Large tuna, bull dorado on tap for anglers at Baja California's East Cape

Louisiana angler Todd Winkler (pictured) is 6 feet, 4 inches tall, and the dorado he caught Sunday in the Sea of Cortez comes up to his nose.

The bull weighed struck a black-and-purple marlin lure and took about 20 minutes to land aboard Vista Sea Sport's Jen Wren in the East Cape region of Baja California.

"We went tuna fishing but the wind blew and they were hard to find so we had to settle for this dorado along with a smaller one and a sailfish," said Mark Rayor, owner of the fishing/diving business.

Fishing in the remote region halfway between Cabo San Lucas and La Paz has been productive, and gorilla-size tuna have been the primary draw.

"Hundred-pound tuna are coming to the beach daily," reports John Ireland, owner of Rancho Leonero Resort. "The 100-pound fish are very powerful; two hours to land on 80-pound test."

A report on Friday from the Van Wormer Resorts reads: "We did see over 400 yellowfin tuna landed this week ranging in size from 15-80 pounds.  Most of the tuna are still to the south near Cabo Pulmo and Los Frailes."

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Todd Winkler displays bull dorado caught Monday aboard the Jen Wren in the Sea of Cortez. Credit: Mark Rayor