In the morning, the bait schools were bigger and were running together as a group, rather than trying to hide in a ball. Thats the shortcut route; to boat down to the large mouth of the bay and then northwest to Thetis is more like 45 miles. Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was mostly clear in the mid-90s, with water temperatures at 78 to 84 degrees. On morning number four of our trip, the cool bay air gives me goose bumps as we motor. The Lodge at Mag Bay offers a truly extraordinary experience. Silver Lining Kings. Smith designed the boat specifically for long-range trips: 2,300 gallons of fuel, two generators, two watermakers, and backups for pretty much everything. The Fishery: There are three separate fisheries accessible from the small Pueblo of Adolfo Lopez Mateos. In 2018, Smith and Shafer spent 12 days in Mag Bay, releasing 317 striped marlin on fly. 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. On one day last year, they raised 143 marlin and released 50, all on fly tackle. If you are approaching from the north, the drive . Because his goal is to release as many billfish as possible without permanent injury, the single hook is key: It wont impair the marlins ability to breathe or feed like a double-hook rig can. Ramon . This is the tour you came so far for ! Kids: $200.00 $179.00. Small day pack or hip pack with any personal items. We all know that fishing in Mag Bay is world class. Reels spin loudly to the tune of unknown breakoffs and the occasional Spanish Mackerel. Our Mag Bay yacht charters are luxurious, affordable, and have all the amenities to fit your budget. Enjoying a succulent lunch in a . Some of the thousands of fishing pelicans. No one plans on hopping into town for supplies or entertainment, because it just doesnt exist. That creates truly special opportunities to experience packs of striped marlin in every direction and boiling at the surface, especially from a kayak. The conditions of your booking with us still allow penalty-free cancellations and We can customize your trip to include both mangrove and blue water days. 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. Video by Spencer Millsap. Mexico's Magdalena "Mag" Bay is among the best and most consistent sportfishing experiences in the world. Filter results by: Price per Day. During our inshore days, we managed to catch many species fishing different areas in the bay. 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. The best out of 7 charter fishing deals in Magdalena Bay - enter dates to check availability . Flies are cast in the general direction of these rocks while the outgoing tide makes a massive rip a half-mile wide. 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. Nick Smith has been fishing Mag Bay for years. We have in-shore mangrove fishing and off-shore, deep-sea pelagic fishing in the Pacific. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Discover the amazing variety of fish Mag Bay has to offer! Catches Likely: Marlin, tuna, roosterfish, golden trevalle, pargo, snook, wahoo, dorado, bonita, jacks, and more. Looking for info on Lodgings and Panga rentals in Mag Bay for a few days in September. Between these islands and smaller sand banks which . Required fields are marked *. Expert Crew with years of experience fishing the waters surrounding La Paz.. The following day, a strong tide is rapidly dumping out of the river were fishing, exposing a sandy beach. The closer the big fish get to the bait, the brighter they get with excitement. DAY TRIP 200 . different, you still keep your existing reservation including the cancellation policy. Double Room: $80. Ive battled big tarpon, but this is new, and different, and on this morning the unknown has gotten to me. 5) Clients board the kayaks at the fishing grounds with full bait tank. The currents here, as well as the volume of tidal flats, make navigating treacherous for the inexperienced. The road trip takes a few hours from the airports at La Paz, San Jose del Cabo, or Loreto. Meet at Hotel Isabela's B&B at 7:00am. Baja is well known as a great place to whale watch. Its one of Bajas last frontiers, but there are few other places on Earth where so many billfish congregate so predictably. Then marlin happens Music is played loud over a marlin bite. 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. Other options are available. Any info would be greatly appreciated, Anyone, are there any cheap pangas run by Mexicans out in Mag Bay? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. E: booking@magbaytours.com. Guided Beach, includes fly fishing guide, UTV rental, all fly fishing equipment and lunch: $575. The bait moves as the marlin and occasional sea lion push it forward. The bite for three hours was as hot as it gets for three anglers fishing a seamount 75 miles off Costa Rica. Magdalena Bay; La Paz; Blog; Boat Specs Solid reinforced fiberglass hull. 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. We hefted the bow to accommodate the new trailer he backed down, and soon we were again in the water, on the inside, headed back to the lodge under the rising full moon. Additional non-fishing guests may also be added to your room. :). You Save. 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 . Are Wahoo in the bay too? Magdalena Bay fishing area weather was partly cloudy in the high-70s, with water temperatures at 67 to 73 degrees. I recall hearing Morgan Promnitzs voice crackle over the VHF under my seat, as a stripey towed him toward the horizon: Marc! By 3 p.m., seas were sporty and building. The pedal drives free up the kayakers hands when fighting fish, and reviving billfish. All rights reserved. Doing battle with a striped marlin from a kayak typically results in a sleigh ride. 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. Copyright 2023 Marlin Magazine. Jonathan Roldan's. Tailhunter Sportfishing. 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. If you find your deal on another fishing website at a lower rate, contact ourcustomer careteam. We build custom fly and light-tackle fishing packages that suit your plans, and your . Its all part of the adventure when kayak-fishing Magdalena Bay. Calle Puerto La Paz 40, Bahia Magdalena, 23740 Magdalena Bay, B.C.S., Mexico. 2. "Get in! We're hoping to fish for Wahoo. calm waterways of a . 4 People Minimum, 2 pangas (2 per panga) 7 nights 5 days fishing; The Importance of Estimating a Sport Fishs Size and Weight, Marlin Expeditions Offers Light-Tackle Paradise in Guatemala. 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. The area offers year-long fishing opportunities for anglers and is mainly a hotbed for deep-sea fishing. Late September the water warmed up. 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. Professional naturalist and bi-lingual guides. We had a day or two to spare, so Korchinski offered to take us out on his 43-foot Riviera, Blue Sky. We have two well-equipped sport fishing boats, as well as multiple pangas (covered or non-covered), depending on where you want to go and what you want to catch. 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. Hundreds of miles of Mangroves Inshore for countless species 6) Fish the grounds for 5 to 6 hours and return home. Custom Fly Fishing Panga Package 7 days: $2950/person At The New Island Home, Includes air port transfers, lodging, and meals. . As you get closer, you can spot the marlins fins slicing the surface. What else is out here? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Seven Store 2015-2017. Deluxe Cruiser , fly fishing guide, all fishing gear, lunch, water and bait. In terms of the run up, down or across the bay to reach the fishing grounds, the ride on the pangas seldom took less than 45 minutes and often was an hour or two. But we never make it. The appreciation for Mag Bay comes from the secrets she keeps. Promnitz, Hobies director of fishing development, managed four releases (helped by strong arms and 100-pound braid). 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 . Around 12:00 noon we arrive in the small fishing town of Lopez Mateos, check-in to the hotel and get ready for an afternoon of whale . There are more fly anglers willing to travel now than ever before. 8:15-10:15 AM Travel to Magdalena Bay. Many are also reminiscent of North America. But know this: If youre thinking of just rolling down to DIY the bay, make sure you are highly competent in a boat. Our 24 ft panga is for 2 anglers is $400 per day. Throughout the years, many offered insights, stories and shared details about some of their favorite Magdalena Bay fishing holes: Gene . Thanks guys! Hands down, it is my absolute favorite fishing destination and the crew, boats, and service provided just make it so much fun. We anchored in Man Of War Cove. Locally family owned and operated, "Proudly creating life-long memories" for more than 23,000 people in the past 40+ yrs. For more information email us at tagsportfishing@gmail.com or click on the link Mag Bay fishing trips. Then the sleigh ride began. 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 sardine run is going to be extinct at this rate. According tolocals, the rocks here once stood taller, before the Americans used them for target practice in the spring of 1908. Casting anything you want all day long and hooking wahoo, giant tuna, dorado, marlin one after another on every cast. A half-dozen marlin were below, attacking the bait within a few feet of our group. Have you ever noticed that fantastic fishing spots are nearly impossible to get to? . : $950. These places in the bluewater world are teaming with life, and they showcase the dance on a daily basis between apex predators like billfish, sea lions, and anglers. One of the most amazing sights at Mag Bay is watching hordes of striped marlin chase schools of Spanish sardines and tinker mackerel to the surface. In addition, Loreto's waters are home to other species like snapper and seabass, all year long. Your staff could not have been nicer, the fishing was insane, and the captains were amazing. Brian J. Cantwell. Survive, is what an angler does the first few minutes after hooking a striped marlin. The marlin will corral baitfish into tightly packed balls before feeding at will. This means: It is for the same fishing charter, package and date(s), It has identical amenities attached (including the meal plan, cancellation policy, Sport Fishing Charters. We spotted the frigate birds working the surface; when we got close, we could see the marlin in hot pursuit. Nick answers my next question in the affirmative: Yes, John, thats a coyote trying to drag a giant snook into the mangroves. 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. Puerto Vallarta, or simply "PV" is the epitome of Mexico's sportfishing scene. My head snaps around to locate it. 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. It feels like the curiosity is mutual. 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. About. Aldo may be the best captain I have ever fished with. During the calving season, the gray whales migrate to the Baja waters, and so do humans. Ask Bob. The baitfish school together for protection; the ones on the outside are the first to get eaten, so naturally everyone wants to be in the center. The MagBay Advantage; About; Wholesale Registration; Dealer Locator; Product Catalog Its easy to understand that the more remote a location is, the less fishing pressure it receives. The multi-station layout on the Jarrett Bay 56 makes it a one-of-a-kind sportfishing boat. 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. Check with locals or hire one of the guides on the bay to take you to the current hot spot or species. An All Inclusive World Class Fishing Lodge in Magdalena Bay, BCS Mexico, That awkward snippet of time between Christmas and New Years is what I often refer to as the Skin Flap Days. 755 Paseo Obregon. The grounds we fish at are completely loaded with Wahoo, Dorado, Tuna . Infante stuck a Daiwa Saltiga lever-drag reel in my face. That's our story! Many regions of Baja waters still remain untouched by the tourists so you can land upon a lot of rare catch. Prices subject to change without notice. The central Baja region is home to Wahoo, Yellowfish tuna, Wahoo, and Dorado. Our stay at Magdalena Bay was both exciting and educational, but there was still more to come on this trip. . 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. 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. It is such a large area, with so many species and migratory aspects to the fish, thatunless you were to fish 12 months a year, through all the tides, moons, and weatherit would be nearly impossible to figure out this fishery. 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. Prices per day vary but you would pay minimum of $650 for an offshore panga. Shades of blue mix with seasonal browns and greens where the desert meets the saltwater within the calmer main bay. Its relative inaccessibility has allowed it to remain one of those rare places that time has virtually forgotten. Other times, there was a guy on the bow with a spinning rod, throwing some kind of lurehe also was hooking up regularly. Not much, that is, aside from an annual explosion of sardines that attracts mobs of striped marlin, piles of wahoo . For over 18 years, family-operated Mag Bay Tours (U.S. tel. Ive been in the flyfishing industry my entire adult life, and I dont approach fish with trepidation. Round trip transfers from Loreto, the closest airport, are in our listed package prices. Often there will be a half-dozen boats circling one bait ball. 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. All rights reserved. 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. Reservations can be made by contacting Cary or Erika at Success Sport Fishing - 760-230-6331. Standard operating procedure called for fishermen to simply sit in their pangas for the short ride. His captain was Juan Jose Abaroa Flores, who ran the Mucho Loco for the Rolling Stones for many years back in the 1980s. ADIOS LA PAZ CARNAVALE 2018! . I wanted to take the time to give you some really good feedback on our trip with your team this year! 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. Smith has released more than 5,000 billfish on fly in his career. Frozen in the blue quiet. Seattle Times travel & outdoors editor. 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. My imagination is already running full speed when I look across the river and cant believe what I see. Situated on a secluded arm of the Bay the Inn offers six waterside bungalows. One problem I flyfish and got a guide already. Contact Jimmy Camacho from Jimmys Sportfishing. 30 kw generator. 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. Close to 100 miles of mangrove-lined channels and shoreline encircle the area, and where the mangroves stop, the desert takes over. Gathering my thoughts and my breath, I start to move, swimming toward a grey shadow. package offer, etc.). We had two different captains, both were knowledgeable and informative.