Angler's capture of 4,600-pound great white shark part of research effort off Baja

"Expedition Great White" airs tonight at 9 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel, and if the accompanying photo is an indication, the footage ought to be spectacular.

The location is Guadalupe Island, 160 miles west of Baja California, a truly spectacular destination and one of the world's largest seasonal gathering places for adult great white sharks. That's where researcher Michael Domeier has been studying the apex predators, and using satellite tags to determine their migration patterns and other habits.

And it's where TV fishing personality Chris Fischer got to play the role of angler -- and literally come face to face with a 4,600-pound white shark -- during a monumental capture aboard his 126-foot mothership, named Ocean.

"Like in the movie 'Jaws,' the first  time we saw a shark come in and eat the bait and then take off and drag the buoys under and across the water it was a life-changing moment as an angler," Fischer said. "The experience of capturing and releasing giant great white sharks is nothing similar to an angling experience of capturing large pelagic fish. There's a sense of  history, a sense of awe, humility and humbleness."

Domeier is a legitimate researcher, but some might question the methods: hooking and hoisting incredibly large sharks from the water -- even if for only brief periods and if great care is utilized -- for tagging, measuring and DNA sampling.

Domeier, however, assures that great care is utilized and that "this is a show about real science ... not science created for TV, which is so often the case."

Tonight's episode is part of a longer series that will air next summer and undoubtedly will shed significant light on the lifestyle of one of the world's most notorious and mysterious predators.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Crew member Jody Whitworth lifts the snout of a great white shark as Capt. Brett McBride removes hydration hose that keeps the predator alive while it's on deck. Credit: National Geographic Channel / Chris Ross

Florida angler in 'state of shock' after landing giant yellowtail at Alijos Rocks

Ron Anderson (pictured at left) was exhausted and "in a state of shock" when he saw the size of the yellowtail he had hooked at Alijos Rocks while on a recent 10-day Penn Fishing University excursion into Mexican waters aboard the American Angler out of Point Loma Sportfishing in San Diego.

It weighed 71 pounds and is among the largest yellowtail caught this year aboard any of San Diego's long-range sportfishers. The Coral Gables, Fla., angler used a dropper-loop rig and 50-pound-test line with a sardine for bait.

"I knew he was really big when I hooked him, I guessed about 50 pounds," Anderson said. "He kept taking line against a tight drag for 20 minutes."

Steve Carson, director of the Penn program, reports that all anglers did well after a persistent wind subsided. The vessel docked with limits of yellowtail, near-limits of yellowfin tuna to 101 pounds, 14 wahoo to 75 pounds, and an assortment of other game fish, including dorado and amberjack.

The long-range season is entering its prime months.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Ron Anderson (left) and crewman Cameron Cribben display the giant yellowtail caught at Alijos Rocks. Credit: Steve Carson / Penn Fishing University

La Paz fishing for dorado, tuna fantastic--until the arrival of the big north wind

Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International reports that fishing was wide open this week -- until the midweek arrival of the seasonal north wind.

At the beginning of the week anglers found the Sea of Cortez teeming with the acrobatic and delectable dorado, or  mahi-mahi. "Not a lot of big fish, but solid numbers of 10- to 20-pound fish all day long, and you could catch and release to your heart’s content," Roldan said.

Those who ventured out of the Las Arenas area also encountered schools of 20- to 35-pound yellowfin tuna, not far from the beach.

"As several veteran anglers said, 'These fish fight a lot bigger than they are. They are amazingly strong,' " Roldan added. "Whether it was tuna or dorado, it wasn’t complicated fishing.  You either fished with live sardines for the dorado or stripped slow trolled chunks of fresh bonito.  The tuna came up mostly on handfuls of drifted dead sardines."
 
But then came the wind, which is often persistent and hampers the fishing effort. It diminished today but Roldan is unsure what effect it had on the bite.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Steve Marabella (right) of Wilmington poses alongside Capt. Jorge Moscoron with a late-season dorado caught off Las Arenas near Muertos Bay south of La Paz. Credit: Jonathan Roldan

Cabo San Lucas bids farewell to Tropical Storm Rick, which caused minimal damage

Tourists and residents in Cabo San Lucas are enjoying sunny skies and breathing a sigh of relief now that Tropical Storm Rick has passed the Baja California peninsula and is diminishing in strength as it approaches Mazatlan. 

The storm did not cause widespread flooding or destruction in the Cabo San Lucas area but large surf generated by the storm was responsible for the death of a 16-year-old boy and for eroding portions of Medano Beach.

The port remains closed but will reopen Thursday, which will mark the beginning of the Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament, which will run through Saturday. The event is the world's richest billfish tournament;  anglers will compete for $3 million in prize money.

As a lasting memory, the remnants of Rick left a beautiful sunset on Tuesday night. Outposts would like to thank Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager of Pisces Sportfishing, for her reports and photos before, during and after the storm.

Now if only the marlin will cooperate!

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A setting sun illuminates the sky above and beyond the Old Lighthouse landmark. Credit: Tracy Ehrenberg

Tropical Storm Rick alters course, may spare Cabo San Lucas area major damage

A tropical storm warning remains in effect in Cabo San Lucas and parts of Baja California Sur. But Tropical Storm Rick, now with maximum sustained winds of only 65 mph, has altered course considerably and its center is expected to pass well to the south of the peninsula.

This has Cabo San Lucas residents breathing a sigh of relief, but there is sad news: Authorities confirmed that a 16-year-old boy was killed Monday in the pounding surf at Medano Beach, which faces the famous arches at Land's End.

Huge waves continue to pound the beach and the storm surge has reached many of its hotel patios. The  Los Cabos International Airport remains open but travelers are advised to check with their carriers regarding possible delays or cancellations.

Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager of Pisces Sportfishing, says it has been raining steadily but lightly since Monday night, and there is little wind. The annual Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament, which is the world's richest billfish competition, was scheduled to run Wednesday through Friday but probably will run as a two-day competition Thursday and Friday, as the port will remain closed through at least Wednesday.

Eric Brictson, owner of Gordo Banks Pangas, said today via e-mail: "The storm has really weakened, but it is still raining lightly at this time and we are out of work during a very busy time. We do assume we will be able to start operations back up on Thursday morning."

At 8 a.m. Tuesday the storm was located 200 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas and traveling in a northeasterly direction. According to the National Hurricane Center its center is expected to pass Cabo San Lucas tonight or early Wednesday on a course toward mainland Mexico.

Rainfall will be heavy and flooding is possible in some areas.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Storm watchers run from the deck at a hotel on Medano Beach as a large wave overtakes their perch. Credit: Paul J. Richards / AFP / Getty Images

Hurricane Rick weakens further as it approaches Baja California Sur

 

*Updated with sharper image

Hurricane Rick continues to weaken as it approaches the Cabo San Lucas area at the tip of Baja California. The National Hurricane Center at 2 p.m. Monday issued an advisory stating that maximum sustained winds are down to about 100 mph and that Rick is now a Category 2 hurricane.

The storm is located 325 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas and its predicted course has changed since the morning forecast. The center of the storm is now expected to merely skirt Cabo San Lucas, perhaps sparing the region major damage, as it travels toward the northeast in the direction of mainland Mexico. It will pass Cabo San Lucas as a tropical storm late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

The accompanying photo was taken during the lunch hour from the Cabo San Lucas marina, where many boats have been transported to land. Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager of Pisces Sportfishing, e-mailed the photo to Outposts and said the weather, while gloomy, is eerily calm and that the size of the surf has actually dropped.

That's a cruise ship in the distance. There had been two moored outside the marina this morning, but one has left. It remains unclear whether the ship in the photo, apparently with passengers still aboard, is going to ride out the storm at anchor.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo courtesy of Pisces Sportfishing

Hurricane Rick, still 'a major storm,' already being felt in Cabo San Lucas area

Hurricane Rick is tracking toward southern Baja California and although it continues to weaken, the National Hurricane Center still refers to it as "a major storm," and residents and tourists throughout the region are bracing for the worst.

Rick, which on Saturday packed 180-mph winds and was the second strongest eastern North Pacific hurricane on record, is now a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. At 8 a.m. Monday its center was located 375 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas. It's expected to make landfall in that area, still as a hurricane, late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

One man reportedly was killed Sunday after being swept into the water and jetty rocks in San Jose del Cabo.

Flooding and high winds are expected. Airline travel probably will be disrupted. Plans are being made to relocate residents in vulnerable areas to shelters. Fishing fleet operators and private boat owners are still working to remove vessels from marinas or at least into sheltered areas within marinas.

In Cabo San Lucas, this includes more than 100 wealthy yacht owners entered in the Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament, which was scheduled to begin Wednesday. Some have already fled toward Southern California. The three-day tournament, which offers about $3 million in prize money, might become a one-day affair on Friday -- if the storm passes quickly enough.

"Please keep your fingers crossed that Hurricane Rick does not hurt us too bad," Capt. George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing implored in a fishing report issued Monday morning. "We just had one huge noisy squall come, part of the feeder bands. Cats and dogs [are] hiding everywhere."

Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager of Pisces Sportfishing, wrote Monday on the fleet's blog: "Heavy rain fell for a while and wind picked up to about 25 mph, with some thunder and more lightning. We all thought, 'Wow, it's here already,' but this was just an isolated outer thunderstorm."

Hurricane Rick 'extremely dangerous' and tracking toward Baja California

Hurricane Rick, which as of 8 p.m. Saturday was located 295 miles southwest of Manzanillo on the Mexican mainland, is packing 180-mph winds and is predicted to make landfall on the southern Baja California peninsula at midweek.

It's the second-strongest North Pacific hurricane on record, next to Linda in 1997, and residents in the state of Baja California Sur are cautioned to closely monitor its progress. The National Hurricane Center is referring to Rick as "an extremely dangerous" Category 5 storm. 

Satellite images show that Rick has continued to strengthen as it travels toward the west-northwest at 14 mph. It's expected to turn gradually toward the north Monday. It's ultimate track, if the prediction is accurate, will place it over southern Baja sometime Wednesday.

Hopefully its course will alter and spare residents and tourists a direct hit. Tourists with plans to fly to the Los Cabos and La Paz areas next week should consult their airlines about possible cancellations or delays.

The forecast does not look good for the annual Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, scheduled to begin Tuesday.

-- Pete Thomas 

Map is courtesy of National Hurricane Center

To follow this blog on Twitter please visit @latimesoutposts

Cabo San Lucas port closed due to Tropical Storm Patricia

Tropical Storm Patricia, at 11 this morning, was centered about 100 miles southeast of the tip of Baja California, and a tropical storm warning remained in effect for Cabo San Lucas and the southern portion of the peninsula.

An advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center stated that the storm was becoming less organized as it traveled to the north-northeast at about 7 mph but still had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. Patricia is expected to veer to the northwest later today and start  tracking to the west by Thursday.

It will make its closest approach to Baja, southwest of Cabo San Lucas, tonight and Wednesday.

Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager of Pisces Sportfishing in Cabo San Lucas, said the port is closed today despite reasonably calm seas and a mixture of clouds and sunshine. It rained earlier, and the National Hurricane Center predicted 1 to 3 inches would fall in the region.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament is scheduled to start Wednesday.

-- Pete Thomas

Image: National Hurricane Center

Tropical Storm Patricia takes aim on Cabo San Lucas area

Tropical storm Patricia is not expected to become a hurricane, but its center is expected to brush the tip of the Baja California peninsula near Cabo San Lucas on Tuesday afternoon. It then is expected to track to the west and weaken.

Patricia, which at 11 a.m. Monday was 245 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, will deliver heavy rain and wind gusts to about 60 knots. The Mexican government has issued a Tropical Storm watch extending north just past La Paz.

The storm will briefly interrupt fishing off Cabo, where marlin, tuna and dorado have been cooperative for anglers during the past week, according to Capt. George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing.

The annual Bisbee's Black and Blue Marlin Tournament -- the world's richest billfish competition -- is Oct. 20-24 off Cabo San Lucas.

-- Pete Thomas

Image showing predicted five-day track of Tropical Storm Patricia was issued at 11 a.m. Monday by the National Hurricane Center

La Paz fishing report: Winds hamper effort but anglers scratch for tuna, dorado

Tailhunter International today recaps a stormy, rainy week of fishing in the Sea of Cortez in the La Paz region of Baja California.

In essence the effort was hampered by nasty weather and fishing was slow, but  improved later in the week.

"It was so rough we had some folks actually get seasick on us, which is a rarity because it’s normally so calm especially this time of the year," Jonathan Roldan said via e-mail. "As well, the winds didn’t do us any favors as far as the bite was concerned."

The wind diminished these past couple of days and fishing for tuna and dorado improved slightly. "The tuna bite outside of Muertos Bay and Las Arenas came back on the chew with fish running between 15 and 30 pounds and schools of smaller dorado ripping through the chum," Roldan reported.

"For our La Paz boats, the winds started coming from the north and that really made it difficult.  It was just unseasonably windy for October, but then again, this whole year has been a paradox."

His La Paz fleet traveled extensively but found schools of dorado at various locations, and the catch average was three to six fish per boat. Most of the dorado were small.

Outposts always appreciates an honest report.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Bruce Dodge from La Canada displays yellowfin tuna caught off Las Arenas on live bait while fishing with Tailhunter International's Las Arenas fleet. Credit: Jonathan Roldan

Montana suspends backcountry wolf hunt because of surprisingly fast kills

 

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks on Thursday suspended its wolf hunt in the remote wilderness along the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park.

The backcountry hunt began Sept. 15 in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, coinciding with elk and deer hunts there. That small zone is within what is called Wildlife Management Unit 3, one of three large units in which hunting will be allowed when the statewide general season opens Oct. 25.

But with nine animals having been killed surprisingly quickly in the backcountry zone, the agency decided to suspend the hunt until the general season begins, to ensure some hunting occurs elsewhere in WMU 3 before the quota of 12 is met.

One of the goals of the state's inaugural wolf hunt is to encourage wolves to steer clear of ranches and livestock. Hunting the predators in a remote wilderness does not serve that purpose.

"We’re learning things every day as Montana’s first ever, fair-chase wolf hunt progresses," Joe Maurier, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, said in a news release posted Thursday on the agency website. "We were always a bit unsure about the level of hunter success we’d see in the remote, early-season backcountry areas. One thing we hope to achieve with closing the backcountry hunt in WMU 3, is to provide some hunting opportunity in other portions of the management unit where we’ve seen conflicts with livestock. We also need to learn as much about wolf hunting in the valleys as we’re learning about hunting in the backcountry."

In Montana’s other early backcountry hunt — also in deer- and elk-hunting districts — only two wolves have been harvested. The state has set quotas in each of the three units and next week will consider raising the quota in WMU 3 for the general season to ensure more front-country wolves are targeted. But that would mean lowering the quota in another zone. The overall state quota is 75 wolves.

-- Pete Thomas and Kelly Burgess

Photo: Gray wolf pauses in snow in Montana. Credit: © Adam Messer, courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

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

Large yellowfin tuna swim into spotlight off Baja California's East Cape region

I'm still on vacation, but while catching up on e-mail I found a brief report sent this morning by Mark Rayor, who runs Vista Sea Sport in the East Cape region of Baja California.

Rayor, who is one of the top anglers in the area, said by e-mail: "Quality yellowfin tuna have finally showed up in big numbers on the East Cape.  My long time friend and high school buddy Gary Street [pictured] of Laguna Hills and I landed these four bad boys yesterday.

"They were all between 80 and 100 pounds. The main concentration of fish are between 15 and 30 miles out on porpoise schools.  Many fish ... being taken on chucked up giant Humboldt squid.  We used green jacks for bait and found that to be the bigger fishes' choice."

Wish I could be there for the rest of my vacation. All I have to show for it so far are some tiny wild brown trout caught in the San Joaquin River near Mammoth Lakes. No complaints though.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Gary Street with an impressive day's catch in the Sea of Cortes. Credit: Mark Rayor

Cabo San Lucas anglers hooking up with mostly tuna (some very large), dorado

Heather DeRamus, right, obviously had time to freshen up after her three-hour battle with a 200-pound tuna Wednesday at Jaime Bank beyond Cabo San Lucas.

Why? Because the weather is blazing off Land's End and nobody could look so cool after such a monumental battle with such a stubbornly powerful game fish.

Anyway, congratulations are in order for the angler from Richmond, Texas, who was aboard La Brisa from the Pisces Sportfishing fleet.

Fishing is not great off Cabo but no Pisces anglers were shut out during the past week, said Tracy Ehrenberg, the fleet's general manager.

She said tuna fishing has been consistent, though, with vessel catch rates ranging from one to 10 fish per day. Several have come in at 80 pounds or more. DeRamus hooked her tuna on a black-and-green lure.

Dorado, or mahi-mahi, also are active and 53% of Pisces charters caught the vibrantly-colored game fish. Largest aboard a Pisces boat weighed 55 pounds.

Striped marlin, blue marlin and sailfish are biting sporadically. Most of the fishing effort is on the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Heather DeRamus poses with a 200-pound yellowfin tuna caught Wednesday off Cabo San Lucas. Capt. Nicolas Winkler, right, and deckhand Salvador Flores pose with the angler. Credit: Pisces Sportfishing

Cabo San Lucas waters yield 525-pound blue marlin

Tournament season is close at hand off Cabo San Lucas and already anglers are trying to figure out where the big billfish are lurking.

The high banks beyond Punta Gorda in the Sea of Cortez might be one area. That's where local resident Chris Fuller last Monday landed a 525-pound blue marlin that inhaled a live skipjack tuna cast out as bait.

It was the largest marlin captured in the region in months.

As for general fishing, yellowfin tuna remain abundant and some boats are posting double-digit catches. They range from 15 to 60 pounds, reports Tracy Ehrenberg at Pisces Sportfishing.

However, the fish are widely scattered and those high scores are the exception, according to Capt. George  Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing.

Landrum reports that striped marlin appear to be gathering at the Finger bank north of Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific side of the peninsula. He had not heard of any blue or black marlin catches this week, but fall is the peak season for these species.

Dorado and wahoo catches have been sporadic.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Anglers aboard Spartacus pose with 525-pound blue marlin landed by Chris Fuller off Punta Gorda in the Sea of Cortez.

Dorado, yellowfin tuna providing unusual thrills for Southern California anglers

Whether it's the result of global warming, the workings of El Niño or simply a prolonged absence of wind, the surface temperatures off Southern California are unusually warm and that's luring subtropical species such as dorado and yellowfin tuna into the blue-water regions off Southern California.

On Tuesday anglers aboard the San Diego, on a three-quarter-day excursion from Seaforth Sportfishing, boated 146 yellowfin, 17 dorado and six yellowtail.

Also Tuesday, fishermen aboard the Freelance, on a three-quarter-day trip from Davey's Locker in Newport Beach, boated 50 dorado weighing five to 20 pounds. The dorado, or mah-mahi, were found gathered beneath floating kelp paddies.

This kind of fishing is generally reserved for those aboard San Diego's long-range vessels, or fishing from Mexican resorts in the Sea of Cortez.

To catch dorado and yellowfin from three-quarter-day boats is a phenomenon that only occurs every four or five years, usually during an El Niño summer. 

Meanwhile, those who are venturing out on overnight boats are experiencing even better fishing. Anglers aboard the Prowler, as of 9 a.m. Wednesday morning, had already boated 100-plus yellowfin. The Prowler runs from Fisherman's Landing in San Diego.

Said Philip Friedman of 976-TUNA: "You can actually say that if you go out tomorrow you are going to  catch limits of yellowfin -- it's that automatic."

Friedman, who was out kelp paddy-hopping Monday aboard his private boat, found 77-degree water at the Avalon Bank just outside of Avalon. He's predicting more exotic surprises for anglers in the coming days, in the shape of blue or black marlin.

And that, actually, would not be too surprising given the balmy surface temperatures. There might even be a wayward sailfish out there off SoCal. Now if one of those is landed, that would be a major surprise.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Capt. Justin Fleck, left, and angler Stan Seal pose with 52.8-pound dorado caught aboard the Excel out of San Diego. Credit: Bill Roecker/Fishingvideos.com

Cabo San Lucas anglers find tuna cooperative in wake of Hurricane Jimena

Cabo San Lucas anglers wasted little time getting back into the swing of things in the wake of Hurricane Jimena, which is now a tropical depression far up the Baja California peninsula.

Fishing wasn't great Thursday, the first day boats were sent out since the storm began to arrive last weekend. But most anglers aboard the few boats that were sent out were able to catch yellowfin tuna, according to reports. And some of the tuna were behemoths.

Pictured above are Tony and Steve Clement, left to right, from Los Gatos and San Louis Obispo, with a 120-pound tuna they caught aboard Bill Collector after a 45-minute fight. Bill Collector, a 32-foot Cabo sportfisher, is booked through Pisces Sportfishing.

Meanwhile, mid-Baja towns such as Mulege, Santa Rosalia, Loreto and Ciudad Constitucion, have begun to dig out after being ravaged by Jimena. The storm tore roofs from houses, downed power lines and caused extensive flooding. At least one death has been reported.

For them, things also will get back to normal. But it will require a lot more time and effort.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo courtesy of Pisces Sportfishing

Damage reports grow in mid-Baja in wake of tropical storm Jimena

Baja Bush Pilots has been monitoring the damage caused by hurricane/tropical storm Jimena in northern Baja  California Sur. The situation, as reported earlier Thursday on Outposts, is bleak for many residents and disheartening for Baja aficionados who have grown fond of the region and its people.

Here's the midday update from the Bush Pilots, based not only on flyovers but reports from residents --before phone service went out, and in one instance a ham radio -- and members close to the situation:

-- Matancitas (Lopez Mateos): Almost 90% of structures are down or severely damaged. No water, power or telephone service.

-- Ciudad Constitucion: Most roofs are gone; severe damage to 70% of the buildings. No water, power or telephone service.

-- Loreto: No power or telephone service. Lines are down, trees are down. Buildings are damaged. The airport is closed.

-- Mulege: No water, power or telephone service. Water crested three feet above the bridge. Water was 2 feet deep in the fire station, which would mean that almost the entire town was flooded.  There have been reports of loss of life. (Outposts has learned at least one man has died, according to authorities.)

-- Punta Chivato: One person indicates that the wind was over 100 mph before the indicator broke.  Damage to almost everything.  We should hear about the condition of the strip sometime today.

-- Santa Rosalia: Wall of water came down the canyon and through the town, washed cars, etc., into the ocean.

Based on these reports, mid-Baja would seem to be disaster central. The Red Cross will have its hands full over the next several days. And a team from the U.S. Aid Disaster Assistance humanitarian group reportedly is in the area. Hopefully, the worst has passed.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Residents look at lamp posts knocked down by Hurricane Jimena in Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur. Credit: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

Tropical storm Jimena causing extensive flooding, damage in Mulege area

Tropical storm Jimena, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, is weakening but causing extensive flooding in the Mulege and Santa Rosalia areas on the eastern coast of Baja California. Nearby Loreto reportedly is without electricity because of  a damaged power station.

Jimena made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane near San Carlos in the Magdalena Bay area, then swept across the peninsula to Santa Rosalia and Mulege, whose riverbanks have swelled. The popular surf destination San Juanico (Scorpion Bay) on the Pacific coast also has received extensive damage.

These areas have fared worse than Cabo San Lucas fared. Just a few days ago, that resort city at Land's End was bracing for a Category 5 hurricane.

Cabo San Lucas, East Cape and La Paz escaped with no major damage. In fact, sport-fishing boats and even a few dive boats from these areas embarked Thursday for the first time since the storm began to make its presence felt last weekend.

Reports from Mulege, however, indicate extensive flooding. A new hospital's floors are under water. A bridge leading into Mulege is damaged. And at least one person, an elderly man, has died.

Farther south, in the wake of Jimena, damage is still being assessed. In the Pacific port city of San Carlos, five commercial fishing boats were damaged or sunk. One of the vessels that sunk was the Ensenada, with 300 tons of tuna and other fish in its hold.

Jimena is expected to become a tropical depression later today, according to the National Hurricane Center. But rainfall will be significant as the storm tracks back across the peninsula toward the Pacific.

Meanwhile, on the southerly horizon, another disturbance has emerged (pictured). The yellow coloring implies there is less than a 30% chance it will develop into a tropical cyclone. That's good, because the region could use a respite.

-- Pete Thomas

Graphic: National Hurricane Center

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Big yellowtail, yellowfin tuna highlight long-range fishing action

Several vessels returned today from the long-range fishing grounds off Baja California, all with impressive hauls of tuna and yellowtail.

Anglers aboard the Royal Polaris, which docks at Fisherman's Landing in San Diego, got into a night bite that produced 106 quality yellowtail, including a 54-pounder caught by Jon Kuch of Yorba Linda (pictured).

Kuch used heavy gear and a dropper-loop rig, with a sardine for bait, and subdued the fish in 10 minutes.

Rudy Sgontz of Chico won the jackpot with an 83-pound yellowfin tuna, also caught on a sardine.

Top angler aboard the Spirit of Adventure, which docks at neighboring H & M Landing, was Bob Tiffany of Myakka City, Fla., who used a rental rod to bag a 59.8-pound yellowfin tuna after a 30-minute struggle.

Anglers aboard the Royal Star, which runs from Fisherman's Landing, found large yellowfin to be cooperative at Guadalupe Island. The largest was a 91-pounder by Doug Taylor of Oak Park. Second place in the jackpot went to Mike Nagao of Whittier, who caught an 82-pound tuna, and Bryan Sherman of Calabasas won third place for an 81.5-pound Guadalupe Island yellowfin tuna.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Jon Kuch of Yorba Linda displays 54-pound yellowtail caught aboard the Royal Polaris. Credit: Bill Roecker / Fishingvideos.com

Cabo San Lucas, East Cape get off easy as Hurricane Jimena moves north

With Hurricane Jimena now well to the north, the official storm warning has been lifted from the Cabo San Lucas area and most people are discovering how fortunate they were.

(A hurricane warning remains in effect from Agua Blanca to Punta Abreojos on the west coast of Baja California, and from La Paz to Mulege on the east coast of the peninsula.)

"Everything is back to normal, the sea is calm, no wind, no rain, only minor damage like a few trees down," Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager at Pisces Sportfishing, said via e-mail.

The accompanying image was captured Wednesday at sunrise by Mark Rayor, owner of Vista Sea Sport, at the East Cape, 100 miles north of Cabo San Lucas along the Sea of Cortez.

Rayor said the wind never exceeded 25 mph. "I'm not complaining because we've had our share of bad storms," he added. "But on normal bad days we've had stronger winds than this, and the surf pounds as hard."

Rayor is sending a dive boat out Thursday. Cabo San Lucas and East Cape fleets willl send fishing boats out Thursday.

Hurricane Jimena now west of Cabo San Lucas, making its presence felt

This just in from the National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Jimena is now opposite the Baja California Peninsula, 90 miles west-northwest of Cabo San Lucas.

The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, is traveling to the west-northwest at 13 mph. The center of the storm is expected to make landfall at Magdalena Bay early Wednesday.

I don't have much new information since the last report but L.A. Times correspondent Ken Ellingwood's story on the hurricane has been posted on the company website.

Clearly, wind and rain have become major issues in and around Cabo San Lucas. The accompanying images, captured late Tuesday afternoon, are provided by Glenn Ehrenberg, son of Marco and Tracy Ehrenberg, who run Pisces Sportfishing.

The top photo shows the tidal surge Medano Beach (Playa el Medano), where popular on-the-sand-restaurants such as the Office and Mango Deck enjoy robust business on calmer days. 

Below are some fallen trees, showing how powerful hurricane-force winds can be.

Outposts will attempt to assess the damage in the tourist areas of Baja California Sur on Wednesday morning.

-- Pete Thomas

Hurricane Jimena weakens slightly as it nears Baja California

Hurricane Jimena has been downgraded to a Category 3 storm with 125-mph winds as it approaches Baja California.

Because it will pass well to the west of Cabo San Lucas, it probably will not cause major damage to well-built structures in that sprawling resort city at Baja's tip.

Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager of Pisces Sportfishing, said from her home on the Pacific side of the peninsula that winds had not surpassed 50 mph as of 3 p.m.

"I've been calmly cooking lunch in the kitchen, and there's nothing flying around or anything," Ehrenberg said, adding that the television, Internet and telephone were still working.

Ehrenberg did not downplay the seriousness of the storm, citing the potential for flood and wind damage in areas where poorer people live and homes aren't well situated or well constructed.

Thirty miles away in San Jose del Cabo, electricity was intermittent. "Skies are not as dark as earlier, though is some directions you can see it is raining hard," said Eric Brictson, who runs the Gordo Banks Pangas fishing business. "Surf is 15 to 20 feet. The waves are already coming up into the panga launch ramp area and by now that might already be unusable without major repair work.

"Streets are a mess and we will definitely have a lot of cleaning to do when the system moves further north."

Flooding reportedly has made portions of the highway leading to the East Cape region and La Paz impassable. But aside from street flooding, those regions have not been especially hard hit. 

Mark Rayor, who runs a scuba center and charters a fishing boat out of Buena Vista, described the storm so far as "a few puffs of wind and and about 4 inches of rain."

In fact, some are already looking beyond the storm to brighter days ahead. "We expect to have our fleet fishing again starting on Thursday," said  Eddie Dalmau, a spokesman for Van Wormer Resorts in the East Cape area.

That might be overly optimistic -- the storm's center is still 100 miles southwest of the peninsula -- but time will tell. To be sure, it ought to be an interesting and perhaps very noisy night.

-- Pete Thomas

Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center

Photo: Waves generated by Hurricane Jimena crash on the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula Tuesday afternoon. Credit: Glenn Ehrenberg

Hurricane Jimena begins wreaking havoc in and beyond Los Cabos area

Hurricane Jimena is weakening slightly as it approaches Baja California, but it remains a Category 4 storm and though its center is 100 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, it is beginning to wreak considerable havoc there and throughout the state of Baja California Sur.

Visiting tourists -- many of them fishermen and surfers -- who chose to stay and ride out the storm are doing so indoors. Some resorts have boarded their windows. Streets are flooded, and rain is torrential at times. The Los Cabos airport was closed at last check, and flight service has been disrupted. Those with scheduled flights over the next few days are urged to consult their carrier.

"The weather is steadily deteriorating," Eric Brictson, owner of Gordo Banks Pangas in San Jose del Cabo, said Tuesday morning via e-mail. "Winds are now starting to gust out of the east and rainfall has been steady to extremely hard. Have not even been down to check the beach today, I hear that the surf is near 20 feet. We are bracing for the worse yet to come, probably this evening. I am sure there will be some heavy flood damage."

Hotel guests are certainly faring better than inland residents, particularly the poor who live in areas prone to flooding. Thousands reportedly have been evacuated to shelters.

At the East Cape north of Cabo San Lucas on the Sea of Cortez, well beyond of Jimena's projected path, hotel owners and guests are in wait-and-see mode. Gary Barnes-Webb, foreman at the Rancho Leonero Resort, said he sent some guests home before the storm made its presence felt, but about 20 guests remain.

Cabo San Lucas area begins to feel impact of Hurricane Jimena

 

At 8 a.m. today, the center of Hurricane Jimena, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, was  140 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas and churning toward the Baja California peninsula at about 12 mph.

The accompanying image was captured just after 8 a.m. from the area of the old lighthouse at Cabo Falso on the Pacific side of the peninsula north of Cabo San Lucas.

Rain comes and goes and wave heights are steadily increasing. Cabo San Lucas is no longer in the projected path of the hurricane. Neither are any of the towns and fishing resorts along the Sea of Cortez to and slightly beyond La Paz.

The center of the storm is predicted to brush Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side early Wednesday and make landfall north of that port city later in the day.

The Mexican government has extended a hurricane warning northward on the Pacific side of the peninsula from Cabo San Lucas to Punta Abreojos, and along the gulf side to Mulege.

Rainfall is expected to total  between 5 to 10 inches in most areas and possibly 15 inches in isolated areas, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

Jimena has subtly changed course a few times over the past few days. Outposts will provide updates as warranted.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Waves generated by Hurricane Jimena crash beyond Cabo Falso on the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula. Credit: Glenn Ehrenberg

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Hurricane Jimena approaching Baja; will it prove worthy of the hype?

*Updated with new forecast that places Cabo San Lucas outside the hurricane's cone, or projected path

Above is a 2 p.m. Monday view from the webcam stationed at Pisces Sportfishing in Cabo San Lucas, overlooking the marina and its entrance. (Note: webcam might not be working during the storm.)

You can see how many boats have been removed from their slips, and how calm the area is a day before the arrival to the region of Hurricane Jimena, a Category 5 storm expected to skirt Cabo and much of Baja California Sur before making landfall 150 miles to the north Wednesday morning.

Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager of the fishing fleet, states on the the company blog: "From all the hype on TV you would think we were about to get swept of the face of the earth. Not to be flippant, but getting overly anxious about tropical weather at this time of year is pointless."

That might be partially true, and Ehrenberg has been through dozens of hurricanes, so she should know. To be sure, Jimena's track appears to have shifted subtly enough to alleviate concerns of widespread wind-caused damage in Cabo and in fishing villages on the Sea of Cortez side of the peninsula, stretching to about La Paz.

However, it's an unusually large storm for the Eastern Pacific, with maximum sustained winds of about 155 mph, and it has steadily intensified over the past 24 hours. (The National Hurricane Center's 2 p.m. update  listed Jimena as a Category 4 storm, but the Mexican Navy has since classified it as a Category 5 disturbance.)

Rainfall amounts in the southern half of Baja California Sur and in parts of western Mexico will range from 5-10 inches, possibly much more in some areas, according to the National Hurricane Center.

And the storm's track is somewhat uncertain, so in this case, perhaps, the hype is warranted.

(Note: The 5 p.m. Monday update from the National Hurricane Center shows Cabo San Lucas o be outside the hurricane's cone, or projected path. Outposts will post a separate update Tuesday morning.)

-- Pete Thomas

 

Hurricane Jimena intensifies, prompting warnings in Baja California Sur

 

*Updated with new forecast that places Cabo San Lucas outside the hurricane's cone, or projected path

As Southern Californians continue to deal with fire and smoke, residents and tourists in Baja California Sur are bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Jimena, an intense storm that might cause widespread flooding and damage.

The 8 a.m. Monday advisory from the National Hurricane Center positioned the eye of the storm 355 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas. It's traveling to the northwest with maximum sustained winds of about 145 mph, making it a Category 4 hurricane. It will make landfall in the Magdalena Bay area late Tuesday or very early Wednesday.

The government of Mexico has issued a Hurricane Warning for the southern half of the state. That means hurricane conditions are likely within the next 24 hours.

Beachfront hotels are shoring up and fishing fleet crews from Cabo San Lucas to La Paz have been pulling boats from the water or moving them to safer areas. Many guests at Rancho Leonero Resort on the East Cape flew home before their scheduled departure dates. Guests at nearby Hotel Punta Colorada were moved to Hotel Palmas de Cortez. Both are Van Wormer Resorts properties.

Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager of Pisces Sportfishing in Cabo San Lucas, said Monday morning that seas were calm and the port was still open. In fact, Pisces has two charters today. Ehrenberg expects the typical chaos in advance of a hurricane -- long lines at gas stations, etc. -- to ensue throughout the day.

Mark Rayor, who runs Vista Sea Sport in Buena Vista in the East Cape, took delivery of a Cabo 35 fishing boat Friday in La Paz. A day after he drove the boat south to the East Cape, he drove it back to the protected harbor in La Paz. "The people I bought it from told me it was a lucky boat," he said. "I'm hoping they were right."

If there's a silver lining, the region is drought-stricken and parched, and Jimena is already delivering showers. Said Eric Brictson, owner of Gordo Banks Pangas: "It has been a while since we have been hit, so this could be the one one that finally brings some much-needed rainfall."

(Note: The 5 p.m. Monday update from the National Hurricane Center shows Cabo San Lucas and fishing resorts on the Sea of Cortez to about La Paz to be outside the hurricane's cone, or projected path. That is subject to change, however. Outposts will post a separate update Tuesday morning.)

--Pete Thomas

Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center

Photo: In the calm before the storm, fishermen in the East Cape display the day's catch of dorado, or mahi-mahi. Credit: Van Wormer Resorts

Cabo San Lucas area braces for Hurricane Jimena but will welcome the rain

*Update: Jimena has strengthened since this report was posted. As of 8 p.m. Sunday it had sustained winds of 145 mph. Also, it's now expected to make landfall south of Magdalena Bay. A separate item with further updates will be posted by mid-morning Monday.

If you've scheduled a fishing trip to Cabo San Lucas early this week, bring your umbrella and plan on spending time indoors.

Hurricane Jimena, off mainland Mexico, has intensified overnight and is classified as a Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of about 135 mph.  At 8 a.m. Sunday its center was located 515 miles south-southeast of Cabo and was tracking to the northwest (see graphic below) at about 9 mph.

The National Hurricane Center predicts it will skirt the Baja California peninsula before making landfall Tuesday night in the Magdalena Bay area. It will deliver plenty of much-needed rain, but might also cause extensive flooding.

The region desperately needs rain. Cattle are perishing and some residents in Los Cabos and throughout Baja California Sur are being given running water only once or twice a week. (Running water is not an issue for hotel guests.)

The storm might also lead to temporary port closures. Eric Bricston, who runs Gordo Banks Pangas out of San Jose del Cabo, said via e-mail: "This storm does look dangerous and most likely on Monday morning we will have to haul all of the pangas [skiffs] out of the marina docking area up to the houses. A lot of heavy work, but it is better to be safe than sorry."

That's a common refrain at this time of year.

-- Pete Thomas

 

Photo of the famous arch off Cabo San Lucas is by Geraldine Wilkins

Graphic is courtesy of the National Hurricane Center

Yellowfin tuna appearance in Sea of Cortez better late than never

Anglers off San Jose del Cabo and the East Cape are encountering a welcome visitor to these areas of the Sea of Cortez: yellowfin tuna.

The popular game fish, a summertime staple, has been conspicuously absent for most of this summer.

They aren't as abundant as they typically are at this time of year, but they're unusually large. At the Iman Bank, reached by the San Jose fleets, they're averaging 60 to 80 pounds, reports Eric Brictson, who runs Gordo Banks Pangas.

Much larger tuna "could be seen feeding on the surface and would come up to the chummed sardinas," Brictson adds.

The tuna are mixed with dorado, providing anglers with delectable variety.

Beyond the East Cape to the north, the yellowfin appear to be more numerous but slightly smaller. John Ireland, owner of Rancho Leonero Resort, reports a 25- to 40-pound average and says the best bite is at the Las Arenas drop-off.

Dorado are providing the most consistent offshore action throughout this vast region.

Ireland reports a solid inshore pompano bite, with fish to about 10 pounds.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Brian Brictson, 12, and dad Eric pose with a 75-pound yellowfin tuna caught after an hourlong battle at the Iman Bank, where tuna and dorado are keeping anglers busy. Credit: Gordo Banks Pangas

La Paz fishing picks up as wahoo, tuna and dorado take up slack

Wahoo, tuna and dorado are active again in the Sea of Cortez near La Paz, reports Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International.

"Not only did the dorado find their way back into the feeding mode, but even more importantly for our Tailhunter Las Arenas fleet, the tuna and wahoo came back strong," Roldan exclaims.

The yellowfin tuna are running 10-30 pounds and biting close to the beach in the remote Las Arenas area, where the deep blue water is almost literally a stone's throw from the sandy beach. The tuna are biting on live bait, slow-trolled dead bait and iron lures.

"Light-tackle anglers had a blast because the tuna were mixed in with even harder-charging bullish bonito and big skipjack, so it was nonstop action between the three species," Roldan continues.

Further spicing up the action are sleek and speedy (and delectable) wahoo, which are biting on dark crankbaits and standard wahoo lures, and running 30-50 pounds. Many wahoo were lost but most anglers fishing for the sharp-toothed game fish are at least getting strikes.

Dorado are averaging 10-30 pounds. Marlin (offshore) and roosterfish (inshore) are biting only sporadically.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Shannon Aurand is all smiles while holding a wahoo while posing with Capt. Jorge of the Tailhunter fleet. Aurand caught 10 species in 10 days. Credit: Tailhunter International

Grand Prix racer John Hopkins makes fast work of Cabo San Lucas marlin

Tracy Ehrenberg at Pisces Sportfishing in Cabo San Lucas provided this photo of Grand Prix motorcycle racer John Hopkins (center, with red cap) posing with one of two striped marlin he and his group caught during a recent excursion aboard Valerie.

"They wanted to release both marlin, but unfortunately the second one died, despite 15 minutes of trying to revive it," Ehrenberg said.

It was a productive outing considering that marlin have been difficult to locate this past week, according to most reports. Same goes for tuna, leaving dorado as the most reliable offshore game fish.

Unusually warm water in the Sea of Cortez might explain why the offshore fishing has slowed (inshore anglers are finding lots of roosterfish). Capt. George Landrum of Fly Hooker Sportfishing said readings topped out at 90 degrees along parts of the 1,000-fathom line.

The water is cooler on the Pacific side of the peninsula, where conditions have ranged from good to choppy. The landing operators are hoping for an upturn in fishing soon.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Grand Prix motorcycle racer John Hopkins, center, and crew display one of two marlin they caught recently off Cabo San Lucas. Credit: Pisces Sportfishing

Anglers off Baja's East Cape encountering marlin, sailfish and much more

The following is a detailed recap of fishing off Baja California's East Cape region -- from tranquil Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort -- courtesy of veteran outdoors writer and occasional Outposts contributor Steve Carson:

Earlier this month saw anglers focusing strictly on the “money fish” while competing in the East Cape version of the high-dollar Bisbee's tournament. The past week has seen local streets go quiet again, and the availability of almost all of the area’s fish species makes choosing which to pursue somewhat difficult.

On the billfish front, striped marlin and sailfish were present in equal numbers, with sailfish most abundant off the Punta Arena lighthouse, and stripers up offshore from Punta Pescadero. Daryl Brauckman, 14, of Austin, Texas, caught his first-ever sailfish on a dead ballyhoo aboard the Tres Hermanos out of Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort.

“Catching my first sailfish was very exciting,” recalled Brauckman. “I was a little worried that I was missing the beginning of ninth-grade football practice when we came down here, but it’s great to get a different view of things.”

Few roosterfish had been seen for the previous two weeks, but this writer caught and released five of the wily pez gallos up to about 20 pounds on live bait right at Buena Vista aboard the resort's panga, Mosca.

Tuna, marlin and dorado are top draws for anglers in Cabo San Lucas

Anglers off Cabo San Lucas have enjoyed an upturn in fishing as yellowfin tuna have arrived, providing reason for many to abandon what has often been a long, fruitless search for marlin.

However, even marlin have been cooperating somewhat last week, according to Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager of Pisces Sportfishing.

Her namesake vessel, Tracy Ann, was one of the top producers. Colleen Silva of Escondido, Calif., and Amaria Smith of Scotland were aboard when they caught and released a blue marlin, two striped marlin and a sailfish. They also boated three dorado. All were caught on live bait on the Pacific side at Pozo de Cota.

The tuna are mostly 20-pounders but some are much larger and one weighed in at 110 pounds. It was caught 25 miles offshore, near the Jaime Bank, on a Petrolero lure. Pisces anglers caught 196 tuna last week.

Dorado are not plentiful but there are some humongous bulls prowling the blue water. Bob Dicheck of New York caught a 64-pound dorado (pictured) aboard Ruthless only four miles from the arch at Land's End. Steve Randall, 8, from Frisco, Texas, landed a 60-pound dorado. Both were caught on trolled lures.

The Cabo fleets are fishing primarily in the Pacific, where the water is averaging about 86 degrees.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Bob Dicheck of New York lifts a 64-pound dorado caught aboard Ruthless four miles from the Cabo San Lucas arch. Credit: Pisces Sportfishing

Rosarito Beach Pro-Am surf contest rescheduled for Aug. 22-23

The inaugural Rosarito Beach Pro-Am looks as though it will finally become a reality Aug. 22-23, next to the Baja California city's pier.

The surf contest, which offers $10,000 in prize money, is open to pro and amateur shortboarders, who can register at Active.com or by calling (858) 272-2191.  

The event was planned as an ASP World Qualifying Series tour competition to be held much earlier this summer. The once-thriving tourist destination 30 minutes south of the U.S.-Mexico border had hoped the contest would distract from so much negative publicity generated by Mexico's warring drug cartels.

But the ASP dropped its support and contest organizers had trouble landing sponsors, so the event, with a pro-am format, had been scheduled for last weekend. But that conflicted with the inaugural Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido, which is still in progress on the Mexican mainland.

So the dates were changed again and, finally, all the pieces appear in place. Monster Energy is the presenting sponsor. Quiksilver Mexico has climbed aboard. So has Swatch watches.

“We have made some large strides in the last week or so and feel that the new additions will not only help with the branding and promotions of this year’s event, but help the idea that this could be an annual event for the City of Rosarito," said Jeff Stoner, contest director.

Registration is $100. The contest will stream live via webcast and the Rosarito Beach Hotel is offering discounts for competitors. Now all that's needed is a swell!

-- Pete Thomas

Baja California fishing not great, but there have been some great catches

Marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado, wahoo, grouper, amberjack, roosterfish and pargo are being caught in the southern Sea of Cortez. But fishing is only fair because of strong currents and changing water conditions, reports Eric Brictson, owner of Gordo Banks Pangas.

Pictured is La Playita panga skipper Marcelo Gonzalez with a 45-pound dorado and 120-pound grouper caught at the Iman Bank on slow-trolled bolitos.

Yellowfin tuna are not breezing in large numbers but those being caught are averaging 40-80 pounds. Those using flourocarbon leaders at 60- to 80-pound test are doing best for offshore tuna and inshore roosterfish.

The Cabo San Lucas fleets have been fishing mostly in the  Sea of Cortez. Clint Jordan and his group from Alabama fished aboard Spartacus and they released a 450-pound blue marlin, a 180-pound striped marlin, a 200-pound thresher shark,  and boated a dorado.

Off La Paz, the bite has gone from outstanding to good because of an influx of cooler water, reports Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International.

"The backbone of our catch were dorado for both our Las Arenas and La Paz fleets. At times the fish were thick. At others, it was a pick day," Roldan reports. "The slow boat one day became the hot boat the next. The boat that had all the big fish one day, had trouble finding fish the following day. But, if you put in two or three days on the water, everyone got fish. They ranged in size from newbie five-pounders to fish in the 40-50 pound class."

--Pete Thomas

Photo: Marcelo Gonzalez poses with a 45-pound dorado and 120-pound grouper caught at the Iman Bank. Credit: Gordo Banks Pangas

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Shark Week conjures memories of Guadalupe Island and its great whites

Shark Week got me thinking about Guadalupe Island and my memorable visit there in October of 2007 aboard the Nautilus Explorer, and my not so memorable trip there a few years prior, when we arrived way too early in the season and saw only one white shark, and it was but a fleeting glimpse.

The sharks ought to be arriving at the remote island west of Baja California right about now, though, from a mysterious mid-Pacific area some scientists refer to as the White Shark Cafe. But please bear in mind, if you're considering a $3,000 five-day cage-diving trip that late summer and especially fall are the most productive periods.

Patric Douglas, CEO of Shark Diver, recently returned from Guadalupe and blogged about a trip that was a lot like my first trip: too few sharks and too many carefree seals lounging atop the water.

The Guadalupe season is really just beginning and a chumming ban remains in place, making things tough on operators, who are trying to persuade Mexican officials to revoke the ban. Some operators are now submerging their cages to place them closer to the sharks, eliminating the need to chum.

That seems a little sketchy but presumably the operators know what they're doing. Regardless, you don't need scuba gear or certification for these trips. You breath air supplied topside, through hoses.

If you're interested in one of these trips navigate the Shark Diver, Nautilus Explorer and Shark Diving International websites, and check out the video. If you go it'll be a Shark Week you'll never forget.

--Pete Thomas

Top photo by Juanmi Alemany

Video courtesy of RTSea Productions

Earthquakes in Sea of Cortez don't appear to have shaken many up

Four strong earthquakes that struck today in the Sea of Cortez between northern Baja California and the Mexican mainland do not appear to have caused widespread damage or injuries in any of the remote fishing villages or tourist areas.

The strongest was a 6.9-magnitude quake that struck at 11 a.m. 76 miles north-northeast of Santa Isabel in the state of Baja California. All of the quakes occurred closer to Baja and reasonably close to Bahia de Los Angeles, a sleepy destination popular among anglers, campers and water sports enthusiasts.

An employee at Guillermo's Sportfishing, Hotel and Restaurant said the larger quake was "muy fuerte" (very strong) but did not break anything.

In San Felipe, the nearest large community to the north, about 150 miles away, "People report that they may have felt something but there are no reports of damage at this time," according to a 1 p.m. report on Sanfelipe.com.

In Loreto, the largest city to the south, shaking was hardly felt. "My door slammed, but that could have been the wind," said Wendy Wilson, who lives in a Loreto RV Park.

Baja fishing update: La Paz dorado action 'unseasonably great'

Fishing out of La Paz is "unseasonably great," exclaims Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International.

Cole Chavira, above center, will not argue. Nor will scores of others who ventured into the Sea of Cortez and caught even larger dorado, along with yellowfin tuna and wahoo. 

Roldan says water temperature is about 5 degrees above normal, which might explain the boost in game fish activity.

Dorado are abundant and most are tipping the scale at 5 to 20 pounds, but many larger bulls have been caught.

"Fish in the 30- to 50-pound class have been smoking drags for weeks," Roldan says. "But the best surprise is the other species that have been pounding our two fleets. Football-sized yellowfin tuna in the 10- to 20-pound class showed up about two weeks ago just off the shore near Las Arenas, and it’s been an easy run to the spot, and limits have been the rule rather than the exception.

"On top of it, wahoo charged into the foray about a week ago also where the pangas were getting two to four hookups per day bait and trolled Rapalas and Marauders and Yo Zuris."

Roldan also cites a steady roosterfish bite inshore and sporadic marlin and sailfish hookups offshore.

Perhaps the only drawback is the weather. "It's over 100 every day," the outfitter says.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Flanked by his sisters, Monica and Gabi, Cole Chavira of San Diego shows off a dorado caught at Espiritu Santo Island. Credit: Jonathan Roldan

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Enormous wahoo, tuna and other exotics on tap for long-range fleet

Several vessels of the San Diego long-range fleet returned Sunday from Alijos Rocks and the offshore tuna grounds west of Baja California with a smorgasbord of exotics.

Catches included albacore, bluefin, yellowfin, dorado, yellowtail and a few strikingly large wahoo, topped by an 88.8-pounder corralled by Ryan Clifton of Truckee aboard Red Rooster III.

“He made a long, long run, and then he came in so fast I didn’t think he was still there," said Ryan, who was trolling an orange-and-black Marauder. "When he got close, he was so big and striped I thought he was a marlin. He came up on the port corner of the stern.”

Forest Bernard of San Clemente caught a 73.4-pound wahoo on the same vessel.

Passengers aboard the Royal Polaris caught 85 bluefin in one stop while fishing offshore.

Interestingly, the water temperature at The Rocks jumped overnight from 69 to 71 degrees, and that brought more fish to the area. Aboard the Royal Star, Liz Franzino of Hemet enjoyed big-fish honors with a 78-pound yellowfin that "took me most of the way around the boat."

Those were eight-day trips. Anglers aboard the Polaris Supreme, on a three-day trip, encountered mostly large albacore. Said Captain Tommy Rothery: "I think I saw the longest spread of albacore I’ve seen in five years. We had some kids who fished for tuna with iron from the bow, the Ironmen. They did great."

Hubert Bell of Bonita claimed the jackpot with a 47-pound albacore.

--Pete Thomas

Photo: Ryan Clifton poses next to an 88.8-pound wahoo caught aboard the Red Rooster III. Credit: Bill Roecker / Fishingvideos.com

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Rosarito Beach to host pro-am surfing contest Aug. 7-9

Rosarito Beach, which has had little to cheer about for the last year, will host the $10,000 Rosarito Beach Pro-Am surfing contest Aug. 7-9. It will feature some of North America’s best shortboarders, plus up-and-coming amateurs from the United States and Mexico.

“Finally a surf event is back in Northern Baja. It’s awesome that the city of Rosarito is stepping in to provide both local and international surfers an opportunity to showcase their talent and win some coin," Zach Plopper, a pro surfer, said in a news release.

Organizers had originally scheduled an Assn. of Surfing Professionals qualifying circuit contest. But the ASP pulled out months ago because of Mexico's increasingly violent drug war.

But with that story less in the news these days, Rosarito Beach is experiencing signs of a comeback. Hotel occupancy during the Fourth of July weekend was 70% overall and some hotels were at or near capacity.

Those are the best tourism figures of 2009 and Mayor Hugo Torres said in a different news release: "This is encouraging to us and indicates some comeback, although we remain well below years past and need more gains."

The surfing contest will be held next to the fishing pier. For information, e-mail info@fdtmarketing.com or  call (858) 200-7619.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A longboarder rides a wave next to Rosarito Beach pier, site of a shortboard contest next month. Credit: Rosarito Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Albacore biting 60 miles from San Diego, well within range of day boats

Albacore and bluefin tuna are biting for the first time this season within day range of San Diego, and the news is sure to inspire hundreds of saltwater anglers to break out their gear and book a trip.

By 9 a.m. Wednesday, anglers aboard the Pacific Queen out of Fisherman's Landing had boated 35 albacore and 20 bluefin tuna only 60 miles southwest of Point Loma. 

Anglers aboard the Voyager out of Seaforth Sportfishing bagged their five-fish limits by about 7 a.m. in the same general area, according to a report on 976-TUNA, which is trying to fill spots for a two-day trip on the Holiday departing tonight at 9 p.m. The Holiday runs from Point Loma Sportfishing. The trip costs $350 per angler but if three pay a fourth angler gets on board for free.

Several other vessels were getting in on the tuna bite.

Farther down the Baja California peninsula, bluefin are breezing in large schools. Anglers aboard the Shogun, who fished Cedros Island for yellowtail and the outer banks for tuna, returned to Fisherman's Landing on Wednesday morning with more than 40 yellowtail and nearly 90 bluefin to about 40 pounds.

Among the top anglers were Carson Katz, 8, and Tyler Ko, 5, pictured above with their catch.

Philip Friedman, founder of 976-TUNA, said landing operators are breathing "a huge sigh of relief" because this bite is beginning a few weeks later than in previous years.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Carson Katz, 8, and Tyler Ko, 5, pose with bluefin tuna caught aboard the Shogun. Credit: Bill Roecker / Fishingvideos.com

Global sailor Zac Sunderland to return to Marina del Rey on July 14

Global sailor Zac Sunderland, whose 13-month odyssey was profiled in Monday's Los Angeles Times, will return to Marina del Rey next Tuesday, barring unforeseen trouble.

His arrival time is pegged for 10 a.m. at Fisherman's Village and those wishing to greet him should get there early as parking might become problematic because of crowding.

Zac, who is trudging up the Baja California coast, on Monday reported on his blog: "I cannot believe how hard it has been to get up this coast. I cannot believe how cold I have been all the time. It has been cold and gray and so incredibly frustrating!

"I know that I am getting closer but it seems an eternity away at times. Though the Baja coast is barren the seas are full of life with dolphins and sea birds around me a lot of the day. They somehow help me not to go crazy with frustration."

A few weeks ago, while mired in the sweltering doldrums off mainland Mexico, Zac was less enthusiastic about an abundance of sea turtles, which he called "these stupid hard creatures" in what resembled "a pumpkin patch because they were everywhere."

The sailor said during an interview in Puerto Vallarta: "I'd be sleeping and there'd be this massive bang on the hull. It doesn't hurt them and it doesn't hurt the boat. It just wakes me up."

Sleep is a valuable commodity, and Zac, who has endured long stretches of sleep deprivation, has taken to sleeping in brief periods, half during the day and half at night. Sleeping only at night in a soft bed and quiet house will be one of many adjustments he'll have to make when he comes home.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Zac Sunderland inspects his rigging through long strands of hair. Credit: Pete Thomas/Los Angeles Times

(Note: You can now follow Outposts and Pete Thomas on Twitter @latimesoutposts)

Southern Baja fishing update: Yellowfin tuna arrive by the thousands

You know summer has arrived in Baja California Sur, especially off the La Paz and East Cape regions, when vast schools of yellowfin tuna arrive and fresh sashimi becomes the main appetizer at the sleepy resort bars.

Summer has definitely arrived. Here's an intro to a report by Jonathan Roldan, who runs Tailhunter International from La Paz: "What a fish-rodeo! Yellowfin tuna made a surprise crash and literally foamed and exploded on our panga fleet. We had pangas coming in back to the beach early with shocked clients and bloody ice chests."

Roldan continued: "These fish started at 10 pounds, but toward the end of the week 20- to 25-pound muscle fish were not uncommon. Folks were saying they couldn't get baits in the water fast enough. The fish ate live bait, dead bait, lures, iron, surface poppers, flies ... they weren't picky and they came en masse."

From John Ireland, owner of Rancho Leonero Resort at the East Cape: "Limits for most anglers. Tuna from five to forty pounds are abundant under schools of porpoise both north and south. The buoys north of Pescadero to Ventanas are also producing smaller tuna.  Hoochies and live sardines are working best in the schools of porpoise, live sardines exclusively on the buoys. Ranch anglers lost a couple of big tuna in the 100- to 200-pound range at the boat."

Zac Sunderland is finally sailing home, no small thanks to dear old dad

Zac Sunderland, 17, is finally in the home stretch. He made his final stop (if the sailing gods comply) last week in the Puerto Vallarta area, where the 36-foot Intrepid underwent extensive repairs.

His return to Marina del Rey, from which he departed on June 14, 2008, on a quest to become the youngest person to solo-circumnavigate the planet, probably will occur toward the end of next week.

I had the pleasure of visiting Zac and his dad and grandmother in Mexico and will share more information in the coming days. One observation I'm compelled to share now is that Zac, as adept a sailor as he has become, would not be where he is if it weren't for the help of his parents -- perhaps most notably from his shipbuilder dad.

I witnessed Laurence Sunderland perform a minor miracle in Paradise Village Marina. He somehow was able to remove and rebuild almost an entire bulkhead, in sweltering conditions inside the vessel's tiny cabin, in less than two days. It was more remarkable considering the location and time spent scouring the region for parts.

Saltwater fishing update: Albacore counts slowly rising

They aren't impressive scores but albacore counts for overnight and 1 1/2-day (two-night) excursions out of San Diego are slowly increasing.

Here are some weekend tallies:

--Apollo, on an overnight trip from Fisherman's Landing, 18 albacore and five yellowtail.

--Prowler, on an overnight adventure from Fisherman's Landing, 11 albacore and six yellowtail.

--New Lo-An, on an overnight trip from Point Loma Sportfishing, 11 bluefin tuna, 12 yellowtail and one bonito.

--Grande, on a 1 1/2-day excursion from Point Loma Sportfishing, 12 albacore and 10 yellowtail.

--Producer, on an overnight journey from H&M Landing, 23 albacore and five bluefin tuna.

--Sea Adventure 80, on a 1 1/2-day outing, one albacore, six yellowtail and 35 bonito.

These counts ought to improve as summer progresses.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Albacore comes over the rail of the Gallilean in this 2005 file photo. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Tropical Storm Andres, season's first, eyed by surfers, anglers in Baja Sur

 

**Updated with swell information from Surfline

The first tropical storm of  the season in the eastern Pacific might become a hurricane briefly Tuesday, with sustained winds of 73 mph or stronger, but later in the week, as it skirts Cabo San Lucas and tracks westward, it is expected to diminish and ultimately will dissipate in cooler water northwest of Baja California's tip.

That's the forecast, anyway.

Regardless, Tropical Storm Andres will make its presence known in Baja California Sur. Surfers, however, are likely to benefit only farther up the Sea of Cortez, reports Sean Collins of Surfline.

"There might be some swell opportunities up inside the gulf farther away from the storm, but most of southernmost Baja, like Cabo and the East Cape, will likely have poor, stormy and onshore wind conditions," Collins said via email. "As Andres tries to move farther west off Baja it will run into cooler water and will lose strength very quickly, so it’s very unlikely it will hold its strength to send any waves up along the Pacific coast of Baja or Southern California.

Collins added: "On the good side, Andres will help to push warmer water up closer to Baja, which will help future tropical storms to hold better strength within Baja and Southern California’s swell window. Right now we have a very cold wall of ocean water off the Pacific coast of Baja that will literally shut down any tropical storms or hurricanes from sending any swell father north.

"Once that water warms up over the next month or so storms will be able to maintain their strength within the swell windows to send swell farther north. Currently our only possibility for tropical swell is if the storms stay very far to the south about 500 miles south of Baja over warmer water, but most storms prefer to move farther north at this stage."

Andres might also affect fishing opportunities by forcing the closure of Cabo San Lucas marina and other ports.

Above is a National Hurricane Center graphic that plots the predicted path and development of Andres. Stay tuned for updates.

-- Pete Thomas

Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center

Sailor Zac Sunderland forced to seek shelter from developing storm

A disturbance in the eastern Pacific is expected to develop into the season's first tropical storm and it's forcing Zac Sunderland to sail for shelter at the Mexican port city of Manzanillo.

Sunderland, 17, who is on the last leg of an around-the-world solo adventure, had hoped to make it home by the end of the month but will spend at least four days in Manzanillo and that will delay his arrival at  Marina del Rey until perhaps the first weekend in July.

Zac's mom said he wanted to continue on a course for Cabo San Lucas but that could be perilous. "He needs to duck for cover. He has got to get into a harbor; there's no question about it," said Surfline's Sean Collins, a forecaster who monitors conditions in a region that he says is becoming increasingly active.

The organizing storm is expected to veer to the north and ultimately the northeast toward land, perhaps making landfall near Puerto Vallarta, which is 130 miles north of Manzanillo.

The red patch in the bottom graphic shows the disturbance, which features strong winds and thunderstorms. It's southwest of Manzanillo and trailing Zac's 36-foot Intrepid, which presently is taking wind on the nose.

Stay tuned for updates...

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Zac Sunderland aboard Intrepid, before his departure from Marina del Rey last June. Credit: Al Seib/Los Angeles Times.

Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center

Saltwater fishing update: Yellowtail make big splash beyond San Diego

The season's first major haul of yellowtail at the offshore tuna grounds is occurring today for anglers aboard the Grande. They've boated more than 100 yellowtail and were still fishing as of 1:30 p.m.

The 25 passengers are part of a two-day 976-TUNA charter and spent Monday in an area 120 miles southwest of San Diego. They caught 18 albacore in the 10- to 12-pound range and 30 yellowtail in the 5- to 10-pound range.

Today they were fishing en route back to Point Loma Sportfishing and encountered most of the yellowtail 65 miles southwest of the landing. The kelp paddies that generally attract yellowtail and albacore were mostly dry; the Grande passengers found their fish breezing in open ocean, reports 976-TUNA founder Philip Friedman. Their most productive stop was 40 yellowtail.

That's a good sign but there remains no indication of albacore moving close enough to become available to anglers on 24-hour excursions. 

Farther down the Baja Calfornia coast long-range anglers are experiencing fair fishing for yellowfin tuna  and large yellowtail. After the Royal Polaris docked this morning at Fisherman's Landing, passenger James Springer, 20, disembarked with the trip's most impressive catch: a 62.6-pound yellowtail caught at Alijos Rocks.

“I saw him hit,” Springer said. “It was crazy; I saw a flash and then he was gone and the line came tight. I almost flew overboard.”

The largest two yellowfin weighed 56 pounds.

--  Pete Thomas

Photo: James Springer (right) and his grandfather, Nobu Oshiro, sit on a curb with a 62.6-pound yellowtail on their lap. Credit: Bill Roecker/Fishingvideos.com

Southern Baja fishing update: Blue marlin, yellowfin tuna reach East Cape

Striped marlin remain the primary target for anglers throughout most of Baja California Sur, but with summerlike weather has arrived summertime species, notably blue marlin and yellowfin tuna.

From Rancho Leonero on the East Cape, resort owner John Ireland boasts of the blue marlin presence: "I personally got spooled on a 300- to 400-pounder. Hotel anglers released seven this week, from 200-300 pounds. All blind strikes on lures, blue and white. Flying fish colors working best."

Ireland's report is too glowing to be true; he states wide-open fishing for just about every species. But fishing clearly is very good and much better than in the Cabo San Lucas area to the south.

The yellowfin tuna, Ireland adds, are being found beneath porpoises and are being caught mostly on trolled hoochies.They're weighing to about 40 pounds.

As for the summerlike weather, it reached 102 degrees last Thursday in Cabo San Lucas and cooled only slightly over the weekend. The fishing action has been in the Sea of Cortez because of off-color water on the Pacific side of the Baja peninsula.

Striped marlin are less cooperative that they were in previous weeks but the average is about one per boat, according to Capt. George Landrum  of Fly Hooker Sportfishing. 

Landrum says yellowfin are being caught only sporadically by trollers, and that dorado fishing has improved but is not wide open.

Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager of Pisces Sportfishing, adds: "We're pretty excited about the wahoo right now, as in the last eight days we have had three over 70 pounds, which is a size we have not seen in a several years."

The Cabo fleets have not experienced an influx of blue marlin, so somehow the mighty billfish swam past Cabo to the East Cape region without being detected.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Striped marlin on the hook surfaces off the East Cape region of Baja California Sur. Credit: Jack Nilson