Archive for the ‘fishing tournaments’ Category

“FINALLY READING BETWEEN THE LINES”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Leisure, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, pargo, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, tourism, Travel, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, charters, commentary, fish, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, mexican, mexico, mexico life, outfitters, sea of cortez, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tourism growth, tours, travel, violence in mexico, western outdoor news, western outdoor publications on March 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Despite what many think, Mexico actually has one of the fastest growing tourism economies in the world as more folks are discovering Mexico as a great destination with Americans still comprising the majority of tourists with more than 24 million visitors expected this year.

“FINALLY READING BETWEEN THE LINES”

Originally Published the Week of March 20, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

It’s been an uphill battle.

Turn back the time machine about 2-3 seasons ago and it seemed that every other persons was asking me about the “violence in Mexico” or telling me they’d “Never go there again” or “I’d be in fear of my life!”

It seemed everyone had seen the news clips. Everyone had read the headlines. Everyone had a friend-of-neighbor-of-an-uncle-of-a-classmate who knew someone else who had been beaten, robbed, killed or eaten a bad taco.

Speaking at seminars and appearing at countless trade, travel, hunting and fishing shows over the years, it seemed the negativity was endless. Protest as I might…how could any of us who enjoy living and working in Mexico ever overcome the omnipotent power of the broadcast and print media?

We’re just little old us…mom and pop operations in Mexico…

How does one prove a negative? How do you prove something is NOT happening? How do we go up against CNN and FOX and the others and say, “Hey, thousands of tourists are NOT getting murdered!” “Hey, 200,000 Americans crossed the border today and NOTHING happened to them!”

Sigh…wring hands…shrug shoulders. Exhale. And hope.

But maybe things are changing. Lately, people specifically ask me if Baja is safe. Or is La Paz (where we live) or Cabo San Lucas safe. Things like that.

I tell them yes. Maybe show them some statistics and they’re fine with that. “I thought so,” they’ll usually say. Then, they move onto the good stuff like, “So, when’s the best time to come fishing?”

A few years ago, people would argue with me. Not so now.

Or, in the alternative, they affirm what we’ve been telling everyone.

They come out and pointedly tell me, that they’ve visited Cancun and Cozumel and Puerta Vallarta and Loreto and other tourist destinations and found them to be safer or at least as safe as being home. And enjoy travelling to Mexico. It’s a great value. The people are great. Love the food. Blah…blah…blah! Stuff we’ve always known, right?

Now, no one is saying Mexico doesn’t have a problem. Far from it. Mexico has some serious crime problems. But folks have been quick to point out that, “Hey, it’s not directed at tourists.”

“It’s in places we shouldn’t go anyway…like back alleys of Ciudad de Juarez!”

“Don’t do things you shouldn’t be doing and going to places you shouldn’t be going and you’ll be fine…like American cities. Every place has it’s bad areas. Don’t be an idiot. Stay out of bad areas!”

“I go to Mexico all the time. I feel safer there on the beach in San Carlos or Los Barriles than I do where I live in Phoenix and my car gets busted into all the time and several of my neighbors have been burglarized.”

“I’m tired of all the negativity. It’s in the news every time an American or tourist gets his wallet stolen in Mexico. How often does that happen in downtown New York and it never makes the news.”

It’s kind of refreshing in a strange way to have people trying to convince ME that it’s OK to be in Mexico. People are figuring it out on their own.

Unlike many tourist destinations, Mexico took 3 big strikes to it’s travel sector. First, was the economic downturn that seems to have hit the whole planet.

Second, of course, is the nervousness over violent crime.

Third, was the swine-flu scare. (Don’t get me started on that fiasco! Again… everyone knew a friend-of-a-friend-of-friend who had been stricken…sheesh).

But, Mexico’s on the rebound.

I’m not completely convinced yet that it’s due to an overall economic recovery for everyone. There’s still alot of bad stuff going on and we’re far from over. But, maybe folks are just adjusting to it all. Maybe they still know Mexico’s a good value and it’s close and yea…they’ve adjusted to the fact that it’s a pretty safe place to hang out with the bro’s and the family.

Indeed, statistics show that Mexico has one of the fastest growing tourist economies in the world. In excess of 24 million visitors take to Mexico yearly now. Americans make up the majority of Mexico’s tourism base as something like 4-8 million Americans visit annually. And suffer nothing more serious than a self-induced margarita hangover or a bad sunburn.

As a matter of fact, the fastest growing segment of Mexico’s tourism is coming from places like China, Russia, Columbia, Brazil and the Ukraine. And for years, having lived in Baja, the Italians, French and Japanese have been constant visitors as well.

This is all good news for Mexico and should be an assurance to those contemplating a trip south of the border where the most violent thing you encounter might be in the salsa you spoon into your tacos! Andale!

That’s our story!

Jonathan

_______________

Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico www.tailhunter-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 riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com or drop by the restaurant to say hi!

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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 FAQ 2013”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Leisure, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, Tailhunter International, Travel, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged advice, charter, culture, FAQ, fish, fishing instruction, fishing reports, fishing video, general questions, Joanthan Roldan, Leisure, light tackle, mexican, mexico, outfitter, panga, safety, sportfish, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, travel, vacation on February 11, 2013| Leave a Comment »

From January to March of each year for almost 20 years, we criss-cross the western U.S. promoting our fishing operation in La Paz and often become an impromptu clearing-house of many general questions about travel to Baja and Mexico in general.

“BAJA FAQ 2013”

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 13, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

As I’m writing this, we’re just wrapping up our 3rd day here at the Pacific Northwest Sportsmens Show here in Portland, Oregon. We’ve been on the road now for more than a month as we do our annual show-hopping promo tour across the country.

So far, we’ve done fishing/ hunting shows in Sacramento, Denver, Seattle before this one. Only 2 more months to go and about 12,000 more miles of driving.

As we stand here in our booth, promoting our La Paz fishing operation for 8, 10…12 hours a day, we talk to hundreds of people a show. We often hear many of the same questions. Year-after-year. Although the questions might be the same, very often the answers might change based on changing conditions in Baja.

I thought I’d share some of the most common questions. Some might seem pretty simple…or silly…or obvious…but as mentioned, sometimes answers might surprise you. Also, we get asked these questions ALOT so obviously, alot of folks don’t know these answers!

Q: Where is Baja, Mexico?

A: It’s the 1000 mile-long-peninsula extending from the border at San Diego/ Tijuana and going south to lands-end at Cabo San Lucas. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the West and is separated from the Mexican mainland to the east by the Sea of Cortez.

Q: Is it safe?

A: The VERY short answer. Yes. Mexico is a huge country. Generally as safe as most cities in the U.S. and in some respects even safer. Yes, there are serious problems, but much of that is only in certain areas and in border areas and tourists are not generally targeted anymore than tourists are targeted by crime in the U.S. In any given city, just like most U.S. cities, there are good and bad parts of town. Stay out’ve the bad parts.

Q: Is it OK to drive?

A: On any given day, there are thousands of tourists on Baja roads having un-eventful drives. Thousands cross the border daily and routinely. Observe the laws. Make sure you have insurance. Drive with care and common sense as you would anywhere.

Q: Can we buy property?

Yes, you can. Who do you think is buying all these parcels, condos, houses and lots along the beachfronts! Sometimes it seems that Americans are buying up all of Baja.

Q: Is it always good fishing?

A: Historically, Baja is one of the most famous fishing areas in the world. But…Baja is 1000 miles long. It has over 2000 miles of coastline. It has incredible fishing and over 700 identified species of fish in the Sea of Cortez. That being said, fishing is as different as the species, location and variables such as season, weather, current, bait, etc. Every places is not great 100% of the time. There’s such a thing as a bad day of fishing.

Q: Can we bring our fish home?

A: As long as you’re within limits and observe regulations, it would be a shame if you didn’t.

Q: Is the water safe to drink?

Most places very much so! But, like many places in the U.S., municipal water tastes bad. Everyone drinks bottled water which is readily available.

Q: Can we use American money?

A: In Baja, American dollars are very welcome, but with new banking laws, making it harder for Mexican vendors to change dollars into pesos, it makes it harder for the vendors to accept pesos…especially large denominations. Rarely, will a vendor turn down a payment in dollars…a sale is a sale! But increasingly, more can’t accept large denominations. So, it’s a good idea to use smaller bills or get pesos exchanged before you come over or at an exchange house. Many Mexican banks will not change dollars to pesos unless you have an account and, even then, only small amounts.

If you can avoid it, don’t use credit cards. But, many places won’t accept them because of high surcharges to the vendor.

Q: What happens if we need medical help or what happens if I have special medical needs?

If it’s your medication, bring what you need and extra dosage. Bring a copy of your prescription. If it’s emergency medical care, most large Baja cities actually have pretty good first response and emergency care. Enough to get you home after most emergencies so that your own doctor can treat you. Credit cards are usually welcome in lieu of insurance. Generally, emergency care is much cheaper also.

Q: What happens if we don’t speak Spanish

English is growing. Span-glish is universal, especially in the tourist areas. Keep it simple and eliminate slang and most folks will understand and everyone gets along just fine. But, everyone appreciates any attempt to speak Spanish!

Q: Do we need a passport?

Yes! Don’t wait until the last minute to get one.

Q: Can we still get prescription drugs there with no prescription?

Generally no. Not like in the old days. Generally speaking, if you need a prescription for it in the U.S., you’ll need it for most things in Mexico.

Q: How is it to retire there?

It’s one of the fastest and most sought-after places for gringos to retire and an excellent place to make dollars stretch with a high standard of living. You get more bang for the buck.

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

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DEAFENING SILENCE

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, yellowtail, tagged baja, charter, fish, Fishing, fishing reports, holiday, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, mexican, mexico, outfitter, Tailhunter International, travel, vacation, western outdoor news, western outdoor publications on January 28, 2013| Leave a Comment »

DEAFENING SILENCE

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Jan. 31, 2013

Have you ever had something happen so quickly that you ask yourself, “Did that really happen?” You shake your head. You blink your eyes.

You look at others to see if they saw what you saw. Heard what you heard.

It can be as benign as seeing a shooting star across the evening horizon or a fish jump in the distance. Did you see that?

We’ve been on the road now for almost a month. We’re doing our annual “road tour” with our booth and flyers and DVD’s promoting and marketing our fishing operation as well as the City of La Paz in Baja where we’ve been at it now for some 20 years.

It’s a fun three-month rollicking drive of 15,000 miles back and forth across the western U.S. hitting a new fishing/ hunting show with all the hundreds of other vendors. Modern day “carnival workers and gypsies!”

On this particular day, we had just driven about 600 long miles. Through the snows and cold, we were tired and road-weary with at least 200 more to go before dark.

We pulled off the highway into a little faceless convenience store in a small town at the foot of a mountain range. We walked to the counter with a few items. The young clerk, stringy-haired under a wool hat and trying unsuccessfully to grow a whisp of a blonde beard, helped the folks in line ahead of us.

We moved up. We were looked at and ignored. The clerk went to someone else at the other end of the counter.

Then someone else. The clerk looked at us. Then helped someone else again.

We asked if we were going to get served. All we got was barely a look of annoyment by the clerk. And he went to help someone else.

My wife and I looked at each other. Eyebrows raised. She said, “Let’s go.” We left our items on the counter and walked out.

Jill was tight-lipped and had a slow simmer going on. Had that really happened?

I had that “funny feeling” again. It made me mad and saddened me at the same time. I wasn’t quite sure it had happened. My wife quietly confirmed that surely it had.

We climbed into our cargo van and drove off.

Several seasons ago, not far from this same town, we had pulled off the road for the evening after another long drive. We found a little hole-in-the-wall motel and dumped our gear.

We found an old brick and stone building in the historic part of town with a neon sign advertising “Famous Fried Chicken since 1962.” We parked and walked in.

It was more like a saloon. Tables full of folks having a good time. Clanking dishes and laughs. Cowboy rodeo photos all over the wall. Western memorabilia everywhere in the low light.

A good looking bar lined with beer taps and guys in John Deere hats and working-Stetsons. No Levis. This was a Wrangler jeans crowd. No posers here.

Scuffed Roper boots and workman steel-toed leathers on feet. Guys and gals in loose Pendletons and faded denim jackets. Frankly, we weren’t dressed much differently.

We bee-lined and deposited our tired selves in a a cozy-looking booth. Having lived in many rural areas, I loved a good cowboy bar. I’ve had some of my best meals in down-home places like that! Good buzz and vibe.

Only problem is…the place went rather quiet as we walked in. Perceptibly. I would swear even the volume of the juke box dropped a few notches. Maybe it was because we let in the cold rainy air from outside.

It picked up again a bit but as we waited for service, nothing happened. We sat. And we sat. No water. No menus. The waitress saw us. But nothing.

Jill said, “I have funny feeling about this place. “

My perceptive skills aren’t so articulated. I’m not paranoid. But, Jill’s got a better radar than me.

“I don’t think we’re wanted here.”

“Nah,” I responded. “You’re just imagining it.”

But I’ve been in a few dark bars in my time and now my own radar was humming. Senses ramped up a tetch like the hairs on my neck.

As we faced each other in the booth, I watched behind Jill’s back. She watched over mine.

People were watching us. Glances that were held a fraction too long before turning away. The waitress would cast an eye at us, but not make eye-contact. Other people were getting waited on. But not us.

Jill used to live in Mississippi. She went to Ole’ Miss University back-in-the-day and was the only Caucasion gal in an all-black sorority. Being from California, she didn’t think anything of it, but was warned by some debutantes that “ ‘proper’ girls just don’t do thing like that!”

So, she’s tuned a little better to this stuff than this Hawaiian-island boy who never ran into stuff like this before. But, I have spent some time in dark bars. I’ve seen trouble. This was different. It was eerie.

Too late to go anywhere else and (maybe stupidly trying to make a point), we finally got our waitress to come over and grudgingly take our order.

She delivered it wordlessly. And she never came back except to put a bill on the table. No queries about how it was or whether we wanted to order anything else.

We ate our fried chicken huddled over our plates while the eyes watched. We ate. Quickly, quietly and got out. Backing out actually.

With an ugly feeling we walked rapidly back to our van in the darkened street half looking over our shoulders. Expectantly. Anxiously.

I still wasn’t quite sure it had even happened, but we mentioned it to one of our colleagues. He’s American of Japanese ancestry from S. California and is a famous international outfitter and guide.

He said it was only our imagination, but he passed through the same town a few weeks later. Like us, he pulled over for the night after a long drive at a little motel.

He was told, “We’re full.” He pointed out that couldn’t be possible since the parking lot was almost empty. He was grudgingly given a key to the room. When he went to a coffee shop to eat, he encountered similar unspoken hostility.

Another colleague of ours is a famous Baja flyfishing guide. He passed through several months later a few towns over. He encountered similar resistance and quickly left the area. He’s of Japanese-American ancestry. Born in Hawaii. A three-tour decorated Vietnam war veteran. “I will never ever go back into that area,” he told me.

As I write this, it’s been five days since our incident at the convenience store, I still roll back the mental video tape. Trying to find a loophole. An escape. A way to convince myself that it didn’t happen.

Was I really refused service because of what I looked like? Was my wife refused service because she was with me? Or because we’re married? Because I’m brown and dark? I look Asian or Latino? She’s white with red hair? Really? Are you kidding me?

This isn’t the south. It’s not 1930…or 40…or even 1968.

As I lay in bed that evening many miles down the road…in another motel…in another town, I realized. It was Monday, January 21, 2013…Martin Luther King day. Ironic.

Silence can be deafening and I had trouble sleeping.

________________________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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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“PLAYING ROUGH!”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, yellowtail, tagged baja, billfish, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charters, fish, Fishing, fishing outfitters, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing vacations, fishing videos, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, largo, marlin, mexican, mexico, outfitters, rough water, sailfish, salt water fishing, saltwater, sea of cortez, seasick, sierra, storms, Tailhunter International, trolling, tuna, waves, western outdoor publications, western outdoors. western outdoor news, winter fishing, yellowtail on December 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »

There are times when it's just better and safe to hang by the pool for the day, but if you're headed out, there's a few things you can do to make it easier to fish in rough water!

There are times when it’s just better and safer to hang by the pool for the day, but if you’re headed out, there’s a few things you can do to make it easier to fish in rough water!

PLAYING ROUGH!

Originally Published the Week of January 3, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

Memories of those calm balmy days fishing the Sea of Cortez definitely weren’t going through my brain this afternoon. On the contrary.

Although the sun was out, I was relatively “bundled” for Baja fishing. I was still customarily barefoot, but my fishing wardrobe long loose sweat pants and a layering of t-shirt; long sleeve Pendleton and waterproof windbreaker with hood over my head. It hardly sounded like Baja fishing couture!

But, that being said. I was chilly. It was blustery and spray from the wave-tossed northern winds that sweep the Cortez had my clothes damp and my panga captain and I fishing with our hoods pulled way down! Out of the corner of my mouth, I said in Spanish, “This is why we get paid the big money!”

He grinned and wiped the seawater that was splashing his face and he held onto the tiller!

It was choppy. White caps tipped the waves even though we weren’t far from shore. Brrrrr…

My client, a great guy from Oregon, used to fishing the dangerous mouth of the Columbia River was having a great time in his shorts and t-shirt! “Heck, this is nothing… it’s cold and raining back home!” he laughed.

Well…yay. Winter is still not my favorite time to fish, but when you gotta work, you gotta work. Often fishing in winter in the Sea of Cortez or any of Baja waters can be a challenge. Forget all the fancy brochures. Weather is still weather and there are some times of the year that are better than others to fish!

That doesn’t mean there’s no fish, but you have to change your tactics a bit when playing in rougher water.

For one, there’s a good chance you might be doing more trolling than normal. When waters are rough or when it’s off-season, it’s often difficult to purchase bait because either the bait guys aren’t working. Or, it’s sometimes too rough to net or hook sardines, mackerel or other baitfish.

So, be prepared to troll.

If you have a water temperature gauge, at least try to find the warmer temperature breaks to work.

Also, given the turbulence on the surface, certain lures work better. I put away all the “bullet” headed trolling lures and reach for lures with heads that are heavier to dive beneath the chop. I like using heads that have slanted or flat heads or have “jet holes” that will also create more action as they are pulled through the waters.

You have to be careful about your lure speeds. It’s not like you can put it on auto pilot on the console or in your brain. If you’re in waves and swell, your boat speed will vary constantly depending if you’re going upswell or surfing downswell or getting hit sideways.

Which brings up another point.

In heavy weather, use fewer lines. And run them equidistant from the transom. Some guys like to run them close. Others far from the prop wash. But either way, fewer lines and keeping them equidistant reduces the frequency of tangled lines, especially if you’re doing “S” patterns or the chop is really pushing the boat and the lines around. Personally, I like running the lines a bit closer than normal. Don’t worry about the fish. Believe me, most fish out there can swim faster than the boat can move so if they’re inclined, they’ll hit your lures even if you’re having to run a little faster or slower than normal.

Finally…

It should go without saying to use common sense at all times. If it’s too rough, no fishing is ever worth jeopardizing anyone’s safety. Keep it fun! Either stay onshore or know when to head for the beach and call it a day!

That’s our story!

Jonathan

________________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico Office: 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:
http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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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“BUCKET LISTS”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, blog, bucket list, culture, fish, Fishing, fishing charters, fishing reports, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, life, mexican, mexico, outdoors, outfitters, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, vacations, western outdoor news, western outdoor publications on December 3, 2012| Leave a Comment »

BUCKET LISTS

Originally Published the Week of December 6, 2012 in Western Outdoor News Publications

“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.”

Ever since the 2007 movie of the same name with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, the term “Bucket List” has become part of our lexicon. Jack and Morgan played two escapees from the cancer ward and set off to do all the things in life they always wanted before they “kicked the proverbial bucket.”

I seem to hear that so often from friends and clients who visit us in Mexico. I think some days hardly go by where someone doesn’t happily tell me…

“That was a great roosterfish. Been trying for years! Cross that one off the bucket list!”

“What a great time! Always wanted to go fishing with my son and grandson! It was on my bucket list.”

“Bucket list just got shorter. Me and my wife just snorkeled with whale sharks this afternoon!”

Sometimes, it’s not even that complicated.

“We’ve lived our whole lives in Indiana. We wanted to visit the ocean just once! Yessiree. It was on the bucket list.”

When I hear something like that I realize how often I take stuff for granted. Having grown up always outdoors in the mountains; on an island; in the water or under the water, I just don’t think twice about so many things. Many of those things might seem dangerous or daring…or plain stupid and reckless, I suppose to some folks!

But believe me, I’m no daredevil. I’m not crazy nor do I have a deathwish nor am I an adrenaline junkie. There’s a difference between an “e-ticket ride” that’s a bit scary but always ends and with you steppping \ off the ride laughing…and the real Evel Kneivel stuff where you can get hurt and you’d better have you medical insurance card handy.

But, it’s all relative. My e-ticket ride is someone else’s mad crazy adventure.

Dive with sharks. No problem.

Live off the land in a cave. Sure.

Hang glide. Sign me up.

Jump out of an airplane. Safer than crossing the street.

Ride a manta ray. In an instant.

Run through Central Park New York at midnight on a dare. I was young and stupid. Draw the line at that one! Not recommended.

But…

My personal bucket list continuously keeps getting longer and longer. Not shorter. The more I do and see, the more I add things to the list. This past week, I just crossed-off zip-lining through a rain forest and looking for crocodiles while I paddled through jungle mangroves off the list. (Topics for another column!)

And, I keep hearing more and more people discuss their own personal bucket lists. More than ever before. Maybe, it’s just the age group I’m in.

We’re the baby boomers. We’re not 30 or 40 anymore. Look around and oops…how the time flew! We’re 50-plus and edging up and over 60-years-old. Many of my friends have grown grandkids already. Many retired or close to it.

Fifty-years-old is the new 30-years-old! Retirement or older age doesn’t mean shopping for a rocking chair anymore. More often, it means a new kind of freedom. What do you do with your second wind?

I think many of us are finding Mexico. Despite what you might hear on the news, about the violence and other problems, tourism has been on a steady rise in Mexico. In fact ,it’s one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world.

For many Americans, especially, Mexico is pretty much an easy airflight from most big U.S. cities. It’s economic. It’s close. It’s filled with culture and history and pretty much any “diversion” that would fill anyone’s bucket list. There’s still so much adventure to be had. And the dollar goes far!

I think the only real shame is that as we grow older, we start looking at our personal bucket lists. And then there’s a rush to get to it!

More than 20 years ago, a retired friend pulled me aside and said , “Don’t ever get to my age and say ‘What if?’ We always says ‘Someday I’m gonna do this or that.” Well, ‘someday’ is already here and if you have opportunities, take them!”

At the time he said this he was a “young” 62, but knew he was sick. He passed away about a year after he said this.

“What if…?”

Start that bucket list early. Someday, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never tried. Step onto the ride. Exit laughing!

That’s our story

Jonathan and Jilly

____________________________

Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife, Jill, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico 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 riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com or drop by the restaurant to say hi!

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

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“A Gathering of Tribes”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, tagged baja, Cabo San Lucas, Jonathan Roldan, mexican, mexico, salt water fishing, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, tournament, tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, western outdoor news, yellowfin tuna on November 5, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Nothing like being front-and-center in the middle of a huge Cabo San Lucas Tournament and the Western Outdoor News Tuna Jackpot is one of the funnest tournaments to be part of.

AND THE FINAL WINNING WEIGHT IS…..!!!!!!

A GATHERING OF TRIBES

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 7, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

This has got to be one of my favorite times of the year. By the time you’re reading this, we’ll be in the middle of the 2012 Western Outdoor News Tuna Jackpot Tournament in Cabo San Lucas. This is maybe the 10^th year that we’ve worked at the tournament.

The Western Outdoor News Tuna Jackpot Tournament has a special place for me. With more than 120 teams possibly this year, if it’s not the largest of the big Cabo San Lucas fishing tournaments, then it’s the “funnest” of the tournaments.

It’s hard to dislike a tournament with the motto of “ Fish Hard. Party Harder.”

It’s the “everyman’s tournament”. Everyone plays. You don’t have to mortage the house or be a millionaire. Everyone passes “GO!” Everyone participates.

You’re more likely to run into your neighbor down the street or Joe the Mechanic and his wife from Riverville, Oregon. Probably Rob and Chuck two carpenters from Moscow, Idaho or the retired couple from Riverside CA and their sons.

Basically, if it floats it fishes. Three men in a tub? Yea, they’re probably team number 63 from New Mexico. I’ve seen pangas do as well as mega-sportfishers. Folks with little or no experience and not much more than department-store-fishing gear have as much fun as professional teams.

Heck, last year, the tournament was won by a great guy from the mid-west who had NEVER fished in the ocean. In fact, he beat the field using a single-speed off-the-shelf-reel and a rental rod! You gotta love that.

It’s not that hard to win money in the various categories and, even if they don’t get a big check, they still go home with all kinds of gear, swag and giveways not to mention big smiles!

The really neat thing is that we see the same folks year-after-year. It’s much like a gathering of tribes! And everyone knows each other. There’s only about 10 of our Western Outdoor New staff members and then there’s the great group of regular sponsors that just jump right in and party and hang with everyone.

There are very few strangers and no one stays an outsider for long!

Everyone knows the “Redneck Hillbilly” fishing team and the “Borracho Lizards” and “Shut-Up-And-Fish” team.

I can always tell the cowboy team from Wyoming when they start yelling. The “San Diego Blasters” have their own set of cheers and there’s another team that will take any opportunity to start singing “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynrd Skynard at the top of their lungs. Even tho’ they’re from Arizona. Go figure.

In some ways, the actual fishing tournament seems to just be a vehicle by which we throw this huge 5-day party for 1000 people. It’s an excuse for a kick up their heels…or flip-flops! It’s like letting the “Gypsies in the Palace!” Yea, lock the liquor cabinet and don’t expect the lawn to get mowed.

I sometimes think the tuna fishing is “something to do in the daytime” and that more people look forward to the huge fiestas we throw each night for the tournament with live music; great food; gear giveaways; contests; and copious consumption of massive amounts of adult beverages…all under the fall skies of great Cabo San Lucas evenings.

But, yes, there’s still the matter of fishing!

Yea, we just happen to catch a “few” fish. Hehehehe…

This is the time of year when many of the “Big Mo’” cow tuna take up residence around Cabo San Lucas. We’re talking the 100-300 pound beasts that prowl the sea where the land ends and can bust up tackle and anglers in quick succession.

At last year’s tournament, I could not remember a year when we weighed so many fish over 100 pounds. And with each “oooh” and “ahhhh” and click of camera shutters, the excitement builds as each fish is hoisted and charted and each team poses with the Corona Girls. When you’re up at the scales, everyone is a winner.

And in the last few years, it often seems that the big fish isn’t locked up until the last hour of the last day. That makes for some good sport fishing drama as some battle-weary team pulls up in the dark and the buzz starts that “They have a big fish!”

And there’s is an electricity as the big fish is put into a cart and hauled to the weigh station. And there’s a hush and the anticipation grows heavy.

And the silence as the fish it pulled up. And…and…and…tension…the rope groans beneath the monster tuna. And the weight is announced.

Then a yell! Cheers erupt! Victorious fists pump the air! High-fives! Back slapping! Cameras flash!

The tribes go wild. It’s pandemonium on the docks. It’s pretty special. Wish you were here!

That’s our story

Jonathan

_____________

_______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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“Post Chubasco Blues…and Greens”

Posted in Baja, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, chubasco, Fishing, fishing charters, fishing reports, fishing vacations, flooding, hurricane, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, living in Mexico, mexican, mexican life, mexico, mexico storms, rainy season, saltwater fishing, sea of cortez, storm season, Tailhunter International, vacations, western outdoor news on October 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It didn’t look that deep! Huge sinkholes often appear suddenly as chunks of road just drop away when it rains!

“Dry arroyos” suddenly become hazardous waterways of mud when it starts to pour.

There’s normally a bridge there! Check out how green the surrounding hills have become after a few weeks of rain in the thirsty desert!

It doesn’t take much for flooding in many Baja towns and cities. This was just after a few hours in downtorwn La Paz. The “heavy rain” had not even started falling yet! Folks shopping in the windows are stranded for awhile.

Happy cows! Getting fat on real GRASS growing along the sides of roads. Grass is an unusual sight in Baja! Note that the cows are properly observing the “cow crossing” sign.

“POST- CHUBASCO BLUES…and GREENS”

Originally Published the Week of October 24, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

I watched them clean up the street in front of our restaurant..again. I’m losing count.

The army of street sweepers are out. I don’t mean the big machines with the twirly-brushes like in the U.S. I mean, the “army of sweepers.” Literally. The city pays hundreds of workers to walk out en masse and sweep the street with a hand brooms. Labor is cheap and they really do a good job.

There sure is a lot of dust…clouds of it. Kicked up by the sweepers and then by the cars that go up and down the road.

When it rains…which is rare…all the gunk that has accumulated in the streets and the drains gets sluiced out. Maybe the better word is “flushed” out, if you get my drift, and can imagine some of the accumulation in drains that don’t see rain for years!

Well, all that stuff turns to mud. After the storms, that mud dries up and turns to…dust! That dust all gets kicked up into the air.

We do our best not to breathe dust or to stay out’ve the dustier zones. People get all kinds of nasty allergies to the stuff in the dust.

Whatever is not being wisked away by the sweepers, they bring out bulldozers and backhoes and just scoop it up onto the beach or the nastier stuff into trucks. Again, a dusty business.

The road repair boys are also in full swing. There’s little and big rock and mud slides. Bridges get damaged or even swept away, especially across dry arroyos that turn into raging rivers during the storms.

During rainstorms, huge potholes open up in the road. Some of them are large enough to be classified as sinkholes. Chunks of road just drop away.

Some of the roads that looked great a few days ago before the storms now look like the cratered surface of the moon. They require the deft driving hand of a NASCAR driver to navigate through them swerving left and right trying to avoid them.

It’s an exercise in failure. Your teeth and kidneys get jolted and you cringe along with your car’s groaning suspension with each whack and thump as you hit another deep pothole. Some are the size of a basketball. Others large enough to drop a tire sideways into it. If you’re a tourist in a taxi that has no suspension…you just have to laugh as your head gets bounced on the inside roof of the taxi!

Others are like gaping maws waiting to swallow vehicles. Standing water can be deceiving. Some cars going through standing water don’t realize that under that muddy water is a big sinkhole or two or a trench lying in wait.

Un-suspecting vehicles go plowing through the water and CLANG! It’s like watching a clown car blow up. It rips through a front axle or, in some cases, the whole front end just disappears into the watery hole…trunk butt up in the air!

Rain is so rare down here that the Mexican infrastructure just wasn’t built for handling too much! After it’s over, we repair things as best as we can and life goes on. We may not see rain again for a long time so we don’t worry about it again until then! Es la vida!

I think I’ve lost count of all the rainstorms we’ve had this year. But, I was just informed that Baja has had more rain in the last month than in the last 5 years combined. I know here in La Paz, we had one 16-hour period several weeks ago where 12 inches of rain fell on us and flooded the town.

I was once told that despite the arid nature of the state of Southern Baja, we actually get more rain in a “normal year” than say…Los Angeles. We get about 17 inches of precipitation a year. The only problem is that it can all fall in one day!

Hurricanes aside…dangerous and deadly…mostly what we get are thundershowers. We call them “toritos” (little bulls) that can rise up in the afternoons and unleash the fury of the heavens for an hour or even minutes.

Huge dark storm clouds with thunder and lightning rear up from otherwise balmy afternoons and send boats scrambling for shore and folks ducking under palapas and headed indoors as the rain often comes down in warm sheets of water.

If you’re indoors or out of the rain, it’s a great show. The thunder and lightning can be spectacular and watching the desert turn into rivers or the streets into Venetian waterways are incredible.

Then, as quickly as it starts. It stops. And the sun comes. And the waters recede quickly and the heat literally steams up the standing water. Life in the tropics. It stops just like that.

It’s just that this year, it stops then it starts again the next day.

On the upside…

The brown countryside has been transformed into an incredible carpet of green. Emerald green! Grass is growing. Flower are blooming. Normally barren trees are covered with foliage. In fact, the desert has been turned into a jungle. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so verdant.

If you’re out fishing and look back towards the land, you could easily be convinced that you’re in Hawaii or Central America. The forrest is THAT thick!

Oh..and the fish are still biting! It’s a nice time to be down here.

I just wish they’d get done sweeping away the dust.

That’s our story

Jonathan and Jilly Roldan

__________________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:
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“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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“THE ART OF THE RELEASE”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, billfish, catch and release, dorado, Fishing, fishing charters, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, fishing tours, fishing trips, fishing vacations, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, Light Tackle Fishing, mexican, mexico, Panga Fishing, releasing fish, saltwater fishing, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, tuna, western outdoor news, western outdoors on September 10, 2012| Leave a Comment »

With their acrobatic abiities, dorado often have a habit of “self-releasing” all on their own! But, knowing how to properly release a fish has alot to do with assuring that it lives to grow and fight another day!

“THE ART OF THE RELEASE!”

Originally published the week of Sept. 11, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

I had conflicted feelings that day. The client and his wife just got their first ever sailfish. The “glamour fish” they had always wanted to cross off the bucket list.

Not only that, they wanted to release the fish! Bravo! It takes a lot for people to release that first big trophy fish…or any fish. And I had to applaud.

But then the other side of me was in turmoil. Photo time.

Although no gaff was used, the fish was hauled out of the water and photo’d from every angle. Everyone got to hold it. Every possible combination of photo. With the deckhand. With the captain. With both of them. With the wife. With the wife and captain, but not the deckhand.

I tried to impart a big of urgency to the situation about wanting to get the fish back in the water.

I can only imagine the stress on the fish. A lot of hands were all over it, and it had it been a long battle for the exhausted fish. But, it was now out’ve the water as the seconds ticked by. Even moreso, I always worry about the internal organs of the fish.

In the water, the mass of the fish and it’s innards are neutrally buoyant. Outside of water, gravity takes effect. Already exhausted organs collapse on each other further creating potential injury to the animal.

The fish was already turning colors from strikingly iridescent blues and purples to the greyish pallor of a dead fish.

Into the water we go off the gunwale and slowly tried to work it back and forth to get water over it’s gills. It was a team effort and while at first sluggish, the fish slowly gained strength. You could feel it surge until we couldn’t hold it any longer and we watched it sink into the blue waters and with a flick of it’s tail descend to depths.

There were lots of high-fives that were well-deserved, but deep inside I doubted. I could only hope it wasn’t sinking to die.

Almost two decades now down here in Baja and it’s gratifying to see the increased interest in catch-and-release. I’m all for it. We have a finite resource that is under tremendous pressure. Keep what you need and release what you don’t. Hell…release it all is fine with me.

But what good does it do if the fish dies later?

To me, there’s a right and a wrong way to release a fish. It should really start BEFORE you ever hook up. Mike Fowlkes, the award-winning TV producer, director of “Inside Sportfishing” said it best.

He said something to the effect, of making the decision to release your fish BEFORE you ever go out. Don’t make the decision AFTER the heat of battle when the blood lust is going full turbo and everyone is back-slapping you and hoisting beers in the air. I never forgot Mike’s words.

To that end, think about how you’re going to fish and the equipment you’re going to use.

If you know how to use circle hooks, use them. They have a knack of hooking fish right on the corner of the mouth when used correctly. The hook doesn’t go down their gullet and instead lodges perfectly where you can usually get at it easily for a fast release. Or, as many fresh water anglers do, use barbless hooks or pinch off the barbs of your hooks!

Likewise, as much as I love light tackle, if I plan to be releasing fish that day, I tend towards heavier gear. I want short battles so that I can get the fish to the boat faster. Long battles stress the fish. Exertion causes oxygen deficit in the tissues.

According to one study: “This causes lactic acid to build up in the muscle tissue, and then to diffuse into the blood. Lactic acid acts as an acid in the blood, causing the pH of the blood to drop. Even slight changes in pH can cause major disruptions of the metabolic processes, ultimately killing the fish. If the fish is quickly released, its blood pH usually returns to normal and the fish will be unaffected. Some fish, after a long tow, may appear to live once released, but the imbalance in the blood chemistry may kill them as late as three days after being caught.” http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/factsheets/catch-release_fs.html

I’ll vouch for that. I’ve seen huge marlin and tuna sometimes simply “give it up” and die while still on the line. You definitely don’t want that to happen.

Once the fish is to the boat, the less you handle them the better.

If the fish is small enough to “lip” grabbing by the lip, this is better than sticking hands or fingers into their gills. They’re already stressed and gasping for oxygen so lip them and use pliers or hands to quickly remove the hook or lure.

If the hook is too deep, reaching in and prying around only damages the fish. Often I’ve seen anglers stab around and wrench hooks from deep in the gullet or reaching in through the gills to get their hooks. Then, just because the fish is still thrashing, toss the fish overboard thinking they executed a good “release.”

If the hook is deep, best to just cut the line as close to the hook as possible. Studies have shown the fish are very resilient if handled correctly and hooks will often dissolve or rust out on their own, whereas huge wounds from torn-out hooks can often become infected.

It would also seem obvious to keep the fish in the water as much as possible. But, as mentioned earlier, the urge to photo and touch the fish are sometimes just too hard to resist. All that touching removes the protective slime from the skin of the fish making them susceptible to disease as well. Plus, just being out of their neutrally buoyant environment can harm internal organs when lifted out of the water and gravity takes effect. Even contact with dry and foreign surfaces like nets, decks, fish gloves and boat rails can be detrimental.

The two biggest causes of fish mortality are stress and wounds. Keep that in mind and you’ll help insure that the fish that goes back in the water lives to battle another day!

That’s our story!

Jonathan and Jill Roldan

Tailhunter International

___________________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:
http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

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http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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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“Locard’s Exchange Theory”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, Fishing, fishing charters, fishing holidays, Fishing Techniques, fishing vacations, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, mexican, mexico, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International on August 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Edmond Locard was known as the “Sherlock Holmes” of forensic criminology during his time. But his principles can be applied to many things!

“LOCARD’S EXCHANGE THEORY”

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Aug. 15, 2012

Around the turn-of-the-century, there was a famous French criminologist. His name was Edmond Locard. Most folks have never heard of him. But, if you’re a fan of some of the popular TV crime dramas like “CSI” or “Law and Order” or any of those other shows that focus on forensic investigations, you’re familiar with Mssr. Locard’s work.

It was way back in the day that Locard came up with “Locard’s Exchange Principle.” Named it after himself and everything. Like Murphy and his “Law”. You think of it, you get to name it!

It was Locard who believed that at every crime scene an “exchange” takes place. Every criminal takes something. Every criminal leaves something behind. It’s inherent.

The TV shows focus on it all the time. The high-tech crime labs in the TV shows prove it. A hair follicle. Some skin cells under a fingernail. A drop of blood. A pebble. The smell of perfume or aftershave. A fingerprint. Chemical residue. Something leaves the scene. Something is left at the scene.

Modern philosophy extends that a little further.

Anyone who goes into a room and leaves a room, inadvertently leaves a little bit of themselves in the room and takes something of the room with them. Dust…dandruff…pet hair…or let’s get really touchy-feely-esoteric…a memory…a smell…

Locard’s principle in action. An “exchange” is always taking place. Something leaves. Something is left behind.

I believe we can carry it even further.

I see it every day. It’s not on purpose. But, the “exchange” takes place nonetheless.

People come here to Baja on vacation. The exotic Mexican fishing trip with family, friends or loved ones.

Maybe it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Maybe it’s a regular yearly holiday. For a few days or weeks, folks come down. They “pass through” as it were. Through another country. Another culture. Another way of living.

They leave with the usual. Maybe a cooler of fish. A t-shirt or two. A funny hat. A necklace from a beach vendor. A sunburn. Five extra pounds from too many tacos. A hangover. A digital camera full of photos.

And those are just the tangible items.

They carry away with them memories and thoughts. Ideas and perspectives. Smiles and knowledge. Laughs, discoveries and grins. The things you can’t put a price or a finger on.

It’s why people travel. It’s why they go on vacations.

But, I think few folks think about what they leave behind when they depart for home. Locard’s Exchange Principle continues to hum right along.

When you head home, you forget that, you didn’t just leave some vacation money back here in Mexico. You left a little bit of yourself as well.

In your wake you leave impressions as well as memories.

Were you respectful of the language? The people ? Were you a drunken idiot?

Did you leave as many smiles as you took? Did you try to interact or did you adopt an “us” and “them” attitude? Did you forget basic courtesies?

I have had dozens of employees over the years. They have worked for me as captains, deckhands, drivers, waiters, cooks, cashiers, guides and numerous other positions. They talk to me quite often about such-and-such a guest or client. I hear them talk among themselves about tourists in general and in particular.

Much of it is great. They really enjoy the meetings and interactions. Some of it is plain amusing. Some of it makes me grimace and cringe.

A good example my panga captains. Many have been with me 8, 10, 14, 15 years or more. They have a remarkable memory for some clients they see maybe every few years or every other year.

They often ask if Mr. So-and-so will be coming back. They remember who tipped and who didn’t. They remember those who said thank you or wanted a picture with them. They remember who took the time to bring down a baseball for their kid or left a nice pair of fishing pliers as a gift. They remember the fun day fishing and talking about mutual families. Smiles are universal.

My waiters and drivers are the same way. They may not remember names, but they remember faces and families and couples.

They remember which kids and parents were courteous and who was “high maintenance” and who had the wife who loved to sing and which little girl gave a hug. And they remember the guy who never stopped bragging about how rich he was “back in ‘America’ and how ‘you people’ have everything backwards.”

Oh yes…they remember.

Even I have to constantly remind myself. Something gets taken. Something gets left behind.

Hopefully, I leave more smiles with each passing day. Hopefully, I take a new good lesson with me to bed at night after a long day. Or some new memories. Hopefully, I left a good thought or impression or someone learned something from me as well.

I try. Locard was a criminologist. He was right. It’d be a crime passing through life without taking and leaving something good. Take a gift. Leave a gift.

That’s our story…

Jonathan

__________________

___________________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

.
Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:
http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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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“What I See Is What You Get!”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, yellowtail, tagged baja, charters, culture, Fishing, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, light tackle, mexican culture, mexican life, Mexican lifestyle, mexico, outfitters, panga, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, vacations, western outdoor news, western outdoor publications, western outdoors on July 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It is sometimes a narrow view from the beach and under the palapa fronds, but it’s amazing what you sometimes see and pick up!

WHAT I SEE IS WHAT YOU GET!

Originally Published the Week of July 11, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

I recently came under some criticism by a reader for what I write in my columns and how I write them. It’s not the first and surely not the last time I got in someone’s crosshairs about it. Oh well.

Fortunately, it’s few and far between. I can’t please everyone and everytime someone jumps on my head it’s far outweighed by so many of you who ride in like the cavalry to offer support. Much appreciated, amigos! It’s gratifying to know so many of you enjoy my columns and have my back!

When I started writing this column for WON (Western Outdoor News) in 2004 on a lark. WON editor, Pat McDonnell asked me to fill in “for a few weeks” until he found someone else to replace me. He knew that I was busy with my own fishing operation down here in La Paz. No brainer.

Pat and WON have been friends and supporters for many years. I was happy and honored to fill in although somewhat awed at filling the sandy sandals of the likes of Gene Kira, Fred Hoctor and Ray Cannon.

But, I figured for a couple of weeks, how much damage could I do? La-la-la-la-la…

Two weeks turned into eight years almost 400 columns. I jokingly tell Pat to let me know when he finds my “replacement.”

Those first two years, I wrote the column every week. That’s 800-1000 words and, as I do now, I write the column about midnight after a full day running our La Paz operations. That’s 52 columns, plus other articles for WON as well as the Baja Beat pages in the former Western Outdoor News Magazine. Those were another 3000 or so words.

Try to come up with something new and fresh every time! Then try writing at midnight after a 20-hour-work-day and knowing that you only have a few hours to get it done with a brain that’s screaming for a pillow and a blanket! Pat and the other great writers at WON have incredibly been doing it for years.

I have a small brain. I have limited time. I gotta get up to put out the boats in 2 hours. I wanna go to bed!

And, as I’m sure all writers do, sometimes deadlines would loom and my brain just wouldn’t work. Credit Pat McDonnel, Rich Holland, and Gene Kira who told me, “Just write what you know.”

I can surely write about dorado and tuna fishing and how to catch marlin. And I do. To a degree.

But, so does everyone else. And they are better fishermen than me and can certainly write about it better than I can. And honestly, how many different ways are there to catch a dorado or a billfish? Open any fishing magazine on the rack and there’s probably half-a-dozen articles about “how-to-catch a….(fill in the blank)”

I know that’s almost heresy to even mention that, but where we are here in La Paz, we take a hook. We put a bait on it. We put the bait in the water. We’re now fishing! It’s hard to fill 52 columns a year with that. I’m just not good enough for that.

And I’m not as good of a reporter as so many other writers either. I don’t travel. I don’t get out and about. Gary Graham does such a great job of it. Me? I’m kinda tied to one spot. We live here in La Paz.

My view of Baja can be pretty myopic. It’s the view through the window of the palapa. It’s the view of walking around in the streets doing what people do here on a day-to-day basis. We shop. We fill gas. It’s life.

It’s the joking at the taco stand. It’s the funny things that happen in the grocery store or the sometimes comical adventures of tourists and amigos. It’s about running a business here in an adopted country.

It’s the interaction with visitors and friends and all of YOU who come to wet a line or put your toes in the sand. It’s what I see on the beach or on the water. I keep a keen ear out for what I hear and what all of you say. I’m simply an observer and your humble conduit of those experiences.

So, ultimately, yes. I write about what I know. And I also write for my own enjoyment. When, I’m writing at midnight and running on fumes, it’s pretty hard to find my writing muse if the subject bores me to death!

So, I write about the whole “Baja experience.” Because to me, a visit here is more than just fishing or diving. That’s merely the vehicle that gets you down here.

Beyond that, it’s the sunrises and the great food. It’s that great beach you found and watching your kids light up seeing the dolphins. It’s the dusty road to the hidden cove. It’s the little hotel you chanced upon or finding that perfect surf break or fishing or diving hole.

It’s the culture and most of all, it’s the people. The little old man who sold you the necklace. The captain who chatted about how much he liked the Yankees. The family who served you at the little beachside palapa and cooked your fresh fish and shared a recipe.

It’s the smiles you bring and the smiles you take home!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

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“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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¡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
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