SOME BILLFISH CAUGHT NORTH TO PUNTA PESCADERO

Jan. 1, 2005, John Ireland, Rancho Leonero, East Cape, Baja Sur, Mexico Fishing Report:

East Cape had mild fishing weather, with cool mornings in the 60s and afternoon highs near 80, with partly cloudy, calm fishing conditions all week. East Cape sea water temperatures were cooling at 70-72 degrees. With the ideal fishing weather and more guests enjoying the holiday week, more boats went fishing at East Cape, finding more fish.

Striped Marlin were caught with some sailfish mixed, and they are spread north, from Rancho Leonero to Punta Pescadero, 5-10 miles out, taking a mix of live bait and trolled lures. They are biting more aggressively this week.

East Cape dorado (mahi-mahi) are concentrated on the buoys off Punta Pescadero the last several weeks, averaging 10-15 pounds, with some larger bulls to 30 pounds mixed in, taking mostly live sardinas, mackerel and hoochies. Many East Cape charter fishing boats taking limits.

School-sized yellowfin tuna were biting at the tuna hole off Cabo Pulmo, taking mostly weighted live bait, with some bigger fish to 40 pounds mixed in. There was very little fishing pressure there, as most East Cape charter fishing boats fished north for dorado and marlin.

East Cape inside fishing showed lots of sierra, taking live bait, hoochies and chrome, off most area beaches. One boat released 22 sierra in 3 hours. Roosterfish were also active, from Rancho Leonero to the lighthouse, with many taken by shore fishermen casting live bait.