Siesta de Pesca at the Ranch

One rainy day a few months ago Pat and I decided that a few days at Rancho Leonero would do us some good, so we booked flights and a room And took off last Wednesday.

We arrived that afternoon at about 4:00 PM to find that the wind had been howling for the past couple days and none of the kayaks had been able to launch so far that week.  It was windy enough, in fact, that we weren't able to make good on our plans to try the evening bite.  We met up with Dennis Spike and 8 other "kayakeros" at dinner, and laid plans to hit it hard the following morning if weather permitted. 

The next morning, we awoke to this:

...and the wind was just a light breeze, so we launched and paddled for the fishing grounds beyond the moored cruisers.  We were informed there was no bait in the bay, so we fished squid and megas and knife jigs.  We caught puffers and porcupines and a bunch of Trigger fish which made an incredible cerviche that evening.

That afternoon, the wind came up out of the north again.  Pat and I launched anyway, but there was no way to set up a decent drift, so that was it for the day.

Friday was a different story.  We had a panga assist available and were headed down to the palm grove a couple miles south.  Pat and I elected to troll a mackeral down the beach and 30 minutes into the day, she fooled this lovely little little Rooster fish:

When we joined the other yakers at the grove, we found that one of the fellows had landed a 45# Yellowtail.  And an hour later, while jigging the drop off, Pat pulled up this nice Ocean Whitefish. 

Unfortunately, that was it for the day for everyone.  We trolled the drop off and the current break for hours, and the only thing I could find to get the skunk off was a gay little puffer on a brokeback Rebel.

Saturday was launchable, so we headed back down to the grove.  I came across a school of coral snappers and landed 3 that were the only fish caught before the wind came barreling out of the North again at about 10:30.  It blew 30-35 knots in no time and kicked up a 3-4 foot chop which made the ride in my OK Scrambler just a little damp.   

Spike decided to load everyone in a panga and head back to the ranch, so we daisy chained the boats behind us and took off.  Shortly thereafter, half the boats broke away and headed for the beach, so Spike dove after them intending to tie them back together and paddle back to the panga.  However, in another 10 minutes, the waves were breaking over the gunnel so Guillermo decided he couldn't wait any longer and took off.  After  15 minutes or so of slugging it up the coast, the rest of the boats broke away and washed up on the beach a half mile or so from the first group. 

It took a good half hour more to travel the remaining mile or so to the alternate, "sheltered" landing point, and Guillermo did a fantastic job of surfing the panga onto the beach.  By the time we walked back to the ranch and cleaned up, the kayaks had been recovered and we were able to retrieve our gear. Most of our companions fish either in Socal or in lakes, so they weren't used to conditions that frisky.  Needless to say, there were excited stories told at dinner that evening.

Next day was Sunday and the wind was still blowing hard, so we were unable to get out for a few hours as we'd hoped.  So we finished packing and grabbed a taxi back to the Cabo Airport for the trip home.

Needless to say again, the fishing was slow, but it didn't really matter.  The ranch is a marvelous fishing resort and we had a great time.  We're already planning our next trip for late in the year.

Bummer about the wind, at least you guys had a great time....pretty little pez gallo...you are forever ruined!

Thanks for sharing your adventures and the spectacular pix, especially the one of Pat with the rooster fish. Rancho Leonero sounds mighty enticing, too!

Janice aka "Big J"

From the smiles I see on Pat's face, I'd say you guys had a blast.

Randy, you need to hand the camera off to Pat sometime.  It'd be good to see your smiling mug while holding a fish as well!!

-- Dave

Needless to say a lot of us are envious of you.  Must have been an awesome trip, regardless of the wind.

Thanks for sharing.  Makes me want to jump on a flight tomorrow...of course life wont allow that. 

Yeah, my only regret is that we didn't have more time to allow for less than optimal conditions.  We'll correct for that next time.  It just wasn't possible this time around.  In spite of that, the trip was a total success.  We enjoyed so many nice moments even off the water. It's impossible to accurately describe the atmosphere at the ranch.  Can't wait to go back!

Dave, you're right.  Pat even bought a new camera for the trip and she took pictures of...fish!      

Randy-

Too bad about the weather... the wind pretty much sucks down there. Last year, the wind kicked up every day at about noon. But, at least we got plenty of fishing done in the mornings. Sounds like you and Pat made the best of it and still had a good time down there. Pat's holding a fish that I really really really wanted to catch when I was down there... pez gallo baby. Those "porcupines" are cute out there... almost looks like a little hamster or something. The Ranch is a great place... I can't wait to get back there.

Hey... how were your meals??? Did you have to wait a long time for dinner???

Freddie

The food service should be good again...that @#$%^%$ chef is gone.

Living the dream!!!
Way to go.

Freddie -

The food was very good and served on time.  Only the first night's dinner fell a little short - overdone chicken breasts.  I had pancakes (which I seldom eat) every morning.  They were outrageous good.  I suspect it had something to do with the buttermilk.  Saturday's all-you-can-eat rib dinner was jammed with locals of course, and for good reason.  And, best of all, we had Trigger cerviche and bbq Yellowtail collar to supplement (as if we needed it).  Lunches invariably started off with some sort delicious homemade soup.  I had no idea what I was eating most of the time, but man, it was good!  Lunch on the water included shredded beef burritos.  Bueno!


Randy

Awesome!

Thanks for sharing, you two!