OFFSHORE FISHING WATER TEMPERATURES REACH 90 DEGREES AT EAST CAPE

Aug. 27, 2005, Roy Baldwin, Rancho Leonero, East Cape, Baja, Mexico Fishing:

The East Cape fishing area had typical August weather, with warm mornings in the mid 70s, afternoon highs to the mid 90s, calm mornings, and some overcast at week's end providing some relief from the heat and an occasional rain shower.

Inshore fishing water at East Cape has cooled to around 80-82 degrees, but offshore fishing water remains hot at 88-90 degrees.

The tuna bite picked up markedly the last couple of days, combined with a very consistent billfish bite and a resurgent amberjack and pargo bite made for a good fishing week on the East Cape.

Lots of striped marlin and sailfish were caught, averaging 2 per boat, a bit further outside looking for warm water, starting about 15 miles out, from Leonero to Cabo Pulmo, taking live mackerel and trolled lures equally well. Fewer blue marlin were caught this week.

It was a better week for tuna fishing at East Cape, averaging 2-3 per boat the last few days, with fish averaging 20 pounds, largest 50 pounds, closer in, about 5-10 miles off La Ribera. The fish are in open water, taking live sardinas, hoochies and cedar plugs.

Dorado fishing was slower this week, with some fish from 15-30 pounds coming in daily with the best action south about 10 miles out, from the lighthouse to Cabo Pulmo, taking live mackerel and sardinas.

Inside, the roosterfish bite remains strong, with fish to 40 pounds off the beaches from La Ribera to Las Barracas, taking live mullet. Amberjack, pargo and cabrilla to 30 pounds are taking weighted live sardinas and mackerel on the reefs off La Ribera.