In short, a Puerto Vallarta fishing adventure is what angling dreams are made . Check out our videos just to see a trip or two when the cameras were rolling. We can customize your trip to include both mangrove and blue water days. 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 . 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Our Packages are based on 2 Anglers, notice that this is a suggestion you can add Anglers, days or combine it with other locations. we're a party of 3 adults. It's normal for the whales to surround the boat, play around, and look you in the eye. Guided Panga, includes fly fishing guide all fishing equipment, bait, lunch and water. Locally family owned and operated, "Proudly creating life-long memories" for more than 23,000 people in the past 40+ yrs. The sea lions also were feeding on the bait when they werent nipping at the stripeys or growling at us. In 2018, Eli Martinez of SDMdiving.com set up a trip to Mag Bay for photographers. It took me about two minutes to sign up for the expeditionfinally, I was going to Mag Bay. I never fished Mag Bay, but I want to soon. 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. Long walks on the beach in Southeast Florida. All National Parks & Biosphere Reserve access fees required by itinerary. . Mag Bay is the deep end of the pool. 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. Captain Frankie to make sure we catch as much fish as you can. Many regions of Baja waters still remain untouched by the tourists so you can land upon a lot of rare catch. All camping equipment. Professional naturalist and bi-lingual guides. These static bait balls provided the best photo opportunities. The Baja Flyfishing Co. LLC offers a variety of guided fly fishing, spin fishing and light tackle off shore packages as well as guided beach and kayak fishing. Ive been in the flyfishing industry my entire adult life, and I dont approach fish with trepidation. In 2018, Smith and Shafer spent 12 days in Mag Bay, releasing 317 striped marlin on fly. 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.. According tolocals, the rocks here once stood taller, before the Americans used them for target practice in the spring of 1908. The bait moves as the marlin and occasional sea lion push it forward. Id try to follow but had no chance to catch them unless they turned back our way. Search top fishing charters in Magdalena Bay. The experience is both fascinating and intriguing. Panga (Boat) Price: $595 for the whole day, price will include up to 6 adults. 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. We had a day or two to spare, so Korchinski offered to take us out on his 43-foot Riviera, Blue Sky. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Mag Bay also has some of the finest lodges, yacht charters, and tourism infrastructure in the country. Then marlin happens Music is played loud over a marlin bite. Going on a whale watching tour in Loreto is a must-do! Located on the Pacific Ocean side of the Baja Peninsula, Baha Magdalena, or Mag Bay, is one of the most legendary yet remote fisheries in North America.This 30 mile long bay, famous as a home to the gray whale during its southern migration, is formed by two sandy barrier islands named Isla Magdalena/Isla Margarita and provides incredible inshore and offshore fishing. 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. data-event-category="Navigation header guest", Full list of top fishing charters in Magdalena Bay, FishingBooker has a Shopper Approved rating of 4.8/5 based on 25793 ratings and reviews. Ive battled big tarpon, but this is new, and different, and on this morning the unknown has gotten to me. Top to bottom everything was amazing. Wed been researching and prepping for this trip for months, bringing enough gear to fish for whatever we encountered. Max 4 anglers per cruiser. Engines start at USD 8500.00 for a two stroke E Tec, or USD 9500.00 for a four stroke Yamaha. 3 Days Fishing Pro Cat 36 5 Nights Lodge, 3 Days Fishing Cape Horn 28 5 Nights Lodge. On morning number four of our trip, the cool bay air gives me goose bumps as we motor. 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. In the afternoons we still found the bait balls, but they were smaller and probably tired. 60'x17' 1,250 gallon fuel capacity. The area has numerous small commercial fishing villages where the expertise and fishing knowledge is passed down in families. Next season there will be a fleet of 25-35 Boston Whalers and perfect American built accommodations available in MagBay. The other deal is bookable online and is still available when we check. I wanted to take the time to give you some really good feedback on our trip with your team this year! The sight of multiple tall dorsal fins cutting through bait schools is enough to get any anglers heart racing. When I see the first sailfish approach the baitball, I swim back to the boat. The following day, a strong tide is rapidly dumping out of the river were fishing, exposing a sandy beach. Often there will be a half-dozen boats circling one bait ball. Guided Grey Whale Watching. Your staff could not have been nicer, the fishing was insane, and the captains were amazing. We work in partnership with ex-fishermen panga captains who turned to eco-experiences and have the knowledge and network to absolutely maximize your experience here. Everything worked out really well, and I wanted to let everyone know how much we appreciated it. About. 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. 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. 1). Find frigate birds low on the water and the stripeys are sure to be there. 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. 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. For more details on trip rules, cancellation and travel insurance visit our, Roundtrip professional ground transfers from and to the Loreto airport. But we had a great morning with yellowfin tuna small to maybe 20 pounds and skipjack. Survive, is what an angler does the first few minutes after hooking a striped marlin. A half-dozen marlin were below, attacking the bait within a few feet of our group. 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. full service galley A/C. including a link to the offer on the website and the exact price being quoted. Loading kayaks back aboard is as simple as the unloading, whether heading back to the lodge or to another fishing spot. We would have a few moments to snap photos before everything got out of range. Bathroom and snack stop along the way. The interconnected bays include Bahia Magdalena, Bahia Almeja and a series of smaller bays ending at Santa Domingo to the north. Close to 100 miles of mangrove-lined channels and shoreline encircle the area, and where the mangroves stop, the desert takes over. Contact Jimmy Camacho from Jimmys Sportfishing. A wider area we can now explore ! Mag Bay is offers super size fish options. 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. The best time - season to fish Magdalena Bay it's from early June to late December. I take a deep breath, pull my mask down over my face, and slip over the side of the panga. 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. Whale watching sessions by Panga. Jimmy is the guy! Then, quiet. And in the case of Mag Bay, the bigger that sense of adventure the better. Offshore 25 miles, the wind picks up and I hear it mix with the country music coming from our little travel speaker. Hes found that these striped marlin dont stay on the bait ball close to the boat, and the motor noise while maneuvering into position is counterproductive. FishingBooker.com. Incredible Striped Marlin Action in Magdalena Bay, Mexico. A support team helps shuttle kayaks and anglers to the action surrounding Mag Bay. . Show map . One problem I flyfish and got a guide already. The Fishery: There are three separate fisheries accessible from the small Pueblo of Adolfo Lopez Mateos. They claim that they could have caught more, but everyone got tired of rigging up flies! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Seven Store 2015-2017. Your email address will not be published. 1. It was probably the most incredible experience Ive ever had on the ocean, being able to see them from the stealth of a kayak that left them unaffected by my presence.. This same apex bait-crashing behavior also happens within the bay and rivers, when snook and their fellow predators are on the bite. If you are coming from a cruise ship we meet you at the Loreto Marina. Cancn's up there somewhere. During our inshore days, we managed to catch many species fishing different areas in the bay. All rights reserved. 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. For a fly angler, there is great appeal in the unknown. Striped marlin gorge on bait balls off far-flung Magdalena Bay, creating unparalleled action and record catch numbers. When we were dumped back in the water, we still had another hour or so run out to the fishing grounds. Those who know me, know that fishing is my life. 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. Larocque, the owner, uses 26-foot pangas as mother ships to transport kayaks, anglers and gear within and outside the bay. Boat Specs - Success Sport Fishing | Fishing, Spearfishing, and Surfing Trips . Enjoying a succulent lunch in a . Jonathan Roldan's. Tailhunter Sportfishing. : $675. Small day pack or hip pack with any personal items. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. If youre lucky, you might even get your hands on some Spotted Bass, Dog Tooth Snapper, Halibut, Snook, Corniva, and Grouper. 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. different, you still keep your existing reservation including the cancellation policy. 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 . The lodge is well maintained, has access to the swimming pool, hot tub, huge garage, workshop, tackle room, outside dining area, and more. What I mean is there shuttles rent a car or what transportation is there to get from airport to there and I offshore flyfish. Thank you again for everything. We all know that fishing in Mag Bay is world class. A series of barrier Islands form a . Fishing the two broad bay mouths through which the Pacific ebbs and floods is not to be missed, either, as long as a kayakero is prepared to pedal hard against strong currents. Mag Bay offers a sweet blend of elegant modern lines and the rustic California flare. 4. How deep into the pool would you like to go? quantities. 8:00 AM - Meet at Sea and Land Office. These boats have to be self-sufficient and will spend their evenings anchored down at one of the three acceptable anchorages. It feels like the curiosity is mutual. These dramatic openings attract gamefish amidst spectacular surroundings boiler rocks, sheer cliffs and herds of sea lions. Or normally out of the bay? These are commercial fishing villages, where local knowledge is passed down from father to son. What was the point? he said. It is a place for fly anglers not in search of banner day after banner day, but in search of unique, memorable events. $1000 for a Cape Horn 27 and $1,750 for a Pro Cat 37. Bob Hoyt Mag Bay Outfitters He is on here as well. You are using an out of date browser. From dawn til dusk. Anywhere from 40 to 120 miles depending on where you leave from and what part you travel too. 11 min read. From October to December of each year, gigantic bait balls congregate miles off the coast of the bay, creating one of the most amazing shows the Pacific Ocean has to offer. LOCATED IN SMALL FISHING VILLAGE OF LOPEZ MATEOS AND LORETO 760-908-BAJA Bob's cell . Our Mag Bay yacht charters are luxurious, affordable, and have all the amenities to fit your budget. There were marlin everywhere, not just on the bait balls. https://magbaylodge.com/ . We know the longe range San Diego boats make it a destination for the 8+ day trips, they often make bait right outside of San Carlos on Isla Magdalena as well. I just want to go on a cheap $350 a day type of panga (ex: like in San Quintin, La Paz, etc). But its a short season, and for many locals, the whale-watching jobs end far too soon. Im on! His ten-weight is buckled in a perfect inverse curve to his smile. Have you ever noticed that fantastic fishing spots are nearly impossible to get to? This author does not have any more posts. If you find your deal on another fishing website at a lower rate, contact ourcustomer careteam. 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. JavaScript is disabled. 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. 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. It quickly became evident that in Mag Bay, everything is far away. From there we start the 6 hour drive up north to Magdalena Bay, during which we pass through Todos Santos, La Paz and Constitucion. Some of the thousands of fishing pelicans. The bay itself is as vast as it can get and has a feeling of wilderness. Its all about getting there in this case, to Thetis Bank, about 30 miles off the northern part of Mag Bay. MAGDALENA BAY, Mexico Just off the bow of our 22-foot open boat what Baja fishermen call a "panga" a whale spout erupts . 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. The Finger Bank is Mag Bay Lite. If you just want grouper, yellowtail and those type fish then pangas are no problem. Depending on seas, etc its a little tricky to sport fish from a panga in those areas getting out in time and back. From about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., fishing 35 or so miles off Mag Bays southern entrance in Baja California, Mexico, four kayakeros released nine striped marlin. We spotted the frigate birds working the surface; when we got close, we could see the marlin in hot pursuit. Seattle Times travel & outdoors editor. Copyright 2017 - bajaflyfish.com - All Rights Reserved. Its just not that common like the sea of cortez cities and up north. Custom Fly Fishing Panga Package 7 days: $2950/person At The New Island Home. 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. 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. Its relative inaccessibility has allowed it to remain one of those rare places that time has virtually forgotten. 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. 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. 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. Magdalena Bay; La Paz; Blog; Boat Specs Solid reinforced fiberglass hull. Promnitz said later he might have been close enough to cast a jig to them. 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. 27' SPORT PANGA . 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. How To Choose The Right Propellers For Your Outboard Engines. . I grabbed it, pushed off from the panga and pedaled hard as I free-spooled away from my lively 7-inch mackerel. I hop on a boat, shoot out in the morning, flip some baits around the red rooster III who just got there from a 3 day run. It is protected by two islands - Isla Magdalena to the north and, Isla Santa Margarita to the south. You can leave out of Lopez Mateos or San Carlos depending who you fish with. 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. For over 18 years, family-operated Mag Bay Tours (U.S. tel. 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. Winning this round, Nick holds a handsome golden trevally that has taken the place of the snook and marlin we came to catch. 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. 2 ton central forced A/C unit. But yea, there are some local captains that would love to get ya out there. I hadnt seen one of those reels in 30 years, so it was a bit retro but lots of fun. Guided Beach, includes fly fishing guide, UTV rental, all fly fishing equipment and lunch: $575. Smith has released more than 5,000 billfish on fly in his career. Magdalena Bay, Lopez Mateos, Baja. If you prefer to Fly Fish from Our ProKat or CapeHorn please just refer to standard offshore packages for pricing. Guides here are well versed in spin and baitfishing, but not so much with flyfishing. 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. Standard operating procedure called for fishermen to simply sit in their pangas for the short ride. We watch a reel getting emptied and watch the fish leap, flip, and dive. 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. Bright blue silence. The marlin pulled me through and over large bait balls, with frigate birds wheeling just overhead. Mag Bay Lodge is one of the few operations in the area that caters to anglers. Fly anglers heading a few miles in any direction can find all sorts of species slicing through baits big and small. We will match the rate of the other deal if the Ask Bob. 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 is only one hotel for Magdalena Bay. Our guests stay at the Mangrove Inn, a new facility located just outside the port town of Lopez Mateos. Explore Isla Magdalena Surfing SUP Fishing Kayaking Snorkeling Spear Fishing Hiking Beach Combing Clam Digging . Dorado, Tuna, Sailfish, Marlin, and even Wahoo likely on the Fly All rights reserved. La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico. There were several boats using this technique and most were hooking up regularly. 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. Light jacket or sweater. 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. Any info would be greatly appreciated, Anyone, are there any cheap pangas run by Mexicans out in Mag Bay? Thats all he likes to do, and he does it way better than anyone Ive ever fished with. All transportation while on tour. Staying suspended in their time and place. I hear waves hitting the side of the boat, birds calling out, radio chatter, Spanish being spoken rapidly. Then the sleigh ride began. You can drive all the way to Mag Bay. . There was a small queue ahead of us, so we waited 20 or so minutes for each boat to be served. MagBay lodge offers pickups, taxis from loreto, or car rentals are all options. Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Tours from Loreto. Panga 23 Recreational Pleasure Refined Polished inner liner Under $17,000.00 + engine, includes global shipping. Mag Bay is almost the same size as San Francisco Bay. For most flyfishers, being surrounded by such variety means you basically have two choices: Go loaded for bear by bringing every rod, reel, and line in your quiver, and just follow the bite wherever it leads; or pick one species and go all in, even if that means pouring days or weeks into a species like snook, hoping for the right tides and right timing. I was traveling with retired Marine Col. Hunter Ledbetter who had a friend named Jim Korchinski who owned a charter boat in Cabo. That begs some explanation. 888.752.2828; FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING OVER $50; More. 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. Captain Aldo Atonto tells us the fish will be up within the hour. 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. When the bite is on, Shafer will run the boat up from Cabo San Lucas, while Smith flies from his home in Florida to Cabo, then drives six hours to Puerto San Carlos where a local guide will ferry him out to the boat. A remote, isolated bay that sits some 120 miles north of Cabo San Lucas, there is not much in this part of the Baja. Crispin Mendoza is the living legend of San Carlos, a small town near the bay. Part of the issue with Mag Bay and cheap Pangas is that the Wahoo are about 40 miles offshore generally and in the pacific. We anchored in Man Of War Cove. We're hoping to fish for Wahoo. It feels like the curiosity is mutual. 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. 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. Baha Magdalena is a protected bay on the Pacific coast in Baja Sur.
magdalena bay panga fishing