Big Bite'Bigger Bucks

Endless Season Update 10/13/2007

REPORT #1084 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996

East Cape


The Buck Stops Here

The first North Winds of the season kicked up a few days early in the week, causing wind waves and off-color water. Though the water temps remained good, it didn't begin to clean up until late in the week.

The offshore action was scattered from a few miles offshore to forty miles out. A good striper bite, along with a few sails and two blues, was reported.

The tuna overshadowed the dorado this week with some fifty pound class tuna showing up under the porpoise.

Overshadowed maybe, but the dorado bite remained consistent again this week under debris found close to shore.

In spite of the North Winds making for tough fly fishing days, Lance reported the bait schools were still hanging out in the same spots and a diligent caster could expect to connect. Roosters, jacks to 5 lb's. and ladyfish were the most active feeders. Once again, his best results were had with small, sparse baitfish patterns and clousers. Chartreuse was an effective color in the off-color water.

Last weekend, October 4 through October 7, East Cape's Mark Rayor and his team, Captain Jesus, 'Chuy' Cota and Juan Diego Romero, fished the first annual La Paz Gold Cup Black and Blue Marlin Tournament on Mark's boat, the Jen Wren. The tournament was held by local developers in the La Paz area: Costa Baja Resort and Marina, Playa de LaPaz, Snell Real Estate, Maravia Country Club Estates, La Concha Pearl, Bahia los Suenos, Mosquito Fleet, Scott O'Hara and Jim House. This group of developers put up the prize money and volunteered their time to organize and carry out this charity event. James Curtiss and Gabriel Ley were Tournament Chairs. The Rotary Club of La Paz was selected as the recipient of the charity money for their cause: to provide prosthetics for children in need

First prize was one million pesos, the equivalent to about $100,000 US dollars, plus a new Ford Lobo truck if the fish exceeded 400 pounds! But there was a twist in the rules that made things even more interesting; a $50 per pound penalty was imposed on any team weighing a fish under the 200 pound minimum. What a fantastic idea! We are lucky to have one of the best fisheries in the world and this certainly discourages the killing of short fish. It also raised extra money for a good cause. Full Report http://www.bajafly.com/report/mark.rayor.htm

Water temperature 77-85

Air temperature 73-95

Humidity 73 %

Wind: N 5 to 6 knots

Conditions: Clear

Visibility 3 miles

Sunrise 7:24 a.m. MDT

Sunset 7:03 p.m. MDT

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

Bob Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters, reported that the weather turned sideways early in the week and few boats ventured outside. He did hear of excellent marlin action on the high spot below Punta Tosca for the boats traveling down the line toward Cabo San Lucas.

The Esteros produced grouper, corvina plus the usual spotted bay bass with the best area being up toward Boca Santo Domingo.

Water temperature 72 - 82

Air temperature 61 -94

Humidity 93%

Wind: NW 14 to 19 knots

Conditions: Sunny

Visibility 3 miles

Sunrise 7:24 a.m. MDT

Sunset 7:05 p.m. MDT

Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico

The 81' blue water is about 15 miles out, with most of the fish being taken between the 18 and 20 mile mark. Sailfish are averaging about 1 to 2 fish a day per boat.

However, this last week has seen another surge of blue marlin coming into the area. On Thursday, Hans Clausen of Denmark fished with Santiago on the panga Gitana, catching two marlin, with the largest going 285 pounds.

The yellowfin tuna have not shown for a few days, and have either moved out of the area, or further out and past the 1,000 fathom line.

The dorado, while not as plentiful as in weeks past, are still averaging about 20 pounds.

The roosterfish and jack crevalle action is still excellent, with the action all up and down the coast

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 80 - 84

Air temperature 77-96

Humidity 87%

Wind: WSW at 2mph

Conditions: Partly Cloudy

Visibility 6 miles

Sunrise 7:39 a.m. CDT

Sunset 7:26 p.m. CDT

Fish Species: Marlin
Bait Used: dorado
Tackle Used: 80
Method Used: trolling
Water Depth:
Water Temperature: 80's
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:

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About The Author: Captain Gary Graham

Company: Baja On The Fly

Area Reporting: Below the Border

Bio: In 1978 Gary Graham, in his 23' skiff, battled 13 hours to catch a 209 lb. broadbill swordfish. This experience made him a fisherman for life. Gary then set world bluewater records with light lines and collected fishing honors: the L.A. Billfish Club award for proficiency with light tackle, first places in billfish tournaments and the 1987 California billfish championship. He was also executive director of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation. In 1988 Motor Yacht magazine pronounced Gary one of the top 10 anglers in the U.S. About this time Gary also "converted" his considerable fishing talents to fly angling. In 1989 Gary and his wife Yvonne began their lifelong dream of near full-time residence in Baja's famed East Cape fishing region. The duo started Baja's first Orvis endorsed fly fishing guide and instruction operation. Today "Baja On The Fly" is a pioneer in saltwater fly angling in the fish-rich waters of Southern Baja. These days Gary guides fly anglers, represents Baja to the International Game Fish Association and speaks on the lure of Baja saltwater fly fishing at numerous classes, seminars and workshops. As if to complete the circle from record-setting, bluewater angler to flyfishing expert, Gary recently set a fly fishing world record in Baja, while fishing from the beach, right in front of his home!

760-522-3710
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Gary Graham