Author: That Baja Guy-Gary Graham

Jesus Araiza, 79, among the oldest remaining charter boat captains in Baja’s East Cape Region, passed away quietly on April 8 at his home in Los Barriles, BCS, surrounded by family members. I was introduced to Jesus Araiza in the early 1980’s while visiting friends Herb and Ruthie Kameon during a visit to their recently-completed vacation home. It was a home built on the grounds of the historic Rancho Buena Vista Hotel, steps away from “Casa Canon” where “The Sea of Cortez” author Ray Cannon stayed during his frequent visits before his passing in 1977. Herb and Ruth both were avid…

Que Pasa “Espiritu Santo Island is probably the most important resource for the City of La Paz” – by Luke Inman of Cortez Expeditions. http://seawatch.org/wp/2017/02/15/espiritu-santo-probably-most-important-resource-for-la-paz-mexico/ Baja Norte Coronado Islands . . . The water is beginning to clear up and yellowtail are beginning to show. Very few people are fishing the Islands though. We had one contact who scored a nice yellow on trolled X-Rap along the weather side of the Island…fishdope.com Tijuana Bull Ring no report…fishdope.com Ensenada . . . Gamefisher found yellowtail at the Banda Bank this week along with nice reds and salmon grouper. Yellowtail made their…

Baja Bytes Weekly Overview Que Pasa Gonzalo Castillo: “What species is this? I’ve never seen one before…” Answer: Mola Mola. Washed up on the beach next to the Marina at San Jose. Yet another, odd fish to be found in Baja Sur recently…. Heads up Baja bound boaters . . . Bring your boat registration papers (and trailer papers if applicable). Valid tags on boat are NOT enough. Mexican Federales are checking this really close nowadays. First time for me, and caused problems. Two check points got me!….Lance https://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/reminder-bring-boat-registration.653124/#post-4308583 Baja Norte Coronado Islands. . . No report. Chlorophyll image shows…

Friday, April 7, 2017 Que Pasa Congratulations to the following anglers who were awarded IGFA Records recently for their fish caught in Baja: Creolefish, Pacific All-Tackle 1 lb. 6 oz. Loreto, BCS 28-Apr-16 Chris Wheaton (Paranthias colonus) .62 kg. Mexico (Julio Cesar Martinez Davis) Ladyfish, Pacific All-Tackle 1 lb. 13 oz. Loreto, BCS 01-May-16 Chris Wheaton (Elops affinis) .82 kg. Mexico (Rigoberto Martinez Davis) Scorpionfish, stone All-Tackle 1 lb. 3 oz. Loreto, BCS 28-Apr-16 John Martin Dufek  “Coco’s corner guy died…” How rumors get started on the Internet! “My coworker went to San Felipe this past weekend and found out…

Vintage Fishing Tackle 10. In the early 1900’s reels began to evolve into a variety of star-drag systems. Notice the elaborate cases some of them came in.In 1972, San Diego businessman Michael Farrior attended a small “flea market” at the Rancho Bernardo Winery. On a table strewn with silverware and dusty china – dishes from another era – the afternoon sun glinted on an old fishing reel. Not realizing it was a life-changing event that would lead him on a remarkable journey, he purchased it for a few dollars. After some research, he discovered that the small aluminum star-drag reel…

Que Pasa  Baja California and Sonora no longer set gasoline prices. “The release of gasoline and diesel prices begins on March 30, 2017 in Baja California and Sonora, a move that will be gradual and will not generate significant changes on a daily basis as Pemex will continue to supply fuels,” the Energy Secretariat reported. The fuel market opening is the result of the 2014 energy reform implementation that ended Pemex’s long-held monopolies and established that fuel prices must be market driven by 1 January 2018. Under the guidelines issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), Pemex , through its Subsidiary…

Four decades ago – that’s 1973, in case you’re counting – Fred Benko arrived in Santa Barbara. He opened a charter service on the breakwater side of the harbor where he offered trips aboard the Hornet and other boats – sportfishing around the Channel Islands as well as offering evening coastal cruises. He built the Sea Landing Center on the opposite side of the harbor and moved to that side in 1978. While he was at it, he captained the Condor to prominence as the best whale-watching boat in the world. When Captain Benko sold the Sea Landing lease to…

Que Pasa 66 totoaba found dead in a single net and a dead newborn vaquita porpoise washes ashore http://www.ecowatch.com/sea-shepherd-dead-vaquita-2317124850.html Baja Norte Coronado Islands . . . there was a very late report of some decent yellowtail action along the weather side of North Island yesterday with yellows being caught off sonar marks on yoyo iron, surface iron as well as on sardines. The Mission Belle was there and scored 36 yellows from about 18- up to about 25-pounds; their 15 passengers also caught some rockfish…fishdope.com In Ensenada, a late report from Sushi Hunter, headed down to the marina to jump…

Friday, March 17, 2017 Gary Graham Que Pasa Sea Shepard found nets 16 kilometers north of San Felipe — Mex Biosphere (Protected area) with fish in an advanced stage of decay. For whatever reason, the culprits didn’t return for their catch. So what. . . they’ll just kill more. Also last week Sea of Cortez fishermen burned and turned over 15 Mexican Fish and Game vehicles and 3 boats in a government yard. https://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/66-totoaba-in-gill-nets.650801/ Baja Norte The Coronado Islands had much better water conditions and more yellowtail are moving into the Islands. There are now fish in the Middle Grounds…

Standing in the midst of the thriving IGY Marina, shrouded in darkness as small pangas dart to and fro crossing the wakes of both modest sportfishers and mega yachts heading out for the day’s fishing in the fertile waters surrounding Baja’s tip, it’s difficult to imagine that in 1955 Cabo San Lucas was a “Cannery Town” — population about 100. That was the year Don Luis Bulnes Molleda and his wife Conchita accepted the assignment and transferred to Cabo from Ensenada to assume the operation of the Empresas Pando tuna cannery, the only tuna cannery throughout Latin America. Born on August…

Friday, March 10, 2017 Gary Graham Que Pasa A blue whale’s tail as big as a private plane with Baja Mountains in the distance. A small section of a blue whale’s back . . . only about half the distance from the blow hole to the dorsal fin; the beam on the boat’s transom is 9-feet which might help you appreciate the whale’s size. Note: the boat had turned its engines off, and was sitting still in the water, with the whale doing the traveling. A group of Dana’s whale watchers holding up the official flag. Photos…provided by Dana Jones…

“The birth of big-game fishing occurred in the late 1800s on the West Coast and the early fishing gear used to battle large bluefin tuna, marlin and swordfish evolved here.”… Michael Farrior, International Game Fish Association historian.  From the turn of the century, many rod and reel designers combined their skills as expert craftsmen with their experience as anglers to meet the demands of catching the larger fish. These early craftsmen/anglers include Frederick vom Hofe and his sons, Julius and Edward, along with many others. Every aspect of the early tackle from direct-drive knuckle buster reels, cane rods and linen line…

Friday, March 3, 2017 Gary Graham Que Pasa Baja Bytes Weekly Overview 03-03-17 Be there or be square! The Fred Hall Show is a complete exhibitor sellout this year and although attendance figures have not been announced, it’s apparent some records have been broken. Many of our Baja friends are either wandering the aisles or displaying at the show which accounts for the thin fishing report this week. Baja Norte Coronado Islands . . . grumpy weather and off-color water reduced the number of boats fishing to zero this week. The last dope was received a week ago and was…

Friday, February 24, 2017 Gary Graham Que Pasa Fred Hall is always a great hangout for Baja Buffs. Click the photo to read about one of my favorite places in Baja Sur… Baja Norte Coronado Islands, mixed red rockfish continue to show well at areas just below the border and the general areas to the north and east of North Coronado Island. Fresh dead squid is the preferred bait and the depth most are working is in the 300- to 425-foot range. You will pretty much need one pound of lead and maybe even two pounds if the wind and…

Friday, February 17, 2017 Gary Graham Que Pasa Down the Mexican Coast The biggest news this week was the catch of a 104-pound bluefin tuna caught by Alan on the Excel while returning from a long-range trip. The fish was reportedly caught off a spot of crashing tuna around 135- to 150-miles south of San Diego and out to the NW of San Martin Island…Fish Dope Baja Norte Yellowtail fishing is slow at Coronado Islands. There is a little sign at North Island along with a few nice bonito but for the most part all that is biting around the…

Friday, February 10, 2017 Gary Graham Que Pasa  First bluefin ABOARD Eclipse outside of Colonet. https://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/awesome-first-trip-of-the-season-and-a-bluefin-eclipse-1-5day-report.647953/ CHANGES TO THE INTERNATIONAL ANGLING RULES Assisting the Angler Current IGFA International Angling Rules state: “The act of a person other than the angler touching the rod, reel, or line either bodily or with a device once the fish strikes or takes the bait” constitutes a disqualification. However, nowhere in the IGFA’s rules do we discuss the legality of another person touching or making contact with the angler. The IGFA is frequently questioned on the legality of touching the angler while they are fighting…

Friday, February 3, 2017 Gary Graham Que Pasa The yellowfin tuna bite has been going off lately, with some astounding numbers of fish being caught per boat. The Pisces Ruthless landed 61 fish the other day (most safely released), and the total tuna for all boats in the fleet that day was 215…Pisces Sportfishig. (Baja Bytes Weekly Overview) UPDATE: 7:30AM PST Friday, February 3, 2017 Baja Gasoline – Diesel Availability / Highway Blockades: SHCP (Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público) officially announced this morning that there will be no increase in the cost of fuels on Saturday, February 4, 2017,…

Que Pasa Had several calls about road conditions again this week — roads seem to be in good condition and gasoline was available all the way down. I did hear that diesel was still not available at Bay of Los Angeles. If someone has heard something different please post at the bottom this report. Thanks. IGFA Online Auction Take advantage of incredible deals while supporting the IGFA! The IGFA’s online auction features hundreds of fishing-related items, including world-class trips, amazing artwork, top-notch tackle and gear, and much more. But hurry, bidding is only open for a few more days.…

Friday, January 20, 2017 Gary Graham Que Pasa Southwest Airlines announced this week that they will begin flying nonstop to Los Cabos from San Diego in April, marking the airline’s first nonstop service between Lindbergh Field and Mexico. The once daily flight to Los Cabos International Airport, which serves the popular tourist towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, will start on April 25, with booking available beginning Wednesday, January 25. They will join two other airlines — Alaska and Spirit — that also offer nonstop service to the southern Baja Bytes California destination although Spirit’s flights…

On December 7, Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto unexpectedly announced he was signing a series of decrees which included the establishment of the Pacific Islands Biosphere Reserve off the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula in the Pacific Ocean. The new 2.7 million acre reserve includes 21 islands plus 97 islets and the surrounding marine areas which serve as a habitat for marine mammals and seabirds, as well as commercially important fish and shellfish. https://www.bdoutdoors.com/mexico-announces-4-new-biosphere-reserves/ The creation of the Pacific Islands Biosphere Reserve caught many off guard, resulting in a flood of inquiries regarding the impact on recreational and…

Hounds Fred Hall A favorite tradition at Fred Hall Shows is the Ultimate Air Dogs competition.  How far can they jump? Check out this Impact Zone to see how. Milt Wilcox A feature often overlooked by many of the thousands attending either The Fred Hall Shows-The Ultimate Outdoor Experience, Long Beach or Del Mar, is the exciting and entertaining Dock Diving Competition hosted by “Ultimate Air Dogs” (UAD) under the watchful eyes of Milt Wilcox acting as ringmaster. How Far Cathi Wilcox along with their dogs: Slash (1.5-years-old); Nash (8.5-years-old); and their father, Flash (10.5-years-old) from Jacksonville, Florida while not competing can’t resist showing off their…

Baja Fishing Reports Friday, January 13, 2017 Weekly baja fishing reports by Gary Graham Que Pasa The uprising against rising fuel prices (the gasolinazo) continues with no end in sight. Latest crisis in Mexico is the people’s ongoing fight— a social disaster at the fuel pumps and the latest spark igniting the people’s outrage, with predictions of more increases coming in February. Odds are, shortages and protests are likely to continue. UPDATE: 7:00 a.m. PST Friday, Jan 13, 2017… Baja Gasoline – Diesel Availability/Highway Blockades: UPDATE: 10:00AM PST Friday Jan 13, 2017 Baja Gasoline – Diesel Availability / Highway Blockades:…

Friday, January 6, 2017 Gary Graham Que Pasa What a week . . . and unfortunately it is not about great fishing! My travel advisory earlier in the week spelled it out. http://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/baja-travel-advisory.645880/ A devaluating peso, deregulation of Mexico’s fuel industry causing a 20% rise in fuel costs, in addition to the common fuel shortages over the holidays, all drenched with heavy rain in Northern Baja. Rumors circulated, tempers flared and frustration set in. All of which needs rapid, reasonable solutions. Hopefully calls for help will be heard and somehow the peace can be restored for everyone. Meanwhile, I’m going…