THE “H” WORD
Originally Published the Week of Aug .28, 2024 in Western Outdoor Publications
We’re hitting the end of summer and start of fall in Baja. Honestly, the best time of fishing in my opinion.
The crowds tend to taper a bit as families have kids going back to school. Airlines and hotels consider this the “off-season” before the holidays in November so this is a little gap in travel.
But, the complexion of Baja visitors and, many places in Mexico changes, as folks take advantage of great flights and better discounts. Not to mention temperatures are somewhat cooler and, to me, the best fishing of the year generally speaking.
Related to the fishing and not co-incidentally, this is also tournament time when many of locales in Baja have their huge fishing tournaments.
Destinations like Cabo, especially, host some of the largest tournaments in the world like the Bisbees’ Black and Blue and Western Outdoor News’ Tuna Jackpot as well as many others.
Sometimes, it seems like there’s a tournament a week up and down the whole peninsula somewhere!
So, just as an aside, although it’s “off-season” for travel, if you’re planning on fishing, check ahead to see if tournaments are being held. Make sure hotel rooms are available and boats are open. Don’t sit on your hands until the last minute.
All that being said, I hate to bring up the “H” word.
Yes, it’s also hurricane season. We call them “Chubascos”in Spanish.
In my 30 years in Baja, I’ve hit about 6 of them that were real barn busters including Odile in 2014 that literally blew the doors off the barn and was one of the strongest on record.
That doesn’t mean to change your vacation plans or cancel that long-awaited fishing trip. But best to have the knowledge.
Honestly, the chances of them happening are pretty slim. I say that very very quietly sotto voce…as it were as I don’t want to jinx anything.
However, from what I’ve seen so far with the cooler temperatures and cooler waters attributable to the La Nina weather patterns, there really haven’t been that many storms…even baby storms.
La Nina’s presence somewhat wreaked havoc on fishing this year turning it topsy-turby. However, the upside is that the cooler conditions are less conducive to producing hurricanes.
By this time in other years, we had at least seen some fairly strong storms bubbling around the Pacific Coast of Mexico. So far, maybe only 1 or 2. Unlike the Eastern Coast of North America.
Additionally, there would have been some gully-washer “Toritos” (baby bull) storms that would have dumped a lot of rain on areas for short amounts of time.
So far…again I say that quietly…it’s been a quiet year.
That doesn’t mean we won’t get them. I wish I had a big crystal ball.
But, the next 2 months will tell the tale.
So, preparation is not a bad idea.
First thing…prepare for the possibility of some rain. Like afternoon stuff usually. The good thing is that most of the time when the afternoon shower hit, everyone is off the water by then.
But, I always bring a windbreaker or at least one of those fold-away panchos you buy at Walmart. Or, in a pinch, I’ve cut head and arm holes in a big garbage bag.
Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
The biggest thing, however, is trip insurance. It’s economical, it’s easily purchased.
It protects against missed or cancelled trips…fishing…boating…activities…hotel rooms.
Even if you’re NOT in the storm zone, the fact that there could be a storm somewhere could strand you in an airport. You arrive excited about your vacation and find out your flight has been cancelled before you even leave the airport.
I’ve been stranded many times.
My flight to somewhere never arrives because the plane never left from somewhere that morning. There was a storm along the route or something like that. Or there’s a storm where I’m headed.
It happens.
Or, conversely, if you get stuck somewhere and can’t get home. Extra hotel nights…transportation…food…flights…etc. could all mean out-of-pocket expenses.
Trip insurance will help cover that.
Believe me, getting refunds from a business in Mexico is either impossible or just not worth the time and effort. It’s just easier to insure.
As a practical matter, consider friends and family. Have an emergency number or some protocol in place so you can keep your family informed. Let them know you’re OK.
Ultimately, your chances of encountering an actual hurricane are pretty slim. And ultimately, everyone gets through it with a story to tell.
Just a little FYI.
That’s my story
Jonathan
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Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico www.tailhunter.com.
They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com
Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!
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Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International
Website:
www.tailhunter-international.com
Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942
Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
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Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/
Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g
“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”
That's My Story 
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