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| Around 10% of the world's total fish species can be found just within the Great Barrier Reef. |
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| Starfish can re-grow their arms. In fact, a single arm can regenerate a whole body. |
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| Starfish do not have blood. Their blood is actually filtered sea water. |
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| Starfish don't have brains. Special cells on their skin gather information about their surroundings |
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| Not all animals with the word fish in their names count as fish. |
| Though their names may suggest otherwise, cuttlefish, starfish, and jellyfish aren’t actually fish. Generally-speaking, fishes must have skulls, gills, and fins. Surprisingly, though, not all fishes have proper spines. |
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| In three decades, the world's oceans will contain more discarded plastic than fish when measured by weight, researchers say. |
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| As of 2020, there were 34,000 known fish species around world. That’s more than the number of species in all other vertebrates: birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians combined. |
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| Just how man species of fish are there? |
| As of 2020, there were 34,000 known fish species around world. That’s more than the number of species in all other vertebrates: birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians combined. |
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| Even Catfish are finicky |
| Taste Buds ? Catfish have a more refined sense of flavor than humans. Our 10,000 taste buds may seem like a lot, but catfish can have as many as 175,000. This helps them find the exact location of their next meal. |
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| A bit of Humor |
| My brother has 2 German Shepherds named Rolex and Timex. You guessed it they are Watch Dogs. |
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From Jan 01, 1999 To Sep 21, 2025
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Jun 12, 2004; 02:10PM - Tuna Sizzle on the Cape; Roosters at Zihuatanejo
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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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: bajafly@bajafly.com; USA toll-free (800)
919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Sat., June 12, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (6/5-6/11)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: I guess if I have to leave the East Cape, I might as well do it on a good note. My last two trips of the spring were as fun as any. Yesterday, Matt Amann, Denver, and I went out on a panga from Hotel Buena Vista. It was Matt's first saltwater excursion and the reports I had given him from the last few trips had him excited. Sadly, we had a slow first hour or two. He hung in there like a trooper though, and fished hard through the drought as I encouraged him with the 'a lot of games are won in the second half' routine. Sure enough, we got on them. We found a mixed school of roosters, ladyfish, and jack crevalle that had Matt “reeling.” As any first-timer would be, he was amazed by the speed, power and beauty of the roosters. We got some great pictures of him with his first roosters and a couple of medium-sized jacks. We were teasing with live sardines and had some really aggressive ladyfish attacks.
Today, the Tal Vickers group, Mobile, Ala., and I took a cruiser out to the deep blue. It was their first day in Mexico and they “just wanted to catch some fish.” I recommended some tuna fishing after the yellowfin treated the Potters so well the other day. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed fishing on RELENTLESS, a cruiser from Los Palmas Hotel. The captain and mate were proficient and enthusiastic. We got on the yellowfin immediately after about a 45 minute run. We found out why the boat was named RELENTLESS after 14 tuna on relatively light tackle: 9 and10 weights.
All in all, it's a classic way to leave the East Cape – some fresh sashimi and a cold Pacifico!
(This is Josh’s last report as he headed out for a summer in Wyoming. He will be back guiding for us in the fall.)
-East Cape report by Baja on the Fly guide Josh Dickenson
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 70-84
Air temperature 75-88
Humidity about 42%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:05 p.m. MDT
June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter
• OFFSHORE: Another good week with tuna leading the charge. There was a decent billfish show including several sails as the water warms up. Good-sized single and double dorado and a few schools found as well.
• INSHORE: Some grande skipjack along with small roosters and some medium sized jacks.
• BEACH: Few sardina, more mullet which is like candy to bubba. Pompano, ladyfish and I even caught a small snook in front of the house two nights in a row.
BILLFISH – Good show for the last few weeks if you target them.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Good sized fish that will make you feel like you have been in a bar brawl.
DORADO – Mostly good-sized pairs with a few schools found under anything floating.
ROOSTERFISH\\ JACK CREVALLE – Plenty to look at, the trick is to get them to bite.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Several reports of the largest they had ever seen, whatever that means.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Best in low light on rock reefs.
SIERRA – Still under the receivers at La Ribera if you have a hankering for ceviche.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Still only a few fishing this week. Offshore, the tuna guys are reporting the water is still cool and all they can find is skipjack. Up in the esteros, corvina remain the mainstay, a few pompano and, of course, plenty of spotted bay bass
Water Temperature 64-70
Air Temperature 68-77
Humidity 77%
Wind 2 mph from NW
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:16 p.m. MDT
June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter
YELLOWTAIL – Still among the missing
CORVINA – Bread and Butter fish these days.
SNOOK – Elusive as usual
HALIBUT – Bouncing a chartreuse Clouser along a sandy bottom almost a sure thing.
SIERRA – Even that rumor went away.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 80ş blue water is only a mile from the beach. Fishing has been very good for our normal “bread and butter” species: roosterfish, jack crevalle and sailfish. But, the marlin and tuna have pulled a disappearing act.
The Schlagel family, of the San Francisco Bay area, fished with captain Cali on the panga “Zapatito Gordo” and released 5 sailfish. However, most boats are averaging a 2 or 3 sailfish day.
The roosterfish action has really heated up, with Arturo on the panga “Janeth” recording the best day we have had for a long time. He got 14 roosters for his clients, averaging from about 30- to 45-pounds. The fish were all taken on surface poppers and slow trolled live bait. Anival, the 1st mate of the “Don Gordo,” took clients out to the White Rocks and nailed a 60 pound rooster, 28 pound pargo, and several large jacks. (Anival has taken over the helm of the “Don Gordo” now that Captain Poli has his new boat, the “Don Gordo II”.)
Water Temperature 72-78
Air Temperature 78-86
Humidity 74%
Wind Calm
Conditions T Storms
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:21 p.m. CDT
June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: Typical summer conditions with thunder showers the norm. Most of the boats remained at the dock with the crews sharing stories of yesterday’s exploits and tomorrow’s hopes. The fishing remained the same with few if any clients to take advantage of the extraordinary sailfishing just a few miles offshore.
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 80-82
Humidity 94 %
Wind Calm.
Conditions Chance of T-storms
Visibility 14 miles
Sunrise 6:35 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:31 p.m. CST
June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full, July 9 Last Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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Jun 5, 2004; 09:04AM - 'Rooster Alley' Pays Dividends; Zihuatanejo Wide Open
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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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: bajafly@bajafly.com; USA toll-free (800)
919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Sat., June 05, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (5/29-6/4)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: On Tues. (6/1): Ken and Amy Potter and I just returned from our first trip. It was a relatively slow day on the beach. “Slow” or not, Ken did manage to land his first rooster. He caught it while blind casting at Rooster Alley early in the a.m. He was very excited, which might be the understatement of the day. Yesterday (6/4), action was fast and furious at Rooster Alley. The group landed several roosters to 18-pounds. We also hooked a few Bubba class that zing-powed us.
-East Cape report by Baja on the Fly guide Josh Dickenson
Another stellar week regardless of the direction you headed or the species you targeted.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 70-84
Air temperature 73-90
Humidity about 46%
Wind: 9 mph from the SE
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:02 p.m. MDT
June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full,
• OFFSHORE: Tuna boiling, billfish spoiling for a fight, dorado with shoulders slamming the teasers should be enough to make you smile.
• INSHORE: Be rigged and ready when you board the boat so you don’t miss any opportunities.
• BEACH: Plenty of shots, patience and a good casting arm are an asset.
BILLFISH – Another great week for the pointy nosed ones.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Plenty and they are biting, but you will have to run a minimum of 25 miles to find them
DORADO – Good sized fish but not the herds.
ROOSTERFISH\\ JACK CREVALLE – Had a slow day or two this week but it turned right back on.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Not a primary target these days.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Pretty good show on a few of the rock reefs.
SIERRA – More than needed.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Weather improved this week, but most of the fleet focused on scallops. (They are delicious!) Little action reported either at the entrada or up in the esteros.
Water Temperature 64-70
Air Temperature 69-77
Humidity 69%
Wind Calm
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:14 p.m. MDT
June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full,
YELLOWTAIL – Cool water few fish.
CORVINA – Still the best action throughout the bay.
SNOOK – Nope.
HALIBUT – Sandy beaches still producing fair action.
SIERRA – Still hearing rumors of a good show near Tasco inside the bay.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 80ş blue water is only about 3 miles off the beach. The fishing is rated as good for all species. However, we did get a couple of days of stormy weather this week, making it too tough to try to fish.
The rainy season has arrived and within a week, the surrounding will be green again. This is the time of the year when the blue water (read game species) comes in very close to the beach.
While guiding BOF client Michael Bebee of Marin, Calif., Mike took 6 nice yellowfin tuna. We were on the panga “Zapatito Gordo” with Captain Cali. All the fish were caught casting into the boils among the birds and porpoise. We located the school of fish only 7 miles from Zihuatanejo Bay.
Sailfish action is seeing about a 2 to 3 fish per boat average. Captain Ruben on the “Yellowfin II” came over and joined us on the tuna school after releasing 3 sailfish for his clients. He ended his day by 10 with the 3 sails and 4 nice tuna.
The roosters and jack crevalle are here also, but the offshore storms have the beaches in a rough condition with the high surf. Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos,” and Marcos on the panga “Oceana” did manage to find good concentrations of both. Adolpho got his roosters and jacks 26 miles south, and Marcos got several large jacks just in front of Ixtapa and the marina Ixtapa.
Water Temperature 72-78
Air Temperature 77-84
Humidity 84%
Wind East 17 mph
Conditions Rain
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:18 p.m. CDT
June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full,
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: With full schedules of boat maintenance and no clients, the fleet remained at the dock this week. Conditions remained consistent with last week’s report. Rain – the lifeblood of our tropical climate – continued in the evenings. All our boats are now fine-tuned, cleaned up from normal wear and tear and ready to rip.
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 80-82
Humidity 94 %
Wind Calm.
Conditions Chance of T-storms
Visibility 14 miles
Sunrise 5:34 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:27 p.m. CST
June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter July 2, Full,
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
. . .
CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO BRING TO THE EAST CAPE
(We’ll continue to publish this every month or so for new recipients of our report, but we suggest you print it out and keep it handy.)
• _______ FISHING CLOTHING - Lightweight, fast-drying technical clothing.
Long sleeve shirts and long pants if you burn easily.
• _______ TENNIS SHOES, BOAT SHOES OR RUBBER SOLED SANDALS.
. _______ HAT - For protection from the sun.
• _______ POLARIZED SUN GLASSES. (All dark glasses are not polarized. Be sure yours are.)
• _______ WINDBREAKER OR SWEATSHIRT.
• _______ SHORTS.
• _______ SWIMSUIT.
• _______ COSMETICS OR SHAVING GEAR.
• _______ SUN PROTECTION (lotion or block.)
• _______ LIP BALM.
• _______ SEASICKNESS MEDICATION.
• _______ TYLENOL OR ASPIRIN.
• _______ BENEDRYL SPRAY OR OINTMENT.
• _______ FLASHLIGHT (For walking on the beach at night.)
• _______ CAMERA, EXTRA FILM.
• _______ VIDEO CAMERA AND TAPES (Optional.)
. _______ EXTRA BATTERIES.
. _______ SNORKEL EQUIPMENT (Optional. Can be rented there.)
. _______ U.S. $1 DOLLAR BILLS (For tips.)
SHIRTS AND SHOES ARE REQUIRED IN THE DINING ROOM
FISHING GEAR YOU MAY NEED:
See Gary Graham’s “No Nonsense Guide to Fly Fishing Southern Baja” or his website: www.bajafly.com.
• ________8-, 9-, or 10-weight rod for surf fishing and casting. A 9-weight is ideal if you are bringing only one rod. Add a 12-weight if you are fishing from a boat. Rental tackle is available, but must be reserved.
• ________Reel(s) direct or anti-reverse, anodized. Good disc drag and plenty of backing. Reels with a quick take-apart feature are ideal for cleaning.
• ________Lines - Beach and Inshore: Intermediate or sink-tip for rocky areas. Full line (350 grain) or shooting head for sandy areas. Offshore: 10- or 12-weight rod. Full flyline (650 grain) shooting head/intermediate. For marlin and big tuna: 14-weight, quality reel, lots of backing 125#, and 36-inch bite tippet. Extra fly lines and shooting heads -- better safe than sorry.
• ________Leaders and Tippet.
• ________Stripping Basket.
• ________Flies. Contact your fly shop for the most current flies in use.
• ________Hook sharpener.
• ________Foot protection for the rocks.
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May 29, 2004; 01:06PM - Summer Starts to Sizzle Big Time
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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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: bajafly@bajafly.com; USA toll-free (800)
919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Sat., May 29, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (5/22-5/28)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Wed. (5/26), all five of the Gikkas party (Isabel and Alan Gikkas, and 3-year old Alysa, Novato, Calif.; Diane and Al Williams, Corte Madera, Calif.) headed out looking for marlin on light tackle. They had plenty of it with 4 hooked and one landed. We saw at least 2 dozen and a few would have been an easy shot with the fly. Yes, we even took Alysa to where she could catch a few bottom fish.
Scott Nobles and Bill Bruling, Chicago, are a couple of young guys who were experiencing saltwater for the first time. It only took a few minutes and the ladyfish, sierra and roosters were busting all around us right in front of the spa, just as I was explaining to the group how difficult roosters could be. Scott set some sort of record by hooking a rooster on his second cast. They really caught on to the retrieve and hook-setting techniques and we continued to hook and land good numbers of fish all day. It was a classic Sea of Cortez kind of day – roosters, jacks, ladies, trumpets, needles, and sierra. Scott fought a jack crevalle for almost an hour while mantas and sea lions surfaced all around us. They loved it!
Dentist John Grim, Del Mar, Calif., and his buddy Phil arrived Thurs. night and were anxious to get on the water. Every day is different and yesterday (5/28) I saw more roosters come up to the teaser than any other trip so far. Unfortunately, they were also as picky as I've ever seen them . . . and that's picky! They did manage to boat some ladyfish and I saw at least two good rooster eats on the fly that were blown. Like most new-comers, they missed some great opportunities – management, hook setting, etc., before they began to get the hang of it. There was so much rooster action that we spent the entire day in the same area. I'd say we had about 50 come up on the teasers.
- East Cape report by Baja on the Fly guide John Dickenson
Hotels full! Fish feeding! Welcome to summer and take a moment to reflect on all of those who have sacrificed so much to allow us to live in freedom. Have a great Memorial Day weekend.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 70-82
Air temperature 73-80
Humidity about 37%
Wind: 6 mph from the South
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:59 p.m. MST
June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter
• OFFSHORE: Plenty of action to satisfy everyone. Billfish, tuna (fat ones) and dorado are all out there waiting for your fly.
• INSHORE: Rock solid action, enough variety to satisfy most dedicated lifetime list keepers.
• BEACH: It is Showtime. June is one of our favorite months for the beach and if the last couple of weeks are any indication the next few weeks should be a barnburner.
BILLFISH – Numbers keep creeping up every week.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – They are here and its not football season, these are fatties will make you wish for a 12wt.
DORADO – School’s out and the schoolies are in.
ROOSTERFISH\\ JACK CREVALLE – Bubba’s cruising, hens scratching, toros charging. See you on the beach.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Kind of fell through the cracks with all the other action.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Occasionally finding them on the surface feeding and when you do, its bare knuckles all the way.
SIERRA – No smiles here, your favorite rooster fly, no wire, gone @##$%^&*(.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Cold and windy most of the week the esteros only yielded a few corvina and spotted bay bass. The ride out to the entrada was long and not very productive with little action on the surface to be found. There were rumors of a good sierra bite down in the southern end of the bay under the bird schools.
Water Temperature 64-70
Air Temperature 66-75
Humidity 73%
Wind 2 mph from the NNW
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:39 a.m. MST
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MST
June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter
YELLOWTAIL – No action to be found this week.
CORVINA – Poppers and white deceivers kept them coming.
SNOOK – Still missing.
HALIBUT – You can always find a few in shallow water along the sandy beaches.
SIERRA – South end of the bay was the place to be.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The water is warming up and the blue water is only about 6 miles off the beach. As expected for this time of the year, the fishing is also improving. Almost all species are being taken on a regular basis, even though it can not be considered 'wide open' for any single one.
The blue marlin action has decreased a little from the previous 3 weeks, but we are still getting our fair share of shots.
Sailfish are averaging about 2 to 3 fish per day per boat. The yellowfin tuna are spotty, but anything from football-size to about 60-pounds are giving the anglers who find the schools about 2 to 4 per boat.
The roosterfish action is getting stronger every day and we are getting the fish along the beaches to both the north and the south. I guided Butch Cooley of Butch Cooley's Worldwide Hunting and Fishing outfitters of Seattle, on the panga “Isamar” with Captain Martin at the controls. We had 3 chances at the roosters, hooked and released two of them. The fish were all in the 25-pound class. We also got a small 5 pound dorado right in the surf line while looking for the roosters.
Butch's group, with me guiding a few of them, also fished 7 more days on the cruiser “Yellowfin II” with Captain Ruben. Rounding out the group was wife Laurie and friend Isabelle Caraway. Isabelle was the high angler with 10 sails and 1 marlin released. Not only is Isabelle 70 years young, but this was her very first blue water fishing experience.
They raised a total of 27 sails and 5 marlin, catching 20 of the 27 sails. The best action was in the latter part of the week, indicating things are going to get better.
Phil Burton, of London, England, fished two days with Santiago on the panga “Gitana.” The first day saw 6 sailfish released and 2 tuna in the 25-pound class. The second day produced 1 small blue marlin released (estimated at about 200 pounds), 2 sailfish released, and 4 football tuna of about 12 pounds.
Water Temperature 72-78
Air Temperature 78-89
Humidity 83%
Wind Calm
Conditions Scattered Clouds 15,000 ft
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:16 p.m. CST
June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: The action continues to hold up with great numbers for this time of year, despite the rains which have appeared every night. The boats that have gone out are averaging 16 of 23 releases on sails, and some boats have a much higher average. The action on dorado is still very good, with some impressively large ones coming in.
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 80-82
Humidity 94 %
Wind Calm.
Conditions Chance of T-storms
Visibility 14 miles
Sunrise 5:34 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:27 p.m. CST
June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New, June 27 First Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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May 22, 2004; 01:57PM - East Cape Explosion
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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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: bajafly@bajafly.com; USA toll-free (800)
919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Sat., May 22, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (5/15-5/21)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL:
Wed. (6/19) I went beach fishing and had my best day yet. It was great! I only wish Lance [Peterson] had been there. I hooked five roosters and landed two, including my biggest to date. I'm guessing it was around 35-40\\ pounds based on the fish we were able to weigh on the Boga grip. It was 49-inches long. It took the Chivo Lisa, (Photo follows.) http://www.bajafly.com/Beachfly.htm
Peter Shulman, Denver, and his party made it up from Cabo. They were a fun bunch and we had a good time. One of the couples had never even fished before, let alone fly-fished. They had beginners’ luck as usual landing a rooster, an amberjack, and some good sized bonito. It’s always fun to watch first-timers handle their first saltwater fish on the fly.
- East Cape report by Baja on the Fly guide John Dickenson
It’s official! East Cape Fishing season is on and it is living up to its reputation. See below for more details.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 72-82
Air temperature 72-82
Humidity about 39%
Wind: 5 mph from the NW
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:34 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:56 p.m. MST
May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New
• OFFSHORE: Finally, when you get on the boat the question can be posed honestly, “What do you want to fish for today?” Marlin both to the north and south, a better than decent tuna snap and even the dorado have shown up.
• INSHORE: This has been the mainstay for the past several weeks, and now there are choices. If you are looking for variety you have found it.
• BEACH: Great, don’t confuse the word “great” with easy, but put your time in and take your shots and you may get the fish of a lifetime.
BILLFISH – Onward and upward, heating up nicely.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Just in time. The hotels fill up and Charley shows up on cue.
DORADO – Here is your golden opportunity to get your string pulled . . . a lot
ROOSTERFISH\\ JACK CREVALLE – From chickie size to Bubba. Shhhh, you can even hear them slamming the bait schools early in the morning.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Great starter for beginners to get the hang of it.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Rock on! Try the rocky points or the arroyos.
SIERRA – Grab . . . strip strike, no fly . . . they are still here.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Puerto San Carlos:
IN GENERAL: Light pressure from the recreational anglers this week. Most of the action was centered around the Devil’s Curve area and Los Barriles Estero. Fishing on an outgoing tide with Baja Deep Diver produced mixed results with a few smaller variety snook, a few leopard grouper and, of course, lots of spotted bay bass.
Water Temperature 64-70
Air Temperature 68-77
Humidity 28%
Wind 4 mph from the NW
Conditions Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:39 a.m. MST
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MST
May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New
YELLOWTAIL – The entrada (entrance) is the best bet, however no one seemed to be interested in making the 20 mile run to check it out.
CORVINA – Poppers and white deceivers kept them coming.
SNOOK – Should begin to see some of the larger ones as the water warms up.
HALIBUT – You can always find a few in shallow water along the sandy beaches.
SIERRA – Only a rumor this week.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The IGFA announced this week that our “Jacks or Better” Roosterfish-on-the-Fly tournament will be one of the qualifying events and the winner will be invited to compete in their Inshore Championship in April, 2005. http://igfa.org/tournaments/event-display.cfm?eveid=441 Don’t miss out on the first ever Rooster-on-the Fly event in Zihuatanejo. http://www.bajafly.com/jacksorbetter.htm
The 78ş blue water remains at 12 miles and the blue marlin bite is still strong. Each day about 1 in every 4 boats is getting a shot at a marlin. When you consider they are not targeting marlin, but rather pulling smaller baits for the sailfish, those are fairly decent numbers. The sailfish action is holding steady at about two fish per boat per day.
The inshore action has really taken off. While guiding Baja on the Fly fishing client Steve Walser of Soulsbyville, Calif., (Note: Soulsbyville is a mountain town in the California Gold Country in case you didn’t recognize it) he was hooking a fish about every 5 minutes. We were fishing the near point at the White Rocks and in the mixed bag were black skipjack tuna, jack crevalle, and rainbow runners.
Water Temperature 72-78
Air Temperature 78-86
Humidity 83%
Wind Calm
Conditions Scattered Clouds 15,000 ft
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:13 p.m. CST
May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: The action has been good this last week with boats able to average 17 of 27 releases on sails. The high boat went 27 of 39 on sails. Marlins continue to show up each week behind the boats, and there have been some large dorado. Overall, the weather has been nice, but while rain showers are becoming more common, they have not disrupted the ability to get out.
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 73-84
Humidity 94 %
Wind Calm.
Conditions T Storms
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:35 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:25 p.m. CST
May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter, June 17 New
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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May 15, 2004; 01:12PM - Jacks and Roosters Have Come to Play
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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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: bajafly@bajafly.com; USA toll-free (800)
919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Fri., May 14, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (5/8-5/14)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Wed. (5/12) was an eventful day on the beach. Down by the lighthouse, we got into the fish again. Jacks . . . and huge ones at that. I ran down a school and made a cast. Whamo! . . . the biggest jack I’ve ever hooked was off and running. The first run was relentless and before I knew it well over 350 yards of spider wire backing were gone. I was in serious jeopardy of being spooled! The fish was still pulling hard when a horrible sight came upon me. A panga was trolling tight to the beach and headed straight for me. He moved out slightly but kept right on coming. We waved franticly, but to no avail. He trolled right over my visibly outstretched backing and broke me off. Possible world record class jack crevalle and a new fly line gone. There I sat on the beach, fish everywhere and no fly line, frustrating to say the least.
Not long after that we encountered two guys fly-fishing on ATVs. We had seen them earlier and they stopped to talk to us. I related my sad tale and low and behold, the guy gave me a brand new 12-weight line, a clear SA tarpon line still in the box. Turns out he owns a fly shop in the Sierra town of Mammoth, Calif., his name is Ken . . . sorry, I missed his full name. Very cool gesture on his part.
So, thanks to Ken I was able to fish Thurs. (5/13) and catch the giant rooster (35-pounds) I was blessed with this afternoon, and a smaller one earlier. The clear line seemed to work well, and I fished a long leader of 16-pounds, a full rod length or 9 feet.
Yesterday (5/14) morning, little wind last night yet a persistent swell rolled in and really stirred up the beach. Visibility was very poor and a slight overcast made conditions tough, indeed. No cruising fish spotted and no fish hooked. It was my first beach skunking in some time.
Inshore, panga hit a few smaller roosterfish and a couple of skipjack on fly, with a few pargo as well. The fleet came in flying a few marlin flags, and even a few dorado banderas (flags.) One Palmas boat was loaded with tuna flags, but apparently they were the only ones who found them.
- East Cape report by Baja on the Fly guide Lance Peterson
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 72-77
Air temperature 71-80
Humidity about 40%
Wind: West 4 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds 23,900 ft
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:53 p.m. MST
May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter,
• OFFSHORE: Pretty tough, few marlin, dorado, one boat did hit the jackpot for tuna which had the rest of the fleet trying to figure out where.
• INSHORE: Still the best bang for the buck.
• BEACH: Good early in the week and then the swell and cloud cover slowed it down.
BILLFISH – Slowed down after last week’s bonanza.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Where, oh where, have they gone?
DORADO – Wait, wait, don’t tell me they are late for the party.
ROOSTERFISH\\ JACK CREVALLE – Slow yesterday, better mid week.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Not the prime target this week.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Try the rocky points or the arroyos
SIERRA – Still some mixed in with the roosters and jacks.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Puerto San Carlos:
IN GENERAL: No reports from the entrada, but up in the mangroves it was business as usual for corvina and pompano. Also, a few leopard grouper were found at Devil’s Curve. The snook continued their elusive ways and were among the missing.
Water Temperature 64-70
Air Temperature 66-77
Humidity 40%
Wind Calm
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:42 a.m. MST
Sunset 8:04 p.m. MST
May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter,
YELLOWTAIL – Not much action to talk about this week
CORVINA – just keep on biting.
SNOOK – Finding them and catching them are two different things
HALIBUT – A few throughout the bay on the sandy beaches.
SIERRA – Belchers is the place.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Our Jacks or Better Rooster Tournament and Guide Challenge are certainly drawing the attention. Slots for both events are filling up fast. Don’t miss out on the first ever Rooster on the Fly event in Zihuatanejo.
http://www.bajafly.com/jacksorbetter.htm
The 78ş blue water has moved in substantially in the last week, to about 10 miles. But, the fishing has not followed accordingly. There are several blue marlin being hooked every day, and fishing for them is about as good as it gets.
The 2-3 pound black skipjack tuna, a favorite marlin meal, are here in abundance and the marlin are mostly being taken by slow trolling a live skipjack. The “Vamanos I,” with Captain Ruben, has taken 8 marlin in the last two weeks. He is getting at least one shot at one each day he fishes.
The sailfish action is still at a 1 to 2 fish per boat average, and the tuna still have not shown within 45 miles.
Water Temperature 72-78
Air Temperature 80-95
Humidity 78%
Wind Calm
Conditions Scattered Clouds 15,000 ft
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:16 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:08 p.m. CST
May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter,
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: The conditions have been really nice with light winds, and brief occasional showers. The production this past week is a mirror of the prior week, with
again the big news being lots of dorado. For sails, the few boats out were able to average 19 of 25 releases on conventional tackle.
Be sure to check out the current story on ESPN Outdoors about Guatemala on the Fly:
http://espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/s/f_fea_AA_Guatemala_sailfish_fly_Mintz.html
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 82-86
Humidity 74 %
Wind 5 mph.
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:36 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:23 p.m. CST
May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full, June 9 Last Quarter,
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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May 8, 2004; 01:44PM - Roosters Invade East Cape; Dorado Begin to Show
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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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: bajafly@bajafly.com; USA toll-free (800)
919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Fri., May 07, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (5/1-5/6)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: There is a tremendous amount of bait on the beach and as one might expect, the game fish have been on the prowl. We’ve been getting a good number of shots at roosters in the high teens and beyond, however they are not easy to deceive. There is often so much bait that one’s fly gets lost in the crowd. Nevertheless, my fellow guide Josh Dickenson and I fished hard for many hours yesterday (testing the waters, so to speak) and must have run and walked miles chasing fish. I hooked a rooster in the teens and had a repeat of my last hook up . . . tight line followed by solid strip strikes followed by the hook coming free! Moments later, Josh had the same thing happen. We sharpened our hooks big time and went back at it. I had some heart stopping follows, but no more hook ups. But Josh hooked a gorgeous rooster of 18 pounds. Photos taken, of course.
The weather is becoming warmer by the day and chasing roosters is definitely becoming a pursuit for the physically and mentally fit. They certainly make you work for every bite!
Not too many boats going out of the hotels, but those returning are flying some flags: a few dorado, and a good number of marlin flags. The marlin bite has been quite close to La Ribera. We could easily see the fleet offshore as we beach fished. Inshore, there has been a mixed bag of fish out there early a.m.: roosters, sierra, and a few skipjack. (Report by Baja on the Fly guide Lance Peterson.)
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 69-77
Air temperature 71-80
Humidity about 46%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:41 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:49 p.m. MST
May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full,
• OFFSHORE: In a short 10 minutes you can be in the heart of the billfish action in front of La Ribera.
• INSHORE: Keeps getting better as the water warms up.
• BEACH: Word’s out – even the Cabo guys are showing up to try their luck.
BILLFISH – Close yes, but lots of boats
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Still waiting for the big bite.
DORADO – Here and there, but still waiting for the bite to begin in earnest.
ROOSTERFISH\\ JACK CREVALLE – Plenty of bait and action to go with it.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Still around.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Try the rocky points or the arroyos
SIERRA – Hmm, winter fish? Don’t think so.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Puerto San Carlos:
IN GENERAL: Slow but steady would describe both the mangroves and the entrada, with few exotics biting. Everything seems to be filling up on red crabs, so a red fly might be in order.
Lopez Mateos: Capt. Ruben Duran on the “Wendy” took Bob Hoyt and Regio out for inshore fishing. They had one grouper and limits of sand bass with many releases of sand bass.
Water Temperature 64-70
Air Temperature 68-77
Humidity 59%
Wind Calm
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. MST
Sunset 8:00 p.m. MST
May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full,
YELLOWTAIL – Couldn’t even find them down deep this week
CORVINA – Definitely the go-to fish this week.
SNOOK – None to be found this week
HALIBUT – A few throughout the bay on the sandy beaches.
SIERRA – Look under the bird schools near Belcher’s.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 78ş blue water has moved out beyond the 20 mile mark and the fishing has slowed considerably.
Gary and Yvonne Graham were here to make the final arrangements for their upcoming two tournaments. The October 6-10 Jacks or Better Roosterfish fly-fishing tournament is the first of its type in the world. The December 3-8 Sails and Tales is fly-fishing for sailfish.
Even the yellowfin tuna, which were looking promising last week, disappeared. Santiago, on the panga 'Gitana' took his Southern California client, Mike Resnick out twice. The first day they got a couple of sails, went 50 miles, and never saw a tuna. The second day, chasing a radio report they went 35 miles, found out the action was over by the time they got there, and did not get anything.
Arturo, on the panga 'Janeth,' hooked 3 sailfish for his clients at the 25 mile mark.
Most of the other boats are averaging between 1 and 2 sailfish a day each.
Water Temperature 72-78
Air Temperature 78-93
Humidity 65%
Wind Calm
Conditions Scattered Clouds (SCT) : 25,000 ft
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:16 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:08 p.m. CST
May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full,
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: This past week the burning question has been, “Where have all the anglers gone?” The fish are still here in great numbers, the conditions are nice, but the boats are not going out. The few that did get out averaged 17 releases of 22 hooked for sails on conventional gear, and 8 releases of 22 hooked on fly tackle. The dorado have shown up in huge numbers with 3 boats reporting a total of 170 hooked, which makes the sailfishing a little tough. Marlin also continue to show up with a steady frequency of a couple per week. Be sure to check out the current story on ESPN Outdoors about Guatemala on the Fly:
http://espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/s/f_fea_AA_Guatemala_sailfish_fly_Mintz.html
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 82-86
Humidity 70 %
Wind SSE 11 mph.
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:38 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:20 p.m. CST
May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter, June 2, Full,
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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May 1, 2004; 01:39PM - Just Shy of 'WOW' Conditions
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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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: bajafly@bajafly.com; USA toll-free (800)
919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Sat., May 01, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (4/24-4/30)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Beach fishing continues to heat up with lots of shots for quality roosters up to 35 pounds. Several fish in the 20 pound class were landed by clients as well as the guides on their days off. Panga action has been good with numerous roosterfish, jacks, and sierra. Sierra action was very hot yesterday (4/30) morning. Craig Barrette, Chicago, caught the largest sierra we have seen this spring, a wahoo-like monster of 10 pounds! Joe Turano, Houston, produced stellar action for both huge sierra and lots of roosters. He hooked over a dozen during the action-packed morning. The marlin also showed only a few miles off La Ribera late this week. We tried to get one close enough to cast a fly by trolling hookless teasers, but nothing got interested. But they’re out there . . .
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 66-57
Air temperature 69-77
Humidity about 50%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:45 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:46 p.m. MST
May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter
• OFFSHORE: Hard to tell where offshore begins and inshore ends with striped marlin found only 3 to 5 miles off of La Ribera.
• INSHORE: Continues to be the better choice for the fly-rodder.
• BEACH: Hard to ignore, with more bubbas appearing every day.
BILLFISH – Close enough, just need more volume to make it interesting.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Up north producing a few, but it is a long time in between.
DORADO – Still waiting for the herds to show up.
ROOSTERFISH\\ JACK CREVALLE – Here we go. By later this month it could be really good.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Almost the go-to species if nothing else is going on.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Take your pick, the sticks, La Ribera or Punta Colorado rocks.
SIERRA – Hmm, winter fish? Don’t think so.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Puerto San Carlos:
IN GENERAL: Pretty much a mixed bag this week. Out at the entrada, the yellowtail played more hide than seek. There were plenty of barracuda, cabrilla and even a few halibut to make the ride out worthwhile. Up in the esteros, a few grouper, corvina and pompano rounded out the catch.
Water Temperature 64-70
Air Temperature 66-77
Humidity 97%
Wind West 15 mph
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:50 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:57 p.m. MST
May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter
YELLOWTAIL – Among the missing this week.
CORVINA – Poppers will do the trick for pompano as well.
SNOOK – Few and far between
HALIBUT – A few throughout the bay on the sandy beaches.
SIERRA – Couldn’t even find them this week.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: We are in the second of the three day annual International May Billfish Tournament. As of this writing, the boats just left the dock, and yesterday’s numbers are not yet posted. However, reports from all the captains indicate a lot of fish have been caught.
It appears the 100 boats entered are averaging a little less than three sailfish a day. This should hold up for the two upcoming days of the tournament, with a total of about 800 to 900 sailfish hooked.
Even though this a kill tournament, it is fortunate most of the captains have been practicing catch and release on a regular basis, and only a small number of the larger sized fish will make it to the dock.
Among some of yesterday's notable catches were three blue marlin weighed, with the largest over 300 pounds. Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos,” had an incredible day with 6 sailfish caught, one small striped marlin, and two very small blue marlin. All but one sailfish was released.
Other action during the week was rated fair, as some of the captains located yellowfin tuna out beyond the 1,000 fathom curve line. Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” took one fished that weighed exactly 100 pounds, and on a second day, took four more tuna of about 50 pounds each.
Water Temperature 72-78
Air Temperature 77-91
Humidity 83%
Wind Calm
Conditions Scattered Clouds (SCT) : 25,000 ft
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:19 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:06 p.m. CST
May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: Squirrelly weather contributed to tough conditions this week. The fly guys could only manage catches in the high single digits. While there were several blue marlin hooked up none were landed.
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 80-84
Humidity 94 %
Wind NNE 6 mph.
Conditions Scattered Clouds
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:41 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:19 p.m. CST
May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New, May 27 First Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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Apr 25, 2004; 07:57AM - Roosters, Jacks, Sailfish and More Sailfish
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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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: bajafly@bajafly.com; USA toll-free (800)
919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Sat., April 24, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (4/17-4/23)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Brian Dalton, Monterey Ca had a great week in spite of some windy conditions. Plenty of roosters in the 7 – 15 pound class plus a few jacks and ladyfish from the beach. Our clients fishing from the panga experienced good fishing in the morning until the wind came up about 11:00. Pargo, sierra were climbing all over the flies for Shelby and Daren Nordhagen, Boozemen Mt. Who fished several days this week.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 66-57
Air temperature 68-77
Humidity about 78%
Wind: South at 12 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:50 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:43 p.m. MST
April 27 First Quarter, May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New
• OFFSHORE: By mid morning the wind made things uncomfortable and there were few fish to be found.
• INSHORE: Best choice this week with good action at La Ribera and in front of Punta Colorada
• BEACH: Seems to be shaping up to be a dynamite year for roosters and jacks.
BILLFISH – A few can be found but not enough to keep the fly rodder occupied.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Find some porpoise and you may get lucky.
DORADO – Mostly larger fish in small groups.
ROOSTERFISH\\ JACK CREVALLE – Here we go, by next month it could be really good.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Still around.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Found a few around the receivers at La Ribera and Punta Colorada.
SIERRA – Good catches again this week.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Puerto San Carlos:
IN GENERAL: Good weather all week and few clients. Devils curve produced a few grouper and corvina but the snook were among the missing
Water Temperature 64-70
Air Temperature 66-75
Humidity 97%
Wind Calm
Conditions Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:53 p.m. MST
April 27 First Quarter, May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New
YELLOWTAIL – Entrada the best bet with the few fish around found in deeper water.
CORVINA – Esteros, pier and the bridge all produced a few.
SNOOK – Should pick up as the water warms up in the esteos
HALIBUT - A few throughout the bay on the sandy beaches.
SIERRA - Punta Belcher had a few under the diving birds.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 78ş blue water is holding at 6 miles. The sailfish action is very decent, but most of the other species like the blue marlin and big tuna are not consistent.
Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos had a very good day with 4 sailfish releases and two 40 pound class dorado fishing an area about 15 miles from Zihuatanejo Bay. Santiago, on the panga Gitana, fished the same area and released 5 sailfish for his client.
Baja On The Fly Client, Ross Taylor, from Northern CA, fished the beach at Barra Pototsi one day. The surf was too high for fly fishing, but he could see the big jack crevalle silhouetted in the waves. He broke out his Garcia 6500C salmon gear and caught a few of the 25 pound jacks. Casting Krocadiles and a surface popper, he also landed a couple of 3 foot long needle fish. He had braided line on his 6500C, and it was a good thing. The jack's 1st run would peel off 200 yards, and then slug it out till he got it all back.
Water Temperature 72-78
Air Temperature 71-86
Humidity 70%
Wind Calm
Conditions Scattered Clouds (SCT) : 25000 ft
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:23 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:04 p.m. CST
April 27 First Quarter, May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: Sailfish 101 went off without a hitch and the mission was accomplished. Five went in search of their first sailfish on the fly and they weren’t disappointed. On arrival day (Sunday) a front came roaring though and left grumpy seas for the first day. Regardless, by the end of the day all five had seen the quarry but failed to complete the task. The second day brought calmer conditions and the group headed out with firm resolve to do better. That night at dinner three could celebrate their success and the other two could only watch while vowing to succeed the next day. Succeed they did and on the final night everyone could boast that they had caught their first sailfish on the fly and most had even done better than that with multiple catches recorded. During the four days the group averaged three events (fish in the teasers) an hour during actual fishing time. We have already started planning our next series, don’t miss out!
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 78-94
Humidity 94 %
Wind SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
Conditions Mostly clear skies
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:49 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:16 p.m. CST
April 27 First Quarter, May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter, May 18 New
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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Apr 16, 2004; 01:20PM - It's Starting to be Boom, Boom Time
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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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: bajafly@bajafly.com; USA toll-free (800) 919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Fri., April 16, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Thurs. (4/08-4/15)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: Josh Dickenson, our guide from Montana, found a few dorado and even a marlin for Joe Turmes, visiting us from Boise on his first day out. The next day, fishing inshore, it was ladyfish, skipjack and a rooster, making for a great time. Meanwhile, back on the beach, Lance Peterson had to deal with some wind, which made for less than ideal conditions. Despite the breezes, they scored on pompano, ladyfish and a few mystery bites for the Saunders Family visiting all the way from England.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 66-57
Air temperature 69-77
Humidity about 69%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds (SCT) : 23,900 ft
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:40 p.m. MST
April 19 New, April 27 First Quarter, May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter
• OFFSHORE: Mixed bag with an occasional dorado and even a marlin or two if you are lucky.
• INSHORE: Bait receivers in front of La Ribera producing a mixed bag, including ladyfish, skipjack, jacks, roosters and even a pompano.
• BEACH: Still transitioning into spring which means still a windy day to contend with here and there.
BILLFISH - More spotted this week, but still tough for the fly-rodder.
YELLOWFIN TUNA - Best bet seems to be up toward Cerralvo.
DORADO – Good-sized fish in small groups.
ROOSTERFISH\\\\\\\\ JACK CREVALLE - Already seeing some toads on the good days. Plenty of fish in the 5-18 pound class being hooked.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - A little picky this week with so much bait in the water.
PARGO AND CABRILLA - Some grandes at the sticks feeding on the surface.
SIERRA - Still around; they obviously don't know that they are a winter fish.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Puerto San Carlos:
IN GENERAL: Nice weather this week, too bad there aren't more clients to enjoy it. Action up in the mangroves continued at a moderate pace with mostly corvina and cabrilla. Found a few leopard grouper up at Devil’s Curve.
Water Temperature 64-70
Air Temperature 64-71
Humidity 92%
Wind Calm
Conditions Clear
Visibility 2 miles
Sunrise 7:03 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:39 p.m. MST
April 19 New, April 27 First Quarter, May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter
YELLOWTAIL - No surface action to speak of this week
CORVINA - Top catch for the week.
SNOOK - Still little to report.
HALIBUT - A few throughout the bay on the sandy beaches.
SIERRA - Punta Belcher had a few under the diving birds.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The 78ş blue water is still only about 5 miles off the beach with the overall fishing rated as decent. Most of the two sailfish a day per boat average are coming from an area at about 12 miles an on a 210ş heading from Zihuatanejo Bay.
Tuna and dorado are still no shows, but the big blue marlin are here in very good numbers. A private 29-foot Boston Whaler, owned by Aaron of South Padre Island, Texas, has been fishing the 25 mile zone and had 3 hook-ups for 7 blue
marlin raised in the last two days.
Captain Adolpho on the “Dos Hermanos” told me the roosterfish fishing is still a hit or miss situation, but he did manage 3 nice pez gallo for his client while
fishing the antennae region south of here.
Water Temperature 72-78
Air Temperature 77-89
Humidity 83%
Wind Calm
Conditions Mostly Cloudy (BKN) : 25,000 ft
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:28 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:02 p.m. CST
April 19 New, April 27 First Quarter, May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: The action has picked up again this week. Although there were fewer boats out, those fishing averaged 20 releases out of 33 hooked sailfish on conventional gear, and on the fly side, anglers were able to release an average of 8 of 22 hooked sailfish. Also on the fly there was one roosterfish released out of seven hooked. The action remains very good by Guatemalan standards and outstanding compared to other locations. I am headed down April 18 for a week and can't wait. If it is anything like Feb., I should have plenty of stories and photos to share. Bennett Mintz and his buddy attorney David Hardacre couldn't resist the vacuum and are coming down with me to see if there are really that many sails in one place.
http://www.guatemalaflyfishing.com/sailfish101.htm
Water Temperature 79-85
Air Temperature 78-94
Humidity 94 %
Wind SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
Conditions Mostly clear skies
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:49 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:16 p.m. CST
April 19 New, April 27 First Quarter, May 4, Full, May 11 Last Quarter
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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Apr 10, 2004; 02:02PM - 'Jacks, Roosters, Sailfish: An Easter Week Treat'
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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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: bajafly@bajafly.com; USA toll-free (800) 919-2252; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
Fri., April 09, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Thurs. (4/02-4/09)
EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
CONDITIONS
EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
IN GENERAL: It was a busy week. John Thompson, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, visiting Cabo San Lucas, came a long way to go rod to tail with a double digit jack that took 45 minutes to subdue on a 9-weight. Two days later he traveled another 25 miles to find a couple of nice-sized tuna (32 and 44 pounds) and then found a 10-pound dorado to finish up the trip. Steve Rothman, Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., a returning client, had plenty of action sight-casting to roosters and jacks and even found a few pompano to add to the list.
AIR & SEA -
Water temperature 66-57
Air temperature 69-75
Humidity about 61%
Wind: NW 2 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:34 p.m. MST
April 11 Last Quarter, April 19 New, April 27 First Quarter, May 4, Full
OFFSHORE: Fishing began to pick up a bit with a few tuna starting to move into
range.
INSHORE: Jacks, roosters, sierra and skipjack kept everyone flinging
and pulling.
BEACH: Already beginning to shape up to be a banner year.
BILLFISH – Incidental catches. At best not enough to get the 14-weight out yet.
YELLOWFIN TUNA – Coming closer and closer.
DORADO – Mostly pairs, no gatherings
to speak of.
ROOSTERFISH – Enough to get our guides out pounding the beach on
their days off. Semana Santa (Easter Week) brings out the locals camping on the beach, making it difficult to find a place to fish.
JACK CREVALLE – If this keeps up, there will be a few records broken this year.
BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Still providing all the practice you want to improve your fish-fighting techniques.
PARGO AND CABRILLA – Whether from the beach or boat the rocky points are producing good catches.
SIERRA – Sunup or sundown is when they go off best.
MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Puerto San Carlos:
IN GENERAL: Little activity to report, a few fish found at the entrada down deep including small yellows, grouper and larger cabrilla. Rumors of tuna outside of Punta Tasca persist; however, I can’t seem to get a first hand report.
Water Temperature 64-70
Air Temperature 62-72
Humidity 75%
Wind NW at 2 mph
Conditions Haze
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:09 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:46 p.m. MST
April 11 Last Quarter, April 19 New, April 27 First Quarter, May 4, Full
YELLOWTAIL – None on the surface and only a few smaller ones on the bottom
CORVINA – A few at the pier and up at Devil’s Curve.
SNOOK – Little action this week.
HALIBUT – A few throughout the bay on the sandy beaches.
SIERRA – Santa Margarita Island had a few under the bird schools.
ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO
IN GENERAL: The dates have been set for our first “Jacks or Better” Roosterfish Tournament in Zihuatanejo. The details can be found at
http://www.bajafly.com/jacksorbetter.htm
The 80ş blue water has come within 5 miles. The last two weeks had it
fluctuating between 6 and 8 miles, and we were wondering where the fish were. They have arrived. The sailfish action is almost fantastic. Every boat is getting at least three sails a day, but many others are doing much better. Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos” released 8, and Jamie on the “Vamonos II had 10 biters,” but was only able to hook and release 6. Beach fishing with flyrods is a little slow, but Jed Ritchy, from Palo Alto, Calif., and I covered several beaches. We had a lot of fun looking for diving birds and Ritchey saw a lot of sites the normal tourist will never experience. We went south to Playa Larga and drove the beach for a few miles to Playa
Blanca. From there we went by dirt road Barra Pototsi, with its 3 miles of mangrove lined lagoon, and finally ended up on the main highway 1.5 hours from Zihuatanejo, in Puerto Vicente Guerrero.
Puerto Vicente Gro. is like stepping back in time at least 75 years ago here in Mexico. It is just a very small fishing village, with a small clear water port.
There are often roosterfish inside the harbor. A snack lunch there, under a palapa palm beach-front restaurant, with fresh caught fish and fresh oysters as big as your hand, is hard to beat.
Water Temperature 72-78
Air Temperature 77-91
Humidity 74%
Wind SSW at 9 mph
Conditions Mostly Cloudy (BKN) : 25,000 feet
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:59 p.m. CST
April 11 Last Quarter, April 19 New, April 27 First Quarter, May 4,Full
Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze
SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA
IN GENERAL: The fish are starting to make a strong showing again and the release numbers are moving up. Last week, the local fleet was able to average 12 releases of17 shots on conventional gear, and 5 of 11 on fly tackle for sailfish. The more experienced boats of the fleet were experiencing 20 or better releases per day. In addition to the improving sailfish action, quite a few marlin were released and many boats had action on medium-sized yellowfin tuna and larger dorado in the 40-pound class. We had one boat inshore and they hooked 7 roosters, but were only able to land 1 in the 40-pound class.
http://www.guatemalaflyfishing.com/sailfish101.htm
Water Temperature 79-84
Air Temperature 82-86
Humidity 53 %
Wind SSW at 16 mph
Conditions Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 5:53 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:16 p.m. CST
April 11 Last Quarter, April 19 New, April 27 First Quarter, May 4,Full
Baja on the Fly's Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa M. McFarlin.
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