BAJA FISHING TRIP OUT OF ENSENADA, MEXICO'S CRUISEPORT VILLAGE

Jan. 30, 2005, Capt. Mark Gillette, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico Fishing:

I took the Knotty Buoys out, departing Thursday night with owners Andy, Jimmy, Randy, and special guest Teddy, after getting great bait at Mike's, which was 4-7 inch anchovies. We did not lose one piece of bait.

We left Ensenada's Cruiseport Village and made bait outside Punta Santo Tomas, which was all 5-9 inch Spanish and Green Mackerel.

We aimed the boat down to an area of bull kelp above San Martin Island, and after traveling all night in flat calm waters with full moon light, we arrived at said destination at 0530. We made a drift, and the first bait down caught a beautiful white seabass. We gave the area an hour, with no more results.

We then headed to San Martin Island. I was glassing all the high spots, and only spotted birds at Ben's Rock. I metered around and saw yellowtail, so we anchored up. We caught 4 yellowtail, 3 in the 12-15 pound class and one around 25 pounds. All the fish came on Tady A2 and 4/0 in scrambled egg.

We checked the other high spots, but had nothing to show for our efforts. We came back to the island and were surprised to get into a good bite on the calico bass. All the fish were caught on the swim baits, and the fish were all 2-5 pounds, a really nice grade.

We noticed the weather change that night, and I knew this was not going to be favorable. We waited to see just how the weather would develop, and at 0200 Saturday, with 15 to 20 knots of wind, we left San Martin Island, and headed to Ensenada.

We took a beating, but made it safely to Ensenada at 1300 hrs. Of note, I would like to remind all boaters to take precautions when heading to distant destinations. Please put fishing third, behind, safety first, and enjoying the ocean, and having a good time.