Archive for the ‘chubasco’ Category

GREEN LIGHT GO – SPRING BREAK UNLEASHED

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, suitcases, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on March 11, 2022| Leave a Comment »

GREEN LIGHT GO – SPRING BREAK UNLEASHED

Originally Published the Week of March 7, 2022 in Western Outdoor Publications

Whether you’re planning to fly, drive or walk to Baja or any place in Mexico in April, come ahead. For the first time in 2 years, Mexico is basically open and really wants you to come visit. (aka “needs you to visit!”)

Since the pandemic hit in 2020, Mexico implemented a “traffic light” scale to measure the covid restrictions and protocols. Red being the worst. Green was the best.

Covid stoplight

In between those extremes were a series of various shades of oranges and yellows. Over the pandemic, the scale has bounced back and forth between those variations.

Just like in the U.S. it’s been “masks on.”

Now they are “off.”

Now they are back on.

Same with all the attenuated protocols like social distancing, closures and activities. Back-and-forth. Up-and-down. Enough to make your head spin.

Unless you’ve quarantined in a windowless room the last two years, you know the drill.

However, like many locations in the world, covid and it’s seemingly unnumerable waves, permeations and mutations is declining. Infections, hospitalizations and fatalities thankfully are also down.

According to officials, something like 80-85% of the eligible population has been vaccinated.

So, it’s a virtual green light to go visit Mexico this Easter or spring break. It’s the first time in two years.

Of course, like everywhere else, there’s some trepidation about the anticipated onslaught. With so many people suddenly running around with impunity health officials and politicians have some underwear bunching up.

But, for better or worse, things are open!

Some vestiges of covid might linger. Some private businesses might still require masks. It’s their prerogative. But, otherwise, party like it’s 2019!

But, Mexico has been trying to get ready.

Statistics have shown that Mexico has been the #1 travel destination in the world. Not just Americans, but anyone else who can jump on a plane has looked to Mexico.

It was easy to get in.

Easy to get out (mostly).

Chances of quarantine were minimal.

It’s a great value for a vacation.

The only thing you need to do is get a negative covid test before returning to the U.S. Fingers are crossed that even this may drop to the wayside. We can only hope.

So, if you’re thinking of heading south in April, especially the weeks preceding or following Easter on April 17^th, look for it to be crowded.

It won’t just be Americans and international travelers. Especially around beach cities, and Baja in particular, the Easter weeks are the busiest times for Mexican nationals to travel as well.

Many take the time off work to take vacations. Many go to visit family.

So, expect crowds at restaurants, bars, beaches and other gathering places. That includes airports especially. Prime arrival and departure times are expected to be packed.

In addition to everyone flying into Mexico, many Mexicans use the holidays to visit family and friends in the U.S. In fact, it’s the busiest time of the year to try to fly.

Busier than Christmas. Busier than Thanksgiving.

Therefore, give yourself extra time coming and going.

With the demand for travel, airline tickets will often be more expensive than any other time of the year and also more difficult to purchase as popular flights fill up.

That goes for rental cars also.

The rental agencies are over-run. The last two times we tried to rent vehicles in Cabo, we waited as long as two hours to get vehicles that had been reserved months in advance.

Put an extra case of “patience” in your luggage. Mexico is also going through the throes of not being able to find enough employees.

So service at hotels, restaurants and other spots might also be slower than expected. Keep smiling and just cut folks some slack. They’re doing their best.

Plan well. Mexico is waiting!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter Sportfishing

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

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.”

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IN YOUR FACE CABRON ADOLF

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, storms, suitcases, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on February 14, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I’ve always loved history. Given a choice, history might be my favorite subject to read or study.

And I really like trivia.

I was researching some info on Mexico’s imports/ exports and came across some really interesting facts about Mexico and World War 2.

WHA??? Mexico in World War 2? The BIG ONE?

Well, actually that was my reaction. Complete surprise.

I mean, when you think of the major combatants of that global conflict, you think of the U.S., England, Italy, Canada, Germany, Japan, Russia. All the main players, right?

And, of course, pretty much the rest of the world from the Philippines to Finland and Algiers to Australia.

Mexico doesn’t exactly come to mind.

And, you probably wouldn’t believe that Mexico was an ally to the United States. That’s not a partnership that generally pops to the forefront of historical discussion.

But, yes, Mexico absolutely stuck one in the eye of the Axis powers.

Even before the U.S. was thrust into the war with the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, countries had a strong foreboding of impending conflict.

Fortuitously, Mexico and the U.S. settled the usual border tensions with reciprocal trade agreements whereby Mexico continued to supply raw materials to the United States. Conversely, the U.S. helped stabilize the peso and Mexican economy by-way-of-long term loans as well as military aid for the Mexican military.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1942, Mexico terminated all relations with the Axis powers. It was one of the first countries to show support for the U.S. It also closed all of it’s ports to Germany thereby securing the Gulf of Mexico for the U.S.

The Mexican people were initially very reluctant and adamant about joining in the armed conflict.

However, that changed several months later in May of 1942. German U-boats torpedoed two Mexican tankers in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hitler was unrepentant about the attacks.

And Mexico took the gloves off.

Mexico declared war on the Axis. It also urged other Latin American countries to follow suit.

Mexico instituted nation military service as well as civil defense. However, it’s main contribution to the war was the continued steady supply of raw materials to the U.S. war effort.

As much as 40% of the raw material for the American war machine came from Mexico.

Moreso, although most other Latin American countries sided with the allies, only Mexico and Brazil sent armed combatants to the front.

At the invitation of the U.S. Mexico put together a special combat team of airmen. The Mexican President Manuel Comacho gathered up more than 300 volunteers including more than 30 hand-picked experienced pilots and the rest veteran groundcrew.

After receiving extensive combat training in Texas and Idaho, the “Aztec Eagles” were dubbed the “201^st Fighter Squadron” and attached to the American 58^th Fighter Group.

Flying P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Aircraft, the “Pancho Pistolas” were deployed to the Philippines and flogged more than 1900 hours of flight time and 795 combat sorties. Their bombing runs and attacks were instrumental in helping push the Japanese off the islands of Formosa and Luzon in some of the toughest fighting in the Pacific.

Eight of the pilots were killed. One was shot down. One crashed. Three others ran out’ve fuel over the ocean and lost at sea. Three others died in training.

Their ground crews were also involved in ground combat on several occasions.

According to Wikipedia, “The 201st Mexican Squadron was given credit for putting out of action about 30,000 Japanese troops ^[4] and the destruction of enemy held-buildings, vehicles, tanks, anti-aircraft guns, machine guns emplacements and ammunition depots.”

After the war, they returned to Mexico to a hero’s welcome. A number of the pilots ended up becoming generals in the Mexican Air Force in later years.

The Aztec Eagle’s squadron remains active today. It is the only military unit from Mexico to engage in combat outside it’s borders.

In addition to the pilots, Mexico contributed in other ways.

Although it was adamant about sending ground trips, Mexico did allow the United States to recruit Mexicans to the American Army. Between 1942 and and 1943 almost 7,000 Mexicans volunteered to fight for the the U.S. In fact, the embassy was so overrun they had to close.

Nevertheless, somewhere estimates of 15,000 to 400,000 Mexican-born troops enlisted. Statistics are not clear. However, almost 2,000 would become casualties.

Many were decorated and four who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during combat in the European and Pacific Theaters of war.

Viva Mexico, Cabrones!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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!

_____________

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!

_____________

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

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.”

Read Full Post »

HOLD MY DRINK FOR A MOMENT…

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on February 6, 2022| Leave a Comment »

HOLD MY DRINK FOR A MOMENT…

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 1, 2022 in Western Outdoor Publications

They say no good story starts with the phrase,”We stopped in for one glass of white wine.”

However, lots of stories, both good and bad, start with, “Let’s just have one margarita!”

As the owners of a beachfront restaurant/bar in La Paz for almost 15 years and hosting fishing clients for almost 30, we’ve witnessed a lot of alcohol-related stories. Most have been good.

Just fun. Folks having a good time on a well-deserved and long-anticipated vacation where the sand is warm, the waters are blue and the drinks are icy cold.

Other stories? Well…maybe not so good.

Usually, alcohol pain is “self-inflicted.” As much as one can joke that you’re just a “victim,” no one forces you to down another shot or order another umbrella drink.

And I can’t tell you how often, I’ve heard, ”Hold my drink for me for a minute.” Promptly followed by some questionable lapse of judgement.

I’ve always suspected that some drinks get you “more drinker” than others. Or are more conducive to the dreaded hangover.

Likewise, there are so many myths regarding avoidance and cure of the hangover. Of course, you can simply abstain from drinking.

Not much fun in that.

First things first. Obviously, the more you drink and the frequency at which you consume the drinks will have an effect. Likewise, the more alcohol in the drink will have an effect.

However, all things being equal, drinks with bubbles will get you there quicker. Therefore, drinks like champagne or drinks where you add a carbonated beverage like soda will hit your bloodstream faster.

Consider this as well about the alcohol content of the liquor itself. Tequila runs about 40-50% alcohol. Vodka and rum can go 60-95% while gin and whiskey run between 30 and 50%

By comparison a beer while top at 4-6% and wine about double that.

So, how do you help keep a lid on getting totally blitzed?

You’ve got nothing to prove. Sip instead of chug. Sip instead of doing shots.

Water and food are your friends. Eating before drinking helps slow down alcohol absorption in your system.

Drinking water before, in-between, and after drinks helps to keep you hydrated and helps your body better absorb alcohol. Additionally, it helps you slow down your drinking.

Well…assuming you forgot all about that and you passed the point of no return. The party is over and you’re feeling 10 feet tall and bullet proof.

Or not. You know you’re headed down the rabbit hole.

Two rules.

Don’t drive, knucklehead.

Second, there is nothing…absolutely nothing you can do to lower your blood alcohol level. What’s in there is in there.

You drank it…own it. And hope there’s not breathalyzer in your immediate future.

A cold shower might suddenly jerk you into feeling alert, but that doesn’t mean you’re any less intoxicated or impaired.

Same with coffee. It might make you look and feel alert enough to fool someone, but your blood alcohol will still be the same.

Either one is only temporary anyway. You may still end up praying at the porcelain alter anyway and barking like the proverbial seal aka “throwing up.”

Water and lots of it is the best thing you can do for yourself. And lots of sleep. Or, assuming you’re ambulatory and not walking like Gumby, exercise is also good.

But, in reality, few of us think of exercising after a good party.

Now, assuming you make it through the night. And here it comes…the hammer of the gods…your hangover.

A few myths.

Those sugary drinks you had at the cantina did not make the hangover worse. They only made the drinks taste better so you drank more of them faster.

Having another alcoholic beverage (“hair of the dog”) makes no sense either when you wake up. It might make you feel better for a bit but it will only temporarily return you to your happy place. The hangover is still coming.

Many us us grew up grabbing an aspirin or ibuprofen before hitting the rack for the night or first thing the morning-after. It makes sense.

Grab a pain reliever from the medicine cabinet.

However, doctors say that ultimately, pain relievers can add more acidic irritation to your stomach and guts that you already punished with alcohol.

So, what do you do?

Again, water and food are your best friends on the backside of your evening bender.

Water helps re-hydrate.

If you’ve been vomiting in addition to being dehydrated, it really helps to replace lost electrolytes with Gatorade (lots of sugar) or the milder Pedialyte which is often given to babies.

At our bar in La Paz, we keep a good stock of both but also have found packets or tablets of straight electrolytes dissolved in a bottle of water work wonders without the added sugar.

Frankly, they’re great anytime someone is feeling dehydrated.

As far as food, skip the greasy lumberjack special or the taco special combination in the morning. Be kind to your stomach.

Good carbs such as toast or crackers will make you feel a lot better. Weak chicken broth with some rice or bananas also help the situation.

Then get back to sleep.

And promise yourself “Never ever again will I…”

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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!

_____________

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

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.”

Read Full Post »

PARTY LIKE IT’s 2019

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, chubasco, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on January 29, 2022| Leave a Comment »

WELCOME NEW ARRIVALS! ENJOY YOUR VACATION!

PARTY LIKE IT’S 2019

Originally Published the Week of Jan. 26, 2022 in Western Outdoor Publications

Well…check any source and you’ll find that the number one travel destination since covid started is (drumroll)…MEXICO!

This is not just for Americans. It’s apparently the top spot for the whole world.

It’s pretty easy to get to, especially for Americans. There’s lots of flights. Or you can drive or jump a cruise ship.

It’s pretty economic. Foreign currency against the Mexican peso is pretty strong. For Americans, the dollar is huge. It’s 20 pesos to the U.S. dollar. International money goes a lot further than in many other countries.

It’s easy to come home. That’s pretty important. When you’re ready to come home…you come home!

Your chances of getting stranded there are pretty slim because of Covid. Your own country might put the pinch on you, but not Mexico.

In fact, there have been some new changes in Mexican restrictions.

As of this month, Mexico has completely dropped all entry requirements. Gone! Deleted! You are welcomed with open arms.

You can argue whether that is good or bad, but it is what it is. I make no judgements. Don’t kill the messenger.

However, borders are now open. In fact, many would ventur that they were never really closed at all. It was pretty leaky.

You also no longer have to fill out either the paper or digital health-care form to enter Mexico. This was the form asking thing like whether you had been in contact with a Covid person or whether you had Covid.

I always thought it was silly. I mean…who is going to answer “yes” on the way to their vacation? Who wants to get told they have to go in the little back room for secondary questioning when the tour bus to the hotel is waiting outside and your luggage is spinning mindlessly on the carousel?

Additionally, Mexican President Obrador has said he doesn’t plan to ever ask for proof of vaccinations.

But, there’s a small caveat.

Individual states, areas or businesses like restaurants, bars and casinos might ask for your vax card. However, according to sources, it’s just like many places in the U.S. with masks. It only applies if the rule is enforced and no one seems to really enforce it.

In lieu of that, proof of a negative covid test within 48 hours will also work. Jalisco is one of the states that recently implemented the rule about showing a vax card.

So, basically, it’s time travel. Mexico is back to pre-covid 2019 in terms of travel.

As of right now, the only real bump in your travel road is coming BACK to the U.S. or entering the U.S. if you’re a foreign national.

The U.S. requires that within 24 hours of your flight back to the U.S. you need to take a rapid Covid test. And, of course, it has to come back negative.

The test takes 15 minutes and you get your results usually within the hour on your cellphone. The airports all have facilities as do many hotels. Or the hotels will have someone come to the hotel.

There are also a plethora of labs that sprang up all over the place understandably.

This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.

If you are a foreign traveler headed to the U.S., the new rules mandate that you must show proof of vaccination now.

Stay tuned. The picture changes all the time!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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!

_____________

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

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.”

Read Full Post »

DESERT GHOSTS

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, historical, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, ice chests, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, taco stand, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail on January 20, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Someone had a dream at one time…or at least a good idea!

DESERT GHOSTS

Originally Published the Week of Jan. 12, 2022 in Western Outdoor Publications

I’ve always had this weird (not creepy) thing about looking at (and into) people’s houses.

At the time I’m writing this, we’re driving across country to the fishing and hunting shows in various cities around the western U.S. We’ve exhibited at these shows from January to April for almost 30 years to talk to folks about fishing with our company in La Paz.

We have our booth packed up and are on our way to the Wild Sheep Foundation Show in Reno, NV. Over the past 3 days, we’ve driven across Texas, New Mexico and Nevada.

My wife Jill is driving and I’m tapping out on my laptop.

And looking at people’s houses.

I like to guess what they do. I’m intrigued by their story.

Why they happened to plant themselves in this particular area near that particular town.

Or in the middle of nowhere.

I look at what’s in the yard. Kid’s toys? A rusty swing? A bunch of old cars? An RV? Five later model cars and a mini-van? Or 5 cars on concrete blocks?

Is the yard done? Is there even a yard or just tumbleweeds and a cotton field in the back.

There’s a washing machine on the front porch of a single-wide modular. Or is there a swimming pool out back?

You can tell a lot.

Driving up and down Baja, I have that same fascination.

But, it’s not the occupied homes that I focus on.

It’s the empty houses.

Empty buildings have a story as well. And sometimes they talk.

These are the abandoned homes and buildings standing ( or leaning) in the middle of the Baja landscape. You find them built on the side of a hillside. Or they are tucked onto the bank of an arroyo or still standing observant by the side of the highway.

Baja - Mision San Fernando Velicata - Ruin - Shack

Dilapidated. Wind, sun-baked and weather torn. Collapsing roofs and leaning walls. Warped and sandblasted wood. Maybe some leftover traces of color or paint.

The Baja is not kind to old buildings left unattended.

Fascinating head-scratchers. I wonder about those stories.

Why here? It’s the only house for miles. What were they thinking?

No obvious source of water. No towns or communities nearby to drive to…or if the house is that old… nothing nearby to walk to…or ride a cart or burro to.

Is this as far as the got? Is this where the donkey cart finally busted an axle?

Maybe the few small tree trunks stuck in the ground at crazy angles are evidence of an old corral.

Stone, bricks and adobe are handy.

How did the even get the wood to build? It’s not like Baja has a lot of treeworthy lumber around. Did the haul it here? From where?

Baja isn’t exactly known for its forests.

Occasionally, you find a small cluster of buildings. Or what’s left of them.

Perhaps an extended family. Again, why here? And what happened to them.

Maybe as often happens, parents settle. Raise kids in the hardscrabble environment. Kids move on as they grow up. Parents pass.

Or the parents pass and the dream of living in the middle of nowhere is not the dream of their progeny. They move on.

Buildings are abandoned.

I’ve never trespassed, but if it looks like it doesn’t matter, I like to stop. Normally, it’s not like anyone cares. There’s no one around for miles and I doubt the tumbleweeds or jackrabbits care.

But, poking around old buildings…they sometimes talk to you if you look.

A blackened brick outdoor firepit. A sign that there was probably no electricity when these folks lived there. They cooked outside.

No signs of plumbing of any kind.

Rough carpentry. Uneven door and window frames. No signs that glass ever filled those windows.

Old uneven hammered rusty nails protrude from splintering dried wood. These didn’t come from Home Depot. They look like tiny sharpened spikes…handmade. Probably pretty precious back in the days.

In fact, there are signs that furniture and parts of the buildings may have been bound together with what remains of rope or old leather strips.

I find an old bent spoon in what would have been a dirt floor.

I have found an old coin or almost rubbed smooth and largely unidentifiable.

There are dark patches along walls where perhaps candles or old fuel lanterns once burned.

I found lots bleached fish bones around the back of one building. They ate fish? We were 10 miles from any body of water.

I once found two old crosses and a weathered upright stone marker side-by-side. They were in the shade of an old scrub tree back behind what may have been an old shed or barn.

Nearby the remains of a cracked clay vase that long ago may have held desert flowers. A family cemetery?

Whoever lived in these places are long gone and forgotten. But, there was a story here at one time.

I think in some sense, moving through these old living spaces makes them somewhat more real. A reminder that real people and families once lived here. Had dreams here.

And moved on. While the desert moves back to reclaim everything.

images

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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!

_____________

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

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.”

Read Full Post »

END GAME

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, holidays in mexico, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, Sun stroke, taco, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on January 10, 2022| Leave a Comment »

END GAME

Originally Published the Week of Jan. 3, 2022 in Western Outdoor Publications

Back in the day when I lived close to the somewhat remote East Cape area of Baja, I loved getting invited to someone’s house for dinner. It was a special treat.

First and foremost, it sure beat the one-pan meals I would usually cook for myself. The food at these gatherings would be simple, but they were always the best-of-the-best spread they had to offer and tremendously delicious.

I remember barbecued meat or fried fresh fish. Often it was something they had caught or one of their own animals.

I was a grateful beneficiary to the sharing of the largesse.

Of course handmade tortillas, beans and rice and maybe grilled vegetables or fresh cheese! Dang. I secretly always hoped there would be that fresh farm cheese.

Plates and cups never matched. Lots of well-used plastic. The cups seemed to be those indestructible plastic/ acrylic things we all had in our cupboards back in the day. Free with a fill-up of gas (or a steak knife) or were bought from the neighbor’s kid raising money for school.

Somehow, those same cups magically migrated to Mexico!

Silverware was burnished and scratched. No big thing. Lots of paper napkins. No matter.

These folks might not have much, but everything was always spic-and-span and pridefully clean in the home.

It was not only a treat, but an honor to be invited to the family home.

Often, there might be another family or two… or extended family member at the table as well. A few cousins. A tio or tia (uncle or auntie). Maybe some neighbors.

Again, sharing the wealth.

It was typically a pot-luck kind of affair from what I could tell.

Cousin Jose and his family might bring some fresh ceviche. The neighbors ferried over a Tupperware of salsa fresca.

It seemed the uncles would ALWAYS bring beer. Always welcome and they seemed to drink the majority of it!

After dinner there was always talk.

Just fun and interesting conversation and b.s. directly dependent upon the level of beer consumption taking place.

My Spanish at that point wasn’t full-speed, but it was enough to participate and I often became the center of the chit-chat. It was usually something of an enjoyable question-and-answer session.

Parents…well, the moms asked about food and markets and clothes. Dads would talk about fishing or travel.

Politics were big. So were sports. The New York “Yonkeys” and the Los Angeles “Doyers.” Andale!

Recently, I was thinking about some of the great conversations with the kids.

The younger girls would ask about celebrities, fashion and movie stars.

Did I really see movie stars all the time and every day?

What is Hollywood like and tell them about a shopping mall.

The boys naturally wanted to know about American cars. American music. Of course…American girls.

Remember, these were the days before the internet was rampant and everyone had a cell phone. Often folks didn’t even have TV’s back then out there.

I was sort of the welcomed travelling bard. Folks were anxious to hear what was going on “out there.” Tell us some news. Tell us a story.

With the kids…

Often, we’d get into the typical, “What do you want to do when you get older?”

At the time, it was just fun conversation, but looking back, the responses were really eye-opening.

American kids talk …doctors…lawyers…executives…business owners…teachers…travel…own a ranch…own a sportscar…be a firefighter…engineer…computers…be a rockstar…attend a great university…be a pilot…marry a rich doctor…lawyer…blah blah blah!

For these, mostly rural Mexican kids, the bar wasn’t quite so high.

Most wouldn’t get past the mandatory 6^th grade. So, like all kids, many were eager to “get outta school” to go to work.

Not so much to be independent like American kids…move out…have a car…get an apartment.

These Mexican kids were eager to work so they could help the family.

The aspirations weren’t so lofty.

“I will help my father catch fish for the market.”

“I will go to work at the farm picking vegetables.”

“I would like to move to the city. Maybe work at a restaurant or a hotel. Maybe clean rooms or wash dishes. I can stay with relatives.”

“I have a boyfriend and we will get married and have kids. He has a good job driving a truck for the market.”

The ambitions were much more tempered. Perhaps much more pragmatic in the big picture.

The big difference is that these are somewhat the kind of jobs American kids might do “on their way” to do something else. Like while they are in school.

Or a summer job.

Or for some pocket money.

For these Mexican kids, they are not jobs before they move onto something else. These are their CAREERS.

This is what they will most likely do for the rest of their working lives.

Forty or fifty years from now, it’s very likely, many will still be washing dishes or cleaning someone’s hotel room. Some will still be trying to catch enough fish to sell to the market and feed the family.

That fruit or vegetable farm still needs laborers.

That girl wanting to be married has raised another generation herself.

These “occupations” are the end game. There is no “glass ceiling” because there is no glass. That solid ceiling they see is the height of ambition and opportunity.

I’m trying to imagine some of the summer or school jobs I took in younger days. Could I have worked in a warehouse the rest of my life? Or driven a taxi? Or sold vacuum cleaners door-to-door?

Nothing wrong with good honest labor.

For Americans, we have the ability to envision better things. We can hope that around the corner our ship will come in. We have that ability to dream. It may never happen, but we can strive and hope.

Our end game has continuum.

For these youngsters, their aspirations are limited to immediate and restricted finite opportunities. The end game is for life.

Do not pass GO. Stay in the same square. Repeat.

That’s my story

Jonathan

______________

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!

_____________

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

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.”

Read Full Post »

IT’S OK TO BREATHE THIS AIR

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on December 19, 2021| Leave a Comment »

IT’S OK TO BREATHE THIS AIR

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 13, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

Christmas time in Baja.

Specifically, here in La Paz where we live and have our businesses.

On so many levels, the air is definitely different this year. And, on so many levels, it’s easier to breathe.

It’s palpable

Practically speaking, masks are pretty much down. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale again. It’s been awhile.

You can probably relate. Feels pretty good not to talk through a piece of cloth. Or trying to figure out what you were saying to me!

I have a hard enough time understanding Spanish or trying to make sure my Spanish was correct. Let alone trying to do it through a mask!

And hey! That’s a smile under there. I was tired of just looking at your eyes!

The pandemic hit Mexico especially hard. It whacked Baja really hard, especially for an economy that depends so heavily on tourism.

Seventy percent of the population lives hand-to-mouth. It’s a cash economy. No one is on anyone’s books.

If you have a job, most get paid in cash or what you can sell. Conversely you pay cash as well.

Cash. No checks. No credit card. No bank account .

What’s in your pocket at the end of the day is how you feed yourself and your family. And back home, that could be a lot of folks living in a small space.

No school. No computers. No Netflix. Beaches closed. Stores closed. Restaurants closed. Curfews enforced. Entire areas completely off-limits.

Sit and stare at the rest of your family for days-on-end.

If you were actually on someone’s payroll and that business closed it’s doors during pandemic, that was just tough luck.

No feel-good stimulus checks. No unemployment checks. It doesn’t work like that in Mexico.

No money . No food . Simple as that.

Last Christmas, there wasn’t a lot of hoo-haaa.

So much lingering uncertainty . Many places and events still closed. Even churches were closed.

Fast forward to Christmas 2021.

This year, most of Mexico is now in the green level. It’s been a long transition from being in the red.

In our city of La Paz, I’ve heard it’s got one of the highest levels of vaccination. Something like 85% of the population has their shots.

Tourists are flocking to Mexico, in general, and Baja, in particular. It’s a quick hop from the U.S. No need to quarantine or prove you’re vaccinated to enter.

The dollar is strong. Mexico wants you. Mexico needs you. There are deals to be had. The world is figuring out Mexico is a good value as well.

The border is “officially” open now. Technically, it’s been closed since early 2020 although it was easy enough to drive across. But, it deterred many visitors from…well…visiting!

So, there’s a reason for optimism in the air.

You can just tell walking around town.

It’s good to see decorations and lights again. It’s good to see people in the stores and restaurants.

There are actually real live people hanging out on the beaches again. Not just police shooing people away or giving out tickets.

Even Mexicans are travelling. It’s OK this year to go see family and friends.

The surest sign of hope and optimism…I saw a wedding and a baptism at our local cathedral.

And that’s the difference. There’s a subtle sense of joy in locals and visitors alike. They’re enjoying themselves! Not looking over their shoulders or over masks.

Yes, people are gathering.

We may have this virus with us for a long time. Things will probably never be like it was, but there’s an actual air of hope.

You can feel it. You can breathe it.

It probably makes the health officials cringe. And government officials cautiously tippie-toe on eggshells hoping the other shoe doesn’t drop on the merriment or economy.

But, for now, it’s a good time to enjoy the smiles.

A good time to appreciate the moment. A time not to be taken for granted. A time to appreciate each other again and how precious simple freedom is to each of us.

It can be fleeting. As we saw only a year ago. Poof…gone!

I’m not talking about political freedom.

It’s even more basic.

The simplicity of walking where we want to walk. Taking a big unhindered breath. Going where you want to go. Shake a hand. Give a hug. Eat dinner with the family.

Hold a child.

This is the precious air you can gratefully breathe this Christmas.

May it wrap and surround you and yours.

Revel in it. Amen.

That’s my story! May you and yours be blessed this holidays and Christmas.

Jonathan

______________

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!

_____________

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

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.”

Read Full Post »

MY SMALL THINGS THEIR BIG THINGS

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, holidays in mexico, hurricane, ice chests, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, Sea of Cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, storm, suitcases, Sun stroke, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, waterspouts, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on September 23, 2021| Leave a Comment »

MY SMALL THINGS THEIR BIG THINGS

Originally Published the Week of Sept. 14, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

I’m sitting here reveling in my surroundings for a bit as I write this week’s column in my office here in La Paz.

We just got through Hurricane Olaf that smacked into Baja down here about three days ago and really gave us a spin.

Funny how things work out here. Almost a month ago we all watched as Hurricane Nora approached us. It was all about the same time that Ida hit the U.S. Gulf states.

For our days, we prepped and stayed vigilant. You just never know.

I had my batteries for flashlights; extra waters and masking tape for the windows. aWe had lots of junk food piled up that could be eaten right from the bag without having to cook in case we lost power (Pringles, Doritos, Chips Ahoy). And of course bottles of wine.

We call this “survival eating.” Not a healthy thing in there! I’ve been through quite a few hurricanes and it’s hurricane sustenance food.

If you have to be shut in, might as well enjoy it.

I had warned all our fishing clients that we might lose some fishing days.

Anyway, after all this prepping…

Nora turned out to be nothing more than a big-weather fart. Some strong winds. Some big southern swells. Not a drop of rain.

Actually, kind of a letdown after all the anxiety.

This week, we did the same thing.

We watched Olaf approach. All the computer and weather experts predicted it would come up the Pacific side of Baja and make a 90-degree turn out to the Pacific Ocean.

Nothing to really worry about. Totally benign. A cream-puff storm.

So, we didn’t do much in terms of prepping

Last Thursday morning, I launched all our fishing boats and client. It was early . Seas were flat calm. Not a hint of wind. Skies were so clear I could see stars.

However, just a few hours later, it was like suddenly someone had flipped a switch. Out’ve nowhere, the heavens opened with huge blasts of thunder. Lightning bolts could be seen striking in the bay in front of us.

Mexican apocalypse.

The rain didn’t drizzle to start. I came in buckets from the get-go. Winds whipped trees and everyone caught unawares was literally running and diving for cover like they do in war movies when the fighter planes sweep in.

Over the next 48-hours, Hurricane Olaf turned into a Category 2 storm. We had 12-15 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. We had winds to 90 mph and gusts up to 150.

Trees were uprooted. Roofs torn off. Boats were sunk. Roads were flooded. Arroyos ran like rivers.

Fortunately, I haven’t heard of any fatalities or serious injuries.

But, it DID leave us with no power or water.

And that’s why I’m sitting here now writing about it.

In this modern world we take a lot for granted.

I can always get a glass of water. Hot showers no problem. Need to call someone, the cellphone is there. Need to check something? Pop the laptop.

Tough day? An icy margarita or beer is at arms-length.

Hungry? Open the frig and cook up something in the microwave or stovetop.

Night comes? Turn on the light.

As I write this, there’s still folks here in town that don’t have water, power or cellphone/ internet from the storm.

Off-the-grid.

We were like that for 2 days and we just lights and electric about 12 hours ago. Trying to work in the office with a flashlight or navigate our apartment with candles just doesn’t cut it.

Even more importantly, only about 2 hours ago, we got AIR CONDITIONING!

I guess I’ve gotten to be a whimp in my old age.

However, when it’s 102 degrees during the day and 92 at night and the humidity level is 85%, and you have nothing but candles and flashlights, it melts even the strongest of men.

We have our breaking points, right? Imagine sitting in your bathroom fully-clothed with only the hot water on your shower going full blast. You are engulfed in steam.

And you’re locked in the bathroom for 2 or 3 days. Try to sleep. Try to function.

That’s what it’s like.

And so, I’m able to type this column while sitting in blessed cool air and my laptop is plugged in and finally re-charging. There are lights. The food in the frig isn’t turning to muck. Sweat isn’t dripping onto my laptop keyboard.

There’s still a lot of folks in town without water or power.

We had 46 clients/ fishermen here in town also locked in hotel rooms with no power or water in some cases. We also had to deal with that as they put on game-faces and had to deal with it as well.

But, now that we personally are back in the light, I realize (again) just how much we take for granted. We push buttons on remotes or gadgets or turn handles and all the conveniences of modern life are at our fingertips for our comfort and ease.

And every now and then, mother nature reminds us what it’s like without that ability.

And then it make me think that there’s people right here in this Mexican city that NEVER have those things. Basic services that we never even think of.

I do know folks here in town that live by flashlights and lanterns in the night. I know folks that have to get their water in buckets from a public faucet to bring to their homes for cooking and washing and cleaning.

There’s no tapping a button or flipping a switch. There’s no knob or handle to turn. It’s like this for them 24/7.

And, I’m grateful and blessed at this moment. I have very little to complain about for even a few hours without all my comforts.

Ultimately, it’s not an emergency. It’s an inconvenience not to have these luxuries because that’s what they are.

To many others, it’s just another day without.

Very humbling.

That’s my story…

Jonathan

______________

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!

_____________

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

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.”

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THAT “A-HA” MOMENT

Posted in airlines, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, highway, holidays in mexico, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, seafood, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on August 31, 2021| Leave a Comment »

THAT “A-HA” MOMENT

Originally Published the Week of Aug. 22, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

I’ve been watching fishermen (of both genders) for almost 50 years now.

Working as a guide; a deckhand; on TV shows; as a fishing instructor and as a fleet owner now in Baja for almost 30 of those years, I’ve seen a wonderful lot of folks with rods and reels in their hands.

It’s great going out on the water with fishing veterans. Anglers know their stuff. It’s well-oiled fishing.

Lots of muscle memory. Gear is locked in. Technique is dialed-in. No wasted motions. Let’s just fish!

But then there’s the really fun fishing for me.

And that’s with first timers or folks who really don’t have that much experience.

It’s often a day of tangled lines and too many thumbs. Backlashes and upside-down reels. Too much intensity and lack of intensity.

Lots of anxiety and, unfortunately, sometimes lost fish. Too much expectation or not knowing at all what to expect.

But, for me it’s fun! It’s the best time.

For these folks the bar isn’t set that high.

It’s often their first time or a rare time and they just don’t have other experiences to compare this to.

I won’t hear about how the fish are bigger in Australia or about all the fish they caught off the Grand Banks. They’re not going to compare fishing here to battling giant lake trout in Canada.

Nah.

By the same token, they’re not going to compare me to their fishing guide in Argentina or that grizzly old-timer on the flats of Key West. I’ll have to be really bad to look like a doofus in their eyes.

They just wanna have some fun in the sun.

Almost any fish will be their biggest or the most. Or the funnest. Or even the funniest!

When a fish is hooked it can be all “arms and elbows” and “get outta the way!” with lots of laughs and big eyes and straining arms. Lines going every-which way and lots of “coaching!”

“Follow your fish!”

“Keep the line tight!”

“Turn the handle!” (The OTHER way!)

“Lift the rod!”

Sometimes everyone is yelling at once and I often feel sorry for the poor angler be it a guy, a gal or a kid . They’re holding on for dear life and trying to process all the information. All while trying NOT to make a mistake or lose the fish.

It’s sometime just too much!

I’ve noticed that kids are very coachable. Wives and girlfriends are more coachable than their husbands or boyfriends. They are even better when the husband or boyfriend is at the other end of the boat and not watching them so closely.

Guys can be a little different. Sometimes they go all “macho” and figure they can just overcome any fish with brute strength and muscle. Guys can be less inclined to listen to any instructions. They will “bend the fish to their will” and “beat the fish into submission!”

It’s a guy thing! Just the way we are.

Even some anglers that I see year-after-year can need a lot of coaching and instructions.

Things that veteran anglers take for granted often continue to be lessons in frustration year-after-year for some of the regular anglers we see.

Things like tying a hook correctly or using a bait.

Things like properly winding the line on the reel or keeping lines directly in front of them.

Or the proper rhythm of fighting a fish. Lifting the rod then using the reel to wind down as the fish comes up. Just using their gear and technology to their advantage.

I give them all credit for trying and just being out there and still enjoying the heck out’ve themselves. It makes it some of the most enjoyable of times for me to be on the water.

But one of the best rushes is that “Ah-HAH” moment.

It’s when it all comes together. For some it happens pretty quickly. For others it takes awhile. Sometimes years after grinding.

The important thing is they kept at it.

You remember.

It’s that feeling when your dad finally let go of you and you realized you were peddling your bike by yourself down the street.

Or you realized you were driving on the street all by yourself and not thinking about it anymore.

It happens when someone learns to play an instrument.

Or your two left feet disappeared and you’re actually dancing.

Or you watch your kid suddenly realize he or she is reading.

And they realize it too.

Or your toddler is running and not all wobbly and clumsy across the living room floor. So THAT’S what these legs are for!

It suddenly just all comes together. And it can happen at any moment.

No more over-analyzing. No more over-thinking. Pure muscle memory and enjoyment.

It’s when the “student” realizes, “Hey, I got this!”

It’s like that with fishing and I see it all the time and it’s great.

Yea…you got this!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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!

_____________

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

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.”

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TRAVEL TO MEXICO SOARS…Planes not so much!

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, Heat stroke, holidays in mexico, hurricane, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, roosterfish, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storms, suitcases, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on July 10, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Mexico has become the go-to place for Americans as things open up. It’s an easy get-away. It’s economical. It’s easy to get home.

More Americans are choosing Mexico over the rest of the Covid-recovering world.

Travel to Mexico is booming in all the usual places. Cancun, Puerta Vallarta. Cozumel. Cabo San Lucas.

It might not be back to where it was pre-2020, but it’s surely trending that way. There are reports that flight travel, in general, is just about where it used to be.

Just one problem.

The airlines weren’t quite ready for it to boom back this much or this fast.

Therefore, just as summer travel is hitting it’s stride, travelers are finding there’s some disconcerting hurdles to straddle

Frankly, flights are getting delayed, changed and canceled with regularity. Most recently American Airlines, Southwest and others have been cancelling over 100 flights per day. This does not begin to count the flights that are changed, delayed or re-routed.

Insofar as my wife and I have dozens of clients per week flying here to La Paz to fish with our fleet, I would venture to say that at least 30% have had their flights changed…often several times from the original…and sometimes at the last minute.

Maybe 40% have delayed flights where they either had unexpected waits at the airport or while sitting on the plane.

Perhaps 10% have had their flights outright cancel. Arriving a day or two later than planned, this has created issues with losing hotel nights as well as activities such as fishing.

If a replacement flight can even be found. With many flights full, it’s not always a possibility. Also, not all airlines fly every day.

Going home to the U.S. has sometimes been an issue as well, although usually not as much.

A big problem has been with connecting flights. If one connecting flight is cancelled or extensively delayed, then there is no way for a passenger to make their next flight in a timely fashion.

To some degree, the airlines point to the spat of bad weather that has hit the U.S. since the beginning of the year.

However, not withstanding Mother Nature’s capricious whims, the bigger problem is a result of Covid.

Many airlines layed-off thousands of employees last year. Many employees were encouraged to accept retirement packages.

Now with travel zooming back, like many industries, there’s a shortage of employees.

Running an airlines is a little more complicated than teaching someone to flip burgers.

One doesn’t suddenly find or train flight attendants in the classified section. You can’t train a jet pilot overnight. Aircraft mechanics and maintenance personnel don’t attend a 1 week night-class to get certified. Ground crews can’t be found on Craig’s List.

So, it’s just one more thing to keep an eye out for.

There are several things you can do.

For one, don’t assume the airline is going to tell you about changes. Seems kinda logical and good business, but that’s not always the case.

I’ve had several clients who were never informed of changes until THE DAY of TRAVEL.

I’ve had several others who never found out until they were AT THE AIRPORT.

One was told, “Well…we’re sorry. We tried to call you yesterday and also sent an e-mail, but no one answered.” That’s right up there with “The check is in the mail.”

Do yourself a favor and check…constantly! Especially as the trip gets closer, don’t be the person who turns off their e-mails and instant messages the last day they leave the office. Be pro-active and avoid surprises.

Be prepared for the possibility of delay.

Bring a book. Bring your medications. Bring a jacket. If there’s a bunch of delays and your flight isn’t until the next day, just assume that any nearby hotel will be full or just not worth the hassle.

So, figure out what you’re gonna do for a few hours sitting in an airport chair or in the restaurant or bar.

One of those goofy neck pillows isn’t a bad idea. Even if you’re not having to spend time in the airport, if you’re stuck sitting on the tarmac in your plane for an extra hour or two, you’ll be grateful you had a neck pillow.

The biggest thing to do is something I have advocated for years.

It’s trip insurance. Google it up . There’s a zillion different companies and plans that will very economically insure pretty much anything on your vacation to missed flights; to missed kayak trips; to lost hotel nights or other plans .

A week has not gone by lately where I was not assisting one of our clients help file a claim for compensation because of an airline SNAFU.

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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!

_____________

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

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.”

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Jonathan has written for:

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Pacific Coast Sportfishing
Discover Baja Magazine
Baja Life Magazine
The Log
Fish Taco Chronicles
Sportsman's Channel Magazine

His articles also appear in:

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