REBEL LURE FISHING AND SIDEWAYS BOAT LANDING

Aug. 15, 2006, Torrance Eddy, Beach launched boat fishing out of Buena Vista:

I had a good day of East Cape fishing, but then again I'm like the guy who's never seen a bad one.

I launched my boat at 7:30 a.m. For 45 minutes I trolled 3 m.p.h. at a depth of about ten feet from the Palmas de Cortez pier to the rocks as Piedras Gordas.

My first fish, caught on Rebel 5.5 inch Jointed Surface Minnow was a 3 pound barred pargo.

My second fish, on a black and silver Rebel Fastrac was a small triggerfish, released.

My third fish was a two foot Ladyfish caught on the Surface Rebel. The Ladyfish wore its Tarpon ancestry honestly, jumping all over the place.

The fourth fish was a small needlefish. All fish but the Pargo were released. I have to have something for supper and Pargo is very tasty. I cook these whole as removing the skin, etc., is a whole lot easier after it's cooked.

I then spent the rest of the morning trolling for Dorado. I trolled in a pretty straight line all the way to Rancho Leonero remaining about 1 mile off shore.

On the way, I saw some action on the surface and started throwing a Krocodile. I got a few bumps until I saw a giant needlefish following. They're really impressive just under the surface. I'm still not happy with my hoochies' skipping. I think a bigger motor will solve the problem.

On the run home, I pulled a blue and silver 5.5 Rebel Fastrack 80 feet back and and a 4.5 solid lemon color Rebel Fastrack at 40 feet. At about halfway, I had my first, and last, and only Dorado strike, but even though no fish was landed, I got quite a show for a few seconds. I really like that little lemon color Rebel lure. Last year, I caught a nice Toro with it.

This little Dorado, 5-10 pounds, hit hard. It stayed on possibly five seconds before leaping up well over five feet and spitting the lure back to me. At the time the lure and the fish looked to be the same color.

I had really good water for the whole day. There was enough breeze early to take all the sheen off the surface and by eleven, there were 1.5 to 2 foot wind waves.

I love my boat. I am less fatigued than from my smaller boat because I can move around comfortably. It rides the rough water well and takes very little power to move it along.

My Panguero friends, Elias and Joaquin, taught me a way to beach a small boat in relatively rough water. They bring the boat in, shutting off and lifting the motor, and position the side of the boat parallel to the shore line in two or three feet of water. Then, in the water, take hold of the bow and let the wind and surf bring the boat in.

As the boat hits the beach, move to the middle of the boat between it and the beach. Let the surf carry the boat in but not pull it out. Do this until you're satisfied that it is as far up the shore as the surf can take it.

This method does a number of things. On a boat without enough speed to climb the beach, it gets the boat onto the beach without the surf swamping over the transom. On faster boats it reduces the wear and tear that running the beach inflicts. This works very well here. If on the rare occasion, it's just too rough, with my boat, I would anchor it and swim to shore.

(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.