Baja, Mexico
samw@csww.net
Gear Recommendations
Flies: The two main baitfish to immitate are the Mullet and Sardinas. We had the most luck with smaller sized Mullet patterns such as the Joe Dirt, EP Mullet, and other such flies for Mullet patterns. The Sardinas vary in size a lot so bring everthing from 2 1/2 inches up to 4 inches for the Sardinas with a dark green back and light belly. Almost all the flies we brought were over dressed. Make them more sparse than you think, the translucency, castability, and shape all look better and catch more fish when they are tied more sparse. If you plan on going after the Dorado, Billfish, Marlin, and other bluewater species make sure to bring some larger teaser flies.
Rods: Bring 9-12 weight rods. 9-10 weight rods from the beach and boat for inshore species and 11-12 weight rods for blue water species. I sometimes used my 11 from the beach just to punch through the wind but I'm not sure if it was necessary or not.
Lines: Intermediate lines for almost everything, a floating line is not necessary for any situation in my opinion. A deep sea line may be good to have for some of the blue water species but I didn't use one. Intermediate lines seemed to be the ticket. We also brought some Rio Outbounds which were great out of the boat and would be a good line to have as well. However, if there are big waves on the beach the running line often gets caught up in the surf and shortens your casting distance capability.
Tippet/Leader: I would simply build tapered leaders down to 25lb test. With the end being fluorocarbon if possible for inshore. For offshore, I would recommend 60-80 lb shock tippet and even 100 lb if Marlin and Sailfish are in strong.
Stories from Our Trips to Baja Baja Mexico July 2009
My First morning in Baja.
I took off with my backpack at 7 am after breakfast at Rancho Leonero with no idea what to do and alone (KK caught up with me later). I started heading towards the point accross the bay from the ranch to try to find some water where I could see roosterfish cruising. It helps to have white sand flats, and the best place to look is where there is a deep area near one of these flats so you can see the roosterfish crashing the baitfish. In about the first 100 yards I landed two ladyfish. Ladyfish are actually a really fun fish as they are similar to a baby tarpon and acrobatic when they are hooked up. Lots of ladies around, and you won’t hear too many guys complain about that. Got to the point after 2 hours. No Roosterfish. It’s hot. 100 degrees. Humid. I realize I have no water. Luckily I stuck with my high school spanish classes through college and although it’s not perfect I know enough to get by. A local family is out on the beach just past the point and I ask “Puedes tener una botella de agua?” The alpha male stares me down like I’m an endagered species. Unsure whether I was going to get robbed of my new Scott STS 11 weight and Hatch reel I took a step back, the man went to the back of an old Toyota and poured me a large bottle of water with a smile. I like that guy, I was really thirsty, and it is a super dumb idea to head out in the desert with no water.
The comb rises out of nowhere. With the only knowledge of Roosterfish that I have being from Felt Soul Media’s Running Down the Man DVD, I strip as fast as i can hunched over. The rooster follows so close in to shore it is half way out of the water. Didn’t eat it. However, now I have confidence in the small mullet pattern I had tied up prior to the trip. 3 hours later I have 3 more follows and have seen a few fish. I found a small river with a flat in front of it. Blind casting in front of the flat, I land a Mexican Look Down. I start heading further down the beach and see a rooster crash the beach in front of me on a cloud of mullet. I run down in behind the school and launch the 11 weight over the school. At this point I’m glad no one is around to watch me because I can’t imagine how ridiculous and frantic I look. I’m hooked up on the first rooster of the trip…not a large fish but I’m hooked up on roosterfish. Sick.
After the first one is out of the way, the stress and frantic behavior goes away….not. 20 minutes later I’m hooked up again in front of the next town. This time there is a man and his wife watching me so I try to act normal, and that’s not happening. This is a larger rooster this time, I estimated it in the 20lb range so if KK or Erik where next to me 10-15lbs; standard. The man that is with his wife on the beach comes running over. He evidently fishes and is as excited as I am, we are both freaking out as the pez get within tailing range. Got it. The man offers to take my picture, so I try to get in the water to take one of those “sweet in the water with your nice rooster off the beach” pictures. I adjust my pose, and drop the fish. The guy gets me a cerveza from the cooler, I ate it for dinner.
KK came and met me on my way back and we hooked up a few more fish on the return to the ranch. We got to Rancho Leonero about 8:30pm and the guys assumed I must have gone to jail, they were so concerned they were all experimenting with local Margaritas and Pacificos.
Total body count for the day 8 Ladyfish, 2 Mexican Look Downs, 3 Roosterfish, 1 Jack Crevalle, and unlimited Needlefish, as well as losing or breaking off a number of others. For 12 hours, no food, sunburnt feet, and one bottle of water it was a good start for the week.
~Sam Wike