East Cape Guides 2018 Fishing Report

This 2018 Season capped off a major transition out of the El Niño warm current patterns and back to more predictable 75-85 degree water temps throughout our April to November season window. The highlights this year have really been the return to consistent tuna fishing and the explosive wahoo bites we had in August and September. The tuna showed up a month early and roosterfish showed up a month late...that's fishing. The tuna action was predominantly south with a good showing of fish in the 50-100lb range. The larger unit roosterfish were also very consistent when they did migrate into the shallows as the summer commenced. Also, the African pompano bite in early summer was absolutely incredible as they are considered an incidental catch, we were landing 6-10 per day south of the Lighthouse. Billfish was a bit slower this year overall for East Cape standards with a few incredible flurries in early June when we saw a huge school of striped marlin move into the San Luis Bank area. This kicked off a week of wide open marlin fishing on live bait. This marlin bite was then shut down by a large population of sharks that moved into the area. We did see our share of exceptional catches including a 66lb bull dorado in July and a few blue marlin over 500lbs. As I write this report the bite continues on marlin, dorado, tuna and wahoo. All in all, a very good season and return to the East Cape fishery we know and love. Thanks again to all our clients for another successful year on the water and we look forward to another excellent season in 2019. We wish you and family all the best and tight lines in the new year.

Buena pesca,

Mark

East Cape Guides - July 2017 Fishing Report

This last week of July started off slow as we encountered some rain and wind. Swells were up due to the three westerly tracking tropical storms to our south. Fishing was frankly slow with very few billfish and tuna flags flying at the beginning of the week. But in true East Cape fashion, once everything settled down, the bite came roaring back at the end of the week. We are now seeing probably some of the best fishing we have experienced all summer. The tuna have been showing well with not just footballs. There are multiple bites happening from Punta Arena to Punta Gorda to the south. These fish are ranging from 20-80# with some reports of much larger fish. Dorado have also made a big come back in the last few days. No big bulls, but some solid 15-30# fish are now coming into the Sea of Cortez. It is just good to see yellow flags flying across the Van Wormer Resorts' fleet. The billfish bite includes mostly striped marlin, a few blues and sails concentrated off the Lighthouse. The roosterfish have tapered off as we are getting further into the summer and the larger units head for deeper waters. Clients Mike and Sally Reagan from the Lone Star State fished five days for a combination of striped marlin, tuna and dorado. That's it from the East Cape...

La Paz Yellowtail Trip 2017 Report

We just wrapped up our 2017 La Paz Yellowtail trip with Baja Pirates. Six boats fished 3 days about 1.5 hours north of the marina at La Reina for 30+ quality yellowtail to 35lbs landed on live bait knocker rigs and yoyo jigs. The standard jig colors of scrambled egg, blue/white and green/yellow were all productive. The bite also included some back breaking amberjacks, a.k.a. reef donkeys, to 70lbs. and an assortment of groundfish including leopard grouper (cabrilla), barred snapper (mulato), red snapper (huachinango) and some monstrous skipjacks. Many fish were lost to the rocks but by the second day everyone was well seasoned on fishing the sunset drag in the ready position. The town of La Paz always plays a great host and it did not disappoint. The seafood and traditional Mexican cuisine was simply the best. A well earned thanks to Leonard Phillips from Baja Pirates for his masterful hosting and attention to detail in offering a memorable fishing experience.