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amirravon
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Posts: 126
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: encino CA
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Marlin / big Tuna on a 12' Zodiac ?
I am Lucky to leave November 6th on a 60' privet boat from Marina Del Ray to a long trip to fish the Revillagigedo Islands / Socorro - San Benedicto
and Roca Partida. I will stay at the San Jose Del Cabo Marina for 3 months ( We allowed to visit the islands 10 days each month ) and the owner and
his friends / family will fly back to LA. So I have total of 60 days to fish solo the Gordo Banks ( 7 miles from the marina) on a 12' semi-rigid
inflatable Zodiac dinghy powered w/15 HP Outboard. I have lot of fishing and sailing experience at the SOC and the pacific side but never fish south
of Ensenada / Guadalupe island and south of Santa Rosalia at the SOC on a bigger boats. So no experience for me for the Cabo area whatsoever or
fishing from a dinghy. I read a lot about fishing those waters and find out that i have a good shot near-shore for a big Tuna/Marlin, so here are some
question for you guys with the experience.
How safe it is to fish the Gordo banks on a small dinghy in a good weather day?
Is a bait tank is a must or I can use lures / rapala etc. with good results ?
Is that possible / safe to fight a big Tuna / Marlin solo on a small dinghy ?
There is any way to temporarily attach a rod holders to a inflatable Zodiac dinghy ?
Any comment or tips will greatly appreciated. BTW I'm not planning on keeping any other fish except one Dorado for self consumption.
PS. sorry for my poor English , English is my second language. In a case that I will have access for internet connection I will update / report /
Pictures from the islands and Cabo
Thanks again . Amir
[Edited on 10-16-2010 by amirravon]
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amirravon
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Posts: 126
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: encino CA
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UPDATE , The dinghy is 10' feet not 12' ....lol
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Russ
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First, you write as well as any of us so don't sweat the English.
!0' is small and I'd stay within a couple miles of shore. For the type of fishing your talking about and your experience you probably could crew on a
charter or private boat down there and pick up a few bucks on the side. I have no clue of the fishing situation down there so, hopefully, some one in
the know well respond. Have fun!
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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amirravon
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Posts: 126
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: encino CA
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Thanks Russ, BTW, I love your sunset pictures
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monoloco
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Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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I had a 10' Achilles R.I.B that I fished all over the Pacific and SOC coasts, It wasn't always the most comfortable thing, but was extremely sea
worthy. You should have no problem accessing the Gordo Banks with such a boat. As for rod holders, I found that a plastic milk crate with 2" pvc pipe
attached and lashed to the floor boards with a web strap worked well. Get some cedar plugs, Rapalas, and hula skirt type lures and you will catch all
kinds of fish. Be sure to take some gloves (the yellow cloth ones with the rubber mesh), pliers, a short stout gaff, and a club.
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mulegemichael
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Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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given a good weather day you can successfully fish for the species you mentioned in your little boat...i have friends that have caught lots of
billfish and dorado from their kayaks down there, believe it or not, so your inflatable will be fine...don't plan on running to gordo banks tho, as
it's a long ways out...artificials will be fine, but there are portable bait tanks available for sardines, at least...go online for rod holders for
inflatables, there are a lot of choices out there..have fun
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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Bob and Susan
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Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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my question is...
have you driven that 10 footer to catalina yet
if not leave it home
get a bigger boat
my 23footer was sometimes too small for the pacific
there is no "vessel assist" the AAA of the ocean in mexico ( to speak of)
thatfar down
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Just Remember
...........the great line from the movie "Jaws"
........."You're gonna need a bigger boat"....... 
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dtutko1
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Registered: 8-26-2009
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Be careful gaffing that Dorado. It hasn't happened to me, but I've heard stories about inflatables and gaffs.
Dorado Don
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maspacifico
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Watch the wind, keep teeth and bills, and hooks and gaffs, away from the boat. Sounds like you have plenty of time so stay closer to shore for a few
days until you are sure about the motor and how boat handles. You will catch plenty of fish without going all the way to Gordo. Bait will get more
fish but I get enough for me with Rapala like lures. Watch the wind.
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monoloco
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Posts: 6667
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Location: Pescadero BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mulegemichael
given a good weather day you can successfully fish for the species you mentioned in your little boat...i have friends that have caught lots of
billfish and dorado from their kayaks down there, believe it or not, so your inflatable will be fine...don't plan on running to gordo banks tho, as
it's a long ways out...artificials will be fine, but there are portable bait tanks available for sardines, at least...go online for rod holders for
inflatables, there are a lot of choices out there..have fun |
The inner Gordo Bank is only 9 miles from the
San Jose marina. A pretty easy run on a calm day, even in an inflatable.
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mulegemichael
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Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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"calm day" being the key phrase here...and the wind can come up mighty fast on the soc.
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mulegemichael
the wind can come up mighty fast on the soc. |
And that goes for just about any large body of water.
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Curt63
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How about a handheld VHF radio and a GPS unit?
No worries
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
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Location: on the bayou
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Curt63
How about a handheld VHF radio and a GPS unit? |
For safety? You'll wish you were on a bigger boat. And that might be your
last wish.
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
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Before you put yourself in Danger.
Take alook around and see what the other fisherman are using.
Mostly you will see a 22 Ft. Panga by the Locals.
I fished 38 years on the Sea Of Cortez 27 years of that was in a 22 Ft. Panga. To me anything shorter is not safe unless very close to Shore.
If you are going to Risk your Life an you will be, be Prepared, and realize that there is nobody to help you in an emergency. No Helios, No big Boats
to come get you.
Skeet
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desertcpl
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Location: yuma,az
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why you need a bigger boat
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
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Another small Problem!
Let us say that you are out a couple of Miles in the Sea of Cortez when one of the little know "Whip Storm" comes up.
Here is the problem:
You will have to turn your boat into the wind where the waves will suddenly be 10 to 12 feet,as your Bow comes up and over the Wave you will be
flipped over where shortly thereafter a Shark will arrive.
Now if you are in a Panga it is different where as the Bow comes up to the top of the Wave it will Cut Through and go to the Next wave,
Let me tell you, I have been there and it Scared the Hell out of Me.
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BajaBruno
Super Nomad
Posts: 1035
Registered: 9-6-2006
Location: Back in CA
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I put hundreds of ocean miles on my 12' inflatable with 18HP OB and it was perfectly serviceable. Slow, bumpy, and wet sometimes, but safe for me. I
threw out the inflatable tube thwart and used a web sand chair instead.
I would leave in the morning into the direction of the afternoon winds, so I had a following sea returning. It didn't always work out that way, but
all that did was slow me down coming back.
I mounted rod holders on the wood transom, though Monoloco's idea would also be fine.
The biggest problem I experienced was that when stopped, the boat is pushed across the water by the slightest breeze, making bottom fishing difficult;
and the boat has zero directional stability, so trolling in anything resembling a straight line took a lot of concentration (not my best asset).
Lacking a fish finder was also a hardship, as it's nice to see what the bottom looks like.
You might have a problem with being towed around by a 300# blue marlin, but your chances of catching one aren't real good, so I wouldn't worry about
it. I'd be more concerned about a wahoo taking a bite out of the side, but modern inflatables are inflated to enough pressure, with slick enough
fabric, that I doubt even a wahoo could get a grip on it (I'm sure someone will disagree).
If you are an experienced boater, as you seem to be, you should have no problems having fun out there. You will quickly figure out where your comfort
level is with the distance from shore.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
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Location: on the bayou
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBruno
If you are an experienced boater, as you seem to be, you should have no problems having fun out there. You will quickly figure out where your comfort
level is with the distance from shore. |
And if you don't? Adios!
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