HURRICANES ROIL BAJA SPORTFISHING WATERS AT CABO SAN LUCAS

Sept. 17, 2004, Benjamin Ortega, Solmar Fleet, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

For the second consecutive week, hurricanes have battered Cabo San Lucas fishing waters, while leaving little damage if any to shoreside facilities. In spite of the storms, there was some good fishing -- albeit in rough water.

For instance, there as the 330-pound Cabo San Lucas blue marlin, five yellowfin tuna and single dorado taken by first-time California angler Fred Clark. He fished aboard the Solmar IV at the Faro Viejo Bank.

Carlos Adame of La Paz, B.C., boated a jack and yellowfin tuna, and released a striped marlin off the Gordo Banks, fishing the Cabo San Lucas fishing boat San Lucas V.

Judd Bradbury and brother Gary worked different waters to take billfish aboard the Solmar IV on separate outings. Judd boated a 90-pound sailfish off the Faro Viejo, Cabo San Lucas. Gary whipped a 140-pound striper off the Old Lighthouse. "It was one of those occasions where you will see one or none," Judd Bradbury observed regarding billfish sightings. "We found one (each)."

Another golden state angler, Dan Larson, settled for a pair of dorado and skipjack that he caught during a heavy rain while fishing the San Lucas IV at the Faro Vieo.

Cabo San Lucas fishing Captain of the week honors went to Mario Aballo of the Solmar IV, whose passengers caught three striped marlin, nine dorado and six yellowfin tuna.

Total Cabo San Lucas fishing catch for the week by the Solmar fleet in 46 outings included 12 striped marlin, three released, 30 yellowfin tuna, 23 skipjack, 23 dorado, nine sailfish, two released, and four blue marlin, one released.