Recollections, Anticipations and Updates
Endless Season Update 12/31/2008
REPORT #1147 "Below the Border" Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
East Cape
2008
Looking back, our fishing season was largely spent on the beach in pursuit of roosterfish on the fly. So, as to be expected, it was wind and waves
that determined when the ingredients for successful fishing would come together.
As the winter months faded into spring, the opportunities on the beach increased as the North wind subsided. Early season found the usual ‘fast
movers’ (jack crevalle and roosterfish) within range of a fly from shore. But it was a few big yellowtail in March that made for the most noteworthy
targets from shore.
While the roosterfish are not often big early in the year, the potential for a grande pez gallo is always there, and by spring the reality of roosters
pushing the 50 pound mark (and beyond) made every day on the beach interesting to say the least.
Good numbers of big roosterfish made an appearance at the East Cape in 2008 but finding yourself on the right beach, at the right time, with fish
ready to eat a fly was critical. When it all came together, countless hours on the hunt paid off in memorable action and a few amazing fish. Beyond
playing the rooster game there were ample opportunities for several other species including sierra, pompano and pargo. Lance Peterson, BOF Guide
2009
The last days of 2008 have provided some great weather and calm seas. The early morning bite has been consistent, providing action on a mixed bag of
fish. Most of the roosterfish are under 5 pounds as is usually the case in the winter, but there are some bigger fish around also. I have spotted two
roosters in the 30 pound class recently, giving hope to the idea of hooking big fish from shore in the winter months.
Of course, I can't help but look ahead to spring, the last of the North winds, and the best months for hunting roosterfish with a fly. The sardina
have been concentrating quite well along the shoreline. If that trend continues, I'm optimistic that we will see great fishing at East Cape in the
coming year...it's all a matter of being there when the bite is on!
Lance Peterson, BOF Guide
Water temperature 71-76
Air temperature 60-80
Humidity 55%
Wind: NNW 10 to 13 knots
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 11 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:43 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Dropping sea temps have slowed the offshore fishing. However, one boat fishing the Thetis reported good catches of yellowtail. There are also some
smaller yellowtail, as well as sierra, at the Entrada.
Estero action provided some grouper under ten pounds along with some good surface action for corvina.
Bob Hoyt
Water temperature 67 - 73
Air temperature 58 -79
Humidity 44 %
Wind: WNW 8 to 11 knots
Conditions: Partly Sunny
Visibility 13 miles
Sunrise 7:12 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:48 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Fly angler: Chris Sovak, New York
Location: Mahuja, North of Zihuatanejo about 30 miles
Guide and photo by Ed Kunze
2008
This last year was really kind of a disappointment for fishing here on the West Coast of Mexico. During the peak of the high season, we had unusual
cold water currents move in, which caused our warm water game fish to leave for parts unknown. We look at this as not being a long term affect, rather
a short term 10-year cycle about to repeat itself.
2009
This coming year should prove this out as our blue 80º water is currently just off the beach, and the fishing is outstanding. Sailfish action will
peak during the dark of the moon periods for January and February, with another mini-migration occurring in July. Roosterfish action will heat up in
May, and peak at the end of July, but we will still be getting decent fishing into late December. Blue marlin and yellowfin tuna will be best in May
and June.
Our fishing is continuing its excellent action on sailfish. The 82º blue water is just off the beach, with most of the fish being taken between 7 and
10 miles.
The yellowfin tuna are still a ‘no show’, but a few blue marlin and dorado are being taken.
Mecate, on the boat Aqua Azul, is averaging 7 sailfish a day released. He has a total of 34 releases in 5 days, but many other boats are doing almost
as well.
Plus, the fly fishermen are finally getting a number of shots at sailfish and a decent chance for a hookup. Fishing with Andre Padovanti, of British
Columbia, we teased four fish to the boat and he got the hook into two. We were up at Mahuaja fishing with Ramon on his open panga, and launched off
the beach.
A couple of days later I went back to Mahauja with Chris Sovak of New York. The fish had apparently moved out of the area, because we raised only one
fish all day. At 11:00 a.m., we got the strike, teased it to the boat, and Chris got a good hook set, with the fly firmly in the corner of its mouth.
It was Chris's first ever billfish, either on the fly or conventional gear, so it turned out to be a decent day after all.
The next day (yesterday), I went down to Puerto Vicente Guerrero with Joe and Denette Romano. Joe is a hunting/fishing guide out of Anchorage and an
avid fly fisher. We raised six sails, and had four come to the boat. He hooked two, and she hooked one.
Inshore action is still holding steady with lots of sierra and smaller sized jack crevalle.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature 78 - 80
Air temperature 71-88
Humidity 65%
Wind: SW at 12mph
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 11 miles
Sunrise 7:18 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:23 p.m. CST
Cabo San Lucas
2008 This has been a very interesting and productive year for us, the fish have been biting well and while the economy has had an effect on bookings
the fish don’t seem to care! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and that you celebrate the New Year in style.
BILLFISH: The marlin bite remained the same but the fish have moved off the Golden Gate Bank a bit. There are still plenty of fish
there, but with the number of boats working the area causing traffic problems at times, some of the guys have been working to the south toward the San
Jaime Bank and have been finding the striped marlin there as well. Not the same numbers as at the Golden Gate, but the pressure is less.
YELLOWFIN TUNA: Tuna were scarce once again, but a few fish were showing up mixed in with the porpoise around the San Jaime Bank.
These fish ranged in size from 10 to 40 pounds with an occasional larger fish to 80 pounds hooked up.
DORADO: The dorado bite was decent this week with fish coming from close to the beach on the Pacific side, most of them within a
mile or so, but a few were in the deeper water as well. The warmer water on the Cortez side of the Cape started to produce as we expected and there
were good catches of fish to 35 pounds around the Red Hill area and off of Grey Rock.
INSHORE: Panga fishing this week has produced good numbers of small roosterfish, some nice sierra and yellowtail along with a few
good-sized pargo. Fly fishermen have been having a blast with the occasional dorado and good numbers of bonita, chumming them up with live sardina.
George & Mary Landrum
Water temperature 73 - 82
Air temperature 61 - 86
Humidity 34%
Wind: SW at 12mph
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 13 miles
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:46 p.m. MST
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