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., Dec. 28, 2002 EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY AND ZIHUATANEJO CONDITIONS EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: It is hard to believe that this is our final report of the year. We hope that you have found them useful and get a chance be part of one of our reports next year. There are only a few guests at most of the hotels and virtually all of them opted to hang around the hotel pool and wait for the wind to back off. All of us at Baja on the Fly hope that you and yours have a Happy and Prosperous New Year. If you're looking for something special to bring in 2003, all the hotels have openings this week, New Year's Eve and the season from here on. Join us by going out at first light on New Year's Day to try to nail the first rooster or ladyfish of the year from the beach in front of your hotel. Since New Years is on a Wed., we will only be doing a report on Sat. next week. AIR & SEA - Water temperature 71 - 75 Air temperature 61°-81° Humidity about 82% Wind WNW at 16 mph Conditions Clear Sunrise 6:58 AM MST Sunset 5:45 PM MST Jan. 2 New First Quarter Jan. 10 Full Jan. 18 Jan. 25 Last Quarter · OFFSHORE: Still some quality dorado on the days the wind backs off. Best action is up to the north off Punta Pescadero. · INSHORE: Everyone stuck pretty close to shore with sierra dominating the catches. · BEACH: Best bet, early, early, early and you may beat the wind. BILLFISH - Still a few of the homeguards hanging around. YELLOWFIN TUNA - Most of the ones I heard about were already in the can. DORADO - Punta Pescadero shark buoys are the best bet and it is a better ride home if the wind comes up. ROOSTERFISH - Same deal as the billfish. Mostly homeguards hanging around. JACK CREVALLE - Still some smaller jacks crashing the bait along the shore. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - Always a few if someone is inclined. PARGO AND CABRILLA - Commercial guys are spanking them on some of the rock reefs. SIERRA - La Ribera producing great catches early morning and if you use wire you may even catch a few. MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Sat., Dec. 28, 2002 IN GENERAL: Judging by the cooler water beginning to flow into Magdalena Bay ’s offshore areas, it may be that the fat lady has sung and we will have to wait until next Fall. Everyone in Puerto San Carlos is beginning to gear up for what is hoped to be a banner whale-watching season. So far none of the behemoths have been spotted inside the bay. Inside Magdalena Bay, most of the fleet remained close to home during the holidays. There were a few corvina, halibut reported and that was about it. We will be taking our first Magdalena Bay mangrove trip of 2003, Jan. 3-7. There's still time if you want to join me for a shot at the snook and other critters, or just the opportunity to see the incredible Mag Bay mangroves, call Yvonne at 800 919 2252 or visit http://www.bajafly.com/magjantrip.htm Since New Years is on a Wed. we will only be doing a report on Sat. next week. Water Temperature 67 - 69 Air Temperature 60°-78° Humidity 18% Wind NE at 4 mph Conditions Haze Sunrise 7:09 AM MST Sunset 5:49 PM MST Jan. 2 New First Quarter Jan. 10 Full Jan. 18 Jan. 25 Last Quarter YELLOWTAIL - Pretty quiet. CORVINA - The few boats out there reported the bite was still going on. SNOOK - Next week should be great as the moon goes dark. HALIBUT - Small fish but plenty of ‘em. SIERRA - Not enough to change over to wire, which means you, will lose a fly once-in-a-while. ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO Sat., Dec. 28, 2002 IN GENERAL: The 80º blue water is close to the beach and the fishing is excellent. Most boats are going out and getting 4 to 5 sailfish per day. The added bonus has been the influx of the 25- to 35-pound dorado we are getting from 6- to 12-miles out. In addition to the sailfish, the boats are also getting 3 to 5 of these nice dorado. The school-size yellowfin tuna are between 25- and 30-miles out and boats targeting them are averaging 10 to 15 a day. The fish are averaging 20- to 40-pounds. Fly fishing for the sailfish has also been outstanding. There are a lot of fish here to tease up and the angler is getting numerous shots at them. Graeme Alexander, a salmon fly-fishing guide from Tofino, Canada, fished with Santiago and I on the panga Gitana. He hooked three sailfish on the one day he fished. The Gaby, with captain Margarito not only got 5 sailfish, and 3 dorado in one day for his clients, but also got a bonus 25-pound wahoo about a mile off the beach. The roosterfish are the only gamefish that had a slow week. It is probably due to the large influx of tourists and a lot of fishing pressure. They do not stick around very long when under a lot of pressure. Since New Years is on a Wed., we will only be doing a report on Sat. next week. Water Temperature 82º Air Temperature 68°-88º Humidity 78% Wind calm Conditions Scattered Clouds Sunrise 7:14 AM CST Sunset 6:23 PM CST Jan. 2 New First Quarter Jan. 10 Full Jan. 18 Jan. 25 Last Quarter For more Information on Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo trips, go to: http://www.bajafly.com/Zihuatanejo.htm -- Zihuatanejo Report by Baja on the Fly's Ed Kunze