STRIPER BITE GOES INTO ITS FOURTH WEEK

Dec. 16-22, 2004, Benjamin Ortega, Solmar Fleet, Cabo San Lucas Fishing Report, Mexico:

The Cabo San Lucas striped marlin bite, now into its fourth week, shows no sign of let up in waters from the Jaime Bank all the way to the Gordo, with live mackerel the top bait producer.

Oregon angler John Wilson's Cabo San Lucas fishing catch that included two stripers released, along with a 67-pound dorado -- all taken from the Solmar II off the Migrino -- typified angling results in recent days.

Terry Schilling of Yakima, WA, was another who caught two stripers. His came off Cabo San Lucas' Faro Viejo aboard the Solmar VII.

Even wind and heavy seas failed to dent the billfish bite for the Nevada family of Richard, Donna, Matthea and Daniel Kansteiner, who shared the thrill in catching two stripers while fishing on the Cabo San Lucas charter boat San Lucas VI at the Gordo Bank.

One of the rare visitors to Cabo San Lucas waters, a 138-pound thresher shark along with a striped marlin, created lots of excitement with three Cleveland, Ohio anglers, Bruce Haynes, Eddie Picone and Tom Baker. They fished on the Cabo San Lucas boat Solmar IV off the Lighthouse.

Catherine and Henry Leis of Eagle River, Aka., released one of the larger Cabo San Lucas striped marlin of the week, which the crew of the Solmar estimated to weigh 185 pounds. It was taken in waters off the Migrino.

Lindon Lilly of Merlod, Calif., fished the San Lucas IV off Punta Pozo del Cota where he bagged a 174-pound striper on a live mackerel.

Rounding out the weekly Cabo San Lucas fishing report included a fair bite on yellowfin tuna, as reported by skippers of the Solmar III and San Lucas IV. Mario of Las Vegas caught six of the tunas off the Gordo while fishing from the Solmar III. Ralph Rose of Pinole, Calif., found an equally good tuna bite off the Lighthouse, where he brought four aboard the San Lucas IV.

Total Cabo San Lucas Catch: 48 Striped Marlins; 37 Yellowfin Tunas 33 Dorados; 7 wahoo; 14 Bonitas.