The Trigger hole

There is a map that is passed around by fishermen, which shows every fishing hole in this area. Mexican fishermen know it by heart but for the gringos who come down, there is a GPS version which allows them to locate the fishing holes.

On the day we went fishing for Trigger fish, we had no map. However for the past few years, we had found our own special place where the Trigger fish abound. It was out by an island called Santa Ines.

The Trigger fish is a good fighting fish that stays near the bottom. It is also one of the best tasting fishes to be found in the area. It does not strike surface lures like the Dorado or Marlin but it has vicious teeth and can cut a line in two very easily.

This day we went out with the two men who help make repairs on our house. One of them Gilberto, has a boat which he takes school children out for rides during the summer. He also catches fish on the side to earn him about $1.50 a pound.

He is not licensed to take sports fishermen out, but Trigger fishing is just on the fringe of what is considered sports fishing. 

The day was beautiful as he picked us up at a secluded beach near Mulege. It was late by fishermen’s standards. Many boats were already out but for us this was a Sunday outing and if we caught fish so much the better. 

Santa Ines island is about half an hour by sea. There was talk that Sierra, a great fighting fish, had been caught next to shore, so we trolled for 15 minutes while heading out to the island. The Sierra are a surface fish and have a set of teeth like a barracuda, so when fishing for them one needs to use a steel leader.  

Last year we ran into a school of them and limited out in a half an hour. This year they were not as active and we had no bites so we continued to Santa Ines island.

There were several boats already located around the island when we arrived. One man was also diving for fish with a snorkel and spear gun. We stayed clear of them and drove further out.

Kathy was the first to hook a fish, but it was not a Trigger. Instead it was a Puffer fish which blows up when it is caught. Apparently the size makes it too big for other fish to swallow, so other fish tend to leave it alone.

We then caught a Scorpion fish with red spines all over its body. It can sting anyone who touches those spines so removing the hook needs to be done with care. 

We hoisted anchor and moved to the other side of the island, but there were no Trigger there either. We caught several Pargo which are a good eating fish but only about a foot long and not much of a fighter. 

Where was the Trigger hole? My recollection was that it was in deeper water off another point of the island and I directed the boat owner to keep going. 

It was not long before he caught one. Just using the simplest fishing gear, a ball of string wrapped around a stick, a nut for a sinker and a hook.

We had new fishing poles with reels and store bought sinkers and hooks. We started catching a few fish but not nearly as many as the boat owner. 

At one point I mentioned that I felt the hooks which I had purchased in Mexico were no damned good, they were too dull. His comment set everyone to laughing. 

“I’ve used the same Mexican hook for five years,” he said and continued to pull the Triggers in by hand. 

We filled up the ice chest which we had brought and headed back home just as the wind and waves started picking up. Map or no map the Trigger hole was as good as ever.