PISCES WEEKLY FISH REPORT JUNE 24TH TO 30TH, 2005 BILLFISH: We saw quite a dramatic drop on marlin catches this week, but our overall catch success rate was actually higher, at ninety-four percent for all species combined; however just thirty one percent of charters managed to entice marlin up to the leader. “Felina” fishing further up in the Sea of Cortez, at the 88 spot, near Cerralvo had a monumental battle with a huge black marlin, in 80-degree water. The fight with this monster fish, between 1200 and 1400 lbs, lasted 30 hours! The fish was definitely the victor going through three different anglers – Mark Dilbeck, Matt Lewis and Peter Vehl, all from Los Angeles. The fish took a black and purple lure that was attached to a bird teaser on 80 lb test line. Captain Tony hooked the first angler and fish up at 1.30 pm on Monday and the fish and the captain decided on a mutual release, the following day at 6.30 in the evening. The fish was extremely tough and not even 33 lbs of drag, or a change over to a bent butt rod could break the 16-foot long giant. This was not Tony’s first marathon battle, he coached actor Willie Aames to a first place win in the Bisbee tournament close to 15 years ago in a similar fight that lasted almost as long. The highlight of this past week was the Stars and Stripes, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, charity tournament. This event is a lot of fun, no prize money is won, but trophies are received and all monies raised go to charity. The were able to raise over one million dollars for needy kids and the first place boat was “Valerie” with four striped marlin for the Green family. Other boats that did well this week “Ensueno” with four stripers on June 30th, for Gary Tognoni and friends, “Karina” on the 28th for two stripes as well as six tuna. Most boats opted to fish straight out from Cabo where bonus catches of dorado and tuna could be had and in fact were more of a guaranteed catch, than the marlin. Pisces anglers caught a total of 29 striped marlin of which 27 were released. OTHER SPECIES: Yellowfin tuna, were definitely the most numerous gamefish this week, with a little over sixty-five percent of boats catching fish in the 25 to 50 lb class, giving us a total of 172 fish – we did not have any huge fish like, the couple of 200 lb plus specimens caught last week, though we did hear of a 300 lb’er, which we will confirm if and when details become available. Dorado catches increased this week, with thirty-six percent of boats landed fish in the 25 to 45 lbs. Wahoo catches were slower at a little under ten percent and weights were moderate at 45 lbs average. Inshore some roosters, snappers and jacks. WEATHER CONDITIONS: Up and down, some days were quite cool but by week’s end, we had warm, humid weather. Pacific is now calm, but some winds in the afternoon. LOCATION: Land’s End, to Old Lighthouse, 5 to 25 miles offshore, some boats went to Destiladeres, Cabeza de Ballena and Chileno also produced some good catches. AVERAGE WATER TEMP: 73 F BEST LURES: live bait, black/purple, cedar plugs, and feathers. Based on the catches of Pisces by Tracy Ehrenberg