EAST CAPE BOAT SCORES 2 STRIPED MARLIN
AND 2 JACK CREVALLE IN SLOW FISHING WEEK

June 11, 2005, Bill Burkett, Fat Cat, East Cape fishing, Mexico:

It was not a real hot week of East Cape fishing on the Fat Cat. We fished four days during the report period for 2 striped marlin and 2 toros, or jack crevalle.

The biggest problem for all the Los Barriles fishermen is the lack of quality live bait. There are virtually no sardinas or mackerel in the area, which makes it necessary to travel 25 miles north to Cerralvo Island each morning to buy macs.

That wouldn't be so much of a problem, if the marlin were showing in numbers there. However, the main concentration of marlin are located about 10 miles out from La Ribera, which makes for a 50 mile trip before lines go in the water. Those East Cape sportfishing boats that have made the trip have done well. Those that tried fishing closer to the bait source, like we did, had fewer opportunities. The good news about all of this is that the marlin are at least showing interest in bait again.

The Toros were caught from my mooring buoy with our remaining mackerel. While not much good as table fare, they do put up a good fight. And they're running large this year, at 25-30 pounds.