hey fellows,
maybe most of you dont know a little town in Baja, on north of Sea of Cortez, San Felipe, fishing is getting better and better this days with the warm waters that come from the Pacific ocean all the way from el Cabo.
these are some pics from my last trip this past weekend to the Consag Island, 40 miles East from shore, trolling and casting was excellent.
reels used: Penn 320gti and Calcutta 400TE
vessel : Panga style
nice an calm morning
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1020980ss_zps43bcf932.jpg)
this is our beautiful Island
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1020983ss_zps51e6c5ec.jpg)
this was a beautiful bigazz Cabrilla "sardinera" or leopard grouper
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1020988ss_zpsdb2cc790.jpg)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1020994ss_zpsfbe031f1.jpg)
Sierra mackarel were big and fatty as you can see.. they fight like real demons.
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1030005ss_zps1a5e2afa.jpg)
no bloody decks here but bloody reels anyone?
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1030007ss_zps647ddd21.jpg)
saludos my friends.
Nice, thanks for the photos.
Beautiful place, thanks for sharing.
Only been there twice, but absolutly love it.
Ron
I sailed from San Felipe to the Midriff Islands about fifteen summers ago, aboard a battered scow named the Jose Andres. Hotter than the gates of Hell, and to call the accommodations primitive would be an understatement, but the panga fishing was truly awesome. I even won the jackpot with a huge grouper! :D
~A~
cool, its nice too see that some of you know San Felipe and Cortez sea.
one of my goals is to take on of those midriff trips on those long range boats, I think san andres is not working anymore but mr. Tony Reyes Jr. has another bigger and better.
glad you like them as much as I did.
What a beautiful place to fish and you caught some nice ones. Thanks for the photos.
I was there in Sept of 2005 and it was hot as hell but loved it. muchas gracias muchacho!
Looks like a great time :)
Quote from: ML B on May 10, 2014, 01:13:05 AM
I was there in Sept of 2005 and it was hot as hell but loved it. muchas gracias muchacho!
LOL, we just have to weather seasons, cold a hot..
next time come on may and late september or early october.. those are the perfect fishing months.
I live next to the beach and even myself stop fishing on july-august.. its just to hot, from 8am to 9pm is 110-115*f
thanks for the kind words, hope to bring some more pics soon.
It is odd that we are talking about San Felipe and haven't mentioned Totoaba. I have never caught one, and I know you can't catch them now (some day I pray) but San Felipe was the place to be to see the huge croaker.
Ron
well as you said Totoaba is an endangered specie now (actually from many years ago) and its a crime to fish them, if by chance you catch one you have to return them safe to the water or you will be in big problems.
in the old days there were no regulations on that fish and you could have caught them as big as 6f-8ft and as fat as a pig, some guys say their meat was like a tender sirlion steak.. who knows, I have only 7 years living in this town and since that time it was prohibited.
totoaba almost never get an artificial lure but it can happens from time to time, most of the time they prefer big chucks of dead bait, if you are going to fish drop bait after big halibuts, sharks, big meros (black grouper), etc. in those cases you have chances to get an un-intended catch of totoaba, so, just un-hook them safely and you are good to go.
I was going to open a new thread but I think I will post my few fishing trips here, so you can enjoy the view of the beautiful Baja scenarios way to the north, really different the landscaping and fisheries that you can find on the top bottom of baja on east cape and cabos.
we have no monster fish here but plently of species and good sizes to have a great time on small tank reels on 50# or 65# braid lines and light graphite rods.
here is my last fishing trip, this took place on the Enchanted Islands aka midriff area just 2hrs south of my town San Felipe.
Huerfanito and the enchanted islands on the back
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/DSCN0400lasislasencantadas-1.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/DSCN0400lasislasencantadas-1.jpg.html)
this rock was really big, when you pass aside it feels like passing near a tall building
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1030687%20penasco%20de%20la%20poma_zpsoocnznba.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1030687%20penasco%20de%20la%20poma_zpsoocnznba.jpg.html)
a school size YT and the 1st fish of my fathom 40
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1030669%20alex%204to_zpsq2xa2esl.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1030669%20alex%204to_zpsq2xa2esl.jpg.html)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1030662%20senuelo%20maton%20raspado_zpssymeent6.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1030662%20senuelo%20maton%20raspado_zpssymeent6.jpg.html)
this was my biggest fish
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1030677%20alex%206to_zpsvwuup313.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1030677%20alex%206to_zpsvwuup313.jpg.html)
islands, pic taken from the boat
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1030684%20las%20encantadas_zpsokro2cel.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1030684%20las%20encantadas_zpsokro2cel.jpg.html)
a better pic when we get closer to one of them
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1030695%20ss_zpszyhdbfik.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1030695%20ss_zpszyhdbfik.jpg.html)
spotted bay bass caught on the teaser
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1030701%20cabrilla%20con%20teaser_zpsxxa36fpk.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1030701%20cabrilla%20con%20teaser_zpsxxa36fpk.jpg.html)
catch of the day
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1030709%20pesca%20del%20dia_zpsj0hzakhq.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1030709%20pesca%20del%20dia_zpsj0hzakhq.jpg.html)
Thanks for the report. San Felipe is beautiful, especially this time of the year when it's not too hot...
You are TRUELY blessed. The scenery is beautiful, the fish plentiful and the climate warm. Thanks for bringing a little warmth to the worn down and cold Yankee. Send some of that warm weather this way will you!! ;D
Quote from: DaBigOno on February 25, 2015, 08:22:38 PM
Thanks for the report. San Felipe is beautiful, especially this time of the year when it's not too hot...
cool, seems like you know SF really good, this is the perfect time to go fishing until late may.
july and august is almost impossible to go on the water and fish after 11am
Quote from: BMITCH on February 25, 2015, 08:25:41 PM
You are TRUELY blessed. The scenery is beautiful, the fish plentiful and the climate warm. Thanks for bringing a little warmth to the worn down and cold Yankee. Send some of that warm weather this way will you!! ;D
count on that my friend, few more months and as soon as we reach 120f I will send 30f to your way
Great Pic Alex! Thanks for taking us along! ;D I feel warmer already. :P
Good to see you here Steelfish and keep up the reports. I have not fished out of San Felipe in many years but here is a pic of me on the Jose Andres about 25 year ago.
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag355/SoCalAngler1/Marks087_zps4a31f42d.jpg)
Regaurding the Totoaba didn't Tony Reyes from San Felipe do some exploratory trips with CONPESCA (the Mexican department of fish and game) in order to study these fish several years back? At one time there was even talk about starting a hatchery program for the Totoaba like the one we have here in sourthern California for the white seabass. Man that would of been nice to see get going.
I mainly fish the Loreto/Puerto Escondido area a couple of times a year now when I head to the Sea of Cortez. If you ever head down that way let me know as I get reports from there all the time. I fish one Tournament there in the end of June and just like you don't head back to fish until mid to late October because of the heat.
How did you like your Fathom 40? I just had a new Fathom 25N LD two speed dropped of at my house for a local in Loreto to get serviced and spooled up with line. I hope I told this guy the right reel to buy because he purchased one sight unseen on my recomendation and had it shipped to my house in California. I'll send the reel down to Loreto with my father when he heads down on March 5th, but I think he will like it very much.
Quote from: SoCalAngler on February 26, 2015, 01:25:37 AM
Regaurding the Totoaba didn't Tony Reyes from San Felipe do some exploratory trips with CONPESCA (the Mexican department of fish and game) in order to study these fish several years back? At one time there was even talk about starting a hatchery program for the Totoaba like the one we have here in sourthern California for the white seabass. Man that would of been nice to see get going.
well that totoaba fishing program is been on the counter for many years with no avail, there are many people mainly related with the sport fishing market that are pushing really hard on that because we all are pretty sure it will be a hit for the economy and also for the fish (cuz all the money will go to more research,etc,) we actually have one program like that with the RAM deer that only lives in Baja also, lets hope this program have a happy ending for the fisherman in the short future.
Quote from: SoCalAngler on February 26, 2015, 01:25:37 AM
I mainly fish the Loreto/Puerto Escondido area a couple of times a year now when I head to the Sea of Cortez. If you ever head down that way let me know as I get reports from there all the time. I fish one Tournament there in the end of June and just like you don't head back to fish until mid to late October because of the heat.
How did you like your Fathom 40? I just had a new Fathom 25N LD two speed dropped of at my house for a local in Loreto to get serviced and spooled up with line. I hope I told this guy the right reel to buy because he purchased one sight unseen on my recomendation and had it shipped to my house in California. I'll send the reel down to Loreto with my father when he heads down on March 5th, but I think he will like it very much.
thansk for the offer on the reports I will surely let you know if I ever go that down, my first goal is to go and fish on BOLA (5hrs south of my town if you have a nice 4x4 truck or 11hrs if you have a sedan like me).
I really liked the fathom, heck !! I'm thinking on selling my saltist 20h and get me a fathom 15 for surf fishing.
actually Im truly debating between a penn baja special and a fathom 40nLD-II, both almost on the same price range, but I think I will go with the 2-speed reel better, but I will wait until seeing one 40LD-2 on the forum classifies, not in a rush.
and count on the fishing reports everytime I get on the local waters on this same thread.
saludos compadre.
Steelfish,
When I first started driving down the Baja peninsula about 25 years ago, It was possible to drive s/o of Felipe but to drive very far south required 4wd and lots of time and lots of work. I used to go down near Cabo Pulmo and now have a small place S/E of La Paz near La Ventana in sight of Isla Cerralvo. As we are driving down there is now a major looking dirt road N/W of Bahia de Los Angeles and the dirt road has a sign that says to San Felipe. I assume it goes thru, but is it still "Very difficult and very time consuming??"
TomT
Steelfish. Thanks for the photos. My favorite eating fish from the Sea of Cortez is Cabrilla. It is like a meaty rockfish. Dominick
Cabrilla are good eats for sure.
Here is a little shore Cabrilla.
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag355/SoCalAngler1/Marks124_zps664ff964.jpg)
Took my young friend Jimmy out but he only likes larger model Cabrilla.
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag355/SoCalAngler1/Marks006_zpsd9e21e1f.jpg)
Dominik.. you really know which is a nice fish to eat.. here we put the big cabrilla on the grill with the skin on and bit BBQ in the meat
Socal.. that are some nice fishes.. congrats.
Quote from: Dominick on February 27, 2015, 05:18:23 AM
Steelfish. Thanks for the photos. My favorite eating fish from the Sea of Cortez is Cabrilla. It is like a meaty rockfish. Dominick
Dom, cabrilla are on the top of my list also but have you tried parrotfish? Makes some of the best fish tacos you will ever eat.
do you have pics of the parrotfish?
this is what I call parrotfish, this are some old pics with my little daughter catching one.
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/IMG01374%20montse%20perico%20s_zpsxizlwxev.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/IMG01374%20montse%20perico%20s_zpsxizlwxev.jpg.html)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/IMG01375%20perico%20dientes%20s_zpsxiilvmup.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/IMG01375%20perico%20dientes%20s_zpsxiilvmup.jpg.html)
if you like that fish for fish tacos, then you should try .. Sierra for fish tacos, the tip for the sierra is to have the oil in the frying pan really hot, crispy on the outside and tender inside.
I never caught a parrot fish or a sheepshead. So I have not tasted them. Most fish seem to be good for fish tacos. Dominick
nice report,thanks
few more pics of the San Felipe Sierras Activity from this past weekend may 2nd, 2015
it was a really rough & windy day but since we were already on the Rock and even though it was not a nice day to trolling, we managed to get 3 big sierras for each Pescador at the Consag Rock again, sierras are on the 1mt on average (3ft long) and 10#, come and get them compas!!
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1040486%20ss_zpsbakmvz0r.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1040486%20ss_zpsbakmvz0r.jpg.html)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1040485%20ss_zpsgdg63pxu.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1040485%20ss_zpsgdg63pxu.jpg.html)
this fatty was almost 10# of pure brute force
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1040502%20ss_zpsgowxjmhj.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1040502%20ss_zpsgowxjmhj.jpg.html)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1040523%20ss_zps6j6d0nii.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1040523%20ss_zps6j6d0nii.jpg.html)
this remains me that I need a bigger Ice chest
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1040518%20ss_zpsv3xy9l9n.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1040518%20ss_zpsv3xy9l9n.jpg.html)
one with the compadres
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1040516%20ss_zps0whnmdtd.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1040516%20ss_zps0whnmdtd.jpg.html)
and the bubba blade knife at its finest !! pure delight to fillet a fish with this knife
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1040531%20ss_zpsr2eskbji.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1040531%20ss_zpsr2eskbji.jpg.html)
Yes Steelfish those are Parrot fish and when they get larger they get more colorful with darker blue, green, yellow and some with red or pink on them. Very colorful fish and thats how they got their name in English as they have the colors of the parrot birds.
Nice fish!
I have to agree as well about the Bubba Blade, I just bought one two weeks ago and was fileting a bluefish thinking..."wow, this is so much nicer than anything I've used". My Dexter-Russells are nice, but don't compare.
Thanks for the report!
Nice sierra.
UPDATE WITH A NEW FISHING TRIP SEP 16th
****************************************************
not many great fishes this time but it was enough to try the Baja Special on the Baja waters and be happy to have one of this great reels.
this medium sized Curvina (WSB) no more than 12# was hauled (literally) from 320ft deep plus a 16oz lead (thats what was read on the fish finder screen), we were after a good Baqueta fish or a Black bass on those deeps but those fished never appeared, but we got some nice school size YT, Cabrillas, WSB, few sierras and some others critters that live in the deep, none of those was a problem to the good ole Penn Baja Special.
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1060499%20ssc%20ss_zpsv8rvx5kz.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1060499%20ssc%20ss_zpsv8rvx5kz.jpg.html)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1060507%20pesca_zpsfhnhx6tt.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1060507%20pesca_zpsfhnhx6tt.jpg.html)
let me introduce you on the the 5 island on this place called "the enchanted islands" on the midriff aread on Sea of Cortez.
the name of this one is "La Isla del Muerto" (dead corpse island), with little imagination and looking the black silhouette you will know why.
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/P1060506%20ss_zpslweijenj.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/P1060506%20ss_zpslweijenj.jpg.html)
hope to test this reel with a bigger fish soon.
Great reports! Just read the whole thread and really enjoyed the pics and reports. Sounds like the perfect place to have a kayak to fish off of. Thanks for sharing.
Quote from: Steve-O on September 18, 2015, 02:51:17 AM
Great reports! Just read the whole thread and really enjoyed the pics and reports. Sounds like the perfect place to have a kayak to fish off of. Thanks for sharing.
This area in the far north of the Sea of Cortez is famous for huge tidal range and dramatic currents on the change of the tide. It would be interesting yakking for sure. ;)
Quote from: johndtuttle on September 18, 2015, 03:24:10 PM
It would be interesting yakking for sure. ;)
Mm-hm... especially if you ran into one of the local
gran tiburón blanco. :o
(http://a2.assets.nationalgeographic.es/soc_photo/159.600x450.jpg)
~
A~
Quote from: Steve-O on September 18, 2015, 02:51:17 AM
Great reports! Just read the whole thread and really enjoyed the pics and reports. Sounds like the perfect place to have a kayak to fish off of. Thanks for sharing.
thanks Steve for taking the time to read the whole thread, glad you liked it.
there are some places locally and 1hr drive south (on a perfect pavement road) that is almost a paradise for kayaking, snorkeling, paddling, etc.
from San Felipe aread (where I live) to 2hrs south all the beaches are full of Gringo's houses, most of them retired that like the easy, calm and relaxing living way of this area that is way under populated, the desert mets the sea with nice sandy beaches and calm warm waters.
if you plan a visit here on the months of oct-april you wont regret it ever.
Quote from: johndtuttle on September 18, 2015, 03:24:10 PM
Quote from: Steve-O on September 18, 2015, 02:51:17 AM
Great reports! Just read the whole thread and really enjoyed the pics and reports. Sounds like the perfect place to have a kayak to fish off of. Thanks for sharing.
This area in the far north of the Sea of Cortez is famous for huge tidal range and dramatic currents on the change of the tide. It would be interesting yakking for sure. ;)
the more North the bigger the tide, in zone places the Sea is gone for about 3/4 mile away, you can walk on the sea floor, harvest cocktel size clams, sea stars, etc
the current is strong for fishing, but comes and go really slowly, you will never get trapped if the tide is coming while you walking back to the beach, while Kayaking as long as you are not navigating on the waves and you keep paddling few yards away in the sea you are 100% safe, or you can always drive 1hr south to where the islands are located and dont worry about currents and tides
Quote from: Aiala on September 18, 2015, 03:32:52 PM
Quote from: johndtuttle on September 18, 2015, 03:24:10 PM
It would be interesting yakking for sure. ;)
Mm-hm... especially if you ran into one of the local gran tiburón blanco. :o
dont forget about
Ballenas asesinas Orcas, they have their home 2hrs south from San Felipe
(picture not mine)
(http://www.mexfish.com/mfn/mfn2007/mfn070108/almada2.jpg)
but you can also find this beauties swimming along your boat. (pictures taken by me few years ago)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/DSCN0350%20tib%20ballena_zpsp0cbftsq.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/DSCN0350%20tib%20ballena_zpsp0cbftsq.jpg.html)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/DSCN0353%20ss_zpsjyclfhe9.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/DSCN0353%20ss_zpsjyclfhe9.jpg.html)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/fishing/DSCN0354%20ss_zps4zgsj33w.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/fishing/DSCN0354%20ss_zps4zgsj33w.jpg.html)
Sea of Cortez was named the Aquarium of the World by Jacques Cousteau ( google it)