MIXED BEACH AND BOAT FISHING ACTION FROM SAN JOSE DEL CABO TO LA PAZ

Oct. 20, 2006, Andrew Moss, East Cape, Las Arenas, and La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

Here's a report for my Baja fishing trip from Oct. 14-18, to the East Cape, La Paz, and Las Arenas areas, along with Chris Vail and Jeff Reid from San Diego.

On Oct. 15th we made the long East Cape fishing run from Punta Colorado to the Gordo Banks for limits of yellowfin tuna of 15 to 30 pounds, plus the occasional dorado in the 18 pound class.

The first fishing stop was scratch fishing for the larger yellowfin tuna models, 30-plus pounds. Our second stop was wide open, with every sardina in the water getting bit. After the fix box was full, it was time to experiment with throwing everything from Tady 45's to Pili Poppers. The biggest fish of the day was hooked on the surface jig. Baja fishing weather was in the high 80's with a moderate wind making the morning a bit chilly and the ride home a bit bumpy.

On Oct. 16th, we fished at East Cape off La Ribera for striped marlin. After trolling a few live skipjack in the morning, the captain decided the surface bite was not going to happen. After rigging a dropper-loop, and fishing a large scad at 300 feet, the stripers began to chew. We released 1 fish of 150 pounds and the another 2 we hooked eventually hopped off. After a little chill in the morning, the East Cape weather warmed up to a beautiful low-90's.

On Oct. 17th, we made the Baja drive north to La Paz and fished the east side of Isla Espiritu Santo. Using hoochies, we caught a dozen small skipjack for bait and trolled both stripped and whole dead for dorado from 20 to 30 pounds. The bite was a bit slow, with a total of 6 fish hooked and 3 landed. Baja fishing weather was in the high-80's with a moderate wind in the morning and early afternoon making the ride out a little bumpy.

On Oct. 18th we made the short, but very eventful Baja drive from Punta Colorada to Punta Arena. After navigating the "not so dry" riverbed, and dodging the cows we finally landed the Baja rental car on the beach at Punta Arena. We watched a beautiful sunrise and began to fish the beach for ladyfish, needlefish and one goatfish. Throwing 2-inch plastics on a 1/4-ounce leadhead did the trick on the ladyfish. Some larger needlefish were taken on the hard baits.

In East Cape, we stayed at Hotel Punta Colorada and fished with their fleet on the boat Ginebra both days.

In La Paz, we fished with Jonathan Roldan's Tailhunter International outfit. The captain put us on the fish. This was my first time in La Paz, and Jonathan's group was amazing. They helped with everything and verified we got into town safely.

(See "Mexico Fishing News" online for current fishing reports, photos, weather, and water temperatures from Baja and other major Mexican sportfishing areas. Vacation travel articles, fishing maps and seasonal calendars, and fishing related information for Baja California may be found at Mexfish.com's main Baja page.