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Santiago
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Bahia de los Angeles report
Just returned from a 5 day fishing trip to Bahia de los Angeles with my longtime fishing buddy, Steve. Fishing had drastically improved since my last
trip in early April (as predicted by 4baja). Small yellowtail, in the 10 pound range, were caught on the surface trolling various lures on the east
side of Smith Island and on the very south point of Animas near Barnaby rock. We also hooked a 24” white sea bass at the Animas location along with
one of the prettiest hogfish I’ve seen in a while. 
One Bonita at Smith. Did not fish Guadalupe reef or Guarda. We did fish the southern points of Remedios but did not find any yellowtail, however did
get a nice sheephead. We heard rumors that yellowtail were at the northern parts of Remedios, opposite the north tip of Guarda. We heard from a
reliable source that larger, homeguard yellowtail were caught by pangeros with live bait in the typical spots at Smith for this time of year. Oodles
of barracuda followed lures to the boat but would not bite, which is just fine with me. No sign of sierra. On our first day out (Monday) I spotted
what I’m sure was a surface boil of yellowtail on the south-west end of Smith which usually occurs in late May but could never find them there during
the week. Water temps were in the mid 60s to mid 70s depending on location. Lots of bait everywhere. Not a single whale or dolphin sighting. Spent
one night snipe hunting but only got one of these:
On our trip north we went through Gonzaga Bay as we have not done this in 3 or 4 years. We stopped and visited with Coco and had a good time. He
said we were the first people by in 3 days. He has a few needs that you can help with if you’re so inclined: help on understanding his solar 12 volt
system. He has a Sunforce regulator that may be acting up but I’m no good at trouble shooting this stuff. Also needs a device that will tell him what
his panels are putting out. He has 2 motorized chairs, one for the city and one with more clearance for his place, but this one has a bad battery so
he’s stuck with walking or using a hand driven wheel chair.
Alphonsina’s was packed with weekenders and there were whale sharks in the bay right in front of the bar. The road south was as bad as I remembered
[img] [/img]
but the pavement from Puertecitos north is all brand new and very good. South of Puertecitos for 5 miles or so there is very serious grading and
culvert work. I’m talking huge cats, graders and rock haulers moving 4’ diameter concrete pipe and big bridge work. These guys are serious. Coco
says the new road will turn west from the existing road about 3 or 4 miles north of Gonzaga saving about 5 kilometers but also missing Alphonsina’s
Pemex and of course, Coco’s Corner. Is this true?
Had the most thorough inspection at the checkpoint between Alphonsina’s and Papa Fernandez I’ve ever encountered. Dug into everything in the back of
the truck.
Had a tip from a local to stay at the Hotel Diamante and have dinner at Juanita’s about 4 or 5 miles north of the roundabout in San Felipe. Good tip.
Note that there are 2 Hotel Diamantes about 2 miles apart – we stayed at the southern one, looked new with a pool. $400 pesos for a double. Crossed
at Calexico in about 25 minutes, no problems.
We did some interesting calculations about future driving times once the road is paved. From Sacramento to BOLA, via I-5,TJ and Mex 1: 950 miles and
about 19 hours driving time. From BOLA to Sacramento via the Gonzaga road/86 to I-10,I-210,I-5 to home: 980 miles and 21 hours driving time. It’s
approximately 110 miles from the Chapala turn off to Puertecitos and takes us between 5 and 6 hours on the current road. If the new road will be as
good as Coco says, then this stretch will be a 2 hour drive, thus saving 3 or 4 hours and making this route faster by a couple of hours than Mex 1.
Do we have this right?
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Paulina
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Love that last photo!
Interesting thought regarding the new road possibly cutting the drive time down. I'd much rather take that route.
Was the weather really as warm as the weather station on Mia's board has been showing? We check that everyday, sometimes more than once.
P<*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Pacifico
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Santiago
It’s approximately 110 miles from the Chapala turn off to Puertecitos and takes us between 5 and 6 hours on the current road.
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I thought it was about 80 miles? We traveled that stretch on a recent offroad trip and you are right - there is some serious earth moving equipment
working there:
[Edited on 5-29-2009 by Pacifico]
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El Camote
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Santiago,
I have to know, what day of the week and time of day did you cross in Calexico in 25 minutes? Haven't been able to do it that quickly in years. I'm
assuming you used the old west crossing.
Great report, btw. 
Knowledge is good. - Emil Faber
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Santiago
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| Quote: | Originally posted by El Camote
Santiago,
I have to know, what day of the week and time of day did you cross in Calexico in 25 minutes? Haven't been able to do it that quickly in years. I'm
assuming you used the old west crossing.
Great report, btw. |
El Camote: we crossed Sunday morning about 7:30am. I'm not sure which crossing as this was only the 2nd time for me - we simply followed the signs
to Calexico until we hit the fence, turned left and went maybe 1/2 mile or so. I assumed it was because it was Sunday and early.
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El Camote
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Oh, good show. Sounds like you hit the cruda window. Best crossing ever for us in 13 years was 7 in the morning on New Year's Day. There was
literally no one in line, drove straight through. I think I'll try Sunday morning next time too. 
Knowledge is good. - Emil Faber
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Santiago
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
Was the weather really as warm as the weather station on Mia's board has been showing? We check that everyday, sometimes more than once.
P<*)))>{ |
A hot west wind came up Thursday and Friday about 1:00pm and blue HARD all day - not much fun. Fortunately we had provisioned appropriately and could
ride it out:
2 cases of Pacifico
1 case of 750ml wine.
Qt Ole no. 07.
Liter of Tequila
Earlier in the week it was in the low to mid 90s and about 35-40 percent humidity.
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Bwana_John
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| Quote: | | It’s approximately 110 miles from the Chapala turn off to Puertecitos and takes us between 5 and 6 hours on the current road. |
| Quote: | | I thought it was about 80 miles? |
I think is is ~90 miles, it took me 7 hours last time, but my wife says Ive lost my dirt road mojo.
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Cypress
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Santiago, Thanks for the pictures and the report. Good times!!! 
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4baja
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thanks jim for the report, didnt know you were going down. no breezing yellows on the surface yet wow. heading down in three weeks with boat in tow.
nice hog fish!!!
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Bajaboy
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Jim-
Glad you had a good trip. Hopefully, we can visit you at your place some time.
zac
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bwana_John
| Quote: | | It’s approximately 110 miles from the Chapala turn off to Puertecitos and takes us between 5 and 6 hours on the current road. |
| Quote: | | I thought it was about 80 miles? |
I think is is ~90 miles, it took me 7 hours last time, but my wife says Ive lost my dirt road mojo. |
I just added up the mileage figures on the 2007 AAA map:
Puertecitos to Gonzaga Pemex (Alfonsina's turnoff/ Rancho Grande) is 47.5 miles.
Gonzaga Pemex to Highway 1 (Laguna Chapala) is 36.6 miles.
Total Puertecitos to Laguna Chapala is 84.1 miles... and that jives with the mileage I have recorded. The new pavement heading south from Puertecitos
extends about 5 miles at last report and that may shave a bit off the 2007 AAA mileage.
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shari
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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wooo hooo so glad you caught some fish amigo...one of our guests caught a couple yellowtail last week at San Pablo so looks like the season might get
started earlier here....miss ya compa
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Bwana_John
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| Quote: | | I think is is ~90 miles |
| Quote: | | Total Puertecitos to Laguna Chapala is 84.1 miles |
I guess all them little split roads and pull overs to swim add up huh?
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David K
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Yah, that's for sure!  
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Martyman
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Hey Jim;
Glad you had a nice trip with a little more success catching pesca. Did you happen to see Macrino around our place? He is supposed to be repairing
our pila.
c-ya,
Marty
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Cypress
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Hwy 5 isn't any easy road to travel, traffic won't be a problem. Just keep in
mind, 80 plus miles at 15 mph. High clearance is a good thing to have. Four wheel
drive? Probably not. Good luck.
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24baja
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So far on our trip tto BOLA we have caught 1 10# yellowtail, 2 Grouper 10# 15#, 2 Creole, 2 Triggerfish, 30 Jawfish to 10#, lots of Sea Bass up to 5
#. 2 Whitefish, and 2- 2 1/2 ft sand sharks. Lots of fun and Pacifico being passed around here! Brett & Connie
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woody with a view
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| Quote: | Originally posted by 24baja
So far on our trip tto BOLA we have caught 1 10# yellowtail, 2 Grouper 10# 15#, 2 Creole, 2 Triggerfish, 30 Jawfish to 10#, lots of Sea Bass up to 5
#. 2 Whitefish, and 2- 2 1/2 ft sand sharks. Lots of fun and Pacifico being passed around here! Brett & Connie |
nice! how is your mood now?
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Santiago
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What's a creole?
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