Late Baja

[greenscales]

Wanted to do a 5 day trip down Baja for the New Years, but work delayed me until Thursday and then got stuck for 3 hours in the border closure from the CHP shooting. Crossed after 1 AM Friday and pulled an all nighter to El Rosario in time for sunrise at the ecological reserve just North of town. Pics are limited because I forgot my camera and only had my Iphone.

Got distracted exploring all of the cool sights - waiting for my caffeine fix to kick in - launched from the fishing village by Punta Baja at 11 AM, paddled 1.5 miles South, 1/2 way to the island, to a 60' deep ridge about 200'l x 10'w in 90' of water. When over the right spots, the meter was full of fish and double hook ups abounded. Kept 8 assorted rockfish, all over 5lbs. this first day, including 2 reds and a huge whitefish. Even an 8lb. Cabrilla that spun of a 10+ sheepshead of the second hook of a Lucanus they were fighting over. Smoked by what was likely a WSB and busted off by some beasts busting hooks or rocking me - likely the tanker goats that I got into last time. Paddled back for sunset and rented a room next to the ramp for $20, owner helped me clean fish in the back w/a $5tip he wasn't expecting.

Late start again the second day because I was so exhausted from the prior 48 hours - so paddled West at 10 AM to a new spot above the point, short sleeves in 80 degre weather. Found another ridge parallel to the one 2 miles South with almost identical conditions/depths. Hardest problem was reading through the sonar scatter caused by all the whales hanging next to me each day. Huge Calicos and another ton of fish, capped by loosing what would have been a PB Ling Cod. Spit out a 14" brown rockfish that had my hooks in it when I tried to use the lip gripper. Probably 30lbs. - no BS. Probably a total of 100 fish for the 2 days there and kept another 10 over 5lbs. the second, & least a dozen species.

Drove up to PST for the last night, but everyone was a sleep, so emptied the truck and slept in it up a 4x4 road. Sammy was insulted I didn't ring the bell and wake him up to get a room or set up a camp. Launched late again because of the lack of sleep, and headed out to the islands in a t-shirt again. Current was ripping and made it tough. Couldn't find Sammy's spot North so went west to a high point and tried to work the slopes, w/a nice Cabezon for the first fish.

Was tempted to go to the shoreline to fish the points, but weather was too good outside not to hunt for the bigger fish. Current finally down at 3 and hooked this huge 19lb. Sheepshead on the first drop.

1/2 hour later this 17lb. Ling.


Over 50lbs. of pure filets kept, with torn up hands and little bit of a sunburn - not bad for the first weekend of the year. Many of the fish were full of octopus and using strips on various lures was the key. Paddled in for a beautiful sunset.


Sammy is looking at going non-profit to host church or teaching groups, so he would welcome kayak fishermen to come down sooner than later - realbaja@gmail.com. As for Punta Baja, from what I gathered from the locals, I am the only kayak angler they've seen in their village. The drive down around the toll road closure was easy and up through Tecate on the way back was even better - no wait at all. Only car at the booths at 10PM. Anyone interested in going down, feel to reach out to me. I may try again before the LJ beach access is reopened and would welcome partners, but may not be able to get the time away from work.

Forgot to mention what the locals told me as I left. The commercials had netted a bunch of Yellows, Barries, and WSB just a few days prior - and fishing was still amazing. But also a few commercial Panga fisherman trying to "earn" some extra money went afoul of a cartel in the area and were found dead down the coast. So I felt safe the whole time, keep your nose clean still. If you do not pose a threat or flaunt something of value they want, no one will bother you, but keep your head down none the less.