Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

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 island, dorado, east cape, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, fishing tips, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, la ventana, las arenas, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexico, Mexico life, outfitters, panga, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, speaking spanish, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tours, Travel, Uncategorized, vacations, Western Outdoor News, 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 August 12, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Speaking Spanish

ADVENTURES IN SPEAKING SPANISH

Originally Published the Week of. Aug. 15, 2018 in Western Outdoor Publications

Among the many goofy signs hanging on the walls in our Tailhunter Restaurant in La Paz. One reads:

“TU ERES UN PENDEJO!”
(You are my friend!)

For the unsuspecting, if you don’t understand Spanish, it really means “You are an idiot.” Hehehehe…

After more than 2 decades down here, I’m kinda proud that I sort of have a handle on Spanish. By the same token, I regret that I’m not better at it. I should be fluent.

I think I have a good ear for it. I can parrot it back. It might not always be grammatically correct, but I can get my meaning across. My problem is that I don’t understand it as well as I should. So, sometimes I fake it.

If you’ve ever listened to a native Spanish speaking person or, better yet, tried to listen to your captain talking on the radio or even listening to a Spanish radio station…HOLY COW…it sounds like one continuous word!

I pretend I understand!

I’m sure English sounds the same to a native speaker also.

On the other hand, my wife Jill is fearless with the language. She understands Spanish way better than myself. She doesn’t speak Spanish as well. But, she doesn’t care. She goes for it. She just talks!

I wish I was more like her.

I still find myself having to think about what I want to say. Formulating in my small brain how to properly articulate it…then, I say it.

But, I’ve had my ups-and-downs.

Like many of us, I had Spanish classes in high school. I even had several college semesters of it. But, I couldn’t talk my way out’ve a Taco Bell.

To learn a language, you really have to live the language where you “think” in Spanish. I’m getting better.

But, you see, I pick up my Spanish from the folks I’m surrounded by on a daily basis. Those are my employees, my fishing captains and my drivers.

That’s a bit like someone who learns English working on the shipping docks, fishing boats or construction sites.

My Spanish reflects that.

And, since my “teachers” don’t exactly instruct me from some language book, my conversation innocently often comes out “unfiltered” and I’ve had some awkward social moments.

For example, caballo is a horse. Cebolla is an onion. I once asked the waiter for some “grilled horse” on my hamburger. You can imagine his face.

Worse yet, on a different occasion, I thought another waiter was going to bust-a-gut laughing. Cola is a tail. As in “lobster tail.” Culo is slang for a certain rear human orifice. Yup…THAT one.

People sometimes curse and call someone a “culero.” Like the guy who cuts you off in traffice and calling him a “jerk” is too mild. You get the idea.

I was invited to dinner and the clients told me to order whatever I wanted. This was in the early days. Wow…whatever I want? Really?

So, I whipped out my Spanish and asked the waiter for the “culo de langosta” (lobster orifice). With melted butter of course!

The waiter grinned…took a breath to compose himself… and very nicely corrected me.

“Culo is not on the menu but we do have COLA de langosta!” He probably went back into the kitchen and told his buddies, “BAHAHAHA…You’re not gonna believe what some guy just ordered…”

I’ve had some fun with it too. Especially as I got better.

I”ll have some young guys down here who are going out on the town a bit.

I’ll say, “You guys want to great pick up line for the senoritas? Would like to know how to ask a girl to dance?

Absolutely!

“Walk up to a girl and very politely say, ‘Dame una nalgada.’”

I make them practice that phrase. Over and over. Lock it in! The girls will really love it!

The phrase really means “Give me a spanking.”

Yea, my mom and dad always said I had a rascal streak in me!

I get some funny comments and looks the next morning. Mostly taken all in good fun.

The best honestly, however, is listening to tourists try out their Spanish. God bless ‘em for the effort. It’s appreciated.

It’s one thing to order a plate of tacos and pronounce it “TAY-koe” instead of “TAH-koe.” I get it.

But, especially owning a restaurant and fishing fleet and often the visitors do two things.

For one, they will add “El” to the beginning of everything. And they will add “O” to the end of every word.

So giving Spanish their best shot, “I want a taxi to take me to the hotel” becomes “I want-O an el-taxi-O to take me-O to the el hotel-O.”

Definitely an “A” for effort. Bravo!

Or conversely, when a local doesn’t understand the tourist, the tourist just says it louder the next time . And then louder again!

Right. Maybe if I just say it even louder I’ll be understood!

In all honesty, I love Spanish. I love being able to speak it and I envy those who have mastered it where it just rolls so smoothly on command like so many other gringos who have re-located here.

I’ve taken my Spanish to other countries and I’m pretty proud of it.

In Costa Rica, I was asked “Where did you learn your Spanish?” I told them I lived I Baja, Mexico. They said, “Well, you have an accent!”

Wow! Me? I have an accent? Right on. Give me a high-five!

But yes…there’s different dialects of Spanish too. Kinda like “English spoken by people in Great Britain compared to Alabama compared to Massachusetts compared to Australia.

Spanish in Spain is different from Mexico City. It’s different in Baja. It’s different in East Los Angeles!

Knowing another language is a wonderful ability. It’s like having a super power.

It’s like knowing a secret code that will open so many doors to communication and understanding. It’s one of my most valued treasures. I keep practicing and learning.

Five new vocabulary words a week.

Next time you come visit, don’t be afraid to use it! If we don’t understand. Just say it louder!

Andale! Viva Mexico, Cabrones!

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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SNEAKY RAT BASTARDS

Posted in Uncategorized on July 29, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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On social media I recently saw a funny photo meme. It was a picture of a room with bricks of money stacked in it. The caption says:

“NIGERIAN MAN DIES
AUTHORITIES FIND 27 BILLION DOLLARS IN HIS APARTMENT. HE HAD BEEN TRYING TO GIVE IT AWAY FOR 15 YEARS BUT NO ONE WOULD RETURN HIS E-MAILS.”

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Anyone who has been on social media knows the e-mail scam I’m talking about. Who has not gotten one of these bogus e-mails?

Don’t laugh.

There’s actually people who have answered the call for help and readily typed in their bank account numbers; e-mails; and other information. And waited for the Nigerian Prince to send over millions of dollars just-like-that!

Identity theft is not that difficult.

Personally, we’ve had our own e-mails hacked. Our website has been compromised; Facebook has been jumped and more. It’s almost a part of doing business these days.

It has probably happened to you as well. As a business, we’ve got all kinds of firewalls, anti-virus, and techno-booby traps to stop these insidious attacks.

But, hey…if companies like Sony, Google, Facebook, the President, the FBI, CIA, the Pentagon, your favorite athlete etc. with bigger brains and bigger wallets than you and I can be victimized…then you and I are simple cannon fodder for some nerdy genius with a galactic I.Q. and quick keyboard fingers.

Anyway, we live here in Baja. And we also travel extensively in the off-season. It occurred to me that we do an awful lot to safeguard our homes and our personal property from theft and intrusion.

But, one of the most vulnerable times is when we travel. If your technology gets stolen or hacked or cyber-theft occurs, it’s a lot more damaging than if someone steals your car radio or your favorite rod and reel gets lifted.

So, here’s some tips about protecting your “tecno-life” as it were…

• We travel for business. But, if you can, bring less. Fewer credit cards. Fewer gadgets. Do you really need your smart phone AND your tablet/pad AND your laptop?
• Beware of public wi-fi. This includes the free signals at airports and hotels. You never know who is watching. You never know if your information is also being captured. Let alone the bad guys…Even innocuously, the service providers are gathering info on your search patterns; sites you visit, etc.
• If you are using public wi-fi, be conscious of what you’re in-putting and checking. E-mails or checking your flight schedule are OK. Your bank account? Your credit card info? That’s easily hacked.
• Those free charging stations? Often can be used to capture data while you’re cabled in!
• If you’re using the free computer in the business center at the hotel or at an internet café, you have no idea if there’s firewalls or anti-virus programs installed. You have no idea who has been on the computer and what they were doing. At one hotel I lived at for awhile, I found out the hotel night shift spent most of the evening doing online gambling and looking at porn sites!
• Even where you MIGHT trust the wi-fi, think twice. Let’s say the front desk tells you their wi-fi is BEACHHOTEL.com. Fine. But, then you go to the pool and see there’s a free signal at BEACHOTELPOOL.com. Sounds legit. You log in! Hackers set up bogus online signals all the time. Now you’re logged into the hacker’s signal. Everything you type in is now being captured.
• One way to check bogus signals at hotel is to type in a false room number. If you get logged in, then that is NOT the hotel’s e-mail site!
• If you do log into free wi-fi, do your business, then get off. Do not leave your computer logged in while you’re not using it.
• Rather than use a free signal, use your phone signal to get wi-fi. Cellular signals are much more secure. Even better, get a portable hot-spot so you now have your own signal to use in hotel rooms, on the beach, and by the pool. That’s what we use! They’re cheap, small and the size of a credit card.
• After using the computer, especially on a public signal, delete your history.
• Before you even come down, think about changing passwords; using encryption and also updating the latest version of your apps to help foil hackers.
• When not in use, disable your Bluetooth and automatic searches that find signals randomly. They might easily log you right into the lap of a cyberbandit.
These are just a few hints so help safeguard your tech.

But, one last thing. It might be hard to do and you’re so anxious to tell the world on social media like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. that you’re on vacation. Neener neener to your friends and family back home.

Resist the urge. You really don’t want to tell the whole world that you’ll be in Baja, or Maui or Cancun for two weeks enjoying umbrella drinks and sunshine.

It’s not difficult for burglars to find where you live.

DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

Posted in Baja Life, family, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, 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 July 15, 2018| Leave a Comment »

One Shot

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

So…in the 12 years writing this column, there’s two topics I generally avoid. Religion and politics. Even in my own personal conversations. Off-limits.

Want to see my eyes glaze over? Want to see me mentally check out? La la la la la…I can’t hear you.

I do love “discussion.” That’s fun. And enlightening.

But, even moreso these days, either topic is so volatile. And it’s not a discussion.

It’s an argument. Arguments by definition are a battle. There’s an insistence on winning or, at least, winning over the other person. And when does that ever happen?

Nah.

I spent too many years as a litigation attorney in a past life in a courtroom and had a lifetime of argument. And my current life path doesn’t need that kind of agitation anymore!

It’s just easier to walk away. Easier to just say “We’ll agree to disagree” than gird up for battle. Life’s too freakin’ short.

And believe me, I know how to win a verbal argument. I was a professional. And I don’t like to lose…especially if I think I’m right. And, of course I’m right! Hahahaha…

But, I don’t need more scar tissue. And I don’t need to lose more friends.

So, my column this week isn’t a political statement. It’s merely an observation.

Mexico just had its presidential election. Six years in office. President Enrique Nieto out. New Presidente Andres Obrador is on deck.

You only get one six-year term.

And, maybe it was just me, but President Nieto seemed awfully quiet his last 3 years in office. He just fell out’ve the headlines. Didn’t want to make waves. No reason to make more promises.

Why? You don’t have to campaign again. What d’ya care? Live large. Wave and smile. Cruise control. Auto pilot. Just ride it out. Disappear into the sunset. You had your one shot.

And now it’s President Obrador’s turn. And I genuinely wish him Godspeed and good luck. One shot to make a difference.

One shot.

That got me thinking about all the folks we know here at ground-zero. Our friends. Working class blue collar. Ecking out livings. Family people.

I don’t know a lot of Mexico politicians or bureaucrats.

I try to keep my distance from both, although former Baja governor Marcos Covarubias used to come into our Tailhunter Restaurant here in La Paz. His wife liked to watch boxing and he liked our Hawaiian ribs and cold beer. We didn’t talk politics either.

But the folks we mostly hang with are regular folks like you and me. We’ve grown to love and respect so many of them and call them our friends. Hopefully, it’s mutual.

But, there’s one big difference. It was explained to me by one of our long-time employees recently.

He’s almost 60-years-old. He’s been a cook or dishwasher for almost his whole life. And he wanted to thank me for his job which he thought was the most wonderful job he ever had.

And he said he hoped he could work for us forever!

I think we try to make a good work environment for all our employees. But work for me “forever?” Like… as in… “the rest of your life?”

You see, here in Mexico, you have…one shot.

You start out as a cook…a dishwasher…a taxi driver…a laborer…and chances are, that’s what you’ll be doing the next 40 years.

That’s it.

You start your kid down that road and he or she will probably be doing the same thing for their whole lives as well. And their kids. No other hope.

In many cases, we see folks so used to that path, that they have no other ambition either.

They HOPE to get that job as a janitor. They HOPE their kid gets that job cooking taco meat. They HOPE to always be a security guard. That’s their dream.

That’s the extent of life…and career…and ambition.

That’s it. One shot.

The education level doesn’t help.

Mandatory free public education…for what it’s worth…is only good until 6^th grade. After that, the family has to pay. If they can afford it, they usually pay for the boys.

The girls are expected to…??? Fill in your own blank.

Even kids that make it to college level. We know a zillion kids who get degrees here in La Paz in “tourism.”

What that generally means is that they have some English skills and are now qualified to work behind the reception counter in a hotel. Or handing out towels behind the pool. The rest of their lives.

In many of the hotels and restaurants, the real work force is governed by powerful unions. Yes, there’s some benefits to having the union. Or not.

To get that job as the maintenance guy or cashier at the hotel you MUST be part of the union.

If you want to better yourself and become, for example, a cook, you lose whatever accrued benefits you had as a dishwasher. So…Welcome to 40 years of cleaning plates with mandatory retirement at age 60. No motivation to change.

Choose your station in life wisely, amigo. The glass ceiling is made out’ve concrete.

You might go to another restaurant or hotel along the way…but always as a dishwasher. Oh, and minimum wage is like 8 bucks…A DAY! Six days a week.

So, I look at our good friends and employees and know how I’d feel knowing that what I’m doing AT THIS MOMENT is what I’ll be doing the rest of my life.

Is this as good as it gets? As good as it is ever going to be?

At more than 60-years-old now, I’m still looking to move up. Looking for the next opportunity. Trying to make tomorrow a bit better. There’s hope.

For so many of our local friends…

One shot.

I’m sure everyone is hopeful that the new presidential administration will be an upgrade. Will be different. Will make a difference.

But as they head to work for another day, most just shrug and push on. Another day. Just like yesterday. And it’ll be the same tomorrow.

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

Everything But the Kitchen Sink

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, 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 trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, luggage, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, passport, planning, road trip, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sportfishing, suitcases, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, Uncategorized, vacations, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, 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 July 1, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Originally Published the Week of June 28, 2018 in Western Outdoor Publications

In my last column I chatted about some “hacks” to get your best airline flights if you’re coming down here. Given that summer vacations and fishing trips are now upon us, here’s some suggestions about actually packing for the adventure.

There used to be the times when I would personally bring down two rod tubes and 8-14 rods and reel set ups. I remember the days of 70-100 quart ice chests too. What was I thinking?

Those days are long past. My old back can’t haul those anymore. My tolerance of running through crowded airports or standing in line has diminished as well.

Besides that, airlines charge a mortgage; a small farm animal; and first-born child for being over-weight…over-sized…over-long…Holy Moly!

Fortunately, over that years, I’ve discovered that I can get by with carrying a lot less.

Sure, there’s the inclination to bring all your toys. The latest reels, rods, lures and gadgets. But chat with whomever you are booking with.

What do you REALLY need? And perhaps more importantly, what will you actually use?

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A perfect example is lead.

I’ve had guys bring down a couple of pounds of lead. In a whole year here in La Paz, I MIGHT use 6 total oz. of lead. That’s it! If they had asked me ahead of time, I would have told them.

If fishing with a partner, do each of you honestly need 8 trolling feathers per person? Or a giant 3-pound filler spool of 60-pound test line? Or 10 casting irons each?

I don’t know about you, but that’s too much to carry and my buddies and I can share without taking up all that space and dead weight.

Same with coolers. Figure out how much you really want to take home or need to take home. An empty 40-quart ice chest, with nothing in it but air, weighs 8-10 pounds.

If it has wheels, it weighs 12-18 pounds. If it’s one of those 5-day coolers, it weighs even more. If your airline weight limit is 50 pounds, that doesn’t leave much room for frozen fish.

For most of you, you’ll be home in a few hours the same day you leave Mexico so your fish only has to stay solid for that long.

Seriously, consider the lighter more efficient soft-sided coolers. Or one cooler for two of you.

I’m not talking about the flimsy ones you bring ice-cream home from the market. Yeti and other companies make some nice soft ones, but they’re really pricey. I’ve found that American Outdoors, Nor Chill and others make some awesome soft-coolers for a fraction of the price. They don’t weigh much and I’ve had stuff stay frozen for as long as 3 days in ours.

And just a word of common sense. While TSA and other security measures are not as relatively drastic as post 911, there are certain things you still should not try to carry-on into the plane.

I’ve had folks incredulous that they were separated from machetes, Leathermen multi-tools, fillet knives, bait harness needles, lures and hooks. Look, if it’s sharp pack it in your suitcase. Don’t bring it aboard. On year, I had a guy try to bring his own portable anchor. FAIL.

Also, Mexico inspectors are a lot less forgiving than TSA. Whether I agree with them or not, I’ve been or seen folks relieved of tactical flashlights, masking tape, fingernail clips and dikes. Be forewarned.

For actually packing, there’s a few tricks to lighten the load.

Try rolling your clothes instead of folding them. You’ll fit more and your clothes will have less tendency to wrinkle. Although I really don’t care if my fishing shorts and shirts are wrinkled! Inside a roll is a nice place to keep fragile things too.

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I’ve had a lot of guys and gals over the years, buy cheap t-shirts at the swap meet or outlets. Two bucks apiece or something.

They wear them once and then leave them in their rooms upon departure. Grateful cleaning staff loves finding barely used items. And for you…That much less to bring home.

By the way, if you are bringing stinky clothes and shoes home, toss a dryer sheet into them and it’ll help relieve the smell. Also, a cheap shower cap works great for smelly shoes and flip-flops.

Also, do you really need the family-sized shampoo or toothpaste? Hand lotion or sunscreen? If you’re only here a few days, do the math.

Bring the travel size or, buy it here when you hit the markets. You have to stock up on beer anyway, right?

There was a time when you really needed to bring whatever you’d need. There was no guarantee that you’d find whatever you’d forgotten in the local stores.

But, for the most part now, everything from toothbrushes and shaving razors to your favorite flower-fragrance shampoo is available here in Baja. The markets contain things you would never have thought of even 10 years ago like craft beers, Japanese wasabi; gourmet cheese and Angus beef; imported wines and fancy mineral waters.

COSTCO, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Home Depot plus good Mexican chain stores are everywhere. You can even get a hot dog while you shop.

I don’t know what happened to the “frontera” (frontier), but this isn’t your daddy’s Baja no more! You can get almost anything. Beyond that, you probably didn’t need anyway.

So pack light and save the extra room for bringing back fish fillets!

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
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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Flying Like A Boss

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Cabo San Lucas, charters, east cape, ecotourism, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing trips, holidays in mexico, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, luggage, Mexican, outfitters, packages, packing, panga, passport, planning, road trip, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sportfishing, suitcases, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, Uncategorized, vacations, Western Outdoor News, 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 June 18, 2018| Leave a Comment »

FLYING LIKE A BOSS

Originally Published the Week of June 20, 2018 in Western Outdoor Publications

Summer vacation is upon us and I thought I’d share some travel tips if you’re planning on coming down to Baja or traveling into Mexico. After almost 25 years of running trips here and thousands of clients, we’ve accumulated some things that might make your planning a trip a little less frantic and stressful.

My wife, Jill is quite the travel ninja for booking travel.

So, credit-where-credit is due, a good many of these are her tips. In addition to living here in Baja, we also travel extensively. We also fly extensively and (for better-or-worse) spend over 300 days a year in hotel rooms!

For flights, Jill starts looking and comparing prices right away. Don’t bust your chops and stress by waiting until the last minute. She starts looking. She does not necessarily purchase. This is her starting point.

Travel experts say you should be ready, however, to purchase anytime from 50-52 days out from your trip. That’s the most likely time to find the lower prices.

You waited? The WORST time is 3-7 days out.

Be prepared to pay a premium if you sat on your hands. That’s when there’s just a few seats left. The airlines can jack the prices knowing they’ll be able to sell those seats. . . to someone like you!

In our experience, the most crowded flights are Fridays to fly out and Sundays to fly back. For obvious reasons. It’s the weekend. It’s a resort area. Everyone needs to be back to work by Monday.

Sunday is also the most expensive day to fly.

When I would fly in and out’ve Cabo, I had a neat trick.

I used to plan flying out of Cabo on Sundays in the middle of the crowds. However, I would tell my office in Califorania that they might not see me until Tuesday or Wednesday.

On Sundays, I’d go to the Cabo Airport and check the lines. If the flight was full, I’d offer the airline people to give up my seat. For a price!

They were always happy and I would usually walk away with one or two free hotel nights; vouchers for meals; AND…free vouchers to fly again ANYTIME!!!

Sometimes, I’d do it again on Monday when I returned to the airport and SCORE again if the flight was over booked!

There was a time, back-in-the-day, where I had a handful of free vouchers to use and didn’t actually pay for a flight for a good 4 or 5 years! All from selling my ticket back to the airlines.

Friends who run travel agencies told me that Tuesdays are the best day to actually push the button and purchase tickets. If you can, night flights are the cheapest flights of the day.

Another little “hack,” if-you-will, that my wife discovered is how to best use your accumulated travel points.

Do NOT waste all those precious points to buy your ticket. If you do that, the airlines always applies it to the highest price tickets they sell. It’s a waste.

What she does is purchase the cheapest ticket she can find online or on the phone. If possible, she’ll use the airline credit card so we get travel points. PLUS, there’s sometimes a discount PLUS, if it’s an airline like Alaska, the companion fare is discounted.

Then, Jill will use the points to UPGRADE us to first class to go in style and live large. Yes, I believe I will have another glass (not a plastic cup) of champagne!

Sure, the seats and perks are nicer up in the forward cabins, although I’d much prefer the burgers and cheese plate back in economy over the foo-foo food they sometimes serve in first class. But, for me, the best part is that first class also has better baggage allowances.

Often you get one or two free bags or at least they will often discount your extra luggage. That’s well worth it when you’ve got fishing gear, rods, SCUBA gear, etc.

It might just be me, but I think they also handle the 1^st class baggage better too. But another little tip is that I get some of those stickers that say “FRAGILE” and I put those on every piece of luggage.

It couldn’t hurt. At least, I hope to makes the baggage handler think twice before he shot-puts my suitcase or tackle box across the tarmac.

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

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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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Adventures in Driving

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, car, cerralvo island, charters, driving, ecotourism, family, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, fishing tips, fishing trips, fishing videos, holidays in mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, Leisure, Living in Mexico, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, Salt Water Fishing, Tailhunter International, tours, Travel, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, 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 June 2, 2018| Leave a Comment »

crazy-drivers

ADVENTURES IN DRIVING

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

With all the clients we’ve had over the years, we get a lot of comments about drivers here in Mexico. It does take some getting used to driving and owning a car down here.

But, if you ever wonder about Mexican drivers, I can sum it up pretty easily. Basically, to get a driver’s license, you don’t need to know how to drive!

Now, it makes sense, doesn’t it?

That’s right. No driving school or driver’s ed required. And the driver was probably taught by his or her dad or brother who also didn’t get any formal instruction.

There’s no actual driving test either.

No need to prove you know where or how to stop. You don’t have to demonstrate the ability to park or how to do that crazy “Y” maneuver from the curb. Nope.

There is a written test. Really?

Yup. But from what I can tell, it’s more like “show and tell” time. Open book.

Everyone helps everyone. Got a problem? Can’t read? Ask the guy next to you. Had a certain roadside experience? Share it with your neighbors! Bring family and friends along to help you too. Need glasses? For what? Not important.

Proof of insurance? What’s that?

You do have to give a blood sample! That’s right. You go across the street from the local Transito Office (DMV) and there are little clinics there. You go give a little blood sample. You bring the results with your driver’s license application.

I have no idea why.

My employees at our Tailhunter Restaurant are also required to give a blood sample. I guess I understand that. No communicable diseases, right?

But giving blood to get a driver’s license? Maybe to make sure it’s red. To make sure you’re alive? To see if you’re a vampire? It’s just a little pinprick, but it always cracked me up.

Once you have all the forms filled out, you go get in line. Actually, about 4 different lines. One to submit the forms. Another to pay. You take the receipt and go back to the first line to show proof that you paid.

Then a different line to get your photo taken.

By the way, no smiling allowed. Or hats or glasses. Must look serious. Must look like a guy on the Post Office Most Wanted list.

Actually, it’s like that for all official Mexican documents. That includes passports, work visas, immigration papers…no smiling allowed! Including Sam’s Club and COSTCO membership too!

I’m kind of a naturally smiley guy. We all like to have nice photos on our passports and drivers licenses and other cards, right? I mean we have to stare at them in our wallets for a couple of years, don’t we? Friends and family ask to see them all the time to make fun of us.

I’ve been told to “cut it out” whenever I try to give ‘em a goofy mug shot.

And they are NOT smiling when they scolded me! That usually makes me smile even more when I get scolded like a little school kid. So, I think of sour milk and stepping on dog poo to get myself into the right “frame of mind.”

Like any DMV, this whole process can take hours.

And there’s no chairs. Or air-conditioning. Although there’s cart vendors outside selling hot dogs, Cokes, coffee and snacks,

However, you can expedite all of this if you know a guy who knows a guy. There are “facilitators” hanging around. Or one can be recommended to you.

The last few times I went, they were off-duty cops making some dinero on the side. One was a lieutenant. Another was a detective. Everyone seemed to know them. Lots of high-fives and hand dubs.

Wassup? How’s the family? What did you think of the soccer game? You up for a beer later?

THAT’s the kinda guy to follow around!

You pay them. THEY will stand in line FOR YOU! How cool is that?

Or, even better, the good ones have “inside connections.” They fill out your forms for you. When it’s your time, they walk you right to the front of the line.

It’s a bit awkward because you step right in front of folks who might have been waiting over an hour to get to a window. You can feel them scowling at your back.

But, you’re marched from one line to the next. You don’t ask questions. You just go where your facilitator directs you.

You say “Si” and “Gracias” appropriately to every person along the way. You sign whatever they tell you to sign. You do not smile when they take your photo.

No goofing around. The facilitator is not there to waste time. He’s there to get you in…and out. So he can get another “client.”

You pay them your pre-arranged fee and you’re also expected to tip them at the end for working you through the system!

But you get out fast and easy and you’re on your way to hit the road…

With all other qualified drivers out there!

That’s my story…

Jonathan signature

Jonathan

______________

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

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CHEEKS, BEAKS & EYEBALLS

Posted in Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, fish, Fishing, holidays in mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexico, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, Uncategorized, vacations, Western Outdoor News, 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 May 20, 2018| Leave a Comment »

CHEEKS, BEAKS & EYEBALLS

Originally Published the Week of May 23, 2018 in Western Outdoor Publications

Traveling and/ or living in another country has a way of expanding one’s horizons on so many levels. It’s impossible to immerse yourself in another geography, climate, language or, in the case of Mexico, another culture and travel in a vacuum.

I’ve never been too picky about my food. I generally eat about everything. But still…everyone draws the line somewhere, right?

Do you ever watch the popular Food or Travel Channels on TV? And you watch the hosts travel the world eating (to us!) strange, bizarre and sometimes squeamish food?

Well, I’m here writing this week’s column. And just a few hours ago, I was hacking at a goat carcass with a butcher knife with perhaps more gusto than I would ever imagine.

Friends had gifted us a whole butchered goat and now here I was slicing ribs, loins and chops surrounded by my employees. Everyone was anticipating who was going to receive which piece. Like slicing birthday cake in front of kids!

I was gonna put a photo of goat’s head in the soup, but nah…

The head, neck and eyeballs were especially prized for… Yes…”goathead soup” and other parts would be “headed” towards delicious “Birria” (goat stew). Or maybe to the grill or chopped for tacos! Everyone had a family recipe!

I changed my mind!

It’s about how you dress it up!

It sounds funky, but with the head in the boiling pot with garlic, cilantro, onions and other vegetables, it’s quite a treat. You’re living large down here when you dip a hot tortilla into it and shovel it into your mouth!

Twenty years ago, who woulda thought?

My agrarian family back home in the hills of Hawaii would have been proud to see their kid with couple of college degrees and who used to wear a suit and tie slicing and carving away. With some pretty good skill, if I say so myself!

But, there’s a lot of things that I don’t think twice about anymore. Things that I would have rolled my eyes at years ago if they hit my plate, now get my hunger pangs off to the races.

Often, they’re things that make our tourist visitors wince!

For example, after fishing, we cut and clean fish for our clients and nicely pack their fillets to take home. But, the aftermath of heads and body parts is a shame.

My captains and I actually laugh and sometimes playfully argue over “dividing the spoils” left by the clients.

The entire heads of snapper, pargo, seabass (cabrilla) and others are highly prized for soup. The ten-pound head of a big dog-tooth snapper has lots of normally wasted meat.

Here’s lookin’ at you!

Throw it on the barbecue or into the soup pot and it’ll feed a family and all the neighbors! Of course, the abuelo (grandfather) always gets the cheeks and eyeballs!

The same with the collars and bellies. Tuna and dorado “pechos” can’t be beat on the grill. I’m not talking about the stomach and innards.

Yellowtail collars

$30 bucks at sushi bar

I’m talking about the chest area of the fish and the long strip of flesh under the fish. It’s the sweetest part of the animal in the same way salmon collars in Alaska are highly treasured.

I will sometimes get a bunch of leftover collars and bellies and grill them at our Tailhunter Restaurant and serve them as free appetizers to our guests. It blows them away when they find out it’s the stuff they left on the beach that day!

Other examples of fish I usually see thrown away…

Bonito! Yes, that dark oily relative of the tuna family. Great sport, but a strong flavored meat that’s often released or used for bait. Try chilling it. Slice some loin very thin and make “Baja Sashime.”

Look dark. Tastes pretty good!

Drizzle some fresh lime juice on it. Splash it with some soy sauce. Mince some fresh jalapenos on it and let it chill in the frig for 15 minutes. Serve it like you would any sashimi with ginger and wasabi. Or not! It’s pretty good as is!

Another is triggerfish. For years, I threw it back or gave it away. These pesky reef fish have an incredible hard jaw and their skin is almost like rawhide prompting locals to give it the name of “bootfish” because it’s so tough.

Just add saltine crackers for ceviche!

However, it yields a tasty flaky-white fillet that makes great ceviche and is one of my favorites when it’s battered and deep-fried golden. Perfect for fish tacos and you can feed a lot of folks with battered fish.

Sierra Mackerel is another one of those fish I tossed away for years. How can anything that has “mackerel” attached to it be any good? I think of dark, oily strong-tasting meat.

But, actually, sierra meat is silky pink and white. It’s actually related to it’s cousin the much-sought-after wahoo. Sierra is the smaller cousin and, in season, you can catch ‘em by the load.

Cooked up, it is incredibly tender. A bowl of sierra ceviche with some crackers and tortilla chips will set you back 10 bucks in a restaurant down here.

And finally, let’s not forget the taco stands!

Anyone can serve up carne asada, chorizo or carnitas tacos.

Pig cheeks! It’s not quite the other white meat!

But, a couple of my favorite stands down here serve, grilled sizzling pork or cow cheeks. Or deep fried cow knuckles and joints.

Ask around and you’ll also find the real “gourmet” stands that serve tongue and brain tacos as well. And they’re awfully popular.

It takes a bit to get used to, but I can chow with anyone now. Besides, here in Mexico, everything tastes good when washed down with an icy beer.

So, next time you’re down, don’t wince. Give it a try. Walk on the wild side!

That’s my story!

Jonathan signature

______________

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

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

Read Full Post »

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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
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That's My Story

Tailhunter International, La Paz, Baja Sur

Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

ADVENTURES IN SPEAKING SPANISH

SNEAKY RAT BASTARDS

ONE SHOT

One Shot

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

Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Flying Like A Boss

FLYING LIKE A BOSS

Originally Published the Week of June 20, 2018 in Western Outdoor Publications

Adventures in Driving

ADVENTURES IN DRIVING

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

CHEEKS, BEAKS & EYEBALLS

CHEEKS, BEAKS & EYEBALLS

Originally Published the Week of May 23, 2018 in Western Outdoor Publications

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