ENSENADA BAJA NAVAL SHIPYARD REPORT

July 19, 2004, Steve Ross, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico Fishing and Baja Naval Shipyard Report:

Just got back from two weeks in Ensenada. Fished two days on other people's boats as Bad Dog was in Baja Naval getting her bottom painted and other cosmetic repairs.

Last Wed. on a 26' Skipjack "Blackjack," caught two yellowtail in the 10 pound class. I was with the owner Mike Kraus who also caught two small yellowtail. If it hadn't of been for the good eyes and excellent fisherman captain who was running the Mexican sportfisher Shir Lee we would had been skunked as we poached his paddy with no objection from him.

Sunday (yesterday) on the Wide Open I caught one barracuda that weighed a little over two pounds. This was Tom McInally's 36' Riviera "Wide Open." The barracuda was a fish species we were hunting for several weeks for me so that I could have my 7th species to qualify in the San Diego Angler's All Around Angler of the year award in which you need 7 species. Got to be a joke amongst locals as everyone was trying to help me catch a rather prevalent barracuda that kept eluding me week after week.

The Banda Bank is hot at 74 degrees with clear blue water but no surface fish to be found in trolling it up and down for nothing.

Baja Naval Ensenada Shipyard:

I would like to share my experiences that I had at Ensenada's premier yard, Baja Naval. I brought Bad Dog over on last Sunday, July 11 which was a real convenience being able to get her set up for a haul out on the following day, Monday.

On Monday, I was introduced to my assigned yard manager Arturo who took an enthusiastic interest in greeting me. They painted my bottom to perfection and repaired some underwater damage sustained from a runaway anchor in heavy seas. The gel coat work on the hull was to where she looked brand new and they matched the hull's white paint to where you would never know. They also installed some under the swim step lights and the mounting was impressive.

Baja Naval, Ensenada, is a very clean and professional yard that I would recommend to anyone.

I have been described by yards as a tough customer, as I demand the jobs to be done right. To add to this difficult customer I brought all my tough friends over, Mike Kraus, Tom McInally and Juan Lu Cardona-Sepulveda who added the professional's point of view. We were all impressed and Bad Dog left Baja Naval this morning with more than one happy customer. They even washed my decks upon delivery...smart.

This is my second time at Baja Naval, and each time I have not been disappointed. I recommend this yard to all of you and I will be going back.