BajaNomad

Making bait in BOLA

Santiago - 2-13-2005 at 05:47 PM

Going to be in BOLA in a few weeks with a bait tank - never tried to make bait there before. Where are the typical holes for making bait this time of year?
Thanks

Don Jorge - 2-14-2005 at 08:11 AM

Chavo,
The 2 spots we always use are:
1. right off the sandspit at the harbor entrance usually in 30 feet of water or less and
2. inside of horsehead island (west side) a 100 or so yards off its beach. This hole is for the warmer months when the bait is deeper and is up to 200 feet deep. A meter really comes in handy in both spots. Mostly macks which are hardy but some dines which die promptly in the summer months as they can't take the warm bait tank water.
As always, look for the locals making bait too and ask around. Good luck!


Gracias!

Santiago - 2-14-2005 at 08:24 AM

Is 7 - 8am too late?

Don Jorge - 2-14-2005 at 08:36 AM

Good point. As a rule yes. Often the bait bite is at first light, pre-dawn and will shut off once the sun gets up a bit. In the warmer months timing is especially critical.

throw bait!!!!

fishinrich - 2-14-2005 at 04:29 PM

The earlier the better for bait. If any is around, 4AM is a resonable start time. This time of year bait is very scarce in bola due to the very cold water. Take lots of chrome, chrome/blue and yellow/green jigs. Diamond, salas, tady what ever just take the time to sharpen the hooks as sharp as you can. Most of the yellows will be in the 20# range and 200' to 300' down. Mono bows and streches to much at those depths and makes it hard to set the hook good. Any of the non stretch braided type lines will increase you hook sets dramatically. If you see birds working the surface race up to them and start throwing iron. The birds are there because the yellows have chased a ball of bait up to the surface, this will be your only chance to get them on the surface. Hopefully the winds will cooperate and let you get out to the fishing grounds. Good luck!!!! fishin rich

Bait

BahaBob - 2-15-2005 at 11:51 PM

We have had very good luck on bait off of Daggett's in fairly shallow water. Pelican's diving are a give away.

Don Jorge ... and other fishermen near BOLA

Pompano - 2-16-2005 at 05:23 AM

Are you guys making bait with live bigeyes and green macks? We are making bait from 30-280ft here at Chivato and San Marcos. How is the yellowtail fishing..or any fishing, up there?. I haven't wet a line near BOLA since the early 70's. We had some superb catches back then and always enjoyed the different methods used by the locals..both Mexican and foreign. We would boat camp...and I remember those tides! Do you have to venture further these days?

Good fishing..tight lines! Pompano.

good in bola

fishinrich - 2-16-2005 at 06:45 AM

Pompano---Last february I spent the entire month in bola fishing (no diving the water was to cold). The wind limits your ability to venture far and for very long from shore. The seven mile reef was productive when I could get there, nice yellows 15# to 20# on the bottom around 250'. The east side of hoursehead to punta pescador was the best fishing I had. Close to camp for when the wind started and the biggest yellows I caught for the month. Again 270', all fish on iron. The bottom fishing is real good in bola. Lots of 3# to 7# golden spotted bass down deep, a few sheephead, triggers and spotted bay bass in the shallows and don't forget the halibut. When You get up in the morning look to the west and if there are big cotton balls rolling over the mountains you can bet the wind will be a howling. The locals call it "cotton on the mountain". I would love to get back down your way, I have a hankering for a big pot of chocolate clams. fishin rich

fishinrich...

Pompano - 2-16-2005 at 08:10 AM

why wait for some 'Choco-la-tes'?..here's a plateful for you.

4baja - 2-16-2005 at 07:51 PM

just off punta arena were the sand drops off , barbless lucky joes with a heavy weight works best.:coolup:

RJM - 2-17-2005 at 09:04 AM

Last year we boat camped in Don Juan Cove and made bait every morning in the middle of the cove. Which you might try if you are over in that area. We ended up getting run out of the cove by the bee's and ended up making bait right in front of Guillermo's launch ramp. Good Luck