DORADO CONCENTRATED OFFSHORE AND MANGROVE FLY FISHING GOING OFF

Oct. 14, 2006, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

Toward the end of the week off Magdalena Bay, offshore fishing reports were that the dorado (also mahi-mahi or dolphinfish) were concentrated as thick as tortilla chips at the guacamole bowl, but there were few marlin around.

However, earlier in the fishing week, there was a good show of marlin reported about 45 miles out from Puerto Lopez Mateos. Unfortunately, these marlin seemed pretty lethargic.

Baja On The Fly fly fishing guide Lance Peterson guided Sam and Janet Farish, of Atlanta, Georgia, at Puerto Lopez Mateos this week.

“Fishing here at Puerto Lopez Mateos has been very productive," Lance said. "Heavy winds prevented us from fishing offshore of Magdalena Bay today. But on Thursday, we made it out some 28 miles and were immediately rewarded with yellowfin tuna and doubles on dorado.

"While it wasn't wide-open, we had no trouble finding enough fish to keep the anticipation level high.

"Fishing again on Friday, we stayed inside Magdalena Bay and found excellent action on pargo, corvina, white seabass, and the odd longjaw leatherjack. Top water fly fishing was unbelievable at points, with violent takes and almost unstoppable runs into the mangroves. Lots of gear was lost but lots of great fish were landed. An amazing day!

The wind was ripping today, Friday, and it's still blowing a little even now. I really hope it lays down so we can exit the entrada tomorrow, Saturday, and go for it. We saw a pair of bald eagles today, a sight not often seen in Baja. Sergio is the best captain I've fished with in Mexico, bar none. We have really clicked and have been a great team.”

Earlier this week, Lance Peterson guided the Farishes in fly fishing at Loreto and said, “We're off to a good start. We found lots of roosterfish today, almost all cookie cutter copies of about 5 pounds. Good fly fishing action. We had several roosterfish teased up which ate the fly big time so we're happy. It went really well again today, with dorado and lots of skipjack. Sam caught the big bull dorado he wanted, about 30 pounds.”

Magdalena Bay fly fishing area weather was in the low-80s, with scattered clouds and water temperatures of 74 to 84 degrees.

(See "Mexico Fishing News" online for current fishing reports, photos, weather, and water temperatures from Magdalena Bay and other major Mexican sportfishing areas. Vacation travel articles, fishing maps and seasonal calendars, and fishing related information for Magdalena Bay may be found at Mexfish.com's main Magdalena Bay page.