Baja Mexico: Magdalena Bay, Baja Sur & East Cape.
Capt. Gary Graham
January 2, 2004
Baja Sur - Saltwater Fishing Report
An East Cape Chill, a Blistering Guatemala, Others In-Between
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., Jan. 02, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Thurs. (12/25 - 1/1)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND IZTAPA, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: North winds continued to hamper fishing most of the week. On the days that the wind did back off it was still tough.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 67°-73°
Air temperature 67° - 73°
Humidity about 83%
Wind NW at 12 mph
Conditions Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:57 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:40 p.m. MST
Jan. 7 Full, Jan. 14 Last Quarter, Jan. 21 New, Jan. 28 First Quarter
o OFFSHORE: The few boats venturing out have scored on a few dorado up toward Punta Pescadero. By mid-morning most are scurrying back for their respective hotels. Cold margaritas and a swim seem like a much wiser decision.
o INSHORE: If you like sierra, you should be here, just remember the wire!
o BEACH: Gray light is a must. Sierra usually shut off as the sun climbs higher.
BILLFISH – Always a few homeguard, you just have to find them.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Seemed like they would never stop biting, but they have.
DORADO – Punta Pescadero shark buoys rumored to have a few lurking about.
ROOSTERFISH – Find the sardinia and you should find a few small ones.
JACK CREVALLE – Lighthouse to La Ribera is the right neighborhood.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – A few bonito and that is about it.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Who knows? Try a popper over the rock structure dotting East Cape beaches.
SIERRA - Gray light just at dawn is best before the sun gets too high.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Peter Chan and Susan Rosen, vacationing from New York on a last minute whim, decided to give the esteros a shot and they were not disappointed. They found plenty of corvina, pompano and grouper to put a bend in their flyrods the past few days. They are back out this morning trying get tight with an illusive snook.
Water Temperature 66°-74°
Air Temperature 69°- 77°
Humidity 59%
Wind NNE 4 mph
Conditions Scattered Clouds.
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:49 p.m. MST
Jan. 7 Full, Jan. 14 Last Quarter, Jan. 21 New, Jan. 28 First Quarter
YELLOWTAIL – Plenty at the entrada under the bird schools, pretty selective this week.
Try a slow-retrieved chartreuse Baja Deep Diver.
CORVINA – No shortage here
SNOOK – A challenge, but worth the effort.
HALIBUT – Sandy beach and a slow retrieved Clouser will work every time.
SIERRA – No takers this week . . . that’s anglers, not fish.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 80º blue water is only a couple of miles off the beach and the sailfish fishing has been outstanding. We are in our absolute busiest time of the year, with almost 40 boats a day chartered. Most boats are releasing 4 to 7 sailfish a day, and are raising 10 to 15 in the spread.
Dan Smith, a fly-fisherman and Alaska salmon guide on a “busman’s holiday,” has averaged 4 releases a day on sailfish. He had one fantastic day of 6 releases.
Inshore, the large jacks are still on the beaches, with a lot of sierra about a quarter of a mile out. The roosterfish action has cooled down a little bit, but this may be from lots of fishing pressure and not from the fact they are not here.
Water Temperature 79º-86º
Air Temperature 73° - 89º
Humidity 83%
Wind Calm
Conditions Mostly Cloudy (BKN) : 25,000 ft
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:16 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:22 p.m. CST
Jan. 7 Full, Jan. 14 Last Quarter, Jan. 21 New, Jan. 28 First Quarter
Baja on the Fly’s Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
IZTAPA, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: During the week of Christmas, as can be expected, there was not a flood of activity. On Dec. 26-28, there were 4 boats out and they experienced some great action. The boats were able to average 16 releases out of 24 shots on sailfish, with the high boat for the week having a day where they released 31 of 45. We also had one boat go out for a half day of inshore fishing where they left the dock at 1:45 in the afternoon and returned a little after 5:30 in the evening and they were able to connect with 5 roosterfish out of 8 shots. Mr. and Mrs. Threeton were thrilled, since they were able to fly in from the U.S., head from the airport to the boat, and turn a travel day into a half-day of fishing filled with great action.
Water Temperature 80º-85º
Air Temperature 80°-84º
Humidity 100%
Wind North at 5 mph
Conditions Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:27 a.m. CST
Sunset 5:47 p.m. CST
Jan. 7 Full, Jan. 14 Last Quarter, Jan. 21 New, Jan. 28 First Quarter
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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