Baja Mexico: Magdalena Bay, Baja Sur & East Cape.
Capt. Gary Graham
June 19, 2004
Baja Sur - Saltwater Fishing Report
East Cape Goes Off Big Time
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
Sat., June 19, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (6/12-6/18)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Tuna! Tuna! Tuna! Tough to know what to lead off with, but the yellowfin fatties were definitely on the chew. Scott and Dolly York, Gardnerville, Nev., headed out 25 miles before they found the porpoise school; and 60 seconds after the teaser hit the water it was fish on! Our Baja wasabi fly was just the ticket and both of them were bendo for a couple of hours. By the time the scales settled, they had enough sashimi to feed the full hotel at cocktail hour. The next day it was pez gallo (roosterfish) time on the La Playa and they found plenty. While they had a lot of “would of, could of” stories, they came up short in the photo department.
Ladyfish, pompano and lookdowns were also added to the catch list. The buoys up at Punta Pescadero were producing double digit catches of dorado earlier in the week, but when Ken Kautsch and his two boys, from Jefferson, Ore., they seemed to be missing and it took a lot of effort to find even a few. On the marlin scene, it was Katy-Bar-the-Door. They bit almost anything that was drug behind the boat. Eric Kraimer, Houston, stopped by the porch Thurs. night to show off the photos of a Bubba Class rooster caught near the lighthouse. All in all you could safely say that the East Cape was going off big time this week.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 70-84
Air temperature 78-96
Humidity about 25%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:06 p.m. MDT
June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter, July 17 New
+ OFFSHORE: Good as it gets, marlin, tuna and steady dorado rounded out the excellent catches this week.
+ INSHORE: Roosters, jacks, ladyfish kept things rocking steadily for the fly-flingers
+ BEACH: Want the shots? Now is the time. There’s a good show of roosters and jacks cruising close to shore. Plenty of ladyfish and pompano and even a few quality barred pargo to keep things interesting.
BILLFISH – Boats making the charge for home with so many flags that their outriggers look like they might break from the strain. Lots of high single and some double digit catches.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Close and hungry, what else do you need to know?
DORADO – Find the right shark buoy and your arms will be longer before you finish.
ROOSTERFISH\JACK CREVALLE – Take your pick, rooster alley, Bartle’s Beach or the lighthouse all are producing exciting action. Hang around the lighthouse long enough and you may be treated to the “Freak Show.”
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Who cares? Too much happening with all the other species to take time to find out.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Rocky points as the sun falls behind the mountain seem to be the best time.
SIERRA – Still grabbing a fly every now and then.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Cool sea temps and windy conditions have caused a slow start this year offshore. Few boats are even venturing outside the bay. Entrada is producing a few yellows down deep. Esteros, while lightly fished, still are producing decent catches of corvina, spotted bay bass and a few pompano.
Water Temperature 60-65
Air Temperature 71-80
Humidity 18%
Wind 4 mph from the NW
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. MDT
June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter, July 17 New
YELLOWTAIL – Very slim.
CORVINA – Still the best bet.
SNOOK – Nobody we know about targeted them this week.
HALIBUT – Sandy beaches always will produce a few.
SIERRA – Watch for bird schools in the bay.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 80º blue water is still hanging only a mile off the beach. The fishing is very similar to last week. The tuna and marlin are scarce, but the sailfish action is very good.
The main spot of fish is only about 3 miles directly in front of Zihuatanejo Bay. A lot of boats are getting back before noon, with 4 or 5 sailfish releases.
Rooster fishing is still outstanding and Arturo, on the panga “Janneth” is keeping up his weekly blistering pace with 8 roosters released in one day. All the fish were between 30 and 45 pounds.
In some respects, this week was a milestone for conservation. At least it is a step in the right direction. Federal authorities arrested two commercial pangeros, using Zihuatanejo Bay as their home port, with 13 sailfish and a long line of over 2 miles in length. All evidence was transferred for prosecution in Acapulco.
In the past, local enforcement just has not been effective at all. This is the first time the Feds have stepped in and are taking control, and the word is spreading fast.
Water Temperature 78-85
Air Temperature 78-91
Humidity 66%
Wind 4 mph from the WSW
Conditions Scattered Clouds 25,000 ft
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:22 p.m. CDT
June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter, July 17 New
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: Historically, few clients come down this way this time of year. The locals always enjoy this time of year when they have all the great sailfish action all to themselves. Inshore, this is a great time of year to explore beaches and esteros and see what turns up.
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 82-86
Humidity 66 %
Wind 5 mph from the WSW
Conditions Chance of T-storms
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:33 p.m. CST
June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter, July 17 New
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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
Sat., June 19, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (6/12-6/18)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Tuna! Tuna! Tuna! Tough to know what to lead off with but the fatties were definitely on the chew. Scott and Dolly York, Gardenerville, NV headed out twenty-five miles before they found the porpoise school and 60 seconds after the teaser hit the water it was fish on! Our Baja wasabi fly was just the ticket and both of them were bendo for a couple hours. By the time the scales settled they had enough sashimi to feed the full hotel at cocktail hour. The next day is was Pez Gallo time on the La Playa and they found plenty, while they had a lot of would of, could of stories they came up short in the photo department. Ladyfish, pompano and lookdowns were also added the the catch list. The buoys up at Punta Pescadero were producing double digits catches of dorado earlier in the week but when Ken Kautsch and his two boys hailing from Jefferson Or they seemed to be missing and it took a lot of effort to find even a few. On the marlin scene it was Katy bar the Door they bit almost anything that was drug behind the boat. Eric Kraimer, Houston Tx, stopped by the porch Thursday night to show off the photos of a Bubba Class rooster caught near the lighthouse. All in all you could safely say that the East Cape was going off this week.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 70-84
Air temperature 78-96
Humidity about 25%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:06 p.m. MDT
June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter, July 17 New,
OFFSHORE: Good as it gets, marlin, tuna and steady dorado rounded out the excellent catches this week.
INSHORE: Roosters, jacks, ladyfish kept things rocking steadily for the fly flingers
BEACH: Want the shots, now is the time good show of roosters and jacks cruising close to shore. Plenty of ladyfish and pompano and even a few quality barred pargo to keep things interesting.
BILLFISH Boats making the charge for home with so many flags that their outriggers look like they might break from the strain. Lots of high single and some double digit catches.
YELLOWFIN TUNA Close and hungry, what else do you need to know
DORADO Find the right shark buoy and your arms will be longer before you finish.
ROOSTERFISH\ JACK CREVALLE Take your pick, rooster alley, Bartle or the lighthouse all are producing exciting action, hang around the lighthouse long enough and you may be treated to the “Freak Show”.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK Who cares, too much happening with all the other species to take time to find out.
PARGO AND CABRILLA Rocky points as the sun falls behind the mountain seems to be the best time.
SIERRA Still grabbing a fly every now and then.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Cool sea temps, windy conditions have caused a slow start this year offshore. Few boats are even venturing outside the bay. Entrada is producing a few yellows down deep. Esteros while lightly fished still are producing decent catches of corvina, spotted bay bass and a few pompano.
Water Temperature 60-65
Air Temperature 71-80
Humidity 18%
Wind 4 mph from the NW
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. MDT
June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter, July 17 New,
YELLOWTAIL Very slim
CORVINA Still the best bet
SNOOK No one has targeted them this week
HALIBUT Sandy beaches always will produce a few.
SIERRA Watch for bird schools in the bay.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 80º blue water is still hanging only a mile off the beach. The fishing is very similar to last week. The tuna and marlin are scarce, but the sailfish action is very good.
The main spot of fish is only about 3 miles directly in front of Zihuatanejo Bay. A lot of boats are getting back before noon, with 4 or 5 sailfish releases.
Rooster fishing is still outstanding and Arturo, on the panga Janneth, is keeping up his weekly blistering pace with 8 roosters released in one day. All the fish were between 30 and 45 pounds.
In some respects, this week was a milestone for conservation. At least it is a step in the right direction. Federal authorities arrested two commercial pangeros, using Zihuatanejo Bay as their home port, with 13 sailfish and a long line of over 2 miles in length. All evidence was transferred for prosecution in Acapulco.
In the past, local enforcement just has not been effective at all. This is the first time the
Feds have stepped in and are taking control, and the word is spreading fast.
Ed Kunze
Water Temperature 78-85
Air Temperature 78-91
Humidity 66%
Wind 4 mph from the WSW
Conditions Scattered Clouds 25000 ft
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:22 p.m. CDT
June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter, July 17 New,
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: Historically, few clients come down this way this time of year. The locals always enjoy this time of year when they virtually have some great sailfish action all to themselves. Inshore this is a great time of year to explore beaches and esteros and see what turns up.
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 82-86
Humidity 66 %
Wind 5 mph from the WSW
Conditions Chance of T-storms
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:33 p.m. CST
June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter, July 17 New,
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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