A Reel Tradition | The Story Behind Galvan

from a humble garage in Sonora to fly shops across the country, the Galvan family has turned precision, perseverance, and love of fishing into a California legacy.

A Reel Tradition | The Story Behind Galvan

from a humble garage in Sonora to fly shops across the country, the Galvan family has turned precision, perseverance, and love of fishing into a California legacy.

Hosted Trip

Mag Bay Lodge

Striped Marlin & Pelagics on the Fly

Puerto San Carlos, Baja California

Duration

6 nights / 5 guided days

Group Size

6 anglers

Season

Fall and winter

Starting From

$5,500+Tax

Starting from

$5,500+Tax

6 nights / 5 full days of guided fishing

Trip Dates

December 14 - December 18, 2026

2 spots remaining

Hosted by Wil O'Neal

Duration 6 nights / 5 guided days

Group size 6 anglers

Season Fall and winter

Inquire Now

50% non-refundable deposit due upon booking

Overview

Mag Bay Lodge sits on the edge of Magdalena Bay in Puerto San Carlos, on the Pacific side of Baja Sur — one of the most productive pelagic fisheries in the world. Every morning, pangas launch into the open Pacific in search of the same thing: birds. Birds mean bait. Bait means marlin.

Striped marlin are the marquee species, but Mag Bay is no one-trick pony. Roosterfish, golden trevally, dorado, mahi-mahi, sheepshead, and an assortment of Baja's most charismatic bycatch share these waters. Some days feel like checking species off a list. Others feel like you could hook anything at any moment.

This is sight-casting to big fish in open ocean. It is visual, visceral, physically demanding, and completely addictive. Shots rarely exceed 60 feet. Most eats happen frighteningly close to the boat. It feels less like fishing and more like combat — and that's exactly the point.

Wil hosts this December trip from LCO, who fished Mag Bay in December of 2025 and came home with sore arms, a broken rod tip somewhere in the Pacific, and an immediate desire to go back.

Mag Bay is a bucket list trip!

Why Go

Striped marlin on the fly — sight-casting to tailing, surfacing, boiling fish in open ocean

World-class pelagic variety: roosterfish, golden trevally, dorado, sheepshead, and more

Visual, fast-paced fishing — most shots inside 60 feet, most eats close to the boat

Highly capable panga fleet with experienced local guides who know how to find birds and bait

Baja Sur delivers: mangroves, desert, deep blue Pacific — it feels like another planet by the time you reach the coast

Hosted by Wil from LCO, who has fished it and can tell you exactly what to expect — and what to pack

Target Species

Marlin, Dorado, Rooster Fish, Golden Trevally, and more

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Loreto

Fly into Loreto International Airport (LTO). A Mag Bay Lodge shuttle meets you at the airport and drives you approximately 2.5 hours across the Baja Peninsula to Puerto San Carlos. The drive is part of the experience — desert, mangroves, and then the deep blue Pacific. Settle in, meet the crew, and get your gear sorted. The first night at the lodge has a way of turning into a fly-tying session — tie big, tie blue.

Day 2 - 6Five Full Days on the Pacific

Around 6:30–7:00 AM, a shuttle runs you down to the launch — a sunrise scene of pangas, warming engines, and guides ready to go. Once loaded, settle in for the 2+ hour run out of the bay and into the open Pacific. The program is simple: find birds, find bait, find marlin. Fish hard all day. Return to the lodge for dinner and do it again tomorrow.

Day 7Departure

Morning departure. The lodge shuttle returns you to Loreto Airport for connecting flights home.

Accommodations & Lodge

Tropical lodge with poolBreakfast, lunch on the water, and dinner included

Mag Bay Lodge is a full-service lodge situated in the heart of Puerto San Carlos, purpose-built around the fishery. The lodge accommodates up to 8 guests across 4 rooms, each with comfortable beds, AC, and Wi-Fi (though it isn’t very fast and isn’t suitable for remote work). Common areas are built for anglers: communal dining, an outdoor patio, and a pool. Meals are included and run the full day — breakfast at the lodge before the morning shuttle, lunch served boat-side on the water, and dinner back at the lodge each evening.

What's Included

Included

Full-guided fishing (5 days)
6 nights lodging
All meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Lodge shuttle to/from Loreto airport (LTO)
Wifi Access (albeit weak)

Not Included

International flights to/from Loreto (LTO)
Mexican fishing license. We strongly recommend getting this BEFORE you get to Mexico
Guide Tips ($100 to $125/day per angler)
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Specialty alcohol and beer. There are local stores in town where you can buy beer

Getting There

Nearest airport: Loreto Airport (LTO)

Hub airport: Fly into Loreto International Airport (LTO) in Baja Sur, Mexico. Most guests connect through Los Angeles (LAX), Phoenix (PHX), or other western hubs. A valid U.S. passport is required for travel to Mexico.

Lodge shuttle: Mag Bay Lodge provides a shuttle from Loreto airport to the lodge in Puerto San Carlos. The drive crosses the Baja Peninsula and takes approximately 2.5 hours. Coordinate your arrival time with William before booking flights.

Departure: Lodge shuttle returns to Loreto airport on December 19. Confirm your departure flight timing with William to ensure it aligns with the shuttle schedule.

Travel insurance: Strongly recommended. Mexico travel introduces weather, logistics, and health variables that make coverage worth having.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book your Mag Bay Trip and what is the cancellation policy?

Reach out to Wil directly at william@lostcoastoutfitters.com to check availability and get your spot held. A 50% non-refundable deposit is due at booking; the remaining balance is due 60 days before arrival. Travel insurance is strongly recommended — Mexico travel introduces enough variables that coverage is worth having.

What's not included?

Flights to and from Loreto (LTO), your Mexican fishing license (get this before you arrive — strongly recommended), guide gratuities ($100–$125/day per angler), travel insurance, and specialty alcohol and beer. There are local stores in Puerto San Carlos where you can stock up on beer.

What's included in the Mag Bay trip price?

The $5,500/person rate covers six nights of lodging, five full guided days on the Pacific with experienced local panga guides, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and lodge shuttle transfers to and from Loreto Airport (LTO).

What is the weather like in Mag Bay and what clothing is recommended?

December in Baja Sur is generally pleasant, but don't let that fool you on the water. The offshore run is 2+ hours each way, and mornings and evenings can be genuinely cool. Bring layers — a light base, a mid-layer, and a real foul-weather jacket for the run-out. Sun protection is non-negotiable: SPF 50+, a buff, polarized sunglasses, and a hat that won't leave you on the Pacific. Pack quick-dry everything.

What gear should I bring to Mag Bay?

Two 12-weight rods — and bring both, because you will use both. Reels loaded with a minimum of 300 yards of 80 lb gel-spun backing and rigged with Rio Elite Leviathan 500gr line. Leader is straight 80 lb fluorocarbon, kept simple. For flies, think big and think blue — large EP or Brush-style baitfish imitations in blue, blue/white, and natural patterns. Tie more than you think you need. The full gear breakdown is detailed above, and William can walk you through anything before you go.