magdalena bay panga fishing magdalena bay panga fishing

At one point there were almost 20 marlin around and below me, casually swimming along. 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. 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. In 2018, Smith and Shafer spent 12 days in Mag Bay, releasing 317 striped marlin on fly. 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. The ridges, peaks, banks, and underwater structure outside of Magdalena Bay offer some of the richest fishing grounds in the world. Magdalena Bay - SLC magbaylures.com Name Toby Boat Name 36' ProKat Aug 31, 2018 #11 . Approx. The other deal is subject to the same booking conditions youve opted for with Its one of Bajas last frontiers, but there are few other places on Earth where so many billfish congregate so predictably. All rights reserved. When we were dumped back in the water, we still had another hour or so run out to the fishing grounds. Anywhere from 40 to 120 miles depending on where you leave from and what part you travel too. Panga 23 Recreational Pleasure Refined Polished inner liner Under $17,000.00 + engine, includes global shipping. Four kayak anglers explore the rich offshore and inshore waters of Baja's Magdalena Bay. The next morning, we ran 55 miles south in Enrique's panga to the estero that I believed to be Hoctor's spot. Waterbottle. 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. From dawn til dusk. Then marlin happens Music is played loud over a marlin bite. Boat Specs - Success Sport Fishing | Fishing, Spearfishing, and Surfing Trips . The conditions of your booking with us still allow penalty-free cancellations and 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. I hear waves hitting the side of the boat, birds calling out, radio chatter, Spanish being spoken rapidly. 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. Depending on seas, etc its a little tricky to sport fish from a panga in those areas getting out in time and back. There are innumerable yacht charters that will literally make all heads turn to the dock. When I see the first sailfish approach the baitball, I swim back to the boat. Its relative inaccessibility has allowed it to remain one of those rare places that time has virtually forgotten. He says there are still cannon balls stuck in the rocks. We will match the rate of the other deal if the Are Wahoo in the bay too? The return trip took us perhaps 20 additional minutes when the wheel bearings in the old trailer failed halfway across the sand. 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. Eventually, the marlin would tire of the diver/sea lion combination and leave the area. 4 nights of lodging in Costa Baja Resort. Copyright 2023 Marlin Magazine. Video by Spencer Millsap. I wasnt alone in this contest. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. 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. Baha Magdalena is a protected bay on the Pacific coast in Baja Sur. Im not sure if Ricardo is even aware of how skilled he is at imitating every bird, insect, or wild sound he hears, but Ive noticed. Check out our videos just to see a trip or two when the cameras were rolling. This author does not have any more posts. The closer the big fish get to the bait, the brighter they get with excitement. 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. How many fisheries in the offshore world allow you to first experience the angling, then immerse yourself in the water with your quarry? 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. Private TOUR. This same phenomenon happens in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, with sailfish; the boats look for frigates close to the surface, then run to them. Call us today for more information or to book your trip (619)483-7315. If you have always wanted to fishing in Mag Bay, there is no better option. Get over here! The area offers year-long fishing opportunities for anglers and is mainly a hotbed for deep-sea fishing. Seattle Times travel & outdoors editor. Magdalena Bay, Lopez Mateos, Baja. In the morning, the bait schools were bigger and were running together as a group, rather than trying to hide in a ball. The currents here, as well as the volume of tidal flats, make navigating treacherous for the inexperienced. A chain of islands that serve as a barrier protect the bay from the vast Pacific Ocean, creating an ideal environment for a large population of marine life, including the most popular species of sport fishing. On one dive, there were five snorkelers in a semi-circle and a family of sea lions swimming opposite from us. Winning this round, Nick holds a handsome golden trevally that has taken the place of the snook and marlin we came to catch. We build . Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Tours from Loreto. How far out is the ridge? A lively circle-hooked tinker mackerel is the perfect snack for a hungry striped marlin. 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. The Finger Bank is Mag Bay Lite. In the event of cancellation notice must be received in writing by the spot holder or charter master 180 days . In short, a Puerto Vallarta fishing adventure is what angling dreams are made . When we arrived, there were several other boats on the horizon and it wasnt hard to figure out where the fish were. 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. Our Mag Bay yacht charters are luxurious, affordable, and have all the amenities to fit your budget. The central Baja region is home to Wahoo, Yellowfish tuna, Wahoo, and Dorado. La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico. Soon, Nick calls out every anglers favorite two words. For over 18 years, family-operated Mag Bay Tours (U.S. tel. On morning number four of our trip, the cool bay air gives me goose bumps as we motor. 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. Max 4 anglers per cruiser. Some offshore destinations also require a boat ride across a sandy peninsula. For more details on trip rules, cancellation and travel insurance visit our, Roundtrip professional ground transfers from and to the Loreto airport. Call or email us for pricing on other customized options. I never fished Mag Bay, but I want to soon. Wed been researching and prepping for this trip for months, bringing enough gear to fish for whatever we encountered. On other trips, he had watched dozens of marlin finning on the surface as they cruised slowly downsea. The Drake Magazine. Cabo Fishing rentals/ Cabo fishing Charters. Many regions of Baja waters still remain untouched by the tourists so you can land upon a lot of rare catch. Our journey to Thetis had us leaving the lodge in two pangas at dawn for a 15-minute ride to a launch point of sorts on a shallow beach. Mag Bay is offers super size fish options. During the calving season, the gray whales migrate to the Baja waters, and so do humans. Top to bottom everything was amazing. My friend Nick and I shout with joy, accompanied by excited words in Spanish from our new friends. The lodge is well maintained, has access to the swimming pool, hot tub, huge garage, workshop, tackle room, outside dining area, and more. Lopez Mateos/Magdalena Bay . . Reels spin loudly to the tune of unknown breakoffs and the occasional Spanish Mackerel. MAGDALENA BAY, Mexico Just off the bow of our 22-foot open boat what Baja fishermen call a "panga" a whale spout erupts with an adrenalin-spiking "fwooosh." On kayaks smaller than the big Pro Angler such as the Hobie Passport models from which two anglers fished you can straddle the vessel with your feet in the water to increase resistance. A wider area we can now explore ! So we hop out of the panga and begin casting a variety of sinking lines and Clousers into colliding currents. Aldo may be the best captain I have ever fished with. Guides here are well versed in spin and baitfishing, but not so much with flyfishing. 202/642-6386) has been leading whale-watching experiences. This experience leads to an appreciation that goes beyond the norm, beyond expectation, and certainly beyond fishing trip.. Boulevard marina esquina marlin 1 lote C9 Col. Centro Cabo San Lucas B.C.S Mexico 23450, The Most Popular Water Sports That You Must Try Once. But know this: If youre thinking of just rolling down to DIY the bay, make sure you are highly competent in a boat. What makes the Magdalena Bay offshore fishing so astonishing is a convergence of conditions that occur in the fall. Marlin Magazine may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Striped marlin gorge on bait balls off far-flung Magdalena Bay, creating unparalleled action and record catch numbers. 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. The vision is to share this Mag Bay fishing experience with the world. The marlin pulled me through and over large bait balls, with frigate birds wheeling just overhead. MAGDALENA BAY TOUR. Magdalena Bay , 2/8/2023, National Geographic Sea Bird. By 3 p.m., seas were sporty and building. 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. I was traveling with retired Marine Col. Hunter Ledbetter who had a friend named Jim Korchinski who owned a charter boat in Cabo. modifications. 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. he history of this Lodge as a core spot for Magdalena Bay fishing is deep rooted in the recent history of the town of San Carlos. Then, quiet. During our inshore days, we managed to catch many species fishing different areas in the bay. It feels like the curiosity is mutual. Crispin Mendoza is the living legend of San Carlos, a small town near the bay. In 2018, Eli Martinez of SDMdiving.com set up a trip to Mag Bay for photographers. Doing battle with a striped marlin from a kayak typically results in a sleigh ride. For angler seeking some of the best fishing left on the planet and that appreciate remote and wild locations, this is your place. Casting anything you want all day long and hooking wahoo, giant tuna, dorado, marlin one after another on every cast. Cancn's up there somewhere. Panga (Boat) Price: $595 for the whole day, price will include up to 6 adults. 2. Mostly they are out on the Ridge. Smith has released more than 5,000 billfish on fly in his career. 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. Drake Magazine Back Issue Content Winter 2019. The experience is both fascinating and intriguing. 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. We're hoping to fish for Wahoo. This is not a gentle bonefish lodge or an idyllic river with mountain backdrops. Between these islands and smaller sand banks which . Over summer 2021, weve caught a whole lot of, Well, we have delayed our Mag Bay fishing reports once again, and for that we apologize. Day 1 - The tour departs at 6am from our office in the Cabo San Lucas Marina. https://magbaylodge.com/ . Full service of our Adventure Consultants. The Fishery: There are three separate fisheries accessible from the small Pueblo of Adolfo Lopez Mateos. The afternoon was filled with searching for wildlife from the bow as National Geographic Sea Bird navigated Canal de Soledad. Custom Fly Fishing Panga Package 7 days: $2950/person At The New Island Home, Includes air port transfers, lodging, and meals. Our next trip: October 20-25, 2022. I wanted to take the time to give you some really good feedback on our trip with your team this year! All rights reserved. The two "foundations" of Loreto's sport fishing are the "dorado" and the "yellow tail" (Seriola lalandi dorsalis). 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. The bite for three hours was as hot as it gets for three anglers fishing a seamount 75 miles off Costa Rica. He knows fishing and is always ready. 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. Brian J. Cantwell. The in-water viewpoint was very interesting. 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. Smith believes that the marlin at the Finger Bank are harder to catch on fly than those at Mag Bay. Enjoying a succulent lunch in a . The local panga fishermen are mad as h*ll that the sardine and marlin are getting fished out illegally with up to 14 large industrial size boats going out of Magdalena Bay every night, each boat harvesting 100 - 200 tons of fish. We are in the Bahia San Francisco, not to be confused with the Bahia San Francisquito, there is the Bahia de Los Angeles and in general the names here are very Christian: Isla Espiritu Santo, Bahia Concepcion, Santa Maria, Magdalena Bay, Isla Angel de la Guardia, Asuncion, Todos Santos. If you are coming from a cruise ship we meet you at the Loreto Marina. But there really is no spot in the area for a base for a sport fishing operation. Camera (get ready for some superb images!) There were marlin everywhere, not just on the bait balls. Then the sleigh ride began. 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. Once relaunched, we encountered a northwest wind, not yet brisk but enough to promise a slow, bumpy ride. A remote, isolated bay that sits some 120 miles north of Cabo San Lucas, there is not much in this part of the Baja. following conditions are met: According to customer reviews, some of the most popular fishing charters in Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur are: 2023 FishingBooker.com. We build custom fly and light-tackle fishing packages that suit your plans, and your . Frozen in the blue quiet. Swimming with the fishes in Baja By John Huber Photos by Nick Price. Little has changed over the years in this small fishing village where the main available activities are around the fishing, whale watching and Eco Touring. Often there will be a half-dozen boats circling one bait ball. The other deal is bookable online and is still available when we check. Mag Bay Lodge is one of the few operations in the area that caters to anglers. At Cabo San Lucas, the phenomenal billfish bite remains the highlight. Dorado, Tuna, Sailfish, Marlin, and even Wahoo likely on the Fly 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! 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. In the smaller boat, we could run ahead of the bait/bird/marlin frenzy and hop into the water. The bait moves as the marlin and occasional sea lion push it forward. Rarely will they even be found within 15 to 20 miles of the mouth of the bay. Thats all he likes to do, and he does it way better than anyone Ive ever fished with. But we had a great morning with yellowfin tuna small to maybe 20 pounds and skipjack. 4-day fishing adventure in Quepos Costa Rica. Within a couple of minutes of hopping into the kayak, a savage strike had ripped line from the spool. Experiences we have had with our family business from the 60s to date and we want to share with you our unique and incomparable experiences, we are a founding family and native of Baja Sur, where our first ways of living was commercial fishing and later we combined it with Sport Fishing. The marlin will corral baitfish into tightly packed balls before feeding at will. A prime example: Magdalena Bay, on the Pacific coast of Mexicos storied Baja Peninsula. The sardine run is going to be extinct at this rate. Martinez had located lodging for us at the Hotel Alcatraz in Puerto San Carlos and secured a guide that ran a 25-foot panga. However, I could see Shafers point: Too much chasing was going to have an effect on the fish. 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. Any info would be greatly appreciated . But there is more to Magdalena Bay than the sardine run. The Importance of Estimating a Sport Fishs Size and Weight, Marlin Expeditions Offers Light-Tackle Paradise in Guatemala. Possibly reel in until you give up for the day. An anglers skill set and a sense of adventure still has to be there. Thirty minutes later and its the post-release chatter, all high fives, and back slaps. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-70s, with water temperatures at 67 to 73 degrees. He can probably set up anything. 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. Guided Panga, includes fly fishing guide all fishing equipment, bait, lunch and water. For more information email us at tagsportfishing@gmail.com or click on the link Mag Bay fishing trips. 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. It is one of the longest bays, it is considered the second largest in the Pacific. This day tour is the ultimate whale watching experience in Cabo San Lucas - you will likely have the opportunity to see gray whales and their calves up close and personal in calm, shallow water, and the opportunity to pet the whales is not uncommon. One problem I flyfish and got a guide already. Mag Bay Lodge is one of the few operations in the area that caters to anglers. 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. . 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. 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. There was a small queue ahead of us, so we waited 20 or so minutes for each boat to be served. Outfitting on Mag Bay has increased over the years, and the business of guiding flyfishers seems to be on the upswing. The productive and healthy marine environment is an anglers dream come true! Yet the vetting of anglers capable of the daily will and skill necessary to excel in these waters seems to happen organically. Copyright 2018 Baja Fishing Convoys - All Rights Reserved. Puerto Vallarta, or simply "PV" is the epitome of Mexico's sportfishing scene. "Get in! These boats have to be self-sufficient and will spend their evenings anchored down at one of the three acceptable anchorages. 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. That creates truly special opportunities to experience packs of striped marlin in every direction and boiling at the surface, especially from a kayak. The fear is gone in an instant. During the calving season, the gray whales migrate to the Baja waters, and so do humans. I grabbed it, pushed off from the panga and pedaled hard as I free-spooled away from my lively 7-inch mackerel. Also whats the best way from Loreto to Lopez mateos. : $675. It quickly became evident that in Mag Bay, everything is far away. 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. How deep into the pool would you like to go? Round trip transfers from Loreto, the closest airport, are in our listed package prices. Search top fishing charters in Magdalena Bay. :). The bay itself is as vast as it can get and has a feeling of wilderness. It hits me with as much depth as the water beneath me. Fishing far offshore might take longer, particularly with a stiff headwind chop. All reservations for charter are considered tentative until 25% deposit is received. You can view the rates for lodging here: . 1). You can leave out of Lopez Mateos or San Carlos depending who you fish with. 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. Looking for info on Lodgings and Panga rentals in Mag Bay for a few days in September. This lodge and operation is nothing short of amazing. The dorado . Our guests stay at the Mangrove Inn, a new facility located just outside the port town of Lopez Mateos. If there are five marlin attacking the bait, there are 20 or more slowly swimming beneath it. Marco and others are finding a way to make both experiences happen safely and symbiotically. Its easy to keep pace with fins. We hopped out and lifted the bow while the driver pulled the truck away, unhooked the trailer and soon arrived with another old trailer. I hadnt seen one of those reels in 30 years, so it was a bit retro but lots of fun. You can drive all the way to Mag Bay. Nearby, Promnitz and Mills found good action on yellowtail to 25 pounds in mid-depths, fishing speed jigs. Our 24 ft panga is for 2 anglers is $400 per day. Flies are cast in the general direction of these rocks while the outgoing tide makes a massive rip a half-mile wide. Your email address will not be published. 4. Next season there will be a fleet of 25-35 Boston Whalers and perfect American built accommodations available in MagBay. 8:30am Loreto bay and 9am Villas Del Palmar. Kids: $200.00 $179.00. In addition, Loreto's waters are home to other species like snapper and seabass, all year long. Fishing in Mag Bay. 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. 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..