SURF FISHING WINDY AND DIFFICULT AT EAST CAPE

Dec. 18, 2005, Russ Fritz, La Ribera, East Cape, Baja Sur, Mexico Fishing:

East Cape fishing has been on our winter, "high-ate-us," due to more windy days than normal. Almost steady 10 to 20 knot wind has kept most trailer boats beach-bound, at least the La Ribera crowd.

Surf fishing, has been difficult most mornings, with 4 to 5 foot breakers, and extreme high tides, filling all the salinas with water running over the lower dunes.

Friday morning, the East Cape sportfishing area finally got a lull between blows, but by afternoon it was blowing 5 to 8 knots again.

Saturday morning, with a 4 to 5 knot west wind blowing offshore, we were able to launch through 2 to 3 foot breakers at La Ribera. The wind shifted at midmorning to a northerly, then quickly to a "Noreaster," with cloud cover and multiple rain showers.

We fished the protected waters on the southeast side of Punta Arena, and found hot action with the white meat bonitos, and sierras. Two "triples," and three "doubles," on the toothy bonitos, changed our moods completely. East Cape fishing water temperatures were at 78 to 80 degrees, and the midmorning air a bit chilly with the cloud cover. By 1:00 we were done.