BajaNomad - 10+days 1 plane. Where to go...

10+days 1 plane. Where to go...

gonetobaja - 12-24-2004 at 12:30 PM

I have a customer that wants to go spearfishing in 3 of 4 different areas of Baja on the sea of cortez side. We are leaving on the 7th of Jan. We have no plans as of yet but would like to start maybe in Mulege and then hit a couple of other spots.

Advice I need:

Spots close to shore as we will have no boat.

Types of fish to go after at these spots.

any other info on hotels and Pangeros that may be helpfull. Of all of the years I have been going to Baja I have never been able to go down farther than 6 or 7 hrs. Now with the plane we will be able to make some time.

Any info is greatly appreciated as I know the members of this board have alot of knowledge.

We will be spearfishing/Freediving and will have tents and gear in the plane so hotels are not necessary but would be nice. I know that this time of year might not be the best time to fish but I dont care. The thought of a 10 day plane expedition to Baja to go spearfishing overides any normal thought processes that I may have had.

Rich, are you a spearo? I would like to hit the water with you when I come down to Mulege if its possible?

We are bringing a producer/cameraman that is going to produce a docmentary of the whole thing above the ground and below the water. I cant wait.

Now all i need to do is get the huevos up to get into that little plane and land on the dirt...

GTB
"Dreamin of fresh fish tacos and beer..."

Nikon - 12-24-2004 at 01:43 PM

I'm gonna leave the travel agent stuff to others and address your last comment.

Do I have it you are newly licensed, and experience is limited to hard surface runways? What type airplane is it?

spearfishing

fishinrich - 12-24-2004 at 02:51 PM

GTB--Yes I am a diehard spearfisherman. What I would suggest is to fly into the air strip at punta colorada. That's on the east cape and then stay at the hotel and rent pangas to take you to the reefs south of frailes. That will be your most productive waters. The mulege area does not have much to offer this time of year and if you are bringing a camera crew they will have nothing but green cold water to deal with. fishin rich

gonetobaja - 12-24-2004 at 04:12 PM

Actually Im not a pilot, but the guy with the plane is. I am getting to go along because of my spearfishing experience.

Hey Rich, I hear that Isla San marcos may have good diving this time of year. Do you think I should stay away from this area and concentrate down in the east cape area? What about La paz or Loreto?

The Pilot has alot of experience from what I gather. The Plane is a cessina bush plane of some type with a belly pod for carrying stuff. 1500lbs payload total.

Rich I would really like to go hit the water with you. Let me know where you will be and we will fly there.

Keep the ideas for spots comming!
We still have no exact plan.

Thanks everyone!

GTB

gonetobaja - 12-24-2004 at 04:16 PM

As soon as we figure out where we are going, Ill try the baja bush pilots for info on runways and inform the pilot. He found out about my guide service from them. I saw him land at Puertecitos and he didint even use half of the runway.

Looked ok to me...

GTB

Bruce R Leech - 12-24-2004 at 04:54 PM

After you check us out in Mulege you should check out fly fishing Pam in Loreto.
it sounds like she is the best there.

Bruce R Leech - 12-24-2004 at 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishinrich
GTB--Yes I am a diehard spearfisherman. What I would suggest is to fly into the air strip at punta colorada. That's on the east cape and then stay at the hotel and rent pangas to take you to the reefs south of frailes. That will be your most productive waters. The mulege area does not have much to offer this time of year and if you are bringing a camera crew they will have nothing but green cold water to deal with. fishin rich

you dont know mutch about Mulege do You

David K - 12-24-2004 at 05:07 PM

Quote:

Here's Fishin' Rich (on the right) and elgatoloco looking at the Baja Almanac at the Guadalupe Valley Museum, Aug.'01.

[Edited on 12-25-2004 by David K]

gonetobaja - 12-24-2004 at 06:04 PM

Bruce,

I would like to hear some more info on mulege. I have heard there is a runway on Islan San Marcos. We will have to stop in that area for fuel anyway I think.

We want to hit 3 spots. How is the water this time of year. Temp dosent bother me but 5 foot visability could be a little rough.

Feed me info...

GTB

Bruce R Leech - 12-24-2004 at 06:26 PM

Pta. chivado might be a good bet for fishing also. They have a good dirt strip. but don't rely on the hotel or restaurant. they don't seem to want any customers.

no fuel at San Marcos. or Mulege probably Loreto is the closest fuel. water visibility is vary good no algae this time of year.

gonetobaja - 12-24-2004 at 07:14 PM

Thanks for the info,

I will add that into my stuff

GTB

Dale - what are your planned dates?

capt. mike - 12-25-2004 at 09:40 AM

i should be in mulege fri thru mon next weekend, my 1st trip back in the air since my moto accidente. would love to hook up then and meet your crew. look for my comanche N7369P and find me at my trailer in the park.
Rich is right - the east cape is where to go now. i'd talk to Mark at www.vistaseasports.com to get an idea of where to go and hire his boats.
you can land at the gypsum mine on San Marcos with permission, or just drop in i guess. it's a one way strip - be aware.
Alex at Serenidad will take you to san marcos or closer to Santa Ynez islas off Chivato if you want too.
sounds like a great trip - hope to see you.

oh - i see it's the 7th jan. well, we'll be back there then again with Sams 2nd weekend of Jan too.

[Edited on 12-25-2004 by capt. mike]

Try this

Tio Rocky - 12-25-2004 at 10:27 AM

Hey Dale,,,, email Andrea at andreadesea@prodigy.net.mx ,,,,, he is in the know for everything your looking for,,,, Runs a company called Desea Adventures out of La Paz but covers all the areas your looking for.....
Tio Rocky

gonetobaja - 12-25-2004 at 12:32 PM

Thats it guys!

Keep stackin up the info, Im taking notes.

Im gettin more and more excited!

Oh and by the way...

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GTB

Actually bruce!!!!

fishinrich - 12-25-2004 at 03:09 PM

I know a hell of a lot about mulege. I have been diving and fishing out of there for 31 years. When was the last time you were in the water??? I was diving punta conception last sunday and the water was cold 67 and green with 10' vis. Thats called first hand info amigo!!! fishin rich

gonetobaja - 12-25-2004 at 05:55 PM

All info is good info. Some info can conflict other info but the more the better if you ask me.

Mike, I am leaving on the 7th from Yuma. We plan on staying in Baja for 10 or more days. I would like to hook up with you and Fishin Rich also.

I have never been to Mulege though and am probably going to stop by at least.

Man all I can think of is a cold Pacifico and a fresh fish taco on the beach in the middle of nowhere...oh no...Im gettin a baja fever attack...must get....must get.....must get to the Pacificos....

GTB
"Roger rescue 2fiver niner, all ocupants are non injured, please send limes...over..."

GTB - and "fishin' Rich"

capt. mike - 12-26-2004 at 06:08 AM

I sent some more info to you on your topic over at baja.net , so check your thread. Also you might contact Johnny Friday at baja eco tours, la paz. they do water sports.

Also - Hey Rich, the call has gone out for you to post more frequently at the nautical and sea sports sections at baja.net
your experience is appreciated.

GTB----

fishinrich - 12-26-2004 at 12:45 PM

I will not be in the mulege area when you are planing your trip. Right now I am in san diego until new years and then sometime in january head back down to the east cape where the water is clearer and much warmer. Sounds like you are gathering lots of good info, should be a real fun trip. fishin rich

GTB----

fishinrich - 12-26-2004 at 01:09 PM

Forgot to ask.
what kind of spearfishing gear will you be taking along? Gun's, float lines, floats, blade fins. Your gear will determine what you can go after. Also punta pescadero would be on my list. Nice paved runway and hotel where pangas can be rented to take you to isla cerralvo. Also very good reef hunting right in front of the hotel. Just some more info for you to absorb----fishin rich

Yeah, i second Rich's comments

capt. mike - 12-27-2004 at 02:46 AM

about Punta Pescadero. but be aware it's costly to stay there. the setting is superb though, that's why they get what they can for rooms and american plan.
we tank dive the reefs off their beach in summer. lots of fish and eels.

gonetobaja - 12-27-2004 at 04:14 PM

Rich,

Im fully set up. Riffe MT3s with floats and drag lines. Sporasub blade fins, low volume masks, etc. can hit 50 ft regularly diving kelp in SD. By the way. What are the dates in east cape when you are going to be there. Sounds like that is gonna be a stop for sure.

Keep the info and questions comming.

GTB

GTB===

fishinrich - 12-28-2004 at 06:38 AM

Sounds like you are set up to go get um!!! Right now it is a coin toss between going back down to buena vista for the winter or over to florida and spearfish the west coast. I will flip the coin in a few weeks. I am in no hurry since I am on permanent vacation. fishin rich

GTB check

capt. mike - 12-28-2004 at 07:01 AM

some added info at baja.net re: lopez mateos too.

gonetobaja - 12-30-2004 at 04:20 PM

Ok heres my final, revised, updated, preleminary, plan and floating schedule.

First to Mulege.

Mission:Find capt mike and have sashimi and beer.

then to La Paz
Mission: Take a look at a friends boat and then try to shoot some fish.

After that Magdelena Bay
Mission:Check out the diving in the bay and road access for future expeditions by road, and shoot fish...

Fishin Rich, I think it would be great to hit the water with you. I am afraid of east cape because I have heard that some planes have been stolen from remote strips. I will be in la paz and maybe I could drive from there?

Our plane has a window in it that slides open so we will be able to get some great film footage.

Now I just have to choose what brand of tequila I am going to keep in my pack and Im pretty much ready to go.

GTB

remember Dale that there are no legal

capt. mike - 12-31-2004 at 06:17 AM

strips close to the water around Mag Bay except at lopez. so if you're going to the other fishing grounds there like san carlos you'll have to drive to the water. The closest town will be villa constitucion as far as flying in.

if you can get to mulege fri night i'll get you dialed into a boat to shoot 'tail on sat and go along/split costs if there's room.

here's a look at my patio at serenidad.

gonetobaja - 1-5-2005 at 10:09 PM

Got your reports Capt.!

Thanks for the heads up on the runways and such. The plane that we are going in is an Alaskan type Bush plane with big tires on it.

Thats about all I can tell ya...

The pilot tells me he has done landings on the beach and such and is still pretty confident. Hes a pretty conservative guy too. If the runway at Mulege is wasted than we are just gonna push to La Paz.

Besides Ive got Baja fever so freekin bad right now I can hardly deal with it.

So im just counting hours till friday morning, like a junkie waiting for a fix...

http://www.spearfishingguide.com

has a short video trailer showing spearfishing in Baja. Some underwater shots, and a quick divers eye look at a wahoo shot in the blue water.

Time for some more Baja footage...

GTB :biggrin:

[Edited on 1-6-2005 by gonetobaja]

great video Dale!

capt. mike - 1-6-2005 at 06:18 AM

We're scrubbed for this weekend - too much rain north and sloppy strips south. The phx Sams have cancelled too as Lopez strip is under 2' agua! never dry by sat. Serenidad is muddy mess.

we'll go next week to fix trailer leaks!
What kind of plane you in? you mention a "186" do you mean 185 or 180? those are the only 2 modern Cessna tail drgrs.

and i didn't get the impression you had a 182 try cycle gear. (belly pod)

let us know how you're doing my friend! we can hook next weekend maybe in mulege?