OVERALL FISH COUNTS SLIGHTLY DOWN THIS WEEK
FOR CHARTER FISHING FLEETS AT EAST CAPE

July 29, 2004, Chris Moyers, East Cape Smoke House, East Cape fishing, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

Charters 383. Anglers 1,138. Blue Marlin 50. Striped Marlin 48. Sailfish 18. Dorado 606. Yellowfin Tuna 448. Wahoo 41. Water Temperature 82-89. Air Temperature, HIGH 102, LOW 72.

East Cape fishing has cooled off a bit over the past couple of weeks. There are still plenty of real nice fish being landed. The billfish bite, in terms of Blue and Striped Marlin, has picked up a bit despite the fact that there were fewer hooks in the water this past week. Conversely, the Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna bite fell off just a bit. The good news . . . we had an awesome Wahoo week!

Environment-wise, East Cape saw air temps range between 72-102, however, we are still seeing some afternoon clouds on some days which really cools things down. According to Terrafin, we saw an East Cape water temp range between 81-89 with the warmer water hanging out to the north in the vicinity of the 88. Also, as of the 29th, there appeared to be a nice temp break offshore between Punta Arena and Los Frailes. Bait-wise, we saw mackerel, sardines, and caballito

As for the Blues, anglers reported some nice landings to the north off Punta Pescadero (12-15 miles) as well as near the shark buoy stops, and off the southern tip of Isla Cerralvo. Success was also reported to the south off La Ribera (14-16 miles), and Cabo Pulmo (20-24 miles). Some fun was also had straight out of Los Barriles (15-30 miles). As for the Stripers, anglers reported some landings to the north off Punta Pescadero in the vicinity of the shark buoys, as well as to the south off La Ribera (12-15 miles), and Cabo Pulmo (16-20 miles). The Sailfish bite, on the other hand, fell off a bit this past week. Those that were managed to be landed, were reported mostly to the south between Buena Vista (35-40 miles), and Cabo Pulmo (35-40 miles). mackerel, caballito, and various lures did the trick re: billfish.

The East Cape Dorado bite, while still pretty nice, fell off a bit last week. Don't get me wrong, there were still plenty of fish landed and the overall catch rate was about 53%, so guys are still catching Dodo. There are a bit fewer big ones to go around as most fish came in between 10-20 lbs. Several came in at the 35-45 lb. range as well. many of the dodo landed this past week were caught within a mile or so of shore, so they're hanging out real close in. Anglers reported East Cape fishing success mostly to the south between the waters of Buena Vista (1/4 - 1/2 mile), San Ignacio (1/4 - 1/2 mile), Rancho Leonero (1/4 - 1/2 mile), La Ribera (1/2 -1 mile), Punta Arena (10-12 miles), Los Cerritos, Las Tachuelas (8 miles), Las Barracas (1/4 - 1/2 mile), and Cabo Pulmo (35-38 miles). Mackerel, sardines, and hoochies seemed to do the trick this past week.

The East Cape Yellowfin Tuna bite fell off just a bit as well over the past week. The overall catch rate is down to about 39%, which actually ain't half bad. Much like the Dorado, the poundage is down a bit as well with most fish coming in at the 10-20 lb. range. There were several toads mixed in too with some coming in at about 70-80 lbs. East Cape anglers reported success mostly to the south between the waters of Rancho Leonero (18-20 miles), Punta Colorada (10-15 miles), Punta Arena (15-25 miles), Los Maganos Blancos (5-7 miles), Cabo Pulmo (10-36 miles), and Los Frailes (18-21 miles). Limited success was also reported to the north off Punta Perico (23 miles). Mackerel, hoochies, and cedar plugs did the trick this past week.

As mentioned, East Cape had quite a week of Wahoo fishing with many being reported to the south off Rancho Leonero (10-12 miles), Las Salinas (2 miles), El Faro (7-9 miles), as well as straight off Los Barriles (38-40 miles). Rapalas and mackerel did the trick there.