Today on the water

I was thinking of What to fish for today? ….and What to use…? Hmmm…?? Hmmm…..hmm..ouch..

Well, my head started to hurt… so I quit thinking, closed my eyes, and tried to relax…but then the voices started coming from my tackle box.

I heard this:

“Hey, there…going fishing again? Here’s what to do. Use this….The jig: every fisherman’s ‘meat and potatoes’. Listen up, Pompano….you can fish this versatile lure anywhere on the globe… in fresh and saltwater. It is one of the most dependable ways to provide a good fish dinner.

Are you writing this down?

Why are you covering your ears?”




So…for some reason….Today I decided to try some ultralight gear using a plain white marabou-style jig.

The rod: a custom graphite 6’ ¾ oz action.

The reel: a Diawa SL20SH 6.1:1 hi-speed level-wind.

The line: 4lb mono Berkely (tomorrow I try Fireline 4lb. as a comparison and will troll #5 walleye shadraps along the 25-45 ft structure edges.)




I got going at the crack of dawn. Sometimes you have to wait for the ‘crack!’, but today it was right on time.



Using my super-sophisticated sonar/fishfinder/gps/toaster, I began checking for the proper fish structure in various depths along the Pt. Conception shoreline. This is very good scientific way to locate the fish…requiring a great deal of skill and experience.



Another good way.…is to look ahead and see fish jumping out of the water….while birds dive in amongst them. This is a very good way to locate the fish…requiring only a minimum IQ like the skipper of this boat..


Some sights of the day: The gypsum freighter from San Marcos island underway with another load…destined for Bremerton.


One of the most long-lived fish camps in the Mulege area. Playa Domingo at Pt. Conception.


Playa Domingo. Where I pull ashore for a cool one break….


..And to take a photo of today’s fun…fishing with an ultra-light and a white jig …just like I do for walleyes Up North. Hey, it’s all fun.




Note: tomorrow put on sunscreen…..ouch! Those smarty-pants 'voices' never mentioned that, did they??



[Edited on 3-20-2011 by Pompano]

Hey, dinner Pomp! Great day with Dra. Bajabass on the water yesterday. One needlefish and one trigger. Oh well, next time.

Thanks much... that was fun....

Pompano, Thanks for the report and pictures. Fish for dinner!

Wow! #4 is a bit on the ridiculous side isn't it. I thought a #10 flouro topshot was light! You did an exceptional job hauling in those beauties on #4! The more I look at your photos the more I think there must be a typo. It looks like at least #20 line? Anyway with that heavy jig and #4 you the man!

You betcha, Ken! But it was not a Xmas present....got it from Co-Pilot for Dec. birthday. I am just too damn busy to install it. Please stop by and help! Will pay in beer and hammock time.

I thought I remembered you talking about finding one you liked, good news. When I look at your boat I start squinting!

You'll want that baby on before my next trip south.


By the way, on your recommendation, we ate at Danny's on a Saturday for his carnitas. My my was that good. We ordered two each with some bean soup, them two more. Then it occurred to me, like the table next to us, we should have ordered a kilo. Next time. Funny how that Mulege date fed Pig turns you into one.

[Edited on 3-21-2011 by tripledigitken]

Quote:

Originally posted by Russ Wow! #4 is a bit on the ridiculous side isn't it. I thought a #10 flouro topshot was light! You did an exceptional job hauling in those beauties on #4! The more I look at your photos the more I think there must be a typo. It looks like at least #20 line? Anyway with that heavy jig and #4 you the man!

Hmmm...? Not quite sure how to take your remark about a typo. Nope, no typo on the 4lb. test. Maybe you're looking at the boat rod with the rock cod rigs on it? I always keep one handy for 200-300ft rock piles..instant pintos. :yes




Here's the line I used for these smaller fish...cheap stuff by Berkely...not the expensive super-small diameter like Fireline, Spiderwire, etc. The fish were all smaller than 8 pounds. Think having a ball catching Dinner..or losing it! It's all fun!

Well, I am certainly not 'the man'. just an old fisherman.....I buy lures...I use them...I also lose them. Any damn fool can do the same. Fishing ultra-light lines is just more fun nowadays ..but maybe that's just me.

Why do this? I write these posts for the fun of it..and to give out any helpful into I can to some new fishermen. I've fished the Cortez and the waters near Mulege for 40 years..and it get's boring doing the same old thing with the super-tough lines.


A typical use by me of 30-60lb test..economical Andre...good enough for me.


Don't get me wrong, I love to to battle yellowtail, marlin, sails, wahoo, dorado, and and grouper with appropriate heavy lines, too. I think most veteran Baja fishermen will agree. I just tend to test the lighter lines...I even have some 2lb. at hand.

In open waters, you can easlily boat most any size fish on light line...if you have the time and inclination...plus a few cold ones at hand.




20lb test? I once caught this mounting tree limb on 20lb test. It was 1980 and my father and I were fishing at a far north lake named Caribou. When I snagged it on a heavy jig and slowly winched it into sight, Dad said, "Heluva fine catch, there, Rog, you should make that into a fish mount tree..a couple walleyes and a jack would look good on that." He was laughing....So I did. Some memories are priceless.

You can haul up a tractor with 20..in the right water.

The nice-sized walleyes on that tree were also taken on 4lb test..with a jig.


fishabuctor...that is indeed a consideration when casting and handling a heavy fish. Gunnel-installed biminis are for shade and comfort, but can get in the way on a small boat...and that's why I have not installed mine...yet.

I live in Coyote Bay..kilometer 108..easy to find. Follow the skid marks.




[Edited on 3-21-2011 by Pompano]

Fishing with lighter lines can be a hoot for a change of pace but not a steady diet.

I and friends spent alot of time playing around with light stuff just for the fun of it,it lot depends on the fish you have targeted for the day,from a boat its suprising the size of fish you can catch,the type is also very important.

The type of fish makes a big difference,any top feeder from a boat is prime game for this game,beach fish who don,t like rocks,kelp and the like work well.

We played around with 2# for years when things were slow,I got a nearly 5# bonita from a jetty and a 12# bonehead with 4# both took it seemed all afternoon

There is a fishing ORG. called the 10 to 1 CLUB who do nothing but this sort of thing if you have plenty of time on your hands.

WE have even fished sharks on light line which was a big waste of time,all that is required is maintaining contact and following the fish off into the sunset until he is tired or you run out of gas

I have had no luck with deep jigging and light line I imagine one reason was I coundn,t afford losing to many jigs.

I have used 4# in the sweet water and the beach in the SOC I feel you get bit far more often on the light stuff.
but you also can get in over your head in a hurry
Rob