By Paul LebowitzIt’s all about the sleigh ride. The fun starts when the clicker sings its jolting alarm. The adrenaline really begins to flow when you slam the reel into gear, let the line come tight, snap the rod back and reel down to set the hook. Slowly at first the kayak gains momentum as the big fish surges ahead until the taut line hums and the water splashes against the kayak’s speeding hull. There’s no place better than Baja’s East Cape to experience the pinnacle of kayak fishing adventure. Finding fish big enough to power a sleigh ride is by no means guaranteed, but its close. Every year anglers who jump onto a fishing kayak at the Rancho Leonero Resort or Hotel Punta Colorada thrill to the wind whistling by as a dorado, roosterfish, tuna, sailfish or even a marlin motors along at the other end of the line. Kayak fishing got its start at the Cape back in 1996 when the Rancho’s John Ireland invited KayakFishing.com founder Dennis Spike down for an exploratory trip. Ireland soon found just how fishy the small boats could be. “There’s no motor to drive the fish away. The kayak is a fish-attracting device. There are days when the guys in the kayaks outfish those on boats. Far and away kayak fishing is a cool thing,” Ireland said he discovered. The East Cape is a fishing bargain, especially when anglers forgo the expense of a powerboat in favor of fishing the kayaks. “The East Cape is one of the last great affordable fishing vacations anywhere in the world. From billfish to dorado to tuna, snappers, sierra and jacks there are more fish here than you’ll be able to identify on most trips,” said Spike. KayakFishing.com offers 4-day guided and mothership-supported kayak fishing excursions out of the Rancho several times during the year. Kayakers who like to go it alone can book self-guided trips year round, although wind is more likely to keep the kayaks on the beach from December through February. The productive reef that lies just offshore of the hotel provides even less experienced kayak anglers good sport. Those up to tackling big game can find blue water just offshore. New this year, Spike will be the Rancho’s kayak fishing guide in residence for most of the summer. Van Wormer Resort’s Hotel Punta Colorada started offering kayak fishing trips with La Jolla Kayak Fishing guide Jim Sammons in 2000. Like those at the Rancho, the trips benefit from panga mothership support. The boat provides the kayaks additional range, expert advice from a Mexican panguero, live bait, food and drinks, and a safety net in the unlikely event something goes wrong. The famous roosterfish grounds in front of the Punta Arena lighthouse are just a few miles south of Punta Colorada. “The roosterfish there are out of control. They’re a great target for the kayaks,” said Sammons. The blue water species are there too. According to Sammons, the bottom drops off into the deep just yards from the point. Sammons offers guided trips at Hotel Punta Colorada about six weeks out of the year. The rest of the time the hotel’s kayaks are available for rent. Gearing up for the East Cape Most important is a 30-lb. trolling rig, preferably a lever drag that can control a big live bait. Mullet are the primary fin bait used to tantalize the roosters. A high-speed 5-1 or better reel on a 25 to 30-lb. rod will be nearly as indispensable for jigging yo-yo irons and Megabait-style lures for tuna, snappers, and other deeper water fish. For the smaller gamesters such as triggerfish and oddballs such as needlefish and cornetfish, you’ll want a lighter setup suitable for casting spoons and other hardbaits. Krocodiles, Kastmasters, smaller Rapala CountDowns and the like are great for casting from the beach or over shallow water reefs. Bring extra trebles. The powerful jaws of a trigger can really do a job on lighter hooks. The rest of the tackle you’ll want is basic, a wide variety of baitholder and circle hooks, fluorocarbon leader material, and extra line to respool your reels. If you’re particular about your paddle, kayak seat, or PFD, consider bringing your own. The gear at the resort is built more for durability than performance. Round out your kit with a gaff, pliers, a fish stringer, a paddle leash, and a knife that can be used to cut away a line. Although on a guided trip the mothership will never be far off, you may have to land and secure your own fish if the bite is hot. For your personal comfort, bring along a good hat and sunglasses and strong sunscreen, and use them. Kayak fishing in the East Cape is all about the sleigh ride. Nowhere else are the odds so much in a kayak angler’s favor. When a monster fish is towing you so fast your kayak leaves a wake, and you’re leaning back pulling as hard as you can, you’ll be glad you came. |
OLE’ TORO – Rod Bennett kicks his feet out of the way to avoid a charging toro, known more formally as a jack crevalle. The East Cape offers tremendous variety to kayak anglers, or as guide Dennis Spike says, “From billfish to dorado to tuna, snappers, sierra and jacks there are more fish here than you’ll be able to identify.”
HITCHIN’ A RIDE - Guided trips based out of the Rancho Leonero Resort and Hotel Punta Colorada come with panga mothership support. The motorized support extends fishing range, provides bait, food and drinks, and a helping hand should anything go wrong.
NICE COMB – Roosterfish are one of the highlights of kayak fishing in the East Cape. The stealthy kayaks don’t trouble skittish fish. Here Val Pryor shows off a smaller rooster.
DOUBLING UP ON FOOTBALL YELLOWFIN – The East Cape is the place to claim your first kayak tuna. In Jim Sammons’ case, the number is quite a bit higher. The tuna are so accessible because in many places the blue water starts just off the beach.
JACKED – Kayak angler Rod Bennett is all smiles after battling a broad-shouldered jack crevalle to the kayak. The strong fish towed Bennett against a 20 knot wind for over 20 minutes until finally tiring. |
