Loading kayaks back aboard is as simple as the unloading, whether heading back to the lodge or to another fishing spot. 2-day Magdalena Bay Gray Whale Van Tour 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. While whale watching remains the primary focus in all of Magdalena Bay, fishing in Puerto San Carlos and Lopez Mateos continues to be off the charts for the few anglers who would rather fish than watch. I found spinners with 20- and 30-pound braid perfect for throwing poppers or Sebile Stick Shadds worked back fast and hard. FULL DAY TRIP 280 . The productive and healthy marine environment is an anglers dream come true! 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. Explore Isla Magdalena Surfing SUP Fishing Kayaking Snorkeling Spear Fishing Hiking Beach Combing Clam Digging . including a link to the offer on the website and the exact price being quoted. . The marlin pulled me through and over large bait balls, with frigate birds wheeling just overhead. They werent lit up and there wasnt any bait in sight, they were just following the ones that were actively feeding. All rights reserved. For a fly angler, there is great appeal in the unknown. Martinez had located lodging for us at the Hotel Alcatraz in Puerto San Carlos and secured a guide that ran a 25-foot panga. 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. There were five of us on the trip and we had five days to chase bait balls. 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. When we arrived, there were several other boats on the horizon and it wasnt hard to figure out where the fish were. Taxes. Captain G, for example, starting driving a fishing panga 42 years ago when he was 12 years old. Its not an easy task to release a 60 lbs wahoofrom a popper on a spinning rod. 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 return trip took us perhaps 20 additional minutes when the wheel bearings in the old trailer failed halfway across the sand. Insane Inshore Fishing in Magdalena Bay - YouTube It may not display this or other websites correctly. Meet at Hotel Isabela's B&B at 7:00am. The frenzy attracts frigate birds that swoop in from above. MagBay Sportfishing Charters in Baja, California, Mexico. But Im a little scared right now. This means: It is for the same fishing charter, package and date(s), It has identical amenities attached (including the meal plan, cancellation policy, I was traveling with retired Marine Col. Hunter Ledbetter who had a friend named Jim Korchinski who owned a charter boat in Cabo. I caught sight of motion in the impossibly clear, cobalt water beneath the kayak, my eyes drawn to flashing pectoral fins and tails edged in electric cyan. How many fisheries in the offshore world allow you to first experience the angling, then immerse yourself in the water with your quarry? Hes a perfectionist: Every leader is tied to IGFA specifications, with a 20-pound-test tippet and 12 inches of shock leader. The conditions of your booking with us still allow penalty-free cancellations and Each morning, we would meet the guide and run across the bay in the panga, where we then met a boat trailer ferry to take us over land and across the peninsula to the Pacific, which saved us hours of running time. Standard operating procedure called for fishermen to simply sit in their pangas for the short ride. Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico Kayak Fishing Adventure > Events Then marlin happens Music is played loud over a marlin bite. 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 . But its a short season, and for many locals, the whale-watching jobs end far too soon. Looking for someone to split boat 1st November. Deluxe Cruiser , fly fishing guide, all fishing gear, lunch, water and bait. If you spot a collection of frigates in Mag Bay between late September through early December, they are most likely on striped marlin actively balling bait. Larocque, the owner, uses 26-foot pangas as mother ships to transport kayaks, anglers and gear within and outside the bay. But it is also the common name of the greater environment that surrounds it, including a series of massive barrier islands with their own bays and an active offshore ecosystem. Bluewater in front of the bay holds striped marlin shredding bait and the occasional leader with their bills. This author does not have any more posts. If you have always wanted to fishing in Mag Bay, there is no better option. Nearby, Promnitz and Mills found good action on yellowtail to 25 pounds in mid-depths, fishing speed jigs. Yet wed never read or heard any mention of golden trevally in Mag Bay until Nick held one in his hands. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers.. Loreto The marlin will corral baitfish into tightly packed balls before feeding at will. The fishing in Mag Bay is good all year round, just depends on what you want to catch! Survive, is what an angler does the first few minutes after hooking a striped marlin. The diving is great! 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. If you want to have a great time by the sea, Tag Cabo Sportfishing is your best bet. 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. Please call for a quote. It is protected by two islands - Isla Magdalena to the north and, Isla Santa Margarita to the south. Casting anything you want all day long and hooking wahoo, giant tuna, dorado, marlin one after another on every cast. The Lodge at Mag Bay offers a truly extraordinary experience. This same apex bait-crashing behavior also happens within the bay and rivers, when snook and their fellow predators are on the bite. Looking for info on Lodgings and Panga rentals in Mag Bay for a few days in September. 8:15-10:15 AM Travel to Magdalena Bay. Driving in the natural scenery along Bajas mountain range we take you to Magdalena Bay to take pleasure and admire one of the most exceptional grey whales encounters; where we get close to experience them onboard a full-equipped, open boat "Panga.". Mag Bay is offers super size fish options. The Magic of Magdalena Bay - an amazing place in Baja California Sur Throughout the years, many offered insights, stories and shared details about some of their favorite Magdalena Bay fishing holes: Gene . Jonathan Roldan's. Tailhunter Sportfishing. For more details on trip rules, cancellation and travel insurance visit our, Roundtrip professional ground transfers from and to the Loreto airport. Fishing far offshore might take longer, particularly with a stiff headwind chop. We had two different captains, both were knowledgeable and informative. Other than whale-watching, sportfishing is what sets Mag Bay apart. Baja is well known as a great place to whale watch. These static bait balls provided the best photo opportunities. The Blue Water fishery is the stuff of legends, the heart of which is an area known as the Ridge. 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. If you go online searching for flyfishing or outfitting in Mag Bay, youll find some operations. 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 . We watch a reel getting emptied and watch the fish leap, flip, and dive. . Cruiser rates vary. But we never make it. The bait moves as the marlin and occasional sea lion push it forward. When I see the first sailfish approach the baitball, I swim back to the boat. Mag Bay Lodge is one of the few operations in the area that caters to anglers. 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. Published August 28, 2017. Call or email us for pricing on other customized options. . Promnitz, Hobies director of fishing development, managed four releases (helped by strong arms and 100-pound braid). It is one of the longest bays, it is considered the second largest in the Pacific. 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. One problem I flyfish and got a guide already. The road trip takes a few hours from the airports at La Paz, San Jose del Cabo, or Loreto. The pedal drives free up the kayakers hands when fighting fish, and reviving billfish. The two "foundations" of Loreto's sport fishing are the "dorado" and the "yellow tail" (Seriola lalandi dorsalis). One month too long? - Loreto Forum - Tripadvisor 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. All rights reserved. These four books will tide you over on the days you can't be on the water, At 88, Ed Darwin has spent decades mastering his local waters of Chesapeake Bay, 2023 Active Interest Media All Rights Reserved. Depending on seas, etc its a little tricky to sport fish from a panga in those areas getting out in time and back. Panga 23 Recreational Pleasure Refined Polished inner liner Under $17,000.00 + engine, includes global shipping. The result is a living, moving ball of fish, with marlin and often sea lions in pursuit. The area offers year-long fishing opportunities for anglers and is mainly a hotbed for deep-sea fishing. The afternoon was filled with searching for wildlife from the bow as National Geographic Sea Bird navigated Canal de Soledad. 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. 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 . Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was mostly clear in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 78 to 84 degrees. Mag Bay offers a sweet blend of elegant modern lines and the rustic California flare. That's our story! The Life of Ryan. We're hoping to fish for Wahoo. Fishing Magnificent Mag Bay - Anglers Journal - A Fishing Life Your staff could not have been nicer, the fishing was insane, and the captains were amazing. In the afternoons we still found the bait balls, but they were smaller and probably tired. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. He says there are still cannon balls stuck in the rocks. Copyright 2018 Baja Fishing Convoys - All Rights Reserved. Whale watching has provided an alternative economy, and in some ways a different narrative, on Mag Bay. In Mexico's stunning Magdalena Bay, humans and whales meet up Whale watching sessions by Panga. Just dont expect flats boats, perfect English, or guides with full fly boxes. Call us today for more information or to book your trip (619)483-7315. Professional naturalist and bi-lingual guides. If you are approaching from the north, the drive . La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico. All rights reserved. From there we start the 6 hour drive up north to Magdalena Bay, during which we pass through Todos Santos, La Paz and Constitucion. Hi, no Wahoo never come inside the bay. I take a deep breath, pull my mask down over my face, and slip over the side of the panga. Long walks on the beach in Southeast Florida. My imagination is already running full speed when I look across the river and cant believe what I see. Chapstick. Flyfishers will come to have a deep love and appreciation for Magdalena Bay, but not for the reasons we normally expect from a fishery. Many are also reminiscent of North America. If there are five marlin attacking the bait, there are 20 or more slowly swimming beneath it. Day 1 - The tour departs at 6am from our office in the Cabo San Lucas Marina. On one day last year, they raised 143 marlin and released 50, all on fly tackle. The bay itself is as vast as it can get and has a feeling of wilderness. MAGDALENA BAY WHALES (Puerto San Carlos) - Tripadvisor 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. Max 4 anglers per cruiser. Sea of Cortez - Mexico - SAN Gathering my thoughts and my breath, I start to move, swimming toward a grey shadow. 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. 4 nights of lodging in Costa Baja Resort. The bait fish congregate as do the predators that hunt them. It brings in some of the cleanest waters, fresh nutrients, and exotic fishing catch. We work closely with a group of local panga drivers who know these waters like the back of their hands. Smith has released more than 5,000 billfish on fly in his career. 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. The experience is both fascinating and intriguing. Prices per day vary but you would pay minimum of $650 for an offshore panga. Other times, there was a guy on the bow with a spinning rod, throwing some kind of lurehe also was hooking up regularly. The grounds we fish at are completely loaded with Wahoo, Dorado, Tuna . Prices subject to change without notice. Not much, that is, aside from an annual explosion of sardines that attracts mobs of striped marlin, piles of wahoo . What I mean is there shuttles rent a car or what transportation is there to get from airport to there and I offshore flyfish. But there really is no spot in the area for a base for a sport fishing operation. That begs some explanation. Our packages will include: Roundtrip professional ground transfers from and to the Loreto airport; The best accommodations in San Carlos; Breakfast and panga lunches; 4 days of panga fishing (3-4 per . The Fishery: There are three separate fisheries accessible from the small Pueblo of Adolfo Lopez Mateos. The Importance of Estimating a Sport Fishs Size and Weight, Marlin Expeditions Offers Light-Tackle Paradise in Guatemala. Catches Likely: Marlin, tuna, roosterfish, golden trevalle, pargo, snook, wahoo, dorado, bonita, jacks, and more. Crispin Mendoza is the living legend of San Carlos, a small town near the bay. I pushed up the lever drag on the Daiwa Saltiga and came tight immediately. Copyright 2017 - bajaflyfish.com - All Rights Reserved. Panga $450 - Unguided Light Tackle $750 - Guided Fly Fishing. During our inshore days, we managed to catch many species fishing different areas in the bay. We werent fishing, but were chasing birds and bait instead. different, you still keep your existing reservation including the cancellation policy. The ProKat seemed to be in good working order along with all the fishing gear. Drake Magazine Back Issue Content Winter 2019. 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. B ottom and/or Deep Sea Fishing depending on the season and target species.. About. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Eventually, the marlin would tire of the diver/sea lion combination and leave the area. However, I could see Shafers point: Too much chasing was going to have an effect on the fish. Magdalena Bay | Travel Blog According tolocals, the rocks here once stood taller, before the Americans used them for target practice in the spring of 1908. Please ask at office about pick up possibilities. Copyright 2023 Marlin Magazine. Magdalena Bay Whales - Your Adventure Our Passion . These videos do not represent "great fishing trips" but rather just the everyday sport fishing here in Mag Bay. Sport Fishing Charters. Magdalena Bay: Mercurial World review - poolside pop with seductive The Finger Bank is so named because of three areas where the bottom rises from 3,000 feet to around 300; on the charts, they look like fingers.