EAST CAPE BISBEE'S FISHING TOURNAMENT WON BY A 386-POUND BLUE MARLIN

Aug. 7, 2004, Gary Barnes-Webb, Rancho Leonero, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico Fishing:

Pleasant weather, with mornings in the low 70's and mild highs around 90, with steady water temp at 85 deg, and afternoon SE breezes. East Cape fishing action went up a notch this week, with tuna returning in numbers, and limits of school-sized dorado close in. Lots of good bait (mackerel, mullet & sardinas) in the water.

The East Cape Bisbee Tournament at midweek was won by a 386-pound blue marlin, with over 50 smaller blue marlin (under 300lbs) released.

Billfish - East Cape fishing for lots of blue marlin and sailfish, spread throughout the bay, from 3 to 15 miles out, with live bait (mackerel) working best for the sails, while blues taking both live bait and lures.

East Cape fishing for Dorado--schooling fish inside, about 1-3 miles offshore from Leonero to the lighthouse, averaging 10bs, taking mostly live bait and hoochies, limits for all. Big bulls to 45lbs outside, mixed in with marlin, taking trolled lures.

Yellowfin Tuna--schooling fish under porpoise, 3-10 miles offshore, with separate schools north off Punta Pescadero, as well as south off La Ribera and Cabo Pulmo, with 15-40lb fish (some larger fish to 80lbs) taking live bait, hoochies and cedar plugs.

Wahoo - a number of good-sized wahoo this week at East Cape, taking bait and lures.

Inside - the East Cape roosterfish bite continues, with fish to 60lbs cruising the beaches from Leonero to the lighthouse, taking live bait. Pargo on the reefs off La Ribera, with best results coming from yo-yoing jigs. Vacationing golfer Nick Price and I have been taking roosters to 60lbs and pargo to 30lbs, fishing from the beach with live bait.

Fisherman of the Week - Gong Wong of Huntington Beach, CA, while fishing 4 days on a cruiser, took limits of dorado each day, limits of tuna to 80lbs, a wahoo, and released 2 sailfish.