Dodging weather and wingin' it Baja style. Long post. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Dannowar · 01-08-2017, 12:00 PM

After busting my ass almost seven days a week at work in December the only thing getting me through each late night was the thought of filling my freezer and getting some quality south of the border time in. The original plan was to hit gonzaga with my favorite BWE boys but as the date came closer, the forecast didn't look too in our favor (this would later be incorrect). After collecting some intel from some well traveled Baja anglers we decided to just drive past the low pressure system and take a gamble on a hotel or two being open.

First stop was Campo encantadas to say what's up to the boys and grab my copy of The Baja Catch. Bullshitted and laid out our plan to Rob and Bob and got a little hint that mayyyybe there might be some leftover pozole and tamales next door....

Confirmed. Necessary fuel up for the next 7 hours on the road.

The drive was a blast with the recent rains and had a ton of fun charging through puddles and pushing my Tacoma through the bumpy ride back to the freeway.

Cocos corner

Baja wax job

With our sights set on Punta chivato, we showed up in the dusky sun setting hours and pulled up to hotel prospect number one. Closed. Glad I downloaded the whole region on google maps.... Next option down the road,closed. Shit. Looks like we're camping. Threw the truck into 4wd and basically rock crawled down a steep hillside and attempted to set up camp on the north side of punta chivato on a nice little sand beach. Wind starts blowing. There goes our tent... Decision time. I walk up the rock and see that my phone has trace elements of some of the weakest reception I've ever seen. Better than nothing. I call up an ex girlfriend who went to high school with a dude who lives in Mulege. She comes through big time and gets us directions. We crawl through the dirt road almost an hour back to the pitch black main road and white knuckle drive down to Playa Buenaventura. We pull up to a bonfire full of travelers and a full bar. Things are looking up. We arrange a panga through our friends connection and after a few beers get some well needed rest.

Islands in Bahia Conception

morning view from our porch

The sad reality of this sleepy oasis town is that most of the reefs in the area are barren due to pangueros either netting or using hookah to commercially harvest grouper/snapper. Day one was a feel out day where we dove many beautiful spots and slammed some nice Coconaco. Or barred pargo.

Stoked but not satisfied we went in search of a panguero who could put us on some mean reef fish.

Wacky roadside installation

One of the many revealing curves in the winding road.

Day two and three we found a good reef and pushed our limits yanking some Pargo out of their holes. If you're not familiar with cubera snapper just know that they do not go quietly. If you dont kill the fish instantly, you're in for some spelunking to dig these escape artists back out of their caves. Even a ten pound fish will humble you.

...good thing I had my custom made (in the USA by hand) Snapper Slapper. Face shot.

DOG Pile

Leaving the mulege rivermouth

Windy and bumpy. Not to mention freezing. Not your typical Baja sur weather system.

Jeans, hoodies,parkas, glad we came prepared. Just gotta recover from my bruised ass after the long panga ride.

Time goes too fast when you're in Mexico. Here's some more misc. pics.

Cactus road just south of mulege

Breathtaking sunrise as usual.

When you're a six pack of tecate and 6 shots of mezcal deep, this is that your campfire looks like.

Said mezcal

Fog plus cows equal slowwww driving

Feliz Viaje! Feliz Ano!

Stopped at Bobs on the way up to vacuum our fish and lay out our Baja curriculum for next month. It can't come soon enough.

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Iceman · 01-08-2017, 12:36 PM

Killer photo report! Viva Baja! Mulege is on my radar

Bahia Conception looks like it would be a blast on the kayak.

Dannowar · 01-08-2017, 12:45 PM

Absolutely. If we had a few more days we were gonna paddle to a couple sweeet islands. Definitely worth the drive. I'd be interested in a group kayak outing!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

5-20 · 01-08-2017, 01:17 PM

Really great pictures. Too bad about the fish depletion in those areas. I may need to pull my first baja trip sometime soon.

makobob · 01-08-2017, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5-20

Really great pictures. Too bad about the fish depletion in those areas. I may need to pull my first baja trip sometime soon.

JUST DO IT.......before you can't as life seems to get in the way of those who PROCRASTINATE, not saying you do, just saying.

YakDout · 01-08-2017, 05:20 PM

Sick trip. Mulege, chivato, san bruno, conception bay, all really nice areas along the sea of cortez. All the little islands and reefs in conception bay is cool. Long drive, but well worth it.

blitzburgh · 01-08-2017, 08:26 PM

Absolutely BAD ASS. Great write up and rad trip!!!

Dannowar · 01-09-2017, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blitzburgh

Absolutely BAD ASS. Great write up and rad trip!!!

Thanks guys. I wanna drive to la paz/Cabo next!

MITCHELL · 01-10-2017, 04:13 AM

Staying under "Longer".................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ..
I'll make ya a deal on my two HP steel 120 scuba tanks.
New hydro dates...I did both kinds of diving

MITCHELL · 01-10-2017, 05:30 AM

I will give you is get a colonscopy when you turn 50
It's better to scrape then "CUT"

Dannowar · 01-10-2017, 09:05 AM

I don't wanna be on the receiving end of your yearning to touch my colon old man. Get out of my thread

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MITCHELL · 01-10-2017, 01:33 PM

You F......g smart ass....

SDROB · 01-10-2017, 02:03 PM

Sick post! Dope pics! Nice haul. Another successful Baja trip in the books!

goldenglory18 · 01-10-2017, 07:37 PM

Don't know what looks better, the pile of scales or the that Mezcal. Hmmmm....tequila......

Awesome post!

FullFlavorPike · 01-10-2017, 08:28 PM

Damn. Way to slay.

Who built that Snapper Slapper? That thing looks sweeeeeeeeet.

Dannowar · 01-10-2017, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

Don't know what looks better, the pile of scales or the that Mezcal. Hmmmm....tequila......

Awesome post!

My good friend Renzo Garcia and I worked on this thing for a while. No recoil and hucks a 5/16 shaft like a
Toothpick.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-08-2017, 12:00 PM	#1
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Dodging weather and wingin' it Baja style. Long post. After busting my ass almost seven days a week at work in December the only thing getting me through each late night was the thought of filling my freezer and getting some quality south of the border time in. The original plan was to hit gonzaga with my favorite BWE boys but as the date came closer, the forecast didn't look too in our favor (this would later be incorrect). After collecting some intel from some well traveled Baja anglers we decided to just drive past the low pressure system and take a gamble on a hotel or two being open. First stop was Campo encantadas to say what's up to the boys and grab my copy of The Baja Catch. Bullshitted and laid out our plan to Rob and Bob and got a little hint that mayyyybe there might be some leftover pozole and tamales next door.... Confirmed. Necessary fuel up for the next 7 hours on the road. The drive was a blast with the recent rains and had a ton of fun charging through puddles and pushing my Tacoma through the bumpy ride back to the freeway. Cocos corner Baja wax job With our sights set on Punta chivato, we showed up in the dusky sun setting hours and pulled up to hotel prospect number one. Closed. Glad I downloaded the whole region on google maps.... Next option down the road,closed. Shit. Looks like we're camping. Threw the truck into 4wd and basically rock crawled down a steep hillside and attempted to set up camp on the north side of punta chivato on a nice little sand beach. Wind starts blowing. There goes our tent... Decision time. I walk up the rock and see that my phone has trace elements of some of the weakest reception I've ever seen. Better than nothing. I call up an ex girlfriend who went to high school with a dude who lives in Mulege. She comes through big time and gets us directions. We crawl through the dirt road almost an hour back to the pitch black main road and white knuckle drive down to Playa Buenaventura. We pull up to a bonfire full of travelers and a full bar. Things are looking up. We arrange a panga through our friends connection and after a few beers get some well needed rest. Islands in Bahia Conception morning view from our porch The sad reality of this sleepy oasis town is that most of the reefs in the area are barren due to pangueros either netting or using hookah to commercially harvest grouper/snapper. Day one was a feel out day where we dove many beautiful spots and slammed some nice Coconaco. Or barred pargo. Stoked but not satisfied we went in search of a panguero who could put us on some mean reef fish. Wacky roadside installation One of the many revealing curves in the winding road. Day two and three we found a good reef and pushed our limits yanking some Pargo out of their holes. If you're not familiar with cubera snapper just know that they do not go quietly. If you dont kill the fish instantly, you're in for some spelunking to dig these escape artists back out of their caves. Even a ten pound fish will humble you. ...good thing I had my custom made (in the USA by hand) Snapper Slapper. Face shot. DOG Pile Leaving the mulege rivermouth Windy and bumpy. Not to mention freezing. Not your typical Baja sur weather system. Jeans, hoodies,parkas, glad we came prepared. Just gotta recover from my bruised ass after the long panga ride. Time goes too fast when you're in Mexico. Here's some more misc. pics. Cactus road just south of mulege Breathtaking sunrise as usual. When you're a six pack of tecate and 6 shots of mezcal deep, this is that your campfire looks like. Said mezcal Fog plus cows equal slowwww driving Feliz Viaje! Feliz Ano! Stopped at Bobs on the way up to vacuum our fish and lay out our Baja curriculum for next month. It can't come soon enough. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

01-08-2017, 12:36 PM	#2
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	Killer photo report! Viva Baja! Mulege is on my radar Bahia Conception looks like it would be a blast on the kayak. __________________

01-08-2017, 12:45 PM	#3
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Absolutely. If we had a few more days we were gonna paddle to a couple sweeet islands. Definitely worth the drive. I'd be interested in a group kayak outing! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

01-08-2017, 08:26 PM	#7
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	Absolutely BAD ASS. Great write up and rad trip!!! __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

01-10-2017, 04:13 AM	#9
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,277	Are you interested in..... Staying under "Longer".................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .. I'll make ya a deal on my two HP steel 120 scuba tanks. New hydro dates...I did both kinds of diving __________________ Duke Mitchell Last edited by MITCHELL; 01-10-2017 at 05:05 AM.

01-08-2017, 01:17 PM	#4
5-20 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 241	Really great pictures. Too bad about the fish depletion in those areas. I may need to pull my first baja trip sometime soon.

01-08-2017, 05:20 PM	#6
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Sick trip. Mulege, chivato, san bruno, conception bay, all really nice areas along the sea of cortez. All the little islands and reefs in conception bay is cool. Long drive, but well worth it.

01-10-2017, 05:30 AM	#10
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,277	The only advice..... I will give you is get a colonscopy when you turn 50 It's better to scrape then "CUT" __________________ Duke Mitchell

01-10-2017, 09:05 AM	#11
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	I don't wanna be on the receiving end of your yearning to touch my colon old man. Get out of my thread Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

01-10-2017, 01:33 PM	#12
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,277	And don't you post on my thread eather... You F......g smart ass.... __________________ Duke Mitchell

01-10-2017, 02:03 PM	#13
SDROB Malibu Stealth 12 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hollywood, San Diego, Gonzaga Bay Posts: 512	Sick post! Dope pics! Nice haul. Another successful Baja trip in the books! __________________ 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)

01-10-2017, 07:37 PM	#14
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	Don't know what looks better, the pile of scales or the that Mezcal. Hmmmm....tequila...... Awesome post!

01-10-2017, 08:28 PM	#15
FullFlavorPike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 809	Damn. Way to slay. Who built that Snapper Slapper? That thing looks sweeeeeeeeet.

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