BILLFISH TAKE A BREATHER AT CABO SAN LUCAS
AS LARGER TUNA OF 20 TO 75 POUNDS ARE CAUGHT BY SOLMAR FLEET

Dec. 14-21, 2005, Benjamin Ortega, Solmar Fleet, Cabo San Lucas fishing, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

With the first decline in the Cabo San Lucas marlin bite in more than a month, many sportfishing boats turned to small game fish with moderate to good success during the past week.

A. Richard of Los Angeles fished at Faro Viejo, where he caught a 134-pound striped marlin, and released a sailfish estimated to weigh 106 pounds, while fishing aboard the San Lucas IV. He also sacked a 31-pound snapper.

Bruce Hallen also fished the Golden Gate, where he caught and released a pair of striped marlin estimated at 150 and 165 pounds. Both marlin were taken on live mackerel. He fished the Solmar.

Doug and Sharrie Paoli of Rock Springs, Wyoming fished the Golden Gate Bank aboard the Cabo San Lucas charter fishing boat Solmar, where each caught and released a striped marlin, along with five yellowfin tuna and one dorado.

Moon and Kitty Lew of Pasadena, California, had a productive day on small game fish, taking two dorado to 50 pounds, one 12-pound bonito and seven yellowfin tuna to 50 pounds. They fished the Solmar III off the Cabo San Lucas Old Lighthouse.

The Golden Gate Bank also produced a pair of striped marlin to a Mr. Accut of Portland, Oregon, who fished on the Cabo San Lucas boat Solmar I. One marlin was taken on live mackerel and the other marlin went for a yellow and orange lure.

Three yellowfin and two dorado to 35 pounds where scored by Steve Anderson, who fished the Finger Banks on the Solmar VII.

Signs that bigger tuna have begun showing in Cabo San Lucas sportfishing waters was seen in the catch of four yellowfin tuna from 20 to 75 pounds by Bob Tessler, all taken on live mackerel aboard the Solmar IV at the Golden Gate.

Total Cabo San Lucas catch by the Solmar Fleet included 36 striped marlin of which 24 were released, 29 dorado, 47 yellowfin tuna and one snapper.

Top Solmar Fleet captain honors for the week went to Antonio Romero of the El Torito, whose anglers caught 22 striped marlin, 18 of them released, 28 dorado and 30 yellowfin tuna.