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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 May 03, 2024
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Oct 8, 2005; 10:47AM - Weather You Like it or Not
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #979. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Torrential rains greeted the early-arriving participants for our catch and release “Jacks or Better” tournament. Several anglers including Bruce Pratt, from Beaufort, South Carolina and last year’s winner Brian Berger from San Francisco, found plenty of action in the jack department, both landing fish in the 10- to 20-pound class on Wed. (10/5). By Fri. morning when the pre-fish day was scheduled, the sun was shining and the boats headed out in search of some action.
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/DSC00973.JPG[/img]
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 86
Humidity 55%
Wind: SE 5 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:37 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:29 p.m. CDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Otis came and went and left some grumpy seas along with wind and rain which prevented anyone from fishing outside. The esteros were not wonderful, but did provide some diversion while waiting for Otis to pass. Spotted bay bass, a few grouper and trigger fish were all that could be found.
When things finally settled down later in the week, a few boats were able to get outside. Water temperatures dropped a few degrees to the 77-78 range, but the YFT didn’t seem to care and were found half way out to the Thetis Bank. With few boats out, it is difficult to say where the marlin, wahoo and dorado ended up after the storm.
Water temperature 70-81
Air temperature 71-86
Humidity 79%
Wind: W 17
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:21 a.m. MDT
Sunset 6:58 p.m. MDT
East Cape
Everyone is watching the storm containing the leftovers of “Stan,” which is meandering up the Mexican coast. Stan dumped plenty of rain on Guatemala and the West Coast of Mexico including Zihuatanejo. Unsettled conditions this week slowed the fishing down a tad. With few clients willing to head out, the reports were sketchy at best. There are still the squid out a few miles (go figure). Some tuna are out in front of La Ribera, but they are driven down quickly as more boats land on them. Offshore, billfish remain the best target. Dorado finally are showing, but don’t get me wrong – it’s not a bonanza. Along the beach, wind waves have made the water the color of a bad cup of coffee.
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/mexsat_720x486108.jpg[/img]
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 80-88
Air temperature 78-96
Humidity 55%
Wind: SE 12 mph
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 12 miles
Sunrise 7:12 a.m. MDT
Sunset 6:50 p.m. MDT
San Jose, Guatemala
Hurricane “Stan” caused some heavy flooding to some parts of Puerto San Jose. A few of the private houses in the Villas del Pacifico Compound were flooded with two to three feet of water but most are OK. At the resort, a few large trees were fallen and some flooding to the employee quarters and parking lot but the resort is OK and open for business.
Currently the roads to both the Villas and Marina Sol are closed but should open soon. Because of the poor weather no boats fished this week.
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 77- 80
Humidity 94%
Wind: WSW 9 mph
Conditions: Light Drizzle
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:53 a.m. CST
Sunset 5:46 p.m. CST
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Oct 1, 2005; 01:25PM - Has Anybody Seen Otis?
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #978. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
As we have been saying for the past few weeks, the locals have been reporting increasing numbers of marlin and well as dorado and wahoo. Larry and Martha Warlaumont, Newport Beach, Calif., heading up the line aboard their 61-foot Viking “Retriever,” reported excellent fishing 15 miles outside of Santa Maria Bay including double digit marlin plus dorado and wahoo. Capt. Ruben Duran, skipper of Mag Bay Outfitters’ 26-foot go-fast catamaran, found plenty of YFT’s in the 30-40 pound class between the Boca and Thetis Bank. Looks like Magdalena Bay is lighting up early this year. Both boats reported finding 81 degree water. As of this morning, tropical storm Otis is slowly making its way up the West Coast of Baja and is expected to arrive sometime tonight. There has already been some rain, wind and the conditions on the outside have turned pretty grumpy. If Otis doesn’t turn everything upside down, October could be a hoot.
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/OTIS.jpg[/img]
Water temperature 70-81
Air temperature 71-86
Humidity 46%
Wind: NE 9
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:18 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:14 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
With reports of good inshore action for both roosters and jacks reported, we are all looking forward to the “Jacks or Better” roosterfish tournament that will begin mid-week. Anglers from as far away as Florida will begin arriving early in the week to get in some practice. Our sponsors have outdone themselves. The prize list is impressive including Abel 10-weight rods and reels, Scientific Anglers flylines, boxes and tippets, a killer selection of Rainy’s inshore flies, Kaenon Eyewear, Dr. Slick pliers, special tournament shirts provided by Newport Blue. As an IGFA Rolex qualifying tournament, everyone is hoping to win big and participate in the Florida event in 2006.
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/sign.gif[/img]
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 84
Humidity 66%
Wind: W 13 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:36 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:35 p.m. CDT
East Cape
Squid continued to be found a few miles offshore and the small tuna were still out in front of La Ribera. The billfish bite including sailfish, stripes and blues turned tougher this week. By week’s end, tropical storm Otis was heading by outside of Cabo and caused some rain but little wind. This morning (10/1) only a few hotel boats headed out. Judging by the white caps on the horizon, it may be a short day for everyone.
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 80-88
Air temperature 78-99
Humidity 84%
Wind: SE 17 mph
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:06 p.m. MDT
San Jose, Guatemala
With nice weather and blue water less than an hour away, a few boats headed out last weekend. While there were a few sails to be found the dorado fishing was very good. It is not often that the sailfish take a backseat to the dorado.
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 77- 84
Humidity 79%
Wind: SSE 7 mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:52 a.m. CST
Sunset 5:31 p.m. CST
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Sep 24, 2005; 01:40PM - Roosters a Go Go in Zihuatanejo
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #977. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
While the offshore continues to be on the slow side, with most boats only averaging one sail a day, our focus has been on the inshore getting ready for the only catch and release roosterfish on the fly tournament in Mexico. “Jacks or Better” is scheduled for October 5-10.
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/scott1.gif[/img]
All signs indicate that we should have an action-packed event. Good-sized roosters along with some jacks have been found cruising the backside of the swells close to shore. Felipe, on the panga, “Yellowfin,” fished two days, taking seven roosters and several big jacks. The roosters were between 30 and 40 pounds, with the jacks going about 18 pounds . . . encouraging news for our contestants who are arriving for the event in a few weeks.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 84
Humidity 89%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 4 miles
Sunrise 7:35 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:40 p.m. CDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Locals reported marlin, dorado and a few wahoo near the Thetis Bank; and closer to shore there were plenty of small tuna and dorado. Along the shore, a few yellows and sierra were found under the bird schools. On a recent Magdalena Island trip, Diana Hoyt, of MagBay Outfitters reported that their clients landed several small snook. They were fishing from the rocks just below the lighthouse at Cabo San Lazaro.
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/mikewilliams1.jpg[/img]
The esteros produced fair to good action for sierra, corvina and a few leopard grouper early in the week.
Water temperature 70-82
Air temperature 71-86
Humidity 78%
Wind: WSW 11
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:16 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:20 p.m. MDT
East Cape
Things I thought I would never report in September: Giant squid within a few miles of the hotel, dorado fishing slim and almost none.
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/squid.gif[/img]
Billfish including sailfish, striped marlin and blues are still around, but with all the squid in the water are not as aggressive as usual. There were some smaller YFT near La Ribera, but most of the fish were caught deep, which is not ideal for the flyrodder. One trick that has worked for us is to use a shooting head with either a heavy Clouser or Baja Deep Diver (chartreuse or olive work well) and let the fly sink until your flyline is almost straight down. Then retrieve with long, abrupt, pulls. If you don’t get a take in 5-7 pulls, let the fly sink and repeat the process. Inshore, roosters and jacks can be found along the beaches from Bartle Beach to the lighthouse feeding mostly on mullet.
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 80-88
Air temperature 78-99
Humidity 55%
Wind: S 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:12 p.m. MDT
San Jose, Guatemala
Most of the annual boat maintenance is complete and the countdown has begun for the season to get underway. By mid-October, the much-awaited season will have begun. If you haven’t made your reservations for the upcoming season yet, you better do so soon before all the best dates and boats are taken.
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 77- 82
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:52 a.m. CST
Sunset 5:57 p.m. CST
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Sep 17, 2005; 01:11PM - More Fish Than People
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #976. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
With all of the recent news about hurricanes, it is understandable that the locals at East Cape keep a close eye on the Mexican Satellite map. So far...so good. While the weather has been hot and there have been some showers in the foothills in the afternoon, it was still a pretty nice week. Billfish continued to provide some good offshore action and if you found the right pod of porpoise the action could have you reaching for a cerveza in no time at all. While mid day is the best time for the beach action, the hot sun kept most anglers closer to the pool than the beach. There were a few “Bubba” sightings near Bartle Beach and a pretty good ladyfish bite in front of the hotel. Best bet was early morning or late afternoon as the sun dropped behind the mountains.
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 80-88
Air temperature 78-93
Humidity 69%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:06 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:19 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Full moon and strong currents didn’t slow the action down at the Entrada. Enrique Soto reported leopard grouper to 18 lbs and a handful of firecracker yellows kept the clients busy on Friday. Offshore, there are still plenty of marlin sightings by the locals who usually don’t target them. Most of the dorado reported this week were on the small side and few tuna were found. Shrimp season has begun and most of the locals have been targeting them. Few fished the Esteros this week and the fishing was slow. There were a few corvina and pargo found near the bridge at the entrance to Puerto San Carlos.
http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/stevefargo.jpg
Water temperature 70-80
Air temperature 75-86
Humidity 78%
Wind: W 15
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:33 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The fishing remains unchanged for the last several weeks. It is poor fishing for the offshore species, and fairly decent inshore for the roosterfish and big jack crevalle. The 84º to 86º blue water is about twelve miles out, but the gamefish are not around.
Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, went 34 miles and had only one hooked sailfish and one other strike. Very few boats are getting more than one sailfish a day.
http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/berger.gif
The roosterfish action is averaging about three fish per boat. We did have a couple of days this week where the surf was very high from offshore storms. This makes it difficult to get in close to the shore break to properly present a bait to the roosters. As our rain season winds down over the next couple of weeks, there should be an improvement on our inshore fishing conditions.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 90
Humidity 79%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:34 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:45 p.m. CDT
San Jose, Guatemala
Still a month to go before the sailfish action begins to heat up. While the sailfish seem to be here year round, the clients don’t begin to arrive in numbers until mid October at the earliest. Most of the crews are just finishing up their maintenance and clean up and hopping from one foot to the other waiting for the season to get underway.
http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/marina.gif
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 73- 86
Humidity 100%
Wind: WNE 7 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:52 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:02 p.m. CST
For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260;
Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373 or (760) 670 4916
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Sep 13, 2005; 06:17PM - Bone fish from Christmas Isl
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Great news.... In Sept., Pacific Air out of Fiji, will have regularly scheduled flights from Honolulu to Christmas Island. The flights will be esch Tuesday and flight time is 3 hours.... YES!
Fishing is still fantastic at Christmas Island. We fished schools of 50 to 60 bonefish in ankle deep water along miles and miles of beautiful flats. Nothing big, 2 to 4 pounds... but so many of them. One day, I never moved from this one spot for 3 hours. The schools of fish just kept comming along the flat.
Just off shore we caught ahi, aku, ono, baracuda, and ulua. Lots of fresh poki and sashimi every evening.
Also, fish..... baked, curry, freied, and in salid.... to go with our lobster. The food at the Mini Hotel was.... wow.
Drifting or waiding the shallow reefs just off Paris Pt, we landed a multitude of colorful fish.... papio, omilu, kumu, sweet lips, lei and some fish I've never even seen before.
Our boatman spotted some big tako and jumped into the shallow water to grab them. (An 8# tako just fits on a big platter..... good eating.
We're already planning out next trip.
Aloha,
Stan
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Sep 10, 2005; 12:38PM - Psst…Wahoo & Dorado…Thetis Bank
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #975. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Barry and Val Wilkerson of Loreto, looking for an escape from the typical Loreto hot summer temps, decided that a couple-hour trip across the peninsula to Lopez Mateos was in order.
The possibility of great fishing at Thetis Bank would be a bonus.
They arranged to fish with Magbay Outfitters on their speedy catamaran which put them in the zone in short order. The wahoo that Thetis is famous for have arrived as well as the dorado (so that’s where they have been). Not only did they catch both, they spotted a considerable number of marlin frolicking about.
With the action heating up offshore there were few bothering to fish the Esteros. The Entrada still has a few firecracker yellow under the bird school mixed in with the bonito.
Wahoo, dorado and pleasant weather……September at Magdalena Bay may make sense.
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/critterwb.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/margato2.gif[/img]
Water temperature 70-80
Air temperature 75-86
Humidity 78%
Wind: W 15
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:33 p.m. MDT
East Cape
September began with typical hot weather with just enough breezes in the afternoon to cool things down. As the SST chart reflects, the hot water continues all the way up into the Sea of Cortez. Once again the sardina played hard to get narrowing the bait choices down to mackerel, Caballito and anything else that comes up in the net. I am not kidding! One of the bait guys tried to sell us puffer fish claiming that they were great baits because the fish couldn’t spit them out! With the lack of sardine, strategy shifted back to chasing porpoise schools which yielded a better quality of YFT’s. Even a few gorilla class (100 lb. ) tuna charged the boat…. A Wasabi fly cast into boiling fish disappears as huge tuna inhales the fly…ZING…POW…@#$$%^…PRICLESS.
Billfish have been putting on a decent show up to the North - mostly sails, with a few stripes and blues mixed in - all within twenty miles. Talk about bizarre: the Giant Humbolt Squid showed up again this week. I told you it’s not what bites but what might!
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/DSC0030.jpg[/img]
With the hot sun beating down during prime time during the day, most opted to hang out at the pool. Some action found within walking distance of the hotels early morning and late in the afternoon as the sun dropped behind the mountain. A few ladyfish, jacks and for the very lucky, a rooster or two could be found.
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/sobajanew_small.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/sstbanner.jpg[/img]
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 80-88
Air temperature 78-96
Humidity 55%
Wind: NNW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:03 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:27 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
There has not been much change this last couple of weeks. The sailfish action is still only averaging 1 or 2 fish per boat per day. Dorado are starting to build under the floating debris caused from rain runoff out of the rivers, but there have not been very many of them caught.
The roosterfish action is still the best bet, with the boats averaging about 3 fish a day per boat.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 88
Humidity 89%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:33 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:51 p.m. CDT
San Jose, Guatemala
September is “make ready” month for what everyone hopes will be another extraordinary year. Don’t miss the September\\October issue of Fly Fishing in Salt Waters magazine. Read Scott Leon’s “Swimming with the Fishes” story about Guatemala sailfishing. Our good friend Bill Boyce shot the photos for the article and they are outstanding.
[img]http://www2.worldpub.net/images/FSW/120-October_2005_Cover_BIG.jpg[/img]
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 73- 86
Humidity 100%
Wind: SE 7 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:52 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:08 p.m. CST
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Sep 3, 2005; 02:05PM - First in Line . . . Wins
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #974. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
This week’s fishing was all about lines! First in line at breakfast, then the pier, then the bait boat and you might be one of the first to get to the high spot in front of La Ribera. It’s worth the effort: plenty of football- and beyond-sized tuna to bend the stick. Finally, there are a few sardina to be had for chum if you find the right bait guy. First, throw the sardina, then the Baja Wasabi and it’s fish on. Within an hour, you realize why being early is important as the fleet grows to parking lot sized. Next comes the decision . . . inshore for roosters and jacks. Punta Colorada and La Ribera are your best bet. If you are looking for Bubba, the lighthouse makes the most sense, but be ready to spend some time and walk a lot. Or head out a few miles in the blue water for billfish – sailfish are the most likely – with stripes second and an “Oh my God” blue a possibility. Forget about dorado; they aren’t here in any appreciable numbers and are incidental catch at best.
If you live in or are a frequent Baja visitor, Chubascos (hurricanes) are always a factor in late summer and early fall. Katrina slamming into the Gulf Coast last week and leaving heartbreak and destruction in its path demonstrates the need for concern and preparedness. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims. If you haven’t donated to Red Cross yet here is a link where you can.
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/helpmhd.jpg[/img]
[url]http://www.redcross.org/[/url]
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/images/wasabi_small.jpg[/img]
Baja Wasabi recipe
[url]http://www.bajafly.com/bajawasabi.htm[/url]
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 78-88
Air temperature 78-94
Humidity 55%
Wind: NNW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:33 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Reports vary. The esteros surrounding the Puerto San Carlos area still producing little; while above Lopez Mateos corvina, grouper and snapper continue to provide fair to good action.
Offshore, the Thetis Bank is holding plenty of dorado and it seems like more marlin sightings each week. On a straight line toward the entrada about 15 miles from the entrance, dorado and a few marlin can be found around the shark buoys. Closer to shore – toward Lopez Mateos – football-sized tuna and dorado have been providing the best action.
Water temperature 70-80
Air temperature 74-80
Humidity 92%
Wind: NW 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:43 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The fishing has picked up a little since last week, but it seems that all species remain fairly scattered. Most boats when fishing offshore are averaging between one and two sailfish releases a day. Plus, there have been several very nice 30- to 40-pound dorado hitting the pier every day. This has been expected, since the rains last week created a lot of debris lines.
The smaller school-sized dorado have yet to show, but when they do, we should have some outstanding action.
Inshore, the roosters and jack crevalle are still going very well, as long as you stay away from the stained water areas the runoff from the rivers has created. The boats are averaging about three nice roosters, of 30- to 40-pounds, a day
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 88
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. CDT
Sunset 7:03 p.m. CDT
San Jose, Guatemala
No Report Received. Be sure to pick the September\\October issue of Fly Fishing in Salt Waters magazine and read Scott Leon’s “Swimming with the Fishes” story about Guatemala sailfishing. Our good friend Bill Boyce shot the photos for the article and they are outstanding.
[img]http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/120-October_2005_Cover_BIG.jpg[/img]
[url]http://www.flyfishinsalt.com/in_this_issue.jsp?ID=38409[/url]
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 77- 82
Humidity 94%
Wind: N 7 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:51 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:13 p.m. CST
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Aug 27, 2005; 05:54AM - Hilary Splits...Irwin Saunters By...Blue Marlin on the Fly
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #973. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Last week I said “Talk about choices. East Cape in the summer is like trying to guess what is behind doors 1 . . . 2 . . . or 3.”
Well, I picked #3 and that was not a good choice. Hilary bopped in on Sun. (8/21) dumping enough rain to be a nuisance. I flew in on Mon. and it was still raining when I walked off the plane. Tues. (8/23) a film crew arrived and the “Curse of the Camera” began. SO you don’t care about my problems, what about the fishing you ask? First day out with camera crew and angler was Wed. and we raised 10 sailfish, cast to 7 for one solid hookup that broke off in the backing. Thurs., wind and rain chased everyone back in early. However, a few lucky anglers had some action Al Larson fishing with Dave Cooper from Denver landed his first blue marlin estimated to be approximately 200 lbs. on the fly which was quite an accomplishment by anyone’s standards.
http://www.bajafly.com/Newsletter/bluemarlin.gif
Yesterday (8/26), more unsettled conditions, but by mid-morning the sea began to lay down and it was a beautiful day. Tuna were under the porpoise, sardina being sold at La Ribera, several multiples on billfish including, blues, stripes and sails finished up the week on the upswing.
Today we are back on the beach in search of Bubba or anything else that wants to play. Hopefully the weather will stay settled down for a few days and Irwin will continue its march toward Hawaii.
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 78-89
Air temperature 78-98
Humidity 55%
Wind: Calm. PM slight breezes
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:59 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:41 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
The entrada continued to produce good fishing including grouper, yellowtail and a few sierra as well. If you are looking for something a little larger, there has been a pretty good marlin show 240˚-210˚ five miles off. Enrique Soto reported that the esteros (estuaries) had been slow with little bait to be found anywhere.
Up at Lopez Mateos, outside the Boca (mouth) there has been plenty of good-sized Dorado to provide non-stop action. Also, there’s plenty of small yellowtail to be found. Further out at the Thetis Bank, there were also reports of a fair show of marlin reported.
Water temperature 62-80
Air temperature 74-86
Humidity 83%
Wind: W 13 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:05 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:51 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
We have had quite a turn-around in the fishing and the conditions this last week. The fishing can only be rated as poor. We have had a lot of tropical storms forming just off the coast here. Before they build in intensity and head further out to sea, we have been getting a little wind and a lot of rain. This has pushed the 82º blue water out a couple of miles off the beach. There is only about a one sailfish per day average per boat.
The inshore has also been taking a beating. With the large quantities of dirty water coming out of the rivers, the visibility is poor, and the fish are scattered.
The one highlight is the rivers have also pushed out a lot of trees and debris, which should start producing Dorado in a few more days.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 89
Humidity 83%
Wind: W 6 knots
Conditions: T-Storms
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:03 p.m. CDT
San Jose, Guatemala
This week few Sportfishing boats ventured out. For those that did releasing sails were in the low digits with some Dorado in the 10 to 25lb.class. The local captains are saying that the water is unseasonably warm which accounts for the low sailfish numbers. The last two days of the week saw strong winds and rough seas.
Les Kagel and Carlos Morales
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 80- 86
Humidity 74%
Wind: WSW 7 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:51 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:18 p.m. CST
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Aug 20, 2005; 12:04PM - Tuna Tussle Time
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #972. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
Hilary looms on the horizon. No, not that one. Hilary is the name of the latest Tropical Storm making its way up the Mexican Coast.
With few dorado, the Tuna Tussle is almost the mandatory way to begin the day. The YFT footballs seem to be growing up, causing some of our fly guys to cringe when a fatty comes charging up from the depths and inhales their Baja Wasabi. Usually after some “pump and grunt” time everyone is ready to move on to billfish or roosters.
Plenty of sailfish to fling a fly at, but you better pay attention or a striper may catch you napping. Of course, there is always the possibility of a blue dog (Blue Marlin) showing up in the pattern, inhaling the fly and punching it for the horizon leaving you with a broken line and a silly grin on your face as you realize that you have just been dusted by the best.
Then there is the Lighthouse, dubbed by some as the “Freak Show”. This is the time when “Bubba” class roosters cruise up and down the beach looking for a bait school to beat to a pulp. Timing is everything and if you and the fish get there at the same time, you may get the trophy of a lifetime.
Talk about choices. East Cape in the summer is like trying to guess what is behind door 1…2…3.
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 79-89
Air temperature 60-98
Humidity 64%
Wind: Calm. PM Breezes
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:57 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:56 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
As the warm water moves up the west coast of Baja, the offshore reports just get better. Too bad there are only a few anglers to take advantage of the show. Dorado, YFT’s, yellowtail and so many marlin that one of our Captains pulled all the jigs in because he didn’t want to waste time on fish he couldn’t keep. If this keeps up, late October and November could be exciting.
In the Esteros, there are plenty of leopard grouper, snapper and corvina to keep the flyrodder busy. It is only a matter of time before the snook decide to get in on the action.
Out at the Entrada the promise of action under the bird schools for bonito, skipjack with an occasional firecracker yellowtail mixed in have kept the boats racing from one flock to another.
Water temperature 62-80
Air temperature 74-86
Humidity 83%
Wind: W 13 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:02 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:56 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 83º to 86º blue water is right on the beach, and depending on the particular luck you have on any given day, the blue water fishing for sailfish is either good, or just average. It seems most of the boats are averaging between 1 and 2 sailfish a day. There are very few dorado around, and no one has seen any tuna.
However, the inshore has been outstanding. Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos fished 5 days this week. Two of the days were in the blue water and they released 6 sailfish. The other three days were spent on the backside of the waves looking for the big jack crevalle and roosters. They caught 13 roosters and 16 jacks. The roosters averaged 30 to 35 pounds, and the jacks about 16 pounds. Adolpho's client's fish were all taken on either a slowed trolled live bait, or a surface popper cast on the ridge of the waves with medium action spinning gear.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 89
Humidity 83%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Scattered Clouds 2000 ft
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:29 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:08 p.m. CDT
San Jose, Guatemala
According to the locals, the unseasonable hot water contributed to the slow down in the action this week. Factor in strong winds for the past few days and most of the fleet decided to stay in the Marina. Only a few sailfish and dorado were accounted for by the few boats that did decide to venture out.
Les Kagel and Carlos Morales
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 80- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: WNW 8 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:50 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:22 p.m. CST
For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260;
Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373 or (760) 670 4916
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Aug 13, 2005; 12:27PM - East Cape: Right Place…Right Time
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #971. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
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This was another cookie cutter week of nice (hot) weather and fishing to match. Billfish including stripes, blues and sails, kept everyone staring intently at the teasers to see what would show up next. Still a good tuna show under the porpoise and if you held your mouth just right and were in the right place at the right time, there were a few fat dorado to be found. While not tons of Bubba sightings those with the patience to wait for one to come along were getting a few shots. While waiting, ladyfish, pompano and an occasional jack crevalle could be found meandering down the beach looking for a free meal. August at East Cape is not a bad place to be.
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 73-88
Air temperature 80-102
Humidity 41%
Wind: Calm. PM Breeze
Conditions: Scattered Clouds 22000 ft
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:53 a.m. MDT
Sunset 7:53 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
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Diana Hoyt, of Magbay Outfitters, reported the fishing outside Boca de Soledad is great, with yellowfin tuna and dorado continuing to be found just a few miles offshore. The boats making the trip to the Thetis Bank reported a few marlin, lots of YFT’s and yellowtail as well. The shark buoys out to twenty miles west from the Entrada were holding good sized schools of dorado. With the offshore action continuing to pick up, few chose to fish inside the Esteros. Still plenty of corvina along with a few pargo and grouper landed at Devils Curve.
Water temperature 62-76
Air temperature 74-84
Humidity 43%
Wind: WNW 20 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
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The blue water is only a mile off the beach, but it sure has warmed up. When I reached in the live well to get a bait for the kite fishing we were doing for the roosters and jacks, it felt like bath water. The http://terrafin.com Satellite Surface Temperature photos show the cooler inshore water at 84º, with the offshore at almost 88º.
Mid-week, Riley Wilcox of Missoula, Montana fly fished with me for roosters and jacks. The needle fish literally took practically all the kite baits we had, and we ended up chasing the birds and schools of huge jack crevalle. The jacks were averaging about 18 pounds, and were crashing on acres of bait. The jacks were everywhere. This was sight casting at its best. The only problem was avoiding the birds, which was very difficult to do. We ended up with a couple of pelicans released unharmed also.
John Miller and his two sons, of Woodland Texas, fished with Cheva on the panga “Dos Hermanos II”. They released two sailfish (about the average), and lost a third after it threw the hook a few minutes into the fight. The marlin and sailfish zone is only a scant 8 to 10 miles off the beach.
Adolpho, on the panga, “Dos Hermanos”, got a 70 pound roosterfish for his client. Using medium action spinning gear and a popper, it took over two hours to get the big fish to the boat.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 91
Humidity 64%
Wind: 7 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorm
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:27 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:13 p.m. CDT
San Jose, Guatemala
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Only a few boats ventured out this week and found only a few sailfish and dorado due to the runoff caused by the rains. One boat out on Friday released a 450lb. marlin, and caught 20
yellow-fin tuna and two wahoo.
Les Kagel and Carlos Morales
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 82- 84
Humidity 62%
Wind: SSE 7 mph
Conditions: Thunder Storms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 5:49 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:26 p.m. CST
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