Hey guys, I have been lurking here a while thinking I could answer my own questions but now I have even more!
I am looking for a safe place to beach camp and do some fishing somewhere on the north end of the sea of cortez. My van is not 4wd but has good
clearance and BFG baja off road tires.
Also;
Do I need a fishing license for a kayak?
What kinds of fish are around this time of year?
How far north do the yellowtail make it?
How hard is it to buy or find firewood?
Is this a good time of year for this?
Can my beloved weimaraner come with me or is taking a dog dog down there a no no?
Honestly I just need to escape winter for a few weeks to maintain my sanity.
I realize these must sound like dumb questions to seasoned travelers. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Regarding dog...
Whale-ista - 1-10-2014 at 01:31 PM
Fine to take the dog. Have all vaccinations current with proof of health. Have it restrained while driving. A new law Requires this.
few people are asked for proof when returning to US, but Your vet can provide a basic health certificate Just in case you are asked for a copy.
Good idea to have it on anti-flea medication and heartworm prevention. and keep an eye out for coyotes and local dogs.
Have fun! I've done the Westy/kayak camp, sans dog. Good times...willardguy - 1-10-2014 at 01:37 PM
you might not escape winter! watch the weather reports and plan accordingly jbcoug - 1-10-2014 at 02:33 PM
You do need a license from a kayak.
Location
bajaguy - 1-10-2014 at 09:32 PM
Do the south campos, south of San Felipe constitute the "north end of the Sea of Cortez"?????
If so, you might want to try Campo Nuevo Mazatlan at KM32. Nice campground (no hookups), easy beach access.RnR - 1-10-2014 at 10:15 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by tobias
Honestly I just need to escape winter for a few weeks to maintain my sanity.
If you truly have a few weeks, go farther south.
The north end of the Cortez is not all that warm this time of year. Especially at night and with a north wind blowing.
my vote - at least to Loreto and preferably La Paz. Days in the low 80's and nights in the 60's.Desertbull - 1-10-2014 at 10:21 PM
Laguna Percebu...talk to Jorge and you can fish just outside the lagoon! Camp right there on the beach! It's secluded enough to not be bothered, but
close enough to fill your cooler with beer and ice every couple days...and you can explore on day trips from here all the way south to Gonzaga and
make it back before sundown. Just one of the many top spots in the area.redhilltown - 1-11-2014 at 12:34 AM
Yes as to license from kayak but not from shore as posted...
Why not just head down from San Felipe and take it from there? There are numerous roads that you can still take from the new road down to the water to
explore...Gonzaga Bay would be a great first night (or many nights...or an entire trip!...good bays if the wind if blowing). After Gonzaga you meet a
fairly nasty road...but not as nasty as the road out of L.A. Bay south...so once again it depends on your time and your bang for the buck. There are
some stay at home Yellowtail in L.A. Bay but you'll have to go out with the locals and fish deep this time of year...anywhere north of that it would
really be a crap shoot and certainly not from a kayak. Plenty of fish to fill the skillet between San Felipe and Gonzaga. Weather may be stunningly
perfect in the 70's or blowing wind from the north.
I guess my thoughts are that heading south of San Felipe you can be on the Cortez and in heaven in a very short amount of time. Otherwise, you head
down Hwy 1 and all the traffic and congestion that comes with the cities for fishing that this time of year may not be that great...or head to L.A.
Bay and La Gringa say and then work your way back north along the Cortez.
Air down on the bad roads and bring a compressor (and some extra gas)...watch the winds on the horizon while kayaking...it can really kick up fast.
You'll have a blast no matter what!!!!!4baja - 1-15-2014 at 08:09 AM
north of the bay of la has small coves to get out of the wind and fun fishing. your van will make it AND NOT FAR FROM TOWN.Udo - 1-15-2014 at 08:35 AM
The point is that anyone carrying a fishing pole on or near sea water, needs to have a fishing lic. And the fish police are out there!
Quote:
Originally posted by jbcoug
You do need a license from a kayak.
winter in baja
captkw - 1-15-2014 at 09:02 AM
Hola,,the winds are relentless in the winter !! get your BURRO south as time allows...your be grateful you did...at least get down to mulge or further
south...if you want to taste BAJA !!!David K - 1-15-2014 at 09:13 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Do the south campos, south of San Felipe constitute the "north end of the Sea of Cortez"?????
If so, you might want to try Campo Nuevo Mazatlan at KM32. Nice campground (no hookups), easy beach access.
Probably the only 'forest' on a desert beach to camp in! Planted in the late 1960's by Nuevo Mazatlan founder, Luis Castellanos Moreno... on old maps
this was 'Agua de Chale'.
Laguna Percebu (near Km. 20) is an 'active' campground with more going on, as Desert Bull says. Close to Puertecitos on the beach, near the highway
are campos if you want to closer to better fishing spots (clear water).Hook - 1-15-2014 at 11:53 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
The point is that anyone carrying a fishing pole on or near sea water, needs to have a fishing lic. And the fish police are out there!
Udo, that's only partially true. One can fish to their hearts content from land or pier or jetty with no need for a license.Hook - 1-15-2014 at 11:56 AM
Listen to those who say the winter winds in the northern sea are pervasive and strong and frequent. It can sometimes keep you off the water for days
on end.
I'd head to Punta Chivato and then into Concepcion. Take the route through Gonzaga and IF you get favorable wind days, spend a few along that route.
But plan on spending at least a week in the Chivato/Mulege/Concepcion area.Skipjack Joe - 1-15-2014 at 12:58 PM
I just did the trip you are planning on, sans kayak.
As others have stated the Cortez is windy. Perhaps not every day, but most days. Go to Asuncion and kayak the island near town or the kelp beds at San
Roques. There are always calicos in the kelp and kayakers were getting yellowtail at the island, which is a short paddle.
IMHO you usually don't escape wind on the Cortez by driving further south. The people we met from Concepcion said it was blowing really hard there as
well.
I propose the following:
Drive down the hwy south of San Felipe and observe the weather. If calm then stop and kayak around Gonzaga. If windy then cross over to Asuncion and
set up over there. If that's too complicated then just go to Asuncion directly.
The Best weather on the entire journey? Vizcaino. Not too much kayaking available there, however. Cypress - 1-15-2014 at 01:09 PM
Head for the Pacific side. The Sea of Cortez will be a disappointment if you plan on catching fish. Kayak fished out of Mulege a few years back for a
couple or three months, mostly trigger fish and very few large ones. redhilltown - 1-16-2014 at 12:53 AM
Just gotta say his question was in regards to the north end of the Sea of Cortez... granted, it is SUMMER here for the most part on the west coast but
that can change and I would go for the relative warmth on the Cortez and wind vs the (possible) swells and conditions on the Pacific.
Plenty of triggers, bass, and corvina to be had with a silver kroc and some patience.Skipjack Joe - 1-16-2014 at 09:19 AM
Q: Do I need a fishing license for a kayak?
A: Yes
Q:What kinds of fish are around this time of year?
A: Resident bottom fish. Spotted bay bass, leopard grouper, triggerfish, corvina, halibut, corbina.
Q:How far north do the yellowtail make it?
A: They are their (osprey is gonna kill me for this) in the summer/fall but not in the winter.
Q: How hard is it to buy or find firewood?
A: There is enough for a small campfire for shorter duration. Best to look for dead wood in the dry washes.
Q: Is this a good time of year for this?
A: Any time you can get away to baja is a good time. This is not the optimal time.
Q: Can my beloved weimaraner come with me or is taking a dog dog down there a no no?
A: Dunno.
Dogs
bajaguy - 1-16-2014 at 09:24 AM
Yes, bring your dog!!!!
Make sure his/her shots are up to date, carry a copy of the shot records with you.
Area around/south of San Felipe are thick with burrs. If you can find some dog booties, bring them.redhilltown - 1-17-2014 at 12:51 AM
Gotta agree with Joe on most of it but it could be YOUR optimal time to go depending on what you seek. Less crowds...less heat and humidity and since
there have been no storms from the north lately I bet the weather has been stunning along that stretch.
Bring some squid for bait for your first day or two and you'll have no trouble as to dinner.tobias - 1-24-2014 at 09:14 AM
Thanks for all the advice guys. The weather here has been wonderful and I have been getting in some sunny ice fishing.
I don't want to go too far south of San felipe.
I am thinking mid February now.
What are the rules for dispersed camping in Mexico?David K - 1-24-2014 at 09:19 AM
The pavement goes to Gonzaga (90+ miles from San Felipe).
A 2WD graded road goes another 36 miles to Hwy. 1 (Chapala).
Lot's of beach camps... sand only turns to rocks and sand south of Nuevo Mazatlan and rocks only south of Puertecitos until Punta Bufeo and
Alfonsina's at Gonzaga where you have fine sand again.
What is "dispersed camping"?
What are "rules"?
Have a great time, haul out your trash to a dump can in a city.chavycha - 1-24-2014 at 08:16 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
A 2WD graded road goes another 36 miles to Hwy. 1 (Chapala).
Drove it last week and I'd be reluctant to take anything 2WD low clearance. You could do it, but it'd take a while.David K - 1-24-2014 at 11:52 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by chavycha
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
A 2WD graded road goes another 36 miles to Hwy. 1 (Chapala).
Drove it last week and I'd be reluctant to take anything 2WD low clearance. You could do it, but it'd take a while.
Correct!
2WD vehicle on a dirt road... means a truck, van, SUV or a beater and no 4WD needed. Do not bring your Ferrari here!micah202 - 1-25-2014 at 07:28 AM
...your mention of 'secluded' and 'dispersed' camping gives me the idea you're looking for a rather remote,'away-from-campground' experience....I do
lots of that.....the guidelines are....-- you can pretty much camp -anywhere- you want,,,,if I'm close to the coast and see a dirt track,it's safe to
say that it'll lead you to the waterfront,,usually well secluded from the highway and 'most' security issues**
...that said I found that the stretch down the coast from san Felipe through Gonzaga were a bit more challenging to find decent access,,much 'property
privado' and ended up staying at a campground,,,,,,,it's -much- easier to find a bounty of spots s of mulege,,,and bajia conception is a dream for
boating and sealife--be warned--yer might get -hooked-!!
if you're doing this type of exploration,,a small 4x is good,,,but all but 1 trip I've done was 2wd minivan..... a shovel,,and 2 3-4' planks 'from the
bed!',can help out a lot!
...**security--I've never had an issue with this form of camping,,in fact on the rare encounters I've had,the locals are very open,content,,,,,,,,,but
being remote I suppose someone should 'take care'
...the DOG!......our canine friends can have a -rough- time s.o.b,,,big irresistible piles of fishguts,,,coyote's that circle a wildcamp then have a
HOWWWWLoff,,,cats in town's that don't blink when a dog runs up to them-----the combination of these experiences took -years- off poor Ed's life!
