Rancho Leonero Check List

Got a pleasant surprise from my wife for my Birthday - a short trip down to Rancho Leonero, 4 days and 3 nights. Will be leaving April 18th so hopefully the winds would have died down by then.

So I need to get my stuff together!

Lures:
I'll be bringing my swimbaits ranging from 2 ozs to 6ozs
- 4", 6" & 9" scampis, curly tails in a variety of colors (basically my rockfish softplastics collection)
- I do have a 2x 12oz lead heads (in case I go off shore in a panga), should i bring them?
- I've got 2x 6" mac patterned jointed trolling as well as a striper pattern, will be bringing those.
- A surface popper 12" purple color? Should I bring it?
Anything else I should consider purchasing?

I've got a plano trolling bait bucket. Is that big enough for the bait down there? Should I consider constructing a trolling tube? Do they have bait tanks down there (Rancho Leonero)?

I purchased a portable FF on clearance ($70) a Lowrance Cuda 128. It comes w/ a suction cup, but I'm not sure what kind of condition the bottom of these rental kayaks will be like, any rough gouges and the suction won't hold air - any ideas?

What about my VHF radio, should I bring it? Who would I talk to? or a FRS radio and keep contact w/ my wife (I have a set).

Do I need to invest in a fish gripper? Are any of these critters toothy?

Should I put the fish in a bag or just string them? Any sharks in these parts?

How much squid should I bring and what kind of rig should I put it on?

Do I need to bring a sea anchor? a regular folding anchor?

What are the various methods to get me what fish?
-stripping out skippies for Dorado
-I hear Pargo is good eating and go directly for cover when hooked
-Roosterfish put up a great fight but are poor table fare and best caught trolling lures along the beach.
-look for structure (I've heard of a "double reef" in the Rancho Leonero area)
-how should i use the squid? on a lead head or dropper loops?
-flourocarbon? is it necessary?

Is there a book, map or website that I can refer to (besides the RL site) that will give me any more info?

I'll be fishing my avet sx as well as bringing a spinning combo to fish off the beach in the afternoons or if the winds pick up.

Thanks for any suggestions and tips (I've done a search on this site and others)

~Elric
aka TheCrw

Nice Gift,Very Thoughtful Wife  Good Luck down there Elric my daughter and I are trying to plan a trip down there this year if we can ever get our schedules to coincide. I was hoping somebody would post a checklist  Maybe Sean he probably has it memorized?

Hey Elric, I tried to answer you on Spike's page but something was wrong with it. Or me...lol
I have never had much luck on rubber baits. Not many bites and they get chewed real fast. I use Krocs and Rappelas. Occasionallly a Kastmaster. Other than that, bait is your best bet. Put bait on a hook and something will bite it. And that is the great thing about fishing down there, you never know what is going to bite next.
And yes, they have teeth. Even the bait has teeth. I don't see many grippers down there. Everyone carries a gaff.
We use the Plano buckets down there. Check with Spike to see if you should bring one or not.

I purchased a portable FF on clearance ($70) a Lowrance Cuda 128. It comes w/ a suction cup, but I'm not sure what kind of condition the bottom of these rental kayaks will be like, any rough gouges and the suction won't hold air - any ideas? I take my FF every year. Most of the boats are in good shape. The FF comes in real handy for finding the drop offs and structure.

What about my VHF radio, should I bring it? Who would I talk to? or a FRS radio and keep contact w/ my wife (I have a set).I have seen some people with VHF. Don't recall seeing anybody but me and my wife with the FRS.

Do I need to invest in a fish gripper? Are any of these critters toothy?

Should I put the fish in a bag or just string them? Any sharks in these parts?There are some sharks. I have caught a couple. We usually use bags. If you have a panga with you, they will pick up your fish and put it on ice. Most of the yaks have hatches. You can put it in the hatch. I usually make sure I have a prowler and put it in the back well and cover it up.

How much squid should I bring and what kind of rig should I put it on? At least two bags. Again, email Spike a few days before the trip. Some times, bait is scarce. If so, bring lots of squid. Everything down there likes squid.

Do I need to bring a sea anchor? a regular folding anchor? A sea anchor is handy. Have never seen anyone use a real anchor.

What are the various methods to get me what fish?
-stripping out skippies for DoradoYes
-I hear Pargo is good eating and go directly for cover when hookedYes. Hang on!
-Roosterfish put up a great fight but are poor table fare and best caught trolling lures along the beach. Yes. But they are caught from yaks also. I caught a 45 #er last year. Hang on even harder!
-look for structure (I've heard of a "double reef" in the Rancho Leonero area) Not sure about the double reef. There is a reef close to shore, then a boat anchorage, then a gradual drop off, then a sheer drop off to Blue Water. I have caught most of my fish, especially Dorados between the reef and the Blue Water right out in front of the ranch and to the north
-how should i use the squid? on a lead head or dropper loops?Put squid on a hook and something will bite it
-flourocarbon? is it necessary? I have used it and gone without. Probably better with it.

You will have a great time. Don't know how I am going to wait until October for our trip.

Heya Elric-
Congrats... I'm sure you'll have one wikked trip... I've spent a lot of time in baja and will reply to your post in text.

Anything else I should consider purchasing?
-Rapala CD 13 in mackerel patterns
-Large megabaits
-large crocodiel spoons
-large live bait hooks
-sabikis for catching live bait
-pliers
-gaff
-a few 10 oz weighs for getting your bait to the bottom when fishing for pargo

I've got a plano trolling bait bucket. Is that big enough for the bait down there? Should I consider constructing a trolling tube? Do they have bait tanks down there (Rancho Leonero)?
-You could hold 3 pieces of rooster bait in a bait bucket


I purchased a portable FF on clearance ($70) a Lowrance Cuda 128. It comes w/ a suction cup, but I'm not sure what kind of condition the bottom of these rental kayaks will be like, any rough gouges and the suction won't hold air - any ideas?

What about my VHF radio, should I bring it? Who would I talk to? or a FRS radio and keep contact w/ my wife (I have a set).
-FRS. Its always a good idea to have a way to connect with people back on shore

Do I need to invest in a fish gripper? Are any of these critters toothy?
-yes... lots of toothy critters down there... in fact, pargo have huge teeth. I'd recomend a good gaff and dive stringer.

Should I put the fish in a bag or just string them? Any sharks in these parts?
-sharks... yes.. but nothing you need to worry about..

How much squid should I bring and what kind of rig should I put it on?
a box or two a day

Do I need to bring a sea anchor? a regular folding anchor?
-yes.. a sea anchor is a good idea... Thewind can come up pretty hard down ther

What are the various methods to get me what fish?
-stripping out skippies for Dorado
-I hear Pargo is good eating and go directly for cover when hooked
-Roosterfish put up a great fight but are poor table fare and best caught trolling lures along the beach.

-look for structure (I've heard of a "double reef" in the Rancho Leonero area)
-how should i use the squid? on a lead head or dropper loops?
-flourocarbon? is it necessary?

Is there a book, map or website that I can refer to (besides the RL site) that will give me any more info?

I'll be fishing my avet sx as well as bringing a spinning combo to fish off the beach in the afternoons or if the winds pick up.

You should be stoekd on the trip.. Plus, roosterfish is really good eating-try marinating in terriyaki and tropical fruit sauce, or sashimi. I ate it almost everyday in costa rica  and was very impressed. You just have to know how to cook it the right way.

Are you taking any other conventional Rod/Reel outfits?  Never been fishing that far into Baja myself but know quite a few that have. You might wanna take a beefier 25-30 lb outfit to handle that 10 oz of lead and back up the other rod.  I'd travel heavy on gear, availability of anything other than a cold beer is supposed to be horrendous.

Good luck, sounds like an awesome trip.

Thanks for all the input guys! This Baja trip has always been a dream of mine and the stars seemed to align for this one. I'll be sure to come back w/ lots of pics and a detailed report.
Haven't had a chance to put the yak out on Lake Mead yet - so I've been jonesing this entire time. I might just pass out from all the excitement down there and to actual fish from my yak again!

Go to  www.vanwormerresorts.com web site and they have a fishing gear checklist that pretty much covers what you would need.  Los Barilles is just up the road a bit from where you will be, so the gear will work well.  I was there in October and tried some Storm soft plastic swim baits and all I ever got was shredded remnants back after being bit.  The Sierra there are toothy and Barracuda as well.  Have a great time.  Don't forget to post your adventure when you get back!

Jody

I think Brendan pretty much nailed it.  You can do three basic things...1) troll bait 2) troll artificials 3) jig

For trolling bait use live sardinas if you can.  Big mullets are the shizzle for big roosters, but everyone will eat the sardinas.  Nose hook and flyline with a flouro leader.  FORGET the Plano, it is hell to use and the baits die quickly... although it does make a good drift anchor. Bring a bait tube or a live well.  All you need is hooks, swivels, and egg sinkers if you want to send it down.  The same rig will work for dead bait or squid.

Artificials that work well are big Rapalas.  CD 14s in green mack were money for me last year.  Krocs in mack or prism also produced.

Leave the rubber at home and jig with iron.  Bring megabaits and/or tadys etc.

Enjoy!!!  I can't wait to go back this June.

Tasty list:
YFT
Dodo
YT
Amberjack
Skippies (for aku poky)
Pargo
Triggers
Pompano

Release (fun to catch but taste like socks)
Roosters
Jack Crevalle
Billfish

Check your leader and hooks between EVERY fish.  Even little fish like triggers will f-up your hooks and could cost you a tuna...BTDT.