Warning about Baja Travel - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

greenscales · 08-18-2010, 10:51 PM

The only difference between our government and theirs stealing our money, they do it in plain daylight while in uniform ours does it behind closed doors while wearing suits in some committee room (or faking science to take our fishing rights away.)

I've posted a few times on my solo trips to Northern Baja waters. The only times I have had problems w/the federales at the checkpoints I have been an obvious mark. Once was cash that I thought I hid well enough and the other was a flashlight that I would have given them anyways. Each time I was coming back to the states late on quiet Sunday nights, visibly wiped out after a long day of kayaking, breaking camp, and cleaning fish. Let my guard down and stepped aside as 1 or 2 would distract me as 2 others raided the vehicle looking for something I would not miss for at least a few miles down the road.

However my 4 trips in the last year I was heading back on busier days where they only had one or two guards checking me out and they were really just concerned I wasn't hauling drugs or guns. I can't speak for the San Felipe route or below Colonett, but the federales I have dealt with been very professional the last few years.

For anyone interested in a first trip down, I am contemplating a quick run to either LaBuf or PST Labor Day weekend, leave Friday and return early Monday. I also would like to do my annual Thanksgiving run down there. PM me if interested - you'll need to bring the magazines and I'll get the beer to gift the Federales.

BOOGIE · 08-19-2010, 09:40 AM

Its really not my first post, probably my third or forth a tecnical thing i gess, but ebery time i have post its on the same matter, i guess i dont like people critizising the place a live and love, do i own a kayak?, all my life, do i like fishing? more or the same as the next guy i just don like it wen some one shares his experience some people just jump right away to say that your crazy to take your fammily there, i so some assholes driving a caravan with white flags on ther antenas like if there where crossing a war zone, things like ïts no wonder it hapened over there, you would never see that here,my respons wasnt to the guy that get robed i am realy sorry that that hapaned, my response was for those that allways complain about Mexico but cant get unogh of it, and as far as choosing my words i stand behind them,all of them, y para ti cabron que dices que eres Mexicano chinga tu madre verguenza te deveria de dar andar defendiendo estas pendejadas, vente a vivir aqui a mexico y paga tus impuestos aqui y chingate como todos y luego vienes adefender tu causa, and as far as earning mi credibility?,i didnt know you have to insult some one to earn it, full of b.s?, pendejo?, trets like choose your words?, nice credibility, nice way to treat a first post, butt i am sorry, i guess i got mixup with another country, and as far as mi spelling it didnt seem like a problem i gess every one understand wat i say

jorluivil · 08-19-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOGIE

Its really not my first post, probably my third or forth a tecnical thing i gess, but ebery time i have post its on the same matter, i guess i dont like people critizising the place a live and love, do i own a kayak?, all my life, do i like fishing? more or the same as the next guy i just don like it wen some one shares his experience some people just jump right away to say that your crazy to take your fammily there, i so some assholes driving a caravan with white flags on ther antenas like if there where crossing a war zone, things like ïts no wonder it hapened over there, you would never see that here,my respons wasnt to the guy that get robed i am realy sorry that that hapaned, my response was for those that allways complain about Mexico but cant get unogh of it, and as far as choosing my words i stand behind them,all of them, y para ti cabron que dices que eres Mexicano chinga tu madre verguenza te deveria de dar andar defendiendo estas pendejadas, vente a vivir aqui a mexico y paga tus impuestos aqui y chingate como todos y luego vienes adefender tu causa, and as far as earning mi credibility?,i didnt know you have to insult some one to earn it, full of b.s?, pendejo?, trets like choose your words?, nice credibility, nice way to treat a first post, butt i am sorry, i guess i got mixup with another country, and as far as mi spelling it didnt seem like a problem i gess every one understand wat i say

We're all entitled to our opinion and I honestly respect what you say....well, everything except for the part about my mother. Do I support Mexico, HELL YEAH! In the last four years I've spent well over $6k in travels to Cabo, Mazatlan, La Paz, San Quintin, Ensenada and Tijuana and if all goes well my next $6k will be for a 100' X 100' lot in San Quintin. Except for one time when me, my wife (girlfriend at the time), my sister and her husband (boyfriend at the time) were driven to a remote area somewhere in TJ and robbed of all our money by the police I've never had an issue. This happened several years ago but I remember it like it was yesterday, I've never feared for my life like I did that day.

I've driven to San Quintin and Ensenada alone and in the dark. Was I scared? Of course I was but I made to and back in one piece and without any issues. What you need to understand is that we post these comments about our experiences in Mexico so that others can learn from them, we're not bashing your country. On the contrary, we're telling people to be aware of where you are, what you do and where you go when you visit Mexico. If you were to visit the US I'd give you pointers like, stay away from Compton and South Central Los Angeles at night because it's a dangerous area but make sure your fish La Jolla before you go back home.

Eddie says you're a cool dude, I'm sure you are but you need to tone it down and as a person that lives in a country that we love to visit you should be giving us advise on what to do, where to go and what areas to stay away from. The comments about our soldiers raping and killings women and children were totally uncalled for. This is a fishing forum, not a political forum and we should keep it that way.

bigbarrels · 08-19-2010, 06:33 PM

heading to Punta Abreojos on Oct 4th for 10 days and thankfully my truck only blue books for around 14,000

I've travelled all over Baja for over 20 years and with some common sense and good luck I've had very few problems down there......During the 20 years that I've travelled down there I can remember how people would say I was crazy for travelling down there.......usually from people who had never been down there and who didn't have too much life experiences.....nowadays there is a bit more of a pucker factor with the drug wars and all.......but in Northern Baja there is such a huge military presence that I felt safe travelling through that area last year. Once I get past Enseneda, I fill that I'm home free and the people in that section of Baja are amazing (but of course it's Baja and anything can happen....such is life). So many people aren't heading down there due to the instability but if you are willing to take some risk the rewards are huge (ie empty lineups, fishing grounds, etc).......I surfed a couple of really good sessions on perfect points in the Seven Sisters Area with only my friends in the water and had wide open Calico bass, sand bass and halibut fishing from the kayak with now one else around.....worth some risk for me

eddier68 · 08-20-2010, 03:25 PM

Good luck Bigbarrels! post a report when you get back. Saludos.

cowboybill · 08-19-2010, 09:46 AM

I had to respond again after seeing the comment from the guy trying to turn this around to seem like Mexico bashing... The big thing to remember is you do not have the same rights, or access to legal protection, period.

On a positive note; I must say that while travelling near Laguna Hanson (roughly 50-75 miles south of Tecate), My 4x4 broke down. Battery lost 2 cells...I was on flat ground so I could not bump it....
I hiked about 3-5 miles north, and met 2 brothers farming....Long story short, these 2 brothers took about 3-4 hours to get me back and running. They had to get out an old ford bronco, get it started, get gas, etc, etc...
They saved my ass, and asked for nothing. In fact the family offered me dinner and a nights stay! I gave them $50 or so for their troubles (they would not take more) and took off. It has been over 15 years, and I still remember their names...Martin and Mario of Rancho Day....

The locals tend to be just good down home folk... I wish the legal system was as ethical.

Cowboybill

dorado50 · 08-19-2010, 09:53 AM

Thats what makes Baja so special! Just wonderful families there and people like those that helped you with your truck are everywhere there.

Thresher_Cowboy · 08-19-2010, 11:47 AM

Mexico is a dangerous place for Americans to travel. That's a fact, let's not call it anything that it's not. Are there ways to minimize your risk? Sure, but that doesn't mean it's not dangerous.

Boogie, I hope you can live with yourself when you convince some family to travel through your great country and they're raped and murdered because you convinced them it was so safe and awesome. Wake up.

dorado50 · 08-19-2010, 12:43 PM

I like this threasher cow dude, as some people will (do) follow his words and not come to Baja. Good for me and others for two reasons 1) less traffic 2) more fish !!! See you on the otherside.

Thresher_Cowboy · 08-19-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorado50

I like this threasher cow dude, as some people will (do) follow his words and not come to Baja. Good for me and others for two reasons 1) less traffic 2) more fish !!! See you on the otherside.

I'm trying to keep it real. Painting a picture like Mexico is soooo safe and wonderful is a dangerous and irresponsible message to send to people reading this public forum. There are very real dangers people should be aware of, despite the downplaying and nonchalant comments from people like yourself.

dorado50 · 08-19-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thresher_Cowboy

I'm trying to keep it real. Painting a picture like Mexico is soooo safe and wonderful is a dangerous and irresponsible message to send to people reading this public forum. There are very real dangers people should be aware of, despite the downplaying and nonchalant comments from people like yourself.

Like I said ,the more people that listen to your rhetoric the better for me and others 1) less traffic 2)more fish

bluesquids · 08-19-2010, 12:44 PM

I started to explore B.C. in my 20's in my VW camper van. It was great until the same scenario went down with me. They took all day and went thru every nook and cranny of my bus and confiscated a bunch of stuff. I remember a really expensive pair of soccer cleats in particular.

Jimmyz123 · 08-19-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboybill

I had to respond again after seeing the comment from the guy trying to turn this around to seem like Mexico bashing... The big thing to remember is you do not have the same rights, or access to legal protection, period.

On a positive note; I must say that while travelling near Laguna Hanson (roughly 50-75 miles south of Tecate), My 4x4 broke down. Battery lost 2 cells...I was on flat ground so I could not bump it....
I hiked about 3-5 miles north, and met 2 brothers farming....Long story short, these 2 brothers took about 3-4 hours to get me back and running. They had to get out an old ford bronco, get it started, get gas, etc, etc...
They saved my ass, and asked for nothing. In fact the family offered me dinner and a nights stay! I gave them $50 or so for their troubles (they would not take more) and took off. It has been over 15 years, and I still remember their names...Martin and Mario of Rancho Day....

The locals tend to be just good down home folk... I wish the legal system was as ethical.

Cowboybill

I have been seeing this type of friendliness down there for the last 10 years. Just this last weekend I needed my air conditioning charged. I went to a guy who took me to the place where they have all their work done. 60 minutes later my AC is running like magic and the guy charged me $40 for all the work he did.

I have only had 1 issue going down to Baja, and that is not enough to keep me from going down there. I will do things differently when going through the check point from now on, and I will know a lot more Spanish as well.

Sadly there are too many people up here that Pre-judge the people south of the border and it's not fair. I have no problem with anyone wanting to stay safe, but please don't assume that everyone in Baja is the same as the drug lords we keep hearing about. I have 2 fishing guides that I know down there that I would trust my life with, and I also know many people down there that I would do that same.

It's a fun place to visit just be smart, safe, and check your temper at the border.

08-18-2010, 10:51 PM	#1
greenscales greenscales Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Monrovia Posts: 116	Staying alert is the key, just ask the residents of Bell The only difference between our government and theirs stealing our money, they do it in plain daylight while in uniform ours does it behind closed doors while wearing suits in some committee room (or faking science to take our fishing rights away.) I've posted a few times on my solo trips to Northern Baja waters. The only times I have had problems w/the federales at the checkpoints I have been an obvious mark. Once was cash that I thought I hid well enough and the other was a flashlight that I would have given them anyways. Each time I was coming back to the states late on quiet Sunday nights, visibly wiped out after a long day of kayaking, breaking camp, and cleaning fish. Let my guard down and stepped aside as 1 or 2 would distract me as 2 others raided the vehicle looking for something I would not miss for at least a few miles down the road. However my 4 trips in the last year I was heading back on busier days where they only had one or two guards checking me out and they were really just concerned I wasn't hauling drugs or guns. I can't speak for the San Felipe route or below Colonett, but the federales I have dealt with been very professional the last few years. For anyone interested in a first trip down, I am contemplating a quick run to either LaBuf or PST Labor Day weekend, leave Friday and return early Monday. I also would like to do my annual Thanksgiving run down there. PM me if interested - you'll need to bring the magazines and I'll get the beer to gift the Federales.

08-19-2010, 06:33 PM	#4
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	heading to Punta Abreojos on Oct 4th for 10 days and thankfully my truck only blue books for around 14,000 I've travelled all over Baja for over 20 years and with some common sense and good luck I've had very few problems down there......During the 20 years that I've travelled down there I can remember how people would say I was crazy for travelling down there.......usually from people who had never been down there and who didn't have too much life experiences.....nowadays there is a bit more of a pucker factor with the drug wars and all.......but in Northern Baja there is such a huge military presence that I felt safe travelling through that area last year. Once I get past Enseneda, I fill that I'm home free and the people in that section of Baja are amazing (but of course it's Baja and anything can happen....such is life). So many people aren't heading down there due to the instability but if you are willing to take some risk the rewards are huge (ie empty lineups, fishing grounds, etc).......I surfed a couple of really good sessions on perfect points in the Seven Sisters Area with only my friends in the water and had wide open Calico bass, sand bass and halibut fishing from the kayak with now one else around.....worth some risk for me Last edited by bigbarrels; 08-19-2010 at 07:06 PM.

08-19-2010, 09:46 AM	#6
cowboybill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, CA Posts: 103	Positive mexico! I had to respond again after seeing the comment from the guy trying to turn this around to seem like Mexico bashing... The big thing to remember is you do not have the same rights, or access to legal protection, period. On a positive note; I must say that while travelling near Laguna Hanson (roughly 50-75 miles south of Tecate), My 4x4 broke down. Battery lost 2 cells...I was on flat ground so I could not bump it.... I hiked about 3-5 miles north, and met 2 brothers farming....Long story short, these 2 brothers took about 3-4 hours to get me back and running. They had to get out an old ford bronco, get it started, get gas, etc, etc... They saved my ass, and asked for nothing. In fact the family offered me dinner and a nights stay! I gave them $50 or so for their troubles (they would not take more) and took off. It has been over 15 years, and I still remember their names...Martin and Mario of Rancho Day.... The locals tend to be just good down home folk... I wish the legal system was as ethical. Cowboybill

08-19-2010, 12:44 PM	#12
bluesquids Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jamul, CA Posts: 243	I started to explore B.C. in my 20's in my VW camper van. It was great until the same scenario went down with me. They took all day and went thru every nook and cranny of my bus and confiscated a bunch of stuff. I remember a really expensive pair of soccer cleats in particular. __________________ Thanks, bluesquids

08-19-2010, 09:40 AM	#2
BOOGIE Junior Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ENSENADA MEXICO Posts: 2	Its really not my first post, probably my third or forth a tecnical thing i gess, but ebery time i have post its on the same matter, i guess i dont like people critizising the place a live and love, do i own a kayak?, all my life, do i like fishing? more or the same as the next guy i just don like it wen some one shares his experience some people just jump right away to say that your crazy to take your fammily there, i so some assholes driving a caravan with white flags on ther antenas like if there where crossing a war zone, things like ïts no wonder it hapened over there, you would never see that here,my respons wasnt to the guy that get robed i am realy sorry that that hapaned, my response was for those that allways complain about Mexico but cant get unogh of it, and as far as choosing my words i stand behind them,all of them, y para ti cabron que dices que eres Mexicano chinga tu madre verguenza te deveria de dar andar defendiendo estas pendejadas, vente a vivir aqui a mexico y paga tus impuestos aqui y chingate como todos y luego vienes adefender tu causa, and as far as earning mi credibility?,i didnt know you have to insult some one to earn it, full of b.s?, pendejo?, trets like choose your words?, nice credibility, nice way to treat a first post, butt i am sorry, i guess i got mixup with another country, and as far as mi spelling it didnt seem like a problem i gess every one understand wat i say

08-20-2010, 03:25 PM	#5
eddier68 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 32	Good luck Bigbarrels! post a report when you get back. Saludos.

08-19-2010, 09:53 AM	#7
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Thats what makes Baja so special! Just wonderful families there and people like those that helped you with your truck are everywhere there.

08-19-2010, 11:47 AM	#8
Thresher_Cowboy Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 86	Mexico is a dangerous place for Americans to travel. That's a fact, let's not call it anything that it's not. Are there ways to minimize your risk? Sure, but that doesn't mean it's not dangerous. Boogie, I hope you can live with yourself when you convince some family to travel through your great country and they're raped and murdered because you convinced them it was so safe and awesome. Wake up.

08-19-2010, 12:43 PM	#9
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	I like this threasher cow dude, as some people will (do) follow his words and not come to Baja. Good for me and others for two reasons 1) less traffic 2) more fish !!! See you on the otherside.