Mag Bay Baja Trip

Hi, my wife and I are leaving for Baja on Dec 26. We plan to cross the border at TJ and spend the night in San Quintin. From there, we're going to Abreojos & then to Lopez Mateos or possibly Poza Grande. We are traveling LIGHT, literally, in a small Honda Civic, a tandem kayak and camping stuff. Im fluent in Spanish and Ive been to Baja numerous times since age 15 but I have to say, this is the first time that I'll be nervous crossing the border. If youd like to caravan or hook up fishing and/or camping, shoot me an email.

Adam

Sounds like a fun trip man.  Everything I've seen suggests daytime travel only and avoid having the toys on display...might be hard with a 15' kayak and a honda civic.  Good luck and stay safe.

Adam

I am sure you will be fine. I go to Baja every year and have never had problems. Don't forget a bait tube, sabiki, swim baits and jigs. Mag bay should be awesome.

Scott

There is a La Pinta motel right on the beach in San Quintin. It's far away from all the traffic and noise and has a good restaurant. Might be a good place to stay if you don't want to camp on your first night in Baja.

yeah, daytime only travel for sure. Im sure we'll be fine too... I hope. We'll cross the border at the peak of morning hour traffic, around 9 AM and wont stop until Ensenada. I've been drooling about those new Subaru Outbacks but I figure we'll be safer in the Civic - they may not want my beat up, 220 mil ladden Hondita.

Adam, I'm scheduled to drive across the border AM of Dec 27. I'm traveling solo with a trailer of yaks to Bahia de los Angeles where I'll meet my clients. I was just there doing the same thing this time last year and it was a bit sketchy. This year crime is off the charts and the cops demanding"Modida" are much more frequent. I would'nt travel through Tijuana for million bucks. The other border crossings at Tecate and Otay Mesa are much safer. I love to caravan if you can go a day later.

Adam;

I did that almost exact trip two years ago.  The dirt road out to mag bay is totally wash boarded, a civic could make it but it is going to take a beating.  Also, if you have a Yakima rack on your civic, make sure you check to make sure the bolts are tight frequently.  I have a civic and almost lost the whole thing on a trip back from Idaho.  I have also heard that crime is on the rise, sucks.  I am trying to plan a trip around the same time as well, not sure if I am going into Baja Sur this time.  The fishing was off the freakin hook in Mag Bay, so if you can make it, go for it.  If it works I my team my hook up with you for at least part of your trip. 

Tight lines

Jim

GOD SPEED.....  Check out Big Waters Edge website, a guy recently posted about a secret spot.  They nailed the YT's.  The only bad part is one of the guys on the site recognized the fishing spot based on the row of Pangas in the back ground.  It was Punta Abreojos.  The post is under something similar to "YT's left biting".  I hate plugging other sites, but they have some great intel.

Good Luck.

VIOS CON DIOS.

Jim, lets hook up down there if youre going - safety in numbers and all that. My Civic will make it. New KYB struts. Were going to Lopez Mateos first and its paved all the way to town. We did a trip to Abreojos 2 years ago and theres some freaky washboards from Mex 1 to the coastline. We just went slow while the locals blazed by at 50 mph. I had non stop hook ups last time at Abreojos. I mean NON STOP - quality tail too from 20 - 30 pds, released a lot. This time, its my wife's turn. Im just the driver! Yeah, right. Im more looking forward to trolling the mangroves and catching some Broomtail Grouper!! The more the better. Email me if your going!!

Adam

The road from Lopez Mateos to the bay was well maintained when I was there in January. The only area where you need to watch out is right next to the bay. Some of the non-paved roads along the water have deep sand pits.

It's a nice paddle across that narrow part of the bay to the barrier island. You can drift back toward the mainland from there, and there are also some mangroves in an inlet south of the whale boats.

NICE CAR!

hey, where did you end up camping there? Can you recommend a good hidden spot on the water next to the mangroves?  Is there a lot of sand close to the water??

thanks

NICE CAR!

hey, where did you end up camping there? Can you recommend a good hidden spot on the water next to the mangroves?  Is there a lot of sand close to the water??

thanks

I was staying in Loreto, so it was just a day trip down to Mag Bay. I'll send you a PM after I get home tonight with camping info from a couple of Baja books.

There is plenty of packed sand next to the water. The sketchy areas are in the sand roads, which go up and down and have some deep soft spots. It is definitely possible to avoid them, though.

Check your personal messages. I need your email address or fax number so I can send you scans from a couple of Baja books.