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Magdalena Bay Fishing Vacation & Travel Information

 
 

Magdalena Bay fishing articles, maps, fishing reports, peak seasons, hot spots, and vacation travel information for the top sportfishing locations of Magdalena Bay, Mexico.

The Magdalena Bay sportfishing area is a fascinating, 140-mile long system of hidden, fish-filled, mangrove-lined channels, shallow open bays, navigable openings to the Pacific Ocean, and access to some of the best fall offshore big game fishing along the coast of North America.

The 70-mile long mangrove channel system and 70-mile long open bay system of Magdalena Bay are separated from the open Pacific by a series of five barrier islands, the largest of which are Isla Magdalena, Isla Santa Margarita, and Isla Creciente, and there are six openings to the Pacific, including Boca de las Animas, Boca Santo Domingo, and Boca Soledad at the northern mangrove channels, and large Boca Magdalena and two smaller openings on the main open bay and the smaller Bahia Almejas to the south of it.

Magdalena Bay, or Bahía Magdalena in Spanish, is located about one-fourth the way up the west coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, centered on about latitude 25 degrees north, and almost everything about fishing here is "different."

For starters, there is almost no vacation travel infrastructure in the entire "Mag Bay" area, except for a couple of small hotels and restaurants more oriented toward the winter whale watching season rather than sport fishing, a very small handful of independent panga fishing guides, all of them strictly part-time, a seasonal surf and fishing camp at Punta Hughes, and a very small handful of other boats available for sportfishing at the area's only two developed towns, San Carlos and Puerto Lopez Mateos.

In addition, a few panga motherships have made the long trip around the Baja California peninsula from San Felipe at the northern end of the Sea of Cortez, one new sportfishing operation has established an operation at Puerto Lopez Mateos, and one fly fishing operation has worked Magdalena Bay's inshore and offshore fishing waters for many years.

Beyond that, the only people fishing anywhere in the entire Magdalena Bay area are local Mexican commercial fishermen and those vacationing sport anglers with private, ocean going yachts or anglers with trailerable boats willing to drive the 800-mile trip from the U.S. border. For any anglers wishing to fly into Magdalena Bay, the closest airports with scheduled service are hours north and south by private car or van service, at either Loreto or La Paz.

For all these reasons, the entire Magdalena Bay area is still relatively undiscovered by the tourist traveler. There is virtually no "fishing pressure" at Magdalena Bay from sport anglers, and there is very little published information about sportfishing in the area, except for maps and descriptions in the Baja fishing guidebook, The Baja Catch, and a book and the weekly fishing reports of Gary Graham of Baja On The Fly, the aforementioned fly fishing operation that services this area.

In addition to its excellent light tackle mangrove channel fishing, Magdalena Bay is also "different" in that it offers access in the fall to the offshore Thetis Bank fish pileup. This phenomenon varies from year to year, but often reaches truly amazing proportions, centered on the month of November, when the density of striped marlin can climb into the multi double-digit shot per day range. There is no other high-volume striped marlin action like this anywhere else in Mexican waters, and it is accessed only by larger boats cruising into the area, or by the very few lucky anglers fishing in pangas and a handful of other boats out of Magdalena Bay.

But for most of year, Magdalena Bay is about light tackle mangrove fishing for a wide variety of species in an exotic, remote setting, and this is a unique experience for the discerning angler with the time and resources to get here. Magdalena Bay inner fishing water temperatures range from the low-70s to the mid-80s, and the year-round mangrove channel fishing includes spotted bay bass, broomtail grouper, corvina, halibut, pompano, snappers, sierra, black snook, palometa amarilla, and a host of other species.

In the winter months, centered on December and January, Magdalena Bay is also the setting for an amazing whale show, as California gray whales migrate south from arctic waters to breed and bear their young in this and other lagoons along the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula, including Laguna San Ignacio and world famous Scammon's Lagoon to the north.

During this time, whales are seen virtually everywhere, leaping, cruising, rolling, mating, caring for their young, or just fooling around. It is another amazing and "different" aspect of Magdalena Bay.

"Mexico Fishing News":
Weekly reports and photos from Magdalena Bay and other Mexican vacation spots.

Other Mexican Vacation Fishing Spots:
Travel and fishing information for Magdalena Bay and other major Mexican sportfishing destinations.

Related Magdalena Bay Articles & Information:
Wahoo in Hot Early 2009 Season Bite at the Thetis Bank.
Baja Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez offshore fishing lures, Bill Erhardt & Jeff Petersen.
Collecting and using live shrimp bait at Magdalena Bay, Mexico, by Jeff Petersen, Lopez Sportman's Lodge.
Combo Mothership Trip to Magdalena Bay.
Fishing Magdalena Bay's Offshore Thetis Bank.
Jointed Rebel Teasers at Magdalena Bay.
Thetis Bank Marlin on Fly Tackle: A Hectic Learning Experience.

Fishing Maps for the Magdalena Bay area:
La Poza Grande (San Jorge) Fishing Map.
Magdalena Bay (Bahia Magdalena) Fishing Map.
Puerto Lopez Mateos Fishing Map.
Santo Domingo (El Faro) Fishing Map.

Archived Magdalena Bay Sportishing Reports:
Jan. 27, 2007, Winter whale watching and yellowtail for local boats.
Jan. 6, 2007, Magdalena Bay anglers find big mangrove channel snook at Devil's Curve.
Nov. 25, 2006, Fishing and diving aboard the panga mothership Andrea Lynn.
Dec. 10, 2006, Striped marlin wins Governor's Cup fishing tournament at Puerto Lopez Mateos.
Dec. 3, 2006, Offshore fishing for dorado and marlin at The Ridge and Thetis Bank.
Nov. 18, 2006, Too much dorado in fishing south of the Thetis Bank.
Nov. 12, 2006, Plenty of dorado out of Puerto Lopez Mateos.
Nov. 6, 2006, Wide-Open Dorado But Wahoo And Marlin Missing Off Magdalena Bay.
Oct. 22, 2006, Solo small boat fishing on Baja's remote Pacific banks.
Oct. 14, 2006, Dorado concentrated offshore.
October 6, 2006, First wahoo of the season for boats out of Puerto Lopez Mateos.
Sept. 30, 2006, Wahoo Still Shy But Tuna And Dorado Plentiful At Thetis Bank, Bill Erhardt.
Sept. 23, 2006, Offshore Fishing For Marlin, Tuna, And Dorado, Gary Graham.
Aug. 20, 2006, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Lopez Mateos sea turtle festival, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
July 29, 2006, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay fly fishing conditions report.
June 3, 2006, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, San Carlos, Magdalena Bay, Mexico, fly fishing update.
Jan. 28, 2006, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Sportfishing and Whale Watching Report.
Jan. 21, 2006, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay (Bahia Magdalena), Mexico Sportfishing Report.
Jan. 14, 2006, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay (Bahia Magdalena), Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Jan. 7, 2006, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Dec. 31, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Dec. 24, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Dec. 17, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Dec. 10, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Dec. 3, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Nov. 26, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay (Bahia Magdalena), Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Nov. 20, 2005, Diana Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters, Puerto Lopez Mateos, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Nov. 19, 2005, Jeff Petersen, Puerto Lopez Mateos, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Trip Report.
Nov. 19, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Nov. 18, 2005, Bill Erhardt, Puerto Lopez Mateos, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Trip Report.
Nov. 12, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Nov. 5, 2005, Diana Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters, Puerto Lopez Mateos, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Nov. 5, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Nov. 5, 2005, Bill Erhardt, Thetis Bank, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2005, Bill Burkett, Fat Cat, Thetis Bank, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Trip Report.
Oct. 29, 2005, Bill Erhardt, Magdalena Bay, Thetis Bank, Mexico Fishing Report.
Oct. 29, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Oct. 25, 2005, John Gilkerson, Thetis Bank, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Oct. 23, 2005, Bill Erhardt, Magdalena Bay, Thetis Bank, Mexico Fishing Report.
Oct. 22, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fly Fishing Report.
Oct. 15, 2005, Gary Graham, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
October 13, 2005, Bill Erhardt, Magdalena Bay-Thetis Bank, Mexico Fishing Report.
Oct. 8, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Oct. 8, 2005, Diana Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Sept. 30, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Sept. 24, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico Fishing Report.
Sept. 17, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Sept. 9, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Sept. 3, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Aug. 27, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Aug. 20, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Aug. 13, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Aug. 6, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
July 30, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
July 23, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
July 16, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
July 9, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
July 2, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
June 25, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
June 18, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
June 11, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
June 4, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
May 28, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
May 21, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
May 14, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
May 7, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
April 23, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
April 16, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
April 9, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
April 2, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
March 26, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
March 18, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja on the Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
March 12, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
March 5, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Feb. 26, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Feb. 19, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Feb. 12, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Feb. 5, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Jan. 29, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Jan. 27, 2005, Russ Fritz, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Jan. 22, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing and Whale Watching Report.
Jan. 15, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fishing Report.
Jan. 12, 2005, Smokey Stover, Baja California, Mexico, RV Fishing Caravan Update.
Jan. 7, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Mexico Fly Fishing Report.
Dec. 31, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing Report.
Dec. 24, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing Report.
Dec. 17, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing Report.
Dec. 11, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fly Fishing.
Nov. 27, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing Report.
Nov. 20, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing Report.
Nov. 17, 2004, Tim McNulty, Corsario, Magdalena Bay Fishing Cruise Report.
Nov. 16, 2004, Dave Plutner, Done Deal, Magdalena Bay Offshore Fishing Cruise Report.
Nov. 14-19, 2004, Dana Kerby, Erik, Magdalena Bay Fishing Trip Report.
Nov. 13, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing Report.
Nov. 12, 2004, Dana Kerby, Baja Sportfishing, Inc., Erik, Magdalena Bay and Thetis Bank Fishing Trip Report.
Nov. 7, 2004, Bill Burkett, Fat Cat, Magdalena Bay Fishing Report.
Nov. 7, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing Report.
Oct. 31-Nov. 5, 2004, Dana Kerby, Baja Sportfishing, Inc., Erik, Magdalena Bay Fishing Report.
Oct. 30, 2004, Mike Kanzler, Magdalena Bay Fishing Trip Report.
Oct. 29, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing.
Oct. 18-24, 2004, John Gilkerson, A-SALT WEAPON, Magdalena Bay Fishing Trip Report.
Oct. 23, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing.
Oct. 16, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing.
Oct. 9, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing.
Oct. 2, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing.
Sept. 25, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing Fleet Report.
Sept. 18, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing.
Sept. 10, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay Fishing.
Sept. 4, 2004, Magdalena Bay Fishing, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly.
Aug. 20, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, San Carlos, Magdalena Bay fishing.
August 7, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, San Carlos, Magdalena Bay Fishing.
July 31, 2004, Frian Freitag, Mag Bay Tours, Punta Highes, Magdalena Bay Fishing.
July 31, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, San Carlos, Magdalena Bay Fishing.
July 10, 2004, Diana Hoyt, Mag Bay Outfitters, Puerto Lopez Mateos, Magdalena Bay Fishing.

(See weekly online fishing reports, news, photos, and weather and water conditions in "Mexico Fishing News." See the Mexfish.com home page for sportfishing and travel information for Magdalena Bay and other Mexican fishing vacation destinations.)




 

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