Fly Fishing Mag Bay Packages:

6 Nights/5 Days $6000pp

5 Nights/4 Days $5,200pp

4 Nights/3 Days $4,200pp

Included: Guided offshore and inshore fishing, single-occupancy accommodations, all meals & happy hour drinks.

Not included: Mexican fishing license, round-trip transport f($250USD per way, can be split among guests sharing shuttle) from Loreto Airport, airfare, gear rentals and gratuities.

*Ask about solo-angler surcharge

Puerto López Mateos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, is a remote, off-the-beaten-path destination. We strongly recommend flying into Loreto Airport (LTO) for the easiest and most direct access. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any logistical questions about booking flights or getting to LTO.

Airport Transfers: Transportation from Loreto Airport to Puerto López Mateos takes approximately 2 hours. The shuttle cost is $250 USD each way, which can be split among guests sharing a ride. Please include your flight details or expected arrival time in the online Trip Questionnaire. On travel day, be sure your cell phone is on with international calling and WhatsApp enabled.

If you plan to arrive via Los Cabos (SJD) or La Paz (LAP), please contact us in advance so we can discuss transportation options.

We’ve truly fallen in love with Puerto López Mateos, and choosing to base our program here was intentional. At the center of that decision are the captains. Many of them are deeply committed to growing fly fishing in the region because they recognize its sustainability value. They understand that fly fishing places emphasis on conservation, stewardship, and long-term resource health, creating an opportunity to protect and strengthen the fishery while supporting thoughtful economic growth within their community.

López Mateos remains a small working town where people still look out for one another. The pace is grounded, the atmosphere welcoming, and the connection to the water feels immediate. We’ve built real relationships here, from Rosa and her family who run the hotel we call home, to the restaurants, local vendors, and the familiar faces at the Saturday market. Over time, the town has become more than a base of operations. It feels like part of the experience itself.

Being slightly off the map is part of the appeal. While San Carlos is often the name most associated with Mag Bay, López Mateos offers a quieter and less disrupted version of the fishery. Fewer boats, less pressure, and long stretches of water where you may not see another angler for days. From here, we have quick access to mangroves, inshore structure, sandy flats, and the open Pacific, allowing us to adapt to conditions while staying immersed in the heart of the ecosystem.

Our goal is simple. To build a program that reflects the best qualities of this place. Authentic, respectful, exploratory, and deeply connected to community and environment. We want guests to experience Magdalena Bay the way we have come to know it, and to leave feeling the same pull that keeps bringing us back.

Lodging: We’ll be staying at a family-owned and trusted hotelito located just three blocks from the boat launch in the heart of Puerto López Mateos. The property is safe, clean, and comfortable, with single-occupancy rooms, each featuring a private bathroom and air conditioning.

This is very much a “motel vibe” stay—and we lean into it. Simple and perfectly suited for early mornings, salty gear, and relaxed evenings. The property has strong Starlink WiFi, an outdoor projector for movie nights, and personal hygiene amenities provided.

We transform the common areas into “Fish Camp North”—complete with rod-washing racks, a BBQ setup, fly-tying space, an onsite pop-up fly shop, and games like cornhole. Just a short walk away are two local piers, offering easy opportunities to cast for snappers, halibut, spotted bass—and who knows what else. It’s casual, social, and all part of the experience.

Fish Ranch Mag Bay operates through close collaboration with the Puerto López Mateos community and the captains who know these waters best. Our goal is not to reshape the fishery or impose an outside model, but to work within an existing culture in a way that is sustainable, respectful, and non-intrusive. By partnering with multi-generational fishermen and local families, we aim to contribute positively to the community while ensuring the experience remains authentic to Magdalena Bay itself.

Over time, our connections here have grown beyond logistics. From the hotel owners who welcome our guests each season to the restaurants, mechanics, dock crews, and families who support daily operations, this program exists because of trust and shared respect. We are proud to operate in a way that supports the local economy while preserving the character and authenticity that make Magdalena Bay special.

Our goal is simple: bring anglers into this system responsibly, introduce them to the people who define it, and create an experience that feels connected to place rather than manufactured for tourism.

Food: We really love food, and after a couple of years of dialing it in, we’re in a great groove. Breakfast is yogurt w/fruit and granola plus grab-and-go burritos. Lunches are sandwiches, fruit, cookies, chips and more self-packed into Yeti lunch bags and eaten on the boat.

Dinners are a mix of seafood-forward outings at local spots and relaxed BBQs featuring regional favorites.Think burgers, lobster, shrimp, halibut, oysters, and more… plus our fan-favorite street tacos (trust us).

 Pechocho's oysters are a go-to, harvested the same day with incredible freshness and flavor. Overall, the vibe is simple, hearty, and delicious.

Magdalena Bay is one of the most dynamic and diverse saltwater fisheries on Earth, a rare convergence of desert coastline, nutrient-rich Pacific water, and vast seasonal bait migrations. Cold-water upwelling, tidal exchange, and protected estuarine habitat combine to create a living system that supports an extraordinary range of species and fishing environments within a single geographic area. Few places offer this level of ecological complexity, where offshore bluewater, reef structure, sandy beaches, and expansive mangrove systems exist in such close proximity.

What makes Mag Bay truly unique is the ability to move between these worlds in the span of a single day. Anglers can pursue pelagic species in open Pacific water at first light, then shift to technical fishing along mangroves, reefs, and shallow structure as conditions evolve. The overlap of migration corridors, habitat diversity, and relatively untouched coastline creates an experience that remains increasingly rare. It is one of the few places left where fishing still feels exploratory, governed more by nature than by development.

Magdalena Bay sits along a highly productive stretch of Pacific coastline where cold-water upwelling, tidal exchange, and large seasonal bait migrations create ideal feeding conditions for pelagic species. Striped marlin and sailfish move through on established migratory routes, following temperature bands and concentrations of sardines and mackerel. Yellowfin tuna track the same bait systems, holding along current breaks and pressure edges where forage compresses.

Dorado and wahoo are drawn to this same offshore structure, favoring temperature breaks, current seams, and floating debris lines where bait gathers. The convergence of migration corridors, nutrient flow, and bait density makes this region a consistent seasonal staging ground for a broad range of pelagic predators.

The inshore and nearshore waters surrounding Magdalena Bay are shaped by mangrove systems, sandy beaches, tidal flats, and reef structure that create highly productive habitat for a wide range of species. Roosterfish patrol bait-rich shorelines and outer sandbars, while corbina and halibut hold in shifting surf zones where tidal movement concentrates forage. Bonefish thrive along protected flats and mangrove edges, using current seams and shallow structure as consistent feeding lanes.

Reef edges and rocky structure support yellowtail, snapper, pargo, spotted bay bass, grouper, and jacks, all closely tied to current movement and bait density. Mangrove channels serve as both nursery and ambush habitat, holding bait and providing year-round structure for predators. The interaction between tidal exchange, estuarine systems, reef complexes, and open coastal water creates a layered inshore fishery that remains active across seasons.

It took us years to source the right set-up in Magdalena Bay, and we couldn't be happier to share it. Beyond an absolutely incredible fishery, we've partnered with a stand-up family of guides & fleet of brand-new custom-built boats, in a uniquely special community. Led by the patriarch of the Garcia family, Sergio, the team also consists of his two sons, Ricky and Rodrigo, cousin Carlitos, and close family friend Leo. These guys run an incredibly tight ship. Safety come first, boats are kept incredibly clean, and guest experience is paramount. They are quickly coming up the curve of adapting to Fly Fishing, but we would not trade their years and years on the water commercial fishing and conventional sport fishing for anything. These guys know how to keep you safe and where to find the fish. Our respect for Sergio and crew is a huge part of why we have chosen Lopez Mateos as home base.

Our 29-foot pangas are spacious and purpose-built for this region, with casting platforms and lean bars both forward and aft. They’re stable and comfortable whether fishing inshore or running offshore.

Late October through December

Late fall marks the most dynamic window of the year in Magdalena Bay. As summer heat tapers and Pacific water temperatures settle into the low to mid 70s, large sardine schools push down the coast and stage along current lines and structure. Cooling air temperatures bring more stable weather patterns and manageable wind, allowing consistent access to both offshore and nearshore water.

This seasonal alignment of temperature bands, tidal movement, and bait density creates ideal feeding conditions for pelagic species moving through established migration corridors. The result is a compressed, high-energy period where multiple species overlap and the fishery operates at full capacity.

Late October

Transition month. Water remains warm from summer, holding strong dorado and yellowfin tuna presence offshore. Striped marlin activity increases as sardine schools begin to concentrate. Nearshore structure remains productive for roosterfish, snapper, and yellowtail.

November

Peak migration overlap. Striped marlin numbers build, sailfish push through, and tuna remain active along temperature breaks. Bait density increases across reef edges and mangrove systems, creating consistent opportunity both offshore and along structure. Weather patterns stabilize, offering access to a wide range of water on most days.

December

Cooling water begins to thin some pelagic movement, but striped marlin remain highly active. Yellowtail and reef-oriented species become more consistent as water temperatures drop slightly. The system remains productive, but the focus gradually shifts from pure bait migration intensity to structure-based feeding behavior.

Fly Fishing Mag Bay: Gear & Preparation

Rods, Reels & Lines

A detailed gear list will be provided ahead of the trip, but generally speaking, Magdalena Bay rewards versatility. Rods ranging from 8wt to 14wt can all see action, with 10wt and 12wt setups serving as the primary workhorses for most fishing scenarios.

Guests should be prepared for variable weather conditions and plan to bring quick-dry clothing and waterproof layers. This is a remote, dynamic fishery—being adaptable goes a long way.

Backup rods and reels are strongly recommended. With advance notice, fly rod rentals may be available. Conventional fishing gear can be provided upon request.

Airline Gear Limits (Important)

Mexican customs strictly enforce gear limits. Please plan accordingly:

• 4 fly rods per person
• 4 reels per person (extra spools count as reels)
• 2 cameras per person

Exceeding these limits may result in a 19% importation tax, and you may be asked to declare the value of your equipment. Drones and certain camera housings may also be subject to import tax.

While some gear can be carried on when flying into Mexico, you cannot carry on rods, reels, flies, spools, pliers, or tools when flying out of Mexico. When in doubt, pack it and check it—regulations are strictly enforced.

Recommended Rod & Line Setups

Roosterfish, Tuna & Dorado

• (2) 9’ 10wt rods
• Clear sink-tip shooting heads
• 300+ yards of 40lb gel-spun backing

Mangroves & Inshore Species

• 8–10wt rod with a full intermediate line
• Backup sinking line spool or a second rod rigged with a sinking line

Billfish

• (2) 9’ 12wt rods
• High-quality large-arbor saltwater reels
• 300+ yards of 50–80lb gel-spun backing

Lines We Like

• RIO Tropical Outbound Short Sinking
• SA Sonar Titan Tropical Clear Tip
• RIO Flats Pro Full Intermediate
• SA Sonar Titan Custom Tip
• RIO Leviathan

Flies for Fly Fishing Mag Bay

For a full week of fishing, we recommend bringing approximately three dozen flies. Local forage can include mullet, mackerel, sardine, ballyhoo, ladyfish, shrimp, and langostas, so fly selection should reflect a range of bait profiles.

Don’t stress if you’re missing something—we’ll have a wide selection of flies available for purchase onsite.

Recommended Patterns

• Cam Sigler Tube Flies in pink/white and blue/white6/0–8/0 single hooks
• Large Deceivers (6–10”) in blue/white, tan/white, pink/white, black/purple, and all white5/0–8/0 hooks (Gamakatsu SL12s, Owner Akis, Trokar TK10)
• Baitfish Patterns (kinky muddlers, deceivers, wiggy airheads, EP minnows)Blue/white, black/white, tan/white, olive/white2/0–6/0 hooks, 3–8” length
• Crease Flies & PoppersAssorted sizes and colors to match local bait
• ClousersChartreuse/white, tan/white, rust#2–2/0 hooks
• Salty Buggers (woolly bugger style)
• Typically 1/0, though 4/0–6/0 can be effective
• Pearl estaz/white with red head; bonefish tan with barred backs
• Shrimp & Langosta Patterns1/0–6/0 hooksRust-orange chenille bodies, craft hair tails, orange rubber legs

Leaders & Tippet

Bring a range of fluorocarbon leaders and tippet:

• 30lb
• 40lb
• 60lb
• 80lb

Non-Angler Activities: Non-anglers and beginners are absolutely welcome on this trip. There are plenty of opportunities to learn alongside your boat partner, enjoy wildlife watching and photography, or simply soak in the experience and cheer from the sidelines. Magdalena Bay is famous for its rich marine life, and it’s common to see whales, dolphins, sea lions, rays, seabirds, and more while out on the water.

López Mateos is a working fishing town, not a tourist hub, so activities beyond boating are intentionally low-key. Non-anglers are welcome to relax at the Hotelito, walk into town, visit the nearby piers, or enjoy quiet downtime between fishing days. For those looking to explore further, a day trip to Loreto can be arranged in advance. The beauty of Mag Bay is its remoteness, simple days, wild surroundings, and a front-row seat to one of Baja’s most productive ecosystems.

While catch and release remains central to the Fish Ranch philosophy, guests who wish to keep fish within sustainable limits are welcome to do so. We are selective about what is harvested, focusing only on species and sizes that support long-term fishery health. For example, we typically retain larger male dorado while releasing females to allow continued spawning and population stability. Depending on conditions, guests may also keep select snapper or wahoo when appropriate.

Fish are professionally cleaned, vacuum sealed, and frozen through a local operation run by Sergio and his team in Puerto López Mateos. The process is handled with care and efficiency, ensuring your catch is properly prepared for travel. To keep harvest responsible and personal, we limit take-home quantities to approximately 30 pounds per guest. This is not a commercial program, but rather an opportunity to bring home a meaningful portion of the experience.

Most guests simply travel with a soft cooler packed with frozen fish, which can be checked or carried on with major airlines. No ice is required, only properly frozen and sealed fillets. There is something special about sharing a meal months later and remembering the moment it was caught on a fly in Magdalena Bay.