FISHING ABOARD THE CHARTER PANGA SPLASH AT HOTEL PALMAS DE CORTEZ

Sept. 17, 2005, David Kim, East Cape fishing, Baja Sur, Mexico:

My son Andy and I stayed at Palmas De Cortez. East Cape fishing was hot and cold.

Ernesto was the captain of our panga "Splash." We fished for four days, Sept. 6-9. The tuna was caught straight out 15-20 miles from Palmas. The roosters were caught between Rancho Leonero and La Ribera.

The fishing weather was nice, hot, high 90s, afternoon breeze. Seas were calm except for one front that moved in on Thursday afternoon.

We caught 15 tuna to 35 pounds on small sardinas, bring #2 hooks, 4 roosters averaging about 20 lbs, except for one that was about 60 lbs on 30 pound test, on slow trolled caballitos. We missed on two wahoos that circled the boat while I was fighting the big rooster.

Also missed a blue marlin about 200 lbs earlier.

East Cape sportfishing boats averaged about one marlin or sailfish. Dorado was slow. A group chartered a van to go fishing at La Paz for dorado. Tuna was hit or miss. Ladyfish and needlefish on light tackle from shore was fun.