TIP OF BAJA MARLIN FISHING MOVES AROUND TO CORTEZ SIDE

Feb. 9, 2007, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico, Larry Edwards, Cortez Yacht Charters:

Cabo San Lucas saw a dramatic change in the fishing location this past week, with most of the catches for billfish moving toward the Sea of Cortez side of the Baja California peninsula.

The 95-fathom spot seemed to be the "hot" fishing area this week for Los Cabos charter boats and it produced some very good feeder action with the striped marlin.

This is the normal time of year for this change as Cabo fishing waters cool on the Pacific side.

The charter boat "Fish Cabo I" was high boat for the week with a 3 marlin and 3 sailfish release day, and it was followed by the "Gaviota 10", reflecting 7 striped marlin released for 2 days.

The overall combined counts for the Fish Cabo and Gaviota Fleet boats for 42 offshore fishing days reflected 46 striped marlin, 13 dorado, 3 sailfish, 1 wahoo, and 13 sierra.

From the Golden Gate Bank on the Pacific side of Baja to Chileno Bay on the Sea of Cortez side, fishing water temperatures ranged from 70 degrees to 71 degrees and notched up at the Gordo Banks off San Jose del Cabo to 72 degrees, with mostly calm mornings and surface winds in the afternoons.

Cabo San Lucas vacation area weather was sunny and clear, with cool mornings and warm days and air temperatures from 56 degree nights to 80 degree daytime highs.

Live bait was best bet overall, but sufficient numbers of billfish were also taken on the artificials lures, especially on the mackerel colors, to keep Cabo anglers on their toes.

The supply of live bait was good this week, mostly mackerel but there are more and more caballitos in the mix.