Return to Cabo San Quintin
 

Last week I took the family to San Quintin with hopes of hooking into some nice fish.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall.../wsb070809.jpg

As indicated by my post about that trip, I didn't get to fish much...

...this week I decided to try something different...

I took off for my first solo trip to Baja. I left Wednesday morning around 3am. Arrived
in SQ around 7:45 and headed out to the point via my 4x4. I really didn't want to
paddle 8+ miles again (like last week).

Light wind and tide pushed me to the point at a nice pace, while I made bait and enjoyed
a couple of whales.

http://www.abszero.com/fishing/07-08/whale-02.jpg

-until they got awfully close.
This whale came within 20 feet of my kayak.
http://www.abszero.com/fishing/07-08/whale-01.jpg

I decided I had enough bait and paddled to the point. Trolled live bait for over an hour while
the wind steadily increased.

I decided to get closer to the shore to avoid some wind and try for some 'butts.
I found this little 5+lb. guy within the first few minutes.
http://www.abszero.com/fishing/07-08/butt-070808.jpg

Eventually the wind got too much, as it was blowing over 20kts. I paddled against
the wind for about 1 hour and 40 minutes until I made my way
back to my car
on the east point and crashed for a couple of hours.

At the Old Mill, I ran into Adam. I helped pull him out of the sand at LJ one morning and
he must have recognized my truck. He stopped and said hello and we decided to
fish together in the morning.

That evening, I did some recon work to find a different spot to fish than the point. I found some thick kelp
and decided I would fish there in the morning.
In the morning, the wind was calm and the surf was small, so I launched out to the kelp.

After about an hour of trolling different lures and live bait rigs, I got hit.
Immediately, my lines were tangled, but I was able to free the active line quickly. The line
when slack, and I was bummed for a second, but then realized I was still hooked.
I was getting towed and the feel was different, so I was hopeful for the right kind.
I still don't have the FF hooked up to the new yak, so I didn't know what was below
me. I kept a light drag and let him run, as I've lost fish with an overtightened drag.

After 3 or 4 deep runs and 2 360s, I brought this guy to color.
http://www.abszero.com/fishing/07-08/wsb070809.jpg

Easily, my happiest single moment fishing.

I've finally broken the WSB barrier - this was my first WSB.
Now the problem is that it'll be a tough one to beat.
This weighed in at 48.8 lbs. on the OEX Certified Scale.

This trip was a personal best for me - 1st WSB, 1st fish close to 50lbs., biggest halibut.

Congrats man! That is a hell of a nice fish!! I repeat on HELL of a NICE FISH!!
Matt

That is one hell of a fish!!!! Good job.

Now that it how it is done! certified weight for the jackpot(no WSB jackpot Dave?), tape shot(s):D and the big fish on yo lap for the sub.

Helluva fish! Congrats!!!:luxhello::luxhello::luxhello:

:luxhello::luxhello:... Damn, finally Dave. Nice work there.

Nice
 

Nice first WSB :luxhello: :cheers1:

Yeah Dave good job. Nice fish.

And you didn't have to drive all the way to punta baja.

gabe

Awesome! :you_rock:

sweeeeeeeeeeet fish yet to fish baja in tha yak

Redemption finally! Beautiful fish! Loco solo pescador!

Good job Dave. That thing is a monster.

Sweeet Fish!!! Nicely done:luxhello: :luxhello:

'nuff said. :D

That's a bleater.
Great job Dave! :cheers1:

Congrats, nice beast of a fish

Great first Seabass. Solo in mex. Can't beat that.

Nice fish Wavster! Congrats on the cherry popping.

Nice Dave!!! Your persistence is admirable! :cheers1:

:luxhello:

NICE!!!:cheers1:

thats A GREAT photo! who took that? I cant get a program working here to resize my photo. working on it... mine weighed in at 55 lbs on the digital