Baja Mexico: Magdalena Bay, Baja Sur & East Cape.
Capt. Gary Graham
March 15, 2004
Baja Sur - Saltwater Fishing Report
Winter Winding Down
REPORT FROM GARY GRAHAM'S BAJA ON THE FLY:
PROVIDING QUALITY SALTWATER FLY-FISHING 365 DAYS A YEAR SOUTH OF THE BORDER. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: [email protected]; USA toll-free (800) 919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Fri., March 12, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Thurs. (3/5-3/11)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Twenty-five knot weekend winds hampered both the beach and boat fishing. The only shelter from the wind was up toward Punta Pescadero, unfortunately, the fish in the neighborhood had lockjaw. The few that ventured out were greeted with rock and roll seas and only a few sierra to show for their efforts. Further out, 10 miles off of La Ribera there were a few larger dorado to be had for the tenacious. As the wind subsided the last few days, conditions seemed to be on the upswing. I guess it is all relative, Yvonne and I arrived in Salt Lake for the ISE Expo and the locals were telling us the evening temps in the mid-40’s were almost balmy. Great turnout the first day and we are expecting a busy weekend.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 66-70
Air temperature 64 - 73
Humidity about 59%
Wind NNW at 7 mph
Conditions Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:30 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:27 p.m. MST
Mar. 6 Full, Mar. 13 Last Quarter, Mar. 20 New, Mar. 28 First Quarter
o OFFSHORE: Reports of bigger dorado and a few marlin are sucking out a few cabin fever-afflicted anglers
o INSHORE: Pick a calm day and it is sierra for sure, plus a few jacks and roosters out toward the lighthouse.
o BEACH: Big school of roosters spotted out toward the lighthouse this week that weren’t buying into the fly thing at all.
BILLFISH – Hope springs eternal for the early billfish seekers who can’t be held back on the calm days.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – So far only a memory.
DORADO – Ten miles straight out of La Ribera is the rumored hot spot.
ROOSTERFISH – Lighthouse sound like the place to be, at least if the wind blows, you can find some shelter around the corner at Rincon.
JACK CREVALLE – They are here, just need a calm day to find them.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – A few.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Rocky points the best bet.
SIERRA – Sunrise or nothing.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Puerto San Carlos:
IN GENERAL: Early in the week the entrada produced an impressive 10 different species ranging from an 8-pound pargo to triggerfish for our group. Shooting heads were a must, as many of the fish were found further down in the water column. If the barracuda and bonito didn’t get the fly, there were plenty of cabrilla as well as one pez fuerte (amberjack) which lived up to its name and gave the angler a respectable tug of war. The esteros continued to produce plenty of pompano and corvina, but few snook were to be found.
Water Temperature 66-74
Air Temperature 60 - 71
Humidity 78%
Wind NW at 4 mph
Conditions Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:34 p.m. MST
Mar. 6 Full, Mar. 13 Last Quarter, Mar. 20 New, Mar. 28 First Quarter
YELLOWTAIL – A few under the bird schools outside the entrada.
CORVINA – Chartreuse was the color.
SNOOK – Few and far between
HALIBUT – A few at estero “Currie.”
SIERRA – Look for bird schools in the open part of the bay or at the pier.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: A few porpoise schools were found straight out in front about 8 miles. Bird school on the leading edge had everyone thinking tuna as the teasers were dragged through the melee. When the multiple sails appeared in the wake behind the teasers everyone had to scramble, changing over from tuna to billfish flies in a hurry. Back on the beach, clouds of birds crashing on baitfish fleeing from hungry jacks proved that the beach fishing was another Zihuatanejo option.
Water Temperature 72 - 78
Air Temperature 78 - 84
Humidity 78%
Wind South 6 mph
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 9 miles
Sunrise 6:12 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:13 p.m. CST
Mar. 6 Full, Mar. 13 Last Quarter, Mar. 20 New, Mar. 28 First Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: During the last week we hosted a party of four from Texas. The fishing was slower than normal due to a weather pattern pushing through. They were still able to release 24 sails in 3 days, and the guys all had a great time even with the bad weather. This group typically goes to Costa Rica each year, but remarked that overall, Guatemala was better and they are looking forward to a return trip. They loved the crew, boat, accommodations and food, with one guy remarking that he thought he gained 8 pounds while there. Inshore, there was no one out, so we don’t have a report.
http://www.guatemalaflyfishing.com
Water Temperature 79-84
Air Temperature 77-84
Humidity 94 %
Wind SSE 4 mph
Conditions Scattered Clouds (SCT) : 8,000 ft.
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:21 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:11 p.m. CST
Mar. 6 Full, Mar. 13 Last Quarter, Mar. 20 New, Mar. 28 First Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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