Baja Mexico Fly Fishing Report: Marlin And Dorado Everywhere!!
Posted in Baja Mexico fly fishing reports and updates
Just one of the many stripe marlin we caught this week.
Written by
Jeff deBrown
Owner/Guide
www.thereelbaja.com
1-888-287-4076
Water temp.
82 - 83.5 Inshore
82.5 - 84 Offshore
Air temp.
Low - 60
High - 84
Baja Mexico fly fishing update and report posted on November 7th, 2011.
Hi Folks,
Whew! What a week it has been. I spent last week over on the Pacific side conducting one of my live aboard trips in Magdalena Bay (known as "Mag" to the locals here) and what a week it was.
I made the five hour drive from here in the East Cape as my guests Kevin Kynerd, and Scott Smith traveled from Birmingham Alabama. I arrived in San Carlos at about five in the evening. As I arrived a few of my friends were gathered on the dock (actually, on a shrimp boat) eating fresh shrimp and drinking ice cold cerveza. I knew Kevin and Scott's flight was going to be late and they would not arrive at the boat until well after dinner so I joined the festivities. After a five hour drive it was heaven. Nothing like eating fresh shrimp right off the boat that caught them just a few hours before. Add in a cold beer along with great friends you haven't seen in a while. Just plain happiness!
After all of us were full of shrimp, I decided to put my fly fishing gear together for the up coming trip. I strung rods, tied leaders, picked out flies. I was ready. Everything was in place all I needed now was my anglers.
After another delay, Kevin and Scott finally arrived at the boat around midnight. We headed out as soon as the luggage was stored. As we headed out they asked for a fishing report. I have been keeping up with the fishing in Mag. Even though it was my first trip for this year, I knew it had been pretty good. A lot of marlin, dorado and even a few wahoo in the area. Although it was pretty much "wide open" I down played the action some because as we all know it's still fishing. You never know. I told them we would find some fish and to go down stairs and get some sleep as the sun would be up in a few hours and we would be on the fish.
As they went to bed the boat stopped at the entrada and the crew and I caught some bait to use for chum during the trip. We were instructed by Cary (the captain) to make 200 pieces. It was already well past midnight and we still had to catch 200 mackerel!! I thought about going to bed and letting the crew (Robert and Tyler) handle the bait situation. First off, that would be unfair, and secondly, I was not really tired. I was excited about the next day's fishing. I decided to stay up and help them.
We caught number 200 at five in the morning and I decided to go below and lay down for an hour or so. I asked to be woken at 6:00A.M.. Wow that hour went fast!!
As I got up and went on deck, I could see fish swimming below and all around the boat. These fish were dorado.
I grabbed and fly rod and with one cast I was hooked up. As I played the fish to the boat Kevin and Scott stepped on deck. They grabbed their fly rods and were immediately hooked up. We continued to play with these fish for another forty five minutes or so and then decided to go and see if we could find some marlin.
It was not long before we found the bird schools swooping down on the bait balls that were being pushed to the surface by marlin and dorado. You could see feeding marlin in all directions. It did not matter where you looked. I could feel we were in for a good day.
As I set the teasers back, Kevin got set up and ready to cast to the first marlin. It was not long and we had a very hot fish come into the teaser and follow it all the way to the boat. Kevin's first cast was hindered slightly. He did not realize he was stepping on the line. I told him not to worry. This (with luck) was going to happen quite a few times throughout the day.
It sure did!! We raised 24 marlin that first day. We were able to get eight to eat the fly. We also had dorado banging on the teasers all day. Every once in a while we would stop and catch some dorado. We caught so many dorado!! I can't tell you how many. They were everywhere! Marlin and dorado everywhere!!
On the second day we did the exact same thing. Once again waking up to dorado under the boat. Having fun with them as we drank our morning coffee. We got around to trolling for marlin about 9 A.M. and once again we raised around 25 fish. It was another great day.
This same scenario continued for the next three days. We caught dorado, and marlin on the fly the entire trip. We had perfect weather, along with smooth seas. It was a good week.
I will be headed back over to Mag Bay next week to film a couple of episodes for an up coming television show. I will be sure to let you all know how we do.
I have been home here in the East Cape for a couple of days. I have not been able to get out as we've had some strong North winds the past couple of days. I talked to a few of my captain friends and the fishing report here is pretty good. I hear we have quite a few of smaller dorado that have been hanging close to shore. The fish have not been very big but they are providing good action. The captains also tell me this past week they have experienced a decent marlin bite. On average, boats are raising two or three fish a day with the occasional boat getting half a dozen to come up. This is much slower than I experienced in Mag Bay, but it is good for our area this late in the year. We also have a good population of bonita just in front of La Ribera providing some good action for fly anglers.
As I mentioned above, I will be headed back over to Mag Bay in a few days. Until then I will be fishing here in the East cape area if the wind allows. I will be sure to let everyone know the latest with the next report.
Until then….Keep fly fishing!!
