ROOSTERFISH STILL BITING THIS WEEK FOR RANCHO LEONERO BOATS

Sept. 17, 2005, Roy Baldwin, Rancho Leonero, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico Fishing:

East Cape fishing weather was dry weather for September, with warm mornings near 80 and afternoon highs cresting 100, calm blue seas, some afternoon southeast breezes, and warmer water temperatures at 87-90 degrees.

It was an exceptional fishing week at East Cape for tuna and dorado, a steady billfish bite, and the continuation of the inside roosterfish bite. There were lots of giant squid off La Ribera.

The billfish remained active at East Cape this week, with a mix of blue marlin, striped marlin and sailfish, about 10 miles straight out, from Leonero south to Cabo Pulmo. There was little fishing pressure as most East Cape charter fishing boats are chasing the hot tuna and dorado bite.

The best results for a steady pick of stripers and sails was coming from teasing the fish up with lures, then throwing live mackerel on the tailers. Some blue marlin were mixed in, largest 360 lbs, taking exclusively trolled lures.

Tuna fishing was a long boat ride to the Gordo Banks, where the tuna bite is hot, with lots of larger fish 30-60 lbs. Smaller tuna were closer in off La Ribera, taking squid, hoochies and cedar plugs.

Dorado fishing at East Cape included lots of nice fish in the 40-50 lb range, north off the buoys at Punta Pescadero, taking exclusively live mackerel. Smaller fish averaging 10-15 lbs are within 1 mile of the beach, straight in front of Leonero, taking live bait and hoochies.

A few wahoo came in this week, taken mostly on dark colored lures.

The roosterfish bite continues inside, with fish to 40 lbs off the beaches from La Ribera to Las Barracas, taking live mullet. Lots of giant squid on the reefs off La Ribera.