Baja Flies? Help

[mike cozzens]

Hey Everyone,

I have a buddy who is planning a trip to Baja Mex/Ca to fish for rooster fish, yellowfin tuna, skipjacks, mahi mahi, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

I'd like to tie up a dozen files as a gift, but am clueless as to what I should tie.

I've been tieing flies for 15 years so I have the skills, just not the knowledge. I guess i can always default to clousers and deceivers but if anyone can recommend a pattern or three I would greatly appreciate it!

They are going towards the end of Sept.

Mike

[bigjim5589]

Mike, I used to tie commercially & get some orders for that area. If you have a copy of Lefty Kreh's book of Saltwater Fly Patterns, revised edition, it will give you some good ones.

I got several requests for a Roosterfish fly called a Streeker, which is a deceiver type fly, but the back is a couple of pairs of peacock swords. I've seen various versions, but I know there is one in Lefty's book.

They do all kinds of fishing there, so the flies can vary a lot. But I think as long as they're big & flashy, they should work. :thumbup:

Also, check this site: Baja on the Fly Magdalena Bay Offshore Flies for Saltwater (http://www.bajafly.com/Offshoreflies.htm)

[msaba]

Mike,

I've been fortunate for fish the East Cape area for a number of years, just got back from a trip this past june fishing for the species you mentioned. Gary Bulla's website has flies detailed for the species mentioned such as the tuna tux, and general tan/white deceivers to imitate sardinas etc. Sparse patterns, less flash for roosters,tuna, skipjack and pretty much anything for the dorado! Hands down favorite inshore fly is the crease fly 2/0 will work for everything except sails. Tie me up a few while your at it, looking to get back spring next year!

Mark

[Capt Frank]

Hey Everyone,

I have a buddy who is planning a trip to Baja Mex/Ca to fish for rooster fish, yellowfin tuna, skipjacks, mahi mahi, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

I'd like to tie up a dozen files as a gift, but am clueless as to what I should tie.

I've been tieing flies for 15 years so I have the skills, just not the knowledge. I guess i can always default to clousers and deceivers but if anyone can recommend a pattern or three I would greatly appreciate it!

They are going towards the end of Sept.

Mike

Mike
I'd also recommend emailing Scott Leon, ex Editor of Fly Fishing in Salt Waters. He runs charters out of San Diego, and I'm sure he has a wealth of information, re the Baja, and South. Cal areas. I emailed him recently and I'm sure he would eagerly share any info he has on the area. Check out the video with Nick Curcione, makes me a little homesick for the ocean.

https://www.paradigmshiftcharters.com/

[silverfish]

Hello Mike,

I would suggest that you add some tube flies to your mix. I have found that tube flies, especially in bluewater conditions make the best patterns, not only for the great way they swim, but also for the ability of the angler to quickly adapt to whatever species he finds. Larger or smaller hooks, wire leaders for toothy critters, popping heads for surface bites - all can be added in a matter of minutes to adapt to whatever conditions you find.
Here is an example of a basic "Ocean Runner " pattern that can be tied in a number of colors & sizes. a few popping heads, some hooks from 2/0-6/0, some Terminator titanium wire, and you are ready for tuna, dorado, shark, or whatever.
Steve

[toddkfly]

Look up Tuna Tux. Pretty simple pattern. Brian Horsley used to have a cool how to tie video or slide show. I know they swear by these.

[Capt. Ahab]

I fished East Cape early this june for roosters and mahi. We stayed at a place called Rancho Leonero, excellent accomadations and good panga captains. I caught mahi on hand tied "electric chicken" half-n-halfs. this is my version of a favorite color for soft plastic baits. pink hackles, white bucktail underbelly, chartreuse bucktail back, and light blue mylar on the sides. i'm still in wyoming, otherwise i would send you a picture of this fly. I tried roosterfishing on the fly, but never managed to hook up. got a few strikes, but i dont think my technique was right. fly of choice was blue over white deciever, about 3 or 4 inches long, and blue surf candies, same length. basically just match the bait you're using to chum them up. in my case, it was sardina. good luck!

[Tissy Furnes]

What Mark Saba said. I went last year. Black and white crease flies and poppers worked great for inshore. Black and white clousers in 1/0 to #2 worked well also. Try not to get flashy. Water (at least where I was near La Paz) is super clear and the fish get spooked. The sardiniia is what you want to imitate.

Offshore a small white deciever #1 worked best. Took yellowfin tuna to 15 lbs and outperformed bigger and more colorful patterns.