Memoirs of Baja (March 2014)

[Chuck D]

Day 1
First trip to Baja, a little nervous, very excited and over-prepared. Head down to a gas station to meet up with Bob, Steve, Sven and his dad (koo-kee monster). Hit the road at 6am and after a not so bad drive make it to paradise by 1pm. Border crossing was quick and there was only one military checkpoint along the way, it was easy and they were friendly. The weather was fantastic the water was so blue. Set up tent, gear and made it out for an afternoon fishing session with Steve and Sven before dinner. Got a few sand bass and a trigger or two that was it, nothing too crazy. Headed in for a nice meal and bonfire with the crew. Fell asleep with a spectacular star show and got rest for the next day.

Day 2
Wake up at 6am, make a plan with Sven to go SE to the point and the wind ends up ripping towards it 15-20. We didn’t want to get sent all the way down to Cabo so we fought the wind the other way. Choppy, found a flock of birds going nuts and under me was a massive school of Sierra, which are like mackerel the size of a trout with sharp teeth. Had a couple broke off but managed to pull in 7 or 8 and kept 5 for ceviche later. Went on catching triggers, sand bass and then the wind died down and headed to the point. Got hooked into a nice red snapper and went on down the coast. Fighting the reversed winds, my rod gets slammed and up comes a nice 10lb Cabrilla, fat leapord grouper. Spent from the wind time to head back, trolled on the way and caught a 5lb Hali, sent her back to get bigger. This was the one and only Halibut I caught all trip. ***Disclaimer, sculpin in picture were caught by Sven and donated to me.

Day 3
Wake up to my tent slamming me on the side my head as an alarm clock, 6am. Excited to go fishing, but worried I might not be able to safely. Get an amazing breakfast burrito homemade by Bob in my stomach and just like that the wind is gone. Time to go fishing! Get out to my spot I got my Cabrilla the day before and nothings hitting. Go a quarter mile more and bzzzzz… my trolling line get ripped at a fast rate. It was big and strong, hoping this big fish that I ran into in shallow water wouldn’t run me in the rocks, I buttoned my drag down and landed my 32lb Yellow. Beautiful fish but the day is early. I keep running down the coast and not 10min later, BAM. I get hit again hard only this time a 15lb beastly Cabrilla is on my line, amazing fish. Thinking that things cannot get much better I turn around and start heading back closer to camp. About half an hour later, round 3, I get slammed again only this time I battle and look down in the water and I see a 15lb White Sea Bass. All these big fish strapped down, I want to ice em up so on my way back. Slam I can hit again 10 min later, another 15lb Cabrilla. This is out of control, I can fit anymore fish but still troll and take a nice looking red snapper with me before I return. What an EPIC day, fantastic fishing. Oh by the way we were the only people out on the water that day.

Day 4
Start the day with no wind at all, perfect day! Back to some familiar spots, birds everywhere. First thing get a orange mouthed corvina (they look like small WSB), then I loose my favorite lure on a rock and my backup to a monster fish that dragged my in the rocks. This is what comes next in order, Cabrilla, YT (on the iron), 3 red snapper, corvina another Cabrilla (on the iron). I caught countless triggers, barracudas and sand bass all released. Saw 3 turtles, a whale countless YT roaming the area and hooked a blue footed booby in its blue foot (released with no harm done). Day was over, sad to leave but had to the next day.

Day 5
Got up early, packed up, left by 9am. Border wait was about 1.5hrs, it was hot and a little crazy driving through town, but eventually made it home by 4:30pm. I wish I was back in Baja already. I had a fantastic time with some great quality people Bob, Sven and Dad and Steve. All in all I must have caught almost 100 fish but only kept the beauties. I would do it again in a heartbeat this place is so special, I hope it stays that way. Tight lines and travel south. Thanks again Bob! You want to check it out, watch the video.

http://youtu.be/h-3EIRYE228