REPORT FROM GARY GRAHAM'S BAJA ON THE FLY: PROVIDING QUALITY SALTWATER FLY-FISHING 365 DAYS A YEAR IN BAJA Wed., Sept. 18, 2002 EAST CAPE AND MAGDALENA BAY FISHING CONDITIONS EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: This week’s storm Iselle passed us by leaving some rain, wind, clouds and a pretty substantial swell . . . none of which put much of a damper on the fishing. The boats that did go out did fair offshore and good closer to shore. The beach wasn’t much because of the wind waves and big swell. Be sure to read Ed Zieralski’s feature in last Saturday’s edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/sat/sports/news_mz1s14catch.htm l AIR & SEA - Unsettled conditions early in the week and mid-week returning to normal Temperature 84° F / 78° F Humidity 84% Wind South at 15 mph Conditions Mostly Cloudy (BKN) : 3000 ft / 916 m Mostly Cloudy (BKN) : 10000 ft / 3050 m Sunrise 7:10 AM MDT Sunset 7:27 PM MDT Moon Phase Full Moon on 21st Water Temps in the mid 80’s · OFFSHORE: Still a long ride to get where either the billfish or tuna are. With the change in weather this week, only a few boats were up for the trip. · INSHORE: Slowed somewhat with the weather, but still good with plenty of choices – roosters, including some bigun’s including dorado, football tuna, skipjack, jacks, ladyfish and pargo. Wow! So many choices and so little time. · BEACH: Soon as things settle down it should snap right back. BILLFISH - Sailfish are the best option for the fly-rodder and you can expect 2-5 shots a day on a good day. YELLOWFIN TUNA - Smaller ones close in and the big guys are much too far to bother with for the flyrodder. DORADO - More single cruisers than schoolies. ROOSTERFISH - Not much along the beach. Punta Arena is the best option right now. JACK CREVALLE - Still around, but not much showing this week. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - Look for the schools feeding on the surface, then shut down up-wind and drift into the school. PARGO AND CABRILLA - There seem to be a few around most of the rocky points. SIERRA - Around the receivers at La Ribera produced a few. Catch of the Week Photo: http://www.bajafly.com/weeklycatch.htm MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Wed., Sept. 18, 2002 IN GENERAL: Offshore temperatures continue to creep up and some of the exotics are beginning to show up for the fall: dorado 15-20 miles outside the entrada, tuna a bit further out and a few marlin mixed in as well. Up in the esteros, the action has begun to pick up as well. There are snook up toward Devil’s Curve, corvina at the bridge and near the pier. A few quality leopard grouper reported at Mario’s Spot. Temperature 82° F - 77° F Humidity 98% Wind Calm Visibility Clear Conditions Scattered Clouds Sunrise 7:18 AM MDT Sunset 7:35 PM MDT Moon Phase Full Moon on the 21st Water Temperature 67 - 78 YELLOWTAIL - A few firecrackers (small fish) down deep near the entrada. CORVINA - Pier and bridge provided the best action earlier in the week. SNOOK - Main channel before you get to Devils Curve on the west side yielded several fish to 10 pounds. HALIBUT - Most of the fish are less than five pounds SIERRA - A few spread out throughout the bay. Catch of the Week Photo: http://www.bajafly.com/weeklycatchmagbay.htm