RANCHO LEONERO SPORTFISHING FLEET REPORT

July 16, 2006, John Ireland, Rancho Leonero, East Cape sportfishing, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

East Cape fishing water continued warm, 86 to 90 degrees throughout the bay, with clear, flat, blue seas and great fishing conditions.

Air temperatures were warm with highs in the mid 90's, morning lows in the mid 70's, and with typical summer humidity. East Cape had calm mornings with some afternoon southeast breezes.

The strong overall bite of last week continued into the beginning of this week, then tapered off during the last several days. Marlin, tuna and dorado are still biting well for East Cape boats, but a little more work is needed to bend the rods.

Roosterfish are still biting well inside, with some pargo and pompano mixed in.

East Cape striped marlin have moved north. They are off the buoys at Punta Pescadero, taking mostly lures, of all colors. There was a strong bite early in the week, averaging about 1 marlin per boat over the weekend.

Most of the yellowfin tuna action is close in, as the East Cape fleet hasn't been finding porpoise offshore. The tuna are about 5 miles out, from Cabo Pulmo to Los Frailes, taking live bait and hoochies. We are averaging about 3 fish per boat, of mostly 20-30 pounds.

There is a steady dorado bite in the same area as the tuna, with fish from 20-45 pounds taking both live sardinas and hoochies. We are averaging 2-3 dorado per boat.

Inshore, the strong roosterfish bite continues, with fish to 45 pounds biting off all beaches from La Ribera to Las Barracas, taking live mullet. There are some pompano and pargo mixed in with the roosterfish.

(See "Mexico Fishing News" online for current fishing reports, photos, weather, and water temperatures from East Cape and other major Mexican sportfishing areas. Vacation travel articles, fishing maps and seasonal calendars, and fishing related information for East Cape may be found at Mexfish.com's main East Cape page.