Emily's Jumping Barracuda

Em's 1st catch didn't want to hold still for photo.

Emily's Cuda

The Cuda finally held still.

MIDDLE GROUNDS, Isla Los Coronados

First Trip South of the Border

Michael Rensmeyer's 1st Bonito.


Harry with Pacific Bonito.

Saturday, May 24, 2008 out of San Diego on Paparina with Mike as Captain, Jarrod Co-Captain, crew Michael Rensmeyer and Harry Estep; to Coronado Island off the Baja, Mexico Norte. This day was long in planning and almost came to an abrupt end as it began with me ending up in the Emergency Department at Scripps Mercy Hopital. Thanks to the Doc and his staff I was on and trolling within a few hours.

Now to the fishing: we headed south from Point Loma with a compass bearing of 196. Skies were partly cloudy, wind calm at 2-5kts, but the chop was still rough with a 4' swell out of the NW. We decided it would be best to stay off plain and cruise at 8-9knots until the chop calmed.

Once we crossed the international border into Mexican water we backed off to troll at 5-6 knots. I rigged the Tuna Stick / Penn International 30 with a Silver/Blue Mackerel Rapalla. We had decided that Hook-up sequence would be Jarrod, Harry, Michael, then me. Unfortunately, that didn't go as planned. No sooner that I got the drag set on the Tuna Stick did the Penn 30 start wining, suddenly we were hooked-up to a hard fighting Bonito. I turned to see that Jarrod was at the helm signaling me to take it. It was really exciting landing the first fish on Paparina. Jarrod did an excellent job keeping the boat steady while Harry gaffed.

For the next few hours we patently waited the next hook-up. At times a few unnamed comrades took naps down below. The day was shaping up to be both exciting and relaxing. As I was at the helm, suddenly Harry jumped from his relaxed position in the cockpit, grabbed the Calstar with the Shimano Tyrnos 20 and began fighting his catch. I yelled for help on the gaff while I back the speed to 2 knots. Michael answered the call from his nap below and we had our second Bonito on board. As soon as we got the line back out it was Michael's turn, he immediately had a real nice fighter hooked-up. Harry gaffed the large Bonito right through the heart. As soon as this fish was on board it shot off the gaff and proceeded to repaint the back of the boat Blood Red. All the commotion of getting back hold of this fish had gotten Jarrod up from his afternoon nap.

Fishing Trip Planner

I am planning several fishing trips out of San Diego this summer.
Most of these will be one day trips. However, I would like to make an overnight (3 day / 2 nights) run to Ensenada, Mex. This will require a PASSPORT & MEXICAN FISHING LICENSE. Actually the majority of all trips will involve fishing off the Baja, in Mexican waters. A Mexican License is easy to obtain, I will show you how.
I will update this often and post results. E-mail me if you are interested in a specific trip. I will provide detailed information in advance of each trip. This will include Transportation, Lodging, Clothing, Gear, & Tackle.