GIANT SQUID PROVIDE GOOD BAIT FOR EAST CAPE
SPORTFISHING BOATS AT LA RIBERA AND LOS BARRILES

Oct. 22, 2005, Roy Baldwin, Rancho Leonero, East Cape fishing, Baja Sur, Mexico Report:

Early fall weather continues in the East Cape fishing area, with cooler mornings in the low 70's and afternoon highs around 90, 2 days of north wind, and water temperatures holding steady at 82-85 degrees. Fishing at East Cape was early a carbon copy of last week, with a strong tuna bite, and a continuation of the steady sailfish and striped marlin bite. Giant squid off La Ribera and Los Barriles continue to provide great tuna and dorado bait.

The East Cape billfish bite remained in the same area this week, with a 50/50 mix of striped marlin and sailfish, concentrated about 5 miles off Punta Pescadero. It was a steady bite, with most fish taken on lures.

There is a strong tuna bite, but smaller fish this week, with some schooling fish under porpoise, as well as small pods of free swimmers, about 10 miles out from La Ribera to Cabo Pulmo. Tuna are averaging 10-20 pounds, taking chunk squid and live mackerel.

A few wahoo were caught this week, taking dark colored lures, mostly south, from the lighthouse to Cabo Pulmo.

East Cape Dorado fishing action was the same as last week, averaging 10-20 pounds, mostly south, from the lighthouse to Cabo Pulmo, about 5 miles out, taking live mackerel and chunk squid.

Some roosterfish were caught off East Cape beaches from La Ribera to Las Barracas, taking live mullet. A few amberjack and pargo were caught on the reefs off La Ribera taking chunk squid. There is no fishing pressure there, as most East Cape sportfishing boats are chasing tuna. There are still lots of giant squid on the reefs off La Ribera and Los Barriles.