July 3, 2004, Jon Schwartz, Rancho Leonero, Mexico Kayak Fishing Trip, Baja California Sur:

Rene's panga is called The Ole'. It was as always out of Rancho, and it was the 21st. Water temps almost 90, about 88, 300 yards from beach. This striper was caught trolling about 3 miles from shore. As I stated he was released in perfect health.

On the 24th I went out with my bait tank and mullet and got a big jack crevalle, on the way home ran into a school of dodos as the bite became wide open and nailed 3! Told my friend Rod Bennet to go out as he had just arrived ( he met me at the beach with Val Pryor his wife to see my dodos). I went to sleep, saw him with a paddle in his hand two hours later outside his room. Asked him if he was going to go out and he said he came back with 3, landed 5!!! So next day since my hands were mincemeat from yakfishing 5 days, we rented a panga to drop us off 1 mile offshore and trolled bait and squid, we all landed at least 5, Rod more than that, though we kept less than that. it was insane. At one point I had two on and fought them both, but farmed them both!! The first one that I paid attention to was a big female but I had a big swivel that connected my about 6 foot 60 # leader and everytime I would get it to the rod tip, I would try and hoist the fish close, my long leader prevented me from gaffing it. Next time I will tie shorter leaders. By the time I grabbed the leader and several passes she spit out the hook. I then tended to the other one but it was smaller and came unbuttoned at yakside. It was absolutely nuts. never seen such a wide open bite in my life!!!

Here are some landed with Rene Maklish, same panguero as with last year with my blue marlin. The striper was landed by trolling a petrolero on 250 leader omnto 50 pound P line onto a TLD 25 with an American series seeker trolling stick. Roosters (you see the biggest one, one earlier was about 10 pounds less) were hooked and landed by me trolling mullet or dines 20 yards from shore at lighthouse at Punta Colorada (not the hotel but name or point). Rene is the best and we are very friendly. He and indio are the great gentlemen of the Sea of Cortez.

After seeing a photo of Spike with a sailfish on his lap, decided to go to Rancho Leonero at East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico. That place is like home for me. Seems like I've been going forever but it's only been over a year. The people are the nicest you'd ever want to meet.Anywho now mostly I just fish down there. If I fish here then I blow all my allotted time. Though I like to spearfish around here if the vis is ok. I got a marlin mount from that first blue and my wife says, great, we can put it in the living room. When I brought it to the house she decides it's better off in my little office. Takes up the whole darn room. Know anyone who wants a marlin mount, cheap?

I must say that Hugh over at Pacific Coast Bait and Tackle in Oceanside has always been very helpful and like a buddy of mine. He is a real gentleman, about 70 years old, former Mr. San Diego body builder (long time ago), he has taught me a lot, all my knots, not like I know a lot but what I know he has taught me.

Now Rene, he is a real great guy. His last name is Maclish (sp). He is from Sonora but has lived therefor 40 years. He is very cheerful and, well, what can I say, I just love the guy. We have fished only 3 times together and have 2 yakak marlins, two big roosters, dorado, toro, and a bunch of other stuff.

Here are his stories. He was fishing with a couple from France. They asked him what would bring them luck, and he says, well, if you really want to know, have your wife take her top off. So she does that (France I guess it's no big deal) and guess what? They get hit 15 minutes after that, great luck all day.

Another time he was out with three couples. No luck, so they ask him the same question. He says, tonight, you men all need to make love to your wives 3 times. No problem, they say. Next day all of the women were chin on the chest exhausted!