Campo Las Encantadas trip, Baja 10/17-24/2015----part two

[Mahigeer]

53-I caught this fish which has been identified as Jawfish on the Panga with a Flatfall lure. Later I lost that lure.





54-Mike landed and released this nice Cabrilla toward the end of our Panga ride.



Paul got tired of kayaking and joined us for panga fishing. Shane kept on kayak fishing until it was time to go home.


55-Shane is getting ready to get on board after a successful day of kayak fishing around the island.





Dinner was at the restaurant treated by Bob which was Mole chicken.


Monday night we had a strong winds and it was interesting to sleep in the tent. I had to position my heavy stuff, so the tent would not move.




Tuesday, October 20, 2015


The Panga trip was cancelled due to the windy conditions.



56-Birds hitting the baitfish close to shore.



Some people resorted to surf fishing and Steve even caught a 5 lbs. yellowtail from the surf!
Rooster fish was seen to hit the surf. They were probably chasing mullets.

Later as the wind subsided, some ventured on their Kayaks. Steve and I decided to go surf fishing. Steve caught some fish, while I struggled with some snags.


57-I think this is Sven going fishing.



58-This is Jeff and a not too small yellowtail.



59-This puffer fish was caught on the kayak.




Dinner was cooked by master chef, Jeff which was a delicious grouper with a tomatillo sauce with Japanese chilies and shrimp and potatoes with butter and garlic Achiote sauce.




Wednesday, October 21, 2015


60-Some are going on a second Panga trip. I opted not to go this time.



Bob was kind enough to let me use his Hobie Outback kayak. I spent the morning learning how to setup and
remove the Mirage drive and how to operate the rudder.

In the afternoon, I was doing more fishing and less fighting the currents.


61-Another bass caught.



62-This is an Orange Mouth Corvina. Yet another first on two counts for me. Kayak and species.



63-Guess why this fish is called an orange mouth?



64-Again a steel leader is must have when targeting these fish.



65-I also landed a small barracuda. Silver small Krocodile and market shrimp were used on kayak to catch fish.



We had some rain and later a lightning show in the distance.


Dinner was at the restaurant complements of Mike. Hot dog, burgers and salad. Delicious Sangria was served too.




Thursday, October 22, 2015


Everybody with exception of Jack and yours truly went to Gonzaga Bay to fish.

The water was flat like glass at “home”.
Easy, pezy paddling, but Bob was gracious enough to let me use his Hobie Outback.


66-Catching bass on Bob’s kayak.



67-This is a type of vehicle to have if you are going there. A roomy and powerful vehicle.



68-It allows you bring this type of camping gear to share with others.



69-On the other hand, if you are getting a ride from someone else, it is better to stay compact.



70-Another nice mode of transportation to have there is this type of a vehicle. From moving around, to towing the kayak to the beach, or to look for the lost (well, more like a stranded) kayaker!!



71-Looking north during the low tide. There is a large water movement during tidal change. At the high tide, all of those rocks are hidden underwater.
It is of important to watch your Mirage drive if you are close to this area.




72-Looking north again at sunset.



73-Kochi likes to blow water at the surface, and also move its pectoral fins so fast, that it drums.



74-Going toward Punta Bufeo on Bob’s Hobie Outback.





Thursday, October 22, 2015


75-Our fearless leader taking a well-deserved rest on his comfortable chair………



76-……..in the meantime Paul is looking for action on the water while Travis is contemplating to whether feed Mr. Bear or not.



77-Others are taking a nap, or relaxing.



78-However, Shane wastes no opportunity to fish.



79-Traveling with one of these along with abundance of fish, would make this location a true Paradise.




It was the Turkish Raki night at the restaurant. Some of the gang tried it and some even liked it. The menu consisted of fish which was caught by others and given to the cook to prepare.
Yellowtail, grouper and I cannot remember the third one. I wish I had taken more pictures of the dinners.
A good excuse to make another trip if for nothing else.


80-Having dinner at the restaurant compliments of Paul and yours truly.

Mike at the end toward the camera. Clockwise from left, Steve *, Shane (Monstahfish), yours truly (Mahigeer), Bob (Makobob), Sven (Svendawg), Robert (Pukashel), Paul (Gr8fuldude), Travis (GunRunner), Jeff (Buddha), and Jack (DefJack).

(*)Steve lives in Idaho. He had spent a week with Sven before we got there. He had driven for 25 hrs. to get to our camp. He must really like this place.




Friday, October 23, 2105


81-Time and temp.



I spent the day packing and taking it easy while listening to my music. Once again it was hot and required plenty of hydration.
Bob wanted to have the truck packed the night before. I only left out my cot and sleeping bag to pack in the morning.
We left at 7:10 AM SHARP on Saturday, instead of 8:00 AM as originally was planned.

Jeff and Shane left mid-day and Sven and Steve left at 4:00 AM I was told, since I was sleeping and did not hear them leave.


82-Jack had to be pulled out of the sand by Bob’s powerful truck. Like I mentioned before, it is a one to have there if you can afford it.



83-Last day’s catch by Travis.



84-Since we packed the truck for an early departure, I had my tent loaded in the truck and slept here. Around 1:00 AM the wind picked up and I could taste the sand in my mouth.



85-At the last night of the trip, we used the fire pit for the first time. I roasted some marshmallows, while most enjoyed their adult drinks and swapped fishing related stories.





Saturday, October 24, 2015



86-The wind continued all night. In the morning the surf was rough. Good thing we were leaving that morning.



87-More scenery which I don’t know the location names, but begs a looking into.






88-I was told there are hot spring wells in this area.




89-More beach scenery on the way home.




90-It was good to see some lush greenery after a week in desert.



91-There were some nice gated developments to be seen on the way to Mexicali.




92-This location is a special place for Bob. I will let him elaborate, if he wants.



93-We took a different route going back and saw a lot of these generators.




We made a stop at a different place to eat at San Filipe. Robert treated the caravan, which consisted of Bob, Paul and yours truly in one truck. Jack in his truck and Robert and Travis in the third truck.

I did not bring any fish back since there was no full-time electricity and no operating freezer in the camp. I also did not want to delay our border crossing with cooler inspection.
Fish caught------Various bass, barracuda, orange mouth Corvina, puffer fish, sierra, trigger fish and a Jawfish.
All released.


I had a tiring yet great time. Hot weather and lack of Hobie kayak made it less pleasant, but that is part of the adventure. Noting can be done about the weather, so we did what we could to be safe and yet get some fishing done.

With exception of Travis getting sick for a day (I will let him talk about it), no one else got sick. We all drank bottled drinks and even brushed our teeth with them. I had taken Probiotics starting a week before departure.

If you find any inaccuracies, or mistakes, please let me know so I can correct it here.


Hope you enjoyed the report.



THE END.

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Thanks!

I had a great time! (reading your posts)

I can almost see, feel, touch, taste and hear all the fun you had.

[Zed]

Good trip Im sure. Nice mix and good size yellows.

Cochis is Mex slang for triggers. And cochitos are small triggers.

Your mysteryfish is a giant jawfish. They taste good. Look terrible.

Buddahs "hag fish" is a Hog fish.

"Sweat beans" sound awful.

Thanks for taking the time to post.

[octico]

Very good read. Thanks for taking the time to post.

[Mahigeer]

Thank you for your kind words and corrections everyone.

The post only took less than 30 hrs. to prepare and I am glad it is liked.

Correction from Buddha

Originally Posted by buddha

Thanks you wrote a nice report.

What I cooked was not a gumbo at all.

It was grouper with a tomatillo sauce with japones chiles and shrimp and potatoes with a butter and garlic achiote sauce.

The name jawfish makes sense. It has a huge jaw. Thanks for ID Zed.

[Mahigeer]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

Thanks!

I had a great time! (reading your posts)

I can almost see, feel, touch, taste and hear all the fun you had.

The nicest compliment that I have had in three websites, where I post these type of reports. Ever.


You are kind.

[makobob]

Impressive, well put together accounting of our trip. Thank you IT WAS worth the wait.

[buddha]

Excellent photos and one of the best fishing reports from a baja excursion that I have seen.

Great job.

[taggermike]

Great day by day n play by play report. Beautiful photos. Been to that area twice but not with the kayak. Looks like a perfect yak fishing location. The incredible variety of fish you can catch in Baja is a big part of the fun. I believe the mexican name for trigger fish, Cochito, loosely translates as little pig. Thanks for taking the time to photo, document, and share. Mike

[steveooo]

Excellent report. Really enjoyed part 1 and 2. Really makes me want to get my butt in gear and head down there with the group sometime.

Thanks for taking the time to put the post together.

[Mahigeer]

You are all very kind and generous with your compliments.

Much appreciated.


Another "how-to" report is being put together and will be posted soon for those who will be going there for the first time.

[Zed]

Ive also heard dolphins called cochis when out looking for tuna.

[makobob]

Some of the fish caught on this trip:

Hog fish, bone fish, sierra, triggers, cabrilla, barracuda, rose snipers, bass, orange mouth corvina, skipjack tuna, jack caravelle, rivera grouper, leopard grouper, yellow snapper, rooster fish, puffers and others. Quite a selection of fish to choose from, we saw whale sharks, whales, turtles and there was a sighting of four vaquitas in a pod in Gonzaga. Tight Lines and Fishy Dreams.

[Deamon]

Is the base of that mountain where Bob..."Dropped the Hammer"...during a wedding anniversary trip???

Or did "that" take place on the porch at Las Encantadas? AGH!!! My stories are getting mixed up in my head...!

Jim