Baja Mexico: Magdalena Bay, Baja Sur & East Cape.
Capt. Gary Graham
July 17, 2004
Baja Sur - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing Back to Normal After Tropical Storm
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., July 17, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (7/10-7/16)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: This week brought the first tropical depression Blas to East Cape which resulted in a few unsettled days. By this morning (7/17), cloudless skies and flat seas greeted the boats as they headed out. Blue marlin have begun to arrive for a big tournament scheduled for early Aug. Tuna are at 20 miles, dorado close to shore, roosters and jacks cruising the beaches provided lots of choices for the flyrodder.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 74-88
Air temperature 77-97
Humidity about 76%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:4 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:12 p.m. MDT
July 17 New, July 27 First Quarter, July 31, Full, Aug 9 Last Quarter
+ OFFSHORE: As the storm moved out toward the west, the fishing steadily regained its momentum. Not wide open, but improving every day.
+ INSHORE: Small dorado in close (less than 3 miles from shore), a few roosters and jacks also found feeding on small schools of sardina.
+ BEACH: Wave action mid week stirred thing up a tad. As of yesterday (7/16) afternoon, wind waves had subsided, water had cleaned up and a few roosters and jacks could be see feeding as the sun went down.
BILLFISH – Typical summer action with enough blues to keep you on your toes.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Seem to be holding near the 20 mile mark, mostly football-sized with a few fatties now and then.
DORADO – Good numbers of smaller fish close to shore, perfect for the flyrod. Further outside, some larger ones can be found under anything floating.
ROOSTERFISH\JACK CREVALLE – Just like clockwork in front of the hotels every afternoon as the boats discard the left over sardina. First the ladyfish and then the jacks and roosters come a slashing.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – From the lighthouse to La Ribera just a few miles offshore.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – A few smaller ones on the rocky points.
SIERRA – Not enough to change to wire.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Tropical depression Blas came and went this week leaving unsettled conditions offshore. Some wind and large swells still remained on Thur. Out at the entrada, the yellows shut off but the grouper were still biting at a pretty good clip. Rocky points at Santa Margarita Island produced the best action with several fish in the mid teens. There were several “mystery bites” that never stopped until the line broke. The esteros were lightly fished again this week. Consistent corvina catches with a few grouper in the mix along with mucho cabrilla.
Water Temperature 60-65
Air Temperature 75-85
Humidity 97%
Wind Calm
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. MDT
July 17 New, July 27 First Quarter, July 31, Full, Aug 9 Last Quarter
YELLOWTAIL – Big swell, dirty water and lots of seaweed slowed down the action this week.
CORVINA – Bread and butter fish for the week.
SNOOK – Where are they?
HALIBUT – Always, sandy beach.
SIERRA – Not targeted this week.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 80º blue water is still holding very close at the 1 mile mark off the beach. The inshore roosterfish action has been fantastic. All the popular panga captains, such as Adolpho on the “Dos Hermanos,” Martin on the “Isamar,” Arturo on the “Janneth,” and Luis on the “Gringo Loco” are scoring on at least three roosters a day and they are all in the 35 to 45 pound class.
The sailfish have dropped off a bit, but are improving with the new moon approaching. Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” had a typical day with two releases for clients Tim Bradford and his son Travis of Manhattan Beach, Calif. Travis is only 9 years old and it was his first sail.
The jack crevalle action inshore has actually been hotter than the roosters. Unfortunately, there is not much size to them, but 50 fish a day on the 5-pounders will give any light tackle or flyrodder a great day on the water.
Water Temperature 80-89
Air Temperature 78-86
Humidity 74%
Wind SW 6 mph
Conditions Thunder Storms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:19 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:24 p.m. CDT
July 17 New, July 27 First Quarter, July 31, Full, Aug 9 Last Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: Typical summer action with few clients venturing out. Plenty of action for smaller tuna and dorado. Sailfish were a bit tougher to find for the few boats heading out.
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 80-82
Humidity 84 %
Wind SE 8 mph
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:43 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:35 p.m. CST
July 17 New, July 27 First Quarter, July 31, Full, Aug 9 Last Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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