GOOD WINTER EAST CAPE DORADO FISHING REPORTED FOR RANCHO LEONERO

Feb. 20, 2005, John Ireland, Rancho Leonero, East Cape fishing,, Mexico:

East Cape's fishing water is warming early, 71-73 degrees, two degrees warmer than last week. East Cape had clear flat water all week, and beautiful weather all week, with cool mornings, and pleasant days with temperatures in the low 80's.

Very good dorado (mahi-mahi) fishing continues at East Cape, with larger fish taken this week. Limits for all anglers. The Marlin fishing at East Cape has been consistent for the last month with every other boat scoring a striper. Roosterfish and jacks are schooling and very active inshore, with lots of large schools feeding along the beaches. As usual, the Sierra are biting during the early mornings and evenings.

There's a dead whale 15 miles directly off the ranch, holding bull dorado to 40 pounds. All anglers are catching literally as many dorado as they want. Very hungry fish are biting almost any lure or bait offered. Iron, chunk bait, and live mackerel are all working.

East Cape Striped marlin are biting north of Punta Pescadero again this week. Every other boat is scoring on marlin, with all taken on live mackerel.

Inshore fishing at East Cape had lots of gallos and jacks. Schools are feeding very aggressively up and down the beaches in front of the hotel. We had bigger roosterfish than last week. Sierra, as usual for this time of year, are biting.