 |  |
By Tom Gatch
The steamy, tropical weather patterns that dominated conditions along the west coasts of both the U.S. and Baja this summer finally came to a head over the Labor Day weekend. Tropical storm, Lidia, smashed the tip of Baja and worked her way up the peninsula leaving behind a trail of flooding and destruction.
Of course, this event was in no way comparable to the recent horrors inflicted by Hurricane Harvey along America’s Gulf Coast, which caused many deaths and displaced millions. Nonetheless, tropical storm Lidia still had a significant impact that affected many of those visiting Baja Sur during the peak of its tourist and fishing seasons. Luckily for anglers, tourists and local businesses, however, things managed to bounce back quickly after Lidia departed and more fish began hitting the deck again.
Just south of the International Boundary, the yellowtail fishing around Isla Coronados has been decent with many fish being seen, but far fewer actually being hooked. The overpopulation of sea lions in the area has done much to mitigate fishing success over the past several years, often resulting in a frustrated angler reeling in a head that once belonged to their fish that had just been hooked and battled to the boat.
The fishing has been solid in and around Bahía de Todos Santos, with Capt. Louie Prieto of It’s 4 Reels Sportfishing reporting a solid bite on medium sized yellowtail and bonito along with good catches of quality grade calico and sand bass.
At the south end of the bay, Vonny’s Fleet pangas have been nailing big calico bass weighing up to 7 pounds on plastics tossed into the frothing waters around boiler rocks and other outcroppings out near the tip of Punta Banda.
Down the coast in Erendira, about half way between Ensenada and San Quintin, Castro’s Fishing Place is a small, out of the way fish camp that just may offer some of the best bottom fishing for Sebastes rockfish in Baja California.
In addition to limit catches of big Pacific red snapper (vermillion rockfish), visiting anglers have also been taking a number of yellowtail in the 15 to 25 pound class. Over the decades, Fernando Castro and his family have earned the faith and patronage of generations of veteran Baja anglers.
Further south, panga and sportfishing charter services in the Bahía San Quintín area are reporting good catches of reds and lings on the bottom, along with some nice yellowtail and a few trophy-sized white seabass closer to the surface. The most reliable outfitters in the region for fishing charters are K&M Sportfishing, Capt. Juan Cook’s San Quintín Bay Sportfishing, Pedro’s Pangas and Tiburon Sportfishing.
From Cedros Outdoor Adventures just off Baja’s central Pacific coast, Jose Angel reports, “This week at Cedros Island....lots of action, several limits in record time of quality yellowtail from 20 up to 45 pounds, and lots of hungry calicos along with the recent arrival of yellowfin tuna. We have even had a huge white seabass and big halibut caught over the past few weeks to even out the catch. Now that Lidia has moved on, our guests can enjoy the great action and weather we have been having this season.”
Back on the peninsula at Bahía Asunción, Shari Bondi from Blowhole Bed & Breakfast reports, “Our water temps around Bahía Asunción are still hovering around 70 degrees or more; not as warm as it has been during the past two years of El Nino conditions. The kelp is coming back, which provides great structure for migrating dorado.” She concluded her report by saying that their early yellowtail bite has continued all the way into fall, with most fish in the 20 to 30 pound class.
Down the road in Los Cabos, Pisces Sportfishing in Cabo San Lucas offered, “Before we got hit by Lidia we had amazing summer fishing, with 96% of boats landing fish. Most of the action involved consistent catches of yellowfin tuna and dorado, as well as a few wahoo and various species of billfish.
Most of our good fishing remains on the Pacific side, occasionally shifting towards Punta Gorda and the 11:50 Spot. Boats fishing inshore ended up bringing in some nice roosterfish, and even a few grouper up to 30 pounds. Our biggest recent catch, a 210 monster yellowfin tuna that took almost 3 hours to land, was taken aboard the Pisces Valerie by the Gopffarth’s party, who was visiting from Arizona.”
In San Jose del Cabo, just to the east, Eric Bricston at Gordo Banks Pangas reports, “We had greater crowds of anglers who arrived and were able to take advantage of what turned out to be the calm before the storm. This time of year the weather can change quickly, and it did when Lidia arrived.
Prior to that, our charters had been relying slabs of squid and live sardines for bait. Surf conditions had been unusually light, which has given the commercial bait fleet more opportunities to net the schooling sardines.
The main action recently has been for yellowfin tuna; an influx of smaller sized fish in the 10 to 15 pound class has been dominating the bite on the Iman Bank, where fleets from as far as way as the East Cape have been getting in on this action.
One tuna in the 150 pound class was also reported a few weeks ago off of the Gordo Banks. This time of year we would expect more numbers of quality sized tuna, we do believe they are still in the area, but are hanging lower in the water column perhaps, not wanting to compete with the greater number of smaller tuna, who knows what is up with that.
Bricston concluded by adding, “Not much inshore fishing going on right now, this action does usually tend to fade out this late in the season. Most of our fishing activities are now centered on the high spots just offshore.”
Up the Cortez coast in La Paz, Jonathan Roldan at Tailhunter International lamented, “Talk about a ‘buzz kill’ ”; we had the best fishing of the season going until tropical storm Lidia showed up and crashed the fishing party, almost turning into a hurricane and bringing rain, flooding and high winds that basically just shut everything down! Winds up to almost 100 mph that havoc on local roads, neighborhoods and businesses. Even the Airport had to close down and flights were canceled, which stranded many visitors until the storm passed.
Before Lidia hit, we had an incredible tuna bite of 10 to 25 pound slugger fish just off the lighthouse at Las Arenas. Our anglers were lighting it up and getting totally plugged with limits of tuna by 9 or 10 a.m. in some cases. Then, they’d go for dorado and slam mahi-mahi for more limits! It was crazy fishing. It’s the best tuna bite I’ve seen all year and maybe in several seasons. Everyone looked like a “pro” out there! Add in some bonito, cabrilla, jacks and we had a lot of tired arms and big smiles!
Things are getting back to normal fast! I’m amazed at how quickly the waters are clearing up! So maybe things will turn back on again soon. As a matter of fact, our morning boats are just coming in as I finish this report and the news is good; limits of dorado, and plenty of yellowfin tuna. Our famous fall fishing season has just begun!”
Much further north, the waters surrounding the Midriff Islands in the Sea of Cortez are well known to harbor quality cabrilla, snapper and grouper. Bahía de Los Ángeles is situated near the center of the action, and Capt. Igor Galvan Jimenez regularly takes his clients out to enjoy the local bounty. On a recent trip, his anglers were rewarded with the regional ‘grand slam’ of a huge cabrilla, feisty yellowtail and a fat grouper.
Up in San Felipe, the Tony Reyes motherships have been doing well on their 6-day panga fishing adventures, and have been returning to port with limits of cabrilla and lots of yellowtail, as well as some black sea Bass, groupers, pargo and even some quality grade Cortez halibut. Trolling MirrOlures and casting Tady and Salas jigs have produced the best results.
It has been said on many occasions that ‘variety is the spice of life’, and by that definition, the fishing in Baja this past summer has been as spicy as salsa picante. So many places to go and so many types of fish to catch.
The good news is, fall fishing around the Baja peninsula can be just as hot as during the summertime, and sometimes even hotter depending upon where you happen to be.
Now is the time to visit Baja and take advantage of some of this year’s best fishing!
Getting a policy was simple, Provided more than provider for price comparison.
Excellent customer service
Easy to work with 😉. Always courteous and helpful. Have used them for all trips to Mexico. Easy website to navigate
No claims but purchase was quick and simple.
Great service, quick response time.
Best insurance I've had so far
Great coverage options . Price buy and print policy , very quick and easy , highly recommend them when driving in Mexico
Great company, great prices, and even better customer service. We've lived in Baja for 7 years and have used them for the past 6years....
Was planning to go to Mexico, but unfortunately my bike broke down. Got very friendly and fast service from Rigo. A full refund within back...
Very good ans very fast. We hope all will ben good if we need it.
Very professional, very helpful, great policy, I couldn't be happier with Baja Mexican Insurance, the friendly smiles and ease of it all in...
I have used Baja Bound for years. Very easy and affordable.
Where do i start..... you dont know you have good insurance until you have to actually use it. I have had Baja Bound INS for over 5 years...
Thank God I had a safe trip but it did have me at peace knowing I was fully covered. The staff were friendly and very helpful.
Day, night, while they are on vacation. Anytime. They are the best most helpful insurance companies on either side of the border!!! THE...
I absolutely love this company and site! We travel frequently between Arizona and Puerto Penaso, thus I have used the company multiple...
Easy to use website. We felt so much better having insurance for our family trip to Mexico.
I have been a customer for years and when I really needed them they stepped up in every way. I had a freak accident to my car and they...
I ALWAYS forget to get insurance on our Mexico trips but Baja Bound makes it so easy- I can do it from my phone in the car on the way and...
Third time working with Baja Bound and they made it easy! Thanks!
Easy to renew, offers the best coverage for me to feel comfortable while driving in Mexico.
Our go to Baja car insurance, everytime we take a visit down south . Usually it's for a day trip either for a quick getaway with the family...
Great service, very helpful people there.
I'm listening to the audiobook of God and Mr. Gomez at this very minute. One of my favorite books. Reading this article was sad but...
Anytime we cross the border, I go to BAJA BOUND and purchased insurance online. It’s easy and the website is thorough in explaining what...
I have been very impressed with the help I received from the insurance. I have used them for years and never needed their help. This time...
Reasonable prices and we thought best chance to actually get results if we needed them.
I have not had any claims thus far so rating is based on ease of purchase.
Baja Bound could not have made it an easier ... also, I made a mistake and called them having to leave a message ... but, they called back...
Easiest method of getting Mexican auto insurance. Best rate we found and was setup in no time.
Easy to buy! I didn’t have to use it, so no clue on that front
My wife and I were in Baja the 1st week of October. Insurance through Baja Bound was quick and easy. Thank you
Save the hassle of trying to find a Mexican Insurance shop or waiting in line if you do. Baja Bound Mexican insurance on line is quick,...
I had an awesome experience with Baja Bound. Family owned and highly personal, top notch customer service. I have total peace of mind...
Took just a few minutes on line. Easy even for a 75 year old
Easy to get and the price is right
Used them for the first time - twice in the past 10 days. LOVED how easy it was to customize my own policy right at my desk, print up the...
I've used Baja Bound for a number of years to insure both cars and motorcycles on trips I've made to Baja and to central Mexico. The...
Have used different times with different vehicles and each time was very simple - each time we have had to use extra days and was made...
Great insurance policy experience for our Mexico travels
Flawless trip!
Went down to TJ June 11 2020 No problems going into TJ but the way back was a ordeal 6 hours in line to get back into the USA but no...
Very easy process to purchase online. Very reasonable rates. Lots of good insight and helpful information on their website. My wife...
2nd time purchasing Bajabound MX insurance while on the road. Super Easy, excellent interactive website via laptop of phone. Quick...
Excellent
By far the best service for Mex insurance in Baja. They are personally there for you if you have problems south of the border.
Easy to buy Mexico car insurance from and good service
Great service!
We use them every time we travel to Mexico. Luckily we have not needed their services yet but getting insurance through them is quick and...
Super simple, inexpensive, easy to work with, amicable and great communication
SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD. OLD GUYS LIKE THAT. WILL DEFINITELY USE IN 6 MONTHS IF STILL RUNNING AROUND THE WILDS OF BAJA.
It was simple to purchase coverage and feeling that I was protected.
Great company. unlike their competitors, Baja Bound answers the phone and you're talking to a real person. Highly reccomend!
Signing up for policies is super easy. Never had a claim and hope I don't have to. But the service and process was fast and good.
I have been using BajaBound Insurance for 15 years - multiple trips per year. Their website is easy, their coverage is great, and the...
This company is the best 👌
I recently purchased insurance for my trip with Baja Bound because of their reputation and reviews. Easy enough to purchase and print...
QUICK and EASY! Get your insurance completed within minutes. Also, you are provided with a complete multi page document in English and...
They are very good . There website doesn't show you need a title to bring a vehicle across the border.I was stopped and told I had to...
Great customer service, quick, friendly staff helpfully answered all questions, very patient with my learning curve on a new product. Would...
Great site to get your insurance from the Baja experts.
Good coverage in several categories, with an efficient online purchasing experience and low cost. I felt confident going into Mexico on my...
They make it very easy to get Mexican insurance.
Baja Bound makes buying insurance for going south of the border as easy as it gets. The website is the easiest I have used and the staff...
I've had Baja Bound insurance for more that ten years now with thousands of miles logged in Baja. Fortunately, I've only had one fender...
Best Claim Service. Staff went out of their way to resolve and settle an accident claim for me. I recommend Baja Bound having used them for...
Baja Bound was recommended to us by a fellow SCORE racer for the Baja 400 in Ensenada. We insured 12 vehicles with multiple drivers and BB...
I will never drive south of the border without Baja Bound in my center console. I was in an accident a couple hours south of Ensenada and...
I wish every company was as easy to deal with as Baja Bound. I ended up staying in Baja longer than expected and it took a 3 minute phone...
Easy, quick and fair prices. Easy to deal with if needed.
Great company and they use CHUBB which is a top notch insurance company.We got our policy online 30min before crossing the border and were...
This is an update to my previous review. Baja Bound, unbidden on my part, reached out to me to assist. They coordinated a contact with...
Baja Bound makes insurance for my occasional weekend motorcycle trips to Mexico easy and affordable. I can buy my previously-purchased...
I just would like to know if you guys are going to update the fastpass direction any soon, during the month of January the lane changed to...
Great insurance! Bought one year but was cured in 2 days on my visit to El Sauzal de Rodriguez next to Ensenada. Not an enjoyable place to...
I had questions while submitting for Insurance on line so I called them. The customer service agent was exceptional on helping me to get...
Incredibly fast and painless. Paid about $180 for a month of coverage. It was easier than going on line.
Extremely easy to acquire a policy. Many options available. Reasonable rates.
Mexican Insurance made easy, I have used Baja Bound Mexican Insurance for all most 5 years, price and ease is great, luckily I have never...
Shauna at Baja Bound was AWESOME!! We had specific questions about how to quote the policy based on our vehicle type and she was super...
Great, easy to use service. I haven't had to file a claim (and hope I never have to) but the online portal is very easy to use, and it's...
Great service, EZ and reasonbably priced. Been using Baja Bound for many years now. Great company and people!
fast replies and great price!
Extremely well designed website and a smooth experience! Would recommend to anyone looking for US - Mexico insurance!
2nd year with Chubb. No problems
Super-easy and instant. Very happy with initial purchase.
2nd time I have used this company,, first class service and great price.
SERIOUS.
Good service, good products...
Easy easy easy... I have my co pilot (wife) set it all up on the drive south to the border. With in minutes we are set to cross the border...
Fast and easy!
Purchasing process was easy. First time I have bought Mexican insurance online. Before I would stop somewhere in San Diego close to the...
Changed some money. Good rate and friendly people.
so far so good, however I have read good things about them
Best Mexican Insurance Service Office, always ready to assist customers....Mrs. Yara, the best....👍👌🤝🤝
Good seevice have use baja bound for many years good price....
Quick, easy, well designed website and not just for Baja. Good rates for temporal residente gringos. We’re now living in Jalisco. Printed...
I've used this company for all my Baja trips. Always super easy and straightforward, and I've never had any issues or problems.
Great policy and easy to get.
Baja Bound Insurance has gone above and beyond for me in their customer care. I was a pain as a customer, bought the wrong insurance, had...
Very convenient, great price !!
Been going to baja for 45 years. This is best insurance company i have come accross.
Good and clean place.
Baja Bound is #1. They make getting Baja Mexico insurance a pleasure.
Michelle L. is the best Client Care Specialist! I originally purchased a policy a few months ago when we moved to Mexico. Then, my car...
Easy insurance for peace of mind
I called Baja Bound and Rigo from customer service was the most helpful person I've ever spoken to! If you get a chance to speak to Rigo...
Easy to renew my policy after two years. Good database!
I have used Baja Bound for insurance for many years. Their online process is easy and cost efficient. I have never had to use them for an...
Excellent service! Michelle made it so easy for me to purchase a 6 month mexican policy for all of Mexico. A couple quick back and forth...
Easy and fast in less than 10 minutes you could have insurance for Mexico. I have used them for about 8 years already.
Super easy to purchase just the coverage you need when crossing the border in your own car. I especially appreciate the fact that I was...
Quick easy to navigate website
Super easy to sign up for insurance for both our Truck and Four Wheel Pop-Up camper. We had no issues while driving south of the boarder......
Very excellent service, needed insurance for Mexico, price was fair. The custumer service rep was Yara
Honestly their app is so fantastic and saves all my info I can literally buy the same insurance for my Baja trips in less than 45 seconds...
Michelle is so efficient and thorough.
Easy to obtain, good quality, auto insurance for Mexico.
(Translated by Google) I like the insurance because you can buy it for a day and it assures you in Mexico for the time you go either up to...
Baja Bound Mexico Insurance provided great assistance during our drive into Hermosillo Son. last December 2021. We were victims of...
(Translated by Google) Hello, excellent service, fast. I don't waste time waiting anywhere else... I'll do it. In line when I go on the...
Easiest way to purchase insurance when traveling to Mexico. I have used their service for the last 7 years and it only gets easier and...
Easy and affordable.
Baja Bound Mexican Insurance has been an excellent insurance company to use when you drive into Mexico. We have used them for the past 6...
Very easy to buy Mexican insurance 👌
Baja Bound is the easiest way to set up coverage before you head into Baja. Online, 5-mins, you're done! Simple. I insure my truck and...
Easy, fast, and affordable.
Team were on point, provided inside information, prices were great and they had my proposal already in the system when I called back....
Easy to use and good peace of mind.
I purchased insurance through them & CHUBB for our trip to San Felipe. Unfortunately, we had to cancel due to our vehicle having an oil...
Baja Bound made it SO EASY to purchase insurance for our one week trip to Tijuana. I would definitely use them again for future trips and...
Had a great experience getting insurance at Baja Bound, before I always stoped at the border to purchase my insurance, not anymore. By the...
So convenient and easy to navigate thru the online process. I'll never use any other Mexican insurance service!
very easy to pay and value is cheaper than GNP and ABA and they offer the same protection thank you!!!
If you are going to Mexico Baja Bound is excellent. Buy online, good price, good quality. Fast and efficient.
Buying insurance on line is the most efficient way to go.
Trip was awesome.
Very easy, quick, and professional
Excellent online and by direct phone. Spanish and English with proven response to questions. Website is very informative about driving in...
Professional and affordable.
Quick, easy and gr8 pricing .
Yara is very helpful and explains everything. Love working with companies like this.
Rigo at the office has been so supportive and awesome, both on e-mail and by telephone. He helped me figure out details of my trip, sort...
Baja Bound is and has been my go to Mexico insurance company. The website is extremely easy to use, keeps all your info for a quick...
Thank goodness never had to use this. Great interactive website to huy.
Great service and prices!
A very easy to use website and good selection and rates. In the 10 years I have travelled in Baja, this is the only site I have used.
If you’re looking for Mexican Insurance that you can trust and feel good about while traveling in Mexico, you’ve found the right place....
Great renewal process, if only south Dakota would do the same for car registration.
Convenient, great website, prices are reasonable.
Super easy to get insurance and had no issues whatsoever.
Very knowledgeable and helpful.
Only place to get insurance 👍
We were trying to get an insurance for our RV in Mexico, we come from Europe and we drive with Belgium license plates. I tried a lot of...
Great insurance for your motor trip to Mexico.
Wonderful customer service, they made it easy to get my motorcycle insured for a last minute trip into Mexico. Explained the coverage with...
Super easy I just entered my info on line paid $60 for 5 days of coverage and the policy was emailed to me. I never had to use it...
Amazing customer service. Very attentive. Definitely will do business with BAJA BOUND in the future. Thanks.
Great service, whoever answered my call was very helpful. First time using Baja Bound and I was expressed with the service. We'll see in...
I reapplied for my Baja Bound Mexican car Insurance yesterday and I spoke to Ms. Shauna. This lady processed my application quickly and...
