FISHING ACTION ERRATIC IN COOLER WATER
THIS WEEK FOR ANGLERS AT RANCHO LEONERO

June 10, 2005, Roy Baldwin, Rancho Leonero, East Cape, Baja fishing, Mexico:

The East Cape vacation area had very pleasant weather, with cool mornings in the mid 60's and afternoon highs to near 90, clear, sunny days and mostly calm mornings, some early morning fog and afternoon SE breezes.

The fishing water temperature at East Cape was cooler this week, with 76 degrees off Cerralvo and 70 degrees off Los Frailes.

With the cooler water, the bite was very erratic, with lots of flags one day followed by nearly nothing the next. There are lots of fish in the water, but they don't seem interested in biting. However, schools of sardinas are reported off Isla Cerralvo, and once they move in closer, look for an improved bite.

Billfish action is very spread at East Cape, from Punta Pescadero to Los Frailes, about 10-20 miles out, with tailing striped marlin everywhere. Four swordfish were hooked up, and a couple of black marlin were taken as well. The fish remain picky biters, taking live bait only.

The East Cape tuna bite was slower this week, with tuna under porpoise about 10-30 miles straight off Rancho Leonero. Tuna of 15-30 pounds are taking hoochies and cedar plugs. The fish are skittish, with the schools going deep after the first couple of hookups. Football-sized tuna are very close in, about a mile off La Ribera, taking mostly hoochies.

East Cape dorado fishing had few fish, very spread, taking mostly trolled marlin lures.

Inside, the roosterfish bite was steady, with fish 20-50 pounds off the beaches from La Ribera to Las Barracas, taking live bait. Amberjack and some yellowtail were taken off the reefs early in the week. Pargo and large pompano are taking bait off Los Frailes.

Phil and Pam Bensimon of La Mesa, Calif., won the Let's Talk Hookup Tournament, while Rancho Leonero regulars Mike and Carol McCabe of San Diego, Calif., along with Chuck Wortz of Bisbee, Ariz., in one spectacular day of fishing, took or released 2 black marlin, 5 striped marlin, and 6 yellowfin tuna. First time East Cape fisherman Charlie Ladas lassoed an 80-pound swordfish that somehow got the line double wrapped around the middle with the hook snagged on the line, earning him the nickname "Swordfish Cowboy."