Marlin/Tuna Offshore--Inshore HOT !!
Capt. Bob Baker
August 30, 2009
Boca Chica - Saltwater Fishing Report
Last two days have been wet, with a low pressure passing by. Last Thursday, we did a ¨Modified Offshore Trip¨, whereby we swing out about 7-8 miles in an arc that takes us from Mata Palo to La Chancha, or if we go the other way, Pavones to Piedra del Barco. While ¨running and gunning¨out there, we´ll stop if we see billfish either jumping or on top finning, or if there is bird activity that signals tuna or dorado feeding, or if we come upon a big old log that´s been out there awhile, has lots of barnacles and clams attached, which means there are a lot of small baitfish below. Food for BIG fish. All the time heading for our inshore spot.
Thursday was such a day. We found the much-sought -after old log, and were delighted to see the dorado below it when we did a drive-by. A beauty of around 30 lbs. charged the blue/white/pink Mold-Craft ¨wide range¨, and the day was made!
We tried a couple more passes, nada, then drifted along next to the log , casting live baits(sardina´s) pegged to circle hooks, and didn´t have to wait long for the next mahi to run off with that bait. There were also 5 or 6 nice triple tail below the log, so we rigged up the 9 wt. fly rod and threw a green/white clouser, let it sink, and used short strips to lure them away from their protection. Two T.T´s in the box before the others got spooked and shut up.
Adding a substantial weight to the swivel, via a rubber band, got a bait way down, about 80 ft., before the reel, in the rod holder with the clicker engaged, started screaming , and we had our third mahi, another 30 lb. clone to the other two. As we were cleaning, fileting all our fish while we drifted, it didn´t take long for the other 50 to go off, this time straight down. It was belt-up time; this was a big fish!
The line actually was running OUT, but looked like DOWN, so we thought , tuna!
Then, about 100 yds. off the stern our ¨tuna¨took to the air, shaking and shimmering, trying to cut the line with it´s BILL ! Marlin!!
Though small by our high standards, around 200 lbs., we always say, ¨Every marlin counts as ONE¨, no matter the bulk.
The banded sinker had quick-released, as planned, and the circle hook was in the roof of the mouth, just at the base of the bill. Forty minutes later, we had that bill in a gloved hand, the hook out, and a successful release.
We soaked a couple more sardines, hoping for that Big Mamu to inhale one, but the rest of the hour went by with nary a tap. So, we broke out the sandwich fixin´s , and continued on our arc to Lindor´s Rock, short of La Chancha, but a great spot in it´s own right.
We found the rock, one of them, in 56 ft., dropped a weighted marker, and drifted live and chunk baits for almost two hours. Tally was two roosterfish, one a chiquito of about 10 lbs., the other , maybe a big brother, of around 35. Both released unharmed. Also had a number of run-offs , sliced lines, coral hang-ups, and 3 nice yellowtail snapper, or ¨pargo amarillo¨, released onto a bed of ice.
This is the type of fishing we enjoy here in our ¨OFF SEASON¨. Some days it rains, like yesterday and maybe today, but Thursday was sunny, calm and the action was HOT !
Boca Chica Fishing Forecast:
All species will continue strong, especially MARLIN, TUNA, and all inshore fish.
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