Fishing Outlook & Conditions
Inshore Temp:
87
Offshore Temp:
90
The Reel Baja's Tip of the Week
With the weather getting hot some of the best fishing will be early in the morning and late afternoon. Concrete on those times especially if fishing from the beach. The fish can certainly be active other times of day but those “magic hours” can be some of the best.
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Tide data
Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby
The Reel Baja5-Day Outlook as of 10/21/26
This week we expect rain and wind with the approaching hurricane and storm systems in our area.
Techniques & Tips as of 10/21/26
Inshore - This time of year we see a lot of action early in the mornings as well as the low light hours in the evenings. People tend to over look these time periods. If you want some great action get up and on the water early or fish a little later in the day as those "magic" hours can be great. Offshore - have a few different rods ready from 8wt. to 12/14wt as you never know what you might encounter as far as species and size of fish. It never fails you will be running to a destination and you run into feeding fish on your way. You need to be ready for anything before you leave the dock.
Current Conditions as of 10/21/26
As we approach the end of our East Cape fishing season, things have slowed down considerably for fly anglers. We’re still finding a few roosterfish, along with the occasional billfish offshore, but dorado and tuna fishing remain very slow. We lost several fishing days last week due to another couple of storms passing through the area. Fortunately, the weather has turned around nicely over the past two or three days, with beautiful conditions, very little wind, and plenty of sunshine. Temperatures remain quite warm, and the water is still unusually warm for this time of year. The roosterfish are still providing some opportunities for anglers fishing from the boat, and we’re occasionally seeing billfish offshore. Tuna have generally been too far offshore to make them a practical target for our fly-fishing trips, while dorado remain scarce. Along the beaches, there are still some small, school-size fish showing in certain areas, offering a few opportunities for anglers willing to put in the time. Overall, it’s definitely late-season fishing here on the East Cape. We’re still getting out when conditions allow and making the most of the opportunities available. MAGDALENA BAY — OUR NEXT ADVENTURE In approximately five days, I’ll be heading over to Magdalena Bay to begin our fall fishing season, which will run through December. Reports coming out of Mag Bay have been fair so far. There have been a few tuna and the occasional dorado, but the big news is that the marlin bite we normally expect this time of year has yet to really develop. My feeling is that the unusually warm water temperatures have something to do with the delay. Typically, this is the time of year when we begin seeing some incredible striped marlin activity, but Mother Nature seems to be running on her own schedule this season. I’m optimistic that the fish will eventually show up in better numbers. The big question is when. We’ll just have to watch what develops over the next several weeks and hope the conditions begin to fall into place. That’s part of fishing — every season is different, and sometimes a little patience is required. I still have a couple of openings available in December for Magdalena Bay. If you’ve been thinking about experiencing this incredible fishery, please reach out. I’d be happy to discuss the options and help put together a trip. LOOKING AHEAD — BAHAMAS FLY FISHING Once we get through our Magdalena Bay season, we’ll be turning our attention to the Bahamas after the first of the year. For those of you interested in trading Baja’s offshore fishing for the beautiful flats of the Bahamas, we have some exciting trips planned. If a Bahamas fly-fishing adventure is on your calendar, now is a great time to get in touch and discuss availability. FINAL THOUGHTS It’s been an interesting season here in Baja, with unusually warm water, passing storms, and fishing patterns that haven’t always followed the calendar. As we wrap up another East Cape season and prepare for Magdalena Bay, I’m looking forward to seeing what the next several weeks bring. Hopefully, those marlin will make their appearance, the water conditions will improve, and we’ll have some great fishing to report. As always, I’ll keep everyone updated on what’s happening on the water. Thanks to everyone who has fished with us, followed our reports, and supported Reel Baja. We appreciate it and look forward to sharing more adventures with you. Tight lines, REEL BAJA FLY FISHING East Cape • Magdalena Bay • Bahamas Interested in a December Magdalena Bay trip or one of our upcoming Bahamas adventures? Get in touch — we’d love to have you join us!Local Species Available Year Round
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Roosterfish
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tunas
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marlin
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jacks
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sailfish
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dorado
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wahoo
The Reel Baja's Recommended Fly Patterns
"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
| Name: | Colors: | Size(s): |
|---|---|---|
| TRB Sardina | Olive and white | 2/0 - 4/0 |
| TRB Special Rooster Fly | Blue and White | 2/0 - 4/0 |
TRB Sardina
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The Reel Baja's Recommended Gear
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Best Leader:
Mirage Big Game Leaders
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Best Tippet:
Mirage Pure Fluorocarbon Tippet
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Best Fly Fishing Rod:
10-Weight 9' Fly Rod
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Best Floating Fly Line:
Saltwater All-Rounder WF Fly Line
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Best Sinking Fly Line:
Class V Sink Tip Fly Line