Baja Mexico: Magdalena Bay, Baja Sur & East Cape.
Capt. Gary Graham
December 26, 2003
Baja Sur - Saltwater Fishing Report
REPORT FROM GARY GRAHAM'S BAJA ON THE FLY:
PROVIDING QUALITY SALTWATER FLY-FISHING 365 DAYS A YEAR IN BAJA FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: [email protected]; USA toll-free (800) 919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Fri., Dec. 26, 2003. Report covers the period Sat.-Thurs. (12/18 - 12/25)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND IZTAPA, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: As expected, Santa arrived to everyone’s delight and the good news is he took the north wind with him. Before he arrived it wasn’t worth the effort to go out. Our clients opted for Cabo where a few dorado, skipjack and an occasional billfish provided fair action.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 67°-72°
Air temperature 66° - 73°
Humidity about 64%
Wind NW at 7 mph
Conditions Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:57 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:40 p.m. MST
Dec. 30 First Quarter Jan. 7 Full, Jan. 14 Last Quarter, Jan. 21 New
o OFFSHORE: No boats, no fish.
o INSHORE: Sierra continue to dominate the scene, with a few small jacks mixed in.
o BEACH: There has been a pretty good lee at the lighthouse. Jacks, ladyfish and sierra early morning before the wind gets cranking.
BILLFISH – More fish than anglers.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Can’t even find the porpoise.
DORADO – If you find something floating you will probably find a few.
ROOSTERFISH – La Ribera to Punta Arena is your best shot.
JACK CREVALLE - A few small fish at La Ribera and out toward Punta Colorada.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - A few closer to shore, but difficult to find.
PARGO AND CABRILLA - Quiet.
SIERRA - Gray light just at dawn is best.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Sounds like the “grande tuna” have shown up below Tasco. There’s a good yellowtail bite at the entrada and if you get too deep the grouper will get you. Up at Devil’s Curve the action continues for snook, corvina, pompano and a few grouper.
Water Temperature 66°-73°
Air Temperature 62°- 74°
Humidity 59%
Wind NW 11 mph
Conditions Scattered Clouds.
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:09 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:44 p.m. MST
Dec. 30 First Quarter Jan. 7 Full, Jan. 14 Last Quarter, Jan. 21 New
YELLOWTAIL – Try the entrances to either bay and look for the bird schools
CORVINA – Surface or sub-surface they will keep you entertained
SNOOK – Try the deeper parts of the channel with a chartreuse Baja Deep Diver with a slow retrieve.
HALIBUT – Sandy beach and a slow retrieved Clouser will work every time.
SIERRA – Out toward the entrada near Belchers under the birds.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 80º blue water is about 6 miles off the beach. Fishing has been very good for most species.
Most every boat is releasing 4 to 5 sailfish a day average. The dorado are scattered, but one boat out of three is catching a nice 25- to 30-pound fish daily.
Dave Weed, of Alberta, Canada, fished with Captain Margarito on the “Gaby” and took a 200 pound yellowfin tuna. He caught the fish at the 10 mile mark, slow trolling a live bonito under the porpoise.
Inshore, the roosterfish and jack crevalle bite has been holding up very well. Also, the sierras are providing some decent light tackle action.
Water Temperature 79º-86º
Air Temperature 73° - 87º
Humidity 83%
Wind SW 8 mph
Conditions Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:13 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:18 p.m. CST
Dec. 30 First Quarter Jan. 7 Full, Jan. 14 Last Quarter, Jan. 21 New
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
IZTAPA, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: While few boats fished this week, those that did get out found action that would be considered outrageous by most standards. With the season just beginning to ramp up, it feels like this is going to be a great season. While sailfish are the dominant catch, there are enough dorado and tuna to provide some variety. Back inshore the roosters are cruising around waiting for someone to toss them a fly.
Water Temperature 80º-85º
Air Temperature 78°-82º
Humidity 94%
Wind WSW 6 mph
Conditions Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:20 a.m. CST
Sunset 5:39 p.m. CST
Dec. 30 First Quarter Jan. 7 Full, Jan. 14 Last Quarter, Jan. 21 New
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
And from all of us – a very Happy, Healthy and Fishy New Year!
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