Encantadas 7/19-7/22 report - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Dannowar · 07-22-2015, 10:13 PM

Made the 7 hour journey down to gonzaga after work and pulled the all nighter. Arrived sunday morning around 11 am to cloudy/rainy skies and zero wind. immediately set up camp at the palapas and went out for a dive. Visibility was hazy and chalky, maybe 10 feet max. certainly not the vis I've seen before but still managed by personal best cabrilla.

day two was a bit of a bust, water was still green from the last hurricane and all the high spots were with TERRIBLE visibility. My buddy Marcus nailed the big ole parrotfish which is beginning to be one of my favorite fish to eat. after a long day on the panga we still had time for an evening dive, this is where the fun (sarcasm) began. The ripping currents and dirty water brought with it the "aguamalas" or "string of pearls" jellyfish. these bastards are like spiderwebs and were everywhere. every tiny piece of skin that was exposed was brutally stung and caused shocking pain and numbness for 30 minutes to an hour. i only took one medium sized cabrilla and a bigger model after the panga ride. had some
(ok, a lot) of beers and passed out shortly. woke up to the most incredible view of the stars I've ever seen in my life. enjoyed the view and passed out again.

Day three encompassed everything i love about Baja. Zero wind, great visibility and a few fish. i was more selective on the fish as my freezer is plenty full. Saw plenty of very small snapper and 15-20 pound gulf grouper, even some yellowtail. took some cabrilla for the family and we packed it in and headed for home.

Over all, we lucked out on weather as I've heard its brutally hot this time of year. Bummer on the water quality and most of the big boys have gone deep till the fall. Had a great time sleeping under the stars and roughing it in my new 4x4 truck. What are you waiting for? Saw one other person fishing the entire time. Yea la jolla is going off, but guess what, i didn't have to find a parking spot, make bait, fight sea lions, or worry about anybody else fishing within a 10 mile radius. Cant wait for la paz next month. Cheers!

SDROB · 07-22-2015, 10:24 PM

Nice grade of fish! I must of just missed you guys I left there about 10am on Sunday morning right after breakfast from the restaurant. It got up to 110 degrees on Saturday but was noticeably cooler on Sunday.

Dannowar · 07-22-2015, 10:32 PM

Yea Luis said you just left haha. We will be back in October sometime.

Ggiannig89 · 07-22-2015, 10:47 PM

1. I gots to get into diving. Just don't know if I can afford a new hobby.
2. I gots to get down to Mex.

taggermike · 07-23-2015, 07:07 AM

Looks like a great trip. Quality cabrilla. That whole area from PTO Final to pruertocitos is just gorgeous. That aquamalo van be just a misery. Fished thru it once and every drop of water that came off the reel on my face, neck, arms, hands, legs were covered in a burning rash. A wet suit might make it better but that stuff sucks. Thanks for sharing. Mike

Deamon · 07-23-2015, 08:13 AM

Bad ass as usual Danny.

Jim

07-22-2015, 10:13 PM	#1
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Encantadas 7/19-7/22 report Made the 7 hour journey down to gonzaga after work and pulled the all nighter. Arrived sunday morning around 11 am to cloudy/rainy skies and zero wind. immediately set up camp at the palapas and went out for a dive. Visibility was hazy and chalky, maybe 10 feet max. certainly not the vis I've seen before but still managed by personal best cabrilla. day two was a bit of a bust, water was still green from the last hurricane and all the high spots were with TERRIBLE visibility. My buddy Marcus nailed the big ole parrotfish which is beginning to be one of my favorite fish to eat. after a long day on the panga we still had time for an evening dive, this is where the fun (sarcasm) began. The ripping currents and dirty water brought with it the "aguamalas" or "string of pearls" jellyfish. these bastards are like spiderwebs and were everywhere. every tiny piece of skin that was exposed was brutally stung and caused shocking pain and numbness for 30 minutes to an hour. i only took one medium sized cabrilla and a bigger model after the panga ride. had some (ok, a lot) of beers and passed out shortly. woke up to the most incredible view of the stars I've ever seen in my life. enjoyed the view and passed out again. Day three encompassed everything i love about Baja. Zero wind, great visibility and a few fish. i was more selective on the fish as my freezer is plenty full. Saw plenty of very small snapper and 15-20 pound gulf grouper, even some yellowtail. took some cabrilla for the family and we packed it in and headed for home. Over all, we lucked out on weather as I've heard its brutally hot this time of year. Bummer on the water quality and most of the big boys have gone deep till the fall. Had a great time sleeping under the stars and roughing it in my new 4x4 truck. What are you waiting for? Saw one other person fishing the entire time. Yea la jolla is going off, but guess what, i didn't have to find a parking spot, make bait, fight sea lions, or worry about anybody else fishing within a 10 mile radius. Cant wait for la paz next month. Cheers! __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

07-22-2015, 10:24 PM	#2
SDROB Malibu Stealth 12 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hollywood, San Diego, Gonzaga Bay Posts: 512	Nice grade of fish! I must of just missed you guys I left there about 10am on Sunday morning right after breakfast from the restaurant. It got up to 110 degrees on Saturday but was noticeably cooler on Sunday. __________________ She will keep you warm in the winter and give you shade in the summer (Rossman) I'm telling ya, you have to keep these suckers on a game clip until just before you drop them in the frying pan.(Rossman)

07-22-2015, 10:32 PM	#3
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Yea Luis said you just left haha. We will be back in October sometime. __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

07-22-2015, 10:47 PM	#4
Ggiannig89 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: El Cajon Posts: 512	1. I gots to get into diving. Just don't know if I can afford a new hobby. 2. I gots to get down to Mex.

07-23-2015, 07:07 AM	#5
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Looks like a great trip. Quality cabrilla. That whole area from PTO Final to pruertocitos is just gorgeous. That aquamalo van be just a misery. Fished thru it once and every drop of water that came off the reel on my face, neck, arms, hands, legs were covered in a burning rash. A wet suit might make it better but that stuff sucks. Thanks for sharing. Mike

07-23-2015, 08:13 AM	#6
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	Bad ass as usual Danny. Jim