I'm in the early stages of planning a trip to the East Cape to fish for a few days in 2010 with a group of friends that have never been to baja. Grew
up in San Diego so know the TJ to Ensenada scene, and have done the gringo Cabo experience - loved all of it. Wondering if you would mind sharing
your expertise on the following:
Best place to go/stay for a 4-5 days to catch a bunch of fish, not rough it but not be too soft and stay upscale? Best time of year to go to catch
fish (don't care too much about temp). Other words of wisdom?
Thanks very much.
(don't care too much about temp)
Howard - 11-11-2009 at 07:31 PM
Careful what you wish for, temperature wise! For my dos centavos, you cannot go wrong with July and August but it will be very hot, around 105 in the
day and perhaps down to the 80's at night. For my tres centavos, look up Martin Verdugo's in Las Barrillas (sic?) and stay there. Everything is
within walking distance. Google them and if you have trouble finding it, I will look for a website for you. I think the ocean facing, very clean but
very basic air con. rooms run around $59 a night. They have a small pool and great palapa bar overlooking the ocean.YARDSAIL - 11-11-2009 at 07:32 PM
I LIVE IN LOS BARRILES...I RECOMEND, LATE MAY,EARLY JUNE, MARTIN VERDUGOS OR PLAYA DEL SOL.... TIMING FOR GOOD ALL AROUND FISHING...BOTH PLACES ARE
VERY CASUAL AND FUN.
another spot that's nice is rancho leonaro just south of los barriles...great fishing from the beach, nice staff, food is good...may and june is da
time; not too hot and very little windYARDSAIL - 11-12-2009 at 07:25 AM
Rancho Leonero is nice, but if you want to do anything but stay at the hotel it's too far out of town...wilderone - 11-12-2009 at 10:18 AM
Rancho Leonero has great snorkling right out front, a pool; you can schedule horseback riding, a massage, kayak, ATV riding, schedule a Cabo Pulmo
trip, hike in the arroyo, shore fish. Trinket sellers are invited in the dining lobby on weekends I think.oldjack - 11-12-2009 at 10:40 AM
I have stayed at Leonero at least 25-30 times and really liked the location.... BUT I always had a rental car... the taxi from the airport will be
$100 and to run into Los Barriles or Santiago will cost you at least $50... you are "stuck" paying the resorts price for panga/cruiser as there is no
local competition(with a rental car you can go to other places)... if you want a place to stay put in then Leonero would be it... in Los Barriles
..Verdugo's is an affordable place to stay and you can at least wonder around town to alternative places to have a beer or dine... and if you ask
around you can get panga fishing for about $150/day...Martyman - 11-12-2009 at 10:51 AM
Did I go to the wrong Rancho Leonero? When I went it was totally overpriced. Hotel room was $120, Kayak rentals $10/hour, the food and drinks were
average to poor. Nice location but... Maybe I'm just a baja rat cheapskate.wilderone - 11-12-2009 at 05:32 PM
Rcho Leonero is a one of a kind typea place - not too many of these old low-key, low-glitz, Baja fishing resorts. Has a lot of ambiance - most of the
rooms have their own patio. All the meals are served right there - no need to go scouting for a place and leave tips - many meals are served
cafeteria style - all you can eat style or from the menu. You can get a 1/2 day panga and split the cost - only $75/ea. for where all the big boats
are going. If you want my opinion, the fishing is overrated in the east cape anyway - 35 boats all pounce on the same fishin hole all at once.
Cruise for marlin/etc - makes a long day. but you gotta do it once in your life - at least - and doing it Rancho Leonero style is way cool. You
could stay 3 days one place-3 days another place - only 5 miles apart.ScottinNY - 11-12-2009 at 09:04 PM
So glad I found this board - thanks to all for the feedback thus far.
Leonero sounds like it fits this particular gig I'm getting together; though barilles is now on my list of places to go.
oldjack - you seem like an authority on the ranch. appreciate your input.
hearing from a friend in San Diego I should consider Punta Colorada just up the road. Anyone have views on that outfit?
BTW -think I found my east coast winter outlet - this site. Love reading the posts across a bunch of subjects. makes me forget I have to survive 5
months of winter in NY.
Someone tell me something I need to know about planning a baja fishing trip! all input welcome! August vs early June?Howard - 11-12-2009 at 09:35 PM
Here is really all you need to know
"uno mas frio Pacifico, por favor"
All you real nomads out there, are you going to pick me apart about my grammar?ScottinNY - 11-12-2009 at 09:40 PM
Howard - I do love pacifico. I have a rule that I don't drink mexican beer unless 60 miles from the border or less. Something about seeing someone
with a Corona in hand in a bar in New York - seems like its not right.
Bring the feedback experts? thx again!
ScottUnoMas - 11-12-2009 at 10:12 PM
ScottinNY;
Resorts are nice if you like all the pampering and such. Rancho Leonaro & Punta Colorado are totally isolated, if you would like more options try
Palmas De Cortez in Los Barriles where you are in town, there is much more to enjoy, all in walking distance, but with with all resorts you pay the
price.
I will go along with many others on this board, the biggest bang for the buck and a nice hotel on the beach, I would go to Verdugo's. They have a
good sport fishing fleet, right in town where you can pick and choose your food, entertainment, and all in walking distance. They do have room and
fishing packages with your breakfast and lunch included. Check them out, you will not be sorry.ReverendEltonJones - 11-20-2009 at 05:57 PM
Say my Dad (83 years) wants to go fishing one more time. We are doing the Los Cabos thing for 5 days in learly December 2009 and I thought I would
drive out to Los Barriles for a couple days (will have the Jeep with me) to let him go fishing. Does Verdugo's fit this discription or are there other
suggestions. He can walk without support.
What are approximate costs for a stay and a half day fishing?
thanksmulegejim - 11-20-2009 at 06:18 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by YARDSAIL
I LIVE IN LOS BARRILES...I RECOMEND, LATE MAY,EARLY JUNE, MARTIN VERDUGOS OR PLAYA DEL SOL.... TIMING FOR GOOD ALL AROUND FISHING...BOTH PLACES ARE
VERY CASUAL AND FUN.
I have been to both and would say that either one would work very well - walking distance to town and very well run.gnukid - 11-20-2009 at 06:31 PM
Fishing in winter in Barriles is exactly wrong, but of course still fun, you can catch sierra in the morning and all kinds of fish like Bonito$#@%!
Suggested times to visit to fish are all summer til November. But it's still fun to fish with low expectations in winter and enjoy the weather and
last year we had many whales, we caught many fish in winter by chance, yesterday we caught tuna, cabrilla and dorado but I get the feeling that might
be it for the year. Mmm sushi tonight with home made chicken soup.
Definitely check vrbo.net for rental homes or of course verdugos is always cool for camping or the rooms, Rancho Buena Vista claims to be open but I
would caution they are not outfitted nor ae many other places claiming to be open, Rancho Leonero is beautiful too or go overprice in Palmas de
Cortez. They are all great places, karaoke on Fri and Tues at Tio Pablos usually.wilderone - 11-21-2009 at 09:09 AM
"What are approximate costs for a stay and a half day fishing?"
$100/da hotel; $225 1/2 day fishing with lunch on a cruiser. Would recommend a boat of that type for your dad, as it has a head, shade, seats with
backs for more comfort.
Plenty of info online for hotels and fishing in the area. Your dad would absolutely love Rancho Leonero.mulegemichael - 11-21-2009 at 02:03 PM
punta colorada is rustic...at one time it was the ONLY place to go but in the past few years has come on hard times...the food quality has fallen
radically...i worked for them for a few years as a guide and i must say the fishing there from the playa cannot be equaled during certain times of the
year...if you go there, stay at the new section..or in room 37 which has a fireplace...and say hi to alejandro for me...wadeinthewater - 11-21-2009 at 04:39 PM
Okay guys, gotta say, you should at least check out Awesome Sport Fishing, and they are very accommodating to seniors and or kids, too. They are in
town just past Verdugo, though it's hard to beat Verdugo's outside bar!
Robin, you moved all the way down here to do Western Outdoor News. Now you're touting a local business. Did you quit already? Find another job? Let
us know where your heart is. We all have "friends in the biz".
[Edited on 11-22-2009 by Osprey]wadeinthewater - 11-21-2009 at 06:54 PM
"Friends?" LOL. It would appear I have none, which is okay. I try to give unbiased, fair alternatives from the "obvious." I have only met the owner of
the Awesome 2 x's. Once last year and then they sent me a report last week. I was trying to spread the opportunities around, not just keep suggesting
the same ones over and over. There are many good charters down here and I intend to try to give them all a little mention, when they are good, NOT
just the Van Wormers of the world.
I'm done. Seems like every time I say something I get raked over the rocks for it, don't need it. If I'd wanted to get ragged on over every little
thing I said and did-I'd have stayed married! So-I'm divorcing myself from this site.Osprey - 11-21-2009 at 07:09 PM
Won't you reconsider? A trial separation perhaps? It was his fault wasn't it? You can tell us.
Just settle down, rethink this thing. We need you here -- straight up and down, unowned and unbiased.Osprey - 11-21-2009 at 07:55 PM
Scotty, sorry about that. You already know you have the very best advice about this place, where to go, who to see, what's it like. You simply can't
go wrong -- all the places people have been, liked a lot for all kinds of reasons are fairly close at hand once you get to this broad bay. You'll find
the people here care about you and your dad and his needs and if you catch some fish, well, that's the bonus.capt. mike - 11-22-2009 at 08:26 AM
Robin - pls stay! sometimes it gets weird here. ignore it and roll.
Wilderone - i agree - ranch Leonero is a great place. it's been a long time since i been there, and of course Ireland recently passed... RIP to John a
true Baja legend in the resort biz.
once in 1990 i was on a dive trip there, got very sick and they drove me to La Riberia for a Dr. - no charge from the resort or the Dr.DENNIS - 11-22-2009 at 09:11 AM
Man....I didn't see anything in this thread that would drive a person off. It can get a little rasty at times but, this isn't one of them, in my
opinion.
Nomad is a good source of information on sport fishing and I'd think Robin, since she wants to report on that subject, would be able to adapt to some
of the different personalitys here and know when to seperate the wheat from the chaff.
I hope she doesn't leave but, I believe it's more her loss than ours. In the long run, her articles will be affected by her own limitations she
sets on research.wilderone - 11-22-2009 at 09:14 AM
"I'm done. Seems like every time I say something I get raked over the rocks for it, don't need it."
After only 37 posts? c'mon. Don't take it so personally - it's just a cyber-opinion. We welcome all points of view - some don't express themselves
as sensitively as others. Stay - please stay!!!!!Osprey - 11-22-2009 at 09:35 AM
It's my fault. I apologize. It's my overactive imagination. I guess all I could see was the (green?) uniform, the badge, the gun, the hat.
I don't know if Hocter was on the Nomad forums but Gene Kira was not a poster. I never thought to ask myself if recommendations here would be in
conflict with paid clients in the area. In fairness to Awesome, all there is locally on them is that they deliver what they offer. It just got to me
that the link to them was "hot" and appeared to be in a place that announces some condition of extended support or interest.ReverendEltonJones - 11-22-2009 at 12:02 PM
Hola,
First , I would like to thank all for their responses, I really do appreciate it.
However it would appear I have created some conflict, not unlike a good movie; my sincere apologies.
With respect to WadeInTheWater's response about "Awesome Sports Fishing" I wish to point out that I respect all posts whether they are solicited or a
sincere comment. It is why I came to and why Shari from Bahai-Asuncion suggested I check out this forum.
Whether she (I believe it is a she) was promoting or not, she did offer another suggestion, for which I am greatful and I believe was sincere.
Remember I have never been to this area and I was asking EVERYONE if taking an 83 year old from Victoria Canada to Verdugo's (for accomodation and
fishing) was a good idea or if anyone esle had a better suggestion; perhaps Barrilas is not the right place, again it was only a suggestion.
So, WadeInTheWater, Mulegemichael, Wilderone, Gnukid, Osprey, Capt. Mike, DENNIS and any others I thank you all and still look forward to all
suggestions.
Once again my elderly dad wants to go fishing one more time. We are staying in Los Cabos at a resort for most of his stay in early December. I have
access to my Jeep so anything within 200km of Cabo is fine as long as there are reasonable accomodations and fishing at the end for an 83 year old. I
would think the waters would more calm on the East side of the Baja.
Go for it!
thanksDENNIS - 11-22-2009 at 12:09 PM
Have a good trip, Rev. I hope your dad catches a lunker and, when the boat gets in, he says, "Let's do it again..and again."Bajahowodd - 11-22-2009 at 01:37 PM
My two cents: If you're bringing along an 83 year old man, and staying at a resort in Los Cabos, you might just consider using one of the local
charters in town, especially if it's just a half day. There are a bunch of professional, respected operations, and your hotel may actually be able to
set it up from their lobby and offer a discount. You can use your jeep to travel around on other days.ReverendEltonJones - 11-22-2009 at 02:02 PM
Hello Bajahowodd
Thanks for the comment. You are correct, it would be the most convenient however my concern is that the West Coast and the tip of the Baja may have
rougher seas as opposed to the East Coast. That is why I was interested in the East. Or is this an uncorrect assumption.Bajahowodd - 11-22-2009 at 02:06 PM
The boats that go out from the Cabo Marina will go to where the fish are. In December, I really don't think you'll experience much of a difference,
especially if go go out in the morning.gnukid - 11-22-2009 at 02:43 PM
You can go fishing from Verdugos in Dec and I think your older friend would like the community there very much. But fishing will be hit or miss. Still
fun.
You might enjoy a visit to Punta Pescadero where fishing is great, tio pablos for dinner and spa buena vista for a jacuzzi, also palmas has short gold
course with clubs usually open to nice people for free.Bajahowodd - 11-22-2009 at 03:01 PM
gnukid- I personally like Punta Pescadero. But just as I had recommended the "easier" way considering the fellow's age, and since they're already
staying at a resort in Los Cabos, I somehow think that the nine mile dirt road out from Los Barriles might be a bit much.ReverendEltonJones - 11-22-2009 at 03:06 PM
Bajahowodd,
is the dirt road any different than the road to the Old Mill (San Quintin)?Bajahowodd - 11-22-2009 at 03:14 PM
Hmmm. I guess you've been around. In my opinion, the road to Pescadero is considerably narrower and rougher. First off, the road to the Old Mill is
fundamentally flat. Not so to Pescadero.ReverendEltonJones - 11-22-2009 at 03:23 PM
Yes I've experienced a bit, but your response suggested that it is a road that perhaps is not one that my dad would like to experience.
With respect to your suggestion about fishing out of the Cabo Marina, do you have any favourite operators you don't mind sharing?gnukid - 11-22-2009 at 03:31 PM
Cabo is worth skipping in comparison to the serenity and beauty of LB
I tend to go about 3km/h and I go with lots of old people, way past punta pescadero to bajado de la mesa and cardonal. It is wash board but not bad or
dangerous and really quite a short fun trip.
Of course, Rancho Buena Vista is a great short trip and Spa Buena Vista. Occasionally they open el monumento de la bandera (sin bandera) which is
above LB.
Hmm what else, coffee at sunrise at Verdugos is a big highlight and well worth a big discussion about weather, who invented the margarita etc... I met
Marlin who's new this year and his wife who are very friendly and of course Jay "Valentine" is an expert on just about everything and he roast his
own beans, filters his own water and makes the best coffee, and the best margarita, and the best roast chicken ... ooooh
Back to boating and ranchin' and off roadin',
[Edited on 11-22-2009 by gnukid]Bajahowodd - 11-22-2009 at 05:28 PM
gnukid- Point is that they are already staying in Cabo!!!
Rev- I hestitate to recommend a single operator, there are many fine companies. Suggest you check out loscabosguide.com.gnukid - 11-22-2009 at 05:36 PM
Oh great vamonos a cabo para el fiesta del viejto, obvio vamonos a encuentrar en giggling marlin primero, luego a Squid y finalmente a Cabo Wabo a
bailar juntos con la banda!
Let's get that captain booked
cocinando pizza ahoritaBajahowodd - 11-22-2009 at 06:12 PM
Get over it. My recommendation is based solely on how to best accomodate someone who is 83. They are already staying in Cabo. The rev can certainly
spend much of the rest of his time doing what he wants. I just felt, from experience, that with someone of that age, easier is better. And maybe he'll
actually catch something!Bill Collector - 11-22-2009 at 07:45 PM
I am happy to let all know that John Ireland is a live and well down here in Baja. Capt. Mike made a statement of the passing of John Ireland of
Rancho Leonero. We happen to live down here, and not hearing of it we called around. John is A LIVE and WELL..........
just thought I would let all know
Barbdtbushpilot - 11-22-2009 at 07:53 PM
Saw John and Jenifer last week....alive and well.....dtgnukid - 11-22-2009 at 08:11 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Get over it.
Hey Howard you just get over yourself, my man is clubbing in Cabo with the ladies all night and fishing all day.mulegemichael - 11-23-2009 at 06:18 AM
i couldn't believe it when i read the john was gone...so nice to hear he's still kicking...thanks dt, and say hi to them for us when you can.
