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 011-52-624-14-10373 Sat., Feb. 15, 2003 EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY AND ZIHUATANEJO CONDITIONS EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: Less than ideal conditions prevailed with clouds, rain and even a power outage on Thursday. All is back to normal with some wind this morning (Saturday). The tuna and dorado don’t seem to mind the wind and rain as much as the clients and boats do. If anglers get out, the fishing continues to be decent with some quality dorado and tuna lurking about. The number of marlin being spotted is remarkable for this time of year with even a few biters. “Ocean Bankruptcy “ which offers a fresh look at the world of fisheries conservation. Stephen Sloan tells this unique story through accounts of international meetings of government delegations, lobbyists, special-interest groups, and nongovernmental environmental organizations. The book utilizes nonscientific jargon that will appeal to the large number of people who are concerned about the health of our oceans, and, ultimately, the health of our planet. Steve’s career in Fishery Management spans thirty seven years allows him to share his first hand, his experiences and frustrations. For more information visit http://www.oceanbankruptcy.com/foreword.htm AIR & SEA - Water temperature 68-72 Air temperature 68°-88° Humidity about 60% Wind NW at 5 mph Conditions Partly Cloudy (FEW) : 3000 ft Visibility 12 miles Sunrise 6:48 a.m. MST Sunset 6:15 p.m. MST Feb. 16 Full Feb. 23 Last Quarter Mar. 2 New Mar. 11 First Quarter · OFFSHORE: Pretty good when the boats get out there.. · INSHORE: Sierra are the best bet and supposedly there are some smaller roosters in front of La Ribera. . · BEACH: We pounded the beach on Wednesday and we did see a few smaller fish just out of casting range. The sierra have been showing in front of the lighthouse early morning; however few of the locals have been motivated to be there early enough to take advantage of the show. BILLFISH – With the number that are being seen it is beginning to feel like March may be a pretty good marlin month.. YELLOWFIN TUNA – Pretty good for February.. DORADO - Most of the fish are above average in size. ROOSTERFISH – A few smaller ones on the beach at La Ribera. JACK CREVALLE – Plenty of smaller ones the trick is to get them to bite. . BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - Forget 'em. Go look for tuna and dorado! PARGO AND CABRILLA – Pretty quiet. SIERRA - Just before sunup at Punta Arena or late afternoon on the calm days is the best time. MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Sat., Feb. 15, 2003 IN GENERAL: Whale watching is going into full swing now and fishing will probably take a back seat as everyone attempts to add whale petting and in some cases whale kissing (yuck) to their lifetime list. For those that don’t lose focus there are a few yellowtail, skipjack and bonita outside the Entrada. Along the rocky shore from the Entrada to Punta Belcher you might find grouper, spotted bay bass and an occasional pargo jumping on a chartreuse Clouser. Up in the esteros the corvina have slowed down and the grouper and snapper have begun to bite. Water Temperature 67-70 Air Temperature 62-°71° Humidity 97% Wind Calm Conditions Partly Cloudy (FEW) : 3000 ft Visibility miles Sunrise 7:58 a.m. MST Sunset 6:20 p.m. MST Feb. 16 Full Feb. 23 Last Quarter Mar. 2 New Mar. 11 First Quarter YELLOWTAIL – Look outside the Entrada under the bird schools. CORVINA – Where did they go?. SNOOK - IGFA has created a new category for Pacific snook, so there could be a few world records in Magdalena Bay's future and maybe yours. HALIBUT – Sand beach on the south side of Punta Belcher produced a few. SIERRA - Punta Belcher is pretty good right now. ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO Sat., Feb. 15, 2003 IN GENERAL: The blue water has moved off the beach and is about 4 miles out. The water is going into its annual cooling down period and is currently about 78º. This is an ideal temperature for the yellowfin tuna and big marlin, but the sailfish have been leaving the area. The fishing has reflected this also. The boats are only averaging 1 to 3 sailfish a day, but the fleet is getting at least a couple of blue or black marlin each day. The tuna are here in tonnage quantities and are showing up at all points of the compass. A few nice dorado are being taken, and they are averaging 25 to 35 pounds. A couple of larger ones come in each day. Ed Kunze Water Temperature 78º Air Temperature 75°-90º Humidity 94% Wind calm Conditions Clear Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CST Sunset 6:47 p.m. CST First Quarter Feb. 9 Full Feb. 16 Feb. 23 Last Quarter Mar. 2 New 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