EAST CAPE BILLFISH FOUND ABOUT 10 TO 20 MILES OFF BAJA COAST

May 21, 2005, Roy Baldwin, Rancho Leonero, East Cape fishing, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

The East Cape vacation area had early summer fishing weather, with cool mornings in the mid 60's and afternoon highs to the low 90's, clear, sunny days and mostly calm mornings with some light afternoon breezes. Fishing water temperatures at East Cape have flipped again, with 82 degrees off Isla Cerralvo to 72 degrees off Los Frailes. With the shifting water temperatures, the fishing has spread throughout the bay.

The billfish bite is spread, from Punta Pescadero to Los Frailes, with most fish taken in a narrow band from 15 to 20 miles out, with lots of tailing striped marlin with sailfish mixed in. The fish are picky biters. This should improve as the water temperature stabilizes. Fish taking live bait and trolled lures equally well.

Tuna fishing remains way outside, about 40 to 50 miles off Los Frailes. It's hit-or-miss for tuna of 10-20 pounds, under porpoise, taking live bait, cedar plugs and hoochies.

Dorado fishing at East Cape has moved a bit closer inside, with fish concentrated about 5 miles out, and the best results south of Los Frailes. Some nicer dorado to 45 pounds are taking exclusively live bait.

East Cape inside fishing featured BIG roosterfish this week. Rancho Leonero Manager Gary Barnes-Webb released a fish estimated at over 70 pounds on Friday, with fish from 20-60 pounds off the beaches from Leonero to Las Barracas, taking mostly live bait.