Get over here! On one dive, there were five snorkelers in a semi-circle and a family of sea lions swimming opposite from us. Mag Bay Lodge is one of the few operations in the area that caters to anglers. So, come out and say hi and let's set you up for visiting us in La Paz in 2023! I put a foot in the middle of the kayak and in one quick motion swiveled to plop my butt down on the seat as Larocque leaned over the side to click a Mirage pedal-drive unit into its slots. Captain Frankie to make sure we catch as much fish as you can. That day, we released 14 stripeys out of 20 bites, most on the lighter bait rods. It lasted for several hours, then suddenly everything stopped. On the other side of the islands, some of the most productive banks provide world-class fishing of pelagic species in large quantities, where each year in November, a natural phenomenon known as the Marlin run gathers in large numbers. Subscribe here to get the latest updates news on all things fishing and hunting right to your inbox, Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. But know this: If youre thinking of just rolling down to DIY the bay, make sure you are highly competent in a boat. We woke up to a ham-and-egg breakfast and to find that the crew had already caught a healthy supply of live bait. The MagBay Advantage; About; Wholesale Registration; Dealer Locator; Product Catalog Its normal for the whales to surround the boat, play around, and look you in the eye. It is a long run from the launches out of the bay. The inside protected mangrove channels provide critical nursery habitat for a wide variety of species including: snook, corvine, bonefish, spotted bass, pargo, snappers, golden trevalle, broomtail grouper, sierra, Cortez halibut, leather jacks, as well as roosterfish. Larocque, the owner, uses 26-foot pangas as mother ships to transport kayaks, anglers and gear within and outside the bay. A prime example: Magdalena Bay, on the Pacific coast of Mexicos storied Baja Peninsula. What makes the Magdalena Bay offshore fishing so astonishing is a convergence of conditions that occur in the fall. Engines start at USD 8500.00 for a two stroke E Tec, or USD 9500.00 for a four stroke Yamaha. The ProKat seemed to be in good working order along with all the fishing gear. Reels spin loudly to the tune of unknown breakoffs and the occasional Spanish Mackerel. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I dont think we ever saw more than three sport-fishing boats in a day, but there was clearly a specific area where all the action was taking place. The central Baja region is home to Wahoo, Yellowfish tuna, Wahoo, and Dorado. modifications. Cruiser rates vary. 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. Nick Smith has been fishing Mag Bay for years. Most of the striped marlin are between 80 and 125 pounds; rarely will you see one surpassing 150 pounds, making them perfect fish for light tackle or the fly rod. Other than whale-watching, sportfishing is what sets Mag Bay apart. . A series of barrier Islands form a . Promnitz said later he might have been close enough to cast a jig to them. These videos do not represent "great fishing trips" but rather just the everyday sport fishing here in Mag Bay. Guaranteed hookups on striped marlin during the season Mostly they are out on the Ridge. Whale watching sessions by Panga. Or, you could be left shaking your head at the fish-filled mayhem that can turn on at any moment. Nick answers my next question in the affirmative: Yes, John, thats a coyote trying to drag a giant snook into the mangroves. including a link to the offer on the website and the exact price being quoted. The best boats in the area equipped with 4 . This group of men and woman did not build the Lodge for a business, but rather for their friends, family, etc and they kept the Lodge low profile for many years. 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. Dorado, Tuna, Sailfish, Marlin, and even Wahoo likely on the Fly Blue Skys trolling tackle was heavier than I normally usemost of their light tackle was on one of Korchinskis other boats, but they did have several smaller outfits that were used to catch bait and mahi, so we rigged them up with 5 feet of 60-pound-test leader and a 9/0 circle hook. 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. from La Ventana around the waters off Cabo San Lucas and all the way up the Pacific Coast to Magdalena Bay - Wherever the fishing action is best. Fishing far offshore might take longer, particularly with a stiff headwind chop. 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. If you go online searching for flyfishing or outfitting in Mag Bay, youll find some operations. The area erupts with outstanding action in 2019. Round trip transfers from Loreto, the closest airport, are in our listed package prices. 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. The experience is both fascinating and intriguing. These places in the bluewater world are teaming with life, and they showcase the dance on a daily basis between apex predators like billfish, sea lions, and anglers. I imagine that the upwellings push the bait to the surface and thus the marlin follow close behind. Going on a whale watching tour in Loreto is a must-do! The multi-station layout on the Jarrett Bay 56 makes it a one-of-a-kind sportfishing boat. Custom Fly Fishing Panga Package 7 days: $2950/person At The New Island Home, Includes air port transfers, lodging, and meals. The Drake Magazine. After more than an hour, I was able to bill the beast and work the circle hook out of its jaw, then pedaled for 10 minutes or so holding the marlin by its bill alongside until it was kicking strongly for a healthy release. I just want to go on a cheap $350 a day type of panga (ex: like in San Quintin, La Paz, etc). 8:15-10:15 AM Travel to Magdalena Bay. But I wait. Offshore 25 miles, the wind picks up and I hear it mix with the country music coming from our little travel speaker. The Fishery: There are three separate fisheries accessible from the small Pueblo of Adolfo Lopez Mateos. When I see the first sailfish approach the baitball, I swim back to the boat. Additional non-fishing guests may also be added to your room. 4-day fishing adventure in Quepos Costa Rica. It hits me with as much depth as the water beneath me. Several times the fish towed me over flashing silver scales adrift after the carnage of marlin attacks. How far out is the ridge? We're hoping to fish for Wahoo. The bay is obviously full of fish. Their main reason for heading south is to mate and give birth in the protected shallow lagoons in Baja. There is nowhere else like it on Earthyou just have to figure out how to get there. 4. When we reached Thetis Bank, the crew put us in over an 80-foot high spot, though wind and currents quickly moved the kayaks off. La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico. Mag Bay will give up nothing easy, but for anglers willing to put in the time, money, and casts, the payoffs can be fantastic. La Paz - Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay/ Magdalena Bay Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Week of Feb. 24-March 4, 2018. . 1. full service galley A/C. The area has numerous small commercial fishing villages where the expertise and fishing knowledge is passed down in families. The boat is top class, also used for deep-sea fishing, well equipped, and seaworthy. As you get closer, you can spot the marlins fins slicing the surface. As usual, the whales did not let me down. Once relaunched, we encountered a northwest wind, not yet brisk but enough to promise a slow, bumpy ride. The following day, a strong tide is rapidly dumping out of the river were fishing, exposing a sandy beach. FishingBooker.com. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Magdalena Bay, or Baha Magdalena in Spanish, is a 50 km long bay, and about 200 km of lagoons and channels on the Pacific side of the Baja California Sur, in the municipality of Comond. 8:00 AM - Meet at Sea and Land Office. 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. 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. There are so few boats in Mag Bay that there is never any fighting over bait ballsbut Shafer doesnt chase them at all because he feels that it puts the fish down. Marlin take turns tearing into a ball of bait the size of an SUV. We hefted the bow to accommodate the new trailer he backed down, and soon we were again in the water, on the inside, headed back to the lodge under the rising full moon. Deluxe Cruiser , fly fishing guide, all fishing gear, lunch, water and bait. 60'x17' 1,250 gallon fuel capacity. Outfitting on Mag Bay has increased over the years, and the business of guiding flyfishers seems to be on the upswing. We werent fishing, but were chasing birds and bait instead. 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. Fly anglers heading a few miles in any direction can find all sorts of species slicing through baits big and small. Drake Magazine Back Issue Content Winter 2019. An anglers skill set and a sense of adventure still has to be there. Jimmy is the guy! Bright blue silence. 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. 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 . By 3 p.m., seas were sporty and building. I recall hearing Morgan Promnitzs voice crackle over the VHF under my seat, as a stripey towed him toward the horizon: Marc! This is the tour you came so far for ! 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. The next morning, we ran 55 miles south in Enrique's panga to the estero that I believed to be Hoctor's spot. Thanks guys! : $950. Max 4 anglers per cruiser. We can customize your trip to include both mangrove and blue water days. Waterbottle. The sea lions also were feeding on the bait when they werent nipping at the stripeys or growling at us. Eventually, the marlin would tire of the diver/sea lion combination and leave the area. Its a place for the most curious and adventurous people to be at. According tolocals, the rocks here once stood taller, before the Americans used them for target practice in the spring of 1908. Some boats continue to rack up double and a . Mag Bay also has some of the finest lodges, yacht charters, and tourism infrastructure in the country. Enjoying a succulent lunch in a . If youre planning your next getaway to Baja California Sur, the lagoons of Mag Bay are a must-see! Smith designed the boat specifically for long-range trips: 2,300 gallons of fuel, two generators, two watermakers, and backups for pretty much everything. Baja Flyfishing Co is excited to offer Lopez Mateos/Magdelena Bay as one of our destinations, providing access to several hundred miles of mangrove channels, pristine beaches and the fabled Thetis Banks. You are using an out of date browser. The food is true Mexican cuisine with a varied and customized choice of meals that is included with your stay. I could hear shouting across the waves, as other kayak anglers, rods bent over hard, were pulled in various directions. As he fished, Promnitz watched a school of large sardines get picked off one by one by a wolf pack of a dozen marlin, using body language and coloration to communicate as they took turns teaming up on the baitfish, he told me later. It's normal for the whales to surround the boat, play around, and look you in the eye. It quickly became evident that in Mag Bay, everything is far away. In short, a Puerto Vallarta fishing adventure is what angling dreams are made . Staying suspended in their time and place. What I like most about mag bay in general is the seclusion and peace. The in-water viewpoint was very interesting. Within a couple of minutes of hopping into the kayak, a savage strike had ripped line from the spool. California fly angler wins conventional bass tourney. I was traveling with retired Marine Col. Hunter Ledbetter who had a friend named Jim Korchinski who owned a charter boat in Cabo. They werent lit up and there wasnt any bait in sight, they were just following the ones that were actively feeding. Winter fishing features "yellow tail" (jurel) and other species that usually are deep in the sea rocks. He and his crew load two kayaks aboard each panga and head for a destination determined by anglers' goals, the season and the morning's . We watch a reel getting emptied and watch the fish leap, flip, and dive. The shoreline is home to hundreds of mangrove-lined channels and is a sight to behold. Each winter, adventurous tourists come to meet and touch grey whales that have come en masse to get their offspring through the first few months of life. Today, BD has grown into the leading digital media platform for all things saltwater fishing, bringing our large and passionate community the best and most authentic fishing information in the form of fishing reports, fishing gear reviews, fishing recipes, saltwater fishing articles, tackle tips and more from coast to coast. His captain was Juan Jose Abaroa Flores, who ran the Mucho Loco for the Rolling Stones for many years back in the 1980s. Ask Bob. Grey whales (gray for you Americans) show up in Magdalena Bay religiously each year, their migration route is roughly 12,000 miles from Alaska to the Baja and return, feeding along . This would mean a five-hour run, and we would have to leave the dock by 4:30 a.m. Ledbetter and I jumped at the chance and we found that the long run was not a problem at allwe simply hopped in the bunks and went back to sleep. Mag Bay offers a sweet blend of elegant modern lines and the rustic California flare. Mag Bay is the deep end of the pool. 8:30am Loreto bay and 9am Villas Del Palmar. Sun protective clothing and hat. We will match the rate of the other deal if the Its all part of the adventure when kayak-fishing Magdalena Bay. Looking out onto the Bay of Banderas, this town is finely positioned for inshore and nearshore fishing, with deepwater action on offer in the Pacific Ocean just a few miles out. 27' SPORT PANGA . During the calving season, the gray whales migrate to the Baja waters, and so do humans. 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. Baja Flyfishing Co is excited to offer Lopez Mateos/Magdelena Bay as one of our destinations, providing access to several hundred miles of mangrove channels, pristine beaches and the fabled Thetis Banks. "Get in! . Anywhere from 40 to 120 miles depending on where you leave from and what part you travel too. How To Choose The Right Propellers For Your Outboard Engines. What I like most about mag bay in general is the seclusion and peace. For two days we take turns fishing this bite and entering the marlins underwater world. Mangroves and sand dunes ring the inner bays and are the hunting grounds of predatory fish, including big snook, grouper, and, apparently, golden trevally. The other deal is bookable online and is still available when we check. The kayakers were brought offshore on pangas but fought the fish on their own. This means: It is for the same fishing charter, package and date(s), It has identical amenities attached (including the meal plan, cancellation policy, In the bay, between 85 and 95 miles of mangrove-filled canals provide a seemingly endless source of light tackle fishing especially for groupers, snapper and snook. Flyfishers will come to have a deep love and appreciation for Magdalena Bay, but not for the reasons we normally expect from a fishery. Loading kayaks back aboard is as simple as the unloading, whether heading back to the lodge or to another fishing spot. . Captain Aldo pulls me up easily, while Captain Ricardo nods and smiles knowingly. Seattle Times travel & outdoors editor. Copyright 2023 Marlin Magazine. 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. Explore Isla Magdalena Surfing SUP Fishing Kayaking Snorkeling Spear Fishing Hiking Beach Combing Clam Digging . Search top fishing charters in Magdalena Bay. Your email address will not be published. If you have always wanted to fishing in Mag Bay, there is no better option. Martinez had located lodging for us at the Hotel Alcatraz in Puerto San Carlos and secured a guide that ran a 25-foot panga. It is one of the longest bays, it is considered the second largest in the Pacific. Saltwater charters usually begin toward the end of October and run through January. For more information email us at tagsportfishing@gmail.com or click on the link Mag Bay fishing trips. The Importance of Estimating a Sport Fishs Size and Weight, Marlin Expeditions Offers Light-Tackle Paradise in Guatemala. Casting into feeding blitzes is common in these inshore waters. We spotted the frigate birds working the surface; when we got close, we could see the marlin in hot pursuit. The marlin pulled me through and over large bait balls, with frigate birds wheeling just overhead. The largest town along the bay, Puerto San Carlos, has a handful of hotels and restaurants and is a great base for whale-watching or exploring the bay. A wider area we can now explore ! his Lodge was built nearly 30 years ago by some well respected Americans with a vision for fishing in Mag Bay that was far ahead of the time. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Like most destination fisheries, there are a range of optionsfrom dirtbagging yourself down there and putting your money toward boats and guides, to going with all-inclusive, airport-to-airport services. So we hop out of the panga and begin casting a variety of sinking lines and Clousers into colliding currents. CABO PANGA FISHING--This tasty wahoo-dorado combo came aboard the Cabo San Lucas charter panga Cheer's for anglers Renee Shattuck and Miguel Hernandez, on a day that also produced 11 more dorado and a sailfish with Capt. When we were dumped back in the water, we still had another hour or so run out to the fishing grounds. Everything worked out really well, and I wanted to let everyone know how much we appreciated it. There would be no stand-up fighting harnesses on this day; big-game angling from a kayak is all about arms and back, and the drag of the kayak. These boats have to be self-sufficient and will spend their evenings anchored down at one of the three acceptable anchorages. Or normally out of the bay? This same phenomenon happens in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, with sailfish; the boats look for frigates close to the surface, then run to them. All rights reserved. Mag Bay is about the size of San Francisco Bay, and the largest villages in the area are Puerto San Carlospopulation: 5,500and Lopez Mateos, which are a bit rustic to say the least. We build custom fly and light-tackle fishing packages that suit your plans, and your . 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. Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Tours from Loreto. This past su. Runs a panga from Mag Bay. Throughout the years, many offered insights, stories and shared details about some of their favorite Magdalena Bay fishing holes: Gene . It's a gorgeous place to visit for the pristine beaches, mangroves, and sardine runs. My imagination is already running full speed when I look across the river and cant believe what I see. Often there will be a half-dozen boats circling one bait ball. 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. Instead, he simply trolls a standard East Coast spread with two dredges, two squid chains and a pair of hookless lures or ballyhoo, and all fish are teased to the boat. . The ridges, peaks, banks, and underwater structure outside of Magdalena Bay offer some of the richest fishing grounds in the world. Is family owned & Operated "Proudly Creating Life-Long Memories" for morethan 23,000 people in the past 32 plus years .You will have the privilege to embark on a interactive adventure through the majestic ever glade waters of " Magdalena Bay" with father Crispin (Whale King) or one . 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. Are Wahoo in the bay too? Part of the issue with Mag Bay and cheap Pangas is that the Wahoo are about 40 miles offshore generally and in the pacific. But we had a great morning with yellowfin tuna small to maybe 20 pounds and skipjack. How deep into the pool would you like to go? All rights reserved. Panga 23 Recreational Pleasure Refined Polished inner liner Under $17,000.00 + engine, includes global shipping. If there are five marlin attacking the bait, there are 20 or more slowly swimming beneath it. Just dont expect flats boats, perfect English, or guides with full fly boxes. His operation is fittingly named Magdalena Bay Whales, but his new camp offers experiences beyond whale watching. Double Room: $80. Our next trip: October 20-25, 2022. Its not an easy task to release a 60 lbs wahoofrom a popper on a spinning rod. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers.. Loreto You, Its been a crazy year for humans but for fish its been just fine. Jonathan Roldan's. Tailhunter Sportfishing. There is only one hotel for Magdalena Bay. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Seven Store 2015-2017. $1000 for a Cape Horn 27 and $1,750 for a Pro Cat 37. Full service of our Adventure Consultants. If you prefer to Fly Fish from Our ProKat or CapeHorn please just refer to standard offshore packages for pricing. These are commercial fishing villages, where local knowledge is passed down from father to son. 3 Days Fishing Pro Cat 36 5 Nights Lodge, 3 Days Fishing Cape Horn 28 5 Nights Lodge. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. We build . 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! This lodge and operation is nothing short of amazing. With options to fish in the Bay, inshore and offshore, you'll be sure to have an amazing time fishing Mag bay. Jonathan. JavaScript is disabled. There are more fly anglers willing to travel now than ever before. If you find your deal on another fishing website at a lower rate, contact ourcustomer careteam. 2 ton central forced A/C unit. If you are coming from a cruise ship we meet you at the Loreto Marina. 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. e invite you to reach out and give us a call or checkout more on the website. Shades of blue mix with seasonal browns and greens where the desert meets the saltwater within the calmer main bay. Any info would be greatly appreciated, Anyone, are there any cheap pangas run by Mexicans out in Mag Bay? Thank you again for everything. Camera (get ready for some superb images!) 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. Aldo may be the best captain I have ever fished with. It is such a large area, with so many species and migratory aspects to the fish, thatunless you were to fish 12 months a year, through all the tides, moons, and weatherit would be nearly impossible to figure out this fishery. Top to bottom everything was amazing. Many regions of Baja waters still remain untouched by the tourists so you can land upon a lot of rare catch. The gray whale spends summers in the waters off Alaska, and then heads 6,000 miles (almost 10,000 km) south to the warmer lagoons of Baja in January, February and March. He runs adventure trips all over the world to photograph everything from sharks to orcas to anacondas. There were several boats using this technique and most were hooking up regularly. And yes, the snook is too big to fit between the roots.. Light jacket or sweater. If you are approaching from the north, the drive . Magdalena Sport Fishing! We offer all inclusive trips so you have nothing to worry about except enjoying your vacation.