Archive for the ‘pack for a purpose’ Category

WHAT THEY SAY and WHAT WE REALLY SEE

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, circle hooks, deep sea, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico 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, Sun stroke, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on July 31, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Originally Published the Week of July 26, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

I probably get at least a half-dozen e-mails or phone calls about the rules and restrictions with Covid down here in Baja so I guess it’s time for a “point-counter-point” column about things.

Please keep in mind, I am in no way encouraging anyone to break or dis-respect the laws. These are merely observations and all of this can change week-to-week.

RULE: We are back to Level 5 Restrictions

Southern Baja is currently in a Level 5 (orange) for Covid restrictions and protocols. This was implemented about 3 weeks ago as a result of rising Covid infections.

REALITY: Everything is pretty much still open

Since March 2020, we’ve bounced back and forth through several levels of Orange, yellow, orange and back again. The current level was initiated several weeks ago via a government vote.

They vote on this every week. It could change by the time you are reading this.

In the current state, gyms, churches, concerts, theaters and social events (like parties and weddings) are closed. Classrooms have been closed since last March, but are set to re-open in August.

Everything else is open.

RULE: The Border Is Shut Down Again

Since last March, the border has been shut down to non-essential traffic.

REALITY: Welcome to Mexico. Please Bring Your Tourist Dollars!

The restrictions DO NOT apply to entry into Mexico via plane, train or boat. No one we know that has been driving has been turned away from the border if you give them an “essential” reason for entering.

Shopping? Sure. Fishing? That’s pretty important. Lunch in Ensenada? C’mon in. Visiting friends in Tijuana? You bet!

Believe me, Mexico wants and desperately needs U.S. travel money. They’re not stopping anyone.

RULE: Fishing Has Been Shut Down

REALITY: False! Jump on a boat!

Fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and other water activities were deemed “essential” activities. Business as normal, folks

RULE: Restaurants and Hotels are Closed

REALITY: False again. But, they are all supposed to be at 30% occupancy

Unless closed for other reasons, hotels and restauratns are mostly all open.

With restaurants, I see them full all the time. Maybe tables got pushed further apart for social distancing. Occasionally, they might tell you that they’re “at capacity” so you go somewhere else if the restaurant manager is worried about an inspection.

Yes, some restaurants got fines or suspensions for blatantly ignoring the rules. Others (wink wink) never ever seem to get checked and pack folks in every night. Most tourists will mostly not notice. Eat like normal!

For the hotels, parking lots sure look pretty full to me. However, they are “supposed” to be at 30% occupancy. Down from 40% occupancy.

The reality is no one seems to be counting heads or beds.

People are pouring off planes. Everyone is flocking to Mexico. Airlines are packed. Plans have been made for months.

With the way the restrictions change almost weekly, no hotel is going to say, “I’m sorry, we’re now at 30%. So, 10% of you have to get back on the plane or go find a different hotel.”

Not gonna happen. If you have a reservation, come ahead!

RULE: No alcohol sold or consumed after 5 p.m…oh wait 8 p.m.

REALITY: Probably True

If you run into an empty restaurant, this is probably the biggest reason for it. Two weeks ago, it was at 5 p.m. No sales after 5 p.m.

Now, it’s 8 p.m.

Not sure what that had to do with reducing Covid in the first place. Not sure how changing it from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. has to do with reducing Covid.

You cannot buy it at the supermarket. At restaurants, you can’t have a bottle, a can or cocktail class at your table.

But, that’s the rule. Literally, a buzz kill.

That being said, just like I mentioned earlier, there’s some places that “strangely” never ever ever get checked. Most restaurants will do whatever they need trying to stay afloat. Desperate times.

In the last two weeks, my wife Jill and I have been at several restaurants that approached the curfew. Our server encouraged us about “last call.”

Then, we were served our drinks in red solo cups and a can of Coke or bottled water was placed on the table. It was served with a “wink and a smile.”

RULE: You Must Have a Negative Covid Test To Return to the U.S.

REALTY: Yes and No. Mostly Yes.

Since January of this year, you have to show evidence of a negative Covid test to come into the U.S. via plane. It has to be within 72-hours of the flight.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been vaccinated.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve already had Covid.

But…It only applies to flying.

It only applies to INTERNATIONAL flights.

For instance, many S. Californians fly Volaris Air from Tijuana. They return via Volaris through Tijuana and walk across the border. Volaris is a DOMESTIC flight. Therefore, no testing is required.

The test takes only 15 minutes and you get results on your phone in less than an hour.

There are labs all over providing the services. Many hotels can set up services. There are labs at the airport as well. Very easy. Cost is $25-50 U.S. dollars.

RULE: You need to Quarantine

REALITY: Negative

You do not need to quarantine on either end of your trip.

If you happen to test positive while in Mexico, know that of the thousands that have been tested since January, only a miniscule amount have tested positive.

The reality is that there is very little Covid infection in the tourist sections. Sanitization is incredibly strict in the tourist zones. More strict that your town back home.

It has been that way since Baja opened up last year from lockdown.

The surge in Covid is in the inner-city areas where folks do not have the luxury of not working. There’s no unemployment or stimulus checks. If you don’t work, you and your family don’t eat.

Many people live in close quarters.

If you happen to test positive and show no symptoms, you simply take the test in two days. As soon as you test negative, you go home.

RULE: Beaches and Waterfronts are Closed

REALITY: Selective Closures

Where we live in La Paz, the main beaches and the waterfront get checked often and folks get chased off. As soon as the inspectors leave, folks go back onto the beach.

Down by the area of all the clubs and bars, it seems like business as usual, especially with locals. (Even with the limits on alcohol sales.)

In Cabo, I hear conflicting reports about the waterfront, but many tell me, it’s very much open in most cases. It’s not hardcore enforcement.

Others tell me there’s a noticeable lack of visitors and some operations are getting shut down.

Then again, there’s lots of beaches that no one can check because they are too remote. Where we are, everyone is flocking to the local islands to enjoy the beaches there. Pangas are doing a brisk traffic as water shuttles.

It’s just impossible to patrol several hundred miles of beaches.

Bottom line for all of this is that I don’t think it’s going to impinge much on your vacation.

UPDATE:

Since this article was published, there have been some changes! As anticipated, the government voted again.

Cabo San Lucas restrictions were reduced from a level 5 to a level 4.

La Paz and the rest of the states were kept at level 5.

However, strangely, it’s confusing because even though we here in La Paz are supposedly at Level 5:

Beaches were re-opened to 30% occupancy during the daytime hours
Restaurants were kept at 30% occupancy, but are now allowed to sell alcohol until 11 p.m.
The Malecon is open for “exercising” during day time hours.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-internation al.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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AM I MISSING SOMETHING?

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, highway, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storms, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on July 25, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Originally Published the Week of July 18, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

AM I MISSING SOMETHING?

I was sitting in our restaurant the other day here in La Paz. It’s kind of a big multi-story eatery over-looking the waterfront. Sometimes, it’s nice to bring my laptop upstairs to work.

I get some fresh breezes and sunshine. I get to people-watch all the goings-on downstairs on the beach. And I get to visit with folks a bit too.

It’s also difficult avoiding a bit of eaves-dropping and observing.

So, there’s one table over there with a family of five. Mom and dad. Three kids. Two girls and one boy. Maybe ranging from 12 (the girl) to 9 (the youngest boy).

No one is talking. At least not what I would call talking.

All of them, mom and dad included, are all on their cellphones. Tapping.

I think some of them are actually communicating with each other via text on their phones rather than just looking up and saying something to the other family member.

The only conversation I hear is a comment about what they are reading, but loud enough for the rest of the table to hear…and comment. If anyone else is interested.

Random comments just thrown out there like playing cards on the table…

“I simply CANNOT believe it, Shelly broke up with Lance over the phone.”

“Did you see where Danny and Elaine are finally engaged?”

“Wait, hold on, I’m streaming the NBA finals and the Bucks are down by two”

Even when the food arrived or when one of my servers asked them something, there was merely a perfunctory one or two-word response before getting back to whatever was no that tiny screen.

Tap…tap…tap…thumbs flying. Somehow mastered the ability to eat and type at the same time.

But who am I to judge, right? There musta been some really important critical communication going on at that table. (“Joes’ family gets to go to Hawaii next month!” “Our neighbors got a new dog!” )

There was another family next to them.

Family of four. One girl. One boy.

Ages 10-12…maybe. Honest. Hard to tell.

She kinda dressed like a boy…torn jeans…cropped hair…baseball hat. He was dressed in lanky stovepipe pants that were pastel-colored with and hot pink t-shirt.

Mom and dad were very nice and conversant when I visited the table to make sure everything was OK.

Kids…hmmmm…

Never took their sunglasses off. Oozing attitude. Bored. Disaffected.

“Why are we here when we could be somewhere else?” unsaid behind the smirks.

One of the boys said, “Can you turn down the music? It bothers me.”

Said what he said and I was “dismissed” to go turn down the Jimmy Buffet music I had in the background.

No “please” or “thank you.”

Yessireee…right on it, young master.

Parents not affected by the attitude.

They had a hard time finding something on the menu for the boys.

“Are your chicken wings as good as Buffalo Wild Wings? That’s our favorite and that’s the only place we eat them. “

“Do you have more things on the menu to choose from? Mostly, you have Mexican food and I don’t like tortillas. Or cheese. Or beans.”

They eventually ordered plain hot dogs on buns and had two orange soda floats each and pretty much ate in silence. Like they couldn’t wait to get out and why’d mom and and dad drag us out here?

Sunglasses never came off. One kid never took his ear plugs outta his ears.

Down the other end. Dad and two boys. Young teens. I wasn’t quite sure if both were his sons, but it might have been a son with a chum along on the trip.

I got the impression this was an absentee dad. Maybe a divorce? Out to take his son out on a trip. Some bonding time.

I heard him talking to them about maybe some beach time. How about a snorkel trip to swim with the sealions? Or maybe do some fishing or kayaking!

Hot dang! We’ll have a great time, boys! What d’ya say?

He was really excited and trying hard to sell the activities.

The boys…pasty-white complexions that never go outside…and stylishly-gelled hair…

Wanted to know where they could get massages and a manicure and pedicure. And if the hotel had NETFLIX.

Dad was a bit crestfallen. Understandably.

Am I missing something? I had to ask myself. What’s going on?

This kinda stuff is not uncommon from what I see…almost daily.

I don’t think I’m missing anything.

I think THEY are missing something. The kids AND the parents. On so many levels.

I wanted them to get excited about the view of the ocean or the sunset or even an “OOOooo”and “Ahhhh…” over a dumb plate of nachos. Or the anticipation of jumping in the water or going fishing.

But no.

Yea…there’s a lot missing these days.

Maybe it’s just me. I’m old and old school. Not hip enough.

My wife Jill says I’m “outdated” because I still use e-mail and all our grown kids use Instagram and Tik Tok and Twitter and Whatsapp and…and…and..

Can’t keep up with all those social platforms. I miss plain conversation with my own family. Obviously, these families don’t miss it at all.

Yup! Life has just passed me by. But, I haven’t missed much. Just eavesdropping and watching the tables.

And taking it all in. And thinking with a smirk of my own.

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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ANOTHER GRAND LADY TAKES A BOW

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, historical, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, speaking spanish, sportfishing, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on July 18, 2021| 1 Comment »

Originally Published the Week of July 11, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

Hotel Perla on the La Paz Waterfront about 1965

It came without fanfare as so many things did during the covid shutdowns last year.

So many things were closed. It was such a widespread occurrence that when things started to come back, you suddenly realized that some things just never opened up again.

Sad victims to businesses that Covid “wolves” pulled down.

This afternoon, I walked down the historic Malecon waterfront of La Paz that extends about 2 miles along the eastern shore of La Paz Bay. It’s a little more sedate than normal given there are still some Covid restrictions in place like so many other places.

But, the popular stretch of roadway is filled with the usual restaurants, mom and pop eateries, watering holes, gift shops and tourist stops. Strolling tourists meander. Joggers and bikers huff and puff.

Sidewalk cafes offer shade and refreshment al fresco under colorful awnings and umbrellas. Locals in cars cruise up one side and down the other in a decades-old ritual of life here along the waterfront .

The blue waters of La Paz Bay lap gently up to the palapa dotted beaches and stately palms sway to the whims of the ocean breeze.

It’s a Chamber of Commerce postcard.

Except for one thing.

About mid-way down my stroll I hit the construction barriers and chain-link fence now surrounding the old Hotel Perla. It’s the last original hotel in La Paz.

Dating back to the 40’s, it’s the last elegant grand lady of the city.

It was built post-WW2 at a time when few cars moved along the waterfront and there were more palm trees than people. Cobblestone streets were the norm just narrow enough for a wagon were the norm.

Folks didn’t usually fly into La Paz. They took stately cruise ships.

s-l400

Men wore white linen suits and panama hats to go along with fasionable pencil-thin mustaches. Women wore dresses and heels. Waiters stood by in waistcoated jackets. One dressed for dinner. A lobster could be had for 2 dollars after the martini appetizers. The margarita had not yet been invented.

Celebrities like Bing Crosby, John Wayne, Lucy and Desi Arnaz might easily be sitting at the next table over. Even the Queen of England stopped by for a visit.

Ice was a luxury. Air-conditioning usually meant opening the window to the fresh salty ocean breeze and the sweet smell of street vendors selling grilled carne. tacos.

Mariachis didn’t just sing. They serenaded.

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It was a slower and more elegant time.

And, now I just stared at the now barely visible old Hotel Perla. The last anchor to a long history.

Her bustling sidewalk café now boarded up. The Copacabana Club upstairs forever silenced. The arched entry only a memory.

Like so many things it just stopped last year.

They stopped accepting reservations. Employees who had worked for decades were shown the door.

A big mega-corporation had purchased it and now plan to put a big gleaming white shopping center there along with a tower hotel in the middle of it. There’s talk of a glass-bottom pool.

All the local little family shops surrounding the hotel are all vacant. No doubt to make room for and allow for the massive construction to come.

I’m sad.

Historic things act as an anchor to the past. A reminder of what was and had been.

I used to love going into the lobby of the hotel and spending time just looking at all the old yellowed-photos documenting the history of the hotel and, in many ways, the history of the city.

It was always there. And now it’s not.

Like a favorite actress that was always there. Decade after decade And then a surprising obituary posted with no fanfare.

There was no grand ovation or exit stage left to applause.

Yes, the grand lady of the Malecon had drifted into her latter years catering toward budget travelers and families. The old actress now accepting bit parts as a matriarch or matron. Now playing a supporting role for the current starlet of the day.

But, no doubt the old gal was still a handsome dowager along a waterfront that with it’s growing trend toward upscale chic.

How could Perla’s $80 rooms compete with the $400/ night rooms at the new place down the street boasting down comforters; bathroom TV’s and Netflix?

Frankly, I don’t think it had to. The old lady could have held her own against the new upstarts.

But, that’s just me. No one asked me.

She’s the last. At least as far as I can remember.

The old Hotel Los Arcos has been closed for a decade now. Hotel Las Arenas is long gone. In Cabo, I think of the old Hotel Hacienda and Hotel Cabo San Lucas. All gems of their day and built by visionary men of their day.

From another time.

Nothing is forever and there’s no staying the crash of the wrecking ball and din of the jack hammer. Even for all of us.

And then, there are just the good memories of days gone by. That which is remembered lives forever.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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TRAVEL TO MEXICO SOARS…Planes not so much!

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

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

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

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

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

Just one problem.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are several things you can do.

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

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

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

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

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

Be prepared for the possibility of delay.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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YOUR NEGLIGENCE ISN’T ALWAYS MY EMERGENCY

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, hurricane, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, storm, suitcases, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on June 24, 2021| Leave a Comment »

STUFF HAPPENS…SOMETIMES WE CAN FIX IT. SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA JUST BITE THE BULLET and MOVE ON.

YOUR NEGLIGENCE ISN’T ALWAYS MY EMERGENCY

Originally Published the Week of June 15, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

Over 3 decades of taking care of fishermen and travelers here in Baja, I’ve seen a lot of things.

Many things just cause me to scratch my head and say, “What were they thinking?”

I’m as guilty as the next person.

There are times for all of us when the unexpected occurs. We’re too busy or distracted or whatever…

…and we do something dumb. Something we normally would not have done or would not have happened under ordinary circumstances.

Accidents happen. Poop happens. Murphy’s Law punches us in the nose when we least expect.

But, then there are other times when I don’t scratch my head. It’s more like I throw up my arms and walk away.

What’s that saying?

“You can’t fix stupid.”

My wife, Jill, and I see hundreds of folks a year pass through and it’s a cavalcade of errors, foibles and guffaws on almost daily basis.

There’s the “everyday” things that could happen to anyone. Often easily rectified. Or at least, we can help with a resolution.

Someone forgets a phone charger. Luggage goes somewhere unintended. Someone forgets sunscreen or a hair dryer. A sweatshirt gets misplaced.

Someone has too much to drink. Or not enough (water!).

That’s just regular stuff. Maybe a small emergency for the client, but to us, it’s just another day at the office in paradise.

Then, there’s the larger stuff.

Things in the grand scheme of things that are important and maybe expensive losses, but ultimately, there’s a remedy. It’s just that for us, there’s not much we can personally do about it.

You forget the charger for your laptop or you forget your laptop completely.

You lose your passport. Or you forget your passport. You lose your money. You forget those expensive Maui Jim /Costa /Oakley sunglasses on the beach.

You show up the wrong day for your flight.

Simple accidents that can happen to anyone. Not much to do except move on. Take the loss and learn a lesson.

But, then there are the ridiculous, mind-numbing things people do that have us asking if people leave their brains at home when they go on vacation.

We can’t fix it. We can’t fix you.

There’s no magic wand that I possess. But these are things over the years that we’ve been asked to remedy.

We can’t help you get out’ve a ticket when you get drunk and you flip off a Mexican police officer. Or moon him. Or flash your boobs at him.

Or, you gave a cop “attitude” because you’re an American and you’re on vacation and it’s OK to have an open container in a rental car.

Your friend said it’s OK for tourists to drink-and-drive in Mexico. And the cop took your driver’s license AND gave you a ticket?

Wow. Imagine that!

No, we can’t find the taxi you climbed into in the middle of the night. You left your ipad, iphone or wallet in it. Telling me the cab driver was short, brown and wears a baseball hat doesn’t help us. Or that he has a mustache.

And here’s an eyebrow raiser…

Believe me, I don’t know what to do now that you tell me you forgot your colostomy bag at home. I have spare hooks and fishing line. As a habit, I do NOT have extra colostomy bags!

Or that you forgot your heart medication. Or you forgot your HIV meds.

Oh, they’re $600 here in Mexico? Really? No, I can’t get you a discount at the pharmacy. No, I will not use my credit card to help you out.

Oh, you forgot to bring any cash at all and you have no credit cards. And you want me to float you a loan so you can go partying. Only $2000 dollars. Yes, I’m sure you’re good for it. Yes, I know you’re my “Bro!”

Just stay in the room and watch Mexican soccer on TV.

And this happened once…

Your wife always packs your bags for you. And she forgot to pack extra underwear for you. And now you insist you CANNOT go fishing unless you have new underwear! You will NOT use your swimming shorts. I guess I can call you a taxi to take you to Walmart. Maybe…I’ll just let you suffer.

Here’s a dangerous one…

You met a local girl who became your “girlfriend” while you’ve been here. In an “error or judgement” somehow…someway you promised to bring her back to the states with you.

And she’s following you everywhere and her parents want to meet you? Will I go with you to meet them and explain things? Uh…I’m really busy.

And then…

Your last words were “hold my tequila” as you did a cannonball into the hotel pool. Unfortunately, it was the kiddie pool. And your dentures flew out and you busted a rib.

Or…

You tossed furniture out the hotel window and broke a mirror and lamp inside the room and tore up the plumbing in the shower. You can’t believe they’re throwing you out.

No, I can’t help you get a refund for the nights you missed or the fishing days you lost. Yes, I believe they gave you a choice of calling the police or leaving the hotel.

And a doozie…

OK, you went to a “gentleman’s club” last night. One of the “hostesses” there told you she’s really a grade schoolteacher back in Mazatlan. Poor thing is just working to make enough money to fly back there to her mom.

And you gave her your credit card to buy a plane ticket so she could stop working like this.

Today you find out your card is maxed. That’s how you were going to pay your rent? And you went back to the club today and there’s no one named “Maria” that works there?

You think you might have been tricked? Gosh. Wish I could help you.

NOT.

Some things just can’t be fixed.

That’s my story!

signature transparent JR 4-21

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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CAN’T GET OUTTA YOUR OWN WAY!

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on June 7, 2021| Leave a Comment »

CAN’T GET OUTTA OUR OWN WAY

Originally Published the Week of June 1, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

If any of this applies to you, I am NOT throwing shade your way. I am as guilty as the anyone of this.

It was dawn and we were loading up the clients in our van to get them from the hotel to the beach to board our boats to go fishing that day.

Everyone was loaded and anxious to get going. Waiting for the last 2 guys.

And then down the lobby steps come Rob and Gerry. This is their 4^th trip with us and really really good guys.

But, they are struggling. They are carrying more gear than the other 6 guys combined that are waiting in the van. Everyone stares wide-eyed.

Rob and Gerry need a crew of Himilayan Sherpas. It took 3 of us to heft stuff onto the roof rack of the van.

When they first started coming down, they were rookies. Didn’t have much gear.

However, with each consecutive year, the equipment gets more and more extensive. They have the latest rods, reels, clothes, lures, gadgets and thing-a-ma-jiggers.

And, it’s not like I can say anything. I mean, I don’t wanna be a buzz-kill or dampen their enthusiasm. Like I said, there are really nice guys.

But, sometimes I think they stay up at night on the couch with the remote in their hands. Or instead of football on weekends, they watch the fishing shows…marathon style!

Every gadget that comes out “made by fishermen for fishermen” or “guaranteed to catch fish faster and easier” or “as seen on TV” gets them twitching to grab their cellphone and credit cards.

They MUST have the “Ferris Wheel Lure” and the “See Underwater Seaview Glasses” and the battery-operated “Sonic Fish Caller.”

They can’t help themselves. It’s like some gals I know at a Nordstrom Shoe Sale.

They’re having fun and get so excited they can’t wait to show everyone what they bought and how it’s gonna work. This will be the year that the fish will literally attack their lines!

Whether it’s the latest type of triple-speeded fishing reel or the hot-color 100 SPF camouflage fishing clothes, they have it!

…and the always catch fish. But EVERYONE catches fish.

I’m not sure that all of that gear really made a difference. The folks using our basic rental rods do just as well. The guys who bring a minimum of gear do just as well.

But, here’s the issue I see with these guys getting caught up in the technology.

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They still don’t know the basics.

I’m guilty of that myself. I get into a new hobby or interest and then I need all the accessories. Then I realize…whoa…slow down!

Put down the catalogs. Stop web-surfing Amazon.

I need to back up and get some foundation so I know how to use all this great stuff.

I know for a fact, these guys still don’t know how to tie basic fishing knots…because I’ve sat with them and showed them some knot tying.

But, I know they don’t trust their own knots. So they always let my captain tie up their rigs. And bait their hooks for them.

I know as well that they don’t know how to cast or how to work a jig.

They really don’t understand why some people use braided lines. They don’t know why they need to tie fluorocarbon to regular mono. Aren’t both kinds of lines invisible?

Why do we use certain hooks?

They don’t understand how to set the drags or why you can’t just “button down” the drag when a fish is running. Why can’t you just “winch” the fish to the boat?

Well most of us know…it just doesn’t work like that!

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The thing is sometimes we can get so wrapped up in all the cool fun stuff that we forget the basics. We trip all over ourselves because of the technology and the “latest and greatest” claims.

Why take the time to learn when technology will help us fast-forward to our goal?

Don’t learn to tie knots. Buy a gadget instead.

Don’t learn to read the water. Buy the battery-operated underwater drone camera.

Don’t learn how to make a jig swim. Buy a rechargeable lure that swims all on it’s own!

Sheesh! Stop me!

We make it more complicated than it really is. We can’t see the forest for the trees or the water through all the gear in front of our eyes.

If fish could laugh, I’m sure they would.

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 »

FEELING A LITTLE MORE NORMAL AGAIN

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, storm, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, 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 May 23, 2021| 1 Comment »

FEELING A LITTLE MORE NORMAL AGAIN

Originally Published the Week of May 17, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

The vibe just kinda just hit me this week.

I had to go down to Cabo San Lucas which is about 100 miles south of us where we live in La Paz. Had to take care of some business, but also check out the Cabo Airport.

I got stuck in traffic.

It’s been awhile since I’ve been stuck in traffic down here. I mean, not just slo-mo movement. I mean gridlock bumper-to-bumper stuff.

At the airport, to drop off folks, shuttle vans and taxis were triple-parked trying to let folks off at the curb. Inside the terminal lines snaked back-and-forth and up-and down.

It was a morass of people struggling to find their proper lines to check in for their flights as well as get their covid tests.

Picking folks up, the same thing. Chaos. People ready and anticipating a cold margarita and sunny vacations now stuck in lines. Buzz kill.

Like being a kid getting taken finally to Disneyland then realizing it’s a 2 hour line to get on your favorite ride.

From the time planes were landing, it was taking 1-2 hours for folks to get off the plane and get their luggage. Then, they had to navigate get through more snaking lines for immigration and finally customs and luggage x-rays.

It was another hour wait to get a rental car…if you’re lucky.

As my amigo and I sat in the car waiting for traffic, I looked at him and said, “I guess we’re back to normal.” And went back to drumming my fingers on the steering wheel.

And so it is. I guess we’re somewhat back to normal. At least it feels like it. The new normal? Maybe so.

There’s no doubt that Mexico, especially Baja, has become the #1 vacation target for Americans looking to get away…finally. Covid or no covid. Vaccine or no vaccine.

Mexico is close. A quick little plane ride.

There’s no quarantine. It’s economical. It’s a long weekend.

To many the culture is not so unfamiliar. It’s second nature to many Americans. It’s not like going to France or Italy or somewhere in Asia. And, getting back home is easy too.

Although Baja still has restrictions, truthfully, they are almost un-noticeable.

Sure, you still gotta wear a mask. It’s a requirement, but it feels very relaxed. No one is shaking a finger at you if you’re not wearing one.

And for sure, it’s rare that someone is going to remind the precious tourists with the American dollars to put on a mask.

As you walk around, you’ll know if you need to pull up your mask.

You will still have folks taking your temperature at some places. No big deal.

Admittedly, restaurants and hotels are supposed to only be at 40-50% occupancy.

But, I see hotel parking lots are full. Many restaurants are full and I sure don’t see many tables supposedly 6’ apart.

If the restrictions are being observed, it’s pretty loose. Or maybe no one is really checking that hard. Getting people working is too important.

Everyone is trying to make up for a devastating 2020, no doubt.

Those are just my own personal observations. A generality, if you will.

But, honestly, it’s exciting to feel the nice buzz in the air. A nice energy. Visitors are excited to be here.

Folks are excited to be working again. Locals are excited to have you. Businesses have open arms waiting for you.

Baja had it especially tough last year. I remember everything being closed. I remember night time curfews.

I remember only being allowed to have 2 persons in a car and everyone better have a mask on. I remember having to sanitize your shoes and feet before entering a business.

For Pete’sake, I remember when they cut off beer sales because brewing beer was a “non-essential activity.” Long lines and small riots ensued at convenience stores.

Toilet paper no problem, but cutting off beer in Mexico? That’s a real crisis.

I don’t miss any of that.

In an ironic bitter-sweet way, I will miss some things however. Not that I ever want to go back to 2020.

In a weird Twilight Zone kind of way, it was a peek at Mexico the way it was 30 or 40 years ago.

The ocean was empty and uncrowded.

The fish were ready and eager. There had been so little traffic on the water.

I had the beaches to myself.

At restaurants the service was crazy good. Waiters were falling all over themselves to wait on me. Few tables were occupied.

Hotels were almost giving away rooms to have you be there. You got the pool all to yourself. The jacuzzi didn’t have 20 kids diving in it.

The swim up bar was just you and the bartender. And he was anxious to have some company.

And traffic? What traffic? Roads were empty. The airport was empty.

Things moved at a much more leisurely pace.

I couldn’t wait for it all to end and it’s good to get back to some normalcy. Good to see people back working and visitors flocking back.

But, for awhile I got to see a different older Mexico. Just for awhile.

It’s like those movies where someone invents a time machine and goes back in time. Nice to visit, but you don’t wanna stay there too long!

It’s good to be back to business. Even if I’m stuck in traffic now and then.

That’s my story!

signature transparent JR 4-21

______________

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 think of all the things you never had the courage to try.”

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TROUBLESHOOTING – DON’T LEAVE FISH TO FIND FISH

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on April 28, 2021| Leave a Comment »

panga

TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR FISHING – DON’T LEAVE FISH TO FIND FISH

Originally Published the Week of April 28, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

How does that saying go?

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

I would like to throw out a challenger:

“Nothing worse than a grumpy fisherman when everyone else is catching fish except him.”

I know from experience. I have been in the path of such a demon and it can be like watching one of those disaster movies where the huge apocalyptic tidal wave is coming. There’s no escape. Climbing the tallest tree or building isn’t gonna save you.

Running a couple of fishing fleets here in Baja, I get the reports from my captains before they get back to the beach. Everyone has caught lots of fish. Everyone had a great time.

Except one boat. And the one guy.

And it’s the guy who calls himself the “expert.” He’s fished everywhere and caught everything and he’s done it all.

And my captain gives me the code word on the radio “caliente” meaning, they’re coming in hot. The client is NOT happy.

Oh no. Not like I can run away. I know I’m gonna either get an earful of what went wrong ( it’s never the angler’s fault). Or, I’ll get the silent Clint Eastwood squint of the pissed-off fisherman.

Nothing like someone who’s upset and when you ask them what’s wrong, you get a brusque, “I’m fine!”

Well…alrighty then…we’ll just walk to the other side of the room and give you some space!

Before trying to figure out what went wrong I always chat with my captain. I don’t like asking questions that I don’t already know the answer to.

Was the bait bad? Was the guy simply unlucky? Did he actually hook fish, but they broke off ? That’s not bad fishing. That’s simply bad catching.

Did he have a tackle box full of bananas?

Often, one I hear is that the client just kept moving around too much and kept telling my captain he wanted to move. Even when the fish were biting.

The client wanted bigger fish.

Or he wanted a different species…then another type…then another type to cross of his bucket list.

Or he simply had read too much and wanted to try all the “famous” spots he read about.

For whatever reason, the client was like a waterbug scooting from spot-to-spot-to-spot. Even when the fish were biting. Even when other boats were catching fish.

That spot just wasn’t up to his expectations and in a version of “grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side” wanted to keep moving…and moving again.

When I am finally able to confront the angler, it’s really hard to tell them to just stop racing all over the ocean. Especially, if it’s an angler that attests to knowing more than my captain or me about fishing.

However, I learned long ago when working as a deckhand and also as a fishing guide “Don’t leave fish to find fish.”

There’s only a finite number of hours in a fishing day.

If the fish are biting where you are, you probably shouldn’t pull up and go looking for a different spot. At least give your current spot time to produce whatever it’s going to produce.

Sure, you might find a better spot. But, there’s a good chance you might not. And you’ll be wasting time and bait and gas chasing around.

While everyone else is hooking fish and having a good time!

That’s my story!

signature transparent JR 4-21

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 »

PRESENTATION IS A GAME CHANGER

Posted in 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, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, storms, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on April 18, 2021| Leave a Comment »

PRESENTATION IS A GAME CHANGER

Originally Published the Week of April 20, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

Presentation is a simple concept explain. How something looks, feels or even acts has a lot to do with how that subject is perceived.

Perfect examples.

Two hamburgers. Same meat. Same cook. They both taste the same.

But, one is served on white table cloth with nice silver. There’s a nice garnished sprig of parsley and the plate is shiny white ceramic.

The other burger comes in a greasy wrapper.

Most folks would be more inclined towards the nicely packaged burger, even though personally, I’d probably grab the one in the greasy wrapper that’s all messy. But, that’s just me.

But, that wrapper registers an impression in my little brain that the one in the greasy wrapper is gonna taste better.

Possibly a better example:

The young man that comes to pick up my daughter for the evening at the movies. For the first time. First date.

Torn jeans…dirty fingernails…way too many piercings and a dragon tattoo up his arm. And honks for her to come out.

Danger! Danger! Not with MY daughter!

Or the young man shows up on time. Calls me “sir.” Holds the door open for my girl and he’s nicely dressed.

In both scenarios, it’s the same kid. If my daughter is going out with him, I’m sure he’s probably a sweet kid and nice guy despite first impressions. Clothes aren’t everything.

I didn’t exactly look like a prize at that age either.

And the dad writing this article has a piercing and several tattoos!

The nicely dressed kid does get bonus points for calling me “Sir.”

But, first impressions are important. There’s no getting around it.

fish bait

Fish are a lot like that too. Presentation is everything.

Some folks think if they have a lure in the water or if they have a bait on a hook in the water, the fish will jump all over it. And they can’t figure out why they’re not getting bit.

Or how come the guy next to them is getting hits left-and-right.

There’s the old saying that, “20% of the fishermen catch 80% of the fish.”

There’s a reason. Much of that has to do with presentation and the impression it makes on the targeted fish.

Imagine that “Mr. Fish” has a whole bunch of choices down there.

Why should he bite you? What makes your bait stand out and gets his brain neurons saying, “Eat! Eat! Eat!”

unnamed

Let’s talk about live bait for the moment.

How is it acting? Lively? Lethargic? Plain dead?

Take dorado fore example. Dorado, are like cats. Fast moving lively things put them into attack mode. The livelier the bait the better.

By contrast tuna can be notoriously lazy and love picking up dead bait or barely lively bait. It’s like they don’t wanna chase anything.

That’s why chunk bait is so effective. Just a big mass of dead and dying bait dumped into the drift. One chunk has a hook in it.

Speaking of hooks…How you rig (“pin”) your bait on a hook can have a massive effect.

For one, generally, match your hook to the size of the bait. Don’t match your hook to the size of the fish you’re chasing.

For instance, if using a 6-inch sardine or anchovy, jabbing a 10/0 hook in it is going to kill the bait, even if you’re chasing 100-pound fish. That’s not doing you any favors.

Simple logic.

Likewise, if your line is very heavy, your bait is gonna tire out faster and you’re not even going to know it. Your line is way out there and you have no clue that your poor little bait is half-dead floating where you can’t see it.

And you wonder why your buddy keeps hooking fish!

A lot of anglers also don’t know that you can actually control how your bait swims.

Pinch-off or cut off a bit of tailfin and your bait will swim erratically. Often, this is a great attractant for gamefish who like to grab injured bait that can’t escape.

Darwin’s theory. Culling the herd. It sets your bait out from the rest of the bait in the water.

Try these next time.

If you pin your bait on the bottom-side behind the dorsal fin, you bait will tend to swim directly away from the boat and down.

If you hook your bait on the top-side behind the dorsal fin, your bait will tend to also swim straight out, but will stay on the surface.

If you put the hook through the right collar, the bait will swim to the right. Through the left collar and the fish will swim to the left.

Handy to know for those baits that continually want to swim under the boat or if you’re on a boat and you can’t get around someone or something.

If how “food” looks and acts is important, consider how something “smells” also affects attractiveness just like smelling a steak on the grill.

When I was first learning to fish as a kid, my old Japanese uncle taught me to keep the bait as fresh as possible.

Don’t touch the bait with hands that touched food or something oily. Or suntan lotion.

He was a smoker and never ever touched his bait with the hand holding his cigarette.

If you do have stuff on your hands, wash it off then put some fish slime or dead bait on your hands to cover up the fragrance of soap or other detergent.

Presentation makes a difference. First impressions are a game changer.

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 »

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

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

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Originally Published the Week of March 1, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

About a month ago, I received a reservation request from one of our regulars who had fished with us many times over the years. He wanted to set up a whole week of fishing with our fleet in La Paz.

He had not fished with us in a few years. As he put it laughingly, “Life got in the way of my fishing. Then this darned pandemic thing knocked last year’s fishing helter-skelter.”

This year, he was coming with his wife and 2 grandkids. Three days fishing…hotel…some snorkeling…one of our taco tours of the city. The whole package.

He’s always a pleasure. Low maintenance. Fun to be around him as well as whoever he brings along.

But, something he said to me has stuck in my head like a song that keeps re-playing. I wanted to share, but didn’t quite know how to write about it in my column.

We were talking about all the cancelled vacations and fishing trips everyone endured last year.

He said, “I’m 86 years-old. I can still do a lot of things, but at some point very soon, I know that I won’t. It’s just the way things are. “

“I can still enjoy a beer. (laughs) I like dancing with my dear wife who puts up with me. I can still give the grandkid a piggy-back ride. I can work in the garden. “

“And darnit, I can still fish!” He added emphatically at the end of that.

He went on…

“Life is not forever. I know people are scared to travel right now. However, I could get sick tomorrow going shopping at Target as easily as I could get sick going on a fishing trip.”

“It seems, in fact, more likely to get sick in a crowded store than in an open fishing boat!”

“When you’re young, you think you’ve got all these fishing days to look forward to. Good times on the water with the buddies or with family. But now…well…I don’t have that many more days ahead of me…if you know what I mean.”

“We always talk about the ‘good-old-days.” Well, even with this Covid-thing…what if these ARE the ‘good old days’ we’ll talk about in 5 or 10 years?

“To me, the ‘good-old day’s will be the days I could still do the things I want to do. “

“I’d rather spend my good-old-days on the beach or on a boat or hanging with my family than sitting in the Lazy-Boy with the remote. At some point soon, I won’t be able to get up from that Lazy-Boy.”

“So, Jonathan…book me a trip!”

I was pretty much ready to give him the trip for free at that point. Priceless thoughts.

When I was younger, it seemed I was always the one who talked. I had stuff to share and needed to be heard. Blah blah blah. I must’ve been insufferable.

As I get older…well…I need to listen more.

Life should have been reversed.

I should’ve listened more when I was younger so that now when I’m older, I could talk and say something that actually meant something.

I’m 20-years-younger than my fishing friend.

But, I’ve got a birthday this week. His words that I’ve hung onto for a few weeks have a little more poignancy.

In the past 2 months, I’ve had 7 close fishing buddies pass away…Dave and Jack…Roger…Kevin…Lloyd and John…Stan.

Cancer…Hearts…Covid

How the heck did that happen? In fact, except for one (Hi Leroy!), all of my fishing buds are gone now. I just realized that. It’s a long list growing longer.

These were guys who took me under their wings. Showed me stuff. Taught me. Kicked my butt when I needed it. I used to like to think they were proud that I had taken a hobby and a passion and made it into a career.

They took a kid with a rusty spinning reel and old line on overnight trips and long-range trips. On the boats, I was the kid tangling everyone or playing in the bait tank. On the lake or stream, I was the annoying bored kid who threw rocks in the lake when everyone was trying to fish and “shushed” by my elders.

I always looked up to them. It’s like at Thanksgiving when you sit at the kid’s table and the grown-ups sit at the big person table. It’s your mom’s and dads. Aunt’s and Uncles.

And then they are gone. And you realize that now you’re the one at the big person table and there’s more and more empty seats.

I’m the only one still fishing. Sort of.

I feel great. A few extra pounds from too much good food from Jilly during Covid. But otherwise, still good.

But yea…I’ve got more days behind me than ahead of me.

And, I don’t want some pandemic to define my “good old days.” Not while I can still do things. Before I get too creaky.

I can’t wait to put my toes in the sand this year. I’m gonna fish more too. Still drink my vitamin shake, but an extra beer or two won’t hurt. Say “yes” more often to doing things. Gonna hug my wife and kids and grandkids more too.

These are the good-old-days. Here and now.

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 »

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¡Bienvenidos Amigos!
Jonathan has written for:

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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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Archive for the ‘pack for a purpose’ Category

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Originally Published the Week of June 1, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

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PRESENTATION IS A GAME CHANGER

PRESENTATION IS A GAME CHANGER

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Originally Published the Week of March 1, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

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