This day we decided to switch to Sea of Cortez side of cape and concentrate our efforts on some of in-shore species that Los Cabos waters offer up. One of benefits of a pre-dawn start is experience of viewing some of most spectacular sunrises you’re likely to find anywhere in world. The skies here light up with all colors of an artists canvas with endless reflection of ocean surface. Everything is bathed in reds, oranges and yellows and sky appears to be on fire. The sight alone makes trip worthwhile.

The Guerita II cut through calmer waters of Sea of Cortez with ease by benefit of natural windbreak that East Cape coast provides. We set out a mix of CD 4 Rapalas in a sardine pattern and started to work underwater ledges and rock piles in search of sierra or Spanish mackerel, dorado or tuna. We ran across pods of porpoise working bait schools to surface. These working pods often hold schools of tuna just below that pick off bait from edges of bait ball but today, we found just porpoise. Off in distance, Captain Efren spotted surface activity and turned Guerita towards it.

Within minutes we were surrounded by thousands of Humboldt squid. Denizens of northern most portion of Sea of Cortez, these alien looking creatures have slowly made their way down to southern tip of Baja in recent years. With tentacles reaching up out of water like some kind of extra terrestrial meat eating flower, we watched in awe as they fed on floating red crab. Just about anything we tossed into water was immediately engulfed by toothy tentacles of squid and with constant pressure and slow pumps and reeling, we brought them to gaff.

Legends abound about ferocity and strength of Humboldt squid and while many of these tales are true “fish stories”, there is ample credible evidence of potential for injury and even death from these marine cephalopods. Recently, a Discovery program featured an in-depth study of Humboldt squid in Sea of Cortez. During times of agitation, such as when these animals are being fished by fleets of pangeros who make a significant share of their income from sale of tasty beasts, they can and do become very aggressive. One pangero spoke of his encounter with squid with fear and respect. While working a large school, he lost his balance and fell into water. Within seconds, several five to six footers locked onto him and began to pull him under, all while biting into his flesh with their impressive and powerful beaks. He managed to free himself and make his way back to surface and into his panga, scared and exhausted. The scars that he showed tell tale all to well. He also told of others that did not fair so well, never making back to surface.

While events like those have occurred, squid are usually no more than curious about visitors to their domain. It is frenzied activity caused by fishing these creatures that creates aggressive and often cannibalistic behavior. Divers have been able to get up close and personal with Humboldt squid when no fishing pressure was present, all without being attacked or harmed in any way. The aggressive behavior and flashing of colors associated with a feeding frenzy brought on by fishing pressure is simply not a normal occurrence, but more a reaction to situation at hand. You need not fear squid but make sure to stay away from business end. Tentacles with hundreds of toothed suction cups lead to a bird-like beak with incredible power. Ink on other hand can reach you from astonishing distances as my partner, Dolores, can testify.

While fighting a squid estimated at about fifty pounds, she experienced jet blast of a Humboldt squid firsthand. As squid was gaffed, Alfredo jumped off to side leaving Dolores directly in path of what seemed to be gallons of ink shooting from out of squid. In a split second she was covered head to toe in slimy, dark liquid. Being trooper that she is, she laughed it off, wiped herself clean and tossed her line back out to catch another one. By that time we had been joined by over a dozen other charter boats and pangas and everywhere you looked, people were battling these impressive animals. Great fun, an awesome sight and great table fare was end result. We left spot having boated 3 squid and cleaning ink from deck of boat.

Our next area of focus was just a few hundred feet from shore working reef structures that line coast. Catching eight to ten pound sierra on light tackle is an experience I recommend highly. We picked off a few sierra and even landed a small mako shark before we called it a day and headed back in, all while amazed at beauty of azure blue and turquoise green waters of Sea of Cortez.

So if you are one to enjoy ocean and surprises that such a aquatic paradise promises, fishing waters of Pacific ocean and Sea of Cortez in Los Cabos is a dream come true. Finding right boat and crew is of utmost importance in ensuring a successful and memorable charter. When it comes to making that choice, we can’t recommend Jacqueline Lee’s Guerita II and knowledge and hospitality of Captain Efren Beron Zamora and crewman Jesus Alfredo Espinoza enough.

To book your trip, visit their site at www.gueritasportfishing.com or call 011-52-624-143-4465 and tell them Cabo’s Best told you all about them.

Business Use:

- Internet purchases - paying affiliates - paying suppliers - paying contracted employees such as accountants, programmers, support staff - paying for advertising campaigns - office equipment - hotels - rental cars - food ... and anything and everything else you can think of.

So you see, possibilities on how and where you can make purchases with your credit card are unlimited. And because they are unlimited, your free travel should be virtually unlimited to.

Think about it. At end of year, how much of your salary is left in your savings account? Ten, maybe even 15 or 20%?

Okay, let's say you are an exceptional saver and are able to save 20% or your yearly income. That means 80% was spent on everything and anything else. Spend it on your credit card and get free Air Miles!

Let me do math for you...

Based on example of spending 80% of your income,

If you earned $50,000 that means you spent $40,000 If you earn 1 Air Mile for every $1.00 you spend, that's 40,000 Air Miles every year.

But Wait!

If you run a business and had expenses of say $50,000 that would mean an additional 50,000 Air Miles every year.

How many flights could you take with 90,000 Air Miles every year?

What if you earn and even larger income? What if your company expenses are larger than $50,000?

Do yourself a favor. Pick up a pen and paper and start brainstorming all ways you can start paying via credit card and of all places you can start travelling for free!

Remember though, what you pay for using your credit card MUST be paid off each and every month in order to avoid paying absorbent interest charges. I know, you knew that. But like maximizing your Air Miles, most people don't do it. Make sure you are not 'most people' and enjoy your free flights!

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This article may be reprinted with following attachment: Copyright (c) 2005 Glen Hopkins

Glen Hopkins is an entrepreneur, Internet business owner, master marketer and, author. With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology Glen Hopkins also teaches marketing strategies and professional selling. Complete information on Glen Hopkins' articles and other services offered is available from his web site http://www.listopt.com

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This article may be reprinted with the following attachment: Copyright (c) 2005 Glen Hopkins