3 Days Fishing Pro Cat 36 5 Nights Lodge, 3 Days Fishing Cape Horn 28 5 Nights Lodge. Full services of our Adventure Consultants. Ricardo Villegas shows us the rocky point on the north side of the boca (Spanish for mouth of the bay). However, I could see Shafers point: Too much chasing was going to have an effect on the fish. All meals and beverages as indicated on the itinerary. The Fishery: There are three separate fisheries accessible from the small Pueblo of Adolfo Lopez Mateos. The fish at Mag Bay are also well-fed, but the lack of boat harassment and sheer numbers of marlin make it an exceptional destination, especially for fly fishing. Combination packages mixing cruiser, panga, kayak or beach fishing; Large groups and Seminars; Activities that include snorkeling, scuba diving, whale watching, kayaking, four wheelers, eco-touring and horseback riding . These dramatic openings attract gamefish amidst spectacular surroundings boiler rocks, sheer cliffs and herds of sea lions. Reservations can be made by contacting Cary or Erika at Success Sport Fishing - 760-230-6331. 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. Double Room: $80. For more details on trip rules, cancellation and travel insurance visit our KNOW BEFORE YOU GO page. 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. 755 Paseo Obregon. I even caught one on a Penn Senator 113. What I like most about mag bay in general is the seclusion and peace. Even with the detailed maps, finding the entrance to the channel he described was difficult. La Paz - Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay/ Magdalena Bay Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Week of Feb. 24-March 4, 2018. . The vision is to share this Mag Bay fishing experience with the world. Magdalena Sport Fishing. Its simply incredible to witness. Great, I think to myself. My imagination is already running full speed when I look across the river and cant believe what I see. Required fields are marked *. A prime example: Magdalena Bay, on the Pacific coast of Mexicos storied Baja Peninsula. Marco and others are finding a way to make both experiences happen safely and symbiotically. Most of the sport-fishing boats that hit Mag Bay come from Cabo and run the 170 or so nautical miles north. If you find your deal on another fishing website at a lower rate, contact ourcustomer careteam. 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! There also were two small center-console outboard boats fishing in our vicinity. California fly angler wins conventional bass tourney. These static bait balls provided the best photo opportunities. It feels like the curiosity is mutual. Jonathan. Smith designed the boat specifically for long-range trips: 2,300 gallons of fuel, two generators, two watermakers, and backups for pretty much everything. Copyright 2023 Marlin Magazine. In terms of the run up, down or across the bay to reach the fishing grounds, the ride on the pangas seldom took less than 45 minutes and often was an hour or two. For a fly angler, there is great appeal in the unknown. The waters are teeming with fascinating marine life, and the Baja peninsula is primarily known as a fishing paradise. The boat is top class, also used for deep-sea fishing, well equipped, and seaworthy. 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. Contact Jimmy Camacho from Jimmys Sportfishing. Your staff could not have been nicer, the fishing was insane, and the captains were amazing. Some boats continue to rack up double and a . It's normal for the whales to surround the boat, play around, and look you in the eye. Landing this exotic and surprising prize opened our imaginations. DAY TRIP 200 . But there really is no spot in the area for a base for a sport fishing operation. Promnitz said later he might have been close enough to cast a jig to them. Four kayak anglers explore the rich offshore and inshore waters of Baja's Magdalena Bay. Guaranteed hookups on striped marlin during the season All rights reserved. . The lodge is well maintained, has access to the swimming pool, hot tub, huge garage, workshop, tackle room, outside dining area, and more. They werent lit up and there wasnt any bait in sight, they were just following the ones that were actively feeding. Chapstick. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. . Ive been in the flyfishing industry my entire adult life, and I dont approach fish with trepidation. Around 12:00 noon we arrive in the small fishing town of Lopez Mateos, check-in to the hotel and get ready for an afternoon of whale . Our next trip: October 20-25, 2022. 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. Its normal for the whales to surround the boat, play around, and look you in the eye. The whales might even let you pat their backs if you seem friendly. 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 . 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 fear is gone in an instant. 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. Situated on a secluded arm of the Bay the Inn offers six waterside bungalows. Filter results by: Price per Day. There were several boats using this technique and most were hooking up regularly. Crispin Mendoza is the living legend of San Carlos, a small town near the bay. Enjoying a succulent lunch in a . Striped marlin are not easy to tease to the boat to begin with, and the ones at the bank seem to be well-fed and a bit more jitteryprobably because of the number of boats that chase them around. 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. No one just stumbles onto Magdalena Bay, unless they are cruising from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and can spend a few days fishing along the way. I dont want to spend a lot just to be on a huge/fancy boat ran by Americans. 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. You are using an out of date browser. 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. The sea lions also were feeding on the bait when they werent nipping at the stripeys or growling at us. Guided Grey Whale Watching. Infante stuck a Daiwa Saltiga lever-drag reel in my face. What else is out here? He says there are still cannon balls stuck in the rocks. T his may be their debut album, but the LA synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay already commandeer their own cinematic universe: Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin are big on TikTok and Twitch; they have . 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. 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 . We plan to send out a few more exploratory trips and may start running panga fishing there before the season is over. Id heard stories about Mag Bays incredible striped marlin fishing from Smith and others for years, but not having a 60-plus-foot sport-fisherman at my disposal made it impossible to get there myself. 8:30am Loreto bay and 9am Villas Del Palmar. 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. Those who know me, know that fishing is my life. Top to bottom everything was amazing. 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. Copyright 2017 - bajaflyfish.com - All Rights Reserved. 4 nights of lodging in Costa Baja Resort. Smith believes that the marlin at the Finger Bank are harder to catch on fly than those at Mag Bay. With four passengers, kayaks and lots of gear, our boat was heavier than the norm, but with mucho creaking, the truck pulled us out and only once required a stop to add air to a sagging tire with an old bicycle pump. Meet at Hotel Isabela's B&B at 7:00am. The best time - season to fish Magdalena Bay it's from early June to late December. Calle Puerto La Paz 40, Bahia Magdalena, 23740 Magdalena Bay, B.C.S., Mexico. Baha Magdalena is a protected bay on the Pacific coast in Baja Sur. I just want to go on a cheap $350 a day type of panga (ex: like in San Quintin, La Paz, etc). The diving is great! We spotted the frigate birds working the surface; when we got close, we could see the marlin in hot pursuit. You can select from a day tour (US$450 per boat for five hours of whale . 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. Our Packages are based on 2 Anglers, notice that this is a suggestion you can add Anglers, days or combine it with other locations. Locally family owned and operated, "Proudly creating life-long memories" for more than 23,000 people in the past 40+ yrs. Striped marlin gorge on bait balls off far-flung Magdalena Bay, creating unparalleled action and record catch numbers. Its easy to keep pace with fins. Magdalena Sport Fishing! 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. How many fisheries in the offshore world allow you to first experience the angling, then immerse yourself in the water with your quarry? It hits me with as much depth as the water beneath me. 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. 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. Incredible Striped Marlin Action in Magdalena Bay, Mexico. Puerto Vallarta, or simply "PV" is the epitome of Mexico's sportfishing scene. Next season there will be a fleet of 25-35 Boston Whalers and perfect American built accommodations available in MagBay. 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. 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. Mag Bay offers a sweet blend of elegant modern lines and the rustic California flare. A support team helps shuttle kayaks and anglers to the action surrounding Mag Bay. 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 . Round trip transfers from Loreto, the closest airport, are in our listed package prices. Lopez Mateos/Magdalena Bay . Offshore Fishing. The dorado . 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. The extraordinary display of so many striped marlin crisscrossing and on the hunt for prey was mesmerizing. . Its not an easy task to release a 60 lbs wahoofrom a popper on a spinning rod. I took it all in from a little plastic boat that weighs considerably less than I do, while rushing over the surface with no evident means of propulsion. Other times, there was a guy on the bow with a spinning rod, throwing some kind of lurehe also was hooking up regularly. Roosters are notorious for reluctantly coming to within landing distance of the beach or panga, only to run again - sometimes stripping as much as 300 yards of backing from the reel. Huge fish boils are still the norm here, providing the fly fisher the opportunity to cast a fly in the churning waters with equal chance of catching dorado, tuna, wahoo or billfish. Magdalena Bay - SLC magbaylures.com Name Toby Boat Name 36' ProKat Aug 31, 2018 #11 . Your email address will not be published. 4 STROKE YAMAHA OUTBOARD. Late September the water warmed up. Mostly they are out on the Ridge. The ridge consist of a long range of mountains with many peaks coming up to 100 ft or so. Then, quiet. Within the massive bay, miles of mangroves, beaches, channels, sandbars and islets offer chances for snook, roosterfish, golden trevally, Colorado snapper, barred pargo, white seabass, yellowtail, halibut, corvina and more. The best boats in the area equipped with 4 . This trip was a trip of a lifetime. By 3 p.m., seas were sporty and building. Whale watching has provided an alternative economy, and in some ways a different narrative, on Mag Bay. 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. Winning this round, Nick holds a handsome golden trevally that has taken the place of the snook and marlin we came to catch. Help us make more videos by clicking the like button. If even one of the four people in this panga had ever flyfished for marlin before, I would feel better. 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. 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. Loading kayaks back aboard is as simple as the unloading, whether heading back to the lodge or to another fishing spot. At just about that instant, the big billfish burst high out of the water several times, leaping and twisting wildly. If you want to have a great time by the sea, Tag Cabo Sportfishing is your best bet. In 2018, Eli Martinez of SDMdiving.com set up a trip to Mag Bay for photographers. Guides here are well versed in spin and baitfishing, but not so much with flyfishing. How To Choose The Right Propellers For Your Outboard Engines. . 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. You know fishing is good when it has come to strictly catch and release on wahoo and even tuna. package offer, etc.). Panga 23 Recreational Pleasure Refined Polished inner liner Under $17,000.00 + engine, includes global shipping. Magdalena Bay is a gorgeous place to visit just for the pristine beauty, mangroves and giant sand dunes of the outer islands. Yea, that works for me! If you just want grouper, yellowtail and those type fish then pangas are no problem. You can drive all the way to Mag Bay. The other deal is bookable online and is still available when we check. We watch a reel getting emptied and watch the fish leap, flip, and dive. 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. This luxury fishing yacht charter with a personal chef onboard cooking meals and 2 deckhands working alongside. So we hop out of the panga and begin casting a variety of sinking lines and Clousers into colliding currents. We had two different captains, both were knowledgeable and informative. Boat Specs - Success Sport Fishing | Fishing, Spearfishing, and Surfing Trips . Our SUV is bouncing along the dirt moguls of a dark road . All camping equipment. The fishing in Mag Bay is good all year round, just depends on what you want to catch! We hopped out and lifted the bow while the driver pulled the truck away, unhooked the trailer and soon arrived with another old trailer. Mag Bay is the deep end of the pool. Copyright 2018 Baja Fishing Convoys - All Rights Reserved. Magdalena Bay Whales - Your Adventure Our Passion . Please call for a quote. This means: It is for the same fishing charter, package and date(s), It has identical amenities attached (including the meal plan, cancellation policy, Information on the bay, although always a little scarce, has become easier to find. Hes a perfectionist: Every leader is tied to IGFA specifications, with a 20-pound-test tippet and 12 inches of shock leader. With us 60 years of knowledge await you as 4 generations have already passed, with great passion, respect and deep love for the impressive Magdalena Bay and its surroundings. I pushed up the lever drag on the Daiwa Saltiga and came tight immediately. 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. Hi, no Wahoo never come inside the bay. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The Importance of Estimating a Sport Fishs Size and Weight, Marlin Expeditions Offers Light-Tackle Paradise in Guatemala. He runs adventure trips all over the world to photograph everything from sharks to orcas to anacondas. Professional naturalist and bi-lingual guides. 10:30-12:30 PM Tour. Mostly they are out on the Ridge. The currents here, as well as the volume of tidal flats, make navigating treacherous for the inexperienced. On morning number four of our trip, the cool bay air gives me goose bumps as we motor. 4. The bay itself is as vast as it can get and has a feeling of wilderness. I grabbed it, pushed off from the panga and pedaled hard as I free-spooled away from my lively 7-inch mackerel. Jonathan Roldan's. Tailhunter Sportfishing. Whale watching sessions by Panga. This past su. Within a couple of minutes of hopping into the kayak, a savage strike had ripped line from the spool. His captain was Juan Jose Abaroa Flores, who ran the Mucho Loco for the Rolling Stones for many years back in the 1980s. The next morning, we ran 55 miles south in Enrique's panga to the estero that I believed to be Hoctor's spot. You have contacted us immediately after booking with all the details of the other deal They claim that they could have caught more, but everyone got tired of rigging up flies! Ramon . Mag Bay Lodge is one of the few operations in the area that caters to anglers. Show map . Magdalena Bay Whales - Your Adventure Our Passion . 7) 3 days offshore one day inshore. The cold waters of the California Current and the warm waters of the Donaldson meet over this structure, trapping massive amounts of plankton and krill against the structure that forms the Ridge. The grounds we fish at are completely loaded with Wahoo, Dorado, Tuna . Seen here is Marc Mills with a nice yellowtail. If you are coming from a cruise ship we meet you at the Loreto Marina. length:7.25m/23 feet 8 inches - width 1.78m/ 5 feet 8 inches weight 1500 lbs / Made from Fiberglass. 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. Get over here! 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. His captain, Chip Shafer, runs Smiths custom 64-foot Bayliss Old Reliable from Costa Rica or Guatemala up to Cabo San Lucas in September, and they usually stay through December. Thats the shortcut route; to boat down to the large mouth of the bay and then northwest to Thetis is more like 45 miles. I hear waves hitting the side of the boat, birds calling out, radio chatter, Spanish being spoken rapidly. The marlin pulled me through and over large bait balls, with frigate birds wheeling just overhead. Hands down, it is my absolute favorite fishing destination and the crew, boats, and service provided just make it so much fun. During the calving season, the gray whales migrate to the Baja waters, and so do humans. Once relaunched, we encountered a northwest wind, not yet brisk but enough to promise a slow, bumpy ride. Seattle Times travel & outdoors editor. There were marlin everywhere, not just on the bait balls. 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. If you go online searching for flyfishing or outfitting in Mag Bay, youll find some operations. Have you ever noticed that fantastic fishing spots are nearly impossible to get to? 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. The conditions of your booking with us still allow penalty-free cancellations and Some offshore destinations also require a boat ride across a sandy peninsula. Approx. Just dont expect flats boats, perfect English, or guides with full fly boxes. Captain Frankie to make sure we catch as much fish as you can. Baja is well known as a great place to whale watch. 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. Their main reason for heading south is to mate and give birth in the protected shallow lagoons in Baja. I wanted to take the time to give you some really good feedback on our trip with your team this year! The more I see this, the more I want to be back in the boat casting to them. Casting anything you want all day long and hooking wahoo, giant tuna, dorado, marlin one after another on every cast. Aldo may be the best captain I have ever fished with. Looking for someone to split boat 1st November. A 50% deposit is requested on all open party trips. La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. We offer all inclusive trips so you have nothing to worry about except enjoying your vacation. Cruiser rates vary. 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 . Video by Spencer Millsap. The Life of Ryan. 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. Day 1 - The tour departs at 6am from our office in the Cabo San Lucas Marina. 4 People Minimum, 2 pangas (2 per panga) 7 nights 5 days fishing; A chain of islands that serve as a barrier protect the bay from the .