MAKING THE BEST BETTER

Making the best better

Lots to talk about this week and too many great photos to choose from.

The end of last week Yellowfin tuna made their first showing. It looked like the East Cape was off to the races when a few different schools of dolphin were located all holding tuna. Then it happened. The water in the Sea of Cortez turned over to an ugly green color. With that, for now, the tuna have vanished.

The striped marlin bite has been very consistent and the off colored water hasn't seemed to deter them. The water appears to be clearing up now but was so off-color for a couple of days it made me wonder how the fish ever found our baits.

Getting the marlin to go has been ever changing. One day they will bite the jigs but have nothing to do with them the next. Large 5.5 sized lures have been best. The problem is the weight of the big lures helps the marlin throw them when shaking their head. It has also been an ever changing pattern with fresh baits. One day they are all over live bait and the next prefer ballyhoo. It has kept it interesting and also kept us on our toes.

Speaking of bait, the situation has been pretty grim. Sardines have completely vanished making in shore a tough proposition. We were able to make spanish mackerel and sardineta for several days but the porpoise found them and that was the end of that. Now live horalitos and frozen ballyhoo is the only option.

This week Accurate Jack Nilsen with his merry team showed up to field test some new Accurate prototypes. He had one of their new "Three Dawg" models and also some other secret stuff. The reels looked the same as older models but I was assured they had some new trick stuff on the inside.

Accurate reminds me of Apple computers. They already have the best product available but are always ahead of the curve looking for new ways to make it even better.

Jack is one of the luckiest fishermen I have ever encountered. The fish bite every time he visits. In four days we hooked 18 stripers and had many more opportunities. He invited different guests each day to fish with us and every one came away having released at least one marlin. It was a pleasure to have Rancho Leonero owner John Ireland out with us one day as well.