Baja Fly Fishing

[307]

Anybody experienced in southern Baja throwing flies for roosters and dorado? Leaving in 2 days with a loosely planned week. Flying into San Jose del Cabo and have one night in the city before heading north towards Los Barriles. Mag bay may be a bit further than the wife wants to wander but we're leaving most options open.

Would like to fish from the beach with very low expectations of catching anything, but a day or two in a panga is on the list as well.

10 weight is loaded and ready for it's virgin trip to the salt.

 

[RufusB.Marion]

Would love to hear how it goes! Wish I had some advice for ya, but I have only been eyeing Baja for an overland trip myself, no actual experience. The thought of bringing a fly rod or two along for the ride has definitely been kicked around. Hope you have a good time!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I haven't fished Baja but I'd love to go catch roosters. Last summer I was on my way back from Yucatan and chatted with a guy in the Seattle airport that had just come back from Baja chasing roosters, he said to tape up your feet because all the running and chasing on the sand just tears your fee tup after a bit. Just be ready to strip set and don't try to set the hook like you would on a trout.

 

[mntnguide]

You're not really hitting the season right for the East cape. April-July for roosters is prime, they just arent really there right now. You might find some cruising the shore, but more likely you will need to book a boat to go out and find any. . Ill be in Mag bay starting this weekend for a week. Marlin are on fire this year and some of the biggest schools seen in a long time, and we have a great rooster spot, but you arent getting there without a boat also. Not sure if you can find a "day" boat out of Mag, We go for a week with Mag bay lodge, then also hire a long time baja fly guide who knows everything from east cape to mag and has been down there for 15+ years to make sure the trip goes great. Last year was incredible, and the fishing reports we are hearing for this year, have me chomping to get out of this snow and down on the bluewater

 

[Rafttohunt]

Reach out to Felipe Valdez out of LB. If there are Rooster fish around, he will get you on them.

FELIPE VALDEZ SPORTFISHING

The most exclusive sportfishing experience in town, catch roosterfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and more!

felipevaldezsportfishing.com

 

[JFK]

OP, Winds this time of year can be an issue, but based on your handle you are probably used to casting in wind. The bigger issue is that the green colder water can be on the beach and it drives the bait away and shuts down the bite. The lighthouse down through Frailes is where a lot of the surf casters focus but there is definitely stuff to target closer to LB. Lotta smaller roosters in the mouth of the new marina in Ribera as well. Bring binos and watch for the roosters busting bait. Getting one on spinning gear throwing rangers is tough. Getting one on a fly is VERY tough. I’ve never fished down there this late. Mostly May through July for me. You will not have a bad time even if the fishing is bad. That place is pure heaven.

Side note: If you get a panga, it’s usually best to let the Cap decide what to target. I’ve done it both ways, and now I just ask them what they’d go fish for if they were out there with friends. Some days the glamorous fish just aren’t around and I’ve had an absolute blast jigging big snapper and amber jacks off reefs.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I’ve only been down there once on a fishing trip and we were mainly targeting sails with fly gear, but one day we screwed up and didn’t get a boat rented in time, so we ended up borrowing an ATV and running up and down the beach chasing roosters. I was only able to catch one little guy, but that day was an absolute blast. There were a lot of fish cruising the shoreline, and some really big ones too, but that was in July, almost 25 years ago.

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[307]

You're not really hitting the season right for the East cape. April-July for roosters is prime, they just arent really there right now. You might find some cruising the shore, but more likely you will need to book a boat to go out and find any. . Ill be in Mag bay starting this weekend for a week. Marlin are on fire this year and some of the biggest schools seen in a long time, and we have a great rooster spot, but you arent getting there without a boat also. Not sure if you can find a "day" boat out of Mag, We go for a week with Mag bay lodge, then also hire a long time baja fly guide who knows everything from east cape to mag and has been down there for 15+ years to make sure the trip goes great. Last year was incredible, and the fishing reports we are hearing for this year, have me chomping to get out of this snow and down on the bluewater

Yeah, I'm recently aware of the timing issue. Roosters are likely a pipe dream, but even a little one would be cool. Dorado are fairly likely though (panga), from what I've read. I'd love to head over to Mag bay but it's a bit of a drive from sjd and seems like it would require a bit more advanced planning.

LB or Bahia de los Muertes are on the potential target list.

My expectations are low on the fishing front.

 

[mntnguide]

If you link up with a good guide out of LB that knows fly fishing, they will take you out on the boat and probably be able tease some roosters up and still make it a good time, it's just hard with the wind this time of year over there to do anything from the beach really.

Just be careful.. once you start catching Roosters in the surf, it almost makes you wanna leave the wilderness law of Wyoming!

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[307]

If you link up with a good guide out of LB that knows fly fishing, they will take you out on the boat and probably be able tease some roosters up and still make it a good time, it's just hard with the wind this time of year over there to do anything from the beach really.

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The weather forecast shows winds 10 mph and less, but I don't know how accurate that would be on the beach. Assuming that the wind reduces visibility a lot, which makes it harder to find the fish being the primary trouble with the wind vs delivery of the fly?

Would the pacific side be better?

I realize the answer is Mag bay, but I'm not sure if going that far is in the cards.

 

[Oregon]

We do Cabo every year once or twice.
I just looked at dates on pictures. I’ve got multiple rooster fish pictures from late Nov thru Christmas. Los Cabos area. Guaranteed all caught trolling live bait just outside the breakers.
So, I can’t imagine you not being able to find a couple 70 miles up the beach at that time frame. I like your chances.
Regardless, You’ll have a blast. Good luck! We’ll be down in Los Barriles in March.

 

[mntnguide]

The weather forecast shows winds 10 mph and less, but I don't know how accurate that would be on the beach. Assuming that the wind reduces visibility a lot, which makes it harder to find the fish being the primary trouble with the wind vs delivery of the fly?

Would the pacific side be better?

I realize the answer is Mag bay, but I'm not sure if going that far is in the cards.

Yea, Mag bay is pretty much out of the way of everything and not necessarily convenient to get to for sure. And wouldnt be worth just a day or two trip honestly. . From what I know, which im far from any expert on the area, Our guide has lived in LB area for 15 years basically, and doesnt take any clients for Roosters until April or so due to aspect they just arent there on the beach cruising this time of year. He told us they are migratory and dont really show up until later in the spring. Im sure there are still some fish around, but even in prime season, they arent necessarily easy to find over there. . A friend of mine was just up in la ventana area north of LB, and they caught a good amount of roosters, but it was all from a boat and live bait not fly. The Cabo area could have some, the problem will be finding a Fly fishing specific guide who knows what they are doing, that isnt up in Mag right now. Reel Baja, Jeff DeBrown,..we have fished with him before out of Cabo and caught small roosters on the fly from a boat running up and down the shore teasing. Lots of jacks, still fun fishing.

Honestly I would just stick with your current plan, reach out to some LB guides, they know where to find fish still, and fishing off a panga is still fun when they are teasing them in and you are casting into excited fish coming at you fast.