Bahia De Los Angeles

Bahia De Los Angeles: A Bucket-List Fishing Adventure

Trip Dates: May 27 - June 3

For any Baja California fisherman, Bahia de Los Angeles is the stuff of dreams—a bucket-list destination where fishing fantasies come alive and the adventure feels like it could last forever.

Our journey began at 4am, leaving Bob Sands Fishing Tackle with a group of enthusiastic anglers from as far away as Morro Bay, CA. We embarked on a 575-mile trek south into Baja, passing legendary spots like San Felipe, home to the renowned Tony Reyes trips, and Gonzaga Bay, known for its exceptional cabrilla fishing.

By 1pm, we arrived at Cangrejo’s, our family-run lodge for the trip. The warm hospitality was unmatched; each morning, we were greeted with coffee and breakfast burritos, while our pangeros arrived at our doorstep with the panga, ready for another day of adventure.

Day 1: Deep Water Grouper Fishing Armed with heavy tackle, we set out to conquer the deep waters. Our gear included:

• Rod/Reels:

  • United Composite (RGP76 Predator 50-100lb) with a Fathom 40 and 80lb Izorline premium braid
  • Phenix Megalodon MPX608 with an Ocea Jigger 4000 and 80lb Maxquatro braid
  • Calstar GFDH 90J paired with a Trinidad, filled with 65lb Izorline and a short top of 50lb Seaguar fluorocarbon

• Tackle:

  • 9/0-12/0 circle hooks
  • 12-24oz torpedo sinkers
  • 200-500g knife jigs (BFT and Mustad Rip Rollers)
  • Assorted surface irons (primarily JRI)

We targeted deeper species, ranging from 50-800ft, using knife jigs when bait was scarce. The action was fantastic; we lost some monsters but landed several Backeta and other grouper species.

Pro Tip: Never leave a surface rod behind when on a panga! As we returned from deeper waters, Captain Victor spotted birds working near an island. We quickly switched gears, casting into a school of feeding yellowtail and cabrilla, and enjoyed some exciting surface action.

For surface iron setups, here are a couple of rigging tips:

• Monofilament Top Shot: A 100-yard top shot of 50lb Izorline provides stretch, making fights and casting easier.
• Braid: For a zero-stretch setup, fill your reel with braid. This enhances the initial strike feeling and requires practice, which I honed at Lake Balboa.

Days 2-4: The Yellowtail and Cabrilla Extravaganza The second day started slow, but the action soon picked up. We discovered a cove with birds signaling a feeding frenzy, and within an hour, we landed and released 32 yellowtail, some up to 30lbs.

The third day, we returned to the cove early, relishing the déjà vu of the incredible bite. By mid-morning, we set our sights on my new favorite target: cabrilla.

The last two days were dedicated to cabrilla fishing. Like the yellowtail, the bite was slow to start but grew more intense as the day progressed. We explored various rocky beaches with Yo-Zuri Hydro Minnows, experiencing the sheer power of these fish. The thrill of battling cabrilla is something every angler must experience—it’s a truly exceptional fishery.

Conclusion: Our trip to Bahia de Los Angeles was a bucket-list adventure, filled with breathtaking scenery and diverse fishing opportunities. This destination is a must-visit for any serious angler, promising experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

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