BajaNomad

Fishing with Juan

Diver - 11-28-2007 at 07:22 AM

There I was in Bahia Asuncion, having dropped the family to fly home and having a few days to relax. Juan was booked with other charters for a few days; one being with Iflyfish who caught his monster on his day out with Juan; so I patiently waited for a chance to go get my YT.

We decided to head out late one morning, the fish weren't biting, the water temps weren't favorable and we didn't have time to hit the "good" spots; I didn't care and neither did Juan. We were both just content to be on the water with wet lines.

We trolled the area out from Juan and Shari's house, watched the whales go by, chased some birds, swung by Asuncion Island to marvel at all the seals and gazed back at the peaceful little town.
I was content.

Then all of a sudden, wham !
I was sure I had my first Yellow !
A few minutes of reeling and Juan labeled it a Bonita, oh well, nice fight. I played with my drag and had a blast with him for a few more minutes before he headed for the boat and came un-hooked. From mellow and content to a fish on the line; I had forgotten to set the hook !!

All in all I couldn't have cared less about losing the fish. I got my line wet, I fought a good fish, saw whales and more and was back on shore in 2 hours with one of the nicest guides I know.

So maybe you don't always catch fish with Juan, but you might just not care; I didn't. But come late December, I will try again !!

.

shari - 11-28-2007 at 07:34 AM

Diver, you hold the distinction of being the only guy NOT to have caught fish! Felizidades amigo...but this time Juan will not come in till you get your fill and beg for mercy cause your arms are hurting reeling in so many yellows! Well...we can always dream!

Bajaboy - 11-28-2007 at 07:53 AM

Diver-as I've said to Juan many times before....that's why it's called fishing and not catching.

Zac

Diver - 11-28-2007 at 08:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Diver-as I've said to Juan many times before....that's why it's called fishing and not catching.

Zac


I don't know about that !!
From what I hear, you go catching, not fishing !! :biggrin:

Iflyfish - 11-28-2007 at 09:27 AM

Less than a month my man, you are short time!

Raise one for me! Keep your tip up!

Iflyfish

DianaT - 11-28-2007 at 09:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
Hello Diver!

Seems like I better get back over to Asuncion soon, meet the nice folks there, and join the yellowtail fun on the Pacific side.

Would I completely wreck a 32' 5th Wheel w/trailered 18' boat coming in from the blacktop? I have not been on that stretch of road recently.


All great fun! Good luck over there and Hi to your family.


Don't want to be answering a question for Diver, and he is certainly the one to talk to about taking a trailer and a boat, but we just drove out that road a week ago and thought we would say a little about the current condition.

Road from Vizcaino to the turn off is being worked on all the time. There are some good size potholes that are returning, however. Also there is some broken road places along the edge---just use caution.

The really bad parts along the salt flats are being worked on---just take it slow. The big sand dune had been pushed mostly off the road, but will return. The road right there is not in the greatest of shape----slow and the side of the road around the sand dune is well traveled.

The first 8 miles of the road to Bahia Asuncion is now paved and they are allowing it to be used. Good road---slow down at the end, it can drop some to the dirt, although last week they had filled that. The last 17 miles is dirt. Last week it was pretty bumpy for most of it---it is great right after it is graded, but it does become washboardy in between. We hope they grade it before the middle of this month.

There are a few soft sandy places.

Have no idea how your trailer would handle it, but that is the latest road report as of 11/21/07.

Hope you make it over to our side sometime.

Diane and John

Diver - 11-28-2007 at 09:57 AM

As Diane says, the asphalt from Viscaino is potholed in places but easily passable.
The last 8-10 miles of the road into Asuncion can get pretty washboardy.
If the road has been recently graded, no problemo.
We've towed our 24' bumper pull on a few trips but I wouldn't want to do it every day.
Either plan to go slow or leave the camper at home and stay at Shari's Beach House.
We'll be there around Dec 20th for 3-4 weeks then south to your neck.
Hope to see you here or there.
.

Skipjack Joe - 11-28-2007 at 12:09 PM

It's nice to see you posting again, Pompano. Looking forward to more of your humor.

The board always seems to perk up when you start posting.

shari - 11-29-2007 at 06:06 PM

Oh boy, can't wait to see perky pompano! If you are flexible and can come when the road is graded it's no problema BUT it's always a risk towing stuff out ;here as things do break...otherwise it might be a nicer holiday just to relax at the beach house and go fishin with Juan! Look forward to meeting you.

Vizcaino to Asuncion

awfulart - 11-29-2007 at 08:40 PM

We plan to leave for Asuncion on Dec. 28th pulling our 28 foot Alpenlite. The previous posts seem to discourage towing a trailer out there although previously I had heard it was not a problem as long as you were careful and drove slowly. Has anyone recently towed a trailer out there and if so what was their equipment and were there any problems??

Bajaboy - 11-29-2007 at 08:51 PM

In my opinion, it's a typical Baja dirt road. At times, the washboard can be challenging and other times it can smooth sailing. If you take it slow and have traveled on dirts roads before in Baja, I don't see why you would have a problem.

Zac

ps. we'll be down there at that time and look forward to meeting you

Diver - 11-29-2007 at 08:55 PM

Zac is right.
We will have towed our trailer in a week or so before you.
See you there !!

DianaT - 11-29-2007 at 09:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by awfulart
We plan to leave for Asuncion on Dec. 28th pulling our 28 foot Alpenlite. The previous posts seem to discourage towing a trailer out there although previously I had heard it was not a problem as long as you were careful and drove slowly. Has anyone recently towed a trailer out there and if so what was their equipment and were there any problems??


I really suggest you U2U Diver. He has towed his trailer out there when the roads were in far worse condition. There are a lot fewer pot holes and torn up pavement than when Diver was last there.

How sturdy is your trailer and do you take it on dirt roads?

The road is not like a 4WD boulder hopping road---can get wash boardy, and there are a few soft spots---don't stop.

U2U Diver--then if you decide to come on down, look us up. It is such a beautiful place.

Diane and John

DianaT - 11-29-2007 at 09:04 PM

opps, Diver types faster than I do, or maybe he is just not so verbose. :tumble::coolup



[Edited on 11-30-2007 by jdtrotter]

vacaenbaja - 11-29-2007 at 09:31 PM

Under the best of conditons you may be able to bring a trailer in and out.
But consider the fact that when the sand dune does cover the road and the only way through is to go around it. Things could get real interesting and fast, especially if your the one doing the trail blazing. From what I can see some of the rigs people plan to take are quite sizeable. I Hope that they can be manuvered over soft dirt and hard washboard with sometimes steep interval dips. Taking it slow with a tow vehicle with plenty of torque such as
a diesel should be of some help and the added beefed up suspension of a
4WD should also help. Ultimately in baja it is the SKILL of the driver that usually determines where one can go. Correct me if I am wrong Shari but I think that the "pole road" is the "kinder and gentler" way in.

Diver - 11-29-2007 at 09:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vacaenbaja
Under the best of conditons you may be able to bring a trailer in and out.
But consider the fact that when the sand dune does cover the road and the only way through is to go around it. Things could get real interesting and fast, especially if your the one doing the trail blazing. From what I can see some of the rigs people plan to take are quite sizeable. I Hope that they can be manuvered over soft dirt and hard washboard with sometimes steep interval dips. Taking it slow with a tow vehicle with plenty of torque such as
a diesel should be of some help and the added beefed up suspension of a
4WD should also help. Ultimately in baja it is the SKILL of the driver that usually determines where one can go. Correct me if I am wrong Shari but I think that the "pole road" is the "kinder and gentler" way in.


Have you ever been down that road ??
4WD ? Definitely not needed !
The "pole" road is probably no smoother just less up and down than the direct route and wider. The alternate road could get you a head-on with opposing traffic. We took it our first time in; like a nice easy rollercoaster !

This is just a graded dirt road that gets washboardy.
No worse than the Punta Chivato road has been on my trips there; just a bit longer.

I have never seen the dune totally block the road but could see it happening. That and potential bad washboard in some areas is why I recommend allowing some extra time.

vacaenbaja - 11-30-2007 at 11:59 AM

Well lets see... does just last week count? I am not saying that you NEED 4WD it is just that vehicles equiped with 4wd tend to have suspensions that are better constructed to endure washboard and uneven road conditions. The shock absorbers really do heat up when going through washboard.
I agree with the slow and "easy does it approach,"
You just have to be prepared to be rattled to death for a little bit of the way. The dune was begining to "grow" across the road and is very deceptive to its height at a distance.
Since the dune crosses a well paved part of the road driving at night or going fast and not paying attention can be bad and is not recommended.
Now is a "roller coaster" really what you want when towing
or "less up and down" personal preference I suppose.
I have been down the Chivato road during the floods of the early 90's and pulled a couple of stuck 2wd vehicles out of the muck. San Felipe through to Gonzaga. La Bay to San Fransisquito also. Its a good thing that the Chivato road gets graded.
Sometimes you go down the road with no problems at all.
Then on a return trip that same route may see you loosing
screws, getting flats etc. Your acessement is correct. Its just harder to turn around or back up on dirt when your towing
So Heads up all the way.

awfulart - 11-30-2007 at 05:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Diver
Zac is right.
We will have towed our trailer in a week or so before you.
See you there !!


Looking forward to meeting all the folks at Asuncion and thankyou you all for the info.

Art & Alice