San Quintin Fishing

[wavster]

Took the kids to SQ this week for some R&R and some fishing. Didn't get much of either...

Overview
I took the new Trident to San Quintin. I had no fish finder or bait tank, so I was only relying on
surface clues and birds. Very little bird action both days...

Day 1
I started out by thinking I was going to paddle around Bahia SQ, but Capn. Kelly was gracious
enough to let me hitch a ride with his son Oscar. Oscar dropped me off near the point while
his charter was making bait.

I told the family I'd be back at the hotel by 10am and I had the only vehicle.

By the time I got to the point (Cabo San Quintin)an hour after being dropped off, I realized
I only had about 1/2 hour to fish, then I would have to paddle back in to the Old Mill to meet my family.

I paddled to the point looking for 'butts and YT. Bait was plentiful but very small. My bait tank
still hasn't been installed and I left the bucket in the car.

I got a single raked bait after about 25 minutes, then a sea lion wouldn't stop following me,
so I decided to head in. Little did I realize how far it was from the point to the Old Mill.

As it turns out, it's about 8 miles. It took me 4 hours to paddle the entire bay, including
making a wrong turn and paddling up False Bay. Not a lot of fishing, but a great workout!

Day 2
Wanted to fish San Martin and was very determined after yesterday's bad timing. Unfortunately, got
a late start and didn't hit the water until 8am after searching for a decent launch site.

Found my launch and paddled out to San Martin Island. I did this mostly to see if it was
possible. The reports from the locals weren't favorable for San Martin. There were no
other boats fishing there - only a couple of clamers.

San Martin Island


I fish a couple of paddies along the way and hooked into 'cudas, but nothing more.
I was hoping for YT or possibly dorado. By the time I got to San Martin, I paddled to the West
side of the island and did a single drift for a single Bonito.

3lb. Bonito


While this wasn't a successful "catching" trip, I definitely got some intel for my next trip
to SQ. I may head down there next week (sans kids) to actually fish the places I've "discovered".
I think I'd have a chance to score if I spent more than 30 minutes fishing.