Irrelevant
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Going to be in La Paz in a couple of weeks. Taking a medium heavy spin rod down to mess around with. I picked up an old edition of Baja Catch that recommended throwing jointed rapalas. Any other "hot tips?"
Surf fish cabo?
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Salmonchaser
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I was last down there three years ago. I was throwing flys early in the morning along the beach. Articulated leaches and smolt patterns seemed to work well. I only hooked one fish that was big, went straight out into my backing, rolled twice and was gone. Most the guys I saw fishing were doing pretty good throwing bait or plugs with their spinning gear. I like La Paz, very laid back and Gringo friendly. Not sure I’d be heading there any time soon. Good luck.
Hem
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Our first trip to Baja we visited La Paz.
This was about ten, eleven years ago.
Its a pretty large city, with some rough parts. We had rented a car, so bounced around, in and out of the center.
The La Paz bay seemed pretty dead for fishing, but Punta Arena is definitely worth a drive. La Ventana isn't far either.
I was all freaked out and nervous about Federales. Think I'd be more worried about surface to air missiles now.
This was about ten, eleven years ago.
Its a pretty large city, with some rough parts. We had rented a car, so bounced around, in and out of the center.
The La Paz bay seemed pretty dead for fishing, but Punta Arena is definitely worth a drive. La Ventana isn't far either.
I was all freaked out and nervous about Federales. Think I'd be more worried about surface to air missiles now.
Irrelevant
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Yeah, we'll see if we pull the trigger or not. I haven't read about any issues on the peninsula yet
Hem
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We have neighbors stranded in Puerto Vallarta right now.
Irrelevant
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Baja sur isn't on the US travel advisory. I doubt we're going to bail, i've have to read about actual violence in the cabo area.
Irrelevant
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I was thinking about poking along the headland north of town. Maybe try to rent a panga to head out to the islands (though I'm sure Google makes that crossing look shorter and easier than it really is).
44hunter45
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We used to go to Mulegé and Loreto a lot when I was a teen. Easy trip in a Cessna back in the day. Virtually no customs by today's standards in the 1970's and 1980's.
Rapalas worked great for surf casting. Cash money always worked with one of the ten guys lined up on the shore with boats if you wanted to get out on the water.
Rapalas worked great for surf casting. Cash money always worked with one of the ten guys lined up on the shore with boats if you wanted to get out on the water.
Salmonchaser
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When we pulled the Airstream down to Baja (Cabo eventually) 3 years ago we went through a military checkpoint at least once a day. Catherines Spanish is good, mine, not so much. Definitely made getting through the checkpoints easy having her do the talking. We figured out the checkpoints were not for wayward gringos, they were to help control the cartels and other activity that would impact tourism. The only thing that really bothered me was the 18 year old with his hands on the heavy machine gun in the back of a truck trying not to fall asleep.
Loretto is a cool town, we’ve thought about buying a house there but it’s tough to do so as a non citizen.
Loretto is a cool town, we’ve thought about buying a house there but it’s tough to do so as a non citizen.
Irrelevant
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I think if this trip goes smoothly, Loreto is going to be a frequent destination for us in the winter. La Paz is the safe, easy button, entry drug so to speak.
brocksw
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If you can find sand fleas on the beach they make a great "live bait" and they have really good staying power on hooks. Much better than frozen squid or shrimp. In Florida I grab a couple "pompano rigs" which are basically similar to a fresh water multi hook Lindy rig. I've caught everything from pompano, sharks, sheep head, trout, and a few other species.
Something like this - https://www.cabelas.com/p/tackle-cr...DNkOU5bJf7frKAE4yL9Br6QeYXX20xnIaAnHZEALw_wcB
I've also put sand fleas on pompano style jigs and caught multiple species just retrieving that in a similar style to walleye jigging, just popping it off the bottom during retrieval. I actually have some of these I could send you as I won't use them much in the near future and have too many. Just PM me.
Something like this - https://www.cabelas.com/p/tackle-cr...DNkOU5bJf7frKAE4yL9Br6QeYXX20xnIaAnHZEALw_wcB
I've also put sand fleas on pompano style jigs and caught multiple species just retrieving that in a similar style to walleye jigging, just popping it off the bottom during retrieval. I actually have some of these I could send you as I won't use them much in the near future and have too many. Just PM me.
@Irrelevant I really don't think you have anything to worry about as far as current situation down there. My parents live in La Paz and my brother lives in Cabo. Both have said life is normal this past week.
As for fishing La Paz, I've gone guided twice in the last two years and both times we end up off that point north of Playa de Coyote. We were in boat and more than a cast away from shore. It's a lot farther than you think and if wind is blowing into the bay there can be some white caps but it's always been calm in the fishing hole. We did really good with fresh bait. A couple of times we caught yellowtail vertical jigging. The one time we caught all yellow tail and the second time we caught cabrilla and pargo and a couple needlefish. I'd be curious about renting a panga without a guide. I would definately do that vs going guided now that I am a little familiar. I also caught a small rooster from shore near El Magote. I'd look for rocky outcroppings and points. Good luck and enjoy!
As for fishing La Paz, I've gone guided twice in the last two years and both times we end up off that point north of Playa de Coyote. We were in boat and more than a cast away from shore. It's a lot farther than you think and if wind is blowing into the bay there can be some white caps but it's always been calm in the fishing hole. We did really good with fresh bait. A couple of times we caught yellowtail vertical jigging. The one time we caught all yellow tail and the second time we caught cabrilla and pargo and a couple needlefish. I'd be curious about renting a panga without a guide. I would definately do that vs going guided now that I am a little familiar. I also caught a small rooster from shore near El Magote. I'd look for rocky outcroppings and points. Good luck and enjoy!
Irrelevant
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Is it pretty easy to drive to Playa de Coyote?
Yeah I assume, like everything you "plan" on onx, it's WAY bigger than you think it's going to be.
Hem
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We spent a week there but drove from the South. Stayed in a off the grid house which had power issues.
The fishing from shore with fly rod was awful. But the paddleboarding was absolutely the best. No one around. Swimsuit optional( once you got out of bino range). There were alot of jellyfish which was worth keeping an eye out for.
