Baja Mexico: Magdalena Bay, Baja Sur & East Cape.
Capt. Gary Graham
September 12, 2004
Baja Sur - Saltwater Fishing Report
Dorado, Tuna and Grumpy Seas
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., Sept. 11, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (9/4-9/10)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
Before you read this fishing report, pause a moment to remember the victims and families of the cowardly 9/11/01 terrorist attack.
EAST CAPE
IN GENERAL: The Sept. hurricane parade continued far to the south with “Isis” marching out to the west causing some grumpy seas on the outside. Plenty of big tuna were found under the porpoise and if you found the right bunch, it was wide open. However, some of the schools seemed to have a serious case of lockjaw. On the billfish front, sailfish dominated the action again this week with a handful of shots a day being the norm. Dorado in close to shore provided the post-dawn action for early risers. Also, there are a few fat skipjack in the same neighborhood extending from Rancho Leonero to Punta Arena (Lighthouse).
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 80-89
Air temperature 74-98
Humidity about 47%
Wind: 13 mph from the SE
Conditions: rain in the foothills every afternoon
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:03 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:26 p.m. MDT
Sep. 14, New; Sept. 21, First Quarter; Sep 28, Full; Oct. 6, Last Quarter.
+ OFFSHORE: Sails and tuna were the “Blue Plate Special” this week.
+ INSHORE: Dorado close and plenty for the first few hours of the day.
+ BEACH: Still tough with plenty of off-color water caused by afternoon wind waves. Best bet early morning. For the persistent, there are some decent sight-casting opportunities mid-day from Rooster Alley to the Arroyo.
BILLFISH – Mostly sails with an occasional blue or stripe showing up in the pattern.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Look for the porpoise and hope you find the hungry ones.
DORADO – You shouldn’t have to go far; inside of three miles is far enough.
ROOSTERFISH\JACK CREVALLE – Lighthouse for bubba or Rooster Alley for a mixed bag including jacks, roosters and ladyfish.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Still can be found in the same zone as the dorado.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Rocky outcropping are the best right now.
SIERRA – Bait receivers at Punta Colorada or La Ribera seemed to have a few lurking about, don’t forget the wire or bring lots of flies.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Finally, the weather gets back to normal. Lance Magee and Harvey Tucker of Oceanside, Calif., caught grouper, pargo and sand bass in the esteros near Lopez Mateos with Ruben Duran on the Magbay Outfitter’s “Mar Gato.” Still enough wind to make it uncomfortable on the outside. Enrique Soto at San Carlos reported few anglers this week and fair action including corvina, grouper and the ever-present cabrilla.
Water Temperature 67-78
Air Temperature 76-82
Humidity 80%
Wind Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:35 p.m. MDT
Sep. 14, New; Sept. 21, First Quarter; Sep 28, Full; Oct. 6, Last Quarter.
YELLOWTAIL – Still seeing a few under the bird schools near the entrada.
CORVINA – All the stock spots including Devil’s Curve and Los Barriles
SNOOK – A few smaller variety down at the south end of the bay.
HALIBUT – Punta Belcher still holding a few.
SIERRA – A few mixed in the bird schools at the entrada.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 80º blue water still remains very close, and the fishing remains decent, but there are virtually no fishermen here charting any boats. I do not think we have over two or three charters a day going out.
The few boats that do go however are averaging two to three sailfish a day. The inshore action is still holding up with excellent roosterfish and jack crevalle action.
I was at the municipal pier yesterday, talking to a bunch of the captains who were just standing around and hoping for a someone to contact them for a charter. With so few people fishing, I needed more information for my fish report. Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” was giving directions to an American couple where to get their tickets for the panga taxi ride to Las Gatas Beach. He then turned to me and said, "Well, I guess you are not the only American in town, but they're not fishing." I didn't get any more information either.
Water Temperature 80-84
Air Temperature 79-87
Humidity 62%
Wind 7 mph from the WSW
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy 8000 ft
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:33 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:51 p.m. CDT
Sep. 14, New; Sept. 21, First Quarter; Sep 28, Full; Oct. 6, Last Quarter.
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
Another couple of weeks and all the scraping, painting, repairing politely referred to as “annual maintenance” should be wrapped up. Then it will be time to do the hokey pokey with all the sailfish that continue to filter into the area. The locals have had it to themselves long enough! Put out the teasers and let’s rock.
Water Temperature 75-84
Air Temperature 80-84
Humidity 79 %
Wind 12 mph from the SE
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:51 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:12 p.m. CST
Sep. 14, New; Sept. 21, First Quarter; Sep 28, Full; Oct. 6, Last Quarter.
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