SWORDFISH MAKE A SHOWING IN CABO LOCAL FISHING WATERS

June 10-16, 2005, Tracy Ehrenberg, Pisces Sportfishing, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

We had a marked improvement in fishing this week, with an overall catch success rate of 89 percent, with 59 percent of charters catching billfish.

Swordfish were the big news this week in the Cabo San Lucas vacation area; we heard of three swordfish caught and had two ourselves, the first an 80 pounder caught by Brent DiPalmero from San Marcos, Texas, aboard "Rebecca" on June 13th. This fish was spotted on the surface and took a live bait on the second cast, taking Brent 45 minutes to land on 30 lb test. Unusually, this fish had a broken bill that looked like it had been bitten off by a shark; he also released a striped marlin.

A little later in the week Matthew Adamson from Dallas was out on Adriana, when the crew spotted a "swordie" up on the surface, this fish took the bait on the first cast and took one and a half hours to bring to the leader, also on 30 pound line, before being released. The fish came to the boat very tired and in fact they thought it was dead, but it showed a last burst of energy, which earned it, it's freedom. This fish was estimated at 250 pounds. This boat also released a striped marlin the same day.

Early in the week "Ruthless" had a three hour tussle with a large blue marlin, before losing the fish. Striped marlin activity was much better than last week, as warmer water starts to move closer to the Cabo San Lucas sportfishing area. Nevertheless Cabo San Lucas charter fishing boats still had a long run to Destiladeras and later in the week Punta Gorda.

"Ensueno" released four striped marlin for Frea Keller, Kenneth Hauch and Michelle & Janet Keller, on June 15th.

Other quadruple marlin days were had by "Ni Modo" on June 16th for Tim Prickett and friends and also aboard "Blue Thunder" on June 11th.

Most Cabo San Lucas fishing boats achieved one or two marlin catches, but there were quite a few blanks. One day they would do well the next fish would not bite.

As the water continues to warm fishing will improve, but full moon coming up next week, could slow it down for a few days, depending on the availability of bait.

Pisces Fleet anglers caught a total of 86 striped marlin of which 80 were released. Those brought in were on the large side from 140 to 200 pounds.

Inshore fishing at Cabo San Lucas was the best for smaller game, with plenty of roosterfish in the 15 to 40-pound range. Also some nice red snapper.

Alan Stirling from Scotland was thrilled with his catch of seven fish from 15 to 30 pounds. There were also moderate amounts of jack crevalle, sierra, skipjack and lesser amounts of yellowtail and needlefish.

Offshore of Cabo San Lucas the tuna fishing was on the slow side, though "La Brisa" did find a school on June 15th, 12 to 26 miles off of Finisterra. They managed to land 12 tuna in the 8 to 28 pound class. Other Cabo San Lucas fishing boats, managed just one to three over a widespread area.

Dorado catches were slow at Cabo San Lucas, with just the odd fish between 10 to 20 lbs.

The best fishing locations were at Destiladeras, Punta Gorda, and inshore by the Old Lighthouse.

Cabo San Lucas weather was clear, with sunny skies, seas moderate, still windy and rough on the Pacific.

The average water temperature was 72 degrees, and the best lure was live bait.