Archive for the ‘techniques’ Category

ROUND ROUND GET AROUND

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

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

ROUND ROUND GET AROUND

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

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

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

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

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

Also, how many of you are there?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And that’s another big issue here.

The taxi companies and shuttle companies.

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

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

And those are the “licensed” companies!

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

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

A big point of contention is airport transportation.

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

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

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

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

That’s my story!

Jonathan

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 http://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.com

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

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

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

I REMEMBER WHEN…

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

I REMEMBER WHEN…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It was ONLY 3 years ago.

I remember…

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

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

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

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

I’m sure he meant well…but…

WHAM…it hit.

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

Oh sure.

Of course there were masks.

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

They shut down the whole ocean!

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

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

There was a 8 p.m. curfew.

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

Social distancing everywhere if you were even allowed to gather.

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

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

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

Plus you had your temperature taken as well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fumigation teams in hazmat suits roamed the streets.

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

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

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

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

I still wonder how they survived.

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

Back in the day…We just didn’t know.

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

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

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

BUT IT’S A DRY HEAT!

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

BUT IT’S A DRY HEAT

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

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

—-Yogi Berra

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

The height of the tourist season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then…NOTHING.

In an instant. The buzz and hum are gone.

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

Blackout.

Streetlights. Air conditioners. Everything!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s 90 degrees out tonite.

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

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

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

We throw our hands up and surrender to the darkness.

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

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

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

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

But wait!

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

C’mon, man!

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

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

It’s becoming more common this summer.

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

On-and-on…

The system just pops. Boom!

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

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

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

That’s our story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

POURING ACROSS THE BORDER

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

POURING ACROSS THE BORDER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

download

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

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

You may remember such gems:

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

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

“I live vicariously…through myself.”

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

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

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

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

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

But that’s a discussion for another article.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mexicans do their part too!

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

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

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

SAID NO KID NEVER EVER!

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

SAID NO KID NEVER EVER!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I said that with a big grin.

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

No kid has ever asked me…

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

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

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

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

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

owen rooster jorge 6-22

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Josie Bina dorado tags 7-23

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

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

WHAAAT? Now I have to go looking.

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

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

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

grant-checa-pargo-6-22

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

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

Asher Pierson 6 years tags rooster 7-23

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

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

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

Yes, please bring your kids!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

YOU NEVER KNOW!

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

YOU NEVER KNOW!

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

Beach and street vendors in Mexico…

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

Or you just want some quiet beach time.

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

You know how annoying it can be.

The first one or two. OK.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An admirable work ethic to-be-sure.

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

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

Was he OK?

In Spanish…

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

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

“Yes, and Marcelo is my other brother.”

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

“No, dad is in Puerta Vallarta.”

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

“Yes, and our beach house and warehouse.”

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

He laughed.

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

I was a bit incredulous.

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

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

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

Like it was no big deal.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who knew? A little capitalistic beach dynasty.

You just never know. Just shut my mouth!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

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

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

SNEAKY SNEAKY

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on June 10, 2023| Leave a Comment »

SNEAKY SNEAKY

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

Rental cars…

Sometime when travelling, they are just a necessity. An evil necessity at times, but admittedly, it’s nice to have the independence to move around when and where you want.

But, there’s a few downsides to that here in Mexico as well.

We deal with many of our fishing clients who rent cars while on vacation.

Especially for Americans…darnit…we like to have our car! It’s almost as important as cellphones and credit cards. They are just such a part of our collective psyche that there’s no question that you’re always going to rent a car on vacation.

It’s almost an American entitlement, if you will. No one has cars like Americans. Or is such a car culture.

But, renting and using cars down here can be tricky.

I think you really need to ask yourself how much are you really going to be using it?

Like many of our fishing clients here in La Paz, they’re fishing all day . They aren’t out sightseeing. At night, many of them find, it’s hard to navigate Mexican streets. It’s easier and cheaper to take a taxi or use Uber. Especially if they plan to hit the bars and nightspots.

On top of it, even if you use the rental car…where are you going to park it?

Here in La Paz, many of the streets were built when donkey carts and riding on horseback were the travel-method of the day.

They are basically converted cobblestone streets. Some are STILL cobblestone.

And they are just about wide enough for a donkey cart.

There’s no place to park. Even for a local like myself.

For work, I have to park two blocks away from our office/ restaurant on the waterfront.

But aside from that, there’s some wonky things we’ve noticed lately more and more.

Now, I’m not saying EVERYONE does this, but there’s some sneaky things some (not all) companies seem to be doing more and more. Just some things to keep in mind.

For one, there’s the bait-and-switch. You rent a car online.

When you get down here…OOPS! “I’m sorry senor. We don’t have that model today. But, we have this other one that is just a little more expensive. “

They got you. You have no choice. BAM!

Next, when you rent the car and do the “inspection,” Look at things very very carefully and critically. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to take photos with your cellphone.

There’s two things that can happen when you bring the car back.

One thing just begs to happen.

You drive up to return the car. You and the agent do your inspection.

Suddenly, ever little nick and scratch is now something YOU did and you are now responsible for.

Just the other day, one of our fishing clients rented a car and sure enough, when he brought it back they suddenly and incredibly discovered scratches on the body work.

He told them those were normal road splashes. They refused to believe him. He was going to get charged despite his arguments.

He went and got a wet rag and wiped the “scratches” clean showing them there was no damage.

Another client who rented a car said he absentmindedly didn’t read all the paperwork he received when he drove the car from the rental company.

We’ve all done that. We assume everything is hunky-dory.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the rental agency had “mismarked” the amount of fuel in the vehicle. They marked it ¾ full instead of ¾ empty.

When he returned it, they noted the fuel guage and were going to ding him for returning with an almost empty tank.

He told them he hadn’t even driven the car more than 10 miles during the whole week. They didn’t believe him.

“Look at the gas gauge, Senor! You left with ¾ full and came back with it almost empty!”

He finally convinced them of the “error” when he showed them the odometer had only gone less than 9 miles and logically, he could not have burned up almost that whole tank of gas.

There’s another sneaky little thing as well. I think it’s an outright scam.

You rent the car and everything is fine.

When you come back, they find “little things” like finding curb marks on the tires where the tire may have scraped against a curb. Or excessive bugs on the grill.

They tell you “no problem.” You don’t need to “worry about it because you purchased insurance.”

You see them mark it down on a claim sheet.

Hmmmm…that means they’re going to make a claim against the insurance company (that they had you purchase) that there was “tire damage” or “grill damage.”

They get money.

Really bad form. Sneaky sneaky.

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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GETTING YOUR MONEY’S WORTH

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on May 25, 2023| Leave a Comment »

GETTING YOUR MONEY’S WORTH

Originally Published the Week of May 22, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications

A few days ago, I had a couple of guys come to our Tailhunter Restaurant and Sportfishing offices here in La Paz. They were pretty troubled to say the least.

Actually, they were pissed off.

And they needed to vent.

Insofar as we run a fishing operation and have been down here forever, I was a handy target.

I knew who they were. They had contacted me several weeks earlier inquiring about a fishing package with hotel, fishing and other things.

Cool. No big deal. Appreciate the inquiry. I gave them a regular quote for the package.

They wrote back that they I was “too pricey” (their words) and they’d just make their own reservations and “wing it.”

So, what they did is go through a general 3^rd party online booking agency for their hotel for “great hotel discounts…blah blah blah.”

I’m sure you’ve heard commercials like that.

Then, when they arrived here in La Paz, they walked around the marina and found a guy selling fishing trips and set up several days of charters.

Well…the hotel was not as described online.

It was “not steps to the beach.” The pool was not filled like the pretty photos. It was half-empty because the filters “weren’t working.” The rooms had faulty air-conditioning.

But the hotel staff told them they could “upgrade” if they wanted. They were told that the online booking agency sold them “economy rooms.”

On top of that, they had given the guy at the docks several hundred down payment in cash.

They were supposed to get picked up at their hotel in the morning. No one showed up.

They called the phone he had given them. No answer.

They took a taxi to the marina. No boat. No guy to be found.

And, they let loose on me as if it was MY fault. If I had given them a better price, they would have booked with me!

On top of it, after they finished their story, they asked…

“Can you help us get a refund from the hotel and help them find the guy who sold them the charters so they could get their money back?”

When I asked the guy’s name, all they could tell me was his name was “Gonzalo” and he was short and had black hair. He had a mustache and spoke decent English. He had a New York Yankees baseball hat.

Oh, and he was a “Mexican guy.”

That described about half the population of Mexico.

They promised if I helped them get their money back, they would use that money to book with me in one of the hotels we work with . They would also do their fishing with our operation!

Please oh please help us! Wa-wa-wa!

I had to tell them, they were probably outta luck. They would have to pursue any refunds from the 3^rd party online booking company. The hotel surely wasn’t going to give them refunds.

And good luck finding someone named “Gonzalo” out on the docks.

They unfortunately, walked away mumbling something about “everyone in Mexico is a rip-off artist” and some other choice words about me as well.

I hated to see this happen to anyone because there are indeed some good independents out there, but when you cut corners, you sometimes really DO get what you pay for.

And in Mexico, there often isn’t much recourse. You’re on a vacation. You don’t have time or inclination to chase someone around. You’re in country for a limited time so you’re not going to stick around searching for someone to solve your problems.

You’re probably going to just have to eat it and make the best of it. Call it a learning lesson.

The hotel part of their vacation didn’t sound like a scam, but they surely didn’t get what they expected. The guy on the docks? Well, that was possible scam. Or not.

You just don’t know and vacation is a terrible time to find out.

Maybe signals were just crossed. Who knows?

Whether these guys were victimized or not, the biggest problem is there’s no recourse or accountability. There’s no one to go after.

I’m surely not the one to bitch at, fellas .

And therein lies the issue when you “wing it.”

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

http://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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MEXICO STILL A BARGAIN BUT…

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on May 10, 2023| Leave a Comment »

MEXICO IS STILL A BARGAIN BUT…

Originally Published the Week of May 10, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications

I remember as a kid and in many of my younger years accompanying family and friends across the border from California. It was no big thing.

It was as common as telling folks you were driving to the mountains for a day.

Yes, there were those Mexico trips for fishing. And surfing. And weekends to just hang out and eat lobster and tacos.

And there were those trips just, “to go shopping.”

My mom, aunts and cousins loved it. So, I’d go with them. It was always fascinating.

This wasn’t to buy Elvis painted on black velvet or a candle-holder skull like they sold at the border. The family loved to shop for things like belts, clothes, hats and normal things.

Things seemed “always cheaper” across the border and the American dollar went a long way. Plus, it was fun too!

I speculate that it has always been part of the American psyche that there were always bargains in Mexico. Whether it was shopping, activities, lodging, activities or whatever, it was an easy and economical trip to just head south.

Listen, hate to be a buzz kill.

Mexico is still a bargain and an easy vacation to make.

In fact among both American and international travelers it’s the #1 destination spot in the world. And growing.

They can’t build hotels fast enough to meet the demand.

It’s not England, France, Japan or even the U.S.

It’s Mexico.

But, here’s the rub. Bring extra pesos.

Prices have really shot up. Just like the rest of the world.

Being in the hospitality and travel business ourselves with our fishing operation here in La Paz, I have to admit that a lot of folks are getting rocked by sticker shock.

Everything from gas to lodging and from fishing to street tacos has gone up.

Just like other parts of the planet, inflation has Mexico by the follicles. Whereas, normal inflation hovers around 3%. The last 3 years it has rocketed into the low-to-mid 8% levels.

That’s the highest it’s been in more than 2 decades.

For many tourists, OK…8% is a lot. But, it’s not a game changer. At least it’s not deterring that many folks from still beating a path to visit Mexico.

Oh yea…and as an aside taxes have gone up as well. No surprise.

I just read an article that said the “average” hotel room in Cabo is now $400-500 per night! Of course there are many that are much less expensive and, obviously many that are many times more exorbitant.

It’s an eye-opener for sure!

It’s all relative.

Look at the prices of hotel rooms in any major U.S. City. How much is Disneyland? How much does it cost to take the family to a nice dinner these days? How much does a McDonald’s happy meal cost? How much does it cost to fill gas in the family car?

Gas here in La Paz is now over $4 dollars a gallon. Of course, if you live in California, that sounds like a deal that has gone the way of the rotary telephone and Sony Walkmans.

But, like I said, it’s all relative.

In Mexico, if you’re only earning $10-per-day and have a family to feed, the rise in prices is crippling.

Not only does gas cost more, but everything related to that petroleum is going to bend you over as well…in the wrong way!

Anything that has to be transported costs more to the provider or supplier so simple economics 101 passes the price increase to the consumer at ground zero.

So, groceries cost more. Utilities like water and electricity cost more. It’s all related and relative.

Mexico is still a bargain.

But, it depends who you’re talking to.

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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DO-IT-YOURSELF VACATION SCREW-UPS IN MEXICO

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

THIS ONE’S ON YOU!

DO-IT-YOURSELF VACATION SCREW-UPS!

Originally Published the Week of April 23, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications

Everyone looks forward to vacations. It gets us through all the other idiotic days of the year, right?

My wife and I have been in the fishing biz now for almost 30 years. I’ve been in the industry over 40. We’ve hosted thousands of visitors over years to come fishing with us in La Paz.

I was just thinking of some of the knuckle-headed things people do to themselves to jack their vacations.

Admittedly some stuff happens. S#*t happens to all of us no matter how careful we all are. Personally guilty of that one.

But, then there are the things we’ve seen smart people do to clown their own vacations that could have been avoided.

When someone approaches me with an issue in Mexico, of course, we try our best to help. Most people will try to help. It’s natural. We’re im the people business.

But, there are other times when I think to myself:

“Your negligence is NOT my emergency.”

Like not having your documents squared away. It doesn’t happen often, but a few times a year, I get a panic-call from someone at the airport or at home who has:

Forgotten their passport
Lost their passport (and only decided to look the night before their trip)
Arrives at the airport with an expired passport
Never had a passport and figured their driver’s license is fine
Lost or forgotten the passports of their kids or family member

Happens more often than you think.

Medications are another one. I send out a checklist to all our clients. I advise everyone to never send your meds with check-in luggage in case your luggage gets lost.

Many years ago, that happened to one guy. His luggage didn’t arrive for 3 days.

We thought he was looking kinda peaked each day. I mean, he was turning yellow! Turns out his colostomy bags were in his luggage!

C’mon man!

Another guy “forgot” his heart medications. He asked me to help him get a local prescription which we helped him get. It wasn’t easy.

Then, he found out the prescription was $600 dollars!!! And he wanted me to loan him the 600 bucks. I don’t’ have 600 dollars to loan. He had to go home early. Sorry it happened, but not my problem.

That reminds me of something else.

Everyone does their best to budget for their vacation. But did you really bring enough?

What about unforeseen things like:

Tips and resort fees
Taxis and shuttles
Unexpected cancelations of flights or other weather issues
Big bar and food bills
Extra activities
Too many “almost free” souvenirs

Many places in Mexico do NOT take credit cards. Many of us do NOT accept American Express either because of the fees.

No one will accept a personal check. Many places cannot accept cashier cheques either.

And here’s a real big one…many businesses do not and cannot accept big bills. That’s because the Mexican banks won’t accept them.

So, now you’re also stuck trying to break 100 dollar bills. Good luck.

Unless you have an account, the banks can’t help. Hotels aren’t banks either or have limited cash on hand. So, you’re out-of-luck and stressing.

So you buy a t-shirt you’ll never wear just to break that bill and now you have $80 in Mexican pesos.

And here’s the biggest one we see that can be a real vacation-buster. It’s completely avoidable.

That involves simply overdoing it.

Moderation in all things. That includes sunshine.

As much as it feels good to roast in that warm Mexican sun on the beach or pool, take some pre-cautions. On more than one occasion, we’ve seen folks so charbroiled it’s painful to us just to watch. Let alone the victim!

Painful and potentially dangerous.

The same can be said for hydration. That’s not drinking enough water as well as drinking too much alcohol.

These two are probably the most common. People hit the alcohol and forget the water…for their whole trip.

Especially that first day.

My gosh…folks pile off the plane and hit the beach or pool and it’s full-speed ahead! We hear the yahoo-ing and whooping.

At first, we smile. Glad they’re having a good time.

After awhile, we start getting worried.

For us, I gotta get these folks up early to go fishing or some other activity! I’ve had to escort people to their hotel rooms or we’ve sometimes carried folks!

So, often, they’re not able to answer the bell the next day.

Or in some cases, they are so intoxicated they get sick. And they stay sick for a good part of their vacations. They can’t answer the bell for several days!

Bad for them. Bad for us. Bad for everyone they are with.

Know your limits. Take it easy.

You might be ruining your vacation as well as the folks you’re travelling with. And with a little thought, it’s all very avoidable.

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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¡Bienvenidos Amigos!
Jonathan has written for:

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

His articles also appear in:

San Diego Union Newspaper
Los Angeles Times Newspaper
Sacramento Bee
San Francisco Chronicle
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