Whale Ho!

REPORT #1047 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 01/27/07
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The whale and tourist migration seemed to have peaked simultaneously this week. More visitors continue to flock into both Puerto San Carlos and Lopez Mateos to take advantage of the opportunity to pet, kiss or just get up close and personal with some of the largest sea creatures in the world’s oceans.
The few boats that fished outside this week found the same kind of action that Captain Peter Groesbeck on the Stealing Time reported last week. However, better weather allowed the Southern Comfort and the other few boats around to cash in on the consistent marlin action under the bird schools - mostly multiples strung along the 100 fathom curve from Santa Maria to the Entrada. The action seems to be slowly sliding south following the warm water currents that compress down toward the tip of Baja. Though there were fewer than last week, the dorado bite remained decent.

Back inside, the best inshore action is the firecracker yellows mixed in with the bonito under the bird schools at the Entrada. With most of the boats whale watching this week, the Estero had little if any fishing pressure this week.

Water temperature
69 - 72
Air temperature
57 -75
Humidity
74%
Wind:
WNW 7 - 9 kts
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:11 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:08 p.m. MST











East Cape
Winter reports on fishing at East Cape can differ, depending on who you ask; if you ask a local, the answer this week would be, “We had a few nice days.” Most hotel visitors would answer, “It blew most of the week with only a few decent days.” So there you have it!
Here at East Cape this time of the year (winter), the good days are the exception, not the normal. But during spring, summer and fall, you’ll find that almost every day is a great day. This week, on the good days, there were a few marlin to be found, as well as some dorado and some football sized tuna under the porpoise. Inshore, the early morning sierra action was enough to get a few of the locals out early.

Water temperature
69-73
Air temperature
42-75
Humidity
84%
Wind:
NNW at 8 - 11 knts.
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
4 miles
Sunrise
7:01 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:02 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The fishing and water conditions have changed a bit this week. Late last week we had a low pressure move in on us, creating a strong afternoon wind which moved the blue water out to the 20 mile mark. Fishing was very slow.

But since Wednesday, conditions have stabilized and we are getting decent fishing again. Each boat is averaging two to three sailfish a day. Plus, Santiago, on the panga, Gitana, took a nice 230 pound blue marlin.

Adolpho, on the panga, Dos Hermanos, told me the inshore waters are so slow he is not even trying to fish for the jacks or roosters. The only thing going on with the inshore is a very abundant black skipjack tuna bite.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature
82 - 84
Air temperature
73-94
Humidity
82%
Wind:
ESE 3 knt.
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
7:20 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:38 p.m. CST

Yellow Slickers and Marlin

REPORT #1046 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 01/20/07
East Cape
Ever fished for marlin wearing a raincoat? Now is your chance! In spite of the cold and rainy conditions this week, there was a decent striped marlin bite and even a few dorado. With only a few brave enough to don long pants and raincoats, it’s not clear just how good a bite it is.

Locals could only bring themselves to chase the sierra that seemed to be strung out from the lighthouse to Punta Pescadero.

Once again this week the Humboldt squid could be found in front of Palmas de Cortez Hotel within a few miles of shore.


Water temperature
69-73
Air temperature
51-71
Humidity
81%
Wind:
NNW at 10 - 14 knts
Conditions:
Cloudy
Visibility
5 miles
Sunrise
7:03 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:57 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The unusually cold temperatures that have plagued Southern California have also affected the Baja Peninsula, including Magdalena Bay.
With the number of whales increasing every day, whale watching season is dominating the interest.
Captain Peter Groesbeck, fishing out front on the Stealing Time, reported good fishing when the weather permitted. He found consistent marlin action under the bird schools with mostly multiples strung all along the 100 fathom curve from Santa Maria to the Entrada. Still plenty of dorado were around as well. Back at the Entrada there were firecracker yellows under the birds.

Water temperature
69 - 73
Air temperature
57 -73
Humidity
77%
Wind:
NNE 7 - 9 kts
Conditions:
Cloudy
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
7:13 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:02 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

There has been very little change in the fishing this last couple of weeks, which is a disappointment. In times past, the dark of the moon period in January has been the absolute best week of the year for sailfish. This week, instead of the boats returning to the dock with 8 to 10 released sailfish flags flying, they are only averaging 2 or 3 sails a day.

However, this has happened in years past with an El Niño, or fluctuations in the current. The main body of fish just has not yet arrived. As has happened under these conditions, February may be an excellent month.

No tuna are being reported, but several boats have been scoring on a nice dorado or two. Plus, a few blue marlin are starting to show up in the trolling spreads. The marlin often get hooked, but usually win the battle against the smaller sailfish outfits.

Inshore still has great action, on the fly rod or light tackle, with the black skipjack tuna. Adolpho, on the panga, Dos Hermanos, found a few roosters again, after making a 30 mile run up North to Union. But, when I fished 35 miles south, we did not raise any.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature
82 - 84
Air temperature
71-91
Humidity
80%
Wind:
ESE 7 knt.
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
7:20 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:34 p.m. CST

White Sea Bass Go OFF at Magdalena

REPORT #1045 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 01/13/07
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The few boats working outside are reporting the dorado bite is still over the top and there are still some marlin to be found under the bird schools scattered from Thetis to the Entrada.

Inside the Esteros, Ken and Adam Knight of San Marcos and Linda Miller of Long Beach found themselves in the middle of a WFO white sea bass bite, chalking up a score of 6 before the tide changed. Other action included the seemingly ever present bay bass that were biting almost anything that drifted by them.

Water temperature
72 - 74
Air temperature
55 -75
Humidity
56%
Wind:
NNW 10 - 14 kts
Conditions:
Cloudy
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
7:15 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:57 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The 80° blue water is still only 5 to 6 miles off the beach. With the full moon period this last week, the fishing was better than normally expected. Each boat is averaging 2 to 3 sailfish a day. Those numbers will increase this next week, continuing for the rest of the month.

A lot of small dorado are in counts also, with an occasional 30 to 35 pounder. There still has been no sign of the tuna. Most boats are averaging a dorado a day.

Inshore, the black skipjack tuna abound, and have been great fall back option for light line enthusiasts and fly rodders.

Even though no roosters were caught locally, apparently a migration is under way, as they head South to warmer waters. I say migration, because when the concentrations are located, there are lots of them confined in certain areas, but not spread out along the coast. Adolpho, on the Dos Hermanos took several roosters and several jacks about 30 miles up north near Saladita. And, Santiago on the Gitana, fished one day with his client from Sweden, catching 7 roosters 30 miles down south.Ed Kunze
Water temperature
82 - 84
Air temperature
69-87
Humidity
94%
Wind:
Light
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
7:1 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:29 p.m. CST

East Cape
With a few exceptions, the North wind kept most of the fleet on their moorings most of the days this week. The mornings the wind wasn’t ripping, the few boats headed out found a mixed bag including a few billfish, an occasional dorado and if they were lucky enough to find a porpoise school, a tuna or two.

Wind thus far has failed to discourage the big squid that still can be found in shallow water in front of Palmas de Cortez.

Beach action has been hampered by almost constant wind waves pounding the East Cape Beaches most of the week.


Water temperature
70-76
Air temperature
61-83
Humidity
72%
Wind:
NNW at 10 - 13 knts
Conditions:
Cloudy
Visibility
5 miles
Sunrise
7:03 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:52 p.m. MDT

Whale of a Snook Snap

REPORT #1044 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 01/06/07

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Still a pretty good lump on the outside as the moderate to strong winds continued most of the week. There was an excellent tuna bite earlier in the week for some brutes up to 300 lbs. - not exactly the kind we are looking for on the flyrod. The phenomenal dorado bite didn't let the new year slow it down at all. I suspect the billfish are still around but few if any boats have been out looking for them this week.

Last week produced the best snook action in several years at Devil’s Curve. Unfortunately, with nary a fly rodder in site, the action was all on live shrimp for those lucky enough to be in neighborhood. Enrique Soto, Puerto San Carlos, reported some as large as twenty-five pounds. He also found decent action for yellowtail on the surface and down deeper enough leopard grouper to keep things interesting.

All of this as most of the focus of the locals turns to the beginning of whale watching season which attracts visitors from around the world. Getting up close and personal with a gray whale in Baja is high on many folks’ personal “to do” list.

Water temperature
72 - 74
Air temperature
55 -75
Humidity
62%
Wind:
WNW 11 - 14 kts
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:13 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:52 p.m. MST

East Cape
Winter and 2007 have both arrived. This means that the good days will be the exception for the next few months with north winds always a threat and just a few puffs away. This time of year, early mornings can be the best opportunity as they sometime offer flat, calm conditions. However, more often than not, early morning anglers are greeted with some wind waves and the ominous telltale wind line on the horizon.

On the good days, the sierra, jacks, ladyfish and even a few small roosters can be found feeding along the beaches. Offshore, small dorado, skipjack, yellowfin tuna and even a few marlin can be found within twenty miles and the giant squid are still within a few miles of Palmas de Cortez .

Another option for the angler is to travel down to Cabo San Lucas to take advantage of the better inshore\offshore action that can be found off the tip of Baja. Sam Adams, from Weston, CT, was thrilled with the results, landing a forty pound dorado on the fly. Other action during the Cabo trips included billfish, sierra and even a few hefty pargo.


Water temperature
70-76
Air temperature
64-80
Humidity
82%
Wind:
N at 16 knts
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
8 miles
Sunrise
7:02 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:47 p.m. MDT






Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The 82° blue water is still only 5 miles off the beach. At 10 miles, and on out, the water is 84°. The fishing for sailfish, including during this full moon period, is very good. Most boats in the fleet are averaging about 4 sailfish a day, with counts as high as 7 and 8 fish a day for some.

Steve King and a friend from Maryland fished with Santiago on the panga Gitana for three days. They tagged and released 15 sails. Santiago also told me the yellowfin tuna were at 25-30 miles, but moving fast, and difficult to catch.

A few 20 to 30 pound dorado are still around, but not showing up in the counts as well as last week.

Inshore, the jack crevalle action is picking up, and the roosterfish has just about wound down. We now have to wait for May for any decent roosterfish action.Ed Kunze
Water temperature
82 - 84
Air temperature
60-91
Humidity
82%
Wind:
N 3 knt.
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:18 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:26 p.m. CST