EAST CAPE FISHING BOATS FIND TUNA SWIMMING WITH PORPOISE

Aug. 6, 2005, Roy Baldwin, Rancho Leonero, East Cape, Mexico Fishing Report:

East Cape had mild August fishing weather, with warm mornings in the mid 70's and afternoon highs to the low 90's, clear sunny days, calm mornings, and some afternoon SE breezes. East Cape fishing water remains very warm, with 84-88 degree water throughout the bay. There was a good marlin and sailfish bite with lots of tuna early in the week, slowing the last 3 days. Some wahoo and dorado are also biting, with pargo and roosterfish active inshore.

Billfish fishing had lots of stripers mixed with sailfish and small blues, spread throughout the bay, starting at about 5 miles offshore. Leonero homeowners Adam and Shar Sanford won the East Cape Bisbee with a 344 pound blue marlin, earning $244,000 in the process. Congratulations!

Tuna fishing at East Cape had good action early in the week, with yellowfin tuna under huge schools of porpoise about 15-20 miles off the lighthouse. Fish averaged 15 pounds with many fish over 30 pounds (largest 87 pounds) taking hoochies and cedar plugs.

Dorado fishing was still a lean bite, with some fish averaging 20-30 pounds coming in daily, very spread, taking mostly live bait. A 54 pound dorado won this class in the Bisbee.

There were a few wahoo this week, taking mostly dark colored lures.

Inside, the roosterfish bite remains strong, with larger fish to 70 pounds off the beaches from La Ribera to Las Barracas, taking live bait. Some nice pargo to 23 pounds came in from the reefs off La Ribera.