Got skunked plain and simple. Only fished from shore during high tide and got maybe 2 bites. Fished lures and bait and couldn't manage to bring in a single fish. Weather was awesome though would've liked to fish Monday afternoon but had to head out. Saw an inflatable out there with a motor on it and hoping he did a lot better in deeper water.
June should be in the high 70's to lower 80's. I should just put it out for the people that want to know.
The second week of June has been a must for a shore fishing trip for me, and for years now; and though it's nice, it's not uncommen for it to get a little warmer than that.
Water is not all that cold now. Many were swiming this last weekend. It is about the same temp as California water gets in the Summer. Just be sure to pee before you go out as you may not be able to find it when you come in!:notworthy:
Water is not all that cold now. Many were swiming this last weekend. It is about the same temp as California water gets in the Summer. Just be sure to pee before you go out as you may not be able to find it when you come in!:notworthy:
:rofl: I've felt that way when I've gone jetskiing in a wetsuit in Dec/JAn in Penasco!!!
..........................................look at the tail of that fish compared to a tortuava (below) Joe..Totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi: The Totoaba has an overall dusky silver appearance, and is characterized by its elongated body, sharp snout with large oblique mouth, and a projecting lower jaw, and especially its slightly convex tail. The Totoaba's gill covers have smooth edges and it has no barbells on its chin. The fins are darker than the body, and its dorsal fin is deeply notched.
I'll be down there at Encanto on June. Saw a guy with a little pontoon boat who was fishing for grouper on the reefs.
Might have to take the 'yak out and try to find them. What's that, some kind of crankbait?
But- that fish also isn't 37 pounds; unless the guy holding it is 7.5 feet tall and weighing 380 pounds himself.
That fish is probably 28 inches, and weighing 18-20 pounds. I caught a legitimate 35 pound White Seabass on Tuesday the 13th- weighed on a very accurate scale. I'll post a pic of that fish tomorrow. It was over 40 inches long.
..........................................look at the tail of that fish compared to a tortuava (below) Joe..Totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi: The Totoaba has an overall dusky silver appearance, and is characterized by its elongated body, sharp snout with large oblique mouth, and a projecting lower jaw, and especially its slightly convex tail. The Totoaba's gill covers have smooth edges and it has no barbells on its chin. The fins are darker than the body, and its dorsal fin is deeply notched.
But- that fish also isn't 37 pounds; unless the guy holding it is 7.5 feet tall and weighing 380 pounds himself.
That fish is probably 28 inches, and weighing 18-20 pounds. I caught a legitimate 35 pound White Seabass on Tuesday the 13th- weighed on a very accurate scale. I'll post a pic of that fish tomorrow. It was over 40 inches long.
28 inches, no way!! The tail is touching the ground, and if you put a imaginary belt on him, it's above his waist. He's have to be a "little" person for that fish to be only 28"" long. I'm 5' 9'', and from the ground to my bellybutton it's about 40".
Two incredible catches, Both need to be celebrated~~~!!! Catching 40"plus WSB off the shore or caught in deep waters; is what makes Rocky Point the premier local for Pisces in my book....
You are right Kenny, both are easy over 40 inches, by looks Moore_Rb has the edge. By sheer simplicity of the catch, (No Gasoline) Mondone needs to be praised. WOW. Wow !!!
Forget Marlin, a WSB is where its at. You can enjoy the fruit of the catch, while with a bill or "toads" fish, all you have is sorrow of a Kill.
Congrats to both Moore and Mondone the M&M's of RP.
My neighbor brought this one in. Don't give me any credits for the catch, just the photos and the measurement. Yes, rb, we used a good accurate fish scale and a real Stanley tape measure graduated in inches! :rofl::rofl:
My neighbor brought this one in. Don't give me any credits for the catch, just the photos and the measurement. Yes, rb, we used a good accurate fish scale and a real Stanley tape measure graduated in inches! :rofl::rofl:
You've got to rotate that tape measure to the inch side, not the centimeter.... :rofl:
I agree with someone else's post (Kenny??)....I'm a short person, and it's over 36 INCHES from the ground up to my waist....
Mexico Joe, you fish from a Kayak, and I've fished plenty from small inflatables; can you imagine what it must have been like to have hooked up with a fish like that in a little Zodiac? I'll bet a thousand things ran through his head as it was towing him around, including Shark. To me, that's one of the most impressive catches have seen in a long time.
Now I've sent this thread to Don, so don't be surprised to see him out there on a great WSB hunt in one of his two inflatables.
Mexico Joe, you fish from a Kayak, and I've fished plenty from small inflatables; can you imagine what it must have been like to have hooked up with a fish like that in a little Zodiac? I'll bet a thousand things ran through his head as it was towing him around, including Shark. To me, that's one of the most impressive catches have seen in a long time.
Now I've sent this thread to Don, so don't be surprised to see him out there on a great WSB hunt in one of his two inflatables.
If I knew and trusted someone out that way to help me "load up" I'd be out there this weekend!!!! Problem is, never been out there, have no idea where to go to unload the yak and then there is always the problem of loading up. DARN IT!!! GREAT CATCH EXTREMELY JEALOUS.
If I knew and trusted someone out that way to help me "load up" I'd be out there this weekend!!!! Problem is, never been out there, have no idea where to go to unload the yak and then there is always the problem of loading up. DARN IT!!! GREAT CATCH EXTREMELY JEALOUS.
If you can wait for a couple of weeks, I will take you out or have someone I know take you, to load and unload, if its where we fish it would be at the mouth of Estero Morua in the rocks. My friend Rudy Guzman caught a 35 pounder casting from shore here. You could also launch at one of the oyster farms and find some help there, and paddle out to the rocks.
The picture of Ric's WAB was obviously taken while sitting in Cholla Bay waiting to be put back on his trailer. That is Black mountain in the background. I really doubt that fish was caught anywhere near shore. If you look at the swim bladder in it's throat it is clear that it was taken from deep water.
The picture of Ric's WAB was obviously taken while sitting in Cholla Bay waiting to be put back on his trailer. That is Black mountain in the background. I really doubt that fish was caught anywhere near shore. If you look at the swim bladder in it's throat it is clear that it was taken from deep water.
yup.
However, The point that White Seabass can be taken near shore in the spring is still valid.
I agree, I'm just saying that picture is a fish from deep water. I myself have taken quite a few from the shore over the years that have pushed the scale towards 20lbs. I actually find the fall a better time to take the big ones.
The picture of me holding the White was out on the 51 on Ric's boat, the end of the line. I believe it was taken on one of the day after Thanksgiving trips we made, and man, we had some good one's.
I Have caught them in lobos off of bird sh!! t and they were 50 #'s plus . I'm going to find the pic just to show. That was back in 1986 or 1987. Unbelievable. Leigh
Also it was on a garcia 4500 flippin reel with no drag. The guy in the car topper was rowing so fast after we snapped the first one. The sea of cortez never stops amazing me. You really do never know what you will catch. Leigh
If you can wait for a couple of weeks, I will take you out or have someone I know take you, to load and unload, if its where we fish it would be at the mouth of Estero Morua in the rocks. My friend Rudy Guzman caught a 35 pounder casting from shore here. You could also launch at one of the oyster farms and find some help there, and paddle out to the rocks.
Ive never thought about doing that, good idea. What dates are you looking at?
Ive never thought about doing that, good idea. What dates are you looking at?
Anytime is fine. I put my house in Maricopa for sale, at the same time I put my Rocky Point house for sale and planned to stay in the house that didn't sell, Rocky Point lost the contest, so I'm full time in Penasco after this week. Plus we can go hang out with the Water Boy aka H2joe, I convinced him to buy my water truck and go into the water business a couple years ago, in Playa Encanto.
I guess it was, you called it that what, twice?... Now I've heard Ric have little conversations with big Grouper, but it was more about who's the boss, or maybe it was about who was the king of the reef. :-P
Thanks for posting, where is that? La Jolla? They catch a ton of WSB out of La Jolla. Pretty funny, Im watching this at work with the sound up and you yell mother pucker, lololol... still have my job. :-D
My neighbor caught this 37lb white sea bass just off Encanto beach on Tuesday.Going to put some filets on the grill tonight!
QUESTION: Was hoping we could get some advice on what type of lures to use for Pinto, WSB, small Grouper or any other fish that could be caught close in and over the reefs near the estuary or of the rocks/reef around Competition Hill or Cholla Bay. Normally I primarily use the kastmasters & crocodiles for corvina, trigger, rock bass, etc while trolling from the kayak. Would like to at least try to hook into something different and larger if possible. Any thoughts on what kind and color and size of lure? Looks from the picture from Encanto that he used some sort of Rappala or other crank type bait.
QUESTION: Was hoping we could get some advice on what type of lures to use for Pinto, WSB, small Grouper or any other fish that could be caught close in and over the reefs near the estuary or of the rocks/reef around Competition Hill or Cholla Bay. Normally I primarily use the kastmasters & crocodiles for corvina, trigger, rock bass, etc while trolling from the kayak. Would like to at least try to hook into something different and larger if possible. Any thoughts on what kind and color and size of lure? Looks from the picture from Encanto that he used some sort of Rappala or other crank type bait.
Thank you for any input.
It was a rapala or rapala-type lure and was silver and blue in color.
The original silver and blue jointed rebel fastrac has been a Sea of Cortez staple for decades, but they are really hard to come by these days- been out of production for years.
Many guys have written about the productivity of "white with red head" colored crankbaits for near-shore groupers as well.
deep diving Yo-Zuri crankbaits in the 5 to 6 inch size have also been quite productive for me as well.
-Just remember when you drag a crankbait behind you to use a wire leader- especially in summer, because if there are sierra in the area, they will absolutely maul your gear.
I have crankbaits in my box that actually look like they took a spin in the kitchen sink garbage disposal.... but they still catch fish.
The original silver and blue jointed rebel fastrac has been a Sea of Cortez staple for decades, but they are really hard to come by these days- been out of production for years.
Many guys have written about the productivity of "white with red head" colored crankbaits for near-shore groupers as well.
deep diving Yo-Zuri crankbaits in the 5 to 6 inch size have also been quite productive for me as well.
-Just remember when you drag a crankbait behind you to use a wire leader- especially in summer, because if there are sierra in the area, they will absolutely maul your gear.
I have crankbaits in my box that actually look like they took a spin in the kitchen sink garbage disposal.... but they still catch fish.
Thank you for the information. Very helpful.
I picked up a couple Rapala X-Raps. At $16 a piece, definitely would like to do as much as possible not to lose them (although it's always a strong possibility).
So, one more question por favor: is 15-20lb test to light to troll with these lures? It's one thing losing a lure to a fish diving in the rocks, getting snagged, etc. But, would hate to have the line just snap if trolling and was not using strong enough line.
is 15-20lb test to light to troll with these lures? It's one thing losing a lure to a fish diving in the rocks, getting snagged, etc. But, would hate to have the line just snap if trolling and was not using strong enough line.
Thanks again Robert.
My pleasure...
In my opinion, for trolling a big deep diving crankbait, 15lb is too light. 20-30, combined with an 8 inch 30lb sevenstrand wire leader, will set you up to handle most everything near shore except the really big gulf grouper.
Another tip when trolling- keep a second pole, pre-rigged with a metal or feather jig, standing by. White seabass, corvina, sierra and Leopard grouper are all schooling fish- catch one trolling, and after you land it, work the area with the drop jig to see if he had any buddies hanging with him... :wink:
In my opinion, for trolling a big deep diving crankbait, 15lb is too light. 20-30, combined with an 8 inch 30lb sevenstrand wire leader, will set you up to handle most everything near shore except the really big gulf grouper.
Another tip when trolling- keep a second pole, pre-rigged with a metal or feather jig, standing by. White seabass, corvina, sierra and Leopard grouper are all schooling fish- catch one trolling, and after you land it, work the area with the drop jig to see if he had any buddies hanging with him... :wink:
Wow, glad I asked that question! I'm not super well versed in what rig to use when fishing anything other than from shore in Penasco. This info is very useful. Thank you. And, to bring a second pole is always a great suggestion when fishing form kayak. In fact, funny story.... a buddy and I were yak fishing the kelp beds over in La Jolla. He hadn't fished all that much from a kayak prior. We are out there, next to one of those huge H&M or Islandia 'cattle fishing barges'/charters. Well, I'm fishing and my buddy is behind me. I hear this faint 'yelp' and when I turn around, his yak is upside down, he's completely submerged and his Starbuck's cup is floating off. He manages to get back on the kayak, totally cold and soaking yet, a bit embarrassed with all the people on the charter watching... he then rights himself, gets his oar and begins to go back to fishing when he realizes his pole is gone and at the bottom of the ocean. At that point I couldn't contain myself and I must have laughed for 5 min. straight! Needless to say, we had to head in because we didn't bring a SECOND POLE!
Thank you for sharing Robert. If i don't report back, then there was nothing to report. Hopefully that won't be the case!
I mostly use the Rebel Fast-Trac, but any crankbait that runs at the right depth seems to work. A suspending Rapala jerkbait worked very well. I watched a bunch of fish follow it, then I stopped the retrieve and right when that lure stopped, the biggest corvina grabbed it.
I usually use blue and silver, but an orange one I used also worked fine. I catch triggers, corvina, pompano (i think), flounder and, of course, rock bass around Morua and la pinta.
I think the main selling point for the Fast-Trac was that it could track well at fast trolling speeds and ran at a nice depth for the sea of cortez so the guy that wrote that book recommended them. They are hard to find and I think about any blue/white saltwater crankbait of about 4" length would work fine as long as it runs at the right depth (i like about 5-6 feet).
I also use light line from the kayak - 12lb. hybrid mono/fluoro. The kayak is a secondary drag, so lighter line is nice. I could see using heavy braid if you're concerned about breaking a fish off in the rocks. Or maybe a wire leader for sierra. Man, I need to get down there fishing!
With the hump back (which might also just be a photo distortion from the head being propped up); and the smallish dorsal fin, my guess would be bull shark.
Maybe, sure wish I could see the tail..If it is, "Bull sharks are the most dangerous sharks in the world".
For us kids...Bull Shark Facts and Pictures -- National Geographic Kids
The snout seems a little pointy for a Bull, but then again the angle maybe?
I guess I need to take my inflatable out down there. It has a depthfinder and an ewlectric motor so I should be able to find the reefs.
How far out are they ? And the best bait or jigs.
When do the Pompono , Leather Jacks, show up? They are so much fun to catch on ultra light gear.
Hi Bill-
Mid May for the Pompano, Corvina and leather jacks.
The reef ledge is about a mile off the beach on the Encanto side of the estuary- and runs from NW to SE. If you have a depth finder you'll see it drop from about 40 feet down to 50.
Hey Kenny and Jerry,you guys up to making a long weekend trip down with the inflatables? Don
I'm ready Don, just give me a call. You and I are way overdue for a good outing.... We could even camp at Puerto Lobos if we liked.
Jerry is taking off for N.M. on the 14th, and then he'll be heading up my way mid week sometime; but if you have a date in mind, I always have vacation time, and I can us as little or as much as I want with just a little notice.
Don, I'm not sure if i can get away until May but you and kenny can use my place in Santo Tomas
Thanks Jerry; right now Don and I are are trying to work something out toward the 3rd or 4th week of May, so we might just have to drag you along down to Puerto Lobos
My neighbor caught this 37lb white sea bass just off Encanto beach on Tuesday.Going to put some filets on the grill tonight!
.
.........................................look at the tail of that fish compared to a tortuava (below) Joe..Totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi: The Totoaba has an overall dusky silver appearance, and is characterized by its elongated body, sharp snout with large oblique mouth, and a projecting lower jaw, and especially its slightly convex tail. The Totoaba's gill covers have smooth edges and it has no barbells on its chin. The fins are darker than the body, and its dorsal fin is deeply notched.
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