EAST CAPE AND MAGDALENA BAY FISHING CONDITIONS Wed., Dec. 19, 2001 EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO .. IN GENERAL: The hotel boat skippers have had a rough week with the wind. They report a few dorado, tuna ,and bonito scattered throughout the waters. Inshore fishing has been good in the morning for sierra and small skipjack. .. OFFSHORE: A few dorado flags are flying. The dorado are being found from north to south in no great numbers. The tuna bite has been fair off La Ribera. There are a very few marlin being seen. .. INSHORE: Working from either the pontoon boat or a panga you can expect action – wind permitting – at the arroyo north of Los Barriles for small- to medium-size roosters and ladyfish. You can also expect a few other species such as needle fish and trumpet fish. .. BEACH: Still your best bet is the arroyo north of Los Barriles to Pescadero. The water to the north is in better condition than the water to the south due to prevailing winds. If the wind permits it, the fishing to the south has been good to excellent in front of La Ribera. This area is holding lots of bait and the very early mornings and late evenings have seen some good action for jacks, roosters, and sierra. AIR & SEA: This week the word is WIND!!! It’s that time of year. We have had a lot of wind with some being very heavy. There was only one day this week where it was just a breeze and it was very pleasant. Aside from the wind, we have great temperatures in the high 70s and lots of sun. The water has cooled just a bit with the wind but is still in the mid- to low-70s also. Give Yvonne a call for more information about some of the special airfares and hotel rates being offered if your Holiday plans are still open. BILLFISH - The numbers are very slow, but should increase in the next few weeks. YELLOWFIN TUNA - Right now they’re from La Ribera to the lighthouse. Up one minute and gone the next. DORADO - Day by day. Yesterday (12/18) it was good and today well, quien sabe? Look a little and you may find them. As always, floating structure and buoys are a good bet. ROOSTERFISH - Lots of smaller fish with the occasional big one along the shore at the arroyo north of Los Barriles up to Punta Pescadero. Some very nice fish are showing occasionally at Hotel Ranch Leonero and in front of La Ribera. JACK CREVALLE - Clouds of them will storm the beach one second and be gone the next. The numbers are increasing. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - Lots of small to medium screamers off La Ribera. They’re just perfect for the fly. PARGO AND CABRILLA - Rocky points are holding a few quality pargo, with good fishing at Rancho Leonero. Several quality fish reported down by Punta Colorado. Catch of the Week Photo: http://www.bajafly.com/weeklycatch.html If you haven't ordered the new Guy Harvey Underwater Video featuring marlin at Magdalena Bay, you can do so at: http://secure-shopping-cart.com/bajafly/cart/cart17.html MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Wed., Dec. 19, 2001 .. IN GENERAL: Weather settled back down and seas were calm again. Few yachts are left in the area and the locals have not ventured far offshore. The area west to 20 miles outside the entrada was loaded with bait and plenty of bird schools on both tuna and marlin. That would be where I would be if I were there. Up in the esteros, the fishing continues to be fair to good with larger corvina being the predominant catch this week. AIR & SEA: Balmy 75 degrees during the day with evenings in the low 60s. MARLIN - Large concentration of fish from 20 west of the entrada strung out all the way up to the Thetis Bank DORADO - Pretty slow. TUNA - A few schools still up on the Thetis Bank and we saw several larger schools mixed in with the porpoise yesterday west of the entrada. YELLOWTAIL - A few firecrackers near Punta Hughes. CORVINA - Continues good to very good to downright excellent. SNOOK - Fair to good catches at Los Barriles and Devil’s Curve. HALIBUT - Sandy beaches are your best bet. SIERRA - Punta Hughes producing the best action. My new book, "The No Nonsense Guide to Fly Fishing Magdalena Bay," is now available and makes a great Holiday gift. Get your First Edition autographed copy at: http://secure-shopping-cart.com/bajafly/cart/index.html Catch of the Week Photo: http://www.bajafly.com/weeklycatch.html