Baja Mexico: Magdalena Bay, Baja Sur & East Cape.
Capt. Gary Graham
December 25, 2004
Baja Sur - Saltwater Fishing Report
Plenty of Dorado, Sails and North Winds
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. 24, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (12/18-12/23)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE
IN GENERAL: While fishing continues to be good for this late in the
year, the winds have made it difficult to enjoy. On Wed. (12/22) there
was some decent dorado action around the shark buoys near Punta
Pescadero. We counted several marlin and one sailfish on one the few
boats that ventured out. If you prefer to stay a bit closer to home,
the early morning sierra bite at the lighthouse has been great. Any
flies with a little blue in them seem to be the hot ticket right now.
Everyone is hoping that Santa brings lots of goodies and, as a special
gift to East Cape, takes the North wind with him.
This is Tim Stelzer’s first report since returning last week from his
summer guiding in Alaska. He will be guiding for Baja on the Fly both at
East Cape and Magdalena Bay until late April, we are excited to have him
back again this year.
AIR & SEA –
Water temperature 70-74
Air temperature 55-73
Humidity about 60%
Wind: North 13 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 7:02 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:42 p.m. MST
Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New; Jan. 16, First Quarter.
+ OFFSHORE: If you feel lucky, there are still a few billfish around
+ INSHORE: We expect the Sierra this time of year, so bring some wire.
The dorado are a nice Christmas present.
+ BEACH: Windy conditions have made it tough. I did hear of several
quality roosters landed near the lighthouse earlier in the week.
BILLFISH – Even a sail or two this week.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Action still down toward Cabo Pulmo and beyond. It’s an
ugly ride home if the dreaded North wind cranks up.
DORADO – Shark buoys in front of Punta Pescadero still holding a few.
ROOSTERFISH\JACK CREVALLE – The word “challenging” describes it best.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Still some schools down toward Cabo Pulmo.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Only a few on the rocky points.
SIERRA – Bring wire or lots of blue flies!
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Good traveling weather on the outside as several yachts head
up the line for Christmas. Still a few billfish, dorado, tuna and wahoo
to break up the monotony. Inside, with few clients interested in
fishing, there was more attention paid to Christmas preparations. With
whale-watching season just around the corner, everyone is hoping Santa
will bring some of the friendly giants with him on his visit tonight.
Water Temperature 69-75
Air Temperature 60- 69
Humidity 91%
Wind North 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:44 p.m. MST
Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New; Jan. 16, First Quarter.
YELLOWTAIL – A few smaller firecrackers under the birds at the entrada.
CORVINA – A few small ones at the pier and bridge.
SNOOK – North end of the bay is the best bet.
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: Clean water is just off the beach and the majority of the
boats are releasing 3 to 5 sailfish a day. I guided Scott Kelly from
Juneau, Alaska for fly-fishing with Captain Martin on the panga Isamar.
Before heading out that morning, from the Terrifin Satellite Surface
Temperatures chart, I had noticed a well-defined area holding 80.5
degree water, with the rest of the areas all in a scrambled egg pattern
of 83 to 85 degree water. The body of cooler water paid off with a huge
sailfish tagged and released, and a couple of fly-caught yellowfin tuna.
The sailfish was estimated at 120-pounds and the tuna were football sized.
There are lots of yellowfin here, with the majority of them in the 12-
to 20-pound size. We did notice schools of 50- to 60-pound fish crashing
on bait, but they proved to be elusive.
Water Temperature 80-84
Air Temperature 75-86
Humidity 94%
Wind WSW 4 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds 8,000 ft
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:13 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:18 p.m. CST
Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New; Jan. 16, First Quarter.
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: The anglers who were down Guatemala-way this week
experienced some tough conditions, but all went away happy. The overall
release numbers were down to what other areas experience, at about 3-7
per day, but dorado action in-close made up for the tough sailfishing.
All of the boats were able to experience great action with dorado. Once
again we had no one fishing inshore.
Water Temperature 78-82
Air Temperature 80-84
Humidity 100 %
Wind South 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 6:23 a.m. CST
Sunset 5:42 p.m. CST
Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New; Jan. 16, First Quarter.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarland
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