That&#039;s My Story

U.S. Office: Box 1149, Alpine CA 91903-1149

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

“FACING FORWARD LOOKING BACK”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, dorado, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, outfitters, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged baja, cerralvo, charters, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing trip, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, mexican, mexican life, mexico, outfitters, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, tourism, vacations, western outdoor news, western outdoors, working in mexico on April 29, 2013| Leave a Comment »

FACING FORWARD LOOKING BACK

Originally Published the Week of May 4, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

One of my esteemed predecessors writing this column for Western Outdoors was the famous Fred Hoctor. People described him in many ways. A curmudgeon. A crank. Crusty. Or worse!

Even he admitted to it. Always with a laugh.

But he was a helluva writer and one of those guys who just had the knack for spinning yarns and telling stories. He wrote columns and books including the iconic, “Baja Ha Ha” that can still be found in many bookshelves. Say what you want, but “Old Fred” was prolifically brilliant and witty and one of the original Baja rats.

I started writing outdoor pieces about 30 years ago myself. I don’t know where Fred got a hold of me or how, but he would call me up now and then. To me, it was like Papa Hemingway or John Steinbeck calling. I never really knew what to say or how to engage him in conversation.

Usually, though, it seemed as though he was calling to get something off his chest.

I’d pick up the phone and I’d hear, “Kid…this is Fred. (Never give his last name unless I asked it …so the first few times, it was just “Fred” as if no one else named Fred would have called me).

He’d say, “Kid, I read what you wrote in such-and-such a magazine.” He’d say this in a his gravelly voice that sounded like central casting for a guy who smoked too many cigarettes…sucked the dust off too many Baja backroads… and raspy from tipping the bottle…sometimes I would swear he was tipping while he was talking.

He’d usually cuss at me a bit and then launch into a story. The story had nothing to do with anything I’d written. He wouldn’t even comment on my writing. He’d laugh. Cuss s’more and just hang up. Never asked my opinion or try to converse. Never said good-bye or drop a salutation. Just hung up. Zzzzzz…dead air. Dial-tone.

Uh…thanks for the call, Fred. Nice to hear from you.

But, I always liked that he called me, “kid.” It was nice to know that I was being read by someone! It was like knowing that someone cool was watching me. Someone older and wiser…(Fred passed away in 2001 and I’m sure being called “wiser” makes him just spin and hoot from the other side).

Somehow, I’ve always thought of myself as “the kid.” I was always the younger guy around. In the industry, there were all these older guys that I looked up to and who took me under their wings. I felt like I was always sitting at the “kids” table at Thanksgiving and the grown ups were at the big table.

But a sobering thought hit me while pondering what to write for this week’s column. That was 20-30 years ago and I’m on the near side of 60 years old now. I’m not a kid and somewhere and sometime, I moved up to the big boy table. And somehow more and more spaces kept opening up there. Little-by-little, the grown ups passed on.

Mentally, I still feel like one of the young guys, but my salt-and-pepper beard and creaky joints tell a different story. All my friends are this old too. And there’s not too many ahead of me.

But, the sad thing is that there aren’t too many behind me either.

The kids table isn’t very filled anymore. My generation seems to be the YOUNG generation even tho’ we’re retiring and having kids in college and seeing grand kids. There isn’t much of a “younger generation” filling in the gaps behind us.

At all the hunting and fishing shows we attend with our booth, most of the operators and outfitters are about my age or older. Most of the charter boat operators are my age or older. At the seminars I do for fishing clubs…again…my age or older.

And the ones leaving the sport and leaving the industry simply fold up. Their kids do other things. It’s a hard life making ends meet relying on skill and the whims of Mother Nature. The kids of the guys who participate in the sports have other attractions…X games…video computers…social media. Heck, how many kids these days even go outside?

Even here in La Paz. The kids of my captains, even though many go onto other jobs and professions, don’t come back to the water let alone wanting to do what dad does.

And the same for our fishing clients. We’re all aging together. I saw one group of firefighters several weeks ago who have come fishing with us for over a decade.

At dinner one night, I said, “Years ago, you guys would tear up the hotel. You’d streak through the halls and do naked cannonballs into the pool. I’d find you on the beach in the mornings passed out and drag you onto the pangas. Now by 8 p.m. you’re all in your rooms watching CNN and asleep by 9 o’clock!”

We all laughed through our “reader glasses” we all bought from COSTCO. Very simply, we got older! The telling thing is that of the 20 or so guys, not a single one of them has kids that like to go fishing, nevermind coming to Baja.

Unfortunately, I think that bodes poorly on so many levels. Wow. I’m close to being the last of the generations to remember when the roads were all dirt…the tumbleweeds blew across a beach without high rise hotels…ice was non-existent…air-conditioning meant opening a window or opening a tent flap…gasoline was filtered through a t-shirt…the dinner menu was tortillas and whatever you caught…and you opened a beer with your fishing pliers.

After me…after us…the ranks are thin and thinning.

That’s our story…

Jonathan

________________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

“NEED NOT GREED”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Leisure, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, Tailhunter International, tourism, Travel, Western Outdoor News, yellowtail, tagged baja, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charters, fish, Fishing, fishing packages, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, mexican, mexican fishing, mexico, outfitters, Panga Fishing, pargo, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, travel, vacations, yellowtail on March 31, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Hard to believe it’s been almost 17 years now in Baja. It’s been grand, but where did the time go? Comes a time when you realize you’ve got more fishing days behind you than ahead of you and you count all the blessings!

NEED NOT GREED

Originally Published the Week of April 4, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

I’m reminded of a father and son who attended a fishing school I had been giving many years ago at the old Hotel Las Arenas near La Paz. We were fishing along the shallows on the east side of Cerralvo Island and my fishing school was all about fishing for rockfish like pargo (snapper) and cabrilla (seabass).

Papa Fred and young adult son, Todd, were with me on the panga that day. It was their first time fishing in Mexico and it had been a number of years since they had fished together.

It was early morning and we were slow trolling the shallow reefs that ring the eastern side of the island. Dad had taken several nice three or four-pound cabrilla and had flipped a few smaller ones back into the water.

Todd, the son, hadn’t caught any of the the larger ones, but had kept several of the smaller ones. He had just hooked another and deftly popped it off the hook and tossed it into the fish box.

“Why don’t you let some of those smaller ones go, son?” asked Fred.

“The smaller ones are good to eat, Dad,” replied Todd. “And besides, if we let them go, commercial guys or someone else is going to catch them anyway so we might as well keep them,” he said with a smile and a shrug.

The older gent squinted into the rising morning Baja sun and said, “There’s this story I once heard about a big nighttime storm on the gulf coast. In the morning, the beach was littered with starfish. As far as the eye could see. The storm had washed all these starfish up on the beach above the water line. With the sun climbing into the sky surely, they’d start to bake and die off. “

A morning jogger came upon a young teenager walking from starfish to starfish picking them up and tossing them as far into the ocean as he could. One at a time.

“What are you doing?” asked the jogger casually, as he pulled up to catch his breath.

“The storm washed all these guys up here onto the sand,” replied the youngster. “I’m saving starfish,” as he picked up another and pitched it seaward.

“You’re crazy,” laughed the jogger standing tall and surveying with squinted-eyes all the starfish dotting the sand. “There must be thousands. You can’t hope to make a difference!”

“It makes a difference to this one…” said the teenager as he smiled at the jogger and picked up another starfish and tossed it back into the waves.

Little bits make a difference.

I will readily admit that in my fishing career, I’ve taken more fish than most. That “career” has now spanned more than 50 years (ouch!) and started with my first bamboo rod and some shrimp for bait. I’ve had the “bloodlust” where excitement over-rides better judgement and nothing is as important as hooking fish.

In those early days, it was about chest-thumping and high-fives. It was about catching more fish than the other fella and big heavy stringers. Who hasn’t gone down that road a time or two…or more? For me, that “road” was often a four-lane express-way and I was at the helm of a mack truck.

But somewhere in the last few years, that changed. I don’t know when or where fishing became more important than catching. Maybe it was realizing that I’ve probably got more fishing time behind me than ahead of me these days.

At some point, a day with my wife, family or friends on the water and a bit of sunshine has become more crucial to my well-being and self-esteem than tight lines. Reveling in a simple day when four walls…cell phones…and the internet weren’t sucking my soul dry were the best 5-star vacation ever invented.

Need vs. Greed. My need to just take a breath and put my toes in the sand trumps my former greediness to be putting fish in the boat…everytime…all the time.

And, although I still love catching fish and can do it with the best, maybe keeping just one or two for dinner, is enough. Especially if it means breaking bread…er…tortillas to share with family and friends!

And more than it ever did…releasing fish to swim away is even more of a kick and makes a big difference in a small way…to that one fish. And yes…to at least this one fisherman as well.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

________________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website: http://www.tailhunter-international.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, P.O. Box 1149, Alpine CA 91903-1149

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

http://www.tailhunter-international.com/fishreport.htm

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

“THE BIG UGLY”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, flyfishing, giant squid, humboldt squid, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Leisure, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexico, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, Travel, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged bahia de los suenos, baja, bay of dreams, calamari, Cerralvo Island, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing charters, fishing outfitters, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing vacations, humboldt squid, inshore fishing, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, la ventana, las arenas, Light Tackle Fishing, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, Panga Fishing, salt water fishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, travel, western outdoor, western outdoor news on February 25, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Giant Humboldt squid surprise alot of anglers when they first encounter them and find them to be voracious feeders and tough fighters when hooked!

Squid can go upwards to…20, 30, 40 pounds or more…they don’t call them “giant” for nothing!

The beaks of the giant squid aren’t something to fool around with when still attached to their owners! They’re like big parrot beaks!

THE BIG UGLY

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 28, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

The Captain Victor tied on the heavy leaded lure and handed it back to the angler who looked at it curiously. He hefted it in his hand and like a weapon. And indeed, it looked like one.

“Pretty much looks like a medieval club or a torturing device,” he smiled. “a knight could do some damage with this sucker!”

He turned it around in his hand. The heavy leaded pipe was about a foot long and filled with cement. It was painted white. The line was tied to one end. At the other, it looked like a multi-pronged grappling hook with about a dozen 2-inch long up-turned sharpened spikes.

“Whatever bites this is gonna be interesting,” he said as he put his heavy 4/0 reel with 60 pound test into free-spool and dropped the lure over the side. Weighing about 2 pounds, it dropped quickly into the depths about 500 yards off the rugged Baja coastline.

“Mas linea..more line…more line,” said the captain with a mixture of hand gestures and broken Spang-lish. “Muy profundo aqui…very deep here, “ as he pointed down into the cobalt morning waters.

“Ok-dokie, amigo” said the angler with a shrug.

The heavy rod and reel continued to play out line.

The captain touched the rod as a sign to stop. The angler put the rod into gear and figured he was about 400 feet straight-up-and-down.

The Captain Victor motioned for the angler to reel slowly, but at the same time raising and lowering the rod in a sweeping motion stopping the retrieve and letting the heavy jig drop back and winding a few cranks more.

The angler took about half a dozen sweep-and-cranks and suddenly the heavy beefy rod went over double nearly pulling the angler to his feet!

“WHOA! WHAT THE…???”

Grunting he struggled to turn the handle of the straining reel. He looked up at the grinning captain now smiling smugly.

“Big squid! Calamar grande!” said Captain Victor with a big satisfied grin and arms folded across his chest.

Sometimes you really have to watch what you ask for. Often folks want to know if the squid are biting and this just happens to be about that time. They’re not always “on time” and the bite is cyclical, but at least for us in La Paz, we get a run of squid in the spring and summer.

Like other sea creatures, it’s not like they send out a memo or anything.

But, when they show up, they generate alot of excitement. Not only are they fun to catch and extremely feisty when hooked, but they are just plain fascinating. They’re the stuff of story, legend and sea-monster!

When folks come down, they normally, aren’t quite ready for what awaits. The “Humboldt” squid we normally get can be as small as 5 pounders, but 40-100 pound beasts are not uncommon.

When the squid “float” (come near the surface from the cold depths) to where they can be caught, often many boats and pangas will pack the area. If the big squid are there, it’s not long before heavy rods and double-bent anglers are pulling mightly as if small refrigerators are hanging on the ends…which isn’t too far from the truth!

The vessles are often quite close and once the bite starts, it can get pretty crazy as the wiggling-squirting cephalapods get close to the boats. A good tip is to let the struggling animals finish their squirting BEFORE bringing them aboard! Between the vessels, big firehose-sized geysers of water and ink are often seen raining down and spraying anyone within range. Yells and laughs as well as choice bits of profanity often permeate the scene.

In fact, it’s often a good idea to dispatch the big uglies before bringing them aboard at all. Squid are voracious and aggressive. Just because they’re hooked doesn’t mean their beat.

A third of their body length is a mass of tentacles. An, unlike an octopus, the “suckers” on a squid’s tentacles aren’t little suction cups. They are concentric circles of teeth surrounding a little beak that can easily break skin when wrapped around the nearest leg, arm or finger.

Certainly, you don’t want to get an appendage near to it’s parrot-like beak which is capable of really doing damage and can take off a finger. Or they can quickly gouge out a chunk of an angler.

Make no mistake, while small squid in a bait tank can be fun to play with, the Humboldts are dangerous critters. They are opportunistic feeders and the large ones have been known to attack sharks, tuna and even the occasional diver…not to mention each other.

In fact, the heavy jig used to catch them is painted white to resemble a smaller squid enticing a larger squid to attack it. Indeed, the squid are cannibalistic and many times, as you’re bringing a squid to the boat, it will often feel like it’s no longer struggling and has turned to dead weight.

If the water is clear enough, you can often see other squid attacking and hacking the one squid impaled on the jig. There’s no fraternity below the surface. Eat and get eaten!

It took some grunting and no shortage of sweat and elbow grease to get the big 50-pound squid to the panga. As per the captains instructions, the angler let the big animal empty it’s jets of water and black ink before bringing it into the panga.

Wiping his brow, with the back of his fist, the angler laid down the rod in exhaustion.

“Muy bueno por carnada…good for bait,” smiled Captain Victor as he hacked off one tentacle and wrapped it around a larger bait hook ready to go look for some real fish.

“Like heck!” laughed the angler, cutting off a huge chunk himself and bagging it for the ice chest. “It’s going into some beer batter for fried squid dinner tonite!”

“But first, let’s catch a few more!” he added tossing the heavy jig back overboard.

That’s our story!

Jonathan

_______________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

BAJA PRIMER – “IRON” the NEXT STEP!

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, flyfishing, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, Tailhunter International, Travel, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, yellowtail, tagged bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, baja, bay of dreams, casting, Cerralvo Island, el sargento, fish, Fishing, fishing charters, fishing instruction, fishing lessons, fishing outfitters, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing trips, fishing vacations, fishing videos, iron, Jonathan Roldan, la ventana, las arenas, lures, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, Panga Fishing, salt water, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, throwing iron, tuna, yellowtail on February 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

An effective line up of “iron”

“Fresh one!” A yellowtail hanging on the iron! These guys will slam a fast-retrieved iron hard enough to hank the rod from your hands! A chrome-pattern did the trick on this big yellow.

BAJA PRIMER – “IRON” THE NEXT STEP

Orginally Published in Western Outdoor Publications

You’re ready to try something different. You’ve got a bit of strut in your step. You’ve been on your share of fishing trips. Into Mexican waters from San Diego. Some trips from Cabo and the East Cape. Maybe some mother-ship trips from San Felipe.

You’ve put some fish in the bag and a few fillets in the ice chest. You’re no rookie and think you can pretty much hold your own and know how to tie a knot and which side of the reel is up.

So, now what?

You’re been watching some of the other “hot sticks.” You realize you’ve caught all your Mexico fish with bait or trolling. Although it’s exciting and you fill your sack, you’re ready to step-up your fishing repertoire.

Yawn…

It dawns on you that everyone and anyone can catch fish with bait. And it’s a no-brainer to drag lures around the ocean waiting for a bite. In the fish-rich waters of Mexico, if the fish are hungry, they’ll eat a bait. If you drive the boat over the right patch of water, you get bit too.

What’s the challenge in that?

But, you notice the bit of swagger and yes, maybe even cockiness in the guys they call the “ironmen.” They’re the guys who can put a fish in the boat when nothing else is biting or no one else is getting bit. They get the bigger fish. They win jackpots. Plus it looks like fun and you want a piece of that!

It does’t take much to get started. Your local tackle shop can get you started. Do not be afraid to ask for help and don’t be afraid to admit you’ve never fished “the iron” before.

The best thing is that many of the most popular Mexican game fish like tuna and yellowtail are not only some of the most fun to catch on the iron, but also will readily bite iron lures.

“Iron” refers the class of lures that generally look like pieces of heavy sculpted elongated metal…a bit like a metal candy bar. Hence the moniker “iron.” They come in a dizzying array of shapes, sizes and colors, but just for learning sake, you can get by with just a handful that will cover most situations:

They involve combinations of chrome/ white/ blue/ green/ yellow/ brown. Have your tackle dealer point them out.

Manufacturers of many of the most popular include: Tady / UFO / Fire / Salas/ Raider / Hopkins / Williamson/ and Candy Bar…just to name a few.

Unless you know how to cast already, start with the heavier jigs. Something that will sink and cast easily like 3-6 oz lures are typical for starters.

If you don’t know how to cast yet, don’t let that stop you. You can “fish the iron” even if you don’t know how to cast. If you can do a simple underhand cast or sidearm cast or even just drop the jig overboard, you’ll do just fine.

The real secret in fishing the iron isn’t necessarily in how far you can cast. The real secret is in getting the jig to “swim” imparting it with a life-like action that will entice a fish to bite. And that’s where the fun comes in.

If you’ll notice, all lures have “edges.” These are the cuts and angles molded into the lures. They might give it the appearance of an elongated diamond. Or a twisted piece of metel or give it little indents or the appearance of “shoulders.” But these little bits and cuts make the lure “swim” as it’s retrieved through the water.

Some dart and dive. Others shimmy. Or spin. Or wiggle. All have their own characteristics which change depending on how you retrieve or use the lure. Some are even cut to flutter like a dead bait when simply sinking in the water.

There are different techniques to do all of this. One of the most common and the easiest for a beginner is to fish “on the slide.” While the trolling rods are out, I like to have a nice heavy chrome lure ready and tied to a shorter rod and and least 40-50 pound test. When the trolling reel goes off, the boat usually coasts or “slides” to a stop while someone battles the hooked fish.

Fishing the “slide” simply entails taking the reel out’ve gear and letting that heavy jig flutter down behind the boat. If there’s a school of fish, especially tuna following behind the hooked fish watch out!

This is one of the deadliest means of hooking that next fish as they swarm to the boat. A ferocious strike often occurs as the jig falls or when the reel is suddenly put in to gear! Hold on!

The second easiest way to learn to fish the iron is called “yo-yo” fishing. Again, this is as simple as dropping the jig overboard from a stopped boat. If you can do a side cast or a long under-handed cast all the better.

Let the lure fall. Once more, don’t be surprised if the lure is hit on the drop as it flutters down through the zones.

After a reasonable time, start winding. Now, this take a bit of watching. With some lures, if you wind too fast, the lure “propellers” and just spins. Not good. Too slow and the lure doesn’t move at all. It just hangs there as it comes back to the boat. Not good either.

So, watch and get a good “swim” on your lure. Some fish like yellowtail really go after a lure that’s moving fast. The faster the better. Others like tuna aren’t so picky. Remember, the point is to make the lure imitate a live bait that will interest the fish in biting.

Once you have that, try different motions. The “sweep” involves winding and lifting with the rod at the same time in a “sweep” motion. Then stopping and letting the lure flutter down again. Then winding again.

“Ripping” involves a fast vertical retrieve, then stopping. Throw the reel into free-spool and letting the lure fall back down. Then back into gear and winding quickly again.

If you can get a short cast out, try the “Z-pattern.” Winding back towards the boat. Stopping and letting the lure fall…then winding again….then letting the lure fall…then winding again in a “Z pattern” back to the boat.

Practice and watch. You’ll get better in now time and add something new to your fish-catching arsenal.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

“BAJA FAQ 2013”

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

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

“BAJA FAQ 2013”

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

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

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

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

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

Q: Where is Baja, Mexico?

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

Q: Is it safe?

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

Q: Is it OK to drive?

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

Q: Can we buy property?

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

Q: Is it always good fishing?

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

Q: Can we bring our fish home?

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

Q: Is the water safe to drink?

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

Q: Can we use American money?

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

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

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

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

Q: What happens if we don’t speak Spanish

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

Q: Do we need a passport?

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

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

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

Q: How is it to retire there?

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

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

DEAFENING SILENCE

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

DEAFENING SILENCE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We climbed into our cargo van and drove off.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I don’t think we’re wanted here.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Silence can be deafening and I had trouble sleeping.

________________________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

“PLAYING ROUGH!”

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

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

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

PLAYING ROUGH!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, be prepared to troll.

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

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

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

Which brings up another point.

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

Finally…

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

That’s our story!

Jonathan

________________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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

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

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

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

“BECAUSE WE CAN!”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, baja, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, dorado, fish, Fishing, fishing charters, fishing outfitters, fishing reports, fishing reports fishing holidays, fishing videos, flyfishing, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, la ventana, light tackle, live bait fishing, marlin, mexican, mexico, panga, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, sailfish, sea of corrtez, sierra, Tailhunter International, tuna, yellowtail on December 17, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Winter is a great time in Baja and a great time to bring the family! As the our amigos, the Schearer family, from Montana found out with us, Baja is alot warmer than Montana and you don’t have to go out very far to get fish like this!

BECAUSE WE CAN!

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Dec. 20, 2012

I’m often asked why we would fish in the winter time?

I guess the quick and wise-guy answer and knee-jerk response is “Because we can!”

But there’s more to it than that.

During the winter time, the complexion of our Baja vistors changes. During the regular season, the majority of our folks are generally fishers. Or at least have a general focus of getting on or under the water during our warmer months.

During the colder times of the year, I think we see more “escapees.” These are folks just trying to get away from the chill, ice and wet of home. “Just lookin’ for some sunshine…any sunshine!” is what I often hear.

While us locals are bundled up in long pants, shoes, and down vests against the “chilly” 60-70 degree weather, folks from Vancouver, Canada…Bozeman, Montana…Portland, Oregon. …happily stroll through town in tank-tops and cargo shorts. God bless ‘em, they are in sunshine Nirvana!

But, they are often discouraged from fishing when they find out that so many places are rough, windy, or certain “glamour” species like marlin and tuna just aren’t biting in the winter. Or, if they are biting, heading off-shore to catch them can be a long rolling bumpy wet adventure more akin to the very conditions they left back home!

It’s much simplier to park it on a bar stool with a cold umbrella drink and gaze out over the sand and water or take the glass bottom boat ride in the harbor. Yawn. Right up there with going to listen to a time-share presentation so you can get the free lunch and discount shopping coupons.

But, they shouldn’t let winter discourage time on the water.

One of the great things about fishing in Baja and Mexico is that there is always SOMETHING to catch!

Frankly, the further south you go, the warmer it will be and the better the chances of catching a glamour fish, but even then, remember that it’s still winter and most of Mexico and Baja’s Pacific coast faces the open ocean (which is why winter surfing in Hawaii is so great!). There’s big waves and there’s big winds.

It’s no fun being wet and cold and bounced around.

So…

Consider fishing inshore. So few folks ask for it and so few of the outfitters or charter operators offer it, especially for someone who just walks in or walks up to sign on for a day of fishing. Which is what so many winter visitors do. They go fishing on a whim.

“Honey, instead of visiting the Mayan pottery store, let’s go ‘deep sea’ fishin’ tomorrow!”

But, chances are you’ll light up a big smile if you ask for inshore fishing. For the captain our agent or outfitter, it’s a lot more economical since they won’t be burning up a lot of gas.

Secondly, there’s a lot more inshore fish than offshore blue-water fish . Therefore, the chances or success are much greater for them to have smiling anglers at the end of the day. Finally, believe me. They don’t want to get beat up out there on the big water any more than you!

From the anglers perspective, waters will probably be calmer. You’ll have more action with rods in your hands rather than long days of trolling offshore. Pragmatically, you don’t need a big expensive sportfishing cruiser either. You can downgrade of fish from pangas since most of the action will be closer to the shores, beaches and reefs. So, it’s less expensive!

In fact, often you’ll just be yards from the shore. You will often see the bottom and, very often you’ll actually see the fish as they bite.

And there’s so much variety and action to be had. Exotic roosterfish…giant pargo…tough jack crevalle…sierra…cabrilla…pompano…are just some of the species available inshore.

And don’t think these fish are any less tough or formidable just because they inhabit the inner waters. Pargo can be 30-50 pounds with sharp teeth and gillplates as they attack from the rocks. Roosterfish can swarm in schools or be the big trophy sluggers between 30 and 100 pounds that have made them famous in Baja and the world. Catch 20 five-pound sierra or a half-dozen 30 pound jack crevalle and I can guarantee your arms will still be sore!

Another bonus is that this is very pro-active fishing. Since you’re not simply dragging lures offshore waiting for hits, you’ll have a rod in your hand most of the time. This is a great plus if you’re fishing with first-timers, family members or the kids! Everyone participates. Everyone has fun.

And, at the end or the day, inshore fish is among the best eating! So, don’t let winter deter some great fishing fun!

That’s our story!

Jonathan and Jill

__________________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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

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

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

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