September Sizzled!

Endless Season Update 09/29/2007
REPORT #1082 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape

East Cape’s September fishing was some of 2007’s best, and hopefully it was a prelude to a great October.

Offshore action began where inshore action left off, just a few miles offshore. John Lowther, of Phoenix, AZ, called in yesterday morning from his cellular to report he was in a wide open tuna bite only a few miles from the hotel. John is hosting a group of friends at the old Rancho Buena Vista Hotel.

At Punta Pescadero, the sailfish were lollygagging on the surface less than two miles from the point and only a few miles farther out, the blue marlin were in the teasers.

Finding the dorado was a ‘slam dunk’ with plenty of easy-to-spot debris providing cover for them.

Lance Peterson reported that on the beach around the bait there were many "schoolie" jack crevalle, roosterfish, and ladyfish that could be sucker punched with the right fly. The gaff top sail pompano schools were in evidence cruising up and down the beaches. A smaller fly and light tippet were needed to get the grabs from the pompano.

Water temperature 77-85
Air temperature 67-89
Humidity 90%
Wind: N 5 to 7 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:09 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Bob Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters, reported bay fishing is “as good as it gets” with limits of grouper, a handful of snook, as well as several large corvina

Outside, the dorado action picked up again with some larger bulls showing up. Still plenty of small yellowtail with a few sierra mixed in.

Water temps out at the Thetis have climbed to 78.5 degrees and the top of the bank is covered with small bonito. The clients had to get off the high spot to find the dorado.

One yacht making the trip south reported wahoo, marlin and dorado on the ridge.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 71 -90
Humidity 83%
Wind: NW 11 to 15 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:18 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:17 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The sailfish have been kind of slow, but with the full moon, this is not really a surprise. Plus, there are only 4 or 5 boats fishing per day, and half of them are fishing the inshore for the great roosterfish bite.

The 83° blue water is about 12 miles off the beach, but the boats are often short stopping at the 6 to 8 mile mark in order to fish the dorado in the weed lines. They are averaging about two or three of these tasty fish, which are averaging between 16 and 33 pounds.

The inshore water, averaging about 86°, has really been holding the bait and the roosterfish on the beaches, with quite a few jack crevalle in the mix. There is no defined area for the concentrations of roosters. They are all up and down the coast.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 76-92
Humidity 86%
Wind: NNW at 3 mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 9 miles
Sunrise 7:36 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:37 p.m. CDT

Hurricane Roulette…

Endless Season Update 09/22/2007



REPORT #1081 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape




You know its September because there was another tropical depression below Baja and threatening to head our way. That must be why all the hotels offer special deals in September to entice folks to play hurricane roulette. For all of you who played this week, you are big winners!

Once again, East Cape’s little secret that some of the best fishing of the season is in September has been exposed. By all accounts this week was one of the best this year!

Dorado and yellowfin were found close to shore along the current break, which was easily found with all the floating debris.

Billfish action, while a click slower, is still good enough that Mark Rayor, owner of Vista Seasports, is headed out this morning to try to get one on the fly.

Our Guide, Lance Peterson, reported good beach activity as well. “Schools of gaff top sail pompano continue to provide some challenging opportunities. I see them feeding actively but have to work to catch them. Sparse fry baitfish, in small sizes, has been effective. As always find the bait and you find the fish. Around the sardina schools I've been catching jacks and roosters (to 5lbs), ladyfish, as well as some pargo.”

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 76-96
Humidity 83%
Wind: SE 2 to 3 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:35 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:43 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Offshore action for dorado, small yellows and football sized tuna was great throughout the week. TD IVO produced some squirrelly weather late in the week and rain this morning.

Estero action included spotted bay bass, grouper, and on the surface, a few sierra and corvina down at Devil’s Curve.

The Entrada also produced small yellows and bonito under the bird schools as well as some small halibut in the shallows at Belchers.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 71 -90
Humidity 82%
Wind: NNW 10 to 13 knots
Conditions: Rain
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:15 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:25 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
No report received this week, the following report is from the past week:
Not much is happening this week. There are so few clients fishing, there are not many boats on the water. Those boats which are getting out with a client, are only averaging about one sailfish per day and maybe one or two dorado.

The commercial pangeros are still working the areas out about 30 miles and getting four or five dorado apiece, averaging about 25 pounds.

No action has been reported on the inshore for the roosterfish.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 76-96
Humidity 83%
Wind: NNW at 3 mph
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:35 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:43 p.m. CDT

Right Place, Right time…

Trash Fish?
Endless Season Update 09/15/2007
REPORT #1080 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape

After a slow start September action finally picked up with good catches offshore.Though the water cleaned up after the recent storm, it left behind enough debris to provide cover. The dorado action was some of the best we have had this year. Fish from the teens up to the forty pound class kept most rods bent much of the day. The tuna action remains in front of La Ribera. Unfortunately, it is not exactly a secret spot so either be early or do without. Once the boats begin to stack up the fish go too deep for the fly.

Offshore, marlin action continued with blues and stripes providing the best bite with a few sails mixed in.

Beach action also cranked up with more sardina showing from La Ribera to the Lighthouse. ‘Right place, right time’ is the rule when the small jacks and roosters begin slamming the sardina against the beach and it can be a footrace to get to them before it is over.

School of gaff-top pompano also can be found feeding along the shore. Use fluorocarbon tippet (8 – 12 lb.) and small flies and a slow retrieve.

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 73-95
Humidity 84%
Wind: NNW 3 to 4 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 10miles
Sunrise 7:34 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:38 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Offshore action picked up right where it left off after Henriette. Plenty of smaller dorado and yellowtail can be found at the pinnacles in front of Boca de Soledad. Farther out, more marlin are showing every week. Football sized YFT’s were also found inside of the Thetis Bank in a fairly large area stretching back toward shore.

This week marked the beginning of the opening of Shrimp Season so most of the locals opted not to fish in the Esteros.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 74 -92
Humidity 91%
Wind: NW 11 to 14 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:13 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:31 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Not much is happening this week. There are so few clients fishing, there are not many boats on the water. Those boats which are getting out with a client, are only averaging about one sailfish per day and maybe one or two dorado.

The commercial pangeros are still working the areas out about 30 miles and getting four or five dorado apiece, averaging about 25 pounds.

No action has been reported on the inshore for the roosterfish.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 73-95
Humidity 84%
Wind: NNW at 4 mph
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:34 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:48 p.m. CDT

Hurricane Henriette Leaves Mud & Dorado

Henriette dumps plenty of water
Endless Season Update 09/08/2007
REPORT #1079 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
In spite of assurances that Hurricane Henriette would head out to the west missing Baja Sur, she made landfall on Tuesday on southern Baja leaving plenty of mud and debris in the wake of strong winds and lots of rain. Damage was minimal except for a couple of arroyos that filled up and all the main streets in town that had been dug up to replace the sewer pipes turned into a muddy mess.
Before the storm the fishing had been reasonably good and the action has once again picked up where it left off.

While the sailfish seemed to have taken a powder, the “stripeys” and blues provided the best action in the billfish department this week with the better action down to the south.

All the debris which was washed down out of the arroyos was just the cover needed to attract the dorado in closer to shore. Yellowfin tuna action remained close to shore but has moved farther down outside of Punta Colorada.

Don’t bother looking for much along the beach until later this week as they took a pretty good hit from the large wind waves that thrashed the beach.

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 76-96
Humidity 85%
Wind: NW 8 to 11 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:38 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

According to Diana Hoyt, our Clients, Tom St. Pierre and his friend from Orangeville, CA, fled the East Cape with Hurricane Henriette on their tail but found excellent dorado and yellowtail action offshore while the East Cape dealt with the wind and rain.


Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 72 -92
Humidity 77%
Wind: WNW 16 to 21 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:47 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The heavy rains from late last week did just about as predicted. The fishing has been fairly slow this week, due to the water conditions being affected by the 9 inches of rain we got in a 24 hour period.

On Thursday, Santiago, on the panga Gitana, went 24 miles and still had yet to find blue water, nor did he get a strike from any kind of a fish. He told me this morning (Saturday) he was heading out to the 1,000 fathom line (30 miles) or beyond to find the fish.

There were several reports of lots of dorado being taken by the commercial pangeros, but all of them were 30 to 35 miles.

The inshore is still murky and probably will not clear up for another week.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 70-90
Humidity 95%
Wind: E at 21 mph
Conditions: Cloudy (rain)
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:01 p.m. CDT

Henriette a Threat?

Endless Season Update 09/01/2007
REPORT #1078 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape

Baja eyes are looking to the south as the usual procession of September storms begins their march up the west coast of Mexico. Hopefully, they will continue out to the west and miss the Baja peninsula.

There was some much welcomed rain earlier this week; not enough to dampen the marlin bite, or even the football-sized tuna bite in front of La Ribera. And finally we have a few small dorado further down to the south of us.

Inshore action remained good for small roosters, pompano and a few ladyfish from the beach and close to shore.

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 76-96
Humidity 85%
Wind: NW 8 to 11 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:38 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Estero action took a backseat this week with the great action outside the Boca.

The dorado action remained consistent throughout the week. The yellowtail action improved near Cabo San Lazero, producing larger fish. There were also more marlin spotted and several released according to Diana Hoyt of Mag Bay Outfitters.

Gobiernos Baja Fishing Tournament scheduled for last weekend was cancelled at the last minute much to the disappointment on the locals who had been pre-fishing all week.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 72 -92
Humidity 77%
Wind: WNW 16 to 21 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:47 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
I am writing the fish report a few days early due to the imminent arrival of tropical storm Henriette. There is no way of knowing the intensity at this time, but when we get 6 to 15 inches of rain in less than a day, it usually knocks out our internet service for a while.

The tropical storm fairly much says it all, as it is due to hit Saturday, and will probably wipe out the fishing for a few days after. The blue water will be pushed out to maybe as much as 30 miles, and the inshore will be brown and dirty from the debris coming from the numerous rivers we have along the coast.

The blue water will recover the fastest, with the tree laden current lines attracting schools of dorado. Plus, all this week, even though the sailfish fishing has been a bit slow, the blue marlin are still very active. At least 3 blues a day are being hooked by the 10 boat fleet.

Depending on the intensity of the rainfall, the inshore fishery for the roosters and jacks may take up to a couple of weeks to recover.

5:00 am update: The storm bypassed us, and we had some heavy rain last night, but nothing like what I was expecting…only four inches of rain. The port is still closed and will not open until late today.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 70-90
Humidity 95%
Wind: E at 21 mph
Conditions: Cloudy (rain)
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:01 p.m. CDT

Gold Rush in Mag Bay!

Jamie Pierre with Mag Bay Gold
Endless Season Update 08/25/2007
REPORT #1077 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The action for small, golden dorado, yellowtail, a variety of skipjack, bonito and white bonito kept Jamie Pierre, Seattle, WA, and his friend Jack, busy this past week. Fishing outside Boca de Soledad, anywhere from six miles to twenty-four miles, we found about as steady a bite as we could hope for using our olive colored Marabou Deceiver and Wasabi flies. We also found a few marlin in the area, but the guys decided not to target them.

Inside the Estero the sierra action was surprisingly good, as was the corvina bite. Up at Boca Santo Domingo there were plenty of grouper and pargo lurking deeper in the water column.
Today the Gobiernos Baja Fishing Tournament begins in Lopez Mateos and will wrap up tomorrow.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 70 -88
Humidity 91%
Wind: WNW 11 to 15 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 4 miles

East Cape

In spite of unsettled conditions early in the week the fishing remained consistent. Offshore the boats are averaging one or two marlin a day with the number of blue marlin bites increasing.

If you are one of the first few boats to the high spot off La Ribera each morning, you might get lucky and land one of the few tuna on the fly. The search for dorado continues to be unpredictable with an occasional bite spread throughout the bay.

Near the beach, the action for smaller roosters, pompano and a few ladyfish provided enough action to keep things interesting for the fly folks.

Once again, the week is beginning with unsettled conditions caused by the leftovers from Hurricane Dean. See the link for more info: http://velasdebaja.com/2seaswatch.html

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 74-91
Humidity 93%
Wind: WNW 4 to 5 knots
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:58 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:44 p.m. MDT


Sunrise 7:05 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:54 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Early in the week, the blue marlin continued their very unusual showing this summer. We are averaging about 3 to 4 hooked blues a day for the 10 boat fleet. Sailfish are doing well also, with a two to three fish per boat average.

Tuesday was my son's 13th birthday and went out with Captain Cali to try for the 50 to 80 pound yellowfin tuna, which have been active at the 1,000 fathom line (30 miles). We started trolling at 16 miles and were hooked up within 5 minutes. I had set out a 40 pound outfit for tuna and dorado, and an 80 pound outfit for marlin. Wouldn't you know it, the blue hit the 40 pound outfit? Happens every time.

Fortunately the blue was small and a little over an hour later my son, Ken, had the estimate 200 pound marlin released.

From 5:00 in the evening Wednesday until 5:00 in the evening on Thursday, we got rain. Seven and a half inches of rain! It was the remnants of hurricane Dean, which had crossed over from the Caribbean side, shutting down all fishing for two days.

The large volume of rain has dirtied up the inshore from the outpouring of the rivers, and the roosterfish bite will probably not get going again for a few more days.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 73-93
Humidity 90%
Wind: ESE at 3mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 7:31 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:06 p.m. CDT

Sizzle to Drizzle
Endless Season Update 08/18/2007
REPORT #1076 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape

Richard Negley Gill, of San Antonio, TX, arrived with his buddy, John “Cuarto” Smith IV, early in the week in search of their first billfish on the fly. Fishing on Mark Rayor’s boat, Jen Wren, they averaged a handful of shots per day. They each achieved their goals, and then some! Smaller, striped marlin dominated the action. They only connected with one dorado for the entire trip.

Richard spent several afternoons patrolling the beach near his hotel. He had shots at some smaller roosters but they weren’t biting. He did catch a variety of other fish including pompano, short fin corvine, etc.

Clients Kurt Ransohoff, Santa Barabra, CA, and Tom Lorish, Seattle WA, spent two days panga fishing and caught plenty of small roosters, pompano, ladyfish and too many of the ever-present needlefish. They also took a shot at the yellowfin tuna that have been loitering near La Ribera. Unfortunately most of the action was deep and not suitable for the fly.

With the sardina thick in spots, the bait guys have plenty to sell. The sardina have attracted schools of 5-6 lb. roosters along with jack crevalle, sierra, green jacks, triggerfish, and enough needlefish to be a nuisance.

While the weather has been great most of the week, this morning (Saturday) it is overcast and sprinkling.

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 67-89
Humidity 91%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:50 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico


I am leaving East Cape this morning and heading for Lopez Mateos to check out the recent reports of great dorado and tuna action. Lightly fished this week, the offshore action continued to produce excellent catches of dorado and tuna. Closer to the Boca there have been schools of smaller yellowtail chasing bait on the surface.

The area near Boca Santa Domingo provided the best action for grouper, corvina and a few pargo plus several snook bites that didn’t work out.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 70 -87
Humidity 91%
Wind: E 3 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:02 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:00 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Unsettled weather late this week made fishing fairly tough. We had very little rain, but the port was closed on Friday due to wind conditions.

Prior to the barometer taking a nose dive, the sailfish action was averaging about 1 to 2 fish per boat/day.

Also early in the week the 60 to 80 pound yellowfin tuna had made a very good showing at the 1,000 fathom line (30 miles), with the bite lasting until the port closure.
Plus, for the boats who traveled the distance for the tuna, the sailfish action was much better than the boats who stayed in the traditional 10 to 14 mile areas.

There was not much action on roosters early this week, and the unsettled weather prevented anybody looking for them later.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 74-91
Humidity 93%
Wind: ENE at 2 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:29 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:11 p.m. CDT

Sardina Return … Action Improves!

Endless Season Update 08/11/2007
REPORT #1075 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape

The fly flingers were smiling this week as billfish action improved. There were multiples of sails, stripes and even a few blues showing in the patterns.

Our clients, Chris and Ryan Mott, from El Paso, Texas, managed to be the early birds on the scene when the YFT’s were busting sardina on the surface near La Ribera. They had three to the boat before the other boats arrived and drove the tuna down deep. A second day, the Motts had a very fun day catching lots of 5lb roosters, along with a few tuna.

With the sardina thick in spots, the bait guys have plenty to sell. The sardina have attracted these schools of 5-6 lb. roosters along with jack crevalle, sierra, green jacks, triggerfish, and enough needlefish to be a nuisance.


Dorado action consisted of nice sized fish, mostly singles showing up in the trolling pattern; not many found in schools.

Water temperature 78-87
Air temperature 74-98
Humidity 74%
Wind: NNW 6 to 8 knots
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 6:53 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:56 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico


Lightly fished this week, the offshore action continued to produce excellent catches of dorado and tuna. Football sized tuna, small yellows and nice sized dorado were found feeding on breezing bait just a few miles outside of the Boca. Also a few marlin are beginning to show under circling frigates near the Thetis.

Estero action included good catches of medium sized grouper, corvina, a few pargo and several small snook.

Enrique Soto reported good surface action at the Entrada for small yellows and bonito under the bird schools.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 70 -87
Humidity 74%
Wind: WNW 7 to 10 knots
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:59 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:05 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The small yellowfin tuna are still around the six mile mark and they are keeping the blue marlin around. These small tuna are only about 4 or 5 pounds, and are candy for the big blues. Several more blues were hooked this week.

The larger yellowfin are still out beyond the 32 mile area of the 1,000 fathom curve.

A few dorado are showing this week, and hopefully these are the leaders of the September mass migration we get about every 4 years. When the migration happens, a 100 dorado a day is not unreasonable: unless you get tired and quit before then.

The roosterfish bite is still awesome, and an excellent opportunity for a fly rodder to get in on the action.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77-97
Humidity 92%
Wind: ENE at 2 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:28 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:15 p.m. CDT

Tournament Blues….

Grouper bite picks up

REPORT #1074 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update August 4, 2007

East Cape


Most of the activity this week revolved around the “East Cape Bisbee Tournament” which finished up yesterday with a disappointing few qualifying blues; the largest blue was caught on the Tres Hermanos out of Hotel Buenavista Beach Resort. Angler Julio Cota took 1st Place Blue Marlin—418.0 lbs. An impressive 164.1 lb. tuna yielded 1st Place Angler for John Martin fishing on the boat, Wildcatter. There were enough stripers showing up in the pattern that only served as a distraction for the fleet that were targeting blues. A handful of dorado over fifty pounds were weighed in as well.

The reappearance of sardinas along the beaches in limited numbers should bode well for the beach action.
Most of the larger roosters seem to be cruising in pairs or in daisy chains and don’t seem to be too interested in eating. Occasionally one will light up but the shots are few and far behind.

While few boats targeted them, the action down south for football sized tuna with some skipjack mixed in continued to be decent.

Water temperature 68-85
Air temperature 71-95
Humidity 94%
Wind: N 10 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:50 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:00 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico


Bob Hoyt, Magbay Outfitters, reported wide open action for yellowtail ten miles outside the Boca in 72 degree blue water with plenty of skipjack in the same area.
Farther outside, there is a band of red tide that is keeping the dorado off the beach; however, above San Lazaro toward the Thetis bank is a solid string of dorado and outside of that line tuna can be found under the bird schools.

In the Esteros, the bite has picked up with plenty of halibut along the shallows near the sandy beaches. Up against the mangroves in the deeper water there has been a consistent grouper bite, with a few in the 10 – 20 pound range, rounding out the count were two snook.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 70 -84
Humidity 87 %
Wind: N 7 - 9 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:55 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:10 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The outstanding inshore action is still holding up for the roosters and jack crevalle. The roosterfish are averaging between 30 and 40 pounds, with a few fish taken this week estimated to be in the 60 to 75 pound class. Some of the jacks have tipped the scales at 25 pounds, but most are averaging about 15 pounds.

The full moon has the blue water fishing a bit on the slow side, but a few people were surprised by the huge blue marlin making another show this summer. Adan, on the panga Gitana II, was back at the dock with his client by 10:20 in the morning having caught and released a sailfish and an estimated 450 pound blue marlin. The client was worn out and had enough for the day.

A few other blues were hooked this week, and the sailfish are averaging about two fish per boat per day.

The 60 to 80 pound yellowfin tuna are at the 35 mile mark.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 75-91
Humidity 73%
Wind: NNW 3 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:26 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:19 p.m. CDT

Delila Fades…Tournament Looms

Lance gets a teener


REPORT #1073 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update July 28, 2007

East Cape



This week brought the first Tropical Storm of the season; Delila popped up out of nowhere and things went from flat calm to grumpy in the space of an afternoon. Fortunately, sea conditions were only messed up for a few days and then it was back to normal.

Delila departed just in time for the “East Cape Bisbee” which begins next week (Aug. 1-3). This year’s purse is expected to be around $300k so it’s no surprise that everyone has become tight-lipped about the current billfish action. Striper action continues to improve and rumors of a few blues are flying. The rumors claim that several have been caught weighing over 300 lb. and one purportedly in the high 4’s, which is all the encouragement needed to justify lots of pre-fishing.

Good news for the fly fisher’s; there were more and more instances of multiple fish showing up behind the teasers.

Tuna action slowed for weather related reasons. However a 145 lb. gorilla-class yellowfin made it to the scales… the largest of the 2007 season so far…stay tuned. For the football sized tuna we are having great success with our Baja Wasabi fly.

Dorado action continued to be less than wonderful, partly because of the weather; we are just not seeing the schools that provide the best action for the fly rod.
Lance Peterson reported; “Plenty of small jacks up to 5 lbs. to take shots at, along with breezing schools of small pompano that can be sucker-punched with small Clousers or even smaller ‘Crazy Charlies’. Roosterfish have been hit or miss. Most fish are seen in pairs or daisy chains of up to 6 fish. Mostly very tough to move them but I had some good reactions from them several days ago and landed one in the 30's. The weather has changed. Lots of clouds, some rain, very warm SE wind.”
On the bait front, live sardina are tough to come by unless you are willing to make the thirty mile run up to Bahia de Los Suenos. The good news is that there were some live mackerel being offered by the bait guys locally.

Water temperature 68-85
Air temperature 75-96
Humidity 73%
Wind: S 4 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 6:47 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:04 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Tropical Storm Delila also dumped some rain here along with stronger winds. Tuna action resumed as soon as the seas settled down. Most of the action has been inside of thirty miles from Boca de Soledad. Closer to shore, inside of ten miles the dorado action broke wide open according to Bob Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters. It was so good that they were headed out today with a couple of kayaks loaded on Mar Gato. Hopefully he will have photos to share next week.

Because of the unsettled weather no one made the twenty mile run out to the Entrada this week. Up at Devil’s Curve, grouper and pargo provided the best action. Still a decent bite on the surface for corvina up to ten lbs.

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 70 -84
Humidity 73 %
Wind: WNW 9 – 13 knots
Conditions: Fog in morning
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:52 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:14 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Conditions have improved this week, with the inshore action for roosters being phenomenal. The boats are each averaging between 7 and 8 roosters a day! Plus, that does not count an almost equal number of the hard fighting jack crevalle. The jacks are averaging between 12 and 16 pounds, with the roosters averaging a whopping 30 to 40 pounds.

It really does not matter if you go North or South out of Zihuatanejo Bay, all the beaches are producing jacks and roosters. Also, with most of the fish being taken on surface poppers, it is an ideal situation for the fly caster. The same popper, with the hooks taken off, makes an excellent teaser to bring the rooster to the boat, and well within fly casting distance.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77-95
Humidity 73%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Thundershowers
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:22 p.m. CDT

Summer Has Arrived!

REPORT #1072 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update July 21, 2007

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico


You know that season has arrived when you get a late night phone call reporting that some bruiser tuna in the 100 lb. class have been found just outside Boca de Soledad. The conversation went something like this:

“Amigo, the commercial panga guys found some really big tuna outside--- so big they couldn’t catch them on their handlines. We are going out tomorrow (Thursday) and we will let you know what happens.”

That’s it! Nothing more. Either they are still hooked up, are still cleaning their catch or it was bum dope. Stay tuned…I will let you know! Just before I posted this report I received the following “yellowfin tuna WFO thirty miles outside Boca de Soledad”.
Meanwhile more and more dorado are being seen each week near the shark buoys west of the Entrada. Yellowtail fishing continues to provide the best surface action at the entrada. On the bottom there are enough grouper to keep it interesting.

At Lopez Mateos, Mag Bay Outfitters finally received the kayaks they had ordered a while back. The Captains and crew couldn’t wait for clients to show up to try them out, so they loaded them on Mar Gato and headed up to the Esteros for their trial run. Judging by the photos the kayaks are a welcome addition!

Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 69 -88
Humidity 94 %
Wind: WNW 9 – 13 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 6:49 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:17 p.m. MDT

East Cape


Spring is gone and summer action is beginning to seriously kick in. Offshore, striped marlin and a few sails provided the best action this week with only a few blues reported so far. There are plenty of stripey’s around; they just don’t seem ready to get serious just yet.

Football sized yellowfin tuna dominated the offshore action this week. Distances ranged from a few miles offshore to more than thirty. As usual the boats arriving early to the spots got limits while the late ones watched.

Dorado action continues to be disappointing for most. There have been a few quality fish caught (up to fifty pounds) but they are few and far between.

Early in the week, a floating carcass produced the best concentrated action of the season, including limits of smaller dorado and YFT’s

Inshore the cooler water stubbornly remains close to shore and seems to have caused the sardina to evaporate, leaving us with only with a few larger live baits and dead ballyhoo. It has also slowed the rooster bite to a trickle compared to a few weeks ago. Still the tenacious angler prowling the beach has been rewarded with a few fish here and there.


Water temperature 75-87
Air temperature 67-93
Humidity 92%
Wind: ENE 5 - 6 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:43 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

We had a lot of rain for a couple of days this last week. On Wednesday, I recorded 12 inches of rain between 5:00 in the afternoon to 7:00 the next morning. This pushed a lot of weeds, trees, and debris out of the rivers, and it also pushed the blue water out to at least the 20 mile mark.

Most of the captains are reporting averaging between 1 and 2 sailfish a day per boat. And all of them are complaining that the weed lines are in such abundance, it is making trolling difficult. A trolled bait, with three feet of weeds trailing behind it, will not catch any fish.

However, a lot of the captains are also reporting several schools of peanut sized dorado among the weeds. Hopefully these fast growing fish will stick around for a while.

The inshore fishing was great early in the week. Santiago, on the panga, Gitana, did get 7 roosters, up to 40 pounds, in one day for his clients. And Adolpho, on the panga, Dos Hermanos, spent several days with an ESPN2 TV crew in Puerto Vicente Gro. They got a bunch of roosters and plenty of footage for their show.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 71-93
Humidity 92%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:21 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:24 p.m. CDT

Jacks Back….

REPORT #1071 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update July 14, 2007

East Cape


Inshore fishing still seems to be the best bet for the fly rodder providing consistent action for jacks and roosterfish close to the beach.

For the beach walkers, though, it seems to be more walking and less casting. Even the ‘go to’ ladyfish have been tougher to find recently. The lucky anglers are getting some shots at nice sized jacks and roosters ranging from a few pounds to Bubba sized.

Offshore, there are plenty of striped marlin around to look at but it’s tough to find the hungry ones. They just haven’t turned on yet.

Tuna action has been producing limits of football sized fish the run has been beyond thirty-five miles and the risk is if you are not one of the early boats there you can miss the bite entirely.

Dorado fishing continues to be hit or miss with most of fish caught showing up behind the teasers.

Water temperature 75-86
Air temperature 76-100
Humidity 88%
Wind: N 6 - 8 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:09 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

As the water continues to warm, more dorado are being spotted near the shark buoys twenty miles west of the Entrada. There were a few schools of yellowfin tuna found outside of Boca de Soledad with quite a few skippies mixed in. The occasional billfish can be spotted tailing down swell in the afternoons.

The Entrada continues to produce good catches of yellowtail and bonita chasing the breezing sardines.

While the snook action has diminished this week, the leopard grouper filled the gap with a few better sized ones up to twenty pounds. Corvina action provided the best surface action up above Lopez Mateos where they could be found feeding on balls of sardines near the surface.
Water temperature 64 - 76
Air temperature 72 -90
Humidity 88 %
Wind: WNW 13 – 18 knots
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:19 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The fishing has slowed a bit this week. We have had some unsettled weather, with the barometer bouncing around like a yoyo. We only had one day of rain (Thursday), but we got over two inches between 8AM and 10AM.

The fleet is averaging only 1 or 2 sailfish a day average. However, the 10 to 15 pound yellowfin are between 15 and 20 miles off the beach and are providing very good action for the light line angler.

The clear and clean water is just two miles off the beach, and the inshore action is doing well. The roosterfish action is good, and there are lots of mid-sized jack crevalle between 12 and 16 pounds. The jacks are giving the fly rodders a great day on the water.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78-100
Humidity 79%
Wind: N 5 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:19 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:25 p.m. CDT

Cold Currents Persist….

REPORT #1070 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update July 07, 2007

East Cape

Unseasonably cooler water plagued the area again this week, pushing the best offshore action farther up into the Sea of Cortez from Punta Pescadero out to the eighty-eight - more fish seen than caught. However, there were a few blues to add to the excitement. Sardina were tough to come by so the bait supply was limited to ballyhoo and cabillitos. Dorado action continued to be sporadic with only an occasional trolled fish caught, though some were as large as forty pounds. Tuna action could be found if you were willing to travel 30 – 50 miles…mostly football sized fish with a few 20+ pounders mixed in. If you weren’t on one of the early boats to find the porpoise, your odds diminished quickly.
Inshore has continued to be the best option for the flyrodder, offering good action for smaller roosters and jacks (with a few decent sized pargo in the mix) close to shore.
Beach action continued to be a challenge and is best left to the physically fit. Patrolling the beaches on foot in the midday sun trying to be in the right place at the right time can be tough. Try early morning and late afternoon when the ladyfish come out to play.
Water temperature 69-84
Air temperature 75-91
Humidity 83%
Wind: ESE 8 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:10 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

The only offshore reports this week came from the shark fishermen who found a few dorado twenty miles west of the Entrada. Enrique Soto, from San Carlos, continued to pound the yellows at the Entrada, mostly firecrackers with just enough mossbacks to keep it interesting. There were also a few sierra and bonita mixed in with the yellows under the bird schools chasing the breezing sardinas.

Devil’s Curve produced a few snook in the ten pound class, as well as a few pargo and grouper that were suckers for a slow-retrieved chartreuse Baja Deepdiver.

Above Lopez Mateos the best bet was the surface action for corvina that were hitting poppers of any description. Of course there were plenty of spotted bay bass deeper down in the water column that couldn’t resist small Clousers.

Water temperature 64 - 73
Air temperature 70 -85
Humidity 58 %
Wind: W 8 – 11 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:42 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Clean clear water is at the solitary rock at the entrance to Zihuatanejo Bay. Fishing is improving, with the trend on the plus side as we move away from the full moon phase. Even though there are not many boats going out, the fleet is averaging about 3 sailfish a day, per boat. Adan, on the panga, Gitana II, fished only one day this week, but managed 4 sailfish released.

Most of the sailfish have been taken between 12 and 14 miles from the bay entrance. The blue marlin and yellowfin tuna are still around, but they are still out at the 1,000 fathom line (about 30 to 32 miles).

Santiago, on the panga, Gitana, told me he released two nice roosters this week weighing approximately 42 to 45 pounds, but most roosters are averaging about 25 to 30 pounds. He also said there are a lot of the hard fighting jack crevalle filling in the gap between the rooster bites and are averaging 14 to 16 pounds.

Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 71-95
Humidity 79%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 17 miles
Sunrise 7:17 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:26 p.m. CDT

Cold Current Recedes…Action Returns

Our June Hatch


REPORT #1069 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update June 30, 2007

East Cape



As last week’s cold, off-color current receded, the fishing immediately picked up. The place to be for the billfish action seemed to be from Punta Pescadero to the eighty-eight, though it was still tough to keep them behind the teasers long enough to get a shot with the fly.
Tuna action also snapped back with fish being found under the porpoise from six miles off of Las Arenas to thirty miles out in front of Buenavista. The shark buoys off Punta Pescadero also provided some action for the few boats that checked them out before continuing on to the eighty-eight in search of billfish action.
Back on the inside close to shore, there were plenty of smaller roosters and jacks (with a few “toads” sprinkled in), feeding on breezing bait schools. The best opportunities for sight casting to the “Bubba class fish” were from La Ribera to the Lighthouse from the beach.
We are beginning to find some of the pompano schools making their way mid-day up and down the beach; small beige ‘crazy Charlie’s will do the trick.
Water temperature 69-83
Air temperature 75-91
Humidity 77%
Wind: SE 7 - 9 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:35 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:09 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

With water temperatures soaring, Magdalena Bay is beginning to stir. Offshore confirmed catches, instead of the vague reports, of dorado sightings happened this week for the first time this year - only six miles offshore. Humboldt squid are thick. Hopefully this is a good sign of things to come. Farther out at the twenty mile mark, good sized schools of tuna were found feeding on sardines under the bird schools.

Enrique Soto, from San Carlos, reported good yellowtail action at the Entrada - well worth the twenty mile run. Sounds like what they lack in quality is made up in quantity. Most of the fish are in the 5 – 10 lb. class with an occasional ‘fatty’ showing up.

Once again, Ruben Duran, Lopez Mateos, spotted the guys with the nets hauling 20 – 60 lb. snook out of the surf outside the Boca.

Bob Hoyt, Magbay Outfitters, spent a day fishing with his son and reported good catches of leopard grouper, pargo, and halibut near sand beaches and enough spotted bay bass to consider them a nuisance.

Water temperature 64 - 73
Air temperature 70 -83
Humidity 58 %
Wind: W 8 – 11 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Inside the 1,000 fathom line (which is 30 miles from Zihuatanejo Bay), the water temperature is a minimum of 88º, with some areas as warm as 90º. Beyond the 1,000 fathom line the water is a more reasonable 86º. The action is good for most species, but it has moved out a bit.
We are averaging about 2 sailfish per day per boat with most of the action in the 12 to 14 mile areas. The marlin are still striking lures beyond the 30 mile mark. Plus there are quite a few yellowfin tuna at 30 miles also.

Inshore, Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, is still doing very well on roosters and jack crevalle up in the Troncones area
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 75-100
Humidity 89%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:14 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:25 p.m. CDT

Action Slowed by Cold Water Current!

Chart complements of terrafin.com shows the far-reaching effect of the cold current

REPORT #1068 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update June 23, 2007

This link is to a report about my report about

The Escalera Nautica Land Bridge to Boating in the Sea of Cortez

East Cape

A cold water current sweeping around the tip from the Pacific invaded our area the last few days. The 71 degree water and windy conditions turned some of the inshore water off color and made offshore conditions a bit slow. Most boats had to run 12 to 24 miles to find action. The tuna seemed to have moved out farther to escape all the green water; while there seemed to be plenty of marlin showing, they still had a serious case of lockjaw. There were reports of a few large dorado here and there.
Lance reports: “Inshore fishing was been ‘on again, off again’ depending on the day and your luck. There are good numbers of 5lb roosterfish around making for fun light tackle action. That is...if you had sardina for chum and teasing. It has really been tough to come by recently. There are plenty of mullet available for purchase and anglers who put the time into slow trolling these larger baits had some shots at the larger better quality roosterfish. Another fish making appearances in the bait boats have been bonefish. There seems to be lots of them around. Some anglers have reported good results trolling these bonefish though I have yet to have much luck with them as teaser bait.”
Beach fishing cooled off a bit the last few days. Although there are good numbers of jacks near the beach providing most of the shots, roosterfish have been tougher to come by. As usual, if you are in the right place at the right time you will get some great chances. However, the roosters are still the toughest fish to feed a fly to at East Cape. With all the hype last winter there seem to be more anglers than ever chasing them.
Water temperature 71-84
Air temperature 70-96
Humidity 90%
Wind: WSW 7 - 9 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:09 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

The best action this week was out at the Entrada with good surface action for yellowtail and bonita under the birdschools. There are also some good sized grouper down deep-just above the bottom. The sandy beaches still continued to produce some halibut action for the fly guys using chartreuse Clousers retrieved very slowly across the bottom.

Estero action was limited to a few pargo and the usual spotted bay bass.

Water temperature 64 - 73
Air temperature 60 -86
Humidity 78 %
Wind: WNW 10 - 14 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:19 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The water is really warming up, and it may just be a bit too warm for most species. The coolest water we have right now is inshore, and it is right at 84º. The blue water is almost 87º.

There are a few sailfish being caught, yellowfin tuna and blue marlin. Almost all fish are being taken between 16 and 20 miles of the Zihuatanejo Bay entrance.

There are still a lot of jack crevalle up near the Troncones area, and are readily attacking surface poppers. Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, spent 4 days down at Puerto Vicente Gro. fishing for jacks and roosters. They were handicapped a bit because the red tide we had here a few weeks ago has moved south, but they still took a lot of jack crevalle, green jacks, and a few roosters. He told me the best action was on the last day because the red tide had moved on out and further south. All the fish were taken on surface poppers.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 79-96
Humidity 83%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:13 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:24 p.m. CDT

The Closer, the Better!

"Bubba" fly Lance Peterson designed works again
REPORT #1067 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update June 16, 2007

East Cape
The week began with some decent tuna action inside of thirty miles that moved out further as the week progressed. Dorado action, while picking up, is still sporadic and tough for the fly rodder to connect. The number of marlin sighted is significant; getting them to bite is another story.
This brings us to “where the action is”! Inshore action for larger jacks and roosters with an occasional dorado is enough to keep the flies a flying with plenty of surface action.
Lance reports: “On the 9th, I landed another grande but had a mishap in the surf on his final run. I caught a loop around the rod tip somehow and broke the fish off. I managed to finish the day with a barely ‘teener’. Back on the beach on the 11th: Terrible conditions, overcast with very strong south wind; however the fish went nuts again in the afternoon. I landed 2 grandes in the 40lb class. Wide open action as large rooster surfed the wind waves right to the beach. On the 12th, I landed another quality fish...30lb. I guess. Plus I fed 2 other grandes that didn't stick.” So far this year has proven to be one of the best in recent memory for large roosters.
Back in April, Lance showed me a new “Bubba” fly that he was designing. Judging from his success on the grandes so far this year, I would say he has come up with a good one. There are even reports of others trying to copy it. Lance tells me the fly is still evolving and he hasn’t quite perfected the design. We’ll let you know when he has it ready and where you can get one!
Water temperature 74-85
Air temperature 72-97
Humidity 84%
Wind: ESE 7 - 9 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Windy outside. Up in the esteros, the action remains consistent for corvina on the surface. Deeper in the water column the grouper and pargo are the best bet. There was also a decent halibut bite along almost any sandy beach in shallow water. Early morning under the bridge at Puerto San Carlos yielded cabrilla, grouper and a few small pargo.

Water temperature 62 - 72
Air temperature 62 -88
Humidity 97 %
Wind: WNW 13 - 18 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

THE INTERNET GOBLINS MUST HAVE EATEN THIS WEEK’S REPORT

This is last week’s report. The 82º blue water is still holding at the 20 mile mark, but the inshore red tide has all but dissipated. And, the fishing has improved dramatically.

Offshore, the main topic is the blue marlin and the yellowfin tuna. At least one boat in three is getting a shot at a blue marlin each day. They are hanging out in a strip all along the coast between 12 and 14 miles. The tuna are at the 20 mile mark, and the edge of the blue water.

Mike Griffin of Anchorage, AK got a nice blue while fishing with Luis on the panga, Gringo Loco. Santiago, of the panga, Gitana, went with a friend on a private boat out of Marina Ixtapa. The idea was to test the yacht out for possible purchase. They found out it raised fish well, as they caught and released 3 blues. All the fish were taken on trolled lures.

The sailfish action is holding steady at about two fish per boat average.

Inshore, I spotted Adolpho fishing the surf line up at Troncones. I called him on the cell phone, gave him a wave, and asked how he was doing. He replied they had 19 jack crevalle, 3 pompano, and about 15 green jacks. All were taken on spin gear and surface poppers
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 79-100
Humidity 78%
Wind: NNE 4 Knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:22 p.m. CDT

“Bubba” Takes the Stage!

REPORT #1066 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update June 9, 2007

East Cape

Offshore action this week included striped marlin and some decent tuna action if you found the right pod of porpoise. The sardine arrived in big numbers and inshore and beach fishing action immediately increased.
Our week was largely devoted to beach fishing. Great sight casting conditions allowed for some fantastic rooster hunting. However, being in the right place at the right time was the key as the fish were not evenly distributed along the shore. A few days ago it was mostly a jack show. Crevalle from 8 to 20lbs. swept into the shallows and tore up the bait both early and late in the day. In the melee, it was wide open fishing for these tough customers. Those jacks are as strong as they come and wear you out! Two big jacks on back to back casts were enough and after two, it was time to move on in search of roosterfish.
Lance reports: “Thursday, the roosters joined the beach party. Lots of Pez Gallo were working the beach in schools of up to a dozen. Ranging in size from 5 to 50 pounds, they were anxious to chase a well presented fly right up the rod tip without hesitation. There were a number of fish over 30lbs., fully “comb-up” and chasing the fly. What a thrill to see one of them devour the fly just feet from shore. After about 10 minutes, the hook just popped out! Brand new fly, brand new hook wasn’t enough to close the deal. Those big roosters are super tough to get a good hook set into. By the end of the day the score was two "small" roosters to the beach and countless close encounters. To say those fish make you work hard is an understatement. Running down fish until your lungs burn....good times in June at the East Cape!
Friday: Landed three grandes today! Fed a couple of others that didn't stick, had countless of the craziest “comb-up” follows I've ever experienced. What an amazing day.”

Water temperature 74-85
Air temperature 70-94
Humidity 77%
Wind: SSE 6 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:31 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:04 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Action this week was once again limited to the Esteros with few anglers venturing offshore and as water temperatures continue to be cool.

A few nice sized grouper were taken near Boca Santo Domingo and small corvina with a few sierra mixed in were biting on the surface throughout the Bay.

Enrique Soto reported that he had found a few smaller-variety yellows out at the Entrada and plenty of small halibut at Belchers

Water temperature 62 - 72
Air temperature 68 -79
Humidity 81 %
Wind: WNW 10 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:15 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The 82º blue water is still holding at the 20 mile mark, but the inshore red tide has all but dissipated. And, the fishing has improved dramatically.

Offshore, the main topic is the blue marlin and the yellowfin tuna. At least one boat in three is getting a shot at a blue marlin each day. They are hanging out in a strip all along the coast between 12 and 14 miles. The tuna are at the 20 mile mark, and the edge of the blue water.

Mike Griffin of Anchorage, AK got a nice blue while fishing with Luis on the panga, Gringo Loco. Santiago, of the panga, Gitana, went with a friend on a private boat out of Marina Ixtapa. The idea was to test the yacht out for possible purchase. They found out it raised fish well, as they caught and released 3 blues. All the fish were taken on trolled lures.

The sailfish action is holding steady at about two fish per boat average.

Inshore, I spotted Adolpho fishing the surf line up at Troncones. I called him on the cell phone, gave him a wave, and asked how he was doing. He replied they had 19 jack crevalle, 3 pompano, and about 15 green jacks. All were taken on spin gear and surface poppers
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 74-95
Humidity 83%
Wind: NNE 4 Knots
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:20 p.m. CDT

Blue Flags Flapping - Roosters Snapping

REPORT #1065 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update June 2, 2007

East Cape

Most days there were plenty of marlin spotted offshore, but most of each day it was a bite here and a bite there. As slack tide neared, the bite picked up and some boats would finish the day with enough marlin flags flying to nearly break the outriggers. The largest number I saw was six blue flags flapping in the wind. For the fly angler, it was tough and there were few shots were to be had. Inside, closer to shore, sardina for chum was the key. A hookless sardina slow trolled tight to the beach in front of La Ribera attracted enough small rooster and ladyfish to keep the “fly flingers” flinging. The largest of the day was caught by Mike Little, from Calgary. On one of John Ryzanich’s new, chartreuse, Fat Boy flies, the first time the fly hit the water it was inhaled. The second time the line broke and that was the end of that!
Weather remained perfect until Friday, when a strong south wind came up from the southeast about mid-day and continued to increase to twenty knots by sundown. While sardina became easier to find later in the week, with the increase in the wind the bait guys will probably have a tough time catching bait for the next few days.
Lance Peterson, BOF guide, reported marginal fishing on Friday with some smaller roosters and jacks in the morning. Then the bite died until mid-day when the roosters reappeared at La Ribera, providing fair but short lived action. The day finished with a show of good sized ladyfish near the Spa. There were a few roosters up to 25 lbs mixed with them, putting on a good show and eating the chum but they never got hot for the fly.
Tuna continued to be a long ride away and the dorado action was spotty at best.

Water temperature 70-82
Air temperature 70-95
Humidity 86%
Wind: NE 5-7 knots
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 6:31 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:02 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico


Little to report from the offshore as the winds continued most of the week. Closer to shore, the net guys slaughtered the snook in the surf line near the Boca. One report was that when they unloaded they had thirty snook weighing thirty-five pounds and up with one monster in the fifty pound class, plus a few huge pargo. It’s no wonder there is little action for sport fleet. If the Mexican Government continues to look the other way, it won’t be long before we are all flying kites instead of fishing.

The best action to be found in the esteros included the halibut, grouper, sierra, corvina and cabrilla, with easy limits for everyone.

Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 68 -85
Humidity 93 %
Wind: S 14 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:12 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Fishing has been slow. The red tide is finally starting to disperse, but it is still spotty in several areas. The inshore game fish have yet to come back.

Offshore, the average is about 1 sailfish per boat, per day. There are a few yellowfin tuna showing up, but they are moving fast and are hard to catch. The blue water is still about 20 miles, with dirty water out to the 12 mile mark. The dirty water will start clearing as the red tide clears out.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78-100
Humidity 78%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. CDT

Inshore Shines for “Feathers and Fur”

REPORT #1064 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update May 26, 2007

East Cape

Plenty of fish were seen this week ranging from striped marlin to YFT’s hiding under the porpoise schools beyond thirty miles. Seems like there is bait everywhere - from squid to sardina - and that has made it tough to entice them with feather and fur! Dorado action continued to be a tease with the lucky boats finding something floating to provide cover for these critters.

Inshore the fly fishers shined this week! Ed Randall, Houston, TX, headed out with BOF Guide, Lance Peterson, looking for his first rooster on the fly. Fishing with Captain Victor, Jr.
on "Mosca I”, they scoured the coastline for roosters on the bite. When they found a bait receiver full of sardina (flat iron herring) near La Ribera, their luck improved. Roosters had gathered around it and using a hookless live bait, Lance teased several into casting range. Ed had some great shots and when the scales settled, he had landed two nice roosters and a good number of really big ladyfish that made his 10wt creak in protest. Most of the roosterfish were in the 5 to 10lb class with a few much larger fish mixed in.

Watching Ed have all the rooster action fired up Lance and he headed down to the beach to find one of his own at the end of the day.

Water temperature 70-81
Air temperature 73-90
Humidity 24%
Wind: SSW 9-12 knots
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 10miles
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:58 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Estero action continued to be the best bet this week as the Pacific continued to be whipped into a froth by strong winds from the WNW keeping everyone close to shore. Inside, nice sized grouper and a corvina bite on the surface kept fly flickers happy. Those that braved the strong breezes in the open water were rewarded with only a few firecracker sized yellows for their effort. The local shark fishermen have reported seeing an occasional dorado under their buoys, but definitely not a bonanza.

Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 67 -85
Humidity 45 %
Wind: WNW 14 knots
Conditions: Sunny
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:09 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Fishing has been below par for this time of the year. A lot of it can be attributed to the red tide that hit the coast this last week. It has decimated the inshore fishing. The red tide has affected the coastline for at least 40 miles in each direction from Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. But, there are signs of it breaking up now, and should clear out by next week.

The 82º blue water is now at the 25 mark, with dirty, almost red tide conditions, water out at least 12 miles. The only bright spot is that the blue marlin are here and the yellowfin tuna are here also. But, the anglers looking for sailfish are averaging only about 1 fish per day per boat.

John Wilkinson of Michigan has fished with Santiago on the Gitana a couple of times this week. On the first day, because the 30 to 40 pound yellowfin tuna were traveling fast and were line shy, they dropped down to 30 pound test. Of course that is when the 100 pound beast came up from the depths and ate the bait. They fought the tuna for almost 2 hours, got a good look at it, and the line parted.

On the next trip they lost an estimated 400 pound blue after only a 15 minute fight. A 100 pound plus yellowfin tuna and a 400 pound marlin would make a decent week, however John ended up with only one sailfish released for the two days on the water.

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 76-98
Humidity 26%
Wind: ENE 9 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:15 p.m. CDT

Billfish Threatened by Mexico’s New Regulations!

REPORT #1063 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update May 19, 2007

East Cape

Once again the Mexican Government has made an end run approving some really rotten legislation regarding long liners that will only yield further declines for the offshore fishery in Baja. For more info click on the link: http://www.billfish.org/new/NewsArticle.asp?ArticleID=60

Our week was largely devoted to beach fishing. Matt Jones, Dallas, TX, and his buddies Ian Crabtree, and Lee Field came down for some Baja fishing before they head up to Alaska for their guide season. On Tuesday, they hit the beach hard and prowled mile after mile of hot sand. They had their share of chances, though fishing was not wide open. Action on smaller roosters was fair but the “big boys” proved as difficult as usual. Their second day, Friday provided better action. Matt had the shot of the day when a 35lb+ rooster lit up on his fly...only to turn away at the last heart pounding second. Ian had the jacks dialed in on Friday. He hooked two fine jack crevalle sight casting, the largest about 12lb.

Offshore, Billfish action consisted completely of striped marlin this week and they seemed to be spread all over the map. The dorado action seemed to follow the same pattern with little or no concentration to be found. The few lucky anglers were the ones who stumbled into some floating debris providing some cover. For the rest, it was a single here and there. White flags were the most predominant this week as the fleet found tuna from a few miles offshore out as far as forty miles, with the best catches awarded to the boats that traveled the further distances.

Water temperature 70-81
Air temperature 75-87
Humidity 85%
Wind: SW 8 - 10 knots
Conditions: Mostly Clear
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:35 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:55 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Overcast and windy conditions for most of the week didn’t shut down the cabrilla and grouper bite in the Esteros. The only boats venturing outside were the commercial shark fisherman that had to go. Even the Entrada action slowed down this week.

The new legislation passed by the Mexican Government will only yield declines for this offshore fishery. For more info click on the link: http://www.billfish.org/new/NewsArticle.asp?ArticleID=60

Water temperature 65 - 72
Air temperature 62 -84
Humidity 86 %
Wind: WNW 11 - 15 knots
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:05 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

Earlier this week the fishing had slowed down considerably when compared to the great action we had this last couple of weeks. However, it is on the rise again. Even though the boats are only averaging about 1 sailfish a day average per boat, the blue water has moved into the 12 mile mark. This will definitely bring the fish closer.

The yellowfin tuna have showed up at the 19 mile mark and are giving us a lot of action. Even though they are only averaging between 22 and 25 pounds, there are a lot of them. Plus, a few of the boats are also picking up a couple of sailfish each when working the perimeter of the tuna schools.

The inshore action, with dirty water all up and down the coast, has turned off. A few chulas (a white meat tuna with teeth) are showing up about a half mile off the beach, and are hitting trolled Rapalas.

Ed Kunze

The Mexican Government’s new legislation on long liners that will affect the Zihuatanejo fishery as well. For more info click on the link: http://www.billfish.org/new/NewsArticle.asp?ArticleID=60

Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78-86
Humidity 77%
Wind: N 3 knots
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:13 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:13 p.m. CDT