Tuna and Dorado . . . Ignore the Wind

REPORT #1012. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 05/27/06
East Cape
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Lori puts the heat on
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The Winner or Loser...
Homer Tollenaere and his wife, from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, spent a day inshore and had good action for both dorado and tuna in spite of the windy conditions this week. Beach action slowed somewhat as the wind waves took their toll causing off-colored water along the shore. Offshore, the billfish continued to provide the best action along with tuna and even some dorado. According to the recent SST reports, the water temperatures are continuing to creep up which should attract more bait which in turn should bring in more fish as we slide into the summer.

Water temperature 68-79
Air temperature 75-94
Humidity 78%
Wind: SSW 4 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. MST
Sunset 7:58 p.m. MST

Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico

There was some improvement in the weather this week and a decent grouper and pargo bite just outside Boca Soledad close to shore. Outside, the sea temps are still cool and seas are stirred up by the wind. A few boats went out as far as the Thetis for nothing this week. The local shark fishermen also are reporting seeing very little on the way out to their buoys west of the entrada. The entrada itself is still producing fair action under the bird schools for small yellows, bonito and an occasional sierra if they don’t bite through the leader. Devil’s Curve produced a few smaller snook, corvina and a couple of leopard groupers.



Water temperature 60 - 69
Air temperature 60-77
Humidity 88%
Wind: NW 7 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 5 miles
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. MDT
Sunset 8:10 p.m. MDT


Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
As I predicted, the warm water current moved in from the south and the fishing improved. The big story is the blue marlin. The fleet is averaging about five blue marlin a day. This is about average for us in the month of May, making Z one of the best locations in the world (for May and June anyway) to get a shot at a big blue marlin.

Santiago, on the panga “Gitana,” had a great week on sailfish. Early in the week he fished with John Wilkinson of Michigan. They released seven sails on Tuesday. Fishing with John and Ben Fuller of Boston on Wed, Thurs., and Fri., he released six, five, and five sailfish each day.

The 82º water inshore has also improved the roosterfish fishing. The best action is still 30 miles south near Papanoa, but in the next couple of weeks all the traditional roosterfish areas should have good populations of fish.

Ed Kunze

Water temperature 78 - 84
Air temperature 73 - 82
Humidity 83%
Wind N 4 mph
Conditions: Thunderstorms
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. CDT
Sunset 8:15 p.m. CDT