SMOOTH SUMMER SEAS IN MULEGE SPORTFISHING VACATION AREA

Aug. 7, 2005, Rick Barber, Mulege, Mexico Fishing Report:

The good news was that Mulege vacation fishing area weather finally cleared up by Monday and the week was warm and the seas were like glass. Even the occasional late afternoon thunderstorms couldn't rile the water this week.

The not-so-good news was that the dorado, those that aren't up north gorging themselves on calamari, are still being shy about taking feathers. There are some down here at Mulege but you have to work for them.

Paul Rista and his wife Sandy went fishing out of Mulege in their boat on Monday and bagged two very nice dorado. One tipped the scales at 31 lbs. and the other at 22 lbs. They caught them about 10 miles east of Punta Concepción on single-hook Zuker feathers. Paul, like other angles who use prudent fishing techniques, uses only single hooks so he can safely release any dorado he catches that he doesn't want to keep. Paul noted that the water was 81.2 degrees when he brought in the pair.

On a triggerfish note, I went out with my father-in-law on Tuesday to help put some fish tacos (on the hoof... or fin) and ceviche on the table. He showed me one of his favorite spots and we hauled up some real slab-sides. I was using my regular 25-30# backup dorado outfit and had a lot of fun.

Dad is more serious about his work and uses a much stiffer rod with 40# test line. Tip of the day: When fishing for triggers, bend the barbs down. You won't lose many but it makes removing the hook easier. Not only do triggers have a very bony mouth that makes it hard to remove a barbed hook, but with the barbs bent down, you don't have to be near that wicked mouth for as long. Anyone who has ever been bitten by a triggerfish, and I include myself in that group--it happened while I was skin diving--doesn't relish being bitten a second time. Once was quite enough, thank you!

Early this week, Rick Stroup, who is house sitting at Mulege for a couple of months during the summer, was trolling a pink Zuker in the San Marcos area when a 25-30 lb. dorado nailed his offering. Rick also caught a nice sailfish which his fishing partner insisted on keeping, unfortunately. Just about everyone I know releases these beautiful fish to fight again another day. There are many other fish in the sea that are better eating but not many that are so pretty and put up such a spirited fight.

On Friday, Bob Hart, fishing out of Mulege with Mateo Apodaca, one of our more prolific guides, boated a nice 90 lb. sailfish while fishing "The Triangle" just north of Punta Concepción. They were trolling feathers for dorado when Mateo spotted the billfish. Robert then flylined a bigeye out to the sail and, as Porky says, "Thaat's aaall Folks!!!" The sail was Bob's first and he said it was a thrill of a lifetime! Way to go, Bob!

On Saturday, a local Mulege fishing guide I know told me that he took his client north of Isla Santa Inez and boated two very nice yellowtail, estimated to weigh about 30-35 lbs each, and a 100 lb. plus sailfish. These were taken on live bait. He was sympathizing with me as I had just returned from a fruitless search for dorado and cabrilla.

I heard from some of the local commercial fishermen that the dorado were jumping all over the place off Punta Chivato so I decided to try it out. NOTHING... not even birds.

I then decided to see if I could roust up any "cabrilla" at Santa Inez. Again, nothing. I then tried for dorado again at "The Triangle" north of Punta Concepción to no avail and finally stopped to harass the fish in the rocks off the mine.

I had been chatting on the radio with Pierce O'Shaugnhessy, owner of The Pelican Bar & Grill here in Mulegé, who was fishing with a friend and two of his employees in much the same area as was I. He was having the same luck also although he did spot some dorado just east of the point. As I went to the mine, Pierce and company went to a triggerfish hole northwest of Punta Concepción and were busy filling their ice chest with very large triggers when I stopped by for a chat on my way home. At least they took fish home. Oh well... they'll be bigger next week. Right?

That's about it for this week. Sea ya.

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