There, an old and battered but serviceable red Ford pickup backed a trailer to waiting boats (artisanal fishing pangas except for us) to be shuttled a mile or so over the sand and dropped in at a beach facing the Pacific. There must be 50 to 100 marlin all around me! Daiwas Marc Mills was unable to follow that advice, as he was also hooked up. For most flyfishers, being surrounded by such variety means you basically have two choices: Go loaded for bear by bringing every rod, reel, and line in your quiver, and just follow the bite wherever it leads; or pick one species and go all in, even if that means pouring days or weeks into a species like snook, hoping for the right tides and right timing. The Blue Water fishery is the stuff of legends, the heart of which is an area known as the Ridge. Full service of our Adventure Consultants. Do not hesitate to contact your new Magdalena Bay home, remember that we have mastered all types of fishing for more than 60 years and we are waiting for you. The fishing they have done over the past 30 years is enough to amaze any fishermen with days on the water around hidden tuna pens that are unimaginable fishing. Saltwater charters usually begin toward the end of October and run through January. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. It feels like the curiosity is mutual. Smith prefers tube flies with a single barbless hook: When the fish runs, the tube fly slides up the line, so there is a good chance to get it back when the fish is released or breaks off. Smith has released more than 5,000 billfish on fly in his career. In the smaller boat, we could run ahead of the bait/bird/marlin frenzy and hop into the water. ENSENADA YELLOWTAIL GURU--Panga fishing at Ensenada with Vonny's Fleet includes a traditional Baja beach launch at the southeast corner of the bay for quick access to the prime fishing grounds at the tip of Punta Banda . Rumor has it that the record for conventional tackle releases at Mag Bay is close to 200 striped marlin in one day, which pretty much sums up this amazing fishery.. Difficult as this adventure might seem, you can catch more striped marlin in a week here than you can in a half-dozen seasons in Southern California. We hopped out and lifted the bow while the driver pulled the truck away, unhooked the trailer and soon arrived with another old trailer. Nick answers my next question in the affirmative: Yes, John, thats a coyote trying to drag a giant snook into the mangroves. 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. On morning number four of our trip, the cool bay air gives me goose bumps as we motor. Four kayak anglers explore the rich offshore and inshore waters of Baja's Magdalena Bay. Trip Itinerary. You are using an out of date browser. Small day pack or hip pack with any personal items. What I mean is there shuttles rent a car or what transportation is there to get from airport to there and I offshore flyfish. 4 nights of lodging in Costa Baja Resort. The whales might even let you pat their backs if you seem friendly. Its easy to keep pace with fins. A series of barrier Islands form a complex of inter connected bays and mangrove channels that extends two hundred miles, north and South along the central coast of Southern Baja. Expert Crew with years of experience fishing the waters surrounding La Paz.. Its not a place to learn flycasting; its a place where knowing how to manipulate 500-grain sink-tips is just as important as knowing how to move big poppers on floating lines. It is one of the longest bays, it is considered the second largest in the Pacific. We will match the rate of the other deal if the At Cabo San Lucas, the phenomenal billfish bite remains the highlight. Captain Aldo Atonto tells us the fish will be up within the hour. following conditions are met: According to customer reviews, some of the most popular fishing charters in Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur are: 2023 FishingBooker.com. But there really is no spot in the area for a base for a sport fishing operation. Magdalena Bay - SLC magbaylures.com Name Toby Boat Name 36' ProKat Aug 31, 2018 #11 . In the event of cancellation notice must be received in writing by the spot holder or charter master 180 days . The kayakers were brought offshore on pangas but fought the fish on their own. We anchored in Man Of War Cove. Loading kayaks back aboard is as simple as the unloading, whether heading back to the lodge or to another fishing spot. The Drake Magazine. The marlin pulled me through and over large bait balls, with frigate birds wheeling just overhead. 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. The ridges, peaks, banks, and underwater structure outside of Magdalena Bay offer some of the richest fishing grounds in the world. 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. In other circumstances, I might have thought it was a good time to return to the panga, but I was having such a blast and had gotten so used to climbing up the swells and skating back down that I hardly gave the conditions a second thought. Mostly they are out on the Ridge. The best boats in the area equipped with 4 . The return trip took us perhaps 20 additional minutes when the wheel bearings in the old trailer failed halfway across the sand. It brings in some of the cleanest waters, fresh nutrients, and exotic fishing catch. 4) The Panga brings the kayaks out to the location so they are ready when we arrive in the boat. Because his goal is to release as many billfish as possible without permanent injury, the single hook is key: It wont impair the marlins ability to breathe or feed like a double-hook rig can. The more I see this, the more I want to be back in the boat casting to them. The boats that overnighted at the bank reported 30-plus releases a day. We offer all inclusive trips so you have nothing to worry about except enjoying your vacation. But I wait. e invite you to reach out and give us a call or checkout more on the website. Additional non-fishing guests may also be added to your room. 4. Information on the bay, although always a little scarce, has become easier to find. Looking for someone to split boat 1st November. 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. It is a type of fishing like you have never seen before. Fishing far offshore might take longer, particularly with a stiff headwind chop. In the morning, the bait schools were bigger and were running together as a group, rather than trying to hide in a ball. 2 ton central forced A/C unit. 7 hrs whale watching and more. 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 productive and healthy marine environment is an anglers dream come true! The best time - season to fish Magdalena Bay it's from early June to late December. Your staff could not have been nicer, the fishing was insane, and the captains were amazing. As mentioned, the main predators of the sardine include the Striped Marlin, sea lions and occasionally whales, which work as a team to corner and push the bait balls to the surface from the depth of the sea, a situation that takes advantage of the earwigs, pelicans and seagulls that attack from outside by launching themselves like rockets on sardines as part of the food chain. Ramon . . Thats all he likes to do, and he does it way better than anyone Ive ever fished with. package offer, etc.). From dawn til dusk. The best time - season to fish Magdalena Bay it's from early June to late December. The marlin will corral baitfish into tightly packed balls before feeding at will. During our inshore days, we managed to catch many species fishing different areas in the bay. The Life of Ryan. It is protected by two islands - Isla Magdalena to the north and, Isla Santa Margarita to the south. Required fields are marked *. Ive caught many good fish in many places from kayaks over the decades, but none offered the level of satisfaction of my first Magdalena Bay marlin. Be Sure to Check Out MAG BAY LURES with MAG BAY LODGE which is where we stayed and who organized this whole beautiful trip for us! 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. 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. One of the most amazing sights at Mag Bay is watching hordes of striped marlin chase schools of Spanish sardines and tinker mackerel to the surface. 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. Captain Aldo pulls me up easily, while Captain Ricardo nods and smiles knowingly. With anglers launched, the pangas remain in proximity and in contact to bring bait, food and drinks, gear, or to pick up fish for dinner and put them on ice. 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. A prime example: Magdalena Bay, on the Pacific coast of Mexicos storied Baja Peninsula. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was mostly clear in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 78 to 84 degrees. Guided Grey Whale Watching. MAGDALENA BAY TOUR. Yea, that works for me! What I like most about mag bay in general is the seclusion and peace. Crispin Mendoza is the living legend of San Carlos, a small town near the bay. If you just want grouper, yellowtail and those type fish then pangas are no problem. Reservations can be made by contacting Cary or Erika at Success Sport Fishing - 760-230-6331. The sea lions also were feeding on the bait when they werent nipping at the stripeys or growling at us. Once relaunched, we encountered a northwest wind, not yet brisk but enough to promise a slow, bumpy ride. Difficult as this adventure might seem, you can catch more striped marlin in a week here than you can in a half-dozen seasons in Southern California. The experience is both fascinating and intriguing. Mag Bay will give up nothing easy, but for anglers willing to put in the time, money, and casts, the payoffs can be fantastic. Winter fishing features "yellow tail" (jurel) and other species that usually are deep in the sea rocks. . Magdalena Bay is a gorgeous place to visit just for the pristine beauty, mangroves and giant sand dunes of the outer islands. On kayaks smaller than the big Pro Angler such as the Hobie Passport models from which two anglers fished you can straddle the vessel with your feet in the water to increase resistance. All rights reserved. Sport Fishing Charters. View map . The bay itself is as vast as it can get and has a feeling of wilderness. Promnitz, Hobies director of fishing development, managed four releases (helped by strong arms and 100-pound braid). Just dont expect flats boats, perfect English, or guides with full fly boxes. There is only one hotel for Magdalena Bay. www.tailhunter.com Mexico Office: Tailhunter Sportfishing. This is the tour you came so far for ! If you are coming from a cruise ship we meet you at the Loreto Marina. By 3 p.m., seas were sporty and building. 4 People Minimum, 2 pangas (2 per panga) 7 nights 5 days fishing; LOCATED IN SMALL FISHING VILLAGE OF LOPEZ MATEOS AND LORETO 760-908-BAJA Bob's cell . The two "foundations" of Loreto's sport fishing are the "dorado" and the "yellow tail" (Seriola lalandi dorsalis). Magdalena Bay , 2/8/2023, National Geographic Sea Bird. If you have always wanted to fishing in Mag Bay, there is no better option. . The result is a living, moving ball of fish, with marlin and often sea lions in pursuit. Shades of blue mix with seasonal browns and greens where the desert meets the saltwater within the calmer main bay. Guided Beach, includes fly fishing guide, UTV rental, all fly fishing equipment and lunch: $575. The dorado . During the calving season, the gray whales migrate to the Baja waters, and so do humans. His captain was Juan Jose Abaroa Flores, who ran the Mucho Loco for the Rolling Stones for many years back in the 1980s. Mag Bay offers a sweet blend of elegant modern lines and the rustic California flare. The fishing in Mag Bay is good all year round, just depends on what you want to catch! 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. including a link to the offer on the website and the exact price being quoted.