BajaNomad

BOLA Trip

briantroy - 12-8-2014 at 03:46 AM

Hey Guys,

Spent Thanksgiving week in BOLA and it was a blast! Everything went perfect except, if you read my previous posts, I am not a fisherman nor sailor.

Here is my wonder: Why didn't anyone tell me about Puffer fish?

I caught 3 or 4 of them in 10 minutes and thought I had dinner. Glad I didn't eat them. Another camper told me they are poisonous.

I had a great time and I am am already planning my next trip. Just wondering why nobody mentioned puffers. Just seems strange considering the proliferation.



ehall - 12-8-2014 at 05:29 AM

Thought everyone knew they were bad news?

ehall - 12-8-2014 at 05:31 AM

Thought everyone knew they were bad news?

chuckie - 12-8-2014 at 05:33 AM

I thougt Buddha DID tell you?

bajabuddha - 12-8-2014 at 06:06 AM

Dunno if I mentioned puffers or not, but I am curious how you transported your motor, on or off transom?

Puffers actually are edible, and very delicious. A Mexican neighbor used to bring 'em in all the time... you have to be very adept at filleting them though. It's one of the internal organs that if you even nick it, you'll DIE. Otherwise the meat is a delicacy. He (they) swear by it, best in the sea... i'm not going to even attempt it myself, no matter how good it may be. Age brings mortality. Same goes with sculpin and scorpionfish; great eating, nasty spines. Folks say ''take a pair of dykes (not the female kind) and snip off all the spines, then fillet". No thanks, too much work. There are so many good eater fish why go to all the bother? That's what pliers and hemostats are for (among other uses).

Glad your trip was a success. Where did you camp, and what did they charge? Just curious, haven't done BOLA in a few years; last time was at Daggett's post-season, and that was for 1 or 2 nights. Also, any Dengue in that area? I hear Mulege is a mess with it right now.

Ribbonslinger - 12-8-2014 at 06:20 AM

We met a backpacker from Spain in Escondida. He had been eating puffers until we told him about they can be poisonous. I guess he was lucky.

David K - 12-8-2014 at 08:38 AM

Paulina and others always warn folks with dogs going to Baja to not let them eat puffers.

This photo (from M) and caption has been on my web site since 2001:


Graham Mackintosh tried to eat everything in Baja! Michelle may have saved his life
by telling him about the toxic puffer fish.

Paulina - 12-8-2014 at 08:28 PM

http://www.bahiadelosangeles.info/safety-notices.htm

Mia's Bahia de Los Angeles site has a full page warning on the nasty toe biters.

Know your fish.

P>*)))>{

woody with a view - 12-9-2014 at 12:19 AM

I've seen warnings in the stores around town.

hombre66 - 12-10-2014 at 12:33 PM

I wouldn't chance it with the puffers. Probably why I don't mushroom hunt either. BUT! never throw back the sculpins if it's all you got in the boat at the end of the day. Snip the spines, wear gloves and fillet. The meat is as good and firm as any rockfish youv'e ever had. .Speaking of the odd wad fish out there, have any of you guys ever eaten, or know of anyone that has eaten a Bigmouth Bastard? I think Graham has, but as you say he will eat anything. (yay Graham)

woody with a view - 12-10-2014 at 12:40 PM

it's called a Jaw fish. nope.

hombre66 - 12-10-2014 at 12:47 PM

Thanks for the prorper ID Woody. Never seen one in a book. So Ling Cod esque...but...?

55steve - 12-10-2014 at 12:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
it's called a Jaw fish. nope.


Yes, many times and it's delicious!

hombre66 - 12-10-2014 at 12:55 PM

Thank you 55steve :o)

Bob53 - 12-10-2014 at 02:21 PM

I'm not that fond of it.

24baja - 12-10-2014 at 04:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by hombre66  
I wouldn't chance it with the puffers. Probably why I don't mushroom hunt either. BUT! never throw back the sculpins if it's all you got in the boat at the end of the day. Snip the spines, wear gloves and fillet. The meat is as good and firm as any rockfish youv'e ever had. .Speaking of the odd wad fish out there, have any of you guys ever eaten, or know of anyone that has eaten a Bigmouth Bastard? I think Graham has, but as you say he will eat anything. (yay Graham)


Yes, the Jaw fish is delicious in tacos. Tough to clean, we use skinning pliers that are used on catfish and peel the skin away before fileting. Excellant!

hombre66 - 12-10-2014 at 07:04 PM

Hey 24 baja, we are almost neighbors. I live in Brookings.

24baja - 12-10-2014 at 09:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by hombre66  
Hey 24 baja, we are almost neighbors. I live in Brookings.


Nice, welcome to Nomads!

24baja - 12-10-2014 at 09:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by hombre66  
Hey 24 baja, we are almost neighbors. I live in Brookings.


Nice, welcome to Nomads!

fishmaster - 12-11-2014 at 09:06 AM

It is the liver...gnarly neurotoxins. If you nick it while filleting you die! Several people die each year in Japan from it:(