Gonzaga Bay/Las Encantadas report - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

svendawg · 03-24-2015, 05:27 PM

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 · 03-24-2015, 05:39 PM

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 · 03-24-2015, 05:39 PM

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

Mike scales · 03-24-2015, 05:48 PM

Quote:

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 · 03-24-2015, 06:37 PM

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 · 03-24-2015, 07:00 PM

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

Zed · 03-24-2015, 07:46 PM

Damn Sven. Got those cortez seabass dialed.

EastLosYaker · 03-24-2015, 09:05 PM

Great catch! Can't wait to get out there next week! What were the daytime/night time temps? Last trip out we dipped to about 30...Fahrenheit!

svendawg · 03-24-2015, 09:05 PM

Quote:

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.Â On aTotuava it is ROUNDED'

svendawg · 03-24-2015, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastLosYaker

Great catch! Can't wait to get out there next week! What were the daytime/night time temps? Last trip out we dipped to about 30...Fahrenheit!

Daytime around upper 70's nighttime around upper 50's lower 60's. I did need to wear a sweatshirt on a couple of nights.

svendawg · 03-24-2015, 09:14 PM

Quote:

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 · 03-24-2015, 09:25 PM

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 · 03-24-2015, 09:37 PM

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

FlyFishinYakr · 03-24-2015, 10:41 PM

Holy Cow! That

is a Beast!

Congrats, sound like the trip is pretty fruitful.
FFY

tattuna · 03-25-2015, 07:41 AM

Awesome trip and great variety! Toad wsb and cabrilla too. I've fished that area a couple dozen times since '04 by yak and panga and I've experienced some winds that will have me forever respecting what's possible and unpredictable there. Glad to hear it was a safe and productive trip!

walrus · 03-25-2015, 07:45 AM

"now can you tell the difference between an orange mouth corvina and a Totuava"

The Totuava can be confused with other Croakers including the Orangemouth Corvina, the Shortfin Corvina,and the Yellowtail Corvina i.

If in doubt, these croakers have pectoral fins that are equal or shorter in length than their pelvic fins. Totuava have pectoral fins longer in length than their pelvic fin.

FYI, and clarity:

The pectoral fin is located on the side behind the gill plate, the pelvic fin on the bottom of the fish behind the gill plate but in front of the anal opening.

blitzburgh · 03-25-2015, 08:14 AM

Holy cow that is awesome!

wiredantz · 03-25-2015, 08:18 AM

going to have try to make it down this year. that looks like a blast!

rossman · 03-25-2015, 08:40 AM

Quote:

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 · 03-25-2015, 10:32 AM

Quote:

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?

03-24-2015, 05:39 PM	#3
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Saweeeet!!!! The WSB were caught at Gonzaga right? Very cool can't wait to get back down there! __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

03-24-2015, 06:37 PM	#5
makobob Baitless on Baja Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vista California, Gonzaga, San Quintin, Asuncion, Mag Bay Posts: 4,250	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. __________________ http://www.mako-ville.com Home 760-630-4470 Cell 760-520-2514 YES YOU CAN

03-24-2015, 07:46 PM	#7
Zed BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: W of 5 Posts: 1,265	Damn Sven. Got those cortez seabass dialed. __________________ Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Give a fish a man and he'll eat for a week.

03-24-2015, 09:25 PM	#12
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	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. __________________

03-24-2015, 09:37 PM	#13
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	Awesome !! Heading down May 20-24 if anyone is interested in hearing down __________________ The shorter you are, the bigger your fish appear

03-24-2015, 05:27 PM	#1
svendawg Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Wildomar, Ca. Posts: 331	Gonzaga Bay/Las Encantadas report 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" Attached Images

03-24-2015, 05:39 PM	#2
walrus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baja fish camp Posts: 478	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. __________________

03-24-2015, 07:00 PM	#6
rdahl Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 48	Just curious, do you know how to tell the difference between a WSB and a totuava? I don't.

03-24-2015, 09:05 PM	#8
EastLosYaker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: East Los Angeles Posts: 220	Great catch! Can't wait to get out there next week! What were the daytime/night time temps? Last trip out we dipped to about 30...Fahrenheit!

03-24-2015, 10:41 PM	#14
FlyFishinYakr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal...30 min from Bodega/Tomales Bay, 1hr from Clear Lake, 2+ hr to Berryessa & the Delta Posts: 729	Holy Cow! That is a Beast! Congrats, sound like the trip is pretty fruitful. FFY

03-25-2015, 07:41 AM	#15
tattuna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pasadena Posts: 329	Awesome trip and great variety! Toad wsb and cabrilla too. I've fished that area a couple dozen times since '04 by yak and panga and I've experienced some winds that will have me forever respecting what's possible and unpredictable there. Glad to hear it was a safe and productive trip! __________________ IG @tattuna

03-25-2015, 07:45 AM	#16
walrus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baja fish camp Posts: 478	"now can you tell the difference between an orange mouth corvina and a Totuava" The Totuava can be confused with other Croakers including the Orangemouth Corvina, the Shortfin Corvina,and the Yellowtail Corvina i. If in doubt, these croakers have pectoral fins that are equal or shorter in length than their pelvic fins. Totuava have pectoral fins longer in length than their pelvic fin. FYI, and clarity: The pectoral fin is located on the side behind the gill plate, the pelvic fin on the bottom of the fish behind the gill plate but in front of the anal opening. __________________

03-25-2015, 08:14 AM	#17
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	Holy cow that is awesome! __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

03-25-2015, 08:18 AM	#18
wiredantz Currently @ MLO Territory Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Under the Shadow Posts: 2,290	going to have try to make it down this year. that looks like a blast! __________________ Team: Disbanded You only have one chance in this life...make the right decision(s)...so you don't regret it