Bahia de los Angeles report

Just returned from a 5 day fishing trip to Bahia de los Angeles with my longtime fishing buddy, Steve. Fishing had drastically improved since my last trip in early April (as predicted by 4baja). Small yellowtail, in the 10 pound range, were caught on the surface trolling various lures on the east side of Smith Island and on the very south point of Animas near Barnaby rock. We also hooked a 24” white sea bass at the Animas location along with one of the prettiest hogfish I’ve seen in a while.
One Bonita at Smith. Did not fish Guadalupe reef or Guarda. We did fish the southern points of Remedios but did not find any yellowtail, however did get a nice sheephead. We heard rumors that yellowtail were at the northern parts of Remedios, opposite the north tip of Guarda. We heard from a reliable source that larger, homeguard yellowtail were caught by pangeros with live bait in the typical spots at Smith for this time of year. Oodles of barracuda followed lures to the boat but would not bite, which is just fine with me. No sign of sierra. On our first day out (Monday) I spotted what I’m sure was a surface boil of yellowtail on the south-west end of Smith which usually occurs in late May but could never find them there during the week. Water temps were in the mid 60s to mid 70s depending on location. Lots of bait everywhere. Not a single whale or dolphin sighting. Spent one night snipe hunting but only got one of these:

On our trip north we went through Gonzaga Bay as we have not done this in 3 or 4 years. We stopped and visited with Coco and had a good time. He said we were the first people by in 3 days. He has a few needs that you can help with if you’re so inclined: help on understanding his solar 12 volt system. He has a Sunforce regulator that may be acting up but I’m no good at trouble shooting this stuff. Also needs a device that will tell him what his panels are putting out. He has 2 motorized chairs, one for the city and one with more clearance for his place, but this one has a bad battery so he’s stuck with walking or using a hand driven wheel chair.
Alphonsina’s was packed with weekenders and there were whale sharks in the bay right in front of the bar. The road south was as bad as I remembered
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but the pavement from Puertecitos north is all brand new and very good. South of Puertecitos for 5 miles or so there is very serious grading and culvert work. I’m talking huge cats, graders and rock haulers moving 4’ diameter concrete pipe and big bridge work. These guys are serious. Coco says the new road will turn west from the existing road about 3 or 4 miles north of Gonzaga saving about 5 kilometers but also missing Alphonsina’s Pemex and of course, Coco’s Corner. Is this true?
Had the most thorough inspection at the checkpoint between Alphonsina’s and Papa Fernandez I’ve ever encountered. Dug into everything in the back of the truck.
Had a tip from a local to stay at the Hotel Diamante and have dinner at Juanita’s about 4 or 5 miles north of the roundabout in San Felipe. Good tip. Note that there are 2 Hotel Diamantes about 2 miles apart – we stayed at the southern one, looked new with a pool. $400 pesos for a double. Crossed at Calexico in about 25 minutes, no problems.
We did some interesting calculations about future driving times once the road is paved. From Sacramento to BOLA, via I-5,TJ and Mex 1: 950 miles and about 19 hours driving time. From BOLA to Sacramento via the Gonzaga road/86 to I-10,I-210,I-5 to home: 980 miles and 21 hours driving time. It’s approximately 110 miles from the Chapala turn off to Puertecitos and takes us between 5 and 6 hours on the current road. If the new road will be as good as Coco says, then this stretch will be a 2 hour drive, thus saving 3 or 4 hours and making this route faster by a couple of hours than Mex 1. Do we have this right?

I thought it was about 80 miles? We traveled that stretch on a recent offroad trip and you are right - there is some serious earth moving equipment working there:





[Edited on 5-29-2009 by Pacifico]

Santiago,

I have to know, what day of the week and time of day did you cross in Calexico in 25 minutes? Haven't been able to do it that quickly in years. I'm assuming you used the old west crossing.

Great report, btw.

Quote:

Originally posted by El Camote Santiago, I have to know, what day of the week and time of day did you cross in Calexico in 25 minutes? Haven't been able to do it that quickly in years. I'm assuming you used the old west crossing. Great report, btw.

Oh, good show. Sounds like you hit the cruda window. Best crossing ever for us in 13 years was 7 in the morning on New Year's Day. There was literally no one in line, drove straight through. I think I'll try Sunday morning next time too.

Santiago, Thanks for the pictures and the report. Good times!!!

I guess all them little split roads and pull overs to swim add up huh?

Yah, that's for sure!

Hwy 5 isn't any easy road to travel, traffic won't be a problem. Just keep in mind, 80 plus miles at 15 mph. High clearance is a good thing to have. Four wheel drive? Probably not. Good luck.

it's what you carry your trout in!!!

Yvonne and I will be there June 27, fishing June 28. See you when we get there.

I used to be in Pre-K for 20 years. I'm in the Toddler room now. 18 - 36 mo.

I guess you could call it being held back?

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