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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by watizname
Right now, they're doing to Punta Chivato what they have done to Conception. Refer to Russ' reports of the net boats out of the fishcamp each day and
the pics he had of the nets in the estuary, and right in front of the hotel. Soon, all any of us will have left will be memories and photos of "back
in the day". I wish there was something we could do. |
Good thinking, watizname, but they were doing all that to the Punta Chivato area at the same time as Concepton Bay...'back in the day.' It was just
more concentrated and easier fo them in the Bay of Conception.
I lived in the Casa Grande at Pta. Chivato in the late 70's. The dragging had already diminished the Bay of Mulege back then. This Bay includes Pta.
Chivato. What has been left since then arethe final dregs. A lot of us back then protested strongly many, many times to the local
environmental authorities, the Mulege harbor captian, also La Paz, even to the new office in Cabo, to the then governor, etc...all were graciously
accepted ....and ignored. It was a wake up call for us, then, and we renewed our energies. It was of course, a huge waste of time 'back in the day.'
Mosty, the pangerous, draggers, and seiners are working outside these days...searching further and further for whatever pays a peso. Even the once
plentiful urnchins and sea cukecumbers are gone...forever. Harvested for the Asian trade...all the way down the Cortez.
No more big ray concentrations in the Bay of Conception..I have not seen sharks in the bay since the 80's. Hundreds of thousands of
birds..everywhere. Seals and sea lions were common sights on a day's boat ride. Porpoise and whales...all over the place. The bay floor was
carpeted with bay scallops. Conch were just a short dive under you..anywhere. Clams, chocolotes, the big yellow botajones, all littered the ocean
floor. Underwater noise from shellfish was all croaks, snaps, and squeals..LOUD. Shrimp? Unbelievable that they could disappear so fast.
Every game fish in the Pacific was here..in untold numbers. Everything...literally every species of fish..came here to spawn. Hence the
name..Conception Bay. Bahia de Concepcion. I have so many old photos showing I could catch dozens of species right from my sea wall at high tide.
Tuna, roosters, yellowtail, snapper, cabrilla, snook, and others. In the channels , sails, marlin, more tuna, dorado everywhere, yellowtail
predominated the southern deep water of the bay (one never went outside the bay back then to catch fish ..unless you wanted to go for the adventure.)
I hate to say it, but ..What once was ...Is no nore. Those of you who were not here to see and hear the marine life are spared the
gut-wrenching experience of comparing it to today's disappointing silence.
No small wonder so many are leaving Baja fishing behind them..for places like Panama and others who at least are trying to protect the
resource.
Yes, still a good anchorage for the shrimpers and seiners at Chivato, though. And a small panga base camp. I just went thru the area by boat
yesterday and took over 200 photos..shrimpers, netters, seiners...and the multitude of new homes built there. I am hoping none would buy shrimp or
other products from these rapists.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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Mexico could take a lesson from Panama.http://www.fishingrssfeeds.com/node/9888
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Mood: Optimistic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
Mexico could take a lesson from Panama.http://www.fishingrssfeeds.com/node/9888 |
The current fishing mode and the determined attitude of the Panama government to improve it's marine resource is one of my main reasons for travel
there.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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watizname
Senior Nomad
Posts: 792
Registered: 8-7-2009
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My first ventures into Baja during the early 80's were awsome. Apparently the decline had started, but you couldn't tell it if you hadn't been there
earlier. Fishing for anything was a no brainer. Probably why I had so much fun. But if the mexicans would just leave something, the stocks would
start to come back. Not to the state they were during the hay days, but at least recover a little. As it is, the cleanest thing in Mexico now is the
floor of the Sea of Cortez. A shame.
As shown with the Halibut and White Seabass along the So Cal coast, with a little care, stocks will rebuild, slowly, but it can happen. IF they
would just leave SOMETHING. That's why the photos of the pangaros in the estuary at Chivato were so devastating to see. It's like they're sopping up
the last juices of life in the Cortez.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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My first fishing experience on the Sea of Cortez was 2007. Suppose it'll be my last. They've got to outlaw the nets. I don't see how the netting has
lasted this long.
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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Pompano, Is this you? Taken yesterday
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I thought Roger was in Italy???
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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Me too but I thought his last post said he was here yesterday. After re reading it I don't know where I got that thought???
That boat has a side console like his but it isn't a the same make. So I wasn't sure. Also the profile's not right either. Oh Well
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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He gets around, doesn't he!?
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Mood: Optimistic
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I was out fishing yesterday, Tuesday Feb. 22nd, 2011...all day. I had luck making bait, but that's about it. 
I fished mainly jurel hard for 5 hours straight using darts, yoyos & all kinds of iron at some spots that were good producers last season. I also
fished the live baits in many different zones...on the rocks even.
Nada, zippo, nothing, not even a pick-up.
There must have been a couple dozen others out there from Chivato to Pta. Teresa. I heard of 2 yellows caught .... total.
Finally gave up on the yellows and went to a good pinto rockpile..where I almost bombed out again. Thankfully, 2 scrawny pintos gave up their life to
keep me from selling my boat. Viva pintos! Good to eat..and good for those lockjaw days.
This fishing day on the Cortez has to be around number ..ah, who knows?..figure almost 40 years with 6-7 months a year residency at mi casa...fishing
at least 3 times a week (back in the day, I fished daily, even gunknoling for days on my old Pompano cruiser)... so let's make it well over
1000 days of fishing. Yup, over 1000 days of fun at sea..and almost all of those were successful 'catching' days.
But these last few years fishing..and watching what is still happening to the Cortez... have just been too depressing. Like watching a loved one die
without being able to prevent it..it eats out your heart.
I was so bummed, that yesterday was the only day in all my Baja fishing days that I intentionally did not top off my boat's fuel tank to be ready
for the next ocean trip. My own little personal protest, I guess. Feeble and unnoticed, but meaningful to me. 
Oh, I'll get over it in a few days for sure...I'm an optimist, not a pessimist and cannot remain ashore for long. 'The sky is not falling..but
today's ceiling is pretty damn low!!'
I'll mope for the regualtion period at Ana's and the Jungle..peeing and moaning...,then I will just run on up to Tortuga or down to the Cape...and
find my karma again...Hope is the best cure for what afflicts Baja...and me.
Panama is great and I will enjoy the superb fishing.... but Baja is still Home!
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
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I got a conch in Baja Conception in 1973, I don't supose there are any around now.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Mood: Optimistic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Russ
Pompano, Is this you? Taken yesterday |
Hi Russ,
Yes, that is indeed me 2 days ago..Tuesday. I will be posting some photos of that day soon.
Can't blame you for thinking I was back in Italy. I have crisscrossed the Atlantic so many times lately I am beginning to recognize certain ship
outlines!
hah..neat shot of the old camerabug!
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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GrOUper-GAr
Nomad
Posts: 107
Registered: 1-9-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pompano
But these last few years fishing..and watching what is still happening to the Cortez... have just been too depressing.
Like watching a loved one die without being able to prevent it..it eats out your heart.
I was so bummed, that...
Oh, I'll get over it in a few days for sure...I'm an optimist, not a pessimist and cannot remain ashore for long. 'The sky is not falling..but
today's ceiling is pretty damn low!!' |
1000+ days on the sea !
that's incredible Pompano.
I'm not sure most people can fathom that number.
(its not a contest, but can anybody else say that?)
To see the amazing beauty you must have been witness to over the last 40 years...
Personally, I have seen some wonderful wilderness scenes on the cortez(in less time, and in considerably less fruitful years).
I can only Imagine what you've enjoyed.
I love the water so much, my friends describe me as a "full-time ocean observer & part-time everything else."
I dreamed up till recently, if Lucky, maybe someday, i could own a place down on Baja's Cortez, along a WARM fruitful coast, enjoying_______.(fill in
with your dream activity here).
But one cannot "full time Observe a Goddess" as she is being R@PED.
Your Optimism is commendable. And though I'm not a pessimist, I pride myself on being a realist.
So I feel your pain when you say:
its "Like watching a loved one die without being able to prevent it..it eats out your heart."
because realistically,
MY DREAM is squashed.
! PrEFeRiR!A eSTaR eN baJa !
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wsdunc
Nomad
Posts: 179
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: So Cal
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Mood: Upbeat
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Has east cape been spared the ravages to the netters and seiners to some degree because there were some attempts at conservation earlier, and it is a
nore open body of water than the bay? Somebody please tell me that although its not like it used to be that east cape is still a viable recreational
fishing ground? Bahia Conception sounds very sad, I always loved Punta Chivato.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by GrOUper-GAr
| Quote: |
..I dreamed up till recently, if Lucky, maybe someday, i could own a place down on Baja's Cortez, along a WARM fruitful coast, enjoying_______.(fill
in with your dream activity here).
But one cannot "full time Observe a Goddess" as she is being R@PED.
Your Optimism is commendable. And though I'm not a pessimist, I pride myself on being a realist.
So I feel your pain when you say:
its "Like watching a loved one die without being able to prevent it..it eats out your heart."
because realistically,
MY DREAM is squashed. |
GrOUper-GAr, you know you have to follow that dream...if it's important enough. What I feel about Baja is vastly different than what any others
feel..inlcuding you. So what if the fishing is lousy at present?..Baja is so much more then fish. I like to fish, yes...but.. I LOVE TO BE IN BAJA.
You are the master of your destiny. Don't let a bad fishing report sway you from your paradise.
YES! Fishing down at the Cape is many times better at all times of the year than up here near Mulege..and a lot of other northern Cortez places.
If it were even a two hour drive from my place, I would be fishing there every day...but unfortunately is more like 7-8 with boat trailer..a wee bit
far to commute. 
Hey..the moon will hold water in a day or two...who's up for some fishing? |
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Pompano, That's the spirit! Good luck. Will be looking forward to your report and pictures. Regarding the plight of the Sea of Cortez. The Colorado
River no longer introduces tons of nutrients into the Sea of Cortez. The further fish migrate up in to the Sea of Cortez, the less there is for them
to eat. They'd probably starve if they escaped the nets.
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watizname
Senior Nomad
Posts: 792
Registered: 8-7-2009
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Even though the fishing isn't up to the old standards I still get the same old feeling when I top the ridge and get that first glimpse of the water at
BOLA or Santa Rosalia. Baja IS more than just fishing. 
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Mood: mellow
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Santispac early 80's. Neting all of the bay.
[Edited on 2-25-2011 by comitan]
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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Baja is a great place to visit. The fantastic fishing was a major draw. People bought property and returned year after year. Some relocated there
permanently. Now?  If you subtract excellent fishing from the equation it just
doesn't balance out.
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