MEXICO YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHING GOOD FOR BOATS AT EAST CAPE HOTELS

Oct. 21-27, 2005, Chris Moyers, East Cape Smoke House, East Cape fishing, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

For combined East Cape sportfishing fleets including Hotel Palmas de Cortez, Hotel Playa del Sol, Rancho Leonero, Hotel Buena Vista, and Hotel Rancho Buena Vista: Charters 329; Anglers 951; Total Fish 1,312; Fish/Charter 3.99; Fish/Angler 1.38. Catch including released fish: Yellowfin Tuna 962; Blue Marlin 11; Striped Marlin 136; Sailfish 102; Dorado 47; Pargo 23; Wahoo 6; Amberjack 18; Roosterfish 6; Sierra 1. Water Temperature 79-84; Air Temperature 93-69; Seas calm in the a.m. with slight chop developing in the p.m.

East Cape's Yellowfin Tuna bite is back to hot status. The billfish bite remained consistent as well with anglers landing in some nice numbers there as well. Unfortunately, the Dorado bite once again fell off and can only be characterized as dismal.

Last week saw air temps range between 69-93. We had some wind left over from last week but that pretty much finished up by Friday evening. Much of the rest of the week, the fishing conditions at East Cape were next to perfect. Our amigos at Terrafin informed us of a water temperature range of about 79-84.

Bait-wise, East Cape has plenty of squid, as well as some mackerel and caballito. Anglers are simply heading out in the morning and jigging for squid. They're pretty good size with some in the 40 pound class so all it takes is one and they're off and fishing in no time. There seems to be quite a number of baby sardines hanging out inshore at various East Cape locales, so hopefully they'll mature nicely.

In terms of the East Cape Yellowfin Tuna bite, anglers are generating an overall catch rate of about 100% and the poundage coming in is really impressive. This past week saw three Yellowfin over 200 pounds! Those are in addition to the 220 pounder caught the previous week. Anglers reported hookups coming to the north off Punta Pescadero, and out toward the 88, also to the south between the waters of La Ribera, Cabo Pulmo, Destiladeras, and close in off San Luis.