Baja Mexico: Magdalena Bay, Baja Sur & East Cape.
Capt. Gary Graham
December 18, 2004
Baja Sur - Saltwater Fishing Report
East Cape Winds, Zihuatanejo Sails Highlight Week
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 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Dec. 18, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (12/11-12/17)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE
IN GENERAL: Wind . . . wind . . . wind: another cookie cutter week. This is the time of year that drives the locals’ nuts. Much more time is spent decorating than fishing! There are still some fish around; the trick is to find them before the wind finds you.
AIR & SEA –
Water temperature 70-74
Air temperature 59-78
Humidity about 60%
Wind: North 8 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:54 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:37 p.m. MST
Dec. 18, First Quarter; Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New.
+ OFFSHORE: Few billfish and tuna for the lucky.
+ INSHORE: Sierra have begun their annual snap, so bring some wire.
+ BEACH: The earlier the better.
BILLFISH – Still a few resident fish hanging around.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Everything seems to be in the southern sector, which means a bumpy ride home.
DORADO – Look closer to shore between La Ribera and the lighthouse.
ROOSTERFISH\JACK CREVALLE – Slow this week.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Not much this week.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Only a few on the rocky points.
SIERRA – Bring wire or lots of flies!
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Big news this week was that several yachts traveling though the area found a wad of wahoo on the Thetis. Still a few billfish reported in the southern sector below Punta Tasca from the pinnacle on down 10-15 miles. Not many fishing in the esteros at San Carlos and just a few up at Lopez Mateos. Both areas reported decent action for corvina and sierra with a few grouper, pargo and even an occasional snook for the persistent.
Water Temperature 69-75
Air Temperature 66-71
Humidity 91%
Wind Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:06 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:41 p.m. MST
Dec. 18, First Quarter; Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New.
YELLOWTAIL – No one made it out to the entrada this week, so it’s a “maybe.”
CORVINA – Much smaller than earlier in the year.
SNOOK – Ruben’s secret spot still producing a few.
HALIBUT – Sand beaches and a slowly retrieved Clouser should do the trick.
SIERRA – Under the bird schools is the best.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The November/December issue of the IGFA’s “International Angler” newsletter features recently appointed IGFA Representative Ed Kunze. Congratulations. That brings the total to three IGFA Representatives from Baja on the Fly including Yvonne and I.
The blue water is only a couple of miles off the beach and the fishing is close. The fishing for sailfish has been very good. Paul Phillips of Westbank, British Columbia fished 3 short days with Adan on the panga “Gitana II” this week. They never fished more than three hours each day with Paul tagging and releasing 10 sailfish.
Richard Boselly of Mission Viejo, Calif., fished four miles out of Zihuatanejo Bay with Captain Cali on the panga “Zapitito Gordo.” They were back at the dock before noon with 4 sailfish releases.
There were two great days on the water on the “Vamonos II” for Doug Murphy of New Jersey. The first day his group of three released 6 sailfish. The second day they fished for two hours and then went to Ixtapa Island. They were back after only 5 hours including spending time snorkeling at Ixtapa Island. While they waited, one of the two 45-pound dorado was being prepared for lunch.
The best inshore fishing is for roosterfish and jack crevalle down at Puerto Vicente Gro. They are hitting poppers and flies. Richard Boselly was there for a couple of days early in the week with Cali. They had a blast on big roosters and jacks with poppers and spin gear.
Water Temperature 80-84
Air Temperature 75-86
Humidity 83%
Wind WSW 6 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds 8,000 ft
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:06 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:12 p.m. CST
Dec. 18, First Quarter; Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New.
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: We didn’t receive a report this week and have to assume that they are all out whacking ’em.
LAST WEEK: This past week the fishing has blown wide open in Guatemala and is as hot as it gets! Many boats are experiencing more than 50 releases per day, and several are having personal best days. One boat also had 27 releases on the fly. A few marlin have made showings, but have been difficult, and dorado are around. The weather has been great overall, and those guys that have come down fishing are all smiles after they recover from the non-stop action. If the action holds, this should be one incredible season that you won’t want to miss!
Water Temperature 78-82
Air Temperature 80-84
Humidity 100 %
Wind South 2 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 6:17 a.m. CST
Sunset 5:36 p.m. CST
Dec. 18, First Quarter; Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarland
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