Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

There’s a New Sheriff in Town

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, charters, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, 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, Mexico, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, 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, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on February 11, 2019| Leave a Comment »

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THERE’S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 13, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

Well, here we are on the road again. For almost 25 years, we’ve been on the road for the first 3 months of the year doing all the major hunting and fishing shows in the Western U.S.

From Salt Lake City to San Diego and Seattle to Billings, Montana, we criss-cross the west spending time in our booth each week talking to folks and chatting about visiting La Paz and hopefully fishing with us at Tailhunter.

Over the span of 4 or 5 days, we talk with hundreds of folks each week.

It’s interesting how the complexion of travelers has changed over more than 2 decades in the fishing and hospitality business.

I have often mentioned that it was a bit easier “in the olden days.”

Jerry, Don and Tom just wanted to fish and drink beer and eat tacos. If the room had a lightbulb, a shower and a bed, that was just super.

But, even then, we always encouraged wives and families. Fishing is one of the best activities to get together, especially in the warm calm waters of Baja

And sure enough, over the years, we’ve seen a great up-tick in the number of wives, kids and girlfriends and families. It’s been great.

Many times, the ladies were content to let the guys go fishing while they hung out at the pool or beach. They went shopping or hit the spa. And they had a good time.

But, as time went on, more of the gals were jumping aboard too!

They were joining in the fishing…and at times, outfishing the guys! They were coming out to dive, snorkel, whalewatch and getting in on the fun.

Surely, the times were changing.

However, in the last few years, we’re seeing another change in travel. Nowadays, the ladies aren’t just coming along on the trip.

They are taking over the trip!

They are making the reservations. They’re making all the arrangements!

The ladies are dictating who, what, when and where! I guess that shouldn’t be a surprise!

The ladies are great organizers. Women are naturally more detail-oriented.

But here at these shows, answering questions; phoness or e-mail, it has caused us to be different as well.

Sometimes awkwardly so!

I mean…after 2 decades, I thought I had heard every question in the book!

I simply don’t know how to answer some of the questions these days.

I mean, the guys don’t ask questions like:

“How hard are the mattresses at the hotels? Which hotel has the softest mattress?”

“How rough is the toilet paper?”

“What’s the brand name of the pillows there?”

“How easy is it to buy caffeine free diet Coke?

“Does Mexican food have nutrition labels on it so I can check calories and carbohydrate content?”

“Can we get a nanny?”

“Can you get us a dog-sitter while we are out fishing?”

“Our sons want manicures and pedicures. How do Mexican spas compare to spas in Southern California?

I have to admit, that last question really threw me. Manicure-pedicures for her sons? Really? I admit I’m old.

But back in my time, it seemed a lot easier and less fuss.

We were tasked with making sure we washed all the great dirt out’ve our fingernails before we hit the dinner table.

Sometimes not so successfully, I might add. As hungry kids we just dug in!

And then we ran right back outside to play in the lovely dirt as soon as we pushed away from the table.

But, many of the questions, just leave me looking like a doofus with my mouth open. I have no way to respond.

I really have no idea what to say. I mean, the hardness or softness of toilet paper has never really been in my zone of consciousness!

No guy ever walked up to me in the booth asking about the quality of a spa for a manicure or pedicure. Nor has any guy asked about the brand name of the pillows or bedsheets.

But with all respect, these are important things these days and we have to up-our game to make sure we can answer these things.

So, I better start checking pillows, mattresses, Diet Coke and toilet paper! It’s a whole different ball game and mama has questions so I need to come up with answers.

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-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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When Fishing Is Not So A-Peeling!

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

bananas1

When Fishing Is Not So A-Peeling!

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

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

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

Most folks say they’re not superstitious.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There’s a number of theories.

Bananas Stink

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

No Slowing Down

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

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

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

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

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

A Dark Chapter

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

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Davey’s Locker

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

Here’s another one…

Good to Be King

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

So, what do you think?

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

That’s my story~!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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GOOD ENUFF

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

GOOD ENUFF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

One wanted to bring his young son.

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

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

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

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

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

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

We often forget that.

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

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

Both answered in the affirmative.

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

“Well, do you have fun fishing?”

“Yes, I love it!”

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

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

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

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

Some would say he’s not old enough.

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

One Star

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, christmas, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, fishing trips, fishing videos, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico life, outfitters, panga, pargo, pompano, road trip, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, 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, 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 December 30, 2018| Leave a Comment »

mojave

ONE STAR

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 30, 2018 in Wester Outdoor Publications

It was my first Christmas in Baja almost 25 years ago.

It wasn’t where I really wanted to be. At least, not at that time of the year. Not really at that particular point in my life either. But there I was.

Sitting on my beat-up plastic ice chest. In the dark. In the moonlight on a chilly desert evening that was doing it’s best to creep through my thin sweatshirt and grungy army surplus pants.

I was in Baja. Kind of in the middle of nowhere. At night just off a lonely stretch of road not far outside a small fishermen’s pueblo.

Pretty much outta gas, outta money and out’ve prospects. And almost outta batteries in my flashlight. Great. Just great.

When morning hit, all I knew was that I’d be headed down the road to somewhere that only tomorrow knew.

Obviously, I also knew that I wasn’t going to be coming home for Christmas. Because well…for the time being, my mini-van was home. Right here. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that I’d be in Mexico for Christmas.

Pulled off the shoulder on an empty highway.

My Christmas “dinner” that night was a sumptuous feast of canned chicken soup cooked on my single burner camp stove. Washed down with the last warm Coke I had sloshing in the melted ice water of my cooler.

And tonite, like many nights lately, I’d be hunkered in my old mini-van. Living large.

I unrolled my sleeping bag and shook it to make sure no critters had crawled in. The winter nights are cold, windy and clear in the desert.

Sleeping in the van stretched out among my gear wasn’t luxury. It was a necessity.

“Come to sunny Mexico!” say the brochures. “It’ll be fun!” they said. “It’ll be WARM!” they said. Someone screwed that up. Mostly me. Plans had gone catawompus…left of center.

This sure was a different Christmas.

No gifts. No family or friends. No Christmas parades or shopping. I would have been grateful for a cold turkey sandwich let alone a hot plate of mom’s roasted bird covered with gravy.

I used to bitch about hearing Christmas carols for weeks before Christmas. And the endless Christmas TV shows. And now it would be great to hear even one corny Rudolph song. One Frosty. One RUM-Pa-Pum-Pum little drummer boy.

Where are you Charlie Brown? I know how you felt when no one liked your little tree.

No cell phones back then. I couldn’t even call anyone to let them know where I was or how I was doing. Those were my “knucklehead days.” They weren’t talking to me much back then anyway.

I really didn’t need to hear, “I told you so…”

But still…

No gaudy Christmas lights. Nothing except a few lights coming from the hardscrabble little pueblo I had passed about a mile back down the road.

Just another typical dusty cluster of concrete block homes set in the saddle of some low hills. Mini- trucks that probably never had hubcaps. A rider-less kid’s bike left against a fence, probably when someone got called for dinner.

Just like me. Stuck in the middle of nowhere and not really going anywhere either. At least not this Christmas night.

Especially in the dark, a colorless Baja landscape except for the faded wind-scoured Coca Cola and Tecate signs someone painted a generation ago against a wall.

And some tired political graffiti about voting for somesuch guy who promised to change all this.

“SOY TU REPUESTA! Juntos por el Futuro!” (I’M YOUR ANSWER! Together for the future!)

Right. Politicians and promises never change. No matter the country.

I had passed through the pueblito earlier, but decided it would be better to pull off the road outside of town. No sense causing a stir with a strange van parked on their road with an even stranger guy sleeping inside.

From my distance, there was surely no sense that it was Christmas. No colored lights. Surely no music or semblance of a holiday. Just me singing the blues in my own head.

No other lights except the stars on a clear dark cold night. The kind of stars you can see when there’s no other lights. And shooting stars too.

And one shooting slowly over that little town.

And a goofy thought.

About another town. Many many years ago.

In the middle of nowhere. No lights. Maybe some non-descriptn dusty block houses not unlike these.

Folks inside just going about their lives. Simple dinners over. Maybe going to sleep. Just another day. Snuff out the candle or lamp. Another night. Nothing changes.

Including the night sky. The same sky. The exact same stars. No changes.

Yea. It’s the same night sky. Gotta be. Thousands of years. They don’t change.

Tried to wrap my tired brain around that one.

Maybe the only ones who took notice were some guys on the nightshift watching their animals. Guys like me, trying to fend off the cold.

Who looked up. Just like I was doing. Because there was really no place else to look.

The story says they saw something up there. In the night sky. Two milleniums past.

And maybe these same stars saw something as well. Down here. In a desert town. Middle of nowhere.

Somehow there was a promise that night. A hope? Maybe not graffiti’d on a wall. But something happened that night.

And these same stars were there. Back then.

And maybe some guys hanging on a windswept desert hill saw something up there too.

So say the stories.

Or maybe they were just tired and ate some cheap chicken soup.

That part wasn’t in the stories.

But it was getting colder and the wind was coming up. I climbed into my van and into my sleeping bag.

And, for some reason, Christmas wasn’t so bad or lonely anymore.

RUM-Pa-Pa-Pum…

That’s my story

signature June '18 two 1

______________

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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CAN’T HAVE TOO MUCH

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, 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, giant squid, historical, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexico, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, 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 December 16, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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CAN’T HAVE TOO MUCH

Originally Published the Week of Dec 18, 2018 in Western Outdoor Publications

In my last column, I had written about the fact that when fishing in Mexico, live bait sometimes just isn’t available. This can be especially true during the winter months due to weather or other variables that can’t be controlled.

So, what do you do? Cancel the trip and go back to your hotel room? Throw or troll lures all day?

Over the years, I’ve often been asked about bringing down frozen bait like squid. Frankly, I never say no. Even if there’s plenty of live bait available, if someone wants to bring some down or buy some, that’s fine by me.

It’s one of those things like being rich…or being too skinny…you can’t be too rich or too skinny. Relatively speaking.

And in my book, bait is one of those things that it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. I’d rather have too much than not enough.

To me, the best universal bait in Baja is squid. Pretty much everything eats squid. There are even times when squid works better than live bait. For example, I’ve hooked some of my largest tuna, on squid.

Trolled, chunked, cast, jigged…it all works. And it’s better than nothing and sometimes it’s better than anything.

But, you don’t just want any kind of squid.

Leave that frozen stuff they sell at the bait shop home. Fresh dead squid is the best. Believe me, fish know the difference.

If it’s fresh caught and never been frozen, all the better. That would be my first choice.

Rather than bring it down to your Baja destination, see if one of the local markets has some fresh squid or the fish sellers at the farmer’s market in town. It’s not only fresh, but it’s as cheap as you’ll find it short of catching your own.

Absent that, if you’re bringing some from home, again hit up the fresh stuff from the seafood market or fish counter at the supermarkt. If it has to be frozen stuff, make sure it’s table quality squid that’s for human consumption.

To bring it down, you’ll have to freeze it anyway. If you have a vacuum sealer, great. If not, use small ziplock-style freezer bags and portion it out, so you use only what you need for the day.

There’s nothing worse than defrosting a 5-pound chunk of frozen squid on a boat in an ice chest, bait tank or…in the sun!!!

It’s not only going to make a stinky mess, but at the end of the day, you’ll have issues with the un-used squid and storing the goopy glop for the next day’s fishing.

Year’s ago, I had some fishing clients who forgot their defrosted squid in the trunk of their rental car. By the time they remembered it, it was late and after a few dinner margaritas.

They figured it would be OK. It was night.

Well, nights in Baja are still 85 degrees and the plastic bag leaked right into the trunk carpeting…right under the rear seats and into the floorboards.

Come morning, they couldn’t even get into the rental car without gagging. Good thing they bought insurance!

Once you have the squid ready to use, there’s no end to the techniques.

Slow troll a whole squid behind the boat.

Pin a whole squid or strips of squid to a trolling lure for scent and action and drag it behind the boat.

Pin some on a lure and cast or jig with it.

Send some down on a hook with a weight, dropper loop style, and a half-dozen reef beasts will be all over it including, pargo, cabrilla, grouper, snapper and more.

Chunk with it.

Cut it into chunks and toss handfuls into a slow current as you drift. In the middle of the sinking chunks bait up another chunk of whole squid on a hook.

With your line slack and in freespool, let your baited hook drift down with the rest of the chunks. This is a dynamite way to get hooked up.

Keep your line slack and in freespool so it stays with the rest of the chunks. If your line suddenly starts ripping up, remember “dead bait doesn’t swim.” Flip the brake and set the hook!

There’s some fish, like dorado, that specifically like live bait. Dead stuff doesn’t get them too interested unless they are already in a frenzy.

But, you can use the chunked squid as chum. It gets the dorado coming to the boat so you can toss a lure or a whole squid and them and “swim” it back to the boat.

You can also cut up and pulverize a bunch of squid and make a chum bucket using a small mesh bag hung over the side of the boat or weighted down and hung at depth to attract fish.

If you want to supercharge it, add in some commercially bought fish scent to the bag as well. It’ll leave a nice slick of scent in the water and you never know what might show up!

If you have limited live bait, there’s one really nifty trick I learned years ago from one of my captains. You can put a live bait into the body cavity of a squid. It will swim! Just put a hook into it and let it do it’s stuff.

And, as a fallback…if all else fails!

Fresh squid great deep fried or made into calamari salad!

unnamed

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 »

NOT A SURE THING

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, 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, 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 Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, rentals, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on December 2, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Bait…it is what it is and you make the best of it!

NOT A SURE THING

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 4, 2018, in Western Outdoor Publications

With the cooler months descending rapidly over the Baja, a fisherman recently asked me, “Where’s all the live bait that was around all summer?”

Good question. In many areas, live bait gets harder to acquire during the winter months and for good reason.

Many “warm month” fishermen who visit Baja assume that bait is ALWAYS around and ALWAYS available to either catch or purchase. They come down in the other times of the year and it’s a different ballgame.

For many reasons.

First, it’s the weather and conditions. During the cooler months in the Baja, winds are stronger. There’s a lot more wave action and rougher water.

As many of you regulars know, there are some days when it’s impossible to launch a panga. Even in a big cruiser, you can go out and just get beat up getting tossed and bounced on an angry ocean.

Maybe in my younger days, I’d be out there. I’m older and smarter now. Fishing is supposed to be fun…especially in Baja.

It’s not an exercise in endurance. So much nicer to hang out at the pool with a cold one and work on that tan!

But those same waves and winds batter the bait areas. Bait tends to stick together, especially if you’re talking sardines or mackerel. It’s all about survival.

To that end, they like shallow sheltered areas or areas where there’s structure be it rocks, reefs, docks, floating objects and similar. Or at least shallow areas along a beach or bay where they can feed, breed and not be subjected to as many predators.

If waves are crashing on those beaches or smashing into rocks and docks or currents are impeding their abilities to stay together, they’ll find somewhere else.

Or, alternatively, they’re so scattered so they’re difficult to locate and catch.

I often get fishing clients who say, “Two years ago, we caught tons of bait over by the wreck,” or “The south end of the island had tons of bait according to the reports.”

“How come we don’t go there to get bait?”

Or. . .

“Why is it taking so long to catch bait now? It was easy last July!”

Yes, bait moves, amigos!

If there was someplace easier to find or easier to catch, don’t you think we’d be doing it? Duh.

Some folks think it’s like a big bait receiver out there in the ocean and you just take a big dip net; throw net; or Lucky Joe rig and get all you want.

Like going through the drive-through at McDonald’s. You order. You drive up. No big deal. It’s not like that.

There’s another aspect of the bait dilemma as well. It’s the human element.

If the bait sellers are having a hard time finding bait, it’s gonna take awhile for them to get enough to sell.

Or, maybe that’s ALL they might have to sell for the day. And their prices will be…well…whatever their prices will be.

It’s a seller’s market.

Better to “light one candle than curse the darkness” is the old saying. You take what you can get and make the best of it.

If you have to wait, you wait. If you can only get a handful of bait, you go with it. You pay the going-rate.

You’re not going to pay a couple thousand on a fishing trip then argue because bait costs $30 instead of $20. If the bait guy doesn’t sell it to you, the next guy will surely take it.

What are you going to do, go fishing with no bait? Troll all day?

You can’t get mad at the poor bait guy who’s been working all morning or night doing his best to have enough to sell. He needs to make a living too.

Sure, it’s frustrating. However, believe me, getting angry with the bait guy, your captain or your outfitter won’t make bait magically appear.

The other aspect to remember is that if the bait is hard to get, the bait guys may feel it’s not even worth going out. Why waste the energy? No one likes to work for small returns on effort.

Conversely, during the winter, there’s a lot fewer fishermen on the water.

The bait guys might not go out at all if there’s no one to buy their bait in the morning. You might just have shown up on one of those days. It’s like getting rained on the day YOU decide to go fishing. No one to blame.

So, just either be patient or go with whatever is happening. You might find yourself catching your own bait or using something unusual like chunks of bonito or squid. Or trolling.

It is what it is. You’re still in Baja. You’re not at work. You’re not at your desk or whatever you do. There’s worse places to be.

In the next column, I’ll chat about some ways to fish dead bait like squid.

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 »

As It Should Be

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, family, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, 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, Mexico, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, panga, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, 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 November 5, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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As It Should Be

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 6, 2018 in Western Outdoor Publications

This is my favorite time of year.

Late September to mid-December is what I call down-time here in Baja.

Much of the crowds are gone. Kids are back in school. Families have other things in mind and nothing on the calendar until Thanksgiving.

Recognizing that, there’s some great bargains to be had if you work around that holiday. Airlines consider this “off-season” and have some great rates. Hotels are often well below capacity so they offer great discounts or can be negotiable if you dial direct.

Free breakfast?

Sure.

Spa time?

We’ll add that in too.

Tickets to the buffet?

Not a problem.

How about we throw in a discount for the booze cruise?

Done deal!

And an ocean-facing room too!

It’s a pretty time to be down here too.

Lots of sunshine, but 20 degrees cooler than the summer with much less humidity. However, waters still retain much of the summer warmth. It can be breezy or even windy, but most times it’s postcard perfect.

In fact, we call it “non-weather.” It’s so agreeable, you never even think about the weather.

And many oft-crowded places are often empty. Beaches pretty much all to yourself. Restaurant staff falling all over you with service. No reservations needed. Stores willing to “listen to your best offer.”

For fishing, it can be spectacular. If you can avoid some of the major tournaments going on (or join in and have some fun!), often the waters are uncrowded with sportfishing traffic.

In fact, if you check out some of the lessor-visited destinations in Baja and Mexico, there’s very little fishing going on except for you! However, keep an eye out for the winds and try to pick your fishing days when the forecast calls for diminished winds.

Personally, especially as you get into late October and November, there’s just less hustle and bustle. Things slow down. There’s fewer tourists around so I think the whole place collectively just takes it down a notch.

You take slow walks. You ride a bike. You linger over your meals. You sip instead of gulp. You watch sunsets. You stop to chat instead of a quick, “Comos estas?” then keep going to the next thing.

There’s no place you have to be right now.

The shadows are longer. The palm trees rustle in the breeze. There’s a sparkle on the ocean.

Someone is barbecuing carne asada down the street. Somewhere there’s the lone mariachi trumpet wafting a familiar old Spanish tune you can’t quite place.

A young couple walks by in the distance. Barefoot in the sand. She giggles. He affectionately punches her in the shoulder. She giggles, tries to kick him back. They hold hands.

That was you so many years ago.

You put your feet up. You hold your cold bottle of beer up to the setting sun and let it shine through the amber glass. A sip of the icy golden effervescence refreshingly burns the back of your throat. Ahhhhh…

You wonder what the rest of the world is doing. Or not.

You start to take a selfie. To send to the folks back at the office. Post on Facebook. Look where I am.!

Nah.

That takes too much energy. Phone off and slipped back into the pocket of your cargo shorts. Another long draw off the long-neck. Living the dream.

No reason to move. At some point, you might have to explore where someone is cooking up that yummy carne asada. But not just yet.

There’s more important things to attend to. Like ordering another cold cerveza.

For just a little while, it feels like old Mexico again. And the world is as it should be.

That’s my story

signature June '18 two 1

______________

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 »

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Jonathan has written for:

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Fish Taco Chronicles
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