BAJA FISHING OFF THE MEXICAN COAST AT EAST CAPE STEADY THIS WEEK

Aug. 20-26, 2004, Chris Moyers, East Cape Smoke House, Combined Fleets, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

East Cape Fishing Charters 310. Anglers 884. Total Fish 1,387. Fish/Charter 4.47. Fish/Angler 1.57.

SPECIES: Blue Marlin 7. Striped Marlin 60. Sailfish 158. Dorado 415. Yellowfin Tuna 737. Wahoo 10.

Water Temperature 82-90. Air Temperature 101-73. Seas: Calm in the a.m. with slight breezes developing in the p.m.

We're seeing some pretty decent Baja fishing down here on the East Cape vacation zone amigos! While the all-important fish-per numbers indicate a slight dip in the action,, the Yellowfin, Dorado and Sailfish bites continue to impress! Better still, the poundage we're seeing is pretty decent. For instance, most East Cape Tuna are averaging 25-40 lbs., which is nice, and we are also seeing some nice bigger ones (40-60 lbs.), including a 115 lb. toad!

As for East Cape Dorado, most fish are in the 25-30 lb. class, which ain't all too bad. Others are in the 15-20 lb. class.

In terms of other billfish, the Striped Marlin bite is marginal and unfortunately, the Blue Marlin bite has cooled considerably and is virtually non-existent at East Cape.

Environment-wise, we are seeing what may become the first hurricane of the season in the Eastern Pacific. Tropical Storm Georgette is currently S-SW of the Baja peninsual with sustained 50-60 mph winds. She's charted to keep moving on a W-NW tack in simply heading out to sea.

Anyway, on the lighter side of the environmental factors, we saw East Cape air temps range between 73-101 this past week. We had very little wind to speak of although we had some rougher seas on Sunday and Monday. We are still seeing some welcome afternoon clouds which are cooling things off nicely. We also saw some more rain in the mountains but none locally. According to Terrafin, East Cape saw water temps range between 82-90 this past week. There was a cooler water front just hanging offshore between the Gordo Banks and Los Frailes for much of the week.

As for the billfish, as mentioned the East Cape Sailfish bite is pretty nice right now. The overall Baja catch rate is about 18%, which is down slightly from 21% the previous week. For the most part, East Cape anglers are reporting success mostly to the north, between Punta Pescadero (10-15 miles) as well as in the vicinity of the shark buoys, and the southern tip of Isla Carralvo. Anglers also reported some fun to the south off Rancho Leonero (1-5 miles). Regarding Striped Marlin, anglers reported limited success to the north off Punta Pescadero (13-28 miles. Anglers also reported some landings to the south off Rancho Leonero (13-15 miles), Cabo Pulmo (13-18 miles), and Destiladeras. As for the several Blues landed, anglers reported landings mostly to the south off La Ribera (22 miles), Cabo Pulmo (13-23 miles), and Destiladeras (12-22 miles). Mackerel and various lures did the trick re: billfish.

Regarding Dorado, the overall East Cape fishing catch rate is about 47% which ain't half bad, although down a bit from the pervious week's 58%. Anglers are reporting some success to the north off Punta Pescadero at the shark buoy stops, but most of the real fun was had to the south between the waters of Rancho Leonero (1/2 mile), La Ribera (1 mile), Punta Colorada (2 miles), El Rincon (1/2 mile), and El Faro (2 miles). Do you see a trend amigos? that's right, the Dodo are hanging pretty close to shore these days. As mentioned, there's some pretty decent fish coming in between 25-30 lbs. Mackerel, sardines, hoochies and various other lures are doing the trick there.

The East Cape Yellowfin bite is pretty HOT right now amigos! the overall catch rate is a stellar 83%. Although it's down from about 100% the previous southern Baja fishing week, it's still darn good! With most fish averaging 25-40 lbs., East Cape anglers are having some serious fun right now. As mentioned we saw a 115 lb. toad brought in on the El Loco II, out of Hotel Palmas de Cortez. That's a nice fish! Where are they swimming, you ask? Anglers reported success mainly to the south off La Ribera (3-6 miles), Punta Colorada (10-12 miles), Punta Arena (7-10 miles), Los Cerritos (8-11 miles), Las Barracas (1/2 mile), Los Frailes (10-15 miles), El Faro (3-5 miles) and all the way down at the Gordo Banks. Everything from mackerel, sardines, cedar plugs, hoochies and various other lures seemed to be the drugs of choice among the pelagic species known as Yellowfinus Tunacomidas.

Rounding out the East Cape fishing report were 10 Wahoo. Anglers reported their Wahoo landings off the Baja coast to the north off Punta Pescadero (14 miles), as well as to the south off La Ribera (21 miles), Cabo Pulmo (5-8 miles), El Faro (1 mile) and Destiladeras (10-12 miles). Rapalas and hoochies did the trick there.