Position: 23degrees 22minutes 47seconds North, 109degrees 25minutes 16seconds West.
We sailed all day yesterday and anchored in Frailes Bay right about sunset. Yup, we finally entered someplace before dark. We would have been here earlier, but caught two fish on the way which delayed us while we brought them in and then cleaned and filleted them.
The trip down was seemingly what Baja sailing is all about. 12 knots wind, warm temps, minimal waves and sea life everywhere. Upon leaving Puerto Los Cabos, we saw a whale spout and dive. It didn’t come back up, so we’re still waiting for a “quality” whale sighting. About an hour later, half a dozen or more Manta Rays passed us, about two feet under the surface and going the other direction in perfect formation. They looked like a flock of geese in their formation.
2PM, the clothespin on the handline went; “pop” either signaling someone bumped the lifeline as we often do, or a fish hit the lure. Geoff checked it and found the latter. Game on! After about 10 minutes of pulling, we saw a flash of bright blue and then fluorescent green. Dorado! Gorgeous, flashing his colors at us while we gaffed him and pulled him aboard (sounds primitive-it is!). About 40 inches or so, we’ll have Mahi Mahi for a few days. Or more likely we will dinghy around the anchorage today and give some away to the folks who aren’t having any luck fishing (there are quite a few). While Geoff was cleaning and filleting his catch, we sailed through a whole school of Dorado chasing flying fish. They were leaping out of the water five and six times following their prey. It is amazing seeing such brilliant colors all of a sudden exploding out of the deep blue water. Equally amazing seeing a four foot plus fish flying through the water!
2:30, a flying Manta Ray! Six foot wingspan leaping completely out of the water four times. Each time spinning into a double backflip. Entertaining as hell. You can’t keep your eyes off the water in expectation of some fantastic show.
3PM, ziiinngggg! Tuna on the fishing pole. I took this one and reeled him in, cleaned and filleted him. The hardest part about fishing out here is actually cleaning/scrubbing the deck afterward to get the blood off before it becomes part of the nonskid. About a 20 pounder, he contributed to sashimi once anchored.
The evening in Frailes was wonderful and relaxing. After sashimi and Charismas, we adjourned to the cockpit for cigars, scotch and shooting stars (several of which were so bright they looked more like parachute flares hanging in the sky). And I’ll let you in on a little secret: If you pee over the side here, the phosphorescence in the water makes it glow (from Ann – much to Ann’s dismay, Bob refused to prove this for her).
Went to bed around midnight, but bounced back up to check on a noise. Geoff was still awake and my words to him after our evening of scotch, beer, Charismas and a little wine; “if you hear a splash, come get me”. Hysterics from the forepeak.
Back to this morning. It’s 0930, I’ve just finished my coffee, cereal and this post and am getting ready for a swim. Geoff just got back and reported that he’s already seen; a seal, angel fish, puffer fish, parrotfish, barracuda, grouper, stingray, skates, and an eel among others he’s not sure of. So far this morning I think he’s said; “I can see why people never leave here”, about 7 times. I agree!
That’s it for now. We’re staying here for the day. Maybe go further North tomorrow, but we’ll see.