Archive for the ‘fish farming’ Category

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.

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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.

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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

______________

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 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.”

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REFRESHING AMBIVALENCE

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, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, 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, green, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, 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, outfitters, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, rentals, 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, 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 December 15, 2020| Leave a Comment »

REFRESHING AMBIVALENCE

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 4, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

After all the political, social, health and economic rancor and upheaval this past year in the U.S., I think I’ve reached that point of fatigue.

Along with religion, those are generally just some topics I avoid talking about. It seems especially true down here in Baja where most folks I come in contact with are here for vacations, not debate or argument.

I would think most are trying to get AWAY from all of that back home. The whole point of “vacation”, right?

That being said, a good number of folks still seem anxious to engage in conversation.

Usually, the red lights in my brain start flashing “DANGER! DANGER!”

As quickly as I can, I try to turn the flow of words to something more palatable.

But, some folks are so used to it coming from the U.S. that they still feel the need to bring it up. It’s what everyone talks about “back home.”

Kinda like the A-type personality who runs a million-miles-an-hour at work. Comes down here and it takes awhile for them to decompress and take it down a few notches.

I get it. Unavoidable topics of conversation. Hot topics of conversation. It’s what everyone is talking about.

The problem is, it’s not conversation. It’s not even debate. It’s like that even among my only family members.

If you agree with them, there’s not much else to say. Or the other person will just talk and talk. No real exchange of info.

On the other hand, if you have a DIFFERENT opinion, you’re suddenly the “enemy” or an “idiot.” Conversation turns to argument with no one giving ground.

No info is exchanged. No one learns anything.

No give-and-take. Instead it becomes a mission to verbally batter and bludgeon the other person to back down and accept YOUR point-of-view.

I usually do. Back down, that is.

I used to be a litigation attorney. If I wanted to pull my verbal guns, yea…I guess I could. But, what’s the point? Restraint.

No one really wants to listen to me anyway. If we have the same point of view, then why keep talking?

If we differ, then why piss each other off? I’ll keep my opinions to myself. And keep my friends and family.

This is Baja. Folks are supposed to be on vacation. If you want debate jump on Facebook and say something controversial and, like I said, half will agree with you and the other half will tell you you’re dumber-than-dirt.

In no uncertain terms.

That’s why it was so refreshing to have one of my Mexican friends ask me a few weeks ago, “Who do you think will be your next American President? Biden or Trump?”

Oh no. Here we go again.

I didn’t want to start down that path or open a can of worms with my friend so I asked, “Does it matter to you as a Mexican citizen?”

Instead of the usual hackle going up, he smiled and said, “Nope. I was just making conversation. It seems all Americans have strong opinions about it. Don’t you?”

I shrugged. Again, trying to nip things in the bud.

I asked him disarmingly again, “Do YOU have an opinion?”

And then he said something that put the biggest grin on my face.

He laughingly replied, “I don’t care.”

A pause.

I had to think about that.

Are we allowed to say that anymore? Are we allowed to think that anymore?

Three simple words.

“I don’t care.”

Maybe it’s simply not caring at all. Ambivalence. Fatigue. Resignation. Indifference.

Whatever the reason, you NEVER hear anyone say “I don’t care.”

It’s uh…sacrilegious! It’s uh…blasphemous. It’s Un-American. It’s un-civilized, by gosh!!!

I’m sure everyone cares. I actualy do care.

But there are times when I just don’t care. Or, at that particular moment, I don’t have the energy to care. But, I’m afraid…hesitant… to say that to anyone.

I can’t be the only person who feels like that.

A fishing clients says to me, “What do you think about all that unrest in the police force? Or “How about them closing California again cuz of Covid?”

What would I sound like if I said, “I don’t care.”

Probably like a jerk.

My Mexican friend explained to me.

“Look, it might be different in the big cities than here in Baja. It might be different if I were a big business owner. “

“But, I’m a regular guy like you. Nothing special. I drive a delivery truck.”

“To me, the only reason I asked about your elections is that’s all Americans seem to talk about and that’s what we see on the news on our TV’s about the U.S. But, I don’t think it affects me that much. We got enough problems with our own politicians here in Mexico without worrying about YOUR politicians,” he laughed.

“Mire, hombre…Look, amigo,” he elaborated. “ Us Mexicans, we’ve been ruled by the Spanish, the French, the Germans. We had wars with America. We have endured revolutions and corrupt politicians at every level.”

“We now have this pandemic thing. It’s a big problem. Or, that’s what they tell us it is. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t”

“We Mexicans will endure. We keep going. We hear promises, but nothing really ultimately changes. We move ahead. Everything will pass and we will still be here.”

“Honestly, I am more concerned with my next delivery in my truck and feeding my kids than who will be the next senator for our state or if the government is telling the truth about covid. I care enough to wear my mask. No big deal.”

No big deal.

I think there’s an honest dignity in that. Keep on-keeping on. Stay the course.

Just kinda nice to hear that once-in-awhile.

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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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.”

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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.”

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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

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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.”

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BAJA GROUND ZERO VOICES

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, cerralvo island, charity, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, 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, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, 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, packing fish, Panga Fishing, pargo, 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 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 May 6, 2020| Leave a Comment »

BAJA GROUND ZERO VOICES

Originally Published the Week of May 7, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

I thought this week rather than headline news, you might be interested in comments from locals and gringos living in Baja regarding what it’s like south of the border right now.

It’s not too different from the U.S. But, just to give you some context:

Currently, as of this writing Mexico has more than 2000 fatalities and 23,000 reported cases.

The states of Baja Norte and Baja Sur have about 2000 cases with about 40 deaths.

The statewide quarantine is in effect until May 30th. For almost 2 months, all beaches, schools, public areas, restaurants, stores and other non-essential businesses have been closed. There is an 8 p.m. curfew in place.

Many tourism businesses are making plans to re-open after the first of June. A number of airlines plan to start flying during that time as well.

Here’s just a small slice of what folks are thinking and, in many ways, it’s not too far from what many of us are experiencing.

HORACIO (49-year-old-taxi-driver) – It is very difficult. We do not have too many cases in La Paz, but we watch the U.S. news and it is crazy. I need to work. There are no riders for my taxi and no gas for the car. There is no other money.

ANGELINA (Single Mother of 2) – In our town the government announced a food truck would arrive with lots of food. We waited 4 hours with several hundred other families. No truck ever showed up. Several weeks earlier, they did the same thing, but the first people got all the bags they could carry. There was nothing left for anyone else. Then, the workers were told they were only supposed to give 2 bags to each family.

NINITA (Retired teacher 60 years old) – I am OK because I have a retirement check. But, my grown children all lost their jobs so they have moved back with me. Even my daughter that teaches in the United States returned because her school closed. They eat A LOT! It is nice to be together again, but I am worried for them.

JEFFREY (Retired gringo living just outside Tijuana) – At first we didn’t take it seriously. Then people blamed the U.S. for infecting us so they wanted to block the border. Kind of ironic really. All the Americans were crossing the border to buy toilet paper and there were lines at all the big box stores like COSTCO.

LORENZO – (panga captain) – There is not much to do. No business. Normally, we are very busy. We live 40 miles from the city and our pueblo has no internet. School is closed. We have no TV. We cannot go to the city because the roads are blocked. There is no medical care here and no money for gasoline for the panga or the car.

CHALO – (cook 52-years -old) – The restaurant I work at closed. So, I stay at home. But, there is not even beer to drink. All the breweries got closed by the government. So, shelves are empty or the prices are triple normal. Some people are selling blackmarket illegally from their homes or trunks. The police will arrest us if we are out past 8 p.m. But, I know people that still have parties. I have no car so I can’t go anywhere.

NORMAN – (70 year old retired American) – Many gringo neighbors had to decide to stay in Mexico or leave. I understand many of my friends are older and high-risk so they didn’t want to take a chance with Mexican medical care. There’s no shortage in the markets and this is my home so I plan to stay. But, I have many things like TV and a computer and internet that locals unfortunately do not have.
ROSALIA – (43 years old office assistant and mother) – I have a reduced salary and work hours, but my husband cannot work. He got sick during the quarantine and has been in the hospital several times for emergencies to his kidneys. I cannot visit him in the hospital and be with him because of the virus. But, they send him home very quickly after treatments because of the virus in the hospitals. Then, his illness comes back.

JACOBO – (Musician and graphic artist) With all the restaurants and bars closed I have no place to play but I can make a little money online doing graphic design. I am from mainland Mexico and moved to Baja. I was going to move back home with my parents when the virus first hit Baja. My parents are both doctors and told me to stay in Baja where it is safer. Everyone is angry at the politicians. They did not act quickly enough.

Many people ignore the quarantines and defy authorities. They have parties. They go to the beach. They do not respect social distancing. They do not believe this is a big problem.

ZACHARY – When the quarantine hit, I had just pulled the sailboat I live on out’ve the water. I didn’t think this would be two months. I am on a boat sitting on blocks on DRY LAND in a dusty boat yard ! Not my favorite idea of social distancing. Cabin fever crazy right now!

SERGIO – (Transportation Driver) – My wife keeps making me clean the house. We have the cleanest house in the neighborhood. I need to get out before my wife makes me clean the house again. But there is nowhere to go!

That’s my (their) story!

signature June '18 two 1

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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BAD NEWS – GOOD NEWS – A GLIMMER OF HOPE

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, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, 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, inshore fishing, 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 coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, pargo, passport, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, spearfishing, sportfishing, storms, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, 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, 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, quarantine, 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 April 29, 2020| Leave a Comment »

BAD NEWS GOOD NEWS and a GLIMMER of HOPE

Originally Published the Week of May 1, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

As I’ve mentioned previously, I’ve become a junkie for Mexico news of late. It’s not only for my own benefit, but especially to keep friends, clients and everyone else informed as much as possible.

Not even including phone calls, I think I field well over 100 e-mails a week.

It’s not easy covering Mexico. It’s like someone asking how are things in the United States. It’s a big country.

Any statements you read here in this confined space easily tend to over-simplify a myriad of variables. And, just as easily be completely wrong, especially with a rapidly changing situation. Such as it is.

Just like in the U.S., reports conflict daily. Everyone has a different opinion.

What’s working in Oregon isn’t necessarily good for Florida. How does one accurately make a blanket statement that covers Michigan, Texas and Wyoming?

Mexico has 32 states. It’s the world’s 13^th largest country with about 133 million people that are just now getting what a lot of the world has been dealing with for several months.

Just covering Baja itself is 1000-mile-long peninsula. Most folks don’t realize it comprises two states.

Baja Norte (Northern Baja) encompasses cities such as Tijuana, Ensenada, Mexicali and San Felipe.

Baja Sur (Southern Baja) is where Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, Mulege and Todos Santos are located.

Plus, there’s a ba-zillion little pueblos scattered all over the rural countryside in the mountains, beaches, islands and deserts.

As a country, Mexico, is just hitting Phase 3 of the pandemic. As of this writing, it has almost 16,000 cases detected with more than 1,400 fatalitites. Health experts say that because of the lack of testing and reporting, the number of cases is probably closer to 65,000.

And climbing.

The two states of Baja Norte and Baja Sur have pretty much extended their respective quarantines until the end of May. However, the two states are trending divergently on their viral paths.

Both states are in lockdown. However, Baja Sur has suffered 12 deaths for about 266 cases.

Comparatively speaking, Baja Norte, has about 1200 cases with 162 deaths. Just a month ago there were a scant dozen cases or so in Baja Norte.

It’s escalating rapidly.

Hospitals in northern Baja are already over-stressed. The entire city of Ensenada has almost a million residents. It not only locked itself down, it is locking everyone out. You can’t even drive into the city. You are turned away.

Additionally, along the highway, cars are being disinfected and motorists are having their temperatures taken.

On the contrary…

Southern Baja which relies so heavily on tourism, looks like it might be loosening up.

But, not without struggles…

As of last week, the governor of Baja Sur implemented even harsher restrictions. These included 10 p.m. curfews. All persons must now wear masks and only 1 person in a car at a time. No alcohol sales after 6 p.m.

Violators are confronted with fines; jail time or community services including being forced to work in the hospitals.

But, there might be a possible light down the road.

Although the quarantine will persist until May 30^th, Cabo hotels have started taking new reservations for June. This includes some of the larger and well-known properties.

School kids are being told that there is a good possibility that classes will resume July 1. They are talking about re-opening the beaches.

The ports and marinas that affect some 24,000 workers may re-open. Restaurants are preparing to open by mid-June.

Further, various airlines are making noise about returning to the Mexican skies either between the latter part of May. These include Aero Mexico (May or June). Alaska after May. Delta to Cancun and Mexico City. United Airlines sometime in June. Spirit Airlines by May or June.

You may not be able to DRIVE to Baja Sur, insofar as many cities and places like Ensenada are closed down. However, no one minds if you FLY over their cities.

There are others. This is all changing quickly and for better or worse, has probably changed by the time you’re reading this!

So, don’t make new reservations just yet. But, don’t cancel your current plans either.

Stay tuned. I could be wrong…again.

That’s my story!

Jonathan signature

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 »

RUNNING LEANER

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, circle hooks, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, 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, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, spearfishing, sportfishing, storms, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, 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 November 18, 2019| Leave a Comment »

RUNNING LEANER

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 19, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

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There’s that old saying, “Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

If you’re a fisherman like me, you got toys. Lots of toys. And we like to play with our toys and surround ourselves with lots of our toys. Deep inside, we’re still little boys.

Just the way we are.

So, when I go on fishing trips, I want to bring all my toys with me. Bring the whole garage full if possible. And use them all too.

And you want back-up gear for your backup gear.

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A 3 day fishing trip to Baja?

Well, let’s see.

Eight sticks…2 trolling rods…4 bait rods…2 jig sticks. Check.

Of course, that means 8 reels to match. And 3 extra reels in-case there’s a malfunction like a handle falls off or you burn-out the drags. Check.

Terminal tackle:

50 hooks of each size

20 jigs in all colors and shapes

5 pounds of lead

20 trolling feathers

Squid jigs

Large, medium and small rod belts/ harnesses

Leader material in all sizes from 10-100 pound sizes

…and of course something to carry it all in. Check

100-quart ice chest. Check.

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Over the years, I’ve seen anglers bring some other weird stuff too!

One guy brought his own anchor.

Another brought a machete.

A fish-finder and battery

A large battery-operated bait tank

A fish caller that made sounds underwater to “call fish.”

A harpoon. Yea…a full-sized harpoon.

C’mon, man!

But, in all honesty, it’s great to have it but for just a few days on the water, how much do you really need? How much will you realistically use?

Especially, in these days of airlines increasing the restrictions on the size and weight of luggage and the prohibitive fees for exceeding those restrictions, it’s time to re-evaluate.

If it’s you and a buddy, consider combining your gear, as much as it hurts to share. Put all your rods in one container. Share hooks, jigs and other equipment.

Downsize! There’s some great travel rods out there these days that will literally fit in an overhead compartment.

Ask your charter operator what you really need. Maybe they already have some or all of your gear and it’s good stuff. Leave what you don’t need home.

If you’re chasing dorado, there’s no need to pack a Penn 50W International. Match your reels to what you will realistically be targeting. Or consider bringing lighter gear and use the heavier gear provided.

For taking fish home, consider soft-sided coolers. Hard-size ice-chests weight a lot with absolutely nothing in them. Soft-coolers weigh only a few pounds and you can put a lot more fish in them and still stay under the airline weight restrictions. Plus, they’re a lot easier to haul around.

I’m not talking about cold coolers like you bring ice-cream home from the market or keep your drinks cold at a tailgate picnic. These are genuine cold bags that are often airline-rated and will keep your fillets frozen for many hours or even a day or two.

These coolers are also great on a boat. They will keep drinks and ice colder longer than a hard-sided cooler. Plus, again, a lot easier to handle than a hard-sided cooler.

You also want to check your airlines too. Some, like Southwest allow for free bags. Others might be cheaper, but charge a lot for luggage and especially for being over-weight or over-sized.

One other thing, consider leaving some of your gear behind for your captain or crew. It’s a great good-will gesture although should NOT be done in lieu of a tip.

Gear is expensive in Mexico and would be extremely welcome as a gift. Do you really need to drag home all that lead or 10 jigs? It will help lighten the load home.

Either way, leave the harpoon in the garage!

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That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

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 »

A QUIET CONVERSATION

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, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, 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, 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 economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, 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, deep sea fishing, 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 June 30, 2019| 1 Comment »

A QUIET CONVERSATION

Originally Published the Week of July 1, 2019 in Western Outdoors Publications

You know you’ve been in business awhile when you start seeing 2^nd and 3^rd generations of clients come to visit.

Fathers bring kids. Kids bring fathers. Grandfather brings sons and grandsons.

It’s a special privilege and honor that folks think enough of spending time with us and sharing their families with us. We do our best to make sure they are memorable for them. I think anyone in this type of outdoor hospitality work does the same.

As I also grow older and realize I’m now eligible for senior discounts at Denny’s and AARP magazines, I take a special joy in the grandfathers and grandmothers.

It’s that generation just slightly ahead of me. They lived through the cold war and Korea. Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Martin Luther King, Nixon and Vietnam. Veterans and ex-hippies. They remember Elvis and Nat King Cole.

old-man-smiling

Dads who watched Johnny Carson and the Ed Sullivan Show and moms who drove real station wagons full of kids (without seatbelts) to drop them off at the park pool. They made boloney sandwiches on white Wonderbread and gave the kids a dime to chase the ice cream truck.

They served sugar-laden Cokes as treats and squirted you with the garden hose in the summer.

And they were allowed to spank you too!

They may be a step-or-two slower. Hair might be a few shades grayer or it might be gone the same place as the trim waist line, but the memories are mostly sharp.

A big part of me mostly just keeps a special eye on them.

Sometimes, the younger ones are having too much fun and not watching dad or gramps or granny who doesn’t climb steps as fast. Or they might not be drinking enough water in the hot sun. Or forgetting the sunscreen. Stuff like that.

But, I keep a personal eye on them for another reason. Purely selfish. Eyesight might not be as great, but that doesn’t mean they can’t see. And I love watching them watch their kids or grandkids.

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There’s a special twinkle there. A satisfied grin. The special way they might sit with arms folded across chests and tummies just taking it all in. Like they were sitting on the porch back home.

Catching fish isn’t quite as important as watching everyone else catch fish and hearing the laughter. Nothing to prove, and really wanting nothing more than to share more Kodak moments.

They might not know a thing about their cellphones, Instagram or
Facebook. But I can tell they’re storing every single moment in their minds and memories.

Whenever I can slow down for a moment, I treasure the conversations and the time to just sit for a few minutes. For as much as they want to ask and talk to me about our lives here in Mexico, I love hearing their stories.

I like knowing where everyone is from and how close or far they are now living. How many grandkids there are or even great grandkids.

Conversations flow easily.

So often times with us “younger folks”, we consciously or unconsciously “one-up” each other.

“Hey, last year, my brother and I went to this awesome mountain lake…”

“We’ll dude, I gotta tell you about this even better place I took the girlfriend.”

“And this restaurant we ate at had the absolute BEST Italian food I have ever eaten and we went their 3 times in a row and my favorite was…

“Man, we found this other place that you should have gone to instead. They know us by name and know exactly what my favorite drink is!”

Everyone making it about “Me” and “I” and this and that.

Everyone yakking and no one listening or having real conversation. We never even let the other person finish their sentence. Always turning the conversation back to themselves. I hear it in our restaurant all the time.

No one ever follows up a statement by asking the other person, “Wow, tell me more about that.”

The older generation has nothing to prove. Not much I can say would compete with someone telling me they were in Vietnam. Or stood barefoot in the rain at Woodstock.

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I want to know more.

Not much I can say could add to mom and dad packing all their household belongings and kids in a station wagon with stuff tied to the roof. They then drove completely cross country on a whim of hope to find a better job at the end of the road. No solid prospects. Just fingers crossed and some trust in a dream.

I never knew what it was like to pay 19 cents for a gallon of gas. And you say the gas station attendants use to come out and wash your windshield and check your oil for free every time you came in? What? Really?

I didn’t get to see the Beatles at Shea Stadium in ’64 or hang out with the Grateful Dead and “pass around a doobie” with 10 other people in a Volkswagen van in Golden Gate Park.

I didn’t get raised on a farm in Ohio and have to milk the cows and shovel pig poo in the morning. That was BEFORE actually walking two miles through the snow to school. Yes, some folks really did have to do that.

older-man

I never had “Sunday Best” clothes for church or have to dress up to go on a trip. I never had “just one pair of shoes.”

And I don’t remember the days before TV. And I don’t ever remember looking forward to a dinner of Spam and canned peas. And excited to get a 2^nd helping.

They actually had to “cook” oatmeal and it was OK to eat all the Sugar Frosted Flakes you wanted for breakfast. What’s a microwave?

I wasn’t the first in my family to get a high school diploma while working in a factory to help support mom and dad and three other brothers and sisters. Nor did I have ever go hunting or fishing when it meant the difference between having something to eat for dinner or another can of beans.

I never worked on a tramp steamer to South America nor did my family just escape Germany in 1939 and our last name was Goldstein. I was never shipped to an internment camp in the desert and losing our farm because we were of Japanese Ancestry. Or doubt that Douglas McArthur would ever come back.

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I would have liked to have seen Wilt Chamberlin score 99 points for Philadelphia or take my date to dance with the Lawrence Welk band or jitterbug to Benny Goodman.

What could I possibly add to any of that?

I can’t. So, I just listen and absorb and enjoy. Please tell me more.

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That’s my story

signature June '18 two 1

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 »

LIVING THE DREAM

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, deep sea, dorado, driving, east cape, 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, 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, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, sportfishing, 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, 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 June 17, 2019| Leave a Comment »

LIVING THE DREAM

Originally Published the Week of June 17, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

I think a week doesn’t go by down here where we live that someone doesn’t ask me about retiring to Baja or somewhere in Mexico. So many dream of “Living the Dream” after they walk away from the 9-to-5.

Kiss-off traffic and kiss-off the hassles and anyone who doesn’t like it can kiss something else for all you care.

The warm waters, blue skies and white sands call you and cold cervezas already have your name on it. The sounds of the mariachi and Jimmy Buffet beckon you like an irresistible siren. There has to be a way to do it.

And, in fact, so many have done it and are doing so with increasing velocity every year. Americans and Canadians alike have chosen Mexico as the #1 retirement destination in the world.

Despite travel warnings, Mexico has one of the highest tourism rates of any country. And, as more folks visit, they’re thinking that a permanent vacation might not be a bad idea.

If you have Mexico as a possible retirement destination, think on it carefully.

Remember, you’re not moving to another state. You are moving to another country with it’s own set of laws, customs, culture and language. It’s not like grabbing the U-Haul; calling some buddies with pick-up trucks; and moving across town.

It’s not for everyone, but if you put some thought into it, the possibilities are worth exploring.

The first thing to think about here is what kind of lifestyle you think you want to have. And also where do you want to live.

If you want a lifestyle similar to what you have north of the border, you can probably do it a lot cheaper here in Mexico.

If you really do not need a 3 bedroom home with the air-conditioner running all the time and you can turn things down a notch and live more like your local neighbors, you can do quite well.

When I first got down here almost 25 years ago, my roommate and I rented a 5 BR house with a 7-car garage! Not because the two of us needed it, but because it was $120 bucks a month! It came with a maid 5 days-a-week also!

The only reason we moved out was because the owner sold it.

Researching some online websites that specialize in retirement living and assets, the average cost of living for a retired couple is about $2000 a month ($24,000/ year) here in Mexico.

And that’s living pretty comfortably.

Also, the dollar is extremely strong in Mexico against the value of the peso so your dollars go quite far here in terms of purchasing power.

Of course, like all real-estate, location is important. Are you living with an ocean view or proximity to the ocean? In the little towns in the mountains? A resort city? A regular urban location? All of those factor in.

If you’re renting, housing is cheaper here than in the states. Gas is about what you pay for in a major U.S. metro area.

But how much driving are you really doing? I put maybe 20-30 miles a week on our beater vehicle, but that’s also because I run a business. I used to commute 50 miles one-way each day back in the U.S. in traffic!

Food is definitely cheaper. Electricity is probably a bit more. Services like phones and internet are a little cheaper, but quality is not always great. It’s serviceable but not always reliable depending on where you live.

Several things you will have to get used to, include possibly a lack of reliable mail service (again depending on where you live) or it can be very costly. Paying bills can be a chore…again very often related to mail service.

Getting someone to come by to do thing i.e. plumbers, painters, repairmen, electrician, the cable guy…

They’ll get there when they get there. No amount of phone calls will make it go faster. No amount of money will make it go faster or (laughing) telling people “I’m an American!”

We have a saying here that if someone tells you, “Manana (tomorrow)” for the 3^rd time, it ain’t happening. They’re just being too polite to tell you they can’t do it.

Go find someone else. When you find a reliable person for any job, grab and hold onto them! There are some great folks down here who do great work.

The problem is that everyone else has grabbed them as well. They are in high demand.

So, back to square one.

They might also have to tell you “Manana” as well. Not because they’re slackers. It’s because they’re extremely busy. It’s just part of living here.

One big consideration, for retirement is health care.

For the most part, I’ve found that health care here is pretty good. We live in a major city. La Paz also happens to be the capital of the state. So, the level of care is probably better than some other places.

Our U.S. medical insurance doesn’t work down here so yours won’t either, but we have always used private doctors and dentists and been able to easily use a credit card or cash.

For example, I had some back issues a few years back. I was in a private hospital in a private room with American meals and two personal physicians and two personal nurses for almost 1 week.

When I checked out, the doctors sheepishly apologized to me for the high cost. I held my breath as they handed me the bill.

It was a little over 1000 dollars! That included everything even the meds! That might have covered only one single day in an American hospital.

Two years ago, I had two root canals and two fillings needed. Three visits to take care of everything was less than $200 in a dental office that was more like a health spa. They had classical music playing; plant filled rooms; aromatherapy fragrances; attentive friendly assistants; and a U.S. trained oral surgeon who spoke English!

Near here, places like Cabo San Lucas and other “tourism” centers also have good care as well. Many of the doctors and dentist I have met were either educated in the U.S. or go to the U.S. for continuing education.

Of course, the further you go from major population areas, the health facilities diminish. Keep that in mind, no matter where you retire much like anywhere in the world.

Many of our fishing clients come down and take an afternoon or day off to do some routine dental work like cleaning or a quick filling at a fraction of the cost.

The same with medications is also true. Many folks that live in close proximity to the border in states like Texas, Arizona and California routinely visit Mexican border towns to purchase prescription drugs.

Remember, that whatever medical policies you have in the U.S. probably won’t be applicable here in Mexico.

But there’s the local socialized medicine that anyone can get. And there are local health insurance policies as well that can be obtained. Just remember that like anywhere, it’s more difficult to obtain the older you are or if you’re past 65 or have pre-existing conditions.

Living the dream here in Mexico is a very viable and popular option. This article barely scratches the surface of the research you should do.

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

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 »

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Jonathan has written for:

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Discover Baja Magazine
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Fish Taco Chronicles
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