Agosto 5/6, Baaaaaaaaahja report - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

lamb · 08-06-2007, 10:38 PM

TRES AMIGOS BAJA BOMB!!!

Story coming up when we catch up with lost sleep... get on top of work... and recover from some serious effort that payed off.

Great times, some awesome fishing down south.

ROCK ON West Coast Whoppers!!!

wavster · 08-06-2007, 11:29 PM

Nice catch! Sure beats a 10 mile paddle!

tylerdurden · 08-07-2007, 06:21 AM

Congrats on the epic trip

. I'm jealous. I can't wait until the next trip to baja.

Matt · 08-07-2007, 06:37 AM

extremely nice job fellas!!!!

h2ofishfo · 08-07-2007, 08:17 AM

freakin sweet nic job fellas

Sherm · 08-07-2007, 08:21 AM

Sweet fish guys.

I don't know what's worse, the jealousy I'm feeling or watching Adi butcher that fish at OEX last evening

You guys looked pretty stoked. Congrats on a great trip.

gary sullivan · 08-07-2007, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamb

Story coming up when we catch up with lost sleep... get on top of work... and recover from some serious effort that payed off.

O.K. wakeup and give us the details. Your fish deprived brethren north of the border need a good fish story fix to brighten our day.

reel fishy · 08-07-2007, 08:49 AM

Bassturds!

You all suck.

Ok, hurry up with the report already.

Nice toads.

madscientist · 08-07-2007, 10:01 AM

good trip

Dan · 08-07-2007, 10:14 AM

Sounds like you guys fished it hard. Great rewards...

i want some fillets.

dmr · 08-07-2007, 10:22 AM

Great report guys. It looks like you had great conditions. Also, like the fully loaded Subaru, no wasted space.

wavster · 08-07-2007, 10:47 AM

Great report and even better catch(es).

wavster · 08-07-2007, 10:50 AM

I have a question:

Do you ever encounter problems bringing whole fish over the border? I don't
know what the regulations are regarding that, but have been curious because I'm hoping
that one of my trips will yield such a fish...

ratdog · 08-07-2007, 10:50 AM

Thats an awesome looking WSB there, congrats on a great trip.

dorado50 · 08-07-2007, 11:32 AM

Awesome fish! The fish in Baja are always bigger...... and better!

esdees · 08-07-2007, 11:36 AM

Trip of a lifetime! Again! Congrats guys.

I've never heard of anyone having any problems bringing fish back. They almost always look in the cooler and give some sort of reaction, but then they move on.

SHARK BAIT · 08-07-2007, 11:43 AM

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A HELL OF A TRIP!!! WHAT PART OF MEX DID YOU GO TO?

madscientist · 08-07-2007, 11:48 AM

We got secondary inspected going in but they didn't ask about the tourist visas this time. Kid at the military checkpoint was cool coming back. They still have that new checkpoint just S of TJ with the armored car and 50 caliber machine gun, but they just waved us through.

They never say anything about the fish, but we were informed that we were over the 1L per person beer limit. Should have drank more.

lamb · 08-07-2007, 11:55 AM

Great write up Bradsky!!!

Always a blast fishing with you!

Awesome trip...

You’ve got to love Baja:

Lots of this:

Lots of that:

A couple hefty checkers:

I lost 3 big (or bigger I should say) fish...

The 1st day I lost one while I was making bait tight in the kelp. Not that I had a chance - it slammed the bait hanging on my sabiki as I was reeling it in... broke the surface right after I hooked it, 10 ft away from my yak. I had a good look at it, I'd say 20# class white.

The 2nd one kelped me hard 2 mins after that in the same spot... Pulled out drag like mad, buried me deep right away. I pulled the hook after sitting on it for a while waiting to float up (yeah right...

)

The 2nd day, as Brad and Art scored under the bait balls, I was doing the same just in a little shallower water. Big schools of smaller bait (chovies and sardines) were migrating North at rather descent speed - I'd say almost 1mph. Majority of those schools were obviously being harassed by bigger predators from underneath - biiiiig bonito, huuuuuge barracuda, sandbass, and those really big greenbacks, 2+ lbs models. A lot of fun. Apparently, some smaller whites under them as well.

It was hard to stay on the top of those schools as they were moving fast and the wind was blowing in the opposite direction. Good thing was - you didn't have to, as the school after school after school just kept coming... Providing for some great fishing casting metal...

I farmed one WSB on a crock.

Again, foamed right by my yak right after I hooked it. WSB of that size have some great energy - it shook off my treble after a couple of violent runs and lots of headshakes. It looked like 17# model I landed 5 minis later on the same bait ball on smaller flylined Spanish mack.

My bait tank AND my fish finder batteries were dead...

After about 20 hours of fishing hard, almost 18 miles of logged GPS tracks and 9 hours of sleep in 2 days, I was running out of steam. My shoulders, arms and back were hurting... I don't even need to mention problems with my sore sorry ass.

I pulled in closer to the kelp to start my final drifts, letting the wind take me back towards the launch. Art and Brad just launched after the afternoon break, but I was going to throw the towel. As Brad said - I was already content with the fact that the big models are simply not around, and that I should be happy that I got one smaller 17# model to feed the family.

I kept firing a huge heavy crock (#7)

...and then BAM!!!! and my rod loads up.

The fish starts running hard West while my line is slicing over the surface...It violently erupts getting good 3 feet length of it's body above the water line, with the big tail raising some serious foam all around it...

Sweeeeet, a big one...

It took me for a ride...

I did a couple of more pull-up-and-reells and I got on the top of what I could now clearly see was a nice big WSB

…definitely too green to bring on the surface... It took off for another powerful yet controlled and not too wild of a run, slowly peeling my drag while towing my yak out and away from the kelp. Some strong headshakes would follow, I 'd gain some line back, just to have to let the fish get back on the stage and pull me some more while taking out the drag...

My flyline rig got tangled which I quickly solved by cutting my spectra with the knife.

3 times I had it under the surface reaching for my gaff, just to let it take off for another run. It spinned my yak a few times.

The last run it made it seemed like it was doing with more speed and determination. It made me really nervous when it started heading East towards the kelp.

We were maybe 50 yards away; I started getting ready to tighten up a drag a bit to stop that scenario from unfolding...

At that point, I was on that fish for quite some time...

Then I felt it running out of breath...

Up and out you come...

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh...

If I didn't catch that big one, it would have been very pleasant but quite frustrating trip for me...

Hey guys, can someone help me... I wonder what's the biggest fish caught in WCW07 so far??? lol

GAME ON TOP 10!!!!

reel fishy · 08-07-2007, 12:18 PM

Wow!

Nice job fellas.

Got Ceviche?

08-06-2007, 10:38 PM	#1
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Agosto 5/6, Baaaaaaaaahja report TRES AMIGOS BAJA BOMB!!! Story coming up when we catch up with lost sleep... get on top of work... and recover from some serious effort that payed off. Great times, some awesome fishing down south. ROCK ON West Coast Whoppers!!! __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

08-07-2007, 06:21 AM	#3
tylerdurden Bad Clone Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 874	Congrats on the epic trip . I'm jealous. I can't wait until the next trip to baja. __________________ MLPA, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem Let the Fish and Game Commission know what you think about the proposed maps. Be ready for December 9th and 10th.

08-07-2007, 10:01 AM	#9
madscientist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,906	good trip __________________ Last edited by madscientist; 08-08-2007 at 11:18 AM.

08-07-2007, 11:48 AM	#18
madscientist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,906	We got secondary inspected going in but they didn't ask about the tourist visas this time. Kid at the military checkpoint was cool coming back. They still have that new checkpoint just S of TJ with the armored car and 50 caliber machine gun, but they just waved us through. They never say anything about the fish, but we were informed that we were over the 1L per person beer limit. Should have drank more. __________________

08-07-2007, 11:55 AM	#19
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Great write up Bradsky!!! Always a blast fishing with you! Awesome trip... You’ve got to love Baja: Lots of this: Lots of that: A couple hefty checkers: I lost 3 big (or bigger I should say) fish... The 1st day I lost one while I was making bait tight in the kelp. Not that I had a chance - it slammed the bait hanging on my sabiki as I was reeling it in... broke the surface right after I hooked it, 10 ft away from my yak. I had a good look at it, I'd say 20# class white. The 2nd one kelped me hard 2 mins after that in the same spot... Pulled out drag like mad, buried me deep right away. I pulled the hook after sitting on it for a while waiting to float up (yeah right... ) The 2nd day, as Brad and Art scored under the bait balls, I was doing the same just in a little shallower water. Big schools of smaller bait (chovies and sardines) were migrating North at rather descent speed - I'd say almost 1mph. Majority of those schools were obviously being harassed by bigger predators from underneath - biiiiig bonito, huuuuuge barracuda, sandbass, and those really big greenbacks, 2+ lbs models. A lot of fun. Apparently, some smaller whites under them as well. It was hard to stay on the top of those schools as they were moving fast and the wind was blowing in the opposite direction. Good thing was - you didn't have to, as the school after school after school just kept coming... Providing for some great fishing casting metal... I farmed one WSB on a crock. Again, foamed right by my yak right after I hooked it. WSB of that size have some great energy - it shook off my treble after a couple of violent runs and lots of headshakes. It looked like 17# model I landed 5 minis later on the same bait ball on smaller flylined Spanish mack. My bait tank AND my fish finder batteries were dead... After about 20 hours of fishing hard, almost 18 miles of logged GPS tracks and 9 hours of sleep in 2 days, I was running out of steam. My shoulders, arms and back were hurting... I don't even need to mention problems with my sore sorry ass. I pulled in closer to the kelp to start my final drifts, letting the wind take me back towards the launch. Art and Brad just launched after the afternoon break, but I was going to throw the towel. As Brad said - I was already content with the fact that the big models are simply not around, and that I should be happy that I got one smaller 17# model to feed the family. I kept firing a huge heavy crock (#7) ...and then BAM!!!! and my rod loads up. The fish starts running hard West while my line is slicing over the surface...It violently erupts getting good 3 feet length of it's body above the water line, with the big tail raising some serious foam all around it... Sweeeeet, a big one... It took me for a ride... I did a couple of more pull-up-and-reells and I got on the top of what I could now clearly see was a nice big WSB …definitely too green to bring on the surface... It took off for another powerful yet controlled and not too wild of a run, slowly peeling my drag while towing my yak out and away from the kelp. Some strong headshakes would follow, I 'd gain some line back, just to have to let the fish get back on the stage and pull me some more while taking out the drag... My flyline rig got tangled which I quickly solved by cutting my spectra with the knife. 3 times I had it under the surface reaching for my gaff, just to let it take off for another run. It spinned my yak a few times. The last run it made it seemed like it was doing with more speed and determination. It made me really nervous when it started heading East towards the kelp. We were maybe 50 yards away; I started getting ready to tighten up a drag a bit to stop that scenario from unfolding... At that point, I was on that fish for quite some time... Then I felt it running out of breath... Up and out you come... Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh... If I didn't catch that big one, it would have been very pleasant but quite frustrating trip for me... Hey guys, can someone help me... I wonder what's the biggest fish caught in WCW07 so far??? lol GAME ON TOP 10!!!! __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

08-06-2007, 11:29 PM	#2
wavster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Encinitas Posts: 562	Nice catch! Sure beats a 10 mile paddle!

08-07-2007, 06:37 AM	#4
Matt Support your local pangas Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lj Posts: 976	extremely nice job fellas!!!!

08-07-2007, 08:17 AM	#5
h2ofishfo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santee Posts: 821	freakin sweet nic job fellas

08-07-2007, 08:21 AM	#6
Sherm Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 490	Sweet fish guys. I don't know what's worse, the jealousy I'm feeling or watching Adi butcher that fish at OEX last evening You guys looked pretty stoked. Congrats on a great trip.

08-07-2007, 08:49 AM	#8
reel fishy Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 42	Bassturds! You all suck. Ok, hurry up with the report already. Nice toads.

08-07-2007, 10:14 AM	#10
Dan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,053	Sounds like you guys fished it hard. Great rewards... i want some fillets.

08-07-2007, 10:22 AM	#11
dmr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 155	Great report guys. It looks like you had great conditions. Also, like the fully loaded Subaru, no wasted space.

08-07-2007, 10:47 AM	#12
wavster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Encinitas Posts: 562	Great report and even better catch(es).

08-07-2007, 10:50 AM	#13
wavster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Encinitas Posts: 562	I have a question: Do you ever encounter problems bringing whole fish over the border? I don't know what the regulations are regarding that, but have been curious because I'm hoping that one of my trips will yield such a fish...

08-07-2007, 10:50 AM	#14
ratdog Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 424	Thats an awesome looking WSB there, congrats on a great trip.

08-07-2007, 11:32 AM	#15
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Awesome fish! The fish in Baja are always bigger...... and better!

08-07-2007, 11:36 AM	#16
esdees The Good Clone Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Clairemont Posts: 520	Trip of a lifetime! Again! Congrats guys. I've never heard of anyone having any problems bringing fish back. They almost always look in the cooler and give some sort of reaction, but then they move on.

08-07-2007, 11:43 AM	#17
SHARK BAIT Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: WILMINGTON CA Posts: 66	THAT SOUNDS LIKE A HELL OF A TRIP!!! WHAT PART OF MEX DID YOU GO TO?

08-07-2007, 12:18 PM	#20
reel fishy Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 42	Wow! Nice job fellas. Got Ceviche?