If you are a normal beer drinker, East Cape lies about four
beers north of the Cabo San Lucas Airport along the coast of
the Sea of Cortez.
Not quite half way between Cabo and Lorado is a small collection
of fishing resorts and a small village. Protected from the
Pacific swells that can raise havoc for a fly angler interested
in casting, East Cape has some unique features that make it the
mother of all fishing holes.
A good nautical map will reveal that it's main attraction is the
100 fathom line comes to within 200 yards of the beach in several
areas. What this means for the angler is that large, and I mean
LARGE, fish used to the safety of the depths, chase schools of
sardines and mackerel up against these underwater canyons and
they have only one way to go. UP! Any salt water fly angler
worth his weight in salt will tell you if you have fish on the
surface boiling on bait you have the recipe for a dynamite
fishery. East Cape is one of the few places in the world where
anglers have actually hooked sailfish from the beach instead
of the obligatory five mile run in a boat.
Cabo's reputation is legendary. Lorado has seen a lot of press
in the last year with an article in practically every Salt-water
magazine. Lorado has developed into the place
to go for Dorado. East Cape, on the other hand is still relatively
undiscovered.
Cabo, located on the tip of the Baja Peninsula, is more sensitive
to weather changes. Pacific swells and any wind from the south
can knock out a fly anglers day. Lorado is the most protected of
the three Baja fishing sites. Guarded from Pacific swells by the
peninsula and from southerly winds by a couple of islands, Lorado
will give you the most days with good casting conditions. East
Cape is not protected from the southerly winds but being on the
inside of the Peninsula, Pacific swells are not a problem. The
lure of East Cape is that the same large variety of fish that
frequent Cabo will also come to East Cape.
The key to fishing any of these places is a small fish called
locally as a Sardinia. These little sardines look like a fat
herring. Deeper in the body than a herring they usually are
about four inches long. Perfect size to duplicate with a Bucktail.
It is pretty simple, if the sardines are about, you will have
good fishing.
All the resorts along East Cape can furnish boats, called Pangas,
and guides. Like any place not pounded by fly fishermen there
is still an attitude that flies are as productive as bait. That
is, of course the typical prejudice found in undiscovered places.
One of the little secrets of East Cape is the fantastic shore fishing.
If a day in the Panga doesn't fill you appetite, and you are in the
mood for more, piece together your eight-weight, string up a floater,
stuff a pocket with a half dozen clouser minnows and work the shore
right in front of any of the resorts for Ladyfish. A ladyfish looks
much like a bonefish and has the reputation of being the poor mans
Tarpon. A strong fighter that has a love of jumping. Not big by
East Cape standards these little lovelies don't get much over 5
pounds.
The shore will offer the same variety that you find in deeper
water with croaker, needlefish, mackerel, and an occasional
roosterfish.
Before you write off Baja as too exotic and expensive a complete
trip including round trip airfare (from Seattle) five days boat
rental, air conditioned room, and meals, as well as transportation
to and from the Cabo airport will come in at about $1500. That is
probably cheaper than five guided days in Montana would cost.
If you are interested in this region, stay tuned for my Journal
of the fishing, the flies and more
photos!
~Mike Croft
Part 2|
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