Jennifer and her two siblings decided to put together a family cruise to Cabo and I planned to fish for a half-day while in town.
Jen had this sign made for our Cabin Door.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_16_18_318642342.jpeg)
And here is Mrs. El Pescador and me for a photo.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_16_01_318611035.jpeg)
Here is a photo of the famous Cabo Arch and Lands End.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_16_26_318652034.jpeg)
I never get tired of looking at it.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_16_49_31867848.jpeg)
And I brought ONE REEl - this Penn Baja Special I purchased from Dominick after Sal created the TANK and gave it to him!!!
I purchased it for such a low price I'm embarrassed to type out the number.
PLUS when you add up all the great meals, snacks and vast quality of GREAT red wines I've enjoyed with Linda and Dominick, I have to say the reel cost me NOTHING!!!! ;D
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_16_06_318621013.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_15_02_20_9_55_01_3193076.jpeg)
When I handed the Baja Special to the Panga Capt., he was moving his thumb over the shifter asking "Is this new??"
I said, "New?? it is a gift from Ted!!!!?
He asked, "Who's Ted???"
You know, Ted's Custom-made Shifty Shifter Levers!!!! THAT TED!!!!!! :-* Thanks Buddy Boy!!!!
Our day fishing starts at 1:30 PM since we dropped anchors - both stern and bow at noon.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_16_40_318661188.jpeg)
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(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_16_50_318672175.jpeg)
And while Nayo - Pronounced NI - YO - prepared the rods for the day of fishing.
His English is excellent!!!! All learned while speaking it to fishing guests on the boat.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_17_50_318761516.jpeg)
And while Nayo is getting the rods ready, he has my Brother-in-law pilot the boat. DOUG is in HEAVEN.
He would rather pilot a boat than fish - and he has for many years. Jen and brother Doug lived with their parents on Kodiak Island, AK during the early 70's when their Dad was the local Baptist Minister. And there Doug worked on a Tender boat taking fish & Crab from the trawlers to the cannery.
At age 16 he had earned enough money to purchase a BRAND-NEW Chevy Corvette, a Red one, and funny thing, at that time Kodiak only had 18 miles of MOSTLY gravel roads!!!!!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_17_28_318731602.jpeg)
Now the word of today is WHALES!!!! LOTS of WHALES!!!! They would NOT leave us alone. He saw over 30+ whales today. and for the 3 days in Cabo, over 100+ whales were viewed. Including a Humpbacked Whale Calf!!! Was only 15' long and the Mother whale would use her flipper to keep Junior up on the surface!!! WOW!! NEVER saw that before!!!!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_17_08_31870621.jpeg)
The whales were Jumping (Breaching), tail slapping, flipper out of the water, nose up out of water only. We saw it all. ALL while we are trying to fish!!!!!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_17_32_318741435.jpeg)
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(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_17_57_318801091.jpeg)
And here is the SURPRISE of the day!!!! This whale kept on a track that would cross our path. We were trying to head straight up wind to keep the wave spray down to a minimum. BUTT this humpback whale was set to cross us.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_17_52_31877878.jpeg)
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(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_17_55_318782408.jpeg)
Finally, we stopped the motor and keep the gear in the water.
THEN IT HAPPENED!!!
I saw the white on the whale's flipper and belly turn green .... THEN DISAPPEARED UNDER THE BOAT!!!!
The Pelagic cetacean (Whale) DID GO UNDER OUR BOAT and appear on the other side about 80' away!!!!
WOW!!!!!! Gary should have been here with her GoPro Vid camera!!!!! We stood there with our mouth's WIDE OPEN screaming "IT WENT UNDER THE BOAT!!!!!!" This alone was worth the price of admission!!!!
BUTT back to fishing....
We are cruising along with some good wave chop when Nayo sees a marlin tail half out of the water.
he grabbed my set up, hit the bait tank for a 6" sardine, hooks it to the size 1 Tuna hook and does a 40' cast towards the marlin.
It circled back, big nose spear slashing back and forth!!!! THEN the hookup!!!!!
Nayo hands me the rod with Dominick's Baja Special with 40 lbs. mono line and the fight is ON!!!!
Great fishing fish!!!! 3 times I brought it to boat side only for it to take off with the smoothest drag releasing line. A true pleasure to fish a reel ready for a great fight!!!!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_15_58_31858929.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_18_03_31884193.jpeg)
Finally, the stripped Marlin was tired enough for Nayo to grab its bill and hold the fish alongside the panga.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_18_02_31883250.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_17_59_318811573.jpeg)
FISH IN THE BOAT!!!!! What a fight and what a reel!!!!!
We guess the weight to be about 125 lbs. BUTT who knows!!!!
We head back to the Cabo Harbor - and it seems to be getting filled with boats!!!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_17_56_318781556.jpeg)
Since I first fished with Dominick at age 50 or 13 years ago, we always completed our day by stopping at Soloman's Cove for a cold beer to wash off the salt spray!!! and today was no difference!!!! THANK GOD for tradition!!!!
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Here is a great Sunset to cap off a great day of fishing and whale dodging!!!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_07_02_20_5_16_14_318631881.jpeg)
What a day!!!!!
Heading back for dinner with Jen and her Sister.
Wayne
Nice pictures,,,, :D fabulous catch,,,,, ;) great way to test a reel out on a fantastic trip,,,,,,,, ;D
Nice diversion from whale watching. I'm glad you had a great trip.
Tight lines, Brendan.
A very nice trip, I'm glad you had a great time Wayne... nice catch!
Thanks for posting.
Sal
Hey great report and as always terrific pictures. You left out the part about Dominick driving you to and from the airport. :D That was a nice marlin. I'm glad the Baja Special worked out, but you have to stop referring to it as Dominick's reel. You paid your money so it is Wayne's reel from now on. You know I'm getting old, are you sure you actually gave me the money for that reel? :-\ Dominick
Nice report Wayne, nice fish, thanks for taking us along, cheers Don.
Great report. But as this site is about our tools, is that Baja Special set up with a Cortez bridge?
Fantastic report as usual Wayne. Beautiful scenery. I bet they have tourists that pay just to go whale watching. Why not fish and whale watch all at once !! Does your Baja reel have the new Cortez DD bridge ?? Nice to see the shifty shift lever thingy in action. Where is lands end and those arches ?? Ive never been south of coos bay Or. so you'll have to excuse the dumb questions
Man, you have all the fun and have really been on a roll.
-steve
Quote from: Dominick on February 08, 2020, 04:40:37 AM
... You left out the part about Dominick driving you to and from the airport. :D That was a nice marlin. I'm glad the Baja Special worked out, but you have to stop referring to it as Dominick's reel. You paid your money so it is Wayne's reel from now on. :-\ Dominick
Yes, we always set up our transportation to and from San Francisco International (SFO) with our ONLY 5-Star, Black Hat Car Service with yes, Dominick! Always on time and usually with a smile :o
And as far as calling the Baja Special Dominick's reel, I say it with the same respect and history as you always say the TANK is from SAL!!!
Wayne
Quote from: Maxed Out on February 08, 2020, 06:04:57 AM
Fantastic report as usual Wayne. Beautiful scenery. I bet they have tourists that pay just to go whale watching. Why not fish and whale watch all at once !! Does your Baja reel have the new Cortez DD bridge ?? Nice to see the shifty shift lever thingy in action. Where is lands end and those arches ?? I've never been south of coos bay Or. so you'll have to excuse the dumb questions
Quote from: Rancanfish on February 08, 2020, 06:00:49 AM
Great report. But as this site is about our tools, is that Baja Special set up with a Cortez bridge?
Rancanfish and Tedmeister!!!!
NO to answer your question, I have NOT had Tom from Cortez Conversions replace the Baja Special Bridge with his super-charged one. need to.
The problem is I don't work on reels to that degree.
I still don't know what happened that day when Alan decided to hit the "ACCEPT" button on my website application!!!
My moniker should be... "I'd rather be fish'n than FIX'N!!!"
I can pull out the bridge and get Tom to do his exchange, BUTT will need Alan, Bryan or Fred to install the parts on my countertop!!!!!
You laugh it is true!!!!
No mention of Alan's 5/0 handle, it too was flawless!!! Need to stop by Alan and have you replace the handle screws with your new SS Socket Head Screws. A nice change over for sure.
Wayne
Wow Wayne! What a catch...I'd love to wrestle one of those birds. Great pics too...thanks for posting! 8)
thanks for taking us on the ride with you Wayne. I always enjoy getting out of the house vicariously.
Quote from: Maxed Out on February 08, 2020, 06:04:57 AM
........ Where is lands end and those arches ?? Ive never been south of coos bay Or. so you'll have to excuse the dumb questions
sorry Wayne, I had to anwer this.
Ted, Cabo or the city of "Los Cabos" is located at the very tip end of the Baja Peninsula, so, its known as "land's end", you have 3 "californias", California, USA, Baja California, Mx and Baja California Sur, Mx, then nothing.
Great job and report! and a great reel for that fish! Good job !
Cheers:
Todd
great report Wayne and nice to see another homerun of the good old Baja Special
PS: you better get that Tom upgrade on that Badboy, you will love the sound and the feel of the solid and smooth SS sleeve and SS dogs
Epic! I did notice Alan's handle, using a bunch myself. Curious as to who wins in Tank v. Whale...
Quote from: steelfish on February 11, 2020, 08:19:46 PM
great report Wayne and nice to see another homerun of the good old Baja Special
Steelfish!!!
Yes, nice drop in to explain to Ted about El Arco and Land's End.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Cabo_San_Lucas
A must unique place in this world for sure!!!
Here is a photo taken from the 17th deck of the cruise ship and we round Land's End from the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Cortez.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_12_02_20_6_12_50_31890894.jpeg)
And a shot from the Sea of Cortez side.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_12_02_20_6_13_13_3189189.jpeg)
Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez "the world's aquarium" for good reason - over 900 species of fish and marine life live here.
https://qz.com/689414/a-dazzling-sea-that-jacques-cousteau-once-called-the-worlds-aquarium-is-now-in-jeopardy/
And I NEVER get tired of seeing the Arch - "El ARCO!" as it is called here.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_12_02_20_6_13_27_318922092.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_12_02_20_6_12_27_318892275.jpeg)
By the Way on our way back to the Port of Los Angeles I photographed this island - anyone know what is the name of the island???
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_12_02_20_6_11_48_318882037.jpeg)
CEDROS ISLAND!!! This from my GPS on my iPhone!!!!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_12_02_20_6_11_37_31887858.png)
Great trip and highly recommend it all for a great vacation for the family and fishing for those who fish!!!!
Wayne
Quote from: steelfish on February 11, 2020, 08:19:46 PM
great report Wayne and nice to see another homerun of the good old Baja Special
PS: you better get that Tom upgrade on that Badboy, you will love the sound and the feel of the solid and smooth SS sleeve and SS dogs
Steelfish!!!!
Based on your sole recommendation, YES, I will pull the Bridge and Gear Sleeve, remove the sleeve and the dogs and send the bridge only to Tom for his magic work. Then, TRY The best I can to put Humpty Dumpty back together again, load it up with 80 lbs. braid and get back fishing.
And always remember... FISH HARD!!!! BUTT PULL HARDER!!!!
Wayne
I remember Cedros Island from a commercial tuna boat trip I was on in the 80's. Left from S.D. and it took most of a day to go past it, till we lost sight of it. Now I know which Island it was. Wikipedia has a fascinating description of everything about it. Surprising that humans have been there for 11,000+ years...
I remember a guy came way out to us from the Island in about a 14 ft. outboard to trade lobster to us for beef.
Thanks for posting, great pictures!
Ted,
Here is another shot of Land's End and El Arco (The Arch) in the morning with fishing boats leaving the harbor making a right turn & rounding Land's End and heading up the Pacific Ocean side for a day of fishing.
NICE!!!! ;)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/31/7588_13_02_20_6_36_10_318931300.png)
beautiful Cabo. thanks for taking us along. Is that the pesky reel that I had to put the bridge back in for you at the beach house?
Hallo Wayne,
I had a big smile in my face when reading your report. perfect day.
Leo
Quote from: Bryan Young on February 13, 2020, 02:43:43 PM
beautiful Cabo. thanks for taking us along. Is that the pesky reel that I had to put the bridge back in for you at the beach house?
YES, Bryan, it is the exact one!!!!
I might call on you to put it all together after I install Tom's (Cortez Conversion) new Bridge Assembly!!!!
Stay Tuned...
Wayne
Thanks Wayne for taking us along with you so to speak. Looks like a perfect vacation to me.
Fishing in a panga with those whales would have been the best fish of the day for me.
Glad you got to do another great trip with your family and Jennifer. Hope to see you again.🎣
ps. Tell your taxi guy hello, for me.🧜♂️
Quote from: gstours on February 15, 2020, 04:13:15 AM
Thanks Wayne for taking us along with you so to speak. Looks like a perfect vacation to me.
Fishing in a panga with those whales would have been the best fish of the day for me.
Glad you got to do another great trip with your family and Jennifer. Hope to see you again.🎣
ps. Tell your taxi guy hello, for me.🧜♂️
Hello, back atcha... Dominick