Cold Current Recedes…Action Returns

Our June Hatch


REPORT #1069 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update June 30, 2007

East Cape



As last week’s cold, off-color current receded, the fishing immediately picked up. The place to be for the billfish action seemed to be from Punta Pescadero to the eighty-eight, though it was still tough to keep them behind the teasers long enough to get a shot with the fly.
Tuna action also snapped back with fish being found under the porpoise from six miles off of Las Arenas to thirty miles out in front of Buenavista. The shark buoys off Punta Pescadero also provided some action for the few boats that checked them out before continuing on to the eighty-eight in search of billfish action.
Back on the inside close to shore, there were plenty of smaller roosters and jacks (with a few “toads” sprinkled in), feeding on breezing bait schools. The best opportunities for sight casting to the “Bubba class fish” were from La Ribera to the Lighthouse from the beach.
We are beginning to find some of the pompano schools making their way mid-day up and down the beach; small beige ‘crazy Charlie’s will do the trick.
Water temperature 69-83
Air temperature 75-91
Humidity 77%
Wind: SE 7 - 9 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:35 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:09 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

With water temperatures soaring, Magdalena Bay is beginning to stir. Offshore confirmed catches, instead of the vague reports, of dorado sightings happened this week for the first time this year - only six miles offshore. Humboldt squid are thick. Hopefully this is a good sign of things to come. Farther out at the twenty mile mark, good sized schools of tuna were found feeding on sardines under the bird schools.

Enrique Soto, from San Carlos, reported good yellowtail action at the Entrada - well worth the twenty mile run. Sounds like what they lack in quality is made up in quantity. Most of the fish are in the 5 – 10 lb. class with an occasional ‘fatty’ showing up.

Once again, Ruben Duran, Lopez Mateos, spotted the guys with the nets hauling 20 – 60 lb. snook out of the surf outside the Boca.

Bob Hoyt, Magbay Outfitters, spent a day fishing with his son and reported good catches of leopard grouper, pargo, and halibut near sand beaches and enough spotted bay bass to consider them a nuisance.

Water temperature 64 - 73
Air temperature 70 -83
Humidity 58 %
Wind: W 8 – 11 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Inside the 1,000 fathom line (which is 30 miles from Zihuatanejo Bay), the water temperature is a minimum of 88º, with some areas as warm as 90º. Beyond the 1,000 fathom line the water is a more reasonable 86º. The action is good for most species, but it has moved out a bit.
We are averaging about 2 sailfish per day per boat with most of the action in the 12 to 14 mile areas. The marlin are still striking lures beyond the 30 mile mark. Plus there are quite a few yellowfin tuna at 30 miles also.

Inshore, Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, is still doing very well on roosters and jack crevalle up in the Troncones area
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 75-100
Humidity 89%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:14 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:25 p.m. CDT

Action Slowed by Cold Water Current!

Chart complements of terrafin.com shows the far-reaching effect of the cold current

REPORT #1068 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update June 23, 2007

This link is to a report about my report about

The Escalera Nautica Land Bridge to Boating in the Sea of Cortez

East Cape

A cold water current sweeping around the tip from the Pacific invaded our area the last few days. The 71 degree water and windy conditions turned some of the inshore water off color and made offshore conditions a bit slow. Most boats had to run 12 to 24 miles to find action. The tuna seemed to have moved out farther to escape all the green water; while there seemed to be plenty of marlin showing, they still had a serious case of lockjaw. There were reports of a few large dorado here and there.
Lance reports: “Inshore fishing was been ‘on again, off again’ depending on the day and your luck. There are good numbers of 5lb roosterfish around making for fun light tackle action. That is...if you had sardina for chum and teasing. It has really been tough to come by recently. There are plenty of mullet available for purchase and anglers who put the time into slow trolling these larger baits had some shots at the larger better quality roosterfish. Another fish making appearances in the bait boats have been bonefish. There seems to be lots of them around. Some anglers have reported good results trolling these bonefish though I have yet to have much luck with them as teaser bait.”
Beach fishing cooled off a bit the last few days. Although there are good numbers of jacks near the beach providing most of the shots, roosterfish have been tougher to come by. As usual, if you are in the right place at the right time you will get some great chances. However, the roosters are still the toughest fish to feed a fly to at East Cape. With all the hype last winter there seem to be more anglers than ever chasing them.
Water temperature 71-84
Air temperature 70-96
Humidity 90%
Wind: WSW 7 - 9 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:09 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

The best action this week was out at the Entrada with good surface action for yellowtail and bonita under the birdschools. There are also some good sized grouper down deep-just above the bottom. The sandy beaches still continued to produce some halibut action for the fly guys using chartreuse Clousers retrieved very slowly across the bottom.

Estero action was limited to a few pargo and the usual spotted bay bass.

Water temperature 64 - 73
Air temperature 60 -86
Humidity 78 %
Wind: WNW 10 - 14 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:19 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The water is really warming up, and it may just be a bit too warm for most species. The coolest water we have right now is inshore, and it is right at 84º. The blue water is almost 87º.

There are a few sailfish being caught, yellowfin tuna and blue marlin. Almost all fish are being taken between 16 and 20 miles of the Zihuatanejo Bay entrance.

There are still a lot of jack crevalle up near the Troncones area, and are readily attacking surface poppers. Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, spent 4 days down at Puerto Vicente Gro. fishing for jacks and roosters. They were handicapped a bit because the red tide we had here a few weeks ago has moved south, but they still took a lot of jack crevalle, green jacks, and a few roosters. He told me the best action was on the last day because the red tide had moved on out and further south. All the fish were taken on surface poppers.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 79-96
Humidity 83%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:13 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:24 p.m. CDT

The Closer, the Better!

"Bubba" fly Lance Peterson designed works again
REPORT #1067 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update June 16, 2007

East Cape
The week began with some decent tuna action inside of thirty miles that moved out further as the week progressed. Dorado action, while picking up, is still sporadic and tough for the fly rodder to connect. The number of marlin sighted is significant; getting them to bite is another story.
This brings us to “where the action is”! Inshore action for larger jacks and roosters with an occasional dorado is enough to keep the flies a flying with plenty of surface action.
Lance reports: “On the 9th, I landed another grande but had a mishap in the surf on his final run. I caught a loop around the rod tip somehow and broke the fish off. I managed to finish the day with a barely ‘teener’. Back on the beach on the 11th: Terrible conditions, overcast with very strong south wind; however the fish went nuts again in the afternoon. I landed 2 grandes in the 40lb class. Wide open action as large rooster surfed the wind waves right to the beach. On the 12th, I landed another quality fish...30lb. I guess. Plus I fed 2 other grandes that didn't stick.” So far this year has proven to be one of the best in recent memory for large roosters.
Back in April, Lance showed me a new “Bubba” fly that he was designing. Judging from his success on the grandes so far this year, I would say he has come up with a good one. There are even reports of others trying to copy it. Lance tells me the fly is still evolving and he hasn’t quite perfected the design. We’ll let you know when he has it ready and where you can get one!
Water temperature 74-85
Air temperature 72-97
Humidity 84%
Wind: ESE 7 - 9 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Windy outside. Up in the esteros, the action remains consistent for corvina on the surface. Deeper in the water column the grouper and pargo are the best bet. There was also a decent halibut bite along almost any sandy beach in shallow water. Early morning under the bridge at Puerto San Carlos yielded cabrilla, grouper and a few small pargo.

Water temperature 62 - 72
Air temperature 62 -88
Humidity 97 %
Wind: WNW 13 - 18 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

THE INTERNET GOBLINS MUST HAVE EATEN THIS WEEK’S REPORT

This is last week’s report. The 82º blue water is still holding at the 20 mile mark, but the inshore red tide has all but dissipated. And, the fishing has improved dramatically.

Offshore, the main topic is the blue marlin and the yellowfin tuna. At least one boat in three is getting a shot at a blue marlin each day. They are hanging out in a strip all along the coast between 12 and 14 miles. The tuna are at the 20 mile mark, and the edge of the blue water.

Mike Griffin of Anchorage, AK got a nice blue while fishing with Luis on the panga, Gringo Loco. Santiago, of the panga, Gitana, went with a friend on a private boat out of Marina Ixtapa. The idea was to test the yacht out for possible purchase. They found out it raised fish well, as they caught and released 3 blues. All the fish were taken on trolled lures.

The sailfish action is holding steady at about two fish per boat average.

Inshore, I spotted Adolpho fishing the surf line up at Troncones. I called him on the cell phone, gave him a wave, and asked how he was doing. He replied they had 19 jack crevalle, 3 pompano, and about 15 green jacks. All were taken on spin gear and surface poppers
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 79-100
Humidity 78%
Wind: NNE 4 Knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:22 p.m. CDT

“Bubba” Takes the Stage!

REPORT #1066 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update June 9, 2007

East Cape

Offshore action this week included striped marlin and some decent tuna action if you found the right pod of porpoise. The sardine arrived in big numbers and inshore and beach fishing action immediately increased.
Our week was largely devoted to beach fishing. Great sight casting conditions allowed for some fantastic rooster hunting. However, being in the right place at the right time was the key as the fish were not evenly distributed along the shore. A few days ago it was mostly a jack show. Crevalle from 8 to 20lbs. swept into the shallows and tore up the bait both early and late in the day. In the melee, it was wide open fishing for these tough customers. Those jacks are as strong as they come and wear you out! Two big jacks on back to back casts were enough and after two, it was time to move on in search of roosterfish.
Lance reports: “Thursday, the roosters joined the beach party. Lots of Pez Gallo were working the beach in schools of up to a dozen. Ranging in size from 5 to 50 pounds, they were anxious to chase a well presented fly right up the rod tip without hesitation. There were a number of fish over 30lbs., fully “comb-up” and chasing the fly. What a thrill to see one of them devour the fly just feet from shore. After about 10 minutes, the hook just popped out! Brand new fly, brand new hook wasn’t enough to close the deal. Those big roosters are super tough to get a good hook set into. By the end of the day the score was two "small" roosters to the beach and countless close encounters. To say those fish make you work hard is an understatement. Running down fish until your lungs burn....good times in June at the East Cape!
Friday: Landed three grandes today! Fed a couple of others that didn't stick, had countless of the craziest “comb-up” follows I've ever experienced. What an amazing day.”

Water temperature 74-85
Air temperature 70-94
Humidity 77%
Wind: SSE 6 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:31 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:04 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Action this week was once again limited to the Esteros with few anglers venturing offshore and as water temperatures continue to be cool.

A few nice sized grouper were taken near Boca Santo Domingo and small corvina with a few sierra mixed in were biting on the surface throughout the Bay.

Enrique Soto reported that he had found a few smaller-variety yellows out at the Entrada and plenty of small halibut at Belchers

Water temperature 62 - 72
Air temperature 68 -79
Humidity 81 %
Wind: WNW 10 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:15 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The 82º blue water is still holding at the 20 mile mark, but the inshore red tide has all but dissipated. And, the fishing has improved dramatically.

Offshore, the main topic is the blue marlin and the yellowfin tuna. At least one boat in three is getting a shot at a blue marlin each day. They are hanging out in a strip all along the coast between 12 and 14 miles. The tuna are at the 20 mile mark, and the edge of the blue water.

Mike Griffin of Anchorage, AK got a nice blue while fishing with Luis on the panga, Gringo Loco. Santiago, of the panga, Gitana, went with a friend on a private boat out of Marina Ixtapa. The idea was to test the yacht out for possible purchase. They found out it raised fish well, as they caught and released 3 blues. All the fish were taken on trolled lures.

The sailfish action is holding steady at about two fish per boat average.

Inshore, I spotted Adolpho fishing the surf line up at Troncones. I called him on the cell phone, gave him a wave, and asked how he was doing. He replied they had 19 jack crevalle, 3 pompano, and about 15 green jacks. All were taken on spin gear and surface poppers
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 74-95
Humidity 83%
Wind: NNE 4 Knots
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. CDT

Blue Flags Flapping - Roosters Snapping

REPORT #1065 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update June 2, 2007

East Cape

Most days there were plenty of marlin spotted offshore, but most of each day it was a bite here and a bite there. As slack tide neared, the bite picked up and some boats would finish the day with enough marlin flags flying to nearly break the outriggers. The largest number I saw was six blue flags flapping in the wind. For the fly angler, it was tough and there were few shots were to be had. Inside, closer to shore, sardina for chum was the key. A hookless sardina slow trolled tight to the beach in front of La Ribera attracted enough small rooster and ladyfish to keep the “fly flingers” flinging. The largest of the day was caught by Mike Little, from Calgary. On one of John Ryzanich’s new, chartreuse, Fat Boy flies, the first time the fly hit the water it was inhaled. The second time the line broke and that was the end of that!
Weather remained perfect until Friday, when a strong south wind came up from the southeast about mid-day and continued to increase to twenty knots by sundown. While sardina became easier to find later in the week, with the increase in the wind the bait guys will probably have a tough time catching bait for the next few days.
Lance Peterson, BOF guide, reported marginal fishing on Friday with some smaller roosters and jacks in the morning. Then the bite died until mid-day when the roosters reappeared at La Ribera, providing fair but short lived action. The day finished with a show of good sized ladyfish near the Spa. There were a few roosters up to 25 lbs mixed with them, putting on a good show and eating the chum but they never got hot for the fly.
Tuna continued to be a long ride away and the dorado action was spotty at best.

Water temperature 70-82
Air temperature 70-95
Humidity 86%
Wind: NE 5-7 knots
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 6:31 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:02 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico


Little to report from the offshore as the winds continued most of the week. Closer to shore, the net guys slaughtered the snook in the surf line near the Boca. One report was that when they unloaded they had thirty snook weighing thirty-five pounds and up with one monster in the fifty pound class, plus a few huge pargo. It’s no wonder there is little action for sport fleet. If the Mexican Government continues to look the other way, it won’t be long before we are all flying kites instead of fishing.

The best action to be found in the esteros included the halibut, grouper, sierra, corvina and cabrilla, with easy limits for everyone.

Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 68 -85
Humidity 93 %
Wind: S 14 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:12 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Fishing has been slow. The red tide is finally starting to disperse, but it is still spotty in several areas. The inshore game fish have yet to come back.

Offshore, the average is about 1 sailfish per boat, per day. There are a few yellowfin tuna showing up, but they are moving fast and are hard to catch. The blue water is still about 20 miles, with dirty water out to the 12 mile mark. The dirty water will start clearing as the red tide clears out.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78-100
Humidity 78%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. CDT