KROCODILE CATCH--A sheephead and some nice triggerfish caught by Ken Jones during his camping trip north of Bahia de los Angeles. Photo courtesy Ken Jones. AFTER THE RAINS--Desert wildflowers bloom near L.A. Bay. Photo courtesy Ken Jones.

BAJA TRIP TO BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES AMID WILDFLOWERS AND TRIGGERFISH

Feb. 22, 2005, Ken Jones, Bahia de los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico Trip Report:

We beat the rain down Baja's Highway 1 to camp and fish north of Bahia de los Angeles (L.A. Bay) and avoided the closures that we heard were off and on again for a few days. There were wildflowers galore and all of Baja was a bright vivid green. Bugs were still not a problem yet, although I have heard horror stories about rains and jejenes.

The fishing in the Bahia de los Angeles (L.A. Bay) area was fantastic for large 3-5 pound triggerfish. Silver Krocodiles still seem to be their favorite...especially if you "flick" it around a bit and let it flutter back down a few times before reeling in. If this is a "nuisance" fish, so be it! Makes for fun times during the slowest part of the fishing year.

Leopard grouper to 5 pounds were hitting the same Krocs, as were large Spotted Bay Bass.

On cut bait the Bahia de los Angeles fishing catch also included a 6 pound Hogfish and a 3-4 pound Ocean Whitefish/Tilefish.

The water at Bahia de los Angeles seemed to be in the low to mid 60's. The wind was an on/off again problem but the water was super clear when calm.

We came back up the Baja east coast road to avoid the rains and it was obvious the area got hit hard. If you don’t like mud, the road from La Chapala to Coco's (Coco's panties collection is um, well, something to see) and beyond is not for you.

NOTE: While driving through Tijuana the past two times in the early a.m., I have been stopped by a friendly "Officer David". The first time was a ticket for "speeding," even though I was simply moving with traffic. He was SO nice to "take care" of the situation without me having to go to court. This second time he was really was pushing it as he pulled me over for taking the large right hand turn (that leads to the toll road after coming down the hill from the border fence area) too quickly. Trust me, in an overloaded Toyota truck with a rack full of gear, I do NOT take turns quickly. He sagged a bit when I cheerily joked that he pulled me over a month ago too. Seems like even he thought it best not to bust the same gringo for two phony citations. Got a warning and a handshake. Must say, he is really nice but WATCH OUT if traveling that route. On the other hand, it is kind of obvious he'll pull you over no matter what you do.