Archive for the ‘saving money’ Category

WHAT THEY SAY and WHAT WE REALLY SEE

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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.”

Read Full Post »

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.”

Read Full Post »

OLD STOGIES I HAVE FOUND…SHORT BUT NOT TOO BIG AROUND!

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OLD STOGIES I HAVE FOUND…SHORT BUT NOT TOO BIG AROUND

Originally Published the Week of June 24, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

I don’t know why Roger Miller’s classic lines in “King of the Road” always pop into my head at times like these.

I am currently “hiding” on the closed 2^nd floor of our Tailhunter Restaurant in La Paz trying to come up with something to write about.

To be honest, I’m looking out over the waterfront and late afternoon sunset over La Paz Bay. My laptop is out and I just can’t think of anything. Brain-dead syndrome.

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But, I do have a cigar that I’m gently puffing on and a short 2 fingers of Pendleton whiskey to sip. Perfect to dip the end of my cigar.

I feel a bit guilty. The blues and oranges of the sunset are looking like a Maxfield Parish sky. I can smell grilled carne asada in the breeze from our restaurant kitchen downstairs seeking me out.

Except for not having a clue about what to write about, I’m enjoying this bit of solitude up here on the deck; watching the world go by and frankly feeling like I’m living large.

…and then there’s Roger Miller in my head too!

I’m not a big cigar smoker. Never cared for the things until just a few years ago.

Good friends, Bart Hall (Fred Hall Fishing Shows) , John Pettey (Famous goldsmith) and the late great Jack Nilsen (Accurate Fishing Reels) invited me to an inner-sanctum tent at the Long Beach Fred Hall Fishing Show.

After knowing these guys the better part of 30 years, I had never received an invite to “the tent.” It’s kind of exclusive I heard.

I told them I don’t like cigars and don’t know how to smoke them.

But, I was also told that I would only get “one invitation.”

When 3 giants of the fishing industry invite you, it’s a good idea to go!

Over several hours, I was “indoctrinated.” Good stories and shots of whiskey, bourbon and wines helped seal the deal.

That started it.

If I’m lucky, I will enjoy maybe 2 cigars a month. If I’m really lucky, I’ll get to puff a cigar more than half-way before the phone rings or folks show up or I have to attend to someone or something related to our restaurant or fishing business.

I know smoking is bad for you. I”ve never smoked anything other than fish in my smoker.

My wife, Jilly gets major props for stopping cold turkey on cigarettes when we first got married.

But, I asked her if she minded me puffing a cigar now and then. She said absolutely not. It was one of the rare moments when she said that I stopped and slowed down for a few minutes.

It truly is.

And frankly, she’ll stop by and take a draw on my cigar now and then herself. I think she looks pretty good with a cigar in her hands. It’s kind of a dangerous look. Little rebel that she is.

Lately, I’ve seen more and more guys coming down either with cigars or asking me where to get cigars.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a cigar snob. I’m also a cheap bastard. Or, let’s just say I’m “economical.”

Many decades ago, I was flying down here to Baja and a friend asked if I would buy a box of Cuban cigars for him. I told him no problem.

Until I went to actually purchase some Cubans. Holy cow…I thought an entire box of Cubans would cost about $20 bucks! They were $20 PER CIGAR!

I came back with two cigars for him.

I’m in the budget class. Just like wine and tequila. I know what I like and it doesn’t have to be the most expensive. I”ll take a great cheeseburger over a terrible $40 steak any day of the week.

There’s a lot of excellent things that don’t necessarily come from the top shelf.

I cringe at the thought of paying a lot of money for a cigar I might only get to smoke for 5 minutes before I have to stamp it out because I get called away to do something.

But a lot of guys ask me where they can buy Cubans. Or good cigars.

I tell them if they’re just looking for a good cigar, many convenience stores in Mexico sell them from little cases.

They’re not Cubans. Most likely Nicaragua or Dominican Republic tobacco, but if you’re just looking for something to puff on the beach at sunset with a cold beer or a sipping tequila or after dinner, they’re not bad. And not expensive.

On the other hand, if someone says they have “genuine” Cubans and they’re “almost free.” You might want to pass.

Surprise! There’s a lot of phoney Cuban cigars being sold. Just like that $25 Rolex watch or the “genuine” Gucci handbag deal.

C’mon man.

Not being a gourmet cigar guy, I did a little research.

Like anything else, you do get what you pay for. No one will be selling you a genuine Cuban for 5 bucks.

If you know your prices ahead of time, you’ll know when a deal is too good to be true.

The guys peddling cigars in little boxes on the marina are not Cubans. Cubans are not packed in boxes with glass lids.

It helps to know your packaging too.

A box of good cigars look alike because of quality control in the factory.

33425_Cohiba_Exquisitos_25S_sta_pac

Check for labels and cigar bands. The folks who make the real deal are as picky about their labels and seals as Mercedes and Polo. They’re stuck to the product, not floating inside the box.

I can guarantee you that the any seller who tells you he has a guy-who-knows-a-guy who works in the Cohiba or Montecristo factory back in Cuba…doesn’t know anyone.

He DOES know a sucker when he sees one. Don’t be that guy.

Take a look at the cigar itself. One tell-tale sign is a cigar with different colored outter tobacco wrappers. Called a “barber pole”. It’s a pretty good sign of a counterfeit .

If you do happen to light up a Cuban, it should burn with a gray ash. Somewhat of a salt-and-pepper appearance. If the ash burns bright white, it’s a good sign you got a counterfeit stogie.

None of these are sure-fire tell-tale signs. Counterfeiters are very good.

But, counterfeit cigars aren’t necessarily bad either. It doesn’t have to be Cuban to be good. Just know what you’re buying.

And enjoy what you’re smoking.

I think I just wrote my column.

20210411_153429

“Trailer for sale or rent…”

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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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.

maxresdefault (1)

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 »

SOMETHING IN THE WATER?

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, 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, 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, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, storm, storms, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, 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 May 30, 2021| Leave a Comment »

SOMETHING IN THE WATER?

Originally Published the Week of May 22, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

“I’ve never seen it like this before”

“I think this is what it must have been like back in the day.”

“This is almost eerie. Been coming for years and there’s something has definitely changed.”

“It’s like there’s something in the water.”

Quotes from a recent sci-fi thriller?

Nope.

ADVENTURES IN DRIVING

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, 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, 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, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rentals, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storms, Sun stroke, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, 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 May 13, 2021| 1 Comment »

man-in-car-accident

ADVENTURES IN DRIVING

Originally Published the Week of May 13, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

We’re gonna do a little “word association” test. Read the following words then close your eyes.

“MEXICAN DRIVERS”

I bet I can guess what went through your head after reading those words. All those “stereotypes” come flooding into your thoughts?

Just to be fair, stereotypes are stereotypes.

They’re a broad-brush painting that may-or-may-not have a lot of truth or fairness to it. But, after living in Mexico for almost 3 decades, the thoughts that flew through your brain probably weren’t too far off.

Listen, there’s bad drivers all over the world.

How many people did you call out under-your-breath on your last freeway commute home from work? Everyone slower than you was a “jerk.” Everyone faster than you was a “butthead.” Right?

I don’t want to say that Mexicans are bad drivers. But, I will say they drive “differently” and it behooves you to be a “better” driver because of it. In other words, CYA. . .”cover your backside” and drive defensively.

Why is that?

Well, a couple of things that happened recently might have coalesced my thoughts on the matter.

For one, I just realized that of our employees that “know” how to drive, most have no driver’s licenses. Some have NEVER had a license or have expired licenses. They just laugh.

When you need to get from Point A-to Point B for work, you do what you gotta do. Don’t need no license and don’t have time or money to get one!

As a foreigner, I never had to take a test to get a Mexican driver’s license. I never had to even prove that I could drive. I just had to fill out the paperwork.

I had to pay my money. And, like DMV’s everywhere, I had to stand in several long lines.

However, unlike say the DMV in the states, I found out that I could pay a proxy to stand in line for me. Yup. Pay for someone to stand in line for me!

I could go sit down; check my e-mails on my phone; buy a hot dog or a churro from one of the vendors inside the TRANSITO (DMV) office. My proxy calls me when it’s my turn to run up to the line.

He follows me to the next line. He tells me where I need to sign documents. He basically leads me by hand from one teller window or clerical office to the next. Nothing is done in one line.

It’s a good thing because the TRANSITO office is a small version of the floor of the NY stock exchange. It’s chaos incarnate.

Noisy. Little offices everywhere. Lines everywhere. Lines to nowhere. Confusing signs on the walls.

People milling and yelling and papers being shuffled. There’s no appointments. There’s no obvious order.

Paying a proxy a few bucks and a hot dog was well worth it. Turns out my guy was a police officer making a little money on the side. Tipping is appreciated.

Circling back, however, the point of my story is that to get a license you do NOT have to prove you can operate a moving vehicle.

Unlike, the U.S., however, you DO have to prove that you are “alive.”

I say that tongue-in-cheek because to get a license, you must submit to a blood test. Yes, a blood test. I don’t know why.

But, you go across the street to an approved “lab” and they take a blood test. Cost is about 20 bucks. You take your test results when you get your license.

That’s it. No driving test. No written test.

Painted outside the TRANSITO office there’s ariel-view street grid l painted on the asphalt/ concrete. . Kinda like Lego-land.

The streets area about 12-inches side. It has little streets and buildings painted there with parking spaces and stop signs and left-turn lanes and one-way streets.

I’m told that an examiner will take you through a “test” and let you WALK through the faux-streets. You get to show that you know when to stop and how to back up and how to make left turns.

You are not in a car.

You are in an “air-car” like playing “air-guitar.”

You are not in a vehicle. You turn our “air wheel” to make a turn. You shift gears in the air like when you were a kid. You step on the imaginary brakes.

Maybe you even have to make “vroom vroom” sounds as you drive around.

Like I said, I never had to take any kind of driving or written test to get my Mexican license.

However, I’ve had local friends who were given written exams. They were getting their driving licenses for the first time.

The tests are not open book. There is no book. There’s no manual.

If you know how to drive, it’s not because you took lessons. It’s because someone else, maybe with questionable skills shows YOU how to drive. The circle continues.

With the written tests, no one is monitoring the test takers. Apparently, you’re welcome to discuss questions with your neighbor test-taker.

Answer by committee. Everyone gets to agree on the right answer about when it’s OK to blow through a stop sign or not having to signal a left turn.

When, my wife, Jill went to get her motorcycle license so she could ride her scooter it was a good example. She panicked when she was given the written test in Spanish. Multiple choice.

To her great joy, about 5 other test-takers all gladly helped her. They not only interpreted the questions, but also gave her the correct answers!

She only missed 1 answer and later told me she didn’t understand half the questions. But, she did got her scooter license.

Two weeks later, she stopped riding the scooter because of all the “crazy drivers.” I’m glad she did!

Just saying…

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.”

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ON SECOND THOUGHT…

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, cerralvo island, charity, charters, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, 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, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, storms, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, 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 April 8, 2021| Leave a Comment »

ON SECOND THOUGHT…

Originally Published the Week of April 4, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

Back in the day…state of the art. (Shudder)

There was a time, many decades ago when I worked as a deckhand on sportfishing boats, when there would be an audible groan when someone walked on board with a spinning reel.

If you don’t know, there’s basically two kinds of reels. Everything else is a variation of those two reels.

There’s a “conventional reel” that looks kind of like a barrel-shape on top of the rod.

conventional reel

Then, there’s the “spinning reel” that goes under the rod and looks like…well…a spinning reel. It’s not easy to describe.

A lot of fishermen started out as kids with a spinning rod fishing in lakes and streams. Great reels, no doubt. Easy to learn. Easy to use.

My own first was a black Mitchell Garcia (remember those?) with 4-pound-test line that my dad had attached to a K-Mart fishing rod. (Remember when K-Mart ruled?).

But, as far as many of us saltwater fishermen were concerned, spinning reels should stay in lakes and stream.

In fact, many of us called them “coffee grinders” outwardly or at least under-our-breaths. This was due to the big handle you would “grind” when retrieving line or fighting a fish.

“Coffee grinder” was not a complimentary title. Anglers who brought them out on boats weren’t held in high esteem either.

Justly or unjustly, it marked that person as someone to avoid. You stayed away from them. You fished as far away from them as possible.

You’d just as soon fish next to a guy who picked his nose than a guy with a spinning reel. It was that bad.

There was a good chance that if that fisherman had a coffee-grinder reel, they weren’t very good fishermen. Additionally, the reels themselves had a hard time controlling fish.

The reels often weren’t very good. Poor engineering . Poor components.

Ultimately, they were just overblown and oversized freshwater reels. I’ve seen these reels seize up or break. I’ve seen big fish just blow these reels apart.

A novice fisherman with a reel and equipment that doesn’t do much to control a fish is a bad combination.

9ec1a38b7f73943ec0d57ef2e092888c copy

Chances are they’re gonna tangle you which wastes a lot of time and gear. It will always happen at the worst time. And they won’t know how to untangle things. It’s now YOUR problem.

Additionally, because of the gear and inexperience, they can’t control their fish during the fight . That means, not only are they tangling you, but they have a good chance of cutting your line…especially if your line is taught as you also fight a fish! Adios fish! Seee-yaaaa!!

DANGER! DANGER!!! STAY AWAY FROM ME!!! RUN AWAY!!! GO FISH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOAT!!!

This was years ago. And all things considered, I knew there had been many improvements. However, old prejudices die hard and old dogs don’t learn new tricks very well.

The only reason I mention it is because over the last few years, I’m seeing more and more of these spinning reels showing up on fishing boats in Baja. With the exception of trolling or the biggest of big fish, they seem to be working well.

The technology has improved.

They are lighter and stronger alloys.

They have better line capacity and are able to hold larger line classes.

They cast as smoothe as silk and even a novice can learn to handle one very easily and quickly. Certainly it’s a lot faster and initially more comfortable than a conventional reel set up.

They also have reversible handles so both left-and-right handed anglers are comfortable and “bait runner” innovations that allow baits to free-swim more naturally than the predecessor reels and more like conventional reels.

First and foremost, the drag systems are so much more improved. They can really put the brakes on some of the biggest and most powerful fish most anglers will encounter. That includes tuna, marlin, giant roosterfish and others.

Frankly, they look like something a starship trooper would would use in a Star Wars movie.

saltwater-spinning

I know a lot of these innovations have actually been around for a bit, but well…like I said…I’m old school. And more spinning reels are catching my eye.

And folks are doing well with them. Even veteran fishermen are finding a spot for them in their arsenal.

Kristina Ainsworth yellowtail tags 3-21

I’m not giving up my conventional gear, but I stopped making fun of anglers with coffee-grinders and looking sideways at them with a wink or raised eyebrow.

Always room to learn at least one new trick, although sometimes I’m a slow learner.

That’s my story…

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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LA NINA – The little girl is back for 2021?

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, 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, giant squid, holidays in mexico, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, 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, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on January 24, 2021| Leave a Comment »

LA NINA – The Little Girl Is Back for 2021?

Originally published the Week of Jan. 16, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

As many anglers who missed the 2020 season gear up to or are considering a return to fish Baja waters in 2021, there might be some insight in what to expect.

Will the tuna bite? Will it be a big year of big dorado? Where should I go for wahoo? Is this a good year to chase marlin or big snapper?

As one angler told me recently, “I don’t care what’s biting. I just need to get out. I need to be on the water!”

That probably reflects the sentiments of many anglers suffering months of “covid fatigue” who desperately need a change of scenery from four-walls and relative levels of isolation.

It’s certainly indicative of the number of Americans booking to Mexico these days where tourism is surging and airlines are trying to keep up with the demand.

Even though you might not really care what you catch, it’s still not a bad idea to have some inkling of what might be in store.

Personally, it DOES make a difference! I like knowing if I have to prepare yoke up for a battle with a gorilla tuna or will it be a light-tackle grinner with school-sized dorado.

There’s never any guarantees when it comes to fishing, but like they say, “knowledge is power.” And I like having as much of an edge as possible.

I think we might be in for a really nice year of fishing. I say that with a whisper so as not to jinx the whole thing. Lord knows we can all use some positivity these days.

However, if the scientists are to be believed, it looks like we’re in a “La Nina” cycle that will probably be with us through the spring. They seem to think that’s a harbinger of good things.

We had an El Nino season several years ago that was a disappointment for all intents and purposes. It stunk as it was marked either with the lack of fish or by smaller fish caused by excessive warm ocean currents.

During an El Nino, waters stay relatively warm. That initially sounds good. However, in effect, the colder deep waters don’t rise. That’s not so good.

In a nutshell, cold deep waters bring nutrients to the surface.

Nutrients feed the baitfish. Baitfish feed the big fish.

No cool deep waters ultimately means a slack season.

Arguably during last El Nino several years ago, there was a marked absence of the precious baitfish. Consequently, there was a direct effect on the quality and quantity of sportfish. Indeed, many of the sportfish that were caught were severely undersized from lack of a food source.

I remember here in La Paz. We had all the dorado we wanted all season. That is, if you liked catching 12-inch dorado all year! It was like fishing for trout.

With La Nina, the reverse is hypothetically true.

Cooler waters will prevail early this year. In the meantime, warmer currents will blow towards the western Pacific bringing a heavy rainy season to Asian side of the Pacific Ocean.

Regretfully, that will conversely mean that eastern Pacific will experience a dry season. Bad news for western U.S. states already beset by drought conditions and too many years of devastating fires.

But, for fishing, it could be an exciting year.

Baitstocks already seem to be up. Mexican sardinia, anchovetas, caballitos, mackerel and others are evident.

This early in the year, it’s difficult to tell if the current Baja catches are left-over from last season or a vanguard of what we can expect for the coming year. But there’s reason to be optimistic.

It’s winter and yet, marlin, dorado, tuna, and wahoo are showing up in the catches along with dorado.

Either the food source is keeping them here or the food source is bringing the sportfish in early. Personally, I think it’s the former. However for us anglers, the end result gives us something to hopefully look forward to.

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

SAFE AS IT’s GONNA GET?

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, first aid, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing fish, panga, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, sportfishing, storm, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Seaview, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on November 10, 2020| Leave a Comment »

SAFE AS IT’S GONNA GET?

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

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

_________________________

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He’s already booked for next year.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vamos a ver…we’ll just have to see.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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Jonathan has written for:

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

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SAFE AS IT’s GONNA GET?

SAFE AS IT’S GONNA GET?

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

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