BajaNomad

Ascuncion - Scorpion Bay Trip Plan

Bajamatic - 5-18-2010 at 03:29 PM

Nomads:

I'm headed down south next month and thinking about exploring the area between Ascuncion and Scorpion Bay. Wondering what the drive time is from the border, best approach, good beachside camping spots to keep in mind, fishing spots, surf spots and ranchers/land owners we should visit, etc. You know, the typical local knowledge. any advice is appreciated.

DianaT - 5-18-2010 at 04:38 PM

We make the drive to Asuncion in 2 days---it can, however, be done in one long day. Some say 12 hours, but we stop a lot. Also, right now the road from Vizcaino to the turn-off is just awful in a lot of places with killer holes. About the last 8 miles into Asuncion is still dirt.

If you like to camp alone, there are several places between Asuncion and Abreojos where that is possible----Just south of Asuncion there is a small sign pointing to Punta Chorros---out there and along the dirt road there there are lots of really nice places to camp on or near the beach. That is the main surf area. The 24/7 driving patrol will more than likely stop to say hello---all nice local guys, They just want to make sure you are not poaching shell fish or lobster.

A little further south just a little south of the Rancho you cannot miss---only palm trees in the area, there are turn offs from the main road that lead out to the beach---some very nice camping spots there. Usually no one there, except recently the head of Banamex and the head of the Mexican Ford Company camped there with a huge group---left their bags of trash behind for others to pick up. :mad:

You can also camp anywhere in front of our near the small towns of Punta Prieta and San Hipolito----all very friend people and easy to make friends. Sometimes there is some surfing at San Hipolito.

And when you are on that road, as long as there is not a really high tide, take the salt flat roads---follow the locals. The main dirt road can be really a washboard.

I would also recommend Campo Rene on the other side of Abreojos---beautiful estuary.

Can't help on the fishing----also, we have not done the road down to Scorpion Bay---yet.

Have a great trip!

BajaGeoff - 5-18-2010 at 04:51 PM

Just drove the north road into Scorpion Bay two weeks ago. Aside from a few soft spots and some areas that got washed out earlier in the year the road was great.....easily drivable with 2WD.

capt. mike - 5-19-2010 at 07:12 AM

campo rene is tops.

Bajamatic - 5-19-2010 at 09:49 AM

Thanks for the response. Just so I understand this completely - whats the deal with the fisheries here? Seems a little different than other places if there is a Vigilancia patroling for poachers. Is Lobster bartering something I should not even attempt if the opportunity presents itself? I am admittedly one of those people who likes to check the coast and sample a clam if one can be found, or buy a Lobster if one can be bought. From the sounds of things this is less the norm in this area? How about fishing licenses? I might bring a pole on my baja missions, and only once in a while I might go fishing so I really don't bother with a fishing license, but maybe I should in this region? A little clarity on how to proceed in this regard would be great. Thanks again for the tips.

eetdrt88 - 5-19-2010 at 10:30 AM

campo rene...undoubtedly one of the best places to chill in baja:cool:

Curt63 - 5-19-2010 at 11:00 AM

I can only speak for the Abreojos area. No license needed for shore fishing and they have been ok with it the last 5 years. Bring white scampis.

Our camp (6 miles south of town) was visited by very friendly uniformed local and Federal inspectors in fancy new trucks. They inspected our coolers very thoroughly looking for shellfish and lobster.

Shellfish and lobster are TOTALLY OFF LIMITS and the season is enforced.

Asuncion has some great surf. Abreojos at that time is usually flat. Have some great pizza at Chelos or fish tacos at the green place on the malecon in Abre. Campo Rene is the bomb.

Cant remember where I took this pic, but its from the area you are visiting.

Curt63 - 5-19-2010 at 11:07 AM

A leetle mo betta pic. And yes, you can catch fish with those coffee grinders.

David K - 5-19-2010 at 11:30 AM

Nice photo!!

Surf fishing in Mexico does not require a license... only from a boat.

Lobsters are a no-no, I don't think a local can even sell one to you... they are all owned by the co-op technically... so only the co-op can sell, and make sure you get a receipt!

mtgoat666 - 5-19-2010 at 11:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajamatic
I am admittedly one of those people who likes to check the coast and sample a clam if one can be found


shellfish probably off limits (don't believe nomads that say everyone picks their own shellfish w/o risking being caught)

if you want some tasty oysters, visit the oyster farms at san ignacio lagoon (SW of lagoon) and buy from the farm.

SIL kind of shuts down during summer, but if operators are open you can rent kayaks at SIL and cruise the mangroves for a long day, you can see some great ecology/birds (a fair bit of padding required to see best mangroves, so not for dilettantes)

DianaT - 5-19-2010 at 11:43 AM

This area is very protective of their fisheries and the co-ops have the exclusive rights to Abalone and Lobster. We have had local fishermen give them to us as gifts as they are given so many for themselves--- that is in our home and they are cooked right away. Even if one buys one from the coop, they want to know if you are going to cook it right away---don't want to running around with lobster.

The vigilancia are not really a part of the co-ops, but they are paid by the co-ops---they even check on the co-op fishermen. It is serious in that area.

Now, are there some there who break the rules, poach and sell etc. Yes, there are some, but it is quite dangerous business. And the vigilancia do patrol 24/7. One day we were stopped on the beach just south of San Hipolito just walking around, and bingo they were there. Once they found out we were not poaches, they invited us to their homes---really nice guys, but they are serious.

If you think you are going to do any fishing from a boat, be sure to get the license---that can also be a big problem at time.

But you should love the area---pristine, and so few people.

[Edited on 5-19-2010 by DianaT]

Bajamatic - 5-19-2010 at 11:56 AM

got it. So to be clear, I CAN buy fresh Lobbies or Abs from the fishermen, but I need to buy it directly from a co-op or farm, and I need a receipt. And I need to buy it and go cook it pretty much right away. If I follow these guidelines and someone stops me I should be able to explain, yes?

Bajamatic - 5-19-2010 at 11:59 AM

Also regarding SIL - if I have a kayak can I freely cruise around in SIL? How about other lagoons? Any restrictions?

DianaT - 5-19-2010 at 12:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajamatic
got it. So to be clear, I CAN buy fresh Lobbies or Abs from the fishermen, but I need to buy it directly from a co-op or farm, and I need a receipt. And I need to buy it and go cook it pretty much right away. If I follow these guidelines and someone stops me I should be able to explain, yes?


Does not sound like you will be there during Lobster season---so they are completely off limits for everyone.

However, in the small towns you might find someone with some frozen lobster left over and you can pay them to cook you a great dinner---not as good as fresh, but it is fresh frozen.

mtgoat666 - 5-19-2010 at 12:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajamatic
Also regarding SIL - if I have a kayak can I freely cruise around in SIL? How about other lagoons? Any restrictions?


you may or may not need a park permit or park passport in the vizcaino reserve area. the tour outfits like kuyima should be able to sell you these, if they require it in SIL.
if required, buy passport that lasts all year (passport is economical if using national parks/preserves for >5 days per year).

shari - 5-19-2010 at 01:01 PM

you need both a mexican fishing license and a biosphere reserve permit (50 pesos a day or around 250 for a year) to fish or paddle your kayak...you can get the reserve permits locally but easier to get your fishing license in a city.

Bob and Susan - 5-19-2010 at 03:29 PM

remember,
buy your fishing license at home
before you leave
http://www2.ebajacalifornia.gob.mx/Pesca/index.jsp?i=Eua

pick your dates to fish
no need to look all over for the licenses whe you get here

bigzaggin - 5-22-2010 at 03:13 PM

Bajamatic - check your U2U.