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East Cape, Baja, Mexico

It was one of those trips that seemed forever in the planning and then was over in a flash. The planning had started 12 months ago and with almost daily calls to discuss tackle, tactics and the other vitally important details it seemed that the actual trip would never come. The plan was to fly to Dallas and then onto San Jose Cabo from there a short drive would take us to the hotel Punta Colarada on the East Cape region of the Baja peninsula and fishing the Sea of Cortez.

The first indications were not encouraging several anglers we spoke to said that the water temperature was cold for the time of year, it was the usual thing "you should have been hear last week, next week etc" that always occurs when you make these trips. You have to ignore these things and fish with confidence. My angling companion was angling journalist Mike Thrussell, our plan was for us to target Marlin, Roosterfish Tuna and if possible shark from the shore. The Punta Colarada is an angler's dream with the walls of the bar and restaurant covered with pictures of previous captures and epic battles. To an angler brought up on fishing the waters around Britain the fish are amazing in their size and diversity. Most of the fishing is from pangas or cruisers with the shore ideal for walking with a fly or spinning rod targeting Jack Crevval, Roosterfish, Ladyfish and many other species.

Our first day fishing and we learnt that instead of finding the Tuna and Marlin inshore we would need to travel 25 miles offshore to find the warm water (normally these fish are within 2-3 miles of the shore). The first day resulted in 3 Yellowfin Tuna one of which went 60lb, which Mike caught and landed after a fight that lasted over 11/2hours on 14lb BS line. The power of these fish is just incredible every time the fish saw light it just disappeared again taking literally hundreds of yards of line.

Mike Thrussel with a beautiful Tuna

Because the water temperature was cool 66 - 70F instead of the normal 75 - 80F the Marlin were reluctant to feed, we saw plenty just cruising on the surface and despite casting numerous baits at these fish we were unable to get any to bite. As one of our main objectives was for both of us to catch our first Marlin we decided to spend the next day fishing exclusively for these fish. Marlin fishing usually means trolling or casting livebaits to surface cruising fish. Now to describe such an exciting sport as Marlin fishing as boring may seem to be strange but after 2-3 hours trolling in a gently rocking boat with no activity it will lull must anglers into a nodding doze. All I can say is that the sound of a screeching reel is by far the best alarm clock I have ever heard. This fish smashed into our skirted lure and absolutely screamed of for the horizon. What followed was the most nervous 45 minutes of my life. I had dreamed of catching a Marlin all my angling life and I was terrified that I was going to mess it up now! Anyhow, I didn't and 45 minutes later 160lb of Striped marlin was lying by the boat, pulsing with metallic blues and yellows. A few quick photos by the side of the boat and the fish was released, swimming off strongly. I collapsed in to the bottom of the boat!

Afterwards we quickly began trolling again and almost immediately we had another strike, not a marlin this time but a massive bull Dorado of around 40lbs. If the colours on the Marlin were impressive this was like a firework display in the water brilliant yellows with iridescent blue spots. To try to describe it in words is impossible, if you have caught one of these fish you will know what I mean, if not please try and get one they are amazing.

One of the species we targeted was the outlandish Roosterfish a magnificent fish with a huge plume-like dorsal fin and flanks with bars of silver stripes. This fish make an appetising target for the fly or lure angler. We tried both of these methods but found we could only catch using sardines freelined from the boat. These fish inhabit the shallow water often pursuing the baitfish right on to the shore. When you get a strike often the first indications are that the bait is pursued around the surface rather like a cat chasing a mouse and when finally the fish catches the bait you feel the immense power of these fish. Even small ones will take line repeatedly and when you connect with one over 20lb the fight is long and spectacular with long deep runs and quick short leaps. To see a big roosterfish airborne with its "plumage" erect is a sight I will long remember.

Rob Wyatt with a Roosterfish

One aspect of fishing in the Sea of Cortez, which is often overlooked, is the shore fishing. Mike and I both took our standard surf casting gear 13"rods multiplier reels and 5oz leads. On the first night trip we were casting chunks of sardines around 70 yards close to a patch of rough ground where it look like fish would congregate. Within minutes Mike and I were into fish both of us caught guitarfish, snapper, catfish, pargo, Moray eels and Pargo. Perhaps the strangest fish was a lizard fish which as it's name suggests has the looks of a lizard with a triangular almost beak like mouth. The potential for shore fishing is untapped Mike and I both had 30lb wire traces bitten through and on two occasions a 2/0 hook bitten clean through! As a venue the East Cape offers some of the finest fishing in the world and combined with the Mexican hospitality (and Tequila!) it is just fantastic and I for one will certainly return.

If any one is interested and would like more information on the East Cape please let me know and I will try to be of help.

Rob Wyatt

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