Thought I'd give a long report on my family's Los Barriles trip. There was 7 of us (me and the wife plus 5 teenagers) so it was a bit of a challenge logistically but we got it done. Friday the 11th 4 of us headed south from Orange County in the Raptor. We wanted to drive because 1 I like the drive 2 my wife hates flying and 3 we had a lot of crap. The first day we traveled to San Ignacio and got one of the yurts at San Ignacio bed and breakfast. I highly recommend this place the guy that works there honestly could not me a more kind or accommodating host. We arrived at about 4pm so we had time to take the kayaks that have out for a quick paddle and then we went into town for dinner. I don't remember the name of the place we went to but it is next to the ice cream store. I rolled the dice and had the ribeye and I could not believe how good it was. Got back and had a good nights sleep as the AC kicked ass. Headed out for the second part of our drive and stopped at El Requeson for some quick snorkeling and fishing. I got ripped once on the krokodile and it came unbuttoned but my son landed a really nice I don't know what on a little bass rod and 1/2oz kastmaster. We then headed to LB. Have a friend down there with a place that he airbnb's so we stayed there, its on the west side of the highway so we weren't right on the beach but we had a nice spot with a pool and cold AC. No one used the pool because the water was about 95 degrees. Water temp when fishing was 87-90, 90 being up at bahia los suenos/muertos.
We settled in and the next day, Sunday, we rented some quads for the week. We were arguing about a side by side or a couple quads but I happened to be the one paying so you'll get what you get and that's what you'll get. I figured the quads would be more fun than a UTV and it turned out it was. After that and some grocery shopping we headed to the airport to pick up the rest of the kids. It was our kids first time flying by themselves and first time flying out of CBX. They were able to figure it out with no issues thank goodness and arrived in SJD no problem.
The next day, Monday was scheduled as a kick back and exploring day. I got up early to cruise the beach with hopes of seeing/catching a rooster. No dice, lots of bait but not really blowing up. Regardless it was a beautiful morning, I was feeling very grateful to be there while many suckers were working on that monday morning. We loaded up a cooler and snorkel gear and headed up to the beach by the red house, I think its called Playa Blanca. The water was amazing and the clarity was unreal. There was a ton of tropical fish and we had a blast. It really was a great day with the family. We wrapped up the day with a good dinner at Tio's in town.
Tuesday, day one of fishing with JenWren. The guys picked us up on time. We had the Jen Wren which is a cruiser and we had a legendary captain along with his son as the deckhand that day. I really enjoy fishing and I like to fish with guys like that because there is so much to learn from guys that do it for a living. We caught some bait and headed to the tuna grounds. It was easy fishing, flylining chunks of squid and chumming....we had 4 lines out and the tuna would come through and bite all of our hooked bait. We caught about 15 or so maybe 10-20 pound yellowfins and then went looking for dorados. Got about 4 of them and then headed in because it was now about noon and the heat was getting to all of us.
Since we got back early we cooled off in the AC for a bit and then decided to make a run to one of the waterfalls. We drove up one of the washes for about 30 minutes in the truck and quads and it was a ton of fun. The water was running and it was a fun adventure.
Day 2 and 3 of fishing we splurged and fished the "Reel Acquasition" with Hector and Polo. Cant say enough good things about these guys. Very nice and personable. This day we had our whole crew with us including our 3 teenage girls and they aren't too into fishing. I asked if we could bring snorkeling gear and Hector said go back to the house and get it and we can take you. So I did that and we headed north to Muertos. Checked some of the buoys and were able to get a few dorados. Slow trolled for roosters to no avail. We then slid into a nice cove and did some more incredible snorkeling. The deal with this boat is it is air conditioned. I will never fish in August again on a boat that doesn't have AC. Trust me, its THAT HOT in August. Nice fun relaxing day again with a few dodos to show for it.
This last day of fishing was a bit interesting because we all knew the hurricane was coming. We decided the day before that we would start with a half day and see how the weather held up. When I woke up on Thursday morning the weather had changed. The hurricane took a slight turn to the east and it was headed for Cabo that morning. The kids had return flights scheduled for 540PM on Friday and we were to drive back Saturday morning. As we were making bait for the morning I was on my phone looking at the weather closely. I made the executive decision that the kids need to fly back today so that we can head out Friday morning in the truck vs Saturday morning. Started looking for flights...ok got one. By the time I put in all their info and my CC info....sorry this flight is no longer available. Ok wtf. Find another flight, same thing. Flights are filling up faster than I can book one. Finally the third time was a charm. I was able to secure a 730PM flight.
So then I was able to go outside and talk to Hector and Polo. So what's the deal guys why are the other boats coming in already? (it was now about 10AM).....they said its because they are pulling all the boats out of the water. I said ALL the boats? That's alot of boats lol. They said yep all of them. What are you guys gonna do? this is a big boat for a trailer. They said we are going to La Paz after we drop you off and getting a slip until the storm passes.
It was at that moment I realized Ok nobody is messing around so we might want to take this a little more seriously. I said lets go ahead and head back (we had already got a handful of dorados). The guys were very grateful they said thank you, we still need to fuel up and its a bit of a drive to La Paz, about 3 hours. We got back and fueled up the truck and went to the grocery store. Long lines at both.
We then packed up, dropped kids off at the airport and were ready to head out at 430AM on Friday. If you want to try something sketchy drive from Los Barriles to La Paz at 430 in the morning. Its dark as fuck and there are cows everywhere. You really have to be patient and on your toes. As soon as you think you can haul ass you are going to make a mistake, or someone else can make a mistake which will affect you.
Alright we're headed north. I knew that the rain by all forecasts was going to start in Ciudad Constitution about 11AM. We have plenty of time to beat it we just need to keep a steady pace. Ok well as soon as I finish climbing the grade out of La Paz it starts raining. Its about 7am by this point......not good. Keep heading north and we encounter more rain. Heading down the hwy I come across and arroyo and its got water in it. Ugghhh this shit already? Its not too bad and I roll through it. Keep going and about 3 miles up the road there are a few cars parked in the road with hazard lights on. I pull up and see there is another water crossing and they are not going through in their passenger cars. I checked it out and went for it. As we drove away from them I hoped that the cars I just passed realize that they needed to turn around and make it back through the first arroyo or they would soon be trapped between the 2. Anyhow after we made it through constitution the rain pretty much let up for the rest of the trip.
Kept a steady roll and had a quick rest in Bahia Concepcion. Made it to Mexicali at about 1030PM with a 15 minute border crossing. Made it back to the house in OC at 120AM.....so 430A to 130A. I was tired but not exhausted....made sure I was eating instead of just coffee the whole time.
All in all an amazing trip, lots to see and lots to do. Kids probably wont forget this one and I know I wont either. Fishing was a little slow, next time I will plan in June or October. Had to do this one in August prior to the kids going back to school before they start as HS seniors. Was grateful to have made the difficult decision to leave a day early. Picked up 2 hitchikers during the trip one headed north and one headed south, they happily rode in the back of the truck.
We settled in and the next day, Sunday, we rented some quads for the week. We were arguing about a side by side or a couple quads but I happened to be the one paying so you'll get what you get and that's what you'll get. I figured the quads would be more fun than a UTV and it turned out it was. After that and some grocery shopping we headed to the airport to pick up the rest of the kids. It was our kids first time flying by themselves and first time flying out of CBX. They were able to figure it out with no issues thank goodness and arrived in SJD no problem.
The next day, Monday was scheduled as a kick back and exploring day. I got up early to cruise the beach with hopes of seeing/catching a rooster. No dice, lots of bait but not really blowing up. Regardless it was a beautiful morning, I was feeling very grateful to be there while many suckers were working on that monday morning. We loaded up a cooler and snorkel gear and headed up to the beach by the red house, I think its called Playa Blanca. The water was amazing and the clarity was unreal. There was a ton of tropical fish and we had a blast. It really was a great day with the family. We wrapped up the day with a good dinner at Tio's in town.
Tuesday, day one of fishing with JenWren. The guys picked us up on time. We had the Jen Wren which is a cruiser and we had a legendary captain along with his son as the deckhand that day. I really enjoy fishing and I like to fish with guys like that because there is so much to learn from guys that do it for a living. We caught some bait and headed to the tuna grounds. It was easy fishing, flylining chunks of squid and chumming....we had 4 lines out and the tuna would come through and bite all of our hooked bait. We caught about 15 or so maybe 10-20 pound yellowfins and then went looking for dorados. Got about 4 of them and then headed in because it was now about noon and the heat was getting to all of us.
Since we got back early we cooled off in the AC for a bit and then decided to make a run to one of the waterfalls. We drove up one of the washes for about 30 minutes in the truck and quads and it was a ton of fun. The water was running and it was a fun adventure.
Day 2 and 3 of fishing we splurged and fished the "Reel Acquasition" with Hector and Polo. Cant say enough good things about these guys. Very nice and personable. This day we had our whole crew with us including our 3 teenage girls and they aren't too into fishing. I asked if we could bring snorkeling gear and Hector said go back to the house and get it and we can take you. So I did that and we headed north to Muertos. Checked some of the buoys and were able to get a few dorados. Slow trolled for roosters to no avail. We then slid into a nice cove and did some more incredible snorkeling. The deal with this boat is it is air conditioned. I will never fish in August again on a boat that doesn't have AC. Trust me, its THAT HOT in August. Nice fun relaxing day again with a few dodos to show for it.
This last day of fishing was a bit interesting because we all knew the hurricane was coming. We decided the day before that we would start with a half day and see how the weather held up. When I woke up on Thursday morning the weather had changed. The hurricane took a slight turn to the east and it was headed for Cabo that morning. The kids had return flights scheduled for 540PM on Friday and we were to drive back Saturday morning. As we were making bait for the morning I was on my phone looking at the weather closely. I made the executive decision that the kids need to fly back today so that we can head out Friday morning in the truck vs Saturday morning. Started looking for flights...ok got one. By the time I put in all their info and my CC info....sorry this flight is no longer available. Ok wtf. Find another flight, same thing. Flights are filling up faster than I can book one. Finally the third time was a charm. I was able to secure a 730PM flight.
So then I was able to go outside and talk to Hector and Polo. So what's the deal guys why are the other boats coming in already? (it was now about 10AM).....they said its because they are pulling all the boats out of the water. I said ALL the boats? That's alot of boats lol. They said yep all of them. What are you guys gonna do? this is a big boat for a trailer. They said we are going to La Paz after we drop you off and getting a slip until the storm passes.
It was at that moment I realized Ok nobody is messing around so we might want to take this a little more seriously. I said lets go ahead and head back (we had already got a handful of dorados). The guys were very grateful they said thank you, we still need to fuel up and its a bit of a drive to La Paz, about 3 hours. We got back and fueled up the truck and went to the grocery store. Long lines at both.
We then packed up, dropped kids off at the airport and were ready to head out at 430AM on Friday. If you want to try something sketchy drive from Los Barriles to La Paz at 430 in the morning. Its dark as fuck and there are cows everywhere. You really have to be patient and on your toes. As soon as you think you can haul ass you are going to make a mistake, or someone else can make a mistake which will affect you.
Alright we're headed north. I knew that the rain by all forecasts was going to start in Ciudad Constitution about 11AM. We have plenty of time to beat it we just need to keep a steady pace. Ok well as soon as I finish climbing the grade out of La Paz it starts raining. Its about 7am by this point......not good. Keep heading north and we encounter more rain. Heading down the hwy I come across and arroyo and its got water in it. Ugghhh this shit already? Its not too bad and I roll through it. Keep going and about 3 miles up the road there are a few cars parked in the road with hazard lights on. I pull up and see there is another water crossing and they are not going through in their passenger cars. I checked it out and went for it. As we drove away from them I hoped that the cars I just passed realize that they needed to turn around and make it back through the first arroyo or they would soon be trapped between the 2. Anyhow after we made it through constitution the rain pretty much let up for the rest of the trip.
Kept a steady roll and had a quick rest in Bahia Concepcion. Made it to Mexicali at about 1030PM with a 15 minute border crossing. Made it back to the house in OC at 120AM.....so 430A to 130A. I was tired but not exhausted....made sure I was eating instead of just coffee the whole time.
All in all an amazing trip, lots to see and lots to do. Kids probably wont forget this one and I know I wont either. Fishing was a little slow, next time I will plan in June or October. Had to do this one in August prior to the kids going back to school before they start as HS seniors. Was grateful to have made the difficult decision to leave a day early. Picked up 2 hitchikers during the trip one headed north and one headed south, they happily rode in the back of the truck.
