BAJA NORTH WINDS RULE WINTER WATERS IN MEXICO'S EAST CAPE FISHING AREA

Jan. 7, 2006, Russ Fritz, La Ribera, East Cape, Baja, Mexico fishing:

The north winds at East Cape have kept all but the craziest fishermen on the beach since Tuesday of this week. Today we finally have calm breezes, but it will take another tide change or two, with no wind, to flatten out the Sea of Cortez. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a fishing day for those of us with a will to live, or at least the wish not to die in the pounding surf.

East Cape days remain sunny and bright with only scattered clouds. Air temperatures were down to 44 degrees on Tuesday morning, but it warmed up to 80 by 1 p.m. Sea temperatures at the shore are down to 70 degrees, plus or minus a degree or two depending on location.

My son Dan and his family went camping on Tuesday at Punta Arena. They awoke to a school of tuna pushing bait on the shore. Both Dan and Sonya were spooled on their first hookup. Dan reported seeing fish to 30 pounds within 10 yards of shore.