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Lost Roadie
Newbie
Posts: 16
Registered: 9-17-2020
Location: Sequoia National Forest
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A Roadie in Baja - Inflatable Boat Adventures
Disclaimer - I really don't know what I'm doing when it comes to fishing from a boat in Baja. Most of my time here over the years has been camping off
a dirtbike with a little travel rod to fish from shore. So all you experts that have been fishing Baja since long before I was born take it easy on
me. 
I do however have The Baja Catch book and will be an expert (in my own mind) soon enough.
Last year I towed a 14' Gregor down and that was my first time on the water fishing here. Having a capable 4x4 I felt towing in Baja was certainly not
for me so traded it for an inflatable, the 12'6" Newport Vessels Catalina flavor with a mighty 15hp motor.
It's been a blast taking it all over the place in the states, fished Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Powell and countless smaller lakes. Camped on
Catalina Island with it as well.
No trailer, life is good now.
Here's my tales as I work my way down Baja, updates when possible.
Crossed in Mexicali 11/2 at 6am without any issues or searches (no trailer!), got my visa and off to BOLA. I had the boat in the water and was
fishing by 4pm, the hell with the typical yet somewhat light winds.
Now, as I said I'm a Baja fishing rookie, not here paying a local captain for targeting big game fish - I like catching anything, especially the
delicious ones. It's all an adventure and learning experience for me.
Within 10 minutes of leaving La Gringa the barracuda (or whatever they are that look like one) were plentiful, a fun way to start the trip.
Crossing the whitecap filled channel to get over to the lee side of Isla Coronado I got into a bit more variety of fish. Trolling, casting, jigging.
What did Neil say about this area?...
A whole bunch of two for one's, these are what I will keep and eat. It's catch and release for everything unless I can eat it or give it away, not
many people camping at La Gringa so a few little fish was all I kept.
The tide had gone out while away but I have a plan for that using my truck instead of dragging by hand it back to camp.
Ceviche for dinner tonight, life is good!
Next installment, Bahia de Conception.
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jwheel1970
Newbie
Posts: 24
Registered: 5-16-2017
Location: San Diego
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Great write up - keep it coming
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100X
Nomad
Posts: 234
Registered: 11-3-2021
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Mood: Thankful
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If you released the triggerfish, should try the next one!
A life of fears leads to a death bed of regrets.
Find someone who will take care of you, and take care of them.
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del mar
Banned
Posts: 1057
Registered: 7-23-2016
Location: the cantina of course
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Mood: lil' fuzzy
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when towing the blow-up hook two tow straps over the top of the transom so its cradled when attached to the tow vehicle and yeah keep the cochito, our
favorite eating fish
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advrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1847
Registered: 10-2-2015
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Good to see you around, it's been a while, back in the moto Death Valley days... Keep the trip report coming...
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Mulege Canuck
Nomad
Posts: 386
Registered: 11-27-2016
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Thanks for posting! I am dying to get out of the rain on Vancouver Island and get back to Baja, finally.
Look forward to your next post.
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hombre66
Nomad
Posts: 281
Registered: 10-29-2014
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Inflatables ! Bought my first one (Achillles) in 82 to take to Gonzaga and never looked back. Many years later in 02 I rode with a guy to G Bay
towing a 15' tin Westcoaster and had nothin but woes pulling the thing down the 36 miles of dirt from L Chapala to G bay. Still taking my Zodiac MK 2
to San Franciscquito whenever I can get the time.
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Paco Facullo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1301
Registered: 1-21-2017
Location: Here now
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Mood: Abiding ..........
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Welcome Lost Roadie,
That barracuda looking fish a a Sierra and is #1 for the best ceviche.
Inflatables are so much less hassle and are capable of some damn great fishing experiences.
I have taken them down Baja and had time time of my life!
Throughly enjoyed your post ! Keep it coming, please
When making ceviche, filet the fish, then using a fork, stick the fork down thru the meat hitting the skin, then pull off small pieces ov meat. This
gives the ceviche a really nice texture compared to small chunks
[Edited on 11-12-2021 by Paco Facullo]
Since I've given up all hope, I feel much better
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maspacificoII
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 1-16-2018
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A rare stripped sierra!
https://mexfish.com/fish/srra/srra.htm
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17295
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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good for ceviche
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Cancamo
Nomad
Posts: 345
Registered: 4-5-2011
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"That barracuda looking fish a a Sierra"
Nope, it's a Mexican Barracuda, (if the tail is dark), Pacific Barracuda if not, (less likely).
Only similarity to sierra is it is elongated.
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Paco Facullo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1301
Registered: 1-21-2017
Location: Here now
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Mood: Abiding ..........
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Quote: Originally posted by Cancamo  | "That barracuda looking fish a a Sierra"
Nope, it's a Mexican Barracuda, (if the tail is dark), Pacific Barracuda if not, (less likely).
Only similarity to sierra is it is elongated. |
Thanks, I stand corrected, except the Sierra being great for ceviche part…..
Since I've given up all hope, I feel much better
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Lost Roadie
Newbie
Posts: 16
Registered: 9-17-2020
Location: Sequoia National Forest
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Thank you for the kind words and suggestions folks.
advrider, hell yes the good ole days in DV!
Tuna Time.
Not really ever wanting to spend much time in BofLA I packed up and head south, breezing through the checkpoints with no searches or issues, as
normal.
This year was quite different than last around bahia de conception. I spent all of October last year at Playa La Escondida, on the weekends local
families were there enjoying the beach and not a soul there during the week. On saturday I made my weekly trip to town leaving my boat and everything
out.
No beach side local sales, no large caravans of massive RV's to surround you with generators running  (yay!). It was weird but I'd imagine I was able to experience Baja in ways not seen for a generation and for that I
am grateful.
Just the rhythm of nature to get lost in.
This year it seems back to normal if not a bit busier but luckily I found an empty palapas near the south end where I like to be. Great neighbors, a
younger Chicago couple in a camper truck who had just came from 4 months travel the mainland and some expats/locals from Mulege on the other side.
Down the way there was a couple bicycling to South American, one from France, the other from the USA. They had just met on the road and were a very
cute couple.
An eclectic mix of cool people and what makes traveling here memorable.
Up before sunrise I headed out if the bay to get to deeper water and it didn't take long to get on the Tuna right off the fish camp on the east point
at the mouth. The first 4 back to back were all similar sized skippies, caught on trolling a magnum deep running rapala on my "heavy" rod.
Last year in the same spot I was able to get a few decent sized big eye's but it seems I was now in a school of these skipjacks.
I switched up to lighter tackle, no need for 60lb line and started casting some slow pitch jigs. It didn't matter if they were shallow or even
counting down to 30, back to back fish. While generally small these were fun on the lighter rods and eventually started to wear me out.
Switched up again and fast trolled some 8" squid skirts around 14mph, looking for a different bite, maybe I would get lucky with a lone Dorado still
in the area. Same thing, still lots of fish, all the same even though I was now about 6 miles offshore in deep water.
A real first world problem to get tired of catching fish!
A short video of the typical fight.
https://vimeo.com/645761253/4e7959ac29
I kept two fish with the most damage to eat and share, life is good!
Poke' and grilled Tuna for everyone on the beach followed by shenanigans.
Good fishing, good company, perfect weather.
la vida es buena en baja
[Edited on 11-14-2021 by Lost Roadie]
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Don Pisto
Super Nomad
Posts: 1232
Registered: 8-1-2018
Location: El Pescador
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Mood: weary like everyone else
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what are we looking at in the last photo
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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Paco Facullo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1301
Registered: 1-21-2017
Location: Here now
Member Is Offline
Mood: Abiding ..........
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Happy Campers, I’d presume
Since I've given up all hope, I feel much better
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eguillermo
Nomad
Posts: 113
Registered: 10-10-2008
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I'd love to hear a description of your inflatable setup -- type, the motor, any mods you made, any tips on setting up and running it.
I'm still using kayaks to get out and fish Baja Catch style, but I can see the writing on the wall as my distances decrease and backaches grow. Looks
like I might need a fishing platform that is still portable and manageable, but powered by a motor. Maybe you can sell me your rig when you upgrade
And great stuff BTW! I should be down around Christmas, but those delicious bonito are hard to find by then. Envy.
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Bajazly
Senior Nomad
Posts: 991
Registered: 6-4-2015
Location: Goodbye Cali and Hello San Felipe
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Mood: More Relaxed Everyday
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We caught a bunch of bonito a couple days ago and I kept 4, what are some good ways to prepare them? I have no experience with them but heard they are
pretty good. I'll can them is all else fails.
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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Don Pisto
Super Nomad
Posts: 1232
Registered: 8-1-2018
Location: El Pescador
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Mood: weary like everyone else
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly |
We caught a bunch of bonito a couple days ago and I kept 4, what are some good ways to prepare them? I have no experience with them but heard they are
pretty good. I'll can them is all else fails. |
I like em chunked breaded and deep fried, just be sure to cut out the dark meat......got a smoker?
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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Bajazly
Senior Nomad
Posts: 991
Registered: 6-4-2015
Location: Goodbye Cali and Hello San Felipe
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Mood: More Relaxed Everyday
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| Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto | | Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly |
We caught a bunch of bonito a couple days ago and I kept 4, what are some good ways to prepare them? I have no experience with them but heard they are
pretty good. I'll can them is all else fails. |
......got a smoker? |
I do and hope to smoke some soon, need to find my brine recipes still packed away.
Smoked some jurel a couple months ago for about 90 minutes with no brining and canned it with cloves of garlic and serrano chiles. Pretty to die for
stuff, hope the bonies work as well.
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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Cancamo
Nomad
Posts: 345
Registered: 4-5-2011
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Quote: Originally posted by eguillermo
... those delicious bonito are hard to find by then. Envy.
Specimens in photos are Barilete or Skipjack distinguished by usually three black spots, (sometimes less), under gill plate. I know they make poke in
Hawaii, here mostly the locals make them edible in machaca with ample verduras. Dark, bloody flesh, even if bled.
Bonita have real teeth, a bit skinnier, no black spots, and are very edible. Pink flesh, Good sashimi, poke, etc...
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