BajaNomad - March 16th Trip to San Francisquito

March 16th Trip to San Francisquito

cpg - 3-24-2007 at 08:36 PM

I took off for a nice long drive from Livermore Ca. Crossed the border at 7:30 am thru San Ysidro. Stopped at a Calimax in Ensenada for some groceries then of to Santo Tomas for a late breakfast. Made it to Bay of La around 5:20 pm found the Pemex was closed due to a problem with there generator. Not sure if the newer station is open yet or not looks like 2 pumps or in operation they had no power also.

bay of la.JPG - 38kB

cpg - 3-24-2007 at 08:48 PM

I was planning on heading in to San Francisquito that night but neaded some more fuel. Ended up spending the night here.

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cpg - 3-24-2007 at 11:38 PM

About 2 in the morning a hummer with about 6 federales with machine guns come by to say hello. Interesting way to wake up! They were quick and polite checking that there was no drug smuggling going on. Then a goodnight and they were on there way.

Saturday with no gas yet we were heading south on the road out of bay of la when we ran into Pappy heading into town in his very nice 4 runner. If you have not gone south on this road before it is hard to find. I did not ever think there was a sign. There is a sign and here is a picture of it. Not sure how i missed it before.

[Edited on 3-25-2007 by cpg]

3.JPG - 43kB

cpg - 3-24-2007 at 11:45 PM

After talking with Pappy for a while we decided to go back into town and see if there was any gas yet. There was a young man with a few 55 gallon drums in the older gas station. I got 15 gallons Pappy got some and we headed north and south. If we did not get gas that day we were of to Las Animas but with the gas we were on are way to San Francisquito. Here is a picture of the new sails in the center of town.

[Edited on 3-25-2007 by cpg]

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cpg - 3-24-2007 at 11:50 PM

The road was in good shape except for the a few small washouts right outs of bay of la. This was smooth in July.

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cpg - 3-24-2007 at 11:54 PM

The weather was perfect. And it is a very scenic drive thru the dessert here.

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cpg - 3-24-2007 at 11:56 PM

Near San Rafael

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Bedman - 3-25-2007 at 01:26 AM

CPG,

That washout is pretty smooth compared to when the Baja 1000 went through. That's where Travis Pastrana flipped and burned his $250,000 car!!

It had rained a week or so earlier and from what I heard it was a Gulley washer.

Bedman

Cypress - 3-25-2007 at 05:25 AM

Thanks for the pictures and the report.

cpg - 3-25-2007 at 08:09 AM

A flower on the beach

9.JPG - 49kB

cpg - 3-25-2007 at 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bedman
CPG,

That washout is pretty smooth compared to when the Baja 1000 went through. That's where Travis Pastrana flipped and burned his $250,000 car!!

It had rained a week or so earlier and from what I heard it was a Gulley washer.

Bedman

Yea you can see the burn mark on the left. There was a few hoods and fenders along the way. It seemed like the road was less wash board than last year for the most part.

Bajagypsy - 3-25-2007 at 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cpg
A flower on the beach

Do you know what flower that is? I have never seen one on a beach before.

cpg - 3-25-2007 at 08:17 AM

3 and a half hours later we pull up to the beach at San Francisquito!
This is my favorite beach. Weather was perfect and the place was empty. I usually camp on the north end of the beach. But had a friend that wanted to stay in a cabana. So he stayed in the south cabana and I camped. 20 dollars for the cabana and 10 dollars for camping. They had no food only Pacificos. There still is only one shower working ( south side ). Hot saltwater showers and flush toilets. Last July they started a new cabana but it looks like the progress is slow. Juan seems to be running the place for now.

[Edited on 3-25-2007 by cpg]

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cpg - 3-25-2007 at 08:26 AM

Here is the new Cabana progress

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cpg - 3-25-2007 at 08:28 AM

Here is the main
area and cabanas. There is only one palapa left that has was not blown down.

[Edited on 3-25-2007 by cpg]

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cpg - 3-25-2007 at 08:32 AM

Here is the north shower facillity the roof came of in the last big storm. It was not working for at least a year.

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cpg - 3-25-2007 at 08:39 AM

We un packed pumped up the kayak and hit the water. Fishing was very good. Not many birds and the water was cold. On the first day we caught Bass, Cabrilla, Ling Cod, Sheeps head, Trigger Fish, Sand Shark, sculpin and a bunch of these not sure what they are?

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cpg - 3-25-2007 at 08:41 AM

I am not sure if these are ling cod or bucket mouth?

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cpg - 3-25-2007 at 08:44 AM

Here is another one of them. We threw them all back I brought to much food and needed to get thru that before the last day on the water. Wanted to have room in the fridge for some Yellowtail.

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cpg - 3-25-2007 at 08:50 AM

While in the Kayak fishing the north and south ends of the bay we saw many sting rays (not as much as many as the last trip) Some Fin back whales, Dolphins, 1 very large jelly fish, no sea turtles, Osprey, Pelicans, and a very spooky fog.

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cpg - 3-25-2007 at 08:57 AM

We went out with Ernesto in a Panga in search of some Yellowtail.
Dennis got 2 and I got 1 18 to 22 pounds. We were on the water late. We where going to go out early the next morning but the fog was way to thick. We hung out waiting for the fog to lift. It did finally and we took the Kayak out for some more fishing. On the north point today. Later in the day saw 2 kayaks going into the beach from the north. That evening talking with them. It was a father and his daughter and son. They put in at San Felipe and were headed to La paz. 2.5 to 3 months on the water for them.

[Edited on 3-25-2007 by cpg]

[Edited on 3-25-2007 by cpg]

[Edited on 3-25-2007 by cpg]

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Stickers - 3-25-2007 at 11:38 AM

Chris, great report and pictures. Seeing that bay puts a smile on my face.
So when are you going to kayak from San Felipe to La Paz?

Ken Bondy - 3-25-2007 at 11:41 AM

cpg that is an ocean whitefish Caulolatilus princes.

Quote:

Originally posted by cpg
We un packed pumped up the kayak and hit the water. Fishing was very good. Not many birds and the water was cold. On the first day we caught Bass, Cabrilla, Ling Cod, Sheeps head, Trigger Fish, Sand Shark, sculpin and a bunch of these not sure what they are?

[Edited on 3-25-2007 by Ken Bondy]

Ken Bondy - 3-25-2007 at 11:43 AM

Pretty sure that one is a jawfish.

Quote:

Originally posted by cpg
I am not sure if these are ling cod or bucket mouth?

cpg - 3-25-2007 at 12:25 PM

White fish is good to eat what about that jaw fish? Thanks Ken

Ken Bondy - 3-25-2007 at 12:36 PM

Agree about whitefish cpg, muy sabroso, don't know about the jawfish.

Paulina - 3-25-2007 at 12:47 PM

The Jawfish is good eating, although it's a bit tricky to clean in that it's so slimey feeling and the filets aren't that big, but the meat is light and very tender. We also call it a Ling Cod too.

P<*)))><

cpg - 3-25-2007 at 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paulina
The Jawfish is good eating, although it's a bit tricky to clean in that it's so slimey feeling and the filets aren't that big, but the meat is light and very tender. We also call it a Ling Cod too.

P<*)))><

Thank you! What kind sand shark is this?

[Edited on 3-25-2007 by cpg]

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Paulina - 3-25-2007 at 04:03 PM

A Shovelnose Guitarfish would be my guess.

http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/living_species/default.asp?inhab=1...

cpg - 3-25-2007 at 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stickers
Chris, great report and pictures. Seeing that bay puts a smile on my face.
So when are you going to kayak from San Felipe to La Paz?

Not in my inflatable. I would love to do that trip some day not sure if I would ever have the time. They are having a adventure of a lifetime. Dad and his daughter in one Kayak and the son in the other. So far on there trip they have seen many whales, turtles, dolpins etc. They had a bunch of back backing food. Here theyare heading south.

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cpg - 3-25-2007 at 07:10 PM

Here is a nice rock out cropping on the south side of the bay. The rocks inside there were arranged very neatly.

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David K - 3-25-2007 at 09:15 PM

WONDERFUL!!!

Thanks for sharing your trip with us!!!

cpg - 3-25-2007 at 11:11 PM

It is amazing all the different rock formations thru baja. The terrain changes so much it is hard to keep track of all you see. A wonderful place to travel.

Every evening we had a school of dolphins come in very close to play for the evening show. There is some magic at sunrise and sunset in San Francisquito.

[Edited on 3-26-2007 by cpg]

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cpg - 3-25-2007 at 11:27 PM

The small very well protected bay north of the beach is loaded with sting rays. Ernesto had his panga on the dock there and we headed out in search of Yellowtail. We were late getting out but did get 3 nice fish on the top. There are a few homes on the shore of the bay there. Very nice!

[Edited on 3-26-2007 by cpg]

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Bedman - 3-26-2007 at 12:35 AM

CPG, Great report and Wonderfull pictures. Thanks for taking the time. Here's one of my favorite fishing sites with All kinds of ID's for Baja Fish. Gene Kira's web site, http://www.mexfish.com/fish/fish.htm

Bedman
=================================================================
Giant Jawfish, Bigmouth Bastard, Opistognathus rhomaleus: The Giant Jawfish or Bigmouth Bastard (its official name) has a light grey tan coloration with numerous black spots covering the head and upper back and along the base of the dorsal fin. Characteristically the sides are devoid of markings.

The Giant Jawfish's bulbous head with enormous mouth with a straight rear jaw that extends well beyond the eyes is truly noteworthy. The Giant Jawfish has a short blunt tail and non-distinct, large, tan pectoral fins. The Giant Jawfish can be confused with the Fine Spotted Jawfish, Opistognathus punctatus (body covered with small spots and large spots and blotches), and the Mexican Jawfish, Opistognathus mexicanus (body covered with brown spots, white lines on anal, caudal and dorsal fins, maximum length 5 inches). The Giant Jawfish is reported to reach up to 20 inches in length and is found in the first 60 feet of the water column within sand rubble bottoms. In Mexican waters, the Giant Jawfish can be found on the Pacific side of Baja California peninsula south from Magdalena Bay, throughout the Sea of Cortez, and around the Revillagigedo Islands. It is absent along the coast of the mainland and around the southern oceanic islands.

The Giant Jawfish is the largest member of the Opistognathidae family of Jawfishes which are curious-looking, small to medium-sized burrowing fish with large bulbous heads, large mouths, big eyes on top and elongated, compressed, tapering bodies. They construct an elaborate burrow network in sandy substrate, that they line with pebbles and shells which undergoes constant renovation. The openings of their burrows are often surrounded by remarkable rings of pebbles or small stones. They are normally are found between 20 and 60 feet deep in the water column and they avoid areas of surge.

The jawfish have long anal and dorsal fin bases, a continuous dorsal fin, and pelvic fins that originate before the pectoral fins. The lateral line is high on the body and stops at midbody. The jawfish are voracious predators feeding on small fish and benthic and planktonic invertebrates. Globally there are 95 known members of the family from three genera of which about one-third have not been described in the literature. Within the Opistognathus genus there are 36 global members of which five are known in Mexican waters.
==================================================================

Shovelnose Guitarfish, Rhinobatos productus: The Shovelnose Guitarfish has a yellow-brown coloration but is white underneath. It has a spade-shaped, flattened head and a pair of soulful woebegone eyes. The body disk of the Shovelnose Guitarfish is longer than it is wide.

The Shovelnose Guitarfish also has a row of thorny projections along the mid-back from behind the eye to the first dorsal fin, and long thin tail. This fish can be confused with two other species of Guitarfish: the Speckled Guitarfish, Rhinobatos glaucostigma (snout with two wide ridges made of cartilage; pectoral and pelvic fins with pale margins); and the Pale Snout Guitarfish, Rhinobatos leucorhynchus (white snout).

The Shovelnose Guitarfish reaches a maximum size of 5.5 feet and 40 pounds. It is found in shallow coastal waters over sandy or mud bottoms normally in the first 75 feet of the water column and can be found in large aggregations.

It is found in all Mexican waters, with the exception of the oceanic islands, and is not present along the coast of the mainland north of Acapulco. It feeds on invertebrates and small fish. The Shovelnose Guitarfish is considered to be harmless to humans and was utilized as a food by Native Americans.

The Shovelnose Guitarfish is a member of the Rhinobatidae Family and Rhinobatos Genus. All members have shark-like bodies with two equal sized dorsal fins, asymmetrical caudal fins with no lower lobe, and long pointed snouts with two central cartilage ridges that form a triangular shape.

There are a total of 35 global members of the Rhinobatos Genus of which three are found in Mexican waters.

======================================================================

Ocean Whitefish, Ocean Tilefish, Caulolatilus princeps: The Ocean Whitefish is characterized by its overall light blue-grey appearance, and long anal and dorsal fins that maintain their width throughout their length. The anal and dorsal fins have a yellow line and a white line at their margins and the pectoral fins have strong yellow and blue components (as pictured below). Their mouths end well before the eyes. There is a dark pit below and in front of the eyes that is brown in coloration, and at times there is a dark blotch on the gill covers. The caudal fin is yellow and concave.

The Ocean Whitefish is easily confused with Hubb’s Tilefish, Canlolatilus hubbsi (which has a large mouth, thick fleshy lips, a blunt straight caudal fin, and a black spot at the base of the pectoral fin), and the Pacific Golden-Eye Tilefish, Canlolatilus affinis (a less forked caudal fin and a yellow stripe below and in front of the eye).

The Ocean Whitefish is a member of the Malacanthidae Family which are also known as Tilefishes and Blanquillos. Three species of Tilefishes are found in the Gulf of California, each from the subfamily Latilinae, and they are found in moderately deep water over rubble bottoms. The Tilefishes are robust fish having moderately deep bodies with a characteristic predorsal ridge and long anal and dorsal fins that maintain their width throughout their length. At present there are 39 species of Malacanthidae known globally.

The Ocean Whitefish is found at depths of up to 450 feet in the water column over both rock and sand bottoms. It is found in all Mexican waters including around the oceanic islands. The Ocean Whitefish is reported to reach just over three feet in length; however 18-inch models are much more common. They are viewed by locals as good table fare.

Stickers - 3-26-2007 at 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cpg

Every evening we had a school of dolphins come in very close to play for the evening show. There is some magic at sunrise and sunset in San Francisquito.

[Edited on 3-26-2007 by cpg]

Step out of your tent at 2AM and it is also spectacular. Even on a moon-less night it is so bright with starlight that it feels like you're in outer space. If the moon is out you may need sunglasses at 3 AM.

:wow:

David K - 3-27-2007 at 08:42 AM

I camped here on the beach near San Francisquito and one night woke to the songs of whales!

[Edited on 3-27-2007 by David K]

Skipjack Joe - 3-27-2007 at 04:48 PM

cpg,

Those are great pictures from a wonderful place. Thanks for sharing your trip through those images. That torn down building brings back so many good memories. We used to shower down every day after fishing in the brackish water that flowed through the pipes.

cpg - 3-31-2007 at 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
I camped here on the beach near San Francisquito and one night woke to the songs of whales!

[Edited on 3-27-2007 by David K]

Wife and myself last April were up in the roof top tent on a quite nite full of stars not wanting to sleep because of all the whales blowing in the bay. That was incredible.

Capt. George - 3-31-2007 at 04:06 PM

A whole lotta WOWS!! thanks for sharing.. cap'n g

Von - 3-31-2007 at 08:56 PM

As I sit here at work its 8;59pm and Ive been here since8;15am 13hrs here at work, boy do I miss Baja thanks for a little relief oraw!

cpg - 4-1-2007 at 03:14 PM

Left San Francisquito around 5 in the afternoon going to camp just somewhere before Bay of La to catch a panga early the next morning and try to get some fish to take home.

[Edited on 4-1-2007 by cpg]

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cpg - 4-1-2007 at 03:27 PM

It is always nice driving as the sun goes down as there is much more wild life out. On the way in did not see much of anything walking. On the drive out Jack rabbits every where, 1 red racer type of snake , 1 bobcat, Coyotes, Burros, and all sorts of dessert rats.

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RockhouseTom - 4-3-2007 at 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cpg

Yea you can see the burn mark on the left.

Bajalover - 4-3-2007 at 08:55 AM

Great pictures and trip report. Looks like a great place to camp/kayak.

Halboo - 4-5-2007 at 01:42 PM

Quote:

I am not sure if these are ling cod or bucket mouth?

I am pretty darn sure you would not want to have your fingers in the mouth of a ling cod :lol:

[Edited on 4-5-2007 by Halboo]

cpg - 4-5-2007 at 04:14 PM

Yea no finger of mine going in that mouth!!

Stickers - 4-6-2007 at 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Halboo

Quote:

I am pretty darn sure you would not want to have your fingers in the mouth of a ling cod :lol:

Well I would sure like to have that Ling Cod in my mouth. We used to catch them off the rocks in Big Sur and it was the best eating ever. The fillets were actually green in color but after cooking they turned white and melted in your mouth.

Ken Bondy - 4-6-2007 at 04:40 PM

They are very approachable underwater:

Hook - 4-6-2007 at 05:07 PM

I've approached them on a dinner plate. They were very leery of MY teeth. :biggrin:

ursidae69 - 4-6-2007 at 07:17 PM

Great report and photos. :cool:

wow

gringorio - 4-6-2007 at 08:04 PM

likewise - great report... thanks for sharing! :yes:

Skipjack Joe - 4-6-2007 at 10:17 PM

Lings make great tablefare but I like cabezone a bit more. Cabezone also have green flesh and sometimes the entire fish looks green. The skin feels like a bullfrog's belly. I can't think of a finer tasting fish than a cabezone. Beats halibut, and that's hard to do.

cpg - 4-9-2007 at 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Lings make great tablefare but I like cabezone a bit more. Cabezone also have green flesh and sometimes the entire fish looks green. The skin feels like a bullfrog's belly. I can't think of a finer tasting fish than a cabezone. Beats halibut, and that's hard to do.

What do the look like?