SOME MARLIN, DORADO, AND EVEN TUNA
CAUGHT IN WINTER FISHING AT EAST CAPE

Jan. 7-13, 2005, Chris Moyers, East Cape Smoke House, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

As far as the East Cape fishing is concerned, we're picking up right where we left off with some fishing that ain't half bad, for January anyway. The first reporting week of the year saw several East Cape striped marlin and quite a few dorado (mahi-mahi) as well. Heck, we even saw some yellowfin tuna. And let's not forget that we start seeing sierra this time of year too.

East Cape saw an air temperature range between 58-83 degrees so it's close to perfect in that regard. Terrafin indicated a water temperature range of 68-73. The moon is waning towards new, which is always good. The north winds have been picking up in the afternoons on about half the days. It usually blows for a few days then lets up for a few, which is normal. Bait-wise, we've got some mackerel.

As mentioned, East Cape sportfishing action saw several Striped Marlin landed this past week. In fact, the overall catch rate was about 23%. Additionally, one angler managed to land a sailfish. All billfish action was reported to the north off Punta Pescadero in the vicinity of the shark buoys. Lures and Mackerel did the trick there.

Dorado fishing at East Cape continues to happen with an overall catch rate of about 97%. Anglers reported most of the action to the north off Punta Pescadero at the shark buoy stops (where else?). Mackerel and hoochies worked best.

There were several Yellowfin Tuna landed this past week. East Cape fishing saw an overall tuna catch rate of about 13%. Anglers reported some action to the north off El Cardonal (3-4 miles). Mackerel and cedar plugs seemed to be the drugs of choice among the dozen Yellowfin landed this past week. The actual breakdown was like 7 and 5 respectively.

Rounding out the report were 19 Sierra landed by some East Cape anglers who braved the waters to the south when the wind let up. Anglers reported success inshore off Punta Arena. Sardines on wire leaders did the trick there.

East Cape Fishing Summary: Charters 31. Anglers 92. Total Fish 142. Fish/Charter 4.58. Fish/Angler 1.54. Striped Marlin 21. sailfish 1. Dorado 89. Yellowfin Tuna 12. roosterfish/Sierra 0 / 19. Water Temperature 68-73. Air Temperature HIGH 83 LOW 58. Seas Fri-Thurs: mild to moderate seas in the a.m. with moderate to heavy seas developing in the p.m. Winds Fri-Thurs: calm to mild winds in the a.m. developing into moderate to heavy north winds in the p.m.