Get in! Toby Larocque urged frantically as he and skipper Danny Infante slid a Hobie Pro Angler 14 off the pangas gunwale and into the Pacifics low ground swell. Captain Aldo pulls me up easily, while Captain Ricardo nods and smiles knowingly. 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. package offer, etc.). www.tailhunter.com Mexico Office: Tailhunter Sportfishing. The result is a living, moving ball of fish, with marlin and often sea lions in pursuit. Silver Lining Kings. Captain Frankie to make sure we catch as much fish as you can. If you have always wanted to fishing in Mag Bay, there is no better option. The interconnected bays include Bahia Magdalena, Bahia Almeja and a series of smaller bays ending at Santa Domingo to the north. Jonathan Roldan's. Tailhunter Sportfishing. We work closely with a group of local panga drivers who know these waters like the back of their hands. Roosterfish - The Reel Baja They werent lit up and there wasnt any bait in sight, they were just following the ones that were actively feeding. Gathering my thoughts and my breath, I start to move, swimming toward a grey shadow. Mexico Sardine Run & Striped Marlin - Baja Expeditions Smith told me they were at the Finger one day when there were marlin tails everywhere and everything imaginable was crashing a bait ball the size of an Olympic swimming pool: birds, dolphins, whales, marlin, mahi. 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. The Location and Accommodations: Lopez Mateos is still a very remote part of the Baja and as such is a long ways from the bustle of Cabo and La Paz. Promnitz said later he might have been close enough to cast a jig to them. I was traveling with retired Marine Col. Hunter Ledbetter who had a friend named Jim Korchinski who owned a charter boat in Cabo. Nick gets pulled slowly down the beach before putting the screws to whatever hes hooked, stopping it just before the sandy shore merges into a mangrove wall. His operation is fittingly named Magdalena Bay Whales, but his new camp offers experiences beyond whale watching. Call or email us for pricing on other customized options. It is one of the longest bays, it is considered the second largest in the Pacific. . Mag Bay will give up nothing easy, but for anglers willing to put in the time, money, and casts, the payoffs can be fantastic. Doing battle with a striped marlin from a kayak typically results in a sleigh ride. Whale watching sessions by Panga. Magdalena Bay Whale Sanctuary Tour from Cabo San Lucas During our inshore days, we managed to catch many species fishing different areas in the bay. 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 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 Fishery: There are three separate fisheries accessible from the small Pueblo of Adolfo Lopez Mateos. The fear is gone in an instant. You can drive all the way to Mag Bay. Between these islands and smaller sand banks which . For a fly angler, there is great appeal in the unknown. Filter results by: Price per Day. Several times, they were following the same bait balls that we were and I could see the angler on the bow hook up with a fly rod. However, I could see Shafers point: Too much chasing was going to have an effect on the fish. We build custom fly and light-tackle fishing packages that suit your plans, and your . The extraordinary display of so many striped marlin crisscrossing and on the hunt for prey was mesmerizing. Looking for someone to split boat 1st November. Our guests stay at the Mangrove Inn, a new facility located just outside the port town of Lopez Mateos. For over 18 years, family-operated Mag Bay Tours (U.S. tel. Seattle Times travel & outdoors editor. An anglers skill set and a sense of adventure still has to be there. The marlin pulled me through and over large bait balls, with frigate birds wheeling just overhead. data-event-category="Navigation header guest", Full list of top fishing charters in Magdalena Bay, FishingBooker has a Shopper Approved rating of 4.8/5 based on 25793 ratings and reviews. 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. Marco and a few locals have begun taking experienced free-divers to the marlin grounds, where they pay to swim near the baitballs found offshore here in the fall. The bay is shel- tered from . What I like most about mag bay in general is the seclusion and peace. 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. Additional non-fishing guests may also be added to your room. A chain of islands that serve as a barrier protect the bay from the . Drake Magazine Back Issue Content: 2020 Summer Stranded on Socotra, Stranded on Socotra, The Quarantine and John Prine, Tarpon, A Mexican Introduction Fall Winter . The area has numerous small commercial fishing villages where the expertise and fishing knowledge is passed down in families. Required fields are marked *. The fishing in Mag Bay is diverse and plentiful. The diving is great! Striped marlin gather in great numbers off Magdalena Bay during the fall and early winter, but its remote location, cutting deep into the mostly uninhabited Pacific side of the central Baja coast, keeps fishing pressure minimal. It is not an easy sport by nature, and when you add an environment that is full of opportunity, yet as challenging as the sport itself, then flyfishing goes beyond sport and into crazy worlds where fish light up, cannon balls get lodged into rocks, and anglers can feel their heart and hands charge with anticipation. If you want to have a great time by the sea, Tag Cabo Sportfishing is your best bet. During the calving season, the gray whales migrate to the Baja waters, and so do humans. 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. The Drake Magazine. Fishing in Mag Bay. Mag Bay is offers super size fish options. Marlin take turns tearing into a ball of bait the size of an SUV. 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. We all know that fishing in Mag Bay is world class. 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. A 50% deposit is requested on all open party trips. 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 excellent fishing also continued inside the bay for . If you are coming from a cruise ship we meet you at the Loreto Marina. 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. 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.. . Our next trip: October 20-25, 2022. One of the best parts of traveling is the pleasant surprises that come along every trip. 2-day Magdalena Bay Gray Whale Van Tour Close to 100 miles of mangrove-lined channels and shoreline encircle the area, and where the mangroves stop, the desert takes over. On one day last year, they raised 143 marlin and released 50, all on fly tackle. . The best time - season to fish Magdalena Bay it's from early June to late December. . All rights reserved. The next morning, we ran 55 miles south in Enrique's panga to the estero that I believed to be Hoctor's spot. 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. Copyright 2018 Baja Fishing Convoys - All Rights Reserved. There also were two small center-console outboard boats fishing in our vicinity. Find frigate birds low on the water and the stripeys are sure to be there. Waterbottle. There are innumerable yacht charters that will literally make all heads turn to the dock. BD Outdoors began as a forum-based fishing community to connect saltwater anglers and provide a home to share the latest fishing reports and news. 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. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. A half-dozen marlin were below, attacking the bait within a few feet of our group. Baha Magdalena is a protected bay on the Pacific coast in Baja Sur. Or, you could be left shaking your head at the fish-filled mayhem that can turn on at any moment. 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. But know this: If youre thinking of just rolling down to DIY the bay, make sure you are highly competent in a boat. Magdalena Bay has the best striped marlin fishing in the world - and that is true for fly fishing marlin and other fish as well. It took me about two minutes to sign up for the expeditionfinally, I was going to Mag Bay. His captain was Juan Jose Abaroa Flores, who ran the Mucho Loco for the Rolling Stones for many years back in the 1980s. I wanted to take the time to give you some really good feedback on our trip with your team this year! What is Fishing in Magdalena Bay, Mexico Like? - Tag Cabo Sportfishing The fishing in Mag Bay is good all year round, just depends on what you want to catch! This past su. For more information email us at tagsportfishing@gmail.com or click on the link Mag Bay fishing trips. Ramon . I could hear shouting across the waves, as other kayak anglers, rods bent over hard, were pulled in various directions. A support team helps shuttle kayaks and anglers to the action surrounding Mag Bay. 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. The Charms of a Desert Island: Isla Magdalena - Baja Bound Insurance Panga Boats for sale - SmartMarineGuide.com 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. Its simply incredible to witness. Mag Bay Lodge is one of the few operations in the area that caters to anglers. Jimmy is the guy! In the afternoons we still found the bait balls, but they were smaller and probably tired. We would have a few moments to snap photos before everything got out of range. Located on the Pacific Ocean side of the Baja Peninsula, Baha Magdalena, or Mag Bay, is one of the most legendary yet remote fisheries in North America.This 30 mile long bay, famous as a home to the gray whale during its southern migration, is formed by two sandy barrier islands named Isla Magdalena/Isla Margarita and provides incredible inshore and offshore fishing. Korchinski had been toying with the idea of running up to the Finger Bank, some 60 nautical miles north of Cabo. The inshore waters that lay just beyond the barrier islands team with sierras, roosterfish, corvina, cortez halibut, pargo, grouper, yellow tail, skip jack, dorado, yellowfin tuna and wahoo. Magdalena Bay Properties; Fishing Calendar; Booking Calendar; Contact Us; SPA; ADVENTURES; YACHT SERVICES; LOCATED IN SMALL FISHING VILLAGE OF LOPEZ MATEOS AND LORETO "Olivia" 22 LA PAZ PANGA . You know fishing is good when it has come to strictly catch and release on wahoo and even tuna. 10:30-12:30 PM Tour. The best boats in the area equipped with 4 . The other deal is bookable online and is still available when we check. 3 Full Days of Fishing. Insane Inshore Fishing in Magdalena Bay - YouTube Im on! His ten-weight is buckled in a perfect inverse curve to his smile. They claim that they could have caught more, but everyone got tired of rigging up flies! What makes the Magdalena Bay offshore fishing so astonishing is a convergence of conditions that occur in the fall. Fish with us at the Lodge at Mag Bay. 4 nights of lodging in Costa Baja Resort. It's a gorgeous place to visit for the pristine beaches, mangroves, and sardine runs. The volume of commercial fishing in the bay can be overwhelming for some, yet eco-tourism and a mindset of supporting a healthy ecosystem has more than a foothold here. The boat is top class, also used for deep-sea fishing, well equipped, and seaworthy. This experience leads to an appreciation that goes beyond the norm, beyond expectation, and certainly beyond fishing trip.. The lodge is well maintained, has access to the swimming pool, hot tub, huge garage, workshop, tackle room, outside dining area, and more. These are but a few samples available. So, here we will try to, Fishing Report MagBay Oct 13 2020 So far this season has been a little unusual. The Fishery: There are three separate fisheries accessible from the small Pueblo of Adolfo Lopez Mateos. Contact Jimmy Camacho from Jimmys Sportfishing. Saltwater charters usually begin toward the end of October and run through January. The area erupts with outstanding action in 2019. 755 Paseo Obregon. The Life of Ryan. 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. We will match the rate of the other deal if the In the morning, the bait schools were bigger and were running together as a group, rather than trying to hide in a ball. There are more fly anglers willing to travel now than ever before. : $675. I stayed with Wilber, and he and his son will take me out in his Panga at first light. In the event of cancellation notice must be received in writing by the spot holder or charter master 180 days . With options to fish in the Bay, inshore and offshore, you'll be sure to have an amazing time fishing Mag bay. We work in partnership with ex-fishermen panga captains who turned to eco-experiences and have the knowledge and network to absolutely maximize your experience here. You Save. Known locally as The Whale King, Mendoza is a pioneer of whale watching and sport fishing on the bay. In 2018, Eli Martinez of SDMdiving.com set up a trip to Mag Bay for photographers. All rights reserved. Magdalena Bay (often called Mag Bay by Americans, but according to the professor we heard lecture that is not preferred by Mexicans) is a gigantic natural harbor at 25 miles N-S and 13 miles E-W with multiple good anchorages. 7 hrs whale watching and more. And in the case of Mag Bay, the bigger that sense of adventure the better. If there are five marlin attacking the bait, there are 20 or more slowly swimming beneath it. Guided Panga, includes fly fishing guide all fishing equipment, bait, lunch and water. Magdalena Bay and Lopez Mateos - Baja Flyfishing Company The best fishing offshore is Aug through December, inshore there is pretty unique fishing year round. For two days we take turns fishing this bite and entering the marlins underwater world. 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. Fish Tour | Mag Bay Tours In Mexico's stunning Magdalena Bay, humans and whales meet up This same apex bait-crashing behavior also happens within the bay and rivers, when snook and their fellow predators are on the bite. You have contacted us immediately after booking with all the details of the other deal The best fishing offshore is Aug through December, inshore . E: booking@magbaytours.com. At one point, the crew in one panga shouted excitedly into the radio something about cow yellowfin swimming underneath the boat. Enjoying a succulent lunch in a . 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. So we hop out of the panga and begin casting a variety of sinking lines and Clousers into colliding currents. So, come out and say hi and let's set you up for visiting us in La Paz in 2023! Incredible Striped Marlin Action in Magdalena Bay, Mexico. By 3 p.m., seas were sporty and building. The other deal is subject to the same booking conditions youve opted for with I hear waves hitting the side of the boat, birds calling out, radio chatter, Spanish being spoken rapidly. Mag Bay Fishing Charters | Sportfishing in Mag Bay Looking for info on Lodgings and Panga rentals in Mag Bay for a few days in September. 202/642-6386) has been leading whale-watching experiences. The plan was to run up beyond the feeding marlin and cast a live bait into the fray. 4 STROKE YAMAHA OUTBOARD. Staying suspended in their time and place. Other than whale-watching, sportfishing is what sets Mag Bay apart. Our SUV is bouncing along the dirt moguls of a dark road . e invite you to reach out and give us a call or checkout more on the website. The kayakers were brought offshore on pangas but fought the fish on their own. Whale watching has been passed down through Crispins family to his adult sonalso our hostMarco Antonio Mendoza, who built a safari-style camp at the base of the mountains on a nearby island. Guaranteed hookups on striped marlin during the season Full service of our Adventure Consultants. Search top fishing charters in Magdalena Bay. Mostly they are out on the Ridge. : $950. 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! . Whale watching has provided an alternative economy, and in some ways a different narrative, on Mag Bay. The two "foundations" of Loreto's sport fishing are the "dorado" and the "yellow tail" (Seriola lalandi dorsalis). Camera (get ready for some superb images!) The appreciation for Mag Bay comes from the secrets she keeps. Information on the bay, although always a little scarce, has become easier to find. The shoreline is home to hundreds of mangrove-lined channels and is a sight to behold. 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. Adults: $261.00 $235.00. The closer the big fish get to the bait, the brighter they get with excitement. This same phenomenon happens in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, with sailfish; the boats look for frigates close to the surface, then run to them. the Magdalena Bay offshore striped marlin show continued into January, much to the amazement of the locals. 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 . 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. Ricardo Villegas shows us the rocky point on the north side of the boca (Spanish for mouth of the bay). It hits me with as much depth as the water beneath me. Sport Fishing Charters. Grey Whale Watching Tours Baja California Sur There were marlin everywhere, not just on the bait balls. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers.. Loreto The central Baja region is home to Wahoo, Yellowfish tuna, Wahoo, and Dorado. Magdalena Bay Needs You! - Nautilus Liveaboards . We're hoping to fish for Wahoo. Situated on a secluded arm of the Bay the Inn offers six waterside bungalows. The sea lions also were feeding on the bait when they werent nipping at the stripeys or growling at us. The pedal drives free up the kayakers hands when fighting fish, and reviving billfish. Hot b-fast, pre-pack lunch & cold beverage to-go. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 1-2 Day Whale Watching Tours Magdalena Bay - Sea Kayak Adventures If you prefer to Fly Fish from Our ProKat or CapeHorn please just refer to standard offshore packages for pricing. 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. Mag Bay also has some of the finest lodges, yacht charters, and tourism infrastructure in the country. Taxes. Runs a panga from Mag Bay. Kusler Yachts Guide to Fishing Mag Bay on Your Own Boat. The Blue Water fishery is the stuff of legends, the heart of which is an area known as the Ridge. Great, I think to myself. This is the tour you came so far for ! Casting anything you want all day long and hooking wahoo, giant tuna, dorado, marlin one after another on every cast. 2 ton central forced A/C unit. We have two well-equipped sport fishing boats, as well as multiple pangas (covered or non-covered), depending on where you want to go and what you want to catch. Fishing far offshore might take longer, particularly with a stiff headwind chop. Guided Grey Whale Watching. Thats all he likes to do, and he does it way better than anyone Ive ever fished with. Depending on seas, etc its a little tricky to sport fish from a panga in those areas getting out in time and back. The sardine run is going to be extinct at this rate. When we arrived, there were several other boats on the horizon and it wasnt hard to figure out where the fish were. We know the longe range San Diego boats make it a destination for the 8+ day trips, they often make bait right outside of San Carlos on Isla Magdalena as well. Magdalena Bay. 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. That begs some explanation. Frozen in the blue quiet. Captain G, for example, starting driving a fishing panga 42 years ago when he was 12 years old. These static bait balls provided the best photo opportunities. If youre planning your next getaway to Baja California Sur, the lagoons of Mag Bay are a must-see! Marco proudly operates Magdalena Bay Whales, but he may be in need of a name-change soon, as it seems flyfishing might play a more major role in his business. Not much, that is, aside from an annual explosion of sardines that attracts mobs of striped marlin, piles of wahoo . Max 4 anglers per cruiser. Its just not that common like the sea of cortez cities and up north. Magdalena Bay is the name for a 30-mile-long harbor with a collection of mangrove rivers and swamps near the bottom of Baja's Pacific Coast. We can customize your trip to include both mangrove and blue water days. I wasnt alone in this contest. That day, we released 14 stripeys out of 20 bites, most on the lighter bait rods. One problem I flyfish and got a guide already. But its a short season, and for many locals, the whale-watching jobs end far too soon. The 10 Best Fishing Charters in Magdalena Bay, Mexico (Winter 2023) Infante stuck a Daiwa Saltiga lever-drag reel in my face. Smith designed the boat specifically for long-range trips: 2,300 gallons of fuel, two generators, two watermakers, and backups for pretty much everything. Fly anglers heading a few miles in any direction can find all sorts of species slicing through baits big and small. Your email address will not be published. MagBay Sportfishing Charters in Baja, California, Mexico. What I mean is there shuttles rent a car or what transportation is there to get from airport to there and I offshore flyfish.

Gmc Astro Cabover Interior, Articles M