Skipjack Joe - 9-1-2004 at 10:49 AM
My son and I did a one month fishing trip in the Santa Rosalia area recently. The following URL tells the whole story.
http://www.peninsulaflyfishers.org/Fishing_Tales/bajaAlex200...
elgatoloco - 9-1-2004 at 11:58 AM
That is a GREAT report.
Makes me want to go fishin' in Baja!!!
Lucky guys your son and you!
THANKS!
Awesome
bajapablo - 9-1-2004 at 01:15 PM
Father and son bonding, baja, fishing, WOW! Nice report.
Rear View Mirror
Skipjack Joe - 9-1-2004 at 05:57 PM
As you can imagine accidents are a touchy subject.
Although I was not aware of the gent behind me I was very aware of my position in the road at that time. The road had no potholes and I was squarely
in my lane. I was very surprised when he struck me and got really angry when he didn't stop after the accident. I caught up to him about 5 miles down
the road and that's when he tells me that I drifted into the other lane. I didn't believe that and felt he was simply justifying his poor driving.
Anyway, it's the start of the trip, there was no legal way to pursue the matter, so why dwell on the matter.
bajaandy - 9-1-2004 at 07:04 PM
What an excellent trip report! Very well written, with just the right amount of suspense (broken motor) and what sounds a little like Mark Twain
(biggest fish I've ever caught).
Thanks for sharing what sounds and looks like a trip that you and your boy will remember for some time to come.
Fish Limits
tuna stick - 9-2-2004 at 08:30 AM
Fifteen Dorado! Bet he didn't have a license either!
Tuna Stick Read further
Big Al - 9-2-2004 at 10:30 AM
He said the fish were released above limits.
To Clarify about fish limits
Skipjack Joe - 9-2-2004 at 11:30 AM
Boyd filled an ice chest with dorado and never kept a single fish after that. He was down for 10-14 days. I don't know how he kept the fish fresh all
that time.
My son and I kept 3 dorado during a month's trip. All pictures were taken of live fish that were released after the pictures were taken. We also kept
3 calico bass, 2 of which were given to our Mexican friends.
Illegal
Skipjack Joe - 9-2-2004 at 12:27 PM
Illegal, but common. The most common way of keeping fish in the RV parks I stay.
Another illegal and equally common practice is to keep all fish and distribute them to the local Mexicans in town. A misguided justification.
Still another illegal and less common practice is keep most quality fish and can them for home usage. These are usually the old timers that are having
difficulty adjusting to the new reality of depleting stocks.
motor trouble
fishinrich - 9-2-2004 at 03:28 PM
Skipjack--nice report. I am leaving tomorrow for a month or so on the pacific side, just might have to try your calico hole. The proablem with your
motor which appears to be a honda is the carberator float sticking. I ran the small hondas for many years and when the engine would not start like
you explained I would remove the carb and bang it on the side of the boat loosining the stuck float, reinstall it and off I would go--worked every
time. So try that next time it does not start. fishin rich
Fishin Rich
Skipjack Joe - 9-2-2004 at 04:17 PM
Thanks a bunch, Fishin Rich.
That's the second time that has happened (once locally in Half Moon Bay) and both times I was at the oars. The first time I took it to my mechanic and
it started right up, making me look like a fool. This last time it happened the camper checked the plugs, fuel filter without luck. He opened up the
carb, found nothing, closed it and it started right up. It makes sense. Also, while testing the motor I found that no gas was getting to the plugs. I
would crank the motor and they stayed dry. That also makes sense. I tell you it's a bit nerve racking when you don't understand the problem, but keep
going out fully expecting that it could happen again.
One thing I've learned from the experience is that I am going to get me one of those VHF radios. The guys in camp have it switched on to an agreed
upon channel and are listening periodically, especially when someone hasn't come back. San Marcos Mike keeps an ear to the same channel. That's far
better than flares, whistles, or horns.
The locals told me that the Asuncion area fishes best in December (late fall). I asked about wind. They said it wasn't a problem. I don't know
because the wind can blow pretty good in December at San Lucas Cove (it's a crapshoot).
Illegal Fish
tuna stick - 9-3-2004 at 10:45 AM
Big Al-"Boyd pulled up to our left nd proceeded to display,clean,and freeze about 15 good sized dorados."
Illegal Fish
Skipjack Joe - 9-3-2004 at 12:20 PM
Boy, I hope Boyd isn't reading this website.
To tell you the truth I really didn't count the fish. I just wrote 15 fish as an estimate. There were 3 people in the boat. He probably broke the law,
but I don't know by how much.
I really didn't expect this reaction to a story that's basically a travelogue.
In some ways it's encouraging that people are concerned about this on the internet. But I don't see this attitude much on the ground. When Mexicans
see me releasing fish there is a look of dismay on their faces. I must admit, sometimes I ask them if they want it and just give it to them. I guess I
am breaking the law on those occasions.
Most of us California flyfishermen have been ingrained with catch and release for decades because all the best water in the state requires it. Hat
Creek wasn't worth fishing until DFG changed the regulations. So I have no problems releasing fish. Plus, I don't like to eat frozen fish anyway.
Limits
Big Al - 9-3-2004 at 01:50 PM
Tuna Stick - My bad, I didn't read it real well or didn't understand who Boyd was. I was refering to the author. It is illegal, and nothing beats
fresh fish. My smoked stuff comes pretty close, but fish from the stringer to the grill can't be beat
Big Al