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I DON’T ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE WHERE I FISH… (…BUT WHEN I DO, IT’S A LIE!)

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, ice chests, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, 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 economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packing, panga, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on July 28, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Favorite-Fishing-Spot-760x500

I DON’T ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE WHERE I FISH…

…BUT WHEN I DO, IT’S A LIE!

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

Fishermen are funny folks.

Most of them that I know will give you the shirts off their backs. They’ll invite perfect strangers to sit down for dinner and a beer.

They’ll happily give you every fish recipe they know. They’ll patiently show you how to tie every knot or explain their gear to you.

But, there’s a caveat and limit to generosity. Fishermen have a reputation for tall tales and outright lies. It’s in our nature.

Nowhere is that more evident than when you ask an angler where his secret fishing spots are located.

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He or she will give up the combination to the family safe or tell you where the family jewels are stashed before revealing their honey hole fishing spots.

In my years down here, I have seen some crazy things.

With our fleets here in La Paz, let me preface by saying that most of the captains are related by blood or marriage. Overall, no matter which fleets they work for, there’s a general spirit of cooperation.

Most times!

There’s mutual respect and at the end of the day, they all have to go home to the same families, neighborhoods and, in some cases, the same homes together.

But, like competing football teams, that doesn’t mean there’s any lack of competitiveness or shenanigans.

For example, there’s radio channels.

There are the general channels that everyone listens to or for emergencies. But then each fleet also has it’s own channel that everyone in that particular fleet tunes to. Everyone knows the other fleet’s frequencies.

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And there’s the “secret channel” where anyone can listen, but the fleet broadcasts it’s phoney-baloney info! And the channels change all the time to keep the competition off-balance.

For instance, they’ll broadcast the wrong locations to catch bait or where the dorado or tuna are biting. They’ll outright lie about what they’ve caught in their fish boxes or where they are located.

And all seems fair.

It’s part of the game and strategy because everyone is doing it. The “hot” guy one day might be ice cold the next. He might be giggling about his secret spot today, but tomorrow, he’s the goat and gets duped by false info.

The secret to playing the game is scanning through all the radio junk and know who’s broadcasting what info and recognizing voices.

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To us it sounds like one continuous Spanish word and a lot of squawking, but there’s a method to the madness. I’ve even seen them disguise their voices.

Almost like the Navajo radiomen in WW 2.

So, if your captain seems like he’s spending a lot of time on the radio, he’s wading through all the chatter and keying on what’s happening on the oceanic game-board.

This was all explained to me years ago by one of my captains after I asked him why he spent so much seemingly useless time on the radio.

He laughed and said, “I’m playing the game! My youngest brother and uncle work for the other fleet. My older brother and cousin work for you so we screw with each other all day. So do all the other captains!”

Gamesmanship! Know when to hold ‘em. Know when to fold ‘em.

He also said, “We know the gringo guys in the big yachts are trying to listen as well and we do not want them to know our spots and ruin the bite!”

Well, OK then…

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Another time, with one of our favorite skippers, he told us to bring colorful beach towels with us. Sure. No big deal.

Later in the day, he brought us to one of his “secret spots.” We were having a blast catching fish.

But, whenever another panga (from another “team”) got close to us, he would quickly tell us to take down the rods and hide them. He told us to grab the beach towels and pretend we had been swimming.

He told us to make a lot of noise and pretend we were drying off and wave at the other boat as it went by.

As soon as they were gone, out came the rods again! Sneaky.

There was another year when we had a huge dorado bite going off north of town. The “fish magnet” turned out to be a huge Christmas tree that someone had set adrift.

Floating upside down, it attracted huge schools of sizeable dorado and other species. Whoever was on the spot could easily load up on fish and/or catch- and-release as quickly as you could put a bait in the water. It was epic.

One or two boats would fish the spot and load it up. It would then call in other friendly pangas. They would get their limits. They would leave and call in others. And so-on-and-so-on in a great rotation!

All the while, phoney radio transmissions were getting sent out. But…word eventually got out to the other fleets.

Every few nights, each fleet would “steal” the tree and tow it to another secret spot known only to it’s captains.

A few nights later having deciphered all the crazy radio broadcasts, some other fleet would steal it back. This went on for two weeks until the currents carried it away or the tree simply disintegrated.

Even on a daily basis, when our own captains return each day to give me their reports, I ask where they were fishing or where they found the bite.

“Where were you fishing today? “

I get winks and a smile, “In the Sea of Cortez, Senor Jonathan!”

Let the games continue…can’t trust a fisherman to give a straight answer.

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

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.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 »

A QUIET CONVERSATION

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, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, Heat stroke, 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 economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, deep sea fishing, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on June 30, 2019| 1 Comment »

A QUIET CONVERSATION

Originally Published the Week of July 1, 2019 in Western Outdoors Publications

You know you’ve been in business awhile when you start seeing 2^nd and 3^rd generations of clients come to visit.

Fathers bring kids. Kids bring fathers. Grandfather brings sons and grandsons.

It’s a special privilege and honor that folks think enough of spending time with us and sharing their families with us. We do our best to make sure they are memorable for them. I think anyone in this type of outdoor hospitality work does the same.

As I also grow older and realize I’m now eligible for senior discounts at Denny’s and AARP magazines, I take a special joy in the grandfathers and grandmothers.

It’s that generation just slightly ahead of me. They lived through the cold war and Korea. Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Martin Luther King, Nixon and Vietnam. Veterans and ex-hippies. They remember Elvis and Nat King Cole.

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Dads who watched Johnny Carson and the Ed Sullivan Show and moms who drove real station wagons full of kids (without seatbelts) to drop them off at the park pool. They made boloney sandwiches on white Wonderbread and gave the kids a dime to chase the ice cream truck.

They served sugar-laden Cokes as treats and squirted you with the garden hose in the summer.

And they were allowed to spank you too!

They may be a step-or-two slower. Hair might be a few shades grayer or it might be gone the same place as the trim waist line, but the memories are mostly sharp.

A big part of me mostly just keeps a special eye on them.

Sometimes, the younger ones are having too much fun and not watching dad or gramps or granny who doesn’t climb steps as fast. Or they might not be drinking enough water in the hot sun. Or forgetting the sunscreen. Stuff like that.

But, I keep a personal eye on them for another reason. Purely selfish. Eyesight might not be as great, but that doesn’t mean they can’t see. And I love watching them watch their kids or grandkids.

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There’s a special twinkle there. A satisfied grin. The special way they might sit with arms folded across chests and tummies just taking it all in. Like they were sitting on the porch back home.

Catching fish isn’t quite as important as watching everyone else catch fish and hearing the laughter. Nothing to prove, and really wanting nothing more than to share more Kodak moments.

They might not know a thing about their cellphones, Instagram or
Facebook. But I can tell they’re storing every single moment in their minds and memories.

Whenever I can slow down for a moment, I treasure the conversations and the time to just sit for a few minutes. For as much as they want to ask and talk to me about our lives here in Mexico, I love hearing their stories.

I like knowing where everyone is from and how close or far they are now living. How many grandkids there are or even great grandkids.

Conversations flow easily.

So often times with us “younger folks”, we consciously or unconsciously “one-up” each other.

“Hey, last year, my brother and I went to this awesome mountain lake…”

“We’ll dude, I gotta tell you about this even better place I took the girlfriend.”

“And this restaurant we ate at had the absolute BEST Italian food I have ever eaten and we went their 3 times in a row and my favorite was…

“Man, we found this other place that you should have gone to instead. They know us by name and know exactly what my favorite drink is!”

Everyone making it about “Me” and “I” and this and that.

Everyone yakking and no one listening or having real conversation. We never even let the other person finish their sentence. Always turning the conversation back to themselves. I hear it in our restaurant all the time.

No one ever follows up a statement by asking the other person, “Wow, tell me more about that.”

The older generation has nothing to prove. Not much I can say would compete with someone telling me they were in Vietnam. Or stood barefoot in the rain at Woodstock.

booty

I want to know more.

Not much I can say could add to mom and dad packing all their household belongings and kids in a station wagon with stuff tied to the roof. They then drove completely cross country on a whim of hope to find a better job at the end of the road. No solid prospects. Just fingers crossed and some trust in a dream.

I never knew what it was like to pay 19 cents for a gallon of gas. And you say the gas station attendants use to come out and wash your windshield and check your oil for free every time you came in? What? Really?

I didn’t get to see the Beatles at Shea Stadium in ’64 or hang out with the Grateful Dead and “pass around a doobie” with 10 other people in a Volkswagen van in Golden Gate Park.

I didn’t get raised on a farm in Ohio and have to milk the cows and shovel pig poo in the morning. That was BEFORE actually walking two miles through the snow to school. Yes, some folks really did have to do that.

older-man

I never had “Sunday Best” clothes for church or have to dress up to go on a trip. I never had “just one pair of shoes.”

And I don’t remember the days before TV. And I don’t ever remember looking forward to a dinner of Spam and canned peas. And excited to get a 2^nd helping.

They actually had to “cook” oatmeal and it was OK to eat all the Sugar Frosted Flakes you wanted for breakfast. What’s a microwave?

I wasn’t the first in my family to get a high school diploma while working in a factory to help support mom and dad and three other brothers and sisters. Nor did I have ever go hunting or fishing when it meant the difference between having something to eat for dinner or another can of beans.

I never worked on a tramp steamer to South America nor did my family just escape Germany in 1939 and our last name was Goldstein. I was never shipped to an internment camp in the desert and losing our farm because we were of Japanese Ancestry. Or doubt that Douglas McArthur would ever come back.

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I would have liked to have seen Wilt Chamberlin score 99 points for Philadelphia or take my date to dance with the Lawrence Welk band or jitterbug to Benny Goodman.

What could I possibly add to any of that?

I can’t. So, I just listen and absorb and enjoy. Please tell me more.

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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 »

LIVING THE DREAM

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 island, charters, deep sea, dorado, driving, east cape, 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, 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, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, waterspouts, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on June 17, 2019| Leave a Comment »

LIVING THE DREAM

Originally Published the Week of June 17, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

I think a week doesn’t go by down here where we live that someone doesn’t ask me about retiring to Baja or somewhere in Mexico. So many dream of “Living the Dream” after they walk away from the 9-to-5.

Kiss-off traffic and kiss-off the hassles and anyone who doesn’t like it can kiss something else for all you care.

The warm waters, blue skies and white sands call you and cold cervezas already have your name on it. The sounds of the mariachi and Jimmy Buffet beckon you like an irresistible siren. There has to be a way to do it.

And, in fact, so many have done it and are doing so with increasing velocity every year. Americans and Canadians alike have chosen Mexico as the #1 retirement destination in the world.

Despite travel warnings, Mexico has one of the highest tourism rates of any country. And, as more folks visit, they’re thinking that a permanent vacation might not be a bad idea.

If you have Mexico as a possible retirement destination, think on it carefully.

Remember, you’re not moving to another state. You are moving to another country with it’s own set of laws, customs, culture and language. It’s not like grabbing the U-Haul; calling some buddies with pick-up trucks; and moving across town.

It’s not for everyone, but if you put some thought into it, the possibilities are worth exploring.

The first thing to think about here is what kind of lifestyle you think you want to have. And also where do you want to live.

If you want a lifestyle similar to what you have north of the border, you can probably do it a lot cheaper here in Mexico.

If you really do not need a 3 bedroom home with the air-conditioner running all the time and you can turn things down a notch and live more like your local neighbors, you can do quite well.

When I first got down here almost 25 years ago, my roommate and I rented a 5 BR house with a 7-car garage! Not because the two of us needed it, but because it was $120 bucks a month! It came with a maid 5 days-a-week also!

The only reason we moved out was because the owner sold it.

Researching some online websites that specialize in retirement living and assets, the average cost of living for a retired couple is about $2000 a month ($24,000/ year) here in Mexico.

And that’s living pretty comfortably.

Also, the dollar is extremely strong in Mexico against the value of the peso so your dollars go quite far here in terms of purchasing power.

Of course, like all real-estate, location is important. Are you living with an ocean view or proximity to the ocean? In the little towns in the mountains? A resort city? A regular urban location? All of those factor in.

If you’re renting, housing is cheaper here than in the states. Gas is about what you pay for in a major U.S. metro area.

But how much driving are you really doing? I put maybe 20-30 miles a week on our beater vehicle, but that’s also because I run a business. I used to commute 50 miles one-way each day back in the U.S. in traffic!

Food is definitely cheaper. Electricity is probably a bit more. Services like phones and internet are a little cheaper, but quality is not always great. It’s serviceable but not always reliable depending on where you live.

Several things you will have to get used to, include possibly a lack of reliable mail service (again depending on where you live) or it can be very costly. Paying bills can be a chore…again very often related to mail service.

Getting someone to come by to do thing i.e. plumbers, painters, repairmen, electrician, the cable guy…

They’ll get there when they get there. No amount of phone calls will make it go faster. No amount of money will make it go faster or (laughing) telling people “I’m an American!”

We have a saying here that if someone tells you, “Manana (tomorrow)” for the 3^rd time, it ain’t happening. They’re just being too polite to tell you they can’t do it.

Go find someone else. When you find a reliable person for any job, grab and hold onto them! There are some great folks down here who do great work.

The problem is that everyone else has grabbed them as well. They are in high demand.

So, back to square one.

They might also have to tell you “Manana” as well. Not because they’re slackers. It’s because they’re extremely busy. It’s just part of living here.

One big consideration, for retirement is health care.

For the most part, I’ve found that health care here is pretty good. We live in a major city. La Paz also happens to be the capital of the state. So, the level of care is probably better than some other places.

Our U.S. medical insurance doesn’t work down here so yours won’t either, but we have always used private doctors and dentists and been able to easily use a credit card or cash.

For example, I had some back issues a few years back. I was in a private hospital in a private room with American meals and two personal physicians and two personal nurses for almost 1 week.

When I checked out, the doctors sheepishly apologized to me for the high cost. I held my breath as they handed me the bill.

It was a little over 1000 dollars! That included everything even the meds! That might have covered only one single day in an American hospital.

Two years ago, I had two root canals and two fillings needed. Three visits to take care of everything was less than $200 in a dental office that was more like a health spa. They had classical music playing; plant filled rooms; aromatherapy fragrances; attentive friendly assistants; and a U.S. trained oral surgeon who spoke English!

Near here, places like Cabo San Lucas and other “tourism” centers also have good care as well. Many of the doctors and dentist I have met were either educated in the U.S. or go to the U.S. for continuing education.

Of course, the further you go from major population areas, the health facilities diminish. Keep that in mind, no matter where you retire much like anywhere in the world.

Many of our fishing clients come down and take an afternoon or day off to do some routine dental work like cleaning or a quick filling at a fraction of the cost.

The same with medications is also true. Many folks that live in close proximity to the border in states like Texas, Arizona and California routinely visit Mexican border towns to purchase prescription drugs.

Remember, that whatever medical policies you have in the U.S. probably won’t be applicable here in Mexico.

But there’s the local socialized medicine that anyone can get. And there are local health insurance policies as well that can be obtained. Just remember that like anywhere, it’s more difficult to obtain the older you are or if you’re past 65 or have pre-existing conditions.

Living the dream here in Mexico is a very viable and popular option. This article barely scratches the surface of the research you should do.

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 »

OUTGUNNED BUT NOT OUTSMARTED

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, 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, 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, Living in Mexico, luggage, marlin, Mexican, mexican food, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing fish, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on June 9, 2019| Leave a Comment »

OUTGUNNED BUT NOT OUTSMARTED

Originally Published the Week of June 3, 2019 in Western Outdoors Publications

I received quite a few e-mails about my last column that I entitled “ZING-POWIE FISH.” It was about big monster fish that lurk in the rocks and reefs that basically eat your lunch, their lunch and break your heart…and sometimes your rod!

With the e-mails coming in, I got to thinking of some other species, like big tuna.

Here in La Paz, we’re getting 50-150 pound yellowfin tuna. It’s one thing to hook a big beast like that sitting in a fighting chair in a big sportfisher with a 50W reel with a zillion yards of line.

It is quite another thing if you’re fishing, like we do here in La Paz, and many other places in Mexico…in a panga…with relatively light tackle.

Not only is your rod and reel lighter, but so is your line. Additionally, the fish doesn’t have to contend with a 1-ton boat to pull around the ocean. You just don’t have much leverage and it literally comes down to hand-to-hand combat in the sportfishing trenches.

There are some additional concerns with these ZING-POWIE fish or like the big tuna we have. They are picky and they have great eyesight.

With big fish, your natural tendency is to use heavier line or stronger line like braid/ spectra. Problem solved, right?

Well, spectra is very very visible. Also, if you are fishing with live bait, spectra soaks up water and gets heavy. So your bait does’t swim correctly so less chance of getting bit.

Heavy line is also visible. Plus, again if you’re using small baits, the line is pretty heavy and your bait tires faster.

On top of that, these fish, especially the tuna, like smaller baits like sardines. So, that means often using a hook the size of your fingernail… on fish the size of your living room coffee table.

Laura pargo big 9-18

So, small hook…small bait…light line…small boat…

Yikes! It’s like going to war with a BB-gun.

So, back to my e-mails. Folks want to catch these fish, but how do you tip the odds a bit more in your favor?

Well, I haven’t quite figured out all the angles yet, but I do have a few personal tips when you’re in situations like this and feel outgunned.

For one, fluorocarbon leaders.

Largely invisible underwater. And, they are much more pliable than their were years ago. Plus, even if your mainline might be light, you can put on a few feet of fluro that is heavier which will also help guard against sharp teeth.

Jessica McPartin San Diego Hugo grouper 5-17

Secondarily, I change my rod.

Because of the size of the baits or other conditions, I might be using very light line. But this is one time, I don’t match my rod to the line class.

I might be fishing with 30-pound test, but I’m using a stout 80 to 100 pound stick. If I get bit I want the fish to feel that heavy rod pulling right back!

A heavy rod makes the fish work that much harder and tire faster. It also give me more leverage to put even more pressure on the fish.

To that end, my personal tuna rod and ZING-POWIE rod is about 5 feet long. Basically, it’s a trolling rod although I only have a roller tip on it.

My foregrip extends 3/5 up the length of the rod. This enables me to reach way high on the rod and really lean into a fish.

The last 2-3 feet of my rod has a fast taper and lots of backbone to really horse the fish and make it work or to help me pull it out’ve the rocks. Also, a shorter rod is much easier on your back and arms than a long rod with a lot of spring in it.

Finally, my reel is also something I can do something about.

Pancho hooked up resize 4-19

I don’t need a huge reel with a mile of line on it. If I’m fishing in the rocks, it’s not that deep and the big rock fish aren’t gonna go running off with 100 yards of line on burning runs. They take a little line and want to go back into their holes.

Big fish like the tuna will make blazing runs. But, I find a reel with at least 300-350 yards of line is fine. Being in a smaller boat…or even a big boat…you can always chase down the fish. I have rarely ever seen anyone spooled.

So, a smaller reel is fine. Or if I have braid/ spectra, I put that on the reel and top-shot it with at least 150 yards of mono. The spectra enables me now to have all the line I could possibly want.

The most important aspect are the drags on the reel. If you have a smaller reel, at least make sure the drags or in good working order and not sticky or worn.

Even better, many of the newly manufactured reels have huge drag systems or dual drag systems installed that have incredible stopping power. Those will help put the hurt on a fish! Reels by Accurate, Avet, Shimano, Daiwa and Okuma come to mind. Slightly more expensive, but well worth it.

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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ZING-POWIE FISH!

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 island, charters, circle hooks, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, 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, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, 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 life, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, pargo, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, spearfishing, sportfishing, storm, Tailhunter International, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on May 19, 2019| Leave a Comment »

ZING-POWIE FISH

Originally Published the Week of May 21, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

DOG-TOOTH SNAPPER…THEY GET ALOT BIGGER!

There are some things we tangle with in life that we sort of lump into one big group. It’s just easier.

All facial tissue gets called “KLEENEX.”

All whirlpool tubs are called “JACUZZIS.”

On the freeway, everyone who tailgates you is a “JERK.” Everyone who blows by you at ultra speeds is “MORON.” (or worse!)

As fishermen, in many places, we call all bottom fish “ROCKFISH.”

Conversely, there are those things in life that defy description or categorization. In fact, there’s a group of fish here in Baja, that fall into that amorphous category and I call them like I see them.

They are the species I call “ZING-POWIE” fish!

So many folks come to to fish looking for the glamour species like marlin, tuna, wahoo and dorado. The ZING-POWIE fish are often overlooked.

That’s because it’s not generally perceived as “big game” or “deep sea” (I hate that term…yes, the sea is deep!) fishing.

Because the ZING-POWIE fish don’t live out there in the blue water. They’re not out on the high seas.

ZING-POWIE fish could be right in front of your hotel. They live right in the rocks there by the shore. They inhabit reefs and shallow high spots.

Cabrilla! Note the proximity of the rocks and shallow water.

You don’t need a giant sportfisher to get them. You don’t need complicated gear to get them either. Sophisticated state-of-the-art electronics can be left at home too. You don’t need 20 satellites to find the honey holes.

It’s pretty simple. Locals catch them in a tin boat with fishing line and a spark-plug for a sinker. In fact, the good ones make a living off catching ZING-POWIE fish.

I call them ZING-POWIE fish because that’s the sound it makes when you hook up one of these fish. And then lose it in the blink of an eye!

I’m referring to a group of fish that encompasses cabrilla (Mexican seabass), grouper, amberjack, barred pargo, mullet snapper, dog-tooth snapper and to some degree yellowtail and several other species.

The infamous pargo liso…mullet snapper!

They inhabit rocks and reefs and other structure.

Some can be monsters in the 50-100 pound range or larger. But even the “smaller ones” can frustrate and challenge even the best anglers.

They’ll hit live bait and lures and when they hit, it’s like a freight train. The water can be relatively shallow. Often you can see the fish under your boat.

Their method of feeding is to ambush their prey with powerful lightning strikes then retreat back to the structure. Snatch and go!

So, for the angler, there’s no time to react!

PULL HARD!

You don’t let them “nibble.” You don’t let them “take a little line.” There’s barely time to set the hook!

Imagine that you are fishing only 20 feet of water. You get hammered by something big. In nano-seconds, it takes line. Your rod also bends a few feet. You slam the brakes!

It’s already in the rocks. You lose! ZING-POWIE! Your line snaps and your rod flies back in your face like a spring! BOING!

That fish with all it’s power, has sharp teeth…powerful jaws…sharp gillplates…sharp scales…and he lives in razor sharp rocks and reefs.

And they have the power of a pitbull on steroids and the tenacity of a German Shepherd hanging onto a burglar’s pant leg!

Before you even realize what happens, your line goes…ZING-POWIE!

ALL TEETH, MUSCLE, ARMOR and POWER!

And it snaps! Even before your captain can fire up the motor and hopefully pull the fish out’ve the rocks!

It’s a game that tests even experienced anglers. If you use heavier line, the ZING-POWIE fish have sharp eyes. You won’t get bit. Forget braided line. It is way too visible.

Lighter line gets you bit more often, but that can be like going after an elephant with an air-rifle. Of course, it’s Murphy’s Law that when you have your lightest gear is when an 80-pound amberjack strikes or a 150-pound grouper decides to chomp your bait! ZING-POWIE!

But, even the smallest fish have the odds in their favor given their physical attributes and treacherous environment. When I guide, I’ve often told clients, this will be both fun and frustrating.

If we get 3 out of 10 fish to the boat, that will be a good day!

The frustration in this type of fishing isn’t just losing the fish after getting jerked out’ve your socks. It’s that often you can see the fish right under the boat or behind the boat in your chum line.

Pargo, for instance, when they spawn in the shallow waters looks like a Japanese koi pond on steroids. Basically, 20-60 pound “red carp” that looks like an undulating carpet of copper and red.

As you chum them to the boat, waters explode with huge backs and wide tails blowing up the water. One client said, “They look big enough to put a saddle on them!”

Fascinating to watch.

And then they hit your bait while you’re entranced with all the action. With no warning. No nibble. Just a sucker-punch-in-the-gut and your reel screams and your rod bends…and ZING-POWIE!

You’ve already lost the fish! Oh, the agony!

I have clients who come year-after-year to pit themselves against the ZING-POWIE fish! A new rod…a different reel…a new type of hooks…some new tactic they read about in a magazine!

This is the year, they will NOT be mastered by some stupid fish!

As one of my clients said after a fun but unsuccessful day, “It’s like playing a slot machine in Vegas. It’s so tantalizing close. The next quarter will surely bring success.”

Then he laughed…

“And in the end, the house always wins.”

“But, I can’t wait to give it another try tomorrow!”

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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They Don’t Bite All the Time!

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, circle hooks, crankbait, 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, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, 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, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on May 5, 2019| Leave a Comment »

FRANK ANNETTE BROOKE tags 9-18

THEY DON’T ALWAYS BITE!

Originally Published The Week of May 5, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

A couple of years ago, I was out on the water in one of our pangas guiding. I had a number of clients on pangas that day fishing.

I liked being out there and I would often go from one panga to another y’know…just to see how they were doing…get a laugh…take a photo…talk a little smack.

I came up on Jerry and Janice. Two of the nicest sweetest folks ever. Had been retired a few years. They often fished with my fleet.

Janice was especially sweet. She’s like everyone’s fairy godmother who would bake cookies and adopt cats.

Today was not a cookie and kitty day.

Janice was in the stern hard bendo on a big tuna. It was the kind of tuna that humbles strong men.

The strain was evident on Janice as she sat on the bench seat. I mean, she was putting everything into it and at any moment, it looked like the rod would snap!

Her concentration was so fierce, she didn’t see us approaching.

Her husband Jerry was up at the bow. Kinda casually dangling a rod and seemingly not putting much effort into it. Looking off into the distance.

Not even paying much attention to his embattled wife in the stern of the small panga.

I asked my captain who was on the boat with them. He was standing amidship (amid panga?) looking a bit helpless.

And he was not helping either Jerry or, more importantly, Janice.

What gives? He looked at me with a smile and shrug that said, “Not much I can do. She’s on a fish!”

So, I asked Jerry if he was OK.

“Sure. I’m just staying outta HER way!” he said rolling his eyes back towards his wife grunting and grinding in the stern.

What?

“I want to help her. So, did our captain. She just barked and growled at both of us and told us to stay the ‘EF’ outta her way and leave her alone! “

“So, that’s what we’re doing. I’m staying waaaaay up her in the bow before she bites me! I’ve never seen her like this.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. I understand the sentiment!

We backed our panga away as well to give Janice lots of space. She cast a slightly evil eye my way too.

I heard Jerry grumble under his breath, as husbands have been known to do, but I still heard him say, “It’s like she’s possessed!”

Indeed, who was that woman in the stern and what did they do with our sweet loveable, Janice?

She eventually got her fish…all by herself after almost fighting for 2 hours. A big tuna and no one was prouder than her…or all of us!

More and more of the ladies are out there on the water and I like the changing landscape…er sea-scape, if you will.

And they’re not just going out to watch everyone else fish. They’re rocking the fish and refusing to sit on the sidelines or be catered to. It’s awesome.

Grit and determination!

I once had a mom and her football-sized adult son on a panga. The young man expressed aloud his amazement that mom never passed off the rod; gave up; or asked him for help.

She laughed at him and said, “I birth’d you, kiddo! There’s not much a fish can do to me after that experience or a fish that I can’t handle!”

Point taken and adroitly articulated.

Gotta love it.

It’s good to see and great to get the attitude too.

And I think the ladies make not only good fishing buddies but good anglers as well. My own mom didn’t fish with dad and I until she was in her 60’s. She’d let us fish or, if she went fishing with us, she was very content to just read a book.

Then, a trip to Alaska followed by a trip to the Sierras changed all that and she was literally hooked. She found what she’d been missing. And then she was all-in!

I think the ladies are fast learners and much more patient than us guys. They are very coachable in that respect. And, they know fewer cuss-words when they’re frustrated…which is rarely.

Us guys think we can do it all. We lack patience and basically think anything can be accomplished by brute force and strength and we will bend the world to our wills!

No smack talk against my own gender, but brute force doesn’t always work.

So, next time, your gal…wife, girlfriend, daughter or mom is on a fish, if she tells you she doesn’t need help, give her some space and smile. And make sure to drop all the props on her when she lands the big one!

Even if it’s bigger than yours! You’ll be glad you did.

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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So…What Do You Think About…?

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, charters, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, 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 ventana, las arenas, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on April 21, 2019| Leave a Comment »

My wife, Jilly, keeps telling me I’m an “acknowledged expert” on Baja fishing.

Frankly, I love the compliment, but it still makes me a tad uncomfortable. I’m not an expert on anything!

I used to tell people that I’m only an “expert” for about 5-minutes at a time at a cocktail party. That’s as good as I get.

Nuclear physics? Sure!

Move to the next group.

World economics? Sure!

Excuse me, gotta get more of that yummy spinach dip.

Babylonian architecture? Sure?

I’ll be right back!

Czechoslavakian cuisine?

OK…but only for 3 minutes.

I move from cocktail group to cocktail group!

But for Baja fishing? I’d say I’m “above average.” Better than a lot. Not as good as I’d like to be. Not as good as a lot of others.

But, I do get a lot of fishing questions directed my way. We own a fishing operation. I get it. I do my best to answer and educate. There’s no bad questions!

The hardest questions, however, are the ones about tackle and gear.

I get them especially about this time of year. The fishing season is going to kick ramp-up as waters get warmer. Anglers have been shopping or about to go out shopping.

Also, a lot of fishermen have been to the fishing and hunting shows buying the “latest and greatest.” Tackle boxes are bulging!

There’s so much technology out there. “Made by fishermen for fishermen!” Help me if I ever hear or see that again.

If God ever made a more ingenious and inventive group of guys always willing to build, invent or conjure the “better way to catch a fish” it was fishermen.

Sometimes, I think that’s why Jesus grabbed a bunch of fishermen as his Apostles. Never a dull moment figuring out ways to increase the catch whether He was speaking about fish or souls!

I have no doubt they had some “unofficial” time drinking wine or beer and telling a tall tale or two (although outright lying was a no-no given that Jesus could tell you were lying!)

I’ve been victim to it as well. My garage workshop has, at times, been covered with my tinkerings to build a better lure; develop a new color; a more comfortable tuna harness…etc. etc.

But, I get e-mails and phone calls asking me what I think about the newest so-and-so-lure. Or some new-fangled reel or about whether some new scientific aerospace-atomic fishing line will work?

And I have to show my hand…”I just don’t know!”

The reality of it is, even if I fished 365-days-a-year, I would still never have all the time to personally test out every new piece of equipment under optimal conditions. Nor would I be able to test them out under same or similar conditions so that I could give an honest assessment between products.

There’s that old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

After almost 50 years in or around the fishing industry, I would have to speculate that most guys who make a living in the industry know what works because our livelihood depends on it. We only grudgingly adopt new things.

We have to make livings. We have to catch fish.

Change comes slowly.

If something works, we’re reluctant to just go out and gamble the money on something new that might be nothing more than a gimmick. Nor would we take a chance on a day we earn our livings on something that’s not proven.

I know a lot of my friends in the tackle industry will hate this, but having worked in a tackle store, a lot of stuff out there is honestly meant to catch fishermen. Not fish.

Some of my best gear is the most beat-up; scratched; and dilapidated shameful looking equipment you would ever want to see. It’s almost embarrassing.

But it catches fish. It’s blue-collar gear that’s functional, not pretty. Give me a lure with lots of teeth marks on it and a rod and reel that have dried blood and fish scales on it any day of the week! I don’t need pretty.

Don’t get me wrong. There’s A LOT of incredible gear out there and I only wish I could keep up with the technology because it’s cutting edge.

But, as I write this, I look into one of my tackle closets. I have a ½ dozen rooms like this. This one has about about 70 rods and maybe 100 reels in there. Several hundred lures, gadgets, rigs and other accessories are cluttered in there.

The truth of it is, God gave me two hands. I can only fish with one rod at a time. And one reel. I don’t really need 30 colors of each casting jig. I don’t need 60 different kinds of trolling feathers or 20 different types of colored lines. But, I have them!

And… I keep adding to the collection! Like many of you, I’m not immune to bright and shiny new-and-improved things! My wife feels the same way about shoes or shopping at Target!

But, like I said before, I can’t try everything. I’ve only used about 10% of the gear I have. If that. And truthfully, I haven’t had time to try out lots of the new stuff.

My best answer to someone who asks about new stuff is “it looks good,” but you might want to let it “season” for a bit. Let it get out in the industry and the public and get battle-tested by others before you drop your coins on it.

Check out reviews. I made it a habit of NEVER purchasing something the first year it’s out. Especially if it’s mechanical.

Let them work the bugs out first. Let other people spend THEIR money before you spend yours.

Get it into the hands of the public, not just the dealer selling it as the “next hottest thing.” Maybe next time, I”ll be asking you “What do YOU think?”

I’m never above learning. Bring it down and try it out and we’ll both count your fish at the end of the day!

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

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¡Bienvenidos Amigos!
Jonathan has written for:

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

His articles also appear in:

San Diego Union Newspaper
Los Angeles Times Newspaper
Sacramento Bee
San Francisco Chronicle
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That's My Story

Tailhunter International, La Paz, Baja Sur

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