When I dropped my bait & tackle it allowed me a few moments of inward silence.
The depths of the ocean we know as the Sea of Cortez, Baja California’s coastline had called to this gals adventurous soul.
For nearly 30 years my husband, Eric, had been fishing these waters whilst I stayed away but this trip I hopped on board and travel with him & our buddy Dan down those long, windy, skinny, remote, beautiful roads surround by mountains that had me day dreaming of my backpack & hiking boots (of which neither were on this trip).
It was the vast ocean who was serenading me on this trek.
Stories they’ve shared from over the years, not like my own, but to now be with them & create memories of what was ahead were quickly unfolding.
Hours of driving, now into day two as we broke up the trek with an overnight stay at simply adorable spot that had glass hearts hanging from the trees & gattos guarding the grounds.
As we rolled up on a sanctuary, our place to deep into B.C., utterly remote, my soul was completely at rest as my senses took in absence of more gladly welcoming less.
The warmth of the sand as the gentle waves licked my toes I was greeted by scenery virtually untouched by humans for miles & miles that stretched.
Sandbars exposed allowed for leisurely strolls late afternoon whilst evenings displayed an epic array of stars as the sky came awake, each planet showing off among beautifully lite constellations; the absence of manmade light a pure delight!
Early mornings had us chasing the sunrise as we headed for open waters I’ve never explored. To a waypoint that’ll remain secret our captain was taking us with the hopeful promise of fish.
Generations of fisherman that date back to “The Duke” is the legend we were told have chartered these waters, I felt like I was among royalty of the sea.
The weather forecast, for which I’m addicted, called for calm winds that my fellow veteran anglers of this area quickly called 🐂 💩.
It wasn’t wrong in those early morning hours but by mid-day our panga was a rock n’ & a roll n’; the full experience was underfoot in a boat small for the ocean space we were in.
Sea legs I seem to be born because I navigated that sway like a champ but I’ll admit I wasn’t a wee bit disappointed when we headed closer to shore to escape the swells that were like an great rollercoaster gaining strength by the westerly winds … weeeee!
Day 1: I was on the board but it was relatively quiet in this gals FISHON cheer but I eagerly exchanged my rod & reel for the camera as I tried to capture images my eyes might never see again.
A younger whale made a noisy blowhole appearance a short distance off our bow. With a few breaches & a partial tail display that was a delight to witness we continued our course, in the opposite direction.
Day 2: I’d start each drop, that’s what you call it when you send your bait, hook & weight down into the depths, by asking our captain “how deep” my disbelief the line actually went down that far with any to spare.
Seeing his screen I knew this to be true so slowly down & down & down further until I hit rock bottom. A place no one ever wants to stay for fear of getting stuck!
That telling bounce then a few reels up is where my bait met their fate.
The first fish I reeled from the depths was no slouch & oh so tasty will it be filleted and seasoned on my plate.
The next fish was one I kept annoyingly saying with a giant grin “I reeled a Grouper from 500 feet”!!
Seriously, that hook-set was nothing like I’ve ever experienced before. I knew it was big and I knew it wasn’t a Bay Bass by the way it was reacting. Hopeful for a fish I’ve never caught before AND of a size that fishing stories FishingwithKal are made from.
BUT not getting rocked, not breaking off, not letting any slack in the line, not being a wimpy girl, not quitting, no seat to buckle me in just pure grit me against fish!
I’m not going to loose this fish!
Eric reeled in his line to be my coach offering helpful tips & reminded me to breathe and that this is why we stay in shape (cuz if I wasn’t there’s absolutely no friggin’ way I’d be able to reel in my fish from that depth successfully).
Heading in after a full marathon trip we had a leisurely evening that found us staring once again up at the brilliant stars.
Day 3: We headed into the bay to catch bait & were greeted by the sounds of several wintering over loons! Yup, LOONS! That undeniable sound & wing-stretch had my heart souring as seven of these critters grouped up in the protected bay; I loved this placed even more.
Loaded for bear we headed out once again to another magical spot where I wished I could see her underbelly, the ocean’s contour, where she hides her keep.
Bouncing the bottom, a nibble & slurp FISHON begins that loooong process of reeling from the depths no less than 460 feet!
Flat was the surface of the Sea of Cortez, little breeze, the forecast for the win or was it me for being able to spend time in such a beautiful place, nature’s bliss❣️
Kissed by the salty air, a touch of sun, copious amounts of fresh fish that’ll feed us for days on end.
Our last morning we woke rather early but in no hurry.
With no boat to catch I grabbed our blanket & took Eric’s hand for those lounge chairs on the beach beckoned us to watch the day unfold while we stayed still.
Wrapped in a blanket, all snuggled into one, we watched three sea lions play or were they fishing for breakfast as the day awoke. We heard them barking wondering what they had to say as both Eric & I stayed laying awake from pre-dawn until those sunny rays cascaded across the bay illuminating the sky, our first day we witnessed clouds lofting along the horizon adding to the grandeur of this simple place.
Our fishing trip complete we needed to pack up all of our gear but first one last stroll I made along the desolate beach. I was hunting for something particular, having seen broken pieces on an earlier stroll completely alone.
My footsteps the only trace of human in the sand, well except for this one momentary moment of angst when I saw a glint in the sand. Immediately, I knew what it was and was filled with sadness as it could have killed by mistakenly ingesting thinking it was a jellyfish.
With the trash of the mylar balloon removed my path to choose freely between grains of time I wandered into the lapping water to check out my finds but choosing to continue my quest I forged on letting my toes sink as the weight of the world is heavy I deny its return … if for only a spell longer with no connectivity here vastly remote it was a splendid treat devoid of all the lies unfolding & complete nonsense #RESIST
Alas, I decided it was time to turn back. My path winding freely on the beach that just recently let go of the tide. There it was staring up at me. I know in my heart it was awaiting this gals stride, I just need to listen to the quiet and follow its guide.
#AdventurewithKal
#FishingwithKal
#DeepSeaFishing
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