lopez Mateos, Mag Bay Outfitters finally received the kayaks they had ordered a while back. The Captains and crew couldn’t wait for clients to show up to try them out, so they loaded them on Mar Gato and headed up to the Esteros for their trial run. Judging by the photos the kayaks are a welcome addition!

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 69 -88
Humidity 94 %
Wind: WNW 9 – 13 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 6:49 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:17 p.m. MDT

East Cape


Spring is gone and summer action is beginning to seriously kick in. Offshore, striped marlin and a few sails provided the best action this week with only a few blues reported so far. There are plenty of stripey’s around; they just don’t seem ready to get serious just yet.

Football sized yellowfin tuna dominated the offshore action this week. Distances ranged from a few miles offshore to more than thirty. As usual the boats arriving early to the spots got limits while the late ones watched.

Dorado action continues to be disappointing for most. There have been a few quality fish caught (up to fifty pounds) but they are few and far between.

Early in the week, a floating carcass produced the best concentrated action of the season, including limits of smaller dorado and YFT’s

Inshore the cooler water stubbornly remains close to shore and seems to have caused the sardina to evaporate, leaving us with only with a few larger live baits and dead ballyhoo. It has also slowed the rooster bite to a trickle compared to a few weeks ago. Still the tenacious angler prowling the beach has been rewarded with a few fish here and there.


Water temperature 75-87
Air temperature 67-93
Humidity 92%
Wind: ENE 5 - 6 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:43 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

We had a lot of rain for a couple of days this last week. On Wednesday, I recorded 12 inches of rain between 5:00 in the afternoon to 7:00 the next morning. This pushed a lot of weeds, trees, and debris out of the rivers, and it also pushed the blue water out to at least the 20 mile mark.

Most of the captains are reporting averaging between 1 and 2 sailfish a day per boat. And all of them are complaining that the weed lines are in such abundance, it is making trolling difficult. A trolled bait, with three feet of weeds trailing behind it, will not catch any fish.

However, a lot of the captains are also reporting several schools of peanut sized dorado among the weeds. Hopefully these fast growing fish will stick around for a while.

The inshore fishing was great early in the week. Santiago, on the panga, Gitana, did get 7 roosters, up to 40 pounds, in one day for his clients. And Adolpho, on the panga, Dos Hermanos, spent several days with an ESPN2 TV crew in Puerto Vicente Gro. They got a bunch of roosters and plenty of footage for their show.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 71-93
Humidity 92%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:21 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:24 p.m. CDT

Jacks Back….

REPORT #1071 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update July 14, 2007

East Cape


Inshore fishing still seems to be the best bet for the fly rodder providing consistent action for jacks and roosterfish close to the beach.

For the beach walkers, though, it seems to be more walking and less casting. Even the ‘go to’ ladyfish have been tougher to find recently. The lucky anglers are getting some shots at nice sized jacks and roosters ranging from a few pounds to Bubba sized.

Offshore, there are plenty of striped marlin around to look at but it’s tough to find the hungry ones. They just haven’t turned on yet.

Tuna action has been producing limits of football sized fish the run has been beyond thirty-five miles and the risk is if you are not one of the early boats there you can miss the bite entirely.

Dorado fishing continues to be hit or miss with most of fish caught showing up behind the teasers.

Water temperature 75-86
Air temperature 76-100
Humidity 88%
Wind: N 6 - 8 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:09 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

As the water continues to warm, more dorado are being spotted near the shark buoys twenty miles west of the Entrada. There were a few schools of yellowfin tuna found outside of Boca de Soledad with quite a few skippies mixed in. The occasional billfish can be spotted tailing down swell in the afternoons.

The Entrada continues to produce good catches of yellowtail and bonita chasing the breezing sardines.

While the snook action has diminished this week, the leopard grouper filled the gap with a few better sized ones up to twenty pounds. Corvina action provided the best surface action up above Lopez Mateos where they could be found feeding on balls of sardines near the surface.
Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 72 -90
Humidity 88 %
Wind: WNW 13 – 18 knots
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:19 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The fishing has slowed a bit this week. We have had some unsettled weather, with the barometer bouncing around like a yoyo. We only had one day of rain (Thursday), but we got over two inches between 8AM and 10AM.

The fleet is averaging only 1 or 2 sailfish a day average. However, the 10 to 15 pound yellowfin are between 15 and 20 miles off the beach and are providing very good action for the light line angler.

The clear and clean water is just two miles off the beach, and the inshore action is doing well. The roosterfish action is good, and there are lots of mid-sized jack crevalle between 12 and 16 pounds. The jacks are giving the fly rodders a great day on the water.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78-100
Humidity 79%
Wind: N 5 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:19 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:25 p.m. CDT

Cold Currents Persist….

REPORT #1070 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update July 07, 2007

East Cape

Unseasonably cooler water plagued the area again this week, pushing the best offshore action farther up into the Sea of Cortez from Punta Pescadero out to the eighty-eight - more fish seen than caught. However, there were a few blues to add to the excitement. Sardina were tough to come by so the bait supply was limited to ballyhoo and cabillitos. Dorado action continued to be sporadic with only an occasional trolled fish caught, though some were as large as forty pounds. Tuna action could be found if you were willing to travel 30 – 50 miles…mostly football sized fish with a few 20+ pounders mixed in. If you weren’t on one of the early boats to find the porpoise, your odds diminished quickly.
Inshore has continued to be the best option for the flyrodder, offering good action for smaller roosters and jacks (with a few decent sized pargo in the mix) close to shore.
Beach action continued to be a challenge and is best left to the physically fit. Patrolling the beaches on foot in the midday sun trying to be in the right place at the right time can be tough. Try early morning and late afternoon when the ladyfish come out to play.
Water temperature 69-84
Air temperature 75-91
Humidity 83%
Wind: ESE 8 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:10 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

The only offshore reports this week came from the shark fishermen who found a few dorado twenty miles west of the Entrada. Enrique Soto, from San Carlos, continued to pound the yellows at the Entrada, mostly firecrackers with just enough mossbacks to keep it interesting. There were also a few sierra and bonita mixed in with the yellows under the bird schools chasing the breezing sardinas.

Devil’s Curve produced a few snook in the ten pound class, as well as a few pargo and grouper that were suckers for a slow-retrieved chartreuse Baja Deepdiver.

Above Lopez Mateos the best bet was the surface action for corvina that were hitting poppers of any description. Of course there were plenty of spotted bay bass deeper down in the water column that couldn’t resist small Clousers.

Water temperature 64 - 73
Air temperature 70 -85
Humidity 58 %
Wind: W 8 – 11 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:42 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Clean clear water is at the solitary rock at the entrance to Zihuatanejo Bay. Fishing is improving, with the trend on the plus side as we move away from the full moon phase. Even though there are not many boats going out, the fleet is averaging about 3 sailfish a day, per boat. Adan, on the panga, Gitana II, fished only one day this week, but managed 4 sailfish released.

Most of the sailfish have been taken between 12 and 14 miles from the bay entrance. The blue marlin and yellowfin tuna are still around, but they are still out at the 1,000 fathom line (about 30 to 32 miles).

Santiago, on the panga, Gitana, told me he released two nice roosters this week weighing approximately 42 to 45 pounds, but most roosters are averaging about 25 to 30 pounds. He also said there are a lot of the hard fighting jack crevalle filling in the gap between the rooster bites and are averaging 14 to 16 pounds.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 71-95
Humidity 79%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 17 miles
Sunrise 7:17 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:26 p.m. CDT