DORADO AND MARLIN LANDED DURING FISHING TRIP OUT OF LA RIBERA

May 8, 2005, Russ Fritz, La Ribera fishing, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

I arrived back home in La Ribera last Sunday and finally got out on the water on Friday. Craig Jones of Los Angeles, got his first striped marlin, and I landed a nice dorado and a very nice cabrilla, which is intended for the grill tonight.

The marlin took a live mackerel, after attacking a black & purple 7" hoochie.

The dorado took a slow trolled sardine at Las Barracas, and the Cabrilla did the same. We were bit off 5 times, by large pargos, which we could see cruising in a school on the surface over the reefs. I can only speculate why the pargos were schooled and cruising on the surface, as they didn't appear to be chasing baits. Perhaps some sort of mating activity? If someone with more knowledge can shed some light, I'd appreciate it.

The annual north winds are subsiding, and temperatures are beginning to climb. Mornings are still very comfortable, and the highs are in the upper 80s, so water temps are up to 76 to 78 on the East Cape. The tuna are still 35 to 40 miles to the East, and the marlin are scattered from 7 to 10 miles offshore from Punta Pescador to Frailes.