May 28 to June 4 GONZAGA

[makobob]

OUR place on the beautiful Sea of Cortez.

Meeting at Johnny's Shell station in El Cajon at 5 am. Open to all.

Anglers are:

Makobob
Fishnstix Bob Burnett
Farreola
SDROB
Gr8fuldude
Baja_Traveler



Get to Baja BEFORE it gets smoking HOT. Expect to cook one night for everyone or use the restaurant. You are on your own for breakfast and lunch, BRING drinking water and SUN PROTECTION. If you want a fire at night bring firewood.

[Mahigeer]

Welcome back.

Good see you are back home safe.

[makobob]

Welcome back.

Good see you are back home safe.

Thanks Hashem. See you soon amigo. How's your trip planing coming along?

[farreola]

I will be leaving right after work on Friday 3pm. Hopefully get to do some surf fishing when the tide comes up. See you on Saturday!!!

[farreola]

I will cook Saturday Night!!!

[SDROB]

Glad your going Frank! Hopefully we can load up on some taco meat! Im glad will finally get a chance to fish together.

[farreola]

Trying out my new FF!!!!

[makobob]

Rob and Frank, welcome aboard. See you both there.

[Mahigeer]

Thanks Hashem. See you soon amigo. How's your trip planning coming along?

Thanks for asking.
It is becoming harder to wait for the departure date.

I have seen many YouTube videos of the train ride. Very interesting and scenic.
Here is a great recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aco6vMpBH-E

Here is a part (1) of a (6) part recordings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ebWL14jj98

There are not many about the camp there, here are two:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkTNO7UjtW8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sha_Y8x9o7s

Here is their website:
Turn the speaker on.
Rock Island Fish Camp--- http://rockislandfishingcamp.com/index.html

If you click on directions, it shows where it is and the two ways of getting there.
I will be taking the slower, scenic (97) route on the way up and the other one (5) which is faster, yet somewhat scenic (after all it is BC, Canada) on the way down.


Of course a very informative report will be made once I get back. To be sure.

[SDROB]

Rob and Frank, welcome aboard. See you both there.

Bob I will be coming up with a small group just for Sat n Sunday. I haven't spoke to the guys about meals yet, so will probably just fend for ourselves to make things easy. Therefore anyone cooking doesn't have to worry about us.

[makobob]

Bob I will be coming up with a small group just for Sat n Sunday. I haven't spoke to the guys about meals yet, so will probably just fend for ourselves to make things easy. Therefore anyone cooking doesn't have to worry about us.

So you want to fish with us, but not eat with us? Your choice. See you soon.

[farreola]

I volunteer Rob to fry some of the fish we catch....he's got it down pact!!!

[SDROB]

I volunteer Rob to fry some of the fish we catch....he's got it down pact!!!

Im not saying I won't! Pescado Entero Frito is always bomb!Lets just worry about catching fish first. This time LEAVE the birds alone:D


[QUOTE=MakoBob;420] So you want to fish with us, but not eat with us? Your choice. See you soon.

Not saying that dawg! Just not sure of all the details of my group yet and it will probably easier for us just to wing it. Ill Pm you the details and we can decide from there what you want to do.

[farreola]

Frank.... o fish 2 birds and counting!!!

[farreola]

That why I'm going a day early so I can fish off the beach...seems to work out best for me.

[fishnstix]

I will do carne asada burritos one night and bring the fixins for a ceviche snack in case we catch something...sierra or cuchito maybe?

[makobob]

I will do carne asada burritos one night and bring the fixins for a ceviche snack in case we catch something...sierra or cuchito maybe?

Welcome aboard. Will you be meeting me at Johnny's Shell station? See you soon.

[Dannowar]

Weather looks goooooood next week!!

[SDROB]

I just saw this post on BD last night, http://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/juance-upon-a-time-in-gonzaga.625889/

Fishing looks good. Im getting excited!!!!

It looked like the hot jig was a mint surface iron for the Cabrilla. I didn't like hearing about the aggressive hh and mako's thou:eek:

[makobob]

Trying out my new FF!!!!

Way to go, got mine installed before Kentucky trip, works good in shallow watr, will see how it works deeper on tis trip. See you soon.

[farreola]

I installed mine last trip down, but didn't get to use it. Got blown out. we will see how it works on this trip.

[Dannowar]

Might have to join you guys since this week looks windy

[M4TT]

I just saw this post on BD last night, http://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/juance-upon-a-time-in-gonzaga.625889/

Fishing looks good. Im getting excited!!!!

It looked like the hot jig was a mint surface iron for the Cabrilla. I didn't like hearing about the aggressive hh and mako's thou:eek:

wow :eek:

[SDROB]

Might have to join you guys since this week looks windy

Danny tells it like it is with no filter, it's always a good time when he goes. You should def make this trip!

[Gr8fuldude]

Hola Roberto,

It looks like I can make the trip, but I can't be there for the entire week. I could arrive Sunday noonish and I'd need to leave either Wednesday or Thursday.

I can do dinner for the group at the restaurant any night that is open. Nice to get back down there!

Paul

[makobob]

AWESOME Paul, will be good to see you again. Tight Lines.


Hola Roberto,

It looks like I can make the trip, but I can't be there for the entire week. I could arrive Sunday noonish and I'd need to leave either Wednesday or Thursday.

I can do dinner for the group at the restaurant any night that is open. Nice to get back down there!

Paul

[farreola]

Bob, I will be taking a guest.

[makobob]

Bob, I will be taking a guest.

NO PROBLEMO! See you soon.

[kurt]

Just got back from Gonzaga. Lots of Sierra Mackerel. Good sized as well, lots of 8-10lbers. All the other usual suspects were biting. Wind was very erratic. Good luck.

[makobob]

Just got back from Gonzaga. Lots of Sierra Mackerel. Good sized as well, lots of 8-10lbers. All the other usual suspects were biting. Wind was very erratic. Good luck.

Thanks for the update, the area around Gonzaga always holds good fish. appears that fishing is going to be hot again this year. Tight Lines.

[Baja_Traveler]

Ok Bob, as usual I can't make any commitments until the last minute, but I just found out today that I'll be available for this one.

I'll head down on Saturday with you guys, but I have to head back home on Tuesday.

No Memorial Day would be complete without a good BBQ, so I'll be bringing down the smoker and doing a 5 hour smoke on pork ribs Monday with mashed potatoes and corn on the cob.

All I need is a good head count to know how many racks to bring down (and bring the big or small smoker to match).

[makobob]

Congratulations, it finally worked out. 4 or 5 people. Will be looking for you at Johnny's Shell station in El Cajon abut 5 am on Saturday morning. See you soon.


Ok Bob, as usual I can't make any commitments until the last minute, but I just found out today that I'll be available for this one.

I'll head down on Saturday with you guys, but I have to head back home on Tuesday.

No Memorial Day would be complete without a good BBQ, so I'll be bringing down the smoker and doing a 5 hour smoke on pork ribs Monday with mashed potatoes and corn on the cob.

All I need is a good head count to know how many racks to bring down (and bring the big or small smoker to match).

[farreola]

Me and my friend will be heading back on Monday.

[Baja_Traveler]

Me and my friend will be heading back on Monday.

OK - looks like 2 racks of ribs and the small portable smoker it is....

See you all Saturday!

[makobob]

OK - looks like 2 racks of ribs and the small portable smoker it is....

See you all Saturday!

NICE See you soon.

[Dannowar]

well, still haven't decided for sure, but i think me and Pierre are gonna cruise down Sunday. this weather up here just isn't working for us

[makobob]

well, still haven't decided for sure, but i think me and Pierre are gonna cruise down Sunday. this weather up here just isn't working for us

Good hope it means some pulpo. See you there.

[Dannowar]

Two days!!!

[farreola]

I'll have the grill ready!!!

[svendawg]

I just jumped on board for this trip.. Better make it three racks, I love ribs.
I'm bring Cowboy bean stew with elk meat

OK - looks like 2 racks of ribs and the small portable smoker it is....

See you all Saturday!

[SDROB]

I just jumped on board for this trip.. Better make it three racks, I love ribs.
I'm bring Cowboy bean stew with elk meat

Nice! What day you coming down Sven?

[makobob]

Nice! What day you coming down Sven?

He is driving out tomorrow morning.

[svendawg]

I'll be going down on Saturday with Bob
Nice! What day you coming down Sven?

[SDROB]

Cool! Ill see you guys tomorrow!:jig:

[Baja_Traveler]

I just jumped on board for this trip.. Better make it three racks, I love ribs.
I'm bring Cowboy bean stew with elk meat

No thats unacceptable - a rack holder has room for four racks of ribs, so thats what we got! And more fresh corn than we'll know what to do with...

[Baja_Traveler]

Just got back from Bob's place and had a fantastic time. Got to relax, paddles around with a whale shark, caught some fish, ate great food and hung out with great people. The drive was completely uneventful, and took us 7 hours from San Diego - here we are dropping in on the final destination in the distance:

http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349588.gCib816p.P5280184.jpg

All set up on the beach, smoker sitting on the tailgate ready to be fired up for a few racks of ribs:

http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349592.Z4XVgKWV.P5290187.jpg

My artsy shot for the trip:

http://m4.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349594.4yHDsFs1.P5290188.jpg

Chow time under the newly installed roof - Sven and Bob did a first class job of getting it constructed:

http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349598.2gEbv5k9.P5290197.jpg

First day out fishing, unfortunately I was in such a hurry to race down the beach to catch up with the whale shark the day before, I forgot my camera, but this was pretty much the morning conditions everyday before the wind picked up.

http://m1.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349601.54Ru1bga.P5300198.jpg

Out around the point of Punta Bufeo is where the fishermen towed 7 pilot whales that beached themselves. Six can be seen here, the seventh out of frame to the left away from the others.

http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349603.zIymsBBP.P5300201.jpg

The only fish I kept, Typical size Sierra - this one gill hooked, so he will end up in the smoker. It gave us a good excuse to set up Bob's new vacuum sealer, which it turns out got a very good workout that evening.

http://m4.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349604.psjBWMMN.P5300207.jpg

A lot of bait in the water - small yellowtail and sierra occasionally making their way through it.

http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349606.W6IlNsWn.P5300212.jpg

Lots of spotty action, this poor guy was giving a good fight when all of a sudden, nothing. Reeled him in to find this - surgical chomp suggests a shark of some sort. Probably would have been the biggest spotty I ever caught too...

http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349608.gdUOfkOW.P5300223.jpg

Bob in his ever present quad - sure was nice to have it to tow the yak back up the beach, probably saved me from having a heart attack - those 14 foot PA's aren't exactly light...

http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349616.gBtRbcpj.P5300228.jpg

The beast of the trip! 95 pounds, taken by spear off a high spot near the island. Thats a 35 pounder on the ground. I'll let those responsible tell that story...

http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349658.5qiErBXX.P5300231.jpg

I'd venture a guess that it's the biggest fish to cast a shadow at Bob's place...

http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349628.AqZ7658K.P5300236.jpg

Tuesday morning, and unfortunately I have to go home. Here is Sven heading out for the day, and as I type this some 8 hours later, I'm positive he is still out there fishing...

http://m0.i.pbase.com/o9/85/360685/1/163349660.OIM0Uk8G.P5310238.jpg

Great trip, and I can't wait to go back.

[SDROB]

Wow! Nice:eek:......

[Mahigeer]

Thank you for a great report from there. Finally!

The future bathroom looks promising.

The beach looks so good. Figures, I am not there.

Hope there will be other posts by others with pictures.

Bob looks good and healthy. Thank god.

[farreola]

These was a great trips like always!!!

[Dirty Curti]

Excellent report! I hope to get out there with you guys one of these times in the future.

Great detail on the info. I was wondering how long the drive was and all I was getting from google trips was 2/12 hours I knew that wasn't right. 7 hour trip isn't that bad to drive to paradise.

:cheers1:

[Mahigeer]

My two trips took about 5 hrs. each going south from SD.

Coming up north, a 2 hr. wait for border crossing is considered a short wait.

[farreola]

Especially on holidays...we did 4 hours this past Monday!!!

[Baja_Traveler]

My two trips took about 5 hrs. each going south from SD.

Coming up north, a 2 hr. wait for border crossing is considered a short wait.

So yesterday I hit the border right around 11:30, took the right turn and looked to my left toward the border fence at the first intersection and saw cars, so I went up to the next intersection and it was clear. Jumped in there, and checked my time - literally did not stop until I hit the booth. Was passing through the zig zag barriers four minutes after getting in "Line" - god I love that Sentri Pass! Poor suckers on the other side of the barrier were all sitting, doors open and having picnics.
Getting the Sentri pass is a hassle, but so worth it...

[Dannowar]

Mahi....we waited ten minutes at the border on Tuesday at 430pm. The border official said the wait on Monday got up to 7 hours!!!





As usual another epic trip in the books. Can't thank you guys enough for the good times and good food.



The dinner at the restaurant was beyond epic. Kai's ribs, almejas, pulpo, made for a massive stomach stretching.



And then there was the grouper....we found the honey hole. Out of the hundreds we saw, we took two. Amazing creatures, and quite refreshing to see them in numbers like we did.



Seems like everyone at the town wanted to see pierres monster.





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v13/littlehammet/9E2E6250-F328-4850-A38B-2983D36BCA6C_zps4wrhuwhl.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/littlehammet/media/9E2E6250-F328-4850-A38B-2983D36BCA6C_zps4wrhuwhl.jpg.html)



Baja mixed bag of top notch eats

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v13/littlehammet/2B23506A-01CC-47D3-A6BF-371F5640CF4C_zpsthkf0f6n.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/littlehammet/media/2B23506A-01CC-47D3-A6BF-371F5640CF4C_zpsthkf0f6n.jpg.html)



And a couple souvenirs for the casa de mako



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v13/littlehammet/22C1178D-1479-4439-8E65-194907F93CE8_zpsc7bzzsqf.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/littlehammet/media/22C1178D-1479-4439-8E65-194907F93CE8_zpsc7bzzsqf.jpg.html)

[YakHanded]

so fuckin epic

[Mahigeer]

Mahi....we waited ten minutes at the border on Tuesday at 430pm. The border official said the wait on Monday got up to 7 hours!!!

Lucky guys.

You should have bought a lottery ticket afterwards!

Plans are at work for an October trip.

Just bought a camping hot water maker from Sport Chalet at %40 off. I already have a shower tent.

[Gr8fuldude]

Such a great trip, even if I was only there for two full days. Kai, the ribs were amazing! As was the pulpo, almejas, and Sven's elk cowboy stew (Sven if there is anyway you can send me that recipe I'd be much obliged!).

Oh yeah, and the fishing wasn't too bad either. I didn't land anything big, but the steady action had me constantly giggling like a little schoolgirl. Countless spotties/triggers/sierra, and a dozen rat yt's in a couple of days for me.

Also, to Danny and Pierre, thanks for the vacuum sealed grouper filets I found in my cooler. :you_rock: :cheers1:!!

Thanks to Makobob and everyone for such a great time! Now I'll just have to daydream of Gonzaga until the next trip down.

BTW, I had an hour and fifteen minute border wait Wed at noon.

Paul

[Baja Arizona]

I joined this forum specifically for trip reports about kayak fishing in Baja. This is awesome! I grew up 30 miles north of Mexicali and I have been taking trips down Baja (mainly Baja Norte on the Sea of Cortez side) for 39 years. Unfortunately, I only started kayak fishing 5 years ago.

Gonzaga Bay is one of my favorite destinations. I've never caught grouper like the ones pictured here but the thought of it is one (of the many) things that keeps me going back. Well done!

A group of four of us is headed south on June 21st. We are going to fish Punta Final (Gonzaga Bay) on the evening of the 21st and morning of the 22nd. PM on the 22nd we are headed to BOLA where we will likely camp at Punta Gringa and fish Isla Smith for a couple days. I have to return to the States on the 25th but some folks will likely stay a bit longer.

If you are into long paddles and battling heat exhaustion, you are welcome to join us!

[Mahigeer]

Calling farreola, calling farrola,

Did you get my reply to your PM?

I got a second notice for a PM from you, but it is my own reply!!

Let me know if you did not get it, so I can re-send it.

[svendawg]

Great fishing weather all week. Was able to fish all day long. A few days the wind came up around 1300, but if you waited it out it died down for the afternoon bite.

Lots of 50+ fish days with most of the fish being the larger model spotties, and sierra. Once in a while the YT would show but they were all rats.
The lure of the day was the 1 oz crocodile all chrome or chrome and blue.
The megabaits type lure worked also but not a consistent as the crock.

The place to fish was about one mile off the beach where there is a drop off from 40' to 100+ This ridge runs parallel along the beach from Bob's place all the way south to in front of Punte Buffeo. Fish the shallow side of the ridge. There is no structure out there but the fish are there. Paddle around and drop in fish marks and it's fish on.

I watched a shark eat one of my spotties while I was bring it in, leaving me with the head. Shark was about foot long, unknown species.

I had encounters with the whale shark on three different days where she hung out with me for a few minutes, I got video of the whale shark next to my PA with her tail inches from my hull and her swimming under my yak. (Sorry don't know how to post video)

The food was exceptional on this trip. Smoked ribs on two nights, Garlic shrimp, Bratwursts, Cowboy bean stew, Fried fish, Grouper cheeks (thanks Danny), Carne Asade, boneless Chicken and all the trimmings.

It was great to meet up with old friends and to meet new friends. I hope to fish with everyone in the future.

Border wait on Thursday at 1000 was 45 minutes.

[farreola]

Mahigeer, Just one PM

[Mahigeer]

Mahigeer, Just one PM

So did you get my reply?

[Mahigeer]

Thanks for the post.

With all that great food, did it mean that you are off the diet?

With all the attendees, so few pictures are posted.

I wish there were more pictures.

Please give Bear a hug from me.

[fishnstix]

I was the FNG on this trip down to Mako Bobs Paradise and Paradise it was. The fishing was incredible, the weather cooperated and the daily dinner feasts were insane. Fished 3 days on the yak and caught between 50-100 fish each day (rat yellows, a ton of spotties, sierra and triggers)

Saw a whale shark several times during the week and went down the beach with Mako Bob on his Rhino to a remote beach looking for orange mouth and had a 3-4 foot toutuava swim past about 3 feet from shore. It cruised up and down the beach teasing us for 15 minutes before it meandered out into deeper water...

Very, Very fun trip, killer place and great people, cant wait to do it again!

[farreola]

I left a Bending Branch Angler Ace paddle at Bob's place and it has gone missing. I'm thinking someone took it by mistake. Please PM if you happen to of taken the paddle. I can meet somewhere and pick it up.

Farreola

[makobob]

Weather was warm last 3 days 95 day and 76 at 5 am. 100 fish days, 94 lb and 34 lb Gulf Grouper, lots of sierra, bass, anf rat YT too. This is going to be a hot summer in paradise. More reports to follow.

[Dannowar]

Bump! May head down!

[makobob]

Bump! May head down!

Me too. Weather looking mid 90's and winds mostly under 10 mph. Fishy time of year, whale sharks and turtles. I wil be at Johnny's Shell station on Friday morning about 4 am, on my way to paradise. See Ya!!!

[Zed]

I like to be soaking in the Cortez right now.

[makobob]

I like to be soaking in the Cortez right now.

ME TOO, water temps now in 80's?