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Making Bait

briantroy - 6-13-2014 at 10:02 PM

I am not a fisherman, but I am looking into giving it a try this fall in the BOLA and Loreto areas. In my research, I have heard the term "making bait" and I am curious what that means. Is it simply catching small fish to catch bigger fish with? If so, how do you do it? Nets? Small lures? Some sort of trap?
I have a 10 foot dinghy with an outboard I plan on using towing down. I'm not much of a sailor, so I don't plan on going out very far and I am not interested in going way out for big monster fish. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

amigobaja - 6-13-2014 at 10:30 PM

the best advice i can give you is to leave your boat home and hire the locales to take you out. on your own you probably won't be able to know what small fish the bigger ones will eat and if you don't have an idea where those big ones might be you will just waist your time and bait. the sea of cortes gets real big out there even staying in close. you will learn so much from the locales so fast it will be a cheap and fun learning experience .

briantroy - 6-13-2014 at 10:44 PM

I thought about that. But, I am going to bring my boat anyway because it is so much fun to just spend a day exploring the coast, even if I am not fishing. Maybe I will hire a panga the first day just to see how the locals do it. But, I still need to know how to get bait fish. Should I buy a net, trap, small lures?

willardguy - 6-13-2014 at 10:52 PM

east coast fisherman get a huge kick out of terms like "making bait", its the equivalent of "doing lunch"! :lol:

willardguy - 6-13-2014 at 11:00 PM

and forget bait, alive or dead, a couple hard baits will suffice!

redhilltown - 6-14-2014 at 12:03 AM

What is probably meant here is sabiki rigs or "Lucky Joes"...they are hooks and line you can buy ready to go. Captains usually have an "idea" where they bait is and you drop down these rigs to catch small mackerel or other bait fish...hoist them into the boat and put them in a bait tank.

Live bait dropped deep or even slow trolling is deadly...in the good sense of the word but as Amigo said, you really need to know what you are doing or it is a waste of time. Time is usually limited on trips and yes you can drop and drop and drop with with your own gear and knowledge...or go with the guys who live there and have been doing it all their lives.

Your first line is "I am not a fisherman"...which is great! But you just have to balance the bang for the buck...and time. Do you want to catch fish or do you want to try your hand at trying to catch fish? Both are fine...I'd rather be on the Cortez trying to find fish than dealing with traffic in Los Angeles...but when I can get away I want to maximize my time and efforts.

If you have the time and want to experiment then go for it... but if not, trust the locals.

Hook - 6-14-2014 at 12:24 AM

I just dont think you have the boat to really take advantage of live bait.

Sure, it's the best thing to fish with and you might get lucky on a big one close to shore, but that's a longshot.

Pull hard baits or fish with cut baits, on that boat of yours.

But for more serious action, I agree with the guy who says rent for the first few times. Find another guy or two on the beach who is willing to split the cost of the rental.

briantroy - 6-14-2014 at 12:49 AM

Thanks for the info guys. I will forget about "making bait" and just use hard baits. If I feel like catching anything I will rent a panga. My only plan is relaxing and enjoying the scenery, so I will have fun cruising around and dropping in a line just for kicks. Who knows, maybe I will actually catch dinner and get into the whole fishing thing!

Santiago - 6-14-2014 at 05:30 AM

Get a bunch of rubber curly tails. about 2 or 3 inches long and a dozen jig head hooks. Go out from the shore until you can't see the bottom and drop the jig until it hits the bottom. Reel up a few feet and "get jiggy with it". 10 or 12 pound spinning outfit is fine. You will get small bass and other things. Every once in a while something bigger will come along, grab it and swim off. You will be powerless to stop it.
What you decide to do about this will determine the course of the rest of your life. You will either shrug your shoulders and motor around to enjoy the water or you will wonder what the heck that was, decide to get a little bigger rod and reel, go back to see if you can catch it.
If the former, I pity you as a man of no curiosity. If the later, I pity you as I know how your life will change.
MTFBWY

Skipjack Joe - 6-14-2014 at 06:04 AM

.... and if the latter, I pity your wife. Lol

Pescador - 6-14-2014 at 07:36 AM

Catching live bait is what they are referring to and is usually used for the bigger species like Pacific Yellowtail, Dorado, Billfish (Marilin and Sailfish), Grouper, Cabrilla, Baqueta, and the like. These are normally found further from shore than you will be accessing and require tanks and plumbing to keep the bait alive until you use it.
I suggest you get a copy of "The Baja Catch" by Kelley and Kira and while that is an outdated book, it is still a treasure chest of information and will get you started as to what happens closer to shore, which is where you will be most active. There is a whole world of basses, trigger fish, corvina, and assorted other fishes that live close to shore that not only provide some great dinners, but will allow you to experience a part of what goes on beneath the surface.
If you are camping, the golden spot of the peninsula for small boats is San Lucas Cove just south of Santa Rosalia because it is a protected cove that allows safe launching and return. In the immediate area are lots of in shore fish that will delight and provide you with many fun filled hours. One of the local fishermen there, John Bogert, has fished that area for a long time with a small aluminum boat and has shown many fishermen how to find a wide variety of fish.

I say that Kira's book is a little outdated, but it is still full of priceless information. Skipjack Joe's son had a well worn copy and before he could even read he would come over to my campsite and tell me what species would do best with what lure. He sounded like a totally well informed fisherman which was made all the more wonderful because he had not learned how to read, but sure knew the species and their preferred baits.

Archie - 6-14-2014 at 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SantiagoWhat you decide to do about this will determine the course of the rest of your life. You will either shrug your shoulders and motor around to enjoy the water or you will wonder what the heck that was, decide to get a little bigger rod and reel, go back to see if you can catch it. If the former, I pity you as a man of no curiosity. If the later, I pity you as I know how your life will change.

bajabuddha - 6-14-2014 at 10:15 AM

Brian, I too am not a 'great white fisherman', and am out there solely for the enjoyment of fishing. I've never used 'live' bait, have used 'cut-bait' before, but for the last 3 years used almost exclusively a 5/8 oz. Krokodile Blue Herring spoon, one treble hook (w/ barbs bent down) and can categorically state I've caught over 40 species of fish with it, including a 56+ lb. Roosterfish, a much larger Manta Ray (wasn't able to weigh it), 21 lb. Halibut, large yellowtail, grouper, etc, etc, with not expensive poles and reels w/ varying test poundage. Also, in three years, I've never been skunked, NOT ONCE.

Ain't what you use, it's how you use it (so i'm told anyway). I do recommend using a fish-finder and most importantly, talk to the locals of where you're at, get hints, and watch. Learn a few basic techniques; rubber wigglers are great too. For cut-bait, my fave was Barracuda; very oily and holds together well if you keep it chilled. Also, if fishing is real slow, I've found that chewing on the inside of your left cheek instead of your right can help in emergencies, including switching from Pacifico to TKT.
Happy trails... er, wakes. Now go rip some lips!

DJL - 6-14-2014 at 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Santiago
Get a bunch of rubber curly tails. about 2 or 3 inches long and a dozen jig head hooks. Go out from the shore until you can't see the bottom and drop the jig until it hits the bottom. Reel up a few feet and "get jiggy with it". 10 or 12 pound spinning outfit is fine. You will get small bass and other things. Every once in a while something bigger will come along, grab it and swim off. You will be powerless to stop it.
What you decide to do about this will determine the course of the rest of your life. You will either shrug your shoulders and motor around to enjoy the water or you will wonder what the heck that was, decide to get a little bigger rod and reel, go back to see if you can catch it.
If the former, I pity you as a man of no curiosity. If the later, I pity you as I know how your life will change.
MTFBWY

Do this ! $40.00 medium action Ugly Stik from Walmart , cheap Spinning reel that will hold 150-200 yards of 12 Lb. line (don't get the reel wet) , go to a tackle store of pester someone you know who fishes to teach you a couple of knots and how to set the drag .

Get on the water , dump something over the side .... and have fun !

D.~

D.~

Skipjack Joe - 6-14-2014 at 10:56 AM

^^^^ What he said ^^^^

wessongroup - 6-14-2014 at 01:03 PM

Dittos

redhilltown - 6-14-2014 at 11:27 PM

Slider sinker, a chunk of squid, and a smallish hook and you WILL catch dinner.

Might lose a few rigs but...

bajabuddha - 6-14-2014 at 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by redhilltown
Slider sinker, a chunk of squid, and a smallish hook and you WILL catch dinner.

Might lose a few rigs but...

Das'sa no chit, Cherlock... but if you're in to a leetle Sabor Del Italiano, try a bit of pepperoni instead of squid on the hook... just don'na grab whateva comes up... dassa what needle-nose, water-pump pliers, an'a hemostats are for...
Molto bello, bona gusto!! Don' forget da vino.
:bounce:

(Alla you Coloridiots know dere's-a more dan one use-a for hemostats.......)

[Edited on 6-15-2014 by bajabuddha]

[Edited on 6-15-2014 by bajabuddha]

watizname - 6-15-2014 at 09:30 AM

All the fishing information above is good. Have fun, but as someone unfamiliar with the Sea of Cortez, watch the wind. It comes up quick, and can ruin your day, in a small boat, even fairly close to shore. Crocks or Kastmasters in blue and chrome, usually do the trick. Be safe. :coolup:

durrelllrobert - 6-15-2014 at 09:36 AM

If you've never done it before, learning to cast can be rewarding (NOT)

vgabndo - 6-15-2014 at 09:58 AM

I started with what I called "Kira fishing". I had a 12 ft. welded boat and a Honda B-100. I've caught a ton of fish trolling a Rebel jointed 4 1/2 inch Fast Track inshore.

Ditto the Gulf wind warning. At 6 mph things can still get a lot worse on the way home even if you think you've reeled-in and run in time. Just between Punta San Antonio and San Nicolas' in our Gregor we got fooled one day and it was serious enough that most of our friends were waiting on the beach for us, 'cause they knew we had our hands full. Where ever we were.

Quartering into a breaking chop blew a lot of spray in the boat, and we bailed our way to the beach. A lesson worth sharing, I think. :coolup:

briantroy - 6-15-2014 at 09:01 PM

Wow. Awesome info guys. Keep it coming... And, by the way, I have a 10 foot inflatable dinghy with a fiberglass hull. Probably weighs about 100 pounds. I also have retractable wheels mounted on the transom so walking it into the water for launching/retrieving shouldn't be a problem. I know it might be overkill, but I also recently bought a 15 hp Evinrude that should have me skipping along pretty nicely. I don't plan on going out more than 5 minutes from shore, so hopefully I will not get caught in any winds.

[Edited on 6-16-2014 by briantroy]

redhilltown - 6-15-2014 at 11:46 PM

OUCH! One more reason to crimp those barbs for an easier "release"! :spingrin:

redhilltown - 6-17-2014 at 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by briantroy
Wow. Awesome info guys. Keep it coming... And, by the way, I have a 10 foot inflatable dinghy with a fiberglass hull. Probably weighs about 100 pounds. I also have retractable wheels mounted on the transom so walking it into the water for launching/retrieving shouldn't be a problem. I know it might be overkill, but I also recently bought a 15 hp Evinrude that should have me skipping along pretty nicely. I don't plan on going out more than 5 minutes from shore, so hopefully I will not get caught in any winds.

[Edited on 6-16-2014 by briantroy]

The north winds you can usually keep an eye on...the west winds channeled though the canyons can be the really brutal ones. Just have "stock" on hand if you have to ditch it on a beach for a while.

chuckie - 6-17-2014 at 02:41 AM

It happens....We spent 3days and nights at San Sebastian when a Norther blew down on us....and beached and swamped a 17 Gregor at Punta Chivato on another occasion. That time there was a crowd waiting for us and they, with the help of a pickup dragged the boat onto the beach....SOC can be a fickle girl..

Hook - 6-17-2014 at 06:22 AM

Sometimes it bothers me how much credit Kira gets for the Baja Catch. I mean, didn't Kelly do 95% of the fishing in the book, originally? I though Kira really just compiled all the info that Kelly got, into book form.

Pescador - 6-17-2014 at 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Sometimes it bothers me how much credit Kira gets for the Baja Catch. I mean, didn't Kelly do 95% of the fishing in the book, originally? I though Kira really just compiled all the info that Kelly got, into book form.

You mean like the book that "Hillary Wrote?"

Hook - 6-17-2014 at 07:23 AM

I dont know what book you refer to. I dont read any contemporary political books.

But to call it Kira style fishing is inaccurate, IMO.

Skipjack Joe - 6-17-2014 at 09:50 AM

Quote:

Kelly passed away after the first edition. The book went through at least 3 editions and all were different. So, I think Kira should get some credit.

Having said that Kelly was a far more pleasant read than Kira, to my way of thinking. It wasn't just the information provided that made that book a success. There was quite a bit of humor as well.

Walt Peterson's books were my favorite reads in baja. He was truly an intelligent man with a great sense of humor.

Perhaps the best reason why the Baja Catch was so successful was because of it's single minded purposeful approach on how to go about it. Unlike most books that cover the topic with many techniques, one per chapter, the Baja Catch is one approach with specific instructions for every cove and island on the entire peninsula.

I have a bunch of books on baja fishing and none of them hold a candle to the Baja Catch. Primarily due to the presentation of the information. Having said that, there is nothing magical about a broken back rebel. He starts the book with a 'revelation', where his trip fails until he pulls a rusty rebel from his tackle box. Well, we all know that many lures work effectively and sticking to that rebel for an entire trip is not a smart thing to do.

Ok, enough. I don't know why I'm always defending this book. It is a hallmark in baja literature, though - like Cannon's 'Sea of Cortez'.

redhilltown - 6-18-2014 at 12:13 AM

They fished together Hook for many years so I am not sure where you got that information. Not having been there how could you come up with a 95% figure? I have corresponded with Gene many times and he is eloquent in his praise for Neil...just seems childish to diss one or the other. With the scorched earth tactics of the gill netters and the commercial fleets the book may be past its prime but not because of what they wrote about or what they saw/caught. The book still holds valuable information (well, maybe too much so for some of us) and basics are still worth reading.

Let's face it: the best approach is still to get out there and do it on your own.

briantroy - 6-19-2014 at 12:08 AM

I appreciate all your input. Now I have a starting place, and that is all I really wanted. Thanks!

[Edited on 6-19-2014 by briantroy]

ehall - 6-19-2014 at 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
If you've never done it before, learning to cast can be rewarding (NOT)

That's great. Was fishing with my grandpa when I was a kid and the same thing happened. He reached up ,pulled it out and kept on fishing even with blood running down his face. I remember thinking how tough he must be. Ha ha
The most important part is just getting out there and giving it a shot.

Skipjack Joe - 6-19-2014 at 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
If you've never done it before, learning to cast can be rewarding (NOT)

He'll fit right in with today's teens.

redhilltown - 6-19-2014 at 11:54 PM

Good point Joe, except it's not through the nose to get the maximum "ewwwwwww" response!