EAST CAPE BEACH FISHING GOOD THIS WEEK AT PUNTA ARENA

June 1, 2005, Mike Reichner, Baja Beach Captain, East Cape beach fishing, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

I just returned from the East Cape and experienced some fabulous beach fishing at the Punta Arena Light just south of Hotel Punta Colorada.

I got a picture of an amigo with a 44-pound yellowfin tuna he hooked while fishing on the beach just before daylight.

All five of us hooked up on the first cast and four of us were spooled immediately!

An hour later, Phil Irwin slid this grande slab of sashimi up on the playa. Whatta great experience!

We caught the tuna on May 26, 2005, using spinning gear, 8 1/2 foot rods, spinning reels with 20-pound test, and the smallest Stingers available, I think 1 ounce. Just love 'em!

In talking with the locals we were told they had never heard of such a thing. But, the next morning we got into them again but couldn't put anything on the beach; two hooked, two reels spooled...who cares?.

The water temperatures held steady for the entire time at between 77-79 degrees. There was no wind, and very little surf at the East Cape fishing beaches. Over a period of fishing 10 days, we put a variety of fish on the beach; pompano, roosterfish to 20 pounds, jack crevalle to 20 pounds, and the assorted grunts, cornetfish, and unidentifiable pescas.

What were we using?. Hmmmm...nothing but the good ol' Deep Stinger. The hot finish was chrome, out fishing all other colors 4 to 1.

My casa camper in La Ribera is still for rent if anyone might be interested.