Well, my mini-trip went to the plan for the most part.
The main mission was to drop my FM-3 in Ensenada to be registered and I did that no problem. If you need to register there and want to use an agent
try Aida. She is very nice and no BS.
Cleared the border Wens around noon and stopped at Migration to get my FM stamped. 1st time I've stopped there and now probably last. It was easy but
I did overshoot it a little and had to turn back from the secondary inspection lane. It an immediate right after the red/green lights.
Cruised on down to Ensenada and got lost for a while looking for Aida at 1855 Sixth Street. Finally found it and she was closed from 2-4pm. Was hungry
so drove a little and found a restuarant full of locals so I tried it. I don't remember the name but it was across for the big church on sixth. It was
okay but not my style of cooking. Greasy stringy shredded beef. Oh well. Back to Aida's and dropped my FM3.
Over to Motel Colon. Nice little place $27/night. Clean enough and nice little courtyard to park in. Rooms have a little kitchenette but I didn't use
it.
Got cleaned up and walked down Lopez Mateos to the nightclub area. Never had been there so was interesting. Went to a fish taco stand by the
fishmarket. Two tacos 80 cents each. Pretty good.
Went to Perris night club and watched a couple of dancers. Fell in love with one beauty and decided to get the heck out before she got ALL my pesos.
Back to the Colon for a good night's sleep and reasonably early departure in the manana.
Stopped on my way out of town at a little mercado by the base for some fresh fruit. Cheap and tasty.
Stopped at home depot to price building materials. 1) 4 x 8 x 16 cement block 90 pesos. Bag of cement between 50 and 100 pesos. I don't know if
that's a good price but now I have a baseline.
Back on the road. Stopped at the new Pemex in San Vincente for coffee. Clean and nice. Noticed the wind was picking up
As I approach Colonet I can see a sahara type sand storm ahead. Never seen that before.
I stop in Camalu to look at some beachfront lots forsale. Wind incredible. Nothing too impressive but it's the beach so I'm sure someone will buy them
eventually. Too windy so don't stay long.
On into the sand storm to SQ. Fish tacos at a roadside stand. $1 apiece. Much tastier than Ensenada.
Out to my fish camp(that's what I'm calling my patch of dirt now). Pull up and flush about 30 quail out of the bushes on my lot. See a few friends who
live there and notice black brant geese still in the bay. Stragglers I guess.
Getting late and near dusk so on to El Roserio. Gets dark as I head into the hills and the hardest part is the truck headlights I can't see the edge
of the road as they approach. Note to self: don't do that again!
Baja Cactus: very nice. Normally I stay at Valle San Quintin hotel but make the extra drive because to Nomads have liked Cactus some much. Not
disappointed.
Quick shower and over to Mama Espanosa's. Best halibut fillet ever. Not to be missed. Super friendly. Eva, Mama's daughter, very nice to me.
Back to Cactus. Up early and drive out to Punta Baja. Doubt my sanity for a while as I wonder if I've made a wrong turn. Finally see the light and
know I'm there. Totally unglamorous fish camp. I love it! Very windy so not much activity. Two boats haul up as I'm there. One loaded with big
halibut. The other has about a 4 foot long white seabass. I'm in baja heaven. No english from the pangeros and not much patiences for my poor spanish
but friendly to me. Fish cleaned and retreat from the wind to their shackes and I'm alone on Punta Baja with a strong wind in my face. I don't want to
leave. I want to be a mexican pangero and forget about the rest of the world. Run away from home and join the baja fishing circus.
Back in the truck and baja 1000 my way back to the pavement. I need to get to the book signing at the Pyramind and I'm about 175 miles away. Stop at
the Pemex but no air hose to fill my tires back up. Wander in town and find a little mechanic shop and they fix me up.
Back to Ensenada and pick up my passport and land documents from Aida. 3-4 weeks and my FM3 will be ready at migration. Why so long? I don't even ask.
Back to Colon. Drive down to the clubs this time and park by El Rey Sol. Two carne asada tacos at Tacos De Sol $1 each. Delicious.
Walk around a little. Friday night and the place is hopping. No Perris night club this night. Back to Colon. On my way home on Sat and stop at book
signing. Was going to stay for 1-2 hours and stayed 4 hours. Much fun. Didn't meet everyone but they'll be a next time. Back to Costa Mesa, Ca. my
home.
Must get back to Punta Baja...
can't get that place out of my mind...my soul...don't want to.Slowmad - 5-7-2007 at 03:50 PM
Excellent vibe...can utterly relate to wanting to drop out and be a panguero.fishbuck - 5-7-2007 at 05:08 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by grover
Quote:
Originally posted by Slowmad
Excellent vibe...can utterly relate to wanting to drop out and be a panguero.
I bet there is considerably
less romance when trying to survive on their level of income.
There is also a certain level of danger they face(going so far out with a single engine.)
Hey Grover, you killing my buzz with all your reality talk!
But I know what you're saying.
I asked them to take me out but I got the impression that it was dangerous enough without an inexperienced gringo on board. They didn't say that but
they didn't need to either. I could tell. But I'm going to ask again!BajaWarrior - 5-7-2007 at 05:21 PM
Great trip report Mike, thanks for making the extra effort to come to the Book Signing this weekend!
C-ya in Baja sometime...fishbuck - 5-7-2007 at 05:29 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaWarrior
Great trip report Mike, thanks for making the extra effort to come to the Book Signing this weekend!
C-ya in Baja sometime...
Yeah it was great talking to you and your wife. That book signing was a great way to cap the trip.
I wanted every book but limited myself to one. Graham Machintosh, "Into a desert place". It's making me even more Bajaloco!BajaWarrior - 5-7-2007 at 05:51 PM
Ya, I bought God and Mr. Gomez 10 years ago and ended up building a house because of it, at the actual location of the book's story.David K - 5-7-2007 at 06:11 PM
It was very nice meeting you fishbuck (Mike)!
[Edited on 5-8-2007 by David K]
BAJACAT - 5-7-2007 at 10:33 PM
Same here Fishbuck I really enjoy your flying stories,it was a pleasure meeting you
Books that I bought,All three from Bernie+(free Bouncing around Baja sticker)
One from graham
In the shadow of a volcano by the late Mike H..
[Edited on 5-8-2007 by BAJACAT]Slowmad - 5-8-2007 at 10:01 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by grover
Quote:
Originally posted by Slowmad
Excellent vibe...can utterly relate to wanting to drop out and be a panguero.
I bet there is considerably
less romance when trying to survive on their level of income.
There is also a certain level of danger they face(going so far out with a single engine.) Quite a few years ago a real nice guy named Chago(Santiago)
went out from Punta San Carlos(south of Punta Baja about 30 miles) and was never heard from again.
Thanks for sucking out the aloha, Grover.
I'd also like to continue my Misery Tourist trip by working as a Bombay shipbreaker.bajaandy - 5-8-2007 at 11:07 AM
Punta Baja.... A pretty cool place. Spent some good times out there in the past couple of years. I'd like to take my tin boat out there and launch
it.Slowmad - 5-8-2007 at 11:16 AM
That stretch has the old school grit.
The blown-out fish camp a couple of hours south has been referred to as Fecal Point.
You KNOW there're some mondo WSB finning around that zone.fishbuck - 5-8-2007 at 01:43 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Slowmad
That stretch has the old school grit.
The blown-out fish camp a couple of hours south has been referred to as Fecal Point.
You KNOW there're some mondo WSB finning around that zone.
Fecal Point? That doesn't sound good. Can you explain that a little better.
I took a picture of the big sea bass and will try to post it eventually.Slowmad - 5-8-2007 at 02:20 PM
Just a gag (pun intended) name for Fernando.
The arroyo camp spot is filled with broken glass, rusted nails, and flash-dried growlers.
Anyone seen decent surf at Punta Baja?
SteveU - 5-16-2007 at 10:45 AM
I've checked it out just a couple of times, spent the night a little up the bay once, but have never seen "surfable" waves. The point itself looks
like it would pick up a south swell perfectly!bajaandy - 5-16-2007 at 10:55 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by SteveU
I've checked it out just a couple of times, spent the night a little up the bay once, but have never seen "surfable" waves. The point itself looks
like it would pick up a south swell perfectly!
I know what you mean about the point itself... looks like it would break nice on the right swell. Never seen it do that yet.
South of the point there are a few places that break nice. I've only ridden it knee-waist high, but you could ride it for a LONG way. Again, looks
like it would be killer on the right swell. That whole area south of the point is one big long shelf/reef. It breaks shallow with the occasional
rock or two, but the wave has a nice shape.Tomas Tierra - 5-18-2007 at 10:07 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Slowmad
Just a gag (pun intended) name for Fernando.
The arroyo camp spot is filled with broken glass, rusted nails, and flash-dried growlers.
and a burned out Panga...needs a good cleaning, a good rain would help...
Cool report..heading for that zone next month...can't wait.
Slowmad - 5-19-2007 at 01:02 PM
Was talking about Newcamp proper...yours looks positively pristine!Cypress - 5-19-2007 at 01:12 PM
"God and Mr. Gomez"Bobbuzz - 5-22-2007 at 08:19 PM
Is it possible to tow a 15' tin boat out to Punta Baja with 4WD? And launch?
Would launching require taking boat off of trailer and sliding down to water.
By looking at Google earth it looks to be pretty protected on the south side of point. It appears as if the vehicle tracks go right to the waters
edge.
Any help? Any pics?
Thanks in advance.
BajabuzzDavid K - 5-22-2007 at 08:20 PM
Punta Baja and beyond, road log & photos: http://vivabaja.com/1205Bobbuzz - 5-22-2007 at 08:37 PM
Just got done reading those, good stuff as usual.
Since you have driven this road is it possible to trailer a 15' tin boat on these roads?
Are there areas that require 4WD?
Any deep sand?
Good access to launch area?
Is the south facing beach of Punta Baja free from breaking waves?
I am not opposed to taking boat off of trailer and rolling to water on balls or fenders.
Just looking for some good info for future fishing spots.
Thanks for always keeping us up to date on the off highway travels of Baja.
BajaBuzzDavid K - 5-22-2007 at 08:41 PM
Buzz, see my web page I posted right above your question... the sort answer is no 4WD needed... good graded road... all the way south, in fact.
Crossing the Rosario River are a couple of puddles, but the ground is firm and the locars drive their sedans over them every day.bajaandy - 5-23-2007 at 07:03 AM
Buzz,
I've been getting ready to do much the same thing as you describe. Only my tin boat is a bit bigger. I've driven the roads to Pta Baja a few
times... for the most part they are well graded roads that would handle towing a boat. To the best of my knowledge (limited, to be sure) there are
two spots to launch boats out at the point. They are both sort of modified beach ramps. All cobble and a bit on the steep side. I'm pretty sure
you'd need 4x4 to haul out. I get the impression that one could most likely back a trailer into the water, but I just don't know for sure. Might
need to do the beach launch as you describe. The point is very well protected, and I believe it would be a relatively easy launch if the swell was
not up. From what I've seen, the waves don't break on the south side of the point... at least not all the way down. (They do out towards the very
tip.)
If you go, let us know how it was. I'll do likewise. I'll be there in July for the Rosario Festival and plan to do a better check of the situation
then (if I don't go sooner.)cbuzzetti - 5-23-2007 at 02:30 PM
BajaAndy and David K thanks for the info.
I am driving down second week of June to look at some lots and houses in San Quintin. Won't be taking a boat this time but plan on driving out to
Punta Baja to take a look before I head over to Gonzaga Bay. May do some shore fishing at Punta Baja if time permits.
I will post what I find as far as launching and access goes.
It looks to be a great area that does not get sport fished much.
I prefer the out of the way places. Fishing is usually much better.
Thanks again!!fishbuck - 5-23-2007 at 03:28 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by cbuzzetti
BajaAndy and David K thanks for the info.
I am driving down second week of June to look at some lots and houses in San Quintin. Won't be taking a boat this time but plan on driving out to
Punta Baja to take a look before I head over to Gonzaga Bay. May do some shore fishing at Punta Baja if time permits.
I will post what I find as far as launching and access goes.
It looks to be a great area that does not get sport fished much.
I prefer the out of the way places. Fishing is usually much better.
Thanks again!!
One of my friends in San Quintin is selling a house he just built. It's brand new!
Here is a link. http://nearfutures.net
Is this one of the houses you're looking at? If not stop by and check it out. My friend John just finished it a couple of months ago.
I watched the pangueros recover boats at Punta Baja. They used a long rope tied to the truck up on firm ground and dragged them up with an axle tied
under the boat. It didn't look easy and a little hard on the boat too.
Also, there was probably 100 or more commercial pangas there. I would imagine in good weather the area gets fished hard.bajaandy - 5-23-2007 at 04:40 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by fishbuck
I watched the pangueros recover boats at Punta Baja. They used a long rope tied to the truck up on firm ground and dragged them up with an axle tied
under the boat. It didn't look easy and a little hard on the boat too.
Also, there was probably 100 or more commercial pangas there. I would imagine in good weather the area gets fished hard.
I agree about the fact that the place may get fished hard. But, on a good note, I do recall seeing LOTS of bait in the water when I paddled out a
couple miles south of the point to surf. Schools of bait everywhere. (But that was last July.)
I watched the pangueros launch a boat out at the point once. They pulled the boat down the "ramp" then they launched bow first (as they usually do)
by pushing the corner of the transom with the bumper of their 4x4 until the boat was afloat. Never saw them recover, but I'd imagine they'd pull it
up much as you describe. Still not sure if you could actually pull a boat out of the water on a trailer there. I sort of doubt it unless you had a
long extension for the tongue, or a winch to pull the boat up onto the trailer. I think you could make the slope of the ramp in 4x4 with aired down
tires though.Bobbuzz - 5-24-2007 at 09:14 PM
Yes FishBuck that is one of the places I am looking at. I will also be looking at lots.
It appears to need some interior finishing. But seems to have a great location. IMO
John and I have been in contact by email and he has sent me many pictures and assorted information.
Will be in the area second week of June.
Looking forward to meeting John and seeing his house for sale.
Bajaandy, Fishbuck my boat is a 15' aluminum Gregor so it is pretty easy to manipulate by hand with two to three guys. I would have no problem pulling
it up the beach with the truck and a tow strap. I have devised a method for getting the boat back on the trailer using the existing winch.
Boat is about 700 lbs with engine, fuel and gear.
Sounds like there is a paved ramp farther south. This is closer to San Geronimo and Sacramento Reef any way so that would be worth checking out.
