KAYAK FISHING AND NEW BOAT LAUNCH RAMP AT PUERTO SANTO TOMAS RESORT

March 18, 2007, Coastal Kayak Fishing, Dennis Spike, Puerto Santo Tomas, Baja California, Mexico:

It's been a few years since we guided a kayak fishing trip at Sam's Puerto Santo Tomas Resort, and I have to tell you, the improvements at the resort are remarkable.

With new and refurbished accommodations, bigger, better panga fleet, a new boat ramp, the place is really a hidden jewel.

As part of a community project between the State of Baja California, Mexico, and the local fishing community, jointly with Real Baja Santo Tomas, the tourist corporation represented by Sam Saenz, the fist phase of the new boat ramp has been completed on the calm water side of the Puerto Santo Tomas bay.

It is now in full operation. Pangas can now be launched at any tide and private boats 20 to 28 feet can be launched on the medium and high tides. Sam Saenz was placed in charge of the ramp construction.

Other developments and improvements are planned for the new ramp and the surrounding area.

The wind followed our group of 15 kayak anglers, lessening our time on the water Friday and Saturday. The lingcod bite is off the wall with a good weight range to 10 pounds. Lots of reds on the outer kelps are suspended off the bottom. If you fish higher up in the column, the calico bass are taking everything.

Over the first 2 days, 5 kayak anglers met wind they couldn't paddle against and had to be plucked off the water by the local fleet. Radios are a must down here and it doesn't hurt to have a panga, very affordable, accompany you in the wind.

Saturday's big fish was a 10 pound lingcod for Richard Bloem of West Covina.

Sunday morning's breeze deterred a few, with about 8 anglers getting on the water and early reports of bigger lingcod. We'll do another Kayakfishing.com trip to Puerto Santo Tomas Resor, possibly in June or July, and again at this time next year. Spike, 1-818-970-2392.