DORADO FISH COUNTS RISE FOR CHARTER FISHING FLEET

Oct. 14, 2005, Larry Edwards, Cortez Yacht Charters, Cabo San Lucas sportfishing, Baja Sur, Mexico:

Finally, the dorado fishing counts have spiraled upward for the first time in a long time at Cabo San Lucas, and as more dorado move in, so should the black and blue marlin.

The "Gaviota II", skippered by Captain Arnulfo Garcia, landed the only 2 blue marlin this week with the larger of the two at 300 pounds.

Overall Cabo San Lucas sportfishing catches for the Gaviota Fleet reflected 2 blue marlin, 1 sailfish released, 21 stripers, (15 released) 1 wahoo, 31 yellowfin tuna, (to 70 lbs.) and 119 dorado.

The "Fish Cabo" reporting for 3 Cabo San Lucas fishing days reflected 1 striper released, 5 yellowfin tuna and 4 dorado.

The "Fish Cabo I", reporting for 4 fishing days at Cabo San Lucas reflected 3 stripers released, 1 yellowfin tuna and 1 dorado.

Cabo weather ranged from 72 degree nights to 94 daytime highs, mostly sunny & clear. Sea temperatures ranged from 76 on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, at about San Cristobal, with a distinct temperature break running northeast to SW and abruptly changing to 82 degrees.

Most of the dorado were coming off the temp breaks and floating debris but the billfish seemed to be best outside Pozo Cota, at 5-17 miles.

Billfish were caught about 50-50 on live bait and lures, with no particular lure being focused. It was more of a skipper's choice. The dorado, unless on floating debris, came from blind jig strikes and drop backs with live bait.