Updated* Eye of The Storm - Campo La Poma, Baja MX - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Baja_Traveler · 09-11-2017, 11:44 AM

Wondering why you paid for an FMM when you could have got a 1 week one for free. You can even go online and fill out the form, print it out and just hand it to the guy to stamp when you get to the border (along with your passport or card) - goes a lot faster. HERE'S the Link. I'd also recommend getting the fishing license before crossing for the reasons you already encountered.

goldenglory18 · 09-11-2017, 12:06 PM

Awesome dude, I was actually thinking about you guys last week thinking you got hammered by the weather.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip....

- KT

Denis_Ruso · 09-11-2017, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja_Traveler

Wondering why you paid for an FMM when you could have got a 1 week one for free. You can even go online and fill out the form, print it out and just hand it to the guy to stamp when you get to the border (along with your passport or card) - goes a lot faster. HERE'S the Link. I'd also recommend getting the fishing license before crossing for the reasons you already encountered.

I agree with the fishing license comment however the Mexican tourism fishing license website seems to have gone down and only the one for Baja Sur seems to be operational. I was able to purchase one prior to that however my friends waited till last minute and were not able to purchase online.

As far as the FMM there is conflicting information online. Our trip was a little open ended to extend it to 8 days and did not want to risk not having the FMM. In addition some online sources indicate that recently rules have changed that travel to Mexico for any amount of time requires an FMM.

goldenglory18 · 09-11-2017, 01:39 PM

Well done dude, I'm glad you guys enjoyed the b-day trip.

Let me know when you have recovered and we can go chase some socal yellows....

Denis_Ruso · 09-11-2017, 02:01 PM

Added my buddies video link to 3rd post.

Dannowar · 09-12-2017, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja_Traveler

Wondering why you paid for an FMM when you could have got a 1 week one for free. You can even go online and fill out the form, print it out and just hand it to the guy to stamp when you get to the border (along with your passport or card) - goes a lot faster. HERE'S the Link. I'd also recommend getting the fishing license before crossing for the reasons you already encountered.

they all got gringo taxed. i don't even get one anymore

Dannowar · 09-12-2017, 10:01 AM

next time hit up miguel over at bufeo. he speaks very fluent english and knows some reallllly good dive spots. looks like you got a nice little weather window. too bad about the storm, vis could have been a lot better if the water could settle a few more days. very nice report and glad you guys had a fun time!

SDROB · 09-12-2017, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

they all got gringo taxed. i don't even get one anymore

x2 Ive never got one before. But I do my best to match the hatch. Rumor has it (even thou they have been saying this for years) they are going to be enforcing this in the near future. If this happens ill probably just get my dual citizenship.

Druko · 09-12-2017, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

they all got gringo taxed. i don't even get one anymore

I've been driving to Baja since the 80's and I've never gotten one or have been asked to show one.

Baja_Traveler · 09-12-2017, 11:23 AM

I've never been asked for one also, and I'm about 50/50 getting one - and I've never once returned it.
I have read reports on Vagabundos that people have been asked to show one down at the GN checkpoint. When they couldnt, they were instructed to head back home, because they were not going any further south without it.
I've always in the past got the free one, no matter how long I was going - I figured that worst case if I was checked on the way home what could they do - send me home?
This new turn in policy is going to backfire on them unless they make it so the form can be turned over while in the return side of the crossing. If they make it too much of a hassle, either nobody will get one or tourists will simply stop going.
Maybe Trump will get the idea to charge every Mexican National crossing north the same FMM fee - then Mexico really will pay for the wall...

Dannowar · 09-12-2017, 12:05 PM

Yup. Got checked and charged twenty pesos agriculture fee at guerro negro Jan 2

CON KSO · 09-12-2017, 02:05 PM

I got checked once at GN in '93. Never since. Wasn't told to go home, was told to go to a bank in La Paz and pay the fee, which I did. Easy enough to get the 180 day tourist card in Tecate. I do it every time we drive down for the winter break. Also easy enough to drive right around the check point outside of GN (take a right at the airport as you come into GN, take a left near the dunes and drive into the back of town). I'd rather just play by their rules - especially if I happen to get into a fender bender.

makobob · 09-12-2017, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CON KSO

I got checked once at GN in '93. Never since. Wasn't told to go home, was told to go to a bank in La Paz and pay the fee, which I did. Easy enough to get the 180 day tourist card in Tecate. I do it every time we drive down for the winter break. Also easy enough to drive right around the check point outside of GN (take a right at the airport as you come into GN, take a left near the dunes and drive into the back of town). I'd rather just play by their rules - especially if I happen to get into a fender bender.

Big holiday weeks would worry me. Heard about two guys who got turned back from San Felipe last 4th of July.

Glenlivinit · 09-12-2017, 04:53 PM

Very nice report, and enjoyed the video.
Looking forward to my first trip on the 25th, I will try and give half as good a story

chris138 · 09-12-2017, 06:15 PM

Great post Denis. Loved the video edit as well. Sometimes it pays to just go!

makobob · 09-12-2017, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris138

Great post Denis. Loved the video edit as well. Sometimes it pays to just go!

Been telling you guys JUST DO IT

Denis_Ruso · 09-13-2017, 07:46 AM

Thanks everyone. It was my intention to relay how much of an adventure and experience a trip down here can be.

I still find myself thinking in Spanish a little and adjustment to the daily grind has been slow.

dos ballenas · 09-13-2017, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

they all got gringo taxed. i don't even get one anymore

future Darwin award winner talk

Very bad advice from a Baja "veteran"

Just because your experiences have led you to feel the tourist visa isn't necessary doesn't make the laws any less real.

Dannowar · 09-13-2017, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dos ballenas

future Darwin award winner talk

Very bad advice from a Baja "veteran"

Just because your experiences have led you to feel the tourist visa isn't necessary doesn't make the laws any less real.

It wasn't advice. It was my preference

Baja bound is a company that makes money off of you. Of course they will say that.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-11-2017, 02:01 PM	#5
Denis_Ruso Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 571	Added my buddies video link to 3rd post. __________________ 2018 Hobie Outback 13 I do not fear the storm as it will teach me how to sail my ship.

09-12-2017, 10:01 AM	#7
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	next time hit up miguel over at bufeo. he speaks very fluent english and knows some reallllly good dive spots. looks like you got a nice little weather window. too bad about the storm, vis could have been a lot better if the water could settle a few more days. very nice report and glad you guys had a fun time! __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

09-12-2017, 12:05 PM	#11
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Yup. Got checked and charged twenty pesos agriculture fee at guerro negro Jan 2 __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

09-13-2017, 07:46 AM	#17
Denis_Ruso Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 571	Thanks everyone. It was my intention to relay how much of an adventure and experience a trip down here can be. I still find myself thinking in Spanish a little and adjustment to the daily grind has been slow. __________________ 2018 Hobie Outback 13 I do not fear the storm as it will teach me how to sail my ship.

09-11-2017, 11:44 AM	#1
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	Wondering why you paid for an FMM when you could have got a 1 week one for free. You can even go online and fill out the form, print it out and just hand it to the guy to stamp when you get to the border (along with your passport or card) - goes a lot faster. HERE'S the Link. I'd also recommend getting the fishing license before crossing for the reasons you already encountered.

09-11-2017, 12:06 PM	#2
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	Awesome dude, I was actually thinking about you guys last week thinking you got hammered by the weather. Can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip.... - KT

09-11-2017, 01:39 PM	#4
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	Well done dude, I'm glad you guys enjoyed the b-day trip. Let me know when you have recovered and we can go chase some socal yellows....

09-12-2017, 11:23 AM	#10
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	I've never been asked for one also, and I'm about 50/50 getting one - and I've never once returned it. I have read reports on Vagabundos that people have been asked to show one down at the GN checkpoint. When they couldnt, they were instructed to head back home, because they were not going any further south without it. I've always in the past got the free one, no matter how long I was going - I figured that worst case if I was checked on the way home what could they do - send me home? This new turn in policy is going to backfire on them unless they make it so the form can be turned over while in the return side of the crossing. If they make it too much of a hassle, either nobody will get one or tourists will simply stop going. Maybe Trump will get the idea to charge every Mexican National crossing north the same FMM fee - then Mexico really will pay for the wall...

09-12-2017, 02:05 PM	#12
CON KSO Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 83	I got checked once at GN in '93. Never since. Wasn't told to go home, was told to go to a bank in La Paz and pay the fee, which I did. Easy enough to get the 180 day tourist card in Tecate. I do it every time we drive down for the winter break. Also easy enough to drive right around the check point outside of GN (take a right at the airport as you come into GN, take a left near the dunes and drive into the back of town). I'd rather just play by their rules - especially if I happen to get into a fender bender.

09-12-2017, 04:53 PM	#14
Glenlivinit Junior Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Lake Elsinore Posts: 2	Very nice report, and enjoyed the video. Looking forward to my first trip on the 25th, I will try and give half as good a story

09-12-2017, 06:15 PM	#15
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	Great post Denis. Loved the video edit as well. Sometimes it pays to just go!