Long walks on the beach in Southeast Florida. We have in-shore mangrove fishing and off-shore, deep-sea pelagic fishing in the Pacific. The afternoon was filled with searching for wildlife from the bow as National Geographic Sea Bird navigated Canal de Soledad. Often there will be a half-dozen boats circling one bait ball. On one day last year, they raised 143 marlin and released 50, all on fly tackle. . Crispin Mendoza is the living legend of San Carlos, a small town near the bay. Behind me, Ricardo lets out a soft whistle that sounds just like a distant coyote. Get in touch now. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was mostly clear in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 78 to 84 degrees. Hes a perfectionist: Every leader is tied to IGFA specifications, with a 20-pound-test tippet and 12 inches of shock leader. 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. The result is a living, moving ball of fish, with marlin and often sea lions in pursuit. E: booking@magbaytours.com. The marlin will corral baitfish into tightly packed balls before feeding at will. Smith has released more than 5,000 billfish on fly in his career. We would have a few moments to snap photos before everything got out of range. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-70s, with water temperatures at 67 to 73 degrees. Sun protective clothing and hat. :). That's our story! 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. He and his crew load two kayaks aboard each panga and head for a destination determined by anglers goals, the season and the mornings conditions. Seattle Times travel & outdoors editor. My imagination is already running full speed when I look across the river and cant believe what I see. Prices per day vary but you would pay minimum of $650 for an offshore panga. 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. The boats that overnighted at the bank reported 30-plus releases a day. : $950. . 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. The experience is both fascinating and intriguing. Other than whale-watching, sportfishing is what sets Mag Bay apart. Guided Beach, includes fly fishing guide, UTV rental, all fly fishing equipment and lunch: $575. A Bonnier LLC Company. Video by Spencer Millsap. 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. Winter fishing features "yellow tail" (jurel) and other species that usually are deep in the sea rocks. 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. Everything worked out really well, and I wanted to let everyone know how much we appreciated it. Magdalena Bay. Reservations can be made by contacting Cary or Erika at Success Sport Fishing - 760-230-6331. I could hear shouting across the waves, as other kayak anglers, rods bent over hard, were pulled in various directions. Flyfishers will come to have a deep love and appreciation for Magdalena Bay, but not for the reasons we normally expect from a fishery. It is one of the longest bays, it is considered the second largest in the Pacific. While shots at multiple marlin are primarily what draws anglers to Mag Bay, its hardly the only outstanding opportunity here. The excellent fishing also continued inside the bay for . Larocque, the owner, uses 26-foot pangas as mother ships to transport kayaks, anglers and gear within and outside the bay. 4-day fishing adventure in Quepos Costa Rica. The bay is shel- tered from . I feel the grab on my second cast. Mag Bay Lodge is one of the few operations in the area that caters to anglers. 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. Marlin Magazine may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. All rights reserved. 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. Its just not that common like the sea of cortez cities and up north. The best boats in the area equipped with 4 . Its all about getting there in this case, to Thetis Bank, about 30 miles off the northern part of Mag Bay. . La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico. 7 hrs whale watching and more. Then the sleigh ride began. Locally family owned and operated, "Proudly creating life-long memories" for more than 23,000 people in the past 40+ yrs. Cruiser rates vary. The fear is gone in an instant. 3 Days Fishing Pro Cat 36 5 Nights Lodge, 3 Days Fishing Cape Horn 28 5 Nights Lodge. 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. If you prefer to Fly Fish from Our ProKat or CapeHorn please just refer to standard offshore packages for pricing. 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. Those who know me, know that fishing is my life. The best fishing offshore is Aug through December, inshore there is pretty unique fishing year round. The vision is to share this Mag Bay fishing experience with the world. Full services of our Adventure Consultants. Some of the thousands of fishing pelicans. About. Max 4 anglers per cruiser. How far out is the ridge? 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. We all know that fishing in Mag Bay is world class. Swimming with the fishes in Baja By John Huber Photos by Nick Price. 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. Ask Bob. You can leave out of Lopez Mateos or San Carlos depending who you fish with. We build custom fly and light-tackle fishing packages that suit your plans, and your . At this moment the sardines move from one place to another trying to survive and it is the moment when they start trolling in our boats with quality equipment, for this reason we must be very attentive and prepared to live the moment they are hooked in the trolls and a power struggle begins between the Fish and the lovers of sport fishing, these are the last minutes or hours of life of the fight of the King of the Pacific "El Marlin", the dorado or another fish that will touch you witness live. 11 min read. For more details on trip rules, cancellation and travel insurance visit our KNOW BEFORE YOU GO page. A support team helps shuttle kayaks and anglers to the action surrounding Mag Bay. Are Wahoo in the bay too? 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. You know fishing is good when it has come to strictly catch and release on wahoo and even tuna. Light jacket or sweater. You can view the rates for lodging here: . Between these islands and smaller sand banks which . Deluxe Cruiser , fly fishing guide, all fishing gear, lunch, water and bait. And in the case of Mag Bay, the bigger that sense of adventure the better. Close to 100 miles of mangrove-lined channels and shoreline encircle the area, and where the mangroves stop, the desert takes over. The Fishery: There are three separate fisheries accessible from the small Pueblo of Adolfo Lopez Mateos. These dramatic openings attract gamefish amidst spectacular surroundings boiler rocks, sheer cliffs and herds of sea lions. For more information email us at tagsportfishing@gmail.com or click on the link Mag Bay fishing trips. 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. It feels like the curiosity is mutual. My friend Nick and I shout with joy, accompanied by excited words in Spanish from our new friends. Published August 28, 2017. Other times, there was a guy on the bow with a spinning rod, throwing some kind of lurehe also was hooking up regularly. The dorado . Magdalena Bay is a large (1,200 km) and highly productive coastal bay located between 2415' N and 2520' N, and 11130' W, and 11215' W in B. C. S. (Fig. This is the tour you came so far for ! 7) 3 days offshore one day inshore. LOCATED IN SMALL FISHING VILLAGE OF LOPEZ MATEOS AND LORETO 760-908-BAJA Bob's cell . What I like most about mag bay in general is the seclusion and peace. The return trip took us perhaps 20 additional minutes when the wheel bearings in the old trailer failed halfway across the sand. Looking for someone to split boat 1st November. Magdalena Bay (often called Mag Bay by Americans, but according to the professor we heard lecture that is not preferred by Mexicans) is a gigantic natural harbor at 25 miles N-S and 13 miles E-W with multiple good anchorages. The fishing in Mag Bay is diverse and plentiful. 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. During our inshore days, we managed to catch many species fishing different areas in the bay. Captain Aldo Atonto tells us the fish will be up within the hour. Infante stuck a Daiwa Saltiga lever-drag reel in my face. I hadnt seen one of those reels in 30 years, so it was a bit retro but lots of fun. Magdalena Sport Fishing! 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Call or email us for pricing on other customized options. The appreciation for Mag Bay comes from the secrets she keeps. 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. A prime example: Magdalena Bay, on the Pacific coast of Mexicos storied Baja Peninsula. These videos do not represent "great fishing trips" but rather just the everyday sport fishing here in Mag Bay. Please call for a quote. Magdalena Bay, Lopez Mateos, Baja. Landing this exotic and surprising prize opened our imaginations. It quickly became evident that in Mag Bay, everything is far away. The pedal drives free up the kayakers hands when fighting fish, and reviving billfish. Some offshore destinations also require a boat ride across a sandy peninsula. 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. Panga (Boat) Price: $595 for the whole day, price will include up to 6 adults. Find frigate birds low on the water and the stripeys are sure to be there. 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 . MAGDALENA BAY TOUR. 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 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. 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. Custom Fly Fishing Panga Package 7 days: $2950/person At The New Island Home. It has moved onto the next stages, where perhaps more balance can be found with each fishermans son or daughter finding opportunity in new industries that are well-managed and well-regulated. 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. I dont want to spend a lot just to be on a huge/fancy boat ran by Americans. For more details on trip rules, cancellation and travel insurance visit our, Roundtrip professional ground transfers from and to the Loreto airport. View map . . JavaScript is disabled. The multi-station layout on the Jarrett Bay 56 makes it a one-of-a-kind sportfishing boat. The shoreline is home to hundreds of mangrove-lined channels and is a sight to behold. 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. The Importance of Estimating a Sport Fishs Size and Weight, Marlin Expeditions Offers Light-Tackle Paradise in Guatemala. Additional non-fishing guests may also be added to your room. 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." 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. It hits me with as much depth as the water beneath me. 5) Clients board the kayaks at the fishing grounds with full bait tank. If you find your deal on another fishing website at a lower rate, contact ourcustomer careteam. 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 . All rights reserved. Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Tours from Loreto. It took me about two minutes to sign up for the expeditionfinally, I was going to Mag Bay. We hopped out and lifted the bow while the driver pulled the truck away, unhooked the trailer and soon arrived with another old trailer. 202/642-6386) has been leading whale-watching experiences. But its a short season, and for many locals, the whale-watching jobs end far too soon. Or, you could be left shaking your head at the fish-filled mayhem that can turn on at any moment. Shades of blue mix with seasonal browns and greens where the desert meets the saltwater within the calmer main bay. I just want to go on a cheap $350 a day type of panga (ex: like in San Quintin, La Paz, etc). Panga 23 Recreational Pleasure Refined Polished inner liner Under $17,000.00 + engine, includes global shipping. 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 . Top to bottom everything was amazing. The road trip takes a few hours from the airports at La Paz, San Jose del Cabo, or Loreto. If you are approaching from the north, the drive . 6) Fish the grounds for 5 to 6 hours and return home. 60'x17' 1,250 gallon fuel capacity. 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. The other deal is bookable online and is still available when we check. I found spinners with 20- and 30-pound braid perfect for throwing poppers or Sebile Stick Shadds worked back fast and hard. Magdalena Bay is a gorgeous place to visit just for the pristine beauty, mangroves and giant sand dunes of the outer islands. Dinners are not included as there are now more options to eat in town. Private TOUR. Offshore 25 miles, the wind picks up and I hear it mix with the country music coming from our little travel speaker. So, here we will try to, Fishing Report MagBay Oct 13 2020 So far this season has been a little unusual. (more). Filter results by: Price per Day. FishingBooker.com. Bright blue silence. The diving is great! twin 500 hp john deere turbo diesel. The food is true Mexican cuisine with a varied and customized choice of meals that is included with your stay. B ottom and/or Deep Sea Fishing depending on the season and target species.. Trip Date: Group Size: - + - + Show map . Mag Bay is the deep end of the pool. Many regions of Baja waters still remain untouched by the tourists so you can land upon a lot of rare catch. Its not an easy task to release a 60 lbs wahoofrom a popper on a spinning rod. Information on the bay, although always a little scarce, has become easier to find. Cancn's up there somewhere. These boats have to be self-sufficient and will spend their evenings anchored down at one of the three acceptable anchorages. 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. 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. . Winning this round, Nick holds a handsome golden trevally that has taken the place of the snook and marlin we came to catch. Ive battled big tarpon, but this is new, and different, and on this morning the unknown has gotten to me. Baha Magdalena is a protected bay on the Pacific coast in Baja Sur. If you are coming from a cruise ship we meet you at the Loreto Marina. We woke up to a ham-and-egg breakfast and to find that the crew had already caught a healthy supply of live bait. Our SUV is bouncing along the dirt moguls of a dark road . Our plan was simple. 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. Brian J. Cantwell. 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. We plan to send out a few more exploratory trips and may start running panga fishing there before the season is over. However, the crew soon gave us the high sign; with at least 2 hours to get to the lodge, it was time to pack up. The marlin pulled me through and over large bait balls, with frigate birds wheeling just overhead. What I like most about mag bay in general is the seclusion and peace. Cabo Fishing rentals/ Cabo fishing Charters. Catches Likely: Marlin, tuna, roosterfish, golden trevalle, pargo, snook, wahoo, dorado, bonita, jacks, and more. 888.752.2828; FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING OVER $50; More. 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. We build . This same phenomenon happens in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, with sailfish; the boats look for frigates close to the surface, then run to them. Fast and very furious: Doubleheaders and even triple and quadruple hookups are the norm when striped marlin are actively feeding on bait balls near the surface. 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. The area erupts with outstanding action in 2019. So we hop out of the panga and begin casting a variety of sinking lines and Clousers into colliding currents. 30 kw generator. 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. 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 . Lopez Mateos/Magdalena Bay . Situated on a secluded arm of the Bay the Inn offers six waterside bungalows. 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. A remote, isolated bay that sits some 120 miles north of Cabo San Lucas, there is not much in this part of the Baja. Our contact during the booking process was Marco: he was flexible with our requests about . Bob Hoyt Mag Bay Outfitters He is on here as well. By 3 p.m., seas were sporty and building. Its normal for the whales to surround the boat, play around, and look you in the eye. Panga $450 - Unguided Light Tackle $750 - Guided Fly Fishing. 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. Yet the vetting of anglers capable of the daily will and skill necessary to excel in these waters seems to happen organically. . For two days we take turns fishing this bite and entering the marlins underwater world. And yes, the snook is too big to fit between the roots.. DAY TRIP 200 . Bluewater in front of the bay holds striped marlin shredding bait and the occasional leader with their bills. Approx. 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. Drake Magazine Back Issue Content: 2020 Summer Stranded on Socotra, Stranded on Socotra, The Quarantine and John Prine, Tarpon, A Mexican Introduction Fall Winter . Boat Specs - Success Sport Fishing | Fishing, Spearfishing, and Surfing Trips . All rights reserved. We can customize your trip to include both mangrove and blue water days. My head snaps around to locate it. 2. One time the marlin had moved on and we floated with six sea lions and what was left of the bait ball for probably 15 minuteswhen a new batch of marlin suddenly appeared and everything started anew. 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.. You can find a lot of middle-price-point opportunity, and for the West Coast angler, its a lot closer than trekking to the Caribbean. Nearby, Promnitz and Mills found good action on yellowtail to 25 pounds in mid-depths, fishing speed jigs. Mag Bay is offers super size fish options. At Cabo San Lucas, the phenomenal billfish bite remains the highlight. We're hoping to fish for Wahoo. The best out of 7 charter fishing deals in Magdalena Bay - enter dates to check availability . Contact Jimmy Camacho from Jimmys Sportfishing. Copyright 2017 - bajaflyfish.com - All Rights Reserved. I recall hearing Morgan Promnitzs voice crackle over the VHF under my seat, as a stripey towed him toward the horizon: Marc! Explore Isla Magdalena Surfing SUP Fishing Kayaking Snorkeling Spear Fishing Hiking Beach Combing Clam Digging . Answer 1 of 4: Hi all, I'm going to try and keep up with an on-the-go TR for our 9 night journey through Baja Sur; helps to keep the details fresh and gives me something useful to do when I wake up before the crack of dawn. 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. 15. Kids: $200.00 $179.00. Captain G, for example, starting driving a fishing panga 42 years ago when he was 12 years old. I have been visiting mag bay since my youth. 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. Calle Puerto La Paz 40, Bahia Magdalena, 23740 Magdalena Bay, B.C.S., Mexico. Its relative inaccessibility has allowed it to remain one of those rare places that time has virtually forgotten. Its one of Bajas last frontiers, but there are few other places on Earth where so many billfish congregate so predictably. But I wait. What to target, and where, within the greater Mag Bay system, are decisions that might leave anglers second-guessing over a vast expanse of quiet water. The currents here, as well as the volume of tidal flats, make navigating treacherous for the inexperienced. Aldo may be the best captain I have ever fished with. Looking for info on Lodgings and Panga rentals in Mag Bay for a few days in September. Eventually, the marlin would tire of the diver/sea lion combination and leave the area. Magdalena Bay Whales - Your Adventure Our Passion . . 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. 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. No one plans on hopping into town for supplies or entertainment, because it just doesnt exist. MagBay lodge offers pickups, taxis from loreto, or car rentals are all options. The sea lions also were feeding on the bait when they werent nipping at the stripeys or growling at us. e invite you to reach out and give us a call or checkout more on the website. different, you still keep your existing reservation including the cancellation policy. It's a gorgeous place to visit for the pristine beaches, mangroves, and sardine runs. The inshore waters that lay just beyond the barrier islands team with sierras, roosterfish, corvina, cortez halibut, pargo, grouper, yellow tail, skip jack, dorado, yellowfin tuna and wahoo. 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. 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. Jimmy is the guy! 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. You can drive all the way to Mag Bay. Discover the amazing variety of fish Mag Bay has to offer! 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.