FEW FISHERMEN PRESENT IN MILD FALL WEATHER AT EAST CAPE

Nov. 19, 2005, Roy Baldwin, Rancho Leonero, East Cape Sportfishing, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

The East Cape sportfishing area had mild fall weather this week, with cool mornings in the mid 60's, afternoon highs in the mid 80's, north wind the last 5 days, and cooler water temperatures at 79-80 degrees.

Fewer fishermen were present, as the season continues to wind down, but those that ventured out were rewarded with a strong billfish bite, lots of wahoo strikes and the return of big dorado on the weekend.

East Cape billfish action had a mix of striped marlin, sailfish and some blue marlin, closer in, about 3-5 miles off La Ribera. It was a steady bite, with fish taking both live mackerel and lures.

Wahoo fishing had lots of strikes, but few hookups. The fish are 1-3 miles off Cabo Pulmo, taking Marauders, Rapalas and dark colored marlin lures.

Dorado fishing at East Cape was the same for the last several weeks, average 10-20 pounds, mostly south off Las Barracas, about 3-5 miles out, taking live mackerel and lures. On Saturday, lots of big dorado of 30-50 pounds showed up at the buoys off Punta Pescadero, taking mackerel and lures.

Inside fishing had dirty water from the north wind-caused shore break, with little inside action this week.