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View Full Version : Memoirs of Baja (March 2014)


Chuck D
03-26-2014, 10:26 AM
Day 1
First trip to Baja, a little nervous, very excited and over-prepared. Head down to a gas station to meet up with Bob, Steve, Sven and his dad (koo-kee monster). Hit the road at 6am and after a not so bad drive make it to paradise by 1pm. Border crossing was quick and there was only one military checkpoint along the way, it was easy and they were friendly. The weather was fantastic the water was so blue. Set up tent, gear and made it out for an afternoon fishing session with Steve and Sven before dinner. Got a few sand bass and a trigger or two that was it, nothing too crazy. Headed in for a nice meal and bonfire with the crew. Fell asleep with a spectacular star show and got rest for the next day.

Day 2
Wake up at 6am, make a plan with Sven to go SE to the point and the wind ends up ripping towards it 15-20. We didn’t want to get sent all the way down to Cabo so we fought the wind the other way. Choppy, found a flock of birds going nuts and under me was a massive school of Sierra, which are like mackerel the size of a trout with sharp teeth. Had a couple broke off but managed to pull in 7 or 8 and kept 5 for ceviche later. Went on catching triggers, sand bass and then the wind died down and headed to the point. Got hooked into a nice red snapper and went on down the coast. Fighting the reversed winds, my rod gets slammed and up comes a nice 10lb Cabrilla, fat leapord grouper. Spent from the wind time to head back, trolled on the way and caught a 5lb Hali, sent her back to get bigger. This was the one and only Halibut I caught all trip. ***Disclaimer, sculpin in picture were caught by Sven and donated to me.

Day 3
Wake up to my tent slamming me on the side my head as an alarm clock, 6am. Excited to go fishing, but worried I might not be able to safely. Get an amazing breakfast burrito homemade by Bob in my stomach and just like that the wind is gone. Time to go fishing! Get out to my spot I got my Cabrilla the day before and nothings hitting. Go a quarter mile more and bzzzzz… my trolling line get ripped at a fast rate. It was big and strong, hoping this big fish that I ran into in shallow water wouldn’t run me in the rocks, I buttoned my drag down and landed my 32lb Yellow. Beautiful fish but the day is early. I keep running down the coast and not 10min later, BAM. I get hit again hard only this time a 15lb beastly Cabrilla is on my line, amazing fish. Thinking that things cannot get much better I turn around and start heading back closer to camp. About half an hour later, round 3, I get slammed again only this time I battle and look down in the water and I see a 15lb White Sea Bass. All these big fish strapped down, I want to ice em up so on my way back. Slam I can hit again 10 min later, another 15lb Cabrilla. This is out of control, I can fit anymore fish but still troll and take a nice looking red snapper with me before I return. What an EPIC day, fantastic fishing. Oh by the way we were the only people out on the water that day.

Day 4
Start the day with no wind at all, perfect day! Back to some familiar spots, birds everywhere. First thing get a orange mouthed corvina (they look like small WSB), then I loose my favorite lure on a rock and my backup to a monster fish that dragged my in the rocks. This is what comes next in order, Cabrilla, YT (on the iron), 3 red snapper, corvina another Cabrilla (on the iron). I caught countless triggers, barracudas and sand bass all released. Saw 3 turtles, a whale countless YT roaming the area and hooked a blue footed booby in its blue foot (released with no harm done). Day was over, sad to leave but had to the next day.

Day 5
Got up early, packed up, left by 9am. Border wait was about 1.5hrs, it was hot and a little crazy driving through town, but eventually made it home by 4:30pm. I wish I was back in Baja already. I had a fantastic time with some great quality people Bob, Sven and Dad and Steve. All in all I must have caught almost 100 fish but only kept the beauties. I would do it again in a heartbeat this place is so special, I hope it stays that way. Tight lines and travel south. Thanks again Bob! You want to check it out, watch the video.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/h-3EIRYE228" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://youtu.be/h-3EIRYE228

Bert Vega
03-26-2014, 10:38 AM
awesome report and video. thanks for sharing.

ful-rac
03-26-2014, 10:46 AM
Ok the team sewer movie production company is motivated now...


When's the next trip?

lterrero
03-26-2014, 11:00 AM
Cool!!!:)

FISH11
03-26-2014, 11:04 AM
That was an awesome report and video. It makes me want to go on one of your future trips. The problem would be I might not want to come back here!

octico
03-26-2014, 11:32 AM
Very nice!

walrus
03-26-2014, 11:33 AM
Thanks! now April 10th seems even farther away.

Seriously, that video is exciting and I can't wait to get my line wet down there. Congrats on the fish. It looks like you were working hard:reel:

Do you remember the water temperature?

The Freediver
03-26-2014, 12:06 PM
Nice trip! Baja is awesome!

Iceman
03-26-2014, 12:18 PM
Wow, nice variety & Quality! Those are rose snappers BTW. Tasty!

makobob
03-26-2014, 12:36 PM
Ok the team sewer movie production company is motivated now...


When's the next trip?

4-6 April, to work on house, THEN April 10-20th to FISH. Buddha will be in camp to fish and cook. This Sunday is our planning session at noon at Tidelands in San Diego.

makobob
03-26-2014, 12:38 PM
Thanks! now April 10th seems even farther away.

Seriously, that video is exciting and I can't wait to get my line wet down there. Congrats on the fish. It looks like you were working hard:reel:

Do you remember the water temperature?

How about 71 degrees

Honcho
03-26-2014, 12:42 PM
Awesome report - one of these trips, I am going to join you guys with my boy(s)....thanks for the video and report!:you_rock:

fisher_4_life
03-26-2014, 12:47 PM
Just awesome! :cheers1:

Rambo
03-26-2014, 04:46 PM
:you_rock: thanks for the nice report. Makes wanna plan a trip down there as well

619-SWIM-DOG
03-26-2014, 05:27 PM
Amazing trip wish I could have made this one. There will
Be others but might have to wait till after summer for me.

DennisMorgan
03-26-2014, 07:05 PM
Boys that was awesome! I need 2014 to improve my skills in the big bay here and surf .... I am setting the wife up to release me for the 2015 trip....I will be attending my first Fred Hall on Sunday or I would meet you guys at Tidelands.....tight lines!!!!


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Hunter (The 80's Man)
03-26-2014, 08:07 PM
Can it get any better than that?


When is the fish fry?

svendawg
03-26-2014, 09:51 PM
Great job on the video, helped me re-live the trip again

30lbbg2299
03-26-2014, 09:59 PM
Trip of a lifetime that is amazing! Way to document it with the camera! Sick footage nice job bud

Deamon
03-27-2014, 03:41 AM
Good stuff Chuck. Thanks for posting it up. Jim

janines.fishtales@cox.net
03-27-2014, 05:23 AM
:(

I am so glad you guys had fun. It looks amazing there. I am planning to try to get out there this summer!

Janine

blitzburgh
03-27-2014, 07:00 AM
F'n awesome :cheers1:

GregAndrew
03-27-2014, 07:27 AM
Very kewl trip. Good to know that there are already YT up there this early in the season!!

ful-rac
03-27-2014, 07:37 AM
Let's go greg!!! the grrrrouuuppAAAs are waiting...oh and the yellowtail too.

defjack
03-27-2014, 08:11 AM
Thanks after that report im bringing alot more heavy stuff. Jack

alanw
03-27-2014, 08:41 AM
Nice fish :)

ashmoz
03-27-2014, 08:53 AM
ORGASM! tHANKS FOR SHARING!

TheBentRod
03-27-2014, 09:54 AM
That is what this sport is about. Days like those are what makes me tick.

Thanks for sharing.

makobob
03-27-2014, 09:58 AM
Thanks after that report im bringing alot more heavy stuff. Jack

Heavy stuff will be needed as these fish love the rocks and it can be difficult to turn their heads to keep them from reaching safety. You WILL LOOSE tackle so come prepared. Day 3 is not the time to loose your last big repala when you are staying another 6 days. You will still catch fish, but........... with the sierra mackeral around, wire leaders will save a few bite offs. Larger krockadiles also caught good fish. 4-6" spoons work too. Bigger baits, bigger fish. Large plugs can be cast into the rocks for some EXPLOSIVE top water action. I only had one z-man tail removed and caught lots of bass and a couple of triggers on them.

eod
03-27-2014, 11:00 AM
Baja or bust March 21-24
This was an excellent trip and definitely worth the drive from Idaho.
Because this was my first saltwater kayak adventure I was a bit hesitant to kayak too far from the shoreline but that turned out to be a good thing because most of the fish were caught near the coast. Day 1 caught one good size cabrillia 10-15 lbs and released it. Day 2 morning was fantastic! Boiling orange mouthed corvina, I had several double hook ups and landed seven of them most in the 8 lb range. Day 2 afternoon was slow but still caught several small fish. Day 3 no keepers but caught lots of smaller fish, had a blast catching endless barracuda, sierra mackerel, sand bass, small cabrillia, sculpin, boiling jacks and tried without success to hook some of the monster yellowtail swimming around me. Day 4 caught a nice cabrilla between 10-15 lbs, one orange mouth corvina, one hog fish and several smaller fish. Definitely landed over 100 fish on this trip
Overall this trip was exactly what I was hoping it would be, great weather, people, food, and fishing
I wish that I could have stayed longer, I’ll be back

makobob
03-27-2014, 01:58 PM
Baja or bust March 21-24
This was an excellent trip and definitely worth the drive from Idaho.
Because this was my first saltwater kayak adventure I was a bit hesitant to kayak too far from the shoreline but that turned out to be a good thing because most of the fish were caught near the coast. Day 1 caught one good size cabrillia 10-15 lbs and released it. Day 2 morning was fantastic! Boiling orange mouthed corvina, I had several double hook ups and landed seven of them most in the 8 lb range. Day 2 afternoon was slow but still caught several small fish. Day 3 no keepers but caught lots of smaller fish, had a blast catching endless barracuda, sierra mackerel, sand bass, small cabrillia, sculpin, boiling jacks and tried without success to hook some of the monster yellowtail swimming around me. Day 4 caught a nice cabrilla between 10-15 lbs, one orange mouth corvina, one hog fish and several smaller fish. Definitely landed over 100 fish on this trip
Overall this trip was exactly what I was hoping it would be, great weather, people, food, and fishing
I wish that I could have stayed longer, I’ll be back

Steve, it was a good trip for all, glad you felt it was worth driving from UTAH. I hope to get you back down again, maybe for a few more days next time. SO many fish, SO little time. March, April and May are good times to fish here, June through October can be very hot down here, but the fishing is still fantastic.

FishNinjaY
03-27-2014, 05:10 PM
Awesome report - one of these trips, I am going to join you guys with my boy(s)....thanks for the video and report!:you_rock:

:reel::jig:

undrH2Ohntr
03-28-2014, 08:21 AM
Awesome.

Johnny5
03-28-2014, 09:44 AM
nice!!.. thanks for report. do you mind sharing your list or recommended tackle and lures? besides irons did you try any diving rappalas? what is a good list of lures to take for next trip? thanks :jig:

makobob
03-28-2014, 05:03 PM
nice!!.. thanks for report. do you mind sharing your list or recommended tackle and lures? besides irons did you try any diving rappalas? what is a good list of lures to take for next trip? thanks :jig:

TACKLE to stop 40 lb tails, 20-30lbs drag. You will still be rocked and cut off. Rapalas running from the surface to 20'deep. Yo Zuris the same, crockodiles and spoons 3-6", plugs, mega baits 2-4 oz, big plastics but triggers can tear them up pretty fast. You can troll 20-50 feet or further away from the rocks or cast right up to the rocks and work your jigs back toward you. SECRET TIP!!! IF a GOOD fish hits as you are reeling back towards your yak, he is coming away from the rocks and you have a BETTER chance of landing him, IF trolling TURN into open water with a tight drag paddling, peddling AWAY from the rocks. The object is to get them AWAY from the rocks as SOON as possible. YOU will still loose gear and fish. BEST of LUCK. Hope this helps.