Cypress - 4-10-2006 at 10:37 AM
Pro's? Con's? No place is perfect. Looks like a good area for fishing, sheltered from the big Pacific waves by the islands. Available real estate? Any
advice from those who've been there? Most folks hesitate to mean-mouth an area in public due to possible retributions. u2u me! Thanks 
Mag Bay...
Pompano - 4-10-2006 at 10:53 AM
...it's a big place.
Cypress - 4-10-2006 at 11:27 AM
Appreciate the reply Pompano, Looks like lots of water/ fishing holes from here. Wondering what the real estate prospects are, not talking about an
investment, looking for a place to kick back and enjoy life. Thanks! Your pics/graphics are great!
Pompano - 4-10-2006 at 11:51 AM
This site, although mostly south near Todos Santos area, might narrow it down a little more. You might try a Google search on the little villages
to the north.
http://www.bajaexpo.com/cities/todos.htm#anchor123456
Of course, the best way is just to drive on down and nose around..spend a few weeks.
bajajudy - 4-10-2006 at 12:46 PM
Here is my take on this.
San Carlos is a depressing little town that stinks if the wind is blowing the wrong way from the diesel power plant.
Lopez Mateos is a quaint little town that stinks if the wind is blowing the wrong way from the fish processing plant.
If I were going to live on Bahia Magdelena, I would look away from these two towns, I would have a nice little fishing boat, a kayak, and I would not
leave anything in my house when I left.
Bajafly...
eetdrt88 - 4-10-2006 at 01:10 PM
gives regular reports of what theyre catching down there,heres the last I could find: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=16384
Pompano - 4-10-2006 at 01:17 PM
Fishing is always good...at least it has been for us...especially in the backwaters and old piers, but living there might not be my choice. Camping?
...leave someone in charge.
just for the record...
eetdrt88 - 4-10-2006 at 01:22 PM
is there a favored time of year to be down there fishing the esteros in a small boat??? I know its all covered in the "baja catch",but just wondering
if anyone on this board has better luck at any particular time of year
Cypress - 4-10-2006 at 01:23 PM
Bajajudy, Does'nt sound good. Between the bad smells(can handle that) and the "spot-and-steal" crowd (tuff situation without help), looks like a
place to avoid when the sun goes down. Sad. Wish the area had a better reputation. Thanks.
Pompano - 4-10-2006 at 01:28 PM
eetdrt88...can't vouch for the late spring or summer, but the fall and winters have always favored our trips.
robalo, goldspotted, linguado, in the mangroves...good times.
Tails outside in winter.. with wahoo in warmer times.
[Edited on 4-10-2006 by Pompano]
Cypress...
eetdrt88 - 4-10-2006 at 01:28 PM
your best bet is to go down and see for yourself,your experiences there may be totally different than those who post on this board
bajarich - 4-10-2006 at 01:52 PM
The area is mangroves with lots of nice bird life. I have camped north of Lopez Mateos but never fished there. I started to drive out to Santo
Domingo one time but the washboard was too bad for my boat so I turned around.
Camping is ok, but it's not like camping on the beach where there is clean sand.
The soil is made up of a dirt and salt and accompanied by the moist air, it always seems kind of muddy. I have only been there in the winter and it
is much cooler than the Sea of Cortez and the fog doesn't melt off until noon. I didn't have any problem with theft, but I was there in 2002 and
haven't been back.
Perceptions of Bahai Magdalena community
Cypress - 4-10-2006 at 01:57 PM
Understand that any area has it's positive and negative points. Wouldn't pass judgement on a place without having first-hand knowlege. Good advice
from folks that have actually been there is appreciated. I'm listening. Thanks.
bajajudy - 4-10-2006 at 02:21 PM
I didnt say that I didnt like it. Just my take on the two towns. If fishing is your life, you should definitely go there to fish.
The climate is not as forgiving as on the Sea of Cortez side.
Did a kayak trip down the outer islands that was one of the best things that I have ever done in my life.
Plucked oysters off the old abandoned pier...the freshest I have ever eaten. Dug for scallops on one of the sand bars close to there. That day we
caught a squid(messy, sucker got stuck to the bottom of the panga and when we cut it loose,ink was everywhere) and a couple of bass.
Would I go back there...in a heartbeat.
[Edited on 4-10-2006 by bajajudy]
Pompano - 4-10-2006 at 02:30 PM
We camped with our motorhome in that first little bay on the southern end...awoke to find ourselves flooded by about 2-3 inches of tidewater. Fun
times! We just left the rig there for half a day...splashed around...came back after the outgoing tide...and drove out. Our island home.
And yes, I will go back, too...but then, I was born to fish.
Skipjack Joe - 4-10-2006 at 05:07 PM
I like the place. I like to steer the boat through the narrow inlets and watch the wildlife. You can see the clams and blue crabs as you drift over
the clear bottom. Gene Kira compared it to Huston's 'the African Queen' and it does seem that way in places ("You're all right, Rosie").
When the wind is blowing everywhere in the winter it's nice to duck in close to those tall mangroves and fish in dead calm water. You won't catch any
bragging size fish in those lagoons but it can be non stop action and those lenguados are first rate.
It's definitely not a swimming place, though.
bajarich - 4-10-2006 at 06:22 PM
We also camped at Pozo Grande and did some kayaking. It was fun paddling through the mangroves, although a GPS is a good idea. You also need to
watch the tidal currents as they can be quite strong. No whales up at Pozo Grande.
As far as buying property there, I'd really check it out in person. It's not exactly Loreto Bay ie. there aren't going to be a lot of Gringos or
Gringo ammenities.
Mag Bay fishing is pretty good...
Pompano - 4-10-2006 at 09:55 PM
..lots of fun amongst the groves and around the old piers. Light gear is all you need, some casting plugs and spoons, a jig or two...and maybe a
bucket of shrimp! Last time we were given a pail full of large shrimp to use for bait...Our wives wanted to keep it. Can't blame them..first time I
ever wanted to eat my bait too!
GREAT TIMES fishing amongst the pelicans...be careful bringing in your catch!
Pompano - 4-11-2006 at 07:49 AM
Looks good while the sun shines
Cypress - 4-11-2006 at 12:14 PM
Thanks, Gonna have to check it out!
bajajudy - 4-11-2006 at 01:22 PM
If you need a clean room in Lopez or a good meal stop here and see my friends: Rosa, Judy, y Saul. Saul is the captain who took us to the oysters,
scallops etc.
Cypress - 4-12-2006 at 01:06 PM
Bajajudy! Thanks, Will get there one of these days. Sooner than later.