Mag Bay Departure

THAT'S THE WAY IT IS IN TOWN,
EVER SINCE THEY TORE THE JUKEBOX DOWN

WELL, WE'VE BROKEN CAMP IN MAG BAY AFTER A TRUNCATED BUT SUCCESSFUL 7 WEEK STAY. OUR NORMAL YEAR THERE HAS BEEN MORE LIKE 10 WEEKS BUT DUE TO SOME LATE DECISION MAKING AND A BIT OF AN ISSUE WITH BOAT AVAILABILITY THIS YEAR WAS SHORTENED. FISHING IS FISHING AND THIS YEAR THE MARLIN FISHERY WAS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. WE HAD A COUPLE OF 9 HOOKUP DAYS, MANY DOUBLE HOOKUPS AND EVEN A COUPLE OF TRIPLES. THE YELLOWFIN FISHING WASN'T AS GOOD AS WE'VE SEEN IT, WITH MANY OF THE FISH STILL UP NORTH ON THE RIDGE, PERHAPS TO MOVE DOWN LATER, OR MAYBE NOT. AS MENTIONED IN EARLIER POSTS WE WENT TO A LAND BASED OPERATION THIS YEAR, AS OPPOSED TO THE LIVE ABOARD SITUATION OF PAST YEARS. WHILE PERHAPS LIMITING OUR RANGE A LITTLE BY HAVING TO RETURN TO THE ISLAND EVERY NIGHT, THE OFFSETTING COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE FOR OUR GUESTS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN UNIVERSALLY PREFERRED. THE MEALS THAT CHEF BOBO WAS ABLE TO WHIP UP IN A FULL SIZED KITCHEN WERE ONE OF THE REAL HITS OF THE SEASON. MAKING USE OF THE LOCALLY AVAILABLE FISH AND SHELLFISH HE WAS PUMPIN' OUT GOURMET FAIR ON A DAILY BASIS. AS PREDICTED THE ADDITION OF A TRULY GIFTED CAPTAIN IN THE PERSON OF CAPT. JUAN BEJARANO GAVE US AN ENHANCED WEAPON SET, AND THE ONLY COMPLAINT THAT I HEARD WAS THAT THE CUSTOMERS THOUGHT THAT SOME DAYS JUAN AND CHRIS JUST WOULDN'T STOP FISHIN'! WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD THAT COMPLAINT ABOUT A CHARTER OPERATION? THE PHYSICAL SUCCESS OF THIS YEARS' OPERATION ENCOURAGES US TO TRY FOR PERHAPS SOME FISCAL SUCCESS NEXT YEAR, WITH A FULL SEASON. IF YOU HAVE INTEREST IN THIS PROGRAM PLEASE CONTACT ME AS WE'RE HOPING THAT THE TV PROGRAMS WE MADE THIS YEAR WILL RESULT IN INCREASED DEMAND FOR NEXT YEAR AND WE DON'T WANT ANY OF YOU OLD TIMERS TO MISS OUT ON THIS UNIQUE EXPERIENCE. HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY, AND KEEP IN TOUCH,
D

FILMIN' SOME TELEBISION SPANKY

THERE'S A DRAGON WITH MATCHES LOOSE ON THE TOWN,
TAKE A WHOLE PAIL OF WATER JUST TO COOL HIM DOWN.

WELL, WITH THE CUSTOMER SEASON OVER FOR US AT MAG BAY, WE'RE GONNA TRY TO BRING THIS EXPERIENCE TO YOU VIA TELEVISION. MIKE RITZ, AKA "THE GRIZ", LEFT YESTERDAY WITH SON CHARLEY TO HEAD OVER FOR SOME FILMING. CAPT. JUAN AND BOBO THE DECK HAND/COOK/MORALE OFFICER WILL TAKE THE RITZI AND CAMERA MAN AUGUSTINE OUT TO SEA, TO SEE WHAT IT IS THAT THEY CAN SEE. HOPIN' TO MAKE 3-4 PROGRAMS TO AIR ON WFN NEXT YEAR. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THE LAY OUT THIS LAST YEAR GIVE IT A LOOK. WE'RE GONNA UPGRADE A COUPLE OF THE DETAILS, BUT WERE GETTIN' IT DIALED IN. WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU THERE IN 2012.
D

Got to Pay the Piper

ANOTHER GOOD WEEK AT MAG BAY WITH MARLIN AND WAHOO TAKING THE BIG FISH PRIZE. CHRIS REPORTS THAT 70% OF THE MARLIN THEY'VE HOOKED IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS HAVE BEEN ON A COMBINATION OF SUPERBAR MEATBALL BARS TOWIN' A PIPER JIG. FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS JIG THEY ARE MADS BY LEGEND LURES, A COMPANY OPERATED BY OUR FRIEND RODDY HAYES. RODDY IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS MARLIN FISHERMEN ALIVE IN THE WORLD TODAY, WITH TIME SPENT IN AUSTRALIA, MADIERA, AND NOW FLORIDA. HE'S A GREAT GUY, FUNNY MAN, AND BUILDS A BUNCH OF VERY GOOD LURES. THE PIPERS ARE HIS OWN DESIGN, AND ARE DESIGNED TO WORK AT SPEEDS UP TO 18 KNOTS. LOTS OF LURES CATCH FISHERMEN, SOMRE OF THEM CATCH FISH, AND RODDYS' CATCH BOTH!. THIS REPRESENTS OUR LAST CUSTOMER WEEK OVER AT MAG BAY. NEXT WEEK WE'LL BE MAKING TV SHOWS THERE FOR BROADCAST NEXT YEAR ON WFN AND WILD TV CABLE NETWORKS. WE'VE HAD A GOOD YEAR THERE, AND MY NEXT REPORT WILL TRY TO SUM THAT ALL UP.
THANKS,
DAVID

SO, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET AN A+?

WE MAY NOT BE THERE YET, BUT YESTERDAY WAS A FLIRTIN' WITH IT. 9 MARLIN, COUNT'EM 9, ON THE HOOK WITH 6 TO THE BOAT. THAT INCLUDES ONE TRIPLE HOOK UP THAT MUST HAVE BEEN EITHER A KLUSTER PHUQUE DELUXE, OR PERHAPS MORE LIKE THE DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRIES. AT ANY RATE, IT'S RAINING HERE IN LA PAZ TODAY, DON'T KNOW ABOUT MB YET, BUT I'M WAITIN'. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU, YOURS, AND THE OTHER GUYS'.
DAVID JONES

David Thede

BACK IN FOURTH GRADE THE GUY THAT THIS ARTICLE IS NAMED AFTER RECEIVED AN A+ FROM A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER THAT WAS TEACHING OUR CLASS. IF 100% IS AN A, THEN HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU GET AT A+? STUCK WITH ME EVER SINCE. GET OVER IT! YOU CRY, OR WHY IS HE TALKING ABOUT THIS? WELL, I'LL TELL YA', IN THE FISHING BUSINESS WE ARE CONSTANTLY BEING ASKED, "HOW'S THE FISHING?" AND ALTHOUGH IT IS THE MOST LOGICAL OF QUESTIONS, ONE DOES OVER THE YEARS GET A LITTLE BORED OF IT, AND YOU TRY TO COME UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS TO ANSWER THAT SAME OLD QUESTION. OVER THE YEARS I DEVELOPED A LOT OF FISHING EXPERIENCE AND SO MY GRADING CURVE BECAME, AT LEAST STATISTICALLY SPEAKING MORE ACCURATE. WHEN I FIRST CAME TO LA PAZ I DISCOVERED THAT WHAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT OF AS GRADE "A" FISHING WAS NOT, AND SO THE CURVE SHIFTED, AND SOME OF THE DAYS HERE HAVE CERTAINLY TESTED THE "THEDE THEORY", BUT YOU HOLD THE LINE. THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS IN MAG BAY WE HAD SOME DAYS THAT WERE SO FAR ABOVE MY PREVIOUS "A" LINE THAT I WAS FORCED TO RECONSIDER THE "A+" THING. NOW, WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY OF THOSE DAYS YET IN THE FIRST THREE WEEKS AT MAG, BUT THE FISHING HAS BEEN GOOD. MARLIN,TUNA,DORADO,YELLOWTAIL,CABRILLA,GROUPER, AND WAHOO HAVE ALL BEEN CAUGHT. WE'RE HEARING THROUGH THE GUAYABA LINE THAT THERE ARE A BUNCH OF FISH UP NORTH, ON THE RIDGE AND AT THETIS, AND THIS IS GOOD, AS THESE FISH ARE MOVING SOUTH WITH THE HUMBOLDT CURRENT, TOWARDS US. WE HAVE A GROUP OF HEARTY ALASKATONIANS BEGINNING THERE WEEK TODAY, AND I WILL REPORT AS I AM REPORTED TO. THANKS DAVID.
THANKS,
DAVID

WEEK #2 MAG BAY UPDATE

AFTER A WEEKEND WHERE THE SOUTHERN BAJA RECEIVED IT'S FIRST SIGNIFICANT RAIN IN SEVERAL YEARS, OUR STALWART CREW IS BACK ON THE WATER. LAND BASED THIS WEEK, AND A LITTLE DIFFERENT. WE HAD THIS ONE WEEK WHERE CASA LANGOSTA WAS ALREADY BOOKED AND SO WE ARE USING ONE OF THE NEWER HOTELITOS IN TOWN, AND DINING AT JUAN CARLOS' RESTAURANT. FIRST FISHING DAY OF THE WEEK YIELDED OUR FIRST TUNA, THREE OF THEM IN THE 40-50LB. RANGE, ALL TAKEN ON ARCHER BARS. THIS WAS NO MEAN FEAT AS APPARENTLY THE OTHER BOATS TRYING TO TUNAFY SAW FISH BUT COULDN'T CATCH 'EM. YELLOWTAIL, AND A FEW DORADO ROUNDED OUT THE CATCH. A WORD OF THANKS TO FENWICK, OUR SWISS ARMY KNIFE OF A FRIEND WHO IS ALTERNATELY A NIGHT WATCHMAN, TRUSTED CONFIDANT, MECHANIC, AND MAN SERVANT. "FENNY" WAS INADVERTENTLY A VERY LARGE HELP IN GETTING THIS YEAR OFF THE GROUND, AND WAS REWARDED BY BEING MAROONED ON THE ISLAND FOR A DAY, WHICH HE REFERRED TO AS THE "HIGH POINT". I DIDN'T ASK HIM WHAT HE WAS DOING OUT THERE. FENWICK LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON MAG BAY, AND IT ON HIM. HE WILL BE MISSED, UNTIL 2012. MORE UPDATES MANANA,
DAVID

MURMURATIONS FROM MAGDELENA

GETTING READY TO LOAD UP FOR WEEK 2. THE RHYTHM OF THIS PROJECT IS SO MUCH DIFFERENT THAN OUR NORMAL STUFF IN LA PAZ. DURING OUR SEA OF CORTEZ "SEASON" WE HAVE FOLKS IN AND OUT EVERYDAY, ANY DAY, BUT OVER TO THE WEST WE LOAD IN ON MONDAYS AND OUT ON SATURDAYS, VERY FOCUSED GATHERING OF SUPPLIES, SERVICES, CUSTOMERS, AND THEN A LAUNCH OF ALL. HAD A COUPLE OF MINOR FLUBS IN WEEK 1, LEARNED SOME LESSONS, RELEARNED ONE OR TWO, BUT AS ALWAYS THE BEAUTY OF THE LOCATION AND THE QUALITY OF THE FISHING TEND TO MINIMIZE THE MINOR FAILINGS OF MERE MORTALS. THIS LAST WEEK WAS MARLIN, DORADO, YELLOWTAIL, AND CABRILLA. WHILE A GOOD WEEK IN MAG BAY, THIS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE IN LA PAZ AS THERE IS NEVER A TIME HERE WHERE ALL OF THESE SPECIES ARE CATCHABLE AT THE SAME TIME. THIS WEEK SOME TIME DOWN TOWARDS TOSCA LOOKING AT MORE MARLIN AND MAYBE SOME WAHOO, AND THEN......
I'M CERTAIN THAT OUR CRACK CREW, AN ADJECTIVE NOT A NOUN IN THIS CASE!, WILL CONFER WITH OUR EXPERT CUSTOMERS, DEVOUR A FEW SHRIMP, WATCH THE ANTS WALK DOWN CLIFFS CARRYING PEANUTS, AND THEN FLIP A COIN. ONE OF THE CONUNDRUMS OF MAG BAY IS WHICH WAY TO GO, THERE'S STUFF IN ALL DIRECTIONS, BUT DIFFERENT STUFF. THE GOOD SIDE IS THAT WITH 4 DAYS YOU CAN DO IT ALL! WE HAVE REGULAR IF NOT CONSTANT CONTACT WITH CASA LANGOSTA AND I WILL REPORT AS THERE IS STUFF TO REPORT.
FISHING IN LA PAZ IS TURNING INTO THE FALL KIND. MARLIN, DORADO, SIERRA. WATER CONSUMPTION HAS FALLEN WITH THE TEMPERATURE AND WHILE WE WERE AVERAGING 5-6 LITER BOTTLES OF LIFE JUICE/DAY/PANGA JUST A FEW WEEKS PAST, NOW 2 WILL DO IT. THE OL' CIRCLE HOOK OF LIFE.
DAVID

"Got to be Heaven, 'cuz here's where the rainbow ends"

"I never could read no road map, I don't know what the weather might do.
But hear that witch wind whinin and see that dog star shinin',
I got a feelin there's no time to lose, no time to lose."

WELL, IT'S KINDA LIKE BEING IN THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER, LOTS OF STUFF TO KEEP TRACK OF AND COMMUNICATE, NO WAY TO REALLY DO ANYTHING. OUR SAGA IS TAKING PLACE IN TWO SEPARATE PLACES, WITH THE GOAL TO MAKE IT ONE. CAPT. BEJARANO AND HIS TRUSTED DECKHAND SMEE ARE IN CABO. IT'S 140 MILES FROM CABO TO MAG BAY, AND IT'S ALL UP HILL THIS TIME OF YEAR. WHILE THE WEATHER AT MAG BAY ITSELF IS VERY FISHABLE, THE WEATHER IN BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES HAS NOT BEEN, AND SO CAPT. B AND S HAVE TRIED TWICE TO BRING THE BOAT UP TO MAG BAY, AND TURNED BACK TWICE. IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THEY WILL GET THERE TODAY HOWEVER, AND AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING ARE ALREADY PLYING THE BRINY. MEANWHILE OUR FIRST WEEKS CUSTOMERS HAD TO COOL IT FOR A DAY IN LA PAZ, AND THEN HEADED OVER WITH BOBO, WHO HAD TAKEN THE BUS BACK FROM CABO, TO SAN CARLOS. THEY SPENT THE NIGHT IN SAN CARLOS AND THEN TOOK THE PANGA WITH JUAN III TO THE HOUSE, ALONG WITH ALL OF THE SUPPLIES TO MAKE OUR HOVEL A HOME. WHILE BOBO AND JUAN III SET UPON THE DOMESTIC CHORES OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS WENT OUT FISHING WITH SOME FRIENDS OF OURS IN SAN CARLOS, THE FIRST DAY OF OUR MAG'NIFICENT 2011 SEASON. ONE OF THE FISHERPERSONS HAS NEVER CAUGHT EITHER A MARLIN OR A WAHOO, AND OUR GOAL THIS WEEK IS TO RIGHT THIS INJUSTICE. YESTERDAY PART 1 WAS CORRECTED, WITH THE TAKING, AND RELEASING, OF 2 STRIPED MARLIN AND ANOTHER LOST AFTER 1/2 HOUR. THEY ALSO TOOK A DORADO WHICH BOBO TURNED INTO A SUMPTUOUS REPAST SOME HOURS LATER. THEY HAD A GOOD TIME, AND WERE ENSCONCED AT CASA LANGOSTA BEFORE SUNSET. IT'S STARTIN' TO SHAPE UP. WHEN CAPT. JUAN AND SMEE ARRIVE IN MAG BAY THIS EVENING ALL THE PIECES OF THE PUZZLE WILL BE IN PLACE AND CAPT. JUAN AND BOBO CAN BEGIN TO MAKE THEIR MAGIC. I KNOW THAT IT'S A BIT COMPLICATED, AT LEAST FOR ME, AND BEING ABLE TO TALK WITH THESE GUYS EVERY FEW HOURS BY CELL IS BOTH A BLESSING AND TORTURE TO THOSE OF US WHO ARE DESKLOCKED. THE FISH ARE THERE, THE PLAYERS ARE ALL ABOUT TO CONVERGE, THE CUSTOMERS ARE HAPPY, IT'S GETTIN' GOOD. MAG BAY AIN'T AN EASY THING TO SETUP, GET TO, OR OPERATE, BUT THE BEST THINGS HARDLY EVER ARE.

MEANWHILE THE FISHING IN LA PAZ HAS BEEN GOOD, NOT GREAT. THE LAST THREE DAYS HAVE BEEN OUR FIRST STRONG BLOW OF THE FALL, AND THAT IS LIMITING. STRIPED MARLIN, A FEW DORADO, AND SOME BITTEN OFF RAPALA'S HAVE KEPT FOLKS ENTERTAINED AND FILL UP THE FREEZER AS WELL, SO WHILE NOT EXCELLENT, IT AIN'T BAD.
AS USUAL ALL NAMES HAVE BEEN DISGUISED OR OMMITTED, ON THE OFF CHANCE, THAT ONE OR TWO OF THEM MIGHT BE INNOCENT OF SOMETHING.

"I'm still walkin', so I'm sure that I can dance,
Just a Saint of Circumstance."

all quoted lyrics by Robert Hunter

Now the Shore Lights Beckon. Yeah, There's a Price for Bein' Free. John Perry Barlow

5AM, HANS AND I HAVE JUST LOADED THE FREEZER AND BIG BOXES FULL OF VERY IMPORTANT SHIT TO HEAD OUT TO MAG BAY. TODAY BEGINS THE SETTING UP OF OUR OUTPOST ON THE ISLAND. CHRIS, HANS, AND CAPT. MOLIDA WILL BRING THE BOAT UP FROM CABO THIS WEEKEND, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A GALE! EL ABROGADO Y SU NINA WILL ARRIVE ON MONDAY, AND THE MAG BAY SEASON FOR US WILL BE OPEN. WE HEAR REPORTS OF WAHOO, DORADO, AND STRIPERS. ALL THE PLANNIN', WORRYIN' AND SUCH IS ABOUT TO TURN INTO REAL EVERYDAY PROBLEMS, AND THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH. SIGNING OFF, AND HITTIN' THE ROAD FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS,
DAVID

Your Heart Has Its' Seasons, Its' Evenin's, and Thoughts of Its' Own - r hunter

THE WEATHER HAS BEEN A MIX. 2-3 DAYS OF AIR FROM THE SOUTH, HUMIDITY, AND HOT, AND THEN 2 DAYS OF LIGHT NW BREEZE WITH COOLER, STILL HOT, DRY AIR. ON THE CUSP, AS THOSE WHO SAY THAT SAY. TUNA BITE CONTINUES, ALTHOUGH ON THE MOVE. THE LAST 10 DAYS OR SO IT'S BEEN ALL THE WAY UP TO LA REYNA, A LONG HAUL TO BE SURE, BUT SOME BOATS WERE GETTIN' IN TIME FOR 11-12 TUNA TO 60LB. BEFORE HAVING TO HIT THE 2:15 FOR MUERTOS STATION. THE OL' DOC AND CREW WERE DOWN HERE, AND THEY ARE SOME OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITES, GENTLEMEN TO A FAULT, SLIGHTLY EVIL SENSES OF HUMOR, THE WHOLE PACKAGE. YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES YOU'VE THOUGHT HOW MUCH IT WOULD HURT IF YOU HAD YOUR FINGER(S) WRAPPED AROUND THE GUNNEL WHEN ANOTHER BOAT DECIDED TO BUMP GUNNELS? WELL ONE OF DOCS' CREW FOUND OUT. THE ANSWER? "A SHITLOAD". MOST OF THE PAD OF VICTIMS THUMB WAS MOSTLY REMOVED FROM SAID THUMB. A LITTLE TAPE, AND KEEP FISHIN'. BACK TO THE EVENING BIVOUAC AND THE DOC JUMPED ON IT LIKE A NASCAR PIT CREW WITH 4 TIRES TO TURN. A FEW STITCHES WHILE THE VICTIM ADDED IN SITU ADVICE WHILE TUCKING IN THE STICKING OUT PIECES. A FEW MORE STITCHES THAN YOUR AVERAGE THONG, AND OUT HE ROARED ONTO THE TRACK, READY FOR MORE. GREAT BUNCH. SPENT BIG PARTS OF THE WEEKEND DOWN TO LAS BARAILLES FOR A CHARITY FISHING TOURNAMENT. GOOD CAUSE, RATHER FISH LAS ARENAS. BOBO'S PULLIN' INTO TOWN TODAY, AND THE LAST MINUTE EFFORTS TO POLISH THE DETAILS AT MAG BAY WILL START IN EARNEST. SEE YOU SHORTLY,
DAVID

In the thick of the evening, when the dealing got rough. She was too pat to open and too cool to bluff.

North winds, not big bad nortes, but merely enough to blow away the infernal humidity and turn not one, but three hurricanes to climes elsewhere. Yippee! Another yippee worthy milestone was passed this week, we have sold out the 2011 Magdelena Bay safari. We started late on this one, details such as lodging and boat were hanging out like a flap of paper from your cheeks, but some extremely stalwart characters wisely stepped up to the bar. Names will not be bandied about here as the innocent and nearly innocent must be protected, but these guys are in for the trip of a lifetime, the fishinestlobsstersuckinestbaitballinest time that only one with an imagination like our departed friend Steve had could conceive of. Most of these guys are repeaters from 2 years ago and we've listened to their 2 main ideas about how to improve the trip, and done so. Thanks to those salty hands, and welcome to the Mag Virgins, who will soon have the worldly look that only really gettin' it done can bring.
This years' truncated effort is in part to check a new set up there, with evenings spent on land, days spent at faster than 8 kt. and friendships bred by experiences rather than proximity. Marcos, Miguel, Carne Molida, and of course His Boboness all got done what it took to get it done, and I'm jazzed. Thanks Gang! We'll be making some TV shows to promote 2012 and have some big ideas, which could turn into big plans, which will hopefully transition through the big headache phase and blossom into big fun. Think about it for 2012. The offshore stuff goes on mid Oct.-mid Dec.

david

Two Ways to Look at Transportation

SON CHRIS NEEDED TO HEAD FOR THE STATES BY CAR. HE HAD ARRANGED FOR A FRIEND TO ACCOMPANY HIM, BUT SOMEWHERE IN THE METAMORPHOSIS FROM PLAN TO ACTION THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN. I DON'T DRIVE NORTH ALONE ANYMORE, UNLESS I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO, AND AM NOT THRILLED ABOUT THE IDEA OF HIM DOING IT EITHER. TOOK A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE, CALLED IN SOME FAVORS FROM EMPLOYEES AND FRIENDS, AND FIGURED OUT HOW TO HELP HIM, AND MYSELF. BEEN HOT DOWN HERE, TOO HOT, AND HUMID, FOR ME. MAKES IT HARD TO DEVELOP ANY FORWARD INERTIA, FINE FOR FISHING BUT NOT FOR WORKING. VIOLA, I'LL DRIVE NORTH WITH CHRIS AND GET MY ASS BACK TO LA PAZ AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SHAZAMM, VOLARIS HAS ADDED A SECOND FLIGHT AT 6PM AND IT GOES ON SUNDAYS. SO WE DECIDED TO DRIVE UP SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND SUNDAY, BLOW BY THE TJ AIRPORT AND DROP OFF THE BALLAST (ME) AND CHRIS CAN CROSS THE BORDER. THIS WOULD GIVE HIM COMPANY AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE, GIVE ME A CHANCE TO BRIEFLY SURFACE IN LESS TROPICAL CLIMES,GRAB A HUGE GULP OF COOLER DRYER AIR, AND GET BACK IN PLENTY OF TIME TO CONTINUE THE CAMPAIGN. IT WAS A GOOD PLAN, OFF THE WALL ENOUGH TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION, BUT DRIVEN BY THE DESIRE TO HELP, FRANTIC ENOUGH TO SEEM FUN, BUT WITH ENOUGH ROOM IN THE SCHEDULE TO ACTUALLY WORK. FLAKY BUT PRACTICAL, RIGHT UP MY ALLEY. WE LEFT ABOUT 3PM ON SATURDAY, AND PULLED INTO SAN IGNACIO ABOUT 10:30. ON PAST TRIPS I HAVEN'T HAD GOOD LUCK WITH HOTELS IN S.I., EITHER TOO EXPENSIVE OR EQUIPPED WITH THINGS THAT CRAWL OVER ME WHEN I'M TRYING TO SLEEP. SAW A NEW PLACE AND DECIDED TO GIVE IT A TRY. GOOD HOTEL, LOUSY NEIGHBORS. FOUR TATTOOED GUYS FROM CALIFORNIA DECIDED THAT SITTIN' ON THE FRONT STOOP THAT JOINED MY ROOM AND THEIRS AND TALKIN' UNTIL 3 WHILE DRINKING MASS QUANTITIES OF BEER WAS A GOOD IDEA. THEIR CONVERSATION GOT LOUDER, AND STUPIDER, AND MY ATTEMPTS TO REMIND THEM THAT "SOME OF US ARE TRYING TO SLEEP" FELL ON INCAPACITATED EARS. AT 4AM WE WERE GONE. I TOOK MY TURN SLEEPING AND THEN CHRIS HIS, AND WE WERE IN ENSENADA, STOPPED AT A PLACE WITH THE BEST TACOS AND TORTAS THAT I'VE HAD IN MANY A LUNA. I REALLY ENJOYED SPENDING THE TIME WITH CHRIS, CHECKING OUT THE INTERESTING FLORA (CHRIS INTRODUCED ME TO "BLUE PALMS") AND FAUNA THAT OWN THE BAJA. I HAD A GREAT TIME, TATTOOS ASIDE. AT THE TJ AIRPORT I WAS DETAINED BY SECURITY AS THEY THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS I WAS ONE DAVID TIMOTHY JONES, 32 YEARS OLD AND BLACK, FROM TENNESSEE, BUT THAT WAS STRAIGHTENED OUT IN 1/2 HOUR. THEY WERE VERY NICE, AND REMINDED ME THAT THE SYSTEM THAT THEY WERE USING, AND THE FACT THAT THEY WERE USING IT AT ALL WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE SUPPORTING "YOUR COUNTRYS'" EFFORTS TO MAKE THE PLANET SAFE. THE VOLARIS GUYS WERE GREAT, AS USUAL, THE GUY SITTING IN FRONT OF ME COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THAT HIS SEAT WOULD HAVE RECLINED JUST FINE, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR MY KNEES WHICH HAD NOWHERE ELSE TO BE. AFTER SLAMMIN' BACK A FEW TIMES WE WORKED IT OUT, BUT I DO NOT EXPECT A CHRISTMAS CARD. GIVEN A CHOICE OF DRIVING OR FLYING, LET ME DRIVE, MUCH MORE CIVILIZED, NOT MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE, AND IT'S ALL A MATTER OF WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR TIME. I HAVE EXPRESSED THIS SENTIMENT IN THE PAST, AND FURTHER EXPERIENCE JUST DRIVES IT HOME. I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THE NEXT EXPRESS IS LEAVIN', MAYBE WE'LL HAVE A SEAT OR TWO FOR YOU, I PROMISE NOT TO RECLINE.
DAVID

It's kinda like drivin' through Oregon, lookin' for trees

THE BEAT GOES ON. TINY SARDINES, NICE TUNA. HARD TO THINK OF ANY OTHER EXPERIENCE OTHER THAN FLY FISHING WHERE THE RATIO OF BAIT SIZE TO FISH SIZE IS SO EXTREME, BUT IT WOIKS. REPORTS OF SOME LARGER DORADO AND BLUE MARLIN NOT FAR SOUTH HAVE GOT US THINKING THAT MAYBE THEY'RE ABOUT TO GET HERE, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, AND JUST IN TIME FOR YOU FALL TYPES. THANKS FOR TOLERATING MY SNIVELING ABOUT JANE BEING GONE IN EARLIER WRITINGS, SHE'S HOME NOW, NONE TO HAPPY ABOUT THE HEAT, BUT HOME. BOY WERE THE DOGS HAPPY TO SEE HER, OL' DREX WAS JUMPIN' STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR ABOUT 5 FEET AND CLEARLY COULD NOT CONTAIN HIS JOY. I TOO WAS VERY HAPPY, BUT AM VERTICALLY CHALLENGED COMPARED TO HIM. FOR ANY OF YOU THAT ARE CONTEMPLATING A NEW DOG, AND WHO ARE FAMILIAR AND COMFORTABLE WITH THE INTELLIGENCE AND POSSESSIVENESS THAT SHEPHERDS COME WITH WOULD DO YOURSELF WELL TO LOOK AT THE BELGIAN SHEPHERD, OR MALINOIS, I SURE DO LOVE MINE,
DAVID

a TINY bit different

PURSUANT TO LAST WRITING SON CHRIS AND I DECIDED TO GO OUT FOR TUNA. WE ONLY HAD A FEW HOURS, BUT NEEDED TO SCRATCH THE ITCH, JONESING IF YOU WILL. TAKING A RIDE OVER TO CERRALVO FOR BAIT I WAS A LITTLE BEFUDDLED BY THE NET THE CAPTAIN HAD WITH HIM. I USUALLY BUY THE BAIT NETS IN BULK FOR THESE GUYS, AND THIS WAS NOT ONE OF MY PURCHASES. THE OPENINGS IN THE NET WERE TINY, NOT QUITE A COFFEE FILTER, BUT SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER THAN WHAT I BUY. I KNOW THAT THE CAPTAINS DON'T LIKE THESE AS THEY SINK TOO SLOWLY AND DON'T LET THE TINIEST OF FISHES ESCAPE. LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT WE WERE AFTER THE TINIEST OF FISHES. WE GOT ABOUT A MILLION SARDINIA, BUT THEY WERE NO LONGER THAN AN INCH, AND THAT MIGHT BE A FISHERMANS' EXAGGERATION. "PITIFUL" I THOUGHT TO MYSELF AS VISIONS OF #14 TROUT HOOKS AND TRYING TO GET 30LB. FLUOROCARBON THROUGH THAT LITTLE BITTY HOLE WERE PASSING THROUGH BY HAIRLESS HEAD. EVEN WITH YEARS OF TRAINING TO THE CONTRARY I STILL FALL FOR THE "DA' BIGGADA'" THEORY. WRONG AGAIN OH CORPULENT ONE! FIRST ENRIQUE BEGAN BY CHUMMING HAND FULLS OF THESE BITTY DEVILS, IT WAS ACTUALLY MORE LIKE CASTING CORN TO CHICKENS, AND THEN LOADED A COUPLE OR THREE ON A #1 HOOK AND LET OUT A BUNCH O' LINE. STILL FEELING A LITTLE SHEEPISH I QUICKLY TURNED BACK INTO THE SAME OLD GOAT WHEN CLICKETY CLICK, OUT SHE WENT. 35LB. YELLOWFIN. IN A COUPLE OF HOURS WE GOT 2 MORE BIGGER THAN THE FIRST, AND LOST ONE, WHICH WAS OF COURSE HUGE, AS IT GOT AWAY. LESSON HERE: SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO MATCH THE AVAILABLE BAIT RATHER THAN TO BRING IN THE RONPOPEILSUPERMEGADELUXEGOTTAHAVEITGIANTBAITAMOBOB. LESSON LEARNED, AGAIN.
DAVID

ODE TO A YELLOWFIN

EACH OF THE FISHES DOWN HERE HAS IT'S OWN DOSSIER (KINDA LIKE A DOSSEY, BUT DIFFERENT). PARGON ARE THE BADDEST THINGS AROUND, LIKE 4 ENGINE FULLY BLOWN FUEL TRACTORS AT A PULL. WAHOO ARE THE CAFE RACERS, ELEGANT, STREAMLINED, FAST AS HELL AND DANGEROUS AS A WIFE ON A FORGOTTEN ANNIVERSARY. DORADO ARE THE Z28'S, ACCESSIBLE TO MANY FAST AND FUN, UNREFINED BUT FLASHY AND COOL. MARLIN ARE THE MERCEDES LIMOS, ELEGANT, BEAUTIFUL, SURPRISINGLY FAST AND POWERFUL. BUT THEN THERE ARE THE YELLOWFIN TUNA, DUAL TURBO PORSCHE CARRERAS, THE PINNACLE OF THE EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS, EVERY PIECE A FINELY TUNED FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENT AS WELL AS A BEAUTIFUL WORK OF ART. SMALL MOUTHS COUPLED WITH EXTRA GILL AREA TO FACILITATE THE INTAKE OF OXYGEN WITH THE SMALLEST IMPACT TO SPEED. VIRTUALLY SCALELESS, TIGHTLY STRETCHED SKIN,ALONG THE LINES BUT SO MUCH MORE EVOLVED THAN THE OLYMPIC SWIMMING "SUITS" USED NOWADAYS (STREAMLINED). ALL OF THE TENDONS CONNECTED TO THE TAIL GIVING IT A MUCH DIFFERENT SWIMMING MOTION THAN A NORMAL FISH (REAR ENGINED). MANY CONTROL SURFACES, VERTICAL STABILIZERS ON THE TAIL, FINLETTES DOWN THE TOP AN BOTTOM ALL THE WAY TO THE TAIL TO MAKE SURE THAT TURBULENCE AND CAVITATION ARE KEPT TO A MINIMUM (GROUND EFFECTS). FINS THAT TUCK AWAY INTO RECESSES TO JUST FLAT OUT FLY WHEN REQUIRED. A NETWORK OF CAPILLARIES JUST UNDER THE SKIN THAT TAKE CARE OF PREHEATING MUSCLES FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE WHEN HUNTING, ESPECIALLY WHEN HUNTING DEEP. YES, THEY ARE TO SOME DEGREE WARM BLOODED, WHICH LEAVES ALMOST ALL OTHER FISH IN THE DUST, EVOLUTIONARILY SPEAKING. AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE GRILL YET. WELL 2011 IS TURNING OUT TO BE ONE OF OUR BEST TUNA YEARS EVER. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME LULLS, ESPECIALLY AROUND FULL MOONS AND SUCH, BUT JUST WHEN THEY'VE SLOWED DOWN FOR A FEW DAYS, THEY COME ROARING BACK WITH 10 ACRE DISPLAYS OF GLUTTONY AND BALLET, LIKE TODAY. I JUST LOVE DEASE GUYS, AND FELT LIKE SAYING SO,
david

Una semana de enselada

One of the nicest things that I think La Paz has to offer is variety. This week has proved that, even with a fairly limited crew. Dorado to 30, tuna to 55, pargo mulatto to 20, amberjack to 60, wahoo to 40, more skipjack than you'd want to count, 2 sailfish, and striped marlin. You might not get what you want, but if you try at this time, you just might find, that you get what you need.
David

phil, phil, phil I want you should catch fish!

Were using Phil as an example here, but only because he is a prince of a guy. Phil is a big fan of tuna, and wants me to call/email him when the tuna bite is good. Well Phil, I'm not sure whether to contact you or not. We've caught tuna everyday this week, but I'm not sure if they'll hang around. I think that the might, as they are all over this part of the ocean, but you're such a great guy, I really don't want to get you all the way down here and have you be disappointed, "Well, you should have been here yesterday fellah" We've been getting fish 30-50 pounds, with the bite tending to be in the afternoon with the major tide change. Fish have been at the south point of the island, Punta Perico, and Punta Pescadero. Sardines, cedar plugs, Rapala's , cocinero, all seem to work. I guess that I'm not sure yet whether to contact you, maybe I'll just wait one more day and see how they did today.......
David

IT'S MY 2 CENTS, AND SO HERE THEY ARE, LA PAZ VS. LAS ARENAS

THE FISHING THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS HAS SLOWED WITH MEDIUM DORADO HOLDING UP THE LARGEST PART OF THE GAME. RICK "EL GUAPO" (APPARENTLY THERE'S MORE THAN ONE) DIAZ BATTLED A 70LB. YELLOWFIN TO ITS' FINS, AND A COUPLE OF MARLIN HOOKED, BUT THE VARYING WINDS, SMALL LOCAL STORM FRONTS, LARGE CURRENTS ON THE NEW MOON, AND BOUNCING BAROMETER HAVEN'T BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY KIND OF LATE, MAYBE TODAY....
IN LIEU OF VERBOSE REPORT OF OUR GREAT SUCCESSES A SMALL COLUMN ON MY MIND:

EVEN THOUGH THE FISHING GROUNDS ACCESSIBLE FROM LA PAZ ARE WITHIN SITE OF THOSE REACHED FROM LAS ARENAS, THE SIMILARITY ENDS THERE. I RUN BOATS FROM BOTH PLACES, AND MAKE ABOUT THE SAME MONEY EITHER WAY, SO I HAVE 16 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH THESE LOCATIONS, AND NO AXE TO GRIND. WHILE THERE ARE DAYS WHEN THE FISHING OUT OF LA PAZ BAY IS BETTER, AND THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES LIKE 10 YEARS AGO WHEN BIG YELLOWFIN HUNG OUT AT THE BAJO FOR A FEW YEARS, I MYSELF FISH EXCLUSIVELY LAS ARENAS. FOR ME THIS COMES DOWN TO TWO BASIC DECIDING ISSUES:

#1 BETTER FISHING: I WATCH IT DAY IN AND DAY OUT AND THE VARIETY AND QUALITY OF FISH AT LAS ARENAS IS SUPERIOR. IT IS FURTHER FROM THE POPULATION CENTER, AND THEREFOR GETS SOME LESS PRESSURE, THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE AREA OFFERS AN ALMOST UNLIMITED SELECTION OF SHORELINE, SEA MOUNTS, SPIRES, AND THIS GIVES YOU MORE OPTIONS, MORE PLAN "B'S", AND MORE OPPORTUNITY IF THE WEATHER IS AN ISSUE. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT THE AREA AROUND THE BAJO DOES NOT HOLD AN AWFUL LOT OF MARLIN, BUT THE LOCALS REALLY AREN'T ALL THAT PROFICIENT, A MATTER THAT MY PARTNERS AND I ARE ATTEMPTING TO ADDRESS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

(Hint A: #s 1 and 2 are not unrelated, how to weight them is difficult, but they are not independent events)

#2 BETTER CAPTAINS: AGAIN, AFTER 16 YEARS OF THIS, I FIND ON WHOLE THE LOYALTY, PROFESSIONALISM, TALENT, EXPERIENCE, AND WORK ETHIC OF THE CAPTAINS AT LAS ARENAS TO BE VASTLY SUPERIOR. ARE THERE GOOD CAPTAINS FROM LA PAZ? OF COURSE, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF VERY TALENTED MEN WORKING FROM THE TOWN, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO GATHERING BAIT, WORKING A FULL DAY, AND JUST TRYING HARD, THE LAS ARENAS GROUP THAT WE HAVE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO BEAT. CAPTAINS IN LA PAZ TEND TO HAVE OTHER JOBS, AND OFTEN USE SOMEONE ELSE'S BOAT. WHILE THIS DOESN'T PRECLUDE BEING A GOOD CAPTAIN, GIVE ME THE GUY WHO FISHES EVERYDAY, WHO WHEN THERE AREN'T ROD AND REEL CUSTOMERS TO GO OUT WITH GOES COMMERCIAL FISHING, AND WHO LIVES AND SURVIVES SOLELY ON HIS FISHING SKILLS. IT AIN'T A HOBBY.

"YEAH, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE VAN RIDE?" WHAT ABOUT IT? I'D RATHER GO 50 MINUTES IN A VAN WHERE I CAN AND DO SLEEP THAN POUND FOR 2 1/2 HOURS IN A PANGA TO GET OUT TO THE BAJO.

"BUT I LIKE BUYING THE BAIT, IT SAVES TIME." IT MIGHT SAVE TIME, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT YOU GET A BUNCH OF STRESSED BAIT THAT DOESN'T LAST THE DAY, AND THAT'S IF IT IS TODAYS' BAIT. THERE ARE CAPTAINS OUT OF LA PAZ, LIKE JUAN ROMERO, WHO ARE EXPERT AT GATHERING BAIT WITH A THROW NET, BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING THE CAPTAINS OUT OF LA PAZ DON'T, AND MOSTLY CAN'T USE A NET. I'D MUCH RATHER SPEND AN HOUR GETTING A TANK FULL OF FRESH BAIT THAN PAY $20 FOR A SMALL SCOOP OF SOON TO BE DEAD BAIT.

"BUT THEY USE SUPER PANGAS OUT OF LA PAZ." YES THEY DO, AND THERE IS AN ARGUMENT TO BE MADE WHEN FISHING WITH THREE IN A BOAT AS MANY OF THE SUPER PANGAS HAVE BENCH SEATING, BUT FOR TWO PEOPLE, THE SUPER AND NONSUPER PANGAS ARE BUILT ON THE SAME HULL, AND WHEN YOU PUT A CENTER CONSOLE IN IT, YOU TAKE UP MY ROOM IN THE BOAT. I'LL TAKE A NONSUPER PANGA ANY TIME, BASIC, ELEGANT, SIMPLE, WITH TWO MOVING PARTS, MOTOR AND CAPTAIN. I DON'T FALL FOR "SUPER".

IT'S HOW I FEEL. IT'S A CHOICE THAT YOU CAN AND SHOULD MAKE FOR YOURSELF, BUT IF FISHING IS THE POINT OF YOUR FISHING TRIP, THEN IT IS CLEAR TO ME WHAT THE BEST CHOICE IS.

DAVID

FISHING REPORT 8/29/11

TURNS ON A DIME, AND WE'LL KEEP THE CHANGE.
AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF VERY CONSISTENT DORADO FISHING, WITH A FAIR AMOUNT OF BILLFISH THROWN IN, WE HAD A CHANGE YESTERDAY. LARGE SCHOOLS OF YELLOWFIN (ARE YOU READING THIS PHILLIP?) WHICH HAVE BEEN 35 MILES OFFSHORE, MOVED IN AS CLOSE AS 10 MILES OFF PUNTA PERICO. CHASING PORPOISE THESE GUYS WERE FEEDING LIKE CRAZY IN THE LATER PARTS OF THE MORNING YESTERDAY. JON FLESHER AND HIS PARTNER DESCRIBED THE SCENE AS CHAOTIC, WITH LOTS OF 30-50 POUND FISH AIRBORNE AND A 5 ACRE PATCH OF FISH BREAKING AND FEEDING. IN AMONGST THESE WERE CLEARLY LARGE FISH, BUT THEY WEREN'T JUMPING, MERELY BOILING. (PERHAPS A NAME FOR MY NEXT ALBUM, "TOO HEAVY TO JUMP"). PINNING SOME TINY LITTLE SARDINES ON THEIR HOOKS, JON QUICKLY BECAME FAST TO ONE OF THESE LARGER FISH, ON 40LB. LINE, WITH WHAT HE CALLED A "WIMPY ROD" AND A 1/0 HOOK.
6 HOURS LATER THEY BOATED A 143 POUND YELLOWFIN, TO GO WITH THE 3 FISH THAT THEY HAD IN THE AIRBORNE RANGE. WHILE THIS WAS THE BIG NEWS OF THE DAY, THEIR COMPANEROS IN ANOTHER PANGA WERE NOT DOING SHABBILY WITH TWO AMBERJACK, ONE 28, THE OTHER BOTTOMED OUT THE 50LB. SCALE, AND 6 DORADO IN THE MEDIUM RANGE. CAN'T WAIT FOR THESE TIRED WARRIORS TO RETURN TODAY, ALMOST NOTHIN' BETTER THAN TALKIN' WITH GROWN MEN WHO ARE AS EXCITED AS KIDS ON CHRISTMAS OVER CATCHING THE LARGES FISH OF THEIR LIVES. VERY GOOD,
DAVID

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Fishing be good! The title refers to matters on the home front. Jane and Kelly are up in California getting Kelly ready to start college in 10 days. So I start out feeling older than dirt, and I'm all alone. It's pretty cool for 3-4 days, playin' music at what I feel is the real volume (statement made by one who grew up in the left hand speaker stack at the Fillmore Auditorium), being able to wander 'round a bit in the morning without waking anyone, phone has started ringing less as greater La Paz figures out that the targets of their communication are currently not on the island, and the dog has stopped asking, "Where's that nice lady that always throws the ball for me?" On the other hand cookin' for one sucks (hey,I'll have a sandwich, again), and there's no body (not a misprint) to play with. It's a big adjustment, and some of them ain't comin' back at least for awhile. Kelly, the last one to ripen, has been standing on the edge of the nest flappin' for a couple of years now, and has for now left the nest. She's up in San Jose, livin' with Aunt Ann and reestablishing residency in the Cal system. I have absolutely no doubt that she will succeed at whatever her chosen course is, and I'm quite proud of her, but... I'll miss her impish grin and her ready willingness to argue (got that from her Mom). I might even miss the last minute projects and large groups of friends at the house who are "working" on said projects. It'll be fun watchin' her, albeit from a distance. Chris is returning to La Paz at month end, and if all goes according to the shifting plan, he will be a full time resident before the leaves turn brown and fall from the cactus (you know what I mean). Jane is due to return as soon as Kelly gets settled in, or when the heat calms down in La Paz, whichever happens second.
The fishing? Steady dorado, mostly still mediums, but more and more bigun's. Inside, outside, bait, lures, whatever, dorado are pretty well dialed in. This week striped marlin, blue marlin, and one atlantic short billed spearfish. A few tuna, mostly small ones at the south point and rumours of larger fish cruisin' with the cochis (porpoise). 0.5 son Ricky was out over the weekend and saw a school of 12 or so wahoo cruisin' Roca Montana, so it feels like this weeks fisherfolk will have a few more options.
Well, that's the state of the onion for now, we'll peel back a couple more layers in a day or two, 'til then, stay safe, and have fun,
David

You Always Remember Your First Time

The names in the following story have been changed on the slim chance that either of these guys might have some innocence left.

For those of you that have been here many times, and for myself, I want to remind you not to become jaded. "half a dozen dorado and a striped marlin, not a great day"

Matt, a construction manager from mountainous parts, comes down a couple of times a year. Alone usually, but sometimes he picks out a new victim to expose to our offerings. This time he picked out Nathan, a hunting friend also from the vertical areas of the U.S. Matt has caught a lot of fish here, big ones, small ones, the whole Dr. Seuss litany.He and Nathan just fished their first day yesterday, and upon returning to the FF World Headquarters Nathan was absolutely ebullient in his regurgitation of the day. 6 dorados and a striped marlin. This is the first time he has fished away from the agua dulce the flows so readily in his home climes. His excitement and joy were flowing, palpable, warm and bubbly. I listened to him recount the day, several times, and put up gracefully with his repetitive thanks and ejaculations of gratitude, to ME. I made sure that he remembered the Matt was his host, Kalin had been his Captain, and that the Sea of Cortez had been his real benefactor. He was still effervescing as he headed to the shower. Matt looked at me and said with his normal gift for understatement, "I hope he survives when this place shows him all that it can be." I hope that that happens to him today, but if it doesn't he'll still be exposed to first time things, biggest things, and have a day which only 2 days ago he couldn't have imagined. We survive because of and immensely enjoy you regulars who are as addicted as we are to all that La Paz has, but there is something special about someone coming down here for the first time, no expectations, absolute wonder, and joy by the bucket.
David

Magdelena Bay

For those of you who interested in some world class fishing this winter, FF is returning to Mag Bay. Home of the best striped marlin, tuna, and wahoo fishing to be had virtually anywhere during the winter this is a trip that we've been aching to get back to. We did it for a couple of years, a few years ago, but had to make some adjustments in the logistics. This year we'll be staying on land, and using a twin diesel Boston Whaler to get out to the fish every day. Load per week is limited to 4 people. Contact me at fishermensfleet@hotmail.com or on the phone at 408 884 3932 for details. Thanks,
David

It's Just a Sousainte Away

Those of you who've been following the fishing in La Paz this year are aware that the whole thing, since March, has been just a little behind schedule, with a late spring and water temps being a little below what we would normally expect for a given day. While this doesn't make the fishing bad, or good, it's just a little different than those of you who demand that the fish to be on a consistent calendar year to year would like. That last storm (Euguene?) that went by pushed some warm water up and we're starting to see temps that are representative of late summer. One of the signs that I would point out of a "late" year is the abundance of sailfish around right now. The sails are usually here at the beginning of the summer, June and into July, but then not so much. They're here now. There are dorado, but mostly smaller fish in the 8-18 pound class, both out of La Paz and at Las Arenas. There have been a few bigger fish, but if I were to guess, and that's the business that I'm in, I would say that the larger numbers of greater size mahi are yet to come. We're starting to see a few blue marlin, and that's only a couple or three weeks late. There are still a large number of striped marlin. Tuna are around with some 80 pound fish coming outside, moving around with the porpoises. This makes them a little difficult to find unless there are a dozen or so boats, spreading out across the horizon, communicating with each other on the radios. We've taken a few wahoo, and I think that I'll get out on the full moon here this weekend to try an take a 'hoo or two. The buoys are very hard to find. People come back saying "the buoys aren't there" but when I talk to the Captains they say that they are there, it's just that for the last couple of weeks we've had some very strong currents. When there is huge flow like this the buoys end up under water as theyu are on a fixed length of line connecting them to the bottom. "Aha!" says Mr. Urban (esteemed member #2), you can use your GPSeses! Up to a point, but with as much as 4000 feet of line on some of the buoys, they are displaced laterally quite a ways from where the magic box says they are supposed to be. This has also made making bait on the buoys somewhat difficult. All parts of fishing my friends, and a good reason to have the expert Captains with whom we associate. That's it for now, I'll write some more after my trip Tuesday, or maybe sooner.
Thanks.

One Day Will Do It

Fishing has been OK, not special, but good enough. Medium dorado, small to medium tuna, etc., until yesterday. Bunch of big ol' dorados, and in between those a slew of sailfish and striped marlin both, and one blue in the 300lb. class. What makes the difference day to day? I do not know. There is a fair amount of current going on and the skies have been overcast so maybe the barometer is flailing a bit, but that's just a WAG (Wild Ass Guess). All I knows is that when dose peoples catches fishes, my job is alot more pleasant. Let's hear it for dos fishers.

What a long silent trip it's been

Hey! What's this? David Jones and The Fishermens' Fleet website fishing reports are alive and well? Still breathin' my friends. Through a long and troublesome turn of events we were no longer "able" to post to the website, and so even though it still has nifty pictures and stuff, it don't move! "I had a website once George, but it died." Well with a little help from family and friends I am once again able to tickle the ivories in your direction without having to compete with Lady GaGa in the tweet world. Phew! Much agua has passed beneath the bridge since last we communicated in this fashion. Winter, Fred Hall, Classico, and many other things. My fingers won't last long enough, but I'm gonna make like a sander and touch the high spots.

2011 La Paz Classico
We had a blast. With a record number of boats and a lot of big fish around it was a week of constant Men Against The Sea tales. It began with one Robert Mendoza clockin' a 180 pound tuna, even after his trusty Shimano TLD gave up the ghost. There's Bob, form perfect, dressed to a T, struggling with a large tuna when his reel decides to fall off of the rod. Yep, the section of the reel that has the feet that engage the rod decided to explode and Bob was left with a multi piece rod and reel system. After a brief moment of panic Bob and trusty native compendium Kalin worked out and executed a plan to play the tuna by hand, briefly, while the line was cut and a second rod and reel spliced in. They were successful and Bob made it home with large tuna and great story. That same week two different fishermen lost their rods and reels over the side of the panga. After 3 hours or so of fighting fish hands and arms were tired. When the fish are close to the boat there is much less margin for error, and as these got to that point the fish went one way while the fishermen went otherwise, and the fish took possession of the hardware. Broken rods were a normal thing this week, and no one seemed pissed. In the tournament itself 100 pound tuna didn't even merit a glance. The Family Marlow, all the way form the land of the Alaskatonians, walked away with 1st prize with a 202lb. yellow fin. An additional award, newly founded, the John MacAllister Sportsmanship award, was presented to John MacAllister. John was fishing alone in the tournament, and found himself with two tuna on two different rods simultaneously. He immediately called a nearby boat over and handed off one of the poles. Turns out the pole he handed out ended up connected to the 2nd place fish. Without the drop of a single stitch John congratulated his beneficiary on her prize winning fish. "That's what it's all about" We raised a tidy sum for the old folks, and had a great time.

Bill Mathias
As those of you who know Bill are aware he was suffering from lung cancer and was diagnosed as being untreatable. He wanted to spend his last days in La Paz, and with the help of many he did just that. Bill passed away with his daughter Susan at his side, and his ashes were scattered in the waters he called home. All of our Captains and some other friends attended a dinner here at the house to remember Bill, and as he would have had it, we all enjoyed telling Bill stories.

Hotels
The Los Arcos remains closed, with no immediate signs of life (that should change that). The Perla continues to be our flagship, but we have opened up options at the Marina, La Concha, and Las Gaviotas. If you have interest in these, speak up. As long as we're on the topic of hotels we've discovered one over in Sargento, right on the water, that has attracted our attention, and perhaps our intentions. I would be interested in knowing how many of you would be interested in staying in a more remote facility, out of La Paz, on the water, and nearer our fishermen. Let me know as you find the time please.

Mag Bay
We are going to return to Mag Bay this winter during the months of October, November, and perhaps December. As those of you who read about fishing know, this is one of the premier marlin fisheries on the planet, as well as the current location of the IGFA World Record yellow fin tuna. We are going to be land based this year, with a house on Margarita Island, near by Lobsterville. Using a twin turbo diesel Boston Whaler we should be able to cover the necessary ground in record time. Our good friend Capt.Juan Begerano will be at the helm ably assisted by Chris Jones as the deck dude. I don't know of a better combo to be had on the Baja. The trips will be of either 5 or 8 day duration, and is set up for groups of 4 people. This is a real hardcore fishin' trip, with a hell of a lot of fun to be had. Contact me for more info or bookings.

New tackle store in town. Just 2 1/2 blocks from Fishermens' Fleet World Headquarters, BajaMark is owned by a friend and partner, and he offers FF customers a 10% discount to boot.

That's about it for this first post, but with easy access through Blogtown stay tuned, come back often, and hopefully enjoy.
David