Has Anybody Seen Otis?

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

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

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

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

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


Ed Kunze

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

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

Baja on the Fly

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

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

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

Roosters a Go Go in Zihuatanejo

REPORT #977. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
While the offshore continues to be on the slow side, with most boats only averaging one sail a day, our focus has been on the inshore getting ready for the only catch and release roosterfish on the fly tournament in Mexico. “Jacks or Better” is scheduled for October 5-10.

All signs indicate that we should have an action-packed event. Good-sized roosters along with some jacks have been found cruising the backside of the swells close to shore. Felipe, on the panga, “Yellowfin,” fished two days, taking seven roosters and several big jacks. The roosters were between 30 and 40 pounds, with the jacks going about 18 pounds . . . encouraging news for our contestants who are arriving for the event in a few weeks.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 84
Humidity 89%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:35 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:40 p.m. CDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Locals reported marlin, dorado and a few wahoo near the Thetis Bank; and closer to shore there were plenty of small tuna and dorado. Along the shore, a few yellows and sierra were found under the bird schools. On a recent Magdalena Island trip, Diana Hoyt, of MagBay Outfitters reported that their clients landed several small snook. They were fishing from the rocks just below the lighthouse at Cabo San Lazaro.

The esteros produced fair to good action for sierra, corvina and a few leopard grouper early in the week.

Water temperature 70-82
Air temperature 71-86
Humidity 78%
Wind: WSW 11
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:16 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:20 p.m. MDT
East Cape
Things I thought I would never report in September: Giant squid within a few miles of the hotel, dorado fishing slim and almost none.

Billfish including sailfish, striped marlin and blues are still around, but with all the squid in the water are not as aggressive as usual. There were some smaller YFT near La Ribera, but most of the fish were caught deep, which is not ideal for the flyrodder. One trick that has worked for us is to use a shooting head with either a heavy Clouser or Baja Deep Diver (chartreuse or olive work well) and let the fly sink until your flyline is almost straight down. Then retrieve with long, abrupt, pulls. If you don’t get a take in 5-7 pulls, let the fly sink and repeat the process. Inshore, roosters and jacks can be found along the beaches from Bartle Beach to the lighthouse feeding mostly on mullet.
Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 80-88
Air temperature 78-99
Humidity 55%
Wind: S 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:12 p.m. MDT

San Jose, Guatemala
Most of the annual boat maintenance is complete and the countdown has begun for the season to get underway. By mid-October, the much-awaited season will have begun. If you haven’t made your reservations for the upcoming season yet, you better do so soon before all the best dates and boats are taken.

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 77- 82
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:52 a.m. CST
Sunset 5:57 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 or (760) 670 4916

More Fish Than People

REPORT #976. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
With all of the recent news about hurricanes, it is understandable that the locals at East Cape keep a close eye on the Mexican Satellite map. So far...so good. While the weather has been hot and there have been some showers in the foothills in the afternoon, it was still a pretty nice week. Billfish continued to provide some good offshore action and if you found the right pod of porpoise the action could have you reaching for a cerveza in no time at all. While mid day is the best time for the beach action, the hot sun kept most anglers closer to the pool than the beach. There were a few “Bubba” sightings near Bartle Beach and a pretty good ladyfish bite in front of the hotel. Best bet was early morning or late afternoon as the sun dropped behind the mountains.


Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 80-88
Air temperature 78-93
Humidity 69%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:06 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:19 p.m. MDT



Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Full moon and strong currents didn’t slow the action down at the Entrada. Enrique Soto reported leopard grouper to 18 lbs and a handful of firecracker yellows kept the clients busy on Friday. Offshore, there are still plenty of marlin sightings by the locals who usually don’t target them. Most of the dorado reported this week were on the small side and few tuna were found. Shrimp season has begun and most of the locals have been targeting them. Few fished the Esteros this week and the fishing was slow. There were a few corvina and pargo found near the bridge at the entrance to Puerto San Carlos.


Water temperature 70-80
Air temperature 75-86
Humidity 78%
Wind: W 15
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:33 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The fishing remains unchanged for the last several weeks. It is poor fishing for the offshore species, and fairly decent inshore for the roosterfish and big jack crevalle. The 84º to 86º blue water is about twelve miles out, but the gamefish are not around.

Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, went 34 miles and had only one hooked sailfish and one other strike. Very few boats are getting more than one sailfish a day.


The roosterfish action is averaging about three fish per boat. We did have a couple of days this week where the surf was very high from offshore storms. This makes it difficult to get in close to the shore break to properly present a bait to the roosters. As our rain season winds down over the next couple of weeks, there should be an improvement on our inshore fishing conditions.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 90
Humidity 79%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:34 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:45 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
Still a month to go before the sailfish action begins to heat up. While the sailfish seem to be here year round, the clients don’t begin to arrive in numbers until mid October at the earliest. Most of the crews are just finishing up their maintenance and clean up and hopping from one foot to the other waiting for the season to get underway.



Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 73- 86
Humidity 100%
Wind: WNE 7 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:52 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:02 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 or (760) 670 4916

Psst…Wahoo & Dorado…Thetis Bank

REPORT #975. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Barry and Val Wilkerson of Loreto, looking for an escape from the typical Loreto hot summer temps, decided that a couple-hour trip across the peninsula to Lopez Mateos was in order.
The possibility of great fishing at Thetis Bank would be a bonus.
They arranged to fish with Magbay Outfitters on their speedy catamaran which put them in the zone in short order. The wahoo that Thetis is famous for have arrived as well as the dorado (so that’s where they have been). Not only did they catch both, they spotted a considerable number of marlin frolicking about.

With the action heating up offshore there were few bothering to fish the Esteros. The Entrada still has a few firecracker yellow under the bird school mixed in with the bonito.

Wahoo, dorado and pleasant weather……September at Magdalena Bay may make sense.



Water temperature 70-80
Air temperature 75-86
Humidity 78%
Wind: W 15
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:33 p.m. MDT
East Cape
September began with typical hot weather with just enough breezes in the afternoon to cool things down. As the SST chart reflects, the hot water continues all the way up into the Sea of Cortez. Once again the sardina played hard to get narrowing the bait choices down to mackerel, Caballito and anything else that comes up in the net. I am not kidding! One of the bait guys tried to sell us puffer fish claiming that they were great baits because the fish couldn’t spit them out! With the lack of sardine, strategy shifted back to chasing porpoise schools which yielded a better quality of YFT’s. Even a few gorilla class (100 lb. +) tuna charged the boat…. A Wasabi fly cast into boiling fish disappears as huge tuna inhales the fly…ZING…POW…@#$$%^…PRICLESS.
Billfish have been putting on a decent show up to the North - mostly sails, with a few stripes and blues mixed in - all within twenty miles. Talk about bizarre: the Giant Humbolt Squid showed up again this week. I told you it’s not what bites but what might!

With the hot sun beating down during prime time during the day, most opted to hang out at the pool. Some action found within walking distance of the hotels early morning and late in the afternoon as the sun dropped behind the mountain. A few ladyfish, jacks and for the very lucky, a rooster or two could be found.

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 80-88
Air temperature 78-96
Humidity 55%
Wind: NNW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:03 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:27 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
There has not been much change this last couple of weeks. The sailfish action is still only averaging 1 or 2 fish per boat per day. Dorado are starting to build under the floating debris caused from rain runoff out of the rivers, but there have not been very many of them caught.

The roosterfish action is still the best bet, with the boats averaging about 3 fish a day per boat.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 88
Humidity 89%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:33 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:51 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
September is “make ready” month for what everyone hopes will be another extraordinary year. Don’t miss the September\October issue of Fly Fishing in Salt Waters magazine. Read Scott Leon’s “Swimming with the Fishes” story about Guatemala sailfishing. Our good friend Bill Boyce shot the photos for the article and they are outstanding.




Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 73- 86
Humidity 100%
Wind: SE 7 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:52 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:08 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 or (760) 670 4916

First in Line . . . Wins

REPORT #974. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
This week’s fishing was all about lines! First in line at breakfast, then the pier, then the bait boat and you might be one of the first to get to the high spot in front of La Ribera. It’s worth the effort: plenty of football- and beyond-sized tuna to bend the stick. Finally, there are a few sardina to be had for chum if you find the right bait guy. First, throw the sardina, then the Baja Wasabi and it’s fish on. Within an hour, you realize why being early is important as the fleet grows to parking lot sized. Next comes the decision . . . inshore for roosters and jacks. Punta Colorada and La Ribera are your best bet. If you are looking for Bubba, the lighthouse makes the most sense, but be ready to spend some time and walk a lot. Or head out a few miles in the blue water for billfish – sailfish are the most likely – with stripes second and an “Oh my God” blue a possibility. Forget about dorado; they aren’t here in any appreciable numbers and are incidental catch at best.
If you live in or are a frequent Baja visitor, Chubascos (hurricanes) are always a factor in late summer and early fall. Katrina slamming into the Gulf Coast last week and leaving heartbreak and destruction in its path demonstrates the need for concern and preparedness. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims. If you haven’t donated to Red Cross yet here is a link where you can.

[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/helpmhd.jpg[/img]
[url]http://www.redcross.org/[/url]

[img]http://www.bajafly.com/images/wasabi_small.jpg[/img]

Baja Wasabi recipe
[url]http://www.bajafly.com/bajawasabi.htm[/url]

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 78-88
Air temperature 78-94
Humidity 55%
Wind: NNW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:33 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Reports vary. The esteros surrounding the Puerto San Carlos area still producing little; while above Lopez Mateos corvina, grouper and snapper continue to provide fair to good action.
Offshore, the Thetis Bank is holding plenty of dorado and it seems like more marlin sightings each week. On a straight line toward the entrada about 15 miles from the entrance, dorado and a few marlin can be found around the shark buoys. Closer to shore – toward Lopez Mateos – football-sized tuna and dorado have been providing the best action.

Water temperature 70-80
Air temperature 74-80
Humidity 92%
Wind: NW 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:43 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The fishing has picked up a little since last week, but it seems that all species remain fairly scattered. Most boats when fishing offshore are averaging between one and two sailfish releases a day. Plus, there have been several very nice 30- to 40-pound dorado hitting the pier every day. This has been expected, since the rains last week created a lot of debris lines.

The smaller school-sized dorado have yet to show, but when they do, we should have some outstanding action.

Inshore, the roosters and jack crevalle are still going very well, as long as you stay away from the stained water areas the runoff from the rivers has created. The boats are averaging about three nice roosters, of 30- to 40-pounds, a day

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 88
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:03 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
No Report Received. Be sure to pick the September\October issue of Fly Fishing in Salt Waters magazine and read Scott Leon’s “Swimming with the Fishes” story about Guatemala sailfishing. Our good friend Bill Boyce shot the photos for the article and they are outstanding.

[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/120-October_2005_Cover_BIG.jpg[/img]
[url]http://www.flyfishinsalt.com/in_this_issue.jsp?ID=38409[/url]

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 77- 82
Humidity 94%
Wind: N 7 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:51 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:13 p.m. CST

Hilary Splits...Irwin Saunters By...Blue Marlin on the Fly

REPORT #973. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Last week I said “Talk about choices. East Cape in the summer is like trying to guess what is behind doors 1 . . . 2 . . . or 3.”
Well, I picked #3 and that was not a good choice. Hilary bopped in on Sun. (8/21) dumping enough rain to be a nuisance. I flew in on Mon. and it was still raining when I walked off the plane. Tues. (8/23) a film crew arrived and the “Curse of the Camera” began. SO you don’t care about my problems, what about the fishing you ask? First day out with camera crew and angler was Wed. and we raised 10 sailfish, cast to 7 for one solid hookup that broke off in the backing. Thurs., wind and rain chased everyone back in early. However, a few lucky anglers had some action Al Larson fishing with Dave Cooper from Denver landed his first blue marlin estimated to be approximately 200 lbs. on the fly which was quite an accomplishment by anyone’s standards.

Yesterday (8/26), more unsettled conditions, but by mid-morning the sea began to lay down and it was a beautiful day. Tuna were under the porpoise, sardina being sold at La Ribera, several multiples on billfish including, blues, stripes and sails finished up the week on the upswing.
Today we are back on the beach in search of Bubba or anything else that wants to play. Hopefully the weather will stay settled down for a few days and Irwin will continue its march toward Hawaii.
Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 78-89
Air temperature 78-98
Humidity 55%
Wind: Calm. PM slight breezes
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:59 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:41 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico


The entrada continued to produce good fishing including grouper, yellowtail and a few sierra as well. If you are looking for something a little larger, there has been a pretty good marlin show 240˚-210˚ five miles off. Enrique Soto reported that the esteros (estuaries) had been slow with little bait to be found anywhere.

Up at Lopez Mateos, outside the Boca (mouth) there has been plenty of good-sized Dorado to provide non-stop action. Also, there’s plenty of small yellowtail to be found. Further out at the Thetis Bank, there were also reports of a fair show of marlin reported.

Water temperature 62-80
Air temperature 74-86
Humidity 83%
Wind: W 13 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:05 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:51 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
We have had quite a turn-around in the fishing and the conditions this last week. The fishing can only be rated as poor. We have had a lot of tropical storms forming just off the coast here. Before they build in intensity and head further out to sea, we have been getting a little wind and a lot of rain. This has pushed the 82º blue water out a couple of miles off the beach. There is only about a one sailfish per day average per boat.

The inshore has also been taking a beating. With the large quantities of dirty water coming out of the rivers, the visibility is poor, and the fish are scattered.

The one highlight is the rivers have also pushed out a lot of trees and debris, which should start producing Dorado in a few more days.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 89
Humidity 83%
Wind: W 6 knots
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:03 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
This week few Sportfishing boats ventured out. For those that did releasing sails were in the low digits with some Dorado in the 10 to 25lb.class. The local captains are saying that the water is unseasonably warm which accounts for the low sailfish numbers. The last two days of the week saw strong winds and rough seas.

Les Kagel and Carlos Morales

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 80- 86
Humidity 74%
Wind: WSW 7 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:51 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:18 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 or (760) 670 4916

Tuna Tussle Time

REPORT #972. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape

Hilary looms on the horizon. No, not that one. Hilary is the name of the latest Tropical Storm making its way up the Mexican Coast.
With few dorado, the Tuna Tussle is almost the mandatory way to begin the day. The YFT footballs seem to be growing up, causing some of our fly guys to cringe when a fatty comes charging up from the depths and inhales their Baja Wasabi. Usually after some “pump and grunt” time everyone is ready to move on to billfish or roosters.
Plenty of sailfish to fling a fly at, but you better pay attention or a striper may catch you napping. Of course, there is always the possibility of a blue dog (Blue Marlin) showing up in the pattern, inhaling the fly and punching it for the horizon leaving you with a broken line and a silly grin on your face as you realize that you have just been dusted by the best.
Then there is the Lighthouse, dubbed by some as the “Freak Show”. This is the time when “Bubba” class roosters cruise up and down the beach looking for a bait school to beat to a pulp. Timing is everything and if you and the fish get there at the same time, you may get the trophy of a lifetime.
Talk about choices. East Cape in the summer is like trying to guess what is behind door 1…2…3.
Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 79-89
Air temperature 60-98
Humidity 64%
Wind: Calm. PM Breezes
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:57 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:56 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

As the warm water moves up the west coast of Baja, the offshore reports just get better. Too bad there are only a few anglers to take advantage of the show. Dorado, YFT’s, yellowtail and so many marlin that one of our Captains pulled all the jigs in because he didn’t want to waste time on fish he couldn’t keep. If this keeps up, late October and November could be exciting.
In the Esteros, there are plenty of leopard grouper, snapper and corvina to keep the flyrodder busy. It is only a matter of time before the snook decide to get in on the action.

Out at the Entrada the promise of action under the bird schools for bonito, skipjack with an occasional firecracker yellowtail mixed in have kept the boats racing from one flock to another.

Water temperature 62-80
Air temperature 74-86
Humidity 83%
Wind: W 13 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:02 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:56 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 83º to 86º blue water is right on the beach, and depending on the particular luck you have on any given day, the blue water fishing for sailfish is either good, or just average. It seems most of the boats are averaging between 1 and 2 sailfish a day. There are very few dorado around, and no one has seen any tuna.

However, the inshore has been outstanding. Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos fished 5 days this week. Two of the days were in the blue water and they released 6 sailfish. The other three days were spent on the backside of the waves looking for the big jack crevalle and roosters. They caught 13 roosters and 16 jacks. The roosters averaged 30 to 35 pounds, and the jacks about 16 pounds. Adolpho's client's fish were all taken on either a slowed trolled live bait, or a surface popper cast on the ridge of the waves with medium action spinning gear.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 89
Humidity 83%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds 2000 ft
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:29 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:08 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
According to the locals, the unseasonable hot water contributed to the slow down in the action this week. Factor in strong winds for the past few days and most of the fleet decided to stay in the Marina. Only a few sailfish and dorado were accounted for by the few boats that did decide to venture out.

Les Kagel and Carlos Morales

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 80- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: WNW 8 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:50 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 or (760) 670 4916

East Cape: Right Place…Right Time

REPORT #971. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape

This was another cookie cutter week of nice (hot) weather and fishing to match. Billfish including stripes, blues and sails, kept everyone staring intently at the teasers to see what would show up next. Still a good tuna show under the porpoise and if you held your mouth just right and were in the right place at the right time, there were a few fat dorado to be found. While not tons of Bubba sightings those with the patience to wait for one to come along were getting a few shots. While waiting, ladyfish, pompano and an occasional jack crevalle could be found meandering down the beach looking for a free meal. August at East Cape is not a bad place to be.
Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 73-88
Air temperature 80-102
Humidity 41%
Wind: Calm. PM Breeze
Conditions: Scattered Clouds 22000 ft
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:53 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:53 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico



Diana Hoyt, of Magbay Outfitters, reported the fishing outside Boca de Soledad is great, with yellowfin tuna and dorado continuing to be found just a few miles offshore. The boats making the trip to the Thetis Bank reported a few marlin, lots of YFT’s and yellowtail as well. The shark buoys out to twenty miles west from the Entrada were holding good sized schools of dorado. With the offshore action continuing to pick up, few chose to fish inside the Esteros. Still plenty of corvina along with a few pargo and grouper landed at Devils Curve.

Water temperature 62-76
Air temperature 74-84
Humidity 43%
Wind: WNW 20 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The blue water is only a mile off the beach, but it sure has warmed up. When I reached in the live well to get a bait for the kite fishing we were doing for the roosters and jacks, it felt like bath water. The http://terrafin.com Satellite Surface Temperature photos show the cooler inshore water at 84º, with the offshore at almost 88º.

Mid-week, Riley Wilcox of Missoula, Montana fly fished with me for roosters and jacks. The needle fish literally took practically all the kite baits we had, and we ended up chasing the birds and schools of huge jack crevalle. The jacks were averaging about 18 pounds, and were crashing on acres of bait. The jacks were everywhere. This was sight casting at its best. The only problem was avoiding the birds, which was very difficult to do. We ended up with a couple of pelicans released unharmed also.

John Miller and his two sons, of Woodland Texas, fished with Cheva on the panga “Dos Hermanos II”. They released two sailfish (about the average), and lost a third after it threw the hook a few minutes into the fight. The marlin and sailfish zone is only a scant 8 to 10 miles off the beach.

Adolpho, on the panga, “Dos Hermanos”, got a 70 pound roosterfish for his client. Using medium action spinning gear and a popper, it took over two hours to get the big fish to the boat.
Ed Kunze


Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 91
Humidity 64%
Wind: 7 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorm
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:27 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:13 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala

Only a few boats ventured out this week and found only a few sailfish and dorado due to the runoff caused by the rains. One boat out on Friday released a 450lb. marlin, and caught 20
yellow-fin tuna and two wahoo.

Les Kagel and Carlos Morales

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 84
Humidity 62%
Wind: SSE 7 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:49 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:26 p.m. CST

Tuna Snap . . . Blues Disappoint

REPORT #970. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Michael Hibbard, Southbury, Conn., spent his last day chasing YFT from outside of Cabo Pulmo to 10 miles offshore. He demonstrated that the practice he had on his previous trip paid off and managed to raise his total up to double digits with his largest in the 30 pound class.
Bisbee Black and Blue Tournament attracted 56 teams to compete for the big jackpot. Since the preceding week had produced a 400+, 500+ and a 614-pound blue, anticipation ran high for the 240 anglers seeking the fame and a big check for winning the event. Unfortunately, the big blues didn’t get the invite and only one qualifying fish made it to the scales, 344 lbs. caught by lady angler Charlene Sanford onboard "Adam's Folly"

Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 73-88
Air temperature 78-102
Humidity 55%
Wind: Calm. PM Breeze
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:48 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:01 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico



Looking at the SST’s on http://terrafin.com it appears that the warmer water is filling in nicely. Diana Hoyt, of Magbay Outfitters, confirmed that the fishing outside Boca de Soledad is great, with yellowfin tuna and dorado being found just a few miles offshore. Further out at the Thetis Bank there are reports of more marlin sightings. Boats straight-lining to the entrada found a steady dorado bite. At the entrada (entrance) there are plenty of bonito and skipjack under the bird schools and occasionally some fire-cracker yellows show up in the melee. As the water temperature continues to warm up, the bite is improving from San Carlos all the way up to panhandle above Lopez Mateos. Sierra, corvina, halibut at the sandy beaches and even snook now and then are keeping the rods bent and smiles on the anglers’ faces.

Water temperature 62-76
Air temperature 77-82
Humidity 88%
Wind: West 17 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

There has not been much change this last couple of weeks. The 80º blue water is only a short 2 mile run off the beach, and the boats are still taking most of their fish between 10 and 12 miles out. The sailfish are averaging between two and three fish a day, per boat.

Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, fished the blue water two days and ended up with seven sailfish released. The three days of inshore fishing yielded (each day) two large roosterfish, averaging about 35- to 38-pounds, and three or four large jack crevalle, averaging about 18- to 20-pounds.

The week accounted for five blue marlin again. They are sticking around, even though the water is way too warm for their preference, because of the huge schools of skipjack tuna here. As normal for this time of the year, there are very few boats fishing in the fleet, and even though the fishing is fairy good, it will stay this way till November.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 82 - 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: N 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:36 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:16 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
The week ending Aug. 5 saw sunny days and mild seas. For the sportfishing boats that ventured out this week, the fishing was so-so with daily averages in the low single digits and a few dorado.

Les Kagel and Carlos Morales

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 86
Humidity 100%
Wind: SSE 4 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:48 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:49 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

Tuna Dominate . . . Billfish Follow

REPORT #969. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
The tuna just keep biting, but every day is different. Wed. (7/27), Michael Hibbard, Southbury, Conn., headed out to find grumpy seas pushed by a 20 knot south wind. It was almost two hours before the porpoise school could be located. Once found, it was only a few minutes before the distinctive thwack-thwack of the reel handle hitting Michael’s thumb could be heard. From then till quitting time it was almost constant action for tuna and white bonito. Yesterday (7/29), Michael chose to try the beach and had almost perfect weather for the morning. While he added several new species to his list, we didn’t see Bubba all day.
Next week brings the Bisbee Black and Blue Tournament to East Cape focusing on blue marlin; and while that is probably not real important to the fly angler, the fact that last week produced a 400+, 500+ and a whopping 614-pound blue has the town is abuzz with anticipation for what the participants may find during the event
Dr. Manuel Doria, Peoria, Ill., fishing out of Cabo, braving “Victory at Sea” conditions, was looking for a striped marlin on the fly. The shots he had were few and far between and didn’t work out. Accompanied by his friend Helena who was a first-timer to the salt, she had better luck and managing to catch and release her first striped marlin ever.


Baja on the Fly

Water temperature 73-88
Air temperature 78-102
Humidity 55%
Wind: Calm. PM Breeze
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:48 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:01 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Both the Thetis Bank and shark buoys 230-270˚ 20 miles outside the entrada produced a few dorado this week. A few marlin are beginning to move into the area as the water temps continue to climb offshore. Boats working the entrada reported yellowtail and grouper and schools of breezing skipjack and bonito which were easy to spot with the bird schools chasing them down. Outside of Lopez Mateos, dorado and tuna continued to be found in the 5-10 mile range of the beach. With better action offshore, fewer boats were opting to fish the esteros. The few fishing had good success catching corvina, grouper and a few snapper.


Water temperature 62-73
Air temperature 75-80
Humidity 83%
Wind: WNW 2 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:53 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:12 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80º deep blue water is only 4 or 5 miles off the beach. We are getting out of the full moon period and the sailfish fishing is improving daily. We are currently getting 2 to 3 fish per boat per day average. There are still not many people fishing, and the fleet is holding fairly steady at about 12 boats a day.
The roosterfish action at times has been fantastic. Capt. Cali, on the panga Zapitito Gordo took fly-fishing client Matt Rice of Colorado out to the Pantla area. They raised 5 roosters, of which all could have been caught on conventional gear, but Murphy's Law, and a rush of adrenalin, made it real tough to even get the fly in the water.

Capt. Felipe on the panga Yellowfin and I had a little better luck in the same area. We were using my kite off the back side of the waves. Kite fishing for roosters and jacks is a very effective method, and probably the best chance to get a rooster on the fly. We were fishing with Californian Dean Gilardi. Dean got a very nice jack crevalle, and missed a couple of nice roosters. His girlfriend also got a nice jack and a small rooster.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 91
Humidity 62%
Wind: N 4 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala
No report received


Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 86
Humidity 100%
Wind: NE 13 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:47 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:32 p.m. CST

Quick Trip . . . Fast Action

REPORT #968. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape

Jerry Ortner and Randy Twist, from Rancho Murrieta, Calif., finished up their quickie trip last Sun. by going out for the morning in search of billfish. Several shots later, Jerry had his first sailfish ever and they were back at the hotel in time for lunch before their flight home. Several billfish, plenty of tuna and skipjack convinced them that their quickie getaway was well worth the effort. With the exception of a disappointing dorado bite, the tuna and billfish continued to be the crowd pleaser during this week. By Wed. (7/20) tropical storm “Eugene,” which was heading out west below us, caused the wind to kick up then lay back down on Thurs.; only to become overcast and breezy again yesterday. Beach action still has not reached its potential. My granddaughter, Lindsey and I walked the beach from the house to Punta Ignacio finding little bait nor fish at midday with perfect light. A good sign was that the bait guys had a few mackerel to sell and a few small sardina were spotted around the pier at Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort. Boats could be seen heading out in all directions this morning as the Sea of Cortez was flat again with no wind.

Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 73-86
Air temperature 78-92
Humidity 70%
Wind: Calm. PM Breeze
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:45 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:05 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

This week at the entrada, the yellowtail along with a few grouper further down in the water column decided to bite. Reports of dorado at the shark buoys 230-270˚ 20 miles outside the entrada is an encouraging sign that the water is warming up nicely. Outside of Lopez Mateos, tuna and dorado are both being found 5-10 miles offshore in good numbers. Further out at the Thetis Bank, a few marlin are being seen along with some breezing schools of yellowtail. Esteros (estuaries) are beginning to provide some action as well. Devil’s Curve produced a few grouper, snapper and even a small snook. Further up the panhandle above Lopez Mateos there seemed to be a good concentration of bait on the estero side of the bocas attracting corvina and grouper.

Water temperature 62-73
Air temperature 75-82
Humidity 45%
Wind: SE 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:49 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:16 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
No report received.


Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 87
Humidity 62%
Wind: South 6 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:21 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:22 p.m. CDT

San Jose, Guatemala

No report received

Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 80- 84
Humidity 100%
Wind: SSE 4 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:35 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:34 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

Sailing Time Begins at East Cape

REPORT #967. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
The sailfish began to show in respectable numbers this week; however, some were the smallest I have ever seen. Wed. and Thurs. (7/12 and 13) we had a south wind that stirred things up a bit. The good news was the billfish were tailing within six miles of the beach. Lots of shots, near misses and enough “would of . . . could of . . . should of” to keep the bar busy at happy hour. Tuna were way out early in the week, but moved closer as the week progressed by yesterday (7/14) they were found just a click under 20 miles out. Size ranged from footballs to Oh my God! Baja Wasabi Jr. http://www.bajafly.com/bajawasabi.htm was the hot ticket for our clients and we were forced to tie up a new batch every night. Beach action was still slow most of the week, though by week’s end Thomas Bell was getting plenty of shots at cruising roosters and jacks on La Capilla Beach not far from Buena Vista Beach Resort Hotel.





Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 73-84
Air temperature 78-97
Humidity 70%
Wind: Calm. PM Breeze
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:42 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Dorado and tuna offshore in front of both the entrada and Lopez Mateos finally are giving the fly-fishers something to smile about. Warmer sea temps seem to have made the difference. The esteros (estuaries) are also beginning to heat up with enough corvina, pargo and halibut on the sandy beaches to make things interesting. Looks like summer has finally arrived at Magdalena Bay . . . and not a minute too soon.

Water temperature 62-73
Air temperature 75-80
Humidity 45%
Wind: W 15 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80º blue water remains a short 5 or 6 mile run out of Zihuatanejo Bay. The sailfish action has been fairly good. Most boats are each averaging between 2 to 4 sailfish a day. And, there are only about 10 boats in the fleet fishing the blue water every day.

Fly fishing with David Schack, from Long Beach CA, we worked an area 180º and 16 miles from Zihuatanejo Bay. This proved effective allowing Dave to tag and release his first ever fly caught sailfish.

Talking to Cheva on the panga Dos Hermanos II, he told me he spent 4 days down below Papanoa. This roosterfish fishing was absolutely fantastic, catching an average of 15 large roosters a day. The fish were averaging 35 pounds. He said he took most of his fish on surface poppers. They stayed in a hotel down there, rather than make the 40 mile run each day.


Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 87
Humidity 62%
Wind: SW 6 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:17 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:24 p.m. CDT
San Jose, Guatemala
Report Not Received


Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 80- 84
Humidity 66%
Wind: East 8 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:43 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:35 p.m. CST

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.

http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/yakjosh.gif

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.

http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/leopard.gif

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