That&#039;s My Story

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

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

“Through the Looking Glass”

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, dorado, driving, east cape, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, highway, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, 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, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, Sea of Cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, techniques, 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, baja, baja sur, bay of the dead, billfish, blogs, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, culture, dorado, east cape, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, flyfishing, freediving, girl, guides, isla, island, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, outfitters, packages, panga, pargo, reports, roosterfish, sailfish, salt water, saltwater, scuba, sea of cortez, sierra, snapper, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, techniques, tips, tours, tuna, updates, vacation, vacations, videos, wahoo, western outdoor news, western outdoors, women, yellowtail on October 14, 2013| Leave a Comment »

The famous arch on the public pier in La Paz welcoming visitors to the “Port of Magic.”

“THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS”

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 15, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

Here in La Paz, we call the waterfront area, the Malecon. It’s the Mexican equivalent of “fisherman’s wharf” in so many ocean-front areas in the U.S. And, like it’s counterparts north of the border, the malecon is a hub of commercial and social activity.

Restaurants, stores, cantinas and tourist shops dot the area and cater to the numerous locals and tourists enjoying the mile-long stretch of beach and concrete boardwalk.

Smack dab in the middle is the city pier. At the entrance to that pier is an arch proclaiming “Bienvenidos al Puerto de Illusion” (Welcome to the Port of Magic).

I never really gave it much thought. Just another chamber-of-commerce slogan to welome tourists. Yawn. Lo que sea (whatever). A bit like U.S. towns annointing themselves the “Cucumber Capital of the World” or “The Place Where Teddy Roosevelt Went to Middle School.”

And I live and work in the “Port of Magic.” Right. OK.

And for about 10 months of the year, we are myopically focused on running our fishing business and restaurant 24/7. Boats in and out. Clients and amigos coming and going. Flights to catch and meet. Luggage and fishing gear hauled and carried. Fish to be packed and frozen.

We’re out’ve salsa. The pork ribs didn’t arrive. There’s a busted toilet. The beer truck only brought half our order. The drummer in the band is sick. Two TV’s are don’t work and we have a full house for football games.

Did I just hear a bunch of glasses shatter? What do you mean we have no tortillas tonite? Which panga just broke down? Your buddy just heatstroked and needs a doctor? No, I don’t know where you put your passport! I don’t know why the bait is so small this year. Yes, it’s OK to drink the water.

It’s crazy. It’s hectic. We’re little gerbils on a treadmill. We love our lives and are immeasurably blessed. But, after months with zero days off, we’re human.

We bump into walls. We growl at each other. Patience is thin. Sometimes our smiles aren’t as ready or as genuine as we would like. How many times can I answer, “Where are the tuna?” or “So, how come the captains don’t speak English?”

But every now and then the cosmos send down a message that gives us pause to remember where we are and what we really do.

It happened just this week. Rick was on his 2^nd trip in two years with us here at Tailhunters. He’s a fireman. He pulled me aside one evening at the restaurant. He grabbed my hand in his big paw, shook it and gave me a big brotherly-bear hug.

“Hey man, I just want to thank you for having me here, “ he said sincerely.

“Oh sure, glad you’re having a good time!” I replied somewhat generically. I was kind of in a hurry and didn’t really have a long time to chat. The restaurant was filling up and I was expecting a big load of arrivals from the airport. My anxiety was a little piqued.

“No, Jonathan, I really appreciate being here with you and Jill, “ he replied a bit quietly. He wouldn’t let go of my hand. “This place stitches my soul.”

Pause. He looked at me eye-to-eye. It slowed me down. “Stitches my soul?”

“I’m a fireman. I see a lot of things. For a few days a year, being here in Baja helps put my soul back together. For a few days on a boat and with my friends, it helps me make sense of things again. When, I’m fishing my reality is simplified down to a bit of nylon string and a bit of bait. Things start to make sense again. It’s my happy place. It helps me do what I do the rest of the year. Thanks, man.”

With that, he gave me another bear hug and let go of my hand. He grinned and went upstairs to join the rest of his amigos already into their beers.

I stood there in my own moment.

Stiches my soul. A place where things make sense again. His happy space.

It’s good to remember that this isn’t just about how many fish you catch. It’s not about “just a vacation.”

There’s often a bigger picture here. I have to remind myself that we’re especially blessed to be part of it. It’s indeed a magic place and a magic space through which we pass. Vamos al Puerto de Illusion! Find your happy place, amigos.

That’s my story

Jonathan

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Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

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

“You Mean I Can Keep It?”

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, Dehydration, dorado, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, 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, humboldt squid, 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, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing fish, pargo, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, Sea of Cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Sun stroke, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, baja, baja sur, billfish, blogs, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, child, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eating, el sargento, espirito santo, families, family, fish, Fishing, flyfishing, freediving, fun, getaway, guides, holidays, isla, island, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, outfitters, packages, packing, panga, pargo, pompano, preparing, punta arenas, reports, roosterfish, safety, sailfish, scuba, sea of cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, techniques, tips, tours, transportation, tuna, video, videos, wahoo, yellowtail on September 16, 2013| 1 Comment »

What do you think? It looks to me like Aiden's self-esteem is just fine!

Yes…I think we can bring this one home!

You Mean I Can Keep It?

Originally Published the Week of September 20, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

You Baja veterans should probably just web surf something else. This might be old stuff to you.

But, often when you do something so long or something is “old hat” you forget that there’s still newbies out there who have valid questions about things that old Baja rats like us take for granted.

It’s a simple, but important issue. I receive enough e-mails and phone calls asking if it’s OK to bring home fish.

Sometimes, my auto-response in my brain says, “Well..duh…that’s kinda dumb! That’s like asking me if it’s OK to dip you chips in salsa!”

Of course, I can’t and would never say that because there are no such thing as dumb questions. It’s a legitimate question and well-asked. I mean, if you’re coming fishing in Baja, one would need to know if it’s OK to keep your catch. Corollary to that, is it OK to bring some home!

But, I get asked about it enough as new folks are discovering Baja that I figured it was time to do another column about it and update my thoughts.

The question used to surprise me more. But, having been in the industry now for almost 2 decades, us west-coast anglers might be surprised to learn that there are many world-class fishing destinations that severely limit what you can keep.

Pay several thousand dollars a day and you get to keep say…one fish! Or, you must release all fish. Yes, it’s true! For most of us who have fished the Baja since the age-of-dirt, we pretty much always assume that as long as we’re within limits, everything hooked is coming home.

There may come a day when severe limits will be enforced, but that’s the subject of another column and someone with a lot bigger brain and bigger column than mine.

For now, the simple answer is yes, you may bring home your fish that you catch here in Baja. As long as you’re within limits, by all means, bring some home. Or have some cooked up while you’re still on vacation. Nothing will taste better than fresh caught fish that was swimming around earlier that day!

Bringing fish home starts with taking care of the catch. Treat it well and you’ll preserve the quality.

Once the fish is caught, if you can, have your captain or deckhand bleed it. That’s not always possible when the action is fast-and-furious and lines are flying and it’s a three-ringed-water-circus out there. However, bled-fish…even lower-grade meat fish like bonito or skipjack will taste world’s better if it’s freshly bled.

Maybe the most important thing whether it’s bled or not is to keep it cold. Warm water fish are…well…they’re warm! As soon as they’re dead, like anything, they start to deteriorate. And the hot Baja sun is not a friend to your future dinner! Leaving a fish on the deck or even in a fish box without ice is pretty much like putting the fish in the oven.

So, at all levels from catch-to-stove or barbecue…keep your fish cold. Ice is your buddy. It’s a good question to ask when you book your trip if there’s ice aboard to keep your fish chilled.

After that, you need to store your fish while you’re still on vacation.

I see two cardinal sins all the time. One is rinsing your fish in fresh water. Or, even soaking it in fresh water. That takes out all the flavor. Secondly, the fresh water gets in and then freezes and now your have fresh water crystals in your fish which detracts from the quality and flavor.

Additionally, I often see people rinsing their fish in warm or tepid water. Especially in Baja! Water coming from pipes here is often very warm…or hot! Amigo…not only is it fresh water, but moreso, you’re cooking your fish in the warm water. If you have to use fresh water, make sure it’s cool water! Ideally, clean saltwater is best.

The ideal method is to have your fish vacuum sealed. It’s worth it! Nothing is worse than beautiful fish fillets in a big giant frozen ball in your freezer. You take it out and it’s either freezer burned or you now have a 10-pound ball of thawed fish. And you really only need two fillets for dinner! The rest get wasted. Or the cats get it.

Vacuum sealing is the difference between fish that lasts a few weeks or fish that can last many months in your freezer so that your dorado caught in June tastes great in December!

If you can’t vacuum seal it, at least put it in good quality zip-lock style freezer bags. Only put in what you’re planning to thaw for a meal.

An old Mexico trick is to put fillets in the freezer bag then lowering the bag into a bucket or sink of water. The water forces the air out and then press the seal. You get instant Mexican vacuum sealing!

Lastly, it’s really important to keep your fish in a good place while you enjoy the rest of your vacation. As crazy as it sounds, we often encounter folks here who book their hotels and either do NOT have freezer or do not allow fishermen to store their catch. That’s gonna be a buzz-kill.

Others, simply put, have crappy freezers that aren’t worth a hoot. So, check on that. The places that cater to fishermen or have a reputation for good fishing also have good storage facilities. Or, if you’re booking through a charter operation, ask them about storing your fish in freezers.

Remember, that warm fish often takes awhile to freeze. Or the freezers at a given hotel get a load of fish every night from all the anglers. In even the best freezers it sometimes takes 24-hours to get solid.

If you’re leaving the next day, that could seem like a problem. It’s not. Put your least frozen fish on the bottom of your cooler. Put your most frozen fish on the top (cold travels down). Add extra insulation with crushed crumpled newspaper or your dirty fishing clothes and your fish will be fine!

That’s our story!

Jonathan

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______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

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

“Leaving Something On The Playing Field”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, dorado, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, giant squid, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged baja, casa de ancienos, charity, charters, fish, fishermen, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, mexican, mexican culture, mexican life, Mexican lifestyle, mexico, outfitters, salt water, sea of cortez, seniora, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tours, vacations, western outdoor news, western outdoors on July 7, 2013| 1 Comment »

LEAVING SOMETHING ON THE PLAYING FIELD

Originally Published the Week of July 9, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

In all the years down here in Baja, one of the funnest things I ever did had nothing to do with being on the water. It had a lot to do with being on this planet.

But there we were…us and a handful of fishermen running up and down the aisles of the local La Paz grocery store tossing handfuls of everything in the basket. Money and cost be damned!

It was like turning kids loose in a candy store!

Remember those old TV shows where the winner got 10 minutes to put as much of anything the could find into the shopping cart before the buzzer rang? That’s what it was like. Gleeful fun. Giddy fun.

Store attendants looked on in horror!

Jimmy was putting bags of rice and beans in his cart and piling that-up with cartons of eggs.

Mike was literally doing a balancing act by pulling cans of soup or vegetables into his cart and making a mess dumping boxes of cereal and soap and juice into his overflowing cart.

Terry had parked in the produce section. He was busy bagging tomatoes and apples, onions and oranges and trying to squeeze watermelon underneath near the wheels.

On the other end of the store, Larry already had some huge frozen hams in his cart. He had just laid wasted to the bacon, poultry and hot dogs and was now assaulting the dairy section for milk, yogurt and butter. See, Larry run!

Laughing like a little kid, I found Mario in the liquor aisle putting jugs of wine on top of boxes of cookies…donuts… and potato chips!

I looked at him puzzled…”Not exactly healthy stuff there, Mario!”

“Hey…they’re OLD…they’re not DEAD! They should have some fun!” he yelled back.

I had to laugh. All of this “largesse” was headed to one of the old-folks home here in La Paz. Yes…”old but not dead and certainly entitled to fun!”

As soon as all of this was loaded into the van, we were headed there to the senior home to play summer-time Santa Clause…a total surprise!

Every year this group pulls this crazy stunt. Their last day in town is a “run through the market” followed by a visit to the senior home to big smiles, hugs, and grateful handshakes from a group so often forgotten.

The seniors are so often forgotten. They’re not cute. Many can’t speak. They sit for hours just staring. One of the gents gets a special smile as he pulls the bottle of tequila from the boxes of groceries and flashes a toothless grin! I would have bet the barn that he squirrels it under his shirt and sneaks back to his room!

But they aren’t the only ones. We have another group of anglers that takes all the fish from their last day of fishing. They donate it to whatever cause seems to be the most needy. Sometimes, it’s the seniors. Sometimes it’s the kids.

It doesn’t matter. It seems that they fish especially hard that last day because they know that even “junk fish” like bonito will be more than welcomed. Jack crevalle and triggerfish all go into the ice chests ready to fillet!

Again, the smiles are priceless.

I have another group of good-Joes. They fish with us and eat at our restaurant. They automatically put up $50 bucks a head. They order and eat off the $50.

They order a 10-dollar burger or plate of tacos and nachos. The remainder is a donation to charity. If they have 10 or 20 guys…that can be a nice sum that buys a lot of dry goods, toiletries, rice, beans and yes…pampers and toothpaste.

Others aren’t so grand, but bring whatever they can.

A dentist brings cases of the extra sample toothbrushes sent to his office. He has us give it to an elementary school near Las Arenas. A doctor gets boxes bandages.

A guy who sells paper products brings note pads and colored-pencils. Kids who treasure each piece of paper act like gold, bust out huge smiles.

Another group collects old sporting goods cast-off by their own kids who have outgrown them. They come down with baseball gloves, a catchers mask, some old rubber bases and deflated soccer balls and basketballs that can be inflated again. Old sweaty baseball hats with MLB logos are treated like winning lottery tickets.

Eyes glow. Handshakes exchanged. No words necessary. It’s universal. Win-win. Priceless friendship and gratitude.

Things that we so often take for granted like toothpaste and soap and shampoo are a luxury. We go through sports gear as fast as we visit our sporting goods store and see a new model that promises to make us stronger, faster, or better.

We don’t give 2^nd thoughts about how important something like pampers or socks or clean t-shirts might be. Or just what a treat a cheap sip of wine might be even if served in a Dixie cup.

You always hear athletes talking about “going all out” and “leaving it all out there on the court or field.” Give it your all. Regret nothing.

Here in Mexico, leaving even a little something behind on the playing field is makes everyone a winner.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

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______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

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

“A Gathering of Tribes”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, tagged baja, Cabo San Lucas, Jonathan Roldan, mexican, mexico, salt water fishing, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, tournament, tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, western outdoor news, yellowfin tuna on November 5, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Nothing like being front-and-center in the middle of a huge Cabo San Lucas Tournament and the Western Outdoor News Tuna Jackpot is one of the funnest tournaments to be part of.

AND THE FINAL WINNING WEIGHT IS…..!!!!!!

A GATHERING OF TRIBES

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 7, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

This has got to be one of my favorite times of the year. By the time you’re reading this, we’ll be in the middle of the 2012 Western Outdoor News Tuna Jackpot Tournament in Cabo San Lucas. This is maybe the 10^th year that we’ve worked at the tournament.

The Western Outdoor News Tuna Jackpot Tournament has a special place for me. With more than 120 teams possibly this year, if it’s not the largest of the big Cabo San Lucas fishing tournaments, then it’s the “funnest” of the tournaments.

It’s hard to dislike a tournament with the motto of “ Fish Hard. Party Harder.”

It’s the “everyman’s tournament”. Everyone plays. You don’t have to mortage the house or be a millionaire. Everyone passes “GO!” Everyone participates.

You’re more likely to run into your neighbor down the street or Joe the Mechanic and his wife from Riverville, Oregon. Probably Rob and Chuck two carpenters from Moscow, Idaho or the retired couple from Riverside CA and their sons.

Basically, if it floats it fishes. Three men in a tub? Yea, they’re probably team number 63 from New Mexico. I’ve seen pangas do as well as mega-sportfishers. Folks with little or no experience and not much more than department-store-fishing gear have as much fun as professional teams.

Heck, last year, the tournament was won by a great guy from the mid-west who had NEVER fished in the ocean. In fact, he beat the field using a single-speed off-the-shelf-reel and a rental rod! You gotta love that.

It’s not that hard to win money in the various categories and, even if they don’t get a big check, they still go home with all kinds of gear, swag and giveways not to mention big smiles!

The really neat thing is that we see the same folks year-after-year. It’s much like a gathering of tribes! And everyone knows each other. There’s only about 10 of our Western Outdoor New staff members and then there’s the great group of regular sponsors that just jump right in and party and hang with everyone.

There are very few strangers and no one stays an outsider for long!

Everyone knows the “Redneck Hillbilly” fishing team and the “Borracho Lizards” and “Shut-Up-And-Fish” team.

I can always tell the cowboy team from Wyoming when they start yelling. The “San Diego Blasters” have their own set of cheers and there’s another team that will take any opportunity to start singing “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynrd Skynard at the top of their lungs. Even tho’ they’re from Arizona. Go figure.

In some ways, the actual fishing tournament seems to just be a vehicle by which we throw this huge 5-day party for 1000 people. It’s an excuse for a kick up their heels…or flip-flops! It’s like letting the “Gypsies in the Palace!” Yea, lock the liquor cabinet and don’t expect the lawn to get mowed.

I sometimes think the tuna fishing is “something to do in the daytime” and that more people look forward to the huge fiestas we throw each night for the tournament with live music; great food; gear giveaways; contests; and copious consumption of massive amounts of adult beverages…all under the fall skies of great Cabo San Lucas evenings.

But, yes, there’s still the matter of fishing!

Yea, we just happen to catch a “few” fish. Hehehehe…

This is the time of year when many of the “Big Mo’” cow tuna take up residence around Cabo San Lucas. We’re talking the 100-300 pound beasts that prowl the sea where the land ends and can bust up tackle and anglers in quick succession.

At last year’s tournament, I could not remember a year when we weighed so many fish over 100 pounds. And with each “oooh” and “ahhhh” and click of camera shutters, the excitement builds as each fish is hoisted and charted and each team poses with the Corona Girls. When you’re up at the scales, everyone is a winner.

And in the last few years, it often seems that the big fish isn’t locked up until the last hour of the last day. That makes for some good sport fishing drama as some battle-weary team pulls up in the dark and the buzz starts that “They have a big fish!”

And there’s is an electricity as the big fish is put into a cart and hauled to the weigh station. And there’s a hush and the anticipation grows heavy.

And the silence as the fish it pulled up. And…and…and…tension…the rope groans beneath the monster tuna. And the weight is announced.

Then a yell! Cheers erupt! Victorious fists pump the air! High-fives! Back slapping! Cameras flash!

The tribes go wild. It’s pandemonium on the docks. It’s pretty special. Wish you were here!

That’s our story

Jonathan

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Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife, Jill, 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 riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com or drop by the restaurant to say hi!

_______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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

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

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

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

“SOMEDAY IS ALREADY HERE!”

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Five hours...214 pounds on 60 pound test line...one leg...alot of heart!

Big check aside, there was a larger story behind the win at the Western Outdoor News Tuna Jackpot Tournament in Cabo San Lucas

SOMEDAY IS ALREADY HERE

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Nov. 17, 2011

If you’re in the travel / fishing business like we are, you get alot of ” We’ll get out your way someday!” or “One of these days, we have to try doing something like that!”

You smile. You nod. That’s great. Sure thing.

This past week, my wife, Jill and I spent a great time working with the wacky crazy fun crew of Western Outdoor News at the 13th Annual Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot. Imagine throwing a five -day party for about 600 of your best friends.

It’s alot of work, but far outweighed by the smiles and fun. With over 100 teams from around world participating, how can you go wrong with a tournament that has the motto, “FISH HARD! PARTY HARDER!”

Ringmaster and WON Editor Pat McDonell pulls out all the stops as tournament director to make sure everyone has a good time. The best thing is that you see so many of the same faces every year. Many participants tell us this is sometimes the ONLY fishing they do all year and look forward to ONLY fishing in this event…because it’s such a kick.

This year, Jill worked the papers and stats helping to keep the tournament central booth manned and everyone straight. I thought I had the “easy” job of working the weigh scale with Pat.

Not so. There were alot of fish to weigh! It was pretty crazy. Drama right to the end. As it turned out, it was historic! More fish were weighed than ever. There were so many fish over 100 pounds, let alone the bigger slugs. (23 fish over 100 pounds and 3 over 200 pounds). I was pretty much covered with fish goo by the end of the day.

And there was the winner…214 pounds of tuna muscle. And it was worth almost 37 grand in prize money. Yay!

It’s quite a story.

Oroville Henseler fought this thug fish for almost FIVE hours. He was a FIRST TIME angler. When we saw his rod and reel, it almost looked like a rental rod. No fancy upgrades. No two-speed gears. No aircraft precision. It was a simple out-of-the-box Penn 6/0 reel. His rod…I dunno…a no-name-brand from what I can tell. Better suited for 20-pound dorado than 200- pound gorilla tuna. Granted, he had 150-pound Seagaur leader, but his mainline… only 60 -pound mono!

He refused to pass off the rod for all five hours. He wouldn’t hear of it. Imagine dangling a 200-pound refrigerator over the side of a building on a string and hanging onto it…for five grueling hours in the Baja sun on a rolling boat. That’s manning-up on a fish!

But that’s not the story…the real story. The winning story.

See, Oroville Henseler came all the way out from Springtown, Pennsylvania. Yes, THAT hotbed of ocean-fishing. Oroville had never fished in a big-time tournament. Heck, he hadn’t even been ocean fishing before.

Six months ago, he never imagined himself standing on the winner stage with a big fat check in one hand and his wife, Cindy, holding his other hand and holding back tears of her own.

You see, about 6 months ago, Oroville Henseler from Springtown was more concerned with staying alive and maybe walking again. He had lost his leg in an industrial accident when his shoelace got entangled in a machine. Surgery was unable to save his leg.

Fitted with a prosthetic leg, he had one of those life-changing experiences you hear about.

As the story is told, just two weeks before the tournament, he decided to go. A big -time tournament was on his new “bucket list” and he said no more “what if…” moments in his life. He plopped down the credit card and stepped up.

As he stood up there in the lights accepting the roaring congratulations and applause from more than 600 people, politicians and dignitaries at the awards banquet at the Cabo marina, he was choked up. I could see his eyes tearing up. His metal bionic leg sticking out from a pair of jeans shorts. A Kodak moment of moments.

Winning. It’s not about the money. It’s about saying “No more somedays.” There might not be time for “someday.” Someday is already here.

That’s our story!

Jonathan

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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.”