The Endless Season Continues . . .Guatemala Next!

REPORT #990. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 12/24/05

San Jose, Guatemala
As 2005 season winds down, the chatter on the dock is about another great season that once again confirms the fact Guatemala offers some of the finest sail fishing in the world. With most of the action within an hour or so of the dock – and calm seas – it looks like the season will go out with a bang; and, there could even be a few new season-totals records set. The local fleet, along with a few yachts that arrived recently, have reported good to excellent fishing most of the week. With fishing like this, it’s hard to take time to get ready for another great Christmas in Guatemala.


Water temperature
78 - 82
Air temperature
68- 82
Humidity
94%
Wind:
SW 6 mph
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
6 miles
Sunrise
6:23 a.m. CST
Sunset
5:42 p.m. CST


East Cape
Summer-like weather last weekend pleased the few visitors looking for a fish fix before Santa showed up. There are billfish up off of Punta Pescadero, and now that the visitors have dwindled down to a trickle, the dorado decide to bite. Closer to shore, the Tin Boat guys were catching plenty of sierra, some of which will probably end up in ceviche be served on Christmas Day. Sporadic north winds during the week helped remind the locals that it is December after all and Santa’s arrival is just around the corner. Merry Christmas!
Baja on the Fly

Water temperature
79-84
Air temperature
68-77
Humidity
52%
Wind:
NNW 8 mph
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
8 miles
Sunrise
6:57 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:40 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
With just a short seven mile ride to the blue water, the action for sailfish is steadily picking up as we come out of the full moon cycle. Most of the action is straight out of Zihuatanejo Bay on a 200º heading, and at 15 miles.

The fleet is averaging about 3 sailfish a day per boat on conventional gear, and about two very nice dorado. The dorado have been a great late addition to the action this week, and are averaging a respectable 25- to 35-pounds.

Some boats are getting a bit luckier than the average however. Captain Maragarito, on the small cruiser “Gaby,” fished two days and released 10 sailfish. He also got five nice dorado.

Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” released five sailfish with Philippe of Denmark and averaged three released fish a day the rest of the week.

I guided fly-fishing client Terrence Tucker of New Jersey for some inshore action. The 14- to 18-pound jacks were really slamming the hookless popper teaser, but he was “snake bit” and couldn’t get one on the fly. He ended up hooking two very nice dorado of about 25 pounds, and just 150 yards off the beach. We fished with Arturo on the panga “Janeth.”

On another guided fly-fishing day with Baja on the Fly client John Oberton of Dana Point, Calif., he ended up with one sailfish and one 30 pound dorado. We fished with Captain Cali on the cruiser “Vamonos.”

Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
77 - 86
Humidity
66%
Wind
WSW 8 mph
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
8 miles
Sunrise
7:13 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:18 p.m. CST

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Yachts traveling up and down the coast outside have reported cooler temps and spotty action offshore with just an occasional billfish, dorado and tuna to break up the travel routine after they get above the Finger Bank. Inside the esteros, the bite continues; unfortunately there were very few anglers to capitalize on the action. The few here found the snook tough as usual. However, there were enough sierra and pompano action to keep everyone smiling.


Water temperature
68-75
Air temperature
68-73
Humidity
31%
Wind:
W 6 mph
Conditions:
Clear
Visibility
6 miles
Sunrise
7:08 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:44 p.m. MST