BajaNomad

Catching Live Bait in BOLA

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Lobsterman - 5-5-2016 at 06:26 AM

Well it's official 4 of us are heading down to BOLA in two truck and two 18' aluminum boats with live bait tanks May 28th for a week. We will be staying a Guillermo's. I'm not a top water fisherman but the others are so they want to catch live bait in order to catch YT if they are in by then. How and where do you guys catch YT in the immediate area and what bait do you use?

I catch small macs and other small baitfish on my boat in San Diego around the kelp to go after big lingcod and halibut. I've been very successful lately using a chumming technique I picked up from the locals in Hilo on a recent work assignment. I plan to bring it with me, frozen in qt ziplocks as well as brown sugar and salt cured anchovies and small sardines. The Hilo chum consist of

cans of chub macs in oil, squished up
vegetable oil
oat meal slight chopped
and enough flour to make it into a sticky throwable ball. The ball slowly breaks apart and sinks, attracting small fish in the area.

I also will be bring about 10 lbs of smallish frozen squid (1/2 lb per day per boat) in 1 lb blocks for my bottom fishing to catch dinner with the remaining squid bait fried into calamari rings for dinner. I have not fished there since 2008 according to Discover Baja but in the past was very successful off a reef just off Smith Island. Two of us have been fishing there often dating back to the 60's and me from the 70's. I'm bringing one of my GPS/FF to put on one of the boats so I can see the bottom and mark WPs where we catch bottom fish or triggers. This is my 1st time where I'm not the wagon master but co-pilot in someone else's boat and truck. Finally I get to see the countryside going down there and not studiously watching the road.

My fishing juices are running now. We will not be bringing any fish home. Part of the catch will be prepared by local restaurants for dinners and bag lunches afterwards. In the event we are fortune enough to catch a limit is there a local charity where we can donate the fish? Last time down we brought a lot of used athletic gear and clothing from local high schools and gave it to the wonder lady who runs the BOLA museum. Is she still there?

Thanks for your replies in advance. So if you see two aluminum boats sun-thurs please come and say hi. 1st beer is on me in the adjacent restaurant where we can swap fishing stories well into the night.

Halibut Howie

[Edited on 5-26-2016 by Lobsterman]

Santiago - 5-5-2016 at 06:35 AM

HH: Those cured anchovies sure bring back memories of fishing out of Cayucos with my dad.
making bait in BOLA is normally done before the sun is up somewhere in front of the lighthouse. It can move around though, so just watch for the other boats.
End of May we have caught surface yellowtail in many different locations, I have not heard yet if this bite has happened. One year it was just outside the inner islands between the south point of Smith (Coronado); other years closer to Don Juan cove or even in the south bay. If it's on, you'll know by the boats.
Good luck and post a report.

Paulina - 5-5-2016 at 06:50 AM

Sometimes bait (mackerel) is hard to get. The local guides will be on the usual spots very early in the morning, look for the "parking lot" and drop down your Sabiki bait rigs.

Alejandrina's restaurant will cook up your catch. Her place is just past the traffic circle as you are headed towards La Gringa. Check in first to let her know you may be coming and for price per person.

Catch and keep only what you'll eat.

Carolina runs the museum. If she is not there a docent will be.

P>*)))>{

Lobsterman - 5-5-2016 at 12:12 PM

Woody,
Is that on the marine radio? One boat will have a builtin 10w radio. The other a 5w handheld.

Hopefully, we'll arrive sometime before dark on Saturday. After check in, dinner next door and then let the beer flow. I do not know if my group of people will get up before dark, launch the boats and try to make bait all in the dark. That's ok with me cuz I'm not a big fan of YT any way. "Slime balls" (jawfish) on the other hand are some of my favorite eating fish along with cabrilla and triggerfish ceviche with a cold one for pu pus. I use a box cutter to cut around each triggers side filets before finishing it with the filet knife.

Are the jawfish still located on the south end of Smith on its eastern side in less than 100' of water?

Are there still triggers amongst those little islands? I remember one in days past we called Triggerfish Island. I'm bringing steel leaders in the event we find them.

woody with a view - 5-5-2016 at 12:27 PM

i deleted my post because I saw you're leaving Thurs. we roll in Sat after that. I've caught jawfish on the west side of Smith so they are around.

yes 68 vhf. gringos hail on 68 then talk on one channel up or down. Mexicans use 16 and 74 if you get in trouble.

baitcast - 5-5-2016 at 01:27 PM


Those Woody are called BMB's or "BIG MOUTH BASTARDS and I think they taste like a microwaved cold sponge other than that they taste like chit besides being ugly:lol:
Rob

woody with a view - 5-5-2016 at 01:41 PM

can't say I disagree with ya ROB!

:light:

Hook - 5-5-2016 at 02:21 PM

Howie, bring some 1-3 oz sliding egg sinkers with you. Who says you have to fish mackerel in the top of the water column?

If the yellers are down deep, provide them with curbside diner service. Just put an egg sinker on the line above your baited hook. The size of the sinker is somewhat dependent on the size of the macks, how much current and how deep the fish are. Currents are significant in BOLA.

Hey, Woody, has this May trip replaced your early June trip to BOLA?

woody with a view - 5-5-2016 at 02:38 PM

No, we're still on for the same trip.

willardguy - 5-5-2016 at 05:12 PM

screw it all....throw the iron...:yes:

Lobsterman - 5-6-2016 at 06:16 AM

Thanks for the replies and advice. I value your local fishing advice and knowledge and have been following youalls posts for many years. Yes, hook I'll bring about 20# of lead including many egg sinkers of various weights in a 2-gal bucket. That's my main method of fishing for halibut with live bait. Yep, I've been told many times before that I'm nuts for liking jaw fish, but I eat my cured anchovies and bbq the small macs I catch for bait for dinner as well and shun YT and tuna. Go figure. I hope the next door restaurant will cook the slimeballs for me and not throw me out.

Woody:
That's great that we'll cross paths this time either on the water or at the watering hole. And thanks for the marine radio numbers for communication. The boat owner last year did not have a radio on the boat. After a friendly advice from me (kicked them in the ass) they both have one on each boat now along with other safety equipment they were lacking. Safety 1st.

After over 60 years of saltwater fishing I've never been an iron guy. I love to explore around and find out what's below the waves on the bottom up to about 500' with little wind or current. You'll be amazed at the creatures you find down there. However, I'm only bringing gear for less than half of that depth.

If I do not get a bite in 5-10 minutes I'm off to another location to find something. I guess I love the mystery of what's down there more than the fight of a large fish. My motto is to catch dinner 1st then hola hola around for the pelagics. Like tomorrow in San Diego, +20# YT and Bluefin are prevalent and biting at the Los Coronados to the south but I'm heading north instead to the La Jolla area for reds and lingcod with said baits and small macs I'll catch there. In fact I'll cure them as well and see how they work in BOLA. There's no way this group will get up early and make bait in the dark.

My boat partner and the other two on the other boat, on the other hand, are exclusively iron or trolling guys. They know the area quite well growing up fishing BOLA with their fathers since young kids (next door neighbors). One is bringing his grandson for the 2nd time who has to my knowledge never fished the bottom. Unfortunately last year they only caught a handful of fish in BOLA with the grandson getting skunked after 4 days of fishing. They had no live bait, did not bring squid with them and only threw irons and trolled a bit.

I still have a keen memory of where I caught fish in the past there (no GPS, just triangulation and bottom structure). Consequently, will bring the baits that have been successful in the past there. Also, I'll put one of my GPS/FFs and a mobile 50/200 transducer on Alan's boat this time. I did not go down with them last year. So when Alan is throwing irons, I'll be dropping down to see what he is missing. That way, we will be able to cover the entire water column.

I'll post a detailed trip report with pics. I'm betting the grandson catches a fish this time.
Dennis


[Edited on 5-26-2016 by Lobsterman]

4baja - 5-6-2016 at 06:19 AM

you will make bait right in front of were your staying( in front of the launch ramp) and usually all you want. that time of year is surface action and all you can handle. if your looking for moss backs head to north smith and fish deep with live greenbacks sliding sinker to a circle hook.

Lobsterman - 5-6-2016 at 06:26 AM

Thanks,

Is that while it's dark and do they continue to bite after 1st light?

[Edited on 5-6-2016 by Lobsterman]

Lobsterman - 5-6-2016 at 07:02 AM

4baja,

A quick side note. I see you are from Morro Bay. I'm visiting a friend in SLO shortly after this trip. How's bottom fishing out of Morro Bay in June? Any party boats you recommend? Have the MPA's affected you much?

Martyman - 5-6-2016 at 10:00 AM

I'll be down there too from June 1-10.
I saw a recent fishing report on Bloodydecks saying that smaller (8-10 lb) yellows are on the surface between Smith Is. and La Ventana.
See ya'll on the fishing grounds.

24baja - 5-6-2016 at 10:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Martyman  
I'll be down there too from June 1-10.
I saw a recent fishing report on Bloodydecks saying that smaller (8-10 lb) yellows are on the surface between Smith Is. and La Ventana.
See ya'll on the fishing grounds.
6

Yes they were a friend caught 10 on wednesday

24baja - 5-6-2016 at 10:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by baitcast  

Those Woody are called BMB's or "BIG MOUTH BASTARDS and I think they taste like a microwaved cold sponge other than that they taste like chit besides being ugly:lol:
Rob


Funny how we all experience things and tases differently, we love them deep fried in beer batter in fish tacos. I will take and clean them all day!

Santiago - 5-6-2016 at 12:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 24baja  
Quote: Originally posted by baitcast  

Those Woody are called BMB's or "BIG MOUTH BASTARDS and I think they taste like a microwaved cold sponge other than that they taste like chit besides being ugly:lol:
Rob


Funny how we all experience things and tases differently, we love them deep fried in beer batter in fish tacos. I will take and clean them all day!


So true, I hate slimy bast*rds but then, they were the only thing Mike Humfreville would fish for. Viva la difference.

[Edited on 5-6-2016 by Santiago]

willardguy - 5-6-2016 at 12:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Santiago  
Quote: Originally posted by 24baja  
Quote: Originally posted by baitcast  

Those Woody are called BMB's or "BIG MOUTH BASTARDS and I think they taste like a microwaved cold sponge other than that they taste like chit besides being ugly:lol:
Rob


Funny how we all experience things and tases differently, we love them deep fried in beer batter in fish tacos. I will take and clean them all day!


So true, I hate slimy bast*rds but then, they were the only thing Mike Humfreville would fish for. Viva la difference.

[Edited on 5-6-2016 by Santiago]


not too many folks targeting jawfish....but like you said, different strokes! :yes:

amigobaja - 5-6-2016 at 01:36 PM

Fished BOLA last week on the Tony Reyes. Caught limits everyday to 30 lbs.on Mirrolures exclusively. We did much better then the iron throwers and did not work near as hard. More Cabrilla then tails but still a great mix.

Lobsterman - 5-6-2016 at 02:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by amigobaja  
Fished BOLA last week on the Tony Reyes. Caught limits everyday to 30 lbs.on Mirrolures exclusively. We did much better then the iron throwers and did not work near as hard. More Cabrilla then tails but still a great mix.


amigobaja,
Thanks for the report. Could you please expand on the type, size and colors of the Mirrolures you were so successful with in BOLA. That way we can buy a few online and get them before we leave. I also see online that come in both high and low frequencies and multiple series. Wow the new innovations are remarkable.
http://www.shopmirrolure.com/product_overview.php

Also what area of the bay were you fishing? Especially for me the cabrilla. A limit of jaw fish and cabrilla and I'd think I died and went to heaven.

[Edited on 5-6-2016 by Lobsterman]

chuckie - 5-6-2016 at 03:19 PM

Maybe someone could just catch you some...? Then you wouldn't have to bother fishing...Or? is there a Red Lobster in town???

Hook - 5-6-2016 at 03:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chuckie  
Maybe someone could just catch you some...? Then you wouldn't have to bother fishing...Or? is there a Red Lobster in town???


I guess this is what living in the Kansas Prairies does to one. :lol:

Hey, Bitter One, it's not like he can run to the tackle store in Wichita and load up on catfish bait, once he gets there. Let him ask away. It's what message boards are for.

woody with a view - 5-6-2016 at 04:23 PM

Howie, bring one of each...... That outta do it!

Hook, when you coming over?

mtgoat666 - 5-6-2016 at 04:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lobsterman  
Quote: Originally posted by amigobaja  
Fished BOLA last week on the Tony Reyes. Caught limits everyday to 30 lbs.on Mirrolures exclusively. We did much better then the iron throwers and did not work near as hard. More Cabrilla then tails but still a great mix.


amigobaja,
Thanks for the report. Could you please expand on the type, size and colors of the Mirrolures you were so successful with in BOLA. That way we can buy a few online and get them before we leave. I also see online that come in both high and low frequencies and multiple series. Wow the new innovations are remarkable.
http://www.shopmirrolure.com/product_overview.php

Also what area of the bay were you fishing? Especially for me the cabrilla. A limit of jaw fish and cabrilla and I'd think I died and went to heaven.

[Edited on 5-6-2016 by Lobsterman]


Howie,
Buy one of each. When you return to the usa you can return the defective ones and get your money back. :lol:

chuckie - 5-6-2016 at 04:47 PM

AND! Theres always Red Lobster....No...Living in Baja and actually doing it is what did it for me....NOT relying on someone else....

Hook - 5-6-2016 at 05:18 PM

Much is up in the air.

I might be dependent on being an escort boat for a 50 foot ketch who HOPES to have his topside and bottomside painted by the end of May in San Carlos. I dont know how practical that is, and painting IS weather dependent. Then, we might consider going up there and hanging out for a week, not counting travel time. God knows how long it might take him to get there at 7 knots. Strange bedfellows, indeed. I cruise at around 17-18 knots; not fast, really.

I guess I would just run ahead of him and jig the points and wait for him cuz I doubt there is anything to troll for (on the surface) at that speed, in early June. Seems like dorado dont get up there (IF there are any left in the Sea!) until late July, at the earliest. You would know better than me.

Honestly, I am a bit adverse to fishing in BOLA before the second week in June. Sometimes the YT are late and the water hasn't warmed enough. That's my memory from past trips in the Gay '90s. I may not get there until after June 10th.

I shore as hell dont want to be stuck with the jawfish/lings, or whatever they are, after traveling about 200 nm (apologies in advance, Howie!). Of course, it's more the journey than the destination, anyway.

Or, the whole thing could be just a pipe dream. It's hard to leave San Carlos in June, if the fishing is good.

Do you guys still run down to Bernabe at all in late spring, or are you generally fishing Smith and the points south of Pta. Don Juan? I will be coming past Bernabe from San Francisquito as the plan WOULD be to cross from Dog Bay to SF.

And IF I get there, I sure hope there is diesel. I would probably only have half a tank when I got there, in reasonable conditions. That's not counting what I would be carrying in cans on deck; 32 gallons at best. But it's not enough to fish if the fish are out at Los Machos or down by Bernabe or the north end of Smith or Guadalupe Reef.

Never been to Puerto Refugio. Would like to work that in, if possible.

Lobsterman - 5-6-2016 at 05:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chuckie  
Maybe someone could just catch you some...? Then you wouldn't have to bother fishing...Or? is there a Red Lobster in town???


Chuckie,
I quite do not understand the comment? I'm sure it was said in jest. Turns out the others guys have a bunch of them anyway.

But as fishermen we help each other out cuz what bites one day on a certain method, bait or lure does not on another day. So I like to be prepared for all circumstances. But I'm sure you already knew that.

We're out there for the sport of it, finding the fish then call out to others where we found them today and visa versa. Then afterwards with a beer at a local watering hole, the fish get bigger and bigger and more and more plentiful.

I do not believe there is a Red Lobster in town so I'll have to depend of the restaurants to prepare wonderful dinners and lunches for us instead. Beer batter jaw fish tacos, can't wait. Just missed meeting up with Mike Humfreville by a few weeks before he passed. RIP. He gave me advice to stay at the Antonio Resendiz's (RIP) place on a previous trip.

But thanks much the same to keep this thread going so others may benefit from the sage advice of the people who have fished this area before or soon will be like ourselves. Since the others guys last year only caught 5 fish in four days after driving down from Oregon, they need all the help they can get especially for the skunked grandson.

woody with a view - 5-6-2016 at 05:23 PM

Hook, the YT will be there.

Howie, live bait is your friend.

Lobsterman - 5-6-2016 at 05:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
Hook, the YT will be there.

Howie, live bait is your friend.



amigobaja - 5-6-2016 at 05:31 PM

largest lure they make with the front diver plastic not metal. green mackerel seemed to work best on the morning bite and pink on the early evening bite. seemed to work this way on every species.

Hook - 5-6-2016 at 05:47 PM

But dont leave home without the smallish deep divers, either. Sometimes the fish just wont bite big plugs, if they are used to feeding on small sardines. Bring some X-Rap 15s or smaller Mirrolures or the Yo-Zuri crystal minnows.

Amigobaja, did the Reyes boat run all the way down to the BOLA area or did you stop at the reefs north of Gonzaga?

Santiago - 5-6-2016 at 08:49 PM

Hook,
I never make a trip without going to Barnabe, if only to have a nice lunch in cove behind the rock and then let the wind push me along the shore and cast to the rocks. I cast too far so the lure hits the rock and falls into the water, let it sit a moment and then retrieve. Can be a hoot.

chuckie - 5-7-2016 at 06:15 AM

Ypu likely are out of time, but I always buy Mirrolures from the manufacturer. I buy three dozen of them, mostly in Blue and Green mackerel colors and a half dozen in "Fire Tiger" All the same model. the deep diver, forget the model #. They give a decent price break in that quantity, and always throw in some freebie stuff, hats-shirts an stuff. I have used the Rapala X15?'s Don't see any difference in performance The Rapala costs more...IMO The mirro is the best performing lure for most fish I have ever used...

Lobsterman - 5-7-2016 at 07:17 AM

Thanks Chuckie,

I'll go to the website now and order a few as you and others have suggested. The trollers and lure guys in our group have a bunch of Mirrolures and many other similar brands and models cuz that's how fish exclusively but I'm a bottom fisherman with few lures and I want to bring my own. So these tips are appreciated by me and will save me a few $ to buy the 1st beers for those who want to share fish tales at the watering hole afterwards.

As in business time-is-money and in fishing time is also limited to their specific feeding schedules for certain fish. In my area rockfish mainly bite between 1st light and 1030. After that I target lingcod and/or halibut that bite all day. Being in the general area at the right time increases the chances of you finding fish that day. And if others are in the area calling to let them know what's biting now and on what.

HH

Lobsterman - 5-7-2016 at 07:30 AM

Santiago,

Where's Barnabes cove?

[Edited on 5-7-2016 by Lobsterman]

mtgoat666 - 5-7-2016 at 07:30 AM

Howie,
If all you want is bottom fish, ask the locals to teach you how to fish. It's only silly gringos that go fishing with spendy brand new flashy, brightly painted lures.
I see a lot of unpainted plain-lead jigs catch a lot of fish, using old beat up rods/reels, and large live bait on a hand line.

woody with a view - 5-7-2016 at 07:33 AM

live bait is your friend!

Lobsterman - 5-7-2016 at 07:36 AM

Goat,

I will be asking the locals for their tips on where and how to fish their area as well once I get there. Might even hire one as a guide for one of the 5-days to find new areas for us to explore. I will also be bringing a bunch of plain leadheads which I put squid and/or a strip of plumbers tape on (learned this in San Felipe from a local fisherman fishing for WSB). I never thought about putting live bait on a large leadhead. That would work well especially for lingcod. Thanks for the tip.

The newest reel I'll be bringing is the 1980's Newell 229F with red stripped handle. I'm bringing 4 of them with different line test (mono & spectra). They cast extremely well and have served me well over the years. I do however put the latest drag washers on them. They are easy to break down and clean and parts are readily available. They are just a Penn Castmaster Newellized. I have about 15 antique Penn Castmasters in my collection. In Hilo recently I did fish from the 15' lava seawall from the house I rented using a coke can and a weighted bobber. I'll bring those bobbers with me as well when I target triggerfish. They cast extremely well.

[Edited on 5-7-2016 by Lobsterman]

chuckie - 5-7-2016 at 08:23 AM

I used to catch a lot of big lings out of Fort Bragg, when I ran a boat up there...Mostly on the same jigs I used in Baja....Goatley? A lot of people drive crappy cars too...Not me....

amigobaja - 5-7-2016 at 04:52 PM

On the Reyes we went to San francisquito bay and worked north. Fished half day Gonzaga. (only bad fishing day)

Hook - 5-7-2016 at 05:06 PM

I'll probably catch heel from Chuckie on this, as information you should learn on your own, but.........

you are aware of the wind situation in BOLA, arent you Howie? EASILY the wickedest winds I have ever seen in the Sea (outside of a chubasco/hurricane) have been there. Probably the top five baddest winds, really.

Always keep your eyes on the horizon for the tell-tale "thin blue line", especially if it is from the north or west. Put some binos on the blue line and see if there is white capping in it. If so, run like hell for the barn! I dont care if you are catching jawfish by the front loader bucketful. Get the hell back to port and take a route in the lee of the islands. Carry emergency food, in case you have to spend the night on shore. It's better than fighting 4-6 footers @ 5 sec. intervals. People have died trying to do that at BOLA, in much larger boats than yours.

There are also some nasty wash rocks in the BOLA area, too. I hope you remember them from your past times there. The Fish-n-Map charts have them. Or stick with the locals (gringos or Mexicans).

The beauty of BOLA hides some very real dangers. Be prepared for them.

Final note: for comparable sized lures, the X-raps dive deeper than the Mirros of the same size. Using braid on the same pole, I've let out the same length of line and "measured" (really, just estimated; I didnt have a protractor) the angle between the line and the rod. The X-raps dove deeper. That can be significant, in some circumstances.

Now, admitted, I am using older Mirrolures, so maybe they have something with a deeper diving bill now. I think I am using 110s or 111s or something like that.

Purple has always been the best color for ANYTHING for me.

Hook - 5-7-2016 at 05:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by amigobaja  
On the Reyes we went to San francisquito bay and worked north. Fished half day Gonzaga. (only bad fishing day)


Was anything caught down by San Francisquito? Do you remember fishing near some wash rocks about 30 miles north of SF and about a half mile offshore? That would be Rocas Bernabe (Barnaby Rocks).

Santiago - 5-7-2016 at 07:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lobsterman  
Santiago,

Where's Barnabes cove?

[Edited on 5-7-2016 by Lobsterman]

It's a rock on the southern point of Bahia Animas; a good 25 mile from the inner bay.
Pay attention to what Hook has said....

Lobsterman - 5-8-2016 at 06:58 AM

Thanks Santiago,

That's way too far IMO for us to go safely with 2 small aluminum boats. Our average age is 70 except for the grandson.I could make it easily with my Cabo216 (300 mile range). However, I'll put it in my brain for a future trip. I brought my boat on the last trip there in 2008.

On a trip back in the 80s while fishing around the southern point leaving the bay a chubasco came up around noon. Went from calm to +30 mph winds from the west in a matter of minutes. We hid in the cove to that clamming spot hoping the winds would die down especially before dusk. They never did so we took a vote to brave the winds and wave chop or spend the night there. We (my brother and my son) decided to brave the weather. My brother sat in the bow for ballast, my son bailed in the middle the incoming water from waves and spray while I tilled the 14' aluminum boat with 25hp motor quartering the building short-period waves . Some how we made it back to shore in the dark using the lights of the city for direction. It was exhilarating, exhausting and we kinda laughed amongst ourselves probably in fear of what might have been. We were camping at that time on a deserted streach of beach north of town where the abandoned RV park was. I do not remember any structures from there all the way to La Gringa. Then into town for a celebration of life feasting for the last time on fried turtle steaks for dinner.

My wife recently retired so I need to get out of dodge occasionally with the boys to get away from honey-does 7 days a week now. BOLA has always been my favorite Baja location so I'm gonna target it from now on. I'll even be looking for man-cave type places that 3 of us in this group could share throughout the year. We plan on visiting all locations in the immediate area after our afternoon naps and before the watering hole. I loved watching BOLA grow from the 70's and feel more attached and at home to it than any other place I fished or visited in Baja. This will be the 1st time I have not camped on the beach but in an a/c motel room.

Also found the 111 MR Mirrolures in the colors mentioned at Charkbait in San Diego at $10.95 each + tax in the Sports Arena area. It's on the way to my boat in Half Moon Marina on SI. Also have a online store.
https://www.charkbait.com/cs/cstMirrOlures.htmI.

[Edited on 5-8-2016 by Lobsterman]

chuckie - 5-8-2016 at 07:21 AM

I hunkered down in BOLA last year for a few days, just hung out...Kinda neat place...I hadn't been in there in over 30 years. That same idea crossed what mind I have left, find a spot and hang out for a few months a year...BUT, I am going to try the fishing and hanging out in Louisiana first...I know the fishing is better, dunno about the hanging out...I am road tripping starting next Tuesday, going down into New Mexico and hang out with Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid....I am trying to perfect my hanging out....Doesn't pay very well tho...

Martyman - 5-10-2016 at 02:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lobsterman  
Thanks Chuckie,

I'll go to the website now and order a few as you and others have suggested. The trollers and lure guys in our group have a bunch of Mirrolures and many other similar brands and models cuz that's how fish exclusively but I'm a bottom fisherman with few lures and I want to bring my own. So these tips are appreciated by me and will save me a few $ to buy the 1st beers for those who want to share fish tales at the watering hole afterwards.


As in business time-is-money and in fishing time is also limited to their specific feeding schedules for certain fish. In my area rockfish mainly bite between 1st light and 1030. After that I target lingcod and/or halibut that bite all day. Being in the general area at the right time increases the chances of you finding fish that day. And if others are in the area calling to let them know what's biting now and on what.
HH
Thanks for starting the great thread. I must admit that last time I went to BOLA, we threw iron and trolled lures and didn't get much. I am not a very skilled fisherman and appreciate your fishing tips Lobster. I saw some cured anchovies at Walmart the other day-maybe I'll try those with a sliding sinker down deep like you suggested. I have no live baitwell. Seems like a sliding sinker right above the hook would mess with the bait and maybe knock it off?

woody with a view - 5-10-2016 at 02:43 PM

If you fish deep the weight should be at the bottom. Look up dropper loop.

You guys sound like you are talking about a Carolina Rig with a sliding sinker. Use that for surf fishing.

Lobsterman - 5-11-2016 at 07:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
live bait is your friend!


As Woody says above live bait, I say, "squid is your friend". However we are talking two distinctly different species of fish. He is obviously a YT guy where I'm a bottom fishing guy. Once I catch dinner on the bottom then and only then do I hola hola around for the pelagic species as I have stated before.

I have many methods to bottom fish each with their advantages and disadvantages. I bring them all when I go fishing and switch amongst them depending on getting bit or not or snagged on the rocky bottom.

1. Surf Leaders and packaged Snell hooks with weight on the bottom:
adv: inexpensive, hooks hold squid or chovies well, easy to change leader hooks or weights.
disadv: leadered hook line gets tangled with line, snaps and tie points and need constant untangling.
This is my 1st choice when bottom fishing.

2. 2-hook leaders in s/s steel or mono with snaps for hooks, weights and line attachment. You can buy them at Walmart for about a 1$ apiece. I buy all they usually have on their display rings.
Adv: inexpensive, easy to change hooks, weights and replacement. I have a few already with hooks and weights attached so if I lose one in the rocks it's replaced in seconds
disadv: ? I'm guessing perhaps with the hooks so close to the rig and all the metal snaps to attach the hooks to, the fish might have 2nd thoughts but IMO it catches as many bottomdwellers at the same time as the rig above. Leader hooks as above can also be used in lieu of hooks directly attached on snaps but this increases tangles.
I plan on using the s/s model with no weight on the bottom and tossed with a weighted bobber to fish for triggerfish in BOLA. I used this method recently in Hilo to catch triggers from off a 15' lava cliff in the backyard of a house I rented while temporally working there. I'll also toss sticky balls of chub macs, oil, oatmeal and flour for chum as I outlined somewhere in a reply above. I'll make it up in NOB, freeze it and thaw as needed in BOLA

3. Sliding egg sinker or Carolina rig: I use this setup exclusively for halibut even though I recently caught a 25lb halibut on #1 above with live anchovie while fishing for shallow-water rockfish.

4. Rock cod rig: It is very similar to #2 above but it has either red/yellow or blue/white shirmpflies for hooks. IMO #1 or #2 is more successful and cheaper then them so I rarely use them anymore.

5. Plain leadheads: I use them when I continually get rocked on the bottom with #1 or 2 methods. I put as many donuts of squid as they can take. I also put a cured anchovy or two on them for their flash. The 4-8 oz ones I put a live small mac on for lingcod. I'm bringing them with me to see if they work in BOLA for YT or whatever we might find in the depths, that is IF we can make live bait. Also a strip of plumbers tape for a white wiggly tail when the drift is fast can be productive.

6. I call this my Big lingcod killer. It's kinda complicated to explain but I'll try.
a. make a 24" leader with hook on one end and swivel on the other end.
b. make another 36" leader with weight on one end and swivel on the other.
c. before you tie the swivel on "b" run the swivel on "a" thru "b's" line. Then attach "b's" swivel. Thus "a" freewheels around "b's" line.
d. Tie main line to "b's" swivel.
That way the live mac for bait can freely swim in a circle around your rig both up and down the length of "b's" leader. Lingcod can not resist this set up. I use a large treble hook cuz lings do not appear to be hook shy. I plan on trying this in BOLA as well.

I'll be bringing 10- one lb frozen blocks of squid on dry ice. One lb per day per boat with the remaining each day fried into calamari rings by the adjacent restaurant for pu pus over a ice cold beer.

aka Halibut Howie on BDs.

...................................Caught on Method #1............................


[Edited on 5-11-2016 by Lobsterman]

Hook - 5-11-2016 at 07:07 AM

A sliding sinker can work UP in the water column IF you are using live mackerel and the weight isnt too big. As you throw the bait out, the sinker initially will slide away from the bait and create a "V" shape in the line with the sinker at the bottom of the "V". The strength of the live bait will maintain this "V", at it is at the top of one end of the V. The other end is your rod tip. This will get the bait down in a gradual, more natural fashion than a dropper loop rig. Sometimes this more natural fashion is what the fish want.

This wont work as well with dead bait.

Some also like to put a barrel swivel below the sliding sinker and then attach a leader to the other end of the swivel. The swivel prevents the sinker from getting any closer than the leader length to the bait. But it is TWO additional knots that can theoretically fail.

If they arent picky and a dropper loop is working, by all means, use it. Much quicker on the drop.

Lobsterman - 5-11-2016 at 07:38 AM

Who says "old dogs" can't learn new tricks?

Thanks hook.

bkbend - 5-11-2016 at 08:35 AM

I may just be lazy but when fishing the B de LA islands for bottom fish I've stopped messing with swivels and weights and bait and just tie a 3" iron jig on a light rod bouncing it around the bottom while drifting with the wind. Just keep an eye on the depth finder so you can reel up a bit if it suddenly gets shallower. I'll do that in 10-100 feet of water and catch bay bass, gold spots, triggers and even slimers. I don't notice any drop off in productivity and it's easier to turn back the smaller guys since they don't swallow the bait.

mtgoat666 - 5-11-2016 at 08:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bkbend  
I may just be lazy but when fishing the B de LA islands for bottom fish I've stopped messing with swivels and weights and bait and just tie a 3" iron jig on a light rod bouncing it around the bottom while drifting with the wind. Just keep an eye on the depth finder so you can reel up a bit if it suddenly gets shallower. I'll do that in 10-100 feet of water and catch bay bass, gold spots, triggers and even slimers. I don't notice any drop off in productivity and it's easier to turn back the smaller guys since they don't swallow the bait.


Smart man.

But your message is lost here, there are a lot of nomads that like shopping and like making bottom fishing complicated.

woody with a view - 5-11-2016 at 11:47 AM

I like my dropper loop setup in 200+ feet of water. pin on a 6" mackerel snapper and drop it down. within minutes I'm grinding up a 20-35lb yellowtail tuna!

I'm only a fan of chucking iron when they're on the surface, but that's just me.

Lobsterman - 5-11-2016 at 04:00 PM

bkbend,

Thanks for sharing the tip about bottom-fishing around the BOLA islands. Any particular 3" jig you use?

The guys I'm going with are big time lure guys and have every lure and jig imaginable, so they'll be glad to hear your response. So while they are using lures and me one of my 6 methods we'll see who catches the most fish.

My bets with them have already been made. It will make for an interesting conversation over a beer at dinner. Hopefully if anyone is in town then (May 29-Jun2) they can come by and join in on our fish tales spin zone and bragging in the restaurant adjacent to Guillermo's. C-cktail hour starts at 5pm. We'll be in bed by 7:30 or 8pm so come early. As you might expect I'm betting on me.

I know my bottom-fishing techniques could be out of place or misguided in BOLA today but we'll see. But with 5-days of fishing I'll be continually searching for what works best that day for certain species of fish. I'm sure I'll be using the techniques you guys were so generous to share not only with me but others on this board who want to increase their chances to catch fish for dinner. I have already loaded some of your suggested techniques into the arsenal I'm bringing down with me. I'm just excited to be able to experience your part of paradise no matter what the BOLA fish gods have in store for us.

I'm not, but my partners I'm sure are, interested in catching just YT. I want to see what's down there like I've done on about 12 previous trips there since the 70's fishing on small boats with squid for bait and using method #1. Perhaps the number of fish and their sizes have diminished since the 70's but on my last trip in 2008 they were not. Stay tuned for the fish report with pics from my biased side after we return June 3rd or hear them 1st hand in the bar next door.

[Edited on 5-12-2016 by Lobsterman]

Hook - 5-11-2016 at 09:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  


Smart man.

But your message is lost here, there are a lot of nomads that like shopping and like making bottom fishing complicated.


Goat, you dont know jack smelt about fishing.

And I wouldnt presume to talk you about adjusting the Disraeli Gears on your precious bicycle.

Stick to what you know about. You look foolishly over your head on this.

Why I am pointing this out, I am not sure. You should be left hanging out to dry for most things you post.

Santiago - 5-12-2016 at 05:35 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  


And I wouldnt presume to talk you about adjusting the Disraeli Gears on your precious bicycle.



That's funny right there; soon he will be "In the white room with black curtains....."


24baja - 5-12-2016 at 11:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Lobsterman  
bkbend,

Thanks for sharing the tip about bottom-fishing around the BOLA islands. Any particular 3" jig you use?

The guys I'm going with are big time lure guys and have every lure and jig imaginable, so they'll be glad to hear your response. So while they are using lures and me one of my 6 methods we'll see who catches the most fish.

My bets with them have already been made. It will make for an interesting conversation over a beer at dinner. Hopefully if anyone is in town then (May 29-Jun2) they can come by and join in on our fish tales spin zone and bragging in the restaurant adjacent to Guillermo's. C-cktail hour starts at 5pm. We'll be in bed by 7:30 or 8pm so come early. As you might expect I'm betting on me.

I know my bottom-fishing techniques could be out of place or misguided in BOLA today but we'll see. But with 5-days of fishing I'll be continually searching for what works best that day for certain species of fish. I'm sure I'll be using the techniques you guys were so generous to share not only with me but others on this board who want to increase their chances to catch fish for dinner. I have already loaded some of your suggested techniques into the arsenal I'm bringing down with me. I'm just excited to be able to experience your part of paradise no matter what the BOLA fish gods have in store for us.

I'm not, but my partners I'm sure are, interested in catching just YT. I want to see what's down there like I've done on about 12 previous trips there since the 70's fishing on small boats with squid for bait and using method #1. Perhaps the number of fish and their sizes have diminished since the 70's but on my last trip in 2008 they were not. Stay tuned for the fish report with pics from my biased side after we return June 3rd or hear them 1st hand in the bar next door.

[Edited on 5-12-2016 by Lobsterman]

In BOLA We use alot of Salas or sumo jigs in Blue and white, yellow and green, yellow and brown fried egg color, and dorado color.

Santiago - 5-12-2016 at 12:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 24baja  

In BOLA We use alot of Salas or sumo jigs in Blue and white, yellow and green, yellow and brown fried egg color, and dorado color.


I've often wondered what the 200' reefs must look like - must be thousands of them in the rocks around 7 mile. I've certainly contributed.:(

Hook - 5-12-2016 at 12:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Santiago  
Quote: Originally posted by Hook  


And I wouldnt presume to talk you about adjusting the Disraeli Gears on your precious bicycle.



That's funny right there; soon he will be "In the white room with black curtains....."


The story goes that a roadie for Ginger Baker, Clapton and Baker were driving around when Clapton expressed an interest in getting a racing bicycle. The roadie supposedly said ......"oh, with Disraeli Gears?". Clapton and Baker fell all over themselves with laughter at the term, and decided to use it for their next album. The band was Cream, of course.

The roadie meant to say derailleur gears, but somehow came out with the last name of an early British prime minister.



[Edited on 5-12-2016 by Hook]

Martyman - 5-12-2016 at 12:43 PM

I'm taking my surf leaders and snelled hooks out of my surf fishing tackle box and putting them in the Baja box.

mtgoat666 - 5-12-2016 at 05:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  


Smart man.

But your message is lost here, there are a lot of nomads that like shopping and like making bottom fishing complicated.


Goat, you dont know jack smelt about fishing.

And I wouldnt presume to talk you about adjusting the Disraeli Gears on your precious bicycle.

Stick to what you know about. You look foolishly over your head on this.

Why I am pointing this out, I am not sure. You should be left hanging out to dry for most things you post.


Adjusting bike disreali is pretty simple, even a cave man like you could do it! :lol:

wessongroup - 5-13-2016 at 09:23 AM

:biggrin::biggrin:

Lobsterman - 5-13-2016 at 03:15 PM

Goat if you do not have anything constructive to add to catching bait or fishing methods in BOLA please stay out of this thread. You're on the wrong side of the fence here.

woody with a view - 5-13-2016 at 04:32 PM

Goat's like that. Mostly bleats about wacko fringe perspectives, but hey, WTF would this place be if we all bleated to the same congos?

Hook - 5-13-2016 at 05:01 PM

Oh yeah, bleat me, daddy, eight to the baah!!!

willardguy - 5-13-2016 at 05:09 PM

soaking bait in baja??? isn't that like gillnetting? :lol:

chuckie - 5-14-2016 at 06:31 AM

Soaking Olives aint bad...

bkbend - 5-14-2016 at 05:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Santiago  
Quote: Originally posted by 24baja  

In BOLA We use alot of Salas or sumo jigs in Blue and white, yellow and green, yellow and brown fried egg color, and dorado color.


I've often wondered what the 200' reefs must look like - must be thousands of them in the rocks around 7 mile. I've certainly contributed.:(


Sorry, been gone for a few days. 24baja has the BOLA colors covered, I lean heavily on blue/white or blue/chrome and have been mixing in a lot of red/pink irons for both YT or bottom fish. Santiago, I haven't figured out if the reef is growing higher due to the added iron, or if it's sinking under the added weight. When the tides are running it's hard to stay out of the rocks, I've pulled all trebles hooks off those lures and gone to single hooks. I don't know if it helps or if I've gotten better at feeling the bottom but I don't seem to lose as much iron.

Lobsterman - 5-14-2016 at 07:23 PM

Where is the 7 mile reef in BOLA area? Sounds like my kind of fishing. Coordinates or approximate area would be most helpful.

I often fish 400-600' in the Coronado Trench just north of Mexico's Los Coronado's for amazing catches of fish with blackgill rockfish as the prize catch. I'm still searching for the black cod (sablefish) that use to visit these depths. That's why I cure anchovies as a favored baitfish that also sticks well on a hook at these depths vs live or uncured. Except for spawning sablefish are normally at 4500' and is why their oil makes them such a delicacy aka butterfish.

woody with a view - 5-14-2016 at 07:55 PM

Howie, black cod is readily had at the dock in SD. Look up The Fish Addiction on Facebook.

Lobsterman - 5-15-2016 at 05:07 AM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
Howie, black cod is readily had at the dock in SD. Look up The Fish Addiction on Facebook.


Thanks Woody did not know that this business existed.
http://www.thefishaddiction.com/


I always dreamed of being a commercial fisherman similar to this business since the 50's going out on my uncles shrimp boat in Fort Myers Beach, FL while living in a tar shack on the beach. As a bronzed toe-headed barefooted boy I did not know I was poor. The salt air, the quiet except for the "Caaaa-Caaaaaing" of the sea gulls, nature all around you and the thrill and excitement of what's coming up was the utopia I grew up in. My job on his boat was to pick out the shrimp while scrambling around on my hands-and-knees after he hauled his trawled net and dumped it onto the deck. Heaven.

But before I retired in 2011, the govt changed many of the rules affecting new people getting into the business by reducing licenses, increasing fees and eliminating fisheries. A lobster license went from a few $/year to about $80,000 to buy one from another person, inshore fishery was closed and other fishing limitations. So instead in retirement I continue to take temp jobs doing what I use to in a former life. Heading to Santa Monica in a few hours to work a week at the airport. It helps pay for my fishing addiction (boat maintenance, fuel, slip fees, tackle, BOLA trip, etc.).

[Edited on 5-15-2016 by Lobsterman]

chuckie - 5-15-2016 at 05:13 AM

Sounds like a good plan to me...Stay busy, fish a lot...

Hook - 5-15-2016 at 05:43 AM

I am rather surprised to see you guys are still using the older style "candy bar/Salas6x/Tady45" style jigs for fishing deep on the bottom. I can see using something like an Ironman 2 or 3 on the surface, but down deep?

Isn't anyone fishing lures like turkey sliders/jimmy jigs/knife jigs/butterfly jigs? SO much quicker to the bottom, and with a single or dual assist hook attached to the top of the lure, it is much easier to keep the lures out of the rocks. As soon as you touch bottom with the bottom of the lure, give a single crank up and start jigging. Losing them to the rocks is rare, unless the drift or current is vicious. Still, a lesser chance of snagging than any bottom hook rig.

They come in many weights. I've even begun using heavy ones (400 grams and up) as a deep water rock fish rig for baqueta and what we call "gold spotted bass" (the Mexicans call them "calicos" over here, but an ex-SoCal fishermen knows a calico when we sees one). They just drop so fast. And, unbaited, they avoid the small trash fish on the bottom like antenna fish and the micro-sculpins.

We have oceanic whitefish over here, too, at depth. The Mexicans call them "salmon". Go figure.

chuckie - 5-15-2016 at 05:57 AM

I have been using jigs like you describe, with the extra hooks for a long time...Very successful..I buy the ones made by Bomber, about 7 inches long...Can be had in assortments on Ebay for good prices bought by the dozens....KILLS Yellowtail, and about everything else...

Hook - 5-15-2016 at 05:58 AM

I have a foggy BOLA memory of a "seven mile reef". Is that the same as Guadalupe Reef, or about seven miles from the north end of Smith/Coronado?

Santiago - 5-15-2016 at 06:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
I have a foggy BOLA memory of a "seven mile reef". Is that the same as Guadalupe Reef, or about seven miles from the north end of Smith/Coronado?


Hook: Yes.
Howie: someone at camp will give you the waypoints for the general area. 10 years ago I was once given a waypoint of a certain rock on the reef and told never to share it. When I finally got to the reef, I could not actually get over the waypoint due to all the other friggin' boats in the way. So much for 'secret spots'.
Just go to the north end of Smith and head towards the tip of the big island for 7 miles; the little white rock that marks the south end of Guadalupe Bay will be to your west, or left as you go north. You should be over 150-300' of water. If the north winds come up, at least you will be going down hill.

Lobsterman - 5-15-2016 at 08:21 AM

Thanks All,

My head is spinning with details, my fingers are tired from taking copious notes in my BOLA notebook and my excitement grows. My garage is a mess with all this stuff that is carefully laid out on top of things that has to fit in Alan's truck.

Hook & Santiago, I now remember the reef you are talking about after digging deep into my memory bank. I tried to find it once back in the 80's but stopped short for some reason, probably weather.

Week from Saturday I'm heading south with a fishing war chest to help us experience the joys of fishing BOLA that only a few lucky ones have experienced.

Now I'm off to work in Santa Monica for a week without a computer, plus I only have an old flip phone. Use maps for directions. My co-workers call me a dinosaur cuz I do not text, twitter or facebook and only turn my cell phone on when I want to talk to someone. Perhaps that's why I love trips like the BOLA one where you are not distracted by the problems around us NOB and solve all the world's problems at the watering hole.

[Edited on 5-15-2016 by Lobsterman]

mtgoat666 - 5-15-2016 at 09:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Lobsterman  
My co-workers call me a dinosaur cuz I do not text, twitter or facebook and only turn my cell phone on when I want to talk to someone.


When you get old, using your mind helps keep senility away. Perhaps you are having trouble keeping up with technology? You should consider doing some brain work, making an attempt to keep up with the times, and change your diet and increase your exercise - with a little work, you can keep up.

Re Twitter, I see you are a trump fanboy, you should get on Twitter, trump is on Twitter all day dispensing his opinions (and attacks :no: ) in 140 characters or less.

wessongroup - 5-15-2016 at 12:08 PM

Certainly a different "view" ^^ on fishing and technology ... :biggrin::biggrin:





[Edited on 5-15-2016 by wessongroup]

woody with a view - 5-15-2016 at 03:14 PM

those Blanco's are tasty!

willardguy - 5-15-2016 at 03:26 PM

"poor man's yellowtail"

Hook - 5-15-2016 at 06:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
"poor man's yellowtail"


Better eating than jurel, in my book. :yes:

Very surprised the butterfly types arent working at BOLA.

Look on the bright side, Howie. We have finally found a lure that you DON'T need to bring on this trip!!:lol:

bkbend - 5-16-2016 at 08:50 AM

I've fished alongside people using the butterfly styles and they swear by them, but I've never noticed much difference in who catches fish. I use lures slimmer than a Salas but not skinny and they work just fine. I think it has more to do with how much time your lure is working properly in the fish zone. There's a Mexican in town who fishes commercially with a rod/reel for YT and can put a dozen (or more) in his boat while a gringo boat next to him with three poles might land five. He's using a hand-painted Salas -- and no GPS/depth finder.

24baja - 5-17-2016 at 06:10 AM

Hey BKBend, glad to see you online you must have made it home ok. We wanted to tell you that Brett and I enjoyed meeting you and your lovely wife. Hope to see you again. We will be back sometime i. October.

woody with a view - 5-17-2016 at 07:47 AM

Connie when are you guys bailing?

bkbend - 5-17-2016 at 08:53 AM

Thanks 24baja. An easy trip home, back to cold and wet. We enjoyed the visit before we left and should be back down sometime around the end of October.

24baja - 5-17-2016 at 08:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bkbend  
Thanks 24baja. An easy trip home, back to cold and wet. We enjoyed the visit before we left and should be back down sometime around the end of October.


Heading north June 18th for fire season.

wessongroup - 5-17-2016 at 09:41 PM

I'm waiting for some pic's from Lobsterman ... from his trip :biggrin::biggrin:

Lobsterman - 5-26-2016 at 07:17 AM

Hold you're horses Wes I haven't left yet. I've been working all over SOCAL on a couple of projects the past two weeks and am now finishing up on the reports as we speak.

We're leaving O-Dark-Thirty from El Cajon on Saturday morning with boats in tow. Plan is to get to BOLA before dark. Rooms are prepaid. I'm already packed, sorted and organized with nine 1lb frozen squid boxes on dry ice, cured anchovies, canned mackerel for chum or tuna salad, Newell G229/322F reels with spectra, topshot of various #, 4 rods, 20lb assorted weights, lead heads, GPS/FF with area map, 17' alum boat, hand held marine radio, assortment of hooks and hook-type leaders with s/s for triggerfish, weighted bobbers for casting, Mirrolures in colors suggested with boat partner having many other colors, and other stuff including my favorite pillow and blanket.

I plan on fishing for as many different species of fish and locations as possible to depths to 300' vs just trophy fishing during our 5 full days on the water, weather permitting. I want to see what's down there and where. We've got all the YT you want here in my area so that's not my target fish. I'll take a pic of each species of fish I catch.

[Edited on 5-26-2016 by Lobsterman]

woody with a view - 5-26-2016 at 07:19 AM

have a great trip!

wessongroup - 5-26-2016 at 07:24 AM

Sure sounds like fun ... what ^^ he said :):)

Hook - 6-1-2016 at 12:53 PM

How are Howie and Friends doing, BOLAnese?

[Edited on 6-1-2016 by Hook]

woody with a view - 6-2-2016 at 09:34 AM

Hook, the YT are on the chew! When you headed over?

Hook - 6-2-2016 at 04:34 PM

Not till late June, at this point. My fate is out of my hands. Argggg!!!!

Lobsterman - 6-3-2016 at 08:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
How are Howie and Friends doing, BOLAnese?

Returned from BOLA last night. Four of us fished 4 days in two tin boats (17 & 18'ers). The trip down on Saturday was uneventful and took 12 hours from El Cajon, CA. The Mexicans officials at the Tecate Border Crossing required a TIP for the boat with motor's serial #. Little traffic to BOLA and only two inspection stations that did not stop us. Road was excellent until about 100 miles from the BOLA turnoff with potholes. However, they were not too big or deep. The road to BOLA was a different story with major re-construction at 4 washout areas due to past floods. However, each diverted dirt area was only about a 1/4 mile long and bladed.

We stayed at Guillermo's in rooms 3 & 8 at $65 each. Both faced the water and were steps away from a beach where you could run your boat up on and clean your fish. Room 3 was a large room with 4 beds. Room 8 was smaller and had two beds. Both had ice cold a/c (24 hours) and hot showers. The adjoining restaurant was fair but inexpensive. They had ice. A market was across the street. Rooms were about 150 feet from the free public 2-boat wide launch ramp. A 9 on the 10 scale. We could back up our boats on the trailer up to the room's doors. After launching we stored them there until we returned. Amazing setup for us. Sure beats camping on the beach by a factor of 1000.

The fishing for YT was at the outer island directly south of Smith Island approximately 3 miles away on its westside. However, the YT bite lasted only about 2 hours or less with the best time just after light, i.e. from 0430 to 0630. After that the YT bite died, the birds left and the armada of pangas and gringos departed to other locations. Talking to the other fishermen at the motel few YT if any were caught after that each day. So basically you caught as many YT during that small window as possible if you wanted YT for dinner.

Sunday:
Our 1st day fishing the other guys wanted to sleep in so we did not arrive at the YT fishing grounds until the bite had just shutdown. After trolling and jigging for about an hour we went due north to the Southside of Smith to see what the birds were circling. About a 1/4 mile away fro Smith. I picked up the 1st YT of our trip trolling a Fire Tiger Mirrorlure. Shortly afterwards Alan picked up two on a pink Mirrowlure. Unfortunately for me, during the gaffing process in a rocking sea, cramped small unfamiliar tin boat to me with many trip hazards one of the treble hooks on his lure became embedded into the back of my hand. One of the treble's hooks went clean thru but the other embedded deep into the back of my hand where you could not see the hook's tip. After Alan secured a bouncing angry 20# YT I clipped off each hook at the shank with a heavy duty set of dykes. I pulled the clean thru hook out by its tip with needle nosed pliers. The other embedded hook I worked it forward under all the tendons between my ring and little fingers on the back of my hand. The hook's point finally surfaced about 1" from where it entered. But I was unable to push it all the way through cuz of the short hook so I used my filet knife to cut an opening in my skin so I could get the needle nose on the hook's tip and pull it out. I had a complete 1st aid kit on board so used the purple stuff, some Neosporin, band aids and duct tape to cover and protect the wounds. Now back to fishing.
.................................UPDATE: 6-days later. My bad for initially trying to cut the 1st hook out of my hand with a filet knife before we found the dykes and were able to cut the shank of the treble's hook in order to remove it by its tip. Notice how clean the embedded 2nd hook came out and healed. It entered by the ring finger and exited by the pinky.


I forgot to mention my GPS/FF chit-to-bed on the launch ramp and never worked again so I'm a blind bottom fisherman now. The other guys in our group while trolling this area as well picked up a 16# cabrilla on the scale on a pink Mirrorlure I'm guessing at a high point of the reef (no FF). I picked up a 3 pounder in the same area. After another pass of that area, I got hit big and something broke my 80# test I could not stop. Then off to my recollection of where I use to catch jawfish and triggers from the past. We found them and caught what we needed for dinner on squid. Then called it a day at 1130.

Monday:
Like a 1st sergeant I rousted the guys out of bed at 0400, loaded the boats up and were pushing away from the ramp at 0441, arriving about 20 minutes later to north westerly winds in the white-capped channel making for dangerous conditions in a 17' tin boat. The armada of boats was down by half from Sunday (about 15). The two of us picked up 4 YT 16-22# on Mirrorlures and lost two with hook pullouts after a good fight. We never caught a YT on a jig but the other boats mainly caught theirs on blue & white Salas 6x juniors. The bite died at 0630 so off we go again to Smith Island. The seas were getting rougher so we hid in the wind shadow of Smith. Trolled for awhile for nada then headed north up the protected backside of Smith, again for nada. After rounding Smith and heading south we noticed that the winds were howling by then so we headed for La Gringa Point and hugged the shoreline all the way back. Back by 1200.

Tuesday:
Pushing back from the ramp at 0440 and headed again to that island. Our neighbors in room 2 called us on the radio and suggested we not come out there cuz the conditions were worse than yesterday. They had a 21' Sea Pro. They were correct. After getting there and having a scare we headed SW to the protection of Horsehead Island. Since we could not go fast we put out the trollers and immediately picked up two YT. Then got another double hookup after that. We could not turn around due the swell so we headed onto Horsehead missing the remaining YT bite. Trolled around it for awhile for nada then off to San Juan Cove's entrance to an area I use to catch bottomfish. I just caught a couple of small gold spot bass and triggers which were released. Then called it a day at 1100.

Wednesday:
At the grounds by 0500 again. The seas were rough from the westerly's but fishable in our small wash tub. I immediately hooked up on the troll and landed 3 YTs and lost two into the rocks while fishing with 25# line. Alan was fishing with 40# line and did not get picked up at all that day like the other days. Again bite died 0630. Tried Smith again for nada and called it a rap by 1100. These YT were the only ones I kept giving the others each day to the restaurant or our companions from Oregon. I surgically fileted them out, keeping the bellies and collars for smoking. I'm brining them as we speak. I do not believe the color of the Mirrorlure matters much cuz I caught them on fire tiger, blue mac, green mac and pink. The key this trip was being at the fishing grounds at 1st light or stay in bed.

Thursday:
Packed up and departed at 0600 for El Cajon. Went through only two drug check points which lasted about one minute each with no cars in front of us. Got to the Tecate Border Crossing at 1600 and to our amazement there was also no one in front of us. I thought they had closed the border. After looking at our passports for 30 seconds, entering them into the computer and asking us where we were going, he waved us through without having to go to secondary inspection. That must we a record border crossing of only 1 minute during rush hour.

Dennis

[Edited on 6-4-2016 by Lobsterman]

woody with a view - 6-3-2016 at 08:29 AM

Good times!

Duct tape, don't leave home without it!

bkbend - 6-3-2016 at 08:38 AM

Too bad about the wind but it sounds like you hung in there and still got some good action.

wessongroup - 6-3-2016 at 01:15 PM

A real fishing trip ... injury ... thanks for the writeup :):)

Smoked YT

Lobsterman - 6-3-2016 at 06:25 PM

No yellow tail is not a Chinese hooker but a member of the amberjack family. It can be eaten any way imaginable. I prefer it smoked. The pic below shows 1/2 the three YT I started smoking with a pork butt. After four hours at 190 degrees, I wrapped the pork butt and placed it in the oven at 250 degrees with some apple juice. I then put the rest of the YT on the smoker's grill. After 6 hours the 1st batch is still not done (target: 160 degrees) and the other 1/2 just starting. It's 1830 so it'll be late night for me.


[Edited on 6-4-2016 by Lobsterman]
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