VACATION ANGLERS FIND PARGO AND
ROOSTERFISH CRUISING OFF EAST CAPE BEACHES

Sept. 18, 2004, John Ireland, Rancho Leonero sportfishing results, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

Warm weather all week, with mornings around 70 and afternoon highs to the low-90's, with warm, blue water around 87 deg. A bit stormy at midweek with the passage of Hurricane Javier on the Pacific side, but no missed fishing days. The wide-open East Cape tuna and dorado bite continues, with limits for all anglers. A very active sailfish and blue marlin bite. East Cape fishing action is very spread, with fish from Leonero to Cabo Pulmo, with the tuna and dorado 3-5 miles offshore, and the billfish 10-15 miles out.

East Cape Billfish - lots of sailfish, and the return of blue marlin in numbers, spread throughout the bay, from Leonero south to Cabo Pulmo. Many aggressive smaller blue marlin (less than 300lbs), with live mackerel presented to tailing fish and trolled squid colored lures working best.

Dorado - the strong bite continues, with schooling fish from Leonero to Cabo Pulmo, 3-5 miles out, with fish from 5-30bs, taking mostly live sardinas, mackerel and hoochies, limits for all. Big bulls to 45lbs outside, taking trolled lures.

Yellowfin Tuna - a continuing hot bite. No longer under porpoise, schools of tuna from 5-40lbs taking live bait, hoochies and cedar plugs. Most boats limiting out, with tuna from Leonero to Cabo Pulmo, 3-5 miles out.

Inside - some pargo mixed in with lots of hungry roosterfish, cruising off most East Cape beaches, from Leonero to the lighthouse. Slow trolled live sardinas and caballitos working best.

Fisherman of the Week - Dan Walsh of Leucadia, CA, while fishing 3 days on a cruiser, took or released 2 blue marlin (largest 470lbs), 4 sailfish, limits of dorado and tuna.