BILLFISH BITE IS PICKING UP FOR MEXICAN
SPORTFISHING BOATS AT EAST CAPE THIS WEEK

July 31, 2004, John Ireland, Rancho Leonero, East Cape fishing conditions, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

Pleasant weather, with mornings in the low 70's and mild highs around 90, with variable water temp 80-87deg, and afternoon SE breezes. Spotty East Cape fishing this week, lots of fish in the water, but very picky on the bite. Many blues around, 3 released on Saturday. The sailfish bite is picking up, with lots of smaller dorado inside.

Billfish - the East Cape bite is picking up for striped marlin and sailfish, spread throughout the bay, about 15 miles out, with live bait (mackerel) working best. Blue marlin are concentrated in 2 areas, about 25-40 miles off Punta Pescadero, near the 88 Spot, also 6-30 miles off Los Frailes, with fish taking both live bait and lures.

Dorado - schooling fish inside, about 1-3 miles offshore from Leonero to the lighthouse, averaging 5-12lbs, taking mostly live bait and hoochies, limits for all. Big bulls to 40lbs outside, mixed in with marlin, taking trolled lures.

Inside - the East Cape roosterfish bite continues, with larger fish to 65lbs cruising the beaches from Leonero to the lighthouse, taking live bait, with pargo mixed in.

Fisherman of the Week - Mike Palmer of Pomona, CA, while fishing 5 days on a cruiser, took limits of dorado each day, several tuna, and released 2 striped marlin and 1 sailfish.