Baja Mexico: Magdalena Bay, Baja Sur & East Cape.
Capt. Gary Graham
October 2, 2004
Baja Sur - Saltwater Fishing Report
Sore Arms, Aching Backs, Big Smiles
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., Oct. 02, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (9/25-10/01)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE
IN GENERAL: There are plenty of large dorado in the front yard less than three miles from the hotels. Additionally, an extraordinary tuna snap a few miles further out has everyone trying to catch their breath by noon. Billfish are the weakest link in the Grand Slam, but who cares when you have fat dorado and tuna to bend your rod all morning?
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 79-88
Air temperature 74-91
Humidity about 80%
Wind: NNW 11 mph in p.m.
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:04 p.m. MDT
Oct. 6, Last Quarter; Oct. 14, New; Oct. 20, First Quarter; Oct. 27, Full.
+ OFFSHORE: Tuna is their name and that’s the game. A few billfish if you care.
+ INSHORE: Dorado, close to shore and aggressive, dominated the scene all week. It doesn’t get much better.
+ BEACH: More roosters and anglers as everyone is focusing on the tuna and dorado whack.
BILLFISH – OK if you have to.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Fling a wasabi toward the porpoise and hang on. Repeat as needed until too tired to reel.
DORADO – Getting larger, but still within a few miles of shore.
ROOSTERFISH\JACK CREVALLE – Still looking for a fight after a long day? Try early morning in front of your hotel. Look for the birds and boils.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Only an incidental catch this week.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Rocky points best.
SIERRA – Not enough to rig with wire.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Rough seas all week prevented many from venturing out. There were a few dorado, wahoo and marlin with lockjaw reported at 14 to18 miles on a 230-250 heading for the few who braved the conditions. Back at the entrada, for those with more nerve than discretion, the yellowtail and grouper kept their party going.
Water Temperature 74-82
Air Temperature 72-82
Humidity 89%
Wind West 11 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:19 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:11 p.m. MDT
Oct. 6, Last Quarter; Oct. 14, New; Oct. 20, First Quarter; Oct. 27, Full..
YELLOWTAIL – Watch for the bird schools at the entrada.
CORVINA – Still spread out the bay from the entrada to Devil’s Curve.
SNOOK – This should be the month, but nothing except small ones so far.
HALIBUT – Always! Just find a sandy beach and try a slowly retrieved Baja Deep Diver
SIERRA – A few mixed in the bird schools at the entrada.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 80º blue water is still holding a few miles off the beach, and the current lines with debris washed out of the rivers, are still well defined.
The full moon did slow down the sailfish fishing, with only an average of about one or two per boat being caught per day. Steve Carlson, from the Los Angeles area, fished on the “Vamonos II” for five strikes from sailfish in the spread, but managed to only hooked and release one.
The 20 to 35 pound dorado are still holding in the current lines, and most boats are getting two or three per day.
The inshore action for roosters and jack crevalle is heating up as the water turbidity clears. We are still getting some river runoff from nightly rains in the Sierra, but the flows have slowed a bit, discharging less silt than the past few weeks.
The Jacks or Better Charity Tournament and Guide Challenge begin on Wed. Many of the participants will begin arriving tomorrow (10/3) to pre-fish and practice for the event. The Guide Challenge has attracted interesting field of guides from across the US. They all are joining us in search of the “Endless Season” and the honor of being named the top Zihuatanejo Guide of 2004, not to mention the $1,000 that goes with the title. We will provide daily updates beginning Thurs. (10/7)
Water Temperature 80-83
Air Temperature 80-91
Humidity 74%
Wind North SSW 6 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:36 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:33 p.m. CDT
Oct. 6, Last Quarter; Oct. 14, New; Oct. 20, First Quarter; Oct. 27, Full.
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
Finally! It’s October, so let the games begin. Sailfish have been gathering for the past two weeks chewing on schools of baitfish outside of 30 miles. All we need now are the big game saltwater fly-fishers who want to play tug-o-war with a 100- to 150-pound screaming billfish to complete the mix.
Water Temperature 75-82
Air Temperature 80-84
Humidity 84 %
Wind 7 mph from the NNW
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:52 a.m. CST
Sunset 5:51 p.m. CST
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