Archive for the ‘marlin’ Category

HURRICANE PTSD?

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, 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, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on November 12, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Until you’ve been in it, there’s nothing quite like the sound and fury of nature’s hammer!

HURRICANE PTSD?

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 2, 2023, in Western Outdoor Publications.

I have no other word for it.

The other day, I was walking across a parking lot. A huge gust of wind suddenly came up. It blasted a bunch of paper across me along with enough dust to make me squint. I saw trees bend.

And just for a nano-second, I got a shiver. My hackles went up. Something went up my spine and my fingers tingled. It stopped me in my tracks.

Had I been a cat, my fur and tail would’ve puffed out.

It was the weirdest feeling. But something went through me.

And just as quickly, the gust passed. The trees straightened out.

So, did my backbone!

I got to my car and had to sit for a moment. For lack of a better description, I think it was what experts call “fight or flight” response to stress.

Psychologists say it’s all the hormones in the body suddenly reacting. They prompt the body to fight or run away. Basically calling us to take action to save our lives when there is perceived danger.

So, what just happened? A little wind got me flustered? C’mon, man!

The best I can figure is something I’m calling “Hurricane PTSD” (Post-Traumatic-Stress-Syndrome).

It doesn’t have to arise from a combat situation, but any traumatic or frightening event can produce it long after the threat has passed.

It could be from an auto accident. Perhaps something happened to you as a kid when you were swimming. Or getting locked in a dark closet or basement! Any traumatic event can trigger a flashback or anxious moment.

In the month of October, we just came through two hurricanes where we live in La Paz.

Hillary was the first. It was “so-so” as hurricane go.

It was followed up a week later by Hurricane Norma which really hammered us.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Living in Hawaii then another 30 years in Mexico, I’ve been through some 16 hurricanes and even more tropical storms.

Some have been historic, powerful, devastating and deadly examples of Mother Nature doing what she does. I’ve experienced them on land and sea.

I’ve had to work outside with winds, rain and waves battering me. Things were flying through the air.

Being in the hospitality industry, I’ve had clients to take care of and insure their safety. I’ve had to cross flood waters and been flooded myself.

One year, I was on a fishing boat that came pretty close to sinking while over 100 miles at sea.

I spent one storm in Hawaii with family in a bathtub. We covered ourselves with mattresses from the flying debris.

I’m no stranger to hurricanes.

Other than worrying about the welfare of clients or friends, I’ve never been especially afraid of hurricanes.

It is what it is.

It’s life in the tropics. If I lived in Alaska or Canada, it would be like me complaining about cold weather or snow.

So, again, I ask myself why’d I suddenly get the shivers?

Here’s my take.

As far as I can remember, most hurricanes come and go rather quickly. They can be powerful and lethal, but they come and go in a few hours. They move on.

Until Hurricane Otis struck Acapulco a last week, Hurricane Odile in 2014 was the most powerful storm to hit our side of Mexico. My wife and I actually sat outside for awhile.

The storm escalated. We cracked a few beers. It wasn’t our first rodeo. We watched as lights around the bay blinked out as electricity lost.

It probably wasn’t the smartest thing for us.

The winds started to howl. It was pretty cool.

Then, part of a tree blew by. Time to go!

We raced inside and then our ceiling tiles caved-in from the air pressure. Total darkness followed as the rains started pelting and we lost electricity.

But, in a few hours, Odile had moved on. It pretty much wiped out a good part of southern Baja, but it moved on.

Hurricane Norma last week was not as strong, but it sat on La Paz for almost 3 days of poweful 100 mile per hour winds and up to 12” of rain.

It pounded and pounded. The wind against our windows alternately sounded like a giant freight train going by or someone literally slamming their gigantic fist against the glass panes.

Boom! Boom! Boom! With each titanic gust. Battering to get in!

The winds were so strong they forced water through every door and window crack sometime like a spray.

For almost 30 hours, my wife and I battled with mops, towels and buckets to keep the waters at bay that soon covered our floors.

There was no way to stop it. Sometimes we had no light. We barely slept. Our hands got raw from wringing gallons of water from dozens of towels.

Several inches of water on our floors.

Just when we thought we had a handle on it, the wind would change direction and suddenly water was spraying from a different area. It was like an old WWII submarine movie where the depth charges start busting pipes!

When Norma left, we were exhausted. Many parts of the city were extensively damaged.

So, maybe that gust of wind in the parking lot triggered just a bit of PTSD. I can do without another hurricane for awhile.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico www.tailhunter.com.

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com (the hurricane tore off the whole front of our restaurant!)

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter Sportfishing

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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VOICES in a MEXICAN GRAVEYARD

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on October 23, 2023| 2 Comments »

VOICES in A MEXICAN GRAVEYARD

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 20, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications

As I have often mentioned, Halloween is viewed a little differently down here in Mexico.

Sure, there’s no denying that it is being edged closer and closer to the “candy and ghosts” event we witness in the U.S. especially in the bigger tourist cities.

But, that’s mostly for kids.

And from what I’ve seen, most don’t know why in the world they wear costumes in the first place. Or why knocking on doors gets candies.

You definitely don’t get the hordes of little witches, goblins and skeletons that I remember as a kid. Now THAT was an event!

Here in Mexico, the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is somewhat more refined, as it were. Celebrations, often quite raucous can be found in the local cemeteries with families and friends taking the opportunity to remember loved ones.

There’s music and food; barbecues and beer; laughter and yes…dancing on graves! I guess it’s like a big tailgate party. Mexico style.

In almost 30 years here in Mexico, I’ve never had the opportunity, but have always wanted to go. But, these are family affairs.

I don’t want to just “show up” uninvited. That would be rude and bad form.

And no one ever invited me!

However, last year, my wife Jill and I were spending a few days with friends at the old Hotel Las Cruces.

It’s been there since the 40’s. The original land holdings, however, were there since the conquistadores.

You have to take an hour-long dirt road. Back in time. Thousands of private acres of remote Baja coastline.

You have to be a vetted member. It’s old-school and quite formal. One must dress for dinner! Some staff members have been there for decades.

Ricky and Lucy Ricardo had a house on the property. Bing Crosby, John Wayne, many celebrities and several U.S. Presidents can be found in the yellowed registration pages.

It’s not grand. It’s not ostentatious.

They play shuffleboard and cards. No blender at the bar. Shaken not stirred please. The kitchen staff and waitresses wear pinafores right outta central casting in the 50’s.

Chuck Conners shot pool on the billiard table. There’s a lawn croquet course set up and a mini-driving range to hit balls into the desert.

It’s just a collection of low bungalows hiding from the passage of time on hundreds of Spanish land-grant ranchland.

On this particular time last year for Dia de Los Muertos, the hotel management arranged for us to be driven to the old ranch cemetery. It was to be a “special event.”

We were asked to dress appropriately for the evening.

At sunset, hotel guests climbed into the hotel vans and we drove through the desert along the rugged coast. The bumpy dirt road lead us through old date and palm groves. Through tangles of brush and along the old cliffs.

At times, it felt we were driving along a trail rather than a road as we jostled to wherever we were going.

20221103_174156_HDR

But, eventually we stopped and stepped out.

Our hotel host then lead us down another dirt trail toward the seaside cliffs and even deeper into the trees and scrub. This was pretty exciting!

We finally stopped.

And I have never seen something like this nor expected anything as rustically grand.

We were in a tiny clearing of graves. Dozens of graves outlined with white stones of different sizes.

Many with old-weathered headstones. Some were blistered sun-bleached wood. Others of crude chiseled rock. Many so old the names and info were long swept away by age and the Baja climate of sun, salt and sand.

Some had no markings or were so old that the stones had long since deteriorated.

Some were obviously adults. Others obviously children by the size of the white-stone outlines.

But every gravesite was outlined with the small white stones.

And every gravesite was swept and cleaned and covered in candles and flowers!

In fact, the whole cemetery was lit with hundreds of candles!

In the light of the late Baja sunset dusk, it was romantically beautiful.

And the hotel had arranged for several local guitarists to play Spanish serenades for us. They were dressed in traditionally colorful folklore.

There was also a small cocktail bar with hors d’oeuvres.

In a cemetery!

It was explained to us that this was the old ranch cemetery and that some of the graves were over 150 years old. Many were the original workers on the ranch or lived in the surrounding countryside.

“We may have forgotten their names, but we remember and celebrate their spirit! We hope this makes them smile that they are not forgotten. If you listen carefully, they will speak to you and hopefully you can hear the sound of happy laughter.”

A old graveyard on Halloween night. I could never have imagined such a joyful happier place to be.

I like to think I heard the laughter too!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

ROUND ROUND GET AROUND

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, historical, history, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on October 14, 2023| Leave a Comment »

**UBER IS GROWING BUT NOT ALWAYS YOUR BEST ANSWER FOR TRANSPORTATION**

ROUND ROUND GET AROUND

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 5, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications

To Uber or not to Uber? I seem to get more and more questions about that lately. It’s more a question of what’s the best way to move yourself around. And when!

Don’t get me wrong. I love Uber and it has it’s place, but as a tourist, there are just some things to know about.

No doubt. Uber is popular and it’s handy. But, like most things in Mexico, it’s not quite the same as Uber back in the States.

I usually ask folks what they want the transportation for? Just head in town? Go to the airport? Head to the beach? Let me know and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Also, how many of you are there?

The fact of the matter is that most Uber cars here are little tiny compact cars from what I’ve seen. Not everyone has a car here in Mexico. Pointedly, most folks do NOT own cars .

If you’re lucky enough to own a car, it’s probably a small compact economy car. And to even own a car, it means the owner probably has another job. Uber is a supplement.

Unlike in the U.S. folks don’t usually become drivers as a sole occupation. Uber business is growing, but it’s not busy enough in most areas to sustain a living.

Face it. The owners of big cars or luxury cars don’t need to be Uber drivers. So, you get the little tiny 4-banger economy cars.

Therefore, if it’s just two of you Uber might be OK. If it’s a group larger than 3 or 4, go with a taxi.

If you have a lot of luggage or gear, Uber might not be a great choice either.

Most taxis are also little economy cars, but at least you can usually count on there being more than one. Many taxis have racks.

You can look at a taxi and decide if it will work. You see it before you climb in.

When you call Uber you get one car and it is what it is.

And speaking of there being just one car, they don’t always arrive on time either. Your app might say “5 minutes.” However, the proverbial “Mexican minute” can be A LOT longer.

Regarding the “Mexican minute,” I’ve heard of incidents where the folks are waiting for Uber drivers that never show up. The driver simply cancels.

Talking to friends who have been Uber drivers, one told me, “Sometimes I just don’t want to drive to a certain area. Especially if there might not be that much business and it will take me too long to go back to where I came from. It makes no economic sense.”

Another friend told me, “If it’s too late at night or driving into certain areas, I won’t go. Also, there are certain areas where there are too many taxi companies and they will created problems for me.”

And that’s another big issue here.

The taxi companies and shuttle companies.

I once read an article that in the Cabo area alone there are something like 130 cab companies. That doesn’t include shuttle vans and cars that also work for hotels and other businesses.

If each company has multiple vehicles, that’s maybe 1000 vehicles and drivers?

And those are the “licensed” companies!

Along comes Uber and the Uber driver. There have understandably been numerous incidents and violent conflicts between drivers. The resistance from the established cab companies and their drivers against Uber drivers has been fierce throughout Mexico. Not just in Baja!

Therefore, if you need to get from Point A-to-Point B by a certain time, you are probably better served with a cab company.

A big point of contention is airport transportation.

Although regulations allow Uber to pick up and drop off passengers in airports, I wouldn’t count on it.

I hear reports that not only are taxi companies keeping Uber out, but also airport officials are also making it difficult on Uber drivers.

The last thing you need is to be stuck waiting at the airport for a pick up. Even worse would be on your way to catch your flight and getting dropped of OUTSIDE the airport gate with all your luggage and gear.

Uber is a great and growing option for transportation in Mexico. Just be sure to pick the best times and place for it.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter.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 »

I REMEMBER WHEN…

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, 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, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on September 27, 2023| Leave a Comment »

I REMEMBER WHEN…

Originally Published the Week of Sept. 20, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications

We were waiting on the docks here in La Paz waterfront to get folks on board their boats to go fishing. Just another gorgeous morning in the Baja.

One of them mused, “What was it like here during Covid?”

Wow. That got me thinking. So, I started to tell them.

And I realized that just about this time in September, ONLY three years ago, we were just starting to open up things down here again.

Man…was it only 3 years ago? Did we really go through all of that?

Everyone’s experiences were different depending on where they were during those crazy days. But, as I started to tell the stories, I felt like the old man telling old war stories or the grandpa who relates how “back in the day” he walked to school through blizzards barefooted.

It was ONLY 3 years ago.

I remember…

That as the rest of the world was starting to hunker down, Mexican was in a pile of denial.

Mexican President Obrador was telling people things like “keep going out. Do not change your activities. Eat at restaurants. Get together with your family!”

He was out kissing babies and saying things like “Mexicans are immune from Covid because we have Aztec blood.” He was wearing a special amulet that warded off the virus…so he said.

He told folks that Covid was a rich people disease because mostly only rich people get sick because they travel. Mexicans aren’t very rich and don’t travel much so don’t worry.

I’m sure he meant well…but…

WHAM…it hit.

Everything shut down. And they said it would only be temporary. Like several weeks maybe.

Oh sure.

Of course there were masks.

Stores, restaurants, hotels, schools, airports, churches…everything. They even shut down the beaches.

They shut down the whole ocean!

No one allowed on the beach. No one allowed on the water for fishing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking…NADA.

Most of the time, the city looked like a scene from the zombie movies. No one out. Nothing moving. No lights. No cars. Nothing on the water.

There was a 8 p.m. curfew.

No more than 2 persons in a car. One had to sit in front and one in back. Both with masks.

Social distancing everywhere if you were even allowed to gather.

Limited access to markets and stores. Restricted hours. Only one person per family could enter.

Only so many people in an aisle. You had to walk through and get sprayed in a fumigation tent to go inside.

Oh…you had to also step in a trough of sanitizer before entering places. Sanitizing your feet and shoes was pretty important. Then stepped on a dirty towel to dry your feet!

Plus you had your temperature taken as well.

Since all “non-essential businesses” were closed, that meant the breweries. No beer.

A man in a beer store stands behind a sign reading “I don’t have beer” following the shortage of beer, after the breweries countrywide closed their production due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Monterrey, state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on May 5, 2020. (Photo by Julio Cesar AGUILAR / AFP) (Photo by JULIO CESAR AGUILAR/AFP via Getty Images)

In your neck of the woods, there might have been the toilet paper panic. Here there was the rush for beer. People bought up cases and cases.

When that ran out, there was a black market that popped up.

Lines formed when a store got a shipment. You were only allowed to buy a certain amount. When they ran out, folks in line got into fights.

Beer prices skyrocketed to what amounted to half-a-week’s salary for the average blue-collar person! And they still lined up.

Fumigation teams in hazmat suits roamed the streets.

I heard that at one point helicopters or planes flew over the city spraying some kind of sanitizer on the whole city.

Most folks huddled together with family in their small residences already overcrowded many times.

No school. No internet. No laptops. No NETFLIX to pass the time. Couldn’t go outside to play or to the beach.

Since many folks live hand-to-mouth on a cash basis, there was no work. No unemployment checks or government assistance checks coming.

I still wonder how they survived.

But we did. And we all went and accepted all the things we look at as “goofy” nonsense now. But 3 short years ago, we just didn’t know.

Back in the day…We just didn’t know.

Talking about it now feels like I’m telling war stories. It kinda was. Not that long ago.

And years from now, we’ll tell people about having gone through the “great pandemic.” We just didn’t know.

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.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 »

MEMORIES GO BOTH WAYS

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, 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, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Uncategorized, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on September 10, 2023| Leave a Comment »

MEMORIES GO BOTH WAYS

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED in WESTERN OUTDOOR PUBLICATIONS the WEEK of SEPT. 4, 2023

I’ve been in the fishing industry in one way, shape or form now for most of my life. In Baja alone, I’ve got almost 30 years notched on my belt running our fishing operation.

In that time, I get to hear a lot of chatter about everyone’s fishing experiences. Aside from talking about the actual experience on the water, anglers talk about their skippers.

Fortunately, for our business, the majority is thankfully positive. My skippers have been with me 20-30 years. As far as I’m concerned, they are part of the team and family.

The business doesn’t go anywhere without them!

Many of our clients have been with us for years. Some families have been with us for decades. Everyone has their favorites.

As far as many of them are concerned, their captain is “the best in the Sea of Cortez!” That’s how it should be and they will happily argue the point with our other clients who also have their favorite skipper with our fleet.

It’s almost like listening to the way guys argue their favorite quarterback or homerun hitter.

All in good humor.

But, by the same token, I do get to hear when a captain has an off-day. Or the clients didn’t understand what was going on. Especially new clients.

Understandable. Everyone has an off-day now and then. Fishing inherently has off-days.

There’s often a language barrier as well. Thankfully, it’s a rarity and that’s why folks keep coming back.

But, my point is that folks remember their experiences. Folks remember their captains.

Personally, after a lifetime of fishing, I pretty much remember every fishing trip, captain or guide I ever had. I may not remember names from way back, but I’ve got the image and I remember if it was a good or bad experience.

I’m sure for many of you readers, you can think back as well. You remember your captains and guides and experiences. You remember the good, the bad and the not-so-good.

Well, there’s another side to this.

They also remember YOU!

Personally, I remember so many of our guests or personal clients that I took out on the water, either as a guide, a deckhand or instructor over these many years.

The names might escape me, but not the face or experience.

I’ve found that all my captains are like that as well.

Often when I get a reservation, I will send the name to my captain so he knows who his client will be the following day. If I have a photo, I send that along as well.

So often, my captains will tell me they remember that person well. Even in some cases, when it has been years, they remember the name and things about the clients.

It’s pretty amazing.

They’ll remember that the client battled a big tuna. Or a kid caught his first roosterfish. Or a couple really enjoyed fishing for dorado. Or wore funny hats. Or fell in the water.

If they have fished multiple times, they will remember things about the client’s family, kids, jobs, mutual affection for a certain sports team or where the client lives.

All of this happens even with a language barrier.

The captains will remember if the clients had very little experience. Or lots of experience.

They will remember if the clients brought gifts like t-shirts, or fishing gear or shared food and drinks during the day.

I am always amazed at how much they remember.

They also remember the downside that goes with it.

They tell me about clients who were poor or non-existent tippers. Or clients who had tempers or attitudes.

They talk about fishing “buddies” who didn’t get along. Or got too competitive.

I hear about clients who think they know more than these captains who have fished these waters their entire lives.

I hear about clients who have zero patience if the bite is slow or simmer and seem to blame the captain for the fishing or weather.

I hear about clients who have so much fishing gear. No matter what, they want to try every single piece of gear or tackle they brought along.

I hear about clients who bring family or kids aboard and forget completely about them. They expect the captain to babysit; run the boat; untangle lines; feed and water everyone while the parent becomes so self-absorbed in his or her own fishing.

Fortunately, 99.9% are just super cool.

Most of the time, the stories make us laugh or smile.

But everyone makes impressions. They will remember you!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

NO BUTTS ABOUT IT!

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, 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, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on August 27, 2023| Leave a Comment »

NO BUTTS ABOUT IT AMIGOS!

Originally Published the Week of Aug 30, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications

Long day down here in La Paz. Living the dream for sure. But, we work hard at our Tailhunter fishing fleet and Tailhunter restaurant keeping folks happy.

So, a few nights ago we were at our place.

It’s a beautiful summer evening on the La Paz waterfront.

Everyone was eating or enjoying our icy mango margaritas. Many of them were eating some of their fresh-caught fish.

20210930_200757_HDR

Others were just kicking-back. Our house band was kicking out some great music. The waterfront was humming with families on a stroll. Cars cruised up and down the beachfront. Many youngsters were enjoying their last precious week of summer vacation.

Just a great vibe.

My days start early. I could finally exhale a bit and enjoy the moment after being on full turbo since before sunrise.

Everyone and everything were where they should be. One of those rare savory moments when all is right in the world even for a few moments.

One of the group of fishermen had just finished their meal and were now just enjoying the evening laughing and story-telling.

One of the guys pulled out cigars and asked if I’d like one and if it was Ok to light up.

As they were seated and had eaten out on the sidewalk tables, they were away from other diners and well downwind. No one would be bothered. I gave ‘em a thumbs-up.

A cigar sounded pretty grand myself.

I get to fire up a cigar about once every two months…if I’m lucky. This was one of those nights. A good time to take a few well-deserved (in my head) puffs with friends.

Along with a cold beer in hand, it was pretty darned nice.

As I said, moments when all is right in the world are fleeting!

Talk about a buzz kill!

Someone came up and warned us about smoking those cigars. Not for health reasons at all. They weren’t offended by the smoke. But, there’s new law!

I’m not a smoker. I might smoke maybe 4 or 5 cigars all year. That’s it. Our restaurant has always been smoke free. So any new laws about smoking flew well below my personal radar.

I guess this is old news, but it’s “new” news to me! And after chatting with a lot of folks, I guess it’s news to them as well.

So, hold on…

Earlier this year, Mexico passed the most stringent anti-smoking laws in the world! Yes…wrap your brain around that one. IN THE WORLD!

Everyone pretty much knows you can’t smoke inside restaurants, offices, public buildings, etc. blah blah blah. Common knowledge in most countries.

But, the new law in Mexico pretty much completely bans smoking of any kind…cigarettes…cigars…vapes…pipes…from everywhere EXCEPT your own private home.

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And even THAT has some restrictions.

Basically, the new law prohibits smoking on the beach, on the sidewalk, hotel rooms…pretty much any public place.

This includes hotel rooms. Hotels are now on notice to create a special smoking area at their discretion. But they don’t have to. Easy to say for the Hyatt or Hilton. Not so much for any little mom-and-pop operation.

But essentially ALL rooms are now smoke free. This also includes your balcony or terrace.

The penalties can be as high as a $500 fine or even yes…jail time.

In your home, you can still light up, but you are prohibited if someone else, like your neighbor, can get a whiff of your smokey fragrance within 10 yards (30 feet) of you.

So you can be on your patio or terrace of your condo and if your smoke has the potential to drift to your next door neighbor, you can’t do it!

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Only in your own home!

It’s debatable among many just how they will enforce this. Plus it has been argued that this is just an opportunity to extract a bribe by a ne’er-do-well cop, but it’s still well to note.

Crush your butt!

I’m gonna have to figure out what to do with my little stash of cigars now. I sure enjoyed them now and then.

Fleeting moments. When all was right in the world. Now I can’t even have a nice cigar anymore.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

BUT IT’S A DRY HEAT!

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, 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, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on August 19, 2023| Leave a Comment »

BUT IT’S A DRY HEAT

Originally Published the Week of Aug. 11, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications

“It ain’t the heat. It’s the humility.”

—-Yogi Berra

So, there we are at our Tailhunter Restaurant in La Paz. It’s summertime. It’s vacation time.

The height of the tourist season.

And it’s “the evening rush” for dinner. The Baja sun has just splashed another masterpiece sunset across the horizon. Stars start to peek and sparkle.

The blender in the bar is noisily and happily whirring up those frosty mango margaritas. The savory fragrance of sizzling carne asada and garlic shrimp are wafting out to the sidewalk diners.

Dishes are clanking. There’s a wonderful ambience of conversation and laughter at the waterfront tables. Fishermen are re-telling stories or making up new ones .

Servers are quick-stepping back and forth and weaving around patrons with trays and plates.

Some folks are enjoying tall cold ones and munching tacos watching a baseball game.

The house band for the evening is tuning up with a bit of “Oye Como Va” by Santana.

Just another nice evening on the La Paz waterfront in Baja. Yes, It’s gonna be a good night.

Then…NOTHING.

In an instant. The buzz and hum are gone.

The band goes silent. The TV’s blink off. The blender shuts down…and so do all the lights. Everywhere. On the whole street!

Blackout.

Streetlights. Air conditioners. Everything!

It takes a moment to absorb. Amid a chorus of “Hey!” And “What the…?”

We dash around…”It’s OK, folks! Just a little jag in the city electrical system. I’m sure it’ll be fine in a few moments!”

But, inwardly, it looks eerie to see a busy city waterfront completely dark and we’re running a business. Anxiety levels are clicking higher.

We rush around calming folks and lighting every candle we can find. We try to roll with the punches. They say food tastes better in candlelight!

We start telling folks we’re making it more “romantic” with the candles! We tell the kitchen staff to keep cooking and the bartender to put all cocktails “on the rocks.”

The band got cut off in midsong. To their credit they grab acoustic guitars and try to keep playing some romantic Spanish ballad. Props to them for the effort!

We just all try to keep smiling. And looking up and down the street to see if any lights are coming on. Anywhere.

But, for blocks along the waterfront, the only lights are the headlights of cars. And lots of honking!

We put our best faces on it, but there’s only so much you can do without electricity in a restaurant.

Our cooks can’t keep cooking by flashlight. Water for cooking, dish sinks and bathrooms depends on an electric pump. We can’t keep opening and closing refrigerators and freezers.

It’s 90 degrees out tonite.

We don’t know if the outage will last 5 more minutes or 5 days. It’s Mexico. Opening and closing things like freezers and the frig jeopardizes all the inventory that depends on keeping things cold.

The poor band…with no microphones and just acoustic guitars, they do their best as the crowd starts to filter out.

But, now with no electricity, the computer on the cash register don’t work either. Can’t run credit cards charges!

We throw our hands up and surrender to the darkness.

All our customers have left. We sadly start to fold up. The staff starts to split their tips by flashlight.

Then POP…with a WHIRRRRRR…everyone slams back on! And it’s like we’re back in the 21^st Century from the dark ages. Music, TV’s, ceiling fans and lights crash back to life.

But, it’s too late to save the evening for the restaurant and we close it up. Tables and chairs get stacked. Tablecloths are folded. We turn off the lights and padlock the doors.

Sigh…we’ll give it a go again tomorrow.

But wait!

Over the next 3 days, this happens again. And again. For 1-2 hours or longer. Different parts of the city, but always our part of the city and always at the busiest times.

C’mon, man!

As it turns out, it’s the strain on the local power grid.

With all the heat that we’re getting, the city power grid just can’t hang with the demand. Especially in a city like ours…and many other tourism-based locations.

It’s becoming more common this summer.

With thousands of hotel rooms all over the states where no one ever turns off the A/C…with restaurants running everything full speed… and freezers and refrigerators straining to keep ice frozen; beer cold and diners happy…shopping centers and grocery stores doing the same…

On-and-on…

The system just pops. Boom!

And Mexican officials are warning of more of the same to come as the heat continues and waves of tourists flood to Baja on vacations.

Many choosing Mexico to ironically escape the record heat in the U.S. that has been roasting many states.

Nothing to do, but keep calm and be advised to stay in the pool!

That’s our 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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POURING ACROSS THE BORDER

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, 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, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on August 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

POURING ACROSS THE BORDER

Originally Published the Week of Aug. 1, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications

I bet when you read that title, something else crossed your mind.

But no, this has nothing to do with immigration, politics or borders. It does have everything to do with brilliant marketing.

Way back in the day when we’d foray south from California, we drank Mexican beer like it was a badge of honor. Even as youngsters, you never got carded.

Headed down to fish or surf or see how much mischief you could handle in a weekend, you’d return with comments like, “Dude, we inhaled a couple of cases of Dos Equis. Caught a royal buzz then caught some waves! ”

Or, “You shoulda seen all the empty Carta Blanca cans around our campsite!”

Drinking Mexican beer was part of the whole organic experience of travelling to Mexico. It didn’t even necessarily have to be cold. Having and finding ice was sometimes a bonus and just as important has having the beer in the first place.

But, it’s not like there were many choices and no one came down to drink Bud, Coors or PBR anyway, right?

These days, I don’t know if you keep up with the stink that’s going on with Bud Light and it’s associated boycott in the U.S. , but this has nothing to do with which side of he gender/ political line you follow.

But, unless you’ve lived in a cave the last several decades, Mexican beer is simply crushing it in the U.S.

I think you can look at all those brilliant adds by Corona about “finding your beach.” And sticking a lime on a longneck .

download

(By the way…using a lime is totally a gringo thing. No one does it down here except tourists who have been gimmicked and conditioned by said TV ads into thinking THAT’S how to drink beer!)

And who will ever forget Dos Equis and the “World’s Most Interesting Man?” He’s as iconic as the Budweiser Clydesdales or those historic Lite Beer commercials from years past.

You may remember such gems:

“I once won a staring contest…with my own reflection.”

“My tears can cure cancer…too bad I don’t cry.”

“I live vicariously…through myself.”

dos-equis-the-most-interesting-man-in-the-world-1-400x222

And now we see Modelo ads touting it’s “Fighting Spirit” and how they are an integral part of American sports. (By the way…Modelo and Corona are the same companies!)

But, if you hadn’t heard, Modelo is now the #1 beer in the U.S. de-throning Bud Light which continues to tumble after the Dylan Mulvaney fiasco.

Somehow and comically, owner Anheuser-Busch insulted not only it’s core conservative consumers, but also the LGBTQ community as well.

Agree or disagree with your position, it’s a fascinating marketing study.

But that’s a discussion for another article.

The point is Mexican beer is literally pouring across the border these days.

Mexico is now the world’s #1 beer exporter with more than $5.5 billion dollars of beer export.

It’s not Germany. It’s not Belgium. It’s not the Netherlands in 2^nd place with only about $2 billion in exports. It’s not even the U.S.

However, the biggest consumer of Mexican cerveza are Americans. The U.S. chugs more than $5 billion in sales. Send us your beer!

Although Modelo Especial is now king in the U.S. their Corona Brand is their #1 worldwide seller with exportation to over 150 countries. Their 7 breweries in Mexico kick out up to 3 MILLION bottles PER DAY!

Overall, Mexican beer will account for over $21 billion in revenue in 2023. That includes stats showing that per capita, Mexicans average 54 liters of beer drinking annually.

Mexicans do their part too!

That’s about 12 gallons of beer annually per person over a population of about 130 million people in Mexico. I’m good for only about 2 bottles a month these days so someone is drinking my share!

As someone once said, “We don’t buy beer. We rent it.”

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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SAID NO KID NEVER EVER!

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on July 19, 2023| Leave a Comment »

SAID NO KID NEVER EVER!

Originally Published the Week of July 13, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications

Running fishing and vacation operations down here in La Paz as well as a full restaurant, I’m often asked if it’s OK to bring kids down.

My response is usually yes. Of course, depending on ages; what they want to do; where they want to stay, etc.

I tell them it’s great to bring down the kids and to have your family down here. But, ultimately, you know your kids and family best.

Indeed, over the 30-something years we’ve been down here, we get lots of families and kids. It’s one of the best parts of this job.

It’s especially gratifying to watch kids grow up over the years and watch families change and grow as well.

I was discussing this with one of our regular fishermen over dinner at our Tailhunter restaurant a few weeks ago. He was thinking about bringing his grandkids down instead of the usual fishing buddies.

I remember saying that it really comes down to maturity, in a broad sense. Most kids are just so awesome and have such a good time no matter the age.

On the other hand, laughingly there are some adults whose “maturity level” really needs some adjusting and probably shouldn’t come down here at all.

I said that with a big grin.

That got me thinking about one reason I really enjoy having the kids down here.

No kid has ever asked me…

“I really MUST have Diet Coke not Diet Pepsi in my lunches.”

“I must have free-range eggs in my breakfast burritos.”

No kid has ever asked, “What’s the thread count in the sheets at the hotel?”

I’ve never had a kid complain “All of the menus are in Spanish!”

Or “How come there are so many Spanish-speaking people in Mexico?”

owen rooster jorge 6-22

I’ve never heard a child complain, “You never told us we had to bring bathing suits on the snorkeling trip.”

Or, “Why are the cheaper margaritas so weak/ strong?” or “How come I got drunk on only 2 margaritas?”

I’ve never had a child badger me to find out where the best strip club can be found. Or, “Where can I score some marijuana?”

I”ve never had a drunk kid fall out’ve the boat or throw up in the shuttle van.

I’ve never had a kid get a tattoo that they now regret.

I”ve had kids misplace a toy, but never ever lose a passport, wallet , hotel keys, iPad, phones, rental car key or wedding ring that now becomes MY emergency.

I’ve never had to carry a drunk kid in his underwear from the beach to his hotel room.

I’ve never helped a bunch of laughing guys drags a drunk child by his ankles through the sand and toss him in a boat.

I’ve never had a child streak naked around the hotel pool in front of a ladies luncheon. Twice!

Josie Bina dorado tags 7-23

I’ve never had to go looking for a child who went clubbing in town. In the morning his buddies tell me, “He didn’t make it back to the hotel last night. We lost him!”

And they don’t care. They’re going fishing. “He’ll show up…eventually.”

WHAAAT? Now I have to go looking.

I have never ever had a youngster challenge people in a bar to a chili and Tabasco eating contest…and lose!

No child has ever complained to me about the “sand being to hot” or the ocean “too salty.”

Likewise, I’ve never had a youngster tell me, “I can’t eat the Doritos here in Mexico because they don’t taste like American Doritos.”

grant-checa-pargo-6-22

Or, stay in their hotel room and eat only homemade ham sandwiches because they are afraid of food poisoning if they eat at a local restaurant with other tourists who “must be immune to Mexican food.”

I’ve never had a child ask me “How rough is the toilet paper in the hotel?” Or complain that the “hotel mattress doesn’t feel like mattresses in American hotels.”

Asher Pierson 6 years tags rooster 7-23

I doubt a youngster will ever whine “How come no one has change for $100 dollar bills, can you change a couple hundred for me?”

Or, this gem, “No one here will take a personal check! Will you lend me a thousand dollars to tide me over?”

Just the other day, “How does Mexican water taste compared to American water. I only drink bottled water from companies that aren’t using plastic. I hope you can provide that for us.”

Yes, please bring your kids!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

YOU NEVER KNOW!

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, 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, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on July 12, 2023| Leave a Comment »

YOU NEVER KNOW!

Originally Published the Week of July 7, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications

Beach and street vendors in Mexico…

If you’ve ever walked down the street in any tourist town and been plagued every five feet with those famous words “Jewelry! Almost free!” Or something similar. T-shirts? Hats? Viagra?

Or you just want some quiet beach time.

But, every 5 minutes someone interrupts your tanning session to asking if you want to buy a hat or sarape or beads…

You know how annoying it can be.

The first one or two. OK.

But, after awhile, you want to put up a sign that just says, “No, Gracias!”

Where we live in La Paz, we don’t have a lot of beach or street vendors. Maybe only a handful. We’re just not that touristy.

After living here a few years, I started to notice the same few guys were the only ones selling things from little suitcases on the waterfront.

Sometimes it was “discounted jewelry.” Of course “One of a kind from the mountains of Puebla!” (wink wink)

Sometimes it was hats, “handmade by Indian women” in small villages in central Mexico. (more wink wink)

Or maybe another day, it was vibrantly-colored beach wraps or sarapes meticulously made in the “historic wooden looms of Toluca!” (even more wink wink).

The price was not “almost free.” But, just for YOU today, Senorita, ‘very cheap!”

I got to recognize and eventually know Marcelo, Luis and and older man, Jose.

I’d see them walking down the beach or working a hotel and we would always greet and smile. Occasionally, I would purchase beach hats to sell at our store or direct clients to them.

They were always fun and always fair. And were great salesmen. Good for a joke and laugh. Folks enjoyed their non-pushy style and big smiles.

I used to watch them stroll the beaches or work on the waterfront. Simple hard-working guys. Every day.

An admirable work ethic to-be-sure.

Baseball hats; sandals; billowy trousers and t-shirts. Goods slung on their backs or carried on racks or in little cases.

I once ran into Luis who was resting in the shade of a beach palapa. I mentioned that I had not seen the older Jose, in a few weeks.

Was he OK?

In Spanish…

“Oh sure. Dad’s fine. He’s taking some time off. He’s on vacation.”

“He’s your dad? All this time, I didn’t know he was your dad.”

“Yes, and Marcelo is my other brother.”

“Wow, after all these years, I never knew that But, it’s good that dad is taking some time off. Is he at home here in La Paz?”

“No, dad is in Puerta Vallarta.”

“Oh, wow. Do you have family in Puerta Vallarta.”

“Yes, and our beach house and warehouse.”

“Wait. You have a beach house and a warehouse?”

He laughed.

“Si, Jonathan. We keep all our inventory in the warehouse of hats, jewelry, clothes, sarapes…everything. That is also where we have our beach house,” he said matter-of-factly.

I was a bit incredulous.

“So, you have a house in the beach in Puerta Vallarta and a warehouse for all our inventory? Do you really sell that much here in La Paz?”

“Oh no no!” he responded with a big grin.

“We are a family business. We have cousins and other family working in Cabo, Loreto, Mazatlan and of course, here in La Paz.”

Like it was no big deal.

I had to stop and think about that for a moment.

I had to wrap my brain around the fact that these simple-looking, hard-working guys had this whole network and business empire going on.

I don’t have a beach house or warehouse! I don’t know many people that do!

He saw me trying to process that with my head cocked and I’m sure my jaw had dropped.

So, he started telling me about shipping logistics; and price breaks; discount percentages ; distribution points and supply chain issues.

The family had been doing this for more than 30 years and employed about 20-30 family members.

I’m sure I had the funniest look on my face. Speechless.

Forget that Harvard business degree or that MBA on your wall.

He added, “I own three houses here in La Paz too!”

He laughed and winked and bid me “buenos tardes” and walked off down the beach to check out some “potential” customers. They had just put down a blanket on the sand and looked in need of some beach hats and jewelry.

He looked back at me once more and grinned “opportunidades!” (Opportunity!) And he put on his game face!

Who knew? A little capitalistic beach dynasty.

You just never know. Just shut my mouth!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

trademark website revision 2 small Tailhunter-Sportfishing-rev-1-black-low-res

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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Jonathan has written for:

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

His articles also appear in:

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