Archive for the ‘trolling tips’ Category

I’m Voting You Off the Island!

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, highway, historical, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Sun stroke, sustainable, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, 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, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on March 24, 2019| Leave a Comment »

20190209_133520

I’m Voting You Off the Island!

Originally Published the Week of March 23, 2019 in Western Outdoors Publications

Is it just me?

We have now been on the road cross-crossing the country since just after Christmas. All these fantastic fishing/hunting/ sportsmans shows from Denver to Seattle and Long Beach to Salt Lake City and many more.

Jill and I haul our booth and a zillion pounds of brochures and flyers in our vehicle and promote our Tailhunter Sportfishing operation in La Paz but also just visiting Baja and Mexico.

It’s been a wonderful run.

For almost 25 years we hit the road for almost 4 months. Add in another 15 other years for other fishing businesses and that’s about 40 years of shaking hands; smiles and good will.

It’s been a privilege and an honor to see so much of our great country and visit so many wonderful folks. Even moreso to host them, their friends and family with us in Baja.

Most of our clients become our friends. And we’re now into 2 or 3 generations. It has been one of my life’s great joys.

So, what’s changed? And indeed is it just me? Or are all of us just a little more on edge? More flinty. More intolerant. Less sensitive or overly sensitive at the same time. Sometimes over the same thing and at the same time.

It started a few years ago during our shows.

People directly confronting us or out of the side of their mouths saying things like:

“Why’d they let people like YOU into this show?”

“All dirty Mexicans like you should be killed.”

“We can’t believe you’re up at this show trying to make people go to THAT country!”

I’m not proud to say that a few times I rose to the bait and we had some confrontations at the booth. I hate when someone gets in my face and jabs a finger in my chest, especially when I’m trying to get everyone to stand down.

Some don’t dare say it to me, but I hear them say it to my wife. And, that I won’t take. Say it to my face if you have something to say.

And, no, it wasn’t isolated in just certain places. It happened in almost every state and city we visited. But only now and then.

I just chalked it up to ignorance. Or too much alcohol walking around through the show. Can’t fix stupid.

And believe me, it’s just one tiny-eenie-weenie part of the thousands of folks we chat with every year.

No, we’re not Mexican. We’re very American and very proud of it.

But, I’m also proud of the work we do and all the happy times we’ve provided. I’m proud to also represent Mexico and it’s people and hopefully open a few eyes to new experiences and a wonderful culture.

By the same token, I feel we represent Americans as well. We strive to be good ambassadors in Mexico because well…we’re Americans and we will be judged by our actions.

So, what’s happening?

At the shows, the complexion of people seems to have changed. So many folks still come to our booth to ask about fishing and vacations and laugh over fishing stories.

But, increasingly people come up to the booth not to ask about vacations or if the hotel rooms have air-conditioning or how big are the fish in August.

They have opinions to share. And we’re sitting ducks in our booth.

More belligerent. More confrontational. More argumentative. More contradictory. More profane.

You say that something like “Sir…In the past 10 years, the best time to catch tuna is the summer months!”

Here’s a response…

“Well, you’re full of crap. I have a friend-who-has-a-friend and he fished twice there in Baja and he caught tuna in winter!”

And it’s said with emphasis on the C-word and inches from my face. A challenge.

“OK, Sir. I don’t doubt your friend’s friend has caught tuna, but I’ve been in Mexico almost 30 years and…”

Before I can even finish…

“So, you’re calling me a liar? I guess just like all Mexicans, you just wanna take people’s money and talk sh-t!”

Or this conversation:

“We never listen or care about limits. Whenever we go to Mexico, screw the limits. We kill whatever we want to kill and as much as we want.”

“Amigo..uh..That’s illegal!”

“So what? Every Mexican captain or Mexican can be bought off if you give him enough money. (Ha!Ha!) That’s why we go to Mexico because rules don’t apply! We can do whatever we want. Who cares what Mexico or Mexicans think?”

“Well, that’s not how it works for me. Or my employees or my captains. It’s not only illegal and unethical, but I don’t know any LEGITIMATE operator where we live that would tolerate that or would risk their business or reputation doing that!”

“Then you’re all idiots! (Guffaw guffaw!) “

And he makes a point to point that stupid finger at my face. Cute.

He tries logic.

“Like when we catch marlin. Last time we went, I caught and boated a marlin. There’s 3 other guys on the boat. It’s not fair to them that they don’t get to kill a marlin too, is it?

“The limit is one per day, Pal..”

“Well, it’s a stupid rule and you’re stupid for not letting your clients catch what they want because if you don’t, there’s plenty of other Mexicans willing to play ball!”

My hackles are up…count…1, 2, 3, 4, 5…take a breath.

Look…I have a business to run and payroll to make and I surely love earning a buck. But, for the first time in decades, I’m reserving the right to fire clients. Sometimes even before they are clients…

I do the same to folks who stand at my booth and rail on all the things wrong with the U.S. and Americans and how it’s all gone to hell-in-a-hand-basket. And on and on.

There’s a time and place. The counter of my booth isn’t it. It’s a fishing booth not your soapbox to tell me all the things you hate about our country or people.

“You just need to move on. I really don’t want you down to visit us. I do not want you or your money or your business. You’re not worth the energy. “

And their eyes pop open! And they go…

”Whaaaa…? You don’t want me?”

As if they’ve paid their entry ticket to the event and it entitles them to spew vitriol at me and I’d better well stand and listen to it. And how dare I refuse to listen and not want their business or listen to their opinions.

Well, yes I can. You have a right to your opinon, but I have a right not to have to listen either.

Yessir. You, sir, are voted off the island! Seeeee ya!

And these are no longer isolated incidents. That’s the sad part.

A day doesn’t seem to go by at the shows these days when at least once or more when someone has something to get off their chest on us. It’s either because we’re handy targets or directly fired at us because of what we do.

People are angrier.

They’re more emboldened to say their mind with no filters. Maybe it’s social media. Maybe it’s just the times we live in. Maybe it’s just me lacking patience for haters.

In that respect, I’m angrier too. And it takes a lot to get me angry.

Just be on notice.

If you’re gonna spew hate and nonsense about me, my work, my wife, employees or both my countries of Mexico AND America, I have no hesitation to telling you that I don’t need you. You’re already wrecking my day standing in front of me yapping your pie-hole.

Twenty years ago…heck even 5 years ago, I’d have sucked it up and smiled and accepted their money and booked them to come down and fish. I’m learning to say “no” in my old age. I can be a butt-head too.

I’m not going to let that ugliness ruin it for so many other incredible folks who just want to have a good time with friends and family.

Nor will I let you come down and show our Mexican friends another side of ugly Americans and let you taint all of us. No, sir. Not everyone is like you.

Just my two cents.

That’s my story…

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

AND NOW WHAT?

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, fish, fish farming, 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, giant squid, holidays in mexico, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, spearfishing, sportfishing, suitcases, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, 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, 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 February 25, 2019| Leave a Comment »

AND NOW WHAT?

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 26, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

It’s an encounter I’ve run into so many times after so many decades in the fishing business.

The angler has caught fish…or the fish of a lifetime…or much more fish than they had anticipated.

After all the high-fives…the proud photos…the clinking of beer bottles on the beach or docks, I ask:

“So what would you like to do with the fish?”

A somewhat blank look gets returned to me. I can see the wheels processing.

“Uh, hmmmm…keep it I guess! I hadn’t thought that far!”

It happens more often than you know. To veteran Baja folk who fish often, that might sound strange.

To many first-time anglers, they were even surprised they were allowed to keep their fish insofar as many fishing destinations don’t allow keeping your catch.

Usually, the captain will at least clean and cut the fish. That’s not the issue. But, then what?

First and foremost, I suggest taking some to eat. There is nothing better than fish that was swimming around that morning. As I often tell folks as I point to their catch, “His bad day is YOUR good dinner!”

I don’t know of too many restaurants that won’t be happy to cook up your catch in a variety of ways. You’re in for a treat. Our own Tailhunter Restaurant in La Paz has a whole separate menu of all the ways we can prepre your catch.

To that end, hopefully, you brought some ziplock style bags or someone has some. We always carry some handy or to hand out,

If you don’t plan to use it all, don’t hesitate to give some to your captain. It’s a welcome and appreciated gift. Not in lieu of a tip, by any means, but nothing you donate will be wasted.

If the captain and his family don’t use it, neighbors and friends will surely consume it. Many folks in Mexico don’t get regular protein like fresh fish in their diet.

One caveat. Captains and crew are prohibited from selling sport-caught fish so hopefully they’re not selling your catch. If you get any inking that’s the case, don’t give them your fish!

If not to the captain, your charter operators often have charities that gladly accept donated fish. We often send our extra to a senior home and women’s shelter.

However, assuming you are planning to take fish home, what now?

Hopefully, the hotel you picked has freezing facilities for fish. It’s the reason we personally recommend some hotels, but not others. It’s important. Some will just stick it in with their kitchen freezers and do not have a dedicated area or freezer for your fish.

You might want to check on that.

Assuming they don’t have facilities, check with whomever booked your charter to see what they recommend.

For actually bringing it home, there’s several alternatives. If you have an ice chest, that’s the best way. Styrofoam won’t work. They will get crushed in the jumble of bags or by baggage handlers so airlines won’t accept them.

Ice is not allowed in the ice chest because it will melt. It will leak. And no one likes goopy fish water dripping onto and into their luggage.

That’s why your fish MUST be frozen. There’s no dry ice in Mexico that I have ever found so don’t count on that.

If it’s frozen, your fish will be fine if you don’t keep opening and closing it. In most cases most anglers are really only a few hours from home.

Most airlines have a 50-pound limit on the size of luggage and that’s how your fish will be headed home with you. You cannot mail your fish home.

So, basically, as many pieces of “luggage” as you want to pay for is how much fish you bring home. Hopefully, you’re just bringing home what you can actually use and within daily limits.

Hard-sided ice chests have traditionally been the norm. I’ve found that a 30-40 quart ice chest weighs just about 50 pounds when filled with fish. But, more and more folks are bringing soft -sided coolers.

These are not the ones you bring ice-cream home from the market. These are actual cooler bags meant to keep things frozen for an extended time. They’re a little more expensive than the hard-sided plastic coolers, but they have some advantages.

First, a hard-sided cooler weighs about 8-12 pounds completely empty. If it has wheels, add another 2-4 pounds. If it’s one of those “ultra-cold” coolers with thick walls, it’s even heavier!

So, you’ll only get about 30-35 pound of fillets in the ice chest!

A soft-sided cold bag weighs about 3 or 4 pounds. Often you can just the empty one in your luggage when you fly down. Headed home, you can put 40-45 pounds of frozen fish in it.

Alternatively, there are some extremely good foldable boxes that are specifically made for flying from warm areas like the Baja. These are NOT the kind you use in Alaska. These are made to keep out the Baja heat and meant to keep your fish solid until you’re home.

One other item to keep in mind.

If you’re packing your fish in your own plastic bags or if you’re having someone else pack your fish or having it professionally vacuum sealed, don’t pack too much. Pack what you can eat.

You have great quality fish so don’t stick 5-pounds of fish in a bag if it’s only you and your wife eating. When it comes time to defrost, you’ll have a bowling-ball sized piece of ice to thaw out and you’ll be wasting some great fish!

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.Tailhunter.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 »

When Fishing Is Not So A-Peeling!

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, charters, deep sea, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, 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, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, 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, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on January 28, 2019| Leave a Comment »

bananas1

When Fishing Is Not So A-Peeling!

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 1, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

“Life is full of banana skins. You slip, you carry on.”
—Daphne Guinness

It’s been about 15 years since I last wrote about a subject that seems to keep popping up. And lately, I’ve had several folks ask about it.

Most folks say they’re not superstitious.

But, they’ll still wear their raggedy “good luck” basketball socks. They refuse to throw away their best bowling shirt.

Do you still have a pair of “tidy-whitey” underwear in your drawer that’s you won’t throw away even if it has no more elastic and your wife nags you about it?

Do you refuse to open your eyes when your team’s kicker lines up for the game-winning field goal because it’s “bad luck?” Still have your bloody-splattered fishing t-shirt from when you were in college when you were 100 pounds lighter?

So, what’s the deal about bad luck bananas and fishing?

To some, it’s just something to goof with and talk smack about.

I’ve seen guys “plant” bananas in their buddy’s tackle box or fishing boots. I’ve seen guys tie a banana on hotel-room doors or toss a banana onto a buddy’s boat.

To other’s it’s deadly serious. It’s grounds for fighting words and coming to blows.

I’ve seen boats catch fire. Bananas were later found in the galley.

I’ve been on boats where everyone is catching fish except the boat with bananas but start catching fish when bananas were tossed overboard.

I was working as a deckhand where a guy broke his leg in a freak accident . Bananas were in an ice chest on deck. Another time a guy had to be air-lifted after having a heart attack on a boat that had bananas.

If bananas were found in the galley of any boat that I worked on or had chartered they were quickly discarded or discreetly “disappeared” at night when the boat was underway.

Rumor has it that Fruit of the Loom underwear used to have a banana on their label, but the banana was eliminated.

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So, what’s the source of the superstitious myth?

There’s a number of theories.

Bananas Stink

Back in the days of sailing ships, fresh fruit and vegetables were pretty important. Having bananas aboard, the bananas ripen pretty quickly and emit a gas and odor that can quickly ruin the food stores of a crew. Lacking fresh produce on those long voyages could lead to malnourishment at best. At worst, death.

No Slowing Down

The fact that bananas ripen quite quickly could also give credence to the lack of fish caught on board. Speed was essential to cargo ships carrying bananas.

Normal ships could travel at regular speeds. Often crews would fish to supplement their diets and the diets of passengers.

Banana boats did not have that luxury. They had to scoot. No slowing down to troll. It was essential to get from point A to point B.

Word got out that you didn’t want to crew or travel on a ship carrying bananas because those ships “never caught fish!” Seems logical.

Hidden Critters
Bunches of bananas could often hide snakes, spiders and other creepy-crawlers that could get loose aboard a ship. Many areas in Africa also were home to a voracious wood-eating termite that could get loose when bananas were brought about those old wooden sailing ships.

A Dark Chapter

If you remember your history, banana boats were often used as slave ships. If you suddenly woke up manacled, crowded and in a dark place smelling of bananas, life was about to take a turn for the worse.

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Davey’s Locker

Similarly, bananas float. When a ship would sink, among other things, floating bananas would often be indicative of the final resting place of a vessel.

Here’s another one…

Good to Be King

From my part of the world where my family originated, in Hawaii, only royalty were permitted to have bananas. A commoner found in possession of bananas could be grounds for execution…the ultimate bad luck!

So, what do you think?

I’m not superstitious, but you’d still better not bring bananas on any boat that I’m on! Why tempt luck?

That’s my story~!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

GOOD ENUFF

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, deep sea, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, hurricane, 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, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, 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, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on January 13, 2019| Leave a Comment »

GOOD ENUFF

Originally Published the Week of Jan. 16, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

In addition to our fishing fleet, we have a little bar and restaurant in La Paz where lots of our fishermen trade stories; watch sports; and have a few cold ones. Most will tell you it’s a fun little place.

We also have live music a few nights a week. Our guys are pretty good. But anyone is welcome to join in.

If you think you can strum a guitar; carry a tune or bang two tin cups together, step on up. Put your beer down or bring it with you.

I guarantee, alone or with the band no matter. We love it. The band loves it. The crowd loves it. You’ll love it.

Enthusiasm counts for a lot more than talent, skill or ability.

I’ve played guitar for years. I’ve played in bands. I’ve been in front of crowds. But, by my own standards, I’m a hack. I get by if I have to.

But, I was hesitant to play with our guys at first. I don’t know why, but I didn’t think I was good enough.

It was the leader of our house band who finally said, “Are you good enough to have fun? If the answer is ‘yes’ then come on up to the stage.”

And that kinda did it. I’m not as good as these guys, but I’m good enough to play WITH these guys and I have a world of fun. And they have fun with me on stage and the crowd seems to enjoy it too.

For some reason, I got two e-mails this week from two different dads. In both cases, they wanted to come fish with us in La Paz.

One wanted to bring his young son.

Another was going to bring a son and an older daughter, but not his youngest daughter.

I also got a phone call from guy who had never fished in salt water, but was hesitant.

In all three situations, “not good enough” was mentioned.

I had to think about that for a moment before responding to each situation.

I rarely hear that someone “isn’t good enough.” Not about fishing. How good do you have to be?

No matter how much someone tries to make of it, I’ll tell ya a secret. In almost 5 decades of fishing, it’s NOT rocket science. Fishing is not curing cancer. Fishing is not winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

We often forget that.

And for some reason, I remembered about my guitar playing. I only have to be good enough to have fun. That’s all. Have a good time.

I asked each father if their kids enjoyed the outdoors? Did the kids like fishing at all? Do they have fun? Did the fathers have fun with their kids?

Both answered in the affirmative.

I put the same question to the freshwater guy that was nervous about saltwater fishing. He didn’t want to look foolish or under-gunned if he came to fish with us.

“Well, do you have fun fishing?”

“Yes, I love it!”

Well, what’s stopping you? Step on up. If it’s a kid, they’ll never get good at all if you don’t start ‘em somewhere. Same with the freshwater guy.

If you’re good enough to have fun, you’re good enough. That’s all you need to know.

You don’t need to be stronger or bigger. You don’t need to have all the best equipment. You don’t need more experience. That will come.

I’m in my 60’s now. I have a new first grandson myself. He’s not even two-years-old yet but we’ve already taken him fishing.

Some would say he’s not old enough.

Heck, he’s not even potti-trained yet! That will come, right?

But, he had fun so that means he’s already “good enough” and I can’t wait to take him again. Or the younger sister that just got born two months ago.

We’ll have her on the water in good time and I have no doubts she’ll have fun.

I won’t be around to see either of them fishing when they’re 60. But, I hope they remember their grandpa taking them out.

Time is precious. Moments are precious. Get those kids out. Get yourself out. Tomorrow is already here.

You’re good enough. Jump up. Jump in. The water is fine!

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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BAJA SMORGASBORD

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, highway, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, Mexico, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, 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, 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 22, 2018| Leave a Comment »

SIX DIFFERENT GOOD-EATING SPECIES ON ONE DAY and OTHERS RELEASED! (Pargo mulatto…red snapper…yellowfin tuna…yellowtail…cabrilla…white bonito)

BAJA SMORGASBORD

Originally Published the Week of April 24 in Western Outdoor Publications

I was on the beach a few days ago waiting for our fishing fleet pangas to come back that afternoon. I could see them slowly making their way towards me maybe 10 or so minutes out.

I had my toes scrunched in that fine warm Baja sand, having kicked off my flip-flops and my drivers and fish cleaners were all waiting to see what showed up.

Dang, that sun felt warm on my shoulders. Not too hot. No humidity. Just a slight off-shore breeze. My legs sure need some color. Too many days in long pants.

Just one of those awesome spring days in Mexico.

I think spring-time is my favorite time to be here. It’s the “tweener” time between the end of March and the beginning of June. It’s not quite winter. Not quite summer.

It’s always sunny. Temps in the low to mid-80’s. Nights, you still use a blanket. Good to have a sweatshirt or light windbreaker in the morning for fishing. It comes off quick enough!

There can still be some strong bouts of wind, current and swells as winter doesn’t always slide out easily. But, much of the time, it’s just something I call “non-weather,” It’s so pleasant you don’t even think about it.

Conversations don’t center around how hot or cold it is. No one talks about how cloudy or rainy it will be. You just know the sun is up and then it goes down and in between, it’s mighty pleasant.

After Easter and before the summer vacation, it’s also a slower easy time. The big summer crowds aren’t here yet. A lot of visitors are refugees from wherever they spend their colder wet winters like Canada, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. If even for just a few days. Or so it seems. I can’t blame them.

When they arrive, they tell me about snow on the ground or not having seen the sun “back home” for several weeks. They just want to see the big warm yellow “orb” in the sky. They often don’t even care if the fish are biting or what’s biting!

And that’s one of the really special things about fishing during this time. I thought about that as I continued to revel in the warm sun on my back waiting for the boats.

You honestly just don’t know what you’re going to catch.

There’s a lot of anglers who will argue that the hotter warmer months are their favorites. That’s when the “glamor” fish like tuna, wahoo, billfish and dorado are centerstage. And rightly so.

But during the springtime, there seems to be a lot of variety.

The cooler water fish are still around like yellowtail, amberjack, several varieties of pargo and snapper . You can find cabrilla as well as triggerfish and sierra.

There are some fish much more specific to this spring-time bite like roosterfish, pompano and palometta as well.

Additonally, as the waters warm or you find the patches of warmer currents, you’ll also get shots at the aforementioned bluewater species like the sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and dorado.

Then, there are always the seemingly ever-present fish like bonito, jack crevalle, bullet tuna and others.

I’ve had our fleet come back with as many as a dozen species in a single day scattered among the various boats. You might not catch a lot of any one species, but you might get some of these…two of those…3 of these and another of that!

And the next day might be completely different. Even two boats next to each other might have completely different catches.

Several years ago, I had one Outdoor TV crew that wanted to see how many different species they could catch in a single day. By the end, we tallied 16 different species of fish!

By the same token, anglers can return to a “hot spot” from the day before and find completely different fish have taken over the area the next day. Or what was biting one day has completely changed depending on conditions.

This offers some incredible challenges to anglers.

It’s a super time to check off some fish on the bucket list, but also presents new twists on fishing. Does one use light tackle or heavy tackle? Spinning gear of conventional gear? Maybe a flyrod if the winds are down?

Are you fishing the warmer water where conditions are blue and clear or will you be fishing the cloudier colder waters? What about depths? With both warm and colder waters mixing it up, there will be different temperature thermoclines holding different layers of fish. Should you use weights? Jigs? Plastics? Will the fishing be offshore or closer to shore?

Or geographically, where are you fishing? The Pacific side of Baja or the Sea of Cortez? Also what’s happening in Cabo San Lucas is probably way different than what’s biting in Mulege or San Quintin!

Many times during the year when fishing Baja you can get away with one or two rigs and be good for 90% of the targeted species. But during the spring, you just never know.

It does make for some interesting decision making and trips to the tackle store. Next time, consider a trip in the spring. It’s a pretty fine time.

That’s my story!

Jonathan signature

Jonathan

______________

Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico www.tailhunter-international.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-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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NO BAD QUESTIONS?

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No Bad Questions?

Originally Published the Week of March 27, 2018 in Western Outdoor Publicastions

As I’m writing this, we’re just about to do our last shows of the season. Since December, Jill and I have been on the road appearing in our booth at some of the largest fishing/ hunting/ outdoor expositions in the Western U.S. We’ve been out promoting our fishing operation in La Paz but generally just talking it up about visiting Baja.

It’s always fun. After more than 30 years of standing in booths fielding questions and chatting with thousands of folks, I’d like to share with you some of questions you should ask a prospective outfitter or guide.

This applies to whether you meet face-to-face or, as happens in most cases these days, you make an inquiry online or over-the-phone. At least, give it some thought.

Many times, their literature or social media already has it. But…It’s YOUR vacation.

Better to have too much information and being prepared than getting surprised later on. This is especially true when you might be coming to Mexico or a location in Mexico or Baja for the first time and even moreso, if you don’t speak the language.

This is no particular order, but should come up in the conversation somewhere.

CREDIBILITY – How long have they been in business? What’s their background? I know lots of guys that were truck drivers then one day just decided they were going to be “guides” or “outfitters” with no real background. Everyone wants to “live the dream” but it’s an entirely different thing to actually turn a hobby into a paying profession.

It helps if they have a track record of advertisements or are recommended by someone you know or their social media presence. It takes something to stay in business in this field. It’s not everything, but it helps.

What do other say about them? Check places like Trip Advisor and Google which is very regulatory when it comes to posting comments.

ACCOUNTABILITY – Is the person you’re talking to going to be there when you are there for your vacation? Is the person you’re talking to just an agent that you’ll never see or hear from again once you’re booked? Does the person even live there?

Who will actually be delivering the services?

Who’s going to be the captain, guide, driver, etc.? The person you’re talking to might be totally reputable and we know many fine agents, but posing the question doesn’t hurt. At least you’re expectations will not be misplaced.

KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING – You wouldn’t buy a car or a house without having things in writing. Most outfitters we know that have had any longevity in the hospitality business know their stuff.

But, over the course of a conversation things get lost outright or lost in translation. This is especially true at shows where so much gets said or on social media where a zillion e-mails or texts might shoot back and forth. It’s best to have some record of what you’re getting and not getting.

Nothing like showing up then finding out there were extra charges for bait, transportation, food, gear, etc. Major buzz kill having to reach into your pocket unexpectedly. Or that that hotel “close to the beach” was really 2 blocks away with a view only if you’re on your tippy-toes standing on the roof.

PRICE ISN’T EVERYTHING – Like most things in life, you really DO get what you pay for. If you’re “budget shopping” chances are you’ll get a budget vacation too.

It surely doesn’t hurt to ask a prospective outfitter if there’s any discounts, but honestly, I wouldn’t push it. Maybe if it’s a different time of year. Maybe a saving if you bring more people.

Most outfitters working these days live on a tight budget themselves. If they are at shows, they are probably already offering discounted trips.

But that “discounted trip” might mean you’re now going to be in the room with a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling and sharing a bathroom with two other rooms.

I do know some that will get offended if you push too hard.

As one outfitter told me, “I know what my services are worth. I work hard. One guy pushed and pushed for discounts. So, I asked him, ‘You work hard for your paycheck right? If your boss asked you to take a 20% paycut would you work as hard or as diligently for him?’ The guy shut up. “ Point taken.

Another example I have seen numerous times. One charter operation is $100 less than another. The less expensive guy might be a little more hesitant to burn extra gas to go where the fish are biting in order to save money. He has to make a living too.

Think about it. Simple economics. Get the best you can afford. Not the most you can get away with. Vacations are too special to cut corners if you don’t have to.

There’s also some questions you can ask that will get a raised eyebrow from some outfitters and guides.

I have heard people ask me or ask other outfitters:

Will you guarantee that I will catch fish? (I’ve never met an outfitter that will!)

If I pay more will I catch more fish? (You’re always welcome to pay us more!)

If I don’t have a good time, will you refund my money? (I can’t hear you)

How many fish will I catch in a day? (I don’t know. Are you any good?)

Can you promise me the sun will be out when I fish? (Sure…let me wave my magic wand!)

Will it be too hot for me when I come on vacation? (What’s “too hot” mean?)

How can I make it so I only catch smaller fish? Big fish are too strong for me. (You will love catching bait!)

How hard are the beds / pillows at the hotel we will stay at? (Compared to what?)

How deep is the ocean? (About that deep!)

What if I stop breathing when I SCUBA dive? (Stay with the snorkel trip!)

I heard Baja is primitive. How much toilet paper should I bring? (So “primitive! You better fill a suitcase with it!)

We hear them all. And just when you think you’ve heard the all, you get another.

“If I have to go ‘number two’ in the middle of the ocean and can’t hold it, what will happen?”

That’s my story!

Jonathan signature

Jonathan

______________

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

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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Tell Them Bring the Salad Next Time!

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charity, charters, crankbait, Dehydration, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, 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, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, suitcases, Sun stroke, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Bahia de los Suenos fishing, bahia magdalena, baja, baja fishing, Baja fishing reports, Baja sportfishing packages, baja sur, Baja Vacations, beach, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, carnavale, carnival, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, Cerralvo Island, Cerralvo Island Fishing, Chad Schearer, charters, circle hooks, costa baja resort, day trips, dog tooth snapper, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito, espirito santo island, Extreme Expeditions Alaska, family, family fishing, fish, fish report, Fishing, fishing and hunting shows, fishing charters, fishing guides, fishing reports, fishing tackle, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing video, fishing videos, flyfishing, Fred Hall Fishing Show, fred hall fishing shows, freediving, girls fishing, golden grouper, gray whales, Great Western Hunt and Conservation Expo, grouper, holidays, hotel perla, idaho sportsman show, igfa, International Fish and Game, international sportsmans expo, International Sportsmens Expo, ise, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la concha beach resort, La Paz, la paz baja sur, La Paz Fishing, La Paz Vacations, la ventana, La Ventana Fishing, las arenas, Las Arenas fishing, light tackle, mag bay, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, Mexican sportfishing outfitters, Mexican sportfishing packages, mexico, mexico fishing, Mexico vacations, Muertos Bay Fishing, outfitters, pacific northwest sportsmans show, packages, panga, pargo, pompano, portland expo center, rainbow runner, robalo, roosterfish, sailfish, scuba, sea of cortez, sierra, sierra mackeral, snapper, snook, snorkel, spearfishing, sportfishing packages, squid, swimming, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, Tournament fishing, travel, tuna, tuna tournament, vacations, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, Washington Sportsmens show, Western Outdoor New Tuna Jackpots, western outdoor news, whales, whalesharks, whalewatching, Women fishing, world records, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail on March 12, 2018| Leave a Comment »

PEACE OFFERING or DID THE SPANISH GET PUNKED?

NEXT TIME TELL THEM TO BRING THE SALAD INSTEAD!

Originally Published the Week of March 14, 2018 in Western Outdoor News

I’m a fan of history and enjoy finding little obscure bits of historical trivia. I recently came across a story about our own city of La Paz where we live.

If you ever have a chance to visit the city, I hope you get the opportunity to visit the city cathedral in the town square. It’s not a big city. The cathedral is not hard to find.

The first thing that will strike you is that it sure doesn’t look like your typical Spanish-style mission so common up-and-down the Baja and into California.

It is strikingly absent of the long sepia-colored arched breezeways and adobe walls usually associated with mission architecture. On the contrary, the La Paz cathedral is kind of square and blocky-looking.

It has two atypical massive bell towers that look more fortress-like than other mission churches. Heavy stone blocks and concrete masonry have been described as “sober neo-classical” in design. It doesn’t sound too exciting, but nonetheless, it’s a big church!

Indeed, it looks different because it is.

Most other missions were constructed by Spanish Jesuit missionaries and conquistadores in the 1600’s and 1700 hundreds. La Paz didn’t complete it’s house of worship until the latter part of the 1800’s.

According to the history, when the Spanish first arrived, they didn’t come as benevolent emissaries of church and crown. Actually, they showed up as violent buttheads and took a heavy brutal hand to the local indigenous population. They had no problem applying armor, cannons and musket to get their point across.

The locals didn’t take kindly to it and battled back. And won. Booted the Spanish right out.

This happened again and again. Something between 5 and 8 incursions by the Spanish were made in La Paz to set up a colony. In each case, the locals either whupped up on the padres and their military escorts or simply made it difficult to for the Spanish colonists to sustain the outpost.

The natives would cut off water; damage crops; and made it impossible for supply trains and ships to replenish and re-inforce the beleaguered colonists. Life in the New World was hard and brutal enough let alone being harassed by belligerent tribes.

So, the Spanish would pack up and sail away.

At least until the next intrepid group of helmet-headed imperialists showed up.

According to the story, during one of these attempts, the Spanish thought they were making some headway with the locals. Rather than attack, the tribesmen presented the Spanish with many loaves of native papaya bread.

A welcome gift and gesture indeed! The Spanish were thrilled with this apparently peaceful overture. So, thrilled that they decided to have a fiesta to celebrate the wondrous gift of the delicious bread. A bit like the colonists at the first Thankgiving.

It was during this fiesta that the Spanish found out that the natives had a special method to making their bread.

The natives loved papaya and would consume the entire fruit wasting nothing. This included the skin, meat and seeds. It was their traditional way.

So far so good. The key words are “wasting nothing.”

The most interesting part was that the tribespeople would then gather up the “previously digested seeds.” Use your imagination.

The seeds ground into the flour used to make this special “Baja Bread” …wasting nothing!

Upon hearing this, the Spanish pretty much choked and gagged in” mid-chew” thinking about the origins of their yummy bread.

They were mad. Fighting mad at what they perceived was a cruel and sinister joke. No one was laughing. The Spaniards thought they got punked big time. Talk about a “party fail!”

And once again, hostilities broke out. The Spanish had no sense of humor and much blood was spilled over breaking bread.

A peace offering misunderstood and gone awry? Or a dastardly prank pulled on the Spanish masters and padres?

We will never know.

But the natives again rose up and pummeled the Spanish back to the mother country.

I love history.

That’s my story!

Jonathan signature

______________

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

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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FOR BETTER OR WORSE

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, historical, history, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexico, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Bahia de los Suenos fishing, bahia magdalena, baja, baja fishing, Baja fishing reports, Baja sportfishing packages, baja sur, Baja Vacations, beach, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, carnavale, carnival, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, Cerralvo Island, Cerralvo Island Fishing, Chad Schearer, charters, circle hooks, costa baja resort, day trips, dog tooth snapper, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito, espirito santo island, Extreme Expeditions Alaska, family, family fishing, fish, fish report, Fishing, fishing and hunting shows, fishing charters, fishing guides, fishing reports, fishing tackle, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing video, fishing videos, flyfishing, Fred Hall Fishing Show, fred hall fishing shows, freediving, girls fishing, golden grouper, gray whales, Great Western Hunt and Conservation Expo, grouper, holidays, hotel perla, idaho sportsman show, igfa, International Fish and Game, international sportsmans expo, International Sportsmens Expo, ise, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la concha beach resort, La Paz, la paz baja sur, La Paz Fishing, La Paz Vacations, la ventana, La Ventana Fishing, las arenas, Las Arenas fishing, light tackle, mag bay, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, Mexican sportfishing outfitters, Mexican sportfishing packages, mexico, mexico fishing, Mexico vacations, Muertos Bay Fishing, outfitters, pacific northwest sportsmans show, packages, panga, pargo, pompano, portland expo center, rainbow runner, robalo, roosterfish, sailfish, scuba, sea of cortez, sierra, sierra mackeral, snapper, snook, snorkel, spearfishing, sportfishing packages, squid, swimming, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, Tournament fishing, travel, tuna, tuna tournament, vacations, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, Washington Sportsmens show, Western Outdoor New Tuna Jackpots, western outdoor news, whales, whalesharks, whalewatching, Women fishing, world records, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail on February 4, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Tony Reyes

FOR BETTER OR WORSE

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 1, 2018 in Western Outdoor Publications

We’re on the road doing our fishing/ hunting show circuit these days. We just finished shows in Denver and Sacramento and, as I write this, my loptop is bouncing on my lap as we rumble down up the highway towards our next show in Seattle.

God bless her. Jilly is driving our rig through the rain so I can tap away on the computer and make my deadline!

We’ve been at this now over 2 decades and I field a lot of questions at these shows while we meet-and-greet in our booth. At the last show, I got into a little round-robin with some old-timers and Baja rats.

A lot of the “opinions” started with…

“Back in the day…”

“I remember this time when…”

“You should have seen…”

“You would not have believed what we saw…”

Most were of the opinion that Baja fishing is not what it used to be or that it’s been ruined. Most of these guys were fishermen that used to come down a lot and had great memories and stories of “the way it used to be.” Most of them don’t come down much or at all these days.

Either their travel days were behind them or they just didn’t think it was worth it anymore.

Some incredible stories to listen to.

I had to agree with them…somewhat.

The days of Ray Cannon and John Steinbeck are long gone. I’ll agree with that. It’s not the same “frontera” of crystal waters, dirt roads and remote fishing villages. But what is the same these days? Everything changes. Some for better. Some for worse.

I’ve seen a lot of changes in my own time. My first Baja experiences took place 40 years ago. I’ve been running a fishing operation almost 25 years. I think I have a pretty unique perspective.

I’m not a visitor or a tourist. I don’t come fishing for 3 days a year every other year during the summer.

I’m at ground zero every single day. I don’t get my reports reading the internet or fishing magazines. My hands smell fishy every day and it’s my reports that others read!

So, yes, I do remember the days when there were so many dorado and the roosterfish were thick. I remember those halcyon days of catching a dozen marlin before breakfast.

I remember having to siphon gas into the outboard very morning with my mouth before fishing. I remember chasing burros off the dusty airstrip so the plane could land. I remember commercial flights for $69 and how pissed I was when it was raised to $89! Robbery!!!

I remember days when ice was a luxury and gasoline was hand-pumped out’ve 55-gallon drums and filtered through a t-shirt. And the gas was green! Toilet paper and fan belt hoses were equally valuable if you were travelling.

And, I’ve straddled the “new age” when convenience stores dot the highway. Any hotel without a foo-foo day spa isn’t worth staying it. Cruisers with more electronics than a moon shuttle ply the ocean. Fishermen travel with nannies and instead of Volkswagen mini-vans, Hummers and Mercedes now pull up next to me at traffic signals.

And then there’s the fishing.

I don’t think it’s bad. It’s just different. And it’s still spectacular. And there’s no place else like it in the world. This giant finger called the Sea of Cortez is still a big giant fish trap ripe for exploration and discovery.

What I tell folks is it’s all cyclical.

If you based your fishing opinons on fishing only occasionally or fishng the last few seasons, it was honestly very very scratchy. Those were El Nino years. Atmospheric and meteorological phenomenon subjected the Baja to crazy ocean temperatures; tides; currents; and anamolies. It surely affected the fishing.

If you just used that as your criterion, then Baja fishing was in the dumpster.

But, like so many things on the planet, it’s all part of a cycle. El Nino wasn’t the first and it won’t be the last. Mother Earth has been doing this long before T-Rex trod the dirt and will continue doing it long after you and I are gone.

But, during those same years, areas in northern Baja and S.California experienced and continue to experience some of the best tuna, wahoo, dorado catches in decades. It’s still going on in record numbers.

Eventually, it will also end…and something new will start. Right?

Last year, down in Baja, water conditions were more normalized. El Nino went it’s way. The bait came back. The water temperatures were more conducive to the deep-water nutrients returning to the waters.

And sure enough, last year was a largely great year for much of Baja. Fish were bigger and more plentiful. Tuna, wahoo and giant roosterfish came on strong. Billfish moved back in. It wasn’t like the “old old days” but by golly, it was like the “good new days.”

The other side of the equation is that I think fishermen and locals alike are taking better care of the ocean than they used to. There’s a stronger awareness that this is a finite resource.

Seawatch groups have sprung up to monitor illegal poaching and activities. Marine parks have flourished. There are restricted areas where fishing is prohibited to allow species to proliferate. There’s much more catch-and-release by sportsmen as well as locals. Efforts are being made to keep and maintain the pristine nature of the ocean.

It’s a constant vigilance and awareness and there’s still so much to be done and there’s still a lot of bad stuff going on. There’s a constant battle with legal and illegal commercial fishing and the political/ economic battles in a country that struggles to feed it’s people.

There’s the push-pull of development and the ecology. There’s still pollution. Just like every other country.

I don’t have my head in the sand and I’m not saying this because it’s my business bringing fishermen down. Battles are being won and lost every day. There’s some incredible problems to be faced.

But, overall, fishing in the Baja is still a place unlike any other. There are more species than anywhere else. You can still catch your dream fish and you can bend a rod until your arms are sore. There’s still so much to see and discover.

I’ve seen a lot in my time here in Baja. And there’s still not a day on the water that I’m amazed. And blessed.

That’s my story!

Jonathan signature

Jonathan

______________

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR Top 5 – Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-53311

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“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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I SWEAR IT WAS THIS BIG

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, circle hooks, crankbait, dorado, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, Mexico, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Bahia de los Suenos fishing, bahia magdalena, baja, baja fishing, Baja fishing reports, Baja sportfishing packages, baja sur, Baja Vacations, beach, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, carnavale, carnival, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, Cerralvo Island, Cerralvo Island Fishing, Chad Schearer, charters, circle hooks, costa baja resort, day trips, dog tooth snapper, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito, espirito santo island, Extreme Expeditions Alaska, family, family fishing, fish, fish report, Fishing, fishing and hunting shows, fishing charters, fishing guides, fishing reports, fishing tackle, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing video, fishing videos, flyfishing, Fred Hall Fishing Show, fred hall fishing shows, freediving, girls fishing, golden grouper, gray whales, Great Western Hunt and Conservation Expo, grouper, holidays, hotel perla, idaho sportsman show, igfa, International Fish and Game, international sportsmans expo, International Sportsmens Expo, ise, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la concha beach resort, La Paz, la paz baja sur, La Paz Fishing, La Paz Vacations, la ventana, La Ventana Fishing, las arenas, Las Arenas fishing, light tackle, mag bay, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, Mexican sportfishing outfitters, Mexican sportfishing packages, mexico, mexico fishing, Mexico vacations, Muertos Bay Fishing, outfitters, pacific northwest sportsmans show, packages, panga, pargo, pompano, portland expo center, rainbow runner, robalo, roosterfish, sailfish, scuba, sea of cortez, sierra, sierra mackeral, snapper, snook, snorkel, spearfishing, sportfishing packages, sports, squid, swimming, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, Tournament fishing, travel, tuna, tuna tournament, vacations, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, Washington Sportsmens show, Western Outdoor New Tuna Jackpots, western outdoor news, whales, whalesharks, whalewatching, Women fishing, world records, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail on December 31, 2017| Leave a Comment »

I SWEAR IT WAS THIS BIG!

Originally Published the Week of January 3, 2018 in Western Outdoor Publications

“All fishermen are born honest…but they eventually grow out’ve it.”…Anonymous sign posted on a fishing shack

“Jonathan, come down quick, I’ve got a huge fish. It could be a record!”

Over the several decades in the fishing business down here in Baja, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that.

There was a day and time when I’d go rushing over with camera, scale, and tape measure. Hey, it’s Baja!

More world records pop out’ve Baja waters than any other place on the planet. Line class and weight class records are set every year.

I used to stumble over myself sprinting over to the massive fish and beaming fisherman. Couldn’t get there fast enough.

If it wasn’t a call for a “world record” it was a call to check out some no less massive creature from the deep.

I admit I’ve gotten older and slower through the years, but I don’t quite sprint over like I used to. At least not with the same urgency!

I have not curbed my enthusiasm by any means. If an angler is excited and thinks it’s a big fish, then by gosh, I’m excited about that big fish too!

But logically, not every fish is going to be a “world record.” Logically, not every dorado is a “fifty-pound beast.” Not every roosterfish or wahoo weighs 80 pounds!

But, if someone is excited about it, then it’s very likely the largest fish that proud angler has caught…or the first…or prettiest… It really doesn’t matter.

It’s an important fish and I’m excited about it too.

And, despite jokes to the contrary, “size matters.”

Actually, it’s all that matters. But, like we all know, size is relative.

I’ve gotten pretty good after all those years after handling thousands of fish. I can eye-ball the size of a fish and can give a pretty good estimate on size.

So, like I said, I don’t quite hustle down the beach with all available speed any longer.

I don’t want to bust anyone’s bubble or temper their excitement so I’ll “conveniently” say, “Darnit, I forgot my scale, but that’s a dandy fish!”

I’ll give a generous estimate and I make sure I take a photo if at all possible with lots of well-deserved genuine high-fives…low-fives…knuckle-bumps and back-slapping.

The best part is listening to the stories of the great catch. Having clients who return year-after-year, gives me a great opportunity to hear the story over and over.

Having our own restaurant and bar is also an excellent venue to hear the stories, especially as the beer and margaritas flow.

And sometimes, oh my…how the story and size change!

There’s the quote that goes, “May I catch a fish so big that I don’t have to lie about the size when I tell the story later.”

Fishermen are among the best story-tellers on the planet. Ever since the first cave-dwellers came back from the hunt to share exploits around the fires with the rest of the tribe, story-telling is part of the excitement and fun.

But, y’know, there really ARE some fish that need to be put on the scale and remove all doubt.

We finally got a very expensive IGFA scale that will weigh fish up to 2000 pounds and has to be certified ever year. It’s come in handy a time or two.

Now, I don’t suggest you go out and do that. For years, I got along very well and still carry some inexpensive hand-held devices in my tackle bag.

One is a little battery-operated hand-scale. A number of companies make them and, although there are still numerical scales, the digital ones are handier and seem more accurate.

They have a big hook on them to hang the fish and, will give you a pretty accurate read-out of the weight of a fish. They’re pretty handy to weigh your luggage as well.

They come in several sizes, but for Baja purposes, I have the ones that have 50-pound limits. It seems to cover most Baja fish.

While normally not certifiably accurate, I’ve actually had several of my devices sent in to check their accuracy. They were all within ¼ to ½ pound of our expensive certified rig. Surely close enough!

Great for settling debates among friends. Great to decide who wins the jackpot over the largest fish and will be buying drinks at the cantina that night.

For larger fish up to 100 pounds, there’s the boga-type grips that look like a handled tube with a claw on the end. They’re a little pricier and spring loaded.

They’re also a bit heavier, since they’re made of steel, but also fit easily in a tackle bag.

Using the trigger on the device, the hooks grab a fish by the lips. When lifted, the springs inside the tube give a read-out of the weight.

Works great on larger fish although if it’s a long fish like a wahoo or dorado and you’re short like me, you might need to stand on something so the fish is off the ground.

But, it’s also handy if you plan to release the fish. By “lipping” the fish, you minimize harming it. You weigh it. You take a photo and you release the fish to fight another day.

But, now you know the truth! What you do with it and how you tell the story is still up to you.

Honest!

That’s my story (Really! Believe me!!!)

Jonathan signature

Jonathan

______________

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR Top 5 – Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-53311

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

Tailhunter YouTube Videos: 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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JUST BITE ME

Posted in airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, circle hooks, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, first aid, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, hurricane, hurricanes, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Bahia de los Suenos fishing, bahia magdalena, baja, baja fishing, Baja fishing reports, Baja sportfishing packages, baja sur, Baja Vacations, beach, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, carnavale, carnival, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, Cerralvo Island, Cerralvo Island Fishing, Chad Schearer, charters, circle hooks, costa baja resort, day trips, dog tooth snapper, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito, espirito santo island, Extreme Expeditions Alaska, family, family fishing, fish, fish report, Fishing, fishing and hunting shows, fishing charters, fishing guides, fishing reports, fishing tackle, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing video, fishing videos, flyfishing, Fred Hall Fishing Show, fred hall fishing shows, freediving, girls fishing, golden grouper, gray whales, Great Western Hunt and Conservation Expo, grouper, holidays, hotel perla, idaho sportsman show, igfa, International Fish and Game, international sportsmans expo, International Sportsmens Expo, ise, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la concha beach resort, La Paz, la paz baja sur, La Paz Fishing, La Paz Vacations, la ventana, La Ventana Fishing, las arenas, Las Arenas fishing, light tackle, mag bay, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, Mexican sportfishing outfitters, Mexican sportfishing packages, mexico, mexico fishing, Mexico vacations, Muertos Bay Fishing, outfitters, pacific northwest sportsmans show, packages, panga, pargo, pompano, portland expo center, rainbow runner, robalo, roosterfish, sailfish, scuba, sea of cortez, sierra, sierra mackeral, snapper, snook, snorkel, spearfishing, sportfishing packages, squid, swimming, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, Tournament fishing, travel, tuna, tuna tournament, vacations, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, Washington Sportsmens show, Western Outdoor New Tuna Jackpots, western outdoor news, whales, whalesharks, whalewatching, Women fishing, world records, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail on August 27, 2017| Leave a Comment »

just bite me

JUST BITE ME!

Originally Published Week of Aug. 31, 2017 in Western Outdoor News Publications

It’s that time of the year in Baja.

In my opinion, nothing beats the late summer and fall for fishing. The sunny days are long. The waters are flat. The non-fishing tourists and families have left to go back to school. And the fishing just seems to ramp up.

Oh…and airline tickets are cheaper too!

More importantly…

The “glamour” fish seem to know it’s “showtime.” Billfish, wahoo, bigger dorado, larger roosterfish, tuna and others play to the crowds during prime time. It’s big boy time on all levels.

But, there’s some small-time players who also come to the party and can ruin a night or ruin a vacation faster than a wahoo blasting after a trolled lure. It’s often a reality that can’t be avoided. Or can it?

I’m talking about bugs…yea…creepy stinging flying annoying biting critters that can put a buzz kill (no pun intended) on a fun time really fast.

Mostly I’m referring to mosquitos, flies and no-see-ums (invisible biting gnats).

At best, they’ll pester you into submission as you slap yourself silly while trying to down your margarita; or catch a siesta on the beach; or ruin your evening with that (we’ve all been there) annoying drone in your ear followed by the inevitable bites and scratches.

At worst, they can cover you in bites. However, in the ultimate scenario, they can send you to the hospital with a severe case of dengue fever or other sickness. Nothing to laugh about.

Here in Mexico, we call dengue fever the “broken bone flu” because it’s very painful.

It starts with water.

The summer and fall is when we get our tropical storms and rainfalls. Water puddles and collects. By the roadside. Little containers. Trash.

Bugs lay eggs where it’s warm and wet. The heat hatches them and then they go on the hunt. In swarms. They search for food and pro-create other nasty critters!

You, sir and madam, are the perfect host!

You have all that unprotected exposed skin. And you smell!

Perspiration. Fruity fragrances like perfume and cologne; hair products like shampoo and mousse; your sunscreen; the “spring fresh” smell of detergent in your clothes…you’re just a walking neon sign that says “Bite Me!”

What’s that they say about an “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of pain?” (or itch?)

Let’s start with basics!

For Pete’s sake…keep your hotel doors and windows closed or at least keep the screens closed. Keep the bad critters outside.

A mosquito doesn’t care that you spent $1000 bucks-a-night for that ritzy hotel room with the 700-count-thread Egyptian cotton sheets. It’s gonna buzz your ear and you know it!

If you’re camping, that screen isn’t called “no-see-um” screen so people can’t see you change your clothes. It’s because the mesh is so small that the almost invisible little gnats with the mean sting can’t get through. So take advantage of it!

Once no-see-um get to you, they will attack in hordes and you’ll never know what hit you.

They’ll bite through your hair; inside your clothes; in the crack of your you-know-what; in your ears and under your armpits and you’ll never see a single one of them.

I was once working a photo shoot for a magazine with a bunch of models on a beach. Within 10 minutes of setting up, the girls and photographer were screaming back to the van covered in dozens of red itching little welts. The girls had been bitten even inside their bikinis and in their hair and weren’t able to work for over a week.

Which leads me to location.

Flying bugs have a hard time in the wind or breeze. Don’t set up your beach chair near the bushes or your campsite in the trees. For the photo-shoot I mentioned above, the photographer wanted to shoot the girls on the white sands next to a grove of mangrove trees.

If your boat is mooring up in a cove, get up-wind from brush as well. These bugs will fly out to your boat and create havoc. Near one remote island, we once had to sleep in our wetsuits on deck because of the bugs. Imagine trying to sleep in a rubber suite in 95 degree night heat.

Obviously too, as alluded to above, fragrances are your enemy. Avoid them. Almost impossible with all the chemicals we use on ourselves these days, but at least be conscious of it. If you spill food or sugary things, likewise, clean it up. It’s common sense, but bag of your trash.

Fragrances can also be your friend.

There’s a lot of bug repellants out there. Fragrance is their major component.

I’m not a big fan of putting more chemicals on myself, but there’s some newer and better natural and organic repellants that you can purchase that work well. Spray your clothes especially the openings. Lighting a citronella candle or two works great as well, especially at night.

In a pinch, acid things like a lime will work also!

Gringos like to stick a lime in their beer bottles. Well, that wasn’t created by beer company advertising. Squeezing lime on the rim kept flies away from crawling on the bottle or rim of your glass!

When I have nothing else, I’ll rub some lime or lemon juice on my skin. It’s better than nothing especially against flies!

Also, if you can, cover up. Long loose sleeves help protect against sunburn as well as bugs.

Critters like paradise too. And there’s more of them than you.

That’s my story!

Jonathan signature

Jonathan

______________

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR Top 5 – Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-53311

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

Tailhunter YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

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

Read Full Post »

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Jonathan has written for:

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