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