East Cape Guides - 2016 Fishing Report and Hightlights

Greetings Amigos,

Well, another season has come to a close on the East Cape and once again, the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon continued to move warmer waters into our fishery throughout the 2016 Season. This resulted in a northerly migration shift for many of our mainstay game species including dorado and yellowfin tuna.

Luckily, the Sea of Cortez rarely disappoints. The marine biodiversity is legendary for providing a variety of sportfishing action, even in an El Niño year. This year surpassed our 2015 Season with some pelagic species. The blue marlin bite continued to amaze anglers on the East Cape. Our clients released 30+ blues and one black marlin throughout the season. Reports of double hookups of blue marlin were not uncommon. The Van Wormer hotel fleet recorded 581 billfish releases for the month of July and an estimated 400+ blue marlin in total for the season. These are just incredible numbers for any fishery. The next species on the list was wahoo and the bite seemed to keep pace with last year's numbers. Wahoo are considered an incidental catch on the East Cape in non-El Niño years and are prized by all who troll the waters of Southern Baja, but this year did not disappoint on the skinnies. Big sailfish and striped marlin were also solid this year and multiple releases were common throughout the season. These bites were followed by schoolie yellowfin tuna. Roosterfish and jacks were also consistent this year.

Although we never saw the tuna come in this year in large numbers, we did see some cow size tuna (200lbs+) and one super cow (300lbs+). Based on the weather models I have seen, I think we will see a return to normal weather and sea temperature patterns for Southern Baja projected for 2017. It has been fun playing with El Niño, but it is time to return to some normalcy.

Thanks to all my clients and everyone at Van Wormer Resorts for another great season.

Please remember to practice catch/release and always release the small ones to let them grow.

Follow me on Facebook for dates on the upcoming 2017 show season and my Baja fishing seminar schedule. East Cape Guides on Facebook

I hope to see you on the water next year.

Here are some hightlight photos from this season.

East Cape Guides Fishing Report - August 2016

Well, the East Cape Bisbee has concluded with two qualifying fish and a few happy anglers on the winning boat Bullrider but fun was had by all. We focused on BIG wahoo. Clients Bill Burrows and Mark Barbee from Reno, NV and Sun City, AZ collected a total catch of blue marlin, sailfish, tuna, pargo and a very nice 67# wahoo. The blue marlin bite just keeps on going with no end in sight. We picked up a handful of football tuna right in Buena Vista Bay and we saw some breezing wahoo on the surface mixed in with the tuna about 300 yards from shore. You gotta love the East Cape. The weather has been hot with greasy calm waters. Come down and fish with us this Fall.

BIG TUNA showing now...

East Cape Guides Fishing Report - June 2016

The fishing has been up and down the last few weeks with some serious ups. The big tuna are showing well with now 6-7 tuna ranging from 100+ to 300+. This is a great kick off to the summer season. Striped marlin have been consistent down by the lighthouse and we are seeing some smaller dorado north at the shark buoys. A few wahoo are still biting from last months solid bite down south of Los Frailes and some nice size roosters and jacks are roaming from Buena Vista to La Ribera. Overall an excellent start to the season, especially for the cow tuna. The weather has also been excellent with highs in the mid-80s with water temps ranging from the high 70s to mid-80s.

WAHOOO!

Dorado at the shark buoys

John fighting a marlin

Jack on the Gatku pole spear

Ramon and Dave tying marlin flies on the boat

Testing out some new fly gear from Loop

The tuna have arrived... May 30, 2016

The conditions on the East Cape have improved over the last week. All the pelagics are moving into the Sea of Cortez including a consistent bite on the striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and a better showing of dorado. The wahoo have been exceptional and early this season. Releases on stripes are averaging 2-4 per day and up, and the tuna schools are showing up now. Overall, the fishing is looking promising for a solid season.

See photos on our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/eastcapeguides/posts/630945440387601

East Cape Guides Fishing Report - May 2016

All the pelagics are starting to show in decent numbers and the wahoo are early. 

See photos on our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/eastcapeguides/posts/629790490503096