EAST CAPE BILLFISH ACTION MOVES SOUTH TO BAJA'S LOS FRAILES AREA

May 14, 2005, John Ireland, Rancho Leonero, East Cape, Baja fishing report, Mexico:

Summer is starting early at East Cape, with cool mornings in the mid 60's and afternoon highs to the low 90's, with clear, sunny days and mostly calm mornings with some afternoon breezes. East Cape had variable water temperatures from 74 degrees off Cerralvo to 80 degrees off Los Frailes. The bite has moved south, following the warmer water, with most species biting better this week.

The East Cape billfish bite has moved south, from Leonero to Los Frailes, very spread 3-20 miles out, with lots of tailing striped marlin with sailfish mixed in. A steady bite, averaging more than 1 per boat, with fish taking live bait and trolled lures equally well.

Tuna remained way outside, about 50 miles off Los Frailes. It's hit-or-miss fishing for tuna of 10-20 pounds under porpoise taking live bait, cedar plugs and hoochies.

The East Cape dorado bite has spread throughout the bay, with fish concentrated about 10 miles out, with lots of fish being sighted but few biters. Some nice dorado to 40 pounds taking exclusively live bait.

Wahoo are starting to bite from Cabo Pulmo to Los Frailes, about 6-7 miles out, with 'hoo to 50 pounds taking live bait and lures equally well.

Inside, the roosterfish bite picked up this week at East Cape, with fish from 10-60 pounds off the beaches from Leonero to Las Barracas, taking mostly live bait.