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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 Apr 20, 2024
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Jun 24, 2006; 12:34PM - East Cape Summer Billfish Trifecta
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #1016. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 06/24/06
East Cape
While not quite “You should have been here earlier,” Cabo Pulmo succumbed to heavy pressure last week with early morning catches of YFTs, dorado and bonito sliding back to “good” instead of the WFO conditions enjoyed previously for the persistent fly-rodder.
Fortunately, billfish action is heating up – adding to the excitement are the blue marlin and sailfish that have begun arriving for the summer. You better be on your toes when the guide hollers “FOLLOW!” One never knows what may come up behind the teasers. Sailfish are perfect for the newbie flyrodder. Striped marlin offer a bit more challenge; and then there is the ultimate: a shot at a blue marlin. Land one of these babies on a flyrod and you will be a member of a very exclusive club.
Dorado action continued at a slightly slower pace this week, but still enough good shots to be had on the fly to make the day interesting.
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Back on the beach, rooster fishing continues to be tough. If one is at the right place, right time, and right tide you may have some good shots at roosters. Our guide Lance fished the beach yesterday (6/23) morning with Larry McGrath, Grass Valley CA and had a number of pez gallo charging the teaser. Sometimes it was a single fish, other times as many as 5 or 6 at a time. As usual, it took a well-placed and perfectly timed cast to be in the game with those teased roosterfish. In between rooster shots there was ample opportunity to practice the bait and switch on the schools of ravenous ladyfish that came up on the teaser.
Water temperature 74-85
Air temperature 71-99
Humidity 78%
Wind: SSW 2 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:34 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:07 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Reports of plenty of small grouper, spotted bay bass and pompano continue from both San Carlos and up at Lopez Mateos.
The entrada continues to offer spotty surface action for both bonito and a few firecracker yellows.
Offshore, unseasonable cool water temperatures are still preventing the action to swing in for the summer. There are only a few scattered reports of marlin, dorado or tuna.
Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 68-78
Humidity 62%
Wind: W 15 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:19 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
From the inshore, to way offshore, the water is averaging about 84 to 85º, and the blue water is only three miles off the beach. But, due to the moon phase, the sailfish and marlin were slow this week. With the new moon occurring tomorrow (6/25), the offshore fishing should make a substantial improvement.
One bright spot is the inshore fishing for the roosters. The roosterfish action is just outstanding, with every boat fishing them getting at least three or four. Even Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” who came back inshore late because the sailfish action was slow offshore, ended up getting a 45 pound rooster off Playa Blanca.
Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos,” told me he only caught three roosters yesterday, but because each 70 pound class fish took an hour and a half to get to the boat, it was all the time they had before they had to head back to the dock.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 72 - 84
Humidity 83%
Wind W 4 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:12 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:23 p.m. CDT
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Jun 10, 2006; 12:44PM - Sardina Make the Difference
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #1014. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 06/10/06
East Cape
After an unbelievable 10 day period, the inshore fishing action has settled down a click or two. Plenty of large roosters can be found cruising well within casting range. Pairing off, they seem to be more interested in making whoopee than chasing the many bait schools along the shore.
Down toward Cabo Pulmo, a few miles offshore, the YFT bite has been consistently good all week as well some dorado, billfish and, for the very fortunate, a wahoo or two.
Different from last year is the availability of sardina for chum, which can make the difference between a good day and an incredible day. The sardina allow the guides to keep the tuna school in casting range; an occasional dorado, skipjack, needlefish or mystery bite keeps everybody happy. Take Mike Little, Calgary, Alberta, fishing the day before his wedding day (now that’s a Bachelor Party I could get into) whacked the tuna on the fly all morning with fish to 20 pounds. Then a large dorado – teased up on the way back to the hotel – capped off his last day of singledom.
Water temperature 74-85
Air temperature 71-96
Humidity 78%
Wind: WNW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:02 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:04 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Tim Linsky owner of the charter boat “Aristokat” visited Lopez Mateos to explore the area before bringing the boat down later this season. Fishing inside the bay he found halibut, grouper and spotted bay bass. The next day, he headed out to Isla Magdalena. Surf action was great as a variety of fish had driven a school of sardines into the surf and a feeding frenzy ensued. Locals were trapping halibut, corvina, and small snook by hand. Tim managed to catch a 20 pound halibut.
The windy conditions offshore continue to prevent much exploration. Water temps are steadily creeping up and once the wind lightens up and the boats can spend some time outside, the action should begin to pick up.
Down at San Carlos, they are also experiencing good action inside the bay with both Los Barriles and Devil’s Curve being the hot spot for small snook, corvina and a few leopard grouper.
Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 65-77
Humidity 86%
Wind: WNW 20 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:16 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
This week has had a lot of disruptions from the weather, causing slow fishing. We had one morning where I recorded 5.25 inches of rain between 3:30 and 8:00. For the week, at 12 inches of rain, we have had an almost average year for Southern California.
The large influx of fresh water from the rivers has pushed the blue water out to the 8 mile mark, and cooled the inshore areas substantially. Plus, the inshore waters have very low visibility.
The bright side is the weather map shows this unsettled pattern leaving us alone this next week, and we should be able to get back to some decent fishing.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 75 - 84
Humidity 83%
Wind NE 2 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 7 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:17 p.m. CDT
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Jun 3, 2006; 11:41AM - No Gloom this June
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #1013. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 06/03/06
East Cape
Large schools of small roosters have been everywhere, attracted by bait schools that are hanging just outside of casting range from the beach. Using hookless teasers, our guide Josh Dickinson convinced Mark Saba, from Maryland, how effective the technique can be. Josh consistently enticed fish from a couple hundred feet away close enough for Mark to get plenty of shots; and by the end of the day he landed three and hooked a few more.
Fishing from a panga, most of the fish are being taken from a drifting boat as the roosters follow the chum into casting range. Wed. (5/31), Matt Weaver, Bozeman, Mont., had a mixed school of sierra and roosters long enough to land seven roosters on a small sardina patterns and 20 sierra, up to eight pounds. Josh and Matt will be talking about that day for some time to come.
Yesterday, Lance Peterson and Don Murnane, visiting from Chatham, NJ, also had a good beach day. He spent most of the day running up and down the sand casting to some grande pez gallo, with plenty of lookers but no takers until late in the day when the schoolies came after the teaser in packs. The day’s action also included jack crevalle, ladyfish, and look down.
Offshore, tuna, dorado and marlin are all on the chew if you are willing to take the boat ride. Most of the dorado and tuna are in the 'reasonable' size category for the average fly angler – from the single digit to 20 or more pounds. Josh, using sardina for chum, kept the dorado and tuna around the boat so Homer Tollenaere and his wife, from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, could cast small sardina patterns with great success. With all the bait and large schools of fish we are seeing, June 2006 should be a great one.
Water temperature 74-83
Air temperature 73-96
Humidity 78%
Wind: W 2 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:02 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:01 p.m. MDT
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Water temperatures continue to creep up slowly on the outside. Windy conditions continued to hamper the boats from doing much exploring offshore. Inside the esteros, corvina, leopard grouper, a few small snook and enough mystery bites to keep things interesting. Down at Devil’s Curve, tight to the west side of the channel there were a few palometa to be found.
In San Carlos, several angers reported fair fishing near the bridge at the entrance to town. Catches included small grouper, spotted bay bass and a few smaller corvina at slack tide.
Enrique Soto reported a few yellows out at the entrada first thing in the morning and as the day wore on some corvina and bonito under the bird schools. The shallows off the sandy beaches at Belchers produced plenty of the smaller variety halibut.
Water temperature 61 - 66
Air temperature 65-77
Humidity 86%
Wind: WNW 17 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:13 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 80º blue water is only two miles off the beach. Fishing has been good. Sailfish are being taken at a rate of about two or three fish a day per boat. A few smaller 20 pound class yellowfin tuna are showing up, enough to keep things from getting boring.
Plus, the blue marlin are still coming to baits, on an average of one boat out of three.
The only drawback is we just got our first rains of the year this week, and even though 95% of our rain is always at night, the wind has made for two or three uncomfortable days on the water.
Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos,” told me he had a great week inshore on roosters and jack crevalle. Most of his fish were taken near the close-by White Rocks, or just a couple of miles below.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 80
Humidity 83%
Wind ESE 15 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:17 p.m. CDT
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May 27, 2006; 12:13PM - Tuna and Dorado . . . Ignore the Wind
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #1012. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 05/27/06
East Cape
Homer Tollenaere and his wife, from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, spent a day inshore and had good action for both dorado and tuna in spite of the windy conditions this week. Beach action slowed somewhat as the wind waves took their toll causing off-colored water along the shore. Offshore, the billfish continued to provide the best action along with tuna and even some dorado. According to the recent SST reports, the water temperatures are continuing to creep up which should attract more bait which in turn should bring in more fish as we slide into the summer.
Water temperature 68-79
Air temperature 75-94
Humidity 78%
Wind: SSW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:58 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
There was some improvement in the weather this week and a decent grouper and pargo bite just outside Boca Soledad close to shore. Outside, the sea temps are still cool and seas are stirred up by the wind. A few boats went out as far as the Thetis for nothing this week. The local shark fishermen also are reporting seeing very little on the way out to their buoys west of the entrada. The entrada itself is still producing fair action under the bird schools for small yellows, bonito and an occasional sierra if they don’t bite through the leader. Devil’s Curve produced a few smaller snook, corvina and a couple of leopard groupers.
Water temperature 60 - 69
Air temperature 60-77
Humidity 88%
Wind: NW 7 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:10 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
As I predicted, the warm water current moved in from the south and the fishing improved. The big story is the blue marlin. The fleet is averaging about five blue marlin a day. This is about average for us in the month of May, making Z one of the best locations in the world (for May and June anyway) to get a shot at a big blue marlin.
Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” had a great week on sailfish. Early in the week he fished with John Wilkinson of Michigan. They released seven sails on Tuesday. Fishing with John and Ben Fuller of Boston on Wed, Thurs., and Fri., he released six, five, and five sailfish each day.
The 82º water inshore has also improved the roosterfish fishing. The best action is still 30 miles south near Papanoa, but in the next couple of weeks all the traditional roosterfish areas should have good populations of fish.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 73 - 82
Humidity 83%
Wind N 4 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:15 p.m. CDT
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May 13, 2006; 12:40PM - They’re Biting at East Cape
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #1010. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 05/13/06
East Cape
Here we are at mid-May and we’ve already seen some of the best action in several years. There are plenty of large schools of bait, predominately flatiron herring and striped mullet, which can be found up and down the coast making inshore fishing from pangas exciting.
Having a tank full of mullet allows the guides to tease up some great roosters and jacks. Phil Barker of California and Randy Gibbs of Martha's Vineyards, Mass., recently connected with nice roosters which were teased to within fly range from pangas out of Hotel Buena Vista. Phil and Randy both had multiple hook-ups on teased roosters. Needless to say, the guides are in their element. There's nothing in the world of guiding that's more fun for them than teasing roosters! The bait has spread out instead of the tight schools we were finding several weeks ago, allowing beach anglers to encounter good numbers of cruisers in all the usual spots. Try large brown flies like our Chivo Lisa http://www.bajafly.com/chivo_lisa.htm to imitate the striped mullet and deep bodied, olive and white flies for the sardina (flatiron herring) like our See-Through Deceiver http://www.bajafly.com/see_through_deceiver.htm .
The physical task of modern beach fishing without an ATV can be daunting. If you can't run and cast like a champ, you are out of the game. Our guides are teasing up some ladies for the clients, but the shots at jacks and rooster were not numerous and it is tough to cash in on the chances. Beach fishing without the ATVs is some of the toughest there is. Not only do you have to be a great fly-caster, you have to have plenty of stamina and be in good shape as well.
Offshore action remains consistent for marlin. Fish became a little more cooperative in the spread over the last two weeks, but the bulk of the take is coming from the boats lucky enough to get live mackerel. Without the “liveys,” the guides have been reduced to pitching hookless, dead ballyhoo to feeders and sleepers with mixed results. Often, the fish will turn and follow, but not light up enough to provide the type of aggression needed to feed them flies. It's sure fun trying though and, 'It only takes one!' Dorado, and tuna flags are also flying on the luckier boats, but not in the kinds of numbers that make them an easy target for fly anglers.
Water temperature 68-79
Air temperature 62-91
Humidity 58%
Wind: NNW 7 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:52 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Still cool and windy conditions as local weather has been slow to catch up with the rest of Baja. Offshore, there have been a few dorado and tuna sightings in the neighborhood of the shark buoys west of the entrada. At the entrada fair action can be found chasing the bird schools. Small yellowtail, bonito and even a few sierra. Up in the esteros, corvina, spotted bay bass and a few grouper seemed to be all that could be found. Another option this week was small halibut in shallow water near almost all the sandy beaches. Water temperatures are slowly creeping up and summer conditions should be soon coming.
Water temperature 60 - 67
Air temperature 59-78
Humidity 94%
Wind: WNW 15 mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:43 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:02 p.m. MDT
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The water has turned on us again, with the blue water being pushed out to 20 miles. The fleet is averaging about one or two sailfish a day per boat. Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” fished with John Wilkinson of Indiana yesterday (Friday), releasing a sail and keeping two yellowfin tuna in the 30 pound class. The tuna were at 38 miles on a 230º heading.
Santiago also fished two days with Harry Schuler of California, releasing three sailfish and losing a nice blue marlin.
Adolpho, on the panga “Dos Hermanos,” reported by cell phone this morning he was fishing inshore in green dirty water. The inshore action has been very slow.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 73 - 86
Humidity 88%
Wind Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:14 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:10 p.m. CDT
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May 6, 2006; 12:36PM - Cinco de Mayo Ushers in the Season
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #1009. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 05/06/06
East Cape
East Cape fishing conditions have been great over the last week. Warm water and ample supplies of bait have lead to good action both inshore and offshore. Early in the week, the offshore bite turned on big time with marlin, sailfish, and dorado on the feed in the vicinity of Ocho-Ocho (88). Gordon P. Henriksen made the trip across the planet from Denmark to sample the East Cape fishery. He and his buddy/camera man, Morten Svendsen, had plenty of action inshore with good catches of black skipjack and pargo. They moved offshore the next day and found wide open action on pelagic species including marlin, sails and huge skipjack. The fish had schools of squid balled up tight on the surface where they fed at will on the helpless cephalopods.
Inshore fishing has been good thanks to large schools of flat iron herring (sardina). Roosterfish, jack crevalle, black skipjack, pargo, and the occasional sierra have been on the prowl along the beach making for some outstanding action. Jim Schmitz of Tacoma, Wash. had an amazing day, hooking three large roosterfish from a dead stopped panga as the predators exploded in a feeding frenzy around the boat. It was Classic East Cape action!
Yesterday, JD and I went to the lighthouse for snorkeling and some casual fly-fishing. Got to cast to a few good fish. Turned a couple but no eats. Fun stuff. Great way to spend Cinco de Mayo. As we were leaving, a mega school of jacks appeared off the beach. Hundreds and hundreds packed in a tight ball.
By Lance Peterson and Josh Dickenson
Baja on the Fly Guides
Water temperature 68-79
Air temperature 62-89
Humidity 58%
Wind: WNW 2 mph
Conditions: Cloudy
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:42 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:48 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Cooler than normal conditions persisted again this week with a west wind that won't quit. Estero [estuary] action seemed to be confined to corvina and pompano along with an occasional grouper. Out at the entrada [entrance] action was fair under the bird schools for sierra, bonito and a few firecracker yellowtail. Offshore there was little to report with the continued rough sea conditions. Under the bridge at the entrance to San Carlos also produced a few corvina and even a pargo or two.
Water temperature 60 - 67
Air temperature 59-78
Humidity 94%
Wind: W 17 mph
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:52 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:55 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The water has changed again this last week. Looking at the current Terrafin satellite photos, both the inshore and offshore waters have cooled down as much as four or five degrees this week.
This has slowed the fishing also. We are currently in the second day of our annual sailfish tournament, with about 120 boats fishing. They are averaging about one sailfish per day, per boat.
Talking this morning (Saturday) with Adolpho on the panga “Dos Hermanos,” the inshore action is seeing some sierras and a few jack crevalle, but no roosters.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 72 - 86
Humidity 83%
Wind Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:17 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:08 p.m. CST
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Apr 29, 2006; 01:12PM - East Cape Inshore Heats Up
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #1008. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 04/29/06
East Cape
Late April on the East Cape saw continuing improvement for inshore fishermen. Brett Phillips of Oregon in particular saw the Sea of Cortez at its finest. Brett fished from a panga, never getting more than a few hundred yards from shore and for two days hooked good numbers of fish, including pargo, grouper, jack crevalle, needlefish, black skipjack, roosterfish, and the largest gaff topsail pompano any of us has ever seen. He is submitting it to IGFA for a possible new All-Tackle World Record. Decent amounts of bait including mullet and sardina are beginning to show, making for some exciting inshore days.
The bait seems somewhat condensed in the Punta Pescadero and Punta Colorada areas however, keeping many of the predatory schools condensed as well. These concentrations are making locating roosters and jacks from the beach a little more difficult. Hopefully, in the coming days these fish will disperse and beach sightings of big roosters will improve.
Offshore action remains good for striped marlin, but they're feeding aggressively on small squid and not coming into the lures very often, despite being present in great numbers. Ray Rickard of Grand Junction, Colo. recently enjoyed a classic mixed bag of East Cape fishing, hitting the inshore for good snapper and grouper action with small chartreuse Clousers. Then, in the p.m., we headed out about 2 miles where we found a good school of bait, and Ray battled a nice 180-pound striper. As reported, the stripers haven't been suckers for the tease, so we caught some “liveys” with a Lucky Joe and pitched to a feeder. It's that time of year again here on the Cape. The inshore and offshore bite can be only a few minutes boat ride apart.
Tim Harris, Redmond, Wash. followed up a slow offshore day on Monday with a good inshore trip on Wednesday with an action packed day catching sierra and black skipjack near Punta Arena.
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 68-77
Air temperature 62-91
Humidity 58%
Wind: WNW 15 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:45 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
It was another week of windy cold conditions with the sun finally making an appearance today. Seem to be plenty of fish at the entrada, but they are plugged with langoustes (red crab) and have a serious case of lockjaw. Up in the mangroves, there were a few snook caught at Los Barrilles and I understand it is wall-to-wall nets up at Devil’s Curve again! Up at Lopez Mateos, the grouper and corvina provide the best action for the few who cared this week. Offshore, it continued to grumpy and kept most of the panga fishermen close to the beach.
Water temperature 60 - 66
Air temperature 66-78
Humidity 59%
Wind: NNW 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:52 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:55 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The 82° clean water is out about eight to nine miles, with the deep blue water at 20 miles. Most of the boats working the 18 to 20 mile mark are getting one or two sailfish a day.
Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” along with his brother Adan on the “Gitana II,” are working the 25 mile area and averaging three sailfish a day on conventional gear. Plus, Santiago told me the schools of yellowfin tuna are out around the 1,000 fathom curve (30 miles), and are about ready to move in closer for our annual May run.
Santiago fished with clients Chris and Tom Topher of California, releasing three sails and took two smaller tuna of about 20 pounds. Yesterday (Friday) he fished with Dwight Holly of Seattle, releasing three sails. Adan also got a small 150 pound blue marlin fishing with Danny Burns of Oregon.
Martin, on the panga “Isamar,” sampled the inshore fly-fishing and his client had some fantastic action on fish perfect for the 7- to 9-weight rods. Yesterday they got approximately 30 green jacks, about 15 jack crevalle, and 20 black skipjack tuna on a very small white fly. All the fish were in the 2- to 5-pound class.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 80 - 86
Humidity 83%
Wind NW 6 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:20 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:05 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
As the season winds down, the few boats going out are still finding decent action. Everyone one agrees that 2006 will go down in history as an extraordinary season even by Guatemala standards.
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 79- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:42 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:19 p.m. CST
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Apr 8, 2006; 12:30PM - Dorado Early Arrivals During Transition
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #1005. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 04/08/06
East Cape
Too bad there were only a few visitors to enjoy the great fishing early this week. 'Shooting fish in a barrel,' was how one client described the fishing when I arrived here in East Cape last Friday afternoon. But then the north wind roared back in on Wednesday (4/5) leaving white caps and lumps in its wake.
Yesterday (4/6) the Matt Smith party of three from Indiana had a pretty decent beach trip despite the breezes. They nailed some croakers and a jack. Meanwhile, inshore fishing turned on nicely, with pargo, grouper and ladyfish hitting the decks.
Skippers are finding quality dorado under the shark buoys, striped marlin and sails outside, and, if you go far enough and are lucky, you might even find a few tuna to bend your stick. Inshore, skipjack and white bonito provided the best action. On the good days the beach yielded a few ladyfish, pompano and if you pay attention you might find few decent-sized jacks to sight cast to. If that is not enough, rumors of grande yellowtail in shallow water up towards Muertos Bay have some of the locals chomping at the bit. As the winter-to-spring transition continues, it appears to be shaping up to be an exciting springtime at East Cape.
As of last Sunday, all flights have been cancelled by Aero California and that has thrown Baja travel into a tailspin. Word is that the Mexican government yanked their license. Competition for the remaining flights on other carriers has driven the cost of tickets through the roof. Hopefully, there will be some resolution during the next few weeks.
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 62-70
Air temperature 68-82
Humidity 60%
Wind: NW 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:04 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:37 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
I spent the early part of the week in Lopez Mateos and it could only be described as cold and windy. I don’t think I took off my sweatshirt once during the day. However, by Friday it warmed up and the wind quit blowing. Inside the bay there was a decent leopard grouper bite for some 10- to 20-pounders up above Lopez Mateos. Not much to talk about outside, but judging by the number of big tuna boats anchored in Santa Maria Bay on Thursday hiding from the weather, there must be a slug of tuna somewhere in the vicinity. The number of whales around San Carlos and the entrada is diminishing rapidly. Lastly, still a few firecracker yellows can be found under the bird schools at the entrada.
Water temperature 60 - 66
Air temperature 64-78
Humidity 99%
Wind: WNW 11 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:46 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The blue water is still only a very short three mile ride, with water temperatures hitting 80°. The fleet is averaging about two sailfish a day, per boat. Adan, on the panga “Gitana II” did have a four sailfish release day for his clients. His brother Santiago, on the “Gitana,” fishing with Martin and Rachel Patrick, released two sailfish and a 170 pound blue marlin. Doug Leach, also fished a day with Santiago using the flyrod, hooking a couple, and releasing one sail, and a dorado.
The inshore action is still strong for the large jack crevalle and there are lots of black skipjacks.
Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 87
Humidity 83%
Wind WNW 6 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:34 a.m. CST
Sunset 8:00 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
The record-breaking catches seen during March madness in Guatemala is over with new records set. There are enough stories to dominate Happy Hours wherever fishermen gather for sometime. April began with the fish being less concentrated as they spread out looking for bait. There was consistent action beginning at 20 miles for both sails and an occasional marlin in calm seas.
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 70- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: N 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:54 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:15 p.m. CST
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Apr 1, 2006; 01:08PM - Wind Shifts . . . Conditions Improve
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #1004. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 04/01/06
East Cape
The news this week revolved mainly around the lack of wind. When the slight breeze picked up, it was from the southeast. This trend will bring warmer weather and water. The inshore fishing hasn't quite caught up yet though. We're running into intermittent ladyfish, pompano and jack schools. This time of year it's not unusual to see large Pacific jack crevalle in tight schools, moving slowly and not responding aggressively. Calmer days have permitted some snorkeling which reveals very tight schools of gafftop-sail pompano also. As water temps rise and more bait appears (striped mullet and flatiron herring), these schools will loosen up, providing more shots to the beach angler. The roosterfish catch picks up with the arrival of bait also. Thus far, it's the very lucky boat to run into roosters, but this week's weather is only helping matters.
Most of the boats seeing consistent success are cruisers willing to make fairly long runs to blue water. Some reported being among large schools of sleeping striped marlin with mixed hook-up results. Dorado and yellowfin tuna contributed to some success stories as well.
Josh Dickinson
Baja on the Fly Guide
Water temperature 62-70
Air temperature 67-82
Humidity 52%
Wind: NNW 13 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:11 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:34 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Nice weather throughout the week and then it turned cold and windy today (4/1). There are still a few whales hanging around while they are psych themselves up for the long trip up the coast.
Offshore, the Humboldt squid have been about the only thing reposted of any consequence for the week. The best action in the mangroves was not far from San Carlos at Los Barrlies there were a few snook to be had if you were there at the right time. Still a decent corvina bite either at the pier or under the bridge at the entrance to town.
Water temperature 60 - 66
Air temperature 52-72
Humidity 99%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:18 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:43 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The blue water is only three miles off the beach, yet a cooler water current is moving down from the north and pushing the sailfish further south. The current Terrafin Surface Temperature image shows 78 degree water coming down and displacing the sailfish rich 82 degree water. This will be great for the blue marlin and yellowfin tuna however.
Inshore, the action has been outstanding on large jack crevalle. The fish have been averaging 16- to 18-pounds, with some going 25-pounds. Most are being taken at the white rocks on slow trolled live bait, but many are following a hookless popper to give a fly-caster a decent shot.
Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 87
Humidity 83%
Wind SW 6 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:59 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
No Report Received this week – Last week’s report repeated
As expected, the WFO action couldn't go on indefinitely. This week, the catches were still in the low double digits as the sailfish scattered in search of bait. The acres of small baitfish that had been reported for the past few weeks seemed to have disappeared leaving no other choice than to resort to more exploring. The fleet did find action anywhere from 15 to as far as 45 miles offshore as the boats spread out in search of herds of sailfish seen in the previous week. You can imagine how many times this week’s visitors heard, “You should have been here last week!”
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 72- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: Calm
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 5:59 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:15 p.m. CST
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Mar 26, 2006; 07:30AM - Baja Transcends . . . Guatemala Peaks
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Category: Saltwater Fly Fishing Reports
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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REPORT #1003. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 03/25/06
East Cape
As March fades into April, East Cape slips into that transitional mode when the winds begin to lose strength and start to shift from north to east. Then there begins to be more good days than bad. Early this week, it was calm but by mid-week the north winds were churning up the Sea of Cortez leaving murky water and white caps. Then, as quickly as it started, it slacked off.
As expected, locals along with the few visitors staying at the hotels, headed out. With the unsettled conditions it is always like starting at square one after the wind backs off and with few boats looking it is tough to locate any concentrations of any usual suspects.
Oddly enough, striped marlin – along with a few sailfish – seemed to be the most dominate species with a few found scattered throughout Las Palmas Bay. There were also a few dorado (on the smallish side) found outside of Punta Pescadero a few miles as well as further offshore mixed in with the billfish. Several boats gambled that the north wind wouldn't kick up and headed down south. They were rewarded with a few tuna. Inshore, skipjack, white bonito and sierra provided the best action. The beach walkers needed to be out at zero dark hundred and were rewarded with fair sierra action until the sun climbed high enough to shut the bite off. By then, the ladyfish took over and did their baby tarpon-like leaping after being fooled by an array of very small baitfish patterns such as bonefish-sized Clousers.
As reported last week, rumors of swordfish fining attracted some interest including Mark Rayor, of Vista Sea Sports, who spent two full days searching for the illusive swordy before the wind came up and conditions deteriorated. With picture perfect weather, he would have been back out this morning, but his boat was chartered for the day.
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 62-70
Air temperature 61-82
Humidity 52%
Wind: NW 6 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:17 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:31 p.m. MST
San Jose, Guatemala
As expected, the WFO action couldn't go on indefinitely. This week, the catches were still in the low double digits as the sailfish scattered in search of bait. The acres of small baitfish that had been reported for the past few weeks seemed to have disappeared leaving no other choice than to resort to more exploring. The fleet did find action anywhere from 15 to as far as 45 miles offshore as the boats spread out in search of herds of sailfish seen in the previous week. You can imagine how many times this week’s visitors heard, “You should have been here last week!”
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 72- 84
Humidity 94%
Wind: ENE 15 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:03 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:14 p.m. CST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
As the number of whales in the bay continues to diminish, more attention is directed toward the mangroves, entrada and offshore. Offshore – out among the shark buoys – there are a few tuna to be found. Nearer the entrada, bonito and skipjack with an occasional yellow can be found under the bird schools.
Up at Devil’s Curve, Enrique Soto reported good catches of palometa in the 10 pound category along with a few smaller snook as well as a decent corvina bite on both streamers and surface poppers. With water temperatures creeping slowly upward, conditions should continue to improve over the next month.
Water temperature 60 - 66
Air temperature 64-72
Humidity 100%
Wind: NNW 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:25 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:40 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The water warming up several degrees did wonders for the fishing this week. Martin, Captain of the “Isamar,” provided three memorable days for Greg Pike, visiting from Great Falls, Mont. By the end of the trip Greg had landed seven sails and a striped marlin on the fly. Santiago, Captain on the “Gitana,” had several busy days with ample action to keep everyone on the boat smiling.
Inshore at Ixtapa Island, jacks in the 15 pound class were feeding on the surface keeping the flyrods bent most of the morning.
Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo
Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 78 - 87
Humidity 83%
Wind NNE 6 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 6:45 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:57 p.m. CST
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