BajaNomad - Fishing on the Baja!

Fishing on the Baja!

EMAM - 4-1-2008 at 11:22 PM

Went out with Congo's Awesome Fishing Charters, out of Los Barriles for an amazing day on the water.

Does it get any better looking than this?!?!

Got a few big Durados

One Mako which was some of the best, most tender meat we've ever eaten in our lives. Breaded in Corn Meal and lightly fried up

And one 150lb Marlin!! What a great day on the water!

fishbuck - 4-2-2008 at 12:37 AM

Complete photoshop job! The pics look like postcards you got down there. And the boat in the first pic captures everything that is wrong with Cabo/EastCape area.
But I would love to fish out of that boat. Take out the chair though. I fight standup!
:yes:

4baja - 4-2-2008 at 06:29 AM

first rate pics, thanks

TonyC - 4-2-2008 at 08:12 AM

OMG.....WOW....those are pics. are sick. Get ready to catch it for in "THE" baja.... been there done that. Thanks for sharing those excellent pictures. That Mako shot is awesome.

Skipjack Joe - 4-2-2008 at 08:54 AM

Great pictures EMAM! The colors on the dorado are amazing. And accurate.

Natalie Ann - 4-2-2008 at 09:22 AM

As always, really good pictures EMAM. Tell me about that shark... was he trying to jump into the boat or what?
And yes, that dorado is one beautiful fish pix!

Nena

bajajudy - 4-2-2008 at 09:28 AM

Great fish pix
Looks like a good time was had by all except the fish.

Subastador - 4-2-2008 at 09:42 AM

Did any of you guys stop to think that this was a great April fool's joke!
I'm either suspicious, but looks to me as if the rest of you bought it
Hook, Line, & Sinker.

EMAM - 4-2-2008 at 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck
Complete photoshop job! The pics look like postcards you got down there :yes:

Which picture do you think is photoshoped? I can provide the RAW Images if you think I cut and pasted. :no:

EMAM - 4-2-2008 at 11:47 AM

For the Mako, I'll admit that I did photoshop the fishing line out of the picture.

You can still see a bit of it in the lower left coming up from the edge of the boat. I thought the line looked stupid, but the image is acurate.

The Marlin was jumping out of the water beside the boat, and nope, no April Fools Joke

[Edited on 1-02-2008 by EMAM]

EMAM - 4-2-2008 at 11:55 AM

As most photographers do, you only show the best of the many pictures you take while out shooting.

I did just that and only posted the one shot of the Marlin that didnt have the edge of the boat in it so it just looked perfect. I was actually leaning my entire body way out off the edge of the boat to get that shot and not have any of the boat in the image.

Here are a few more that still have the edge of the boat in the image. This is rarely shown as most photographers only want you to see what they want you to see.

My camera will shoot 8 frames per second, so I probably have 50 images of this thing fighting beside the boat. The way I look at it, if you have to get the image, digital is free once you buy the compact flash cards, shoot away :spingrin:

Iflyfish - 4-2-2008 at 12:40 PM

Great pics, like being there. Thanks for posting.

Iflyfish

capt. mike - 4-2-2008 at 01:52 PM

shouldn't "miles" be contracted?

nice boat. can you post the contact info? he'd be a good one for junkets.
i have a few attys i need to get really seasick.

Hemingway reincarnate???

Sharksbaja - 4-2-2008 at 02:11 PM

I'm interested on your take. You feel good about the taking of important apex animals. Is this for your own pleasure or to fuel your adventures for your fans"?
I just think that you failed to consider your physical contribution to Baja.
You are obviously quite adept at locating and photographing wildlife. Can't THAT be your forte'? :?:

Why would you sacrifice these important dwindling species for fish and chips when your photos are all you need. :no:

Save the sharks!
Save the billfish!
Save Baja!

because they can't speak for themselves

Mako sharks among 10 most endangered species

Roberto - 4-2-2008 at 02:27 PM

http://www.extravalue.com/shark.shtml

Natalie Ann - 4-2-2008 at 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EMAM
Here are a few more that still have the edge of the boat in the image. This is rarely shown as most photographers only want you to see what they want you to see.

An interesting story about that kind of thing, EMAM.

After one trip we had a lot of aerial images of Baja. I worked dutifully in Photoshop to edit out the airplane wings on each image - I wanted that 'perfect shot'.

I sent those images to mi piloto and explained the delay (it takes awhile to edit out all those wings)... and he wrote back, "Gee, too bad. Pilots really like to see that wing in the picture. Really nice if you can get some engine, too."
:lol:

Nena

Sallysouth - 4-2-2008 at 08:21 PM

Awesome pics.Do you catch and release your marlin ?Guess not. :no:

marv sherrill - 4-2-2008 at 08:26 PM

wow - great pictures - thanks for posting!

Cardon Man - 4-3-2008 at 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
I'm interested on your take. You feel good about the taking of important apex animals. Is this for your own pleasure or to fuel your adventures for your fans"?
I just think that you failed to consider your physical contribution to Baja.
You are obviously quite adept at locating and photographing wildlife. Can't THAT be your forte'? :?:

Why would you sacrifice these important dwindling species for fish and chips when your photos are all you need. :no:

Save the sharks!
Save the billfish!
Save Baja!

because they can't speak for themselves

In defense of EMAM...As I recall he/she is new to Baja and may not realize the importance of catch and release on threatened species. If you must throw stones, throw them at the crew of the Awesome for allowing that Mako to be killed. If anyone should have a keen interest in preserving the fishery it should be them. But as we all know, there probably isn't a charter boat in Baja that wouldn't have killed that shark.

I know some guys who commercially fish sharks off of Magdalena Bay. On my last trip up that way they were taking as many as 20 sharks a day. Mostly mako and blues. And including juveniles just a few feet long. My point being...one dead mako on a sport boat doesn't hold a candle to the commercial harvest.

In synopsis, sport fishing crews should be the ones who draw the line when it comes to taking threatened species and enforcing legal limits on other gamefish like dorado and tuna. And regarding that marlin...if it was indeed killed, is that not a legal catch in Mexico?

Oso - 4-3-2008 at 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto
http://www.extravalue.com/shark.shtml

Dang! I didn't know that about snappin turtles. Now I feel bad about eatin em, but it's been like 20 years ago. I remember they were delicious. Different parts had different flavors which some claimed resembled pork, beef, chicken etc. Cajun style snappin turtle etoufee was out of this world.

Sharksbaja - 4-3-2008 at 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cardon Man

Quote:

Why would you sacrifice these important dwindling species for fish and chips when your photos are all you need. :no:

Save the sharks!
Save the billfish!
Save Baja!

because they can't speak for themselves

Alrighty then. Newbies who have no sense should be allowed one big mako and one big shark, just for that reason.
How rediculous defending someone based on that premise.

Now you are guilty for condoning it.

Nice to see so much concern and stewardship. Unfreakingbelievable. Nomads dissing their own environment, what next?

The justification amazes me.

Cardon Man - 4-3-2008 at 04:35 PM

Sharks...you're preaching to the converted. Perhaps you misinterpreted my point. You can't expect a newbie to know what's right and not right when it comes to killing fish. Now, the crew of the charter boat is another matter. They damn well should know better. Yet, they gaffed that little Mako quick as you can blink. How is EMAM to know that this harvest is ill-conceived? I stand by my assertion that those who operate and own sport fishing operations bear a responsibility to set guidelines as to what can and cannot be killed regardless of legal limits. If they don't recognize the threatened state of certain species how can you expect a newbie to know when it's wrong to kill?

I mentioned my friends who kill these critters commercialy. I don't think for a second what they do is good for the sharks. I only mentioned them to illiustrate that EMAM is by no means to be blamed for the threatened state of these fantastic creatures. Other forces are at work and they deserve your attention far more than any newbie on a charter boat.

fishbuck - 4-3-2008 at 06:47 PM

Don't worry because that shark photo is fake! No sharks were hurt or killed in the making of this fantasy :tumble:

DianaT - 4-3-2008 at 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck
Don't worry because that shark photo is fake! No sharks were hurt or killed in the making of this fantasy :tumble:

Fishbuck,

Curious---why do you think these are strictly photoshop fantasies? They are remarkable photos--????

I do hope you are correct only because I agree with the catch and release ideas---.

Thanks
Diane

[Edited on 4-4-2008 by jdtrotter]

Believe it.......

Sharksbaja - 4-3-2008 at 08:30 PM

..........or not!

CATCHN.jpg - 22kB

fishbuck - 4-3-2008 at 08:32 PM

The Marlin photos look real enough. Somebody caught a little marlin. But the shark looks fake. He admitted to using photoshop on it. Plus where are any photos of the shark onboard?
And using a battleship to catch a tiny marlin. Tisk tisk.
Catch that marlin in a tin boat and I'll be impressed.
Mostly I'm just teasing and am not a photoshop expert. I just play one on the internet. :cool:

Pescador - 4-3-2008 at 09:10 PM

I keep wondering when we will no longer need to drag a marlin or sailfish up on the back deck for pictures. They increase their chance of survival by about 80% when they are released in the water. This is a really destructive practice that really lessens the survival rate of a released fish. Course everyone is happy cause they can take good pictures, mortally wound a fish, and say oh, but I released the fish. Try it next time without removing a batch of slime which lets parasites and infection cause injury to an already weakened fish.

Sharksbaja - 4-3-2008 at 09:36 PM

Good words Pescador.

castaway$ - 4-3-2008 at 09:51 PM

Great shots EMAM! And if you want ot keep a fish every now and then to stock your freezer go for it. I fish quite a bit, hence 'castaway' I do keep some fish BECAUSE I LIKE OT EAT FISH!!!! I guess could turn every fish loose and buy my fish from the commercial guys and become another ostrich ignoring bycatch kill and waste or I can GO FISHING AND KEEP A FEW!!! I practice catch and release, I would guess I release 90% and keep only 10% for my consumption or maybe give a little to my family. I would be willing to bet that the impact I have or sport fishermen in general have that do keep a few fish has a much smaller impact on the fishery than the indiscriminate methods used by commercial fisherman who sell their catch to stores and restaurants. Fish On EMAM and if we meet in Baja lets go catch some fish for tacos, but you have to bring the pacifico's.
Castaway$
P.S. I agree with Pescador if your going to snap pics do it in the water and don't stress the fish out, EMAM provided some great examples of shots 'in the water'.

[Edited on 4-4-2008 by castaway$]

Skipjack Joe - 4-3-2008 at 10:34 PM

Any way you cut it, given that the mako is on the 10 most endangered species in the world it's hard to support anyone taking one home for dinner.

The image appears real to me as the shadows fall across the boat and fish in a natural manner. It's hard to understand, however, how a fish would be upright like that without some support (could be a very lucky shot of a thrashing fish). I think the image is real with some 'cleaning' up in photoshop.

As noted before the images are beautiful and well done.

[Edited on 4-4-2008 by Skipjack Joe]

Sharksbaja - 4-3-2008 at 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by castaway$
Great shots ENMAN! And if you want ot keep a fish every now and then to stock your freezer go for it. I fish quite a bit, hence 'castaway' I do keep some fish BECAUSE I LIKE OT EAT FISH!!!! I guess could turn every fish loose and buy my fish from the commercial guys and become another ostrich ignoring bycatch kill and waste or I can GO FISHING AND KEEP A FEW!!! I practice catch and release, I would guess I release 90% and keep only 10% for my consumption or maybe give a little to my family. I would be willing to bet that the impact I have or sport fishermen in general have that do keep a few fish has a much smaller impact on the fishery than the indiscriminate methods used by commercial fisherman who sell their catch to stores and restaurants. Fish On ENMAN and if we meet in Baja lets go catch some fish for tacos, but you have to bring the pacifico's.
Castaway$
P.S. I agree with Pescador if your going to snap pics do it in the water and don't stress the fish out, ENMAN provided some great examples of shots 'in the water'.

Please do not take billfish and sharks for tacos. I'll bring you beer.

Cardon Man - 4-4-2008 at 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pescador
I keep wondering when we will no longer need to drag a marlin or sailfish up on the back deck for pictures. They increase their chance of survival by about 80% when they are released in the water. This is a really destructive practice that really lessens the survival rate of a released fish. Course everyone is happy cause they can take good pictures, mortally wound a fish, and say oh, but I released the fish. Try it next time without removing a batch of slime which lets parasites and infection cause injury to an already weakened fish.

Very true. Also, the use of circle hooks would only help the survival rate of released fish by preventing them from being hooked deep. For the most part, I have yet to see circle hooks being used by charter boats in Baja.

EMAM - 4-4-2008 at 09:20 AM

First and foremost, I'd like to let everyone know that I wasnt the one catching any of the fish on this charter. I was asked to go out with an individual who had chartered the boat to try and get some pictures for a website or a brochure that Congo's Awesome Charters is putting together.

The crew of the boat was very adamant about not keeping any of the fish, but the man who chartered the boat, wanted to keep all that was caught as he was donating all the meat to the local elementary school in the town of Los Barriels.

I do have pictures of the the Mako on board, but it does have a gaff through it, which in my mind doesnt make for a good picture.

In defence of the crew on the boat, they asked numerous times if the guy really wanted to keep the fish, and kept on him about letting them go, but he said he wanted to donate to the school.

At the end of the day, I had a few good pictures, the school had two coolers full of meat to feed the kiddies for the rest of the month, and the charter guys were mad about the taking of the marlin and especially the shark.

If anyone wants to see the images of the mako, I can PM them to you, but I didnt really want to past any on the web. I didnt know it was that indangered, and if I would have known, I wouldnt have even taken any images of it at all!!!!

This is my first time in Baja, and like I said, I'm here mostly for the pictures, didnt mean to ruffle anyones feathers, or I should say scales

fishbuck - 4-4-2008 at 10:01 AM

You're a good sport EMAM. The pictures are great. Looks like you guys had lots of fun.

Sharksbaja - 4-4-2008 at 10:04 AM

I'm glad it wasn't you that caught it but you did help eat it, no?

Quote:

One Mako which was some of the best, most tender meat we've ever eaten in our lives. Breaded in Corn Meal and lightly fried up

The educators in this picture are supposed to be the ones holding the knowledge not the fish. The students on the other hand will follow by example. It's up to ourselves to be one.
Thanks for listening.

EMAM - 4-4-2008 at 10:21 AM

The gentleman who had chartered the boat said he has been coming down to Baja for the last 8 years straight. Every year he tries to donate funds to help the local elementary school.

He is very good friends with the principal and a few of the teachers, and told me that the Mexican government gives the school $50 per month towards food for the children. If you want to save something, try helping the kids of this school and the parents who have to feed them!

As for eating the Mako, yes I did partake in the eating of it, but like I said, I'm a newbie to the Baja scene, and by no means a fisherman, so I never knew that it was indangered.

Now if you want to go after someone who is putting a dent in the fish stock of our oceans, a group of commercial fisherman were pulling in their nets a few days ago as we watched them toss about 10 3-4' hammerheads back into the water that had been caught in the nets!

Now every charter out on the water probably couldnt massacre the amount of fish these guys take in a day. That's who you should preaching to! As for almost every charter we've spoken to down here, all have told us they practice Catch and Release and try to preach it to all who charter their boats.

Teresa who runs the Congo's Charter, pleaded with this guy to not keep any of the fish, and just let me take some photos for him to keep.

I was just a hired hand along for a day on the water.

rts551 - 4-4-2008 at 10:31 AM

Great photos EMAM... Good explanation...No need to defend yourself any further!

Hook - 4-4-2008 at 10:39 AM

Quote:

What would go a long ways towards alleviating this is if Gene Kira would agree to stop posting pics of this horrible means of "catch and release".

His site is far and away the most popular fishing site on Baja/Mexico and so every yahoo that dreams of seeing a billfish or shark in his "possession" feels he has to get that shot and then submit it to show the whole world they caught and released a marlin.

I cringe every time I see one of these "humanitarian" shots of a billfish release on his site.

Sorry, but the lame defense that it is LEGAL is, well,..........lame.

Cardon Man - 4-4-2008 at 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Sorry, but the lame defense that it is LEGAL is, well,..........lame.

When I brought up the point that it was a legal catch I wasn't trying to defend the killing of billfish. We are both in agreement that harvesting and mishandling billfish or sharks is, in a word, lame.

At that point in the thread I was simply defending EMAM who is new to Baja and furthermore had done nothing illegal.

Make no mistake, I support catch and release and proper handling of all fish, threatened or not.

As for the taking of fish to feed the school kids...that's a noble thought. But the thought of mako and marlin as school lunch is a bit foolish. Why not donate the cost of the charter boat to the school and be done with it? Those hundreds of dollars would buy a lot of non-threatened lunch.

fishbuck - 4-4-2008 at 11:18 AM

Hundreds of dollars for that boat? Thousands maybe.
But it defeats the point of going fishing if you just donate the money to the school.
I know alot of you are more enlightened about conservation but these guys didn't do anything wrong. It wasn't illegal or immoral. Let people enjoy their fish how ever they want. And maybe someday when they love fish like you do( and like I do) they may become elevated to a catcher/releaser and in a humane safe way too.
But donating to the school for lunch is a great thing. I'm sure the kids loved the mako shark. It does taste good.

Pompano - 4-4-2008 at 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Great photos EMAM... Good explanation...No need to defend yourself any further!

I totally agree. Great photos! Well done and I appreciate your heart-felt thoughts on sustaining our gamefish stocks. As with all true sportsfishermen and concerned people world-wide, I can see that your first thoughts in this case are for the marine environment and it's creatures. It follows that your concerns extend to land environments as well.

Your photos are top rate, brilliant, and hopefully you will post many more here. Gracias for the pleasure.

EMAM, guilty by association

Sharksbaja - 4-4-2008 at 11:36 AM

Thank you for the explanation. Ya know, some people are very serious about keeping or releasing a fish that they have waited their whole lives to catch. I can understand that, but I feel duty trumps in the case of endangered species.
I also understand the problem with longliners and Norma 029. It's tragic to say the least.

It's such a shame that the govt in Mex can't administer laws with an even hand. It opens the wrong doors in the wrong places.

I was a bit abrupt and rather steamed to see that type of fishing. It struck a real nerve. Good on you for understanding.
I suppose there will always be a greedy sportsmen or two around. In Mexico can you donate your fish to a school. In one way I think it's wonderful tho in another way it could be a scary thang. :wow:

btw. the photos you take are amazing
:coolup:

Skipjack Joe - 4-4-2008 at 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cardon Man
As for the taking of fish to feed the school kids...that's a noble thought. But the thought of mako and marlin as school lunch is a bit foolish. Why not donate the cost of the charter boat to the school and be done with it? Those hundreds of dollars would buy a lot of non-threatened lunch.

I agree with this opinion strongly.

Perhaps it's a time-honored way that the people of baja have used to help the needy in their community and minds have already been set on this matter. Gringos and their fancy conservation ideas are not welcome. "It's our land, our fish, and we will do with them as we please".

David K - 4-4-2008 at 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Quote:

You are going to just love Graham's new book... about the poachers (fishermen) on Guardian Angel Island and what they do to their own land/ sea... :light:

Sharksbaja - 4-4-2008 at 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Quote:

Therein lies the problem, are they really their fish? Did you see the tracking info posted earlier?

I assume what you mean is, that fish, shark, whales etc. belong to whoever owns/controls the sea.

That is the biggest problem isn't it, some care while others don't.

I seriously doubt that kids get a less nutritious school lunch in Mexico than in the US. I'd like to see REAL fish served at our schools, not some breaded frozen then fried thang.

EMAM - 4-4-2008 at 01:00 PM

In Defence of the guy that originally chartered the boat, and donated the fish, he told me that each year he donates around $5000 in funds he raises back home in the states to this school.

He also told me that he works for Pepsi Co. and they double what ever he can raise throughout the year. So this year he donated around $15,000 to the school!! That is very admirable in my mind.

But he said that it still goes for much needed supplies, and the food is just a help to make sure the kids are eating well. When we come down next year, as we plan to, we will stop and pick up many supplies before we come down to donate to a few various schools along the way.

Pepsi Co executive

Sharksbaja - 4-4-2008 at 01:22 PM

That figures. A real philanthropist eh? Yes, I'm sure he has lots to say about Mexico. Still isn't right imho.

He does seem to have garnered some friends here though. :lol:

Skipjack Joe - 4-4-2008 at 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
Therein lies the problem, are they really their fish? Did you see the tracking info posted earlier?

I suppose that's true with pelagics.

I don't know what the limit is on albacore these days, but let's say you catch one more than your limit and the game warden fines you $150 for the infraction. I'm sure my thought would be about the same school making it's way across the pond in about 3 months to Japan waters and being worked over by the commercials like there's no tomorrow. Seems unjust and senseless.

I think it's called "rowing with one oar" :lol:

. We're not moving forward. We're going in circles.

albacore and salmon

Pompano - 4-4-2008 at 02:04 PM

The same scenario, Igor. The commercial fishermen of US and Canada are allowed so many salmon, as are the sportsfishermen. Almost to a man, they obey stringent laws and limits.

Then the Japanese, Korean, and many other nations wait for those US and Canadian born 'products' to swim thier way into the gillnets at sea that will soon decimate them.

That salmon on your cafe plate might be one of ours...or one of thiers. This photo is from one of the USA's top salmon areas...Naknek, Bristol Bay, Alaska. Sockeyes...reds.

- 0 0 aanaknekalaska.jpg - 48kB

rts551 - 4-4-2008 at 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

I seriously doubt that kids get a less nutritious school lunch in Mexico than in the US.

Come on Sharks. Don't ruin your credibility. At least not where I live unless they bring it from home.

Paladin - 4-4-2008 at 06:22 PM

Well lets see....the Mexican Government sets its bag limits on what and how many fish you can catch. Im assuming they put some thought behind it. If they want to do something to protect their resource then I'd reluctantly (it's none of business however) suggest they do something about the commercial fishing and its waste.
Nothing and I mean nothing the sports fishermen will do will be the cause of screwing up the resource.

I'm a son of a 30 year Game Warden and born and raised conservationist. My dad approves this message.

Nice pictures

Sharksbaja - 4-4-2008 at 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

I seriously doubt that kids get a less nutritious school lunch in Mexico than in the US.

Come on Sharks. Don't ruin your credibility. At least not where I live unless they bring it from home.

Ok, I admit, I was exaggerating. I really can't say I know what they serve/eat but I doubt it's bad for you. Can you share what you know.
Seriously, the food served in the majority of US schools is high in fats, high fructose corn syrup and whatnot. It's overprocessed and designed to last. My kids won't eat it.

mulegemichael - 4-5-2008 at 09:24 AM

pomp, i prefer MY salmon pic to YOUR salmon pic...esthetically, i mean

Roberto - 4-5-2008 at 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paladin
Im assuming they put some thought behind it.

Really. I guess you're not too familiar with how this type of thing is done in Mexico.

Pescador - 4-5-2008 at 06:52 PM

Yeah, but this is a stupid justification for killing marlin and Sharks. If you want a tasty fish to give to the school kids go catch a batch of trigger fish or bottom fish which are thick and less susceptible to being destroyed. I am a yellowtail fisherman and I do bring some fish back to give to my friends but make no mistake, if I want to feed a crowd of people or have a fish fry at my house, I always go out and catch a batch of baybass which are tastier and very prolific. So for the most part we justify our actions of catching very sporting fish and then follow up with a mealy justification of, I gave it to the kids at school. Give them something that tastes better than mako or marlin.

kodiak - 4-5-2008 at 07:03 PM

Good group of people to fish with! I was there in December, and had the opportunity to fish on both the Awesome and the Too Awesome. We did keep the Sierra we caught and they were mighty tasty!

I will be going back down to the East Cape RV resort this fall, and parking my Father-in law there on a permanent site. Tell Threasa, Congo and Iraki that Jerry, Diana, and Ron said hi

EMAM - 4-6-2008 at 04:32 AM

Hey Kodiak, isnt that place amazing!

Of all the RV Parks we've stayed in the Baja, that has to be the nicest and run by two of the nicest people we've met.

Our only problem is, with our limited budget, we cant afford to stay in too many RV Parks. We had to leave to head back to a beach where it's free

That's why we paid all this money for solar panels and big batteries :light:

We'll be back though next year for sure to East Cape

bajabum - 4-6-2008 at 12:15 PM

Geez, I cant believe all the bantering over a guy catching and keeping a few fish. Just about every single time someone posts something about catching fish here they get attacked. I dont see what the problem is with people fishing within the limits of the law. While it might be un-popular with some to keep a marlin or a shark, it is legal. The experts set the catch and take limits to protect the resources and most sportfihermen practice catch and release especially with marlin, no big deal if one gets eaten occationally. Sport fishing within the limits of the law poses absolutely no threat to any species. Makos are even considered a game fish and are great table fare. There is even a fairly big Mako tournement every year in southern California...whats all the fuss about?

Sharksbaja - 4-6-2008 at 12:34 PM

Ignorance!

Don Alley - 4-6-2008 at 04:04 PM

Quote:

quote]Originally posted by bajabum
Geez, I cant believe all the bantering over a guy catching and keeping a few fish. Just about every single time someone posts something about catching fish here they get attacked. I dont see what the problem is with people fishing within the limits of the law. While it might be un-popular with some to keep a marlin or a shark, it is legal. The experts set the catch and take limits to protect the resources and most sportfihermen practice catch and release especially with marlin, no big deal if one gets eaten occationally. Sport fishing within the limits of the law poses absolutely no threat to any species. Makos are even considered a game fish and are great table fare. There is even a fairly big Mako tournement every year in southern California...whats all the fuss about?

Mexico's sport regulations seem lacking in expertise, and Mexico seems virtually incapable of timely reviews and revisions, necessary components of expert fisheries management. Legal limits (5 fish) of some slow growing reef species will allow their demise, and in some regions where they are already rare, will prevent their return. Odd that dorado, perhaps the fastest growing and shortest lived of the major game fishes, receives more protection than broomtail grouper, black seabass, gulf grouper, or cabrilla (genuine cabrilla, as opposed to leopard grouper).

The poster took only photos, and he has posted wonderful photos on this and other threads.

Catch and release of marlin has been important in maintaining the availability of these fish for the sport fisherman, and for the businesses that they support. The popularity of this catch and release ethic owes nothing to the government fisheries people, but a great deal to the resorts and captains in places like Los Cabos and the East Cape. These are the true experts here. Apparently the angler who killed these fish did so against the express wishes of the local experts he hired to take him fishing. Bad form, imo. And as for "keeping the fish to feed school children" the economics of that is so patently absurd that I frankly do not believe that was a motive for killing the fish.

While I don't get bent out of shape over every sport fisherman who may kill a marlin, when a regular, experienced angler chooses to kill one against the advice of the locals he fishes with, I'm going to side with his critics.

Sharksbaja - 4-6-2008 at 09:51 PM

Gracias Don. A well articulated and credible response

HCR - 4-7-2008 at 06:57 PM

I've been fishing in Mex. for many years and the reason I believe that Mex. officials are so permissive w/commercial fishermen is that restrictions would lead to armed revolt by the fishermen and all who depend upon them.

The attitude of the officials seems to be to let the commercials fish an area out and then move on to other waters or other ways of making a living.

great pictures!

rome778 - 4-24-2008 at 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck
Complete photoshop job! The pics look like postcards you got down there. And the boat in the first pic captures everything that is wrong with Cabo/EastCape area.
But I would love to fish out of that boat. Take out the chair though. I fight standup!
:yes:

these are great pictures! the one with the shark is kinda scary though. i dont think i can convince my friends to go fishing with me in baja now that they've seen that
:lol: