Summer Settles In at East Cape

REPORT #966. "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
We managed to put together an entire week of nice weather and the season just keeps chugging along. The continued lack of sardina along the beaches is both puzzling and exasperating. Tuna continued its role as the crowd pleaser, though the ride could be from 23-45 miles to find them. The billfish are in a bit closer ranging anywhere from 10-40 miles. Billfish made a strong showing as the second most caught fish for the week. Dorado are still not showing up in any quantity, however, the few found are definitely in the lunker class. There were a few sardina found off the beach next to Rancho Leonero a few days ago and the ladyfish were all over them at sunset. The sticks yielded a few small jacks, pompano and a handful of shots at Bubba class roosters cruising close to shore between La Ribera and Bartle Beach.

Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 73-84
Air temperature 82-93
Humidity 64%
Wind: Calm..PM Breeze
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:39 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:08 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Add a few degrees to the sea temp and the ocean explodes with dorado and YFTs. Bob Hoyt reported wide open fishing for both just a few miles outside of Boca Soledad. Inside, the esteros are still trying to get the season going. Look for the water temps to begin to climb inside and the action will pickup quickly. Corvina, grouper, and pargo are beginning to bite at all of the stock spots. I understand that there are plans to hold a Cabrilla Tournament in the near future; we will keep you posted as the plans develop.

Water temperature 62-73
Air temperature 73-78
Humidity 80%
Wind: WSW 15 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:43 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The run for the 80˚ blue water is still just a couple of minutes out of Zihuatanejo Bay. The moon cycle is just right and expectantly, the fishing has been very good. The 10 – 12 boats in the fleet fishing the blue water are averaging about three sailfish a day, with several boats posting 4 – 5 fish a day.

We did have a couple of days of port closure, due to a tropical storm that stayed out at sea. But the lack of fisherman for the fleet caused no scheduling problems at all.

The blue marlin are still hanging around, as proven by Captain Santiago on the panga "Gitana". His clients, Paul Herder and Bob McGriff of CA, had a double hookup on 200 pound class blues. It was a good thing they were smaller blues because it would have been tough to get them to the leader if they had been any size.

Santiago also fished with Jeff Dixon of Houston and released 5 sailfish. Mel Com of Fremont, CA fished one day with Captain Margarito on the cruiser "Gaby". He also caught and released 5 sailfish.

The roosterfish action on the beaches has been very good. Each boat is averaging between 3 and 4 roosters a day. Most of the fish are going about 35 pounds, with several large ones mixed in. Steve Carroll of Tulsa, OK fished with Felipe on the panga "Yellowfin" for one day. They got two smaller roosters and a nice jack crevalle on live bait. Losing two very large roosters, Steve learned a hard lesson but he will be ready for them next year. Apparently, he is used to striped bass fishing for fish averaging under 10 pounds. When the huge rooster hit, and started taking a lot of line, he locked his thumb down. Twenty pound line with a 50 pound plus rooster attached will not last long with a locked down drag.


Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 86
Humidity 79%
Wind: West 8 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:17 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:24 p.m. CDT
San Jose, Guatemala
Seas continued to be less than hospitable for the boats that headed out early in the week.
Most thought that it was worth the effort with high single digit catches to mid double digits catches reported.
The 78˚ blue water was found 45 to 50 miles out and today the seas settled down for the few boats headed out. Not only was the sailfish action decent there were plenty of
dorado and tuna as well.

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 86
Humidity 66%
Wind: West 13 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:41 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:35 p.m. CST

Tough Week – Few But Fat Dorado; Bonanza Day, FINALLY!

REPORT #965. "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
It is July and it is hot! No, not the fishing – the weather. By anyone’s standards it was a tough one with little action to be found. For four days Dale Gross, Anchorage, and his buddy Rick Hall, from Hanford, Calif., scoured East Cape waters is search of action. The result was a few white bonito, skipjack, one tuna, dorado and more wind and rough seas than they wanted. Then came yesterday (7/1) and they finally got it right. There were flat seas, tuna boiling behind the boat, dorado and marlin chasing the teasers. When the scales had settled, they had eight yellowfin tuna, a handful of white bonito, a marlin, three dorado, two topping the 50-pound mark. High fives and cervezas were the order of the day on the two hour ride home. Was it what they had hoped for? Nope! Will they be back next year? I wouldn’t be surprised. Beach action slowed down dramatically, our guide; Josh Dickinson spent his last few days before heading home, trying to add another Bubba notch to his belt, but it wasn’t to be. He will be back in Oct. to resume the quest.


Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 70-82
Air temperature 77-95
Humidity 61%
Wind: South 11 mph
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:08 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The wind quit and it warmed up considerably. The few reports from the esteros indicated slow fishing with corvina and cabrilla being the bulk of the catches this week. Out at the entrada there are still plenty of barracuda, a few yellows to 10 pounds and down a bit deeper you may get lucky and get grabbed by a grouper. Offshore is just beginning to turn around with a few tuna and some dorado under the shark buoy off of Punta Tosca. Sounds like the esteros up at Lopez Mateos are producing better action with a few grouper and several smaller snook being taken across from Boca Santo Domingo tight to the mangroves on an incoming tide.


Water temperature 62-71
Air temperature 75-85
Humidity 70%
Wind: SSW 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The ride to the 80° blue water is short six miles off the beach. We have been getting most of our action on sailfish between nine and 11 miles, averaging two to three sailfish a day per boat. All in all, the prospects for decent fishing are really picking up, because this last week was impacted by a waning full moon. This next week should show some decent counts.

A few boats are still picking a blue marlin or two, which is kind of unusual this late in the year. Our best action on marlin is from the 1st week of May and on through to the middle of June.

Several tuna schools popping up at 16 miles and then disappearing, a few boats are getting one or two before they go down again, but the action could not be considered red hot for the tuna yet.

Adolpho, skipper of the panga Dos Hermanos, reported he is really encountering a tremendous amount of roosterfish down near Puerto Vicente Gro. a 35 mile run that is really paying off for him.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 86
Humidity 79%
Wind: West 8 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:15 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:24 p.m. CDT
San Jose, Guatemala
Less than perfect weather made the 18-23 mile run to the hot spot a bumpy ride. The few that took the challenge were rewarded with fair to good fishing by most standards but poor for Guatemala.

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 80- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: WSW 8 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:39 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:35 p.m. CST
For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

Species Galore and Marlin Grabs

REPORT #964. "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape
Summer has definitely arrived with temperatures climbing above the 90˚ mark. Best yet is more marlin this week to keep the clients happy. Dick Haas, manager of Adventure Outfitters, Louisville, fished the entire week. The day he arrived he announced that his goal was to break the century mark on his all-time species list. He was at 95 and looking for five more. He wasn't disappointed and by the week’s end he had added nine more to his list including two marlin. Can't get much better; the first marlin he had ever cast a fly to gobbled it up like a kid eating cotton candy at a County Fair. Don't get me wrong, he did have a couple of tough days chasing Bubba on the beach. Enough shots at Bubba and jacks to leave him shaking his head in dismay. Sooo . . . clever marketers that we are, we held back two more species to assure he comes back next year in search of Bubba and Charley (as in tuna.) Was it a good week? Not bad considering the sardina is still among the missing. It was way ahead of going to the office.

http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/haas.gif http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/haas2.gif

Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 70-82
Air temperature 75-91
Humidity 70%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:34 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:08 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Fishing at the entrada produced fair fishing including a few grouper, yellowtail and lots of barracuda. The shark buoys out to the west are producing a few dorado to 15 pounds. With seven commercial net boats fishing for the sardines in the bay, the bait resource is quickly disappearing and the poor fishing being reported is the result this continuing assault on the resource. Two boats fishing Thurs. (6/23) could only come up with a few corvina, cabrilla and grouper. Makes one wonder when the Mexican government will wake up and smell the coffee and stop the carnage.


Water temperature 62-71
Air temperature 70-77
Humidity 90%
Wind: West 15 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The temperature break was at six miles Thurs., but the blue water was out at the 14 mile mark yesterday (6/24) with most of the action out a few miles further. The results are the same however, with an average of 2 to 3 sailfish per boat a day being taken. However, I believe this is a very short term situation for the blue water, because there has been some fairly severe weather out a couple of hundred miles affecting the currents here.

Yesterday afternoon, Captain Jaime of the Vamonos fleet was telling me he released two sails, but also caught several school-sized tuna in the same 16 mile area, and straight out of Zihuatanejo Bay.

The roosterfish have been tough to get all week, because these same offshore storms have really been kicking up some high surf.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 86
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:13 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:24 p.m. CDT


San Jose, Guatemala
Sporadic rain showers persisted most of the week keeping most of the boats at the dock. The few that ventured out found fair to good action for sailfish out 25 miles and beyond. There were a few blue marlin reported along with plenty of dorado and tuna.

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: SE 6 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:37 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:34 p.m. CST

Marlin Takes . . . Bubba Refusals

East Cape
Marlin. . . marlin. . .marlin provided the best action most of the week. There were enough for the dedicated fly-fisher to get a handful of shots a day. Add to that plenty of football-sized tuna to provide sashimi for cocktail hour. Among the missing are the dorado; a few singles here and there, but no schools to beat the water to a froth. On the beach, the roosters continue to cruise in search of the almost non-existent sardina. With more mullet showing most of the flies we are using lately have taken on a distinctive “mullet beige” tint. While our clients this week had to be satisfied with smaller roosters and jacks, we had lots of Bubba sightings, but, unfortunately, no takers. With pleasant weather and warming sea temps hope springs eternal that what seems like a late season will kick into gear big time soon.

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Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 70-80
Air temperature 75-85
Humidity 70%
Wind: SE 4mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:06 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Diana Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters reported excellent fishing in the surf on Magdalena Island for corvina and pompano. The esteros continue to produce grouper, corvina, snapper and a few smaller snook. Devil’s Curve and Los Barriles produced the best action. For the land-locked at San Carlos there was fair fishing under the bridge at the entrance to town. If you are into Mako sharks there has been a good show 10 miles north of Boca Soledad just a few miles off of the beach.

Out of San Carlos at the entrada, Enrique Soto reported a fair snap for small yellowtail to 8 pounds and a few grouper in the low double digits. Outside, a few smaller dorado have been caught under the shark buoys on a 210-40˚ headings approximately 20 miles. With the continued winds, few are venturing outside the entrada because of rough seas.

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Water temperature 62-71
Air temperature 69-77
Humidity 90%
Wind: West 17 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80° blue water is still close, and the fishing has not changed much in the last couple of weeks. Sailfish action is still averaging 2 to 3 fish a day for the fleet of 10 to 12 boats. The blue marlin bite is not as hot as a few weeks ago, but there are still plenty of shots at a blue, with a few of them hooked and brought to the leader. There have also been a few nice dorado boated.

Inshore, the best game is roosterfish. We are moving on into the season for them now, and they are starting to show up in decent numbers. The best roosterfish action is taking place about 26 to 30 miles South of Zihuatanejo Bay.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 86
Humidity 66%
Wind: WNW 4 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:22 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
Typical weather prevailed throughout the week with mixed thunderstorms and seas to 3 feet. The fleet is now in the off-season routine with few boats fishing mid-week. The boats venturing out over the weekend found good fishing at the 30 mile mark with a few boats reaching double digit scores for sailfish. In addition to the sailfish, there were enough dorado and tuna to fill in the gaps. Two boats, La Piragua and the Full Circle (31-foot Bertrams) reported releasing a blue marlin each, in the 300-pound range.
Reports provided by Brian Barragy, Lissa McFarlin and Les Kagel, Carlos Morales
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 84
Humidity 100%
Wind: SW 8 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:36 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:32 p.m. CST

Psst………Wanna buy some sardina?

East Cape
Weather continues to be remarkably cool for June. Sardina are still among the missing, though we are beginning to see a few small schools along the beach. The only bait available are the "bigger baits" which can be anything from bonefish (yes, bonefish) to mackerel. With plenty of marlin offshore the big baits are fine for teasing. Most of the tuna being found are of the football variety and tough to keep around the boat long enough to get in a few casts. Inshore the roosters and the jacks are the best bet but without the sardina, techniques are reduced to slow trolling the bigger baits, and that has produced less than stellar results. With the lack of sardina for chum, the beach has been the most productive for us this week. Omar Moniem, Norwalk CT and his buddy, Shane, drove up from Cabo to spend the day with our Guide Josh Dickinson to get some pointers. It must have worked! This is the email we received several days later: "Josh, we hit the beach again on the way back to Cabo. I caught a small rooster and Shane had what was probably a medium sized jack hooked but lost him. Thanks for your help. We had a great time, I learned a lot about a new kind of fishing, which is always my primary goal."
Talk about Guide frustrations, Josh and I both had clients on a panga Friday and the action was slow (no sardina again). Then, after the clients left, he, Josh, walked back to the house, and had a handful of shots. He landed a nice rooster right in front of the house. Go figure, right place…….right time.


Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 68-80
Air temperature 73-85
Humidity 69%
Wind: South 6 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:04 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay , Baja Mexico
Earlier this week Jamie Pierre and his buddy Jim Lasardi met us at Lopez Mateos. Bob and Diana Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters had arranged the trip for us and it was an adventure. The first morning we loaded the 4x4 Jeep and Suzuki Sidekick on a ferry and headed for Magdalena Island. The exhilaration we all felt as sped down the deserted beach toward Cabo San Lazaro was very special treat. The surf fishing from the rocks was extraordinary. Standing high on a rock sight casting to big jacks, pargo, snook and white sea bass all in the same wave………priceless! Then a late lunch at one of the fish camps that consisted of all you can eat lobster topped off a day that we all will remember for a long time. Devils Curve went off the week with some fatty snook that got the best of our clients so they had to satisfy themselves with leopard grouper and pargo. Outside the west winds have prevented much exploring. With water temperatures climbing it won’t be long before the offshore action begins to heat up.
Water temperature 62-71
Air temperature 66-73
Humidity 76%
Wind: West 20 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:16 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80° blue water is holding at 6 miles, and the fishing activity is picking up. The blue marlin bite is still running strong, and in my opinion, for this last few weeks we have been probably the hottest place in the world for a chance at a blue or black marlin. Sailfish action, while not as hectic as in the winter months, is still producing two to three fish per boat a day on conventional gear.

I guided Abe Moskow of South Carolina for two days of fly fishing. The first day we fished the blue water with Adan on the panga Gitana II. Abe hooked one sailfish. The second day, Abe had a blast while we worked the near vertical walls of the White Rocks. With Abe casting from the bow, Felipe on the panga Yellowfin was masterful at keeping the panga in position. By following the birds and the bait schools, Abe would cast into the boiling white water, and at times, was hooking a fish on every cast. We were mostly getting jacks and black skipjack tuna. These hard fighting fish were really pulling on the 10wt rod.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 87
Humidity 66%
Wind: WSW 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
The weather has been nice, ranging from overcast to sunny skies with some rain during the nights. The boats that did venture out and did quite well finding action at thirty miles that produced good sailfish catches ranging from the low single digits to a few double digit scores along with a few tuna and dorado. Several boats reported blue marlin catches as well. One boat fishing inshore enjoyed excellent action and released 6 roosters in the 25 to 45lb class.
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 84
Humidity 100%
Wind: WSW 4 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:34 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:31 p.m. CST

East Cape in the Starting Gate

East Cape
Off to the races? Everybody is still standing in the starting gate waiting for the door to fly open! The weather is cool and comfortable; unfortunately the water is also cooler than usual and seems to be influencing everything. Basically, inshore and offshore the bite has its moments with some boats coming in with multiple flags while most have few if any. Plenty of billfish are being seen but few bites, the theory being they are plumb full of squid. Tuna are racing around and if you get lucky and bump in to them your rod will get bent for sure. If you think I am kidding, a few boats ran as far as 50 miles for a bunch of footballs while some guys fishing from the beach at the lighthouse got spooled a lot and still landed two yellowfin from the beach that weigh 40+. Only at East Cape! Speaking of the beach, that has been the best bet all week for our clients. Every client caught at least one rooster from the beach and one had four, plus two jacks. Most of them were in the low teens while several Bubbas demonstrated how they got so big. Putting in the time on the beach has definitely paid off. Who needs those stinking ATVs? We are headed up to Magdalena Bay to pick a fight with Mr. Snook – more on that next week. If you have a hankering for a rooster on the fly and aren’t here you are in the wrong place!

Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 68-80
Air temperature 73-93
Humidity 69%
Wind: SSE 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:01 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay , Baja Mexico
Still some wind to contend with this week that kept most of the anglers close to the beach. The corvina bite lit up at Lopez Mateos with double digit catches the norm. A few snook hooked and lost after they scurried back into the mangrove stumps. A few snapper were caught at Devil’s Curve. Offshore, the tuna seemed to be in the 20 mile range and outside of Lopez Mateos the dorado continued put on a show only a few miles from shore. Everybody is just waiting for the water to warm up a few degrees and the exotics should kick in nicely. We will be fishing with clients for the next few days out of Lopez Mateos and will have a first hand report next week.
Water temperature 62-71
Air temperature 66-73
Humidity 77%
Wind: WNW 17 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:13 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80° plus blue water is still just a mile or so off the beach. The outstanding fishing for the blue marlin has made this run one of the absolute best in years. We are boating between 18 and 20 blues or blacks a week. These are very good odds for catching a marlin, because we are not considering the numerous missed opportunities, and all of this is from only a fleet of about 10 boats a day hitting the water. This last Tuesday, the fleet boated 5 marlin. Remember, these are not those dinky striped marlin you read about in Baja. Stripers are not much larger than a sailfish. These blues and blacks are averaging about 250 pounds, with several hitting the 500 pound mark.

Besides releasing 5 sailfish on Thursday for Texas clients Jeff and Wayne Bair, Captain Santiago on the panga Gitana, also had a blue marlin on Wednesday. Clients Sonny and Magi Stolsig of Seattle got the blue marlin on sailfish gear while trolling a cut bait. They fought the 330 pound blue for a little over two hours on the 50 pound gear. After a spectacular series of greyhounding leaps, the marlin sounded and died. It took Santiago another 45 minutes of hand lining to get the fish to the boat.

I fly fished with Mike Poor and Ralph Logan of Lubbock, Texas. After raising a double on sails, but only teasing one to the boat, the sailfish was so aggressive, Mike had the opportunities and missed twice with the fly. Bad habits developed from trout fishing, by setting the hook with the rod tip, just do not work here on salt water big game. You must set the hook with a hard strip of the line. After the third attempt, the fish lost interest, so I pinned an 8" live goggle eye on a circle hook, made the cast and passed the rod to Ralph. A few minutes later, we tagged and released Ralph's first ever sailfish

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 89
Humidity 66%
Wind: WSW 8 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
The weather this past week has been nice during the day with occasional showers in the evenings. The winds have remained light and variable and pick up temporarily during the showers. Since we led this condition report with the weather you have probably figured out no one fished this week.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 84
Humidity 79%
Wind: WSW 4 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:34 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:28 p.m. CST

Spring and Bubba Finally Arrive

East Cape
The weather is cooler then normal for this time of year, but Spring seems to have finally arrived. Offshore, there are plenty of billfish to look at; the trick is to get them to bite. If you want football-size tuna they are way outside (45 miles). Inshore action began to improve; Bubba has arrived, still as finicky as ever. Spa reported one in the 50-pound class and our clients are getting a few shots a day from the beach. We are seeing an increase in dorado, but we are still waiting for the hot bite to begin. All-in-all things are looking up as we get ready for a hot June.
For those of you who missed it, here is a link to our update on the ATV\Beach situation.
http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/atv.htm

Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 71-80
Air temperature 60-82
Humidity 64%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:59 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay , Baja Mexico
Giant squid and scallops seem to be on everybody's mind this week. However, with a little digging I did find out that there are a few dorado off the beach outside of Lopez Mateos. Corvina and pargo seemed to be the catch of the day in the esteros. Up at Devil’s Curve there were a few snook that got the better of our clients. They were headed back out today to give them another chance.
Water temperature 62-71
Air temperature 66-71
Humidity 87%
Wind: WSW 15 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:10 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80° blue water is only 3 to 4 miles off the beach. The full moon period has slowed the sailfish catch a bit, with only a 1 to 2 fish a day average per boat. But, what we lack in quantity is more than made up in quality. We are recording some great catches of blue marlin and large yellowfin tuna.

The fleet is putting out an average of about 15 boats a day on the water. At least a third of those are fishing inshore, but we are averaging two blue marlin each day (caught). That does not count the thrown hooks, or the stories told by all of the broken lines or spooled reels. The average blue is weighing in at about 250-pounds. A few of the blue marlin, like one by Luis on the panga Gringo Loco, are hitting the 500-pound mark, and several others are in the 130- to 180-pound range. These smaller fish are ideal for a person to accomplish his goal for a blue marlin on the fly rod.

Ed Garvis, of Anaheim, Calif., fishing with Arturo on the panga Whisky III, took a 300-pound tuna. The schools are breezing in and out and when you find a feeding school of tuna, they are going to be big. Several of the commercial pangeros have boated tuna in the 150- to 250-pound class this week. As with the marlin and sailfish, almost all the action is only about 8 to 10 miles offshore.

Both of the Dos Hermanos boats have been fishing the inshore this week. Cheva and Adolpho told me this morning (Sat.) they have really been doing well on the big jack crevalle and roosterfish. Between the two boats, they are averaging about 14 of the jacks and 8 roosters each day. The timing is about right; because we normally see the big roosters arrive in volume by the 1st of June

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 89
Humidity 64%
Wind: SW 6 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:15 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
Weather was unsettled after the hurricane that passed well below our area. The lack of clients this week left the fleet tied to the dock while the local pangeros whacked the dorado. Sailfish? Who knows! We bet they are out there waiting for someone to come play.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 86
Humidity 94%
Wind: SSE 4 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:34 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:26 p.m. CST

East Cape Beaches and ATVs

There seems to be some confusion regarding beach access and the use of ATVs on the beaches in East Cape. Recently, because of many complaints about misuse of the rental ATVs on East Cape beaches, the Mexican Government decided to enforce their law forbidding the use of all vehicles on the beach.

Profepa is the Government Agency responsible for the enforcement. In addition to a fine, anyone using an ATV or any vehicle may have the vehicle impounded.

Baja on the Fly was the first to offer Beach Trips using ATVs to access the East Cape beaches for fly-fishing. While we have discontinued the use of ATVs on the beach, we have not stopped fishing the beach. Most of the East Cape beaches may be reached using access roads that parallel the beaches. ATVs are legal on those roads. Obviously, this means less time riding and more time fishing – which we suspect will be more productive. However, all of us will miss the unique opportunity of cruising the beaches on an ATV.

We believe that the law is the law and while we don’t like it, we will respect the Mexican Government’s wishes, just as we would with any state or federal law in the United States.
We would not want an incident with the Mexican Government to ruin your trip with us.

That being said, if you are looking for a unique opportunity to pursue the legendary roosterfish on an East Cape beach, let us know. Baja on the Fly will always provide you with a fun, safe, legal trip with the best guides in Baja!

Charlie Returns to East Cape

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
The good news is that the tuna showed up this week and we have had fairly consistent teasing action for smaller roosterfish. Also, we found a few dorado close to shore; and we even had a few pompano in front of Punta Colorada. In the chum department, the bait guys are having a tough time making bait. The mackerel have gone away. They have been concentrating their efforts on mullet and have pronounced it too much work for few fish. The schools are very small and each net-throw yields only a few mullet at a time. No one has seen any sardina to speak of. The weather this morning is flat calm and the promise of a hot tuna bite has everyone up and ready to get their rod bent.

Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 71-78
Air temperature 60-89
Humidity 32%
Wind: 8 mph from the WNW
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:35 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:55 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay , Baja Mexico
Offshore 25 miles on a 230˚ heading produced decent tuna up to 25-pounds. Back closer to shore near Punta Hughes, a few giant squid were found, but seemed to be moving up to the north. Up at the Thetis, there were a few grouper reported, but everyone is still waiting for the exotics to arrive. Esteros producing fair catches of corvina, pargo and a few small leopard groupers. Devil’s Curve produced primarily corvina, with the snook still among the missing.
Water temperature 62-71
Air temperature 66-75
Humidity 87%
Wind: West 17 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:39 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80º blue water is just off the beach and the fishing is definitely improving. Five pangas took the 35-mile run and stationed themselves out of Puerto Vicente Gro. this week for a large group of people. Temo on the Sequestra Amor, Adolpho on the Dos Hermanos, Cheva on the Dos Hermanos II, Arturo on the Janeth, and Indio (Alex) on the Gran Jefe all fished the beaches for roosters and about 10 miles off the point for sails. Not many roosters showed up, but a lot of large jack crevalle gave them some decent action on the beach. In the blue water, they averaged about three sailfish a day, several yellowfin tuna, and a blue marlin.

Locally here in Zihuatanejo, Santiago on the panga Gitana, also made a run South, releasing three sailfish and boating 10 nice yellowfin tuna with client Gary Stokes.

The blue marlin bite is still going strong, with about one strike for every three boats on the water. Captain Leo, fishing off a private yacht out of the Ixtapa Marina, targeted the marlin and got two to the leader in one day. Indio, on the Gran Jefe also boated a 400-pound + blue marlin.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 89
Humidity 83%
Wind: WSW 13 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:13 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
The weather has been great over the last week with light winds and pleasant conditions. The potential bad weather associated with Tropical Depression Adrian never really made much of an impact on the San Jose area of Guatemala. The anglers are few and far between, but those that did come this way experienced some great action. There were three boats out for a couple of days, and all three had double digit days, with twice as many shots as releases. The run to fish was 22-32 miles.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: WSW 8 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:35 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:24 p.m. CST

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

East Cape Dragging it’s Feet

East Cape
This week’s action produced a mixed bag. The groups working the beaches found a few small roosters willing cooperate and take a fly. Inshore a few dorado showed up and even a couple pompano. Further offshore there were a few tuna if you found the right porpoise school. Billfish picked up again later in the week with several boats reporting multiple releases. Last weeks sailfish flurry seems to have petered out.

Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 71-78
Air temperature 60-89
Humidity 40%
Wind: 7 mph / 11 km/h from the WNW
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:52 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay , Baja Mexico
With the wind still ripping out of the west, it was less than wide open action. Tuna offshore moved a few miles closer. At the Entrada there were a few small yellows under the bird schools. Up in the Esteros, a few corvina, leopard grouper and of course the cabrilla were all that could be found for the few anglers fishing.
Water temperature 62-71
Air temperature 66-75
Humidity 94%
Wind: WSW 15 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:42 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:03 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
This is turning out to be one of our slowest month of May ever. The 82 degree blue water is still just 5 to 6 miles off the beach and the 80 degree clean water is all along the inshore area. But, the game fish still have not shown. We are only averaging about 1 sailfish per boat, no tuna, and no dorado.

The blue marlin fishing has been doing very well however. We are only averaging about a total of 10 to 12 boats a day going out fishing. At least 3 or 4 of those boats are fishing inshore, with the rest in the blue water. Of those in the blue water, we are getting at least 3 to 4 hooked blue marlin a day, and landing one. One of the reasons the catch ratio is low, is because the big marlin are often taking the baits on the sailfish gear, and are spooling the reel.

I did have a great day on the water with fly fishing client Josh Vincent from Michigan. We targeted the black skipjack tuna inshore with a 9wt. Casting to the schools of breaking fish, Josh was averaging a fish for every 4 casts.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 91
Humidity 83%
Wind: West 13 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:20 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:06 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
Action heated back up this week with multiple sails showing up in the pattern. and in closer to shore. The boats going out during the past several days all experienced releases of more than 20 sails per day. Two of the three had multiple shots at Marlin and released a couple. With a short run to the fish of 17 and 22 miles the anglers had plenty of time to take advantage of the bite. Throw into the mix picture perfect weather and you got an almost perfect Guatemala week.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 86
Humidity 94%
Wind: WSW 6 mph
Conditions: Light Drizzle, Scattered Clouds
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:36 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:22 p.m. CST

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

East Cape Billfish Show Up Early

East Cape
Cinco de Mayo and better weather always seem to go hand in hand. While the weather has improved, the fishing has been slow to catch up. Offshore the big news was a blue marlin being caught that was just shy of 500 lbs. Added to that factoid, there have been more than a few sails show up in the patterns already this year and striped marlin remained consistent again this week as well. This has some of the locals thinking early…early….early season for the pointy nosed guys. Not enough action for the fly rodders looking for a billfish on the fly but looks promising for the future. Still iffy as far as the dorado go, though the ones that are found are good sized. Mostly football sized tuna and they are pretty much spread out from La Ribera out to 40 miles. The beach produced a few small roosters with Cory Hawryluk, Houston, TX coming up from Cabo to land his first rooster on the fly. He found the beach experience to be a hoot and is planning a return trip soon.
Al Tigert, Anchorage AK emailed us this report about his trip in late April. "The quality of the experience was excellent, and everything we could wish for. It would be difficult to match the quantity of fish that we enjoy at home in Alaska, but the chance to pursue exotic species in a beautiful (warm) locale w/people who are knowledgeable, friendly and have a good sense of humor was perfect. Every fish was a brand new species for us to marvel at."
On the chum side, there were some mackerel to be found but still few, if any sardina available.

Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 71-78
Air temperature 60-89
Humidity 45%
Wind: NE 2 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:41 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:49 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay , Baja Mexico
Still plenty of wind to deal with. Outside, weather permitting there as some quality sized tuna 210 degrees 15 – 20 miles out and that seems to be the best action for the entire area. Still the be squid around outside the Entrada as well. The reports for the Esteros have been very few fish, even the cabrilla have a severe case of lock jaw. One interesting report was a fifteen lb. snook that was caught near the base of the commercial pier. One more thing, closer to town, under the bridge at the entrance to town produced some decent early morning action for corvina, pargo and even a few leopard grouper. Sounds like the guys are overrunning the fish.
Water temperature 62-71
Air temperature 66-75
Humidity 96%
Wind: WNW 20 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:00 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The clean water is just off the beach, with the blue water only 6 to 8 miles out. The Terrifin Satellite Surface Temperatures show 80 to 85 degree water everywhere. In other words, the conditions are perfect, but still there are very few fish.

Earlier this week we had a great showing of large Yellowfin tuna, but they have also disappeared. However, a few nice fish were taken while they were here. Luis, on the panga “Gringo Loco” fished with Gary Tagahuci from Laguna Beach, CA and got a nice 270 pound fish. Santiago , on the panga “Gitana”, also got a 190 pound tuna. Another member of Gary's group got a nice black marlin while fishing with Luis.

The 22nd annual Sailfish Tournament is currently underway, making a statement about the lack of fish in the area this week. Yesterday (Friday), the first day of the tournament, only 28 sailfish, 2 blue marlin, and 1 dorado were caught from a field of 110 boats. That is less than 1 sailfish for every 4 boats average.

Cheva on the “Dos Hermanos II” found a few small roosterfish earlier in the week, but we are still a little early in the season to expect much action from the roosters. This will pick up over the next three weeks.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 91
Humidity 83%
Wind: WSW 11 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:20 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:06 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
This past week, we hosted the Rick Swetish party of 4 from Texas. During their stay, they experienced great weather and consistent action which enabled them to experience double digit releases each day on sails. The fishing was still pretty far between 30-40 miles. The action in Guatemala continues on through August, with the potential for double digit days on sails with marlin mixed in.
We have open dates throughout this period of time. This is a great time for your spur of the moment trip with us. Just give our office a call for a trip of a lifetime.

We are also currently booking for the peak periods between November and April of next season, available slots are filling quickly.
Fishing guide and newspaper columnist Paul Bruun , Jackson Hole, Wyo., visited us in early March. Here is a link to his entertaining story of the trip and a good example of why hunters and anglers from all over the world subscribe to the little Jackson Hole paper:
http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/PaulBruun.html
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 86
Humidity 94%
Wind: SSW 8 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:38 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:20 p.m. CST

Persistence Pays Off at East Cape

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
The weather over the last couple of days has been great. The wind and waves subsided for the most part and the inshore water is looking as good as it has for quite some time. Baja on the Fly Lance Peterson reported enthusiastically:
“I fished the beach hard yesterday (4/29), starting to the south and working my way back to La Capilla. I walked a few miles of beach and found few if any gamefish and very little bait for the most part, only small scattered schools of mullet and some decent gatherings of ballyhoo. I eventually spotted a pair of small jack crevalle on the prowl near La Salina. While I did not get them to eat, I was stoked to take a couple of casts at cruising fish. Hopefully, the gamefish will soon be on beach patrol and the spring season can finally kick in!”

[BotF Guide] Josh and Captain Juan on the panga “Mosca” have been working the inshore water with clients Phil Bryna and Al Tiggert, visiting from Anchorage. They have had a few roosters come up to the teasers and put on a good show. While the fish have not been numerous, they were enough fire up these hard fishing Alaskans. Both guys have hit the beach until sundown after their boat trips every day this week. Phil was even rewarded with his first rooster on the fly not far from the hotel . . . yes, persistence pays off when it comes to roosterfish. They are already talking about a return trip in June to continue their quest for the elusive pez gallo.

Offshore there continues to be striped marlin on the bite. Captain Ramon of the cruiser “Tres Hermanos” even reported a few sailfish in the spread yesterday along with the marlin. Sounds like a great time to try for billfish on the fly. A few of the Palmas boats could be seen flying tuna flags yesterday. A sign of things to come? The timing is right for the offshore fishing to really take off, let's hope it goes wide open!
However, on a sour note, by yesterday afternoon the wind had ramped up once again causing plenty of white caps and wind waves along the shore. Here’s hoping it flattens out this morning.

Report by Lance Peterson, Baja on the Fly Guide
Water temperature 69-78
Air temperature 62-89
Humidity 45%
Wind: NW 11 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:46 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay , Baja Mexico
Plenty of sun and wind is the story for Mag Bay. The giant squid continue to be the best thing going on the fishing front. Several boats spent a couple days pounding the Devil’s Curve zone with dismal results. I did hear some rumors of tuna 20 miles offshore, but with the wind and high seas, no one has been out to confirm the report.
Water temperature 62-71
Air temperature 66-75
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:56 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The blue water remains only five to six miles off the beach and the sea temperatures are in the 80s. All the conditions are in place for a great May, but the full moon hurt us a bit this last week.

The blue marlin bite is still is still strong, with three be taken in the best day this last week. At least one has been taken each day.

Roosterfish are showing again, with May be the traditional start of action for the hard fighting members of the jack family.

About two sailfish a day average, per boat, are being caught.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 89
Humidity 83%
Wind: WSW 8 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:20 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:06 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
This past week we had the pleasure of hosting a couple of experienced anglers. The Lumadue party of three from Pennsylvania all took a turn using both conventional and fly-fishing gear to great success during their four days of fishing. The weather was nice. The run to the fish was about 40 miles, but once there they enjoyed periods of non-stop action.
Fishing guide and newspaper columnist Paul Bruun, Jackson Hole, Wyo., visited us in early March. Here is a link to his entertaining story of the trip and a good example of why hunters and anglers from all over the world subscribe to the little Jackson Hole paper:
http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/PaulBruun.html
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 86
Humidity 94%
Wind: SSE 11 mph
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 5:41 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:19 p.m. CST

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

We Need Those Stinking Sardina

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
Wind continues to be a factor in the overall fishing, however, the marlin show has been extraordinary for this early in the year. It is unusual to have enough fish at this time to actually get enough shots to merit attempting the flyrod. The yellowfin tuna have appeared and the catch numbers are climbing every week. What is missing is the sardina and mullet usually found along the beaches. Of course, that not only makes the beach fishing tough, with no bait for chum on the boats, it changes the strategy dramatically for the fly-rodder.
Here is Lance's latest report of a beach day that he and co-Baja on the Fly guide Josh had this week:
“We fished the beach hard today. We came in from the backside using my truck. We walked miles and blind cast diligently. There was not one fish to cast to in all the water we fished. There was very little if any bait. We only saw a few scattered ballyhoo, no mullet and no sardina. The beach was about as lifeless as we have yet seen it.”
So, for now we, play a waiting game. Waiting for the wind to quit . . . sardina and mullet to arrive . . . I am sure in a few weeks (if we can wait that long) we will all be saying "It was worth the wait."

Report by Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 69-76
Air temperature 62-88
Humidity 45%
Wind: NNW 15 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:43 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Finally, a few yellows showed under the bird schools at the entrada; there were also a few sierra mixed in. If you ventured outside the entrada, the bird schools showed the way to some decent bonito and skipjack action. Water temperature is beginning to slowly creep up, which should bring in some of the exotics. Los Barriles produced non-stop action for cabrilla with an occasional snook grabbing the fly catching the unsuspecting angler off guard. Also a few corvina and grouper could be found up at Devil’s Curve.
Same action for skipjack and bonito could be found outside the boca up at Lopez Mateos. The esteros up there also produced a few decent shook and enough corvina to keep the anglers interested.
Water temperature 62-71
Air temperature 68-75
Humidity 64%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:57 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:53 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80-degree blue water is only about 6 to 7 miles off the beach and fishing is definitely showing an improvement over the last couple of weeks. The blue marlin bite is continuing on a strong note, sailfish are steady, and the yellowfin tuna are finally making a strong showing.

This week, Ruben on the 31-foot Bertram Vamonos caught two marlin of about 250 pounds each. He had several other opportunities, but was not able to get a decent hook set.

Adolpho on the panga Dos Hermanos, fishing with clients from France, had a great day yesterday (Fri.) On conventional gear, they lost a large marlin, but caught a 100 pound yellowfin tuna. They also picked up several other 30- to 40-pound yellowfin and a couple of sailfish. On the pier early this morning, Adolpho told me the overall fishing is very good, especially with several schools of tuna out around the 16 to 20 mile mark.

The inshore action on the big jack crevalle and roosters has pretty much been blown out all this last week with a very high surf. The jacks are feeding about a mile off the beach however, and action on these hard fighting fish has been very good when trolling a live bait, Rapala, or casting a surface popper. Teasing them in with a hookless popper has been the ticket for the flyrod anglers.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 89
Humidity 78%
Wind: WSW 8 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:04 p.m. CDT

San Jose , Guatemala
The action has picked up, and the weather was great for the first part of the week. We had the pleasure of hosting return client Burt Turner and first-timer Matt Johnson for three days of fly-fishing. Burt is an experienced fly angler who has made at least one trip to Guatemala each year for the past several years, and Matt was there to experience the action for the first time after hearing Burt recount the great action over the years. Over the three days, the fishing action increased each day along with the duo's skills and they quickly built up to double digit releases and even enjoyed some dorado and tuna action. On the final day, Mother Nature kicked the seas up, but at the same time exponentially increased the sailfish action. They enjoyed a morning of non-stop action on the fly that surpassed the prior two days. As they headed out to Antigua, Matt indicated that his time in Guatemala was the best trip he had taken in 15 years, and would definitely be back.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 86
Humidity 94%
Wind: West 8 mph
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 5:45 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:17 p.m. CST

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

Transition Time Below the Border

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
Early in the week again saw more wind that the kept most of our clients hunkered around the pool until Thurs. (4/14), when we welcomed our first flat calm morning in some time. Of course, there had to be a catch . . . there was little if any bait to be found for purchase. Both [Baja on the Fly guide] Josh and I had to search far and wide for some, but came up empty. I opted to go out and try and troll up a bonito or two. We hooked only one and I headed inshore to tease roosters. The bonito was a good teasing bait, very lively and durable, but we found no roosters to tease in the early morning. We eventually found a few ladyfish for our casts. There were even a few pompano early, but they proved difficult to hook. Large schools of jacks were seen, but they were once again milling in circles and very boat-shy. The sea lions were attacking them – which did not help their mood. Josh found some feeding jacks Wed. for his clients and brought some big ones to the boat.

Report by Baja on the Fly Guide Lance Peterson.
Water temperature
66-74
Air temperature 69-82
Humidity 39%
Wind: 5 mph from the WNW
Conditions: Scattered Clouds 25000 ft

Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:57 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:40 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Not much to report this week as most of the attention was directed toward the unusual run of Humboldt squid outside the entrada. Reports of squid to 30 pounds were the talk of San Carlos. With perfect weather, the action both inside and outside should begin to pick up in the next few weeks. There are still a couple of whales hanging around, delaying their long migration North until the very last minute.

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Conditions are getting more favorable every day. The blue water is moving back in to just a few miles off the beach and the water temperature is edging into the 80-degree mark. The best results have been the blue marlin this last week. We have now had 11 days in a row where at least 1 nice blue has been boated.

Plus, the inshore fishing for jack crevalle is still holding up and has provided us a lot of action for both the anglers using light line conventional gear or the flyrod enthusiasts. Jim Kelsey of the San Francisco Bay area fished with Felipe and me on the panga Yellowfin and took 6 jacks to 25 pounds near the Valentine area.

Chase Smith of New Braunfels, Tex., fished with Ruben on the Vamonos I and got a very nice blue marlin. But, they missed a much larger one.

Santiago got another blue this week for his clients on the panga Gitana, plus 4 sailfish the next day. However, most of the boats are only getting between 1 and 2 sails a day.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 91
Humidity 78%
Wind:
Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:28 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:02 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
Sat. night (4/9) brought a tropical thunderstorm leaving a soggy San Jose that greeted Lori-Ann Murphy, Reel-Women Angling and her group of five women flyfishers who had come in search sailfish action on the fly. While long boat rides were the norm, the women weren’t disappointed; flat seas and sunny skies made the traveling easy as they searched for their first opportunity to face a sailfish with only a fly-fishing outfit between them and the fish. The entire group with the exception of one met their goal during the four exciting days of Guatemala bluewater fishing.
Those who achieved their goal of a sail-on-the-fly for the trip were Lori-Ann Murphy, Victor, Idaho; Bobbie Armor, Fremont, Calif.; Diana Rudolph, Islamorada, Fla.; Nancy Keilty, Cedar Mich.; and Jodie Reece, Florida, releasing their first sailfish on the fly and in some cases more than one. In addition to the sailfish, JoAnn “Bo” Ribaudo, Destin, Fla., found enough tuna and dorado for dinner several days to earn the title “Provider” from the group. As they toasted each other’s accomplishments with 23 year old Guatemalan rum at their awards ceremony on the final night at Villas Pacifico Hotel, they all agreed that it had been as fantastic an adventure as they had hoped for and would continue next year.
Water temperature
78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 89
Humidity 94%
Wind: NE 11 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 5:49 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:16 p.m. CST

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

Transition Time in Baja

East Cape
Mon. (4/4) the weather was picture perfect and hopes were high that fishing would improve with the weather. Unfortunately, the ubiquitous North wind returned on Tues. afternoon and persisted through the night. Thurs., we found good numbers of big roosterfish, jacks, and big sierra (finally!) tearing the bait up in a big way. I teased with hookless mackerel all day and had guests Hegge Wilson and Jon Hickerson, from LeGrande, Ore., casting until they were worn out. Jon boated a really nice sierra and had no less than five great bites on roosterfish . . . but he did not get a good hook set and couldn’t get tight to a fish. Such is rooster fishing!
There were numerous schools of jacks on the move, but they were as spooky as I've ever seen them. Any cast would send them scattering in a panic . . . odd. Yesterday (4/8) a thick fog clung to the water for most of the morning. Josh [another Baja on the Fly guide] and I both fished inshore all day trolling hookless live bait. Wilson boated another nice sierra, but the others were not able to get a hook into a fish. We did not see the action we had the previous day. Only a couple of roosters came to the bait, as well as only a few sierra. Offshore, the marlin bite slowed down also. Only five fish on the board tonight: four marlin and one sierra.
The sardina have yet to show, so the only bait available for chum is mackerel.

Report by Baja on the Fly.

Water temperature 66-74
Air temperature 66-82
Humidity 65%
Wind: NNE 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 7:03 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:37 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
There was little surface action to talk about at the entrada, however a few grouper that were deeper in the water column were found near Santa Margarita Island. We’ve been hearing rumors of tuna 40 miles south of the entrada. Corvina and a few quality snook were found up near Devil’s Curve. The halibut bite was pretty consistent on most of the sandy beaches with the south side of Belchers being one of the better spots. A slowly retrieved olive Baja Deep Diver was doing the trick for the snook.
Water temperature 69-75
Air temperature 62-79
Humidity 6%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:09 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:46 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The water has been warming up, and sending the cold water current we have had for this last month out of the area. In summary, the sailfish action is picking up, the blue marlin are moving into the area, and we even got into the roosters yesterday (4/8). The yellowfin tuna are still a no-show.
I fished with Baja on the Fly clients The Barrow Family of Mountain Home, Ark., trying for a sailfish on the fly on Wed. (4/6). It was just too early in the week as the sailfish did not become active until yesterday. We did raise one sail and a marlin however, but were not able to get any action on the fly when they came to the boat. As of today, the fleet is averaging about one sailfish per boat on conventional gear.
This last Sun., Mon., Wed., and yesterday Felipe, on the panga Yellowfin and I fished with various clients with the flyrod, or Felipe fished alone with conventional gear, targeting the inshore jack crevalle bite. On Sun., Tom Ohlson of Colorado got a few on the fly and surface popper. Mon., Dave Powell ended up with 12 of the hard-fighting jacks on surface poppers and slow trolled live bait. Fly fisherman Chuck Smith had 4, and Greg Benfit, of Portland, Ore, and his wife got 4 jacks and 2 very nice roosterfish. Chuck found out just how hard the 6- to 20-pound jacks fight when he snapped his 10-weight in three places. He tried to lift, but the big jack wanted to go down.
Felipe told me roosters were crashing the bait on the beach, and mixed in with the jacks. "There must have been 50 or 60 roosters among the 150 or so jacks. All the roosters were in the 30- to 40-pound class. Their combs were standing straight up and you could easily see them. This is the earliest I have heard of the roosters being here in quantity, so things may really be looking up,” he said.
Several blue marlin were caught this week with the panga Oceana with one. The private boat Aleta Negra, owned by Karl Peters of Nashville released one, and the cruiser Rosa Nautica got one. The largest was caught on the panga Gitana, with Captain Santiago. The huge blue was estimated at about 575 pounds.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 75 - 89
Humidity 77%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:34 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:00 p.m. CDT
San Jose, Guatemala
Forty mile runs were the norm for the week. Once the fish were located, the action heated up allowing most of the fleet to maintain a decent 70% hook-to-release rate. To add to the excitement, a few marlin showed up in the pattern along with an occasional dorado. Internationally known fly-fishing guide Lori Ann Murphy and her Reel Women group will be arriving tomorrow (4/10) looking to get into the billfish-on-a-fly action. Hopefully, we will be able to deliver the same kind of trip Lori Ann’s friend Paul Bruun and Terry Shade had a few weeks ago. Sailfish, marlin, dorado and maybe a roosterfish or two inshore should be enough to keep them smiling. We know the women will be ready, so it should be a fun party if the fish cooperate!
And finally, inshore there were several roosterfish released in one afternoon of fishing.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 84
Humidity 74%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 5:53 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:16 p.m. CST

Last Gasps of Winter, We Hope!

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
The first three days of the week were punctuated by a strong North wind. Cecilia “Pudge” Kleinkauf’s Baja Spring Co-Ed Special began Mon. (3/28) with mixed results. Tues. and Wed. produced fair action early in the morning for skipjack in front of La Ribera. Later in the day, moving offshore, the group found plenty to look at as the marlin put on a show feeding on the surface. Steve Tomilson, New York, NY had excellent action on roosterfish inshore, landing his first-ever on the fly. He rounded off the day with a few skipjack and ladyfish. He is already talking about coming back in May to hunt for Bubba. By the end of the week, the North wind was back, keeping all but the most dedicated close to the pool with a book in one hand and a cold drink with an umbrella in the other. Ron Radwin, Pittstown, NJ drove up from Cabo San Lucas to check out the beach and liked what he saw. A frequent visitor to Baja, he plans to hang out on a Baja beach more often.

Report by Baja on the Fly.
Water temperature 67-74
Air temperature 68-82
Humidity 37%
Wind: 12 mph N
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:10 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:34 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
After several weeks of windy conditions, it finally settled down with welcome sunny skies and no wind. Up at Devil’s Curve, the snook began to bite and I heard of at least one that was in the 25-pound class. Out at the entrada, there were a few small firecracker yellowtail as well as sierra under the bird schools. Outside, there were plenty of skipjack to keep the rods bent.
Diana Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters, Lopez Mateos, reported some large snook at Boca de Soledad along with plenty of pompano. Still nothing of note to report offshore.
Water temperature 69-75
Air temperature 66-82
Humidity 6%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 6:17 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:43 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The inshore action has picked up a bit, with most boats still scoring on the jack crevalle and black skipjack tuna. The action on the jacks, when we find them busting bait on the beach has been about as exciting fishing as I have ever had. There will be from 100 to 300 birds diving on the melee as the jacks crash the bait in the waves. You have just enough time to make two or three casts to hook a fish. While you are hooked up, the bait is racing up the beach until the jacks and birds find them again. It is strictly run and gun action, and very productive.

The Terrifin Satellite Surface Temperature charts show 80 degree water at 16 miles. We should start getting the sails again this next week.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 73 - 87
Humidity 74%
Wind: 5 mph from the WSW
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:59 p.m. CST

San Jose, Guatemala

Cloudy skies persisted most of the week and took its toll, producing lower averages than normal for this time of year. 30-40 miles were not uncommon as the fleet spread out in search of the hot bite. Plenty of sailfish showed up in the pattern, but less aggressive. The trick was to entice them to take the fly.
Think pink, the usual mantra, wasn’t working so it was a good week to try some other colors. Dorado-colored Billfish Babies along with blue and white produced the best results. Everyone had plenty of shots and hookups and managed to release at least one sail a day on the fly. Dorado were thick and almost a nuisance, but real crowd-pleasers at the dinner table.

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 84
Humidity 74%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:58 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:15 p.m. CST

San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

East Cape, Mag Bay and Z-What Slow; Guatemala Continues Hot Show

East Cape
Persistent winds from the north and cool water made fishing tough today (3/25). Nevertheless, my clients cast diligently and relentlessly and managed to land a few trumpets and some small cabrilla. We’ve heard reports of roosters at Cardonal, but I did not see any though we did troll hookless live bait there for about an hour. Offshore was slowish (is there such a word?) also judging by what I heard on the radio. However, there have been some marlin caught in the last few days. The only bait is mackerel. No sardina to found anywhere yet. Waiting for the bite to kick in . . . Report by Baja on the Fly guide Lance Peterson.
Water temperature
67-74
Air temperature
64-71
Humidity
59%
Wind:
7 mph WNW
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
15 miles
Sunrise
6:16 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:32 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Easter celebrations brought recreational fishing to a standstill this week. Outside, it was Victory at Sea conditions. Even up in the esteros, the wind ripped most of the week keeping the few fisherman there close to home base. While there were a few halibut and corvina caught, it was pretty slim pickings.
Water temperature
69-75
Air temperature
62-71
Humidity
95%
Wind:
WNW 11 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
6:24 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:40 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
About the only thing that can be said about the fishing here in Zihuatanejo is slow. There was still some excellent jack crevalle action in the beginning of the week. But, the cooler water, which has shut down the sailfish bite, turned dirty inshore and even had several areas of red tide.

On Thurs. (324), I went out with captain Martin on the panga Isamar with fly-fishing client John Avery of Napa, Calif., to try for a sailfish. We knew the odds were against us, but John wanted to give it a try. From 12- to-20 miles out, we encountered large areas of red tide and we never even raised a sailfish.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
71 - 86
Humidity
78%
Wind:
West 11 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
6:44 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:58 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala

The overall conditions have been great, the run to the fish has been variable. This past week, due to Easter, there were a lot more boats spending more time focusing on dorado; with many brought to the docks by the local anglers. For sailfish on the conventional side, there was a 65% success rate with an average in the high single digits caught per day. The fly side had a 38% catch rate with a mid-range single digit success rate per boat day.

Terry Shade, Pescadero, Calif., and Paul Bruun, Jackson Hole, Wyo., finished up a successful trip last week. Terry, a long time Baja on the Fly client, couldn’t stop talking about the almost non-stop action, “This is more sailfish than I have seen in my entire life.” Surprisingly, Paul, who has fly-fished all over the world, had never had the opportunity to go mano a mano with the mighty pez vela. “If a person doesn’t get excited doing this, maybe golf would be a better sport for them,” said Bruun.

Terry and I had the opportunity to visit Antigua and Lake Atitlan on travel days and it was a wonderful opportunity to see the tropical country side. Sights included volcanoes and a 16-mile long lake nestled in the mountains at an elevation of 6,000 feet. Colorful costumes, old churches, festivals, shops crammed full of unusual art, jewelry, carvings, etc., convinced both of us that Guatemala was a special treat.

Water temperature
78 - 82
Air temperature
82- 84
Humidity
100%
Wind:
Calm
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
6 miles
Sunrise
6:03 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:14 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin

Guatemala Sailfish Blast Continues

East Cape
The fishing here is definitely slow. We had South wind for three days, but it didn't seem to help. There are lots of boats coming back with nothing. A few big dorado were caught, but no concentrations of any fish. The sierra bite has been good at La Ribera, but is over by 7 a.m. I went out a few days ago and landed one small dorado and a few skipjack; all on red and white. The shore fishing has slowed down a lot. I have been catching a few ladyfish, but not near the numbers I was. Haven't caught a rooster or jack in days. The North wind picked up yesterday (3/17). Everyone here hopes it is the last blow of the season. Report by Baja on the Fly guide Tim Selzer.

Water temperature
67-74
Air temperature
64-71
Humidity
58%
Wind:
NW 11 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
6:42 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:29 p.m. MST

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Conventional fishermen were at the entrada three days ago and got one good-size halibut, a big grouper, yellowtail and lots of barracuda. Shark fishermen have run into lots of squid a couple of miles outside the entrance. There is also loads of squid inside the bay and lots of whales – but definitely not good fishing inside. Weather is absolutely beautiful. Very calm in the mornings with a slight wind after 12 noon. Inside the estero (estuary) they have been catching corbina.

Water temperature
69-75
Air temperature
62-71
Humidity
95%
Wind:
West 15 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
6:32 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:47 p.m. MST

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The cold water current still has the sailfish bite turned off. The blue water is beyond the 30 mile mark. The few boats venturing out that far are only raising one or two fish a day, and not seeing any signs of the tuna or marlin either.

Inshore, the birds are crashing on bait on the beach at Buena Vista and Barra Pototsi. There is still a very good jack crevalle bite going on. Today, (Friday) Martin on the panga Isamar, with client Andrew Vigil of Albuquerque, caught 12 of the big jacks averaging between 14 and 22 pounds. The jacks were taken on light line outfits using live bait and slowed trolled Rapalas.

Yesterday, Felipe on the panga Yellowfin, caught 6 pompano from 12 to 15 pounds for his client. They also got 2 amberjack of 8 and 10 pounds, and 6 chulas. All the fish came from drifting a live bait at the white rocks.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze


Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
73 - 86
Humidity
78%
Wind:
Calm
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
6:51 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:56 p.m. CST

San Jose, Guatemala

The conditions have been nice and consistent, but the run to the fish has varied this week with some fishing in as close as 25 miles and out as far as 40 miles. On the conventional side, there were 967 released sailfish out of 1347 hooked for an average of 21 per boat day. On the fly side there were 45 released sailfish out of 108 hooked for an average of 6 per boat day. Marlin made a strong showing this week with 5 released. Inshore, there was no one out.

Kim Kutsch, Jefferson, Ore., spent several days touring the countryside along with a group of his friends from all across the U.S. before going toe-to-toe with the notorious Guatemala sailfish.
This is what he had to say about the trip: “The fishing was spectacular and everything you made it out to be. I'll be looking at these pictures for a very long time. I think that was the most fun I've ever had with a flyrod. Thank you very much. After seeing the pictures and hearing the stories, Ryan is pretty certain I am bringing him to Guatemala next year in March during his spring break. The rest of the boys will feel the same way I am sure. I will get those dates from him and we will plan a trip.”


Water temperature
78 - 82
Air temperature
82- 86
Humidity
100%
Wind:
Calm
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
6:08 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:13 p.m. CST

San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

Guatemala is Hot, Hot, Hot; Others Not

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
NOTE: This report is on Fri. instead of Sat. because of local logistics and communications coming out of Guatemala.
East Cape
We’ve had North wind for the last three days with fishing definitely on the slow side. We did land three baby roosterfish at the lighthouse on a white and olive Clouser. The boats are going south and coming back with some dorado and marlin. The day before the wind started, the marlin fishing was great. All the boats came back with at least one. I was out with a friend and we saw six boats hooked up with marlin at one time. One boat had two on. They were only about three miles out from La Ribera. The same day, we caught small dorado a half mile from the Spa. The wind came up and the fish left. Fly-fishers are finding a few sierra early in the morning at La Ribera. Skipjack bite has been good just a few miles from shore with red the best color. Still no sardines available for chum.Report by Baja on the Fly guide Tim Selzer.
Water temperature
67-74
Air temperature
66-73
Humidity
58%
Wind:
WNW 11 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
6:31 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:26 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
It’s been very windy afternoons for the past several days. You need to get out early to take advantage of the first few hours before the wind picks up. Several day ago, a few large grouper or maybe a white sea bass were broken off at the entrada, the resident small yellowtail continued to provide fair action on a See Through Deceiver with an olive-colored back. Early as it is we are already receiving some vague reports of yellowfin tuna out to the west near the shark buoys. With only a few anglers fishing the esteros, it is hard to gauge the bite. The corvina have begun to bite and there were several snook landed and – of course – more of them lost. The whale watching season is beginning to wind down with only about 20 whales with their calves still in the harbor to be seen.
Water temperature
69-75
Air temperature
64-71
Humidity
58%
Wind:
Calm
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
6:46 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:30 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
A cool water current has moved in, essentially sending the sailfish South. Fishing for all species, except for some very good action on large jack crevelle, has been slow all this last week.

This annual cool water current brings in the big yellowfin tuna and marlin, but it is still a little too early to target them with consistent results. Cheva, on the panga Dos Hermanos II did catch one nice black marlin of about 250 pounds this week, as well as Pepino on the Whisky II with a smaller blue. A few other marlin were hooked, but lost.

Steve Talbot has been targeting the big jacks most of the week with Martin on the panga Isamar and, releasing about 10 fish a day. The big jacks are averaging between 15 and 20 pounds, with an occasional 25 pounder. Their fish have been caught using a red and white surface popper, live bait, and trolled Rapalas.

Baja On The Fly client Matt Herman of Los Angeles fished the inshore one day with Cheva, releasing 5 of the big jacks, several black skipjack tuna, and one chula.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
73 - 89
Humidity
78%
Wind:
West 11 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
6:56 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:54 p.m. CST

San Jose, Guatemala

The weather has been very pleasant with overall calm seas and bright skies. During the past week on the conventional side there were 847 sails released out of 1268 hooked for an overall average of 16 per boat-day with the high boat going 34 of 44. On the fly side, there were 127 released sails out of 306 hooked for an overall average of four per boat-day with the high boat going 12 for 14. There were also several marlin that showed up and a couple were released on light conventional tackle. Dorado were encountered by every boat, and made a nice addition to many dinner tables. Inshore, there were a couple of roosterfish also released.

Jack Balch, from Fremont, Calif., finished up his trip last Sun. and here is his take on the trip:
“Thank you for a fantastic trip. I don't believe you can find a greater concentration of sailfish then I saw in Guatemala. One day we raised fish 22 different times. Often multiple fish were raised at the same time. I actually had two fish fighting to try and get my fly at the same time. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to catch a sailfish on the fly.”

Water temperature
78 - 82
Air temperature
82 - 84
Humidity
94%
Wind:
SE 13 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
6:13 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:13 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

Guatemala Sailfish Like Pigeons in the Park

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
The wind finally stopped on Thurs. (3/3) and things definitely look brighter when you can cast a fly without having it sail back in your face. To prove my point, I landed a 20 pound pargo from the beach. There are also a few ladyfish, lots of small jacks, and a few small roosters. All the pangeros (panga drivers) are seeing loads of marlin off of Punta Pescadero, along with small dorado. Not many sierra around. Report by Baja on the Fly guide Tim Selzer.
Water temperature
67-74
Air temperature
66-69
Humidity
58%
Wind:
NNE 8 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
6:37 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:23 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Whale watching is still taking center stage for both Lopez Mateos and Puerto San Carlos. There are still a few small yellows under the bird schools at the entrada as well as a few leopard grouper deeper down in the water column. The esteros produced a few small snook both at Los Barriles and Devil’s Curve.
Water temperature
69-75
Air temperature
64-69
Humidity
53%
Wind:
WNW 4 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
5 miles
Sunrise
6:46 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:30 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Checking the Terrifin Satellite Surface Water Temperatures (SSWT) the last four days, it was evident a cold water current was moving in. This has been verified by the lack of sailfish being caught by the fleet. Checking again yesterday morning (3/4), before leaving with fly fishing client Ludo Coenen of Holland, it appeared a favorable band of water was about 12- to 15-miles out. On either side of this band of water, the SSWT showed a cooler water current moving in from the North. We never did find the blue water, but it appears it must be about 25 miles or so.

We got two sailfish on the fly and the rest of the fleet averaged only one fish on conventional gear. But, the fact remains, the fishing will continue going down hill if this cooler current moves in and sticks around. On a high note, the blue marlin and the big tuna should be moving in with the cooler water.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
71 - 86
Humidity
78%
Wind:
Calm
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:06 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:51 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala

This is an e-mail that we received this week. “What a great trip you all whipped together for me on such short notice. I just don't know how billfishing could get any better than it was! In four days we raised 53, I hooked 39 and landed 14. I can't get back there fast enough.” -- Joseph A. Turano
For the past week I can only report on 4 days of fishing. In those 4 days, there were 454 released sailfish out of 664 hooked with an average of 14 releases per boat with conventional tackle. On the fly side, there were 118 released sails out of 218 hooked for a average of 8 releases per boat. In addition to the sails, there were a couple of marlin hooked up, but released, and quite a few reports of dorado.
Yesterday (3/4) was the first of a three day trip with Joe Balch, Fremont, Calif.. Having never caught a sailfish on the fly, he was up at sun-up ready to rock and roll. By the time the boat backed into the slip in the afternoon, he was no longer a wannabe. He had three sailfish on the fly under his belt. Yes, he was grinning from ear-to-ear. He was a great pupil and I can’t wait to see what he does today.
Water temperature
78 - 82
Air temperature
80 - 84
Humidity
55%
Wind:
SE 8 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
6:26 a.m. CST
Sunset
5:46 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

Guatemala Sailfish Like Pigeons in the Park

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
The wind finally stopped on Thurs. (3/3) and things definitely look brighter when you can cast a fly without having it sail back in your face. To prove my point, I landed a 20 pound pargo from the beach. There are also a few ladyfish, lots of small jacks, and a few small roosters. All the pangeros (panga drivers) are seeing loads of marlin off of Punta Pescadero, along with small dorado. Not many sierra around. Report by Baja on the Fly guide Tim Selzer.
Water temperature
67-74
Air temperature
66-69
Humidity
58%
Wind:
NNE 8 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
6:37 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:23 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Whale watching is still taking center stage for both Lopez Mateos and Puerto San Carlos. There are still a few small yellows under the bird schools at the entrada as well as a few leopard grouper deeper down in the water column. The esteros produced a few small snook both at Los Barriles and Devil’s Curve.
Water temperature
69-75
Air temperature
64-69
Humidity
53%
Wind:
WNW 4 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
5 miles
Sunrise
6:46 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:30 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Checking the Terrifin Satellite Surface Water Temperatures (SSWT) the last four days, it was evident a cold water current was moving in. This has been verified by the lack of sailfish being caught by the fleet. Checking again yesterday morning (3/4), before leaving with fly fishing client Ludo Coenen of Holland, it appeared a favorable band of water was about 12- to 15-miles out. On either side of this band of water, the SSWT showed a cooler water current moving in from the North. We never did find the blue water, but it appears it must be about 25 miles or so.

We got two sailfish on the fly and the rest of the fleet averaged only one fish on conventional gear. But, the fact remains, the fishing will continue going down hill if this cooler current moves in and sticks around. On a high note, the blue marlin and the big tuna should be moving in with the cooler water.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
71 - 86
Humidity
78%
Wind:
Calm
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:06 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:51 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala

This is an e-mail that we received this week. “What a great trip you all whipped together for me on such short notice. I just don't know how billfishing could get any better than it was! In four days we raised 53, I hooked 39 and landed 14. I can't get back there fast enough.” -- Joseph A. Turano
For the past week I can only report on 4 days of fishing. In those 4 days, there were 454 released sailfish out of 664 hooked with an average of 14 releases per boat with conventional tackle. On the fly side, there were 118 released sails out of 218 hooked for a average of 8 releases per boat. In addition to the sails, there were a couple of marlin hooked up, but released, and quite a few reports of dorado.
Yesterday (3/4) was the first of a three day trip with Joe Balch, Fremont, Calif.. Having never caught a sailfish on the fly, he was up at sun-up ready to rock and roll. By the time the boat backed into the slip in the afternoon, he was no longer a wannabe. He had three sailfish on the fly under his belt. Yes, he was grinning from ear-to-ear. He was a great pupil and I can’t wait to see what he does today.
Water temperature
78 - 82
Air temperature
80 - 84
Humidity
55%
Wind:
SE 8 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
6:26 a.m. CST
Sunset
5:46 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373

Endless Season Update 03/04/2005

Guatemala Sailfish Like Pigeons in the Park

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
The wind finally stopped on Thurs. (3/3) and things definitely look brighter when you can cast a fly without having it sail back in your face. To prove my point, I landed a 20 pound pargo from the beach. There are also a few ladyfish, lots of small jacks, and a few small roosters. All the pangeros (panga drivers) are seeing loads of marlin off of Punta Pescadero, along with small dorado. Not many sierra around. Report by Baja on the Fly guide Tim Selzer.
Water temperature
67-74
Air temperature
66-69
Humidity
58%
Wind:
NNE 8 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
6:37 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:23 p.m. MST


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Whale watching is still taking center stage for both Lopez Mateos and Puerto San Carlos. There are still a few small yellows under the bird schools at the entrada as well as a few leopard grouper deeper down in the water column. The esteros produced a few small snook both at Los Barriles and Devil’s Curve.
Water temperature
69-75
Air temperature
64-69
Humidity
53%
Wind:
WNW 4 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
5 miles
Sunrise
6:46 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:30 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Checking the Terrifin Satellite Surface Water Temperatures (SSWT) the last four days, it was evident a cold water current was moving in. This has been verified by the lack of sailfish being caught by the fleet. Checking again yesterday morning (3/4), before leaving with fly fishing client Ludo Coenen of Holland, it appeared a favorable band of water was about 12- to 15-miles out. On either side of this band of water, the SSWT showed a cooler water current moving in from the North. We never did find the blue water, but it appears it must be about 25 miles or so.

We got two sailfish on the fly and the rest of the fleet averaged only one fish on conventional gear. But, the fact remains, the fishing will continue going down hill if this cooler current moves in and sticks around. On a high note, the blue marlin and the big tuna should be moving in with the cooler water.

Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature
80 - 84
Air temperature
71 - 86
Humidity
78%
Wind:
Calm
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
10 miles
Sunrise
7:06 a.m. CST
Sunset
6:51 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala

This is an e-mail that we received this week. “What a great trip you all whipped together for me on such short notice. I just don't know how billfishing could get any better than it was! In four days we raised 53, I hooked 39 and landed 14. I can't get back there fast enough.” -- Joseph A. Turano
For the past week I can only report on 4 days of fishing. In those 4 days, there were 454 released sailfish out of 664 hooked with an average of 14 releases per boat with conventional tackle. On the fly side, there were 118 released sails out of 218 hooked for a average of 8 releases per boat. In addition to the sails, there were a couple of marlin hooked up, but released, and quite a few reports of dorado.
Yesterday (3/4) was the first of a three day trip with Joe Balch, Fremont, Calif.. Having never caught a sailfish on the fly, he was up at sun-up ready to rock and roll. By the time the boat backed into the slip in the afternoon, he was no longer a wannabe. He had three sailfish on the fly under his belt. Yes, he was grinning from ear-to-ear. He was a great pupil and I can’t wait to see what he does today.
Water temperature
78 - 82
Air temperature
80 - 84
Humidity
55%
Wind:
SE 8 mph
Conditions:
Scattered Clouds
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
6:26 a.m. CST
Sunset
5:46 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin

For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373