Several of my friends have accused me of flying low when I
drive back and forth on Mex 1. Over Labor Day weekend I had the opportunity to
do just that. I was invited to fly to La Bocana, Baja Sur, in a Cessna 402 with
the organizers of the Torneo Internacional de Pesca.
We departed from Ensenada Military airport at midday and flying
at low altitude down the west coast of Baja, gazing down on the sprawling Baja
countryside punctuated by small fish camps, villages and towns on miles of
deserted beaches and wide open spaces, it was a fascinating revelation of how
much of Baja is still undeveloped.
The entire trip to Abreojos, including the brief landing at
San Quintin to pick up the remainder of the tournament staff, was slightly less
than three hours. (Note to self: Find
sponsor to cover flying cost!). As
the plane taxied to a stop on the dirt airstrip and the door flew open, a group
of Cooperativa Progresso members led by President Enrique Espinoza greeted us.
After introductions, handshakes and abrazos, everyone entered the waiting
pickups and headed north for ten miles to La Bocana leaving a cloud of dust; then
straight to the beach where bright orange canopies provided shade from the
blazing afternoon sun for the growing crowd of eager fishermen.
Business was brisk at
the tables of local and visiting entrepreneurs
that were covered with both new and used tackle as would-be anglers tested the bend of the
rods and the smoothness of the reel drags. Of course there was a coffin-sized
cooler filled with soft drinks and cerveza covered with ice that attracted its
own crowd.
Throughout the afternoon, sponsors and organizers Pedro Sors,
owner of Caña & Carrete, and Julio
Meza, owner of Fishco, the largest
Shimano dealer in Baja, renewed old friendships while making new ones. The big
swell and large surf that had pounded the beaches all week was a major topic of
conversation that at times was nearly drowned out by blaring Mexican music. By six
o’clock, 121 anglers fishing on 35 boats had registered and paid their $25
entry fee which included their boat fee.
The music was silenced and the Captains’ meeting was called
to order. Tournament officials covered the tournament rules, based on I.G.F.A.
rules, in detail, as well as the Mexican Sportfishing regulations and the
qualifying species which included yellowfin tuna, dorado, marlin, yellowtail
and halibut. Noticeably missing from the list were grouper
and black seabass.
Late last year the members of Cooperativa Progresso voted to
implement several changes in the regulations in their area. Grouper and black
seabass would no longer be fished commercially; furthermore only one of either
species may be caught per day with sportfishing tackle and it MUST be
released. Another significant change was
that the entire esteros is now off limits for gillnets of any kind. Both rule
changes were effective January 1, 2011. Hopefully other Cooperativa's will
follow Progresso's lead in the future. Imagine Magdalena Bay without nets?
When the meeting was finished, the music resumed and the
party continued into the night. Early Saturday morning the beach was a beehive
of activity as anglers found their assigned boats and loaded their gear. At
exactly 7:00 a.m., Julio Meza fired the flare signaling the beginning of the
tournament. As the boats sped out of the boca, it was clear that the favored
direction was to the north toward San Hipolito.
By the time the weigh-in began a 3:00 p.m., the beach was
packed with family and friends. While some children played in the water, others
were fishing for the prizes reserved just for them. Meanwhile a Mexican band
played as fish were brought to the scale. An animated volleyball game
entertained others. Closer to the beach a small traditional Mexican combo drew
its own crowd. Carne de Puerco tacos with all the trimmings was served for
anyone who was hungry. Of course the huge cooler had been refilled and people
crowded around for just one more drink.
As the fish were weighed, the seven largest were hung up for
display only to be replaced as a larger one came in. By the end of the day it
was clear that though the fishing was good, the yellowtail had dominated the
catch and the event had become a "yellowtail shootout" though there
were a few small dorado and halibut. The largest fish was a 31+ pound yellow
and prizes were awarded through the 7th largest plus special awards for fish
caught from the shore by young anglers.
The event was sponsored by Cooperativa Progresso, Julio
Meza, Fishco, Shimano and Pedro Sors of Caña y Carrete.
