Archive for the ‘Tuna jackpot’ Category

DUST and WAVES

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charity, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, holidays in mexico, ice chests, 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 coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, midriff islands, outfitters, 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, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on March 20, 2021| Leave a Comment »

DUST & WAVES

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

I guess there’s two stories to pass onto you this week in a round-about-kinda-way.

One actually is possibly some useful info about fishing in Baja, which is what this column is normally supposed to be about.

But, let me start with the first story!

As a kid I really only cared about three publications in my life.

Sears

One was the Sears Christmas catalog. If you were a kid, my reasons need no explanation. It was the most dazzling thing to have in your hands. I should have saved a copy or two to show to the grandkids.

Another was MAD. Don’t laugh. If any of you are old enough to remember, MAD Magazine, I think it’s how I learned how to read. It’s where I got my weird bent sense of humor.

It’s where I learned goofy songs and rhymes and things I didn’t even understand in those pre-teen years. And, of course, there was that backpage fold-out that was brilliant.

My mother, a dedicated 2^nd grade teacher for 30+ years would always try to steer me towards good literature…classics…authors…etc. She was usually successful.

Except there was MAD Magazine. I don’t know how she and dad let me get away with that or knowing my allowance money was not being used very wisely.

But, there was one other magazine that I treasured and that DID receive a better nod of approval.

It was Field & Stream.

field-and-stream

Now THAT was a magazine that I would definitely save my allowance to buy. It was everything I ever wanted to know about hunting and fishing and all the places and adventures I would someday have.

It was the Sears Catalog for the outdoors to me.

It was geography and adventures, Daniel Boone and Tom Sawyer all rolled onto the printed pages.

Cover-to-cover and back-and-forth. I would cut out articles and save them in scrap books. If I got caught under the bedsheets at night with a flashlight reading MAD Magazine or the Sears Catalog, they were confiscated.

With Field & Stream, they let me slide. Or dad would take it and read it himself.

Well…of all things…two weeks ago a writer for Field & Stream contacted me for an interview about fishing in Baja! Me? Are you kidding?

That icon of outdoor magazines wanted to know what someone like me thought? Wow! Needless to say, I was thrilled. I’m not sure how the interview went or how it will eventually look in print, but hey, I was happy to do it!

Which leads to the 2^nd story of this column.

The reason they had asked me for the interview…

Apparently, I was part of a series of outfitters being asked how the Covid pandemic had affected us. As well, more importantly, they wanted to know what we thought of the coming year.

The first part was easy.

I think anyone who was in the travel industry or is still in the travel industry and didn’t get pulled down by the pandemic/ quarantine wolves will agree. Last year was devastating. It continues to be so in 2021.

It doesn’t matter if you were/are an outfitter, lodge, charter operation, guide, hotel, travel agent, airlines, cruise lines, taxi driver…If you dealt with any aspect of the travelling public, 2021 was unlike anything we had ever seen or could imagine.

Travel to Mexico? Travel abroad? Travel to another state? Travel to visit your family, kids, parents on the other side of town?

Are you kidding? We couldn’t even leave our houses, either because we couldn’t (lockdown); or were simply afraid to (contagion); or didn’t have the ways or means (no money) to travel.

No one could travel for essential things like work and school. So forget leisure travel like taking vacations or other discretionary trips.

Yea, we got hammered. Punched in the nose. Kicked in the nether regions then dog-piled while we were already on the ground. Many of our friends in the industry lost their jobs or had to find other or supplemental work.

For those of us in the travel industry still treading water, it’s not over yet.

For us in Baja, things really started to take an upswing there at the end of 2020. Americans were really scooting to Baja.

Mexico is close. It was economical. It was easy to there and get home.

Canada was a no-go because of the border closures and quarantines in place.

Going to Europe or Asia take some planning. Pack an overnight bag with shorts and t-shirts and you can fly off to Mexico.

Locally, more hotels and restaurants and other services were opening up. Airlines were having to add more flights to keep up with the demand. For us and other operators in Baja, things were looking up.

Bookings were picking up. People just wanted to get out no matter if there was vaccine or no vaccine. Covid or no covid.

Then, the new CDC rules were implemented in January of 2021. It required that everyone travelling into the U.S., including returning vacationers, have a negative Covid test within 72 hours of flying back to the U.S.

WHAM! BAM! Travel took another knee below-the-belt.

Bookings took a dive. Cancelations jumped up. Airflights got canceled. Folks not wanting to get stuck in Mexico made a mass exodus for home and left on-going vacations.

But, now things are looking up again. Whew!

Vaccines are being implemented. Moreso, Mexico got it’s game together and erected testing facilities at airport, hotels, timeshares and labs to make it cheap and convenient to get the tests. Can’t lose the all-important tourism sector again.

So, people are booking again.

But, will it be a good season?

I think so. The fish were largely left alone last year. Six to 8 months there was literally zero sportfishing traffic on the water.

Even when things opened, it was only a fraction of the usual crowds.

The fish had time to grow. The fish had time to spawn and mate without getting bonked by lures run scattered by boat motors. More importantly, their food source…the critical baitfish weren’t depleted.

I thnk this year of 2020 will be an improvement over last year. But, it still won’t see the normal numbers and the experts are saying we’re really only going to see 30-50% of the normal visitors.

So, bigger fish. Hungrier fish. More fish. More bait.

And maybe just you out there on the water!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-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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THE GOOD OLD DAYS

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

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He went on…

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

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

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

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

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

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

“So, Jonathan…book me a trip!”

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

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

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

Life should have been reversed.

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

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

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

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

Cancer…Hearts…Covid

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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UPDATING COVID TESTING in MEXICO

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, espirito santo, fish, fish farming, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, 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, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, suitcases, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on February 27, 2021| Leave a Comment »

UPDATING COVID TESTING IN MEXICO

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

Since the new CDC rules went into effect about a month ago last January, Mexico has been doing it’s best to help international travelers comply.

In case you hadn’t heard, the new CDC rules went into effect January 26^th. It requires all international travelers flying into or back to the United States to show a negative Covid test result that was administered less than 72 hours prior to travel.

This only applies to airline passengers. It does not apply to boats, cars or other means of travel coming into the U.S.

You are not required to quarantine upon returning to the U.S.

You do not have to show a negative Covid test before entering Mexico. You are not required to quarantine once you get to Mexico.

Even if you have been vaccinated or have had Covid, you must still show a negative test or have a medical waiver.

If you fly both in and out of a Mexican Airport like Tijuana, the test is not required. That is a domestic flight and only international flights have the mandate.

With tourism such an essential part of the Mexican and Baja economy, and vital to recovery after Covid lockdowns were eased, there has been a mad dash get-up-to-speed for travelers.

Mexico can ill-afford to deter or impede further travel. So, the aim has been to make it as convenient and economical as possible to obtain the test.

According to the respective tourism boards, all of the hotels and timeshares in Cabo San Lucas have erected facilities or provide testing as a service to their guests. Costs appear to be minimal and many hotels are offering it free so check with your hotel.

As well, there are numerous laboratories now offering the service as well as all local hospitals.

At this time, the following destination airports have facilities:

Aguascalientes

Acapulco

Chuahua

Culiacan

Durango

Guadaljara

Hermosillo

La Paz

Leon

Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas)

Los Mochis

Mazatlan

Mexicali

Mexico City

Monterrey

Morelia

Puerta Vallarta

San Luis Potosi

Tijuana

Tampico

Torreon

Zacatecas

Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo

Los-Cabos-Airport-Departures-Board-Plane-11

The basic antigen test takes about 15 minutes. Cost varies at the airports about $25-65 dollars and results are provided in about an hour.

Airports are recommending giving yourself extra time to allow for this. It’s first-come-first-served. The airports are also open to walk-in visits from the general public.

Several airlines are also in discussion about erecting their own facilities and also developing apps so test results can be uploaded quickly.

Having spoken to several folks who have returned from Mexico travel, I’m told it’s the test where your nasal passages are swabbed. Intrusive and uncomfortable, but not painful and it’s over quickly.

The persons I spoke to paid $40-65 dollars for the test. Several got the tests prior to leaving. Several got the tests at the airport. Not surprisingly, private labs are more expensive.

Two of the travelers that I spoke to inquired at their respective hotels and said the staff wasn’t sure about the tests. So, they went to an outside lab located not far from the hotel. In both cases, later they found out from management that testing was available.

So, I guess it depends who you ask.

Take note that smaller cities, such as La Paz which have a smaller tourist base and lower hotel occupancy than say, Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas, do not offer testing at hotels.

As one official mentioned, certain cities just do not have the huge influx of international travelers like other cities. With hotel occupancy only at 10-30% in those smaller cities, it’s not economically feasible to have testing facilities at those hotels.

Nevertheless, it sounds like it’s coming together with little bumps here and there.

Easter Week and Spring Break are just a few months off. These are the biggest travel period of the year in Mexico. Contrary to popular thought, it’s not Thanksgiving or even Christmas.

During Spring Break and Easter, Mexicans visiting relatives in the U.S. or vice versa as well as regular spring vacationers normally flood in and out of Mexico.

Not surprisingly, numbers will probably be somewhat subdued this year compared to other years, but nevertheless, Mexico will have to be ready for the influx. Easter is the first week of April this year.

As we get closer, I have to think things will only get easier, more convenient and more economical.

That’s my story!

______________

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 »

What Were THEY Thinking?

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, hurricanes, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, Sea of Cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on February 16, 2021| Leave a Comment »

What Were THEY Thinking?

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 8, 2009 in Western Outoor Publications

I try not to be.

But, I’m as guilty as anyone.

And sometimes, I really just need to smack myself in the mouth and tell myself to shut up.

If you live in Mexico or have visited Mexico, I would challenge almost anyone to deny it.

Who hasn’t caught saying, “What were THEY thinking?” as it applies to things in Mexico.

If you walk around, drive around, venture around, you see things. You notice things and you may not say it out-loud, but I bet you’ve thought those exact words.

C’mon, admit it.

You look at how a road is built in Mexico and you say it.

You look at how a building is constructed and you say it.

You notice how electrical wires are done. Don’t even get me started on plumbing.

Why did my waiter act like that?

Why are stop signs and street lights like that?

Why are the kids dressed like that?

Doesn’t anyone look before they cross the street?

Does anyone actually stop at stop signs?

How can they eat like that?

I can’t believe they are driving that!

Why don’t they clean that all up?

They are doing it all wrong.

They all drive like idiots.

And there’s that word. “THEY.”

Maybe it’s not directed at any one person, but it’s certainly applied to the general collective.

We may not mean anything personal by it, but I hear it all the time. I’m sure “THEY” hear it all the time. This is especially true because we are in the tourism industry.

It’s easy to laugh. It’s easy to shake our heads and grin or smirk. It’s easy to think we could have done it better or more logical. Yea, we have it all solved.

And I have to catch myself and stop all the time.

I try to imagine what we sound like. I know how I’d feel if someone was always correcting me and telling me I could have done things differently or better.

I know we must sound smug and arrogant and entitled. Frankly, like a jerk. Even if I’m not speaking with any condescension, I’d sound like a butthead… an A—hat. And I’m sure I do.

I deal with employees and associates, neighbors, and amigos every day. And it’s so easy to blurt something out. By my way of thinking, it’s so obvious that something could have been done better.

Isn’t it obvious to any of YOU? How can I be the only one that sees what’s wrong here?

“Look what some idiot did.” Hehehehe…don’t you guys agree?

Or, “C’mon, Man. Why did YOU do it like that?”

Yea, I’m sure they must think I’m a jerk.

They smile and nod, but I can’t help thinking that I’m talking like another self-centered myopic American.

It’s easy to condescend when we come from a country where there is a different culture. Where the lowest U.S. educational level is still probably higher than the normal level of education is in Mexico.

We’ve been exposed to more. We’ve experienced more. We toss $20 bills around not realizing that $20 is two or three days wages in Mexico.

A country of plenty for most. Compared to Mexico still struggling to handle the basics like water and electricity and transportation.

We are often on vacation. “THEY” are working. No such thing as vacation.

When I catch myself, I try to remind myself to applaud instead.

Most of my friends, employees and amigos are doing the best they can. They make do with less than I do with more. And, they appreciate it more.

All things being equal, I know I could not have done better.

They do a pretty good job of making the best with what they have and accomplish more day-to-day, than I do with my resources and opportunities.

I don’t worry about how to get from place-to-place.

I got food in the frig.

I’m not living off Cup ‘o’ Noodles.

If I run out’ve gas, I go get some. I need some meat, I go get some at the store.

I don’t worry about clean clothes. Or how to stretch 10 pesos in my pocket to get through the next few days.

If I get sick and need to lie on the couch, I can do that. I have a couch. I can get to a doctor if I have to.

I can take a day off work and not worry about losing my job or not having food for the family.

My kids are healthy and have work.

Even in these Covid days, I’m supposed to keep low, but I CAN leave if I want to. I can go places. I have choices.

I don’t have 6 others living with me in two rooms.

“THEY” have a lot going on and I have to catch myself and remember where I am and who I am.

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 »

LA NINA – The little girl is back for 2021?

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

LA NINA – The Little Girl Is Back for 2021?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nutrients feed the baitfish. Baitfish feed the big fish.

No cool deep waters ultimately means a slack season.

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

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

With La Nina, the reverse is hypothetically true.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

FIND YOUR BEACH

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, donations, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, hurricane, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, rental car, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, suitcases, Sun stroke, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, 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 December 2, 2020| 6 Comments »

FIND YOUR BEACH

Originally Published The Week of Nov. 25, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications.

I pretty much wrote this week’s column lying flat on my back looking up at the sky. Pretty unusual position for “word-smithing.”

Most of the time, I write at my desk. Sitting up.

It’s in the middle of the night at the end of a long workday that usually starts about 4 a.m. Or, if I’m “lazy” and couldn’t think of anything the night before, I scramble to compose something before the sun comes up and the day goes full-turbo!

But, lying flat on my back, I’m looking at clouds drifting by as languidly as I was feeling.

Lying on the sand.

On the beach.

In the Baja sun.

Some Kenny Chesney “No Shoes No Shirt No Problem” playing on Spotify competing with the rise-and-fall crescendo of surf as a soundtrack.

And this week’s column just sort of wrote it self. It auto-composed in my head in about 5 minutes.

I was just lying there on that warm sand felling really tired. Not just tired.

“Old man tired.” Big difference.

I had just come off the water. Nope. For once, not fishing. Not diving either.

Surfing. Yup. That kind of surfing. Like on a board.

My wife, Jill, and I had spent the better part of the afternoon surfing and using muscles that we had not used in…well…years! I think the last time I “surfed” Baja, I had been driving my dad’s Pinto station wagon.

Me, and a bunch of underage high-school buds on a flyer across the border below Rosarito Beach with $20 between the three of us; a bag of Doritos; and 3 days to waste on the waves.

Yea, it had been a long time.

Surfing muscles are not the same as fishing muscles. Not the same as SCUBA muscles. And no matter how much Jill and I had lied to ourselves, we were not “in shape” to be paddling out…fighting waves…fighting the board.

I grew up in Hawaii, but my “old man” muscles were B–tching me out so very badly.

“What were you thinking?”

“Who were you trying to kid?”

Harsh reality found on a beach in Baja.

But, I gotta tell you, it was a good soreness. And Jill and I had the biggest smiles on our faces as we lay splayed-out on the beach.

No one talking. No one needed to.

The sun rays warmed me from above and the hot sand warmed me from below.

It was like being a kid again and coming out’ve the pool and lying face-down on that warm cement without a care-in-the-world. You know that feeling.

Summer vacation. No school. No homework. You had no place else to be except right then and there. Contentment.

And that was me. Except I was lying looking up.

And I realized I had nowhere to be except right then and there. On that beach at that moment studying some dumb clouds. No shoes. No shirt. No problems.

It finally just got to us. Yea, we live and work in Baja.

“Living the dream.” Right?

But, like everyone, no matter where you are, it’s been a tough year. And this year, it seemed like we worked even harder-than-ever just trying to tread water like everyone else.

Being in the travel industry with our fishing fleets and restaurant, it was especially brutal.

Surely, fewer clients and less business, but like I said, we seemed to work twice-as-hard just trying to keep what we had. Working double to keep from sliding backwards even more.

Almost like surfing. Paddle paddle paddle to get out. Wave knocks you back.

Paddle paddle paddle to go a little further. Another wave knocks you back again.

Just trying to get out past the white water to where that tasty curl tantalizes you with a rewarding ride back to the beach. Paddle paddle paddle. Can’t stop. Gotta get past that white water.

Catch one or two, but mostly paddling paddling and more tiring paddling.

Like life right now.

No days off and …UP-TO-HERE…with it all.

Covid…quarantine…restrictions…economy…politics…elections…unrest. The “whitewater” of life, right? The cacaphony that never stops assaulting you.

So, we just sort of folded shop.

We never ever take time off. But,it was time.

We didn’t tell any of our staff where we were going. Basically told them, don’t burn down the building. Don’t let anyone steal anything. We’ll be in touch.

In fact, I didn’t even tell my wife where we were going.

I pretty much told her to grab some clothes for a few days. Threw her and our rescue cat, my guitar, and some gear in our Honda. It’s the one with the busted air-conditioner and that overheats if I drive faster than 50mph and left.

We drove. And drove.

And made a left off the highway down a dusty washboard dirt road.

And found a beach.

And it had some worn bungalow cabanas for rent.

Our “rustic” cabana had holes in the palapa roof.

Some lights didn’t work. Others had those god-awful curly “economy” bulbs that save you 5 bucks over 100 years.

A threadbare hammock tied between two palm trees. It might have been a fishing net at one time.

No TV.

No disco.

No nightclub.

No real restaurants to speak of.

Perfection.

I don’t even want to tell you the name of the beach because the area is begging for a paved road and some high-rise hotels that will come soon enough, I imagine.

But for now, just miles of Baja beach.

And there were some waves that just begged to be ridden.

And an ice chest full of cold ones that needed some attention too.

And 3 days extended into 5 days of sun, sand, surf, card-playing and just the very best kind of “social distancing” that we probably could all use right now.

Might still be there if we didn’t run outta cat food.

And lying on my back like a very tired beached sealion soaking up the rays and watching clouds moving left-to-right.

Smiling.

And while we were gone, the world did not blow up. Our business did not burn down. The problems of the world were still there when we got back.

We did not miss a thing.

But finding that little stretch of Baja beach made all the difference.

For now.

We brought that beach home with us in a manner of speaking. I brought this essay that wrote itself.

Like that beer commercial says, I hope you find your beach.

Somewhere.

If not on a stretch of sand. Then a backyard. A park. Or some space where you can close the door.

Away from the madness. Close your eyes. Shut off the sound. Take a breath. Find that beach and watch the clouds.

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 »

YES THEY CAN!

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, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, 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, 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, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food stands, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on November 25, 2020| Leave a Comment »

YES, THEY CAN!

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 17, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

A week ago in Cabo San Lucas, I had the great pleasure of once again working at the 22^nd Annual Cabo Tuna Jackpot Tournament produced by Western Outdoor News.

What an event it is.

This year, 150 national and international fishing teams gathered for two days of fishing. Over one-million dollars of prize money in the pots! About 700 folks from all over the world come to play.

If you’ve never seen or participated in something like this, it’s a mind-boggling adrenaline rush to see all this energy, fishing talent, equipment and yes…money all charging out into the fishing grounds.

There are jaw-dropping super yachts that should be seen on “Lives of the Rich & Famous.” I believe the largest fishing vessel this year was 110’ mega cruiser that looked like a stream-lined cruise ship.

We gawked and ooh’d and ahhh’d at the gleaming 40, 50…70-foot battle-wagon sport-fishers. Shining with teak decks and tinted glass windows sporting out-riggers and thousands of dollars of fishing rods-and-reels on deck and no doubt equally expensive electronics aboard as well.

sportfisher-1

There were jet-boat sportfishers built for speed to the fishing grounds fast. Imagine four or five 400-horsepower motors hanging off the transom. They blew by like rocket ships.

As one of my friends mentioned, “If you gotta ask how much it costs to gas-up one any of these hard-chargers, you simply can’t afford it.”

As another 100-footer went by, another of our crew commented, “Sheesh…there are countries with navies that don’t have boats THAT big or THAT expensive!”

Indeed, a lot of hardware out there! Even if if you’re just “renting” the charter for a few days, it’s way above the my paygrade!

But, in the middle of all the finery. There they are.

And you can’t help but wanna shout or give a high-five to someone.

Yes, they are chugging along on 90-hp motors. Bouncing around in the wakes of the big boy cruisers.

panga-santi

It’s the local panga guys and the fishermen who swear by them. Simple rugged 24-foot ocean-going skiffs that are famous in Mexican waters.

They cobbled together entry fees and gas money to play. Often their client fishermen are roll-up-the-sleeves blue-collar guys.

Some beer in a tattered plastic ice chest. Sack lunches and bait in the bait-well. And they’re hot to go!

jr3pic18

Do you remember Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea? It’s the story of aging “Santiago” who’s best fishing days are behind him. But he goes out every day to work the waters. The young bucks don’t pay him much mind.

But, all alone, he hooks and battles a legendary marlin in his little skiff.

If you have a line in the water, anything is possible.

And when you see these guys in the pangas, you can’t help but root for them. You gotta believe, they have a fighter’s chance.

Goliath beware! David has that one stone in his sling.

I wouldn’t hesitate to put a lot of panga skippers against anyone on a given day.

sushi-time-cabo-panga-fishing2

Chances are they’ve worked these waters their whole lives. They have never fished anywhere else. I once asked a panga captain if he had ever fished somewhere else beside his home territory.

He smiled. Shook his head and said, “Why?”

They know the waters, the currents, the little “nuances” that even high-technology cannot come close to finding. Hometown advantage. Nothing like local knowledge.

Satellites are fine. Technology has it’s place.

But give me a guy who didn’t learn his trade by fishing for fun. He learned his trade because he had to put food on the table for his family.

Day in. Day out.

If he didn’t catch, the family didn’t eat. Simple as that!

In fact, he probably trained the young hot-shots that are now blazing by him in the big cruisers. Chances are it’s one of his kids. And he knowingly smiles.

But, he’s probably forgotten more about fishing than the youngsters will ever know. I’ve always been of the mind that if you don’t use it, you lose it.

You might have mad sharp skills, but if you spend so much time relying on technology to do your thinking for you, the skills get dull. It’s like forgetting how to multiply because now you have a calculator.

They guy running the panga still relies on generations of knowledge. I’ll ride with THAT guy!

Frankly, I’d rather have a great captain on a so-so boat than a great boat with a so-so captain. I don’t need 10 deckhands. I don’t need an air-conditioned salon.

No doubt they are nice and good to have. But, if I had to bare-bones fish, I’ll take old Santiago in his skiff. His years of knowledge pitted against hi-tech fiberglass wonders is priceless.

Maybe a vanishing breed. A vanishing style.

The new age is upon us, but don’t throw out the old school just yet.

Like watching an old movie and seeing Cowboy Bob on his trusty horse getting the girl and catching the bad guy over the Fancy Dan in his horseless carriage.

So, there they were amid all the big guns with names like “Liquid Gold” with owners from Wyoming. And the Florida team riding on “Tropical Chubasco” or the young turks from New York on “Bull Market.”

We see “Pepe’s Panga” and there was “La Loca” and “Cazador” pulling right up along-side them. Ready to charge.

And sometimes win. I’ve seen it. The little pangas that could! .

Hard not to root for them and cheer all the louder.

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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SAFE AS IT’s GONNA GET?

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

SAFE AS IT’S GONNA GET?

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

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

_________________________

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He’s already booked for next year.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vamos a ver…we’ll just have to see.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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THINGS I WOULD HAVE TOLD MYSELF

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, fish, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, 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, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, 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 November 1, 2020| Leave a Comment »

On the beach in 1996. I had no idea this would turn into a new career.

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 27, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

Almost 3 decades down here in Baja now. I’m not sure I’m “older and wiser” now. Definitely older.

But I was thinking of things I would have (should have?) told my younger-self back then when I first moved down here that would have made things so much more enlightening and surely easier.

For one, coming from the life of a litigation attorney to a remote part of Baja, I would have told myself to SLOW-THE-HECK-DOWN! It took a long time to get off the clock.

It took a long time to realize that just because I was running fast, no one was going to run faster to keep up with me and what I wanted or needed. I would have to adjust and take it down a few notches.

Actually I had to take it way way way down!

Related to that first thing…not that I had a lot of money…but money doesn’t necessarily make things go faster either. Things will happen when they happen.

I definitely would have told myself not to be so gullible.

“Si” (Yes) does not always mean “yes.” “No” doesn’t always mean “no.”

Folks aren’t necessarily lying to you. It means what it means at the time it is said. It is ALWAYS subject to “re-interpretation” later by the person who said that to me in the first place.

So, flexibility, patience and adaptability are good to keep close-at-hand.

Again, not that I had a lot of money. But, I would have told myself there is no such thing as a loan.

The person may ask for a “loan.” But, honestly, they really probably needed the money more than I did. They may call it a “loan.” They may promise to pay it back.

But, in 25 years, I have only had one person ever pay me back. And it was 4 years later!

A “loan” is really a “gift.” Don’t loan money or anything else you can’t afford to lose.

I would tell myself never drive off without these things in the car:

Jumper cables
Duct tape and electrical tape
20 bucks in small bills or pesos hidden somewhere in the car for an emergency
A spare tire
Toilet paper and a shovel

I would have also told myself not to have been so terrified the first time I drove down the Baja Peninsula. I had read too many stories. Now that I’ve driven it dozens of times, it’s a wonderful drive that only gets better.

To, my list of things, I would have mentioned, that truly “less is more.”

I brought down way too much stuff that 3 decades later, I am still burdened with. Did I really need over 100 rods and reels? Did I really need 200 pounds of tackle? Did I really need two trailers full of other odds-and-ends?

Along those same lines, I would have told myself that it’s possible to get by with very little and on very little. I would learn to adapt. I sure learned now to stretch a peso!

I would learn to fix things. I would learn that it’s easier to fix something or make do than to run around all day trying to find a replacement. Or maybe, I was just too lazy.

I would have smacked myself and told my younger-self to not be so nervous about eating local food. Oh sure, everyone loves tacos. But, real Mexican food is NOT like in the U.S. Eat what everyone eats. Eat where everyone eats.

I would have advised myself that getting excited about “living off the grid” is not “living off the grid” like the reality-show people on TV. Real reality is completely different.

I would wake up in the morning with food the first thing on my mind. Not because I wanted to eat. It was because I would have to figure out HOW to get food each day. Catch it? Trade for it? Find it? Pull it from the ground or ocean?

No grocery stores. No restaurants where I lived.

Living off the grid required some serious thought. There’s no safety net.

Digging a well just to have drinking water. Hooking up marine batteries to make one light bulb work.

Treating ice like gold because that was the only way to keep my food. No frig. Only an ice chest in 100-degree heat.

Hoping to catch a fish for dinner because that’s all there was. Hoping some desert critter didn’t eat my tomato plant required critical thinking and planning.

I had never imagined those things when I moved down.

I would tell myself that there is nothing you cannot trade for. When money is scarce, barter works just as well. Trade tomatoes for meat. Fish for writing paper. Cigarettes for beer. Old t-shirts for tortillas.

I would have told myself that I would meet some of the best friends in my life and come to appreciate and love a people and culture like no other.

I would never have figured that I’d also meet my awesome wife and two great kids. That was not part of the plan. (Not sure I would have told myself that…maybe romance is best left as a surprise!)

Mostly, I think I would have told myself that it was going to be the adventure of a lifetime. It was going to be an incredible experience. It was going to be the best thing I had ever done and something most people would never experience.

I would have reminded myself that it’s better to try something than have regrets later on.

Lastly, I would have told myself there was no language barrier that a smile could not overcome.

I would have told myself that everything was going to be just fine .

That’s my story!

______________

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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SMALL CO-INCIDENCES…LITTLE BLESSINGS

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, 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, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, 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, 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 26, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 20, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

_____________________

It’s been a helluva year, hasn’t it?

Definitely one for the books and a year none of us will ever forget. It’s been unlike any year in history if you think about it. Surely, in our lifetimes.

…and it’s not over yet.

…and it’s not going to change automatically just because the calendar flips to 2021 in two months. Or because the crazy election is over in November.

We simply don’t know. Maybe it will get worse. Quien sabe? Who knows?

I was thinking about that the other day. It could get worse? Really?

For ourselves, how many more punches to the nose can we take and still remain standing?

And while I was sitting there sinking into “bluesville” and edging into feeling sorry for myself…

My wife, Jilly nudged me as she often does and interrupted my thoughts. She’s always looking at her cellphone.

“Hey, look at this photo of the grandkids! Pretty cute aren’t they?”

A cellphone with two grinning little ones was shoved into my face.

…and I laughed.

Yea. They are pretty cute at that.

“Remember that last time when we had them over for that barbecue? We had the huge blow-up pool from Walmart all set up and we all jumped in and splashed around with them?”

Actually, I do. And it was a lot of fun. Silly fun with silly grandkids and sillier adults.

And it made me smile.

Maybe it was more than just serendipitous co-incidence that she had nudged me.

Divine intervention?

A poke from the galactic powers of the universe to sit up and take notice and stop whining?

There really were a lot of reasons to smile.

In the middle of all the insanity, there were and are many blessings.

In fact, at the time this happened, my toes were buried in warm sand.

On a beach. At the ocean… in the sunshine… under a palapa with a plate of shrimp and a cold beer.

How terrible is that?

Only reason for that was business was slow. Like all businesses. Bummer. Had a few hours to kill.

We live about 30 yards from the water’s edge. Gosh…we run a fishing operation in Baja where I daily have to push boats into the water by hand up to my waist in the waves.

Our restaurant is on the waterfront steps from the bay.

And I realized this was the first time in more than five years that I had actually taken time with my wife to sit on the beach.

Because business was slow.

But, here I was. Able to sit and enjoy and put my toes in the sand and jump into the water…not for work. Just for the heck of it.

We had snuck away from work for just a few precious hours.

And then all the other stolen moments…that we never get to do normally.

Dinner out with clients.

Taking time to smoke a cigar and have a beer with friends.

Time with the kids and watching the grandkids grow up.

Watch a movie on TV from beginning-to-end without having to watch it in 30-minute increments over a week.

All the home dinners where Jill and I got to play in the kitchen and actually have real conversations.

Occasional naps.

I actually finished a book or two.

I had time to do some gardening and construction projects

Take a walk.

All the little unusual blessings in the maelstrom of a turbulent year.

I NEVER do these things. I never have time to do these things running our businesses.

Forced “time out.”

And, all those other things?

Ultimately, they were just “inconveniences.” Most things we don’t like in life are just that…inconveniences.

There aren’t that many things in life that are “critical” if you have your health and family.

This just happened to be a year of more than incredible “inconveniences.”

We all had our health.

Wearing masks…inconvenience.

Social distancing…(sigh)…inconvenience.

No restaurants…movies…parks…sports…inconvenience.

No more than 2 persons in a car…inconvenience.

Re-runs on Netflix and Roku…inconvenience.

Getting completely sanitized before they let you into any building…inconvenience.

Standing in line at 4 a.m. for groceries and toilet paper…BIG STUPID INCONVENIENCE.

Waiting 40-deep at markets for beer here in Baja when they shut down the breweries (non-essential business)…MAYBE THE BIGGEST STUPIDEST INCONVENIENCE OF ALL!

But we endured. And we endure s’more.

Many many many folks here in Baja and everywhere in the world have it so much worse than us. It’s beyond critical. It’s tragic.

There’s a zillion conflicts and turmoils swirling everywhere.

But right now. Right then… Next to my wife on a sunny beach in Mexico is a blessing.

Will have to clean up and get back to work in an hour or so.

But, I gotta remember to savor these little moments. Little co-incidences. Little blessings. Little miracles.

Please pass me another beer.

And thank you, Lord. Thank you galactic powers of the universe.

For small blessings and little miracles. And co-incidences.

And the occasional poke in the side.

That’s my story…

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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Jonathan has written for:

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THINGS I WOULD HAVE TOLD MYSELF

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