CENTRAL BAJA COAST MEXICAN FISHING TRIP BY THE BOAT ISLANDER

June 6, 2004, John Carroll, Isla San Martin and Isla San Benito, Baja Coastal, Mexico Fishing:

Just returned from my charter trip "Baja Adventure" on the Islander and we just killed it.

Spent a day offshore in route to Benitos and got a few Yellows and Albies off San Martin (way outside).

First day at Benitos we really got into the Yellows on the surface iron and Yo-Yo iron with a few bait fish thrown in. It was all bird school fish that morning. The Island proper was cold and green but we fished off the Kayaks for some superb grade Calico.

Next day the sun came up over a different ocean as the water color was perfect and the temp. came up a few degrees we went back out to the same spot as day before and they just were not up like day before.

Back inside on the kelp line we found them. After maybe five or so hook-ups and all fish earning their freedom via the bottom or the kelp the Captain got on the PA and said fish nothing less than 40 pound.

There were fish crashing all over the place not hundreds just a few here and there but all fish were 25 pounds and up to 50 although that was never confirmed as none were landed over 42 pounds.

The hook-to-land ratio was now at maybe five-to-one. It was so exciting to see these fish crashing rather than just boiling. I have been told that Yellow's never crash or come out of the water but after what we saw I beg to differ.

Fished off the Kayaks in the afternoon and I got one at 26 after being drug around and finally having to swim down and spear the fish in the kelp to get it. My buddy Justin Jetter on the other hand caught a 34 using the Qualifier 105 skiff to gaff it for him.

Spent the next day fishing tight to Cedro's for Calico's and had a blast. Some guys went spearfishing and ended up just sightseeing.

Went back to Benitos and conditions had rolled for the worse again and we fished offshore for a few more yellows before I asked to start the run up the line for more Albies.

Friday we started slow and then got to about 100 miles from home and all hell broke loose. We stopped on puddlers and went bendo for forty minutes. Did that till dark and called it a trip. In the last three hours we must have caught 100 plus Albies. Had a blast and am planning the same trip for mid-June next year.