This season the East Cape reports seem to contain more hyperbole than usual. I suppose that it's a sign of economic times. Reports of wide open action are more common than the 4 hour warnings for Viagra. Reports that begin with, "It's a scratch bite," have become much more credible.

The truth is business is slow so there are fewer boats out there looking for the hot spots. As an example, there was a video published on the web this week that promised great rooster action. In the video, the most prominent noise was the wind ripping while some guy fought his fish. Judging by the bend in the rod, it wasn't exactly a whopper. So these days it is all in the eye of the beholder.

Few were skunked this week but only a few limited out on anything. Dorado were fewer but bigger; marlin were few and far between. The touted tuna bite is mostly football sized

The inshore and beach action still seem to be the best that East Cape has to offer currently with lots of smaller roosters and jacks and a few bigger ones for the lucky few who end up in the right place at the right time.

Over the course of the last week I saw beach fishing action ranging from excellent to slow depending on conditions and location. When I found the bait and had good light for sight casting there were some excellent opportunities for roosterfish, jacks, and even a few barred pargo. Most of the roosterfish were ranging from 5 to 15lb\\\'s but there were a number in the grande class to be found. However, the larger fish are now frequently spotted in pairs or three\\\'s. These fish are exhibiting their spawning behavior so it can be very difficult to get them to chase the fly rather than chase each other. That said, there is enough good bait along the shore to attract other gamers that are ready to play.

Most of the roosterfish were ranging from 5 to 15lb\'s but there were a number in the grande class to be found. However, the larger fish are now frequently spotted in pairs or three\'s. These fish are exhibiting their spawning behavior so it can be very difficult to get them to chase the fly rather than chase each other. That said, there is enough good bait along the shore to attract other gamers that are ready to play. The pargo in the photo this week was spotted in the mullet schools along side both roosters and jacks. It was a pleasant surprise that he beat the other fish to the fly. It\'s been a while since I\'ve caught a barred pargo on the fly from shore. Lane Peterson