BIG MANGROVE CHANNEL SNOOK BITE AT DEVIL'S CURVE

Jan. 6, 2007, Gary Graham, Devil's Curve, Magdalena Bay (Bahia Magdalena), Baja California Sur, Mexico:

Last week produced the best Magdalena Bay snook fishing action in several years in the mangrove channels at Devil’s Curve.

Unfortunately, with nary a fly fishing angler in sight, the action was all on live shrimp for those lucky enough to be in neighborhood. Sportfishing guide Capt. Enrique Soto of Puerto San Carlos reported some snook as large as twenty-five pounds. Enrique also found decent action for yellowtail on the surface and enough leopard grouper down deep to keep things interesting.

There's still a pretty good lump on the outside Pacific waters off Magdalena Bay, as moderate to strong winds continued most of the week.

In offshore sportfishing, there was an excellent yellowfin tuna bite earlier in the week for some brutes up to 300 pounds, but not exactly the kind we are looking for on the fly rod.

This year's phenomenal Magdalena Bay dorado fishing didn't let the new year winter weather slow it down at all.

I suspect that the billfish are also still around, but few if any sportfishing boats have been out looking for them this week.

Most of the focus of Magdalena Bay locals is now turning to the beginning of whale watching season which attracts visitors from around the world. Getting up close and personal with a gray whale in Mexico's Baja California is high on many vacationers' personal "to do" list.

Mexican coast water temperatures off Magdalena Bay are 72 to 74 degrees; air temperature, 55 to 75 degrees; conditions, clear.

(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.