Fishing East Cape Baja questions

[greggo]

Guys, I will be fishing with 3 others Oct 22-27th on the East Cape of Baja at Martin Verdugos place (1/2 way between San Jose del Cabo and La Paz). They provide rods and tackle but I'd still like to bring some of my own. We will be fishing (mostly trolling) on their 28' Super Cruisers for Dorado, Tuna, Sailfish, Roosterfish and possible Marlin w/ a Capt and a Deckie. This is my first fishing trip there.
My question is what rod/reel combos, line test and lures would be appropriate for this time/area. Also, if any of you have been in the area any tips that would be helpful to get as much out of this would be appreciated.
Thanks Greggo

[Bullshipper]

This is the ideal time for tuna and wahoo there. The last three years I was there, the guys from Verdugo's went quite a way south to fish the Gordo Banks and the Vinorama reef just north of San Jose de Cabos where we were fishing.
I know the boats you are talking about, as we have fished alongsdie them in our pangas. The capatains will very in what they carry, but it is a sure bet that they will be set up with 100 lb heavy tackle and marlin lures, but I would bring 3 rod and reel combos with 30 lb class gear, as you will also fish a lot with small 3-4" long sardines that do not have much pulling power. The tuna here will have about 25 lbs, but there are some +100 lb fish, if you chunk, which is a technique that is new to about 95% of the captains there. They like to sight troll to avoid doing much work in my experience, and as this is close to the Bisbee tournament, it is sometimes hard to pick and choose your captains., as the good ones are busy.
I would aslo bring a ziplock bag with some 20lb and 40 lb wire leaders on # 3 livebait hooks for the wahoo, as everything they will have is also on the heavy side, and they are line shy. The next thing I would bring is some 4/0, and 6/0 circle hooks with some rubber core sinkers and some 20-40-60 lb florocarbon, as the chunk also turns ons on using skipjack at this time of the year.
The live bait pangos will come out looking for you to sell you a small scoop for $20, so make sure your boat has a working live well. Don't forget your 30+ sunscreen. The morning will be cool but it gets hot by mid morning.

Look at this link for more info:

http://www.gordobanks.com/

[greggo]

Thanks Bullshipper I was hoping you'd post here.
Do you think we could "get" the Captain to chunk? And in Regards to the wire leaders how long should they be? Do you think the Super Cruisers are a better value than the Super Panga for 4 guys. Do they fish farther/better water? What is an appropriate tip to the Capt/ Do you tip the Capt and let him take care of the Deckie? If we fish 4 straight days should we tip at the end, or day to day?
Lots of questions I know but I sure appriciate your insight.
Thanks Gregg
Also, I was going to bring some of my Albacore lures Mexican Flags, Cedar plugs etc. Yes/no?

[Bullshipper]

Do you think we could "get" the Captain to chunk? You want to talk with the resort manager and let him know before you get there- and also confirm your plans with the captain the afternoon you arrive- If the fish are down at gordo banks as usual, this will mean a long ride for you in a slow boat, and these guys usuall arrive aas the bite is shutting down- especially on the wahoo- so you might want to talk him into leaving earlier than 7 am- paying his $5 cab fare instead making him wait for the bus-but this has to be done the night before, as any predictions now are just a crap shoot.
Thinking more about this, you might want to take a couple of fast trolling wahoo rigs with 2 lb sinkers, and a purple and black, and a green and pink feather on wire to troll on your way out as their boats will crise right at 12-15 knots.

And in Regards to the wire leaders how long should they be? 24"

Do you think the Super Cruisers are a better value than the Super Panga for 4 guys. "
2 guys to a panga will catch more fish than 4 guys in one boat every time, and they are faster- $165 for the boat, $20 for bait- $25 tip to captain per day- but reserve early as this is the busy season- I like Brickston's outfit as he makes sure they get off early and is also there to here your story is you don't like you captain, etc. I stay at the Tropicana in SJCabos-$80 per night for 2, they have freezers and ice, and its walking distance to everything you need.

Do they fish farther/better water? What is an appropriate tip to the Capt/ Do you tip the Capt and let him take care of the Deckie? The captain runs the show. $30-50 per day- tip every day as they will change captains sometimes day to day.

Also, I was going to bring some of my Albacore lures Mexican Flags, Cedar plugs etc. Yes/no? Why not? Rapala Magnum14, pliers,

Take 2 boxes of 1 gallon ziplok freezer bags and a cooler each with tape and straps for your fillets.

[Bullshipper]

Do you think the Super Cruisers are a better value than the Super Panga for 4 guys. "

I wasn't very clear in my answer here.
Regular 22' beach launching pangas outnumber super pangas 10-1- so they are a lot more available and cheaper than the pangas or the cruisers.
You can probably rent 2 pangas for the price of one cruiser, and you will catch double the fish per man in two boats. But the samller pangas are limited to 3 guys and 1 medium cooler, and therefore fish and travel a lot better with 2 guys. Every boat goes where the fish are, and they are usually within 10 miles of San Jose de Cabos as there is major structure there with the inner and outer Gordo Banks, Vinorama, Iman Bank, etc that are all within 2-4 miles from shore. In the winter, SJ Cabos in in the lee of the land to the prevailing NW winds so the water is usually great, unless there is a southern storm that will kickof the surf and make your launch and landing a bit more interesting. The east Cape is a lot more suspetible to wind.

At Verdugo's, you often have to travel out 30-40 miles west or south , so these little boats don't do as well as their range is limited. But a regular panga will go anywhere a super panga will in terms of speed, ( both are 2X as fast as cruisers) and the little panga is the coolest boat to ride in for a lack of cabin or curtains to obstruct the wind and breeze. So 2 pangas with Bait and tip will cost you about $410 per day, or $100 per guy. This is the point of my reply, and you can compare it to what the rates are for the super panga or cruiser you are contemplating.
I would also recommend San Jose de Cabos over Verduo's place as there is more to do, the fish and SJC airport are closer, and the fishing is more consistant.

Guess that covers it.

[greggo]

Bull, thanks for the comeback but if I travel 30 miles West of Verdugos to fish I believe I am in the desert
Also, I guess I thought that the more expensive boat (cruiser) would be at least as fast as the smaller pangas I guess we will have to re-think the boat. I appreciate your info. We are kinda locked into Verdugos for this trip but will definetly get some info on San Jose trips.
Come down for a cold Pacifico!
Thanks Gregg

[Bullshipper]

Thats the time of the year I go too, if I go. Good luck on your trip.

[Petes Dragon]

I agree that a Panga is the way to go. Four guys on a cruiser limits the individual fishing. We liked it more with the Panga. Also gave more options. Fished the beach for roosters and some other stuff. Those guys in the cruisers get fixated on marlin to the exclusion of the other stuff.

[Wahzoo]

wHAT do they charge??? Prices???

[westbootie]

I've fished and spearfished alot in Baja. I would bring as much of your own gear as possible as the "boat gear" is usually a beat up Penn International that looks like it was dragged behind a truck and 5 year old mono that snaps the first time you turn up the drag. I always bring my own terminal gear and lures. I have killed the Tuna on cedar plugs and Rapalas. Petrolaro colored lures are very effective in Baja. As are bleeding mackeral. I also like the Zuker feathers in the mexican flag color. I have fished both Pangas and cruisers, I find the cruisers to be more comfortable. We usually fish 2-3 guys to a cruiser. Obviously, 2 to a cruiser is more comfortable, but more expensive. Call me cheap, but the tip depends on how hard the guys work to find fish and there general disposition. I don't think I have ever tipped over $30-40 dollars total. And I'm talking per boat. Not per man. But I always bring new T-shirts, hats, new mono, pack of hooks etc for the captain and crew. You need to clarify up front that you want to bait the fish and set the hook, otherwise all you will be doing is reeling. Ok for the first time but gets old. One time I went to Cabo to fish with an Uncle who was incredibly cheap and he haggled soo much that the captain finally relented to the deal and when we left the dock a hundred boats turned left into the calm sea of Cortez and we were the only boat to turn right out into the Pacific where the wind was blowing hard and giant swells. That was a great bargain, a nice uncomfortable boat ride and seasickness to boot. I bring 2 Penn 30 two speeds with 60 lb test and a 12LT with 20-25 lb test. Also a couple of shimano 2 speeds with 30-50 lb. I always keep my eyes open and be alert because you never know what you'll see or catch. This July out of La Paz, I shot and landed a 275 pound Black Marlin freediving and then 2 days later shot and landed a 264 pound Yellowfin Tuna. I've seen Roosters beachng themselves chasing bait and gigantic schools of bait boiling for as far as the eye can see. Big schools of marauding 25-30 pound Toros that would eat anything you throw at them. Whale sharks and Mako sharks. Thresher pups jumping ten feet in the air. I've caught 20+ pound dorado on the fly. Cero Mackeral and Amberjack on the fly. Anyhow, I think you get the picture. Definately not the fishery it once was, but still incredible. Oh yeah, one thing I always do is bring a good fillet knife with ziplocks and when you catch fish go down to the local market and buy a cheap styrofoam cooler and fill with ice and then bring the fillet to any restraunt and they will cook it up for you. Good luck and have fun
Joe W

[Birdman]

DUDE!!!

Forget about fishing that area, bring your stick!! Some of the best surfing on the planet can be found right there!!!