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Woohoo! The yellowfin tuna
schools started showing up in big numbers
this past week! The fish were very late in
making their annual “big” appearance this
year. The best news is, not only are
significant numbers of fish in the region,
but the average size is excellent as well.
Numerous yellowfin 30-60 pounds are being
landed, and some fish exceeding 100 pounds
are showing up in catches as well. Schools
are being found 22-28 miles straight east as
well as to the south. Smaller fish seem to
be closer to shore. Bonita and skipjack tuna
are also in the area, luring some big
predator fish to our area. Cedar plugs,
hootchies, and live bait are all taking
tuna.
 Blue
marlin fishing has really picked up this
month. Two blues over 500 pounds were
landed, and a number of other fish 250-400
pounds also were caught and released. It is
a bit early for blues of this average size
to be in East Cape waters, but anglers sure
are enjoying the tussle of some truly
monster fish! If history is any
indication--and with the huge amounts of
bait in our waters--this should be another
awesome year for blue marlin. Last July,
August, and September, our fleet averaged
100 fish in the spread per week, about
double the normal late summer average. We
are setting up this year for another strong
blue marlin bite.
Striped marlin continue to be common
catches. Lots of stripers are in the region.
The overall catch rate declined somewhat as
anglers began targeting the yellowfin
schools instead of trolling or sight-fishing
for striped marlin. The East Cape remains
one of the world’s premier striped marlin
fisheries.
 Dorado
fishing is excellent. Many fish 25-50 pounds
are being caught, either via pitched baits
to fish seen cruising the surface, or hooked
on marlin lures as incidental catchers while
trolling. There are plenty of mahi mahi
steaks going into coolers for the trip home,
being served fresh for dinner, or devoured
as fish tacos at the hotel bars along with
cold cervezas.
Inshore, fishing is fantastic for
roosterfish, with a number of fish over 50
pounds being reported in catch-and-release
numbers, and plenty of smaller fish being
hooked as well. Large pargo, cabrilla,
triggerfish, and other delicious table fare
species also are being caught, primarily on
live bait.
Fishing is wide open and absolutely awesome
on Baja’s East Cape right now! |
The Sea of Cortez, one of the world's most rich and diverse
marine environments, is one of the few locales that yield
marlin year-round. Besides being a prime spring spawning area
for striped marlin up to 200 pounds, Baja's East Cape is a favored
location to achieve billfishing's Grand Slam--adding blue and
black marlin (200-1000 pounds) and Pacific sailfish (80-150
pounds) to the
mix.
Catch-and-release is strongly encouraged for all billfish.
These apex predators comprise the pinnacle of a fragile marine
eco-system. Conversely, plentiful species like tuna and dorado
(mahi-mahi) reproduce in the millions and make excellent table
fare. These pelagic (open ocean) species roam the
1500-7500-foot depths close to shore here. Numerous inshore
species add to the incredible variety of marine life in the
Sea of Cortez.
