Gonzaga Bay Cinco de Mayo

[Brettkopitz]

Fished Gonzaga bay 2 days with my 14ft alumacraft.
5-5
Cinco de Mayo.
Made the drive to Gonazaga bay. New detour starting just after okie to just past the turn of for punto bufeo. Not bad but a little rough. Watch out for big ruts just after the peaks of the little hills.
Had the boat in the water at Papa Fernandez by 9. Started at the reef in front of Willard. Caught some couple pound goldspot. On my 50lb setup avet hx with calstar 700xh. Did a big trap rig and dropped a whole live bass down. Within minutes get hammered. I only get a few cranks and he rocks me. I do the same again. Time I get him up about 10 turns even with the drag locked it takes off. I pull so hard the line breaks. 50lb good line. Big fish. Now a try 65lb straight spectra since it’s the heaviest I have. Same, get picket up. I wind like crazy and as soon as the fish turns line snaps. Very frustrated at this point a decide to try for a few more bass. On my 30lb rig catch a bass and while reeling it up it gets bit. This time I think I got a shot since it’s already part way up. I get a few turns and it realizes ist hooked and takes off. I start the motors and try and drag him but it didnt slow down. With line still peeling off I pull real hard and the line breaks. At this point I am so frustrated to decide to give up and go fish Punta final.

Fished the points for leopard grouper and a pargo. On the way back see lots of bait in the bay right around the scum line and put a jig out and hook sierra and barracuda.
Fish count
6 sierra 3-8lbs
2 barracuda 3-4lb
6 leopard grouper 4-7lbs
6 goldspot 2-4 lbs

Water 66-67 degree

5-6
Decided to try one more time
Very low tide made launching the boat a little more work. Since my boat is small it’s just further to carry but would not have got a trailer boat in.
Went to the reef catch a few bass and keep them alive.
Move to the spot I hooked yesterday and drift the area. I work this for about an hour with no big bites.
I decided to run to Isla San Luis. When I get close put the troller out and get a strike on the blue rapala sliver. Fish makes a few runs get it to the boat big sierra, around 12lbs. throw the other troller rapala cd 11 out and instant hook up. Another sierra.
At the east corner of the island the sliver hooks up this time I can feel the deeper pull I know it’s a yellow. After a short fight get it in the boat. 28” yellow. Troll around for more sierra and a leopard grouper.
Decide to fish one of the seamounts with bait. Get to the 60-80ft range a drop down double dropper loop. Good strike get it up 27” leopard grouper, nice. While I was drifting around saw a free swimming yellow right by the boat. He was a little to far away to free gaff. Later had another follow the jig to the boat. Worked this for a while for some bass and about a dozen big triggers.
Trolled back around the island and the birds would not stop dive bombing the rapala. After releasing too many birds I took the troller in. At this point the wind was picking up from the southwest. Which is where I needed to go, so I headed back. With the wind and chop was a slow wet ride back. Once I got in the wind seemed to die down. But you ever know usually it gets worse not better.
Water at the island 67-69 degree
Fish count
1 yellow 28”
2 leopard grouper 5-12lbs
10 sierra 4-12lbs
12 trigger fish 4-6lbs
6 goldspot bass 2-3 lbs.

[tattuna]

Great trip! I miss that place. Too bad about them big grouper. Strong sunzabitches!

Can't wait to get back down there. Thanks for the motivation!

[ybuck]

How many miles from Orange county?

[pollo]

Nice fishing Brett

We will go this weekend to Punta Bufeo hopefully we can find the Yellows

Salud

[Ali]

That's a fat cabrilla! Nice work

[dweston]

Nice report. Thanks for posting

[Captain Juan SQ]

brett it looks like you´ll have to carere 100 test,if you going to land those huge fish.
xslnt report,gracias.

[sue-she]

Great report! Thanks for posting. My grouper set up is minimum 150 spectra 200 leader 50 lbs. of drag.

["KEKOA"]

Hey Brett great report as always!! We are heading back down for Memorial day weekend maybe we'll see ya down there if your there! O ya by the way the Yamaha works perfect!!! Thanks again!

-Ron

[seriola_killer]

Just.... Fucking.... Rad !!!