REPORT FROM GARY GRAHAM'S BAJA ON THE FLY: PROVIDING QUALITY SALTWATER FLY-FISHING 365 DAYS A YEAR IN BAJA FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: [email protected]; USA toll-free (800) 919-2252; Mexico 011-52-614-14-10373 Sat., Nov. 23, 2002 EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY AND ZIHUATANEJO CONDITIONS EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: Yesterday (11/22) the wind had subsided somewhat and it looked like there might be a few days respite from the northerly winds. With few guests at the hotels and even fewer boats going out this week, it is difficult to assess conditions. AIR & SEA - Water temperature 84° F / 77° F Air temperature 66 - 91 Humidity about 83% Wind WNW at 9 mph Conditions Clear Sunrise 6:37 AM MST Sunset 5:35 PM MST Last Quarter 27 New Dec 4 First Quarter Dec 11 Full Dec 19 · OFFSHORE: Sailfish seem to be making their seasonal exit. There are still a few stripers and blues to be found for the persistent angler, but not enough for the flyrodder. Forget about the tuna . . . they seem to be moving further away with the best bet being dorado up at the shark buoys in front of Punta Pescadero · INSHORE: Still a few skipjack, jacks and some quality roosters near the lighthouse. · BEACH: Early morning is the best bet and La Ribera to Punta Colorada would be the best place to be. Look for the diving birds. BILLFISH - Still a few around. YELLOWFIN TUNA - Still being found under the porpoise way down south. DORADO - Best bet is the shark buoys in front of Punta Pescadero. ROOSTERFISH - There continue to be some quality fish near the lighthouse and smaller ones in front of the pangas on the beach at La Ribera. JACK CREVALLE - Still chasing the sardina near shore. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - Plenty of schools sighted from La Ribera to Punta Colorada. PARGO AND CABRILLA - Try any of the rocky points and if the wind is blowing, head up toward Punta Pescadero. You can find a little protection from the wind there. SIERRA - Plenty around the bait receivers in front of La Ribera. MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Sat., Nov. 23, 2002 IN GENERAL: The fish pile up continues at Thetis Bank and waters around it. Living up to its reputation, phenomenal fishing for the boats in the area continued. Double-digit marlin scores were the norm coupled with flat calm weather. For those targeting the billfish, dorado and wahoo were a nuisance actually competing with the billfish for the teasers. We are down to the wire and still have two rods available on the Dec. 5-13 trip. Snooze you lose. This will be the last week we can offer our clients a chance to get in on the big bite of 2002. Give Yvonne a call at 800 919 2252. For more information visit us at http://www.bajafly.com/mag_bluewater.htm Dorado feeding just outside the entrada, yellowtail to 20 pounds at the entrada and good snook, grouper and corvina up in the esteros are keeping the panga guys happy. I will be going down for our first mangrove trip of 2003, Jan. 3-7. If you want to join me for a shot at the snook as well as other critters, call Yvonne at 800 919 2252 or visit http://www.bajafly.com/magjantrip.htm Water Temperature 72 - 79 Temperature 63° F - 90 °F Humidity 86% Wind Calm Conditions Clear. Sunrise 6:48 AM MST Sunset 5:40 PM MST Last Quarter Nov 27 New Dec 4 First Quarter Dec 11 Full Dec 19 YELLOWTAIL - Best quality fish at the entrada, smaller guys at Punta Hughes. CORVINA - Good throughout the bay. SNOOK - Devil's Curve and Mario's Spot produced the best action in spite of the strong currents. HALIBUT – It’s all quite simple: Got Chartreuse Clousers get Halibut. SIERRA - A few schools are being seen near the entrada. ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO REPORT BY BAJA ON THE FLY'S ED KUNZE Sat., Nov. 23, 2002 IN GENERAL: The heavy weed lines we have had the last few weeks, caused by the heavy storms that hit us recently, are dispersing. There are still a few logs floating out there and they are holding a few 20- to 25-pound dorado that can be taken with a live bait . . . not good news for fly-rodders. Most of the dorado are coming on blind strikes because they are scattered. When dorado reach about 12 pounds, they become sexually mature and no longer school together. Scattered fish and blind strikes are more or less the norm. The blue water has moved in to about the 10-mile mark and the sailfish fishing is improving. The full moon phase has it a little slow this week, but all the conditions are ripe for some excellent fishing. Tuna were found yesterday (11/22) when John Dean, a part time local resident, went out and got them at 52 miles on a 210º heading. He got 11 nice tuna from 30 to 75 pounds for his efforts. Other reports, unconfirmed, said the 15 to 25 pound tuna were only about 6 miles off the white rocks. The roosterfish action is still holding up strong. When you target them, 4 to 5 (25 to 40 pound) fish a day is average. Water Temperature 85 Temperature 72° F - 88 °F Humidity 83% Wind calm Conditions Clear (bring sunscreen) Sunrise 6:55 AM CST Sunset 6:12 PM CST Last Quarter 27 New Dec 4 First Quarter Dec 11 Full Dec 19 For more Information on Baja on the Fly’s Zihuatanejo trips, go to: http://www.bajafly.com/Zihuatanejo.htm -- Ed Kunze