Gonzaga Bay/Las Encantadas report

[svendawg]

Steve (EOD) and I did a last minute trip to Gonzaga Bay/Las Encantadas from March 13^th till the 27^th. The first three days we camped at Papa Fernandez in Willard Bay and fished Willard Bay and the point off Gonzaga Bay.
The remainder of the days we stayed and Makobob’s & Robmoney place at Las Encantadas. While at Las Encantadas we fished the reefs north of the house and Punta Bufeo and drove to Gonzaga Bay a couple of days to fish the Bay there.
The weather was fishable every day but the conditions changed sometimes by the hour. One day we launched at Gonzaga Bay with strong winds out of the east thinking we could get to a protected cove and fish. An hour later the wind died down and we had great conditions for a while then the wind came up, and then died down. It did this throughout the day. During the day the wind shifted from an east wind to a south wind and then an offshore wind to end the day.
On another day there were thunder storms in the mountains west of the Bay which just missed us but we had to keep a close eye on the clouds in case we need to get off the water.
We had a rain showers at Las Encantadas on another day which is very unusual according to Luis the owner of the new restaurant that just opened. On another day we were fishing an outside reef when the wind came up so fast we had to hightail it the nearest beach until the wind died.
While we stayed at Las Encantadas we ate every night at the new Restaurant, La Poma, which just opened about 300 yards from Makobob/Robmoney’s place. If you bring them your fish they will cook your fish and give you the fixings for fish tacos for about $5.00 a meal. We had Cabrillo most of the nights. They do have a menu if you want something other than fish tacos, or they will accommodate your requests. One of the nights I skipped the fish tacos and had fish and chips.
Fishing was slow at times but we did get some quality fish to make up for the slow bite. The best part of the trip was that the trigger fish were not as bothersome as that usual are and we were able to fish plastics most of the time.
Fish caught: Yellowtail, Sierra, Cabrillo, WSB, 100's of Sand Bass, Orange Mouth Corvina, Snapper, Hog Fish, Leopard Grouper, some triggers but not too many.
WSB was 50.15 pounds, 57"

[walrus]

Sven,

Thanks for the update on the new cafe. Lots of nice fish too. I can't wait for June to get here too soon for me. Stocking up the old tackle box already.

[ful-rac]

Saweeeet!!!! The WSB were caught at Gonzaga right? Very cool can't wait to get back down there!

[Mike scales]

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Saweeeet!!!! The WSB were caught at Gonzaga right? Very cool can't wait to get back down there!

Great report, Sven! Glad to see you and EOD at it again. Miss that place tons!

[makobob]

That time of the year again. Saturday we do HOW at OEX and Sunday it is back to Gonzaga for another week in paradise. See you soon Sven. Tight lines.

[rdahl]

Just curious, do you know how to tell the difference between a WSB and a totuava? I don't.

[Zed]

Damn Sven. Got those cortez seabass dialed.

[svendawg]

Originally Posted by rdahl

Just curious, do you know how to tell the difference between a WSB and a totuava? I don't.

I consulted a couple of experts on this exact subject. Here is their method of telling the difference.
Expert #1 Walrus
1. The anal fin, located just in front of the tail fin on the bottom of the fish, is rounded on the Totuava, and WSB has a squared off edge. (see attached Pictures)
2. The tail fin, Totuava has a scalloped edge tail fin, while the WSB has a convext curve or straight looking tail fin. (see attached Pictures)
I always look at the anal fin because it's easy to see in the water if you get the fish a little on it's side. Also I remember "Rounded" starts with an "R", the same as release. "Square edge" starts with "S" the same as save for dinner!

Expert #2 Makobob
The caudal fin, aka anal fin on the WSB is squarish. On aTotuava it is ROUNDED'

[svendawg]

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Saweeeet!!!! The WSB were caught at Gonzaga right? Very cool can't wait to get back down there!

Right, I lost 6 lures to break offs and being taken into the rocks before I landed this one.

[Iceman]

the zipper on the belly of the WSB dead giveaway...........now can you tell the difference between an orange mouth corvina and a Totuava..........that gets a lot trickier

That's some good fishing for March.

[bigbarrels]

Awesome !! Heading down May 20-24 if anyone is interested in hearing down

[FlyFishinYakr]

Holy Cow! That is a Beast!
Congrats, sound like the trip is pretty fruitful.
FFY

[rossman]

Originally Posted by svendawg

Right, I lost 6 lures to break offs and being taken into the rocks before I landed this one.

Hey Sven,

How deep of water did that guy come out of?

[makobob]

Originally Posted by rossman

Hey Sven,

How deep of water did that guy come out of?

And what lures did you loose, casting or trolling?

[Zed]

Originally Posted by makobob

And what lures did you loose, casting or trolling?

And what did you have for breakfast that morning?
And were you regular or off your rhythm?lol

Thanks for sharing sven, appreciate it. Good trip.

[patoloco]

El pescador no respondio al los detalles de pesca....

[svendawg]

Originally Posted by rossman

Hey Sven,

How deep of water did that guy come out of?

70' to 90'

And what lures did you loose, casting or trolling?

All hook-up were on yo yoing irons or large megabaits. Lost three green and yellow irons. The WSB was taken on a green and yellow iron with wire leader on a fast retrieve

And what did you have for breakfast that morning?

Instant oatmeal for this old guy

[YakDout]

Wire leader? Wow wasn't expecting that. Nice fish Sven. Another one for the wall of fame in bobs house. Hope to fish with you soon.