Porpoises, Shamu the Retarded Whale, Theiving Sea Lions, Fish-like birds
Day One: Whales, Sea Lions and birds but no fish … Cool porpoises everywhere, Mexican police with machine guns, Shamu the retarded Whale and much more in today’s adventures.
Porpoises off the Coronado Islands in Mexico
We left at 7:00 AM and decided we would find our own fishing with no help from anyone else. We headed straight towards mexican waters – to the Coronado Islands. These Islands are about 15-20 miles south west of San Diego in Mexican waters. The Islands are surrounded by water about 100 feet deep which rapidly becomes 300 plus. We traveled west of the islands and found ourselves in 2000, 3000, 4000 an deeper water.
The first thing we found were tons of porpoises. They were smaller than the usual ‘flipper’ gray one’s I am used to seeing. These were small, grey and had white stripes on the side. They were every where and I had heard that where there are porpoises there are Tuna, so we started fishing! Fortunately porpoises are too smart to grab lures or even live bait on a hook. But we had zero bites.
In with the porpoises were these strange birds that popped up out of the water like fish but then immediately flew away. They were swimming under water like fish. Several actually bit Don’s lure and he had at least 2 on for a few seconds. Fortunately they let go.
Later we saw a whales spout on the horizon, so we decided to investigate. We came upon a big whale, perhaps 50 feet long. We kept our distance.
Agressive whale was attacking the boat
Next we knew, the Whale decided we looked interesting. It surfaced about 40 feet behind the boat and was headed toward us. We motored up, but Shamu, the retarded whale just kept coming. We moved further away and then slowed again, but there was the whale again, right behind us.
viciously agressive whale about to attack boat
Goddam whale! Probably wanted to kill us! Fortunately we escaped with our lives.
Later we tried fishing around North Coronado Island, but there were too many sea lions. As soon as we threw a delicious anchovy over the side they would deftly remove it from the hook and eat it. So much for fishing here!
Our final run-in of the day occurred when a lone speed boat came flying directly over to us. It was a Mexican gunboat – law enforcment of some kind. They asked us what we were doing. “Fishing Sir”. Do you have a license? “Yes Sir”. I proceeded to read my license number to the kind english speaking gentleman. Satisfied that we had procured our licenses before entering his sacred mexican waters, he departed. We found out later that if you didn’t have a Mexican fishing license and they caught you … they might well take your boat if they want! I was really tempted to say “License? We don’t need no stinkin’ license!”