East Cape fun

Hi all,

         Vic and I have just returned from a wonderful few days at The Ranch.  With this being our first trip to Mexico we had no idea what to expect.  Needless to say we had a great time - met Gary a fellow South African who manages the place and instantly felt quite at home.

The weather was wonderful and afforded us plenty of fishing time.  With the offshore boats bringing in few fish we weren't feeling too bad about our Rooster catches   

On our final day of fishing - we were on the water early determined to make the best of our last few fishing hours. With lots of bait fish about we were expecting something to bite.  It wasn't long before Vic's reel was screaming or was it Vic screaming . - all I know is that there was a lot of commotion as his kayak took off with him hanging on for dear life.     There was nothing much I could do but watch him disapear into the distance.  After 30 minutes or so, I saw that he had started paddling again.  I knew that he had either bagged the monster or ...... heaven forbid lost the battle .  I pulled in my lines and headed out to meet him.

Vic had won the battle - and with the help of our friend Eriks gaff he managed to land this great fighting fish.  A 24lb Toro or Jack Crevalle.

What a way to end a wonderful trip - wont' be our last that's for sure! On a side note - we would like to thank all the folks that had posted the great information regarding fishing at the Ranch - what a great group of people we have at NCKA!

Heading down to Cabo in July and hope to hook a rooster, sierra or jack crevalle from a yak. I would say the jack crevalle is the hardest fighting fish pound for pound maybe only second to the yellow tail. Nice report.

Scott

Nice Toro! Those things aer mean fighting fish. We would catch them in TX on occasion and they destroyed a few of my setups for sure.

Heading down there Wensday....... Ya, short timer.... Any suggestions for what the rosters hit, I just picked up some poppers I'm hoping my boys will get lucky with......Danglin

Heading down there Wensday....... Ya, short timer.... Any suggestions for what the rosters hit, I just picked up some poppers I'm hoping my boys will get lucky with......Danglin

Danglin, 

           Vic and I found the X-rap rappala's in blue and silver colors worked well.  Even the trigger fish had a go at them.  Sizes for the raps - 12-14.  Have fun down there and say hi to Gary for us!

Cheers!

Thanks!!! Back to Outdoor pro Shop $$$$$$............Danglin

Looks like a great time. What beautiful weather and even if the fishing was slow you guys did nail some roosters. And the last second JT, classic. Way to go get em guys!!

Z

Aahhh..... It brings back memories.  Very nice.

Did you guys eat an of those toro?

I'd like to know what you guys think of it.

Great report.  Toro aren't so tasty but they sure pull HARD...especially big ones like that.  Looks fun, missing the ranch BAD!!!

Nice report!  Nice Jack Crevalle... I need to get down there and do that one of these days.  Vic... glad to see the gaff got some action.

EK

What a great trip!
    Morgan

Congrats on the southern sleigh ride.......really nice!

Aahhh..... It brings back memories.  Very nice.

Did you guys eat an of those toro?

I'd like to know what you guys think of it.

   Yep ChuckE we gave it a try.  It is an interesting story - being from South Africa - our taste in fish is quite different to those in the US.  Let's just say if the fish doesn't taste like fish well - we don't like it much. In South Africa we love eating blues or shad as they are known there - here in the states blues are thrown to the cats or used for bait.  Nothing beats a well prepared meal of fresh blue.

So with that being said - there was no way we were not going to try the JC.  It was well bled when Vic caught it and when brought home marinated in buttermilk for a couple of hours. This left the flesh a light pink color opposed to the blood red of a freshly caught JC.  Once out of the buttermilk it was seasoned with lemon pepper, garlic powder and rubbed down with olive oil.  Then onto the hot barbeque for a couple of minutes a side.  Served with some good sushi rice and asparagus on the side it made for a tasty meal.

Nice blue! I've fished for those back east in Martha's Vineyard. Very fun to catch, and in my opinion, anyone who says they aren't good eating hasn't cooked them right. They're delicious! We even packed some frozen bluefish fillets home and ate them over the next few weeks...still tasted great!

The only problem with the blues on our east coast is that people don't give them any respect. They'll leave them in the sun, or 75F water, and then wonder why they're so fishy!!!? Bled and iced, then broiled, is excellent.

The big ones are wickedly tough; pound for pound they'll beat a king salmon, any day. Used to be a favorite to catch on Long Island NY.