Archive for the ‘family’ Category

FIRST TIMER FAQ

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, 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, holidays in mexico, 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 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, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, wahoo, 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 11, 2021| Leave a Comment »

FIRST TIMER FAQ

Originally Published the Week of Jan. 5, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

Anyone who is in the travel industry has endured quite a year. We have run our fishing operation in La Paz now for over 25 years.

Being in Mexico, with it’s pre-existing stereotypes didn’t help much either. Having Covid restrictions was just a dog-pile on top none of us needed.

Our operation is fairly large, but ultimately, we’re a mom-and-pop business. It’s just me and my wife, Jilly. We wear a lot of hats. Some of them at the same time.

I will readily admit, Jilly is the brains of the operation. After working with me all these years, she would probably laughingly concur with that assessment.

But, I do have my moments! And I do bring some modicum or skill to the table.

I handle a lot of the bookings and scheduling. That’s been my forte. The seller. The closer. Whatever you want to call me.

I don’t look at it like sales. To me, it’s simply inviting people to come play in my sandbox and enjoy some smiles down in Mexico.

It involves a lot of e-mails, calls and other social media. Lots of back-and-forth.

But, it’s fun and a great opportunity to get to know folks. And we become friends, long before they ever actually arrive to visit.

But, lately, the inquiries have been changing.

Mexico is becoming a go-to spot for vacations during the pandemic. Even with the borders technically closed to “non-essential” traffic, that’s quite ambiguous and loosely defined.

Mexico needs U.S. tourism. They CRAVE American tourism and I’ve never heard of anyone being turned away.

In that regard, Mexico tourism, has been surging. Airlines are adding routes to keep up with the demand. Planes are full.

And why not?

Mexico is close. It’s easy. It’s economical. There’s no testing. No quarantine. It’s easy to return back home.

To some people, it’s not even like going to a foreign country. They have visited so often. It’s a no-brainer escape for Americans edging to get out.

And for 2021, I’m getting a lot of first-timers.

Not just first-timers to Mexico.

First time out of the U.S. First time fishing. First time salt-water fishing. I have even gotten inquiries from folks who have never even seen the ocean!

Some actually do their due diligence about where they are going.

Others?

I think they just throw a dart at the map and see where it sticks. Or they hit the internet and willy-nilly pick a spot that has nice pictures of beaches and palm trees.

They often seem to know very little about where they are actually going!

For instance, just a few days ago, I had a call from a husband. He already had his plane tickets to La Paz.

During a casual conversation, he asked me, “When we are in La Paz, do you think we’ll be able to go to dinner in Cancun?”

I had to think about how to answer that one.

When I told him Cancun was about 4,000 miles on the other side of the Mexico, he incredulously didn’t believe me at first. He and his wife were really set on taking some time to visit Cancun.

Twice this past week, I’ve had folks wanting me to book fishing in the morning in Loreto. In the afternoon, they want to fish in La Paz.

I had to explain that La Paz is 5 hours away by car from Loreto.

One guy said, “Really, it’s only 2 inches away from each other on the map!”

Late last year, we were walking some clients out to the beach to board the pangas to go fishing that morning. The sun was just starting to come up.

One of the clients had never ever seen the ocean!

Mesmerized, he said, “Wow, it’s REALLY big!”

Then, he did something crazy in front of all of us. He suddenly knelt down. He cupped a handful of ocean and drank it!

“HOLY C#@P, that’s freakin’ salty! Oh my gawd!” he spit, choked and sputtered.

I grabbed a some bottled water and handed it to him. And continued laughing along with my captains and the guy’s buddies.

And then there is the mom who asks if there is a market near the hotel where they are staying. She wants to buy bread.

Why?

She heard from friends that people get sick eating Mexican food and drinking the water. So for her family, she was packing lunch meats and condiments to make sandwiches and lots of bottled water in their ice chests.

They planned to eat all their meals in their hotel room with their 2 kids.

I had a hard time proving the negative. Mexico has great food and restaurants.

They come to visit in June. Hopefully, I’ll have convinced her by then it’s OK to grab some tacos.

That’s my story!

______________

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 »

ANOTHER COVID CASUALTY

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, 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, holidays in mexico, 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, 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 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, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, wahoo, 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 3, 2021| Leave a Comment »

ANOTHER COVID CASUALTY

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 22, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

Well, with the new year upon us, we can only hope for better things.

It feels especially strange for us because normally at this time, my wife and I are running around with our hair on fire. Well…that is if I still had hair. But metaphorically speaking, it’s pretty hectic.

We’re usually packing our vehicle for 3 months on the road. From January to March, we hit pretty much a sportsmans show every week. These 3-5 days are huge events filled with thousands of sportsmen each day plus hundreds of vendors like us who own sportfishing fleets; or lodges; or guiding outfitters and so much more.

The normal course of driving takes us through about 12-15 states each season and through some states several times. It’s like being carnival workers, which essentially that’s what we are.

We criss-cross the western U.S. often through snow, rain, fog and ice. Forests…mountains…endless miles of desert.

20200114_101739_HDR

Lots of motels. Countless truck-stops and Denny’s. Late night pizza we shouldn’t be eating. McDonald’s super-size box on the dashboard. Starbucks stuck in the cup-holders. Microwave burrito wrapper crumpled on the floorboard.

But, we look forward to being “road warriors” and have been doing it almost three decades.

So, about this time, we’re packing up the booth; bags of winter clothes; thousands of brochures; t-shirts; hats; safety gear…all for being on the road basically through April. If we forget something, it’s not like we can drive back to get it.

But, this year, it’s not happening.

Like most events that draw thousands of people in close-proximity, Covid changed all that.

Therefore, the shows that we do in Denver, Sacramento, Seattle, Boise, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Portland, Long Beach, San Diego and in other cities we visit…either have canceled or are in the process of being canceled.

Sadly after 75 years, that includes the big Fred Hall Shows in Southern California.

There’s a few that are trying their best to hang in there.

In addition to everyone being masked-up; I’ve heard talk of moving the vendor booths 6-feet apart. I’ve heard suggestions that prospective customers can’t approach closer than 3-feet to a vendor.

Some shows, like the giant Dallas Safari Club are making a go via “virtual reality” or “zoom” events and putting everything online.

I think that’s already called the “internet.” Novel for the events, but not exactly new.

I have no doubt the producers of these shows are doing or did their darndest to have these events and bent over-backwards trying. Trying to save their livlihoods like everyone else.

On the other side, there’s many exhibitors who do nothing else except these shows. All year long. Think of the folks who sell knife sharpeners; equipment; gadgets; clothing, jerky and toffee nuts. There’s the concession guys that sell beer and hot dogs and funnel No shows. No business.

But, there’s a two-headed obstacle for the show producers to overcome.

First, the state or local restrictions preventing or severely restricting gatherings.

Second, for vendors like us, it’s only economical to drive from one show to another. One every week or so.

It makes no sense for us, and many of our fellow exhibitors, to fly or drive to one show. Then, go all the way back home. Wait a few weeks. Then, load up and travel again to another show with all the gear, booths and equipment needed to display.

20190106_113204

Additionally, even if the shows could be held, it’s not just the possibility someone working a booth might catch Covid. For exhibitors, there’s huge insurance exposure.

For instance, a big manufacturer of say…firearms or fishing reels will pay staff members to man the booth at the show. One of them comes back and tests positive or their relative or family member tests positive. It gets traced back to the show, the liability exposure to the employer company could be huge.

Further, folks really like coming to the shows. It’s a party. It’s a carnival. It’s the social aspect and the fun factor.

LB Rod Reel

Personally, if I’m trusting my hunting vacation to a hunting guide in South Africa or Canada, I’d like to see the guy; chat them up; shake hands before I hand them thousands of dollars.

I want to take a fishing trip in the deep dark jungles of the Amazon River or a the hinterlands on a hunting expedition in Russia…yea…I want to talk to a live person.

Same with Mexico or South America or other places where English is not spoken. I want be personally assured before I book.

I want to know if the guy in the booth is the “real-deal” or even the real guy that I will see when I arrive. Or is the guy just a rep or salesman that I will never see again?

That’s also double-hard if we all have to wear masks or have to practice social distancing while trying to interact. I understand the necessity. It’s the new normal.

Anyway, the point being, if you’re waiting for the sportsmen’s shows, it’s gonna be a long wait.

For those of you readers on the west coast, it’s a huge hit to have big shows in Portland, Sacramento and the gigantic Fred Hall Shows in Long Beach and San Diego not take place.

Many of you book your vacations, charters, fishing and hunting trips at these shows.

Don’t wait. The shows aren’t happening.

From what I’m seeing, bookings are already heavy for 2021 among many of the outfitters I’m talking with recently. People are just anxious to get out.

Many folks canceled their 2020 trips and are rapidly re-booking for the upcoming year.

Just over Christmas week alone, airlines set records for pandemic travel when over 1 million people per day flew. Overall, records show a regular increase in jet passengers as people lose their hesitancy to climb aboard a plane.

Airlines are adding more flights now to popular destinations to fill the need.

If there’s any way sportsman and vacationers can get away, they will. Vaccine or no vaccine. As long as they can get away from home and get back home with minimal exposure, it appears folks are making the decision to bust it loose in 2021.

That’s our story!

signature June '18 two 1

______________

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:

http://www.tailhunter.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 »

YOU’RE GOING TO…MEXICO?

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, christmas, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, 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, holidays in mexico, 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, pompano, rental car, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, 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 23, 2020| Leave a Comment »

YOU’RE GOING TO…MEXICO?

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 15, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

Covid rates are surging on both sides of the border and hitting records. There is huge trepidation about the consequences of the holiday gatherings still to come.

Subsequently, it’s no surprise that Mexico and the U.S. appear to be extending the travel ban along the border through January. The ban has prohibited all non-essential travel since March.

Both governments, as well as health organizations (too many alphabetic acronyms to remember), are warning people in no uncertain terms about taking a trip south of the border, especially during the holidays.

Northern Baja is still rated as “red” on high alert. Southern Baja is in danger of going from “yellow” back to “orange.”

But wait…what gives?

#5 CAbo airport waiting area

The Cabo Airport is full of arriving visitors.

Airlines are adding more flights to keep up with the demand. Forget leaving that middle seat empty. Flights are full and people are paying premium prices.

The booze cruise is full.

Tourism rates show 70-90% are Americans. Last month, some figures showed an increase in tourism of almost 200% over the same time last month.

Mexico reports that in the last two months almost 2 million visitors arrived in Cabo alone. Other Mexican tourist destinations are seeing similar up-ticks.

Charter boats are selling out.

Restaurants and hotels are hiring back staff furloughed during the early days of quarantine. Reservations are being recommended again.

Our own Western Outdoor News Cabo Tuna Jackpot held last month, literally at a moment’s notice, drew 149 teams and over 600 anglers and almost 1000 participants in 2 months. This, even with the fact that covid protocols prevented any banquets, cocktail parties, live music or huge award dinners!

It would seem there’s a huge contradiction going on here.

For one, let’s talk about that “border closure.” The term “non-essential travel” does not apply to taking a plane, a boat or train to get across the border.

Fishing (lucky us!) has been deemed to be an essential activity.

So has visiting friends and family…shopping…checking on some property.

Wink! Wink! There’s a lot of loopholes here.

Frankly, the “mandate” to stay away is really more like a “strong suggestion.” I don’t know of anyone that has been turned away from travel.

If you’re travelling commercially, there’s a good chance your temperature will be taken. You’ll have to probably fill out a form asking the usual questions about your health and proximity to anyone with the virus. Or if you’ve had it.

If I suddenly showed a temperature, I’d think twice about getting on a plane so it’s not a big deal. I’ve flown three times in and out’ve Mexico in 2020. I have yet to have anyone actually collect the form I was asked to fill out.

I did have someone at the airport verbally ask me how I felt. I said “fine.” He said, “Bienvenidos a Mexico!”

I think people have just made a personal choice to travel. Bottom line.

They are either sick of being cooped-up (“quarantine fatigue”). Or they know the risks and decide to travel anyway. Or, going to Mexico is no more dangerous than eating at McDonalds back home or shopping at Target.

For one thing, it’s surely easy to get to Mexico.

You don’t have to be tested to visit. No papers to show. You don’t have to quarantine to visit.

To many people, going to Mexico is no big deal on many levels.

“I’ve been to Mexico so many times, it’s no different than my flying to Las Vegas from my home in Denver,” said Jerry who was waiting in line for his rental car.

“It’s easy. It’s familiar. As long as I have internet, I can work. Believe me it’s a lot easier working on my computer looking at the beach than from my office in Colorado.”

I talked to Maribel in a restaurant in Todos Santos.

“I was thinking of Europe for the holidays and an extended vacation,” she chatted, “But what if there’s another lockdown in Italy or England or somewhere else. I’m stuck a long way from home. Mexico won’t keep me,” she went on. “Easier to get home!” she laughed.

Her friend, Monique added, “I was thinking of Alaska or Canada to visit friends and family, but I would have to show that I had been tested or visitors had to be quarantined for awhile. Same with Hawaii. Mexico was uber-convenient. Less fuss.”

Daniele is a nurse in Florida. Her husband Travis is a doctor. Both work in a hospital with Covid patients. They were down for the 2^nd time this year to use their timeshare.

I just had to ask them…”So, does the mask make a difference?”

“Absolutely, yes it does!” responded Travis with no hesitation. “But, I think if you just take normal common sense pre-cautions like you would for a cold or flu, you’re covering yourself.”

“Frankly, we feel almost safer here in Mexico than walking around back home,” added his wife, Daniele.

“Crowds have been down. Hotels, beaches, restaurants and other tourist spots have a lot fewer people than normal. I mean, hotels are only allowed 30 or 40% occupancy. Everyone takes your temperature before you enter any building or activity and everyone gives you a squirt of anti-bacterial gel too. Mask wearing is just a given down here. I think the tourism sector is going out of their way to make sure tourists feel safe.”

Feeling safe. Just a matter of personal choice. A lot of Americans seemingly have no problem with it.

That’s my story

______________

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 »

FIND YOUR BEACH

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, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, donations, 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, 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, light tackle, 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, pompano, rental car, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, suitcases, Sun stroke, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, 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 2, 2020| 6 Comments »

FIND YOUR BEACH

Originally Published The Week of Nov. 25, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications.

I pretty much wrote this week’s column lying flat on my back looking up at the sky. Pretty unusual position for “word-smithing.”

Most of the time, I write at my desk. Sitting up.

It’s in the middle of the night at the end of a long workday that usually starts about 4 a.m. Or, if I’m “lazy” and couldn’t think of anything the night before, I scramble to compose something before the sun comes up and the day goes full-turbo!

But, lying flat on my back, I’m looking at clouds drifting by as languidly as I was feeling.

Lying on the sand.

On the beach.

In the Baja sun.

Some Kenny Chesney “No Shoes No Shirt No Problem” playing on Spotify competing with the rise-and-fall crescendo of surf as a soundtrack.

And this week’s column just sort of wrote it self. It auto-composed in my head in about 5 minutes.

I was just lying there on that warm sand felling really tired. Not just tired.

“Old man tired.” Big difference.

I had just come off the water. Nope. For once, not fishing. Not diving either.

Surfing. Yup. That kind of surfing. Like on a board.

My wife, Jill, and I had spent the better part of the afternoon surfing and using muscles that we had not used in…well…years! I think the last time I “surfed” Baja, I had been driving my dad’s Pinto station wagon.

Me, and a bunch of underage high-school buds on a flyer across the border below Rosarito Beach with $20 between the three of us; a bag of Doritos; and 3 days to waste on the waves.

Yea, it had been a long time.

Surfing muscles are not the same as fishing muscles. Not the same as SCUBA muscles. And no matter how much Jill and I had lied to ourselves, we were not “in shape” to be paddling out…fighting waves…fighting the board.

I grew up in Hawaii, but my “old man” muscles were B–tching me out so very badly.

“What were you thinking?”

“Who were you trying to kid?”

Harsh reality found on a beach in Baja.

But, I gotta tell you, it was a good soreness. And Jill and I had the biggest smiles on our faces as we lay splayed-out on the beach.

No one talking. No one needed to.

The sun rays warmed me from above and the hot sand warmed me from below.

It was like being a kid again and coming out’ve the pool and lying face-down on that warm cement without a care-in-the-world. You know that feeling.

Summer vacation. No school. No homework. You had no place else to be except right then and there. Contentment.

And that was me. Except I was lying looking up.

And I realized I had nowhere to be except right then and there. On that beach at that moment studying some dumb clouds. No shoes. No shirt. No problems.

It finally just got to us. Yea, we live and work in Baja.

“Living the dream.” Right?

But, like everyone, no matter where you are, it’s been a tough year. And this year, it seemed like we worked even harder-than-ever just trying to tread water like everyone else.

Being in the travel industry with our fishing fleets and restaurant, it was especially brutal.

Surely, fewer clients and less business, but like I said, we seemed to work twice-as-hard just trying to keep what we had. Working double to keep from sliding backwards even more.

Almost like surfing. Paddle paddle paddle to get out. Wave knocks you back.

Paddle paddle paddle to go a little further. Another wave knocks you back again.

Just trying to get out past the white water to where that tasty curl tantalizes you with a rewarding ride back to the beach. Paddle paddle paddle. Can’t stop. Gotta get past that white water.

Catch one or two, but mostly paddling paddling and more tiring paddling.

Like life right now.

No days off and …UP-TO-HERE…with it all.

Covid…quarantine…restrictions…economy…politics…elections…unrest. The “whitewater” of life, right? The cacaphony that never stops assaulting you.

So, we just sort of folded shop.

We never ever take time off. But,it was time.

We didn’t tell any of our staff where we were going. Basically told them, don’t burn down the building. Don’t let anyone steal anything. We’ll be in touch.

In fact, I didn’t even tell my wife where we were going.

I pretty much told her to grab some clothes for a few days. Threw her and our rescue cat, my guitar, and some gear in our Honda. It’s the one with the busted air-conditioner and that overheats if I drive faster than 50mph and left.

We drove. And drove.

And made a left off the highway down a dusty washboard dirt road.

And found a beach.

And it had some worn bungalow cabanas for rent.

Our “rustic” cabana had holes in the palapa roof.

Some lights didn’t work. Others had those god-awful curly “economy” bulbs that save you 5 bucks over 100 years.

A threadbare hammock tied between two palm trees. It might have been a fishing net at one time.

No TV.

No disco.

No nightclub.

No real restaurants to speak of.

Perfection.

I don’t even want to tell you the name of the beach because the area is begging for a paved road and some high-rise hotels that will come soon enough, I imagine.

But for now, just miles of Baja beach.

And there were some waves that just begged to be ridden.

And an ice chest full of cold ones that needed some attention too.

And 3 days extended into 5 days of sun, sand, surf, card-playing and just the very best kind of “social distancing” that we probably could all use right now.

Might still be there if we didn’t run outta cat food.

And lying on my back like a very tired beached sealion soaking up the rays and watching clouds moving left-to-right.

Smiling.

And while we were gone, the world did not blow up. Our business did not burn down. The problems of the world were still there when we got back.

We did not miss a thing.

But finding that little stretch of Baja beach made all the difference.

For now.

We brought that beach home with us in a manner of speaking. I brought this essay that wrote itself.

Like that beer commercial says, I hope you find your beach.

Somewhere.

If not on a stretch of sand. Then a backyard. A park. Or some space where you can close the door.

Away from the madness. Close your eyes. Shut off the sound. Take a breath. Find that beach and watch the clouds.

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 »

SIX MONTHS DIFFERENCE…It’s A START!

Posted in 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, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, 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, holidays in mexico, ice chests, 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, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico life, outfitters, packing fish, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, 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 November 16, 2020| Leave a Comment »

SIX MONTHS DIFFERENCE…IT’s A START!

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 10, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications.

Last week was my first visit to a major Mexican tourist hub.

Six months ago last June, I flew back into Baja after it had been locked down for Covid quarantine for 3 months. It was eerie.

When my plane landed at Los Cabos Airport, my plane was not just the only plane that landed. It was the only plane in sight.

Period.

There was not a single plane on the runway which was completely empty. There were no ground crews to be seen. No little luggage carts being pulled by tractor vehicles. There was not a single person to be seen.

Anywhere.

It was like the proverbial zombie apocalypse.

Inside the airport, it was likewise empty. Just a handful of people waiting at immigration. Only a handful in the line at customs. I passed through and out to the street in five minutes.

Outside, the usual gamut of barkers offering rental cars, shuttle transportation and time-share condos were incredibly absent.

The normally crowded waiting area where shuttle drivers met arriving clients was virtually empty. Come to think of it, so was the parking lot that is usually jammed with vans and busses.

Once away from the airport, streets were largely deserted.

Businesses were mostly shuttered-closed or had very little traffic.

The bustling area around the Cabo San Lucas Marina had almost no people. No one wandering around. No street vendor hawking jewelry, cigars or snorkel trips.

Restaurants and hotels were barely open. Boat traffic was minimal if anything. Maybe a panga here and there or water taxi. No sportfishers or cruise ships in sight.

Away from the marina, it was so desolate you would swear you could hear the breeze whistle through the empty streets and you expected a tumbleweed to go blowing by. . .or a chicken.

Well, all of that surely seems to be over for the most part.

There are still restrictions in place and they are heavily enforced. But, quarantine requirements have abated. Somewhat.

Everyone still wears masks.

Social distancing is very evident everywhere although difficult to enforce.

At the crowded tourist restaurants, your temperature is taken and you’ll probably get a squirt of sanitizing gel.

But, they do count heads. If the restaurant is at capacity, you’ll have to wait.

Bars that do not serve food remain closed. Inspectors are closing other businesses that do not respect the safety protocols.

Other than that, Cabo almost seemed normal. It was definitely different than 6 months ago.

Although it was not as crowded as normal, the airport sure seemed like it was back to capacity with numerous flights coming and going. Planes were full from what I could see.

It took 2-hours to get our rental car even though we had reservations.

The hotels actually had people in them. The Tourism Board says most places have about a 30% occupancy now. Way down, but surely way up from 6 months ago.

The hotel pools were jammed with people. Difficult to social distance when everyone is doing shooters at the swim-up bar!

The beaches were lively although there was no trouble finding a spot for your umbrella and towel.

Street traffic seemed as busy as normal. This was especially true in the non-tourist areas where people went about their daily business.

There were no cruise ships parked in the bay. However, there was a constant stream of sporfishing vessels, tour boats, snorkel and scuba boats and booze cruises going in-and-out of the Cabo Marina.

At night, town wrapped up by 8 or 9 p.m. or so. Far different than normal and the streets got quiet.

But earlier than that, most places for food and nightlife seemed operational if quite a bit under capacity. Obviously, businesses were still working at reduced hours. And reduced staff.

But, at least they were open.

It’s going to be a long slow road to recovery. But, it was good to see lights on and life trying to get back to normal again.

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 http://www.tailhunter-international.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 International

Website:
http://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 »

SAFE AS IT’s GONNA GET?

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, family, 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, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, 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, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, sportfishing, storm, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, 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, Tailhunter Seaview, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on November 10, 2020| Leave a Comment »

SAFE AS IT’S GONNA GET?

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 3, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications.

The Cabo San Lucas Marina…pretty much business as usual with boat traffic although foot traffic was relatively light.

_________________________

Since the Covid Pandemic hit us last March in Baja, I’ve been been watching things pretty carefully. I have to. Being in the travel-activity industry, it’s pretty mandatory.

In that time, I’ve watched us down here go from pretty much completely “RED” (complete stringent shutdown…harsher than the U.S.)…

….To “ORANGE” (open but with strong mandatory restrictions still in place)..

…..To “YELLOW” (open with a huge easing of restrictions) since September.

Being in the “yellow” has been a huge economic breath for so many of us. Restaurants, hotels and other businesses were allowed up to 50% occupancy. Beaches and recreational areas were opened. Churches, gyms, theaters and other “non-essential” businesses could finally open their doors.

It has not quite been “business as normal” but it’s as close-to-it- as we have seen most of the year. I think most of us down here have gotten used to it and we’re learning to live with it.

So many businesses didn’t survive. The rest of us are just trying to stay afloat as well as possible.

We would surely like to have thing completely open and in the “GREEN” level, but few of us think that’s going to happen anytime soon.

As with most governments around the world, the folks who make the decisions walk the tightrope trying to balance public safety against economic stagnation.

Will we get to normal by 2021? Short of some miracle vaccine or it’s equal, I kinda doubt it. But, bigger brains than mine struggle with those issues.

I will share with you that based on talking to our American clients that have visited us this year, most were surprised about their vacations.

“I think it was safer than being back home in the U.S. It surely was not any more dangerous” seemed to be the general consensus.

As one of my fishermen told me who visited us twice this year, “I think there are so many safety protocols in place from the time I hit the airport; to the time I reach my hotel . . .hen while I’m in Mexico . . .hat I feel perfectly safe. The tourist areas seem especially antiseptic with everyone very conscious about sanitation.”

He’s already booked for next year.

In fact, judging from reservations for 2021, it looks like a good year. Covid or no Covid.

Airlines are flying again. In fact, several airlines have added or are in the process of adding more flights to Baja.

I know that for us in La Paz, for the first time in almost a decade, there will be direct flights from the U.S. starting in December.

I am also reading that some of the airlines are putting back that middle seat or from several flights that I have taken this year, there’s no more social distancing on the flights. They’ve been packed. Sold out.

So, the airlines must be banking on the uptake in tourism to Baja.

I think as an alternative destination, travelers will find Mexico overall a lot more attractive than Europe, Asia or other places which are experiencing another surge in Covid. And many aren’t too keen to welcome Americans right now anyway.

Pragmatically speaking, if there is a shutdown again, it’s a lot easier to get home from Baja than it is fromEngland or Italy, right?

My wife and I were supposed to be on a 3-week lifetime trip to South Africa right now. In hindsight, South Africa would not have been a good place to be stuck.

Even if you’re not flying, it’s not so hard to drive either.

OK, I know there’s this “travel ban” on the border that has been in place for most of the year. The governments of both Mexico and the U.S. have given no indication when (or if) it’s going to be removed.

But, there’s several things to keep in mind.

First, it does NOT apply to entering Mexico by flying, rail or water.

Secondly, for all practical purposes, it seems to be more of a “suggestion” than an actual mandate. I know plenty of folks who have driven right through the border without issue. Some have driven several times. Some do it on a regular basis.

In fact, that’s one of the complaints that has become devisive among the Mexican folks along the borders.

Many decry the apparent “freeflow” of traffic from the U.S. Keeping in mind the high Covid rates among Americans.

But, there’s a huge contingency that wants and needs those tourism and business dollars that also flow into the country from Americans.

So, it really just is-what-it-is. That’s the bottom line.

Mostly what I’m hearing from folks booking reservations next year is that Covid or no Covid, they’re coming. Vaccine or no vaccine they’re coming.

For better or worse. Most think it can’t be any worse than it is and frankly a lot of folks are just tired of having been kept home this last year. Just my two centavos.

Vamos a ver…we’ll just have to see.

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 »

SMALL CO-INCIDENCES…LITTLE BLESSINGS

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, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, 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, holidays in mexico, 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, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, 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 October 26, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 20, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

_____________________

It’s been a helluva year, hasn’t it?

Definitely one for the books and a year none of us will ever forget. It’s been unlike any year in history if you think about it. Surely, in our lifetimes.

…and it’s not over yet.

…and it’s not going to change automatically just because the calendar flips to 2021 in two months. Or because the crazy election is over in November.

We simply don’t know. Maybe it will get worse. Quien sabe? Who knows?

I was thinking about that the other day. It could get worse? Really?

For ourselves, how many more punches to the nose can we take and still remain standing?

And while I was sitting there sinking into “bluesville” and edging into feeling sorry for myself…

My wife, Jilly nudged me as she often does and interrupted my thoughts. She’s always looking at her cellphone.

“Hey, look at this photo of the grandkids! Pretty cute aren’t they?”

A cellphone with two grinning little ones was shoved into my face.

…and I laughed.

Yea. They are pretty cute at that.

“Remember that last time when we had them over for that barbecue? We had the huge blow-up pool from Walmart all set up and we all jumped in and splashed around with them?”

Actually, I do. And it was a lot of fun. Silly fun with silly grandkids and sillier adults.

And it made me smile.

Maybe it was more than just serendipitous co-incidence that she had nudged me.

Divine intervention?

A poke from the galactic powers of the universe to sit up and take notice and stop whining?

There really were a lot of reasons to smile.

In the middle of all the insanity, there were and are many blessings.

In fact, at the time this happened, my toes were buried in warm sand.

On a beach. At the ocean… in the sunshine… under a palapa with a plate of shrimp and a cold beer.

How terrible is that?

Only reason for that was business was slow. Like all businesses. Bummer. Had a few hours to kill.

We live about 30 yards from the water’s edge. Gosh…we run a fishing operation in Baja where I daily have to push boats into the water by hand up to my waist in the waves.

Our restaurant is on the waterfront steps from the bay.

And I realized this was the first time in more than five years that I had actually taken time with my wife to sit on the beach.

Because business was slow.

But, here I was. Able to sit and enjoy and put my toes in the sand and jump into the water…not for work. Just for the heck of it.

We had snuck away from work for just a few precious hours.

And then all the other stolen moments…that we never get to do normally.

Dinner out with clients.

Taking time to smoke a cigar and have a beer with friends.

Time with the kids and watching the grandkids grow up.

Watch a movie on TV from beginning-to-end without having to watch it in 30-minute increments over a week.

All the home dinners where Jill and I got to play in the kitchen and actually have real conversations.

Occasional naps.

I actually finished a book or two.

I had time to do some gardening and construction projects

Take a walk.

All the little unusual blessings in the maelstrom of a turbulent year.

I NEVER do these things. I never have time to do these things running our businesses.

Forced “time out.”

And, all those other things?

Ultimately, they were just “inconveniences.” Most things we don’t like in life are just that…inconveniences.

There aren’t that many things in life that are “critical” if you have your health and family.

This just happened to be a year of more than incredible “inconveniences.”

We all had our health.

Wearing masks…inconvenience.

Social distancing…(sigh)…inconvenience.

No restaurants…movies…parks…sports…inconvenience.

No more than 2 persons in a car…inconvenience.

Re-runs on Netflix and Roku…inconvenience.

Getting completely sanitized before they let you into any building…inconvenience.

Standing in line at 4 a.m. for groceries and toilet paper…BIG STUPID INCONVENIENCE.

Waiting 40-deep at markets for beer here in Baja when they shut down the breweries (non-essential business)…MAYBE THE BIGGEST STUPIDEST INCONVENIENCE OF ALL!

But we endured. And we endure s’more.

Many many many folks here in Baja and everywhere in the world have it so much worse than us. It’s beyond critical. It’s tragic.

There’s a zillion conflicts and turmoils swirling everywhere.

But right now. Right then… Next to my wife on a sunny beach in Mexico is a blessing.

Will have to clean up and get back to work in an hour or so.

But, I gotta remember to savor these little moments. Little co-incidences. Little blessings. Little miracles.

Please pass me another beer.

And thank you, Lord. Thank you galactic powers of the universe.

For small blessings and little miracles. And co-incidences.

And the occasional poke in the side.

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 »

WHERE CAN I FIND “REAL” MEXICAN FOOD?

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, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, 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, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, 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, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, midriff islands, outfitters, 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, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, 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, 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 October 2, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 3, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

I think I was just asked about the 5^th time this week by visitors some version of “Where can we get real-authentic Mexican food?”

Good question. But, I have a hard time understanding how to respond.

I have to usually pause a minute before answering.

“What do you mean by ‘real authentic Mexican food?” I ask.

“You know, the usual food, but we figure that since we’re here visiting in Mexico, we can get the REAL stuff!” they’ll say anxiously.

Well, that doesn’t help me much.

It would be like me visiting someplace like New York and asking, “Where can I get real ‘New York’ food!

Throw a question like that into a bunch of my New Yorker friendsd and you’ll end up with as many different answers, arguments and debates as there are people in the crowd.

Mexico is probably a lot like New York gastronomically speaking. Visitors come down with a certain culinary expectation. And that could have been formed by eating at too many Taco Bells; neighborhood chain restaurants; or local neighborhood eateries.

Mexican food is as varied as the areas of the U.S.

Northern Mexico near the border has it’s regional specialties. Areas on Mexico’s East Coast have food far different from areas of Mexico’s Pacific coast or regions. Central and southern Mexico have their own specialties as well.

Even within those geographical vicinities, there are variables. For instance, urban food will be different from rural areas. Mountainous areas likewise have different food preparations than areas on the lower elevations.

So, when someone asks me where to go for real authentic Mexican food, it’s a tough answer. In our area, I tell them if they’re looking for the kind of food they’re used to back home in the U.S., they probably won’t find it.

They are usually somewhat disappointed, but I tell them hit the streets. Go eat at local eateries. Not tourist spots. Eat at street carts and small vendors. Eat at places that you see a lot of locals eating and they can’t go wrong.

Invariably, they end up loving their new discoveries.

Actually, instead of telling people what “real Mexican food” is, it’s often easier to tell them what is NOT real Mexican food. It surprises many visitors.

For instance, if you’re looking for “pre-formed” taco shells like you find at fast food places back home, you’ll be disappointed. Most tacos are served in soft hot tortillas you fold-around the hot filling.

The closest thing to a pre-formed taco might be “tacos dorados.” Not named after the fish. It just refers to a deep-fried taco that is fried until “dorado” (golden).

You will not find ground beef in your Mexican food.

You will not find sour cream in your Mexican food.

To the surprise of many, you won’t find shredded cheese in your Mexican food or even any cheese at all. Mexicans DO like hot melted cheese called “queso fundido” served as an appetizer very much like fondue.

By the way, Nachos were an American invention! Hard to have nachos if there’s no cheese around. Forget finding black olives too!

Fajitas? Nope. That hot skillet full of sizzling veggies and meat is a gringo concoction too!

Chili? You’ll get a blank stare.

I once threw a party for a bunch of my friends many many years ago when I first arrived here in La Paz. One of the items was “chili dogs.”

Who doesn’t like chili dogs?

Mexicans love their “hates.” (hotties). But every single person at that party wiped the chili off their hot dogs then put them back in the bun. I was mortified!

It was like watching someone pulling all the toppings off pizza and only eating the crust. Are you kidding me?

Chili’s origin is not Mexico. It’s the U.S border areas and started as a stew you tossed meat, beans and spices into.

Who does not love those deep-fried chimichanga burritos? We grew up on them at little league games; Tastee Freeze; and Mexican chain restaurants.

Well, that was an accident that happened at a gringo restaurant when the owner accidentally dropped a burrito into hot oil. It was so good, he kept it on the menu and its popularity grew.

Speaking of burritos…guess what? They didn’t origiate in Mexico either. You WILL find burritos in Mexican cities (mostly in street restaurants or tourist areas), but historically, they had their genesis in California only about 60 years ago.

And the fillings?

You’ll get shredded meats, grilled chunks of meat, but nothing that resembles what you’re used to. Again, no ground beef. Most of our Mexican friends use ground beef to make…hamburgers…an unquestionable gringo concoction.

Two other little tidbits of non-Mexican origin:

Ask for a lime in your beer, and you’ve just labeled yourself as a tourist. Locals don’t put a slice a lime in their beer.

The lime thing was something you squirted on the lip of your beer bottle or rubbed on the rim of your glass to keep flies away.

Picked up by certain beer companies…the idea took wings.

Finally, what’s more synonymous with Mexico than a margarita? Lots of places will lay claim to it’s invention, but most historians will point to it’s inception in California. And interestingly, most locals I know don’t drink them. They don’t even drink tequila.

We have had a restaurant in La Paz for over 12 years. Most will prefer rum drinks or whiskey shots over tequila drinks. They think gringos are crazy for drinking tequila!

By the way, that bottle of Tapatio hot sauce you’ll find everywhere? Check the label. It’s made in Southern California in Los Angeles!

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 »

THEY’RE MAKING IT TOO EASY!

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, 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, giant squid, Heat stroke, highway, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricanes, 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, missions, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, 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, 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 17, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Originally Published the Week of Sept. 16, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publicaitions

License plates say a lot about certain areas.

Arizona’s plates proclaim the “Grand Canyon State.”Georgia’s plates tell you they have a lot peaches.

Minnesota wants you to know that they’ve got “10,000 lakes.” The “Corn State” is Iowa. Easy one.

I’m not quite sure about South Carolina as “the iodine state?” Hmmm…

Anyway, you get the gist.

Baja California’s license plate tells you it’s the “Frontera”. The Frontier.

Back in the day, almost 3 decades ago, when I first showed up down here in Baja, It surely was. On my first trip diving down by myself, it was not without some trepidation.

Armed with Auto Club Maps, tour books, extra water, gasoline, engine hoses and belts, shovels and even extra toilet paper, I sallied forth across the border. And there was no mistaking when you came across that threshold at Tijuana.

You were indeed, NOT in the U.S. any longer.

It looked different. It felt different. Even the Mexican air felt different.

And when you finally broke out past the dusty concrete block buildings; tire shops; mom-and-pop taco stands and roadside vendors and into the open arid desert heading south, you were on an adventure.

That desert went on for endless miles. It still does.

Over the many years, it has continued to be an adventure. And to live down here in those days, meant living on a much narrower margin of error than back in the U.S.

If you needed something, you didn’t just go down to the mall or Home Depot. If something broke, you fixed it or did without.

If you had to get from Point A to Point B, you had to ask yourself, how essential was it to get there? Did you have enough gas? Could you even buy gas? Did you even have transportation? Many is the time I walked…and walked…and walked s’more!

Finding the simplest thing could take an entire day driving from place to place.

Everything had to be planned and calculated.

You actually had to plan meals way in advance.

Running out’ve tomatoes or sugar wasn’t as simple as getting to the nearby grocery store. Maybe you’re out’ve water. Even more critical.

Even if you got there, there was no guarantee that they even had tomatoes or sugar…or water!

Things weren’t fixed by a simple phone call or checking the internet. There was no internet. No cell phones.

You could wait days or weeks for the simplest of services.

Initially, this took some getting used to. As Americans we’re used to having everything there at our fingertips.

But, living in Mexico took some adjustment. And for me, living out in the Mexican countryside made things double-hard…or at least incredibly inconvenient. You just learned to get along without…or adapt.

It could get frustrating. At times, it could be precariously dangerous or urgent. It still is for a majority of folks down here.

We used to love it when a friend would travel back to the states. They carried lists of all the things that could be (dare-I-say) “smuggled back” down to Baja.

Please bring me music cassettes, a tool, a pair of shoes, some fishing line…Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue…American food! Sausage…cheese…jerky…maple syrup…coffee!

Friends and clients used to actually bring famous In-N-Out hamburgers down to me from California. They were cold and greasy, but what a treat!

I would hoard and eat by myself where no one could see me devilishly inhaling that cold burger like a little pack rat. It was manna from heaven!

All of these things were the trade-off for being able to live by the ocean in a beautiful place.

That was living in the “frontera” of Baja.

Fast forward 2020.

Transportation?

A good number of my office staff arrive by Uber. Clients make their way around town or arrive at our restaurant by Uber. Need to get somewhere? It’s as easy as tapping out the app on your cellphone.

Three years ago, there were 8 Uber cars here in La Paz. Now, it seems half the population is an Uber driver.

You don’t have the ability to get bigger or smaller vehicles or share rides, but compared to transportation even 5 years ago, Uber is a no-brainer. It’s just good solid transportation for a fraction of the cost.

Locals don’t have to take crowded buses or walk. Visitors don’t have to rent cars or take expensive taxis.

My own car is good for about 5 miles. That’s it. Then it overheats. Uber has been the answer.

In fact, I don’t even need to spend/ waste a day hunting for many things anymore.

As I write this in my office, the delivery man just dropped off an Amazon box.

Yes the magic “A” word! Danger! Danger!

Thank you. Finally. Got that coffee bean grinder we “really” needed.

Let me put it over there with the box that came yesterday with the special diet cat food for our rescue cat; wine bottle openers for our restaurant; and the new electric toothbrush.

All “essential” things!

The day before that, they even delivered on Sunday. Got that cool set of patio lights; a new folding stepstool and even guitar strings! Waited two-whole days for that delivery!

Yes, convenience has arrived. And it’s been a game changer, even a life saver.

They’re making it too easy. And easy to get spoiled.

Progress and technology in Baja. Living the dream!

Now, if only they could deliver one of those In-N-Out burgers hot! Hopefully, another story for another time.

That’s my story!

Jonathan
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishingwww.tailhunter.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter Sportfishing8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
“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 »

A PARALLEL UNIVERSE

Posted in 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, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, 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, holidays in mexico, 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, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, planning, pompano, rental car, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, storms, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, 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, 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 21, 2020| Leave a Comment »

A PARALLEL UNIVERSE?

Originally Published the Week of Aug. 18, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

93916205_647358476045405_7233928084242563072_n

Have you ever found yourself during the day going through your usual routine and everything is just dandy? But somewhere, somehow you feel something is not quit right.

Hmmm….

Did you leave the iron on or tthe water running back home? Nope.

Forget to feed the dogs and cats? Nope

Got your wallet and keys? Check.

A birthday or anniversary or other event missed? Nope

Underwear on right side out? All good.

Just can’t put your finger on it. But, you know something just isn’t co-pacetic. There’s a slight disturbance in the force.

We’ve been up and running our fishing operation and small café and mini-market mostly for 2 months now here in La Paz. Like everyone else, just trying to pull-it-together and hold-it-together after 4 months of strict quarantine.

Moving forward as as best as we can. No other choice.

We’re thankful to be on our feet. Moving slowly, but gratefully. There’s a lot of our friends and neighbors who are not so lucky. No jobs. No money. Closed businesses. Layoffs continuing.

We are allowed only 30% occupancy at hotels and restaurants as well as other places of business. But frankly, there’s not enough people around to come close to that. Maybe 10-20% on a good day.

I guess, however, we’re settling into our groove. We have clients and friends coming and going like usual. They’re catching fish and doing the things they always do.

But after two months something is sorely amiss or missed.

We’re missing something here.

It wasn’t until about a week ago, it hit me. I was saying good bye to some folks that were headed out to the airport. And I reailzed…in SIX DAYS… I hadn’t even seen their faces! I had no idea what they looked like.

Conversely, they hadn’t seen mine either.

I’m not sure how to describe this.

When they arrive from the airport, they have their masks and go straight to their rooms. I see them for about 5 minutes in the morning when we put them on the boats.

On the boats, everyone is masked up. The captains are wearing them. The clients are wearing them. It doesn’t do much for social interaction. No one likes talking through a mask.

When they come to our restaurant, again, mask are on. They take them off when they are eating, but because of social distancing, it’s not like the old days when I’d pull up a chair; have a beer and socialize.

Or I stand 6’ away and try to have some kinds of conversation. It’s not very conducive to chatting.

So, after a number of days here, clients come. They go. And I’ve spent maybe 15 minutes total time with them. Hello. Now good-bye!

Hate to admit it, but with the safety protocols, it’s lonely and boring! I understand the need for all of these things to be in place. But they have made fishing and dining so anti-septically clinical, that it’s truly taken the fun out’ve it.

Fishing was always a social event. You get together with the guys or the family and you come fish and have a good time. We chat and laugh and I get to see real smiles.

We don’t even shake hands, hug or high-five anymore. When they’re trying to show off-photos of their catch, be careful not to get too close.

I can’t help carry their luggage. No one touches anything or immediately, you pull your gel out.

Even moving around town is different.

Have you ever been to Universal Studios where you’re walking down one of those movie-set city blocks?” Everything in those movie cities and neighborhoods is perfect.

The people are perfect. Cars are perfect. Everything is clean and spotless. Everyone looks straight ahead. Got their masks on. No eye contact. No “Buenos dias.” No waving hello. No talking.

If anyone were smiling, you would never know it.

It’s just like they are all movie “extras” following a script and you’re just in the middle wondering what’s going on.

People here move from Point A to Point B and then they get off the street.

There’s no kids out. There’s no teenagers out. No families.

No laughter. No smiles. No joy. No fun.

That’s what’s missing.

…and that’s my story.

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

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 »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

¡Bienvenidos Amigos!
Jonathan has written for:

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

His articles also appear in:

San Diego Union Newspaper
Los Angeles Times Newspaper
Sacramento Bee
San Francisco Chronicle
Check Out The Latest La Paz Fishing Action!
Jonathan’s Blog Search

Search for:
Archives
Archives
Visit Our NEW Website
SUBSCRIBE NOW!

That's My Story

Tailhunter International, La Paz, Baja Sur

Archive for the ‘family’ Category

FIRST TIMER FAQ

FIRST TIMER FAQ

ANOTHER COVID CASUALTY

ANOTHER COVID CASUALTY

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 22, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

YOU’RE GOING TO…MEXICO?

YOU’RE GOING TO…MEXICO?

FIND YOUR BEACH

FIND YOUR BEACH

Originally Published The Week of Nov. 25, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications.

SIX MONTHS DIFFERENCE…It’s A START!

SIX MONTHS DIFFERENCE…IT’s A START!

SAFE AS IT’s GONNA GET?

SAFE AS IT’S GONNA GET?

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 3, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications.

SMALL CO-INCIDENCES…LITTLE BLESSINGS

WHERE CAN I FIND “REAL” MEXICAN FOOD?

THEY’RE MAKING IT TOO EASY!

A PARALLEL UNIVERSE

A PARALLEL UNIVERSE?

Jonathan’s Blog Search

Archives

SUBSCRIBE NOW!