Is it reasonable to even think of towing a smaller private boat (17' bass-tracker) to use in the bay? Never been to RP, but planning a late Jan. or early Feb. trip from Yuma. Thinking there may be close-in reefs, or, otherwise inaccessible shorelines, that may be fishable with my boat. Appreciate any info. Newby, Don
Smaller Private Boats
- Thread starter yale5900
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pikeu68
Guest
We have towed our 23 foot boat down there and it really is not an issue. Make sure that you bring registration for the boat and the trailer that is what they checked on us going into Mexico. The interesting part began when we entered back into the US, we got x-rayed at the border (no big deal, nothing to hide). Then we got pulled over again in Ajo and they treated us like criminals (they stopped just short of a cavity search) and after about 45 minutes we were finally on our way again.
As for the fishing, most of the good action this time of year and throughout most of the year is miles off shore and I am not sure that I would want to be out there in a smallish boat. I usually do not spend much time fishing close to the shoreline or in the bay because I really have no desire to catch a bunch of trigger fish or rock bass when there other other fish to be found further out. Other people might have better tips about fishing closer to shore.
As for the fishing, most of the good action this time of year and throughout most of the year is miles off shore and I am not sure that I would want to be out there in a smallish boat. I usually do not spend much time fishing close to the shoreline or in the bay because I really have no desire to catch a bunch of trigger fish or rock bass when there other other fish to be found further out. Other people might have better tips about fishing closer to shore.
dmcauley
Guest
Sierra are greatt eating fish any way you cook them. The secret is to eat them fresh because the meat gets real mushy after freezing. You can troll the shore line but the better fish are out a long way. Not much grouper this time of year so it may be better and cheaper to hitch a ride off one of the forum guys that know where the big ones live.Lots of gold spots, snapper , flounder and snapper this time of year.
rockyptjoe
Guest
Just a plug for one of the regulars on here....Mark (Seadweller) can hook you up with a charter for some fishing.....
You can have fun fishing on a smaller boat, but as mentioned, your catch will be the close-to-shore critters like sand bass and triggers. Corvina (sea trout) can also be caught just outside Cholla Bay and around the estuaries further south. As long as you're not overly ambitious (read as: go out to far) you'll be fine and can have a great time. My first boat was a 23' aluminum Baja Bayrunner and we'd regularly run down to the island and fish there.
The key is what type of Bass Tracker you have. If you have the skiff type, I wouldn't recommend it. If you have the deep V style, you'll be okay. It's too easy to swamp the skiff style because of no gunnels to speak of. The deep V style has sufficient gunnel height and you don't need to worry so much about the motion of the ocean.
The key is what type of Bass Tracker you have. If you have the skiff type, I wouldn't recommend it. If you have the deep V style, you'll be okay. It's too easy to swamp the skiff style because of no gunnels to speak of. The deep V style has sufficient gunnel height and you don't need to worry so much about the motion of the ocean.
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bahiatrader
Guest
AND WATCH THE WEATHER! I speak from experience that a V hull of that size can be uncomfortable in even a mild chop. If you can see any whitecaps, you better be gettin' the hell off of the water. There's a few pretty reliable forecasts on the internet. When I had my 17' V hull at Rocky Point, I always looked at the ocean right at daylight no matter what the forecast was. If there were any whitecaps I figured out something else to do that day. I suggest you go out on a charter just to get the feel of the place first. A professional will put you on the best fishing possible. Money well spent. If then you feel comfortable bringing your smaller boat down go ahead, but you might want to scout out some shore fishing. I had a lot of fun with my 17', but I was careful. I also found a lot of places to fish off of the shore.
Kenny
Guest
Here's a earlier thread started by Don...http://www.rockypointtalk.net/showthread.php?612-Inshore-fishing-report-5-2 I'm sure he's been busy, or he would have jumped in.
Wood Spinner
Guest
ALL ABOVE ARE IMPORTANT
I keep my Targa deep V 17 ft in PP and use it with common sense. Rough or forcast of rough, the horizon looks rough STAY HOME. Read the weather forcast ! I go out in light winds, light chop and low seas. Just have a good working ship to shore radio, a gps so you can tell where you are and be able to tell others. Have normal life saving equipment and above all HAVE AND USE COMMON SENSE. JUST BECAUSE YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW DAYS TO FISH IT IS NOT WORTH YOUR LIFE. Be sure to tell a friend where you plan to go.
Good fishing
I keep my Targa deep V 17 ft in PP and use it with common sense. Rough or forcast of rough, the horizon looks rough STAY HOME. Read the weather forcast ! I go out in light winds, light chop and low seas. Just have a good working ship to shore radio, a gps so you can tell where you are and be able to tell others. Have normal life saving equipment and above all HAVE AND USE COMMON SENSE. JUST BECAUSE YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW DAYS TO FISH IT IS NOT WORTH YOUR LIFE. Be sure to tell a friend where you plan to go.
Good fishing
rockyptjoe
Guest
Unfortunately, I don't what, if any, assistance you could get if you have a problem out there....
Be realistic about your capabilities....
Know the capabilities of your craft........
Kenny
Guest
1955
This is our boat (16 1/2 feet) that my folks took down in 1955 for their first trip from Torrance Cali, and later in 56-61 from Phoenix when us kids got to go. My uncle Teddy had a woody that was the tow vehicle for that trip, and it had jerry cans strapped all over it for water. I saw a Tiger Shark that was as long as that boat take a fish whole that was up next to it one day. Teddy was bringing it in and all of a sudden he was hooked up to a fish as big as our boat! I think that was the only time I saw a look of fear in his, or my dad's eyes. No electronics, no radio etc. They would triangulate from where they had found reefs, to find them again.
Now you tell me... Do you think I was raised to fear a couple of nut's who in a long long shot might try to mess with me on the road down. In retrospect, what I should have been afraid of was my crazy dad and Uncle.
This is our boat (16 1/2 feet) that my folks took down in 1955 for their first trip from Torrance Cali, and later in 56-61 from Phoenix when us kids got to go. My uncle Teddy had a woody that was the tow vehicle for that trip, and it had jerry cans strapped all over it for water. I saw a Tiger Shark that was as long as that boat take a fish whole that was up next to it one day. Teddy was bringing it in and all of a sudden he was hooked up to a fish as big as our boat! I think that was the only time I saw a look of fear in his, or my dad's eyes. No electronics, no radio etc. They would triangulate from where they had found reefs, to find them again.
Now you tell me... Do you think I was raised to fear a couple of nut's who in a long long shot might try to mess with me on the road down. In retrospect, what I should have been afraid of was my crazy dad and Uncle.
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bahiatrader
Guest
A seaworthy looking craft indeed. Them were the days...
Kenny
Guest
My Uncle Teddy who became a forest ranger up in Washington State ( where you and I both lived), but who also moved to Phoenix for a time when we did, always had something to say about those small tires on the trailer, even 30 years later. As you might guess, we had a flat or two.
Here's a picture of my dad and Teddy, 1955 Cholla Bay.
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Thank you for the compliment Kenny! Most folks would say I look more like those smelly, slimy things layin' on the beach. I sure like the pic of the boat you fished from. What a classy silhouette! Beautiful!
Years ago early 90's I used to shore launch a 16 wide/deep Mirrocraft. It worked, but like the fellas said, you really had to keep your eye on the ocean. Whitecaps in the morning meant we stayed on the beach. Sure, I went out at times, but it wasn't worth the effort, danger and losing the boat. So, with a little bit of research I picked up a small inflatable (10ft). That worked well, so I picked up another, 14 footer (40 hp). BTW, inflatables were used by the Austalian life guards for rescue, esp. in real nasty stuff. They now use RIB inflatables.
Can you catch descent fish close to shore. Yeah, you can, its all about time of year which = species, location, technique and perseverance. Get yourself a copy of Gene Kira's book, The Baja Catch. Some of the species we've caught from inshore fishing (BTW, at times we'll be 7-10 miles and well prepared for emergencies) include groupers, pargos, red snapper, peanut dorado, yellow tail and ...
Don
Years ago early 90's I used to shore launch a 16 wide/deep Mirrocraft. It worked, but like the fellas said, you really had to keep your eye on the ocean. Whitecaps in the morning meant we stayed on the beach. Sure, I went out at times, but it wasn't worth the effort, danger and losing the boat. So, with a little bit of research I picked up a small inflatable (10ft). That worked well, so I picked up another, 14 footer (40 hp). BTW, inflatables were used by the Austalian life guards for rescue, esp. in real nasty stuff. They now use RIB inflatables.
Can you catch descent fish close to shore. Yeah, you can, its all about time of year which = species, location, technique and perseverance. Get yourself a copy of Gene Kira's book, The Baja Catch. Some of the species we've caught from inshore fishing (BTW, at times we'll be 7-10 miles and well prepared for emergencies) include groupers, pargos, red snapper, peanut dorado, yellow tail and ...
Don
The Captain's hat. Gotta love the Captain's hat! Reminds me of my step-father (of that era). He always wore one of those hats anytime he took the boat out on the Chesapeake Bay. You'd think he was commanding a 90' foot yacht (not a 20 ft. pleasure craft) the way he would bark orders!
Some great old pictures!
Some great old pictures!
Kenny
Guest
maybe someone else?
This exchange between my little sister and I on facebook inspired me to dig those out.
Lynn Freeman StodolaYou know what I remember most about Rocky Point? Me losing my 2 front teeth, Karen getting stung by a jellyfish. You out with your speargun (didn't you hit your own leg once?) and being out in bad weather, trying to get to shore, and Mom yelling "Women and children Out First!" Oh and hanging conches over sleeping guys in hammock.
I wrote....That was Shorty in the Hammock, and it was just the gut's of one of those big Conch's hanging over his head while he was passed out. They then got me to light a firecracker under him so he would pop up into that ugly looking mess. They picked me to do it because I could run so fast. I loved Nacho's store there in Cholla, it was my firecracker connection.
I remember all that too, except I didn't shoot myself with the speargun... maybe someone else? LOL
This exchange between my little sister and I on facebook inspired me to dig those out.
Lynn Freeman StodolaYou know what I remember most about Rocky Point? Me losing my 2 front teeth, Karen getting stung by a jellyfish. You out with your speargun (didn't you hit your own leg once?) and being out in bad weather, trying to get to shore, and Mom yelling "Women and children Out First!" Oh and hanging conches over sleeping guys in hammock.
I wrote....That was Shorty in the Hammock, and it was just the gut's of one of those big Conch's hanging over his head while he was passed out. They then got me to light a firecracker under him so he would pop up into that ugly looking mess. They picked me to do it because I could run so fast. I loved Nacho's store there in Cholla, it was my firecracker connection.
I remember all that too, except I didn't shoot myself with the speargun... maybe someone else? LOL
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Kenny
Guest
Teddy ended up kind of growing into that hat. This is the boat that he bought new from Thailand, and lived on it with my Aunt after he retired from the foresty service.The wood, and the woodwork was amazing... Gig Harbor, the Puget Sound.
