DECENT LATE SEASON ACTION FOUND BY BOATS FISHING AT EAST CAPE

Nov. 5-11, 2004, Chris Moyers, East Cape Smoke House, East Cape fishing report, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

Charters 224. Anglers 650. Total Fish 1,274. Fish/Charter 5.69. Fish/Angler 1.96. Blue Marlin 5. Striped Marlin 37. Sailfish 133. Dorado 873. Yellowfin Tuna 174. Pargo 6. Wahoo 2. Water Temperature 77-82. Air Temperature 88.

East Capebillfish bite has picked up a bit over the last week, thanks in part to a nice little Sailfish run. Better still, the Dorado bite is real nice right now. The East Cape Yellowfin Tuna bite has finally fallen off after a strong and steady run, but there's still a few out there to be had.

There's been very little wind to speak off at East Cape, with the exception of some occasional afternoon breezes. The seas were relatively calm throughout the past week here on the East Cape so that, coupled with the absence of any moderate winds, made for some nice fishing conditions. Bait-wise, we've got sardines and mackerel available for the fish to snack on.

The East Cape billfish count saw a nice jump this past week as the overall catch rate climbed to about 27%. The hottest area for billfish this past week seemed to be off Punta Pescadero in the vicinity of the shark buoy stops. The Sailfish bite led the way with anglers reporting some fun mostly to the north between the waters of Punta Pescadero (12-15 miles, and in the vicinity of the shark buoy stops), and El Cardonal (15-20 miles). Some action was also reported to the south off Destiladeras (2-5 miles). There was also some decent Striped Marlin action reported to the north off Punta Pescadero (12-19 miles and in the vicinity of the shark buoy stops), as well as to the south off La Ribera (12-15 miles). Several Blues were also landedat East Cape, mostly off Punta Pescadero (12-15 miles and in the vicinity of the shark buoy stops). Mackerel and various lures did the trick regarding billfish this past week.

The East Cape Dorado bite is pretty happening right now and anglers are reporting lots of hookups and landings. It's been so good that the overall catch rate jumped to well over 100%. The problem, if you can call it that, was that there wasn't much poundage coming in with most fish in the 15-20 lb. class. Still, East Cape anglers reported some fun. Some Dodo action was reported to the north off Punta Pescadero out at the shark buoy stops as well as straight off Los Barriles (10-20 miles), but most action was reported to the south between the waters of La Ribera (6-10 miles), Bajo San Luis (3-6 miles), and Destiladeras (2-3 miles). Mackerel , sardines and hoochies did the trick there.

The East Cape Yellowfin bite finally fell off after a pretty nice run. There's still some out there, but they're just not in the abundant numbers we've gotten used to seeing. This past week saw the overall catch rate drop to about 27%, which is still a lot better than a sharp fishhook in the foot. Anglers reported action mostly to the south off La Ribera (10-15 miles), Los Cerritos (15-20 miles), and Bajo San Luis (3-5 miles). Some action was also reported straight off Los Barriles (25-30 miles). Mackerel, sardines and cedar plugs remained the drugs of choice among the pelagic species known as Yellowfinus Tunacomidas.

Rounding out the East Cape fishing report were a couple of Wahoo landed to the south off Destiladeras (3-4 miles), on rapalas. Also landed were 6 Pargo, close in off La Ribera on sardines, and 44 White Bonita, all landed off Los Cerritos (17 miles).