Drake Magazine Back Issue Content: 2020 Summer Stranded on Socotra, Stranded on Socotra, The Quarantine and John Prine, Tarpon, A Mexican Introduction Fall Winter . You may be in the surf one day, taking waves to the chest, and the next morning you could be pulling hard on a 14-weight. By 3 p.m., seas were sporty and building. Rarely will they even be found within 15 to 20 miles of the mouth of the bay. The area has numerous small commercial fishing villages where the expertise and fishing knowledge is passed down in families. The closer the big fish get to the bait, the brighter they get with excitement. That's our story! . It quickly became evident that in Mag Bay, everything is far away. This gives me some time to calm down. Two minutes later, Aldo points and says, matter-of-factly, Marlin. I jump to the bow, strip line off my reel, and stand in awe as 15 marlin blitz bait around us. For angler seeking some of the best fishing left on the planet and that appreciate remote and wild locations, this is your place. Four kayak anglers explore the rich offshore and inshore waters of Baja's Magdalena Bay. Sport Fishing Charters. Fishing Magnificent Mag Bay - Anglers Journal - A Fishing Life There also were two small center-console outboard boats fishing in our vicinity. Guests chose between local panga rides to the mouth of the bay in search of whales or to a mangrove surrounding a local oyster farm. Round trip transfers from Loreto, the closest airport, are in our listed package prices. The afternoon was filled with searching for wildlife from the bow as National Geographic Sea Bird navigated Canal de Soledad. Yea, that works for me! Sunglasses. This trip was a trip of a lifetime. After catching and mostly releasing many tuna, I dropped slow-pitch jigs during the afternoon in 200 or so feet to catch Pacific red snapper, gulf grouper and various small reef fish. The Blue Water fishery is the stuff of legends, the heart of which is an area known as the Ridge. What to target, and where, within the greater Mag Bay system, are decisions that might leave anglers second-guessing over a vast expanse of quiet water. Thats the shortcut route; to boat down to the large mouth of the bay and then northwest to Thetis is more like 45 miles. The dorado . Hes found that these striped marlin dont stay on the bait ball close to the boat, and the motor noise while maneuvering into position is counterproductive. Other times, there was a guy on the bow with a spinning rod, throwing some kind of lurehe also was hooking up regularly. 60'x17' 1,250 gallon fuel capacity. Reels spin loudly to the tune of unknown breakoffs and the occasional Spanish Mackerel. His captain was Juan Jose Abaroa Flores, who ran the Mucho Loco for the Rolling Stones for many years back in the 1980s. The kayakers were brought offshore on pangas but fought the fish on their own. Thats all he likes to do, and he does it way better than anyone Ive ever fished with. I caught sight of motion in the impossibly clear, cobalt water beneath the kayak, my eyes drawn to flashing pectoral fins and tails edged in electric cyan. 7 hrs whale watching and more. The bite for three hours was as hot as it gets for three anglers fishing a seamount 75 miles off Costa Rica. Combination packages mixing cruiser, panga, kayak or beach fishing; Large groups and Seminars; Activities that include snorkeling, scuba diving, whale watching, kayaking, four wheelers, eco-touring and horseback riding . Enjoying a succulent lunch in a . Next season there will be a fleet of 25-35 Boston Whalers and perfect American built accommodations available in MagBay. Whale Tour | Mag Bay Tours Mostly they are out on the Ridge. On one day last year, they raised 143 marlin and released 50, all on fly tackle. Any info would be greatly appreciated . When we were dumped back in the water, we still had another hour or so run out to the fishing grounds. . As he fished, Promnitz watched a school of large sardines get picked off one by one by a wolf pack of a dozen marlin, using body language and coloration to communicate as they took turns teaming up on the baitfish, he told me later. Throughout the years, many offered insights, stories and shared details about some of their favorite Magdalena Bay fishing holes: Gene . Within a couple of minutes of hopping into the kayak, a savage strike had ripped line from the spool. His operation is fittingly named Magdalena Bay Whales, but his new camp offers experiences beyond whale watching. In the afternoons we still found the bait balls, but they were smaller and probably tired. The local panga fishermen are mad as h*ll that the sardine and marlin are getting fished out illegally with up to 14 large industrial size boats going out of Magdalena Bay every night, each boat harvesting 100 - 200 tons of fish. The following day, a strong tide is rapidly dumping out of the river were fishing, exposing a sandy beach. Behind me, Ricardo lets out a soft whistle that sounds just like a distant coyote. No one plans on hopping into town for supplies or entertainment, because it just doesnt exist. While whale watching remains the primary focus in all of Magdalena Bay, fishing in Puerto San Carlos and Lopez Mateos continues to be off the charts for the few anglers who would rather fish than watch. No one just stumbles onto Magdalena Bay, unless they are cruising from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and can spend a few days fishing along the way. Magdalena Bay is the name for a 30-mile-long harbor with a collection of mangrove rivers and swamps near the bottom of Bajas Pacific Coast. the Magdalena Bay offshore striped marlin show continued into January, much to the amazement of the locals. I grabbed it, pushed off from the panga and pedaled hard as I free-spooled away from my lively 7-inch mackerel. including a link to the offer on the website and the exact price being quoted. However, I could see Shafers point: Too much chasing was going to have an effect on the fish. As you get closer, you can spot the marlins fins slicing the surface. This author does not have any more posts. February 2022 Baja Fishing Report - Discover Baja Travel Club The Finger Bank is Mag Bay Lite. View map . As I get closer, the bluewater world comes into focus. Each winter, adventurous tourists come to meet and touch grey whales that have come en masse to get their offspring through the first few months of life. A prime example: Magdalena Bay, on the Pacific coast of Mexicos storied Baja Peninsula. The best time - season to fish Magdalena Bay it's from early June to late December. Seattle Times travel & outdoors editor. March 2023 Baja Fishing Report - Discover Baja Travel Club Cruiser rates vary. For more details on trip rules, cancellation and travel insurance visit our KNOW BEFORE YOU GO page. This group of men and woman did not build the Lodge for a business, but rather for their friends, family, etc and they kept the Lodge low profile for many years. You can select from a day tour (US$450 per boat for five hours of whale . Other options are available. Possibly reel in until you give up for the day. We're hoping to fish for Wahoo. Magdalena Bay and Lopez Mateos - Baja Flyfishing Company The in-water viewpoint was very interesting. You are using an out of date browser. The Importance of Estimating a Sport Fishs Size and Weight, Marlin Expeditions Offers Light-Tackle Paradise in Guatemala. Kusler Yachts Guide to Fishing Mag Bay on Your Own Boat. A Bonnier LLC Company. Magdalena Bay Previous Entry. After more than an hour, I was able to bill the beast and work the circle hook out of its jaw, then pedaled for 10 minutes or so holding the marlin by its bill alongside until it was kicking strongly for a healthy release. Other than whale-watching, sportfishing is what sets Mag Bay apart. 8:15-10:15 AM Travel to Magdalena Bay. Magdalena Bay, or Baha Magdalena in Spanish, is a 50 km long bay, and about 200 km of lagoons and channels on the Pacific side of the Baja California Sur, in the municipality of Comond. The appreciation for Mag Bay comes from the secrets she keeps. Cancn's up there somewhere. Martinez had located lodging for us at the Hotel Alcatraz in Puerto San Carlos and secured a guide that ran a 25-foot panga. That creates truly special opportunities to experience packs of striped marlin in every direction and boiling at the surface, especially from a kayak. Doing battle with a striped marlin from a kayak typically results in a sleigh ride. The extraordinary display of so many striped marlin crisscrossing and on the hunt for prey was mesmerizing. Some offshore destinations also require a boat ride across a sandy peninsula. The Magic of Magdalena Bay - an amazing place in Baja California Sur In Mexico's stunning Magdalena Bay, humans and whales meet up He and his crew load two kayaks aboard each panga and head for a destination determined by anglers' goals, the season and the morning's . Custom Fly Fishing Panga Package 7 days: $2950/person At The New Island Home. Magdalena Bay has the best striped marlin fishing in the world - and that is true for fly fishing marlin and other fish as well. I never fished Mag Bay, but I want to soon. Part of the issue with Mag Bay and cheap Pangas is that the Wahoo are about 40 miles offshore generally and in the pacific. These videos do not represent "great fishing trips" but rather just the everyday sport fishing here in Mag Bay. Yet the vetting of anglers capable of the daily will and skill necessary to excel in these waters seems to happen organically. These are but a few samples available. Survive, is what an angler does the first few minutes after hooking a striped marlin. Known locally as The Whale King, Mendoza is a pioneer of whale watching and sport fishing on the bay. The fishing in Mag Bay is good all year round, just depends on what you want to catch! My imagination is already running full speed when I look across the river and cant believe what I see. With such a vast area, and countless species, time typically becomes a limiting factor more so than lack of fish. Magdalena Sport Fishing! Jimmy is the guy! If youre lucky, you might even get your hands on some Spotted Bass, Dog Tooth Snapper, Halibut, Snook, Corniva, and Grouper. Your staff could not have been nicer, the fishing was insane, and the captains were amazing. The gray whale spends summers in the waters off Alaska, and then heads 6,000 miles (almost 10,000 km) south to the warmer lagoons of Baja in January, February and March. They claim that they could have caught more, but everyone got tired of rigging up flies! The experience is both fascinating and intriguing. I was traveling with retired Marine Col. Hunter Ledbetter who had a friend named Jim Korchinski who owned a charter boat in Cabo. $1000 for a Cape Horn 27 and $1,750 for a Pro Cat 37. Insane Inshore Fishing in Magdalena Bay - YouTube Fish Tour | Mag Bay Tours It's a gorgeous place to visit for the pristine beaches, mangroves, and sardine runs. The result is a living, moving ball of fish, with marlin and often sea lions in pursuit. The boat is top class, also used for deep-sea fishing, well equipped, and seaworthy. 1-2 Day Whale Watching Tours Magdalena Bay - Sea Kayak Adventures This is the tour you came so far for ! Baja is well known as a great place to whale watch. 4. 8:30am Loreto bay and 9am Villas Del Palmar. Camera (get ready for some superb images!) . The other deal is subject to the same booking conditions youve opted for with 755 Paseo Obregon. Mag Bay Marvel - InTheBite Fishing the two broad bay mouths through which the Pacific ebbs and floods is not to be missed, either, as long as a kayakero is prepared to pedal hard against strong currents. On other trips, he had watched dozens of marlin finning on the surface as they cruised slowly downsea. . Bring in 5 Wahoo, a few tuna and dorado and head home for a Wahoo Ceviche dinner! The Fishery: There are three separate fisheries accessible from the small Pueblo of Adolfo Lopez Mateos. The area erupts with outstanding action in 2019. During our inshore days, we managed to catch many species fishing different areas in the bay. The bay is shel- tered from . Once relaunched, we encountered a northwest wind, not yet brisk but enough to promise a slow, bumpy ride. Full services of our Adventure Consultants. With four passengers, kayaks and lots of gear, our boat was heavier than the norm, but with mucho creaking, the truck pulled us out and only once required a stop to add air to a sagging tire with an old bicycle pump. Hot b-fast, pre-pack lunch & cold beverage to-go. Check with locals or hire one of the guides on the bay to take you to the current hot spot or species. Fly anglers heading a few miles in any direction can find all sorts of species slicing through baits big and small. There are so few boats in Mag Bay that there is never any fighting over bait ballsbut Shafer doesnt chase them at all because he feels that it puts the fish down. He knows fishing and is always ready. Offshore Fishing. Mag Bay Magic - The Drake Magazine It is such a large area, with so many species and migratory aspects to the fish, thatunless you were to fish 12 months a year, through all the tides, moons, and weatherit would be nearly impossible to figure out this fishery. For a fly angler, there is great appeal in the unknown. Some of the thousands of fishing pelicans. Dinners are not included as there are now more options to eat in town. 3 Days Fishing Pro Cat 36 5 Nights Lodge, 3 Days Fishing Cape Horn 28 5 Nights Lodge. What was the point? he said. Drake Magazine Back Issue Content: 2009 Recession Fish Birth of a Fly Tyer Winter Reds Arizona Bass Night Stripers Stoneflies and a Girlfriends guide to Flyfishing. I imagine that the upwellings push the bait to the surface and thus the marlin follow close behind. Nick answers my next question in the affirmative: Yes, John, thats a coyote trying to drag a giant snook into the mangroves. Panga Boats for sale - SmartMarineGuide.com From about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., fishing 35 or so miles off Mag Bays southern entrance in Baja California, Mexico, four kayakeros released nine striped marlin. Approx. The best fishing offshore is Aug through December, inshore . These static bait balls provided the best photo opportunities. The sardine run is going to be extinct at this rate. His captain, Chip Shafer, runs Smiths custom 64-foot Bayliss Old Reliable from Costa Rica or Guatemala up to Cabo San Lucas in September, and they usually stay through December. Its possible to get diesel fuel in Mag Bay, but they bring it to you by panga; its more economical and safer to just keep your cruising speed low and complete the entire trip on one load. . The pedal drives free up the kayakers hands when fighting fish, and reviving billfish. . The more I see this, the more I want to be back in the boat casting to them. package offer, etc.). Dorado, Tuna, Sailfish, Marlin, and even Wahoo likely on the Fly He says there are still cannon balls stuck in the rocks. The best out of 7 charter fishing deals in Magdalena Bay - enter dates to check availability . The experience is both fascinating and intriguing. 27' SPORT PANGA . Shades of blue mix with seasonal browns and greens where the desert meets the saltwater within the calmer main bay. The whales might even let you pat their backs if you seem friendly. About. Captain G, for example, starting driving a fishing panga 42 years ago when he was 12 years old. This would mean a five-hour run, and we would have to leave the dock by 4:30 a.m. Ledbetter and I jumped at the chance and we found that the long run was not a problem at allwe simply hopped in the bunks and went back to sleep. With options to fish in the Bay, inshore and offshore, you'll be sure to have an amazing time fishing Mag bay. Thank you again for everything. There were marlin everywhere, not just on the bait balls. Id try to follow but had no chance to catch them unless they turned back our way. Bathroom and snack stop along the way. Have you ever noticed that fantastic fishing spots are nearly impossible to get to? The frenzy attracts frigate birds that swoop in from above. The currents here, as well as the volume of tidal flats, make navigating treacherous for the inexperienced. Korchinski had been toying with the idea of running up to the Finger Bank, some 60 nautical miles north of Cabo. According tolocals, the rocks here once stood taller, before the Americans used them for target practice in the spring of 1908. . The Baja Flyfishing Co. LLC offers a variety of guided fly fishing, spin fishing and light tackle off shore packages as well as guided beach and kayak fishing. Those who know me, know that fishing is my life. Magdalena Bay , 2/8/2023, National Geographic Sea Bird Offshore 25 miles, the wind picks up and I hear it mix with the country music coming from our little travel speaker. He and his crew load two kayaks aboard each panga and head for a destination determined by anglers goals, the season and the mornings conditions. Promnitz, Hobies director of fishing development, managed four releases (helped by strong arms and 100-pound braid). Fishing Expeditions | La Paz | Baja Sur Mexico | BACo. For two days we take turns fishing this bite and entering the marlins underwater world. Its easy to keep pace with fins. (more). There were several boats using this technique and most were hooking up regularly. For more information about the optimal seasons to visit Baha Magdalena, as well as the sport fishing options available and other more specific details, click on the link below. The engine that moved my kayak at several knots (enough to leave a wake) was a large striped marlin to which I was tethered with 50-pound braid and a 6/0 circle hook embedded securely in the corner of the fishs mouth. Get the Most Wahoo Possible in One Fishing Trip Most of the sport-fishing boats that hit Mag Bay come from Cabo and run the 170 or so nautical miles north. Our guests stay at the Mangrove Inn, a new facility located just outside the port town of Lopez Mateos. T his may be their debut album, but the LA synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay already commandeer their own cinematic universe: Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin are big on TikTok and Twitch; they have . The best time - season to fish Magdalena Bay it's from early June to late December. OLIVIA | Magdalena Bay Outfitters There is no dependable water source in the region, which has greatly restricted development; there are also no big-boat marinas, very few hotels and a minimal supply of reliable fuel. Fishing in Mag Bay. How To Choose The Right Propellers For Your Outboard Engines. In 2018, Smith and Shafer spent 12 days in Mag Bay, releasing 317 striped marlin on fly. We will match the rate of the other deal if the Soon, Nick calls out every anglers favorite two words. Magdalena Bay wahoo fishing in consistent fall bite; Prices subject to change without notice. With options to fish in the Bay, inshore and offshore, you'll be sure to have an amazing time fishing Mag bay. Casting into feeding blitzes is common in these inshore waters. Im on! His ten-weight is buckled in a perfect inverse curve to his smile. Most panga fleets participate throughout the whale watching season (which usually lasts into April) at San Ignacio Lagoon and Magdalena BayLopez Mateos and Puerto San Carlos. from La Ventana around the waters off Cabo San Lucas and all the way up the Pacific Coast to Magdalena Bay - Wherever the fishing action is best. For fly fishing we have a custom panga package. If you are coming from a cruise ship we meet you at the Loreto Marina. . This past su. What is Fishing in Magdalena Bay, Mexico Like? - Tag Cabo Sportfishing If you find your deal on another fishing website at a lower rate, contact ourcustomer careteam. Im not sure if Ricardo is even aware of how skilled he is at imitating every bird, insect, or wild sound he hears, but Ive noticed. Its one of Bajas last frontiers, but there are few other places on Earth where so many billfish congregate so predictably. He can probably set up anything. Its all part of the adventure when kayak-fishing Magdalena Bay. Going on a whale watching tour in Loreto is a must-do! Huge fish boils are still the norm here, providing the fly fisher the opportunity to cast a fly in the churning waters with equal chance of catching dorado, tuna, wahoo or billfish. Copyright 2017 - bajaflyfish.com - All Rights Reserved. Yet wed never read or heard any mention of golden trevally in Mag Bay until Nick held one in his hands. Not much, that is, aside from an annual explosion of sardines that attracts mobs of striped marlin, piles of wahoo . Our contact during the booking process was Marco: he was flexible with our requests about . I can deal with anything at all to get to the great fishing, but here the trip is simple, the place is fantastic, and the fishing is utterly ridiculous. Magdalena Bay is a large (1,200 km) and highly productive coastal bay located between 2415' N and 2520' N, and 11130' W, and 11215' W in B. C. S. (Fig. We spotted the frigate birds working the surface; when we got close, we could see the marlin in hot pursuit. This spectacle varies from year-to-year but can often reach truly amazing proportions in October and November when the volume of baitfish appears, attracting large schools of billfish - mostly striped marlin - but additional . Wed run ahead of them and the five photographers in our group would plop into the water; the bait would swim over and use us as cover. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was mostly clear in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 78 to 84 degrees. Custom Fly Fishing Panga Package 7 days: $2950/person At The New Island Home, Includes air port transfers, lodging, and meals. Anywhere from 40 to 120 miles depending on where you leave from and what part you travel too. But I wait. ith time one of the founders unfortunately passed and the remaining owners decided to partner up to open up the lodge to some lucky tourists. What I like most about mag bay in general is the seclusion and peace. 3 Full Days of Fishing. If we can't match the rate of the other deal because one of the above conditions is Standard operating procedure called for fishermen to simply sit in their pangas for the short ride. Panga 23 Recreational Pleasure Refined Polished inner liner Under $17,000.00 + engine, includes global shipping. There is nowhere else like it on Earthyou just have to figure out how to get there. By Robert Reid. It has moved onto the next stages, where perhaps more balance can be found with each fishermans son or daughter finding opportunity in new industries that are well-managed and well-regulated. Meet at Hotel Isabela's B&B at 7:00am. Two English kayak anglers find marlin, sails and roosterfish in Baja California, Hell's Bay skiff up for grabs for raffle supporting Captains For Clean Water. Its all about getting there in this case, to Thetis Bank, about 30 miles off the northern part of Mag Bay. Wed jump in and the bait would quickly dash over to see if our boat offered any protectionwhich it didntthen they would take off again. Many regions of Baja waters still remain untouched by the tourists so you can land upon a lot of rare catch. A wider area we can now explore ! Its simply incredible to witness. About. The central Baja region is home to Wahoo, Yellowfish tuna, Wahoo, and Dorado. These are commercial fishing villages, where local knowledge is passed down from father to son. Their main reason for heading south is to mate and give birth in the protected shallow lagoons in Baja. Trip Itinerary. Engines start at USD 8500.00 for a two stroke E Tec, or USD 9500.00 for a four stroke Yamaha. Magdalena Bay - SLC magbaylures.com Name Toby Boat Name 36' ProKat Aug 31, 2018 #11 . If you go online searching for flyfishing or outfitting in Mag Bay, youll find some operations. Landing this exotic and surprising prize opened our imaginations. from La Ventana around the waters off Cabo San Lucas and all the way up the Pacific Coast to Magdalena Bay - Wherever the fishing action is best. Roosterfish - The Reel Baja his Lodge was built nearly 30 years ago by some well respected Americans with a vision for fishing in Mag Bay that was far ahead of the time. For many years the only sport fishermen that dropped a hook in these waters arrived by long range charters out of San Diego California. Cabo Fishing rentals/ Cabo fishing Charters. My head snaps around to locate it. Fly Fishing Packages - Baja Flyfishing Company Its easy to understand that the more remote a location is, the less fishing pressure it receives. The two "foundations" of Loreto's sport fishing are the "dorado" and the "yellow tail" (Seriola lalandi dorsalis). Offshore - The Reel Baja What I mean is there shuttles rent a car or what transportation is there to get from airport to there and I offshore flyfish. You can find a lot of middle-price-point opportunity, and for the West Coast angler, its a lot closer than trekking to the Caribbean. I have been visiting mag bay since my youth. Frozen in the blue quiet. 10:30-12:30 PM Tour. Marlin Magazine may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. That begs some explanation. A spectacular example of what biologists call "island endemism," Isla Magdalena also offers solitude, bay and ocean recreation, bird watching, hiking and spectacular views, all while being within reasonable distance of pleasant accommodations in the bustling fishing village of San Carlos. It is a long run from the launches out of the bay.