Has Anybody Seen Otis?

REPORT #978. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

As we have been saying for the past few weeks, the locals have been reporting increasing numbers of marlin and well as dorado and wahoo. Larry and Martha Warlaumont, Newport Beach, Calif., heading up the line aboard their 61-foot Viking “Retriever,” reported excellent fishing 15 miles outside of Santa Maria Bay including double digit marlin plus dorado and wahoo. Capt. Ruben Duran, skipper of Mag Bay Outfitters’ 26-foot go-fast catamaran, found plenty of YFT’s in the 30-40 pound class between the Boca and Thetis Bank. Looks like Magdalena Bay is lighting up early this year. Both boats reported finding 81 degree water. As of this morning, tropical storm Otis is slowly making its way up the West Coast of Baja and is expected to arrive sometime tonight. There has already been some rain, wind and the conditions on the outside have turned pretty grumpy. If Otis doesn’t turn everything upside down, October could be a hoot.

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Water temperature
70-81
Air temperature
71-86
Humidity
46%
Wind:
NE 9
Conditions:
Mostly Cloudy
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:18 a.m. MDT
Sunset
7:14 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
With reports of good inshore action for both roosters and jacks reported, we are all looking forward to the “Jacks or Better” roosterfish tournament that will begin mid-week. Anglers from as far away as Florida will begin arriving early in the week to get in some practice. Our sponsors have outdone themselves. The prize list is impressive including Abel 10-weight rods and reels, Scientific Anglers flylines, boxes and tippets, a killer selection of Rainy’s inshore flies, Kaenon Eyewear, Dr. Slick pliers, special tournament shirts provided by Newport Blue. As an IGFA Rolex qualifying tournament, everyone is hoping to win big and participate in the Florida event in 2006.


Ed Kunze

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
78 - 84
Humidity
66%
Wind:
W 13 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:36 a.m. CDT
Sunset
7:35 p.m. CDT

East Cape
Squid continued to be found a few miles offshore and the small tuna were still out in front of La Ribera. The billfish bite including sailfish, stripes and blues turned tougher this week. By week’s end, tropical storm Otis was heading by outside of Cabo and caused some rain but little wind. This morning (10/1) only a few hotel boats headed out. Judging by the white caps on the horizon, it may be a short day for everyone.

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature
80-88
Air temperature
78-99
Humidity
84%
Wind:
SE 17 mph
Conditions:
Mostly Cloudy
Visibility
4 miles
Sunrise
7:10 a.m. MDT
Sunset
7:06 p.m. MDT

San Jose, Guatemala
With nice weather and blue water less than an hour away, a few boats headed out last weekend. While there were a few sails to be found the dorado fishing was very good. It is not often that the sailfish take a backseat to the dorado.

Water temperature
78 - 82
Air temperature
77- 84
Humidity
79%
Wind:
SSE 7 mph
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
6 miles
Sunrise
5:52 a.m. CST
Sunset
5:31 p.m. CST
For additional information: mailto:bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260;
Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373 or (760) 670 4916