2012 PINTO DERBY – APRIL 29th - ANA’S CAFÉ, SANTISPAC BEACH

This is a report on the Annual Pinto Derby of Mulege. A very different kind of fishing tournament! This is a purely for fun event ... where every angler, no matter how old, young, or inexperienced, can catch a pinto and register it for a prize.







This is typical pinto...unfortunately not one I could enter, as it was not taken the day of the derby.


Getting ready for the derby. Making bait – small barracuda – cut baits

Also a couple big-eyes, also for cut baits.


1 bag of cut bait should be good enough

Some of The Pinto Fleet south of Pta. Conception


Fishing partner Les Hodges with a ‘doble’ – double


Next pull was a quartet!


Note the bulging eyes and bladders from pulling up the pintos fast...from 250 feet down. A limit of 5 per angler gets made quickly on pintos. Here are our 10 entries for the day. Les got our biggest at 20 inches. We knew these were going to be too small to win, but hey, it's the luck of the drop and you take what you get. Besides, this derby is more about....having fun and eating a great dinner!





We bring our catch to register at Ana’s, Santispac. We had our limit and were back ashore by 11am, from a round trip of 70 nautical miles.


We are early…second entries.


Bob is in charge of measuring the pintos. Thirsty work!





Then the bigger pintos are entered on the scoreboard….again by Bob. He gets NO pay for this thirsty work.




Some are Less Thirsty than others…..


Bob is kept busy most of the day …measuring and entering pintos….very thirsty work…and “NO PAY!!” (as he said to the world at large..)


An understanding contestant comes forth…..


“This may improve your pinto’s chances somewhat!”


“Damn, Patti…looks like it’s gonna be too small to make the cut. Quick! Get Bob a drink…and give me all your pesos. “


The board starts to fill up with the largest entries. Bob’s pockets are now starting to bulge…and his nose has reddened a bit.


Some of the contestants get ready for a pinto dinner.



The cantina is open, too.


More of the general public filters in to partake of these great eating fish…pintos.


Lupe, Russ, and all the Ana’s crew put together a great fish buffet.




Ok, people…get in line…no time to be bashful.


During dinner Russ announces the winners.


Youngest angler award goes to this nimrod.




Next year I would like to see a category for 'smallest pinto"?


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DRUM ROLL IF YOU PLEASE !!!

AND THE WINNER IS ….JIM BRYANT! (JB) far right …with his 21 3/4" pinto. Good show, JB.



A recent photo of JB practicing for the Derby. It paid off!




If you are at a loss as to where to go around the Mulege area to find pintos, here a map I made a few years ago. You can always follow the main pinto fleet to rock piles just a few miles south of Pt. Conception.....or go the place marked on my map. This is where the BIG PINTOS hang out. You are looking for 10-20ft rock piles and rock ledges on the ocean floor at depths of around 200 to 275 feet deep. Or...using your depth/fish finder, cruise around that general depth and find your own. If you come across a slight 'hump', drop down a 4 oz dart or yoyo...or a rock cod rig with heavy weight. If the pintos are there...you wil most likely get hooked up as the lure or bait drops..and nears the bottom. About as easy a way to catch a fish as I can think of...AND...it's all fun with a great dinner reward!


The 2011 Pinto Derby was a very fun event with Ana’s crew putting on a superb pinto dinner to all present. Already looking forward to next year’s

ANNUAL PINTO FISHING DERBY



[Edited on 4-17-2012 by Pompano]

Pompano, Thanks for the pictures and the report.

Another great posting!!

Another great posting Pompano!! Makes me feel like I was there experiencing it myself! Also made me very thirsty......


We enjoyed camping at Santispac with our Son, his wife and our grandkids a year ago. The kids could wade to their hearts content.

!! 2012 PINTO DERBY TIME IS ALMOST HERE !!

APRIL 29th.


!! YUP...IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 2012 PINTO FISHING DERBY.!!

Just read the previous post for all the pertinent information you will ever need to register for this crazy event...and WIN!

Literally...'Anybody'... can catch a pinto...'Pompano' proves this day after day...

Note: If you want some tips and locations just ask...Pintos are everywhere you find rockpiles...BUT...some rockpiles produce jumbos and some do not. Fishing is fun..and should not bum you out trying to find 'em.

here are some Pinto Derby results from the last few years:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=52040

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=45039#pid5103...







[Edited on 4-17-2012 by Pompano]

no live chickens! I'll have to take a pass on this one

Have they had the yellow tail(maybe in San Lucas?) and the dorado tournaments yet?

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress Have they had the yellow tail(maybe in San Lucas?) and the dorado tournaments yet?

Cypress, do your homework and seach the threads on those tournaments already made...both are being held in late May. Too early for dorado now. The waters need to warm up quite a bit, yet.

Nomad Pescador of San Bruno has a thread on the proposed San Lucas yellowtail tournament that dovetails with the Mulege Dorado Tournament.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=59370#pid7142...

Not to worry, you can even use that famous cane pole of yours.

Pompano, Thanks for clueing me in. About that pole. They make a fiberglass pole that is about 20' long. Would hold a decent size fish if you could handle the pole.

¿Qué? No desnudez en el barco? Oh, pollo dulce, no cuenten conmigo!

Can I "Air Down" and not leave tracks that would disqualify me?

Quote:

Originally posted by Sandlefoot Can I "Air Down" and not leave tracks that would disqualify me?