Baja Bound

  Lisa and I are taking our yaks south of the border for 3 or 4 weeks in December and early January.  I have a casita on the Bajia Conception and at Los Barrillas (East Cape) for a week each but need to pick the brains of some of you that have made this drive before and have scounted great places to do a day or two on the way to and from?
  Being Mid December I am aware of the northern winds that can sometimes dominate the sea of cortez this time of year, as I have been there many times, just not with my yak.   Can anybody tell me about great places on either the Pacific Side or the Sea of Cortez side that will be worth us spending time at and avoid wind, but still yield great kayaking etc?  I understand that on the Pacific side there are permits required to kayak in the bigger bays for the protection of whales. 
  I look forward to learning as much as possible from you all so that we can get the most of our time on the road and the yaks!
Jim and Lisa

Try and pick up a copy of Baja Catch by Gene Kira.  It is full of great info about fishing the Sea of Cortez in a small power boat, but launch and fishing spots would apply to a yak trip.  Loreto is an awesome little town as well.We were just there in July and stayed at the Coco Cabanas.  Steven and Barrett are great guys and they could give you some info on where to go on the Pacific side.  You can look them up on the web and either email or call them.  Tell them that Jody and Sue Naas told you to check them out.  Their hotel is a great place.  Really cheap, clean and private.  He has his own pangueros he uses as well.  The rooms have kitchens and AC and the pool is a constant 88F year round.  They also have a BBQ by the pool.  Good luck!

Jody

  Thanks for the 411 on the spot in Loretto.  I have been there a few times but nor for fishing.  Seems pretty exposed to the north winds in December there!  We have a week in the baja conception which is only 100 clicks north, so chance are we will drive farther south once we leave, but our plan is to stop when it is calm and drive when it is windy!  Mostly looking for spots before we get to Mulege and after we leave Los Barrilles.  Frustrated that it seems that the 3 or 4 bays on the pacific side are all so strictly regulated now.  Of course I have always found that Mexican law is a bit more up to interpetation then our law, I flatly told a La Paz police officer that I was not going to pay him $90 because I was not speeding, had to tell him three times but got away with it!It helped to have the CHP 11-99 badge in my wallet! 

  nice i will order on Amazon tonight!  just got 2 cool maps.  J

  Got the trailer boating book, it was just the ticket!  Between that, the great maps we bought and the gps we should be in good shape. We are planning on Guerro Negro, Bajia Conception, East Cape, Puerto San Carlos and maybe Bajia Los Angeles! 

Zinful,
I'll be down in BoLa during the New years holiday with a group of clients and my family in tow for a sea-kayaking trip. The drive for me is one of the best parts of the trip. The new Baja Almanac just came out after years of anxious anticipation and is for sale so far only down in B.C. It will be the most detailed roads and sights manuals available for cruising Baja. One of the hidden beauties of Baja is her back roads  that lead off to absolute desolation and desert wilderness. Having a guide like the updated almanac opens up the entire peninsula to investigative travel. Good luck with yours down there and your fish report to follow.
-Hawk

  Oh christ, those pictures are making it tought to wait!  I have driven around baja a bunch, but never for 3 plus weeks!  will have plenty of time to get off the beaten track!   When you say BoLa do you mean the Bajia Las Angeles area or down on the East cape somewhere?  Jim

Heres one that I took from poolside one evening in Los Barilles.    I actually was taking the pic of the three dolphins by the boat that were swimming in perfect unison.    Didnt notice the odd thing on the left hand side of the pic till I got home though.  Hmmmm.   Either its a strange defect in the pic or we were all abducted..     Looks even stranger zoomed in but I didnt want to post too big a pic.   

Fishing is great on the east cape!!

Zinful1 I've found a lot of good info on bloodydecks in the baja section of there forum.  Not sure if you've checked it out but I'm sure you could get some good info this way.  Especially on what to fish for.  There's a few dangerous that post and answer questions pretty frequently.  Good luck.  Don't be surprised if you find me stowed away in your vehicle.  I'm dying to go to baja this winter. Andy

This is probably old worn and worn out but don't travel at night.

  There is a fishin' fool I know here in Oakland that has a place in San Carlos. His name is Greg Brennen, he's there about half the year and he has a nice PB. I think his dad runs their motel (Brennan's). Pop in there for a soda and see if he's in town. He likes to talk about fishing and would probably be happy to take you out and touch some whales.