EAST CAPE FISHING BOATS CATCHING BIG NUMBERS OF MEXICAN DORADO

Dec. 16, 2005, Eddie Dalmau, Van Wormer Resorts, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico Fishing Report:

The fishing right now on Baja's East Cape is nothing short of incredible. Many folks are adding charter days to their vacations to take advantage of the "wide open" fishing.

Currently, the dorado are so numerous it's hard to fathom. Boats are getting shots at 30 or more fish in a single day. These mahi mahi are all over the size range, from little 10-15 pound "chickens" right up to bruiser 35-45 pound fish. Many anglers are practicing catch-and-release.

Striped marlin remain very common. Between the huge numbers of dorado, plus aggressive striped marlin, 4-8 shots per boat most days, it's hard to keep a line in the water without hooking up.

A few bonus sailfish also are showing up in catches. For both the dorado and the billfish, boats traveling north, east, and south are all contacting fish. Dropping a line in the water anywhere from 4-20 miles offshore does the trick. A combination of trolled lures, hoochies, and pitched live baits are the preferred tactics. Plenty of mackerel are available for bait each morning.

A huge tuna school also is roaming the waters about 30 miles offshore. Incredible numbers of fish are biting, ranging in size from 10-40 pounds. Occasional 50-70 pounders are in the mix.

Sierra mackerel are numerous near Punta Colorada, La Rivera, and Punta Arena, biting on live bait as well as lures presented on wire leaders.